Dragon Maid (25 page)

Utopia rolled her eyes toward heaven.
Lord, he’s handsomer than a shiny new nugget. And he’s just what I’ve been praying for. I promise. I’ll take real good care of him.

“Did you say something, Miss?”

“Never no mind. I mumble sometimes.” Her eyes locked with his and for a moment the question on the tip of her tongue was stuck. “Uh—do you mind if I call you by your first name?”

“Most folks call me Lance. May I call you by your first name.”

“It’s a deal. Say Lance—why don’t you tell me what brings you up this way?”

She knew full well miracles couldn’t explain themselves no matter how hard they tried. But she asked the question anyway because she liked to hear his voice and fancy talking.

“Like I said before, I have business to discuss with Jargus Knudsen.”

“What might that be?” Heaven sent, or not, a miracle man wanting a visit with her Pa Jargus wasn’t a smart thing to be doing.

“I’m afraid I can only discuss my affairs with Mr. Knudsen.”

“I was afraid you’d say that.” She bit on one of her fingernails. Whatever could possess a smart looking man to have such a foolish notion? “Umm… I don’t suppose I could talk you out of meeting up with my Pa Jargus?”

“I’m afraid not. I must have a word with him. It’s rather important.” Lance paused. “I mean no offense Miss Utopia, but can I ask you something?”

“I don’t see why not? Go ahead and ask.”

“How is it that you say that you have three fathers?”

“My mama passed on shortly after I was born. Fergus, Jargus, and Henry decided since they’d helped bring me into this world they’d keep me a spell. I’ll have you know that my mama was a beautiful saloon girl. I have her dress in my trunk.”

She didn’t really want to talk about her fathers. She needed to know what city Lance came from and what saloons would be best to work in. He needed to know her interest was in saloons. “Did you hear what I said about my mama?”

“That explains everything. These men aren’t related. They adopted you.”

“Adopted? I don’t know about that. They’re my fathers, that’s all there is to it. Did I tell y’ah about my mama? She was a saloon girl.”

They both reached the false-fronted building. Utopia climbed the steps and spun on her heels. She’d never seen a person so busy at scribbling in that little tablet of his. “If you plan on writing down my every word, I’ll talk slower. I reckon I’ve plum talked your ears off as it is.”

“Not at all. I’ve enjoyed our chat. You’re a very interesting creature.”

“Do you really think so?”

“Most definitely,” he said. “Now, if you don’t mind, I’d like to meet your father.”

Her hand went to the door’s latch and paused. It was time she let the city man know what he was up against if he insisted on talking to her Pa Jargus.

“Now—whatever you do, don’t let Jargus get the best of you. Stand your ground.”

“Stand my ground? What do you mean?”

“You’ll know soon enough.”