by E. E. Burke
Ross had kept busy with some sort of survey work involved in the process of approving land claims, so she’d managed to avoid another conversation that might lead somewhere it shouldn’t go. She kept telling herself she couldn’t encourage him in good faith, and that she needed to stop thinking about him. Her heart wasn’t listening.
She sat at the desk in Ross’s chair and picked up the ink pen, using an old rag to wipe off a spill on the crystal holder. He just couldn’t seem to manage to use an ink pen without smudging the page or staining his fingers. She smiled thinking about it. It was one of those little quirks that made him so very…human.
He could still be unbearably arrogant, but that was on the exterior, like walls around a castle, guarding the treasures inside—generosity and kindness, unexpected tenderness. He’d shown her those treasures. More than that, he’d offered them to her.
Of course, he had to find a bride. But he could’ve gone to Fort Scott, or sent off for a woman of his own choosing. Instead, he’d pursued her with a single-mindedness that would be frightening if it weren’t so flattering. Her friends had guessed he was interested in her even before she had, or before she’d allowed herself to accept the obvious. By emphasizing his flaws, it was easier to dismiss him, and she didn’t have to risk looking closer and possibly finding what she both longed for and feared—love.
“Susannah?”
She jerked her head up at his voice. “Ross! I didn’t hear you come in.”
As he hung his hat on the rack, he gave her a wry smile. “No, you didn’t even flinch when I opened the door. Were you dozing?”
Daydreaming, more like. She shuffled through the papers and straightened the open book in front of her. “I’ve been transcribing these notes into the journal. Your handwriting is nearly unreadable, and there are quite a few smudges. I had to work out what the words were.”
“My handwriting isn’t the problem. That pen leaks.”
“I haven’t noticed.” She got up to give him the rolling chair, which was his seat, after all.
“Sit down, I’ll take this one.” He dragged a straight-backed chair over to the side of the desk. “I only stopped in to check on you. I just finished a meeting with some of the town leaders to discuss building our new church.”
She caught the offhand remark and gasped. “Is it official then? We have the land?”
“The board’s reply came this morning. The railroad is deeding the property over to the town for the purposes of building a church and a parsonage.”
“That’s even better. Good for you!” She put the pen into the holder and applauded enthusiastically.
“There’s more. I convinced one of the board members, Charlie Goodlander—he owns a lumberyard in Fort Scott—to donate the building supplies.”
Ross hadn’t just done what she’d asked; he had done far more than she’d asked. She flung her arms around his neck. “You are a dear man!”
He captured her waist, drew her onto his lap and held her there, trapped within his embrace. “Am I dear enough to deserve a kiss?”
Her heart quivered in response to the temptation. Every thought of resisting fled as he reached up and curled his hand around the back of her neck. Why fight what she’d been dying to do ever since he’d kissed her on the train?
The moment their lips met, she knew she’d come home.
This kiss, unlike the other one, started slow and sweet, feeding the delicious warmth that flowed through her veins and pooled deep within her core. His smooth, firm lips schooled hers, as they breathed each other’s air.
His tender passion freed the brave, impetuous woman she’d once been, before she was wounded and crushed; and his gentle strength enveloped and healed her. She felt safe enough to explore the wealth of feelings locked away—the urgent needs and aching desires, the giving side of her nature, which she’d been so afraid to offer to another man.
She wove her fingers through the silken thickness of his hair, wanting the kiss to go on forever. After a moment, he drew away, his chest heaving. That, and the deep flush on his lean cheeks, bore evidence to the mutual effect of those intoxicating kisses.
We’ll continue this later…” He traced her lips with the tip of his finger, sending shivers racing across her skin. “When we don’t run the risk of having an audience.”
Audience?
Yes, at the front window, you ninny. Anyone passing could see her sitting on his lap like a strumpet.
She gasped and leapt to her feet, reaching up to check her coiffure. All the pins remained in place. But of course they had, he hadn’t been plunging his fingers through her hair.
