Evalyn

by Patricia Pacjac Carroll

  The horse nickered and rubbed his head against Reid.

  Even if it was a horse, Reid welcomed the touch. He had one friend in town. Feeling good, Reid led the horse to the livery, opened the barn door, and led Buck to the nearest empty stall where he took off the saddle and bridle, and then found some grain to feed the horse.

  The livery owner came in and shut the barn door. “Cold night to be out. What happened.”

  “Wolves. Near town, too.”

  “Hate to hear that. Glad you made it in. Your horse looks a little worse for the wear, though.”

  “The sheriff went to get the doc to sew him up.”

  “Good. Make yourself at home. No night for anyone to be out in. My knee tells me we’re in for more snow.”

  “I wouldn’t doubt it.” Abel grabbed a pitchfork to get hay.

  The doc and sheriff came inside. Doc Newsome looked at Buck. “Let me see. Not too bad. Let me clean out the wounds, and then I’ll sew them up. None of the wolves looked rabid, did they?” He looked at Reid with concern.

  “No, they weren’t sick, just hungry.”

  “Good. We’ll have to get up a hunting party and take care of that pack. They’ve been making a nuisance out of themselves. That they’d attack a man on horseback is even more troubling.” Doc opened his bag and took out a stout needle.

  The sheriff nodded. “I better tell people to stay inside at night. And stay armed when they’re about. Hate to see a woman or child get hurt.”

  Reid rubbed Buck’s head. “Let me know when you go on the hunt, and I’ll go with you and show you where I first saw them. Their den is probably farther up the road from town where they first attacked.”

  Levi nodded. “All right. I’ll come by and get you. Where will you be staying?”

  “The hotel, at least for tonight.”

  “I’ll see you tomorrow morning. I’m sure Abel can loan you a horse until yours is healed.” Levi nodded at the men and left the barn.

  The doc finished, and soon, Reid was walking to the hotel. He figured he had half of his money left. Enough for a couple of weeks in the hotel and meals. He better start on his business soon. First thing tomorrow, he’d see Bridgette.

  As Reid walked back to the hotel, he looked at his coat. It was ragged and bloodstained. His shirt and trousers not much better. He really needed to clean up and buy clothes tonight. If he wanted to look like he’d changed his ways, that was what it was going to take.

  He changed direction and went to the general store and picked out new shirt and trousers. He looked at the coats and the price and debated if he had enough, but then again, his coat was threadbare and let as much wind in as it stopped.

  After spending more than he’d wanted, he left with his package and went to the hotel. He was hungry but would need to clean up before going into the dining room. He checked in, and the clerk gave him the room he’d had earlier.

  Reid brushed dirt from his old coat. “Send a bath up for me, please.”

  “Yes, sir.” The clerk eyed him with a look of disdain, called to the back, and sent a man to set it up.

  Reid nodded and walked to the stairs and waited while a pretty woman made her way down.

  She looked at him, grimaced at the dirt and blood on his clothes, and moved to the far side of the stairs.

  Reid didn’t blame her. Maybe once he cleaned up, she wouldn’t mind giving him a smile and a chance at dinner. For some reason, he liked her. She looked kind and gentle. Just the kind of woman he could get used to, but he wasn’t interested right now. He had a future to plan. And adding a woman to his plans complicated everything.

  She stepped down and looked around the room. With a sigh, she sat on the divan and folded her hands, looking nervous and anxious.

  Reid shook his head. Whoever she was waiting for was late. One thing Reid knew, if it had been him, he’d have been there long before she ever walked down the stairs. That is if he was interested.

  Chapter 8

  Evalyn sat and waited for Mr. Adler. Yet, her mind was on the disheveled stranger that she’d seen at the bottom of the stairs. Wild described him. Not to mention the element of danger that surrounded the man. Mostly because of the red stains on the jacket. They had to be blood. Had he been hurt, or had he hurt someone?

  Yet, his eyes had been a nice, bright blue without a hint of malice. Well, you couldn’t know about people by their looks. She’d learned that growing up. She’d been treated one way when her family had owned land. After they lost it all, she hadn’t changed, but the way others treated them had. They no longer sought them out as friends but kept her and her family at arm’s length as if their misfortune was catching.

