“Oh, yes, tell me everything.”
They neared the creek now and Tess could smell the sweet bouquet of the wild flowers.
“Let’s sit here,” she said, “and I’ll tell you what I know, okay?”
Collette would have dropped to the ground right there if Tess hadn’t pulled her along to a grassy spot under a huge willow.
“Now,” she began, “I hope I’m not overstepping myself here, but it seems to me you and Bart need a little help, so here it is.”
Collette clasped her hands under her chin and gazed up at Tess with open eagerness.
“Yes,” she continued, “Bart is home, and as far as I know, he plans on staying. At least for some time. No, he did not go off and get himself married and, in fact, he hasn’t even courted a woman for quite some time.”
Collette’s grin widened.
“It would seem,” Tess grinned back, “he is quite taken with a certain someone right here in Porter Creek. Someone whom he considers close to perfect and, now let me think, what were his exact words? Oh, yes, ‘the prettiest thing he ever did see.’”
Collette’s smile faded, her bottom lip trembled. “I knew it!” she cried. “I knew he’d find someone before I ever had a chance to . . .”
“Collette!” Tess laughed gently, placing her hand over the girl’s. “It’s you! Bart wants you!”
“M-me?” she stammered. “Bart is interested in me? But I’m not pretty and I’m certainly not even close to perfect!”
“Yes.” Tess nodded. “Your one imperfection, according to Bart, is your family name, but he supposes that can’t be helped. As for the other, Collette, you most certainly are pretty and, in fact, I’d say you are the loveliest girl I’ve seen in a very long time.”
“Oh.” Collette blushed. “You’re just saying that.”
“No, I’m not. You truly are beautiful, Collette, and if you don’t know that, then I suppose that’s what makes you even more attractive to him.”
“Really?”
“Well, I can’t honestly say I am familiar with the way a man’s mind works,” she confessed, “but from what Bart himself has told me, you are his main distraction.”
Collette threw her arms in the air and flopped backward into the grass.
“Oh, thank goodness,” she gushed. “I had myself convinced he didn’t even know I was alive.”
“He knows.” Tess laughed. “He knows all too well.”
Collette sat back up, her eyes suddenly troubled.
“But if what you say is true, then why hasn’t he come calling? Is he sick?”
Tess’s chin dropped to her chest. “Yes,” she finally said. “He has been sick and I’m afraid it’s all my fault.”
“Whatever do you mean?”
Tess explained about the snakebite and how if Bart hadn’t been trying to save her, he never would have been bitten in the first place.
“But you saved his life,” Collette breathed in amazement.
“Hardly,” Tess said, shaking her head. “If it hadn’t been for me—”
“If it hadn’t been for you,” she interrupted, “Bart would be dead right now. Oh, my Lord, Tess, I don’t know what to say.”
Tess shrugged. “You’re very kind, Collette. I wish Gabriel shared the same view as you.”
“What do you mean? Isn’t he grateful you saved his only brother’s life?”
“Oh, I’m sure he is,” Tess hastened to explain. “But the whole incident only furthered his resolve to send me back to Boston where, according to him, I belong.”
“You’re from Boston?” Collette’s eyes rounded. “Really? What on earth are you doing here then?”
Tess could not hide her smile. “I belong here. One day when I’ve saved enough money, I’m going to buy my own farm and live the life I’ve always dreamed of.”
“But what about Gabe . . . ?”
“Yes, Gabriel, he is a bit of a problem, but since I’m not living at El Cielo anymore, I’m hopeful by not seeing him I’ll be able to put him out of my mind.”
“You’re not at El Cielo anymore?” Collette asked, obviously surprised. “Where are you staying—at Miss Hattie’s boardinghouse?”
Tess grimaced. “No, actually, Miss Hattie wouldn’t have me.”
“You’re not serious!” When Tess nodded, Collette’s brow furrowed. “Then where . . . oh, no, Tess, you’re not staying at that dreadful hotel, are you?”
“Yes,” she answered, lifting her chin a notch. “I am. It’s not the nicest place I’ve ever stayed, but it will do for now.”
