“I’d be happy to, but I’m afraid what people might say if I’m here,” Bella stated.
“I don’t care,” McKenna said. “I’m not about to let people dictate to me who I can and can’t be friends with, even if she’s a saloon girl.”
“For now anyway,” Bella said. “In a few weeks, I’ll have my own house with girls to work for me.”
“That was fast.”
“Let’s just say I met a man who has proven to be quite resourceful, and he’ll have no hand in the business.”
“That’s just what we need, a house of ill repute,” Sheriff Milford said with a slight smile.
When the sheriff left, McKenna hugged Bella. “Thank you so much.”
“For what? I didn’t do anything.”
McKenna wiped the tears from her eyes. “Well, you’re here now, and that means so much to me. I know you could be working tonight.”
“I need a break,” she said with a smile. “There’s been enough excitement for the night. Head back up to bed and get some sleep. I’ll play lookout.”
“I can’t ask you to do that.”
“You didn’t ask; I’m offering.”
McKenna went back upstairs although her stomach was doing flip-flops. She tried to relax, but she missed Cole more than she ever had. She wanted him to hold her in his arms, and she wouldn’t be afraid anymore to tell him exactly how she felt.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Grace was all ears when McKenna told her what happened the night before, and she apologized profusely for not being there.
“It’s not like you could have stopped those men from trying to burn down the store.”
“I know, but I left you when you needed me most,” Grace cried.
“How was I to know things would happen that way? After a few calm nights, I thought I was just being paranoid.”
“You sure were busy last night. I see all the shelves are painted.”
McKenna inspected the shelves and she was dumbfounded until she remembered that Bella had played lookout. She must have kept busy finishing up the painting.
“Bella did that, I think. She’s the saloon girl who came in on the stagecoach with me.”
“I remember you saying that before.”
“She’s opening her own house of ill repute,” McKenna shared.
“You don’t say. I bet the owner of the saloon won’t be too happy about that.”
“Probably not, but I do love to hear about a woman going into business for herself, even as scandalous as that.”
“I agree. I’d like to meet her sometime. From what you’ve said, she sounds wonderful.”
Ethel waltzed in and admired the store. “All you’re missing is something to sell.”
“Yes, so hopefully my husband will be able to find supplies we need.”
“I’m sure he will. I’m so sorry I haven’t been by to check on you, but I’ve been busy moving into our new house. It’s rather dusty, but when I have it just the way I want, I’d like you ladies to visit me sometime. I’ll make sure Bella is there, too. I really admire her, and she’s quite popular with the miners, I hear.”
“That doesn’t surprise me. She’s vivacious and lively.”
“Well then, I’m off. Take care, McKenna.”
When the door closed behind Ethel, McKenna said, “I hope Cole doesn’t find out that Ethel didn’t stay here while he’s been gone. I kind of told him she would be.”
“I see. Well, he won’t hear it from me.”
“I’d like to pay the sheriff back for showing up when he did. I was thinking of inviting him to dinner. You could come as my companion. That way, folks in town won’t talk.”
“Folks in town are always going to talk, but since the fire, I’m sure they won’t think anything of it.”
* * *
McKenna and Grace sat there waiting for the sheriff to show up at the restaurant. She figured since it was a public place, folks would have less to say.
Sheriff Milford sat down and thanked McKenna for the invitation.
“I was hoping to get an update while you’re here, too.”
“I expected as much.”
They quit talking as the server came and went, delivering fresh coffee and taking their order.
Once they were alone again, McKenna asked, “So, who were those men who set the fire?”
“A couple of drifters who were more than willing to set fire to the store while you slept for a price. The U.S. Marshall will be here to pick them up in a few days. They’re both wanted for murder in Virginia City.”
McKenna gulped. That really made her nervous. Why, there was no telling what would have happened to her if the sheriff hadn’t showed up.
“And what of Chastity?”
“She’s denied the whole thing, and the men didn’t exactly name her by name. But I warned her if she did anything like that again, I’d be speaking to her father about what happened. Warren knows very little about what his daughter has been doing in Silver.”
“But shouldn’t he be told?”
“Yes and no. We might be able to force her to change her ways if we don’t tell him. I don’t want to see her leave Silver. She’s the only one who had a desire to come here and open a store, which we desperately needed at the time. Now we’ll have two stores, and there will be plenty of business for both of you.”
Grace picked up her coffee cup and said, “I think I’ll have to get my own coffee. That woman hasn’t even checked back with us since she took our order.
A moment later, the sheriff’s eyes widened as a shadow neared them.
“I’m back with the supplies, but I can see you’re too busy having dinner with the sheriff,” Cole said.
When McKenna whirled to look at her husband, his eyes were narrowed.
“I can explain this. It’s not what you think.”
“Don’t bother. I have supplies to unload.”
Cole strutted back to the door and McKenna apologized. “It appears my husband has the wrong idea.”
“You can leave if you’d like,” he offered.
