Chapter 15

Millie glanced at the clock. Did it already say five? Angry, she paced the room, glad that her father was in town and not here to see her humiliation. That's twice Preston failed to show up. Could she trust him? "Stupid thought. Of course, I can't trust him. He's not here."

Hungry, she made her way to the kitchen and grabbed a piece of bread and a glass of water. Prisoner rations. "Ugh! Preston is off my list. I was dreaming about him. He never promised to come back for me, and now, he can't even show up when he says." She munched on her bread as she made her way up the stairs.

Finished with her piece of bread, she stopped before she reached her room. There was no reason for her to go to bed this early and still be hungry. She had on one of her new outfits and thought she looked nice. Pretty even. Maybe Fritz would take her out to dinner.

She went to the kennels and saw him giving the last of the dogs their evening meal. "Have you eaten?"

Fritz looked up and smiled. "I have to say that light pink looks lovely on you. I made a good choice if I don't say so myself."

Even though she was irritated at his high opinion of himself, she had to agree with him. The skirt and ruffled blouse were flattering on her. "Yes, thank you again. I wondered if you'd like to go to town and have dinner?"

Fritz dusted off his hands. "All right. Let me get dressed, and then I'll drive the carriage around the front." He started to ask a question but grinned instead and went to his room on the side of the house near the dogs.

Millie felt herself blush. The man knew Preston was supposed to take her to dinner. How, she wasn't sure, but he had known. At least Fritz hadn't rubbed it in. She was embarrassed enough. She never wanted to see Preston again.

In record time, Fritz had the carriage in front and was waiting for her. Millie came outside, and Fritz helped her in and draped a blanket over her lap. "There could be more snow coming. If it gets too bad, we'll have to stay at the hotel." He smiled and took his place to drive the carriage.

Millie didn't answer. She prayed they could get home after dinner. She didn't even tell Fritz where to go but sat back and let him choose a restaurant. After a thirty-minute drive, she saw they were at the Denver Hotel. They had a wonderful restaurant, and if needed, they could get a room. She straightened her skirt, glanced at Fritz, and said to herself, "Make that two rooms."

Fritz gave the valet the reins and jumped down. "I know the hotel has good food. With the weather the way it is, I thought the other restaurants might close early." He put his hand on her elbow and guided her toward the door.

Millie went along with his gentlemanly manners, but it riled her. She did not want a man who thought he could order her around and expect her to obey like a dog. She had her own way of doing things.

But for now, she'd let him take her to the table of his choosing. Then she'd order what she wanted to eat. She was hungry.

"I thought we'd sit in the back where it is warmer." He pulled a chair out for her to sit down with her back to the windows.

"I'd prefer to sit where I can look outside. I love watching the snow come down. It's so peaceful and quiet, don't you think?" She moved to the chair on the other side of the table.

Fritz frowned but pulled the chair out for her. "I suppose. Being from Germany, I am used to seeing snow."

Millie grinned at him. "Do you ever have fun? Look at things with wonder and enjoy just being?"

Ignoring her question, he picked up the menu. "We'll have the roast beef plate." He handed the waiter his menu.

Millie put a hand on the waiter's arm to stop him. "I'll have steak and potato. I love your steaks." She smiled and caught a sly grin from the waiter. "Yes, ma'am."

Clearing his throat, Fritz sat up straight in his chair. "Really, Millie, do you have to make everything hard? What could possibly be wrong with having the roast beef?"

"I wanted steak." She met his stare, intent on not wavering her gaze.

"I suppose if I had ordered steaks, you would have wanted roast beef?" He finally smiled at her.

She had to give in with a smile of her own. "I suppose you might be right. Sorry. I was off balance."

Fritz shook his head. "Because Preston didn't come by again?"

"How did you know?"

"I heard you talking to your father. Shouting really. It would have been hard not to hear since my room is next to the kitchen."

"I am sorry you heard that. Father and his feud with the Chadwicks. Have you ever heard of two more stubborn men?"

"They are set in their ways. Do you even know what it is about?"

She shook her head. "I once thought it was because the big nugget disappeared. A ten-pound nugget of gold they both found when they made the claim. But they had trouble with one another before it went missing. No one knows what happened to it."

"It's hard to know what is going on between people." He shrugged and then grinned. "The dogs are all doing well. Your Bob has the makings of a great pointer. You need to work with him or let me." Fritz took a drink of water.

"He's my dog. I'll work with him when I have time." She resisted his attempts to take the animal from her.

"Bob has the potential to be great, but only if someone works with him regularly. Your father brought me back with him to do just that."

Millie sighed. "Well, I wasn't part of the bargain. Bob is my dog, and I'll see to his training." Why had she asked Fritz to take her to dinner? What a mistake. She glanced out the window and realized her mistake was even greater. It was near blizzard conditions. It was a good thing that she'd left her father a note where she was. Then she wondered where he was. He'd not told her what he was doing.

Her dinner came, and she enjoyed eating her steak and potato. The roast looked good, too, but she'd wanted to establish her right to order what she wanted. She smiled at Fritz and then noticed Candace coming inside the restaurant.

Millie scowled, then spun it into a smile as Candace waved and approached her table.

"How nice to see you again. The snow is really coming down." Candace smiled at Fritz. "So good to see you, too." Her buttery voice dripped with flattery. She turned her attention back to Millie. "Where is Preston? I thought maybe you two had hit it off, but I know he missed the Hightower Ball."

Staring at the woman, Millie concentrated on keeping her smile on. "I don't know where Preston is. I'm not his keeper." There. She'd said it, so maybe the fawning woman would take a hint and go away.

Instead, Candace pulled out a chair, sat next to Fritz, and let her hand rest on his arm. "I hope you don't mind, but there aren't any open tables left. We're all friends."

Millie hadn't been aware that friends could be uttered in two syllables. What did she care? Let her have Fritz. She didn't want him. She pouted. Hated that she was, but it wouldn't leave her face. Right now, she didn't want Preston either.