by Sara Orwig
Mary came out of her room. “What was that noise? Michael! Brian!” she screeched, and ran across the hall to Brian. “You hit him! Holy saints, you hit your brother!”
“Mary, believe me, if you knew why I hit him, you’d hit him yourself.”
She blinked and stared at Michael, remembering the nights Brian had vanished, the discovery that Dan had threatened them, and she clamped her mouth closed. “I hope if I ever have children, they’re all girls!”
He grinned. “You’ve always hoped that anyway.”
She turned with her chin in the air and hurried back to her room to slam the door. Brian groaned and Michael stood over him.
“You’re a bastard,” Brian muttered.
“If I am, you’re one too.” He reached down and pulled Brian to his feet.
“Damn, you’re strong. I think you broke my jaw.”
“You couldn’t talk if I had. I know you hit me in my broken ribs.”
“Serves you right.”
“Come on. Let’s get busy. I want to get the shed repaired.”
They walked out and Brian looked up at Michael. “So what are you going to do? Get a job here in Denver?”
“I’m thinking about what I want to do.” They went to work, their quarrel forgotten.
By the end of the day, Michael told Brian he had an errand to run and left with the wagon. He stopped at the lumberyard to get some boards they still needed for the shed and back fence. He bought ammunition, a new hat, and he got directions to the house Dan was currently building. He slowed in the yard beside the house and jumped down as men were leaving to go home for the day. He quickened his stride, wondering if he had come too late.
“Where’s Dan Castle?”
“Inside,” one said, and Michael hurried toward the house, his gaze going over it and realizing what a good carpenter Dan was. He walked through the open front door, studying the carpentry. He found Dan working in the kitchen, sanding a cabinet.
“Hello.”
Dan turned. “Oh. I heard someone and just thought it was one of my men.” He shook hands with Michael.
“Nice house.”
“Thanks.”
“Go ahead and work. I can talk while you work.”
Dan gave him a curious look and turned to sand again. Michael leaned back against the counter near him, watching him. “I’ve been thinking about what you said. You were right about Brian. I didn’t set a good example.
“And I’ve been thinking about your job offer. I appreciate it, but there’s too big a chance right now to make a real fortune to pass it up. I’m young and I want to look for gold and silver.”
“I’ve done it and had enough success to do what I want with the gold, so I can understand. But a lot of men aren’t lucky at it.”
“I want to take the chance now, not look back years later and wish I had, or I’ll always be chasing dreams like Pa. And first of all, I’ve got a score to settle with Sorghum.”
Dan wiped off his hands. “You can forget that.”
“You’re going to protect the man? Donner too. After what they tried with Mary? She told me what you did. You can’t stop me, so don’t try.”
“I can stop you,” Dan said dryly. “You can’t kill dead men.”
Michael stared at him, his eyes widening. “You killed them?”
“I didn’t say that, but I happen to know they’re no longer with us.”
“That’s why you sent Brian ahead with Mary and me in the wagon. You and the Kiowa—” He grinned. “I’ll be damned.” To Dan’s surprise, Michael grabbed his hand and shook it vigorously.
“Thanks, Dan. Lord, Sorghum was bad. Jethro and I were planning to pull out of there anyway. I’m going back to get Jethro. He’s a good man. Thanks.”
Dan shrugged. “I was just defending myself, and fortunately Ta-ne-haddle can trail people without getting caught.”
“That’s damned good. No loss to the world there. Brian doesn’t even know it.”
“Neither does Mary,” Dan added solemnly, “and that’s the way I want it. There’s no need to worry her.”
“Speaking of Mary, I want you to know, Brian and I both wish…Well…” He shuffled his feet and paused, his face flushing. “I’m not one to meddle in another man’s business, but that damned Silas hasn’t done my sister any favors by staying away all this time. And if it matters to you, she sure as hell is in love.”
