She would not think about those horrible Chicago years now. Silver pulled the blankets up and curled into a ball. She would think about something that made her happy. She searched her memory. There wasn’t much. But at least she was financially secure. Her violated beauty had bought this prosperous saloon and a bureau drawer full of expensive jewelry. Her beauty kept the men coming in just to look at her. When she danced and sang, she didn’t feel worthless anymore—not with all those adoring faces staring at her. Let them look in vain. Never again would she have to submit to the lust of a man. And when her looks were gone, she would still have the security of the money the Nugget earned.
Cherokee Evans. She thought about the rugged half-breed who had come in two nights now. She knew what he wanted from her. She could see it in his eyes. And he was big—bigger than Neeley or Bart Brett at the Velvet Kitten. It would be sheer agony and humiliation if he forced her.
He wouldn’t even offer her the security of marriage. She knew men didn’t really want girls like herself. They all wanted innocent virgins. Oh, a man might marry her to get her body for his private use. But someday when she was no longer pretty or he tired of her, she’d be at the world’s mercy again.
It was almost dawn. The first gray light touched the elegant bedroom. Cherokee. She saw his face before her suddenly, remembered the heat of his hard muscles as he lifted her and carried her to the sidewalk. And last night . . . She had struggled between terror and an unfamiliar emotion when he had stepped toward her and she had stumbled backward, knowing he wanted to cover her mouth with his hot kisses. She wished she could believe that he might really feel something besides lust. How often in the night, when the nightmares came, did she awaken shaking and covered with perspiration, aching for the warm strength of someone who would hold her and reassure her that everything would be all right?
Silver got up, blew out the lamp, and reached for a peignoir. She heard the slow beginnings of the hustle bustle of the boomtown activities on the muddy street out front. As she went to the window, she stopped at the nearest mirror to assure herself that, yes, she was as beautiful as the day before. Or was that a new, tiny wrinkle?
At the window, she stared out. The half-breed came down the street, leading his burro. Possibly he felt her gaze, because he stopped in the middle of the street and looked up into her eyes. Very slowly, his hand went to his lips as if he was wishing. Or was he taunting her?
With an arrogant sneer and jerk of her head, she turned and moved away. It seemed an eternity that she fought with herself to keep from returning to look out. When she finally did, all she saw was the outline of his broad back in the distance as he and the burro headed toward Mosquito Gulch. Somehow she was a little disappointed. She didn’t know what she had expected—maybe to find him still standing in the middle of the road staring up at her.
Drat him! She didn’t need the kind of trouble the big bruiser would bring her. Silver watched him until he disappeared in the distance. Then she went over and picked up the silver-heeled shoes. Like it or not, the half-breed had given her a new nickname. Silver Heels. What difference would it make a hundred years from now?
She’d be dead and forgotten a hundred years from now. If she could have done something worthwhile with her life, someone might have remembered her. Thinking of passing time made her think of aging. Silver turned and stared at her reflection.
Your face is your fortune, but otherwise, you’re as worthless as your drunken father. Her mother had said it so many times. It must be true.
Cherokee resisted an urge to turn around and look back over his shoulder at the settlement. If he saw her one more time, he might not be able to resist this overpowering urge to run up the stairs and carry her off kicking and screaming. If he could just have her in his power for a few hours until he got his fill of her beauty and her body, surely he could forget about her. Unsatisfied male lust—that’s all it was.
As far as kidnapping her—no doubt the sheriff and a lynch mob of prospectors would come to the rescue. Best he put her out of his mind and get on with his life. Next time it was his turn to come in for supplies, he’d go to another saloon and avoid the Nugget. He’d find some blond whore and take her to bed for a week. With his body satisfied, he could forget the frigid beauty who haunted him now. To hell with Miss Silver Heels!
But despite himself, he couldn’t get her off his mind as he led the animal back toward the claim in Mosquito Gulch. Hours passed before he came to the little gully that lay below their crude camp.
