“Easy, Rex,” Solace murmured. “Don’t go causing a ruckus in this crowd. I see that fellow, too, and he’s just looking us over. Just thinks you’re pretty special, to be coming to a show like this.”
“Your dog Rex is a good judge of character.” The man leaned against the thick log pole, still watching her intently from beneath his hat brim. “I wouldn’t trust me, either—except you know damn well I’d never lay a hand on you, little sister.”
Solace’s heart lurched. “Joel?” she breathed. “Joel, I—my Lord, how long’s it been since—?”
She broke away from the last stragglers leaving the tent. Rex still bristled in her arms, but when her vagabond brother pushed back his hat and grinned, the dog woofed in recognition.
“Saw you coming into the fairgrounds,” he said as he hugged her. “Figured you’d come to see the show sooner or later—”
“Not that I couldn’t out-shoot and out-ride anybody who performed here!” she cut in with a laugh. She gazed into his chiseled face, so like Papa’s yet tougher. Harder. “You really should come home to see Mama and—”
“Yeah, well, they keep me pretty busy here.”
Though Solace didn’t fully understand Joel Malloy’s aversion to Mercy and his father, she kept her questions to herself. This was the kid who’d slipped away to the cave with her, to help her with target practice when she was only seven, even though they knew such sneaking around with guns was wrong.
“I actually miss you, you know that?” she teased. “Now that Lily and Grace have graduated from Aunt Agatha’s academy, it gets slow at home. I spent the last couple weeks at Billy’s—he gave me a matched pair of bays that’ll whip anything Apache Pete has here! You should see us! I ride them standing up—and Rex rides along—”
“You should be telling this to Pete, not me,” Joel teased. His voice had grown lower, manly in a gruff way. “I already know you could whip Cora. Haven’t seen her hit all her targets yet during a show.”
Solace’s eyebrows went up. “So why’s Apache Pete keep her on? He could surely find a better sharpshooter—”
Joel’s expression eased into a foxlike grin. “They’re lovers.”
Her mouth fell open. Leave it to Joel to tease her with his worldly ways.
After a moment, however, Solace put some pieces into place. “If you saw me coming to the fairgrounds…it was you who sicced that Gypsy fortune-teller on me, wasn’t it? That’s how she knew I had an unusual name—and was born in a blizzard and—”
Her brother laughed so hard his whole body shook, but he kept an arm slung around her shoulders, as if he’d missed her companionship as much as she’d missed his. Joel Malloy looked rugged and rough-cut on the outside, yet she still saw a skittish desperation in his eyes…a defensive bravado he never dropped, even when it was just the two of them.
“Faustina had you going, did she? Gave you the low down on your destiny?” he asked in a voice that bubbled with laughter. “If you went back to her now, you could tell her fortune…like maybe, if she plays her cards right, a tall, good-lookin’ cowboy’ll be waiting at her wagon later tonight.”
When her jaw dropped again, Joel kept chuckling…as though he knew a world of things she’d never have the occasion to learn. “I’ll just head on home, thanks,” she replied. “Gabe Getty’s interviewed for a judge’s position on the Dickinson County.”
“Got your eye on Gabe? Thought he was married.”
Solace glanced around, and saw that they were alone in the tent now. She set Rex on the ground, considering how much to reveal. Knowing Joel, he’d tease her mercilessly if he suspected her romantic notions.
“Long story,” she hedged. “His wife died—they lived in St. Louis, you know. When he went to visit Billy’s family, I was already there working my horses.”
Joel’s squint said he was reading way too much between her lines. “Never pictured you with a bookish type like him. Opposites attract, huh?”
How was she supposed to answer that? If she denied her interest in Gabe, Joel would only tease her more. “Guess we’ll find out, won’t we?” she challenged, looking him straight in the eye. “Shall I tell the folks I saw you? Or do you plan to keep darting in and out of our lives like a dragonfly?”
His jaw hardened. “Look, you know how Pa gets—and you know how I don’t cotton to having Bible stories shoved down my throat! Tell them whatever you want, but don’t hold your breath about me stopping by the house. It hasn’t been home for a long, long time, Solace.”
