by Reece Butler
Chapter Fifteen
“I blame myself for Sarah’s attack,” said Sophie to Rosa, now Mrs. Henley.
Billy had rushed to the hotel as soon as he left Oz’s horse with Stumpy at the livery stable. He proudly told Sophie about roping Sarah’s kidnapper. When she ran outside to help, she met Nevin coming back from the bakery. He said Sarah and Oz were together, and not to disturb them. They shared knowing smiles before she went to Rosa’s new home.
“I should have had someone walk her home,” continued Sophie. “Then she wouldn’t have been attacked.”
“Maybe she needed a good scare,” replied Rosa. “Girl thinks she don’t need anyone. About time she learned there’s dangers she can’t protect herself against.”
“And that she has friends who care about her and want to help.”
Rosa nodded in agreement. She set the pot of tea on the table and then surprised Sophie when she added two pretty cups and saucers. Were they Doc’s, or had someone given Rosa a wedding present? After she set down a plate of lemon squares and poured the tea, she sat across from Sophie.
“Sometimes friends have to do things you don’t like, to help you,” said Sophie.
“What things?” Rosa looked at her shrewdly.
Sophie sipped while she considered how best to explain her plan.
“In addition to whoever was after Sarah tonight, Jennet and Mayor Rivers will make the town council rule against her tomorrow. That means Sarah will have to move out of the bakery. I told her she could stay with me a day or two, but that she might need to get out of town for few weeks.” She innocently blinked her eyelashes, knowing Rosa wouldn’t be fooled.
“Weeks? We don’t know what this attack was about.”
“It doesn’t matter what this is about.” Sophie selected a lemon square. Men didn’t usually like such dainty things, so she didn’t have them on her menu, even though she adored them. “You asked me to keep an eye on Sarah after she was well enough to leave your care. I have.” She bit, savoring the tart lemon curd over sweet pastry. “This is wonderful, Rosa.”
“I heard about Sarah giving Oz a big kiss in the dining room. Billy says the Circle C fancies her.”
Sophie nodded as she finished her treat. “Whenever Gabe and Oz are here, they follow Sarah everywhere with their eyes. She does the same.”
“Nevin said Oz will protect Sarah tonight, and Gabe tomorrow. What about Luke?”
“Sarah won’t even kiss him in case it encourages him to think she’ll change her mind and marry him. I’m sure Oz will never marry, but I don’t know about Gabe.”
“Those Circle C men are respectful,” said Rosa thoughtfully. “They always tipped their hats to Lily and her working girls.”
Sophie took the opportunity to ask something she’d wondered about since the two young women were rescued. “Did Lily close her business because Sarah and Molly moved in with the two of you?”
Rosa shrugged. “I think it had more to do with a certain judge who visited from Helena. The last of her working gals left a couple of weeks later. And now Lily’s Mrs. Ambrose Thatcher, wife of a well-respected judge.” She gave a wry smile. “Who’d have thought that could happen.” She flushed. “Or that I’d marry the town doctor.”
Sophie pushed her cup forward when Rosa lifted the teapot. “Amos was a good husband, and I did care for him, but I never kissed him the way Victoria kissed all three of her J Bar C husbands last Friday night.” She wanted what Beth and the other wives had, what Sarah was pushing away. If Sophie found three kind, loving men, she’d grab them and hold tight for the rest of her life.
“You want Sarah at the Circle C so she and Luke can fuss at each other and work things out.” Rosa shook her head. “They can deny it all they like, but if Sarah and Luke didn’t want something from the other, they wouldn’t get so ornery.”
“Yes, I want Sarah to get to know Luke better. She needs to see that he uses his stuffy arrogance to hide from the world. If not, she won’t consider him as a husband. Sharing her bed with his partners might even encourage Luke to change his attitude. He needs to be taken down a few pegs.”
Three sharp raps came at the back door. There was a slight pause, and then another three. “That’s Nevin.” Rosa still flicked the curtains aside to confirm it before opening the door.
“I checked out Baldy’s Saloon,” said Nevin as soon as Rosa bolted the door behind him. “Baldy overheard a man boasting about getting hired to grab a woman. Someone named Joe hired him to deliver her to where the road forks to Bannack City.”
