by Gold, Ciara
For one brief minute, hope shone in the boy’s eyes only to be dashed when Bryce offered his conditions. The boy hung his head and stared at the floor. “Might as well get your money back. I ain’t got no name to give you.”
“A description will do.”
Pete’s face brightened. “I can do that. Yes sir, I can tell you what he looked like.” Pete gave him a full description including how the man smelled and how he sounded. Bryce couldn’t have hoped for more. “He also had this right pretty gold ring on his pinky finger. I wouldn’t have thought too much of it, but most men don’t wear no rings on their pinkies like he did.”
Bryce smiled back. The kid was a fighter. He’d send William a telegram tomorrow. In the meantime, he now had a solid lead to check on, one he hoped would yield results. Pete didn’t know it, but he’d offered valuable information that could put an end to Kaitlin’s troubles.
Fifteen
“Aren’t you going to set your lunch on the stage for auction?” Bryce asked.
Kaitlin gave him a glaring look. “No.”
He appeared way too handsome today in his dress clothing. The tailored suit jacket emphasized his wide shoulders and set off the color of his dark, brown eyes. Now that she knew him better, she had a difficult time thinking of him as just Charley’s uncle.
“How will a potential beau bet on it, if it isn’t up front with the others?”
He’d asked the question innocently enough. Kaitlin shrugged. “He won’t. I’ve never put my basket on display with everyone else’s. I prefer my own company to that of some pompous male who thinks he has the right to call upon me just because he won my basket.” Kaitlin wasn’t about to tell Bryce the real reason. She knew without a doubt no one would bid on hers. To see her lone basket left for no one to claim would touch a very sensitive nerve. She hadn’t set herself up for that kind of hurt in the past, and she certainly wasn’t going to set herself up now.
She noted Bryce’s avid interest in the maidens walking up front with their bounty. He’d been at the house for three and a half weeks and to church the past two Sundays; this being the third. It seemed he flirted with a different girl each weekend. Today would be no different. He looked as if he debated which decorated container held the most promise.
She stared at the frilly creations. Let him pick one to bid on. That was just fine by her. She didn’t want to share her lunch with him anyway.
The church sponsored the event once a month to help raise funds. Rather than submit herself to close scrutiny and probable failure, she donated an amount equal to that of the lowest bid. In this manner, she gave her support to the Christian community.
“Why is that one all prettied up with bows and such?” Charley asked as she looked at the array.
“That’s Marcy Klein’s basket. No doubt she’s got her eye on your uncle. For some reason, she fancies competition between us. I don’t know her well, but she takes great delight in besting me at every turn. She’s marched a few times with us, but I don’t think her heart is with our cause. Marcy’s pretty enough, but very opinionated. She talks all the time and loves to gossip.”
“Oh. If I ever marry, I’m gonna marry rich.”
“What about love?”
“Love doesn’t exist. My momma said so.”
Kaitlin had no rebuttal for that one, having never experienced the emotion herself. Without proof, she couldn’t very well tell Charley differently.
“Mr. Stanton.” Farley Kaufmann came up from behind to offer his greetings. “It’s good of you to join us for church.”
By his side stood a very beautiful woman. Kaitlin had seen her before on many an occasion but had never met her. She peered at the woman curiously, noting the woman’s obvious interest in Bryce.
“Bryce, I hoped to see you again. Is this the lovely young woman you’re staying with?” The woman wore a stunning dress of lavender silk trimmed in black lace. She tiled her head and gave Kaitlin a gentle smile.
Kaitlin looked from side to side, wondering if the creature meant the compliment for her.
“Emma, this is Kaitlin Kanatzer. You might recognize the name from the newspaper. She’s head of the suffragist movement that’s giving your fiancé fits.” Bryce patted Kaitlin’s shoulder.
“Ah. Pleased to make your acquaintance,” Emma replied. Her sultry voice hit a raw spot on Kaitlin’s nerves, but she couldn’t fathom the reason behind her sudden animosity. “I’ve seen you with Bryce the past two Sundays and was curious.”
Farley stepped forward to complete the introductions. “Miss Kanatzer, this is my fiancée, Emma Hood. I understand that she and Bryce know each other from way back.”
