by Zina Abbott
Hal, his hesitation evident, eyed everyone in the circle. “Buck, this is Birdie Templeton. Miss Templeton, this is the Grassy Fork Ranch wrangler and all-around fix-it man, Buck Kramer.” Hal turned to Birdie. “I’ll be back as soon as possible. If they serve refreshments, don’t let Buck eat them all.”
Buck ignored the jab about the food as he bent forward and squinted his eyes to study Birdie. When he spoke, those in the circle could hear the doubt in his voice. “You’re Miss Templeton?”
“Yes, she is.” Hal snapped his words as he released Birdie’s hand and grabbed Buck’s arm. “Buck, I need a moment with you before I head over to the livery.” Without waiting for his agreement, Hal pulled his partner towards the door and outside. As soon as they reached a section of boardwalk between the hotel and laundry shed where they would not be overheard, Hal released Buck’s arm and turned to him.
Before he could get a word out, Buck, his hands fisted, took a step forward. “What was that all about? Why are you treating me like a dumb ox claiming that was Miss Templeton? You’re forgetting, even though you ducked out of supper at the boarding house the last two nights, I heard enough to know the only people missing from the table were you, the old woman who lives there, and the bank teller named Birdie Templeton. Well, I made a point to go in the bank today, and I saw that lady teller. She was about as homely as the back end of a cow and looked like she’d been sucking lemons. Don’t try to tell me that pretty gal in there is the same woman.”
Hal sighed and nodded. “Buck, that is Birdie Templeton. She dresses and acts like you saw her in the bank most of the time on purpose to try and hide in plain sight. She’s afraid of Mortimer Crane and what he might do if he finds out the truth about her.”
Buck’s anger dropped away. “Why does she work for that varmint, anyway? I’ve yet to hear one good thing about him.”
“She needed the job, especially when her father was still alive and in such bad health. She stayed in order to save enough to go somewhere else and survive until she can find another position.” Hal paused, and urgency infused his voice. “Buck, I need you to promise you’ll say nothing about Miss Templeton. She’s afraid Crane will let her go, plus she also worries he’ll try to force her to work in one of his other places, if you know what I mean.”
In the light coming from the hotel dining hall windows, Hal could see Buck’s face scrunch with disgust. “He has no right to do that. It’s one thing if a woman chooses to but to be forced? Uh-uh.”
“That’s just it. Crane doesn’t care about what’s right or wrong or about people, especially women. He only wants what will make him money and will allow him to lord it over others.” Hal stepped forward. “Don’t say anything, Buck, not even to Boss. I’m planning to help her get away.”
Buck studied his partner closely. “You really care about her, don’t you? You can’t take her back to the ranch, you know.”
Hal shook his head in disgust. “I know. I’ve got nothing to offer her.” He sucked in a breath and stared at Buck with determination. “She wants to go to Denver. I can at least offer her that. But, if anything is said, and it gets back to Crane, he’ll try to keep her money from her or stop her from going. I’ll fight for her, but I don’t want her to be caught in the middle and get hurt.”
Buck eyed Hal with a thoughtful expression. “I think you better let Boss in on it. It’s not like you can toss her and all her things in your saddlebag and ride off, especially with us having to get ourselves and any horses Boss buys up to Curdy’s Crossing. If she plans on working Saturday then catching the Wells Fargo, she’ll be cutting it close. She going to be able to handle it?”
Hal nodded. “I’ll tell Boss when the time’s right. We’ll handle it. I need to get to the livery.” He started to leave then turned back. “And, Buck, if that rotten excuse for humanity shows up here tonight, do what you can to keep him away from her.”
g
Buck walked back into the hotel, uncharacteristically subdued as he continued to think about his conversation with Hal. His boss planned to bring back a woman with two children to be a housekeeper, even though it was as plain as the nose on anyone’s face Dallin had a personal interest in her. Hal, who had never been one for chasing after women, had fallen hard for a woman living in a difficult situation. What started out as a simple supply-buying trip with a horse auction tacked on had turned into a real mess.