“It most certainly will not!” Collette declared, bolting to her feet and dragging Tess along with her. “You are coming home with me.”
“But . . .”
“No buts about it. It’s the least I can do, Tess. After all, you saved Bart’s life, and I don’t care a lick what anybody—including nosy old Hattie—thinks about you. Nobody deserves to live in a place like that . . . that. . . hell!”
“Collette . . .”
“Hush now,” the girl ordered, pulling Tess back down the road to town. “There’s plenty of room at our house, and I’d be so happy to have female company. I won’t take no for an answer.”
“Don’t you think you should check with your family first? I’m told you have quite a large family and I can’t imagine there would be enough room for any more . . .”
“Nonsense! Most of my brothers are married and living in their own houses on the ranch anyway. There’s only Pa, Frankie, and me living in that big old house. Now come on.”
“Wait!” Tess pulled her arm free and stopped in her tracks.
“What is it—do you like living at the hotel?”
“No, of course not, it’s just . . .” She hesitated.
“Tell me.” Collette took a step toward her, her hand reaching for Tess’s.
“Two things, really. The first is I must be allowed to pay my own way. I will pay your father for room and board and do my fair share of chores. Agreed?”
Collette nodded. “If Pa agrees.”
“And the second thing is . . . well . . . I don’t know how to say this delicately.”
“Just say it, Tess. I won’t be offended.”
Tess sighed. “If you and Bart should manage to . . . well, you know what I mean . . . I don’t want to be caught between the two of you. I consider both of you my friends now and I can’t be asked to take sides in any kind of disagreement or anything else.”
Collette laughed. “Is that all? Land sakes, Tess, if Bart ever does make his intentions known to me, I am certainly not going to let him go for anything in the world. I’ve waited too long for this, and I intend to dig in my heels and keep him no matter what. That is, of course, if what you’ve told me is true and he does intend to court me.”
“Oh, it’s true, Collette. The problem is, well, may I be frank?”
“I wish you would.”
“He’s concerned about your family. He told me about the problems that have lingered between yours and his, and he’s not so sure he can get past your brothers and your father.”
Collette’s eyes narrowed defiantly. “I’ll take care of my family. If they so much as even think about getting in my way over this, they will rue the day they were born!”
Tess laughed and took the girl’s arm.
“I think this is going to work out splendidly,” she said. “It would seem you and I think along the same lines. What a refreshing change!”
The two women walked back into town, broad smiles across both of their faces. They marched straight up to Tess’s room at the hotel, collected her few belongings, and left.
“I need to stop at the mercantile and purchase a ready-made dress,” Tess said, her first week’s pay clutched in her palm.
“Pish,” Collette said. “I have plenty of dresses, there’s sure to be some you can wear. You save your money for that farm of yours, you hear me?”
“Oh, Collette,” Tess sighed. “I don’t know what I ever did to deserve
a friend like you, and I’m certain I can never repay your kindness to me.”
“Being my friend is more than enough payment,” she said, squeezing Tess’s arm. “You and I are going to be the best of friends.”
“Yes.” Tess nodded. “I think you’re right.”
Frankie Langman was waiting for them outside the livery with the horses and buggy. Collette climbed in first and then nodded toward Tess.
“You remember Tess, don’t you, Frankie?”
Frankie grunted some kind of greeting as he took Tess’s hand and helped her into the buggy. She was so happy, so thrilled to be getting out of the hotel and into a real home again that she took no notice of the people around them.
“Boss!” Miguel hollered. “Boss!”
Gabe strode out of the barn, a horseshoe in one hand and a metal file in the other. Miguel’s horse frothed at the mouth, and Miguel fought for breath himself.
“What in blazes has you all fired up?” he asked, taking the exhausted horse by the bit.
“Trouble, boss. You ain’t gonna like it.”
“What?”
Miguel dismounted, still shaking his head in disbelief.
“It’s Miss Tess,” he said. “I seen her in town just now and . . .”
“And what, Miguel?” Gabe demanded, his whole face darkening like a July storm.
“She was gettin’ in the Langman buggy with Stupid Frankie.”