Dan turned to stare at him, and Michael blushed, waving his hand. “She’d kill me for telling, but hell, she walked off the stairs and got hurt because her mind was elsewhere. She’s set the kitchen on fire, and she burns something nearly every day. And Mary is the best cook in the whole world. She’s touchy, and frankly, I can understand how you feel, but I don’t think she loves Silas one whit. I don’t think your actions will help your friend. She’ll never marry him now. And Brian and I, well, we understand why you respect your friendship for Silas, but we’ll sure as hell respect you if you ignore it.”
“Thank you, Michael,” Dan said solemnly, suspecting the speech had been as difficult for Michael as fighting the bear. “I appreciate knowing that. I don’t know what I’ll do. Silas saved my life. Bounty hunters were taking me in and they planned to kill me. We mined together, and you get to know a man well when you’re shut up in a cabin with him for over a year. We had scrapes and good times and he means a lot to me. I grew up the only child in my family, and in some ways Silas is the closest I’ve ever been to a man. He’s closer to me than Luke, who is a blood brother, because I’ve spent more time with him. It’s hard to go against that, and I know he’s a good man. And if he comes back, he’ll be the millionaire he said. He can give Mary more than I ever can.”
“Do you think my sister gives a damn about the money?”
“No. I know she doesn’t, but I can’t stop thinking about what he will do for her and how much she deserves it.”
“Well, it’s between you two. I’m not one to meddle, but you have our approval. And I’ll tell you, when I see him, I’m going to knock Silas into the Platte River from our front yard for what he’s done to her. No woman should be expected to wait and wait. I haven’t ever seen one before who would.”
He looked away to stare out the window, suddenly chuckling. “She’d knock me clean into the river if she knew what all I’ve told you. Damn, is she in love! She went to the store yesterday and only bought half the things she meant to get, and when she got home and unhitched the wagon, she let Blackie go. I found him roaming down Arapaho, chewing up flowers.”
He chuckled, but Dan couldn’t see any humor in what was happening to him or to Mary. He ached for her and he was sorry she was in such a daze, but so was he. “Someday you’ll understand, Michael,” he said gruffly, and Michael looked as if he were biting back a smile.
“Mind if I look around?”
“No. Go right ahead.”
While Dan worked, he heard Michael striding through the house. Finally he returned. “It’s nice. When I make my fortune, you can build a house for me.”
“Sure.”
“I hear you’ve been at the Front Street Saloon winning at poker the past few nights.”
“I’ve been lucky.”
“I might see you tonight.”
“Glad you came by, Michael.”
“I owe you for what you did.” They gazed at each other, and Dan realized he had won a friend in Michael O’Malley.
“I better get back. I promised Mary to bring home some things from the store.”
He left, and Dan went back to work, making an effort to concentrate and succeeding in losing himself in his work until the evening. He was engrossed in finishing the cabinets, and he continued working until late, finally going home after midnight and stretching out across the bed for a few minutes. The next thing he knew it was dawn and time to go back to work. He was famished, and all he could think about was Mary serving delicious hot breakfasts.
He washed, shaved, and dressed in a clean shirt and pants, and in half an
hour knocked on Mary’s kitchen door. His heart felt as if it stopped and restarted at a racing pace as Mary came into view. Her hair was back in braids and she wore a blue gingham he had seen often, but she took his breath away.
“Dan?”
“Mary, I’m starved and sick of my own cooking, and there’s no food at home.”
She laughed and motioned him inside. “Want to eat with the diners or in the kitchen while I work?”
“In the kitchen,” he said quickly, brushing her shoulder, unable to resist touching her.
Mary drew a deep breath as his fingers touched her shoulder and nape. He looked marvelous, and she was thankful he was there. She quickly fixed him a heaping plate of eggs and flapjacks, and she cleared a spot at the counter for him.
She was constantly busy and unable to stop for more than a minute or two at a time to talk to him, but he was happy to be near her as he devoured the plate of food. She gave him another plateful, and when he finally had to go, he caught her by the arm.
“Thanks. I think I’ll live now.”
She gazed up into his eyes. Her heart pounded when she saw the blatant longing there. “Dan, can’t we talk?”
