Prairie Romance Collection

by Cathy Marie Hake

  Now she was left to wrestle with her own conflicting emotions. She was sad that Pa was gone but also happy his suffering was over. Did that make her a terrible daughter? She hoped not. Maybe happy wasn’t the right word. Content? She’d wanted to stay in Hollow Springs; now she longed for California. If the anguish and pity in Ethan’s cobalt-blue eyes were any indication, there was nothing left for her here.

  She trudged along the boardwalk to the hotel where she and Pa had been staying. She pulled out her room key as she headed for the staircase.

  “Miss Rivers?”

  She turned to the desk clerk. “Yes.”

  “May I speak with you a minute?”

  All she wanted to do was collapse on her bed and cry, but she walked to the desk.

  Mr. Gonzales dipped his head, and she could see his balding crown. “I hate to do this in your time of sorrow, but unless you can pay your father’s outstanding bill, I’m going to need your key back.”

  Outstanding bill? She set her handbag on the counter. “How much?”

  “Fifteen dollars.”

  She gasped. “I don’t have that much money.”

  “I’m really sorry, miss. I can’t let you stay unless you can pay.”

  “Of course not.” She pulled three dollars and six bits from her handbag. “This is all I have.”

  He held out a hand. “I’ll take what you’ve got.”

  She set the money on the guest registry. “I’ll pay you the rest of what my pa owes, Mr. Gonzales, somehow. Do you happen to have any positions open? I could work in the dining room or clean rooms.”

  “I’m sorry. I don’t need a girl right now.”

  She nodded. “Do you know of any jobs in town?”

  He shook his head. “Sorry.”

  “When I find work, I’ll pay the rest of my pa’s debt.”

  He gave her a sad smile and tipped his head to her.

  She kept her back straight as she ascended the stairs. When she reached the room, the carpetbags she’d packed the day Pa had robbed the bank were waiting for her by the bed. Two days they’d sat untouched. Pa had said he’d be back soon.

  Tears coursed down her face, and she fell to her knees. “Sweet Lord Jesus, what am I to do? I have nowhere to go.”

  She couldn’t remain here at the hotel, so where was she to go? She could sleep outside. The late-spring Texas nights weren’t nearly as cool as they had been when they’d arrived in town a month ago. She did not relish the thought of sleeping outdoors, but she and Pa had done it a few times since they’d left Maryland.

  Poor Pa. This past year, it was as though he’d been looking out of a dark cave and all he could see was California, as though making it to California would somehow make Ma less dead. Now he was dead, too—and in debt. As his heir, she was responsible for clearing his accounts. That meant she needed to find employment.

  Ethan Burke adjusted the sling on his left arm as he stood in front of the barbershop across the street from the Starlight Hotel. Laurel had seemed so alone at her pa’s grave site. Even the way she’d walked, slowly and wearily, showed her lone- someness. He ached for her. Not one soul from town had shown up at the funeral. How could the whole town blame her for what her father had done? He would have been right next to her if it weren’t for what he’d done; at twenty-three, he’d killed a man. Ethan shook his head. It was an awful feeling deep in the pit of his stomach, like a burning coal.

  He kicked the post holding up the awning, but instead of the satisfaction he expected, all he got was a bruised toe. If he’d learned how to shoot a gun, Laurel wouldn’t have a reason for her tears. He’d only aimed to wound the man. But he was a bad aim, really bad.

  In church, Laurel would close her eyes and raise her voice up in song. The serene, ethereal look on her face as she sang to the Lord told him all he needed to know about her faith. And his heart had gone out to her. Now his heart lay battered in the corner of his soul, fearful to make any attempt at contact.

  Though Laurel and her father were drifters heading west, he had hoped they would make Hollow Springs their home, but Mr. Rivers had been dead set on California. So Ethan, too, had begun to set his heart on California, if Laurel would be a part of it for him.

  The day before the robbery, he’d asked Mr. Rivers if he could court Laurel. Mr. Rivers had given him a gruff no and walked away. Laurel had been right when she said her pa wouldn’t take it well. He should have suggested that he could help with travel expenses. Had he pushed Mr. Rivers into making that fatal decision?

