by Zina Abbott
With no window next to the door for Nissa to look out of to verify who knocked, she rushed to stand by Jamie, prepared to push him away in case someone other than Dallin stood on the other side. She offered a quiet sigh of relief once she saw it was him.
“Hello, there, Jamie. Looks like you have a nice, comfortable shirt on tonight. Are you ready to go to supper?”
“Yep. And Mama washed this shirt special today so it would be clean, only I’m supposed to try to not spill food on it so it lasts a few days.”
His eyes twinkling with humor, Dallin laughed and patted Jamie on the shoulder. “That’s a lot to ask of us men. Even when you’re my age you need to try to not spill food on your clothes so they last longer.” Dallin turned his attention to Nissa. “You look very nice tonight, Nissa. I hope I’m not being too familiar by calling you by your given name. I’d like you to call me Dallin, if you are comfortable doing so.”
Nissa’s eyes brightened with happiness. Maybe his wish to become more familiar with each other meant he considered offering her the job. “Thank you, Dallin. It would please me to have you address me as Nissa.”
Nissa watched him quickly survey her appearance with an expression of appreciation—so different than men who looked her and other women up and down as if attempting to undress them with their eyes. She felt a pang of regret that she wore the same gown and hat she had worn the previous evening. Except for this outfit and two others she owned for work, all her other dresses she bought after she and James moved to Utah, she left behind at the mining supervisor’s house. She reminded herself many women were fortunate it they owned at least three changes of clothing.
“Does that mean we can call him Dallin, too, Mama?”
Nissa looked down at the upturned faces of Jamie and Molly, who now stood next to her brother. They awaited her answer. “No. As children you must always address adults with respect. Only when you are old enough and Mr. Walsh invites you to address him by his first name may you do so. Now, Jamie, please take your sister’s other hand, and let’s join Mr. Walsh for supper.”
Once outside, Nissa locked her door and placed her hand on Dallin’s offered arm. The foursome walked to the opening between the laundry shed and the hotel. They entered the café where Dallin led the group to a table next to the one they had shared the previous night. She saw no sign of Buck Kramer or another man who appeared be employed by Dallin. She suspected the pair had made other arrangements so their boss could enjoy the meal alone with Nissa and her children.
As he helped Nissa be seated, Dallin leaned over with a grin. “I hope you don’t mind sitting in the back corner like this. After our adventure last night, I want to be able to see the entire dining area.”
Nissa smiled and nodded her agreement as she helped Dallin settle the children. She did not mind at all, just as she did not mind that his two ranch hands had not joined them this night. It might make it easier for her to speak with Dallin regarding whether or not to hire her. No matter if his decision was yes or no, she preferred to not have a large audience.
Once again, Garnet came out from the kitchen with the two booster boxes for her children to sit on. After they placed their orders and Garnet left, Nissa stared at the tabletop in front of her pondering the best time to approach Dallin. She had barely decided it needed to wait until they finished eating when Jamie spoke to Dallin.
“Mr. Walsh, when are we going to build my boat? I found some good wood for it.”
His voice patient, as it always was with her children, Dallin focused his attention on Jamie. “It will have to be in the morning, after breakfast. I’ll bring my whittling knife, and we’ll see what we can do, all right?”
Nissa noticed Dallin spoke to Jamie, but he looked to her for confirmation. She nodded her agreement. It would be a boon for her. Dallin helping Jamie would distract her active child right at the busiest time for washing laundry. The town mayor, Mrs. Fugit, had brought her a bundle. In addition, she brought a bundle belonging to the big-city attorney that came back to town with her and had stayed to protect the legal rights of the hot springs that were being built close to Wildcat Ridge. Even if Diantha did not bring her much laundry from the hotel, laundry from those two alone would keep her busy.
“I hope my being there that early won’t be a bother for you, Nissa. My men and I will want to go over to the corral and look over the horses being offered. That will take up the better part of the day.”
“That will be fine, Mr. Walsh…er, Dallin. I like to get an early start so the clothes are ready to be hung on the line by the time the sun is well into the sky. Jamie and I will be ready.”
