The Godmother (Everland Ever After #11) - Caroline Lee Page 0,2

chips and the bills to her side of the table. The pot hadn’t been big, but it hadn’t needed to be big; she’d used the last round simply to test the reaction of that particular player.

He was younger than her, and his dark hair was cut close, a worn hat hanging down his back, and his callused hands were rarely still. She’d watched him during the betting and had noticed he had a tendency to freeze briefly when he was worried; usually when he thought he had a chance of winning. It was a small tell, but one she’d tested just now.

Still, he relaxed against the chair and sent an easy smile to her and their companions. “That took some guts, I’ll tell you. What’d you say your name was, mister?”

She hadn’t.

“Chris O’Hare,” she mumbled, pretending to keep her attention on organizing her chips as she studied him from under her lashes, waiting to see if he’d hold a grudge.

Judging from his relaxed mien, he didn’t appear to. “Well, welcome to Everland, Mr. O’Hare. I’m Max DeVille.”

When he offered her his hand, she hesitated only a moment, then reached out to shake it. Years of practice meant her handshake was just as strong and honest as his, and she hoped it was enough to fool him.

“Seems like you know Merrell and Terrell Gruff already. Their brother, Jerrell, is around here somewhere.”

One of the two identical men she’d been playing with—Terrell—nodded his head in a sort of bobbing motion, reminding Christa of a pigeon.

Merrell was chewing on something, and drawled, “He’s upstairs getting his fix.” The lewd wink he gave made his brother chortle.

Neither of them were particularly good poker players, and Christa’s opinion of them went down another notch.

Of course, if they knew you were a woman, they’d likely be less crude.

Very true.

But on the other hand, if they knew she was a woman, they’d be less likely to lose so much money to her.

As a beautiful, young, well-dressed woman, Christa would’ve been welcomed into the fanciest of poker games, with the highest stakes. She could’ve flirted and charmed and won thousands of dollars.

But she wasn’t young, was no longer particularly beautiful, and she didn’t have the stakes to enter a game like that. She had just enough money and talent to do well at the games The Gingerbread House offered, which she couldn’t join if she were dressed as a woman.

She’d spent her life supporting herself and her family by winning reasonable sums, in reasonable games, at mid-level saloons like this one and not sticking around town too long afterward.

Of course, Everland, Wyoming was one of the sweetest little towns she’d ever experienced, and one she might not mind sticking around in for a while. But if she did, it’d be as Christa Harrington, Godmother.

No one would confuse her for the slouched, poncho-wearing poker player who’d cleaned them out at The Gingerbread House saloon and whorehouse.

Max was still talking to the brothers about something, and when all three men chuckled, they pulled her attention back to the present.

“Well, we saved him a seat if he finishes up any time soon.”

Terrell glanced at the empty chair around the table and chortled, his head going up and down.

She noted Max almost, but not quite, rolled his eyes, then offered another easy smile. “Well, if anyone else wants to match wits against Mr. O’Hare, we’ll let them join in.”

Christa reached for the cards. “That mean you’re bowing out, Mr. DeVille?”

The dark-haired man chuckled. “Nope. You’re stuck with me. And call me Max; we’re all friends in this town.”

Nodding, she began to shuffle, her chin down. “I’ve noticed that. Never seen a town quite like Everland.”

“And you never will!” Max declared cheerfully. “We’ve been around since the Oregon Trail came through this area, and the settlers stopped because of the lake. Have you seen it?” He didn’t give her time to answer, but hurried on, explaining, “Lake Enchantment is beautiful, and its waters are said to have healing properties. Why, there’s some ladies here in town who are bottling the water for special skin lotions and beauty potions and whatnot!”

As the Gruff brother across from her chuckled, Christa offered the deck to the nodding one sitting at her right side. Terrell refused the cut, so she cradled the cards comfortably and noticed Max seemed to be waiting for a comment.

“Seems a bit…magical?” she offered.

“Yessir, it is a bit. My family moved here from the south years ago, but even I know there’s some