He gestured for her to come closer.
With a few shoves, she scooted the chair beside his bed then sat.
“Thank you for staying.” Pain etched his face.
“Juanita is preparing broth for you. She arranged to have Mrs. Ramirez take over her other jobs.”
The ringer for the front door startled her and she started to rise. Zane reached for her arm to stay her. “She’ll answer the door.”
In a few minutes a tall black man entered. “I brung you a telegram.” He handed over the wire.
Oh, this must be the “long” telegram Mr. Gamble had mentioned yesterday. Thinking about it had her stomach in knots and caused her throat to go dry. She couldn’t imagine how it could be about her but still feared what it might contain. Tears burned behind her eyes as she realized their dream might never come true.
***
Zane gestured to a pile of clothes. “Thank you, Ulysses. Would you hand me those pants on the floor?”
When Ulysses did, Zane dug out a quarter and handed it to the other man. “Thanks for the personal delivery. If you don’t mind waiting a minute while I read this, I may have an answer.”
With a wide smile, the man pocketed the coin. “Thank you, Mr. Evans. I’ll jes stand right here ‘til you say otherwise.”
Zane glanced at Rachel as he tore open the wire. “I hope you’ll forgive me for being rude, my dear, but I’ve been hoping for this information.”
He concentrated as he read then reread the wire.
Found plenty. She went to prison for three years but looks like a frame. Stop. Worked for Haversham Import and Export as bookkeeper. Stop. Five thousand missing. Stop. Howard Forsythe was her supervisor. Stop. He was in debt and now he not. Stop. Her father hired worst lawyer in town to defend her. Stop. Lawyer said father told him she was guilty and deserved to be punished. Stop. Father pompous ass. Stop. Brother well liked. Stop. Richard Brown involved somehow. Stop. Let me know if I should pursue this.
Exactly as he suspected, a man had used her and her father had deserted her. What sort of man wouldn’t defend his own daughter?
“Ulysses, I need to send an answer.”
Rachel stood. “I’ll get paper and a pencil if you tell me where they are.”
When she retrieved what he needed, he wrote quickly and folded the paper. He took more coins from his pants pocket and handed money and paper to Ulysses. “This ought to cover the wire. You can keep what’s left.”
“Thank you, sir. I’ll see Mr. Gamble sends this out right away. You take care now and get to feelin’ good.” The man left.
Zane lay back and exhaled. He smiled in relief. If John could solve this case then maybe Rachel would trust again. Even if she resented him delving into her past, he wanted her free and secure.
Sure he wanted her to marry him. He preferred to know she wanted to be with him rather than wonder if she was grasping at a safe haven. Love was what he wanted, but he’d settle for fondness.
Recalling her special project, he wondered, “How did that meeting with the wives go?”
Animation lit her face. “Amazingly well. Lorraine came and brought her seeds and gardening books. The women had a nice time and we talked and talked.”
Who would have imagined? “Well, I’ll be darned. Guess you were right about women being women.”
“You’d have laughed at the arrangements. There weren’t enough chairs, so I moved your small bed into the front office and we pretended it was a couch.”
He tried to picture her moving that bed by herself. “There are several chairs in the warehouse.”
“I’ll remember if we meet at the office again. This week we met at Zillah Hill’s home.”
“So, your tea was a genuine success?”
“Ruby doesn’t want to host the group, but we told her there’s no need for her to do so. Zillah really wanted to and so do Didamia and Mary Margaret. We’ll take turns.”
He was proud of her. He imagined his men would like her efforts on behalf of their wives. “You did a good thing, getting the women together.”
“Talking Lupe and Ruby into coming was difficult. Since Didamia agreed to attend, they did too. If Didamia hadn’t accepted, I would have failed.”
He shook his head and immediately regretted the motion. “I can’t see you failing once you put your mind to something. I imagine the four wives visit one another, but I’m not sure how much. Maybe they’re lonely.”
