Forbidden Fire

by Bonnie K. Winn

  Sadie gazed at Able as he recounted Shakespeare’s words. Her expression conveyed that she thought the words were being spoken to her rather than to the character she played. Able was hardly a romantic figure, but Sadie seemed besotted. Katherine sighed as she watched the performance, pleased by the effort yet unable to completely enjoy the play.

  Beth’s presence was a worrisome reminder that her life had skittered wildly out of control. Finally settling on allowing Beth to stay one week, Katherine couldn’t still her misgivings. She felt every moment spent at the Crystal Palace undermined years of grooming for a different kind of life.

  She saw Beth’s gaze rest on Morgan. She’d been unable to confess to Beth what a huge lie she’d told about her relationship with Morgan. Embracing him as Katherine’s husband, Beth was thrilled to have a new brother. She had easily accepted that there were no boardinghouses and remarkably seemed to think the saloon was exciting.

  Katherine could have screamed aloud, considering what she knew about the business, but Beth was young and impressionable. While relieved that her sister wasn’t disgusted or morally outraged, she certainly didn’t want her to admire the business.

  Jake took the stage, and Katherine’s concentration wavered. It was difficult to remember her other problems when watching Jake’s strong presence. His eyes seemed to reach out in the gathering of people and touch only her. Suddenly shy, she tried to avert her attention, but his gaze was relentless. Next to her, Beth seemed to sense the pull between them, gazing quizzically first at Jake and then at Katherine.

  “He really takes his part seriously,” Beth whispered.

  Katherine nodded in agreement, glad when Jake was distracted by the other actors. The play progressed smoothly, and the audience burst into applause when it ended. The players flushed under the praise, and Katherine insisted that Minerva Atkins and Lucinda Gates stand up and be acknowledged for the decorating and costuming.

  When the clapping slowed a bit, Katherine turned to the men in the audience. “And all the wonderful gentlemen who consented to build the sets, please stand up.” Reluctantly they stood, obviously both pleased and embarrassed by the recognition. When the applause died down, voices rose to replace the noise of clapping hands as everyone exclaimed over the production.

  “Katherine, it was wonderful!” Beth complimented her.

  “Hardly what you’re used to in the city.” Katherine dismissed the praise.

  “But it was so refreshing and honest!” Beth exclaimed. “Probably more in keeping with what Shakespeare intended.”

  Surprised by the insightful comment, Katherine remembered Beth’s mention of reading instead of concentrating on other skills. Maybe she’d discounted her sister’s interests without examining them closely enough.

  “Morgan, you were wonderful!” Beth’s enthusiasm seemed to have no end as she gushed over his performance. Pleased that her sister liked Morgan, still Katherine was distressed, knowing she believed him to be family.

  “What did you think, Katie?” Morgan remained in costume, his long legs bare from the knee down. It was a time in history that would have suited him, Katherine realized, seeing how he must appear to other women. Handsome, with an intriguing sense of languid sensuality. The thought disturbed her.

  “I agree with Beth,” Katherine complimented him as well, trying to dispel the small-mindedness of her thoughts. Knowing she didn’t want him, she knew it was wrong of her to resent someone else who did.

  “Thank you, ladies.” Morgan smiled when Beth took his arm, but Katherine didn’t worry. He was looking at Beth with the same brotherly concern he’d originally offered her. Having always trusted Morgan, it was impossible to do anything else now.

  Katherine accepted compliments from people who swarmed around her, excited by their town’s first cultural event. Glancing up as one family moved on, Katherine saw Jake headed their way. She tried to escape, but the press of the crowd kept her from moving.

  “Reverend Payne, you were excellent,” Beth greeted him. “You made me really believe you were fighting for Hermia.”

  “Thank you, Miss O’Shea. Katherine’s direction inspired us all.” Jake cut his eyes toward Katherine, and her head flew up. So he knew Beth was her sister. She smiled sickly, wishing she could disappear, wondering what else he’d learned.

  “Two such handsome men. Hermia was a lucky girl,” Beth flattered Jake and Morgan, referring to the character in the play with whom both men were in love.

