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    The Quest for the Demon Disconcerter
    The Quest for the Demon Disconcerter
    The Quest for the Demon Disconcerter
    Ebook126 pages1 hour

    The Quest for the Demon Disconcerter

    By Cameron Chapman

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    About this ebook

    The American West has been a new frontier for Captain Stig Rayner and Miss Isabelle Feeney Hemsworth and their joint business venture. And the fact that they can work together and yet still avoid one another is a nice bonus.

    But unexpected news drives a wedge between them that just might push them apart for good. The return of an estranged family member only adds to the tension.

    An attack on Isabelle’s life and livelihood may not be enough to bring them back together, though counsel from a wise elder just might be. In the end, the chance they’ve always wanted might finally come, but is the price too high?

    The Quest for the Demon Disconcerter follows Stig and Isabelle through what could be the most tumultuous time in their years-long journey to find peace together.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherCameron Chapman
    Release dateMar 8, 2013
    ISBN9781370150250
    The Quest for the Demon Disconcerter
    Author

    Cameron Chapman

    I'm a professional blogger, dealing primarily with technology, social media, and design. I also write fiction in various genres, including women's fiction, science fiction, and fantasy. I live in Vermont with my husband, two dogs, and a sometimes-ornery cat.

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      Book preview

      The Quest for the Demon Disconcerter - Cameron Chapman

      The Quest for the Demon Disconcerter

      Book Three of The Steam and Steel Chronicles

      by Cameron Chapman

      Published by Untime Press

      Copyright © 2013 Cameron Chapman. All rights reserved.

      Smashwords Edition.

      Be sure to read the other books in The Steam and Steel Chronicles,

      Aboard the Unstoppable Aerostat Fenris

      and

      The Great Healion Race

      Cover design by Cameron Chapman, with images from NeilsPhotography,

      licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution License

      CHAPTER ONE

      In Which an Old Acquaintance Reappears

      WELL HELLO THERE, MISS Hemsworth.

      Isabelle knew the man who spoke to her, but she couldn’t place where she’d met him before. Hello, she replied, buying time.

      I forgot you were settled in these parts.

      Something about the way he said it convinced Isabelle that not only had he not forgotten where she lived, but that he had, in fact, been hoping to run into her. Then she remembered him: Dwight Frobisher, the winner of the Healion Company’s race across Russia and Canada—the race she and Stig had very nearly won.

      I wonder if I should be offended at that, Mr. Frobisher.

      Ah, so you do remember me, he said with a smile that reached his eyes.

      Of course.

      Please, though, call me Dwight.

      Isabelle smiled and turned her attention back to the list of supplies in her hand. The mercantile would be closing soon and she still had a number of things to purchase.

      Frobisher waited for her to say something, and when she didn’t he said, Well, I’ll let you get back to your shopping. It was nice to see you again. He tipped his hat to her and walked away.

      You, too, Mr. Frobisher.

      Her tone had the desired effect, and she watched his shoulders slump as he walked away.

      Isabelle rolled her eyes. Dwight wasn’t the first man who’d shown an interest since she relocated to Logan, Montana to take on a new freight contract. There was also the new sheriff, the old man who ran the freight yard, and a young mechanic she’d actually considered becoming involved with.

      But the last thing she needed was complications. The partnership with Stig had been smooth going, if a little tense at times.

      She tried not to think about it too much. They could barely stand to be in the same room sometimes, but their business arrangement worked out well. They only saw each other when they were transferring cargo between her train and his airship. Even then they always seemed to find something more pressing that prevented socializing.

      It was for the best.

      Isabelle sighed, grabbed the last couple of things on her list, and hurried to the counter. The clerk had already pulled the things that weren’t out on the shelves and had them waiting for her.

      Just put it on my tab, Harry, she told him. He nodded as he put her things in a wooden crate.

      You have a nice night, Ms. Hemsworth.

      She took her box from the counter and walked out the door.

      Dwight was waiting there for her on the wooden boardwalk. Would you like some help with that?

      I’m fine, thanks, Isabelle said, turning in the direction of the rail yard.

      Dwight had to jog to catch up. He fell in step beside her. It really is a pleasure seeing you here.

      I’m sure. Was he obtuse or just refusing to get the hint?

      Are you sure I can’t help you with those things? People are going to think I’m a real cad letting you carry that box.

      "People around here know me well enough they’d think you a cad if you were carrying it."