Jamie, squirming in his seat, leaned towards Dallin. “Did you see the horses today, Mr. Walsh? A whole bunch of them ran through town, right by where we live. I got to see them all.”
“Yes, I did, Jamie. I was sitting at this table in the café when they went by, but joined the others at the front window in time to watch them. They were quite a sight, weren’t they?”
Jamie nodded, then shook his head with disappointment. “Yep. I’d like to see them again, but Mama says she has too much work to have time to go up to the livery.” He perked up and gave Dallin a questioning look. “Will you take me to see the horses?”
Nissa turned towards Jamie, the expression in his eyes full of pleading. She looked up toward Dallin and barely shook her head no, silently begging him to refuse.
Dallin placed his arm on the back of Jamie’s chair and shook his head with regret. “Sorry, Jamie, that’s grown-up business once they get to the livery. The horses are in a strange place and all bunched up. Some are excitable. If any break free, they would go right over someone your size if you should be in the way.”
“Aww…” Jamie glared, first at Dallin, then at his mother.
Dallin spoke in a firm voice. “I’m sorry, Jamie, but the answer is still no. There will be a big crowd, mostly men—some of them with mean streaks. One man already caused a lot of trouble today by letting several of the horses out of the corral and running them off. Two of the men who brought them to town got hit over the head and had to see the doctor. The rest have to take up the slack and chase down the missing horses. I volunteered my two wranglers to help keep an eye on the horses at night. Not everyone at the auction will have patience with children being there, and they won’t hesitate to say so or to shove you around. You’ll need to stay here with your mother.”
Disappointed, Jamie withered in his chair. “Not fair. I wish I was already grown up and could go see the horses.”
“Tell you what, Jamie. Before I leave, if we buy any horses, I’ll take you to see what we buy before we load them up on the train and leave for home.”
Confused, Jamie scrunched his face. “So, maybe I won’t get to see any horses?”
Nissa’s gaze met Dallin’s as he glanced quickly towards her, then focused back on Jamie. “I think I can safely say you will get to see some horses in the next few days, even if they are only the horses my men and I brought to Wildcat Ridge. I need to talk to your mother first before I know more.”
Nissa felt a surge of excitement spiraling through her. Some of what Dallin said this evening gave her the impression he might hire her and let her go with him to his ranch.
“What are you going to talk to Mama about?”
Dallin grinned as he reached over and tweaked Jamie’s ear. “Nothing little boys with big curiosities need to hear.”
As Dallin looked up and towards the door leading to the kitchen, Nissa followed his gaze. Garnet approached them with her hands full. The small plates she balanced on her arm.
Dallin winked at Jamie as he reached for his napkin. “Looks like our supper’s about to arrive. We men need to get our bibs tucked under our chins so we don’t spill food on our shirts.”
While Dallin helped Jamie with his napkin, Nissa helped Molly prepare to eat her supper. She exchanged small talk with Garnet. The whole while, her heart sang. Dallin did intend to speak with her. Surely, he would
not be so open or casual about it if he had decided against her coming to work on his ranch.
Chapter Nineteen
A
fter supper, Dallin walked with Nissa and her children past the laundry building and turned west on Chestnut Street. With her hand on one arm, his other hand held Jamie’s while Nissa held Molly’s hand.
When they turned north at the next corner, Jamie pointed to Tweedie Mercantile. “I’ve been there, haven’t I, Mama? They have lots of good things. I especially like the candy, but we don’t get it much since we moved here, and when we do, Molly and I have to share a peppermint stick.”
Nissa continued to look straight ahead without making a comment. Without the means to carry an account, she could only purchase what her available cash would cover. Fortunately, Helen Fugit paid her when she picked up her laundry, so she could replenish some of her food stock.
As if reading her mind, Nissa felt Dallin study her profile in the growing dusk. He looked down and spoke to Jamie. “I’ve been inside, and it looks like a nice store for a town this size. I’ll probably need to buy a few things when I do. Tell you what. If you promise to be good for your mother, sometime tomorrow I’ll buy you and Molly each your own peppermint stick.”
