Her eyes bore into him now as she moved to Shannon’s side protectively. He hadn’t meant to ruffle her feathers, but the fiery little mite looked as though she might take his head off if he came any closer. Her movement, however, allowed him to escape the confines of his seat. “Pardon me, Ma’am.” He tipped his hat and rushed off the train in search of the telegraph office, the sound of laughter echoing in his ear.
“Kitty, I think you frightened that poor man.” Shannon laughed, and Kitty smiled at the pleasing sound of it as the exited the train.
“I was tired of him staring at me as if I were his next dinner. He might not be Mr. Bloomberg, as you say, but I believe he is following me for some reason. Why else would he be here?”
“Perhaps, he has business or family here. I don’t know, did you think to ask him?” Shannon teased.
“Well no,” Kitty sputtered. “Why would I do such a thing?” she asked, startling Emery awake in the process.
“To get your answers, silly. I think you like him, and I think he is enamored with you,” Shannon said as she soothed the baby, who now looked around her surroundings with bright eyes.
“Did you see how fast he ran off this train?” Kitty asked, not willing to admit her attraction to the man.
“Yes, you frightened him.” Shannon giggled, “besides he’s not a bad man. I know bad men. He seemed more like some kind of lawman to me.”
“Me? Frighten a big, tall man like that?” Kitty shook her head, blushing.
Laughter bubbled up in Shannon and poured over, causing her to stop and catch her breath. “Kitty, don’t make me laugh, my ribs are still sore.” She smiled.
“Well, he’s gone now, anyway.” She pouted. “So, how do we get to Grace Landing?”
“With them.” Shannon pointed toward two women wearing trousers, both with guns at their hips.
“How do you know?” marveled Kitty.
“I was told who to look for. One tall blonde and one tall with black hair. Come on, I have to tell them who I am, but more importantly who you are. They are only expecting Emery and I,” Shannon explained as they approached the two women.
“Hello, my name is Shannon Crowley, and this is—”
“Crowley?” interrupted Kitty. “I asked earlier, but you’d fallen asleep. Shannon, what was your husband’s full name?”
“Eugene Crowley the third. He—he works for Mr. Bloomberg,” whispered Shannon, while looking at the ground.
Reaching out her hand she placed it on Shannon’s arm causing her to look up. “Shannon, a man by the name Crowley was shot and killed in Atlanta—when he came to collect Abby and me.”
“You mean—he—he’s gone?” sputtered Shannon.
“That’s enough information for me,” interjected the tall blonde woman. “How about you ladies load up and discuss this in the back of the wagon. My name is Frances, and this, is Alice. We’ll take you to the valley.”
“Thank you. My name is Kitty. I’ve been helping Shannon along the trip. I appreciate you letting me come along.”
The two women nodded, and she climbed into the back with Shannon. “I’m sorry, I didn’t know,” apologized Kitty.
“Please do not apologize. You’ve nothing to be sorry for. Unknowingly, you’ve saved me from years of hiding. The only person I have to ever worry about now is Mr. Bloomberg. If he is ever caught, I just might have a chance at true love someday, Kitty. Something you should think about if you ever see that man from the train again.”
“I—I don’t know Shannon. When you love people, well in my case, they always leave.”
The wagon was turning toward the mountains and continued drawing closer until Kitty feared they would run into them. Instead, the woman expertly lead them through the mountain and, hidden between the smoky peaks, the blanket of pines gave way to a secluded valley. A large looming structure greeted you at the valley’s entrance. Women sat like sentries among the many rocking chairs with rifles draped across their laps and gun belts strapped to their hips. Obviously, one did not enter the valley without going through them first.
Once granted access, the building served as a holding place and hospital until each injured woman that arrived was well enough to be on her own. She would then be moved to one of the tiny homes that dotted the valley floor beyond main house. There she would work with the other women to survive and overcome the fears life had thrust upon them. Grace Landing was a place where they would learn to feel safe once again. The change in Shannon appeared to have happened overnight, though two weeks had passed. Kitty realized Grace Landing was the best place Shannon could have ever landed.
