“What if mother divorces you?”
“She wouldn’t dare. I’d never allow her to bring such a scandal upon us.”
“Her? Bring scandal? What about you? What about ‘Keegan Chooses Wrong Mount’? Everyone from here to the capital knows what you’re doing and with whom. I hardly see Mother seeking a divorce to be much of a scandal.”
“If you encourage her to try such a thing, I’ll see that both of you suffer.”
“What do you suppose we’re doing now?” Alex questioned. “Do you realize I don’t remember a time when I felt you truly loved me? Do you have any idea what it’s like to grow up seeing other children share close relationships with their fathers, knowing you will never have the same thing?”
“Spare me your sob stories. Great men of power seldom have time for such nonsense.”
“But that’s the truly funny part,” Alex countered. “You are neither a great man, nor a man of power. You fancy that because your bank account shows a tidy sum that you have somehow earned the respect and honor of your fellow citizens, but it isn’t so. You’re the laughingstock of this resort. The only reason you’re even allowed here is that your money spends as well as the next man’s. You were the laughingstock of Williams and probably still are, and the only reason anyone tolerates your antics is the fact that you have money, along with their insane love for a juicy piece of gossip.”
“Enough! I won’t be talked to in this manner. You need to remember what I’ve said. You may not care for the harm I cause you, but I think you’ll agree that your mother is hardly strong enough to endure my wrath should I find it necessary to punish you through her.”
“You had better not hurt her.”
“That, my dear, will be entirely up to you,” he said, sounding as though he’d regained his composure.
Alex realized the impasse. There was no way to deal with this now. She would simply have to make her plans and steal her mother away when her father least expected it.
“Do you understand me?”
“Yes. I understand you perfectly,” Alex replied. She met his dark gaze and feared for her mother’s life. Would he go so far as to kill her?
“Good. There will be no divorce. Not now—nor ever.”
CHAPTER NINE
Wearing nothing but a thin satin nightgown, Valerie Winthrop threw herself into Luke’s cabin, screaming as she entered.
Luke stared at her in surprise, not having a clue about what to say or do.
“There’s something out there,” she said, backing against the wall. “I heard it. It was chasing me.”
Luke went to the open door and looked out. The wind blew gently, while thunder rumbled in the distance. “I don’t see anything.”
He looked back to Valerie and shook his head as if to confirm it. “There’s nothing out there.”
“I know something or someone was out there. I could hear them saying my name—low and mournful.” She rubbed her bare upper arms, the action causing the deep cut of her neckline to reveal more cleavage. She batted her lashes and pouted. “Don’t send me back out there.”
Luke shook his head and reached for his shirt. “I’ll go check things out.” He’d barely pulled the shirt on when Valerie threw herself against him. Her momentum nearly sent Luke off-balance, causing him to reach involuntarily out to Valerie. As he grasped hold of her, she tightened her grip on him as well.
“Don’t leave me,” she whispered. “I’m afraid.” She looked up into his face, appearing absolutely terror stricken.
“I’m sure it’s all right,” Luke said, trying to put her away from him as he regained his stance.
Valerie would have no part of his action and tightened her hold on him. “No! I know what I heard.”
“Then someone’s just playing a game with you.”
Forcing her away from him, Luke pushed her back toward the bed. Pulling on his boots, he said, “Stay here and I’ll go scout things out.”
He headed out of the cabin, uncertain of what to do once he confirmed the safety of the area. Thunder sounded overhead. Luke wondered if they’d have rain and if that rain would make the trip back to the rim more difficult.
Seeing and hearing nothing out of the ordinary, Luke walked back to the cabin, buttoning his shirt as he went. He didn’t have time to tuck it back into his jeans before he re-entered the cabin to find Valerie stretched out across his bed.
Striking a seductive pose she said, “Did you chase away the boogeyman?”
“I saw no evidence that he was out there. Now come on, I’ll walk you back to your place.”