Movement off to his side pulled Buck out of his musing. He turned to see the cute but sassy woman with the reddish hair that liked his whistling watching him. As soon as she realized Buck caught her staring, she turned away and assumed a posture of ignoring him.
Buck sauntered over to her, waiting for her to turn at his approach, but she never did. He leaned forward and spoke softly into her ear. “So what do I have to do to get you to admit you were watching me, Hilaina Dodd?”
Her arms akimbo and a frown on her face, Hilaina spun to face him. “And just who do you figure you are, Mr. Buckley John Kramer? You reckon you’re so special all you got to do is start whistling and I’ll plumb fall at your feet? Well, you already done told me you ain’t doing no dancing with me, so there ain’t no reason for me to go looking your way.”
Buck shook his head. “You done talking for a minute, Hilaina?”
“For a mite, I suppose. Ain’t no telling why it should matter to you none. Why, I…” Hilaina’s mouth froze in an open position as Buck, a grin on his face, gazed into her eyes and started whistling softly.
After several bars of the tune, he stopped. “See? I remember what it takes to hush you up. Now, no reason to get all in a fluster. I just came over to say hi.”
Hilaina gazed up with a hopeful expression. “You did?”
“And to ask where all these men are you were bragging on would be dancing with you.”
Hilaina huffed her annoyance. “You ain’t got no manners at all.”
Buck grinned mischievously. “You love it, and you know it.” He paused. “Well, I’m waiting.”
Hilaina assumed an air of casual indifference. “Well, maybe I danced before you done got here. Maybe I’ll dance later. Just because I ain’t dancing right now don’t mean I ain’t been dancing. Only dancing you need to think on is what you ain’t doing.”
Buck looked over to see Mrs. Ames, who ran the hotel sit once more at the piano. She started to play a slow piece Buck did not recognize. As he glanced at the couples entering the dance floor, he noticed they danced ballroom style with some men holding their partners close. Buck turned to Hilaina. “Now, Hilaina, I’ll admit I’m not one who’s much for dancing. All I know is what I’ve picked up in some of those dance places where you pay a gal to dance with you. But, if you’re willing to admit you haven’t danced yet tonight, I’m willing to give it a try with you.”
Hilaina studied Buck to see if he meant what he said, or if he teased her. “All right, I ain’t danced tonight. I’d be right pleased to dance with you.”
Buck gathered Hilaina in his arms and started moving his feet. He leaned over and spoke softly in her ear. “You tell me the truth, now. You danced with anyone else yet?”
“Ain’t saying. I done told you what you wanted to hear so you’d dance with me, and that’s all you’re getting out of me.”
Hilaina moved her hand up so her palm rested against the back of Buck’s neck. She leaned towards him, occasionally turning her head so her face rested against him.
Buck wondered if the times Hilaina’s cheek or chin brushed his shoulder was accidental or if she did it on purpose. He pulled her as close to him as he dared, considering they were in a public place surrounded by people. All he knew was he enjoyed having her in his arms. He congratulated himself on having had the foresight to visit the bath house and put on a clean shirt earlier. She felt good—too good—better than any woman he had paid to dance with him. Not only that, she had stopped talking.
The music ended. Buck stepped away from Hilaina but did not release her hand. Instead, he pulled it unt
il it rested on his forearm. Whatever was left of his two hours at the dance, he figured he’s spend it with Hilaina. Buck turned to her with a grin. “They plan on having any food at this shindig?”
“I reckon. Ain’t seen it yet.”
Another hour into the dancing, Buck realized the noise he heard meant someone created a commotion in the doorway to the hotel. Taller than most at the dance, he stretched to his full height to see the cause. He heard a woman’s gasp behind him and instinctively turned. Birdie Templeton, her hands pressed against her face, rushed towards the door to the kitchen. Nissa, with Molly under one arm, hurried next to her and wrapped her free arm around the woman’s shoulders before they both disappeared behind the door. Next thing he knew, Dallin stood in front of the same door, his arms crossed. The expression on his face dared anyone to try to get past him into the room.
Buck turned back to face the door, only to realize Hilaina had dropped her hold on his arm and moved behind him. He twisted his head back as far as he could. “Who is it?”