“Whether they are or not, they’re all more socially inclined than they were before the tea. That’s not all. Wait until you see the cactus garden in front of the office.”
“How did you manage that?”
“Lupe let us use her extra plants and all the women helped create the garden. Didamia even found rock left over from the warehouse foundation and we made a walk from the office door to the road.”
Amazing. Let her loose and she accomplished more in a few days than he had in three years. “Here I am stuck in bed and can’t go check out your efforts. Sounds like you’ve been busy.”
She tilted her head and sent him a pensive glance. “Not too much, but the women were proud to help. They said having the office look better makes their husbands more important to be working there.”
“You’ve managed to accomplish a lot, Rachel. I’m lucky you’re willing to work for me.”
“I’m the fortunate one.” She met his gaze. “Tomorrow, I’ll go to the office until noon. There’ll be paperwork that needs attention.”
“Will you come here when you close?” He hated his voice sounded as if he were pleading.
Her warm smile helped more than any medicine Doc Gaston could furnish. “Yes, I’ll want to see how you’re healing. There will probably be questions to ask you also.”
As much as he hated to be stuck here, he simply didn’t have the energy to do anything else. He’d barely managed to stay conscious until help arrived. He doubted he’d ever been as relieved as when Ronnie dropped into camp.
“Vic knows what’s supposed to happen but he’ll need help. He hates paperwork even worse than I do.”
She patted his hand. “We’ll manage. Not as well as with you there but we won’t burn the place down or deliver the wrong merchandise.”
He spread his hand over hers and grinned. “I was hoping no one would find out the business can go on without me.”
“Your plan is foiled.” She pulled away her hand and stood. “I hear Juanita bringing what smells like a delicious supper. Since you won’t let me explain what I need to, I’ll go and let you eat and then nap.”
Juanita entered carrying a tray laden with food and dishes. “I have brought plenty for two, Señorita Rachel. You have had a tiring day and should eat before you go.”
He couldn’t help the triumphant look he sent Rachel. She fluffed his pillows before resuming her seat. Juanita—he guessed he’d think of her by her first name now that Rachel addressed her that way—set the tray beside his legs.
When his housekeeper had left, Rachel asked, “Are your legs too sore for the tray?”
Were they ever, as was every inch of his battered body. But, he refused to be sidelined completely. “Put the tray on my lap. Soup is messy enough without the chance of upending it on the bed and me.”
She tucked a napkin over his bandage and her cool fingers heated his skin. Then, she moved the tray to his thighs. “Zane, I-I really do need to explain something about my past.”
“Is it serious?” He suspected he knew exactly what she wanted to relay, but she had no reason for concern.
“Yes, and once you’ve heard me I believe you’ll agree it’s important.”
“Rachel, I appreciate that you want to tell me what’s made you so wary, but there’s no need. Nothing you can say will change the way I feel about you. Unless—I hope you’re not saying you plan to marry someone else.”
“No, of course not.” She tilted her head and sent him a mischievous grin. “Although, I went on a picnic with Michael Buchanan so he could
make Josephine jealous.”
“Did it work?” He spooned soup into his mouth.
Her lovely dark eyes sparkled. “Oh, yes.” She took a sip of coffee.
“You’re sure he wasn’t courting you?”
She rolled her eyes at him. “Have you seen the way they look at one another? They’re definitely falling in love. In fact, I think they’re there.”
He figured Michael looked at Josephine the same way he did at Rachel. He hoped she’d return the sentiment. This afternoon, she appeared to be relaxing around him. He might as well let her unburden herself.
“If you wish, I’ll listen to whatever you have to share.”
She took a deep breath and launched into the tale John had included in his wire. Of course, she added many details, but the story was basically the same. Her tears sliced through him.
He set the tray aside and pulled her onto the bed. “Don’t you understand that makes no difference? You’re a fine woman and I want us to be wed.” He blotted her eyes with the napkin.
She sniffed. “Still? Are you certain?”
