by Jane Shoup
Tommy walked around the back of Howerton’s sprawling home and looked into the gloriously lit ballroom from the cold, black night. Right away, he saw Em and Howerton dancing. She looked like royalty, especially in the arms of Howerton. Tommy hated Howerton’s proprietary stance as he swept Em around the floor. He hated that Howerton’s hand was on her back. He hated that everyone was seeing them together and commenting on what a perfect couple they made. The sight of them made him miserable, so why couldn’t he just stop watching and go?
“I see the little wife’s taken up with the man.” Mitchell spoke up from behind him. “Although that little bitch in heat you came with looks mighty fine, too. Can’t say I’d mind sampling some of that.” He smacked his lips.
As Blue chuckled, Tommy turned and faced his brother. “You really are as low as they come,” he said evenly.
“Yeah? So what? All us Medlins are trash,” Mitchell shot back at him. “Always have been, always will be.”
“Not all of us.”
Mitchell snorted. “You think you’re something because you got on at that farm? Hell, brother, she needed your money and she took it. She doesn’t think nothin’ of you, ’cept you’re trash. Miss Ain’t-I-better’n-everybody-else thinks you’re wrong in the head. And you are! Wright and Wrong, that’s what everyone calls the two of you.”
Tommy walked away.
“Truth hurts, don’t it?” Mitchell called. “Yeah, there she is rubbing up against the boss man. You think she’s givin’ you two thoughts?”
Tommy never stopped walking, but he heard every word. Not only did he hear, but the truth sank like a weight to the pit of his stomach and made it ache.
The brightness of the showroom took a few moments to adjust to. “There you are,” Colleen exclaimed, rushing up to him. “I was looking all over.” She took hold of his hand with both of hers, and it took every bit of restraint he had not to shake her off. “Let’s go get some more hot mulled wine,” she said cheerfully.
“I hope you don’t mind,” Howerton said to Em as he led the way to the showroom. “But I have to make an appearance.”
“Of course I don’t mind,” Em assured him.
“I’d like for you to see the place, anyway. Was Tommy able to make it tonight?”
She was thrown by the question. Had she been expected to invite him? Her cheeks suddenly burned. “No.”
“Really? He’d seemed enthusiastic when I invited him.”
Em felt tingly and strange. “Oh. Maybe he is,” she said weakly.
“Don’t worry,” he said with a smile. “I have no idea what my employees are up to either.”
The words, or perhaps his tone of superiority, set her teeth on edge. “Tommy’s not an employee,” she stated.
“Oh?”
“He’s my partner.”
He glanced at her. “Really?”
“Yes. A full business partner. Everything that’s been done that you’ve been impressed with, that’s his doing.”
“I see.”
They’d reached the showroom and Howerton opened the door for her. It was a large, wide space and crowded and, while it lacked the elegance of the ballroom, it was filled with animated people having a wonderful time. Upbeat music came from accordions, fiddles and banjos, and the dancing was exuberant. More than a few of the ladies looked her up and down with an envious scowl, which made her uncomfortable and self-conscious. “If they knew you,” Gregory Howerton confided in a confidential tone, “they’d be less hostile. But we’re of different worlds and they know it.”
The words barely registered since her gaze had fallen upon Tommy across the room. She watched breathlessly as he bowed his head to listen to Colleen. Of course! He was here with Colleen. He nodded and then, as if her will, or perhaps her shock, had drawn his attention, he looked up and directly into her eyes.
“Are you too warm?” Howerton asked with an edge to his voice. “You seem flushed.”
She realized he’d seen her reaction to Tommy and was angry about it. “Yes, a bit,” she replied. “If you don’t mind, I’ll get some air.”
His eyes were suddenly full of disdain, a look she’d seen many times before. “If you’re feeling ill,” he said slowly, “I can have someone take you home.”
Em lifted her chin. “How considerate. I’d appreciate that.”