She nodded sadly. Ever since Joel had run away at ten, after learning that his actual mother was a prostitute, he’d had a big chip on his shoulder—and a wagonload of resentment for the man who called him son. It was sad, but it was just plain fact that Joel Malloy would probably never know a home: he never stayed in one place long enough to make any attachments. Didn’t put down any roots.
“Well—it’s been good seeing you,” she said as she hugged him again. “I’ll probably come to another show before you close down here.”
“Got another week before we move on to Enterprise,” he replied with a nod. Then he gave her a cryptic grin. “I wasn’t just whistling Dixie when I said you ought to sign on. You’d outshine Crack-Shot Cora with one hand tied behind your back.” He paused then, angling his hat back over his eyes. “I double-dog dare you to show Apache Pete what you can do, little sister.”
Electricity raced up her spine. Never had she let a dare go unanswered! Yet Joel was suggesting something far riskier than shooting squirrels or sneaking their papa’s pistols out of the case for target practice down by the river.
“Then there’d be two black sheep in the family,” she finally replied. “You know Mama’d have a fit if I—”
“Got to be your own woman, Solace. Nobody else can live your life for you—and you’re certainly old enough to call your own shots now.”
She had a quick vision of herself circling this very ring, balancing atop Lincoln and Lee while the crowd cheered her on. She felt that rush of excitement and the steady thrum of the horses’ muscles beneath her feet….
Solace sighed and came back to reality. “It’s true enough that nobody’s ever been able to tell me what to do,” she said with a tight smile. “But I’ve never had your bravado, Joel—and things are different if you’re a girl. I’ll tell the folks you said hello.”
She exited the big tent then, with Rex at her heels. She wasn’t upset by Joel’s insinuations, exactly…more peeved with herself, for denying herself the exciting life he’d dared her to audition for. After all, if she was really to put her skills to work, she’d have to approach a man like Apache Pete someday. Otherwise, she’d be riding around the corral at home forever, imagining how the crowd applauded and adored her and her amazing dog….
But right now, she was hungry for a good supper and she wanted to see how Gabe had fared in town. Her time at the Wild West Extravaganza had settled her temper enough that she could ignore Lily’s attempts to steal him away from her. Because yes, she was her own woman—and she had spoken for Gabe Getty first!
Chapter Seventeen
Gabe stepped off the sidewalk and into the sunny street wearing the biggest grin he could ever remember. Just like that, he was Judge Gabriel Getty!
Michael Malloy must have said some astounding things about him because the committee had hung on his every word—as though they’d decided to hire him before he even walked in. Most of the men remembered him from when he was a kid coming into town with his uncle, George Clark. To a man, they admired his credentials. Through yet another minor miracle, Arthur Bancroft had telegraphed them a sterling reference, as had Miss Agatha Vanderbilt.
“We had a case in progress when Judge Ratcliff passed on, and public sentiment’s running high to have it resolved,” the mayor informed him. “Since Judge Prescott has a…family connection, you’ll understand our need for a level headed, progressive, and unbiased man on the bench for Prescott versus Prescott. Can you start tomorrow?”
Curiosity got the best of him. “What sort of a case is it?” he asked, noting the committee members’ taut expressions.
“A building on Texas Street has been reopened as a sporting establishment, after the Missionary Society believed they had purchased it,” the mayor replied. “Hannibal Prescott has a…former wife in both camps.”
So Gabe had been sworn in, and he’d come out with a thick sheaf of notes from the court’s reporter. He had a new career and a case to hear, and had been treated to dinner, all within twenty hours of arriving in Abilene. Tomorrow he was to set a date for the trial to reconvene.
He was ready to rush back to the Triple M, but the telegraph office beckoned him. Quickly he sent off his appreciation to Miss Vanderbilt, and then a note of thanks to Arthur Bancroft, as well. It pleased him that his former partner and father-in-law had bestowed a blessing on his new life—probably ignoring his wife’s strident objections.
Gabe stopped by the bank, too, to open himself an account, and then to cash a check on behalf of Sol Juddson. The bank teller, a wiry fellow with a prominent Adam’s apple, already knew he’d been appointed as the new judge. “Nice doin’ business with you, sir!” he’d chirped as he passed the money from his window.