  Ethan jerked forward at the familiar slap on his back, though not as hard as usual. He had his wounded arm to thank for that. “Hola, Alonzo.”

  “Mi amigo, looking tired. You rest.”

  He tore his gaze from the hotel. “I’m fine.”

  Alonzo’s dark eyes widened. “To the funeral, you went?”

  He’d wanted to. He’d wanted to be right beside Laurel to comfort her in her grief. “I kept my distance.”

  “You no talk to her? And your grande shoulder, you didn’t give it to her?”

  He looked up at his six-foot friend. “Mine is the last shoulder she’d want for comfort.”

  “She not give you smiles like honey when her padre not look?”

  His mouth pulled up at the thought. How could one young lady so captivate him with her guileless smile and soft, quiet voice that caressed his heart like a gentle melody? “She does have a nice smile.”

  “And eyes that sparkle like green cactus, and hair that is silky and the color of cinnamon, and all perfect things about her,” Alonzo recited like a child mimicking a parent. “I know sure she likes you.”

  “Maybe. Before I killed her pa.”

  “So on purpose you shot him?” “No.”

  “And the padre of the woman you love, why you shot him?”

  “Because he was trying to rob the bank.”

  “The money, you let him take it, not yours anyway.”

  He pictured Mr. Rivers’s shaking hand and the way his gaze had darted about the room. “He was edgy. I was afraid any little thing would spook him. I didn’t want him to hurt an innocent person.”

  “So an accident it was.”

  “No. I killed her pa.”

  “She can see that not on purpose you did it.”

  He had made a grave miscalculation that morning. If he could go back, he would have aimed for the man’s shoulder instead of his hand. Or his leg. No. He wouldn’t have reached into the drawer for the bank’s gun at all. Then maybe no one would have gotten hurt. But then what? Mr. Rivers would have just given up? Not likely. Let Mr. Rivers get away with the robbery? Then Laurel would be a fugitive on the run. What if Mr. Rivers were subdued and went to jail? He shook his head. Once Jonathan Rivers decided to rob the bank and pulled out his gun, there could be no good outcome.

  He shrugged. “It doesn’t change anything.”

  “I comprendo why you be here in this place to breathe air that is fresh for your pulmones.” Alonzo pointed across the street. “Your señorita of perfection.”

  He stood up straighter. What was Laurel doing coming back out of the hotel? And with her luggage?

  “You will talk to her, yes?”

  He wanted to. “It’s too soon.”

  “I talk to her for you?”

  “No. Promise you won’t say anything to her about me. I’ll talk to her when I’m ready. And when I think she’s ready.”

  Alonzo put his hand over his heart and gave a quick nod. “No wait very long.”

  He stepped off the boardwalk.

  “Where are you going?”

  “I think to talk to a beautiful señorita.”

  “Alonzo, no. You promised.”

  Alonzo turned around and walked backward. “I no mention you.”

  Ethan doubted that. How could he pull him back? “What about Rosita?”

  “You no talk to her about this.”

  Alonzo disappeared into the mercantile after Laurel. He should go, too— accidenta
lly bump into Alonzo, then he could see for himself how she was. He stepped off the boardwalk.

  “Señor Burke.”

  He turned. Rosita Menendez sashayed toward him in a brightly colored dress. He glanced at the mercantile then back to Rosita. “Señorita Menendez.”

  “Hola. I … look … for Alonzo.” Rosita’s English wasn’t nearly as good as Alonzo’s, but she worked hard at it.

  If Ethan told her where he was, Alonzo could be in trouble if he was talking to Laurel. Rosita had a fiery jealous streak where Alonzo was concerned. Alonzo wasn’t ready to settle down, but when he did, it would be with Rosita. Until then he’d keep Rosita just interested enough that she didn’t go off and marry someone else, but not so close she was begging to set a wedding date. If he were Alonzo and had a chance to marry the woman he loved, he wouldn’t waste a day. Not one day.