  “Yes, wasn’t she,” Jake murmured, trying to meet Katherine’s gaze and failing.

  She purposely avoided looking at him. His tunic revealed muscled bare arms and equally muscular legs. His physique was disturbing enough in private. In public it was inflammatory. She hadn’t missed the women eyeing both Jake and Morgan with appreciation. Feeling as though they were all on display, she tried to move toward the door.

  When a space opened in the crowd, Katherine stepped quickly into it. Deftly Jake followed, separating them from Morgan and Beth. “I want to see you,” he spoke close to her ear.

  “You’re seeing me,” she hissed back.

  “Either meet me in an hour, or I’ll talk right here. Loud enough for everyone to hear.”

  Seeing that he was prepared to carry out his threat, Katherine relented. “I’ll be in the side yard.” Allowing the crowd to carry her forward, she left, wondering how she would explain everything to him. As she reached the door she spotted Morgan and Beth. The overdue explanations had piled up, and time was running out on her charade.

  Jake waited in the waning moonlight that spared the night from total darkness. Katherine was late. His first instinct had been to seek her out, but he sensed restraint was a better choice. The tip of his cheroot lit the shadows as he heard the back door finally open. It was easy now to distinguish between the normal sounds of the saloon—the cowhands, piano, and characteristic chink of glasses—from the normal sounds of Katherine’s house. Like the spring of the back door, it was as distinctive as her humming while she worked in the garden.

  Katherine’s fragrance floated in the air, hinting at her arrival. The delicate scent of lavender water evoked memories of her unbound hair, dark against the milky white of her skin. The memory alone stirred his desire. He called on his restraint, knowing it was time now to talk. She had avoided him for almost two weeks, and he was determined for that to end.

  She was almost breathless, worry written across her features. “I’m sorry I’m late. I tried—”

  “It’s all right, Katherine.” He stopped the flow of her words, sensing this wasn’t the time to add to her mounting anxiety. He knew what had caused her to flee from him and avoid him these past weeks. It wasn’t something that could be solved in a few words. “I needed to pass some time alone after the play.” More women than he cared to admit had cornered him afterward, complimenting him and inviting him to supper. Seeing Morgan in the same predicament, they’d tacitly agreed to escape and change out of their tunics. And women thought men acted crazy over hurly-burly gals.

  “It’s been such a strange, confusing day,” she agreed in a calmer voice. She took a few deep breaths of the night air.

  He took her hand, leading her away from the saloon and toward the dark quiet of the open fields bordering the street. The paleness of her skin, shadowed by violet smudges of worry beneath her eyes, reminded him of her vulnerability. Despite her show of self-sufficiency, he knew her needs and insecurities. Together they walked away from the noise and the lights. Brightened only by the stars and the quarter moon, the evening blanketed them in its dark cocoon. When they finally stopped beneath a wide spreading oak, he studied her face, seeing the traces of weariness. One finger trailed over her cheek before he tipped her chin upward. “Do you want to tell me about it?”

  Her sigh was as expressive as the crickets that provided a nocturnal symphony in the surrounding fields. “I had no idea Beth was coming.” The announcement didn’t surprise him, so he held his silence as she continued. “I�
��d written and told her I would be visiting and for her to stay in Boston.”

  “But she didn’t listen.”

  “Oh, Jake!”

  Stepping close, he rested her head on his shoulder. “Now that Beth’s here, she understands about the saloon, doesn’t she?”

  Katherine lifted her head for a moment. “No. She thinks I chose my profession because I like it.”

  “You cleared that up, didn’t you?”

  Her voice was muffled against his shirt. “Not exactly.”

  Jake pulled her away from his chest, holding her at arm’s length. “What do you mean?”

  “I couldn’t tell Beth that I became a saloon singer because of her. I had a terrible time convincing her to go back home in a week. If she knows the reason for the saloon, she might never leave.”

  “Then answer me one more question. Why does she think Morgan’s her brother-in-law?”