Sir! Now if that didn’t make him feel old!
But he needed to assume an air of wisdom and maturity, didn’t he? Gone was Gabe Getty the junior partner and son-in-law. All who entered his courtroom would address him as “Your Honor” now, even though he wasn’t yet thirty. His eyeglasses had always given him a scholarly look, but maybe Solace’s suggestion about a beard wasn’t such a bad idea….
As he rode back to the ranch, he wondered how to deal fairly with the two young women who were vying for his affections—that situation seemed even more complicated than hearing testimony from a madam and a missionary. He wasn’t sure he should embark on any romantic relationship so soon. Too many questions had been left unanswered about his wife…too many emotions were still left untended.
He unsaddled Michael’s Morgan in the barn and led it to a stall with fresh straw and oats…savored the scent of the horse’s feed as he admired its sleek lines and conformation. Two stalls over, Solace’s fine bay—was this Lincoln or Lee?—whickered, as though demanding where his mistress had gone.
Odd that Solace was out on her other gelding without putting this one into the corral to await his training session. He looked outside for Rex, and the dog’s absence made his gut tighten. Did she usually take off with him? Or did his absence signal something more drastic than a jaunt around the pasture?
What do you know about her riding habits, really? Trying to guess what she might be doing is like…
Why was her trunk in the back stall, along with her bedding? What could she possibly have done, that she’d been banished to the barn? Gabe picked up his satchel and walked slowly toward the house, not sure what he might find when he stepped inside.
Or was he overreacting? During his marriage any problem meant Letitia would be buried under her bedclothes with Henrietta clucking over her. This family was woven of different fabric—and the sight of Temple Gates and Mercy standing at the pie safe, rolling out dough and fitting it into pans, made him smile in the doorway. All was calm. All was bright. There was a logical explanation for what he’d seen in the barn, and no one here would get hysterical over it.
Mercy’s brown eyes lit up. “How was your day, Gabe? We’ve been wondering if those men grilled you, or—”
“I was a shoo-in, thanks to Michael. I start tomorrow—but why are Solace’s things out in the barn?”
The women looked at each other, one face the color of coffee and one the color of cream. Both smiled knowingly. Temple patted a top crust over the apple filling that teased his senses with its cinnamon sweetness.
“Mister Michael separated the two girls until they could quit their bickering. Miss Lily called dibs on the bedroom.”
That fit with what he knew about them. Lily would no more sleep in the barn than she would’ve saddled up and ridden away—which Solace had done to settle her temper, no doubt.
“I don’t suppose you saw her in town?” Mercy asked. “She rode off in a huff without telling anyone where she was headed. Not that she can’t take care of herself.”
Gabe smiled at this valiant effort not to be concerned over her daughter’s whereabouts. Henrietta Bancroft would have been wheezing as she reached for her camphor vial. “No, but I bet she went to the Wild West show. It was setting up at the fairgrounds as we came in on the train.”
“Miss Solace would go there,” Temple agreed with a chuckle. “I’ve never known her to miss a meal, so I’m thinking she’ll be home shortly. She’ll be wanting to know your news, of course, Mister Gabe. Or should I say, Judge Getty?”
“Doesn’t that sound grand? Congratulations!” Mercy clapped the flour from her hands so she could hug him. “I’m just sorry your aunt and uncle and Emma aren’t here to see what you’ve accomplished, Gabe. You were always a puzzle to them, being such a bookish boy, but I figured you’d leave the prairie and make something of yourself. Good for you!”
Once again his heart did that funny little dance because someone had sincerely praised him. So seldom he’d heard that, except from this woman and Agatha Vanderbilt.
And Solace. She was a nurturer—an encourager—by nature, too. He couldn’t wait to see her grin. It had been a special moment when she’d shared her writing success with him, and he wanted to share this with her.
He blushed when Mercy bussed his cheek. “I’m going upstairs to change out of this suit. After dinner, I have a lot of reading to do. I need to catch up on a controversial case that was left open at Judge Ratcliff’s death.”