  Chapter 2

  Laurel looked around the inside of the mercantile. Mrs. Jones stood behind the counter ringing up a man’s purchase. She looked at a rack of ready- made dresses while she waited. She’d never had a ready-made dress. Ma had made all her clothes. She hadn’t had a new dress since Ma died. Pa had told her to pack light for quick travel. They’d get new things in California. But she’d packed a few small keepsakes—and Ma’s wedding dress.

  The man at the counter left, and she walked up. “I’m looking for employment and was wondering if you could use a salesgirl.”

  Mrs. Jones’s gray topknot wobbled as she shook her head. “I’m sorry. Some days we barely have enough business for the two of us.”

  Laurel nodded, and her stomach growled. It had been two days since she’d eaten. “I’d like to get a pickle.” She dug in her handbag and then remembered she’d given all she had to Mr. Gonzales.

  “I’m sorry. I can’t add any more to your pa’s bill.”

  She looked up sharply. “Pa owed money here, too? How much?” She sighed at the amount. “When I find work, I’ll pay my pa’s outstanding debt.”

  “Señorita Rivers.” Alonzo Chavez filled the doorway. As he came forward, he doffed his hat and put it over his heart, bowing slightly. “Very sorry about the death.”

  Tears welled in her eyes. He was the first person besides the minister to offer condolences. The surprising thing was, Alonzo was Ethan’s best friend. She wouldn’t think he would want to talk to her. “Thank you.” She blinked back the blur.

  “You are doing well, yes?”

  How was she supposed to respond to that? I have no place to live, no family, no money, but I’m well. “I’ll make do.”

  Ethan Burke was suddenly at Alonzo’s side. She froze and stared at his sling. She was not ready to speak to him yet. It was too much for one day.

  “Excuse me, Miss Rivers. I need to speak to Alonzo.”

  She nodded and looked at the floor. She didn’t want to see the pity in his blue eyes.

  Ethan and Alonzo moved to the corner of the store, spoke a few words, then hurried out the door. Her gaze followed them. She should have at least inquired about his arm. Said hello. Or something. But she was too raw from Pa’s death and the current trouble that he had caused. She was not up for a confrontation with the man who obviously didn’t want to speak to her. The way he’d hurried Alonzo out of there told her all she needed to know about how he felt. He didn’t even want his friend to speak to her.

  She picked up her carpetbags and walked outside, where Mr. Jones stood stacking produce.

  “Miss Rivers.” Mr. Jones plucked an orange from one of the produce boxes in front of the store and held it out to her. “Got some in fresh.”

  She shook her head. “I can’t pay for it.”

  He took the orange back. “Sorry.”

  As the sun began its western descent, she was still without a job. She walked past the bank as one of the employees flipped the closed sign and latched the door. She gazed a moment through the window where Pa had fallen from grace. Oh, Pa. Why couldn’t you have been happy here? What was so almighty important in California?

  She had wanted to stay in Hollow Springs. She’d dreamed of Ethan Burke courting her and asking her to marry him, making a home here. Now she just wanted to leave this town as soon as she was able. And now she, too, could feel the pull of California. Was it her duty to finish the trip her parents had begun?

  She noticed Ethan looking at her from behind the bank counter and quickly hurried on her way—then stopped. On her way to where? She had nowhere to go. Lord? Fresh tears threatened to spill. She blinked them back. People would hardly look her in the eyes. She sensed that people had positions but didn’t want her to fill them. Everyone was ashamed of her. And instead of finding a job, she’d discovered outstanding bills Pa owed.

  She must leave town as soon as she was able and start fresh somewhere else, someplace where no one knew what Pa had done. California was as good a place as any. But she would need money to get there. And first she needed employment to pay Pa’s debts.

  “Miss Rivers.”

  She turned at her name.

  Minister Thomas Howard crossed the rutted dirt road toward her. “Again, I’m sorry for your loss. Have you thought about what you are going to do?”

  She tucked her chin. “I’ve just learned my pa owed money all over town. I had to move out of the hotel, and I must find a job to pay his debts.”

