The Charlotte Series: Book 3: The Pretender's Gold

BONUS SCENE

*NOTE* If you have not read the Vicky Series, these characters might not be familiar to you.  If you have read them, here's a peak at what they're like 13 years after the end of Vicky Book 3.

-----------VICKY'S POINT OF VIEW-----------

Vicky watched out the window while Em held the children spellbound with her beautiful accent as she told a story about King Arthur.

The boys rode in and tied off their mounts in front of Doc's. She watched as they went in and a few minutes later Quin came out.

"Em, I'll be back in a minute." She called as she stepped into the hall and headed toward the stairs just as her husband stepped through the doors.

She watched as he stepped to the side and paused to let his eyes adjust before he stepped further into the room. Vicky stepped back into the shadows, content just to watch him walk. He left her about a month ago. And she was watching him now the way a starving man watched a chef.

How had she managed all those years during the war?

"Can I help you?" A desk clerk offered when he had stepped through the doors.

"Yes. You can." Vicky shivered at the sound of his voice. If only they could have some time to themselves...With that thought tucked away she smiled as she watched him from the shadows.

His boots sounded on the hardwood floor as he crossed to the desk with his hat in his hand. Vicky wasn't the only one giving his long hard body a good long look—but the desk clerk dismissed him as harmless as he let his hand move away from the pistol under the edge of the counter. Vicky smiled. Lincoln was civilized but there was a range war going on.

Quin offered the clerk a disarming smile and Vicky felt her knees wobble as she leaned back against the wall.

"I'm needing two rooms. Me and my boys just got in and we need to knock the mud off of us. Where would I get a bath?"

"You can get a washtub and water brought to your room for $2.00 more."

"Mite expensive don't you think?"

"You can get a bath over at Lulu's if you've a mind to go that route, but it will cost you a mite more than $2.00. A girl comes with the tub. Lot of fellers sorta think it's worth it though—If you get my drift." The clerk winked at Quin.

"$2.00 it is. My boys are a little on the young side for the other sort. Besides, my wife is in town and I can't say she'd take too kindly to me visiting Lulu's."

"Yes sir. When do you want it? Comes with soap, but you can get scented soap for two bits more."

"Might as well go whole hog. Throw in the scented soap. Get it on up to the room as soon as you can. I'm going to get the boys now and we'll be along presently."

"McClintock? Has your wife got three cute little youngsters with her?"

"That would be my wife, yes."

Vicky wondered at the recognition until the clerk slid the register off to the side. Of course, Quin always signed the same way: Major Q E McClintock.

"She's a real beauty. Looks like an angel floating down the stairs... So lovely."

Quin's face hardened into a flinty stare and Vicky felt her stomach flip. Lord she loved that man.

"Meaning no disrespect, sir." The clerk cleared his throat and stumbled on. "She's a handsome woman. I was merely trying to tell you that you are a lucky man."