  Evalyn sighed. People shouldn’t judge one another on how much money and property they owned. Yet, she knew that was easier said than done. She was about to give up on the banker and return to her room when Mr. Adler entered the hotel.

  He smiled at her and gave a slight bow. “I hope I am not too late. Business, you know. As the owner of the bank, I make it a point to take care of my customers.”

  Evalyn watched him. While he did smile, there was a discomforting gleam in his eyes, giving her the idea that he may not be the kind of man to put one’s trust in. Then again, he’d only asked her for dinner. No harm in that.

  She stood. “Shall we go?”

  “Yes,” He took her hand and put it in the crook of his elbow. “I am so happy you agreed to have dinner with me tonight. A man does get lonely.”

  Evalyn didn’t know what to say.

  He led her to a table near the front and seated himself where he could watch who entered the dining room. He ordered them coffee without asking what she wanted, dismissing the waiter before she could say anything.

  Evalyn would have preferred tea but decided not to challenge him. She got the idea that Adler did not like his decisions questioned. She glanced out the window and saw large flakes of snow falling. “The snow is beautiful.”

  He darted a gaze to the window, looking at it as if it was more of a hindrance, and then returned his gaze to the dining room entrance. “Please, call me, Greg.”

  She nodded. “Are you waiting for someone else, Greg?”

  Startled, he shook his head. “No, why would you say that?”

  “You keep watching the door.” She didn’t think he was being honest with her.

  “As a businessman, I am always on the job. There are a couple of gentlemen that I’d like to encourage to invest in my bank.” He cleared his throat and ordered the beef stew for them both.

  Evalyn started to change her order, but again Greg quickly dismissed the waiter. Not that she minded the beef stew, but she had wanted steak.

  Briefly, he turned his gaze to her. “You are a lovely young woman. A wonderful addition to our little town.” The door opened, and he looked up and waved. “Pierre and Francesca, how nice to see you.”

  The couple stopped by the table. Pierre nodded. “Greg, I hope you had a chance to look at my proposal.”

  “Yes, I’m considering it. The larger building would be quite a profit booster for you.”

  Francesca frowned. “Evalyn, so nice to see you again. We need to get together, say tomorrow for lunch?”

  Evalyn nodded. “I’d love to.” She looked at her friends. Pierre was all smiles, while Francesca looked worried.

  Greg and Pierre talked business for a few minutes, finally agreeing to meet the next day at the bank.

  Francesca tapped Pierre. “Let’s give them time to eat and get our table.”

  Pierre frowned but followed his wife’s leading. “I’ll talk to you tomorrow, Greg.” The couple left them for a table near the back.

  “So, was that who you were waiting for?” She stared at Greg and tried to discern the truth. Not that it really mattered, but why would he deny he’d been watching for someone?

  “No, not at all. I had spoken to Pierre earlier today. But I wasn’t waiting for him. As you saw, he was with his wife for dinner tonight. Pierre is inter
ested in buying a new building to enlarge his business.” Greg sat back and grinned with satisfaction. “A good banker takes an interest in the people in town.”

  “Is that why you wanted to have dinner with me?”

  Greg smiled and took her hand in his. “I do have an interest in you, but it is purely personal and not business at all.”

  Evalyn’s cheeks warmed, and she withdrew her hand. She didn’t trust him. Not at all. Yet, he was a prominent citizen and interested in her. She didn’t have the time or place to be too particular about the men who wanted her hand in marriage.

  Not that Greg had said anything about marriage, but he was interested in her. She could see it in his eyes and would have to ask Bridgette about him. The matchmaker wouldn’t steer her wrong. Greg may have his faults, but at least his coat wasn’t streaked with blood, and he wasn’t an ex-outlaw.

  She shuddered when she thought of the man she’d seen at the foot of the stairs. Yet, his eyes had been kind, humble even. Something that she doubted she’d ever see in Greg’s eyes or manner.