  “You could go back to family.”

  “Except for the Lord, I am alone in the world.” She felt the loneliness deep within.

  “Fortunate for me.” He stepped up onto the boardwalk. “My wife needs help around the house and with the little one. Doc Benson has told her to rest more or she could lose the baby. I can only offer you a place to stay and three meals a day for your assistance.”

  A roof over her head and food in her stomach. It would keep her from sleeping under the starry sky tonight. “I’d be glad to do it, but I’ll also need to find a paying position to take care of Pa’s accounts.”

  “If my memory serves me right, when you first came to town, you offered to play piano for Sunday services.”

  “That’s right.”

  “With Mrs. Howard having a difficult time with this baby, I don’t want her overexerting herself. Would you be willing to play for us?”

  “Most certainly.” Her fingers were aching for the ivory keys.

  “The church can only pay a small stipend.”

  She wanted to tell him she would do it for free, but she needed the money. “I’d be most grateful.” The Lord was supplying a roof, food, and a way to pay off Pa’s debts. Thank You, Lord, for Your abundant provisions.

  Laurel stood in the doorway of the Howards’ bedroom. Mrs. Howard looked half-asleep while her two-year-old son sat next to her lifting her hand and letting it fall. Mrs. Howard tucked her arm under the double wedding ring quilt. When the boy dug it out, she moaned.

  Minister Howard held out his arms to his son. Little Tommy dropped his ma’s arm again and stepped on her leg to get to his pa.

  Mrs. Howard rolled her head and sighed. “You’re back.”

  “I’m sorry I took so long.” The minister leaned over and kissed her forehead.

  Mrs. Howard’s gaze darted to Laurel, her eyes widening before looking back to her husband. “What is she doing here?”

  The minister adjusted his son in his arms. “Miss Rivers is going to help you with the house and look after Tommy so you can rest.”

  “I don’t need help.”

  “Doc said for you to rest. We don’t want to lose this one, too.”

  She sighed and nodded.

  Laurel swallowed hard. “Mrs. Howard, I appreciate you taking me in like this. Anything I can do to make you more comfortable, just let me know.”

  Mrs. Howard turned away. “I’m tired.”

  Minister Howard turned to her. “Maybe you could start supper.”

  After supper, Laurel bathed Tommy and carried him upstairs to say good night to his ma. At the voices coming through the Howards’ open bedroom door, she stoppe
d.

  “I just don’t trust someone whose parent could do such a thing,” Mrs. Howard said. “She has bad blood in her.”

  Laurel caught her breath.

  “Miss Rivers is no more a threat to you or Tommy than I am. Mr. Rivers made some bad choices, but they have no reflection on her. The Good Book tells us to care for those in need. ‘But whoso hath this world’s good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?’”

  The minister was giving her charity. She wished she weren’t in such desperate need of it.

  “I wish I had your confidence,” Mrs. Howard said.

  “Should I not trust you because of your brother’s behavior?”

  Tommy wiggled out of her arms, and before she could catch him, he ran into his parents’ bedroom. She stepped to the doorway. “Tommy wanted to say good night before I put him to bed.”

  Minister Howard scooped him up. “Thank you, Miss Rivers. I’ll tuck him in.”

  She nodded, hoping they couldn’t see her distress. “I’ll straighten up the kitchen.”

  As she wiped crumbs from the table, Minister Howard entered the room. “Please don’t take my wife’s words to heart.”

  “Pardon?”

  “By the look on your face, I guess you were standing out in the hall just long enough.”

  She felt the blood drain from her face. “I never meant to listen in. I promise.”

  He smiled a sad sort of smile. “I know. I’m just sorry you had to hear anything at all. My wife has lost seven babies early on. She’s afraid to lose this one now that her time is so close. So please don’t fret over her words, Miss Rivers. She gets cross with me, too, these days.” He sighed. “You should know that something happens in her mind when she is pregnant. She’s not herself. Her condition will only get worse the closer her time gets. All we can do is make her as comfortable as possible and ride out the storm.”