Off in the distance, a gunshot rang so loud the sound penetrated through her walls and made her jump.
Well, most of the time the town was civilized.
The old grandfather clock in the hallway rang. She grabbed her wrap and spread it over her shoulders as she made her way downstairs. Wall had better be on time. She needed to keep a steady mind in order to deal with the representative and his errand boys. With Wall by her side, though, she wouldn’t have a problem.
The other day, when he showed up out of nowhere, she’d been stunned, but his presence lent a steadiness she’d felt slipping away as she talked to Luther in the alley. When Wall’s voice boomed from behind her it was as though God had sent down a pillar from heaven for her to lean on while she dealt with the simpleton errand boy.
A pillar who talked…and smelled like musky leather.
“Let’s hope word of Wall’s interference doesn’t spread,” she said aloud, with no one to talk to but the stairwell walls.
“What interference?” her father asked, coming into view at the bottom of the staircase.
Blast! He’d heard.
“Nothing, Father.” She stepped off the bottom stair and stood on her tiptoes to kiss his cheek. “A silly social thing is all.”
“Ah,” he said, and pointed toward the door to his study. “Well, Wallace is waiting in there, so you may not want to talk to yourself too loud if you’re going to say silly social things about a gentleman.”
“Thank you.” Victoria made her way around her father. “And he is no gentleman.”
“Smart fellow. You could do worse.”
Victoria chuckled. “Yes. Like a drifter.”
“He’s an Adair, is he not?”
“Yes.” She stopped and turned to face him. “You ought to know, Father. You hired him.”
“That was before I knew who he was, and the brains he’s got hidden behind that wild streak of his. Else the boy would be working with Paul and me and not trying to kill himself at the river. You may want to consider bringing him into the mill.”
“He makes fine contraptions, and will hopefully increase our profit by ten percent this year.”
“Best not leave a man like that waiting.”
With one last, lopsided grin for her father’s sake, she entered the study to find Wall standing before the fireplace. His white cotton shirt beneath his black jacket was a vast improvement from the greasy, dirt-covered clothes he’d warn earlier in the day. The knot in her chest eased a fraction and she stepped next to him, and smiled.
“Well, now, Miz Victoria, you go smiling at a man like that, and you may end up charming Nichols into submitting to your every whim. You won’t need my help.”
“Nonsense. You’ve got something I need.”
Wall cleared his throat and shifted the weight on his feet. She wasn’t innocent enough to mistake the signs of a man’s wayward thoughts. It happened quite often whenever she spoke to those of the opposite sex. Although, for the life of her, she didn’t understand why. Rarely did she say inappropriate things. Harsh, perhaps. At times fickle, but never inappropriate.
“Calm yourself, Mr. Adair.” She straightened his jacket lapel. “You have a working knowledge of the lumber camp operation, and cattle operation. Should I need you to discuss the inner workings of either of those, you have my permission to speak.”
He bowed his head sarcastically. “And should I wait until you give the signal to answer questions directed towards me?”
She glared and tipped her head, letting her loose curls drop to her shoulder. If he was going to play verbal fisticuffs, she’d jump into the fray. She’d heard he was a pugilist, but she wasn’t afraid. When it came to verbal battles, she was a fighter too. “Yes, that would be best.”
“Whatever you wish.”
“Hhmm,” she said simply, and turned to walk toward the front door, assuming he’d follow. She was right. His newly cleaned boots echoed off the floorboards behind her.
Outside, she led the way down the walk and toward her buggy. She lifted her skirts to take the steps when Wall picked her up as though her weight held no offense to his strength. The heat from his palms warmed through her corset and dress.
By the time she’d gained her wits, he’d taken the seat next to her and snatched up the reins before she had the chance.
“Beg your pardon.” She reached for the reins, but he pulled them away.
“Not used to letting the man be the boss, I see.” Through the faint light of the streetlamp, she saw his grin. “You should try it once in a while. You might find you like it.”
She dropped her hands in her lap hard enough he should get the point, and faced forward. “I find things work out the way I want if I am the one to take control.”
Wall snapped the reins and set the buggy in motion. “That may be, but when you’re the one driving you don’t get to see the scenery around you. I’ll bet it’s been quite a while since you stopped to watch the elk graze on the mountain side, or even smell a damn flower.”
“I smell my neighbor’s rose bush every time my dress catches on the blasted thorns.”
“Not what I was talking about.” Wall turned the buggy down a street, and then straightened it out. “When’s the last time you let your hair down? Took some time to discover who you are?”
“Is that what you’re doing? Taking time from being a cowboy to discover who you are?”
“Could be,” he said.
“And you’ve discovered your real identity is a logger?”
“Not just any logger. The leader of the Devil May Cares.”
“That’s a lot of pressure for such a position. Imagine if you weren’t the leader. What would you do then?”
“Ah, I never said finding who I am was a permanent thing. Sometimes in life, who you are, and what your job is are two different things. I’m a Devil May Care, and one of those filthy cowboys you seem to despise so much.”
“And you plan to remain this way your entire life?”
