The Courting of Widow Shaw

by Charlene Sands

  “What?”

  “Steven, I know you’re not hard of hearing.”

  “I heard you, Mother. I just can’t believe you think that’s a good idea.”

  Lorene stepped away from him to pour herself a cup of coffee from the corner table. She lowered the coffeepot and turned to him. “It’s a wonderful idea. Your ranch is an hour’s ride from here. You’d be taking Gloria Mae away from all suspicion. You’d still have to be very careful, but chances are you won’t get a whole lot of callers way out on your ranch. Hiding her here was a good idea, but there’s too much chance of someone getting suspicious.”

  “I haven’t finished the house yet.”

  “She’s a bright gal. She’ll find ways to help you.”

  “Mother, I can’t live with Glory.”

  His mother walked over to him and searched his eyes, looking deep, and seeking his truth. “Steven, ask yourself this, can you live without her?”

  Steven closed his eyes. Damn his mother for knowing more than she had a right to know.

  “She won’t want to go.”

  Lorene sat down on her settee again, and sipped her coffee. “Convince her.”

  Steven’s gut clenched. Taking Glory out to his ranch might be the smart move, but he didn’t know how he’d endure the torment of having her there.

  “It won’t be easy,” he said. She’d be hard to convince and he’d rather face a pack of wild wolves than look into Glory’s light-blue eyes and see the disdain she held for him.

  “Then tell her I don’t want her here. You found her. You take care of her. She doesn’t belong at Rainbow House.”

  Steven filled his lungs and let his breath out slowly. “She’ll hate you even more.”

  Lorene sipped her coffee. “Yes, but she’ll be safe. Jonathan Caldwell would want it that way. And I’d do anything to save his daughter.”

  Later that morning, Steven stood behind Merry’s door, ready to knock, but cackles of female laughter stopped him. As he listened to their giggles, his curiosity got the better of him and he slipped inside the room. No one noticed. All of the girls stood huddled around the bed where Merry and Glory were seated.

  “And the next thing we see is big Floyd O’Malley being escorted out by Marcus,” Ruby said with merriment. “Marcus tugged big old Floyd out by his ear!”

  “It was a sight to see, all right,” Emmie joined in. “But Glory held up okay, didn’t you?”

  “I suppose. I couldn’t move. He just about scared all the hair off my head,” Glory said. “I don’t know what would have happened if Steven hadn’t come when he did.”

  “Not to worry, Glory,” Eva announced.

  “That is right. O’Malley, he was drunk,” Carmen added.

  Julia nodded with a glow in her eyes. “And when Floyd O’Malley drinks—”

  “He can do nothing!” Carmen, Eva and Ruby chorused simultaneously.

  “Oh!” Glory put her hand to her mouth. Then she darted glances at all the girls, and it seemed she couldn’t contain her own laughter. Her mirth poured out sweetly, a hearty sound of true joy that brought a rosy flush of color to her face. They laughed together for a long while, until only a chuckle here or a chortle there could be heard.

  Steven watched a scene he thought he’d never witness and realized he’d have to take Glory away from her new friends.

  Steven cleared his throat and strode farther into the room. All eyes turned toward him. He walked over to Merry and smiled. “Glad to see you’re feeling better, Merry.”

  “I’m feeling fine, thanks to Glory. She wouldn’t let me give up.” Merry glanced at Glory and the two exchanged a look. “All of the girls have helped me. They’ve been wonderful friends.”

  “Merry is thinking of going back home to Kansas,” Glory said, keeping her concentration on the recovering girl. “She hasn’t seen her ma and pa for five years.”

  Merry nodded slightly. “I’m thinking about going home…for a visit. Maybe.”

  “I bet your folks will be happy to see you…for a visit,” Steven said, his eyes meeting with Glory’s.

  “If I had folks, I’d like to visit them,” Julia offered.

  The others agreed.

  Steven pursed his lips. Now that the gaiety was over, he had to speak with Glory. “Glory, we have some talking to do.”

  He reached for her hand.

  She turned the shade of blood-red roses and glanced at the girls. They watched her with eagle-like precision and he knew that she’d confided in them, telling the girls what he’d said to her last night. She couldn’t stay here any longer. It was getting too dangerous. No matter how she pleaded with those silent blue eyes, she’d still have to leave.