  “The dinner is quite good, is it not?” Greg was watching her as if she were a dollar in his bank.

  Evalyn smiled. She would be pleasant with him. After all, he might be the only chance she had at marriage. She couldn’t rely on Bridgette’s charity for long. “Yes, it’s wonderful. You made a good choice in the stew.”

  “I’m pleased you think so. Do you have plans tomorrow?”

  “I’m meeting with Francesca, and Bridgette said she might stop by.”

  He grinned. “That Bridgette, she is a remarkable woman.” Greg’s expression didn’t exactly fit his words. In fact, he looked annoyed at the mention of her name. Putting on a smile, he gazed into her eyes. “I would like to see you again. Perhaps tomorrow?”

  Evalyn swallowed the coffee she’d just sipped. “I’m afraid tomorrow is such a busy day.”

  “Then, another day. I’ll be in touch. Can I walk you to your room?”

  Evalyn didn’t want him near her room. “No, thank you. I believe I’ll sit in the foyer and watch the snow.”

  Greg held her chair and helped her stand. “I enjoyed our time together.” He looked into her eyes.

  Evalyn met his gaze but only for a moment before she had to look away. He clearly wanted more from her than she was willing to give him. Then again, she had come all this way to marry, and she had no way of knowing if the man Bridgette had chosen for her would be any better or worse than Greg. “I enjoyed dinner with you.”

  The satisfaction in his eyes worried her. He would no doubt ask her again. Perhaps she would get used to his ways and enjoy his company more than she had tonight. He’d talked mostly about his business and how he had grand plans to become mayor of Shirleyville one day.

  She went along with him, but secretly decided she hoped he would not win the future election. Finally, he left the hotel, and she sat on the divan and watched out the window. The snow was still falling and piling up on the street

  Evalyn was happy that she was staying in the hotel and didn’t have to venture outside. Whenever the door opened, a blast of freezing air would blow inside. Soon, even by the fire, she was too cold to endure more and went to her room.

  ***

  Brigette and Sterling spent the night in the hotel. The snow had started falling, and there was no reason to risk the long drive home. She awoke only to see that Sterling was already gone. She vaguely remembered him asking if she wanted to go down for breakfast, but she’d declined. Now, she was ravenous.

  After dressing, she went downstairs and almost ran into Preacher Brett.

  He nodded. “Brigette, I was wondering, have you had breakfast yet?”

  She smiled at the kind preacher. “No, would you care to join me?”

  “Just for coffee.”

  She smiled sympathetically. Sterling had said how Brett gave what little money he had to those less fortunate. Bridgette patted his arm. “I’d love to treat you to a good breakfast. The hotel has the best in town.”

  Holding his hat, black to go with the rest of his clothes, he grinned. “I do have something to ask you.”

  “Good, let’s go.” She barged forward and opened the door to the dining room. No sense waiting for a man to do it when she had two good arms. Besides, Brett seemed nervous this morning. She hoped it wasn’t to scold her about Evalyn and matching her with a groom who abandoned her. She knew the whole town must know by now, and Bridgette felt bad enough about that.

  She found a table near the window and sat so she could look outside. “I love the snow even if it is such a hindrance.”

  “It is beautiful.” The preacher sat to the side of her. He paused and drummed his fingers on the table. “I was wondering if you might be able to find a match for me?”

  Bridgette set the menu down. “Are you sure?”

  “Yes, I am tired of being alone. I prayed about it, and I believe the Lord gave me His blessing.”

  “Oh, well, I can’t argue with that. Yes, I will be happy to find you a match. As a matter of fact, I have a mail-order bride here now, and the man I was going to match her with ran off. I would be happy to introduce her to you.”

  Brett sat back. “That’s wonderful. So sudden, though. I hadn’t expected to be thinking of marriage so quickly.”

  “I know it’s a big adjustment. Her name is Evalyn, and she is staying right here in the hotel. I could run up to her room and ask if she’d agree to meet you.” Brigette’s heart was racing. This could be the answer to her prayers. And peace with Sterling. He was so angry with her for doing another match with her Bounty Brigade.