“Why not let me stay here with you? I won’t be missed. Besides, you have two beds,” she said. Then giggling she added, “But this one looks big enough for both of us.”
Luke was starting to feel angry. “Ma’am, I haven’t the least bit of interest in accommodating you.”
“You don’t like me?”
“Frankly, no.” Luke motioned to the door. “Come on.”
“Why don’t you like me?”
“I’ve never cared for fast women.”
“I’m not fast,” she said, laughing. “I’m just purposeful. When I see something I like, I go after it.”
“Well, I don’t care for that kind of woman either.”
“Is there someone else? Is that what this is really about? Do you have a sweetheart?”
“I wouldn’t exactly say that,” Luke responded, not even sure why he was bothering.
“There is someone!” Valerie sat up in the middle of the bed. “What’s her name?”
“None of your business. Now get out of my bed, and let me walk you back to your cabin.”
“Not until you tell me her name.”
Luke had taken all he was going to take. Marching to the bed, he lifted Valerie from the mattress and set her on the floor. Again her grip on him was almost painful.
“Don’t be mad at me. You and I could have a great time together. I know it.”
Just then, Clancy walked through the open door. “Hey, why’s the door . . .” He paused, taking in the sight.
“Miss Winthrop was sure that something was chasing her,” Luke said, forcing her once again away from him. “Would you walk her back to her cabin, Clancy?”
Clancy eyed the barely clothed Valerie and then turned his gaze to Luke again. There were a dozen unspoken questions in his expression, but thankfully he didn’t vocalize a single one.
“Sure thing, boss.”
Luke breathed a sigh of relief, but it was short-lived. Valerie Winthrop was not a happy woman. She’d been scorned and denied, and as a rich socialite, she was probably not used to either one.
She frowned at him, her eyes narrowing as her brows came together ever so slightly. “This isn’t settled between us,” she whispered.
“Yes, it is,” Luke replied. “Keep your distance. I don’t have time for these games, and I’ll not allow you to put the party in jeopardy tomorrow when we make our ascent. Keep that in mind. At the first sign of trouble, I’ll separate you from the group and have Clancy escort you alone.”
Valerie grew hateful then. “I can’t tell you how much you’ve offended me. All I wanted was a little fun in this hideous place. You’ve made a terrible mistake.”
“The error is on your part, Miss Winthrop. Good night.” He hoped his firm tone would assure her of his purpose. Turning away from her, he went to the far side of the room and pretended to busy himself with poking up the fire.
“Come on, Miss Winthrop. I’ll see to it that you get back safe and sound.”
Luke heard Clancy’s gentle tone and hoped that Valerie wouldn’t take out her anger on him. Clancy was a sweet, gentle-natured fellow—Luke hated the thought of Miss Winthrop sinking her claws in him.
It wasn’t until Luke heard the door close behind them that he stood and replaced the fire poker. He looked at the closed door for a long time. Why in the world had she singled him out? With the exception of two other women, both older and both obviously married,
Miss Winthrop was the only female in their group. She was the obvious interest of the dozen or more men who had joined their party into the canyon.
“So why come after me?” he questioned aloud. He pulled off his shirt and draped it back over the chair. Sitting on the edge of the bed, his gaze still fixed on the door as if Valerie Winthrop might somehow rematerialize, Luke pulled off his boots and shook his head. “Why?”
Clancy returned about that time and Luke couldn’t help but feel a wash of embarrassment over the episode. Clancy looked at him, as if awaiting an explanation. Luke shrugged. “She just burst in here unannounced and threw herself at me. I’m telling you, I’ve never seen anything like it.”
Clancy smiled. “She smells good, I’ve got to give her that.” He closed the door and walked to his own side of the room. “She isn’t very happy with you.”
“I don’t care,” Luke said, standing to take off his jeans. He thought better of it and decided to sleep with them on. Just because Clancy was here didn’t mean she might not sneak back, and if that happened, Luke intended to be at least partially clothed.
