Ophelia

by Charlene Raddon

  When he pulled her into his arms, she didn't resist. Marzda had gone to the salon to help Henri pack his cookware, and Ophelia could hear Angie at the desk checking someone in. His lips toyed with hers, molding them as he liked with such passion, such need, her heart overflowed, and she kissed him back with equal fervor.

  “I want you so desperately,” he whispered, spreading kisses to her neck.

  “I want you too, but we're going to have to wait. We have a child in the house to consider. The girl has enough bad ideas already and way too much knowledge about men, women and marriage.”

  He sighed. “All right. Can I at least sneak kisses when it's safe?”

  She laughed. “Yes, Brody. You may sneak kisses.”

  “Good.” He kissed her again.

  When Ophelia heard Angie direct the new guests to their room, she knew the woman would be coming to the kitchen. She drew out of his arms and picked up another dish to wash.

  “We have guests from Texas, can you believe that?” Angie said, entering the room.

  “Why not?'' Brody asked.

  “They came all the way here to visit Angel Springs. They plan to rent a cabin there for the weekend.”

  Brody frowned. “I thought I heard that the springs were booked up for the next two weeks.”

  “They are,” Angie said, getting a glass of water. “But these people have a reservation. They wanted to stay there tonight too, but Friday was booked.”

  “That's fine then,” Brody said. “At least we get them for tonight.”

  “How is your arm, Brody?” Angie asked.

  “A little sore is all.” He picked up the stack of dishes he'd dried and lifted them into the cupboard.

  The bell dinged out in the lobby and Angie scurried out.

  “We're alone again,” Brody said.

  He wore such a devilish expression that Ophelia's pulse jumped. Then she laughed. “I'm not sure I like what you're thinking. What are you thinking?”

  “I thought I might ravish you on the table.”

  “You're insane.”

  “Insane for you.” He moved toward her and, laughing, she ran into the lobby bumping into Angie.

  “Oh, I'm sorry.” Ophelia grabbed the woman to keep her from falling. “I didn't see you.”

  Brody came to an abrupt halt in the doorway. Angie looked at each of them and grinned. “What is it, recess time at school and you're playing chase?”

  “That's right. Are you going to stop me from catching her?” he asked.

  “Heaven's no, but I need her for a minute. A woman is here. She wants to apply for sanctuary at Safe Haven.”

  Ophelia glanced at Brody. “Did you hear that? We have our first resident for Safe Haven. Lead me to her, Angie.”

  The woman appeared no more than sixteen or seventeen-years-old, adorned in bruises and a tattered dress that had been new and expensive once. Her long dirty blond hair hung in tangles down her back and red rimmed her eyes from crying. Her bare feet looked scratched and bloody.

  “You poor thing.” Ophelia rushed over to her. “Come. Sit down and tell me why you're seeking sanctuary. What is your name?”

  “Lavinia Whited. I've run away from my husband.” Fresh tears spilled over her eyelids. “I couldn't bear to stay there another day.”

  “I understand, Lavinia. Who is your husband?”

  “You don't plan to tell him I'm here, do you?” she asked.

  “No, we won't do that.”

  “Is he coming after you?” Brody asked.

  “I hope not, but I won't be surprised if he does. He's frightfully jealous and possessive.” She wrung her hands in her lap, her fear palpable. “I don't wish to put you in any danger. If you want me to go, simply say so.”

  Lavinia was obviously educated and from a decent household, judging from the quality of her clothes, despite the dirt and tears. Some of the rips looked like knife slashes.

  Brody knelt beside her chair but didn't try to touch her. “You let us worry about any danger that might come from because of your presence here, Mrs. Whited. We'll protect you. Where do you live? Are you from Wildcat Ridge?”

  “No. I lived in Curdy's Crossing. I had to walk to get here.”

  Angie shook her head in sympathy. “No wonder your poor feet are in such bad shape. I'm going to get you a pan of warm water to soak them in. Why don't you come into the kitchen, so we have more privacy?”

  “That's an excellent idea, Angie,” Ophelia said. “Lavinia, this is Mrs. Angie Dobbs. She's our desk clerk and will take good care of you. I'll be with you in a moment.”