      Dwight’s laugh echoed off the wood fronts of the buildings along Main Street. It was infectious and Isabelle found herself laughing, too, despite herself.

      As they neared the freight yard, she saw the dual balloons of the Fenris sticking up over the squat shipping office. Stig was back a day early from his latest run over the Rockies.

      Isabelle considered telling Dwight there was no need to walk her the rest of the way, but she didn’t. She was curious how Stig would react to her walking into the yard with another man. If she knew him as well as she thought she did, he’d never reveal whether it made him jealous or not, but she hoped she might catch a glimpse of something under the surface that would betray how it really made him feel.

      I was wondering if we might have lunch sometime, Ms. Hemsworth.

      Isabelle was startled out of her own thoughts at the proposition.

      Frobisher noticed her surprise and quickly continued, To discuss a certain business matter, of course.

      And what business would that be?

      Dwight rubbed the back of his neck as he spoke. Well, your contract with Healion is about to expire, and I thought we might discuss your next move.

      I’m not sure that’s really necessary, Mr. Frobisher. Isabelle stopped outside the custom Pullman car she’d converted into her personal quarters.

      Might we discuss it anyway?

      Isabelle considered. We might.

      If you’re not busy tomorrow?

      I wasn’t planning on leaving on my next run until supper time.

      I’ll meet you at the cafe in town about noon then, if that’s all right?

      Of course. Isabelle was thankful for the crate in her arms, as she was afraid Dwight might try to kiss her hand had it been empty.

      Instead, he tipped his hat to her and then strode out of the freight yard.

      Isabelle turned and climbed the stairs to the Pullman car, wrestling with the crate as she attempted to open the door. Before she could manage it, it swung open from the inside.

      >><<

      STIG WATCHED ISABELLE AND a tall man in a fancy hat walk into the freight yard. She was carrying a crate and for a moment he cursed the man for allowing her to carry it until he realized she wouldn’t have let him carry it anyway.

      The man looked familiar but Stig couldn’t place him. He was tall and lean, though it was impossible to tell how old he was in the twilight.

      Stig watched from behind the curtain over the window in Isabelle’s study. She’d be angry with him for letting himself in, but she always got over it. Aafter what seemed an eternity, the tall man tipped his hat and left the yard.

      Stig listened as Isabelle climbed the steps and he hurried to open the door for her. Need some help with that? he asked before she had a chance to start yelling at him for letting himself in when she wasn’t there.

      She handed the crate off to him and stepped inside, glaring. How many times have I told you, you can’t just let yourself in when I’m not here.

      He set the crate down on the kitchen table. If you really minded, you’d lock the door.

      Maybe I’ll start. Isabelle collapsed into the nearest leather-upholstered armchair. She closed her eyes and leaned her head back, exposing her throat and collar bone.

      Stig watched her for a moment before asking, So who was that?

      What? She didn’t open her eyes.

      The man you were talking to outside.

      Isabelle opened her eyes and sat up. Dwight Frobisher.

      Of course. The winner of the Healion race. The hair on the back of Stig’s neck immediately bristled as he thought of Dwight dancing with Isabelle at the awards ceremony following his win.

      What did he want?

      Wants to talk to me about business. Isabelle was watching Stig carefully, and he knew she was waiting to see if he’d react. He wasn’t going to give her the satisfaction.

      Well, our contract runs out next month. You gonna go work for him?

      Isabelle raised an eyebrow at him. Unlikely. I don’t work for anyone.

      Stig couldn’t help but laugh. Maybe he had nothing to worry about after all.

      What time are you leaving tomorrow? he asked, looking for some way to extend their conversation.

      Suppertime. I’m supposed to have lunch with Dwight.

      The hairs bristled again. You’re actually going to listen to what he has to say?

      She shrugged. Why not?

      It was Stig’s turn to shrug. Just don’t let him talk you into anything.

      When have I ever let anyone talk me into anything? It was surprising how quickly she could switch from nonchalance to anger. Like flipping a switch, and Stig knew exactly how to do it.

      Well...

      You give yourself too much credit. You’ve never talked me into a thing I didn’t want to do. She got up from her chair and walked back toward her bedroom and private bath.

      Stig felt pulled to follow her but knew it was impossible. Still, it took every ounce of strength he had to stay put.

      If you don’t mind, she said over her shoulder, I need a shower.

      Don’t let me stop you. He made no move to leave, wondering if she’d kick him out.

      She didn’t, just closed the door behind her. Stig lingered for a

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