She also knew it was time for her to go. Abby would be worried by now, but the women had so many needs that it was difficult to turn away. They had all suffered at the hand of Mr. Bloomberg, or men just like him. No men lived in the valley. Only the same two men brought supplies from time to time, never going past the main house. The benefactor came once a year but, otherwise, left the women to it, and they were thriving. The women had big plans and Kitty longed to watch them unfold, or help in some way. For that she had an idea, but she would need to discuss it with Abby first.
“You take care of Emery,” Kitty said, softly kissing the baby’s head. “And write to me regularly. I’ll visit as often as I can.”
“I know you will, and I thank you for that, but Kitty, Abby’s waiting for you. Go see her, make sure she, too, is safe and bring her to visit. I’d like to meet her,” Shannon replied.
“I’ll return soon,” Kitty said, hugging Shannon tightly, then climbed on the back of Alice’s horse and left the sacred valley.
Chapter Nine
Silverpines, Oregon June 1899
Milo could have kicked himself. How had two women disappeared from a train so quickly. He hadn’t been gone that long, and yet, when he returned they were nowhere to be found. He searched the small town of Sisters, checking every nook and cranny he could find. He even asked about the women at the livery. No one had seen them or if they had, they weren’t talking. Some bounty hunter he was. He couldn’t even keep track of two women and a baby.
Dragging his long legs down the dusty road, he headed to the train depot once again. His movements slow and painful as each of his failures stacked another stone upon his six-foot six-inch frame. His posture sagged with the weight of it all. How could he have lost them? Where there was hope before, now sat a mountain upon his chest making it difficult to fill his lungs with air.
At least he knew where Kitty was headed. What he couldn’t understand is why she hadn’t arrived yet. After all, Abby was getting married today. He’d been in Silverpines for two weeks already, with no sign of Kitty or Bloomberg.
Kitty should be here, he thought as his mind wondered. Was she hurt? Had she changed her mind? What had caused her delay? He’d give it one more day and, if Miss Kitty didn’t show, forget Bloomberg, he was going in search of that fiery little woman.
Milo leaned against the depot wall and settled in to wait for the train, again.
Kitty sat rigid in her seat as the train approached Silverpines. Shannon had given her a detailed description of Mr. Bloomberg and Kitty found herself sitting directly across from him. Her back and shoulders ached from her stiff posture.
She held tight to the derringer tucked into the hidden pocket of her skirt, though she still wasn’t a very good shot with it. The women at Grace Landing had taught her to shoot a rifle, but she couldn’t seem to hit what she was aiming at.
Mr. Bloomberg looked nothing like the handsome stranger she had thought was following her earlier in her journey. He’d run off the train in Sisters like his britches were on fire, and Kitty hadn’t seen him since. Not that it really mattered, she wouldn’t be opposed to the tall stranger following her, now that the object of her nightmares was sitting across from her.
Kitty watched Mr. Bloomberg from beneath her lashes. If he knew who she was, he made no indication of it. But what if he had Abby’s description and knew where she was? Why el
se would he be going to Silverpines? She had to get to Abby before he did. She had a promise to keep and she wouldn’t be breaking it anytime soon.
“Next stop, folks, Silverpines,” the conductor called out. Kitty gathered her items without taking her eye off Bloomberg. If she could get off the train before him, she’d have a head start, which she needed as his legs were much longer than hers. Kitty realized she had one thing in her favor that perhaps he didn’t. Bloomberg might know Abby was in Silverpines, but that didn’t mean he knew where to find her.
Abby had fled Atlanta to marry Reverend Bates, so the most logical place to find her would be the church or a house next to it. She could only pray she was correct. The train crawled to a stop and Kitty stood. Bloomberg remained seated, so Kitty darted into the aisleway, anxious to get as far away from the man as quickly as possible. She had to find out where the church was.
“Silverpines!” the conductor called out and, a moment later, the train door opened. Kitty rushed off the train and ran up to the first person she saw standing on the platform.
“Excuse me, can you tell me where the church is?” she asked.
