Love Finds You in Golden, New Mexico

by Lena Nelson Dooley

  Chapter Eleven

  Golden, New Mexico

  The sun was sinking low on the horizon when the wagon topped a small rise. The outline of buildings smudged the distance, almost indistinguishable from the shadows of the low mountains. Maddy squinted to make sure she wasn’t imagining them. Could they be a mirage? She’d read about them in a desert, and this was definitely a desert.

  “That’s Golden up ahead.” Mr. Dennison’s voice, gravelly from not being used, startled her.

  He hadn’t spoken a word since asking her name, except to offer them drinks from a large water jug. And he didn’t have a cup. They all drank from the unwieldy container. At first she wiped the top with her handkerchief before she took a sip. Later, because of the heat, she turned it up and gulped the refreshing liquid, glad to have something to rinse the dust out of her throat.

  She knew many men didn’t talk much, but riding silently for hours while sitting so close to others was the height of rudeness. Try as she might to prevent it, during the long journey, their hips and arms often brushed. Every muscle in her body ached from all the jostling and from trying to hold herself erect.

  Somewhere along the line, while they were working out transportation, the idea of going to a hotel to eat had fallen by the wayside.

  Her stomach screamed for attention, but the clip-clops from the horses’ hooves and the creaking timbers of the wagon drowned out the unladylike noise. Nothing could help the hunger pangs that accompanied the rumbles. She hoped Golden would have a nice restaurant. Is that too much to ask?

  “I spotted the town up ahead.” She clipped her words as he had his. She didn’t think he would even realize her lapse of good manners.

  He stared down at her. She didn’t glance up, but she felt the weight of his gaze burning into her, adding to her other aches and pains. Her body had never been so mistreated. She wondered how long it would take her to recover once they arrived in town.

  “It’ll still take almost an hour to get there. You can see a fur piece out here.”

  Once more his shoulder bumped hers, leaving an indelible impression. A fur piece? Surely he wasn’t talking about an outer garment. Fur?…Far? He meant we can see a far distance. What quaint wording. She hoped everyone in Golden didn’t talk in some kind of code that was hard to understand. If that were true, a civilized conversation would take an eternity.

  Before they’d gone far, a muffled thumping off in the distance caught her attention. She gazed all around, trying to find the source of the noise, which grew louder the farther they traveled. “What’s that sound?”

  Without taking his gaze from the road ahead, Mr. Dennison answered, “The stamping machines. They break up the ore before the gold is refined.”

  Maddy hoped the sound wouldn’t get much louder but feared it would. She leaned forward, stretching her back. With nothing to lean against, her muscles agonized. “Mr…uh, Dennison, does Golden have a hotel where we can spend the night?”

  Like twine that had been cut from a package, his muscles uncoiled at her question, pulling him farther away from her. “Yes. Actually, the preacher and his wife run the hotel.”

  What a relief. Not only was Mr. Smith a Christian, but a minister and his wife also lived in Golden. She felt a lot safer at that thought.

  “And will we be able to get something to eat at the hotel, or is there a restaurant close by?” She moved her parasol to the other shoulder, imagining a large plate of delicious food.

  Her stomach let out the loudest growl so far. Surely everyone in the wagon could hear it. She cut her eyes up toward their driver. His full lips tilted at the ends for just a moment before they flattened back into a thin line.

  “Miss Mercer.” His Adam’s apple bobbed as if the words caught in his throat. “I’m very sorry we got distracted, and you and your friends didn’t eat. How long has it been?” He stared straight ahead at the town that now was taking shape.

  She didn’t want the man to feel bad, because they had caused him a lot of trouble. Maddy knew he hadn’t wanted to offer them a ride. The station master had practically forced him into it. At the time, she’d considered him a boor, but she hadn’t realized what an imposition it would be. The ride had been long and hard, and he would have to make it again tomorrow to pick up his supplies.

  “We did eat a little in Santa Fe, but I spent most of our time there purchasing clothing more suitable to this climate. I suppose I’m to blame that we’re so hungry.” She peeked at him out of the corner of her eye.

