But they were mostly concentrating on the store now. This store that had everything one might need — except enough customers.
Robert must have been thinking the same thing, because he caught Joseph’s eye and said, “McMurphy’s Mercantile is doing just fine. Too fine.”
Their competitors had been in business for the past two years. Its success — and Uriah’s words of advice — had been one of the reasons the three of them had decided to go into the mercantile business three months ago. Unfortunately, their Miner’s Own Mercantile was not enjoying the same success as the other store.
Yet, he reminded himself; that was the key word. It would.
The door opened and the two turned to greet a potential buyer.
It was not a hoped-for customer, but it was their own personal angel.
Ruth Easterwood, the pastor’s wife, was the only woman who regularly passed through their doors, since they specialized in equipment for miners. She felt sorry for them and always brought them something good to eat.
“Afternoon, Mrs. Easterwood,” Joseph said with a smile.
Robert echoed his sentiments.
The pleasantly plump matron smiled brightly at them and began her conversation the same way she always did, by saying, “You poor men, living alone. I brought you my” — here was where her greeting varied each time — “golden cream cake to help cheer you up. It’s been known to bring grown men to their knees.”
Robert reached beneath the counter and pulled out a washed plate, the one she’d brought her special honey cake over on last week, and exchanged the empty one for the full one she currently held. He sniffed and grinned broadly. “This smells divine, Mrs. Easterwood. I declare, you are the best cook in this county.”
“In the entire state of Colorado,” Robert clarified.
The woman giggled. “Oh, stop it.”
“Really, you are,” Joseph added. And she truly was.
“When are you boys going to get hitched? You can’t continue living above the store, just the three of you. You need to build homes and start families.”
“We need more customers for that, Mrs. Easterwood,” Joseph admitted. “Right now, we’re saving boarding house money by living above the store.”
“Well, you’re good with people, Joseph. Surely that ought to count for something.”
“Not all people, Mrs. Easterwood,” Robert said with a wink. “Just men. Joseph was raised with brothers, no sisters, and he doesn’t know what to do around women.”
“Why, I find that difficult to believe,” she said. “You’re just fine around me.”
“Because I consider you sort of my second mother,” Joseph said. “The woman who loves me unconditionally and brings me cakes.”
“Besides,” Robert went on, teasing now, “Joseph is somewhat disreputable. Did you know he used to be a boxer?”
“No!” Mrs. Easterwood looked shocked — and a little intrigued. “Truly? Fisticuffs?”
Joseph nodded. “I was good at it, too.”
“Well, if things go badly in the store, perhaps you can go back to it then.”
Joseph laughed. “I hope it doesn’t come to that.” They weren’t going to make the mortgage payment on this place with his boxing. And that payment was coming due soon.
She patted their arms. “Don’t give up hope, gentlemen. Pray and the Lord will provide for you as you need.”
“Thank you,” Joseph said, touched by her faith, both in the Lord and in them.
After she left, they began to clean up, preparing to close the store.
Joseph spotted Henry walking past the window. A moment later, he walked in, shaking his head as he entered before they could even ask the question. No gold found today, either.
Henry flipped the sign to CLOSED, locked the door, turned to them, and exhaled deeply. “We’ve got to do something to bring in more money or we’re going to lose the store.”
Joseph nodded his agreement. “We’d better start working two days each in the mine and thinking of other ideas.”
Thomas said, “Maybe old Uriah was wrong.”
Henry shrugged. “The McMurphys seem to be doing all right.”
“If I never hear the name of McMurphy again,” Joseph said, “it will be too soon.”
“I'd like to offer you a permanent position with our family,” Mr. Dawson said. “You have been of immeasurable help to my wife as we’ve traveled. Please, take a few moments to mull it over.”
Emily did not need even one moment to make this decision. She had spent the last week during this train ride helping wrangle the couple's five rowdy, noisy, unruly hellions into some sort of order.
Still, she didn’t wish to offend the Dawsons, and she might even find it necessary to take the position in the future — though she would do everything in her power to ensure that it never be necessary. So she smiled sweetly. “I’m truly honored, Mr. Dawson, but I haven’t seen my brother in four years. I must visit with him before committing myself to anything else.”
Mrs. Dawson looked crestfallen. “My husband will pay you exceedingly generously for your time, and there’s no way to express how welcome your services would be.”
As the train began to slow, jostling them in their seats, Mr. Dawson nodded in agreement, almost smugly. “I’d make it well worth your while, and consider it a worthwhile investment.”
Since he had not offered to pay her one red cent during the train ride, somehow she questioned how generous his offer would be.
The train jostled and slowed and jostled again.
Emily grabbed a seat and said, “Thank you for the kind offer.”
Mr. Dawson said, “If you change your mind, look us up. We’ll be staying at the Antlers Hotel, and then moving into the Lennox House boarding house. It was just built and it’s a beautiful place.”
Luckily, it wasn’t the boarding house where her brother was staying so she wouldn’t run into them every day.
Three of their boys wrestled their way between the seats and fell into Emily.
She sent up a silent prayer that this trip was nearing its end. Oh, no. She would never be so destitute that she would have to accept the Murphy’s “exceedingly generous” offer, no matter what it was.