  Angie led the way to the kitchen.

  When they were gone, Ophelia turned to Brody.

  “I know,” he said. “She needs our help and she'll get it. I'm going to report this to Aubrey Bowles. I think he should know in case her husband comes looking for her.”

  “Yes, I agree. After we get her cleaned up and perhaps fed, I'll take her to Safe Haven and assign her a room.”

  “All right. I'll see you there in a few minutes.” He kissed her and left by the front door.

  Ophelia went to the kitchen. Lavinia and Angie were nowhere in sight. Hearing sounds in Angie's room, Ophelia went and tapped on the door. “Angie?”

  “Come in, Ophelia.”

  When she entered, she realized Lavinia was behind the dressing screen taking a bath.

  “You can't know how good it feels to be clean again,” Lavinia called out. “I'm so grateful to you.”

  “You're very welcome,” Angie replied then turned to Ophelia and spoke in a soft tone. “She has shallow knife cuts on her arms, legs and back. Her husband likes to taunt her and make her think he's going to kill her. She's terrified.”

  Stepping closer to the screen, Angie said, “I'm going to step into the kitchen for a moment. I'll be right back.”

  She motioned for Ophelia to follow her. “Better if we talk out here.”

  Ophelia nodded. “The poor thing, and so young. I hope she doesn't have any children by that awful man.”

  Angie glanced at the screen. “I think she's expecting. I caught a glimpse of her tummy as she undressed and it's rounder than it should be.”

  “Oh, no. That makes her situation far worse. Her husband might be willing to let go of her, but if he knows she might be carrying his child, a son, we could be in for a fight.”

  “I hope it doesn’t come to that. I know we can't afford it, but we need to hire at least one man to guard Safe Haven.”

  Her use of “we” amused Ophelia but she said nothing. It touched her that Angie felt such a part of not only Corrigan House Hotel but also Safe Haven. “I think you're right about needing a guard. I'll speak to Brody about it.”

  “Angie?” Lavinia called.

  Angie found her a dress to wear and helped her comb her hair, while Ophelia went to her room and fetched some shoes for her.

  “Don't throw out my dress,” Lavinia said. “I have something hidden in the hem.”

  Forty minutes later, Ophelia introduced Lavinia to Henri and Pearl at Safe Haven.

  “Ruby's packing,” Pearl said. “She thinks she can get a job in Salt Lake City. I'm not sure, but I think Emerald and Amethyst are staying here.”

  “Good. I'm sorry Ruby chose to leave, but I'm glad the others didn't.” Ophelia turned to Lavinia. “I'll be honest with you. This was a fancy bordello until I came here and shut it down. Pearl here and two other girls you haven't met yet were employed here. We offered them sanctuary if they wanted to stay and they're accepting. I'm sure you won't hold their pasts against them, and you'll all get along well together.” She hoped her underlying tone made it clear that she expected them to accept each other.

  “I have no problem with that, Ophelia,” Lavinia said.

  Henri busied himself fixing a plate of food for the new resident and invited Ophelia to eat as well. They were all seated at the table when Brody arrived. He immediately plucked a pickle from Ophelia's plate. She smacked his hand, and he laughed.

>   Embarrassed, Ophelia glanced at Lavinia and found her smiling. “You must excuse our nonsense. We don't stand on ceremony around here. We've all known difficult times and want our residents to feel relaxed and content.”

  “I think I'm going to like it here very much,” Lavinia said, biting into her sandwich.

  The new guest was assigned a room and advised that she would be expected to keep it clean.

  “You'll need another dress,” Ophelia said. “Tell me your size and I'll get one for you at the mercantile.”

  “There's no need for that. I have money.” Turning her back, she lifted her hem, tore out some stitching and removed a money pouch. She also had a small photograph in a frame and a brush in her hem which she removed and placed on the dresser in her room.

  “Your parents?” Ophelia asked.

  “Yes. They're dead. That's why I married Thomas Whited. He was Papa's friend, so I thought I could trust him. I was wrong.”

  “Well, you won't need to worry about him anymore. Tell me, Lavinia, do you plan to divorce him?”