He took hold of her elbow with a tighter than necessary grip and escorted her out. Without speaking, they moved toward the line of waiting carriages. He instructed the lead driver to take her home and then opened the carriage door for her. “I saw that back there,” he said in a low enough voice that the driver wouldn’t overhear. “It makes me wonder if that sordid speculation about the Lindley men isn’t, in fact, true.”
The scorn in his voice was stinging. It made her furious with herself that she could still be so affected after the countless doses she’d endured over the years. “I won’t even dignify that with a response,” she replied in a tremulous voice. She ignored his outstretched hand and climbed into the carriage unassisted. “Good night,” she said coolly, staring straight ahead.
He slammed the door without another word and the carriage started off. When they were on the road, Em tugged off a glove and bit on her finger in an effort to hold back the tears. She would maintain some composure until she was home and alone.
“Tommy!” Colleen called.
“I’ll be back,” he said curtly without breaking stride.
His chest felt heavy because Em had seen him and she’d looked upset. Then Howerton had taken hold of her and practically forced her out of the place. Was she upset because he was with Colleen? He followed after them, but people got in his way and slowed his progress. When he made it outside, he didn’t see them, so he went around back to peer inside the ballroom.
“What are you doing, Tommy?” Colleen wailed as she chased after him.
“Nothing. I saw someone.”
“Yes! Emeline Wright,” Colleen interrupted. “I saw her, too. Everyone saw her! But you’re here with me, Tommy. You don’t just run off to see another woman when you’re with someone!”
“She looked upset.”
“Come on, Tommy,” Colleen urged, pulling on his hand. “She’s with Mr. Howerton. What would she have to be upset about? Let’s go back inside.”
Tommy caught a glimpse of Howerton as he lifted his glass in a toast. A lot of glasses were lifted into the air, Em’s probably among them. He took a side step and then allowed Colleen to lead him back to the showroom.
Chapter Twenty-Six
“Happy Christmas Eve, ya’ll,” Doll called as she walked into the mess hall with a platter of freshly baked biscuits filled with ham. It was a holiday and, as such, breakfast was being served late and supper would be served early.
A round of returned greetings were spoken all at once.
“I’m assuming everyone is here for supper?” she boomed, holding up a hand.
Enthusiastic affirmatives were spoken again and all at once.
“Fine, fine. It’s being served at five. I’ll set some food out to snack on during the day and you can pick on the leftovers tonight if you’ve any room left. Now, you’re not working, so you can all help. Wood—”
“Present!”
The men all laughed. Even Tommy smiled, and he was a wreck. He hadn’t been able to think about anything other than Em since he’d seen her last night.
“You dole out chores, but there’s potatoes to be peeled, beans to be snapped, pecans to be shelled, butter to be churned and it’s likely I’ll think of more as I go.”
“We’re at your service, general.”
She grinned. “Ya’ll can start after breakfast. And you boys wash your own dishes today,” she said as she started from the room.
“Yes, ma’am,” more than one man replied.
“You making a pecan pie, Doll?”
“You just wait and see,” Doll called over her shoulder.
Tommy considered following her and asking about Em, but he
didn’t want to draw attention to either of them. He’d just wait and bide his time. Surely, he’d see her soon.
“What’s next?” Em asked that afternoon as she dried her hands on the towel.
“Did you put all two dozen eggs in?” Doll asked.
“Yes. And the milk and the cream and the sugar.”
“Add that quart of brandy,” Doll said as she slid mince pies in the oven. “Let’s see, that’s mince in here, pumpkin out there and now I’ll start on apple.”
Em poured the brandy and smiled to herself. Doll really did rule the kitchens like a general and she thanked God for it. “What next?”
“Rum. Pour about half that bottle in. About a pint.” Doll placed her hands on her well-padded hips and studied Em. “Emmy, you alright?”
“You already asked me that.”
“I know I did. Twice.”
“More like five times. And, yes, I’m fine. I promise. I am very, very happy to be here.”