Kaitlin stared curiously at the two of them. So this was the young woman Bryce hoped to court when he first came to Denver. She had wondered what became of the courtship. Now she knew. Emma greeted everyone graciously, giving no hint as to what she really thought. Bryce, on the other hand, had a tight look upon his well-groomed features. Kaitlin should feel sorry for the man, but instead she found herself glad Emma was no longer available to tempt him.
“Uncle Bryce, ain’t that the lady you said you planned to marry?” Charley blurted.
Bryce’s blush sent out an alarm that could have been seen for miles. To Emma’s credit, she reacted with subtle compassion. “I’m sure you’re mistaken, Charley. Bryce and I are just good friends.”
“But he said...”
“Charley, why don’t you find us a place to sit and take this basket with you.” Kaitlin shoved the container of food into Charley’s arms. Hopefully giving Charley this chore would take the child’s mind from her uncle’s failed courtship.
“This seems strange. I ain’t never had a picnic inside before,” Charley mumbled as she took the woven container of food.
“If it weren’t so cold outside, we wouldn’t have to eat in the church. During the fall and winter, we just sit in the pews.”
Charley pulled at the bow in her hair. “I’d rather stay and talk.”
Kaitlin gave her a pointed look. “I’m sure you would, but if you don’t get us a seat, we might have to eat on the floor, and that would be highly uncomfortable.”
Charley’s brows lifted. “Oh, I get it. You just want to get rid of me for a spell. I can take a hint.”
Bryce tugged at his necktie. Charley scampered off with their lunch. Farley cleared his throat, and Emma smiled.
“She says the oddest things sometimes,” Bryce began.
“I was flattered,” Emma said.
“So, Mr. Stanton, will you be staying on for a while longer?” Farley asked, his mood less jovial than before. Obviously, he’d taken Charley’s comment to heart.
“At least a month, maybe two. I plan to stay long enough for Charley to get to know her aunt.”
Kaitlin didn’t like the idea of talking to Farley for any length of time, so she did the best she could to excuse them from the man’s annoying presence. “Come along, Bryce. They’re beginning the auction now. Mr. Kaufmann, I expect we’ll see you next week, but I’m giving you fair notice. My suffragist group will be at your political rally in force.”
“Thank you for the warning.” Farley inclined his head. “I’ll be prepared to answer your questions as honestly as I can. My opponent, John Routt, has the advantage of incumbency, so I’ll need all the support I can get.”
“Honest, my foot,” Kaitlin muttered when Farley and his fiancée stepped out of earshot. “That man is a weasel. Mr. Routt would have my vote if women could vote. He’s more sympathetic to our cause, and he seems to have Colorado’s best interests at heart, whereas Kaufmann is just trying to capitalize on Colorado’s new statehood. He doesn’t care about the issues or the people. He just wants to line his pockets.”
“And of course, you’re right on all of the issues.” Bryce took her elbow and steered her toward Charley. “You can’t possibly be wrong, can you?”
“What do you know? You’re from Texas. You can’t possibly relate to issues that only c
oncern those of us in Colorado.”
“You’re wrong.” He squeezed her elbow. “If one state votes in favor of issues that affect all of us in the nation, other states might follow suit. Your suffrage movement, for example, is gainin’ popularity in several areas. Temperance is another issue other states are dealin’ with at the moment. I might herd cows for a livin’, but that doesn’t mean I don’t care about other things.”
“Forgive me.” He’d sounded peeved. She hadn’t meant to belittle him in any way. “I didn’t mean to accuse you of being shallow.”
“Apology accepted. Now you owe me one.”
Kaitlin’s eyebrows lifted in question.
He continued. “For not allowin’ me the pleasure of biddin’ on your basket, and for cheatin’ all of these other eager bachelors out of the pleasure.” To her disconcertment, he winked at her.
“If I understand correctly, you’re in the market for a wife. I, on the other hand, am not in the market for a husband.” She smoothed a nonexistent wrinkle from her flowered frock. “You would be defeating your purpose in bidding on my basket.”
