“You need any help with him, Noah?” Al called from the bar.
“No, I have him.” He wrapped one of Gabe’s arms around his neck and braced an arm around his waist, steadying him.
“I can stand,” Gabe protested as they walked toward the back door.
“Sure you can,” Noah said, his voice heavy with sarcasm.
Cash and Beau’s house stood half a block away. Both deputies were gone, probably still checking the town before calling it a night. He lowered Gabe to a pallet they’d set up in the front room, then pushed him onto his back.
Noah stared down at him, hoping Gabe would find a way to work through the problems with Lena. He wanted him to find the same happiness he had with Abby. The thought reminded him that he and Abby still hadn’t been able to share their news. He guessed it would have to wait a little longer.
“I always knew you were a smart woman, Lena.” Willie’s feral smile had her stomach churning. Nick sat two tables away. Not close enough to hear their conversation, but ready to intervene if needed. “Although I did believe you were brave enough to have breakfast with me without the need of a bodyguard.” He nodded toward Nick.
She raised her chin, refusing to be intimidated. “We always have breakfast about this time. There’s nothing unusual about him being here. Now, what do you want?”
“Direct. That’s one quality of yours I always admired.” He cut into his ham and took a bite, chewing slowly, letting her wait.
Lena had no appetite. The combination of Gabe’s departure the night before and Willie’s presence at breakfast killed any hunger she might have felt.
“I believe it best we marry.” Willie spoke without explanation, startling her.
She laughed at his bold statement. “You must be mad. What makes you believe I’d even consider marrying you?”
“I’m only thinking of what’s best for you and my son. Think of how people will react when they learn of Jackson’s bastard status. Children can be so hard on each other. And adults, well…their opinion can destroy you and anyone associated with you.” He took another bite of ham, his eyes dancing in amusement, watching her face go ashen.
He didn’t make veiled threats. “The people in Splendor will understand. Once they get to know you, my reasons for keeping you out of our lives will become clear.”
“You are still as naïve as ever, giving credit to people who don’t deserve it. When the word is out, you’ll see how many stand beside you. I’m afraid it won’t be as many as you expect.” He sipped the still steaming coffee, then set the cup aside. “It would be a shame for you and your partners to spend thousands of dollars building a hotel only to lose it all to a scandal.”
Her stomach churned. She knew he might be right. There would be some who would stand by her—the Pelletiers, Noah, Abby, Suzanne, some of the other merchants—but would it be enough to prove Willie wrong? Would most shun her and Jack, making their lives miserable, dragging Nick, and possibly Gabe, down with them?
As much as she loathed Willie, she loved the son their union produced and would do anything to protect him from needless scandal. The thought of marrying Willie made her physically ill, yet his threats held a real fear for her.
Finishing his meal, he set the napkin beside his plate and leaned toward her. “I can see you don’t quite see the gravity of the situation you are in. Let me assure you, my threats are real. But I am a reasonable man. I’ll give you three days to consider my offer of marriage. Three days, Lena, and not a minute more. If you do not see your way clear to marry me, I will make good on my threats.” Standing, he glared down at her. “And don’t think you can disappear. If you take Jackson, I will find you, and my terms won’t be as generous the second time.”
Clutching her hands so tight the knuckles appeared white, she watched his retreating back. She knew he meant every word. What bothered her the most was the almost maniacal look in his eyes as he spoke. As opposed to the way he’d presented himself as a younger man, she now saw past the charm to the menace he’d become.
He’d make her life and Jackson’s a living hell if she didn’t bend to his will. A decision to marry might mean alienating Nick, as well as the loss of any relationship with Gabe. She might be on her own if she took such a drastic step.
“Are you all right?”
She heard the scraping of a chair across the wooden floor, her clouded mind noticing Nick taking a seat beside her. Unable to meet his gaze, she continued to stare into her lap.
“What did he say?”
“He…uh…” Her voice broke as she tried to choke out a response.
