Quinn's Promise

by Agnes Alexander

  “What?”

  “Do you remember on the first day you were in Tornado you were walking around town looking in the shop windows. I caught you at the hat shop admiring a pretty little blue concoction. You said you liked it, but you couldn’t afford it.”

  “I remember well. Mrs. Forester said some man bought the hat for his special lady.”

  Ashe got up from the bed. “He bought it because it looked like a woman’s eyes. Eyes he thought were the prettiest he’d ever seen. He wasn’t sure if or when he’d ever give it to her, but he bought it in case he got the chance.”

  “That doesn’t make a lot of sense, Ashe.”

  “I know it doesn’t, but it’s the truth.” He walked to his wardrobe and took down the wrapped box. Returning to the bed, he sat down and handed it to her. “I bought this for you, Quinn.”

  She stared at him without saying anything.

  “Well, are you going to open it or are you going to sit there?”

  Slowly she untied the ribbon around the box. When she removed the box lid she gasped. The blue hat with the different shades of blue feathers sat amidst the paper. “Oh, Ashe, It’s beautiful.”

  “Put it on. I want to see it on you.”

  She stood and walked to the mirror over his dresser. She placed the hat on her head and adjusted it. She couldn’t believe Ashe bought it for her. But why? She turned around to ask and found he was standing behind her.

  “I was right. It matches your eyes and it looks pretty against your beautiful red hair.”

  “But Ashe, I can’t take such an elaborate gift. You should give it to…” She couldn’t finish.

  “If you were going to say Lola, I want you to know there’s no way in hell I’d ever give her something like this.”

  She smiled. “You know I can’t wear it in public. Everyone’s speculating about who bought the hat. I don’t think—”

  “You’re right. Now’s not the time to wear it in public. When you wear this hat I want you walking down the street with your arm linked in mine.”

  When she didn’t respond, he put his arms around her. “I don’t know what’s going to happen with us, Quinn, but there’s nothing I want more than your trust. I want you to take this hat home and put it in your wardrobe. Don’t tell your sisters about it for a while. I want it to be our secret.”

  “I will, but it’ll be hard.” She smiled up at him. “Can I take it out and look at it?”

  “Anytime you want to, honey.” He chuckled. “There’s another time when I want you to take the hat out and put it on and look at yourself in the mirror.”

  “When?”

  “If you happen to see me go to Lola Norwood’s house or you hear her prattle in town about us getting married, I want you to go to your room, put on this hat, look in the mirror and say, ‘I can trust Ashe. He wouldn’t lie to me.’ Will you do that?”

  “Would you lie to me, Ashe?”

  He pulled her to him. “I’ll never lie to you, Quinn. I can’t promise you much at this time, but I can promise you that.”

  Her heart was racing, but she wanted to know for sure. “Then you’re really not in love with Lola?”

  “I swear I’m not now nor have I ever been in love with Lola.” He looked into her eyes. “I’ll tell you one more thing. I have no intention of ever taking her to bed again. I don’t want to live that way any longer.”

  “Don’t make promises you can’t keep, Ashe.”

  “I can keep this one. I swear.”

  She was about to pull away when Ashe leaned down and captured her lips with his. She knew she didn’t need to lose her heart to this man who would probably never settle down with any woman. But she didn’t push him away. Instead she reached up and slid her arms around his neck, pulling herself closer to him. As the kiss deepened he pressed her tight against his chest. She could feel the beat of his heart against her breast. She wondered if she was going to melt on his bedroom floor.

  Ashe was the first to pull away. “If I don’t let you go, I may never let you leave my arms.”

  Quinn gave him a shy smile. “You shouldn’t overdo.”

  He put his arm around her shoulder and headed back to the bed. “You’re special to me, Quinn. I want you to know that.”

  When she sat back in the chair, she removed the hat and put it in the box. “You make me feel special, Ashe, so yes, I promise I’ll trust you. As everyone knows, I always keep my promises.”