  Katherine wriggled out of his hold, staring into the deep black cloak of night. “Because I told her Morgan and I were married.”

  “What?” Jake crossed the distance between them. He was the one, the only one, who knew nothing had passed between Katherine and Morgan.

  “In case you haven’t noticed, I’m beyond the age most women marry.” Katherine twisted her hands, finally hiding them in the fullness of her skirt. “Beth kept asking. So I told her I’d married Morgan.”

  “And what does she think now?”

  Katherine’s smile was weak. “That we seem to have a great business together.”

  “You didn’t tell her?”

  “That I’d been lying to her for years? About my life, a marriage that never took place—”

  “You can’t let her continue believing this lie.” Jake felt a possessive streak he hadn’t known existed.

  “Why not?” Katherine turned to stare at him. “In a week she’ll be gone. Her protected world will only be partially fractured. It’s bad enough she knows about me…about my profession. Her choices of young men have already diminished considerably. I don’t want to ruin any remaining chance she has for a decent future.”

  “But what about us?” Jake barely restrained his anger.

  “I certainly don’t intend to confess all my transgressions to my baby sister.”

  “Transgressions?” Jake’s anger escaped. “Is that what you’d call everything that’s passed between us?”

  Shaking her head, Katherine’s face turned into a plea. “No. But it’s hardly something I can explain to Beth.”

  “So, I’m just the minister next door. Nothing more?”

  Katherine’s lips moved, but she stuttered over the words. “Jake, I’m sorry. But I don’t know what else to do.”

  “Then I’m permitted to see Beth?”

  “See? What do mean ‘see’?” She looked instantly suspicious.

  “You don’t intend to keep me hidden away?”

  “Of course not. After all, you’re the…” Her voice trailed off as she looked up at him.

  “Reverend,” he supplied. For the first time it was a convenient occupation to be in. He didn’t intend to let Katherine forget the change in their relationship, despite her sister, Morgan, or a town full of people. It was time to convince her she needed him before it was too late.

  Chapter 27

  Jake had hoped to get to know Beth under better circumstances, but he didn’t have any choice. The trembling couple at his side was proof of that.

  Katherine entered the sitting room, surprised at the odd mix of people in the room. Beth glanced up at her inquiringly as she poured tea for Jake and the couple who accompanied him. Seeing David Browning and Rebecca Peterson, Katherine was horrified that he had brought them into the saloon. She started to protest, but Jake shot her a warning look.

  “Katherine. We need to talk to you alone.” Jake stood up as she entered, offering no other greeting.

  Beth looked between them and excused herself. “I’ll take the birds outside for a while.” Picking up the cage, she left discreetly, cooing to Romeo and Juliet who chirped obligingly in return.

  “What’s wrong?” Katherine smiled tentatively at the scared-looking couple, but directed her words at Jake.

  “David and Rebecca have a problem.” Jake realized his tone sounded grim, but he had difficulty lightening what he was about to say.

  “I see.” Katherine turned to the trembling teenagers. “Would you like to tell me about it?”

  Rebecca Peterson blushed a deep rose while David Browning grew even paler.

  “It might be easier for me to tell you.” Jake glanced at the duo, knowing their composure was quickly slipping. “Rebecca and David are expecting a child.”

  “A child!” Her voice conveyed what she was thinking. They were scarcely more than children themselves. They should be worrying about hayrides and dances, not babies.

  “I’m afraid their fathers didn’t take the news well.” Jake’s eyes conveyed the full meaning of his words, and he was gratified to see Katherine’s quick understanding.

  “I’m sorry to hear that.” Katherine’s tone was deliberately calm. “Surely your stepmother was understanding, David.”

  He ducked his head. “She and my pa got into an awful fight, but he told her to stay out of it.”

  “I see.” Katherine turned to the girl. “What about your parents, Rebecca?” To her consternation, Rebecca burst into tears. Katherine left her own chair and gathered the scared girl in her arms.

  “Her pa kicked her out. Told her not to come back.” David’s voice took on a hopeless note. Reality wasn’t at all what he had expected.