  She shook her head. “I'm afraid to do that. Besides, it would cost more money than I have.”

  “I'll take you to Judge Vaile. He lives in Wildcat Ridge and I'm sure he'll help you.” Ophelia gestured for the girl to sit on the bed, then took a chair and pulled it close. “Let me explain how Safe Haven will operate. It's necessary that it be able to support itself. We're just getting started here and much still needs to be done to make it fully operational.”

  “What do you mean that it needs to support itself?” Lavinia asked.

  “It means that the residents here must earn enough money to keep food on the table, wood in the wood box and such as that. You will bear your own expenses as far as clothes, medical needs and such are concerned. But we will be here to help you all we can.”

  “I'll be glad to do whatever is necessary to stay here.”

  “Good. What we plan is for residents to produce honey to sell to shops in Salt Lake City and anywhere else we can get an account. We have an active beehive and will build more. In the fall, we'll make jellies and jams from the wild berries on the mountains to sell. During winter, we'll sew quilts, also to sell. Do you sew?”

  “Oh, yes. My mother taught my sister and me to sew, crochet, knit and embroider.”

  “Excellent. Anything you can produce to sell will help. This will be a share and share alike household. You may have your personal items which no one will touch, but we will share the work, including the laundry, cooking and cleaning.”

  “I understand. It sounds as if Safe Haven will be very well run.” Lavinia glanced down at her lap and placed a hand on her belly. “I must be honest with you, and I hope it won't make a difference. You see, I'm carrying a child. I figure it will be born in a little over five months.”

  “We suspected as much and it's perfectly fine, Lavinia. Children are welcome at Safe Haven.”

  Unexpectedly, Lavinia burst into tears. “Forgive me. I'm exceptionally emotional these days, and I'm so grateful to you for taking me in like this.”

  “It's all right.” Ophelia stood and patted her on the back. “You're tired. Why don't you take a nap? When you get up, you can meet the other residents and all cook supper together. You see, Henri will be moving to the hotel this week. He'll be cooking for our dining room, so you ladies must do your own cooking.”

  “I enjoy cooking, so I won't mind that at all.”

  “Good. I'll leave you alone now and return to my duties at the hotel.”

  Before she could leave, Lavinia took hold of her hand. “Thank you so very much.”

  “You're welcome.”

  When Ophelia returned to the kitchen, she found Brody waiting. “Everything all right?” he asked.

  “Yes. She's taking a nap. Shall we go back to the hotel?”

  As they walked the short distance between buildings, Brody took her hand. “I think we'd better hire a man to live at Safe Haven in case the women need protection.”

  “My thought exactly. We can't be sure we won't have an angry husband storming the place soon.”

  “I apprised the marshal and his wife of the situation and they're ready and willing to help Lavinia if she needs it.”

  “I'll tell her that tomorrow. I'm sure it will relieve her mind.”

  Brody stopped outside the hotel's back door. “Before we go in, there's something I need.”

  “Is that so?” She grinned, suspecting she knew what he wanted.

  “Yes. Kiss me.”

  She gladly complied.

  Chapter Eleven

  With the overhead lamps turned low and candles flickering on the tables, the hotel dining room took on an almost romantic atmosphere that Saturday night. Gleaming utensils sat ready on white tablecloths with cloth napkins folded and set at each place. Soft piano music, played by Dulcina Magnus, came from a corner of the room. Every table was occupied. The entire town had come to the opening.

  “You can relax now,” Brody told Ophelia. “The opening is a success.”

  “So far. But how many will come next Saturday and the one after that?”

  “Stop worrying.”

  “I can't help it.”

  “Women,” he muttered.

  “I heard that. Go mingle and make sure everyone has what they want.”

  “Yes, ma'am,” he said, saluting her.

  She might have slugged him if he hadn't been smiling. Deuce Duvall was a tease. She hadn't noticed that in Creede, but she knew him so much better now, and each day, she loved him more.

  “Ophelia,” Garnet Bennett called her over where she sat with Hester and Owen Vaile. “This is wonderful. I wish I could come here for supper every evening.”

  “Every evening?” Adam Bennett said, brows raised.