  “I’m glad.” He smiled at her, lay back on the bed and closed his eyes.

  She blushed then looked alarmed. “Are you all right?”

  “I’m fine, but I think I might have stayed up a little long.” He smiled at her. “Do me a favor, Quinn. Come sit on the bed beside me. I want to hold your hand.”

  She moved to the edge of the bed and sat down. “Is this what you want?”

  “Yes.” He took her hand and lifted it to his lips.

  She leaned down and kissed his forehead.

  He was drifting off to sleep and was muttering. She leaned close and would have sworn he said, “I can’t let Quinn know I love her. She’s too good for me.”

  * * * *

  It was almost dark when Deborah came to the door and knocked. Quinn slipped out of Ashe’s room and answered.

  “Is something wrong?” Quinn asked when she saw the look on her sister’s face.

  “Someone shot Winnie. Cal asked me to come and tell you he and Beck were trying to find the shooter.”

  “Oh, my word. How’s Winnie?”

  “The bullet hit her left shoulder and missed any vital organs. Doctor Wheeler said she’d be all right after a long rest.”

  “Who in the world would want to shoot Winnie?”

  “That’s what everyone’s asking.” Deborah followed Quinn to the kitchen. “Something smells good.”

  “I put a roast in when I got here. I don’t think the men are eating very well.”

  “Want me to make some biscuits or something?”

  “I’m sure they’d appreciate them.”

  Deborah pulled out the ingredients. “They took Winnie back to Mrs. Potter’s Boarding House.”

  “I’m sure Mrs. Potter will have her hands full looking after Winnie.”

  “I know she gets on some people’s nerves, but she’s not bad enough to shoot.”

  “You’re right about that.” Quinn tested the roast and found it was done. She moved it to a section of the stove to stay warm. “Where’s Marlene?”

  “She was going to close the store, but Naomi Coddler came in to check on her dress.”

  “How’s her husband doing?”

  “She said he was going to recover, though it was going to take a long time before he can get out of bed.” Deborah laughed. “I think he’s giving her a hard time and she needed to get out of the house. She had a friend with her. I think Marlene might pick up another customer.”

  “That’s great.”

  “We’re going to have to order more stock. We sold several pieces this week. Winnie bought that petticoat with the yellow ribbons. She was thrilled with her dress.” Deborah sighed. “Poor thing wore it out of our store and was shot before she could get in Mrs. Forester’s shop. There was blood all over everything.”

  “Maybe it’ll wash out.”

  “Mrs. Potter said it was torn, but Marlene told me she still had material to match it and she’d make another back for the bodice.”

  “Good.”

  “How’s Ashe?”

  “Better, but he’s not as strong as he thinks. He was walking around and it tired him out so much he went back to sleep as soon as he lay down.”

  “I’m sure that’s good for him.” Deborah began placing fat biscuits on the baking pan. “You like him, don’t you, Quinn?”

  “Of course I do. He’s been nice to us.”

  Deborah turned toward her. “Don’t try to fool me, little sister. You may not want to admit it, but it’s more than him being nice to us.”

  “All right, I admit I’
m attracted to Ashe, but that’s all it is, Deborah. He’s not the type of man to settle down.” Quinn sighed. “And I’m not the woman to change him.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “He told me there could never be anything between us. He thinks I’m too young and he’s too jaded.” She gave her sister a sad smile. “I believe he meant it.”

  “Oh, Quinn, maybe not.”

  “It’s better I know now than after I fell in love with him. Now we can be friends.” She turned to the stove and checked the vegetables. She didn’t want her sister to guess she already had fallen in love with the sheriff.

  Chapter 30

  There was a rapid knock on the back door and Lola opened it, expecting to see Ashe, who sometimes used the back door. It never occurred to her he was still too sick to leave his house. She let out a little cry when a wiry man pushed her aside and rushed inside.

  “Who are you?” She screamed as she stumbled backward.

  He slammed the door behind him and said, “Shut-up.” His deep, gravely voice didn’t seem to fit his skinny body.