“Wahoo!” Jamie turned to Nissa. “Mama, did you hear that?”
As Nissa looked down at her son and smiled, she felt Molly release her hand. Molly ran behind her and squeezed in between her and Dallin, pulling Nissa’s hand free of Dallin’s arm. She looked up at him with an imploring impression. “Me, too?”
Dallin reached down with finger and tapped her nose. “You, too, Miss Molly. I wouldn’t forget a peppermint stick for you.”
Nissa felt warmth enfold her as she watched Molly reward Dallin with one of the widest smiles Nissa had seen on her daughter since her father’s death and their change in living circumstances.
Molly rubbed one of her eyes and yawned. She reached her arms up in a gesture asking Nissa to pick her up. “I’m tired, Mama.”
“Molly, your mama has worked hard today. Will you let me carry you?”
Surprised at Dallin’s offer, Nissa glanced at Dallin before she smiled down at her daughter and stroked the back of her hair. “It’s all right, sweetheart, if you’re willing to have Mr. Walsh carry you. Otherwise, Mama will.”
Only a couple of seconds passed before Molly turned and reached for Dallin. He picked her up and settled her on his one arm and offered the other once more to Nissa. He turned to Jamie. “Jamie, please take your mother’s other hand while I carry your sister.”
Nissa saw the reluctance in Jamie as his sister usurped his position of being the only child that held Dallin’s attention, but he did as he was told. Nissa looked down at him with a smile and squeezed his hand. The four of them continued to walk north past the gun shop, dentist office, mayor’s office, and boot shop on the corner.
Nissa looked down at her boot tips peeking out from under her skirt as she walked. These boots were old, from her days in Nevada. Like her dresses she left behind as part of her husband’s estate, her newer boots and slippers that held some resale value she also left behind to help settle her late husband’s debt. She pushed aside the thought of how she would pay for a new set of boots once the ones she now wore fell apart completely or the soles developed holes all the way through. She refused to allow worries of that nature to ruin one of the best evenings she had enjoyed in years.
Why wouldn’t James ever take the children and me walking like this?
With a stab of guilt, Nissa glanced up at Dallin, grateful he could not read her thoughts. Although he compared favorably when it came to the two men, she somehow felt it rude to think of her late husband while walking with Dallin.
Nissa pointed across the street. “The next block has the jail, marshal’s home and a few other businesses I’d rather not have curious questions about. One more block beyond that is the Crane Hotel and his…his salon. I’d rather not go that far.”
“We’ll turn and go back now.” Dallin shifted a drowsy Molly to his other arm, moved to the outside of the boardwalk and told Jamie to walk on the other side of his mother.
“Why’d we do that? Why didn’t we just turn around where we were?”
“Because, Jamie, it’s polite for a gentleman to walk on the outside of a walkway so a woman’s skirt doesn’t get splashed by mud or dust if a wagon or horse travels too close to the boardwalk.” Dallin leaned forward and smiled at Jamie. “I’m no expert on how to be a gentleman, but my mother taught me that much.”
“I think you have done a fine job of being a gentleman, Dallin. I appreciate your example and what you are teaching my son.” Nissa looked over to find Dallin’s gaze locked on hers. They walked in that manner for several steps.
Nissa faced forward, fighting back tears. Why, oh why could not James have been a father like this? Why couldn’t Dallin have been Jamie’s father?
Dallin pulled his arm on which Nissa rested her hand closer to his side. She responded by moving closer so they almost touched from shoulder to hip bone. Dallin kept his voice quiet as he leaned his head towards hers, his words meant only for her. “Will it be time to put the children down for the night once we return? I’d like to continue our conversation from last night.”
Nissa nodded. She realized in the growing darkness he might not have made out the gesture. “Yes. I’ll put them to bed when we get home. They’ll be fine inside, even if they aren’t asleep yet. We can talk outside.”
