Annie's Chance (Mail-Order Brides Of Prairie Meadow 3) Page 7

  Turning away from Claire he saw the other girls watching.

  Smiling nastily, he said, “Well, I hope now you all understand what you signed up for.”

  The smile left his face and looking from one to the other, he said, “Good. Now pick up your bags and follow me. I’ll show you where you’ll be staying while you’re working here.”

  He led the girls to a small, run-down bunkhouse located behind the saloon. Throwing open the door, he said, “Find yourself a bunk and get settled. I’ll be back for you in an hour.”

  Three of the girls just stood there, shocked at what had transpired. The fourth girl, Mary, just threw her things on a lower bunk and sat down. She was the one who had spoken to Claire in the carriage on the way from the station.

  Claire looked over at her and asked, “How did you know this wasn’t what we thought it was?”

  Mary smiled sadly, “My sister worked here for over a year because my parents needed the money. She had an accident and was killed two weeks ago. Gorman came to our house, supposedly to pay his respects. But once he was inside, he told my parents she still owed him money. He threatened them if they didn’t pay up.”

  “What happened?” Claire asked, shocked.

  “My ma and pa didn’t have the money. When he spotted me, he said I could come to work off her debt. So here I am.”

  Mary had tears in her eyes as she said, “I can’t believe my sister owed that man any money. She hardly ever sent anything home. He’s nothin’ but a liar and a swindler.”

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