Grabbing her untouched cup of coffee, Nick held it out her. “Drink this.”
Taking the cup in both hands, she took a sip, the liquid tasting bitter in her mouth.
“Is that better?” Nick leaned forward, anger building at seeing her so upset.
She didn’t respond right away, her hands trembling as she set the cup on the table.
“He insists I marry him—”
“Not in this life or any other, Lena.”
She’d never heard his voice sound so hardened and ruthless.
Looking around, the faces of several people she knew came into focus, all glancing up from their meals to see what had Nick so agitated.
“We can’t talk here. Let’s go to the Dixie.” She stood, nodding at a few people as she passed their tables. Taking a breath, she steeled herself for the unavoidable discussion.
~~~~~
Chapter Twenty
Reaching across the desk, Gabe shook Dax’s hand, then turned to shake Luke’s.
“Thank you both. I’m looking forward to the day my home sits atop the hill with a view of the waterfall.” A smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes twisted the corners of his mouth. He’d started the negotiations with the Pelletiers when he’d felt certain Lena would be joining him. Now their future seemed anything but certain.
“We’re glad to put the land to good use. The property is too far removed from our ranch and we’ve expanded so far north and east, we have more than we’ll ever need for generations.” Dax walked around the desk, leaning against the edge. “Of course, that doesn’t mean we won’t be acquiring more. When will you start building?”
“I’m afraid it will have to wait until spring. All the men available are being used at the new hotel site, expanding the boardinghouse, and finishing Noah’s houses.”
“Sounds as if you’ll be building your home about the time Noah and Abby start theirs on the hill east of town.” Luke opened a bottle of whiskey, filling three glasses. “She wanted it done by Christmas. Instead, they decided to build houses for those who had no other shelter this winter. I hear every one of them is already taken.”
“Noah is finishing the last two now and already has them sold. I suppose we’ll be utilizing the same workmen come spring.” Gabe accepted the glass Luke handed him. “And assuming it’s all right with the two of you, I’d like to use Bull again to check my plans.”
“No problem.” Dax took a glass from Luke.
“Here’s to your new home and future in Splendor. We all hope you’ll continue as our sheriff for a long time.” Luke lifted his glass in the air.
“I do plan a future in Splendor,” Gabe chuckled. “I’m not ready to commit to how long I’ll stay on as sheriff, though.”
“At least you’ll be here, whether it’s as sheriff or not. Are you still planning to stay at my old place for a few days?” Luke set his empty glass aside, leaning forward and resting his arms on his knees.
“If the offer is still open.”
“Anytime,” Luke responded. “You’ll need some supplies, which I’ve already packed and loaded into a wagon.”
“You didn’t have to—”
Luke held up his hand. “It wasn’t any problem. We had the supplies and I knew what you’d need, at least for a week. If you stay longer, come back here rather than ride into town. Unless there’s someone you’d like to see…” Luke shot him a knowing lo
ok.
Gabe should’ve known they would have heard about him and Lena. He suspected most everyone in town already figured they were together. If he could just find a way to reconcile what she’d kept from him with his love for her. He had no desire to form a union with a woman he couldn’t trust. A marriage built on secrets would never work.
“No.” He rose, grabbed the bottle, and poured a glass. “I suppose you’re both aware of Jackson.” When both nodded, he shook his head, then downed the whiskey. “I found out yesterday. By accident.”
“You’d just gotten back to town. Perhaps she hadn’t had a chance to explain,” Luke offered.
“She’d mentioned Jackson to me several times before I left for Big Pine. Not once did she indicate he was her son, leaving me to believe he belonged to Isabella. Now I must decide what to do next.”
Luke walked up next to him, clasping him on the shoulder. “I always found putting a fishing pole in Wildfire Creek to be quite conducive to thinking through troubles. Two are still at the cabin. Give it a try. You might be amazed at how much your head clears when watching fish swim right by your hook. Come on. I’ll take you to the wagon.”
