by Kit Morgan
“And if she doesn’t?”
Herman wasn’t prepared for that question. He looked at his empty glass, then at the barkeep. The man motioned him over to refill Herman’s drink. “Much obliged,” Herman said to both men as he picked it up and this time took a small sip. Mmmm, that was the real Kentucky sour mash – much smoother than the rotgut he could usually afford …
“So let me get this straight,” the man said. “Your daughter takes off for days at a time, when she’s not cooking and cleaning for you – which, I might add, is all you seem to care about –”
“What business is it o’ yers anyway? If ya know where Lillie is, tell her to get her sorry carcass on home!”
“What if she doesn’t want to come home?”
Herman stared at him. He had Lillie, he must! What to do? He took another sip and set the glass back on the counter. “Why? Ya sparkin’ her or somethin’? Ya the one she runs to and disappears with for days? Ya better not’ve put her in a family way or I’ll …”
“Calm down, Mr. Mayer.” There was a threatening edge in the man’s voice.
Herman clamped his mouth shut. He knew he was outgunned – but what did this man want? Maybe he’d found her, taken care of her. But had he come to kill him, or to just find out information? He’d better do some fast thinking if he was going to get out of this alive and stay out of jail. But fast thinking wasn’t his strong suit …
“Well?” the stranger asked.
“Ya look like a man who’s taken a fancy to my Lillie,” Herman gambled, wiping his mouth with his hand again. “She ain’t eighteen yet, ya know. She cain’t marry ‘less I say so.” He wasn’t sure if he was right or bluffing. “That’s the law, boy.” His last word came out a sneer.
“All right.”
“What?” Herman said in shock. He’d expected the man to drop it. Good grief, maybe he really was sparking with Lillie! “Whatcha want ‘er for?”
The man shrugged. “She’s pretty enough, and strong. She can cook, clean … can she sew?”
“Well enough for an idjit. Girl’s daft – ain’t gotta brain in her head. So I’ll ask ya again – whatcha want her for?” He looked him up and down again. “Ya own a saloon somewheres?”
“No.”
Herman scowled at him. “Who are ya, anyway?”
“My name is Jess Jones. And I’m the man that’s going to marry your daughter.”
Herman almost fell off the barstool in shock. “Ya wanna marry her? On purpose?”
“What papers do we need?”
“Papers?” Herman was still trying to take this all in.
“For you to give your consent so she can marry.”
Herman glanced around and saw that people were starting to stare. He couldn’t afford to draw attention to himself. Obviously the man didn’t know what he’d done to Lillie a few days ago, or he would’ve killed or at least pistol-whipped him. “Let’s, uh … go back to my place and work out the details, shall we?” he said, trying to sound as businesslike as possible.
“After you,” the man said, motioning him toward the saloon doors.
Herman nodded, slugged down the rest of the whiskey – a pity not to enjoy it – and hurried toward them. What luck! Maybe he could work this to his advantage.
They returned to the cabin and Herman motioned him to take a seat at the one small table. The man glanced around, sat, took his gun out of its holster and put it on the table. “Now let’s get down to business.”
Herman eyed the weapon. He wasn’t fast enough to take it from him, and the threat it implied was clear. “Ain’t no judge in town, least not permanent-like. One comes through now ‘n then. So I ain’t sure what I can do for ya.”
The man’s brow furrowed. “Then that means we’ll have to go to Sweetwater Springs.”
“Sweetwater Springs! That’s a four-day round-trip – I cain’t be gone from the mine that long! Rossmoor’d fire me!”
“That does present a problem, doesn’t it?”
“Of course,” Herman added, rubbing his chin with his hand, “I could be persuaded to let her go for a price.”
“A price?”
“Seein’ as how she won’t be eighteen for another month –” or something “– but ya seem like a gentleman. I suppose I could let ya have her without some judge’s paper. I could write ya a note givin’ my consent that’d be good enough for that Father Frederick at the church. Otherwise ya’d hafta return her to me, least ‘til she’s eighteen.”
The man made a fist, and Herman flinched. “How much?”
Herman rubbed his chin some more as he pretended to think. “Say, fifty dollars?”
The man’s piercing blue eyes bore into him. “Fifty dollars, and you’ll write a note giving your consent?”
“Sure will.”
“And you’ll never bother her again?”
“Bother her? What’re ya talkin’ ‘bout?”
The man patted a cheek then pointed to his eye.
Herman’s own eyes widened. He knew. “Y-yeah. Fifty bucks ‘n she’s all yers, Mister. Take it or leave it.”
The man stood. “I’ll bring the money tomorrow.” He holstered his gun and left.
Herman slumped in his chair. Consarnit, that had been a worrying thing! But he’d just found a way to get rid of that good-for-nothing daughter of his and make some scratch in the bargain. Not a bad day, when you got right down to it.
Seven
Two days later …
“Now tell me – why did you have to go back into town yesterday?” Anson asked. They were standing in the barn – Anson had called Jess out there, as he wasn’t sure he wanted Zadie involved until he knew what was going on.
Jess pulled a piece of paper from his pocket and handed it to him. “For this.”
