Mountain Dreams Series: Books 1 - 3: Mountain Dreams Box Set 1

by Misty M. Beller

  “Settling my wife’s affairs.”

  Leah’s heart plunged at the words, but she forced herself not to examine the reason. “Is your wife traveling with you?” She turned a casual eye to his face as she spoke.

  His focus stared straight ahead. “She died.” The richness was gone from his voice, leaving behind flat steel.

  Leah swallowed, her chest tightening with the effort. “I…I’m sorry.”

  She swallowed again. All other words fled her mind, leaving behind the desire to reach out and touch him. Offer some kind of comfort or support. She knew what it was like to lose a parent. But to lose a spouse, the pain must be unbearable.

  Before she could think of something else to say, some way to ease the somber mood that had sunk over him, the official-sounding voice called over the crowd. “Make a line, folks. Make a line an’ we’ll have ya off the ferry in no time.”

  The man with emerald eyes turned from the rail and touched a hand to his hat. “Good day, ma’am.” He never once looked at her as he strode toward the line gathering at the edge of the boat.

  By the time Leah found her own place in line, he was twenty feet or so ahead. As she stepped onto firm land, she watched his hat disappear into the crowd. Something inside Leah wanted to run after him.

  But she didn’t move. Just stood, watching the spot where he’d vanished.

  Leah couldn’t have said how long she stood there, but finally awareness sank back in. People surged around her, and she made her way toward the edge of the sidewalk to get her bearings.

  She scanned the swarm of dock workers and passengers. What now? She was on the verge of asking someone—anyone—how she could find a decent hotel, when she spotted a row of wagons with uniformed drivers along the street. Most of them had hand-painted signs that read, “FOR HIRE.” Leah approached the nearest.

  “Sir, might I hire you to transport myself and my trunks to the closest reputable hotel?”

  He took a long drag on his cigar, his eyes roaming up and down her person. Not in an indecent manner, but calculating. They surely took in her sooty face and hands, gray homespun dress with not a frill in sight, and wispy hair missing a few hairpins. Leah was suddenly ashamed of her appearance.

  Finally, he removed the cigar and drawled, “I reckon The Southern is probably the closest, if’n they have any rooms left. How many trunks ya got?”

  “Two.”

  He nodded. “It’ll cost ya ten cents.”

  Leah would have paid ten dollars at that moment if she could just get to the hotel. “Let’s go then.”

  He held out a grubby hand. “Ya need to pay in advance.”

  The audacity! She tried not to let her annoyance show, but it took every bit of her training to hold her poise and not throw the dime in his face.

  Oh Leah, what’s wrong with you? Show him grace. The prick of her conscience made her feel more ashamed than her pauper’s clothing.

  ~

  Gideon Bryant trudged toward Fourth Street, exhaustion weighing his bones like chains. He’d purchased a ticket on the Far West steamship that left at daylight the next day, so he only needed a place to lay his head. He’d have bedded down at the docks if there weren’t so many people swarming. His soul craved the quiet majesty of the Montana mountains.

  But he was almost there. The Far West was one of the fastest boats on the upper Missouri, so he’d be back home in less than two months.

  It’d taken him two years after his wife’s death before he finally worked up the nerve to go East and resolve her final arrangements. But it was done now. And he was going home. Back to where his brother and sister were holding down their ranch.

  Gideon crossed over the streetcar tracks at the corner of Fourth and Walnut streets, then stepped into the double doors of the Southern Hotel. As he took in the lush interior and people milling about the lobby, the staircase pulled his attention. Or rather the person climbing the staircase.

  The woman from the ferry.

  She mounted the steps like a queen, poised and elegant, with her strong chin jutting at just the right angle for him to see her profile. She was stunning. Even in her homespun grey dress, every eye couldn’t help but be drawn to her. A few rich brown tendrils escaped from under her hat, gracing her slender neck.