Ross straightened his jacket and ran his hand over his mussed hair, and one side of his mouth lifted in a sly smile. Her cheeks grew hotter. She turned away to check the front sidewalk to see whether anyone had observed her scandalous behavior. As her father had accused, she was indeed shameless and debauched. The moment temptation tapped her on the shoulder she embraced it.
Few people were out today and the sidewalks were nearly empty. The street, however, teemed with mounted soldiers, riding in pairs. She’d become used to seeing regular patrols, which were a common sight in a region under martial law, but she’d never seen so many soldiers in town before.
Ross’s hands curled around her shoulders. “The fault is mine, sweetheart. I shouldn’t kiss you in front of open windows.”
“You shouldn’t kiss me at all.” She bit her lip at the sharp response, owing to her unhappy conscience. “Never mind, I’ve no right to scold you. I’m disappointed in myself.”
“Why? We only shared a kiss. You haven’t done anything wrong.”
Oh, but she’d done nearly everything wrong. He just didn’t know it.
He dropped the grip he had on her shoulders, but then reached down for her hand and drew it behind her, threading their fingers together. Their clasped hands were hidden from sight. “No one saw us. It will remain our secret.”
Tears filled her eyes. At the most unexpected moments, his tenderness took her breath away. “Why did you hide this side of your nature for so long, and let me believe you to be unfeeling?”
“Because I feared you’d break my heart.”
His words knifed her chest. “Like that faithless woman you mentioned?”
Ross put his lips near her ear. “You were right about my heart being missing. After she deceived me, I refused to acknowledge I had one. You’ve convinced me it can be recovered.”
She swallowed the urge to cry. He had risked revealing his secrets, but she hadn’t given him license to explore hers. She was no better than that woman who’d hurt him.
Needing to distract him, and herself, she pulled her hand away and focused her attention on the troops passing by. “I’ve never see this many soldiers in town.”
“Captain Goldman said the army sent reinforcements to discourage any more attacks on the railroad.”
“I wonder if that’s why so few people are around.”
“They might be gathering for the meeting this afternoon. I asked members of the board to come down and meet with the settlers, make them an offer with better terms. I aim to get these claims settled and resolve this feud, which is what I promised President Grant that I’d do.”
“The president gave you this job?” Surprised, she twisted to look at him.
“No, he asked me to take it and to put an end to the standoff. Thus far, I haven’t succeeded; and as I found out, matchmaking isn’t one of my talents.” His grim expression told her he wasn’t joking.
His job had to be the most thankless one in the world—dealing with settlers’ constant complaints and enforcing unpopular railroad policies. She hated to see him doubt himself, yet knew he wouldn’t appreciate false praise.
“You’ve done what you could do, given the constraints.” She could offer little assurance, so she opted to lighten his mood. “I do agree with you though, about your matchmaking abilities. I seem to recall offering my assistance some time back.”
Amusement lit his gaze. “Yes, you did, and I should’ve taken you up on that sooner.” He took both her hands and her nerves jumped. “Speaking of offers—”
“Delilah needs to find a good husband.”
“You didn’t let me finish.”
“I’m not yet ready for that offer.”
Impatience flickered across his face before he schooled his features. “I’m willing to wait until you are.”
Reluctantly, she released his hands. He wasn’t so patient he would wait as long as it would take for her to be brave enough to reveal her true self. Being a fallen woman with an illegitimate child was bad enough. She had also deceived him. “You don’t have to settle for a woman with a child. You could pick Delilah. I’m not sure why you didn’t, unless it’s on account of her scars.”
“There’s nothing wrong with Miss Bodean, she’s a sweet woman, and we all have scars.”
Hearing him say something kind about her friend warmed her heart, but it also sparked uncharitable jealousy. “If you admire her so much, then why didn’t you pursue her?
