Josh’s hand rested on Annabelle’s back as he guided her outside. She savored his touch.
“I need to speak to Mr. Johnson,” she said.
“And I need to see Landers. He’s president of the town council and I need to give him the keys and make it official. I expect I’ll see you later.” He tipped his hat, turned and walked away.
She felt his loss and walked to the Emporium. She met with Mr. Johnson and ordered a bed, linens, and a small chest for each room in her hotel and other supplies with delivery in a week. He practically rubbed his hands together in glee as Mrs. Johnson sneered at her.
Like a woman off to the gallows, she walked to the Chances Are Saloon. Tired, cranky and covered with dust, she was in no mood for an argument, but knew she would get one.
She couldn’t bring herself to go through the front door and the back door was locked. When she knocked, she got no response. In frustration she kicked the door, gaining nothing but a sore foot. Limping, she went back to the front and entered. She caught Rufus’ eye and headed for the office. The two customers paid her no mind.
She sat in the small office. A vision of her mother loomed in her head.
Annabelle Dallas Yeager, what has got you so down in the mouth? You made your choice. So it didn’t work out like you expected. Didn’t I teach you to pick yourself up and move on? Now you own a saloon and brothel. You didn’t ask for them, but they is yours. You either throw it overboard or make it work for you. These people work for you. You just gonna hand it o’er to them? Where is your pride? The Yankees take it, too?
She heard it as clear as she heard the tinny piano in the saloon. Well, she’d come here in search of a new life and while this might not be the one she thought, it was a new life. Her new life and she’d make the best of it.
Rufus entered the office without knocking. “What do you want? I’m busy.”
“I’m busy, too. From now on, knock when you enter my office. Second, give me keys to all the doors, so I can get in. Third, tell Lauren that she and her girls have to be out in three days. I’m converting the social club into a hotel, something the town desperately needs. Once they move out, I’ll refurbish the rooms.”
“You want me to tell her and the girls to leave?” His face paled.
“Yes, you are the manager aren’t you?” She studied him a moment. Would he do it? “Once they vacate the rooms, I’ll clean and paper them before the new furniture arrives.”
“Where are they supposed to go?”
Josh and Rufus were wearing on her. “Lauren’s a resourceful woman. I’m sure she can find a place.”
“I just don’t feel right doing that.” He shifted from foot to foot. “She ain’t never hurt anybody. Nope, it ain’t right. I can’t work for a woman.” He started to remove his apron.
Panic set in. After all, she needed him to run the saloon. “Wait! I’m sorry, Rufus. I didn’t mean to step on your toes.” Hell, it was her saloon and she needed to learn how to run it in case Rufus decided to quit. “Maybe we can work out a compromise. You teach me how to run the Chances Are and I will pay you an extra ten dollars per week.”
Rufus didn’t move, but he didn’t say yes either. She watched him mulling the idea over.
“I want a rent-free room in the hotel as long as I work here.”
Good, she could do that. She was willing to pay more and a room would be a breeze.
“Deal.” She stuck her hand out.
“Deal,” he said, walking over to the desk and taking her proffered hand. “We need some whiskey ordered.”
“How do I order it?” She doubted it was purchased from the Emporium.
“You send a telegram to the distributor telling him what you want. You pay when they deliver. Name should be there in the desk.” He paused at the door. “Do you want to learn to tend bar, too?” he asked, leaning against the doorway.
She hadn’t considered that. The idea intrigued her. “Is it hard?”
“No. You have to pay attention. They start yelling, you ignore it. Just keep filling the glasses and take the money. Why don’t you start this afternoon? Won’t be too busy and I’ll be here.”
She liked the idea of seeing customers spend money at her saloon. “I’ll do it.”
“After lunch I’ll show you how to determine what stock you need to order,” he said, pushing away from the door. “You might want to dress in some clothes other than that fancy dress.” He jutted his chin at her and was gone.
She wasn’t wearing a fancy dress. She wouldn’t do housework in it, but it wasn’t a party dress either. She’d slip back to Josh’s room and change.