  Gideon watched until she disappeared around the corner on the second floor, but found he didn’t want to turn away quite yet. Was he hoping she would reappear? He was off his rocker. The last thing he needed was to get involved with another city woman.

  He forced his attention back toward the clerk’s desk and strode that direction. But something had pulled in his chest when he saw this woman. Something that started a longing.

  He should fight it, shouldn’t he?

  Chapter Four

  St. Louis, Missouri

  April, 1874

  It was amazing what a warm bath and a decent night’s sleep could do for a person. Leah added a few more pins to her coif and examined her reflection in the mirror. It was wonderful to be in her dark green brocade with the fitted jacket. In this attire, she felt like Leah Townsend again. Heiress, and lady of poise and breeding.

  A rumble sounded from her mid-section. Time to attend to other matters of importance. Grabbing her reticule from the side chair, she swept through the door and down the stairwell toward the dining room.

  The large dining hall was well-appointed with gold drapes outlining the full-length windows around the perimeter of the room. Elegantly-clad ladies and gentlemen sat at round tables covered in white linens and scores of silverware.

  Leah followed the host to a small table, mindful of her poise. It was improper and borderline scandalous for an elegant young lady to be traveling alone—without a chaperone or, at the very least, a servant. With her head held high, she did her best to present a confident appearance.

  With a cup of coffee in hand and a copy of today’s St. Louis Republican, Leah scoured the paper for anything that may be helpful in her search for work. A position as companion would be ideal, or maybe a governess. She’d always done well in her studies with Emily and loved to read a good novel.

  She still had much of the $500 from her savings, but that money wouldn’t cover living expenses forever. And it would be too risky to contact her father’s steward for money, too much chance word of her location might get back to Simon. Besides, it might be fun to see what life was like in the working classes—at the very least it would be an adventure. And quite honestly, she craved a life of purpose, more than just rising in society’s ranks.

  Reading the paper took much longer than she’d expected. The Republican was an overwhelming piece, with eight large pages of very tiny type. It seemed they were almost through with construction on the Eads Bridge, the skeleton-like structure she barely remembered seeing in the distance the night before across the Mississippi River.

  On page three, she finally found what she was looking for: Wanted…Situations…Females. There were not as many listings as in the Richmond paper, but she analyzed each advertisement, and came away rather disappointed. If she were a “first-class cook” or “experienced scullery maid” or “skilled dressmaker”, she would have been in luck. As it was, it seemed she was grossly inexperienced for any of these jobs.

  Father, You’ve brought me this far. Please show me what You have for me next.

  Leah thought of the address Emily had given which was tucked in her reticule. She should probably contact the Barnetts today. She wanted to hold off as long as possible, though. See if she could do this on her own. Call it pride or a foolish sense of adventure, but she wanted to make something of herself.

  After leaving a letter addressed to Emily for the clerk at the front desk to post, Leah stepped out onto Fourth Street to continue her employment search.

  Much of the traffic seemed to be heading in the same direction, including a curious carriage that ran on a track like a train. It was pulled by a single horse and had eight benches with both sides open. As she watched, the coach stopped
every block or so to let passengers on or off. It seemed to be a passenger car that transported people for a fare. Stretching her legs felt so good, that Leah decided not to ride the car, but she noticed several of the same curious conveyances on other roads she passed.

  The traffic grew thicker as she approached what appeared to be the business district. The buildings on either side stretched up toward the sky, with some spanning half a block. Offices were above and window shops or eateries at street level. Leah felt almost like she was strolling through downtown Richmond.

  After weaving through several streets, she came to a massive four-story building that took up the entire block. A flag posted on the front corner of the ornately carved stone structure waved “Wm. Barr Co.” in bold, scripted letters. Writing across one of the man-sized windows near the door read, “The William Barr Dry Goods Company: Fifty-one departments devoted to the sale of high grade merchandise.” Now here could be some job possibilities.