“Well, where else would you be, silly? Add that whiskey next.”
“I’m getting drunk just smelling this.”
Doll chuckled. “Wait till you have some.”
There wasn’t an inch of space that wasn’t covered with food preparations. “You do realize you’re making enough food for an army.”
“Well, honey, we got men with appetites to feed. Plus Emmett and my sister, Wayne and Fiona, if she’s up to it. Sweetie, taste these maple-sugar coated pecans and tell me what you think.”
“Am I finished with the eggnog yet?”
“Yeah, that should be good. Stir it and stick it outside to get good and cold and you can start on the custard.”
Tommy paced the floor in the bunkhouse. He’d gone all day without seeing Em and he couldn’t stand it any longer. He had to see her and it needed to be before everyone was in the same room at the same time. He put on his coat and walked over to the house, hunched against the cold wind and blowing snow. There were three or four inches on the ground, at least, and it was coming down hard. He knocked briefly and then stepped into an empty kitchen. “Hello?” he called.
“Coming,” Em called back.
He quickly shrugged off his coat and hung it up, then walked into the sitting room to see her coming down the stairs, looking relaxed and as pretty as ever. He heaved a silent sigh of relief that she seemed alright. “It smells as good in here as it does over there,” he said.
“I know. She’s got food cooking everywhere.” Em stopped in front of him and her gaze dropped to the small wrapped gift in his hand.
“It’s for you,” he said, holding it out. “I thought you might want it for tonight.”
She took the box with a smile. “Thank you.”
She started toward the parlor, and he followed. “I wanted to give it to you when nobody else was around.” She sat on the settee and he sat next to her, anxious for her to see what he’d bought. “Open it.”
With an excited smile, she unwrapped the package to see a long, narrow bright green velvet box. She glanced up at him, surprised, and then opened it to find a strand of pearls. Her smile vanished and her eyes filled with tears, which was an even better reaction than he’d imagined. “Oh, Tommy! You shouldn’t have—”
His smile faded. He shouldn’t have?
“You shouldn’t have spent so much on me,” she said, shaking her head. “But I love it. It’s the nicest gift I’ve ever gotten.”
His heart soared. “Better than Barbara Jean?” he teased.
She thought about it and then laughed. “I can’t actually remember getting her.”
“I saw those and they reminded me of you. Pretty, but not flashy. I didn’t like the flashy ones. These had a light of their own.”
The words so touched her, she couldn’t speak for a moment. “Thank you,” she managed in a thick voice.
“You’re welcome.”
She bit on her lower lip as she put the necklace back in the box. “I’m afraid the gifts I have for you are nowhere as special.”
“Any present is special. Especially from you.”
She got up and went to the pile of gifts on a table and selected one, then walked back and handed it to him. “This is the first. There is another.”
He unwrapped a soft bundle and found a deep blue, hand-knit sweater and scarf inside. He looked up at her. “Did you make these?”
She nodded and sat again, smiling happily. “I had to when I saw the yarn. It’s the color of your eyes.”
“No one’s ever made me something before. I’ll wear it tonight.”
“And I’ll wear these,” Em whispered, not having full control of her voice at the moment.
“Hey,” he said tenderly. “Why are you crying?”
She shook her head. “I guess it’s because I’m so happy to be here,” she said, dabbing the corners of her eyes. “And I’m happy you’re here. In a way, I feel like a little girl who doesn’t want anything in her life to change.”
“You didn’t know I’d be there last night,” he said gently. “And I’m sorry for that. I should have told you.”
She shook her head. “I just . . . I shouldn’t have gone. I misunderstood the invitation and then I felt stuck.”
“I shouldn’t have gone, either. Believe me.”
She looked at him searchingly. “Really?”
He nodded. “I don’t want things to change, either. I’ve never been as happy as I am here. I never even knew it was possible.” She stretched her hand toward him and he took hold of it. Without thought to the consequences, he brought it to his lips and kissed it.
