Dust And Dreams (The Rivers Brothers Book 1)

by Lynn Landes

  “Well, Cassie, the next train is leaving in three days for the North West.” Finished with the fire he stands and dusts his hands. “I would be honored if you'd travel with me under my protection until you reach your destination. It is the least I could do.”

  She stares hard at the large man in front of her, and her mind calms. Perhaps this is the answer. “Dalton, I won’t lie and pretend that I’m not in a bad situation. That would be a huge help, but what exactly are you expecting of me. Just how far will you expect me to go?”

  “I admire a woman who speaks her mind, Cassie. I'm an honorable man. I would not ask anything of you that you aren't willing to offer. In public, you are my bride, but in private we will just be friends. How does that sound?” he asks, smiling down at her.

  Cassie listens to his words, but when she tries to open her mind to his, she is in for a shock. She is met by a wall of silence. The color fades from her face, and her mouth opens in a gasp. Blessed silence for the first time. His thoughts, intentions, and images do not beat at her, and she finds only peace. “Perfect, if you let me pay you for your services,” she manages to say.

  Chapter 5

  “You want to pay for me being your husband?” he asks incredulously.

  “Of course not!” Cassie blushes, “I want to pay you for your time. We simply treat this as a business deal and keep it as professional as possible. That’s all.”

  “We can discuss terms in the morning, I'm going to get you some food before the restaurant closes.” He removes the chair and slams his way down the hall, muttering under his breath.

  Cassie watches him go and jumps from the chair. She looks inside her bag, and when she finds the two bags of gold still sewn into the lining, she sighs in relief. Tomorrow, she will exchange them for cash and then get on that train. Until then, she will play along with Mr. Dalton Rivers. He seems harmless enough, but everyone has secrets and the fact that she can't read him makes her uncomfortable.

  She moves to the bed with the blanket still wrapped around her and lays down with a sigh. “Better rest while you can, who knows what this night will bring.” With that, she closes her eyes and falls asleep.

  Dalton keeps his pistol close and heads to the lobby desk. The noise outside is escalating, and he knows that he needs to hurry. He rings the bell and greets the manager.

  “What can I do for you, sir?” the manager asks.

  “I need to go ahead and settle up my bill. I will be checking out in the morning.” After a few minutes of negotiation, they settle on a price and Dalton is surprised when the manager stops him.

  “You packages were delivered to your room earlier. If you would like to settle that bill here, you can do so now.” At Daltons look of confusion the older man chuckles. “Mr. Chou said your wife told them to deliver her things here.”

  “Of course,” Dalton stammers out. He quickly pays the bill before heading to the restaurant. He orders soup and crusty bread, with hot tea and is surprised to find out for a little extra, they will have it brought to his room.

  He decides to clear out the room in his real name. Curious as to what his ‘wife' bought, he hurries to the fourth-floor room and finds to his relief that no one is waiting inside. He quickly lights a lantern and looks around the room. Her packages are wrapped in brown paper with a note on the outside. They rest on the bed and on the floor is an ornate tea trunk. He opens the lid and finds an authentic tea set.

  “Exquisite taste,” he says to himself.

  He pops his head outside and finds one the Asian servants cleaning the room next door. For a few silver coins, he arranges for the man to deliver the packages to the room he is sharing with Cassandra.

  “Time to get back,” he mutters closing the door behind him.

  Cassie is sound asleep when he returns, and she does not move a muscle when he shuts the door softly behind him. He lights the lantern on the wall and replaces the two chairs at the table beside the window. The room is small but clean, and he is hoping after she eats that she will sleep well.

  The first sharp knock at the door has Dalton jumping, and he moves swiftly to the door, hoping to let her sleep. He opens the door after checking the peephole and finds the waitress from the hotel restaurant waiting with a tray. He accepts the food with a quiet smile and tips the girl one silver coin. Carefully, he carries the tray to the table. The smell of hot soup permeates the small room and Cassie stirs.