“Ah heck, Katy, I’m tired of lockin’ horns with you.” He fixed his gaze on the front of the sanctuary where the reverend arranged the baskets. “Sometimes, I really like you, and other times, I could shake you ’til your teeth rattle out. You’d be a fine catch for any man. You just have to give ’em a chance.”
The Reverend Barker began the proceedings, saving her from answering. If he really wanted to have lunch with her, he didn’t have to bid on any of the baskets up there. Had he even thought about that?
“Gather ’round, gents. These young ladies have worked mighty hard at preparing meals fit for kings,” the Reverend Barker announced.
Forgetting their previous argument, Bryce leaned over and whispered in her ear. His warm breath against her neck caused goose bumps to dance along her skin. “It’s amazin’ what a little gold dust will do for a town. This church is so large compared to our small sanctuary back home. I’m stunned at the number of folks that always show up for services.”
“Denver continues to grow. The local newspaper hailed it as the second largest city in the west next to San Francisco,” Kaitlin boasted.
The bidding began in earnest, and several baskets became spoken for before Bryce made his first attempt. Kaitlin gave him an uneasy look when she realized he’d bid on Marcy Klein’s basket. She’d entertained a fraction of hope he would decline from participating in the event and join her and Charley for lunch. She should have known better. A virile man like himself would want a pretty woman by his side to share this meal, one who might qualify as wife material. But Marcy?
She glanced back and found Charley in one of the center pews. Not wanting to see whether Bryce won or not, she sauntered back and took a seat. She stared at the contents of her own basket with diminished appetite while Charley dragged parcels of food out to spread between them.
The pew creaked, and Kaitlin looked up to see Bryce slide in beside her with Marcy next to him on the other side. Kaitlin froze. The chicken she chewed on tasted like sawdust. Watching Bryce simper over another woman made her uncomfortable and irritable.
“Hey, Uncle Bryce, Aunt Kate made homemade biscuits just the way I like them.” Charley held up a biscuit, leaning around Kaitlin, so she could show him.
“Looks mighty good. I bet Miss Marcy has a basket full of tasty goodies also,” he said as he untied the various ribbons holding the parcel closed against prying eyes.
“Why Mr. Stanton, your hands are so big. Why don’t you let me do that for you? After all, you were so kind to offer for my basket and all. It’s the least I can do.” Marcy batted her eyes. Kaitlin rolled hers heavenly, deciding to pay closer attention to her own meal.
“So where did you say you came from? Texas? I have an uncle from Texas. You might have heard of him. He owns a big spread north of Abilene called the Sandy Point Ranch. He runs mostly longhorns. I don’t hear from him often, but...” Marcy’s voice droned on as she related one story after another of her uncle’s escapades. Kaitlin wanted to laugh later when Bryce turned his head her way and caught her eye. He hadn’t been able to say a word once Marcy started talking, and from past experience, she knew he never would. It served him right, she thought, a little spitefully.
Charley leaned over after finishing off the last of the chicken. “Miss Marcy, don’t it hurt to talk that much? You haven’t even taken a breath since you started. No wonder you’re so skinny. You don’t have time to eat.”
Marcy’s mouth clamped tight. A burst of laughter escaped Kaitlin’s lips. She brought her hand to her mouth, trying not to choke on the bite of potato salad she still chewed on.
“Charley, that’s a rude thing to say,” Bryce chastised, amusement evident in his tone of voice.
“Sorry, Miss Marcy. I meant no offense. I just don’t see how you can eat for talking so much.”
Marcy peered at Kaitlin with a disapproving frown. “If I didn’t know better, I’d think you purposefully had that child bait me. Perhaps it would be best if you take what you want out of my basket, Bryce, and I find somewhere else to sit.”
“I’m much obliged for the food, and...”
“Here, take another helping of potatoes, and here’s another slice of ham. I baked them both fresh last night, and the pie’s one I whipped up this morning. Perhaps you’ll call upon me when you aren’t burdened by bratty children.” It took Marcy another fifteen minutes to say goodbye. As soon as she left, a look of utter relief swept over Bryce’s features, and both Charley and Kaitlin dissolved into a fit of giggles. Bryce gave them a disgruntled look before joining them.