  “Go on,” Emmie urged. “Talk to him.”

  Glory appeared doubtful.

  “A handsome man wants to do some talking, I wouldn’t hesitate,” Julia teased.

  “You would not hesitate no matter what the man looked like,” Carmen said, her dark eyes glittering.

  Glory didn’t smile at the jest and he couldn’t blame her. Hell, Steven had nothing to smile about either. He didn’t like what he was about to tell her, yet he had no other choice.

  Finally and with a slow nod, Glory put her hand in his and she stood. “I’ll see you all later,” she said to the girls before exiting the room.

  When they reached Steven’s bedroom, he opened the door for her and followed her in. Glory turned to him with those piercing blue eyes. Steven sucked in a breath. He couldn’t let her sway him. “I’ve got something to say and nothing is going to change my mind.”

  “Nothing’s going to change Steven’s mind,” Glory said, unable to keep disappointment from her voice, or a full-out pout from puckering her lips. She slumped into the kitchen chair, too distraught to help Mattie with preparing the afternoon meal.

  “Honey, there are more than a dozen ways to change a man’s mind,” Julia said. “All you have to do use the assets given you.”

  Glory had her doubts. She’d never been able to sway Boone one way or another. He’d been stubborn and set in his ways and all the reasoning and encouragement in the world wouldn’t lift his sour moods. Glory had tried being a good wife, but toward the last months of their marriage, it seemed nothing she did pleased him. “I’m afraid I’m not very good at that.”

  Mattie chuckled, taking a large pan of biscuits from the cookstove. “I don’t think she knows what you mean, Julia.”

  Julia stared at Glory as though she was as hopeless as a young doe facing down the barrel of a gun. “No, I guess she doesn’t.”

  “Julia’s not speaking of reasoning with a man,” Mattie explained softly.

  “Oh!” Glory finally understood her meaning. Foolishly, she’d thought Julia had meant using the powers of wisdom and logic to bend a man’s notions. “You’re talking about seduction?”

  Julia smiled. “Let me give you a quick lesson. Whenever you want to catch a man’s eye, every blink of the eye or wiggle of the hips should be aimed solely at him with slow deliberate calculation.”

  Julia walked to the wall and turned. She focused on Glory, slowly running a hand through her long wavy hair then skimming her throat until her hand followed the path down the curves of the rest of her body. She walked forward, her hips swaying, her lips parted and her eyes wide. “Every move you make has a purpose. Every flutter of the eyes or touch of the hair, tells the man what you want.”

  Glory watched in awe at how quickly Julia had transformed herself into a seductress. Since living here, she hadn’t been exposed to the professional side of the business, though she knew it existed. Every night, she’d heard the sounds, the telltale giggles and laughter of men enjoying themselves with the women she had come to know. “I couldn’t ever do that,” Glory said, believing it with her whole heart. There were too many obstacles; her ingrained morals and cursed self-doubt prevented Glory from ever behaving in such a way.

  Especially with Steven.

  “You have what it takes, Glory. Ever
y woman does, whether you believe it or not. You’re just afraid to use it.” Julia took a seat next to her. “So, I guess you’ll be leaving us after all.”

  “Yes. I guess so.”

  Carmen, Emmie and Ruby walked into the kitchen and the room became a colorful mingling of satin gowns, in all colors of the rainbow and chattering female voices.

  Carmen approached her first, her hands behind her back. “We know you must leave. Lorene has told us what you must do. This is for the best. Steven will keep you safe.”

  Glory nodded, keeping her head up, not showing the fear she experienced at being thrown into another ominous situation—one that would once again tempt fate.

  “I would like very much to give you this Bible. It is from the Church of Saint Mary’s.”

  “You’ve gone?” Glory asked, secretly elated that Carmen had found her way back to her religion.

  “Yes, to pray for Merry, and myself.”

  Carmen set the leather-bound Bible in her hand. “This will keep you safe.”

  Glory stared into Carmen’s dark eyes, no longer seeing hostility, but the warmth one would relay to a friend. “Thank you, Carmen.”