“She’s too sweet.” Ross’s diffident expression didn’t change, but she knew him well enough by now to realize he was teasing her.
“Are you implying that I am sour?”
“The word I’d use is piquant.” He caressed her cheek with the side of his thumb. “I prefer tangy, peppery dishes to sweet ones.”
Susannah stifled a laugh. “Oh, you… I shouldn’t be flattered.”
“But you are.”
Lord, how she loved this man! In a sense, it was a relief to finally admit her feelings, at least to herself. She longed to tell him, if only she didn’t have to tell him the whole truth. That would put an end to this fantasy romance and her pretensions of being a lady.
She did have another choice. After all, she’d managed to hide the truth for seven years, and it hadn’t caught up with her yet. She could accept his proposal, in all other ways be scrupulously honest, but keep the one secret that would destroy their happiness.
* * *
The saloon had filled up with settlers by the time Ross arrived. Wisely, the officers kept the soldiers at a respectful distance, with most of them remaining outside, standing at attention or sitting on horseback. Their blue uniforms had changed very little since the war. It struck him as ironic that a majority of the men inside had also worn that uniform. They’d fought for the same side, for unity and freedom. It would be a travesty for them to spill each other’s blood. He had to resolve this conflict today, and then he could leave with a clear conscience. With luck, he would also leave with Susannah at his side as his wife.
She had remained behind in his office, waiting for Val to return with Danny. They’d agreed to meet later, have supper together, and she’d promised him they would talk about his “other offer.”
So close…Earlier, when she’d asked him if his heart had been broken, he had taken a leap off a cliff and shared his pain and how she helped him reclaim his heart. In her eyes, he’d seen more than sympathy and understanding, even more than tenderness and longing. He’d seen something he dared not hope for.
Was she in love with him? He was sure as hell in love with her. That was a scary thought. He had decided on her primarily based on physical attraction, but as he’d gotten to know her, he’d moved beyond that…far beyond. Susannah had turned out to be the woman he’d been looking for all his life. What he’d once felt for Olivia, in comparison, was as tasteless and weak as watered-down whiskey.
Ross finished the drink O’Shea had offered him. He’d told the Irishman to pour a round for everyone—to be paid for by the railroad—then to lock up the whiskey. The settlers would be sober when they voted whether or not to accept the new offer.
The other railroad representatives hadn’t shown up yet. He couldn’t wait on them any longer. He had put forth a proposal and they’d indicated interest and agreed to the meeting. As far as he was concerned, that was all the authority he needed to close the deal.
He made his way past men standing elbow-to-elbow, amidst clouds of cigar smoke. Some of them greeted him jovially, thanking him for the drink. Others glowered at him, while a few murmured, “More bribes.” Those men must’ve been the ones who hadn’t gotten wives. He’d thought the Bride Train was a stupid idea. But it had brought him Susannah, and had brought other men the women they’d needed. There just weren’t enough women to go around.
After ascending the steps to the saloon’s stage, Ross crossed to a podium placed in the center of the raised platform. He’d have to remember to thank O’Shea for giving him something to hold onto. He looked out over the crowd. The few smiles he’d seen earlier had vanished.
Nervous now, he cleared his throat. He’d quickly get to the point, as he wasn’t in favor of listening to long speeches himself. “The Missouri River, Fort Scott, and Gulf Railroad has given me the authority to offer you new terms on your land—”
“Better be dang near free,” a man shouted from the back of the room. “And for more than churches!” McLaughlin. Who else would immediately start braying like an ass?
Blustering Bill surveyed the crowd as the men turned to listen to him. “The land you all bought ain’t worth the paper he signed! Why would you listen to him? Why would you believe him? He’s spouted lies from the day he got here, him and all those rich men like him. They wanna bleed us dry—”
“I’m here to offer you men a deal.” Ross shouted to be heard.
“Yeah? We don’t want your stinkin’ deal,” McLaughlin shouted right back. “We got rights under Preemption!”