He brushed a stray curl from her face. “What more can I say to convince you? I’ve never met anyone who affected me the way you do. Before I met you, I didn’t believe in love at first sight. My feelings for you convinced me it’s true.”
She pressed her forehead against his. “Zane, I’ve been so worried you’d take back your proposal once you heard my story.”
He caressed her face. “Will you marry me, Rachel?” Was that love he saw shining back at him when she met his gaze?
“Yes, I’ll be honored to be your wife.”
He kissed her sweet lips. Although he longed to pull her against him, he couldn’t ignore the hole in his shoulder or the one beneath it in his bicep. “As soon as I’m halfway healed, can we be wed?”
She ran her slender fingers along his jaw. “Let’s wait until you’re completely healed. You’ve had a terrible ordeal and need to recover.”
“I’ll agree.” But, only because he figured he’d need his full strength for their wedding night and honeymoon.
“Zane, I have another confession. Please don’t get angry. While you were gone I needed some plain paper, not your good stationery. I looked in your desk to see if you had some foolscap or some other cheap paper I could use.”
She took a deep breath. “I… I found your Pinkerton badge. Are you a Pinkerton agent?”
“I was but I resigned when I set up the freight operation. That’s what I meant by traveling too much. Seemed I was always on the move, chasing some crook. In addition to the travel, I tired of seeing the worst of people. I found myself depressed and losing my humanity.”
“D-Do you know a man named Richard Brown?”
He couldn’t stop the anger that rose inside him. “I wish I didn’t. He gives the agency a bad name. He’s been censured but hasn’t changed. Was he harassing you?”
“Terribly. I half expected him to show up here.”
“You can forget him. He’s too lazy to come this far.”
She leaned back to look into his eyes. “You’re not mad at me for snooping?”
“Whatever I have is yours.” He couldn’t believe he held this beautiful woman in his arms and that she would soon be his life’s partner.
As if she’d read his thoughts, she said, “Zane, I’m lucky you want me as your wife.” She kissed him passionately and he slid his tongue into her mouth.
After a gasp around his kiss, she met his tongue with hers. Her ardor now painted a vision of their life together. He wanted to wed soon.
He heard Juanita’s footsteps. Rachel slid back onto the chair but he held on to her hand. His housekeeper made more noise than usual coming down the hall, causing him to smile at her discretion.
She came in and looked at the tray. “Good, you have eaten well. I will bring more before bedtime. With your permission, I will stay in this house until you are well.”
Rachel’s face beamed at the other woman. “Would you? That’s kind of you, Juanita.”
He looked from one woman to the other. “I’m not dumb enough to refuse pampering when it’s offered. Why don’t you use the housekeeper’s suite off the kitchen and make yourself comfortable.”
“Bueno.”
“Since Rachel calls you Juanita, may I also?”
“Of course.”
He was so happy and proud that if he’d been wearing a shirt, he would have burst off the buttons. “Rachel has just consented to marry me.”
She looked from him to Rachel and a broad smile split her face. “This is wonderful news.”
He nodded. “I agree. We haven’t set an exact date yet, but I’m the happiest of men right now.”
Rachel rose and kissed his forehead. “I must go so I can be at work early tomorrow.”
Juanita retrieved the tray. “And I must get the kitchen clean and you must rest, Señor Evans. I will bring you more food later.”
Zane was too happy to sleep. Then, his mind started churning. He wondered how much of the freight had been damaged. He wished Vic would come by and let him know how things stood.
Chapter Twenty
Rachel hurried to work from Zane’s where she’d stopped by to say good morning to him. She smiled remembering they were engaged. Somehow during the evening, he’d had Michael Buchanan bring over jewelry.
She glanced down at the lovely engagement ring with a round center diamond protected by what looked like gold petals and with delicate engraving on each side. Zane had been apologetic about the small diamond and explained that he could have purchased a fancier one in Fort Worth. But, when possible, he always patronized Tarnation’s businesses that were his customers. In her opinion, he couldn’t have chosen a more perfect ring.