“You can’t say I didn’t warn you,” Kaitlin said, wiping tears of mirth from her eyes.
“I reckon I can’t at that. She’s got more lip than a muley cow.”
“Uncle Bryce, I don’t see why you had to invite her to sit with us anyway. Aunt Kate fixed enough for all of us. She even made those cookies you raved about the other night.”
At the mention of the cookies, Kaitlin blushed. She didn’t want Bryce thinking she’d made them special for him, even if that’s exactly what she’d done.
“I know, Charley, but I don’t think Kaitlin’s interested in marryin’, and I need a wife. I gotta start lookin’ somewhere.”
Charley set down her cookie and stared at Kaitlin. “You don’t wanna marry, ever, Aunt Kate?”
“Well, I...”
“Why don’t you marry Bryce? He’s single, and you’re single, and you both have me, so it makes sense.”
“It’s not that simple, Charley,” Kaitlin began, frustrated by Bryce’s silence during this embarrassing moment. He seemed content to let her handle Charley’s less-than-subtle questions.
“Sure it is. Bryce has been lookin’ for some time now, and he just can’t seem to find the right girl. But you’ll do right nicely, I’m thinkin’. I’m learnin’ to like you better than I did when we first got here even if you do make me go to school. I hate school. You’re teachin’ me to sew, and I like that. Anyways, you don’t cluck forever like Miss Klein. And Uncle Bryce likes you, don’t you, Uncle Bryce?” She turned her earnest gaze toward Bryce. “You like Aunt Kate?”
Bryce cleared his throat and leaned forward on the wooden pew. “Of course, I like your aunt.”
“Well, then,” Charley said, slapping both palms on her thighs. “I don’t see the problem.”
“I don’t think she likes me, Charley,” Bryce said quietly.
“Of course she likes you. All the girls like you. That’s part of your problem in pickin’ a wife.” Charley turned toward Kaitlin. “When he knew I was comin’ to live with him permanent-like, he started courtin’ several ladies in town. Before he knew it, he had more hens peckin’ at his toes than my Uncle William has in his whole henhouse. That’s when he decided to come up here and see if Emma would hitch up with him. Too bad she got herself engaged to that other feller.”
“Charley.” Bryce see
med calm in spite of the topic. “Anyone ever tell you, you talk too much? ’Afore long, you’ll be gabbin’ as much as Marcy.”
“Just makin’ conversation,” Charley mumbled and dropped her gaze to her lap.
“More like, you’re makin’ trouble. Let’s gather this mess, and head for the hacienda.” Bryce leaned over Charley to help stuff items back into the basket. His head collided gently with Kaitlin’s, and she reeled from the unexpected contact. He laughed softly, the sound tickling her hidden desires. If she could find a man like Bryce who made her laugh and think silly thoughts, she might recant her opinion of marriage. Kaitlin remained silent, subdued by Charley’s careless words and a need she couldn’t quite identify.
“Hmmm, you have that dreamy look in your eye, Katy. Unfortunately, this isn’t the spot to entice me for that kiss,” Bryce murmured so only she could hear him. “A man always picks his locations with care so the kiss isn’t witnessed by others. You’ll have to find another time and place.”
Kaitlin reeled back. If she’d had a chicken leg in her hand, she would have whacked him with it. Thinking she still could, she started to reopen her parcel.
Bryce put his warm hand over hers. “No sense wasting a good drumstick like that. You’ll have to find somethin’ else to hit me with.”
“Are you a mind reader?” She snatched her hand from his.
“Naw. But with everything already put away, there wasn’t any other reason for you to get into your basket.” He seemed right pleased with himself if the brilliant smile he had plastered on his face was any indication.
“Look, Aunt Kate, they’re fixin’ to play some music,” Charley exclaimed.
“The two of you are welcome to stay for the concert. I have a dress for Mrs. Watkins I need to finish by Wednesday.” Kaitlin scooted along the pew seat, headed for the nearest exist. The idea of sitting so close to Bryce for any length of time made her head reel. During the services, Charley had sat between them, acting as a buffer for her confused nerve endings.