Dear God, please never let me be that destitute.
Gorgeous!
THE BOARDING HOUSE WAS A relatively new Queen Anne mansion made cheery by bright yellow paint and a sweeping porch. The beautiful stained glass in the windows and doors added a touch of elegance without appearing gaudy.
It looked cozy, and it had sheltered her brother for the last four years, since he’d left home to seek his fortune. She hadn’t known the details surrounding his departure from home, except that her father had told her mother he was proud of Robert for standing on his own two feet. Robert, himself, had said not a thing in his letters to her.
She’d be glad to get out of the warmth of the midday sun. It was only the first week of May, but the temperatures were already rising to uncomfortable levels. Beads of perspiration ran down her back, a sensation she detested.
She ascended the stairs and knocked on the door.
A moment later, a smiling woman in an apron pulled it open. She appeared to be middle-aged, and obviously enjoyed the cooking she did for others, as she was fluffy and looked as though her hugs would be both comfortable and comforting. She studied Emily as she offered a warm smile and swung the door wide. “Come in out of the sun, child, before you roast where you stand.”
She moved back so Emily could enter, then said, “I’m Mrs. Holderman, the proprietress of this fine establishment. Are you looking for a room?”
“I’m Emily Maxwell, and I’m searching for my brother, Robert Sayers. In his letters, he explained that he was residing with you.”
“Oh, I’m sorry.” Mrs. Holderman shook her head. “Your brother did live here, but he doesn’t any longer.”
Surprised, Emily said, “He doesn’t?”
“No. Neither do his partners, Joseph Keeto
n and Henry Ralston. Good young men, the lot of them. They lived here right up until they decided to start their mercantile store last fall. I was sorry to see them go. I do have a room where you can stay, though, if you’d like. Reasonable rates, good food, and safe lodgings. You want to be safe. My husband and I don’t allow any ruffians or ne’er-do-wells inside our doors.”
“Thank you,” Emily said. “I may need to avail myself of your room. But first, I must speak with my brother. Can you direct me to his home?”
“The three of them are living above the mercantile, on Main Street. If you came from the train station, you probably walked right by it to get here.”
Heart sinking, Emily said, “Oh. In that case, may I trouble you for a glass of water before I venture back out? I’m parched.”
She had planned to live with Robert, but how could she possibly live unchaperoned with three men? Her reputation would be ruined, for sure.
As if it wasn’t tarnished already by fleeing on her own, but she hoped that the distance would keep the sordid story from following her.
“Come on back.” Mrs. Holderman led the way into the kitchen. “Have a seat. I just baked a blueberry pie last night and I’ll cut you a piece.”
The smell of the pie wafted past Emily’s nostrils as she entered the room and her mouth watered. “That would be lovely. Thank you.”
Mrs. Holderman bustled about and, a moment later, set a piece of pie and a glass of water before Emily. “Eat and enjoy.”
Then the landlady proceeded to ask a flurry of questions, making it nigh impossible to enjoy the pie and answer all of them at the same time.
In between bites of flakey crust and fresh blueberries, Emily attempted to answer as many as she could. She was from New York. She had come to find Robert. She had no long-term plans — at least not any she would share with a woman she’d barely met, but of course she didn’t say that aloud.
“You’re in luck,” Mrs. Holderman said. “Colorado Springs is more genteel and sophisticated than the surrounding towns. We have the Antlers Hotel, built nearly twenty years ago.” She smiled and offered, “But the hotel is much more expensive to stay in than our rooms.”
“That’s good to know.”
“And there are many millionaires in Colorado Springs. You could find yourself a rich husband here.”
Emily smiled, shoving her last encounter with a wealthy suitor from her mind. She refused to carry that with her into her new life; she was starting over. “That’s also good to know.”
A young man entered the kitchen, spotted Emily, and stopped, his eyes widening. He grinned. “Well, hello there.”
Mrs. Holderman shook her head. “No trying to turn the head of our potential guest, Noah.” She turned to Emily. “Miss Maxwell, this is my nephew, Noah Thompson. Noah, this is Miss Emily Maxwell.”
He came into the room and extended his hand, shaking hers enthusiastically. “I sure am glad to meet you, Miss Maxwell.”
Finally, she pulled her hand free. “Likewise.”
Mrs. Holderman put a hand on the young man’s arm. “Noah, I need some firewood brought in for the oven. Please go fetch some.”
He did so reluctantly, casting glances over his shoulder at Emily as he trudged down the hall and out the back door.
Mrs. Holderman said, “Let’s go outside and I’ll point you in the right direction for the mercantile. I imagine your brother is going to be so happy to see you! He told us story after story about you while he was staying here.”
In the front yard, Mrs. Holderman pointed back the way Emily had come.
“Perhaps Noah could walk me there?”
She scoffed. “It will take Noah forever to bring in the wood. He’s not fond of hard work.”
“Well, thank you for the pie and water, Mrs. Holderman. I’ll see you again, I’m sure.”
Mrs. Holderman pulled her into a hug. Emily’s earlier assessment had been right — it was a hug both comfortable and comforting. When she released Emily, she said, “You take care, Miss Maxwell.”
