“What will we do if she’s not there?” Tori’s hollow eyes and pale cheeks worried him. Her illness and concern over Rachel had taken a toll.
“Let’s take one thing at a time.” He reached between the horses and patted her hand.
They entered the small two-story hotel. Not luxurious, but clean and bright. A large window brought in the warm sunshine that lit the lobby. Someone had gone through the trouble of placing plants on the tables, but some had wilted. A few men sat in comfortable chairs talking with each other or reading.
They approached a thin man sitting behind the desk. He rustled his newspaper and shifted the cigar in his mouth back and forth, not paying any attention to them.
“Excuse me, sir,” Tori said. Silence. No movement of the newspaper greeted her. “Excuse me.” This time she spoke in a louder voice. Still no response.
Jesse reached over and grabbed the newspaper out of the man’s hands. He crumbled it and tossed it behind the desk.
“The lady is speaking to you.” His harsh tone drew several pairs of eyes in their direction.
Tori glared at him. She turned to the man and gave him a sweet smile. “I’m sorry for my companion’s rude behavior, sir. We’re looking for a young girl who may have checked in within the last few days. Her name is Rachel Henderson.”
The older man continued to stare at Jesse during Tori’s speech. “You just tossed away my newspaper, mister.”
“As I said.” Tori leaned over and glared. She interrupted their locked eyes by blocking their path. “I’m sorry for his behavior, but it’s very important that we find Miss Rachel Henderson. Has she been here, or is she here now?”
“Do you plan on buying me another newspaper?” The man ignored her and continued to stare at Jesse.
Jesse flipped a coin on the desk. “Here, now answer the lady’s question.”
“That’s a coin, mister, not a newspaper. Can’t read that.”
“Buy another one.”
“No. I had a perfectly good one a couple of minutes ago. They sell newspapers over at the mercantile.” He took the cigar out of his mouth and used it to point to the store across the street.
Tori placed her hands on the desk and raised her voice. “I’ll get you another one in a minute, if you please tell me if Miss Rachel Henderson has been in this hotel.”
“Don’t want to tell you anything until I get my newspaper.”
Tori grabbed Jesse’s arm. “Please? We’re never going to get anywhere. Can you just go get another newspaper?”
He regarded her tear filled eyes, and his heart twisted. “Damnation!” He stalked away from the desk, yanked the door open, and strode across the busy street to the mercantile.
Jesse returned, with a newspaper tucked securely under his arm, to find the hotel clerk staring at his fingernails and Tori pacing in front of the desk.
He slammed the newspaper down. “Now answer the lady’s question,” he growled.
“Don’t remember the question.” The man began opening the newspaper.
“Has a Miss Rachel Henderson registered here in the last few days?” Tori snapped.
“Nope.” He wet his thumb and forefinger and turned the page.
Jesse’s fist connected with the clerk’s jaw and he went down on his backside, the newspaper landing on top of his face. Tori grabbed Jesse’s arm and dragged him out of the hotel.
“Well, you certainly are an expert at getting information out of people. I hope you’re better in court.” Tori sniffed and looked up and down the boardwalk.
“Are you kidding me? The man is an idiot. He had no intention of giving us any more information, no matter what.” He took her by the elbow. “Let’s get some lunch. Rachel had to eat, even if she didn’t stay at the hotel.”
Tori pulled her elbow out of his grip and walked ahead of him to the small restaurant a few doors from the hotel. Jesse shook his head and followed her, trying hard not to notice how the snug pants hugged her curved backside.
Tori was pleased to note quite a few tables in the restaurant were filled. Always a good sign. They took a small one near the back of the room. After a couple minutes, while Jesse ignored her and she returned the favor, a young waitress with wheat colored hair and a slight limp came over and plopped down two glasses of water.
“What can I get ya?”