  He had an actual smile on his face. “I shouldn’t have been in such a bad mood that I didn’t pay attention to your needs.” The words didn’t sound as grudging as his earlier ones had been. “About a restaurant—the best place to eat in Golden is the hotel. Miz Oldman’s a really good cook.”

  “And is that the only place to eat?” She was genuinely interested in finding out all she could about her new home, no matter how short or long their stay.

  “There are other places, but I don’t think a lady’d want to eat there.” The tan in his cheeks deepened with a reddish tinge.

  Was he blushing? Interesting. So why wouldn’t a lady…?

  She didn’t need to finish her question. Undoubtedly, he was talking about saloons. She’d heard that some of them served food along with their other…enticements. She stared straight ahead, feeling more heat in her own cheeks.

  Sarah leaned forward, around Maddy, and looked at Mr. Den-nison. “Can you tell us about the town?”

  “Well, gold was discovered near Golden back in 1825, years before it was found in Colorado or California. It was actually the first gold rush west of the Mississippi River.” He continued to stare off into the distance.

  Finally, the man was opening up to them. Maddy had a few questions of her own. “That’s interesting. So how many mines are there?”

  His face hardened as if made from one of the huge rocks scattered across the hills. “I haven’t counted them.” He paused. “Our town has a post office, several businesses—including a stock exchange—and a school.”

  The last words sounded like bullets they were so hard, each delivered with a slam. What was his problem? Didn’t the man know how to be kind for more than a few minutes?

  Just as Jeremiah thought. This woman was a gold digger sure as shootin’. She’d really perked up when he mentioned the mines. A lump as big and hard as a boulder lodged in his stomach. He didn’t like the direction his thoughts wandered. Why hadn’t he kept his wits about him in Los Cerrillos? If he had, Miss Mercer of the Boston Mercers wouldn’t be sitting beside him on the wagon seat. Several times, the worrisome woman had almost hit him with that lacy sunshade contraption she used. The softness of her arm and leg branded his own, and some flowery fragrance floated on the slight breeze, even though they’d been riding through the desert for hours. So like a long-forgotten scent, it raised memories of his mother’s garden. An ache settled near his heart for what he lost when his mother died with him just a little sprout. What was he going to do with Miss Mercer now? How could he keep her from meeting Philip?

  Before they reached the outskirts of Golden, Pearl’s wail split the air. No wonder. The pounding had intensified. Maddy could feel it pulsing through her body. Pearl probably could too.

  Maddy had changed her and mixed up a bottle each time they stopped, and the baby had slept most of the way, rocked by the wagon’s swaying. Maddy knew she’d be sorry later. No matter how tired she felt, she wouldn’t get much sleep. With Pearl staying awake longer each day, all these naps would disrupt her slumber tonight. Maddy would have to try to keep her quiet, so the other guests at the hotel wouldn’t be bothered.

  Suddenly the loud noise stopped. Relief washed through her like a refreshing stream. At least they wouldn’t have to contend with that through the night.

  She furled her parasol and handed it to Frank before he lifted Pearl toward her. It hadn’t been too long since they stopped the last time, and the baby didn’t need changing. Maddy cuddled her
close and cooed to her. Pearl’s eyes opened wide and stared straight at her—soft, blue, beautiful. Her little fists circled in the warm air and her mouth puckered, but not to cry again. For the first time, a tiny mew gurgled out. Her first coo.

  The sound arrowed straight to Maddy’s heart, almost bursting it. This child was so precious—and so loved.

  The wagon turned down the main street of Golden, but Maddy wouldn’t have called it a street. More like a country road until they reached a section of uneven cobblestones that jarred the wagon just as much as the rutted, rocky road they had traveled from the train station.

  They drove in front of several saloons and other disreputable-looking businesses. Maddy didn’t want to think about what they might be. Loud music played on an out-of-tune piano accompanied an off-key voice. She couldn’t tell which establishment the noise came from. Just as they reached one of the saloons, the swinging doors burst open, and two men fell through, tumbled onto the cobblestones, and continued to punch each other over and over.