  “Dalton?” she asks, sitting up slowly. “I must have fallen asleep. Is everything okay?” Her hair is a mess, and she is too tired to care.

  “Everything is fine. Are you hungry?” A blush covers her cheeks as she nods in excitement.

  “I’m starved. If you wouldn’t mind, I need to freshen up first,” she says hurrying to the door.

  “Wait. I will go with you. Do you have your pistol?” At her nod, they hurry down the hall to the lady’s room. Each floor has a community bath, one for the men and one for the women. She swiftly checks the room and hurries through her business.

  Dalton smiles at her when she exits and gestures for her to walk ahead. When she enters the room, the smell of soup and fire almost reminds her of home. A wistful smile crosses her face, and she moves towards the table for two and touches the teapot.

  “Tea?” she asks, turning to him. For the first time, she realizes how large he is. He must be about six feet to her five foot six, and he is built. He has days old stubble and firm lips that make a woman imagine. Dreaming is dangerous she's here for one reason and one reason only, safety. He is her ticket to a new life. That's all.

  Dalton sees her eyes drop to his mouth and he forces himself not to smile. Even exhausted with bags under her eyes, she is exquisite. “Black, please.” He moves to the chair and lifts the lid off the food. “Mmmm, smells great. I hope soup and bread are okay.” He waits for her to sit before joining her.

  “Perfect, I must admit I haven’t eaten since dinner last night. Today didn’t exactly go as I thought,” she laughs and her smile fades when he reaches for her hand to say the blessing.

  “I think we have a great deal to be thankful for, don't you?” His eyes stare into hers, and she sees a million unvoiced questions, and she freezes.

  “I haven’t said grace in a long time, Dalton.”

  “It's a time for new beginnings, Cassie. You just hold on tight, and we will get through it together.” Her cold hand touches his, and the heat from his touch floods her body. She waits for it, the flood of memories and thoughts invading her mind, but it doesn't come. Only the timber of his voice as he speaks. He holds tightly to her trembling hand and begins.

  “Father, today we thank you for the miracle of new friends. For finding safety in each other’s company and we ask that you bless our friendship. Guide our steps so that we honor you and help us know that you are always present. Amen.”

  Cassie watches him as he prays, and she doesn’t try to stop her tears from falling. “I’d forgotten what is like to not be alone, Dalton. Thank you.” He leans forward and wipes her tears with his free hand.

  “You are welcome. Let’s eat.” He reluctantly releases her hand.

  They eat in silence for a few minutes until a knock on the door has her jumping.

  “Easy. I'm expecting a delivery.” He stands up and steps to the door with a smile.

  When he opens it, she gasps in delight. “My trunk! I'd completely forgotten!” Leaping up, she hovers excitedly while he directs them to a corner. The rest of the packages are placed on the bed, and she watches as he pays them a coin each for their trouble. Generous, kind, and good looking. No one is that perfect, she thinks. I had perfection once, she thinks, and her eyes gloss over at the thought of her husband.

  The sound of the door closing has Cassie turning away to wipe more tears. “I don’t know what’s come over me today. It’s just a trunk.”

  “That is one exquisite trunk, Cassie. The craftsmanship is amazing. You have a good eye for detail.” He says opening the lid. “Do you mind if I look a
t it? My grandmother would love something like this.”

  “Of course not. He had a few others that were smaller, Dalton. Oh! You paid for this, didn’t you?” Embarrassment rushes through her. “You didn’t even ask why it was delivered in your name.”

  He smiles and returns to his food. “You can tell me while we eat.” Outside the night sounds intensify and Cassie's teacup trembles as she tries to ignore the noise.

  “I paid and settled both our rooms. As far as the hotel is concerned, we checked out and are already are gone. I really think we will be safe for the night.”

  “I hope so. I can’t wait to get out of here.” She murmurs glancing at the window.

  “You never did tell me why you're here?” Dalton inquires when his curiosity gets the better of him. Cassie laughs at him.