“If life goes my way. I wouldn’t be averse to straddling two worlds.” Something in his voice made her think the words he spoke weren’t the ones he believed. The sadness in the way he said “my life.” Or maybe the way he spoke of being a cowboy. Granted, she had thrown out an insult or two his way, but why would her opinion sway his love of riding fences?
She was one to talk, or rather think. Had the right man entered her life before she’d taken over the mill, would she have been so determined to carry on the family business? “But you don’t think you’ll be able to? Straddle two worlds, that is.”
Wall pulled the buggy up before the mayor’s house, and placed the break. “Do you think you’ll be able to succeed as a woman in the timber business?”
“I suppose determination has a lot to do with whether we both will succeed in the end.”
“I suppose you’re right.” He jumped to the ground and walked around the buggy. He reached out for her and all she could focus on were his hands—strong and steady. “Are you ready?”
“I’m ready for the season to start and to make money. What will these fools say then?”
“You don’t have to listen to them. What does their opinion matter if you’re doing what you love?”
“You’re right. I shall ignore all ungracious comments tonight.”
Wall tipped his head at her remark and ushered her inside the large house. Candles aligned the wall, lighting the way toward the sitting rooms.
She was familiar with the house, having been to many affairs in these very rooms. From teas to balls, and even a literature exhibition. This was the first time she’d brought a man with her, though. Even Garrett had met her at the parties, and not accompanied her in the buggy.
Victoria straightened her back, although with the corset taking off a good inch around her waist, she didn’t see how she could straigh
ten her posture any more. She’d much rather wear her work clothes, which even though were a blouse and skirt, didn’t require her to wear the restricting undergarments social events dictated.
She placed her hand on the tight barrier over her stomach as she searched the crowd. “Over there is the mayor’s wife, Annabel. A flighty little flirt of a woman. If rumors are correct, the mayor bought her from one of those mail-order bride flyers.”
“A most convenient way to find a wife.” Wall motioned with his head to where two men stood talking. “Representative Nichols is in the corner. Would you like to go straight to him and begin our campaign, or do a round of the room first?”
“I don’t see why we shouldn’t get right down to business.”
Wall pulled a pocket watch from his jacket, checked it, and then nodded. “Agreed.”
She stared at his hands while he stowed the watch. “Do you have somewhere else to be?”
He shook his head. “I’m all yours.”
On those words, he gently tugged on her arm to make a wide berth around the room, headed slowly toward the back corner. She plastered on a false smile, and gave nods and greetings to acquaintances they passed until they reached Nichols.
With expert ease, Wall maneuvered her to the group.
To Victoria’s surprise, Nichols greeted him by name. “Ah, Wallace.”
“Representative Nichols,” he greeted with a nod.
“How’s your father? Healthy, I assume, or else you’d be home running that ol’ bag of bones ranch of yours.” Nichols chuckled at some inside joke, as Wallace gave the same smile he’d given Luther in the alley.
“He’s holding up well. I’ll tell him you send your regards.” Wall pulled her forward a tad, and turned ever-so-slightly, drawing the group’s attention toward her. “May I introduce Miz Victoria Harrison.”
“Ah, yes. Abner’s little girl,” Nichols said. “I hope your father is enjoying retirement. Best thing he could have done at this point.”
“Why’s that?” she asked, giving her own version of the social smile. Mentally she bludgeoned the politician with the candelabra just over his shoulder.
“I have it on good authority that Montana is about to become a state.”
“That’s wonderful!” the (up until now) quiet man next to him exclaimed, and then excused himself to go spread the news.
“And how would Montana becoming a state be of benefit to my father? Or are you referring more to my company, Great Mountain Lumber Mill?”
“Ah, that’s right. I heard you took over the mill.” He shook his head. “Such a shame. The women’s teas will be greatly affected without your talent.”
“I hardly think drinking tea requires any skills, sir,” Victoria responded. “I can assure you, I’m much more effective using my talents at the mill.”
“Well, then. You might be interested to hear that once Montana becomes a state, I’m afraid you’re going to have to close your doors. You may consider getting out while you are ahead.”
She frowned. “Why’s that?”
“I’m not supposed to be letting this out yet, but you being a woman and all, I feel it’s my duty to warn you. Montana doesn’t look kindly to timber thievery.”
“I can assure you, we own most of the land we’re on, and have permits for the rest.”
“Once the statehood is secured, the permits will no longer be valid, and you’ll be breaking the law. I can assure you, the state does not intend to allow private lumber companies to harvest the beautiful mountain trees on state land.”
“And who might be allowed to harvest the mountains?” Wall asked with a bite behind his words. Unlike before, this time Wall’s interruption didn’t grate on her nerves. Instead, she lifted her head. It felt good to have support. Even if he did disobey her wishes to remain silent.
“That, son, is government business. You understand.”
Victoria opened her mouth to respond when a servant came in to announce supper. Nichols stepped past her, and in the process, leaned in close. “I wouldn’t want to put a woman such as yourself through a long, stressful trial. Best get out while you can.”