“Sure thing, missy. Take a left on Third Street there and a right on Birch. Church is just past the park, ya can’t miss it. Ya here for the weddin’?” he asked.
“Yes, yes. Thank you!” Kitty called out as she sprinted down the road he indicated. Right past the handsome stranger, but she didn’t have the time to slow down and figure that out. She had to get to the church, to Abby. She knew of no other reason that devil of a man would be in Silverpines.
Kitty paused to catch her breath and looked behind her; Bloomberg wasn’t there. She leaned down to take off her shoes because she could run better barefoot. Shoes in hand, she set out again and watched in horror as Bloomberg cut across the park to the church. How had he gotten ahead of her? She ran after him with renewed energy. He would not harm Abby.
As he flung the doors open, Kitty ran past. “Abby!”
“Kitty!”
“Why are you in a wedding dress? Aren’t you already married?” Kitty looked to the man who stood frozen at her sister’s side staring down the aisle at Bloomberg.
“Yes, Kitty, I’m married. You just missed the ceremony,” she said as she pulled her husband closer.
“B-but, I–I don’t understand,” Kitty stammered.
“Well, you are a little late in arriving. I’ll explain it later—”
“I want that man arrested for murder!” shouted Mr. Bloomberg as he pointed at Abby’s new husband.
“Kitty, wh-who is that man and what is he talking about?” asked Abby.
“And for theft of property,” he pointed right at Abby. “That is rightfully mine,” he shouted as he marched toward them
“Natalie’s real husband,” Kitty stated flatly. Abby’s brow furrowed, and her mouth formed into an O, but no words came out.
“I do believe his name is Douglas Bloomberg, isn’t that correct Akecheta?” asked a man wearing a star on his chest.
Kitty watched as Abby’s husband stood mute. Kitty spoke up, “Yes, that is Douglas Bloomberg. He attempted to purchase Abby and I, though neither of us have ever been for sale.”
“I do believe, Mr. Bloomberg, that it is you I shall be placing under Federal arrest for violating sections one and two of the thirteenth amendment to the Bill of Rights, for buying and/or selling a person into involuntary servitude. By the way, we’ve been expecting you. Now, y’all get back to the festivities and I’ll escort this fella down to the jailhouse. Mr. De Luca has been here waiting on him. I’ll be back in a jiffy,” he said. As he exited the church Kitty heard him say, “Well, Mr. De Luca, fancy seeing you here.”
She turned to Abby. “Who is Mr. De Luca?”
“I haven’t met him personally, but the rumor around town is, he’s the tallest man alive.”
Outside the church, the Marshall tipped his hat to Milo. “Mr. De Luca.”
“Marshal.”
“I’m pleased to see your warning panned out. I was starting to think this here fella wasn’t gonna show,” said Marshal Sewell.
“You and me both, Marshal.”
“You know, De Luca, I can’t leave town and haul him down south to the state penitentiary. I haven’t got any deputies to watch over the town. I won’t leave these women unprotected, they’ve been through enough, but I’ll make a deal with ya.”
“Yeah, what’s that?”
“I got one of them Gardner shackles at the jail house. You haul him down to Salem for me and the bounty is yours, free and clear.”
“You can’t put one of those on me!” shouted Bloomberg.
“It’d be my pleasure.” Grinned Milo. “I’ve been chasing this pond scum far too long.”
“One other thing…” said the Marshal.
“Yeah?”
“I’m hurting for some deputies around here. I could sure use an honest man with your abilities. You think about it. If I see your mug back in town, I’ll assume you want the job.”
“I just might take you up on that, Marshal,” said Milo.
“Thought ya might.”
Kitty met the eccentric Miss Edie and Miss Ethel during Abby’s wedding reception in the park. She’d met so many women. Miss Edie introduced her to Ella Grace and Michael Karson, owner of the Silverpines Inn, and suggested she stay there for a time, as the newlyweds needed their special time alone to get acquainted. Though Kitty had wanted to be with Abby, she understood and accepted the room. She knew things would be different with Abby married.