  “I didn’t, you are right. I have business at the bank in the morning and a train to catch to get away from here. What about you, Dalton. Why are you here and where are you headed?”

  He allows the redirection of the question, for now. “My family owns a cattle ranch in Wyoming. Tomorrow morning, I have a meeting with the bankers. I am hoping to buy into the railroad. I want to bring it to the town closest to our ranch. I am surprised that the Williams brothers knew I was trying to buy into it,” he says leaning back to look at her.

  “I see. Well, maybe they overheard something. What do cattle ranching and the railroad have to do with each other?” she asks confused.

  “Ranchers make money by selling cattle. The problem is that we are only able to sell or trade to the nearest towns. The railroad changes everything. We would be able to trade here, and it would also help the local economy. I have heard talk that the railroads need investors to bring the rails across the States. Clear across the country, Cassie! Image how that would change things. Already you see evidence of the changes with sleeper cars and cable cars. Imagine what the future holds!”

  Her dimple flashes as she catches on to his excitement. “Amazing! My father was a rancher too, and he would’ve agreed with you. We struggled a great deal until… well, never mind.” Tell me, she can hear in his body language, but she isn't ready to share that information. She sips her tea and leans back.

  “Who are you meeting in the morning?” She asks thinking quickly.

  “Two of the shareholders and one of the bankers. Why?”

  “I have some business to tie up from my father's estate. It would be easier if my ‘husband' were with me. Women aren't typically treated equally in business matters. Would you mind if I went with you?”

  “Of course not.” They talk for another hour before exhaustion overtakes her again. After arguing over sleeping arrangements, they agree that he will sleep on the floor and she will have the bed. Dalton watches, listening to her even breathing and keeps guard long into the night.

  Chapter 6

  Cassie rises with the sun, and to her surprise, Dalton is already gone. His bags are still here, so he must be in the showers. She gathers her best dress, one of the three she brought and hurries to the shower. Due to the lack of women in this town, she is alone, thankfully.

  Today she must look the part of the new bride. Taking extra time with her hair, she curls it loosely and gathers the sides up, allowing the rest to flow around her shoulders. The dress has a full skirt that is popular today. It is a dark hunter green gown cinched tightly at the waist with a white lace collar that highlights her eyes perfectly. She steps back and looks at her reflection.

  “Time to go to work, Cassandra Rivers.” She has a plan to help Dalton and get her business taken care of. When she left her father's ranch, she brought with her roughly twenty pounds of gold flake. Two ten-pound bags. She had some cash that she had saved, and her father left her, and that is sewn into the lining of her three dresses. The remaining gold, too much for her to carry was safely secured until such time as she would have need of it, if ever. It is blood money, and she's not sure she will ever claim it.

  Dalton will help her cash her gold in, and she will help him get his railroad shares. Smiling softly, she steps from the ladies room and screams in alarm when a hand snatches her arm. The poor serving girl screams back and throws a stack of towels in the air.

  Cassie clutches an arm to her chest in alarm and swiftly apologizes to the young Asian girl. “I am sorry, you startled me. Please accept my apology.” She says, handing the girl back her towels.

  “Your husband and his brother, waiting in the lobby for you. He asked me to come get you,” she says staring at Cassandra.

  “Oh, Okay then. I just need to grab my bag.” Cassie returns to her room slowly sifting through the girl's thoughts. She sees one of the Williams brothers handing the girl a silver coin and the girl nodding in compliance.

  “I just need one moment.” She grabs her bag and finds her change purse. She holds up two, ten-dollar gold coins and stares hard at the young girl. “That man downstairs is not my husband. You get me out of here without those men knowing and these are yours. If you get all my luggage on a cart and buggy and sent to the bank. I will double it.”

  The girl’s eyes open wide at the thought of four gold coins. That’s more money than she makes in a year. Immediately she nods. “Yes. You come with me now, though.”

  Cassie presses the coins into the girl's hands and says, “One minute. I need my real husband.” She hurries to the men's shower and hesitates.