  When Carmen stepped away, Ruby stepped up placing a beautiful crimson shawl around her shoulders. “This is from me. It will keep you warm out there on the range.”

  “Oh! This is lovely.” Tears misted in Glory’s eyes as she slid her hand over the thick crocheted covering. Gratitude swelled in her heart. For the past year, she’d been fighting an unknown force, her wrath for Rainbow House and the women here hardening her heart and mind. But Glory had seen into their hearts these past weeks. She’d gotten to know them with all their strengths and frailties. And although she still didn’t understand their way of life, their generosity touched her deeply. “I will use it often, I’m sure.”

  “And these, too,” Emmie said eagerly, stepping into view and presenting Glory with a fine pair of leather riding boots. “I’ve never used them. I’m not one for horses. But maybe on the ranch, you’ll have occasion to use them.”

  Glory wiped a stray tear from her eye. “Yes, I’m sure I’ll make good use of them. Thank you. Thank you all.”

  She rose up to embrace Emmie, hugging her tight. “You helped save my life. I’ll never forget that.”

  “We’ll never forget you, either,” Emmie said, then glanced at all the women in the room. “Will we?”

  Embraces followed, along with words of hope and encouragement from all the girls. Even Mattie came up to give her a hug, the embrace a bit awkward from the shy girl, but nonetheless meaningful. “I’ll bring up a basket of food to take with you. It’ll get you through the first few days on the ranch.”

  “Oh, thank you, Mattie.”

  Shortly after their meal, Glory set out her gifts on the bed in the room she’d come to think of as her own, a melancholy feeling washing over her. She’d been so anxious to leave here when she’d first arrived, loathing Rainbow House and all it stood for, but now, Glory’s mind muddied up with so many conflicting thoughts. Her heart ached for Merry and she hoped she’d find peace and solace when she returned to her hometown. And she worried for the others. Would disappointment and discouragement finally eat at them as well, causing them strife and heartache?

  Glory also worried about her own plight. Helping Merry recover had taken her mind off her own dilemma for days, but now she faced the disheartening possibility that Steven’s plan might fail. What if she was discovered at his ranch? And what would become of Steven, for helping her? She’d not considered that possibility until this very moment. Steven would be arrested as well, for hiding her from the law.

  At the sound of a knock at her door she jumped, startled from her own reverie.

  “It’s Lorene Harding, Gloria Mae. I’d like to speak with you.”

  Glory inhaled deeply and strode to the door, recalling Steven’s arguments for taking her to his ranch. Lorene had thought it the safest place for her.

  Glory scoffed at that notion. No matter what the woman said to the contrary, she knew that Lorene Harding didn’t want her here. Glory had been a thorn in her side, an unwanted guest and a constant reminder of a life lost so unnecessarily in an argument that should never have taken place.

  She wondered if Lorene felt any guilt regarding her father’s death. She wondered if the woman, adored by all the girls here, even had a soul.

  Glory opened the door briskly.

  Lorene stood with a small basket in one hand and two bolts of material in the other. Glory stared at the fabric, one bolt, a soft blue-patterned silk and the other of flowery broadcloth.

  “Hello, Gloria Mae.”

  “Mrs. Harding.” Glory stepped away from the door to allow the woman entrance, but the woman shook her head, refusing to come in.

  “I only came to give you these. I brought this material back from San Francisco for Steven’s house, but he tells me you’re in need of clothes. There’s plenty of material here for both.” She handed the bolts over and then gave her the basket. “Sewing implements. I think you’ll find everything you need in there.”

  Glory’s heart sang with joy. She loved to sew and now she’d have material enough to make a dress or two and keep busy sewing up curtains and whatever else the house might need.

  “Thank you. I’ll make good use of it.”

  Lorene nodded, seemingly pleased that Glory had accepted her offer without an argument. Clearly the woman understood how she felt about her. And for just a scant second, Glory thought to refuse, but she couldn’t very well do that, when the material was intended for Steven’s house.

  Lorene searched her face, roving over her, almost in an assessing way. “You’ve healed well here, but you’ll be safer at my son’s ranch.”