“We’ll feed you a good meal, then, Mister Gabe. Fortify you for the new opportunities coming your way!” Temple’s melodic voice followed him from the kitchen through the dining room, where the table was set with the good china. What a joy it was to be back among these people, who celebrated everyone’s successes!
Gabe started up the stairway with a feeling of deep satisfaction…a sense that his life was turning itself around to head—no, to soar!—in a fresh direction. Once he got this Prescott case underway, he’d look for an apartment in town. He wanted to be his own man before…
He stopped on the landing. Lily Malloy sat on the top stair above him, with her pale pink skirts wrapped around her ankles. Her eyes were closed and her face raised toward the beam of sunshine pouring through the skylight. With her blonde hair aglow in this heavenly radiance and her serene expression, she looked like an angel come down for a visitation. She sat motionless, apparently unaware of him. Deep in prayer, perhaps.
He hated to interrupt her meditative state, so he started downstairs.
“No, Gabriel. Wait,” she murmured. Her eyes remained closed as her lovely smile lit up the entire stairwell. “I wanted to tell you that I’m not chasing after you like Solace thinks. I understand how lost you feel—how you need time to establish your new life. I came home because God told me to.”
He didn’t dare argue with that…but what could he say? Lily had always radiated an aura of grace and truth, yet this conversation was headed down a road he’d rather not take.
“And…what else has God told you about this situation?” he asked quietly. It couldn’t hurt to hear what one of His emissaries said on that subject, could it? He greatly respected Lily’s connection to the angelic realm.
She opened her eyes, to fix him in her crystal gaze. “The angels and God assure me that my feelings for you are right and holy. The dreams I have—the inner visions—show you and me together, Gabriel. I’ve come to clarify the confusion you felt in your marriage to Letitia…to release you from the guilt written in the premature lines on your beautiful face.”
Gabe shifted. “What about your calling to assist Miss Vanderbilt? Your unique spirituality leads her girls along the higher way, so I assumed you would—”
“Don’t you see?” Her face g
lowed with a flirtatious yet girlish innocence. “I was at the academy, doing God’s will, and He directed you there, as well. When the time was right.”
“Lily, I—” He sucked in a long breath. “You have my best interests at—you’ve always been patient and kind and—but I have to tell you—”
“You don’t have to say a word, Gabriel.” Lily stood up slowly, smoothing her pretty pink dress. She looked as fresh as a spring flower, basking in the light. So fragile and angelic it tore at Gabe’s heart.
“Let me hold you. There’s a power in the laying on of hands,” she continued tranquilly. “God has blessed me with the ability to heal you. To balance your mind and body and spirit. Please—” She opened her arms, beckoning from the top of the stairway.
Gabe inhaled again to quiet the riot in his heart. It was wonderful to have a beautiful young woman blessing him as a direct order from God, but he still felt uneasy.
“Please, Gabe,” she implored, gazing down with a beneficent smile. “I’m not trying to control you, or to steer you in a direction you don’t want to go. That would be contrary to God’s wishes.”
How long since he’d been invited to share affection? With the sunlight making a halo around her golden hair, and her lips parted in a lovely smile, Lily looked so much like his wife when they’d first met…when Letitia was happy and playful and sweet. How he longed to erase his painful memories of these past months…to retain his mental portrait of Letitia before her fall into perdition, flask in hand.
He took one step, and then another. Lily encouraged him with a saintly silence, inviting him to lay aside his burdens, like a baptismal immersion, to signify his freedom from the past.
When he stopped just beneath her, Lily slipped her arms around his shoulders and rested her head against his. They exhaled together, standing in this suspended state with the soft light enveloping them.
Gabe felt awkward about not embracing her, yet he sensed a stirring within Lily as she lifted her face to study him. So flawless she looked, so lovely as her lips parted…. He had to state his case quickly, before she got ahead of his intentions. She’d revealed her mission and purpose—restoring his soul after he’d walked through the valley of the shadow—so he couldn’t, in all fairness, let her believe he felt the same way right now.
Gabriel's Lady (Leisure Historical Romance) Page 15