She drew breath to say something, but a rush of cold air blew in at them as the door was opened. Tommy released her hand reluctantly, disappointed that the moment had ended.
“Lord have mercy, ya’ll,” Doll exclaimed. “It’s snowing like the heavens have broke wide open. I hope everyone makes it here. If they do, we’ll have to put ’em up for the night. Not that I mind. It’ll make for a nice Christmas. Now why don’t you two bundle up and help carry some stuff over? Emmy, get the eggnog.”
Em and Tommy exchanged conspiratorial smiles. “Yes, ma’am,” Em replied.
Doll blew right back out again, carrying the last bundle of pies.
Tommy and Em stood. “Can I put that on for you?” Tommy asked, looking at the pearls.
“Please.” She handed the necklace to him and turned around.
He opened the strand and put it around her neck, then leaned closer to fasten the clasp. Being that close to her warmth and her scent stirred his blood and he fantasized about kissing the back of her neck. He managed the clasp and then placed his hands on her shoulders, wanting desperately to turn her around and kiss her. Unfortunately, they heard the kitchen door open again.
Em turned to him, and pressed a kiss to his cheek. “Thank you,” she said as she lovingly touched the pearls.
His gaze caressed her beautiful, flushed face and then he pressed a kiss to her cheek.
“Hello, you two,” Emmett greeted as he stepped into the room. “It’s blowing up a blizzard out there.”
Em looked at him with excitement burning in her golden brown eyes. “Is it too bad for a brief ride?”
“I left the sleigh right out front, pointed in the right direction if you’re tough enough to brave the snow. You might have to cuddle under the blanket a little bit.”
Tommy looked from one to the other of them, wondering what they were talking about.
“You have one more present,” Em reminded him. “You want to go see?”
Tommy reached for his new scarf, which he wrapped around his neck. “I can handle the snow if you can.” Em laughingly hurried to get her coat, full of delight, and he followed. “You’re not going to tell me what it is?” he asked as he put his coat back on.
“Not a chance.”
Tommy maneuvered the sleigh easily. He’d never driven one before, but it wasn’t hard and the ride was thrilling, especially with the strangely light sky above and the cover of snow from
the ground giving a surreal glow to the world. When they were approaching the road, he asked how much farther they were going. Not that he cared. The night was glorious and he was with Em. He would have happily gone on forever.
“Not far. Just . . . there!” she said, pointing with a gloved finger. “Stop!”
He stopped the sleigh and stared at a carved, wooden sign propped against the fence. He had to squint to make out the lettering.
WELCOME TO THE MARTIN-MEDLIN FARM.
He was shocked. The sight of it, the significance of it, stole his breath and rendered him speechless.
“We wouldn’t be here without you,” Em said, leaning in and hugging his arm. “Ben would be really proud of the place and the work we’ve done. In fact, I just know he is.”
Tommy looked away from her and swiped at his nose and eyes with his gloved hand. He nodded, unable to speak.
“It’s really pretty in the light,” she added. “We’ll have to come see it tomorrow.”
Tommy nodded again, knowing he would be there at first light.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
January 8, 1882
Howerton cocked his head as he watched a group of men working their way through the saloon with enough style and authority to draw attention to themselves.
“Who the hell’s that?” James asked no one in particular.
“Go find out,” Howerton returned.
James looked from Howerton to Quin, uncertain whether the boss was kidding or not. Neither was smiling, so he got to his feet, picked up his drink and sauntered to the bar.
Howerton leaned back in his chair and watched James strike up a conversation with the strangers. One of them pulled out a photograph and James looked at it. Immediately, James looked over at him, alarmed. Howerton’s eyes narrowed as he pondered whom they might be looking for. His view of the dialog was suddenly obstructed by one of the whores who was pulling a man’s arm as he laughingly resisted. “Move,” Howerton barked. They did, but by that time, James was already headed back to the table.