  Glory nodded, then remembered the Bible Lorene had given her days ago. “Oh, I have to return this to you.” She set the material down then grabbed the Bible from the tabletop and handed it to her. “The marker is quite lovely.”

  Lorene opened the Bible and lifted the marker out, caressing the lace tenderly, her finger tracing over the one red embroidered rose. “Yes, it is. It was a gift from someone dear to me.”

  Glory wouldn’t announce that her father had one just like it. She couldn’t quite bring up the subject of her father around Lorene, not trusting what harsh words might come out of her mouth.

  “Would you like to keep the Bible?” Lorene asked.

  The gesture touched her deeply, but surprised her even more. “N-no, thank you. Carmen brought me one from church.”

  “Carmen, in church?” Lorene smiled then reached out to touch her cheek. Glory would have flinched but for the warm look in the woman’s eyes. “You’re a sweet child, Gloria Mae. Trust Steven to keep you safe.”

  And then Lorene was gone.

  Glory closed the door, dumbfounded. She had only a few hours left at Rainbow House. She should be joyous.

  Yet she felt almost as she had when her father had been killed.

  Lost.

  Chapter Eleven

  The wagon lurched. Glory felt every bump in the road, every uneven jolt that jostled her body. She’d been ushered into the back of Steven’s buckboard wagon and hidden beneath a layer of supplies. Nothing much could make the ride pleasant—she’d been tossed in like a sack of grain, covered with a scratchy wool blanket and surrounded by all manner of ranching equipment and food staples. Steven had leaned a bag of sugar next to her shoulders, a sack of flour by her head and he’d even seen fit to cover her backside up with two lightweight wooden boards, that suddenly didn’t feel light any longer.

  “How’re you doing back there?” Steven called out in something of a whisper.

  “I can’t breathe. I’m being beat up by a sack of potatoes and my backside hurts like the dickens,” she whispered back.

  Steven chuckled. “Hang on, Glory. We’re well out of town. Soon as I make the bend in the road, I’ll get you outta there. And then I’ll see to your backside,” he said, his amusement ringing in h
er ears.

  She grumbled a reply and heard Steven chuckle again.

  It seemed like half an eternity before the wagon stopped and she felt the weight of the boards, then the blanket being lifted from her.

  “Sorry, couldn’t be helped,” Steven said, and the scent of fresh air and dry earth pleasured her senses. The dark sky illuminated by hundreds of bright stars lit Steven’s face as she peered up. He reached for her hand then lifted her from the wagon.

  She stared into his eyes and noted all amusement was gone, replaced by a serious look. He watched her walk away from him as she stretched her legs and rotated her head, working out kinks from her uncomfortable ride. “How much farther?” she asked.

  Steven leaned up against the wagon. “Just a ten minute ride from here.”

  “What do you call your ranch?”

  Steven scratched his head and shrugged. “Haven’t got a name yet. It’s got to be something… I don’t know…something meaningful. I’ve been thinking on it for a time.”

  “Is it safe for me to be out here in view?”

  Only the hoot of an owl off in the distance troubled the solitude of the night. They were miles away from Virginia City, although since being concealed in the wagon, Glory couldn’t fathom in which direction they’d traveled.

  “We’re on my land now.”

  There was so much pride in Steven’s tone, such a satisfied sound of accomplishment, that Glory found herself smiling.

  He smiled back.

  Then glanced at her lips.

  Glory’s breath caught in her throat. Images filled her head of Steven’s mouth claiming hers, his hands caressing her body and their hearts pounding in rhythm together. Just as she imagined Steven entertaining those very same thoughts, he stepped back and away, shifting his attention to his restless horses.

  Fancy snorted, the other horse whinnied, both seemingly eager to reach their destination.

  “We’d best get going again.”

  She moved to the side of the wagon and placed her hands on Steven’s shoulders, readying to be lifted aboard. He peered deeply into her eyes and spoke with honesty. “I understand that your life hasn’t been easy this past year. And just when you’d made new friends and felt safe at the house, I had to pull you away.” He let out a long sigh, taking a moment, it seemed, to gather his thoughts. “I promise to do my best to protect you, Glory. I’m asking you to trust me.”