  The doors fanned a couple of times before a crowd surged through them. Drunken men in ragged clothing, cowboys with gun belts slung low on their hips, and scantily clad women with painted faces shouted obscenities as they urged the men to continue their battle. Maddy had never seen or heard anything like it. She wished for her parasol to hide the spectacle from her eyes and to protect Pearl.

  Their driver merely kept driving as if nothing were amiss. Maybe things like this went on all the time in Golden. What have I gotten us into?

  Finally, Mr. Dennison stopped the wagon in front of the hotel quite a ways farther up the street. They sat in front of a two-story structure built of lumber. Maddy wondered where they got all the wood. One thing missing from the landscape here was trees tall enough to make boards. They must have shipped it in. For a moment, she wondered if the supplies their driver was picking up included lumber. That would be some coincidence, wouldn’t it?

  Frank jumped down from the back of the wagon and came to the side where Sarah sat. He lifted his arms and helped his wife step down. Then he held out his hands for Pearl.

  Maddy hated to give her up so soon. She had missed holding her daughter on the long trip from Los Cerrillos, but the baby had been safer in the back with Frank keeping her out of the blazing sun.

  When all the passengers alighted from the wagon, Mr. Dennison jumped to the street. “I’ll start carrying your luggage into the lobby while you go check in.”

  Frank shook his head. “I’ll help you. Miss Madeline and Sarah can take care of the business.”

  Maddy stepped up on the boardwalk and strode through the open doorway into the small lobby of the hotel. A pleasant room. Two upholstered chairs—separated by a small round table that held a decorated oil lamp—sat by one wall. Sconces held lighted candles, giving the room a warm glow in the descending twilight. A gentle breeze ruffled the café-style curtains framing the windows.

  “Welcome to the Golden Hotel.” A thin woman with dark hair piled haphazardly on the top of her head and a wide smile stood behind a polished wooden counter near the staircase that twisted out of sight.

  Maddy glided toward her, relieved at such a welcome. What a contrast to the way Mr. Dennison had treated them.

  “We’d like two adjoining rooms, if you have them.” She hoisted Pearl higher on her shoulder and patted her back absently.

  The woman pulled out a large ledger, laying it on top of the counter. Using her forefinger to follow the columns, she studied the entries before looking up. “We have two nice rooms away from the street. That way your baby won’t be disturbed if there’s any racket tonight. I’m afraid when the machines start up in the morning, they’ll wake her.”

  “I’m sure they will.” Maddy pressed a kiss against Pearl’s hair. “Will there be people in the rooms beside ours?”

  “Not unless someone else comes to town later tonight.” The woman extended her hand across the counter. “I’m Caroline Oldman.”

  Maddy took her hand for a moment. “And I’m Madeline Mercer.” She turned toward her housekeeper. “And this is Sarah Sneed. She and her husband Frank are traveling with us.”

  “We’re glad to have you visit our town.” Caroline held out her hand, and Sarah shook it.

  Maddy glanced at Sarah, hoping it would be just a visit…or maybe not. From Sarah’s raised eyebrow, she knew her old friend wondered the same thing.

  “So how long will you be staying?”

  The question shouldn’t have surprised her, but what answer could she give? “We’re not sure.”

  Mr. Dennison came through the door with one of Maddy’s trunks on his shoulder as if it weighed almost nothing, but she knew better. “Caroline, you got a room I can rent tonight?”

  Caroline’s eyes widened and her lips parted slightly. “Won’t you be staying with Philip? Since he built on those two rooms…”

  Maddy knew why the woman stopped talking. The man’s face resembled a thundercloud about to drop a storm. At this point, she would welcome rain to cool this hot, dry air.

  “I’d rather not bother him tonight.”

  Caroline eyed the man as if he had two heads. Why was it strange for him not to stay with this Philip?

  Philip? Of course the name sounded familiar. That was Mr. Smith’s name, wasn’t it?

  “Would that be Mr. Philip Smith?” Maddy’s heart pulsed in her throat. Would she be able to meet him so soon?

  All eyes trained on her, even Frank’s, as he carried another trunk through the door.