A knock at the door interrupted her thoughts. “Come in.”
“Miss Yeager, you still staying at the jail?” Rufus wiped his hands on his apron.
“No. After the attack, Sheriff Morrow moved me to his room. I really can’t stay there much longer.”
“I was thinking. Mr. Woods has rooms upstairs over the saloon. I don’t see why you can’t use them. He certainly won’t, and he fixed it up for you. It’s got a separate entrance from the alley and it ain’t connected to the social club.”
How come no one thought about where Barry lived before? “Do you have a key?”
“I suppose Mr. Landers has it,” he said. “There might be an extra one in the desk.”
She began rifling through clean, organized desk drawers. In one she found the ordering records and other business papers and a small key.
“It might be in the safe behind you. I have the combination.”
He pointed behind her to a small table with a skirt around it. She lifted the skirt and discovered a safe. “What’s in it?”
“I put the receipts and the day’s take in there. Barry took everything out in the morning but what was needed for the next day. He’d put part of it in the bank, but I don’t know about the rest.”
“How much money is in here?” Her breath hung in her throat.
“About four hundred dollars or so. I took money out for expenses, such as my pay, pay for the waitress, and things like that.” He opened the safe. Money lay in neat stacks. She counted four hundred and twenty seven dollars. It was a fortune. She hadn’t seen that much money in her whole life!
***
Inside the safe she spotted a locked drawer and remembered the small key in the desk. Once opened, she found a larger key–it had to belong to the rooms upstairs. She fingered it.
Now she would have a place of her own, separate from the saloon and the social club. “How do I get upstairs?” Excitement and disappointment at leaving Josh’s room welled up in her fighting for control. She closed the safe and rushed after Rufus.
Stairs leading to the second floor were on the side of the building. Why hadn’t she seen them before? At the top of the steps, she fitted the key into the lock. The door creaked as she pushed it open.
She stepped into a small, well-furnished parlor. A large woolen rug absorbed her footfalls as she moved around the room, looking in awe at the new furniture, the heavy lace curtains, crystal and china. A slight coating of dust had settled on the furniture in the parlor and an attached kitchen area. Of course, since no one had been here since Barry’s death.
She spotted a door off to the side and paused. It would be the bedroom. Composing herself, she turned the knob and opened it.
Another plush rug covered the floor. Her breath caught in her throat at the sight of a large, carved sleigh bed with lace edged linens and comforter. They would have lain together at night and she would have borne their children on this bed. Her legs threatened to fold. Tightness filled her chest feeling the loss of her dream.
“Annabelle, are you in here?” a voice called from the front room. “Are you all right?”
She turned and saw Josh standing in the parlor. “Yes.”
“Rufus said you were up here. I’d forgotten about these rooms. Woods kept the carpenter busy getting it ready for you.” His eyes traveled over the room before resting on her again.
> “Yes. Rufus just remembered to tell me. I found the key. A little dusting and I can move right in.”
“I reckon so,” Josh sighed. “Annabelle, be careful. That alley can be extremely dangerous.”
“I suppose it could be.” She didn’t want to think about that right now.
He shrugged. “Landers talked me into taking the badge back. I could escort you to the door every night. That way you won’t have to worry about the drunks.”
Josh cared for her. Her feet barely touched the floor as she moved toward him. She stood on tip-toes with her hands on his chest and kissed him on the cheek. It wasn’t enough for her.
His arm wrapped around her waist and pulled her close. Excitement danced in his eyes, as her breasts pressed against his broad chest. He leaned down to take possession of her lips. Her eyes closed and she uttered a contented sigh. Her surrender allowed him to caress her and she wanted his hands to touch her all over. Though it seemed like an eternity before they broke the kiss, it was over too soon.
He rubbed the back of his fingers over her cheek. He kissed down the column of her neck. His hand found her breast through the layers of clothing.
Her fingers moved over his chest and back. How had she become so lost in him?
“Annabelle,” he said before kissing her again. “Sweetheart, we have to stop.”