He clamped his lips together and gazed beyond her. “It won’t change anything.”
“You’re just going to go on and let us both get hurt?”
“Mary, I have to do what’s right. Thanks.” He brushed her cheek with a kiss and left, striding away swiftly. She moved to the door to stare at him, aching and wishing he wouldn’t be so stubborn about holding to his principles. “Damn Silas Eustice,” she whispered. She went back to work, her mind only half on what she was doing in spite of repeated resolutions to give her full attention to running the boardinghouse. During the middle of the morning, she had come to a decision, and she penned a note, asking Faucheux to deliver it for her.
“Sacrebleu! Impossible! You want me to take this to Madame before lunch? The beans need—”
“I’ll cook. You take the message for me and bring me an answer.”
“Mademoiselle, I cannot take responsibility for my dinner if someone else touches the food!”
“I understand,” she said happily. “Au revoir, Faucheux.”
He threw up his hands and yanked off the apron, muttering to himself as he left. Mary watched him go, frightened a little at what she was doing, yet determined to make Dan realize that sometimes principle had to give way to other considerations. And she was frightened too of what Dulcie might think. Dan’s shirt had been hanging in her room, and Mary didn’t think it had gone untouched for months.
23
Dulcie stared at the note and swore under her breath. “Doesn’t she realize she can put her own reputation in jeopardy?”
“And my beans are being ruined! You cannot meddle in beans and expect a masterpiece!”
“Faucheux, only a man more interested in beans than women could cook like you do. Go back to your beans, and tell Miss O’Malley I said yes.”
“Oui, madame.”
He strode out the door while Dulcie stood frowning, mulling over Mary’s request. Finally she went to her room and began to gather her things, tugging on the bellpull for Arietta and telling her to have a carriage readied.
At a quarter to two, Mary stood on the back porch. She shelled peas, watching the lane. When she heard a horse, her hands became still. A carriage came around the corner of the house to the back and halted.
Dulcie climbed down, and Mary went forward to meet her. “Thank you for coming,” she said, blushing. “I didn’t know if you would want to.”
Dulcie faced her. “I know you’re the woman for Dan, whether he knows it or not. He won’t ever be mine, and I’m realistic enough to face that fact. And there are other men in the world.”
“Will you come inside?” Mary asked.
“I brought some things, if we’re going to do your hair. I need curling irons and some ribbons and things I thought you might not have.”
“My ma died when I was young, and I haven’t ever done anything fancy to my hair. I appreciate your coming,” she said, helping Dulcie with a bundle. Together they went to Mary’s room and closed the door.
“Do your brothers know I’m here?”
“No, ma’am, no one does.”
Dulcie laughed and placed her hands on her hips. “Miss O’Malley, don’t call me ‘ma’am.’ It’s ‘Dulcie.’ ”
“And you call me ‘Mary,’ ” she said unpinning her hair. “I want to look as pretty as I can.”
“You have water ready?”
“Yes. I heated enough to fill a tub.”
“Good, just get in, and we’ll go to work.”
Three hours later, Dulcie stood back to survey her handiwork. Mary’s hair was cut short in front, with curls around her forehead and temples. The rest fell in a shimmering cascade that curled softly and naturally. When Dulcie tried to get Mary to allow her to paint her face, Mary refused politely, until Dulcie finally gave up and packed her things.
“I’ll leave these curling irons. I have plenty of them.”
“Dulcie, please let me pay you.”
“No. I did it because I wanted to. I know how stubborn Dan can be, but I know he needs a good woman.”
“I’m afraid he’ll leave Denver or—” Mary bit off her words, but Dulcie knew full well what she was thinking. He would find another woman. He was not one to go long without one. “Thank you for coming. If I can do anything for you, I’ll be glad to.”
Dulcie laughed. “Honey, you have enough problems right now. Good-bye, Mary, and good luck.”
“Good-bye.” Mary followed her to the carriage and waved as Dulcie left.