She waited for him to leave before turning to face Wall. She didn’t know what to say. All she could do was shake her head, but he understood. Or at least she thought he did since he gave her a pathetic smile and took her arm to escort her to supper.
She knew this whole mess was a lot more than Sanchez trying to take over her father’s company. It was political. If she didn’t play her cards right, it would be the ruin of Great Mountain Lumber Mill.
Wall checked his watch again as they walked, but she didn’t care what his reasons were for his new-found obsession with time. All she wanted to do was slink back home and form a plan of defense. Or attack. First, she had to feign interest in meaningless prattle for the next few hours. She was just glad she had Wall there to keep her company. At least she wouldn’t be alone in her misery.
Chapter 3
Victoria searched for Wall in the group of men headed toward the front of the house, as she followed the other women to the back sitting room. A small, flowery-decorated haven of a space where the mayor’s wife usually entertained her friends for tea. Victoria herself had been there a time or two, although she wouldn’t exactly call Annabel a friend.
What Victoria wanted was to find Wall and leave. After the information she’d received from Nichols earlier, she hadn’t the mood to entertain the frivolous chatter of witless women, and needed to form a plan to counter the territories’ bullying.
She needed to find Wall and get him to take her home, but before she could pivot and make her excuses to her host, Annabel looped her arm through Victoria’s and dipped her head close in secrecy.
“Dreadfully boring, isn’t it?” Annabel whispered.
“Not at all.” Victoria tried to match the woman’s quiet tone. “The night has been most stimulating and informative.”
“Then you haven’t been to enough of these sort of parties.” Annabel guided her into the sitting room. “They’re all the same—a bunch of blowhard men congratulating one another on their ideas and accomplishments.”
Victoria didn’t think the mayor’s wife knew how accurate her statement really was. Especially if one of those ideas she talked about was to destroy Victoria and Great Mountain.
“I’ve never heard a more profound statement.” Victoria ran her eyes over the women in the room as Carrie’s mother waved her over to the corner. “Excuse me, Ms. Annabel. I believe Mrs. Kerr is calling me.”
“Of course.” Annabel dipped her chin in acquiesce, and then faced a guest nearby as Victoria made her way to Carrie’s mother.
Mrs. Kerr sipped her tea as Victoria approached.
“Ma’am,” she greeted.
“Ms. Harrison.” Mrs. Kerr set her cup on the small plate in her hands. “I’m not going to waste time with chitter chatter, so I hope you’ll excuse my lack of etiquette, but I believe my daughter is employed in your camp.”
“She is,” Victoria said slowly.
“I suspect she wants to become a permanent resident of the Missoula camp. When she asks you for a job at the end of this season, I need you to reject her.”
“Reject her? Why? From what I saw from her performance last year, she is an excellent candidate for the cook position. And although I don’t see Aunt June retiring anytime soon, I can afford to employ Carrie as an assistant cook. Why would I reject her request for a position at my spring camp?”
“Because she is a lady of the first water and needs to secure herself a future. Here at home. I adore Aunt June, but I don’t want my daughter being like her. I want to see Carrie settled. Happily settled with a husband who can care for her.”
“And you don’t think she’s happy as a cook?”
Carrie’s mother ran her fingers over the intricate design on the side of th
e fragile teacup. “I think she fancies herself happy up there in the wild, but the charm of the mountains will wear off and leave her with nothing but calloused hands and no hope for a future. Please, help me help my daughter. She doesn’t know what’s best for her like I do.”
The thought of intruding in Carrie’s life made Victoria’s stomach hollow, but the plead in Ms. Kerr’s voice was one of desperation. She had to help as best she could, but she had the feeling Carrie wouldn’t go down the mountain easily. “I’ll tell her she can only stay as long as the end of the season, but I can’t force her to come home and find a husband.”
“I understand.” Ms. Kerr’s chest rose with a deep inhale, and the niggling fear in the back of Victoria’s mind eased a bit. Even if Carrie hated her, at least she’d brought a concerned mother some peace.
A movement near the door caught Victoria’s attention as Annabel beckoned her over. She wished it was Wall. Victoria turned and made her excuses with Ms. Kerr, and then hurried toward where her hostess inched closer to the door.
“Thank goodness. I thought Ms. Kerr would never let you go. I need your help.”
“With?” Victoria stepped hesitantly next to Annabel as the latter led them from the room.
“I need you to warn me. Be my guardian.”
“I beg your pardon?” A voice screamed in the back of her mind to run, but the woman was the mayor’s wife, and had a fierce clutch on her arm.
Her hostess remained quiet as she all but dragged her down the hall, through the house, and toward the back of the mansion. When they reached a secluded hallway, Annabel finally faced her. “We’ve always been friends, correct?”
“I was under the impression you didn’t want anything to do with me since I took over my father’s business. How did you say it last year…‘subjecting myself to a man’s job?”’
“No, silly. You’re the dearest of friends to me. I feel as though we can do anything for each other. Now, stay here and warn me if anyone comes. Also stop them from coming into the room.” Not waiting for Victoria’s response, Annabel slipped through the darkened doorway, leaving Victoria standing alone in the hallway.
Fiery Passion Page 4