by Sara Jolene
Chapter Six
A chill nipped at Nessa’s arms as they left the boarding house. She and Kara had seen to it that Dutch got there safely and was capable of getting around on his own. Kara had also made it possible for Nessa to duck into the kitchen where Mrs. Franklin was hard at work and ask her to please keep an eye on him. Mrs. Franklin loved to feed the guests that stayed in her house, even if they were only there for a short time. Nessa’s hands were full of cookies as she found Kara in the entryway waiting for her. “All set?”
She nodded. “Mrs. Franklin will make sure she pays attention to him. Here.” She gave her sister a stack of the sweet treats. “She wouldn’t let me leave without them.”
Kara took the cookies and immediately started munching on one as they walked.
Nessa had not been able to stop thinking about her conversation with Beth since they’d been in the teashop. Memories of Henry and her best friend, Genevieve, back in New York assaulted her as she thought about how Dutch’s face changed when Rachel walked into a room. She wondered if that had happened to her when Henry was a round.
“I’m thinking about going home.”
Kara stopped so quickly Nessa ran straight into her back. “You can’t be serious.”
Nessa took a breath. She hadn’t really thought to share the idea with her sister. The words had tumbled from her mouth before her brain had had a chance to catch up. She took a step back; putting some much needed distance between them. “I’m very serious. I’ll talk to Dutch about what kind of danger might still be there, but we left so much behind.” Her throat got tight as she thought about everything. “The house. All of Mum’s things. Lillian.” She shook her head and wiped the corner of her eye. Our friends, Genevieve…” She paused. She wasn’t sure how much Kara had guessed about Henry. She’d caught them together a few times, but they’d always been in the company of others as well so it could have been nothing. She wasn’t sure what Kara would think either way. She held her breath and closed her eyes before she opened her mouth to tell her sister her greatest secret.
“Henry?” Kara asked quietly as she turned around to face Nessa.
Nessa’s jaw dropped, and her heart started to race. She couldn’t tell how Kara felt by her face. Her eyes betrayed nothing.
She had already planned to tell her so instead of just standing there catching flies, she spilled her most closely guarded secret. “Yes. Especially Henry.” Kara didn’t say anything. She just searched Nessa’s face with her eyes. Nessa tried to stay calm. She didn’t want to revert to her old ways of over thinking and getting overly excited. Her head got cloudy and she couldn’t think straight when she let those feelings take hold.
“We talk to Dutch before you decide anything.”
Nessa wasn’t sure what her sister had been searching for or what she’d found, but the relief she felt was real and all encompassing. She let out the breath she was holding and lunged forward, squeezing her sister in a tight hug. Kara returned Nessa’s hug but mumbled against her shoulder, “You could have told me.”
The words speared through Nessa like a hot knife. She hadn’t shared her secret with anyone, except Genevieve. She’d helped Nessa and Henry see each other when there had seemingly been no other way. She had grown up with Kara as both her sibling and a caregiver. It was hard to distinguish the two and decide what information to share with her sister and what information to keep from the caregiver. It was easy to forget, especially in the self-centered state she’d been in in New York that Kara would have been there for her no matter what. That she would have even gone to their father and plead Nessa’s case if she’d asked. But she hadn’t. She hadn’t told her sister even a little about Henry, and they were the two most important people in her life. “I’m sorry.”
Rachel had to admit that it had been a shock to walk in and see Dutch so close to the Dobbs sisters, the force of it stopping her in the doorway and not allowing her to move forward. It was completely paralyzing. She’d recovered quickly as Dutch had pulled Nessa over to her and made sure that they knew each other. She saw it then. The difference in the way he looked at them. She could tell they were close. That he loved her even, but it wasn’t the kind of way she hoped he would look at her. Maybe Nessa had been right.
Hope swelled in her chest as she thought about the evening to come. She’d left the clinic and gone straight home, wanting nothing more than to ready herself for their evening out together. She wanted to cook supper for her father as well as wash her dress and hang it to dry before Dutch arrived.
She thought of him as she peeled potatoes and put them in a pot to boil. She thought of him as she cut up chunks of chicken and made gravy. She smiled and hummed to herself as she worked. Old songs that she’d learned back when she had attended school in Chicago. She was thankful for them. They’d often enter her mind when it was calm. They helped her to remember all the good things.
