Slow Hand (Hot Cowboy Nights, #1)(5)

The first rays of understanding in this bizarre conversation had begun to dawn. “Ah. Then you wish me to handle the probate.”

“Yes, I suppose so.”

“Then I once more suggest that you call back in the morning. There’s nothing I can do for you right now.”

“But there is—”

Given his fatigue and foul mood, Wade made no attempt to restrain his sarcasm. “You have my sincere condolences for your loss, Miss Powell, but I fail to see how this is an emergency…given that he’s already dead.”

“But it’s not him. It’s me that needs your help, Mr. Knowlton. I’ve just arrived in Montana and I’ve lost my wallet. I have no money. No ID. No room for the night. I’m so sorry to burden you, but aside from the mortuary, your office was the only number I had. I just found it on a scrap of paper in my purse. Please, is there anything you can do to help me?”

“I’ll do what I can,” he replied, his ill humor somewhat dissipated. “How do you suggest I assist you?”

“I need a short-term loan, maybe a few hundred dollars, until I get my ID and credit cards back.”

“Look, ma’am. While I don’t wish to appear hard-hearted, I don’t know you from Eve.”

“But surely my father must have left some cash or something of value I could borrow against.”

“I have no clue about your father’s state of affairs and am nowhere near my office even to find out. And while I don’t wish to make either of our lives more difficult, it isn’t as easy as all that anyway. You have to understand there are legal waters to navigate in cases like this.”

“Please.” He detected a quaver in her voice. “I am truly in a bind.”

Her tone of desperation struck a nerve. Remembering the woman in Denver, Wade pinched the bridge of his nose with a sigh. Twice in one night? Incredible.

Giving up his airline seat had already cost him time and money, two hundred dollars with the extra fee charged for the one-way car rental. He knew nothing about this woman, yet he was already damn close to offering his own credit card, but there were limits to his generosity to strangers—even female ones. Still, he couldn’t refuse her request for help.

“Where are you, Miz Powell?”

“In the lobby of the Holiday Inn Express at Bozeman. I couldn’t get a room without my credit card. I’m going to have the same problem getting a rental car. I’m stranded here.” He thought he heard a muffled sniff. Aw hell. The tears were about to fall. The last thing he needed was to deal with a hysterical woman on no sleep.

“Where are you headed?” he asked.

“To Sheridan.”

“Then it’s your lucky night, darlin’. I’m going to Virginia City and Sheridan isn’t too far out of the way. I’m on my way to Bozeman right now to pick up my vehicle as I’ve been out of town on business. I’m still several hours away, but if you can hang on for a while, I’ll pick you up.”

“Really? Thank you so much. I truly appreciate your help, Mr. Knowlton.”

“Don’t worry ’bout a thing, Miz Powell,” he offered in the most soothing tone he could muster. “It’s been a rough night for both of us, but everything looks brighter in the light of day.”

“I never could have imagined getting into a situation like this. It’s a horrible feeling.”

“I think in a few hours you’ll see that your situation isn’t near as dire as you thought.”

“Why’s that?”

“I’ll be there to treat you to a Starbucks by six.”

*

Nikki stared dumbly at her phone. Starbucks? Was that his answer to her troubles? On top of all that, he’d disconnected the call without even saying good-bye. First the cocky cowboy in Denver and now her would-be attorney? Did all men out West have to get the last word? With a huff of exasperation, Nikki stashed her phone, irritation now supplanting her despair.

The clerk greeted her with raised brows as she approached the checkin desk again. “Any luck?”

“Yes…and…no,” Nikki replied with a forced smile. “There’s someone who’s going to pick me up, but it’s gonna be a while before he gets here. Please, if you won’t give me a room, can I just crash in a chair for a while?”

The clerk made a face.

“But I have nowhere to go. You know my circumstances,” Nikki pleaded. “I promise I’ll be gone in a few hours. I’ll even pay you once my ride gets here.” She hoped he wouldn’t accept the offer. It would be humiliating to hit Knowlton up for money.

The clerk rolled his eyes on a sigh. “That won’t be necessary, Miss Powell. Just promise me you’ll be gone before our guests begin checking out.”

“I promise. No one will see me. Thank you so much for understanding.”

Nikki slinked off to take possession of an overstuffed wingback chair by the lobby fireplace where she set her phone alarm for five thirty, and then shut her eyes hoping she’d wake up to discover it was all just a crazy dream.





Chapter 3


Having made good time to Bozeman, Wade dropped off the rental car, picked up his truck from the long-term lot, and arrived at the Holiday Inn at twenty after five. He approached the desk with a question hovering on his lips. “Miz Powell?”