“Mortimer Crane and a passel of his hooligans.”
Buck focused his gaze on the short, pudgy man out front with pork chop sideburns and dressed for some big city party. Already, Buck could smell the lit cigar in his hand. The odor didn’t bother him, but he knew most of the ladies objected. Hal had asked him to watch out for this man and keep him away from his lady. Only, Buck had his own lady to worry about, too. Buck turned to Hilaina. “I won’t let nothing happen to you. Back up and stand with some of the other women. I’m staying here until I see what he does.”
Mortimer Crane walked to the center of the room and spread his arms as if surveying his domain. “Don’t stop on my account. I came to dance.”
Diantha Ames rushed up to him. “You are welcome to join us, Mr. Crane. However, I must insist that you put out your cigar or take it outside.”
Ignoring her request, Mortimer nodded towards the door leading to the kitchen. “Who left the room through that door?”
Diantha stared at him, wide-eyed. “Why, sir, I don’t know what you are speaking of. As I was saying, I simply cannot allow gentlemen to smoke inside with so many people.” She offered her most charming smile. “I’m sure you understand.”
Mr. Crane leaned towards her. “No, I don’t understand. I own this town, and I’ll do…”
Diantha’s voice remained soft in spite of her firmness as she interrupted. “You may own many properties in this town, Mr. Crane, but you do not own this property or the building on it. I do. I have asked all the others to confine their smoking to the outside, away from anything made of wood in order to reduce a fire hazard in this town, much of which belongs to you, as you so eloquently pointed out. I also expect the same of you.”
Mortimer narrowed his eyes at Diantha and slowly moved his hand holding the cigar in the direction of his lips.
“I wouldn’t do that if I were you. You heard the lady. Take your cigar outside.” Buck lifted his eyebrows with surprise as he realized the voice he heard issue that order belonged to him. Now was not the time for him to back down. He stepped forward, only to realize several other men, mostly out-of-towners, also stepped closer.
Mortimer looked around and nodded. He handed his cigar to one of his henchmen and jerked his head in the direction of the door. “Take it outside.” He turned back to Diantha and dipped his head as if he had granted her a boon. “The cigar is gone, Mrs. Ames.” He looked up. “Where is the music? I came to dance. This is a community dance, is it not?” He glared at Diantha once more. “I am a member of this community, am I not?”
Silence filled the room at his challenge.
Once again, Diantha smiled at him. “Why, of course, you are, Mr. Crane. You are welcome to attend the dance.”
Mortimer inspected the women in the room. “Well, well, well. Who shall I ask to dance with me?”
Buck watched as a petite young woman with blonde hair done up all fancy and wearing a frilly dress stepped forward. “I’ll dance with you, Mr. Crane.” He blinked and looked again. She was the Rafter O Ranch owner, the same overall-clad woman he witnessed ride a horse while standing on its back.
A smile erupted on Mortimer’s fleshy face. “Ah, Miss Odell, the very person responsible for this grand community event. I would love to dance with you. I favor a Schottische. So, little lady, can you dance a Schottische?”
The woman put her hand on her hip and narrowed her eyes. “Tell you what, Mr. Crane. You call me little lady again, and I’ll sock you in the jaw. You address me properly as Miss Odell, I’ll dance the Schottische with you.”
His voice full of mockery, Mortimer bowed to the woman. “An offer I cannot refuse, Miss Odell.”
The music began, and those standing around the couple backed up to allow them room to dance. Gradually, a few other couples joined in.
Shortly after his performance with Miss Odell, Mortimer Crane signaled his henchmen his intention to leave.
Buck felt a group sigh of relief from those remaining in the room. He walked over to find Hilaina standing with a group of women he did not recognize. “You all right?”
Hilaina nodded. She looked up at him with admiration. “You done yourself right proud, Buck. Makes me feel special I spent the evening with a man not afraid to stand up to Mortimer Crane.”
“I wasn’t the only one, Hilaina, but I appreciate you saying so. I figure I got one more slow dance in me before I go relieve Hal. Until one starts, you figure they have any food yet?”