“Suzanne asked me to come and get Lena. Is she here?” Fanny had run from the boardinghouse to the Dixie when Jack burst into the kitchen, blood dripping from his nose, one eye swollen shut.
“Upstairs. I’ll get her.” Paul tossed the rag down and dashed up the stairs, returning moments later with Lena.
“What is it, Fanny?”
“You need to come quick. Jack’s been hurt.”
“I’ll let Nick know,” Paul called after Lena as she ran out the door.
“Bring the doctor,” Lena yelled over her shoulder to Fanny as she passed the clinic. “Suzanne?” she called, slamming the front door open, thankful the restaurant was empty.
“In the kitchen.” She glanced up from tending to Jack as Lena hurried toward them, her face ashen, eyes full of worry.
Kneeling next to him, she looked into his face, seeing the remnants of blood, a split and swollen lip, swollen eye, and color spreading onto his cheek.
“What happened, Jack?” She kept her voice low, trying not to show her apprehension.
Looking down at his lap, he shook his head. “Nothing.”
“I can see it must have been something, unless you did this to yourself. Did you?”
He glanced at her, then quickly looked away. “No.”
“Then who did?”
Jack winced as Suzanne dabbed a small amount of whiskey on his split lip. “No one.”
“What do we have here?” All three glanced at the door as Doc Worthington walked in, already looking Jack over. “It appears you’ve been in an altercation, young man.”
“Yes, sir.” Jack’s voice dropped to a whisper.
“Let’s take a look.”
Lena, Suzanne, and Fanny stood several feet away, giving the doctor space, although their eyes missed nothing. After checking the injuries, Doc stood. “No broken bones, but you’ll have swelling and pain on your face. How did this happen, Jack?”
He pursed his lips, again refusing to explain. When his gaze caught sight of Nick striding into the room, a hard expression on his uncle’s face, his confidence slipped.
“Come on, Jack. Let’s head outside and get some air.” Nick held out his hand before the two disappeared out the back door.
The women moved to the window over the sink, seeing them walk at a slow pace toward the creek, then head north along the water’s edge.
“Well, if anyone can get Jack to talk, it’s Nick. Guess all I can do is wait.” Lena clasped her hands.
“He was in a fight,” Suzanne said with conviction.
“Did he tell you that?”
“I think he started to before you came in, then stopped. He’s embarrassed and probably angry. I know I’d be if I were jumped by other boys.” With a disgusted snort, Suzanne tossed the soiled apron she’d been wearing aside. “You’re right, though. Nick will get the whole story, then you’ll know what to do.” Without asking, Suzanne poured coffee for each of them, taking down a cup for Nick to have when he came back inside. “So, now, tell us what you’re going to do about Gabe.”
“Three boys cornered Jack after school and pushed him around. He shoved back, and one of the boys punched him. When he held his ground, another hit him, then a third.” Nick paced back and forth in the kitchen, having sent Jack upstairs to Lena’s room.
A deep red crept up Lena’s face as Nick spoke, rage swelling at what the boys had done. When she started to stand, Nick placed a hand on her shoulder and pushed her back down.
Suzanne and Fanny leaned against the counter, arms crossed, cold fury on their faces.
“Why would they do such a thing?” Lena asked, her heart breaking, remembering how Jack looked when she first saw him.
“Apparently, the boys called him names.”
Lena’s eyes blazed at what she suspected. “What did they call him?”
Nick knelt in front of her, taking her hands. “It’s not important what they said. It’s the fact they intimidated and beat him.”
“What. Did. They. Call. Him?”
“A bastard.” Nick cleared his throat. “They said his mother was a whore.”
Lena stilled, her face turning ashen. Staring ahead, she spotted a picture Suzanne had hung when she first built the boardinghouse. It showed her, her husband, and their daughter. The girl couldn’t have been much older than Jack when it was taken. Suzanne had lost both in a severe snowstorm years before. The image made her think of Jack and how she’d do whatever was needed to protect her son.