McKenna thought about that for a moment then said, “No. I invited you to dinner as a way to thank you, and that’s exactly what I’m going to do.”
“He’s probably tired and expected you to be waiting at home for him.”
“I’m sure he was, but there was no call to act like that.”
The server brought their meal and McKenna tried to hold up her end of the conversation, but all she could think about was Cole. Did he really think she was with the sheriff in a romantic way? It also made her quite angry that he’d jump to such a conclusion without allowing her to explain herself.
When dinner was over, McKenna strode to the door and once they were outside, Grace asked, “What did I miss when I left the table?”
“Nothing much. Cole showed up and was angry that I was having dinner with the sheriff.”
“Didn’t you explain to him why you were there?”
“He didn’t give me a chance.”
“That’s so like a man, but if he’s jealous that only means he really loves you.”
McKenna wished she could think about it that way, but right then she was angry and hurt. Hurt that he’d ever think she was interested in anyone but him. Why did this man make it so impossible to love him?
* * *
Cole was livid. After being away for four days and finally back with all the supplies they needed, McKenna was nowhere to be found. That was until Chastity was more than happy to tell him where his wife was and with whom.
When he approached one of the wagons, Bret asked. “Where is McKenna?”
“Busy with another man.”
“What? Are you sure?”
“Positive. She was having dinner with Sheriff Milford.”
“So? That doesn’t mean it’s a candle-lit dinner. I’m sure there was a logical explanation. Did she at least try to explain herself?”
“She tried, but I didn’t want to hear it. Let’s get th
is moved inside before it gets dark.”
He had looked forward to seeing her and blurting out exactly how he felt about her, but after what he saw, that was the furthest thing from his mind. Had he made a mistake marrying McKenna?
* * *
McKenna flagged down Fanny who was strolling past.
“My husband came back with our supplies. Can you find some men to help us unload the wagons?”
“Sure, but I’d be happy to help, too.”
Grace followed McKenna back to the store when she saw Chastity looking across the street. Grace stopped and glared at the other woman until she went back inside.
“Are you here to help, or—” Cole began. “I’m sorry I interrupted you and the sheriff. I didn’t know you knew him that well.”
With the emphasis on that statement, she balled up her fists and wanted to sock Cole in the eye, even if it would have hurt her. She began to pick up smaller items and carry them inside.
When she went back outside, Fanny was coming back with ten miners, judging from the clothes they wore.
“Look, help has just arrived,” McKenna informed him.
Cole glanced up and actually smiled.
“This is my sister, Fanny,” Grace stated.
“It’s about time I met Fanny. I feel like we know each other already,” Cole said briskly shaking her hand.
“I just met her myself not long ago,” McKenna told him.
While Cole had smiled at Fanny, he didn’t at McKenna, merely cocking his brow. She was more angry than she had ever been in her entire life. She couldn’t believe how he was treating her. He didn’t even give her the chance to explain herself!
Bret told McKenna to relax and let the men unload the wagon.
“But Fanny is helping, and she’s a woman,” McKenna protested.
“Is she now? I hadn’t noticed.”
“I’m going to tell her you said that,” McKenna threatened.
“Don’t you dare. I’m sure I’d be on the losing end if we got into an argument.”
McKenna just shook her head at Bret. She liked Fanny, and it was quite refreshing to meet someone of her caliber. She’d proven to be a good woman to know.
Whenever Cole came into the store, he didn’t even look in her direction. She threw it off as he was working hard to unload the wagons, but she began to take it quite personally when Cole all but ignored her. When Bella showed up to help, he suddenly had plenty to say to her. Jealously took over, and McKenna was so mad yet heartbroken at the same time. What kind of woman was Cole truly interested in?
She had to blink back the tears and focus on the work at hand, putting the supplies away. They all worked long into the night, unpacking and putting goods on shelves. At that point, it quit bothering her that Cole wouldn’t even look in her direction. Bella had left at least, which made her feel somewhat better, but she was still hurt with how he was treating her.
McKenna wandered up the stairs and crawled into bed when she was finally exhausted. She didn’t even change her clothes.
* * *
“Wake up, McKenna,” Cole said early the next morning. “Today is opening day.”
“This soon?”
“We might as well. With all the help Fanny brought, the store is more than ready to open today,” Cole told her, leaving the room.
McKenna dressed in a striped dress with a bustle and ate a minimal breakfast that Grace had made.
“How is Cole acting this morning?” she asked.
“Fine, I suppose. He’s speaking to me, at least,” she shared, pouring coffee.
“So, it’s fine now?”
“Hardly. I’m still angry how he treated me at the restaurant. I can’t believe he was just chatting it up with Bella when she stopped by. He told me not to even associate with her, but obviously that only meant me, not him. Do you think he’s been visiting her at the saloon?”
“I don’t know. Do you think that?”
McKenna frowned. “I suppose not, but there is still plenty of time for him to do that if he wanted, like that one night when we were at the boarding house and he disappeared.”