  Brett swallowed hard. “I guess that would be fine. I did say the Lord gave his blessing.”

  “Good, let me order, and I’ll go run up and see if Evalyn is ready to come down.” Bridgette ordered the works for breakfast. She had always had a healthy appetite much to her mother’s embarrassment, but Sterling didn’t seem to mind.

  After walking up the stairs, she knocked on Evalyn’s room.

  Evalyn opened the door. “Bridgette, what a surprise. Come in.”

  “No, I haven’t the time. I have a man who is interested in marriage. Of course, there are no strings attached, and you don’t have to marry him. But I think you might like him. Preacher Brett is a fine man. I do have to tell you that he did spend five years in prison in Texas. But he has been the preacher here for several years, and we all love him. You won’t find a better man.”

  Evalyn nodded. “I just have to meet him, but that doesn’t mean I will have to marry him?”

  Bridgette shook her head. “No, just like the man I had picked out for you, it’s your decision. I do think you’ll like Preacher Brett, though. I’m having breakfast with him and need to get down before they bring out my order.”

  Evalyn nodded. “I’ll be right down.”

  Bridgette ran back to the dining room and sat down just as the waiter brought their order. “That was close. Evalyn said she’d come down. You will like her and, hopefully, fall in love with her.”

  Brett nodded. “She wasn’t a prostitute, was she?”

  Bridgette stared at him. “Of all people, you are the last person I expected to ask me that. No, she wasn’t. She’s a very kind woman.”

  “I’m sorry. You caught me off guard this morning. I hadn’t expected to consider marriage right now. I thought it would be a matter of months before you found someone.”

  Bridgette smiled. “Just meet her and then you can take your time deciding. I’m paying her hotel and meals for now.”

  Bridgette had just finished her breakfast when Evalyn joined them. Bridgette introduced them and thought about how they did make a sweet couple. She was glad she prayed over her matches because Brett would be a much better choice than Reid.

  She had just set her napkin on her plate when she turned and saw Reid walk into the dining room. Where had he come from? And why was he back here in Shirleyville after running out the other day?

  She glanced at Preach
er Brett and Evalyn. They seemed to be enjoying their time together. Bridgette stood. “I’ll be seeing you both later. I must rush off.” She left them looking at one another, which was a good thing because Reid was walking right toward her.

  Bolting from the table, Bridgette ran to the entrance and grabbed Reid by the arm. “Come with me.”

  After sitting down on the divan in the foyer, she yanked his arm to make him sit beside her. “Where have you been?” She pointed at a cut over his eye. “What happened? You didn’t get into another fight, did you? Levi isn’t looking for you?”

  He shook his head. “No. I was riding back last night, and wolves attacked my horse and me.” He picked at a tag on his jacket. “I bought new clothes.”

  Bridgette recalled hearing howls outside the hotel last night. “Wolves? Is that what I heard last night? Dear me.”

  “They’re not far from town. I’m going with the sheriff to hunt them down. I’d stay near town if I was you.”

  “Yes, we will. It’s a good thing we have the suite upstairs and Margaret and our children with us. It unnerves me to think there are wolves so close.”

  Reid nodded. “Stay inside unless someone is with you. You might tell Sterling to carry a gun. A rifle is best.”

  “Oh, dear, I feel like we’re at war.”

  Reid laughed. “You might be. I’m sure the wolves had this land for their territory for centuries. You’ve invaded their land, and like most living things, they want to take it back, and you’ll have to defend it.”

  “I never looked at it that way.” She wanted to ask him about his business, but now she wished he’d ride out and never come back. The preacher was so much better suited for Evalyn. She stared at him and gave him her disappointed look.

  He matched her stare. “I came back because I know I was wrong to run off. I’m sorry. Forgive me if you can. I want to pursue the hat business and make belts, too. I’ve been thinking about it for the last two nights, and I have a design in my head for a new hat I’d like to try.”

  That caught her off guard. Bridgette softened her attitude toward him. “You are a man of surprises. When you left, you were wild as the wolves terrorizing the town. Now, you seem to want to change and turn your life around. Do you have any of your bounty money left?”