  “Who are you?”

  “I told you to shut up.” He took hold of her arm and pulled her toward the door leading out of the kitchen. “Where do you keep your liquor?”

  “I’m not giving you anything to drink.”

  “Don’t think so, huh?” He twisted her arm.

  Lola let out a little cry. “That hurt!”

  He ignored her. “Now, where’s the liquor.”

  “In the parlor.”

  He shoved her in front of him. “Lead the way.”

  As soon as they entered the parlor he saw the bottle of Scotch on the corner table. He grabbed it, knocking over a crystal glass. Without a word he opened bottle and drank from it. wiping off his mustache, he said, “Good stuff.”

  She didn’t answer.

  He dropped to the chair in the corner and glanced out the window. He grinned again. “I guess I got away.”

  Lola sat the sofa because it was as far from him as she could get. “Away from what?”

  He looked at her starting at her feet and lifting his eyes up her body. “I see why he thought you were worth it.”

  She frowned. “What are you talking about?”

  He sneered, drank from the bottle again, but didn’t answer.

  “Damn you. Why won’t you tell me what’s going on?”

  “You’re a spitfire, ain’t you?”

  “I have a right to be. A man comes bursting into my house and won’t tell me who he is or why he’s here.”

  “They call me Slim.” He laughed. “Does that make you feel better, pretty lady?”

  She glared at him. With all the experience she’d had with men, she didn’t think Slim was going to hurt her. If he had intended to, he would’ve already done it.

  “Answer me, girlie.”

  “What are you doing here?”

  “I needed a place to hide.”

  She frowned. “Hide?”

  He turned his head and looked out the window then took a swig of whisky. “This is good stuff,” he said again and grinned at her, showing his yellowed teeth.

  “Why did you come to my house to hide?”

  “The Boss told me to.”

  “The boss?”

  “You know damn good and well Templeton’s the boss. We all do what he tells us to do.” He drank again. “I guess he figured if I got caught he wanted you to take the blame for planning the old gal’s death. He ain’t about to take it himself.”

  Lola gasped. “I didn’t plan anything.”

  “That’s between you and him. I just done what he told me to do.”

  “What did he tell you to do?”

  “Kill the old fat woman who was on the last stage we robbed.”

  Lola’s eyes grew big. “Did you kill her?”

  “Hell woman, I usually kill anything I shoot at.” He waved the whisky bottle at her. “Don’t want me to get the notion to kill you, do you?”

  “Temp would kill you.”

  “I don’t think so. He might even thank me. Give him a free rein on the farmer’s daughter.”

  “What farmer’s daughter?”

  “I figured you knew we were holed up with old farmer Harper. He’s the kind who’ll keep his mouth shut for a price.”

  “And he has a daughter?” she snapped.

  “Yeah. Pretty little thing. Long black hair and the cutest little figure ever to be seen. Her daddy seems fine with letting the boss sleep in the house with them even if there ain’t but two bedrooms.” He laughed out loud. “I’m sure Templeton ain’t sleeping with the old man.”

  “Are you lying?”

  “Why would I lie to you, sweetheart?”

  “Because… You just would.”

  He shook his head. “Not me, baby.”

  “You don’t think Temp is fooling around with her, do you?”

  “Of course he’s fooling around with her. But I think he’s stupid. If you was mine I’d never look at another woman.”

  “Temp’s always been a sucker for pretty women.” She flipped back her hair, trying not to let Slim see how furious she was. “He’s probably doing it because he knows about me and Ashe.”

  “We all know.” He grinned. “We know you’ve fooled around with others, too. I guess you’re keeping in practice for your old profession.”

  She jumped up. “How dare you say that!”

  He laughed. “It’s the truth, ain’t it, baby? I heard you were once the best whore in New Orleans.”

  She walked over to the table and picked up a glass. Holding it out to him, she demanded. “Pour me a drink.”

  He did as she said and grinned up at her. “Maybe you’d like to bring me a little comfort.”