“Joe?” asked Rosa. “As in Sheldrake?”
Nevin nodded. “He’s too lazy to do his own work unless there’s a damn good reason. I expect Sarah will keep Billy full of tarts for a month for saving her.”
Rosa pointed to the table. “Lemon square?”
Nevin’s frown faded. “I hope they’re all for me.” He took the whole plate and sat on the bench beside Rosa, leaving lots of space between them.
“Sophie wants to send Sarah to the Circle C,” said Rosa to Nevin. “For her own protection, of course.”
Nev licked crumbs off his fingers. He’d already devoured half the squares. “You matchmaking?” He looked at Sophie for an answer. “Because I don’t think anyone else is going to try what that fool did tonight.”
“I think Sarah wants them as badly as they want her,” said Sophie. “Everyone knows it but them. They don’t need to know there’s little chance Sarah’s in danger.”
“I agree.” Nevin sipped his tea, gripping his plate of goodies as if afraid one of the women would take it.
Rosa frowned. “But, after what happened to her in Bannack City she might not—”
“Sarah kissed Oz like a woman who knew what a man could give her, and wanted it,” said Sophie. “Whatever happened, she isn’t afraid of a man’s touch.” They sat for a few minutes in silence.
“Lily’s girls enjoyed what they were doing,” said Rosa quietly. “They liked fancy clothes and entertaining only one man. They didn’t want to do the work that comes with being a wife.”
“You don’t have to defend Lily,” said Nevin. “We know her for who she is today, not what happened before. We all have things from the past we want to hide. It doesn’t make us bad people.”
“That’s what George says.” A blush rose up Rosa’s cheeks. “Doc Henley,” she clarified.
“How are things going with you two?” asked Sophie.
“We’re getting on.” Rosa’s blush deepened. “Molly spent the winter with Beth on the Rocking E. She said she doesn’t want to live on a ranch. We’ll be taking care of her from now on. She’ll be like our daughter.”
“That’s wonderful!”
“Molly wants to work with Patsy Tanner at the mercantile.” Rosa looked from one to the other. “Their grandson is coming out to take over the store this fall. Patsy hopes for a match.”
Sophie knew better than to hug Rosa, so she smiled her joy. “I’m happy, for all three of you. She’ll be company when Doc has to head out with his black bag. I’ve been so busy I haven’t heard what’s happening with Lily and Judge Thatcher’s home.”
“When Paddy O’Keefe finishes adding a bedroom on the main floor of Smythe’s house for Mrs. Johnston to live in, he’ll turn Lily’s place back into a home. Grace, the woman they found at the mayor’s ranch, will be their housekeeper. ”
Sophie was as shocked as everyone else when the town council returned from gathering the J Bar C’s cattle from the mayor’s ranch. They brought with them a terrified woman who’d rushed out of the mayor’s house. She could tell them nothing because she’d had the tip of her tongue sliced off. Since Lily and Rosa had cared for Molly and Sarah after they were rescued from Bannack City, the town council brought the woman to Lily. Judge Thatcher had named her Grace because she spent a lot of time on her knees, silently praying.
“I hope Grace isn’t living at Lily’s alone,” said Sophie.
“No,” replied Nevin. “She’s terrif
ied Mayor Rivers and his thugs will go after her. Paddy and Billy sleep there. Paddy’s gentle with her, and he told Lily he’d kill anyone who tried to harm the woman.”
“I can see where Billy got his protective streak,” said Sophie. “They’ll get along well with the Judge.”
“He’s a good man,” said Rosa.
“So are Gabe, and Oz, and Luke,” replied Sophie, getting back to the purpose of her visit. “Sarah needs to know that, but she won’t unless she spends some time with them. That’s why I want her to stay at the Circle C.”
“There’s a lot of work to be done on that cabin before she’ll be comfortable there.” Nevin wiped the last bit of lemon curd from the plate with his finger. “So far all they’ve got is a ten-by-twelve room with a door and window. But they’ve got logs cut, squared, and notched. The first row is already set on a foundation behind the cabin. They’ll need help to finish, since it’ll be a good size.”