“Hell and damnation!” Gabe bellowed. “What the hell is she thinking taking up with the likes of Stupid Frankie Langman?”
“I don’t know, boss, but it can only mean trouble. What if . . .”
Gabe was already heading back to the barn. “Bart! Bart! Come on, I’m going to need your help on this one.”
“What’s up?” Bart rounded the corner as he spoke. His color still wasn’t what it should be, but it was a lot better.
“Seems Tess has taken up with Stupid Frankie. Miguel saw her getting in his buggy. I’m going over to the Langman place to get her. You coming?”
Color and life flooded back into Bart’s face.
“You bet yer ass I am.” He grinned. “Let’s go.”
Chapter 21
Gabe had Zeus saddled and moving inside of two minutes with Bart right behind him.
“Stupid Frankie?” Bart said, shaking his head. “Stupid Frankie?”
“Will you shut up already!” Gabe snapped. “I need to think.”
“Okay, okay,” he muttered, more to the wind. “But Stupid Frankie?”
The Langman place was almost upon them and Gabe still had no idea what he was going to do when he got there. Most likely he’d be shot out of his saddle before he knew what hit him anyway.
Around the corner, the house loomed larger and larger with various horses and wagons tied randomly to whatever was closest. Gabe rode Zeus right up to the front steps and dismounted, almost tripping over Bart as he did.
“Watch it!”
“Sorry,” Bart said, ducking his head slightly. “Now what do we do?”
“I don’t have one damned idea,” Gabe muttered as he banged on the door.
“Good,” Bart snickered. “I like a well thought-out plan.”
Before Gabe could fire back, the door opened and there stood Collette Langman. Gabe hardly noticed her—or his brother—as he craned his neck to look past her into the huge foyer.
“Is Tess here?” he demanded.
“Yes,” Collette answered politely, her eyes never leaving Bart’s. “Would you like to come in?”
Gabe didn’t answer, just pushed through the doorway, barely remembering to remove his hat as he did.
“Hello, Bart,” Collette said, a soft blush finding her cheeks. “How are you?”
“Collette.” He grinned back. “I’m ’bout as healthy as a hound dog now.”
“It’s nice to see you again.” Her left hand wrapped itself around her tiny waist while her right hand fiddled idly at her neck.
“I been meanin’ to come by an’ see you,” he said, a heated flush climbing up his neck.
“Yes, Tess told me what happened. You were very lucky—”
“Where is she?” Gabe broke in unapologetically.
Collette pulled her eyes from Bart’s. “I’m sorry?”
“Where is Tess?”
Collette’s face softened. “She’s getting settled in her room upstairs. She . . .”
“She’s what?” This time he did bellow.
“She’s getting settled . . .”
“Gabriel? What on earth are you doing here?” Tess appeared at the top of the staircase, her eyes scanning the room. Suddenly a smile lit across her face. “Bart. I’m so glad you’re here. How are you?”
“Couldn’t be better.” He grinned foolishly. “You?”
“I’m just fine, thank you for asking.” She turned her attention back to Gabriel who stood frozen in his place. “Did you need something, Gabriel?”
Gabe’s mouth clamped shut, his fists bunching his hat between them. She’d moved into the Langman house. That could only mean one thing. His heart was ready to explode right there in the foyer. How could this have happened? How could she be so goldarned stupid? How could he?
“Perhaps we should step outside,” Tess said. She didn’t wait for him to agree or disagree. He simply exhaled loudly and followed her out the door, slamming it behind him.
“What the hell do you think you’re doing?”
“Please, Gabriel, keep your voice down.”
“Don’t tell me to keep my voice down!” he yelled. “I’ll damn well yell if I want to yell, and damn it, I want to yell!”
“Very well,” she said, crossing her arms over her chest. “Go right ahead, but if we’re suddenly surrounded by a whole herd of Langmans, all armed to the teeth, that will be one thing you won’t be able to blame me for.”
Gabe resisted the urge to take her by the shoulders and shake some sense into her.
“What are you doing here?” he asked again, his voice considerably lower this time.