“I know,” she whimpered between kisses. “We have to stop.” She continued to kiss him.
Finally he broke the kiss. “I’m not sorry I kissed you.”
“I’m not sorry you did either.” She continued to lean against him. “I’d better go downstairs. I told Rufus I’d help him tend bar and I have to tell Lauren I’m closing the social club.”
“Why don’t you let Rufus do it?” He planted kisses along her jaw and ear. “She ain’t going to go willingly.”
“I told him to tell her, but I really think I should do it.” She stepped away from him and moved to the door. He followed, stepping out first so she could lock up. “I can’t have Rufus doing my dirty work while I sit back and rake in the money.” He stood on a lower step putting him eye-to-eye with her. Without thinking, she leaned forward and kissed him again. She wrapped her arms around his neck as he wrapped his around her waist. “Should we be standing here doing this?” she asked before her lips met his again.
“Probably not.” He kissed her once more before he carried her down the steps and escorted her back into the saloon.
“Rufus,” she said, “do I have time to go back to the sheriff’s place and change clothes before I start learning how to tend bar?”
***
Josh watched her hips sway as she walked over to the bar and felt himself harden all over again.
“Yes, ma’am.” Rufus eyed him with a smirk. “Take your time.”
Annabelle walked out the door. Instead of following, he turned to Rufus. “Do you have something you want to say? You’re grinning like the cat that caught the canary.”
“Never noticed ‘til now how pretty Miss Annabelle is.” He grabbed the rag and started to wipe the counter. “I expect you already know that. I bet she’s a screamer in bed.”
Josh grabbed Rufus’ shirt and pulled him onto the counter. “Rufus, I don’t think I heard you right. I thought I heard you insulting Miss Yeager and casting aspersions on her. Did I misunderstand you?” His clenched fist itched to wipe the smirk off his face.
“Why . . . yes-yes you did, Sheriff. Miss Annabelle is a lady.” The man squirmed as sweat broke out on his brow. “She’s a fine lady and I don’t know what got into me. You’re one fine gentleman, helping her out.”
“I thought I might’ve misunderstood you. When Miss Annabelle gets back, I expect you to treat her with kid gloves and protect her like your life depends on it, because it does.” He released Rufus who slid off the bar. “Do you understand me?”
“Yes, sir.” Rufus wiped his brow.
Josh didn’t want to care so much, but he did. In just a few days Annabelle had managed to get deep under his skin.
He exited the bar and headed to his room. The door was closed, so he knocked.
“One moment, please.” After two or three minutes she opened the door wearing a simple white blouse and dark skirt with her hair pulled up into a tight bun. He imagined pulling the pins out and letting it fall down her back. Damn, if she wasn’t more attractive than ever.
“I’ll have my things packed in a few minutes.” She flitted through the room stuffing clothes into a carpetbag.
It seemed so natural for her hairbrush and mirror to be on the dresser. The cool silver burned his hand when he picked them up. “Don’t forget these.”
She took them and scanned the room. “I believe that’s everything.”
Once the carpetbag was closed he grabbed it before she could pick it up. “I’ll carry it for you.”
She didn’t argue, but graced him with a smile. She reached up and kissed him. His lips tingled from the contact. For a moment he considered dropping the bag and forcing her back on the bed. She’d be willing, he was certain. He’d also be a first class rounder if he did that. So, with every ounce of his willpower he stopped himself. “Annabelle—”
Her finger on his lips hushed him. “Don’t say a thing.” She licked her lips. “I like kissing you.” With that she turned and walked out the door. The little minx had him wrapped around her finger and she knew it.
At the saloon, he left her with Rufus. “Remember, when you’re ready to go upstairs, send for me. I don’t want you in the alley alone.” She nodded and he took her bag upstairs. He didn’t feel right about her moving in here. He liked it better knowing she was in his bed at night, even if he wasn’t there.
***
Annabelle’s heart sank when he left. She’d come to town to marry one man and fallen in love with another. Did love happen that quickly? It wouldn’t do any good to moon about it all day.