  Caroline beamed at her. “Do you know Philip Smith?”

  “I haven’t met him, but he invited us to come meet him.” She didn’t know how much information would be too much. She didn’t want to start any gossip that would be detrimental to Mr. Smith or to them.

  “That’s nice.” Caroline’s cheerful tone encouraged Maddy. “We didn’t know he had friends coming. That’s probably why he built on the extra rooms. Do you want to go on up there tonight instead?”

  Mr. Dennison dropped the trunk with a loud thump and glared at Maddy.

  She ignored his rudeness. “Actually, we want to take those two hotel rooms. I’d rather have a chance to clean up and be rested before we meet him.”

  Mr. Dennison clomped out the door and climbed up in the wagon seat. He drove off a different direction from the way they’d entered town, and he didn’t look back. His stiff posture reinforced his displeasure.

  “What’s put a burr under his saddle?” Caroline stared after the man. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen him this mad.”

  What did he have to be angry about? He’d been unsociable during the whole trip. Just the mention of Mr. Smith set him off like fireworks on the Fourth of July. Well, he didn’t actually explode, but his anger had pulsated through the room before he huffed out. Maddy had planned to express thanks and offer him payment for his trouble, but she would be glad if she’d seen the last of Mr. Dennison. Him and his bad moods.

  Chapter Twelve

  At dawn, loud thumping and pulsing awoke Maddy. She glanced down beside the high bed at the drawer from a wooden chest-of-drawers where Pearl lay nestled on a pillow. Rolled-up blankets cradled her. The beautiful, tiny face wrinkled, and a wail erupted.

  Maddy picked her up and cuddled Pearl against her shoulder, amazed the baby had slept through the night without waking. That had never happened before. The train ride and the drive to Golden must have taken their toll.

  “Sweet Pearl.” Maddy grabbed one of the blankets and laid it on the bed, using one hand to fold it into fourths. She placed the infant in the middle of the pad and searched the luggage for clean clothes and a fresh diaper, talking as she went. “You must have been very tired, and I’m sure you’re hungry. Just let Mother get you cleaned up, then I’ll have a bottle for you.”

  For a moment, Maddy paused. She’d never called herself Mother when she talked to Pearl, but it felt so natural. And since Loraine extracted that promise from her, she was the only mother Pearl had.
She really should start calling herself that, so Pearl would associate the name with her.

  Maddy wished she had some warm water, but she’d just have to clean Pearl with the tepid water in the pitcher and bowl. Although the baby gave a little flinch when Maddy put the moistened washcloth on her tummy, she didn’t cry out. Pearl must enjoy being clean because she always settled down and smiled after her bath. Maddy had heard other women say that a baby doesn’t smile this young, but she knew her own child. Those turned-up lips and wide-awake eyes definitely created a smile on Pearl’s face when she gazed up at her.

  Almost stealing her breath, Pearl’s smile made Maddy’s heart flutter in her chest, like the butterfly she’d seen a lepidopterist catch in a net when she was in school. Could anything be as wonderful as a baby’s smile? I don’t think so. She’d barely finished mixing up the infant food and pouring it into the bottle when a rap at the door caught her attention.

  “Who is it?”

  “It’s me, Sarah.”

  Maddy opened the door and welcomed her friend with a hug. Then she sat in a rocking chair Mr. Oldman had brought up for her last night and gave Pearl the bottle. For a fleeting moment, she wondered what it would be like to nurse a baby she’d borne herself. To provide all the sustenance the child needed from near her heart. Maybe someday she’d find out, but it couldn’t be any more special than feeding Pearl right now.

  Sarah started washing out Pearl’s clothes in the basin on the washstand. “Either I was so tired I didn’t hear her, or our wee babe didn’t wake up during the night.”

  “She didn’t.” Maddy cuddled the infant closer. “I’m sure she was as tired as we were. That was a long trip.”

  “Indeed it was. I wasn’t surprised the noise from the machines woke her up.” Sarah wrung out the clothes and spread them across the edge of the open lid of the trunk. “Should I go down and get you some tea?”