  After strolling through a number of departments on the first floor, then making her way to the second level, Leah wasn’t quite as hopeful. The departments she thought she could work in, such as millinery (she’d always been good at designing hats), floral (she had a natural gift for arranging flowers), and even women’s fashion, were not hiring. They were in need of seamstresses for the ready-made clothing, but the thought of sewing all day in a dimly-lit back room made Leah cringe.

  “We’re always looking for delivery boys and scullery maids,” said the slender, middle-aged woman who had been introduced as the director in charge of hiring. The pale blue of her gown softened the tired lines around her eyes.

  Leah’s heart sank, but she forced a smile. “Thank you. I’ll keep that in mind.”

  Exhausted, footsore, and discouraged, she came very close to riding a streetcar back to The Southern. Only a single rod of determination kept her walking.

  ~

  Perusing the St. Louis Republican the next morning, Leah’s vigor was renewed and she was determined to find a job. Unfortunately, the “Wanted…Situations…Females” section was just as disappointing as the day before.

  Maybe because of the same tiny black type, her mind drifted back to the advertisement for a bride in the Montana Territory. She couldn’t imagine doing anything so impulsive as to agree to marry a man, sight unseen. Her situation with Simon was proof that even when one thought one knew a person, it was quite possible to be deceived. And deception could have deadly consequences.

  Leah forced that thought from her mind, gathered her reticule and the newspaper, then made her way out of the dining hall and up to her room to prepare for another excursion around the city.

  ~

  Leah wilted into the upright back of the settee in the waiting area of the hotel’s dining room. Her leg muscles ached, blisters assaulted both feet, and her hope had been beaten down by each snooty butler and no-nonsense housekeeper at the grand mansions of St. Louis. Right then, she would be happy if she never had to walk again.

  She inhaled a deep breath, held it for a few seconds, and then released it, feeling the exhaustion seep from her bones with the spent air. Since her settee was tucked into an alcove in the wall, Leah allowed her eyes to close for a moment. She made an effort to focus only on the sounds and smells filtering around her, pushing back the frustration and anxiety that resulted from this second day of unfruitful search.

  The strong murmur of conversation and clinking silver drifted from the dining hall, along with a barrage of mingled smells. With concentration, she was able to pick out the aroma of baked apples, something sweet that might be ham, and another with a definite vinegar undertone.

  From the hotel’s main lobby came the whoosh of a door, a rush of outside sounds, then quiet again as the door closed. Footsteps clicked across the tile floor, then a man’s voice.

  “I need a room.”

  “Of course, sir,” an official-sounding clerk responded. “And do you know how long you’ll be staying with us?”

  “Not sure yet. A few nights at least, but maybe longer.” The stranger’s voice held a familiar tone.

  “Of course, sir. We’re pleased to have you stay for as long as your business allows. Let me just record some information and we’ll show you to your room.” The clerk’s voice muffled a bit near the end as he must have been gathering paper and pen.

  A long silence ensued.

  “I’m sorry, sir, just let me refill the inkwell.”

  “While you work, perhaps you could answer a question.” The stranger’s voice niggled forcefully in the back of her brain. Where had she heard it before?

  He must have received an affirmative from the clerk, because he continued. “I’m looking for an acquaintance who is also staying in St. Louis, a Miss Leah Townsend. Have you heard of her?”

  Leah’s heart plummeted and she held her breath. How did this man know of her? She sank deeper into the sofa, making sure she was completely hidden from view by anyone in the hotel lobby. Why hadn’t she used a false name to register? Because she hadn’t really thought anyone would come after her. What a stupid, naïve thing to do.

  “Why, yes. Miss Townsend has been staying with us for several days.”

  “Excellent.” The pleasure in the stranger’s voice sent a chill down her spine. “Can you please give me her room number so I might pay my respects?”

  “I’m sorry, sir. I’m not permitted to share her room number, but I can have a note delivered, if you’d like.”

  A moment of silence.