She went inside to the kitchen. To her amazement, Faucheux turned to stare at her.
“Mam’selle, la, la! How beautiful you look!”
“Thank you, Faucheux. I won’t be here to help today.”
“Do not concern yourself. I will run the kitchen!”
“Thank you, Faucheux,” she said, leaving the work to him and going out to hitch the wagon. As soon as she finished, she hurried to her room, her heart beating faster as she thought about what she was going to do. She had heard that Dan was playing poker at nights in a saloon, and she was afraid she would miss him and have to wait until the early hours of morning before he returned home, so she moved quickly. She changed clothes, pulling on a dress she had made and had worn only once so far. It was pale green muslin trimmed with tiny silk rosebuds and dark green silk ribbons. Her fingers shook with nervousness, and she prayed that Michael and Brian left home and didn’t come in until late.
Finally she slipped out to get the wagon. She climbed up and moved out of the yard in the dark of night, her pulse pounding.
A dozen blocks away, Dan walked around his bedroom. He had washed and was dressing in plain denim pants and a cotton shirt to go play poker. He hadn’t seen Mary for days now, but time couldn’t erase her from his thoughts. He was relieved to have had the talk with Michael. He would have been happy to hire Michael, because he could use his help.
He heard a knock at the back door and frowned, moving through his house to open it. Mary stood in front of him, her hair softly framing her face, falling in a shimmering cascade. She looked more beautiful than ever.
His heart seemed to slam against his ribs as he stared at her as if she were an apparition.
“May I see you, Dan?”
He glanced beyond her at the wagon behind his house, the horse hitched to a post. “Come inside.”
She entered and looked at him in uncertainty. He motioned her toward the parlor, and lit the lamps while she sat on the settee. She looked embarrassed, frightened, and uncertain as he moved around the room. Her cheeks were pink, and as he looked at her, he realized there was something different about her. She looked prettier than ever, and all he really wanted to do was kiss her.
“I’d like to talk to you,” she said quietly, and suddenly his heart felt torn in two. He knew how shy she was where men were concerned, and
how difficult it must have been for her to come to his house. If it were anyone else, her reputation would have been at risk, but Dan suspected everyone in town accepted Mary as being so prim and proper that a breath of scandal couldn’t touch her.
He walked over to pull her to her feet. Her hands were like ice in his, and he looked down at her, feeling touched, fighting all the natural urges he felt. “You shouldn’t be here,” he said gently. “Michael would give me hell.”
“Michael doesn’t know. Now I want to talk to you,” she said solemnly, and his hurt deepened. She sounded as if she had rehearsed for this moment.
“Mary, I appreciate your coming to talk, but we’ve talked,” he explained gently.
“You’ve broken your engagement to Louisa Shumacher, so I take it you care for me,” she said, as if he hadn’t said a word to her.
He groaned. “You know it’s more than care, but, Mary, this isn’t right. I’m going to take you home.”
“No, you’re going to listen to me. I’m entitled to that from you.”
“Honey, don’t you know what this is doing to me? I’m trying to exercise some control, Mary. I’m trying to keep promises. If we get into another discussion—hell, if you stand here alone with me another ten minutes…You have to go home, honey.”
“I’m not going until you tell me something. Do you love me?”
He drew a deep breath and felt as if he were drawing a knife into his lungs. “You know I love you!”
“You haven’t ever told me.” That was the one thing that had made her uncertain. She had to hear him say what he felt. She had to know without a doubt that it was only Silas holding him back. “Dan, for just a minute, forget Silas. I’m not a beautiful woman like Louisa or Dulcie—”
“Oh, damn,” he said, and sounded so pained that she was shocked. He moved back a step and clenched his fists. His voice was a rasp. “You’re the most beautiful woman I know. Absolutely, Mary. And you look more beautiful tonight than ever.”
“Thank you,” she said, suddenly swamped with uncertainty. She hadn’t expected the reaction she got, and it shook her momentarily and deterred her from her plans. She took a deep breath.