Cherokee paused, drinking in the beauty around him. The air felt crisp and cold, the mountains shone with snow. The scent of blue spruce trees drifted on the clean air. He glanced off in the distance. Always a chance for one last blizzard in the early spring. He didn’t like the looks of the horizon. Clouds hanging over the silhouetted peaks loomed a threatening gray. What did it matter? He was safely back from his trip. He hoped everything was all right here.
Bill?” He put his hand to his mouth and shouted again, Bill?”
Cherokee’s elderly partners must be up on the claim. He hoped nothing had happened to the two old men. Bill was deaf as a rock and limped on a bad leg. W illie had a twisted left hand from an old mining accident. The three of them should put their small store of nuggets in a bank instead of piling it under the woodpile. Even a stupid thief would think to check that favorite hiding spot. But Bill and Willie didn’t trust banks.
He saw the reflection of the rifle barrel in the rocks even as he threw up his hand to protest. The bullet took his hat off. Cherokee hit the dirt. Not only deaf, but half blind, too! Bill? For God’s sake, don’t shoot! Don’t you know your own partner?” He lay there in the bottom of the gully, his face pressed into the gravel. Bill?”
Cherokee, is that you?” The whiskered face peeked over the ridge.
Who the hell you think it was?” Cherokee scrambled to his feet, brushing the dirt off his clothes. If you can’t see well enough to recognize me, you should at least be able to see something as big as the burro!”
The old man limped toward him, a sheepish smile on his face. Sorry about that. I always think it’s better to get in the first shot, ask questions later.”
Cherokee leaned over, picked up his hat, and examined the bullet hole with a frown. You better watch out! You accidentally shoot some innocent man, there’ll be a lynch party lookin’ for you.”
Bill spat tobacco juice to one side and leaned on his rifle. If’fen they ain’t got a claim up here, they ain’t got no business up here! Now that we’ve hit some promisin’ pay dirt, we’ll have claim jumpers nosin’ around.”
There was no point arguing with the stubborn old coot. Cherokee sighed and slapped him on the back. Both the prospectors had been friends of his father’s. It had been Cherokee’s claim, but he needed their expertise and experience to keep things running last autumn while he was off searching for his papa. He’d found him, or at least his grave over in the Nevada diggings. He never did know what became of Lulu, the plump and pretty white whore Papa had run off with. Let’s get on back to the cabin,” he said. I brought you two a few treats.”
Bill’s face lit up. I want to hear about everything you saw. Did you blow your whole poke on women like you planned?”
Cherokee hesitated, chagrined. He didn’t want to admit he’d used part of it to decorate a pair of dancing slippers for a girl who wouldn’t let him touch her. He wasn’t even sure how much he would tell the two of the platinum-haired girl. He didn’t want to look foolish. Let’s just say I invested it in a bad deal.”
The other laughed and slapped his leg. Lost it in a card game, huh? I swear, Cherokee, that don’t sound like you!”
You just be careful with that rifle.” He put his big arm around the stooped shoulders. You’re liable to shoot some innocent hombre.”
Phash! I kin recognize every man jack who has a claim up here from a distance. The others don’t have any business nosin’ around.”
Cherokee started to point out a
gain that Bill had almost shot his own partner, then shrugged and started toward the cabin. He’d have to watch the trigger-happy old man.
The day seemed long to Silver. She looked forward to sundown. There was less time to think when the Nugget held a noisy crowd. But when she put on the silver-heeled slippers, she couldn’t keep her mind off the half-breed. That night she danced as she had never danced before and the men shouted in unison: Silver Heels! Silver Heels! Silver Heels!”
If nothing else, Cherokee Evans had given her a new nickname. She had a feeling the name would stick for a long time.