  “No, thank you. Not at this time. I’ll hope to see her in the dining area.”

  “Of course, sir. Now, if I could have your name, please?”

  “Robert Talbert.”

  Chapter Five

  Robert Talbert.

  That had to be Simon’s brother. Had he come all this way to find her? She knew Simon wanted her inheritance, but was he really that desperate? How had they been able to track her? She’d been so careful to appear as a common traveler.

  Questions swirled through Leah’s mind as she watched Robert climb the staircase, following the bellboy to his room. They continued past the landing for the second floor and disappeared around the wall as they climbed toward the third floor. Leah’s room was on the second level. At least they wouldn’t be on the same floor.

  “Excuse me, miss, but we have a table prepared for you.”

  Leah turned quickly to see the waiter, bowing slightly, with his hand gesturing for her to precede him. She had completely lost her appetite. The last thing she wanted was to run into Robert Talbert at his evening meal.

  “Um… I’m not feeling well at the moment. I believe I’ll take my meal in my room, instead.”

  He dropped his hand to his waist and deepened the bow. “As you wish. I will send a tray to your room then, Miss Townsend?”

  “Ah, yes. Thank you.”

  “Very good then.”

  As soon as the man turned away, she shot a furtive glance toward the top of the staircase. Seeing no one, Leah squared her shoulders and made her way upstairs, moving as quickly as a genteel lady was allowed.

  For the next several hours, Leah paced the floor in her hotel suite. What now? She couldn’t stay in her room for weeks until he went away. Finding work required getting out. But staying in the same hotel with the man meant he was sure to see her coming or going.

  Should she find different lodgings? That was an option, but if he was able to track her from Richmond all the way to St. Louis, he would surely find her at a different hotel in the same city.

  Should she try to find Emily’s friends, the Barnetts? Leah moved toward the desk and found their address in the papers Emily had given her. Wash Ave. She didn’t recognize that street name from her wanderings over the last few days. Maybe she could check out the area and find the address tomorrow.

  Leah allowed a long sigh to escape. She really did want to make it on her own. Maybe she should move to a different city. Maybe south to New Orleans? Or she could find a new city
on the East Coast. But the thought of another week-long train ride made Leah sink into the desk chair.

  She absently rifled through the papers on the desk, picking up the Richmond Enquirer. Her eyes landed on the curious request for a wife in the Montana Territory. Wasn’t that where the man with the emerald eyes on the ferry had said he was from? But it was surely a huge place with thousands of men.

  She read the advertisement again. An intelligent young rancher of twenty-five years, six feet height, red hair green eyes. An image of an auburn-haired rancher came to mind. It struck her as interesting that he mentioned his green eyes. Age, height, and hair color seemed to be normal enough information for a man to use to describe himself, but eye color?

  The young lady should be between eighteen and twenty-five years, pleasant, and God-fearing. This Abel Bryant must be God-fearing, as well, for him to seek that characteristic in a wife. What would make a man seek a wife through a newspaper advertisement? Were there really so few women in the Montana Territory?

  Leah suddenly realized that she fit the description requested in the ad. She was twenty-two years old, tried her best to be pleasant, and sought God’s will in every area of her life.

  Guilt washed over her as she realized she’d not sought God’s direction that evening, since finding that Simon’s brother was in town, searching for her. With a penitent heart, Leah bowed her head.

  After pouring out her heart and fears to her Heavenly Father, Leah finally changed to a nightgown and snuggled her weary muscles under the soft covers. She descended into an exhausted sleep.

  Leah wasn’t sure when the dreams began, but she found herself running through the darkness. The cobblestone street beneath her slippers tossed up rocks to sabotage her flight. Simon Talbert stood a stone’s throw behind her. He just stood there, arms locked over his tailored suit, a greedy look on his middle-aged face. Even though he never moved a muscle, Leah couldn’t outrun him. She pushed her legs faster, her side and lungs on fire. She could hear Simon’s ominous laughter behind her.