“I will.”
“Say hello to your brother for me. And remember the comfortable room I have waiting for you if you should find yourself in need.”
Emily was halfway back to Main Street when she heard footsteps running behind her and a man calling out, “Wait, Miss Maxwell.”
Surprised, she turned to find that it was Noah Thompson. She waited while he raced up, then placed his hands on his knees, catching his breath. “I would be honored to walk you to your brother’s store.”
Apparently Noah had been motivated to finish his chores so he could spend time with her. She smiled at the charming gesture. “I’m nearly there now.”
“It’s all right,” he beamed. “I’ll enjoy spending company with such a beautiful young woman as yourself even if it’s only for a few more minutes. It’s not often I have the chance.”
Noah was older than she’d first thought, maybe twenty-five instead of the eighteen she’d taken him for in the shadows of the house. In the sunlight, she could see the tiniest of smile crinkles around his eyes. “Do you have enough money to stay at the boarding house?”
“I have sufficient funds for my needs,” she lied primly. She did have enough money for her immediate needs in her reticule, but the rest was hidden. The reticule also had one of the pieces of jewelry sewn into its lining, while the other six jewels were sewn into her chemise — which could get uncomfortable in a hurry, especially when the heat made her clothing cling to her damp skin.
Money was hard to come by so she must save what little she had for her future. To ensure she never had to resort to the desperate option of a forced marriage.
“Well, I find that I have enough money to stay at the boarding house and take a beautiful young woman to supper at the hotel. Would you go with me?”
Emily blushed. “While I appreciate your offer, I really cannot make any plans until I’ve spoken with my brother.”
He grinned. “That’s okay. I’ll ask again.” He pointed at her reticule. “That’s pretty. May I see it?”
She raised it up, but didn’t hand it over.
As if he didn’t understand, he reached out a hand.
She shook her head. “I really must go, Mr. Thompson.”
A yell came from up the street: “Noah, you stop that, right now!”
Frowning, Noah huffed. “He never lets me have any fun.” He nodded at Emily. “I’ll see you around, Miss Maxwell.” And he ambled off toward the boarding house.
Emily let out a breath of relief as the other man reached her, and asked her, “Are you all right?”
This man was gorgeous. She would normally not have considered a man to be stunning, but this man was — in a rugged sort of way. His nose had obviously been broken at least once, but it lent his face character. His dark hair was shaggy about his face, and he stood four inches above her height. The bulk of his muscular frame made her feel petite and feminine.
“Yes, thank you,” she told him.
He looked after Noah and shook his head. “Mr. Thompson is...” He searched for a word. “He has problems with thinking sometimes, and also with morality. If you’d handed over your reticule, he would have taken your money.”
Emily gasped. “I thought he was being too forward, but I didn’t realize.”
“No one would have. I’m just glad I was close enough to help you. I haven’t seen you in town before, and, if you’re new here, this is still part of the Wild West. You’ll need to learn to defend yourself, maybe even put a derringer in your reticule.” The man paused, finally taking the time to look at her, and interest flared in his eyes.
Her face flushed.
Gorgeous.
Does She Cook?
JOSEPH STOOD BEFORE THIS MAGNIFICENT creature, suddenly feeling tongue-tied. He'd seen beautiful women before, of course, and he'd escorted them to dinner, but he'd never seen one who took his breath away. Not like this.
Her light blonde hair was pulled up fashionably, but was t
he tiniest bit untidy, as though she'd been traveling, perhaps. It shone when the sunlight hit it — and he wanted to reach out and touch it to see if it was as soft as it looked.
He resisted the urge, and managed to fumble out a reasonably coherent sentence. “Joseph Keeton, at your service, ma'am.”
She bowed her head. “Miss Maxwell. Newly arrived in town.”
“I would be glad to escort you wherever you are going in order to make sure you arrive safely.”
Her smile had the most curious impact on Joseph, one he'd never before experienced. He felt the strangest need to protect this woman, to keep her safe. As long as she was available, he determined right then to get to know her better.
“That is most kind of you, Mr. Keeton. I am headed toward the Miner’s Own Mercantile. Are you familiar with the place?”
He chuckled. “Indeed I am.”
He held out his arm as though he was a dandy and she placed her hand upon it. Her simple touch brought about the second most interesting reaction he'd ever experienced.
He’d never been interested in being serious with a woman, in anything leading to marriage, but suddenly he had thoughts of making this woman his.
Interesting.
He stepped out, making his steps shorter to match her stride. As they walked, he looked down at her. How could such a small chit of a woman affect him so strongly?
She smiled at him. “How long have you been a resident of this fine town?”
“Long enough to call it home.” His mouth was dry, he felt tongue-tied, and he couldn’t seem to take his eyes from her face.
“Then you would be able to tell me of the best sights to see while I am here.”
His heart rate pounded. Was this idle chatter or was she interested in spending time with him? He tried not to show his thrill at that thought. “I can. And I would be delighted to show them to you, as well.”
Colorado Dreams (Rocky Mountain Romances Book 7) Page 2