But later, it was another troubled night for Silver, although she kept her lamp burning brightly. Every time she dozed off, she dreamed of the rugged half-breed. In her dream, she looked into his face and saw her own reflection in his adoring eyes. Then he reached for her, pulling her into his embrace. She woke up shaking. Why had she dreamed of him? Why couldn’t she forget him? She hated men. She need never let one hurt and humiliate her ever again.
It was her insecurity, that was all. She was so afraid of losing both her beauty and her money. What would happen to her then? Maybe she needed to buy into something besides a saloon. That way if the Nugget caught fire or business went down, she’d still have something for her old age. Maybe she ought to invest in a claim of her own.
That morning Silver had coffee in the empty saloon with Al and brought it up as casually as she could. I been thinking, maybe putting all my eggs in one basket isn’t such a good idea. Everyone says there’s bound to be a civil war. Maybe all the men will go off to fight and no one will come in the Nugget anymore.”
Al looked at her a long moment, then poured a big slug of his medicine into his coffee. He stirred it and sipped, not saying anything.
Al, you oughta lay off that stuff, it’ll kill you.”
He laughed and winked at her. I promised my mama I wouldn’t touch liquor, Silver, I told you that before. But these bitters have enough alcohol to suit me. Mama didn’t say nothin’ about taking medicine.”
There was no point in pressing the matter further. She never drank anything but coffee herself, wanting to be cold sober at all times—completely in control. At the Velvet Kitten, Brett had forced whiskey down her throat every night before he took her, so she’d be easier to handle.
Al must have read her thoughts. Forget Chicago. Don’t think anything but good thoughts, Silver. You look like you haven’t slept a wink.”
Silver started to comment that Al didn’t look so good either. His face seemed a little gray this morning, then she decided it might be her imagination. I don’t know what I’d do without you, Al.”
Oh, maybe some nice man will come along and take over for me sometime.” He said it a little too brightly.
She shook her head, revolted at the thought. The others aren’t like you, Al. You know what a husband would want, don’t you?”
Don’t think about it, Silver. I’m here for you as long as you need me. I just keep thinking about the future . . .”
That was something she didn’t want to think about. The future meant time passing. Time passing meant aging. Maybe even Al wouldn’t love her when she was a wrinkled old lady. That brought her back to her original thought. I’ve been considering making some investments so I wouldn’t have all my eggs in one basket.”
He shrugged. Nugget seems to be doing fine to me. What’d you have in mind?”
She tried to look casual. Maybe a gold claim.”
A gold claim?” His mouth dropped open and he slammed his cup down so that coffee sloshed into the saucer. Silver, if you want to invest in gold, do it the way Haw Tabor’s doin’. He grubstakes miners for a share of their profits. Mark my word, he’ll be a rich man someday.”
Drat! She might have to do a lot of explaining and she wasn’t sure herself why the idea had come to her. I—I thought I might just buy a claim, you know, hold it for an investment.” She sipped her coffee.
This doesn’t sound like you, Silver. You’ve always been a shrewd businesswoman. Drop this wild idea!” He reached out and patted the back of her hand.
Automatically she jerked away from the touch.
Sorry, Silver, sometimes I forget and let my feelings for you—”
I know, Al,” she whispered, it’s all right.” She owed him everything, but all he wanted was to have her love him as men and women loved each other, and that she was unable to do. She could never love a man like that. She owed Al more than she could ever repay. He had killed a man to rescue her from the Velvet Kitten.
Where is this claim you want?”
Oh, I don’t know of any in particular.” Silver tried to sound casual. I heard there might be some good diggings up in Mosquito Gulch. Thought I might ride out and take a look.”
Al shrugged. It’s the most loco idea I ever heard, Silver, but if you insist, I’ll hire a rig and we’ll drive up there and—”
The trail’s too rough for a buggy,” she interrupted. I thought I might just hire a horse and ride out there—”
Alone?” The ugly little man looked thunderstruck. Do you mean alone?”