Vic waited for her when she arrived. “Figured you’d be early.”
She opened the door and he followed her inside. “Not early enough since I kept you waiting. Have your heard how Mick and Ken are this morning?”
“Doc thinks Mick’ll make it now. Ken’s going home today.”
“I’m so relieved. How do you like our garden in front?”
He handed her a sheaf of receipts. “Didamia sure is proud of that. Gotta say the place looks a lot better since you come.”
“Thank you for saying so, Vic. Do I hold on to these until the freight is claimed?”
“Those are from things done been picked up or delivered. Still lots of stuff in the warehouse.”
“What about the glass for the frame, Vic? Is it broken?”
He chuckled and scratched his jaw. “Beats ever’thing, but that glass is still intact. I’ll bring it over later and the rug Zane bought for in here. Afraid it didn’t escape. Has a bullet hole in it.”
She tried to hide her disappointment. “That’s too bad. What about those for the hotel?”
“They’re all right. I guess your rug protected them.”
Her face heated. “Not mine, Vic, but for the office.”
His grin let her know he thought of the office improvements as hers. “I’ll get busy on these and you tell me if I can help you in any way.”
He tipped his hat and ambled around the corner toward the warehouse. She sat at her desk. After stashing her purse in a drawer, she pulled out the ledger and got to work.
About eleven, Vic carried in the rug on one shoulder. “We’ll get the boss’ bed and blankets back from the livery.”
“Came in handy, didn’t they?” Buck set the frame by her desk. “Reckon we’ll be back directly.”
Unwilling to take chances with the precious glass, she stored the frame flat on Zane’s desk before she unrolled the rug. Sure enough, two holes were on one edge. At least the damage wasn’t in the middle.
The red, black, and tan reminded her of an Indian blanket she’d seen from the train. The colors were pretty and brightened up the room. She plotted how she could hide the holes. If she pulled it up under her desk and under the edge of the filing cabinets, the bullet’s path would be hidden.
Vic and Buck would have to help her. She’d never get the filing cabinet lifted by herself.
When the two men returned, they had the bed and blankets.
Vic carried the mattress. “Boss may need this while he’s recovering. Told me he sure is tired of bed.”
The men restored the mattress to its place at the end of Zane’s office.
“He’s been there less than a day. Mrs. Querado is staying in the house until he’s well and she’s pampering him at every turn.”
Buck said, “Boss likes to keep busy. He don’t sit still long ’less he’s readin’ a book.”
The men helped her position the rug and they stood back to admire their job.
After Vic and Buck had gone, she made up the bed with fresh sheets. Zane sent his laundry to Mrs. Diaz. He always looked neat—except when he had come up over the ledge yesterday.
She entered receipts until noon. She’d just slid the ledger into its drawer and drawn out her purse when Vic came in carrying a large box.
“I hate to bother you, but could you help?” He appeared positively sheepish.
Seeing the largest man she’d ever seen act as if he were afraid made her wonder. “I hesitate to take on anything that puts that expression on your face, but what can I do?”
He set down the parcel. “This goes to Mrs. Hubbard. The package is large, but not heavy and I made a handle for you.”
He scratched his jaw. “She’s a shrew of a woman, so you may not want to deliver this box. She lives a couple of doors east of Zane. If you’re going by to check on him, I figured you might could take this to her.”
She smiled at the thought of such a large man being afraid of any woman. “I’ll be happy to. What does she sign and where?”
He exhaled and his expression conveyed his relief. “You give her this pink copy, see. She signs the white one that says she received the package in acceptable condition. Make her check the contents while you’re there so she can’t say the merchandise was damaged.”
Rachel read that the freight was a bird cage. “She does sound contentious. Don’t worry, Vic. I’ll take care of Mrs. Hubbard’s delivery.”
“Sure appreciate your help.” With a tap of his hat brim, he left.
Rachel (Bride Brigade Book 5) Page 14