“Billy said they’re planning on having a building bee, but weren’t sure when was a good time,” said Sophie. “Mondays are quiet at the hotel. If the council bans Sarah from running her bakery tomorrow, we could cook and bring food in time for dinner at the Circle C on Monday.”
“Trace wants to get everyone together to talk about an idea of his. This would be a good time.” Nevin nodded to himself. He pointed at Sophie. “You’ve got the job of getting Sarah to agree. Got any ideas on that?”
Sophie laughed. “After spending tonight with Oz, and tomorrow with Gabe, she might not complain about joining them at the ranch.”
“Good.” Nevin stood up. “I’ve got to get back to Amelia and the boys, so I’ll let you two work things out. I’ll pass the word to have as many men as possible at the Circle C first thing Monday.”
Half an hour later Sophie settled in bed, quite satisfied with her matchmaking. Sarah would face her demons, and her desires. She’d likely marry her men while Sophie stayed alone, running the hotel. She pounded her pillow and turned over. She wanted a man. Even better, more than one. But she couldn’t even think of touching someone local. The mayor and banker had been after her hotel since Amos died. She sometimes wondered if they’d wanted it even before he died, as his death had been suspicious.
But, as she never left town, and couldn’t chance seeing a man at the hotel without Maurice, Nettie, or someone else telling on her, it wasn’t to be. She might never have more than her imagination and a hard bed, but it was better than what most women had.
Chapter Sixteen
Gabe leaned his shoulder against the outside wall of the bakery that evening and watched Sarah stare down the new sheriff. She wasn’t bigger than a minute, but she had more balls than men twice her size. Too bad she didn’t have much discretion as to when to use them. Luke told him how she insulted the banker Friday morning. Like messing with a married woman, no matter how good it felt at the time, that was a big mistake.
“Frank, just because they nailed my front door closed doesn’t mean I can’t live in the kitchen.”
Though Sarah spoke to the old sheriff, she kept flicking her eyes to the new. Owen Barstow stood tall, thumbs in his belt, taking everything in. Though he’d been there a month, Gabe knew Sarah’d been so busy with getting her bakery going, and preparing food for the triple wedding, that she hadn’t had anything to do with him.
“You’ll have to talk with Sheriff Barstow,” said Frank kindly. “I’m only here as a witness.”
Sarah nodded, raised her chin, and turned to Barstow. He swept her from head to feet in one impersonal glance. He didn’t do it as an interested man looking at a woman, but more like one man sizing up another. Not dismissing Sarah as a mere female was one point in his favor as far as Gabe was concerned.
“My name is Sarah Unsworth and I own this bakery, Sheriff Barstow.”
Gabe smiled to himself at her crisp words. She talked like she was giving the new sheriff a dressing-down for being untidy or something.
“Ma’am,” Barstow replied, lifting his hat for a moment.
“Due to circumstances beyond my control, I’ve been locked out of the display room of my bakery. However, the kitchen portion of the building is both my home and storage for my business. If I am forced out, my flour and other supplies may go bad, or get eaten by rats.” She looked pointedly at the bank. “Four-legged ones.” She cleared her throat. “I understand the town council ruled that I can’t operate my bakery for now, but couldn’t I live and work here, and sell everything to Sophie McLeod at the hotel?”
Barstow considered her words for a moment.
“Ma’am, the contract I saw for this building was signed by a Mr. Benjamin Elliott.”
Sarah gulped and smiled, but Gabe saw how she clenched her fingers behind her back.
“Ben Elliott is my lawyer, Sheriff. I hired him to negotiate the purchase of this building for me.” She explained it slowly, as if the man couldn’t follow otherwise.
“He your husband?”
She sputtered and dropped the quiet miss attitude. “Of course not! You saw him marry Florence.” She narrowed her eyes. “In fact, Ben told us you insisted they marry.”
Barstow waited for a few beats as Sarah fumed. Gabe looked at Frank, who seemed to be hiding a smile. Gabe looked closer at Barstow. The man wasn’t playing with Sarah as much as drawing out her true character. No wonder Ben said he’d be good for the town. If he didn’t take things at face value, he would be as fair as he could. While the banker and mayor were the ones who handed Barstow his badge, he had jurisdiction over the valley as well. That meant every male rancher had a vote as to whether to keep him.