Al was right. She must be loco. If she thought about it very long, she’d realize just how crazy the notion was. Oh, quit acting like the Mother Superior at a nunnery, Al. No one would bother me. All the boys in the area know me.”
He only stared at her a long moment. This ain’t like you, Silver. In fact, you ain’t been the same in the last couple of days. Take my advice—if you want to invest in mining, do it the way Tabor’s doing.”
No, I think I’ll ride out there, have a look around—”
Then I’ll go with you.”
You don’t know how to ride.” She stood up. Remember I was raised on a farm. I’ll be okay.”
He sighed heavily. Is there nothing I can say to stop you, Silver?”
You know me better than that.”
You’re liable to get raped! Think about some filthy animal crawling all over you!”
The thought brought back her past with a shudder. I can take care of myself. Tell you what, I’ll borrow some of your clothes and put my hair up under a hat.”
Al stood up, too. You think with that body you’d fool anyone?”
She was determined to go. Silver stuck her chin out stubbornly. So I’ll wear that oversized jacket of yours.”
She saw the anger and frustration in his homely face. I don’t know what’s gotten into you, Silver. If you’re determined to do this, at least take my shotgun.”
She started to point out the fact that she was a poor shot, then realized it would start the fuss all over again. Okay, if it’ll make you feel any better, I’ll carry the shotgun. Now see if you can find me some clothes to wear.
Later out in front of the livery stable as she swung up on the bay gelding, she began to doubt her own sanity, too. But maybe it wasn’t such a loco idea. Men did it all the time—found a sparkle of gold in an outcrop of rock, filed a claim. If it was promising, she wouldn’t even have to work it; she could sell it at a profit.
Al looked up at her, then off at the horizon. Is there nothing I can do to talk you out of this? You see those clouds building over the mountains?” He pointed. Looks to me like we might get a late snow.”
Oh, you’re as worrisome as an old woman. It’s early. I’ll be back in time for tonight’s show.”
He handed her his shotgun with evident reluctance. Somebody might take you for a claim jumper and shoot you.”
Drat it, stop mothering me. I’m just going to ride around a little, I won’t be gone but a few hours.”
Al reached for his bottle of tonic and took a gulp. I still think I should go with you.”
Too bad you never learned to ride.” She smiled. You just finish tallying up last night’s receipts. I’ll be back before dark, and it’s barely after breakfast.”
If you aren’t back, I’ll have the biggest posse in the world out scouring those hills for you.”
You do that.” She balanced the shotgun across
her saddle, touched the brim of her hat with two fingers, and rode out.
Cherokee looked at the late afternoon sky and straightened up. His back ached from digging. With warm weather, they’d get more done. The claim was beginning to look a little more promising. By damn, Willie, where’s Bill? I didn’t realize he’d quit early.”
Willie scratched his long beard with his crippled left hand. Up at the cabin starting dinner, I hope. Or he might be on lookout. He’s worried some claim jumper might come along, find our stash.”
Cherokee shook his head in exasperation. No better than he sees or hears, he’s gonna kill some poor devil yet.” He looked up at the sky and shivered. You know, the temperature’s dropped considerably in the last few minutes.”
A random flake fell on his jacket and he brushed it off. Gu-ti-ha.” And then he remembered that his old friend didn’t speak the Cherokee language. It is snowing.”
I been sayin’ it looks like snow,” Willie said.
Hope it’s the last one of the season.” Cherokee studied the leaden sky. Fat snow clouds piled in layers on the far rim of the mountains. A few more flakes swirled out of the sky.
Maybe we better quit for the day,” Willie said. Make sure the burro’s got plenty of feed and we got enough firewood in case this does turn into something more than a light dusting.”
The snow fell faster. We’re in for more than a dusting,” Cherokee grumbled, rolling a cigarette. Looks to me like we might even be gettin’ a blizzard.”
It ain’t likely, but anything’s possible during spring in the Rockies.” The old man hefted his pick onto his shoulder.
Quicksilver Passion Page 5