Anson tried to read the scrawl but couldn’t quite make it out. “What does this say exactly? It looks like a bill of sale.”
Jess sighed in resignation. “It’s Herman Mayer’s written consent for Lillie to marry me.”
“Marry?!” Anson’s eyes went round as platters. “Great Scott, what have you done?”
Jess shrugged. “I made sure Herman Mayer can never harm his daughter again.”
“But … you said that he told you she took off for days at a time, that this wasn’t the first.”
“I don’t think Herman Mayer’s very big on truth-telling.”
“What if he was? You know Zadie and I have discussed this. If that bullet wound and Lillie’s bruises were from an accident, there’s no reason she can’t go back to her father if she wants to.”
“Cousin, you know she doesn’t want to. He’s a liar and a drunk and he beat her up. If left to me she won’t go back there ever.”
Anson read over the paper again. “What’s this about fifty dollars?”
Jess looked at the ground, sighed, then skewered Anson with a gaze. “I paid for his consent.”
“You did what?”
“Basically, I paid him fifty dollars to never darken his daughter’s doorstep again. I hardly needed the consent – she’ll be eighteen soon if she isn’t already. But safety first.”
“Good Lord.” Anson sat down heavily on a hay bale, almost dropping the note.
“You’d rather I knocked some sense into him? I was sorely tempted, I’ll tell you.”
“I can imagine. So we still don’t know if he intentionally tried to harm her or not?”
“It’s his word against hers, and she can’t remember. I just want to make sure she never has to deal with him again.”
Anson closed his eyes and shook his head. “Cousin … don’t you think that’s her decision?”
“Maybe so, but after meeting the man I don’t want her going back.”
“You can’t stop her.”
“I can if I marry her.”
Anson stared at him in open-mouthed shock. “You’re serious about this.”
Jess nodded. “Yes. I am.”
“Cousin, I can understand that you want to prot
ect this girl, but you don’t have to do it this way.” He glanced out the barn door at the house. “Not unless you’re sure.”
“I am.”
Anson took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “I must say, Jess, you are full of surprises.” He stuck his hands in his pockets. “I do see a problem, though.”
“What’s that?” Jess asked.
“What if she doesn’t want to marry you?”
“She will,” Jess said without batting an eye. “Once she gets used to the idea. Besides, what choice does she have? If she doesn’t marry me, where will she go? What will she do?”
“You can’t force yourself on a woman like this.”
“I’m not forcing myself on her – I’m trying to protect her. If I marry her, she’ll be taken care of.”
Anson studied him. “You’re so much like your parents. No courting, no nothing. My parents still talk about it.”
Jess laughed. “So do mine. But if they can do it, why can’t I?”
“So long as you sure, cousin. And so long as she’s willing.”
“Well, if she’s agreeable we can marry right away now that I have that note. If not, then I’ll wait until she turns eighteen.”
“If she turns eighteen. For all we know, he lied about her age. From the sounds of it, I wouldn’t trust him to know the day of the week.”
“It’s easy enough to ask Lillie,” Jess pointed out. “I’m sure she knows how old she is.”
“True enough.” Anson glanced at the house again. “I have no idea what Zadie’s going to think of this.”
“That’s okay,” Jess said with a smile. “I have no idea what Lillie’s going to think about it either. But she’s safe now.”
Anson put an arm around him. “Well, you’d best go tell her and find out what she thinks.”
Jess went to do just that. However, every time he tried, Lillie was sleeping. “Blasted laudanum,” he’d mutter at the bedroom door. He knew she needed to rest, though – Doc Rawlins said so. As disappointing as it was, he’d heed the good doctor’s order to leave her be and let her mend. But as soon as she was up and about, he’d tell her the news.
* * *
Lillie sat up in bed, her heart in her throat. This was it.
“Go slowly now, don’t rush it,” Zadie warned as she took her hand to steady her. Lillie grasped Zadie’s arm for support and eased herself to the edge of the bed. It had been several days since the doctor had visited, and she was finally going to try getting out of bed and walking around a bit.
“You’re doing fine,” Zadie said with a happy smile. “Does it hurt?”
“No, not really. Not like before.” Lillie slowly stood. She wobbled a bit, but that was more from being in bed so long than anything else. Once she got her balance, she took a step forward with her left foot.
“There, that’s not bad,” Zadie commented.
Lillie slowly made her way across the room with Zadie’s help, then back to the bed. “It feels good to be up.”
“I bet it does. You should be walking all over the place in a few days.”
“I’d like to keep walking now.” She turned from Zadie to the window and started for it. Once there, she looked at her again. “Thank you for all you’ve done for me. I don’t know how I can ever repay you.”
“You don’t have to. Unless you’d like to help me around the house once you’re feeling better.”
Lillie nodded then looked out the window. She saw Jess riding a horse in a corral and her heart skipped a beat. She quickly turned back to Zadie. “I … I can cook.”
“That’s fine, Lillie. You can help me with some meals in a day or two. Right now I think you need to get your strength back. If you’re up to it, you can join us downstairs for supper.”
Lillie smiled. “We’ll see.”
“Do you want to try to walk by yourself?”
“Yes.”