“She was crying and telling me that nobody cared about her,” Clancy said, tossing his hat to a hook. “I felt sorry for her.”
“Don’t,” Luke said angrily. “She has an entire entourage of men who would be more than happy to entertain and care for her. She’s just playing games with me. The problem is, I don’t know why.”
“Maybe she has some kind of bet with that Mr. Harper character. They seem a strange bunch. Someone said she’s engaged to Harper. If that’s the case, why is she here with you?”
“Exactly,” Luke said in complete exasperation. He trusted Clancy not to make a big deal out of the situation, but he felt he needed to say something. “Clancy, I’d appreciate it if you’d keep what happened here tonight just between us.”
“Sure, boss.”
“I don’t need my reputation ruined.”
“Some of the guys wouldn’t see it that way,” Clancy said, smiling. “They’d see you as quite the man.”
“Yes, but I worry more about the truth of the matter and what God thinks.” Luke sat down on the bed and rubbed his chin. “I know God knows what happened here tonight, but a Christian needs to work to be above reproach.”
“What’s that mean—reproach?”
“Disgrace—shame—blame. It means you live your life in such a fashion that no one can hold you accountable for things you didn’t do. You keep out of situations that even look like they might be a problem.”
“Like before prohibition,” Clancy said, “when the guys wanted you to go to the bar in Williams. They’d tease you and say you didn’t have to drink whiskey or beer.”
“Exactly. I could go sit in the bar and drink nothing but water—be completely innocent—but someone might see me and believe the worst. I wouldn’t be guilty of drinking, but I sure would be guilty of giving someone reason to believe falsely of me.”
“But you can’t be held to account for what people think,” Clancy said. “Surely God doesn’t expect that. I mean, you can’t very well control other people’s lives—especially their thoughts.”
Clancy eyed him seriously, as if his words were just too incredible to believe. Luke realized that Clancy had never taken much interest in talk of the Christian walk, prior to this. Luke was aware that what he said now might very well send Clancy away from God or draw him closer. He whispered a prayer for the right words.
“You can’t control other people’s lives or thoughts—but you can control your own,” Luke replied. “Self-control is an important part of living a Christian life. But you don’t have to do it on your own. God gives you a lot of help along the way. When you’re tempted to do the wrong thing, go the wrong direction, He’s there for you. Just like tonight.”
“How so, boss?”
“I wasn’t tempted to do anything wrong with Miss Winthrop, but if I had been, this would have been a bad situation for me. It would have been hard to resist a barely clothed woman who obviously was looking for a good time. But my heart was fixed on doing the right thing. It was fixed that way because I turned my desires over to God a long time ago. Since then, I’ve been praying and reading the Bible, and I know a little better everyday what I should and shouldn’t let myself get into.”
Clancy pulled off his boots and nodded. “So because you were thinking about God, you weren’t thinking about what Miss Winthrop had to offer?”
“That’s partially it. It’s because of my relationship with God that I also respect the people in my life. I try to treat each person as I would want to be treated—with respect and kindness. It doesn’t always come out that way. I have a mean streak, as you well know.”
Clancy laughed. “I’ve seen it a time or two.”
“Well, I try to control that as well. See, a man who can control his tongue can control just about anything else. And what a man says comes up out of his heart. The Bible says so.”
“I ain’t never heard this religion stuff put quite this way. It makes a heap more sense than what I’ve known in the past.”
“That’s because I don’t care much for religion myself. I care about God and what He wants for my life. Religions can just cause a man grief. They scatter him in all sorts of directions looking for answers to one thing and then another.” Luke walked over to his saddlebag and pulled out his Bible. “This is what counts, Clancy. The Bible has all the answers we’ll ever need. It’s all laid out in here.”
Clancy scratched his chest and looked rather embarrassed. “I don’t . . . well . . . I don’t have one of those. Never saw the need, so I ain’t never bought me one.”