Now, two weeks later, she sat in the dining room of the inn at her favorite corner table, sipping a cup of hot coffee. Most women preferred tea, but Kitty found she liked the stronger flavor. She unfolded the newspaper and scanned it for property ads, wondering how soon she could find a place of her own.
Her intended, Mr. Black, had died in the destruction that hit the town and, with the town in the process of rebuilding and recovering, Kitty feared any home she might find to purchase would need repair. Repairs she didn’t know how to take care of on her own, and the last thing Kitty wanted to be was a burden.
With as few townsmen as there were, she knew she couldn’t ask them for assistance. She had the funds to remain at the inn as long as she needed, that wasn’t the problem. Kitty longed for her own space and her own home.
Perhaps if she had a place of her own to tend to, the boredom that threatened to overtake her would evaporate. Kitty had never been one for sitting still, maybe she could find a job to occupy her time. The she thought prodded her as she sat flipping the paper. Ella Grace approached with the coffee pot. “Would you like a refill, Kitty?”
“Thank you, that would be lovely. I’m not used to this cool mountain air yet,” she said as an advertisement fell from the newspaper to the floor. Ella Grace leaned down to pick it up. “The Grooms Gazette? Are you going to put an ad in, too?” she asked, excitedly.
“An ad for what?” asked Kitty, raising her eyebrow in confusion.
“A husband, silly.” Ella Grace replied with a small giggle.
“What on earth would I do that for?”
“It’s how I met my Michael. I put an ad in for an innkeeper. Betsy started it by sending off for a marshal, and then several of us followed suit. Millie wanted a shopkeeper, and Sarah a gunsmith. Even Abby placed an ad for a preacher.”
“She did not.” Kitty looked at Ella Grace, flabbergasted.
“You really should talk to your sister a bit more, Kitty.” Ella Grace winked. “The town needed a new preacher after Reverend Bates passed on, and Abby needed a protector. The town was littered with conmen and it wasn’t safe for Abby to be alone as she was. So, Betsy spoke with her and Abby placed an ad for a preacher. There was a bit of a fiasco, though, when multiple preachers arrived to marry her, not having corresponded with Abby at all. She was furious.”
Kitty sunk back into her chair, shocked by what Ella Grace had told her. “I do need to talk to my sister. Goodness gracious. I
certainly did not have the whole story. So, the women of this town placed ads asking for men according to what the town needed?” Kitty questioned.
“More or less. We still have many needs, the most pressing being a few deputies to help the Marshal out. Betsy’s expecting a baby anytime now, you know. Marshal Sewell is even threatening to hire women, you could send for a deputy and save him some trouble,” Ella Grace suggested with a sly grin. “You think about it.” She turned to check on the other patrons in the dining room.
Trouble, Kitty thought. That’s just what a husband would be. However, if the Marshal were willing to have a female deputy, it would help the town and keep her from going stir crazy. She looked down at the Grooms Gazette, shaking her head. Nope, she didn’t need a husband. Kitty had no desire to live under a man’s thumb or run the risk of dying while bringing his child into the world. She’d narrowly missed matrimony the first go around, she wasn’t about to try it again. Not even for the tall, black haired, dark eyed stranger that followed her night after night in her dreams. Who was that man?
She downed the last of her coffee. It was time to take care of business and clear the fog from her head brought on by the handsome man. Standing, she decided she was going to be the town’s new deputy, and that meant an overdue visit with Betsy, the marshal’s wife.
Chapter Ten
Kitty sat at the café, enjoying one of Lily Jo’s lemon and blueberry scones while she waited for Abby to arrive. She couldn’t wait to share her new plan with Abby. Betsy was completely on board. All Kitty had to do now was convince Marshal Sewell and order a few more riding skirts from the mercantile. She had some britches she could wear, but worried the town might frown upon it, that and she knew a female deputy wasn’t what some people would want.
The young café owner, Lily Jo, seemed distracted and nothing at all like the bubbly person Kitty had been led to believe she was. Kitty watched as the young woman worried with her apron strings, fiddled with the tea bags, rearranged the tea cups, and continuously running up the stairs for something. This couldn’t be the Lily Jo, everyone talked about, could it?
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