Zadie nodded. “Try to go to the door and back if you can.”
Lillie looked at the door, took a few steps and faltered, but immediately regained her balance. She was nervous. Getting better meant she’d have to interact more, and that could give her away. What would they think when she couldn’t answer a question or when she couldn’t understand what they were saying? She tried not to think about it as she turned and walked back to the bed.
“Wonderful – look at you!” Zadie exclaimed with a clap of her hands.
The movement caught Lillie’s attention. She stopped, the familiar panic rising.
“What’s the matter?” Zadie asked. “Is something wrong?”
“No, no. Just … resting.”
“Oh, good. You had me worried.”
Lillie smiled as she returned to the bed. “I think I’d better rest now.”
“I’m happy you’re feeling better. I’ll set another place for supper.”
Lillie swallowed hard. “Maybe … we should wait until tomorrow.”
“Nonsense. It will do you good to come downstairs and join the rest of us. Besides, maybe then Jess won’t keep hovering in the hallway.”
“What?” Lillie asked in confusion.
Zadie laughed. “Lately, every time Jess has come upstairs to pay you a visit, you’ve been asleep. He doesn’t know what to do with himself and paces back and forth.”
“Oh. I see.”
“It’s nothing to worry about,” Zadie assured her. “I think he’s kind of sweet on you.”
Lillie’s eyes widened. “On … me?” she said in shock.
Zadie smiled and nodded. “Please don’t tell him I said so. Especially if you’re not of the same mind about him. Or … are you?”
Lillie blushed pink. How could she not feel something for the man who’d rescued her? He was kind, attentive, and those eyes …
“I’ll have him come up and escort you to supper.”
Lillie started. She hadn’t realized she’d looked away. “What?”
Zadie smiled. “You must be sweet on him – you didn’t hear a word I said!”
Lillie giggled nervously, then glanced down at the nightdress Zadie had loaned her. “Where are my clothes?”
“Oh, your dress. I washed and mended it. At least, the one with the least amount of blood on it. I hope you don’t mind, but the others, there was nothing I could do with them.”
“Oh, yes … I …” How was she going to explain her layers of clothes when Jess first found her? Best not to say anything for the moment. “I’ll need to change, but I might need help.”
“I can fetch it now if you like,” Zadie offered.
“Thank you – that would be wonderful.”
Zadie smiled, turned and left the room. As soon as she was gone Lillie blew out a long breath. Great, now what was she going to do? She wasn’t sure she could handle all three of her hosts at a table or their questions. It was hard enough when her mother was still alive and they sat down to supper with Pa. But she’d gotten good at it over the years. Things were easier with one person, though. She’d become adept when dealing with Pa, even when he was drunk.
But these were strangers, and she didn’t know them well enough yet to read them all at once. She’d had a hard enough time last week when they’d come to her room to find out who she was.
Lillie ran a hand through her hair. She’d have to wash it at some point. In fact, she wanted a hot bath something awful, but couldn’t because of her wound. Maybe in a day or two … if she was still there. Once her secret was out, the Joneses might ask her to leave.
* * *
Jess paced at the bottom of the stairs. “What’s taking them so long?”
“Will you stop that?” Anson scolded. “You’d think you were here to take Lillie out.”
Jess stopped his pacing. “Well … in a manner of speaking.”
Anson laughed. “But it’s certainly not a bad thing, considering your intentions.”
“She doesn’t know yet.”
“What? What do you mean she doesn’t know?”
“I haven’t had
a chance to tell her. Tonight will be the first.”
“Well, I suppose it’s for the best.” Anson didn’t sound sure of that, though.
“What do you mean?”
Anson glanced up the stairs. “Maybe you shouldn’t say anything right now. Court her a little first.” He looked at Jess. “You might not have to mention anything about her father.”
Jess’s jaw clenched at the mention of Herman Mayer. “I have to tell her something. What if we marry, then she wants to see the man?”
“He’s probably long gone by now. That is, if he was lying and really did shoot her.”
“It would suit me fine if he was. I don’t take kindly to any man who treats a woman like that. I doubt it was an accident at all, but the only one that can tell us for sure is Lillie and she hasn’t been very open.”
“All the more reason to court her. At least you can find out before you marry her. If you marry her.”
“What do you mean, ‘if’? I plan to go through with this.”
Anson sighed in frustration. “If you wait to see if you suit and find that you don’t, then you’ve saved yourselves a great deal of heartache down the road.”
“But Anson, where will she go?”
“We’ll help her, cousin. I just don’t want to see you disappointed later because of your sense of responsibility to this woman.”
Now Jess sighed. He had a point.
The door to the bedroom opened and Zadie stepped out. “Well, what do we have here?” she asked as she reached the top of the stairs.
“We were just talking,” Jess said.
Zadie arched an accusing eyebrow. “Really? You mean you weren’t waiting for this?” She motioned to the door and Lillie limped out.
Jess’s breath caught. She was beautiful! Zadie must have helped her clean up. Her hair was pulled back off her face, tied back with a ribbon, and looked freshly washed. She was wearing Zadie’s blue calico day dress, and though it was a little big for her, she still looked stunning.