  “I go? Your man, which one?” The girl asks following behind.

  “Dalton Rivers,” Cassie replies feeling slightly ashamed. She anxiously waits, while the girl disappears inside. The sound of whistles and calls erupt, followed quickly by a worried looking Dalton.

  He’s dressed in a black day suit, with a crisp white shirt and black hat. He looks every bit the fine gentlemen. His face is clean shaven, and he looks relieved when he finds her waiting. “Cassandra, what's wrong?”

  “We go now!” the girl urges.

  Cassie takes the hint, “Dalton I will explain later, but we have to go. The Williams brothers are here.”

  The girl leads them down the servant's stairs and out through the central garden. There is a covered path that the workers use to make sure they do not interfere with the guest unless requested to. The young girl stops an older woman and speaks to her in their native language. Then shows her the two gold coins. Her mother is shocked but quickly covers it.

  “My mother will help you from here. I take care of others and luggage. My father will meet you at the bank with a buggy and luggage later. You said two more coins, right?” She asks with hope gleaming in her eyes.

  Cassie leans in and says, “Yes, I promise. Thank you!”

  Dalton watches the exchange quietly. The mother tells them to wait, while she leaves for a moment.

  “How did you know the brothers were here?” he asks while they wait.

  “They sent the young girl, and she said my husband and his brother were waiting for me downstairs. I simply looked at the clues and paid her more than they did. Money talks, Mr. Rivers.”

  Looking down at her he's surprised to find that it saddens him to hear the cynicism in her voice. “Yes, it does, but it doesn't solve every problem,” he is quick to respond.

  The mother returns at that moment with a horse-drawn wagon and hands the reigns over to Dalton. He helps Cassie up and then follows giving a tip of his hat to the women before they leave for the bank.

  “That was close, too close,” Cassie says. Glancing around the now bustling streets. The morning fog that had rolled in is burning away, and the sun begins to shine through. Riding down the streets with Dalton at her side, Cassie can't help but wish things were different.

  They drive eight blocks to the four-story brick building with the word bank etched into the stone and stop. Dalton leaps down and turns to assist Cassie down. He wraps his large hands around her waist and lowers her slowly as though he has all the time in the world.

  “Did I tell you, Mrs. Rivers, how beautiful you look this morning?” he growls. />
  Cassie's heartbeat increases and she smiles at him with a soft blush. “No, Mr. Rivers, but I shall forgive you the oversight just this once.” When her feet touch the earth, he leans into her ear and murmurs a promise.

  “A mistake I will not make twice.” The sound of his deep voice in her ears has chills erupting all over her body. Desire strikes and Cassie is stunned. She doesn’t allow herself to hope for the future, it’s dangerous.

  “Dalton…” she whispers, and he hears the sound of desire mixed with fear in her voice.

  “Cassandra…” He replies, leaning down to kiss her. The sound of the horse neighing startles them, and they both realize where they are.

  He turns with a chuckle and offers her his arm. “Business Dalton, remember. Strictly business,” she reminds him.

  “Of course, but you can’t blame a man for trying. You are just too beautiful. I apologize if it offends you,” he says as he pushes the door to the bank open.

  The moment they enter the bank lobby, she feels the tension enter his body. The interior is incredible with its mahogany colored walls, Victorian arches, and stunning chandeliers. A large fireplace beckons and they move towards it to warm up and drive away the chill.

  “Dalton, it's exquisite!” She says unable to stop staring at the opulence around her. He glances down at her excitement and smiles at her.

  Cassie feels a man’s thoughts before he reaches them. ‘Him again, he sighs. How many times must we say No to this cowboy?’ When he looks at Cassie, his thoughts scatter for a moment. She graces him with a smile and loops her arm through Dalton’s.

  “I’m delighted you have such high regards for our establishment, Miss…?” he hopes.

  “Mrs. Rivers, my bride.” Dalton snaps stepping in front of her, disgusted by the way the man is looking at her.