  “I wouldn’t sink—”

  Before she could go on, he grabbed her waist and jerked her into his lap. “Oh, come on. The boss won’t care. If he’ll let you sleep with Montgomery, he’ll be more than happy to share you with one of his good friends.” He pulled her closer and covered her lips with his.

  “Don’t you dare try to—”

  “Don’t fight me, baby. I know what you are.”

  She jerked away from him. “If you know what I am, then you know it’ll cost you—”

  “Hell, lady. I got money.” He took a small sack out of his pocket. “There’s more’n a hundred dollars here.”

  She reached for the sack and tossed it on the table. “In that case…” She let the glass slide from her hand as she put her arms around his neck, thinking it would take a fool to turn down a hundred dollars.

  * * * *

  “How many more people I know are going to get shot?” Hank Stockton leaned forward in the chair beside Winnie’s bed. He was glad to see she seemed to be recovering.

  Winnie reached for his hand. “I sure didn’t plan to get shot.”

  “I’m glad it wasn’t worse. I know you’re in pain, but you’re going to be fine, Winnie.”

  She nodded.

  “Do you know what happened?”

  “I only know I started in the hat shop and somebody shot me.” She sneered. “Of course we both know who did it, don’t we, Hank?”

  “Nobody saw who did it and by the time we got you to the doctor, Cal and Beck didn’t find the shooter.”

  “I don’t care if they found her or not. Princess shot me and we both know it.”

  “I don’t think she could’ve gotten away.”

  “But—”

  “I’m not saying she didn’t know you were going to be shot, but I don’t think she did it herself.”

  She raised an eyebrow. “So you’re saying she hired someone to kill me.”

  “That’s exactly what I’m saying.”

  Winnie closed her eyes, squeezed his hand and leaned back into the big feather pillow. A tear slid down her cheek. “It’s a shame when a girl has a relative shot, isn’t it Hank, even if she’s a no-good aunt like me?”

  “I’m sure you did what you thought was be
st at the time, Winnie.”

  “Maybe I did and maybe I could’ve done better. My mother was a whore. So was my grandmother and of course, my sister and I followed in their footsteps. I was lucky. I never had a kid, but my sister wasn’t so lucky. She thought she’d found the love of her life when a rancher came along making promises. Of course as soon as she was with child, he took off and she never saw him again. Then two years later she up and died and left me her kid to raise. I didn’t know a thing about children. I thought being a whore was the only way to live and I admit I was the one who dragged Princess into it.”

  “As I said before, you did what you had to do, Winnie.”

  “No, Hank. I could’ve sent her off to school or something. I know other prostitutes who’ve done that. I had the money at the time, but she was so beautiful I knew the men would go crazy for her. All I could see were dollar signs.”

  “You were right about that. She really brought the men in.”

  “I had to become a middle-aged woman before I realized there was another way to live.”

  “You can still start a new life, Winnie.”

  “Nobody knows, but I had a pretty fair stake when I left New Orleans. It’s shrinking now. I’ll have to find something to do sooner or later.” She laughed. “Princess gave me a bank draft, but I haven’t cashed it.”

  “Why not?”

  “I don’t know if I should. She might use it against me somehow.”

  “I don’t see how she could.”

  “Then you think I should cash it?”

  “I don’t see why now. She’s got plenty of money.”

  Winnie yawned. “I’ll think about it.”

  Hank patted her good shoulder with his free hand. “Winnie, I’m sure you need to rest. I promised Mrs. Potter and the doctor I wouldn’t stay long. I only wanted to make sure you were going to be all right.”

  “Thank you for coming to see me, Hank.” She closed her eyes. “I know you’ll see Princess gets what’s coming to her.”

  Hank didn’t answer, but went out the door and down the stairs. He hesitated in the hallway and wondered if he should go into the kitchen and speak to Ina. The decision was taken away from him when he heard the swish of skirts behind him.

  He turned and smiled as Ina walked up.

  “I’m sure Winnie was delighted to see you.”