Two of the soldiers standing near the doorway moved in the loudmouth’s direction, and he reacted predictably by blowing out his chest and gripping his coat lapels, and looking offended. Ross predicted the man would go to his grave being offended. He seemed to think the world owed him something for simply breathing.
“Is this how the railroad bargains?” McLaughlin bellowed. “By surrounding us with soldiers and guns?”
“The soldiers are here for everyone’s safety,” Ross spoke loud enough that even the women sitting at the table in the back could hear him.
A murmur went up from the other men in the room. They weren’t buying it.
“Let him finish!” O’Shea shouted. The Irishman stood behind the bar, his right hand hidden, likely gripping that bat he carried around, in case all hell broke loose. “You haven’t heard the terms yet,” he reminded the audience.
The settlers continued talking amongst themselves, paying more attention to the soldiers than to Ross.
“I suggest you all cease your blather and give Mr. Hardt a chance to make you an offer.” Val’s English accent gave away his presence before Ross spotted him near the back. He was hard to miss, being a full head taller than the tallest men in the room. He lifted a hand, calling for silence.
The room quieted. Thankfully, these men respected Val, and not for his fancy clothes or manners. They’d given him their respect after he’d dug coal out of the ground and opened a mine, employing people and bringing in much-needed investment. But Ross had befriended Val before he’d done all that because he’d liked the man, and because he’d recognized something great in him that Val hadn’t seen in himself.
The quality of greatness wasn’t something a man could bargain for or buy. Either he had it, or he didn’t. At one time Ross had been certain he had it. Now, he wasn’t so sure. If he did have that quality, he suspected he would never reach his potential without a strong, supportive woman at his side—a woman like Susannah. Loving her and wanting to give her the world would inspire him to reach for it.
“I’ll keep it short and sweet. For those of you with claims predating the railroad’s purchase, we’ll sell you the land for two dollars an acre. That’s four less than what we were asking before. But this is a one-time offer, and it’s only good until tomorrow at noon. After that, we’ll negotiate case-by-case.”
A loud murmur arose as the men talked excitedly amongst themselves. Ross
could tell by the looks on their faces, and the tone of their conversations, more than half the men in the room were interested, even excited, about the offer. The other half, he assumed, were men like McLaughlin, who’d rushed out to Kansas to stake out land after the railroad had purchased it, and wanted to pay next to nothing, claiming rights they didn’t have.
“Those of you who staked claims after the railroad’s purchase of the Neutral Lands, can buy your spread for four dollars an acre. That’s still a bargain.”
“What kind of bargain is that?” McLaughlin shouted. “Your railroad lost the race. This land won’t be worth squat.”
“It’ll be worth as much as you’re willing to put into it,” Ross pointed out.
McLaughlin, and others like him, had no plans to stay and turn the prairie into farmland. He only cared about selling land to some poor sucker who’d pay an inflated price. But Ross also knew, as did the rest of the good men, the railroad’s prices had been too high. He’d resolved that today with this offer, which was a fair one.
“To hell with your bargain!” McLaughlin started toward the front, until the two soldiers intercepted him and escorted him outside. Angry voices buzzed, joined by McLaughlin. “They’re all cheats and liars!” he shouted over his shoulder. “Don’t sell out.”
Actually, it was the railroad that was selling out, the men were buying, but Ross didn’t point out the discrepancy, as he didn’t want to head down a rabbit trail.
“That’s all I have to say. Come by the land office tomorrow if you want to settle up and claim your deed.”
Ross departed without stopping to talk. He was tired of getting caught up in useless arguments, and he was sick of this thankless job. He wanted to see Susannah, convince her to marry him, and let him take her home to Texas. They were meant to be together and she needed to hear it, whether she was ready or not.
He stormed out the door, past soldiers, past the men loitering outside. McLaughlin stood beside his wagon, preparing to leave. Good riddance.