“Then have this one,” Luke said, bringing the Bible to his friend. “But let me share just one passage with you first.”
“Sure,” Clancy said, looking at the book as though Luke were offering him gold.
Luke turned to the third chapter of John. “See here, this is Jesus talking to a man named Nicodemus—he was a ruler of the Jewish people. He tells Nicodemus, ‘For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.’ ”
“Everlasting life? You mean, you never die?”
“Your body dies eventually—everybody’s does. But when you accept Jesus as your Savior—when you believe on Him and repent of your sins—you’re given eternal life for your spirit. When your body dies, your spirit will live on with Jesus in heaven.”
“Seems simple enough,” Clancy said, looking at the words for himself. “Is there more I have to do?”
“There are things we do out of obedience and respect to God—baptism and service, tithing and fellowship—but first and foremost, we accept that Jesus is the Son of God and we accept that He died for us sinners so that we wouldn’t have to face death alone. We repent of our sins and work to never repeat our old ways. It’s a new life, Clancy.”
“Them are powerful words, Luke,” Clancy said, looking up with an expression that suggested awe. “So what do I have to do to repent? I mean, how do I know if I did something that God considers a sin?”
“God knows your heart, Clancy. If you tell Him you’re sorry for the past wrongs you’ve committed—if you ask Him to forgive you and to come into your heart, He will. He’ll help you to understand what’s right and wrong in His sight. You’ll learn it by reading the Bible and you’ll see, too, the deep love He has for you.”
“I just talk to Him—like I’m talking to you?” “Just so. Most folks like to bow their heads and close their eyes, but you can pray with your eyes wide open sitting atop a mule. You can pray in your sickbed and pray over dinner. It doesn’t matter where you pray, it’s just important that you do pray.”
Clancy took the Bible in his hands and nodded. “I’d like to pray. I’ve been real impressed with the way you handle yourself, Luke. And like tonight, I knew in my heart you’d done no wrong with that woman. I knew it ’cause of the way you live your life the rest of t
he time.”
“I only live my life that way because God gives me the strength to do so. I’m nothing special on my own, Clancy, but with God, nothing’s impossible. He gives me the strength I need for everything.”
“Then I want that too. I know you wouldn’t steer me wrong.”
“It’s not me doing the steering, Clancy. It’s God.”
Clancy nodded. “That’s good enough for me.”
Luke smiled and slapped Clancy on the back in a hearty manner. “Then let’s get down to business.”
CHAPTER TEN
“So they’re planning all these parties,” Michaela told a group of gathered wranglers and Harvey Girls. “I’ve even heard it said that reporters are coming in from as far as Washington, D.C., to watch these rich ninnies fall all over themselves to see who’ll be most favored to get the Democratic nomination for president.”
“This is just the start. I heard they are all headed on to Los Angeles after this, and then New York,” someone else threw in.
“It’s all a lot of fuss for nothing, if you ask me,” Luke said, eyeing Alex as she joined the little group.
“Didn’t look like you minded the fuss too much last night,” one of Luke’s crew said snidely. “I saw that Miss Winthrop over at your cabin. Didn’t look like she was fussin’ much about being fully clothed. Was she campaigning?” Laughter rose up from some of Luke’s crew.
“Bet she got the boss’s vote for sure.”
Luke had never suspected that anyone else might have seen Valerie’s visit. He knew he had a confidant in Clancy, but he’d never thought to ward off this topic with the others. Looking up, he caught Alex looking at him with an expression of disbelief and betrayal. Her cheeks reddened as she realized he’d caught her watching him. She walked away from the group and headed up to the hotel without another word.
“That’s not a good way to keep friends, Luke,” Michaela offered without condemnation. “Come on, Bernice, we’d better get to work.”
Clancy came to Luke’s rescue, but not in time to help him with Alex. “Miss Winthrop got herself spooked. I took her back to her cabin. That’s all that was about.”
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