Chapter Twenty-four
June 17, 1884
O
n the day of the auction, Hal rousted Buck out of his blanket roll early.
Still short of sleep, Buck sat up with a groan and scratched his fingers through his hair. “Boss give us orders to eat with him, or are we eating with the widow? Correction. Am I eating with the widow while you hide away with your…”
“Enough, Buck. We’re eating with Boss this morning. However, after you left and I returned to the dance last night, the last thing he warned me about is he wants us to show up at the auction looking respectable. I’ve already shaved and washed up. It’s time for you to go back to the room and do the same.”
Buck bundled up his bedroll and started for the ladder. “That’s fine, but I’m not changing socks until just before I get on the train. I figure that way they’ll last me until I get home.”
Hal shook his head. “Just so the rest of you is clean. Boss is all duded up in his best shirt, waistcoat and jacket, so he expects us to look presentable.
Once they were alone on the boardwalk, Hal turned to Buck with a grin. “I heard you did yourself proud last night standing up to Mortimer Crane himself.”
Buck shook his head. “I didn’t do all that much. Mrs. Ames is the one who took the bull by the horns. After that, Miss Odell jumped in and put him in his place. As for me…” Buck grinned at the memory “…all a few of us cowboys did was ride herd on him and his cayuses to keep them away from the other women.”
Hal shook his head with disgust. “When I got back there, Birdie was still hiding out in the kitchen. I guess Nissa let her into her back room until someone knocked to tell them Crane was gone. Still, she was afraid he or one of his men might look in a window and see her.”
Buck lowered his voice. “What are you going to do with her?”
“After breakfast, I’m going to the Wells Fargo office to buy her a ticket. They might wonder why a cowboy needs a ticket, but it’s none of their business. She told me she’ll work today and tomorrow like always. She wants to try to get a letter of recommendation from the manager today. Tomorrow, when it’s time to close, she’ll settle things at the bank and leave.”
“Bank closes at noon tomorrow. Stage leaves at twelve-thirty.”
Hal inhaled. “I’ll have everything there before we leave in the morning. All she needs to do is walk a block and board the stage.” Hal grinned. “She’ll still be dressed in that outfit that makes her look like an old crow, but at least it will disco
urage any scalawags from bothering her.”
Buck nodded. “It should work. That Crane varmint is one bad hombre. You’re doing good to get her away from him.”
g
Birdie balanced her ledgers for the day. Her fellow teller had already left. Only the bank manager, William Humphries, remained.
In an effort to fortify her limited store of courage, Birdie inhaled as she approached the bank manager’s desk. She had almost lost her nerve to ask for a letter of recommendation for fear of tipping Mr. Crane off she planned to leave soon. However, after thinking it over, she concluded it would be much easier to find another job as a bank teller if she had the letter. It was hard enough for a woman to obtain a good-paying job as it was without asking a potential employer to take her word regarding her qualifications and experience.
“Excuse me, Mr. Humphries?” Birdie looked off to the side rather than directly at him. “Do you have a few moments, sir?”
William Humphries carefully placed his pencil on the desk and folded his hands. He did not invite Birdie to sit in the chair across his desk from him, and she had not expected him to. “Yes, Miss Templeton. How may I help you?”
Birdie cleared her throat. “Mr. Humphries, I have overheard a few comments…not that I was deliberately trying to listen, mind you…but they were spoken in a place and in such a manner that I believed they were not intended to be confidential in nature, at least not from bank employees, although if I’m incorrect in this assumption, please correct me. However, I understand that Mr. Crane is considering closing this branch of his bank and moving the assets of the accounts here to his bank near Clear Creek. Do I have the correct information, sir?” Birdie glanced over long enough to catch the frown on Mr. Humphries face.
“Miss Templeton, a discussion like that—if there had been a discussion like that—would have been extremely confidential in nature. In fact, you must have heard that malicious rumor somewhere other than at this bank. Surely, you can understand that if such…scurrilous gossip… were to be spread among the citizens of this town, it could cause a run on the bank.” He forced a laugh. “We cannot have that, can we? We are still here, and the accounts of all our customers are safe with us.”