“Rufus, could you go tell Miss Lauren I want to talk to her?”
“Don’t bother, Rufus. Miss Lauren is here.” Dressed in a robe and slippers, she slid to a table. “Bring me a drink.”
Rufus looked at Annabelle, undecided about what to do. She nodded her permission. He poured a whiskey and set it before Lauren. Annabelle took a seat at the same table.
Eyes pinned on Annabelle, Lauren gulped the drink down. “You don’t belong here,” she slurred.
“Doesn’t matter whether I belong here or not, I’m the new owner of the Chances Are. You, on the other hand, just work here and your services are no longer needed.” She sat straight and unflinching. “I’m converting the social club into a hotel and giving you three days to vacate the property.”
“You can’t do that. The Chances Are is nothing without me.” Daggers shot from the madam’s eyes while her knuckles went white around the glass. “We won’t leave.” She threw down the dare.
“Yes, you will. I own this place and if you don’t leave in three days’ time, then the sheriff will remove you.” Annabelle stood and turned away. Lauren leaped from the chair and tackled her. All those years wrestling with her brothers taught her how to pin the drunken whore to the floor. “Three days, Lauren. I suggest you all start packing. Now.”
***
Within three days, the ladies moved out of the social club, though Lauren complained loud and long to everyone. They left a mess for Annabelle to clean up. The following three days she thoroughly scrubbed the rooms. It didn’t matter how tired she was, they were gone and that had to count for something with the townsfolk.
Tiredness quickly claimed her. Every evening Josh came at seven and walked her to the stairs. Tonight, however, it was seven-thirty and he still hadn’t shown up. She decided not to wait any longer. Bone weary, she wanted to go to her room. Rufus was working behind the bar. All she had to do was go out the back door and climb the stairs. Surely she could make it on her own.
She slipped into the alley with the upstairs key in hand. There was no light in the back, but she didn’t see anyone as
she hurried to the steps. No sooner had her foot hit the second step when a hand clamped over her mouth and someone grabbed her around the waist. She kicked her feet back to beat on his legs and bit his fingers. Hard.
She tasted blood and the hand left her mouth. Her hands clawed at her attacker and he fell backward losing his grip. On the ground she rolled away from him and scrambled to her feet, screaming as loud as she could.
Rufus came running out the back door, shotgun in hand. When her attacker saw him with the gun he started running. Oddly, Rufus seemed dazed and confused. She tried to take the shotgun from him, but he held firm. He raised it straight up in the air and fired a shot as the man disappeared around the corner.
“You hurt, Miss Annabelle?” Rufus asked.
She brushed her dress off as Josh rounded the opposite corner, gun drawn.
“What’s going on?” He quickly surveyed the alley.
“Someone attacked Miss Annabelle. I was tending bar when I heard her yelling. I grabbed Old Jake here and run out. She was on the ground and a man was standing over her. He vamoosed when I let Old Jake go.”
Josh holstered his gun and placed his hands on Annabelle’s shoulders. “Are you hurt?”
“No, just frightened.” She trembled from head to toe.
Josh pulled her to him, wrapping her in his arms. She welcomed his embrace.
“I told you to wait for me before you left the saloon,” he admonished, then led her back inside. “Rufus, get her a brandy to settle her nerves.”
“Sure thing, Sheriff. I need one to settle my nerves after seeing him go after her like that.” He stopped in the doorway blocking their way. “Who would do something like this?”
“I don’t know, but I intend find out.” Josh’s jaw set in determination.
***
Josh helped her into her office. Annabelle sat shaking. Rufus brought in a bottle of brandy and a glass. Josh poured in a healthy amount. “Here, drink this.” His emotions were wound tighter than an alarm clock and he was ready to tear up stumps.
Squatting next to her, her blue eyes got to him. It would be a pleasure to watch those eyes open up every morning and stare at the world in wonder. It nagged at him that this was the second time he wasn’t there for Annabelle. He couldn’t lose her.
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