“Old family friends,” he said, looking at Katie and smiling. “He came out here after the storm, and he and his cousin went out in a boat to help. I didn’t know him well, but as you said, great guy.”

“Right. And it’s a true pleasure to meet you,” Adam said.

Adam easily swung down from the carriage, a nimble man for his age. Striding toward Monty, he offered his hand. “Nice to meet you, sir. I haven’t had a chance to see Katie now in years, but I knew she was working with you. The reviews for your company are great. I quote, a small and personable carriage-tour business, excellent guides, animals well-tended. And I’ve just experienced the same myself.”

“Well, thank you,” Monty said, beaming. “I think Katie’s knowledge and her warm and winning ways have a lot to do with that. We are small—three carriages, three drivers and me. I have five mules—I’m always watching that my animals are in good health and ready to go. Feel that way about my dogs, too. Mr. Harrison, it’s a pleasure to meet any old friend of Katie’s. Katie, I’ll see to Sarah and the carriage, and you and Mr. Harrison can enjoy some time together.”

“Monty, that’s okay. It’s my job. Adam won’t mind waiting—”

“I insist! Run along. I finished up all my paperwork, and I need something to do.”

Katie was about to assure Monty he was welcome to join the two of them, but she refrained. She didn’t want their strange discussion shared with anyone.

“Lorna and Matt are still on the job?” Monty asked.

“Yes, they’re out there.”

“Then, all is well. Go off. You must have tons to talk about,” Monty said.

“Oh, we do!” Adam assured him cheerfully.

“There’s a gate that leads to my little place just over there, by the stables,” Katie said. Then she paused. She could hear the dogs barking: Jerry, Ben and Mitch. They were huge Belgian shepherds, very loving to those they protected, but no one would ever dare break in at Monty Trudeau’s place. The dogs could put up such a racket when they were disturbed that could just about wake the dead over at St. Louis No. 1.

“Monty, want to let the boys out for a minute? I’d love for them to meet Adam,” she said.

She also didn’t want the man shredded to bits if the dogs made their way through the gate as they sometimes did.

“Good idea,” Monty said, nodding gravely. “I’ll get the guys.”

She thought Adam Harrison looked at his watch with a bit of impatience.

Good.

Katie was unnerved and uncomfortable, and yet she believed he’d known her father. And she was also both amazed and a bit uneasy because he knew about her strange ability.