“Isn’t it wonderful?” Tess asked, her eyes dancing with excitement. “Collette has offered to let me stay here with them until I’m able to buy my own place. She’s such a dear girl.”
“Collette?” Gabe’s brow furrowed. “But I thought . . . Miguel said . . . what about Stupid Frankie?”
“Stupid Frankie?” she repeated. “Honestly, Gabriel, I hardly think that’s a neighborly thing to call the man. He was kind enough to drive Collette and me home this afternoon and . . . oh, I see.”
“What?”
“Miguel saw me get into the buggy, didn’t he?”
“I . . . he . . .”
“And he naturally assumed I was taking a ride with Frankie, is that it?”
Gabe slapped his hat against his thigh. “Thunderation, woman, what was he supposed to think?”
“That is completely irrelevant, isn’t it? The question I have is this: What business is it of yours if I did take a ride with Frankie or any other man, for that matter?”
“What?” His fury weakened slightly, his pride kicking him in the stomach.
“Well, honestly, Gabriel, I think you’ve made yourself fairly clear on the point that you are not interested in a future with me, so what do you expect me to do?”
“That doesn’t mean you should take up with the first idiot to come along!” The second the words were out of his mouth, Gabe regretted them. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean that like it sounded.”
To his surprise, Tess was smiling at him.
“Why, Gabriel Calloway,” she said softly. “You truly are jealous.”
“I am not!”
“Then what on earth would possess you to come riding all the way over here, to a place you can’t even bear to talk about, never mind the people who live here?”
“I . . . I . . .” he fumbled, inhaled deeply, and set his jaw. “I was worried.”
“Worried?” she repeated.
“Yes,” he nodded. “You have no idea wh
at these Langman people are like. I didn’t want you to get yourself into trouble is all.”
“I see.”
“But so long as I’m here, tell me. Are you and Stupid Frankie . . . ?”
“No, Gabriel, Frankie only drove us home. I’m here as Collette’s guest and nothing more. Are you happy now?”
Gabe scuffed his boots against the porch boards. “If you’re so hell-bent on living in Porter Creek, there must be somewhere else you can stay.”
Tess’s smile tightened. “Actually, no, there isn’t. Miss Hattie won’t have me, and I’ve stayed at the hotel for several nights now and I’d rather not do that again. So this is the only option left, and frankly, I quite like Collette.”
“What do you mean Hattie wouldn’t have you?” Gabe seemed to double in size right before her.
“It’s not her fault, Gabriel. She has a reputation to uphold, and if she let just anyone rent . . .”
“What did she say to you?” he demanded, towering over her.
“Nothing that hasn’t been said before, or won’t be said again, I’m sure.”
“Tess . . .”
She shook her head. “No, Gabriel. I have no one to blame but myself for the opinions people might hold of me. I was the one who arrived at El Cielo without a chaperone, knowing full well what the consequences might be.”
“I don’t give a damn . . .”
“I’m fine.” She turned her gaze away from him. She was still the worst liar he’d ever met. “I have a decent job, a nice place to sleep now, and pretty soon I’ll have enough money to buy my own place. You needn’t worry about me.”
“Easier said than done,” he muttered, then louder, “Why can’t you go back to Boston?”
Tess’s fingers fumbled at her collar, but she straightened upright and swallowed hard.
“I don’t want to. I want to be here.”
“Damn it, Tess . . .”
Before he could finish, tears rolled over her lashes.
“I don’t expect anything from you, Gabriel,” she said. “You’ve made yourself clear and I respect your feelings. I don’t mean to impose myself on you or your hospitality anymore, and I’m so very sorry for the grief I’ve already caused you. And Bart.” She swiped the back of her hand across her eyes. “But I will not go back to Boston. I have chosen to stay here and that’s exactly what I mean to do. How I feel about you has not changed, nor do I ever expect it to, but that certainly doesn’t mean you are beholden to me or are in any way responsible for me.” Her trembling hand rested against his chest as she choked out the words. “Please, Gabriel, please don’t ever feel you are responsible for me. I’m a grown woman and I’m fully capable of looking after myself. You certainly don’t owe me anything.”
Laura Drewry Page 17