  “Well, every Saturday?” Garnet asked.

  “We'll see.”

  “That's a man's answer to every woman's question, isn't it, ladies?” Ophelia bantered.

  Dulcina took a break from the piano to rejoin her husband at their table. Ophelia worked her way over there. “That was wonderful, Dulcina. It made all the difference in the world in the atmosphere tonight. Thank you.”

  “You're welcome. I enjoyed it.”

  “This woman would rather entertain others than wear a mink coat,” her husband, Gabriel, said, smiling at her.

  “I'm glad she feels that way,” Ophelia said. “I couldn't afford to pay her a mink coat.”

  Everyone present laughed and she moved on.

  Hester and Owen stood up, preparing to leave. Ophelia went to say goodbye.

  “The food was fabulous,” Hester said, “but we have a babysitter to get home to.”

  “I understand and I'm so glad you came.”

  “So am I. What was the name on the menu for that wonderful beef dish?”

  “Beef bourguignon,” Ophelia said.

  “Well, I hope to come back and have more of that sometime.” Hester gave her husband a 'please, can we?' look, and he chuckled.

  “Of course, dear heart. We'll definitely come again.” Owen turned to Ophelia. “I'd say your dining room is a huge success.”

  “Yes, and I'm so thankful.” Ophelia walked them to the door and bid them a good night. She'd barely turned away from the entrance when it opened again, and a man slouched inside as if uncomfortable being there. The second she set eyes on him, she knew he would be trouble. “Good evening,” she said. “May I help you?”

  “Yeah. I'm looking for my wife, Lavinia. Fella at the Second Chance Saloon said you can tell me where to find her.”

  She gave him a pleasant smile though her heart stuttered. “Certainly, Mr. Whited. Please wait here.”

  In the dining room, she surveyed the tables until she spied Brody sitting with the Gambles. Frantically, she waved to get his attention. As soon as he saw her, he hurried over. “Something wrong?”

  “Lavinia's husband is here.”

  He turned and gestured for Marshal Bowles to join them. Cordelia came t
oo. They had thought this might happen.

  “He's here, huh?” Aubrey said when he reached them. He had seen Whited in the saloon and figured out who he was.

  “Yes. What do we do?” Ophelia asked quietly. She didn't want her guests disturbed.

  “Cordelia and I will take care of it. Brody, why don't you stand by, just in case,” Aubrey said.

  “Will do,” Brody answered, and they all moved toward the lobby.

  When Ophelia made as if to go along, Brody held her back. “Stay out of the way in case there's trouble. I don't want you hurt.”

  Ophelia nodded and stood where she could watch.

  Aubrey, backed by Cordelia, walked up to Whited. He had the appearance of a thug, a large man with big hands, thinning hair, a wart on his jaw, and a scowling mouth.

  “Sir, shall we step outside, so we can speak privately?” Aubrey said, his marshal's badge visible on his vest.

  Whited glanced around at the empty lobby. “Don't see no need for it.”

  “Please, sir, your wife isn't here. Come with us.”

  Ophelia saw the way the man's hand edged his coat aside, revealing his holster. She hurried through the kitchen to the back door, running across the street to Safe Haven. John Knapp, the man they'd hired that morning to guard the place opened the door.

  “Lock the door,” she said, once inside.

  “Somebody after you,” Mrs. Crane?” he asked.

  “The marshal is bringing Mrs. Whited's husband to speak with her. Don't trust the man. Mr. Whited, I mean.”

  Emerald came to see who'd come in. “Ophelia. Everything all right?”

  “I hope so. Get Lavinia, please. Her husband came to the hotel. The marshal's bringing him here.”

  Emerald scampered off. Leaving John to watch the front door, Ophelia made sure the others were locked. In the kitchen, she helped herself to a Smith and Wesson six-gun from the gun case, then returned to the front door.

  “They're coming,” John said, checking his own gun.

  Aubrey knocked on the door. John answered, Ophelia behind him.

  “Evening, John,” Aubrey said. “This is Lavinia Whited's husband. He wants to see her and hear her say she wants to be here and not with him. Cordelia and I will be here to ensure that he behaves.”