  “Then you haven’t a place to live?” Katherine asked in concern.

  “That’s why we’re here,” Jake replied evenly. “I haven’t got anyone else to ask.” He’d searched everywhere, but people were afraid to go against Able Browning. He was the richest, most powerful man in town. Many owed him money or relied on his shipping office and couldn’t afford to court his ill will. Painfully Jake had realized that Katherine was the only person left to ask.

  “I’m not sure you’ve considered all the consequences of staying in a saloon.” Katherine swallowed and stared at Jake, trying to convey the inappropriateness of his suggestion without going into detail in front of David and Rebecca.

  “I can’t let them stay in the parsonage. Able’s one of the elders. He’s already made it clear I can’t offer them sanctuary. There’s no place for them to go. You’re the only person who might be willing to take them in.” Jake implored Katherine to agree, meeting her eyes over Rebecca’s bent head.

  “But in the saloon…” Katherine’s voice was a whispered plea.

  “There’s nowhere else.” Jake’s tone left no room for misunderstanding.

  She met his gaze, then glanced at David, whose fear overwhelmed his attempt to be brave. Rebecca couldn’t even pretend courage. It was obvious they were scared and hopeless, the inexperience of their youth an overwhelming liability. The young couple evoked her own memories, ones she’d so often wished she could change.

  “I do have an upstairs sitting room that could be converted into a bedroom.” Rebecca cried even harder, her face still against Katherine’s shoulder. “Or I could think of something else,” she added helplessly.

  “She’s just crying ’cause you said we could stay. I was thinking we’d have to try and live in the smithy,” David told her.

  A miserable picture of the cold winter ahead came to mind, and Katherine couldn’t imagine them living in a drafty stable, especially as Rebecca’s delicate condition advanced. “I don’t suppose either of you has eaten. I’m going to have Hattie prepare some supper. Right now, I want you to have a cup of tea with lemon and honey, Rebecca. I’ll see to tonight’s sleeping arrangements. I assume you’ve talked to the reverend about being wed?”

  David bobbed his head up and down, the seriousness of their situation striking him painfully. “We thought maybe tomorrow would be good.”

  “That’s just fine. It will gi
ve us time to convert the sitting room. Tonight you can bunk in with Morgan, David. Rebecca can share the spare room with Beth.”

  Jake raised his eyebrows at Katherine’s strict observance of propriety, but inwardly he agreed. The less that could be construed from their time spent at the saloon, the better. After they reconciled with their families, they could report the circumstances of their first night under the Crystal Palace roof without embarrassment.

  Keeping a firm grip around Rebecca’s shoulders, Katherine led her toward the kitchen, calling for Hattie.

  “Reverend, I don’t know how to thank you.” David twisted his hat, looking for all the world like a teenager who should be worrying about the next sack race instead of impending fatherhood.

  “It’s Katherine you should thank. She’s taking the biggest risk.” Jake felt the seriousness of those words as he spoke them. Considering Able’s wrath, Katherine’s kindness was both courageous and overwhelming.

  “Risk?”

  “Harboring you two isn’t going to make her popular in this town. Without foundation she already has a dubious reputation.”

  “Then do you think we shouldn’t stay?” David’s face grew even more woebegone.

  “I wouldn’t have brought you here unless I thought it was for the best. I hope in short time your parents will calm down, and you’ll be with one of your families. In the meantime, Katherine will be a good friend to you both.”

  “I like her,” David blurted out. “She’s been good to my…Sadie. Pa doesn’t want to admit it, but even he’s happier.”

  “A lot of us are,” Jake murmured.

  “You got to know, Reverend. I never meant for this to happen.” David’s face tightened further with remorse, shame, and fear.

  “I believe you, son. None of us ever does.”

  Beth glanced over at the sleeping girl, seeing the traces of tears still on Rebecca’s cheeks. The poor thing must have cried all night. And it had been an unbearably long night. Beth had awakened during the late hours when Katherine had come in to check on Rebecca. All the soothing tea and warm quilts in the world couldn’t cure her misery.