Lena felt her resolve crumble as her gaze moved across the figures in the framed image. The girl had a broad smile, while Suzanne and her husband showed more stoic faces. Even so, you could see Suzanne’s eyes sparkle. A braver woman Lena had never met. She didn’t know if she could suffer such loss and move on the way her friend had. She knew she couldn’t lose Jack, or see him suffer at the hands of ignorant children and adults.
Pushing herself up, she felt her body tremble as anger and resentment took control. “I need to go up and see Jack.”
Nick cursed under his breath when he saw her shoulders sag as she moved toward the stairs. “I’ll tell Cash and Beau. They need to know what happened.”
She didn’t answer, nodding once, then continuing to the second floor.
Darkness engulfed the street with no sign of Lena at the Dixie. Nick had taken Jack to Luke and Ginny’s so he could stay with Isabella. He’d tried to encourage Lena to leave town, but nothing he said persuaded her to move from a chair she’d placed by the window with a clear view of the school.
She’d given Jack a hug, told him he wouldn’t be going to the school for the next few days, then looked at Nick. His jaw clenched at the utter despondency on her face. He knew what she wrestled with, promising himself to find a way to dissuade her from doing what she believed best for Jack. In his mind, surrendering to Willie’s ridiculous demand would result in a lifetime of fear and pain, for both her and Jack.
“I’m going to look for Lena. I shouldn’t be gone long,” he told Paul, glancing once more at the customers, noting nothing that would prevent him from leaving. Some nights he couldn’t leave, having too many drunken cowboys and miners to keep watch over. Tonight was quiet.
Taking the steps two at a time to Lena’s room, he knocked. “Lena, it’s Nick. Open the door.”
He heard the lock click before the door opened. Lena’s resolute gaze sent waves of concern through him, hoping she hadn’t come to the decision he expected.
“We need to talk before you make any decision about Willie.” He walked to the window before turning toward her.
Closing the door, she leaned her back against it, arms crossed. “I know what I have to do, Nick. Please, don’t try to stop me.”
“The man is a thief and who knows what else. You can’t put yourself or Jack in jeopardy by marrying him.”
“
You saw Jack. It won’t get better, especially if Willie makes good on his threats. It won’t be just the children who taunt him. It will be adults.” Her eyes began to water. Blinking several times, she ignored them, focusing on what she had to do.
“You don’t know that. There are a lot of fine people in Splendor. The ones who matter will stand beside you and make sure their children do the same.” He paced toward her, taking her hands in his. “We’ll speak to Miss Murton.”
Pulling her hands free, she shifted away. “No. This is a decision I must make to protect Jack.”
“It doesn’t have to be Willie. If you’re so determined to do this, why not accept Gabe’s offer of marriage?”
Pressing fingers against her temples, she let out a shaky breath. “He’s gone and wants no part of us,” she sighed. “I should have told him about Jack in the beginning. I just…I didn’t want to lose him.”
“I don’t believe for a minute that Gabe has changed his mind. He loves you, but he’s a proud man. Yes, you should’ve confided in him, trusted he’d accept your past, but you didn’t. Your decision can’t be changed now, but you can go to him, explain, and ask him to forgive you. What you can’t do is marry Willie. Hell, Lena. Do you think I’d stand by and let you throw your life away for a man like him?”
Her lips twisted into a grim smile. “It’s doubtful.”
“Not just doubtful. If need be, I’d lock you away until you came to your senses. Let me send someone for Gabe. If my guess is correct, he’ll honor his offer to marry you.”
“I don’t want Gabe to marry me out of a sense of obligation. If he can’t accept Jack or let me explain my reasons for hiding his identity, I won’t marry him.”
“Yet you’ll marry a man you despise to gain respectability?” Nick asked, frustration seething within him as his voice rose, his hands clenching at his sides. “That’s absurd, Lena. You’re a better person than that. The strong, resilient woman I know wouldn’t even consider letting a man like Willie coerce her into a decision she’d later regret.”
Dixie Moon Page 22