“Men do that at times. I wouldn’t think about it too hard. He married you, not a saloon girl.”
“But this isn’t a real marriage,” McKenna cried. “It’s in n-name only. We only got married so I could come out with him and open the mercantile together, but he wouldn’t even let me pay my half. We haven’t even consummated our marriage.”
Grace plopped down in a chair. “Well, that is strange. How has he been able to do that?”
“How should I know? He obviously doesn’t love me.”
“And you love him?”
“Yes, desperately, but I haven’t had the nerve to tell him and now, I just can’t.”
“Did you tell him what happened here that night when those men tried to burn down the store?”
“No, what’s the use? If he really cared about me, he wouldn’t have acted like he had last night.”
Grace sighed. “I can think that here he had been separated from you for days, and finally came back and found out you were having dinner with another man. With your marriage not yet consummated, all kinds of thoughts might have raced through his mind. Don’t give up on him just yet, McKenna.”
McKenna never got the chance to answer Grace since Cole appeared, wearing black pants with a white button-up shirt.
“You sure look like a man who owns a mercantile store,” McKenna said.
“So do you, McKenna, but you’re a woman.” He smiled slightly. “Shall we? There’s been a line forming all morning. It seems like everyone in town is anxious to stop in and take a look around.”
McKenna went down the stairs where she had the shock of her life. The entire front of the window was covered with people standing and waiting for them to unlock the doors.
She took her position behind the counter, since she was a little worried there might just be a stampede though the doors. All along the counter were candies in glass jars. That was one of the things she’d insisted upon. While there might not be all that many children in Silver, she wanted them to enjoy the candy that cost only a penny. The rest of the merchandise was priced higher since that was the reason they had opened a store, but Cole came up with a price list that was fair. It also was priced lower than the items in Chastity’s store. When she found out, there might just be a price war, but McKenna doubted that since Chastity seemed to be quite greedy. Why else would she try to put those men up to burning down Winters Mercantile?
“I hope you’re ready, because here they come,” Cole warned.
Grace peeked from the stairs with a huge smile on her face. Her sisters, Betsy, Joslyn, and Irma were also there to help out for opening day. Even Fanny promised to show up later in case the men needed any help.
The door was opened and men and women strode through the door, laughing all the while. Betsy was stationed at the fabric table, a bolt of fabric in her hands. There were a variety of colors and textures from the finest silk to cotton in every possible pattern.
“Feel how soft this is,” Betsy said to a woman who walked over to the table. Soon, she was surrounded with women.
Cole was across the room, showing the miners who stood near him the latest in mining equipment.
“This is much cheaper than I thought,” one man said. “I expected equipment like this to cost much more.”
“We’re here to make a go of the business, but not at the expense of our customers. You’ve already sacrificed enough coming to Silver,” Cole informed the group.
“I can see you’re an honest man,” the man said, picking up items while his wife followed him. “Pick yourself out fabric for a new dress.”
“But I don’t have a sewing machine, and my fingers don’t work like they used to.”
“We’ll have a sewing machine soon,” Cole said. “Joslyn over there is quite a seamstress.”
“Yes, that’s right,” Betsy added. “She’s quite skilled even without one.”<
br />
Joslyn was waved over and she began to speak to the woman about the dress she’d like made.
“What kind of skills do you have, Irma?” McKenna asked.
“None that would help you, but I’ve played the piano since I was five. It’s not much use here, though.”
“It might be when they open the hotel they’re building across the street,” Bella said. “I’m positive they’d be looking for a pianist.”
Irma nodded, but Bella’s appearance drew plenty of attention, including McKenna’s husband! Bella swayed her way over to Cole and McKenna felt just sick, but she refused to allow it to ruin her day. She’d just concentrate on checking out the customers.
When Chastity came in, she stalked the sales floor, staring at the price tags.
“You can’t do this to me. You have to raise your prices or I’ll be out of business!” she shouted.
“I guess you might want to lower your prices then,” McKenna responded with a smile.
Chastity turned all shades of red before stomping out the door. When she left, applause erupted. It made McKenna feel a little bad for her, but only because she worried what the woman might do.
* * *
Not even the events of the previous day could dim the grand opening. Prospectors had made their way into the store, buying up whatever goods they could get their hands on.
Cole thanked everyone for helping and hugged McKenna after they closed, but she drew back. “What are you doing?” she demanded. “Yesterday and even today you were fawning all over a saloon girl, and not just any, but my friend Bella. The same one you told me not to speak to.”
Cole tried his best to explain. “What? I’m not interested in anyone else. You’re the one who just had dinner with someone else, not me.”
“And you wouldn’t even let me explain what happened. Do you even care?”
“No, I don’t, but I’m willing to overlook it.”
“Overlook it? You don’t even know what happened here the night before you came home,” McKenna retorted as she stomped her foot.
Everyone who had helped for the opening backed away, obviously not wanting to get involved in their very public argument.
McKenna, (Sweet Western Historical Romance) (Nevada Brides Series Book 1) Page 12