Except for Jamie pointing out a few businesses across the street that they could barely see, they walked back to the hotel in darkness. Nissa had heard bigger cities had gas lighting both inside buildings and on the streets. However, as small and remote as Wildcat Ridge was, it did not possess that luxury. It was with relief Nissa reached the laundry drying yard dimly lit by the light from some of the hotel rooms.
Dallin handed Molly off to Nissa after she unlocked her door. “I’ll go borrow some chairs from the hotel’s former dining room while you put the children to bed.”
After she tucked the children in for the night, Nissa returned outside where Dallin waited for her. He took her hand as she lowered herself in one of the two chairs he brought. Nissa felt grateful that, while he still lived, Eugene Ames had built a solid six-foot wood fence between the hotel necessaries and the kitchen garden and laundry drying yard. It afforded Nissa and Dallin a certain amount of privacy.
Nissa relaxed against the chairback and turned her gaze to the sky. The moon, barely beginning to wax out of being a new moon, stood as a sliver barely visible in the sky. She turned to face west, and over the top of the fence she barely picked out the evening star among the others gradually revealing themselves in the growing darkness. She closed her eyes to listen to the night sounds, choosing to focus on those of nature, as birds made their last calls of the evening, and crickets chirped.
Her heart in her throat and her stomach aflutter, Nissa turned to Dallin. She sensed he had been studying her profile in the ambient light. She debated if she should ask him outright if he decided to hire her. “You wished to speak with me?”
“Yes.” Dallin squirmed in his seat. He cleared his throat. “I guess I should get down on my knee for this.”
Nissa felt her heart drop into her stomach. He planned to refuse her. She held out her hand to stop him. “There’s no need, Dallin. If the answer to me going to work for you is no, there is no need to ask for forgiveness.”
Dallin rubbed his forehead. “I wasn’t intending to ask for forgiveness, although I may have to if your answer is no. I’m really not good at this.” Dallin turned to her and reached for both her hands, holding them gently in his. “Nissa, will you marry me? After thinking about what you said, I realized I very much want you at my ranch, but not as a housekeeper. I want you to be my wife.”
Marry him? Her mouth hanging open, Nissa stared at Dallin. She had not expected this.
As if hoping to hold off her refusal, he rushed his words. “I know th
is is sudden, Nissa, but we don’t have the luxury of time. I’ll be leaving in a few days, right after the auction. I considered your offer to work for me as a housekeeper for most of the night, and then it dawned on me. What was I thinking? In the back of my mind I’ve known I want a family, and I need to make the time to find a nice woman to court. Only, the ranch keeps me busy, and I get distracted from looking for a wife. So, here I am, getting on in years. And what I realized just before I finally fell asleep is, even if I don’t buy one horse at this auction, my trip here will have been well-spent because I found you. I haven’t met many women in the past decade or so, but of all I’ve known, you are the only one I’ve met I’ve felt a wish to marry.”
Nissa leaned away from Dallin. She pulled one hand free and covered her mouth as she exhaled with a shudder. “Oh, Dallin. It is such an honor for you to ask me to be your wife. I don’t know…” She turned and looked at him, her gaze imploring him to understand. “It’s so sudden. I really never thought to marry again.”
A disappointed look on his face, Dallin turned away. “I don’t want to push you into an uncomfortable position. I know it hasn’t been long since you lost your first husband. I can understand if you are still grieving.”
“No!” Nissa shouted her denial so loud she immediately felt guilty. She scanned the area to make sure no one had wandered close enough to hear her.
Unsure, Dallin watched her face. “I understand if I don’t appeal to you, Nissa. You may think I’m too old for you.”
Nissa turned to Dallin, still wearing a confused expression, and lowered her voice. She spoke with intensity. “It’s not that. I don’t grieve for my husband. That is why it has been so difficult for me to stay in this town. Even though they put on a strong front and many have put away their mourning clothes, most of the widows are still consumed with grief. I’m sorry for my children, of course. As for me, I’m angry with James—so furious I could scream sometimes. All he cared about was himself. He only saw me as someone to serve him in a manner he felt a wife was obligated.”