Gabe rolled out his shoulders and settled back for a show. Oz said getting a fiery woman riled up would make her passion flare, as long as she wasn’t riled at you. Since he was taking care of Sarah that night, passion was good. Though he hadn’t touched a woman before, other than Sarah the other day, he’d thought of it during many a long, hard night.
“So you’re Miss Sarah Unsworth?” Barstow waited for her furious nod. “Ever been married?”
“No,” she growled. Her expression was halfway between a pout and a glare.
“Mayor said only wives and widows can run a business in town. You a widow?”
Sarah ground her teeth for a moment. Gabe thought he saw the corner of the sheriff’s mouth twitch, but the man had such a bushy moustache Gabe could be mistaken.
“No, I’m not a widow. Yet.”
“Yet?”
“The option of marrying and having my dear husband drop dead is looking more attractive each day.” Sarah smiled tightly.
There was definitely a twitch in the sheriff’s moustache that time. Did Barstow appreciate Sarah’s sarcasm? At least Gabe hoped it was sarcasm.
“You can’t live here, Sarah,” interrupted Frank. “Barstow has been ordered to make sure you leave the building tomorrow morning. Jennet and Rivers have a bee in their bonnet over this. If any more smoke comes out of your chimney, they will order that back door nailed shut as well as the front. I suggest you do as you’re told.”
Sarah looked so kissable with her lips pushed out in a giant pout and her hair all mussed. She had a dab of flour on her cheek that he longed to wipe away. But if he got any closer than arm’s length to her, he’d haul her to his chest and try to kiss away her pain. And that would lead to all manner of trouble.
You want trouble, Gabe Downey, but not until the sun is down and the back door of the bakery kitchen is locked, with you and Sarah on the inside.
“This is not the end of it,” she growled. “I will have my bakery.” She looked a lot like a cantankerous old mule his mama used to ride. Calculating and cunning, with a hint of the devil erupting when you least expected it.
“Sarah, if you want your bakery that bad,” said Frank, “find a husband.”
“I thought you were on my side!”
“I am. I think you’ll be far safer, and happier, if you’re married.”
“Married? Argh, you men!” She spat the
words out like bullets. She glared at Frank, Gabe, and then Barstow. “I’m going to get ready to spend the night in my bakery!” She turned so fast her skirts whirled around her ankles. She stomped past Gabe, heading for the hotel.
Frank, hands on hips, shook his head slowly at her stiff back. He smiled with what looked like admiration. “Women. They make your life miserable, both from being there, and being gone.”
“Amen to that,” said Barstow drily.
The three of them watched Sarah open the door to the hotel kitchen. She looked in their direction, saw them still watching, and stuck out her tongue. She slammed the door behind herself, leaving them alone with the wind.
“You’ve got your work cut out, boy,” said Frank to Gabe, chuckling.
Barstow, still looking at the kitchen, shook his head. “With a hellcat like that, I see why it takes three men to keep a wife in line.”
“In line?” Frank snickered. “Those valley men are so happy that their wives just crook a finger and all three come running.”
Barstow winced. “Hope none of ’em give my wife ideas.” He and Gabe shook hands. “If I can help you with that spitfire, let me know.”
“I think we can handle her.”
Barstow met him eye to eye. “We? You got two partners, like those other ranchers?”
Gabe nodded. “Luke Frost plans to marry Sarah. He thinks she’ll come to her senses and realize what a catch he is.”
“Tonight is Gabe’s turn to, ah, guard the lady,” said Frank. He waggled his eyebrows. “I hear Oz rode home with a big smile this morning.”
Heat seared Gabe’s face. He glared at Frank, who cackled like a hen ready to lay a turkey-size egg. “Sheriff, did this interfering old man tell you about what almost happened to Miss Unsworth on Saturday night? Why we have to guard her?”
“Yep. That’s one of the thoughts I’ll be ironin’. Good night, gentlemen.”
Barstow headed for the jail, and Gabe turned back to more important matters. The hotel kitchen’s curtains fluttered as someone peeked out. He waved and they were shoved closed. He laughed, his heart lighter.