After dinner was set on the stove and she’d put the biscuits in the oven to bake, she set to work on her dress. Little Rachel Clark had done a number on it, covering the front almost completely. Thankfully, Rachel had known what to do and was able to get most of it off without grinding it into the fabric, causing it to stain. Outside she filled the pail with water before taking it inside and heating it slightly on the stove. She stripped down to her shift and dunked the mud covered dress into the bucket of warm water.
Rachel finished ringing out the sopping fabric after having to change the water she was using three times. More dirt had remained than she’d thought. After putting on her only other dress, she hung the newly clean one on the line off the small porch just as her father was returning from work. Rachel smiled hugely at him. “You’ve barely a limp today!”
He nodded. “I’m mending. Slowly but mending. I think working is actually helping.”
Rachel offered him a hand as he climbed the few steps. “That’s wonderful. Healing happens in all sorts of ways. I’m glad you’ve recovered enough to be able to be back to work.”
“Aedan has been teaching me some new woodworking techniques as well. Says he could use a second set of hands with all the work he’s being requested. Folks as far as California have been writing asking for him to come out.”
A pit formed in Rachel’s stomach. She didn’t want to leave Creede. They’d not been there long. She was just starting to get used to it. Plus, she’d made some friends and was working and learning from the doctor and Hannah. “Are you sure you should be traveling so soon?” She couldn’t help the panic in her voice. She was sure her father heard it.
He shook his head. “We’re not leaving anytime time soon. It’s just nice to know the work is out there. Often times it isn’t and we end up having to move where the jobs are. There’s plenty of work in Creede and close by that we won’t go anywhere.”
They hadn’t made it all the way in the house when a voice behind them said, “I’m very glad to hear that.”
Rachel gasped and turned around, even as she felt her insides ignite. It was him. He was there to take her for their dinner.
“Can I help you, son?”
Dutch looked from her father to Rachel, and she shrugged. How was she to explain that she hadn’t had a chance to explain? “Pa, this is Freddie Holan. He’s asked me to join him to Graham’s Grub for supper tonight.” She tried to keep her voice steady and her cheeks cool.
Dutch stepped forward. “Nice to meet you, sir.” He held a hand out to John Henry, who didn’t take it but stared at it as if it had offended him in some way. Maybe Dutch had offended him. Rachel couldn’t see how.
“Aren’t you Nessa’s fellow?”
Rachel felt panic swell in a wave, threatening to rise in her belly and drown her from the inside. Dutch shook his head. “No, sir. The Dobbs sisters are very close friends of mine though. We grew up together in New York.”
Rachel watched frozen as her father thought through what Dutch had said and stared at his still outstretched hand.
“How’d you meet my daughter,
Freddie?”
Dutch met Rachel’s eyes. She could tell he was unsure. He retracted his hand, but she nodded, encouraging him.
“Well, sir, there was an explosion at the Bonanza mine, and I met Rachel when I woke up from having been injured in the blast.” He returned his attention to Rachel. “She took excellent care of me as well as the other patients at the clinic.”
Rachel felt ten feet tall with him praising her. Her father had been leery of letting her work. Said it wasn’t becoming of a girl her age. That she should be focusing on housework and finding a husband, but Rachel secretly thought her father didn’t believe that nonsense. She always got the feeling that he liked that she was independent. That she could take care of herself. The look on his face as Dutch talked about how well she was doing at her job encouraged her feelings. Her father was beaming from ear to ear.
“I suppose supper would be alright.”
Rachel bubbled with happiness. She hugged her father tightly. “Oh! The biscuits!” She ran into the small cabin like she’d been set on fire.
Rachel had never been to Graham’s Grub before, or any other restaurant in Creede. She mostly cooked at home. She and her father were well fed, but they had to be careful with money, so extravagances like suppers out weren’t in the budget. Dutch was sweet, pulling out her chair and helping her through the whole experience. They each ordered a special of roasted chicken and vegetables with mashed potatoes, which Rachel was very excited about. She loved mashed potatoes.
The tables around theirs were mostly full. Rachel recognized a few faces and waved or nodded hello to folks that acknowledged her. She couldn’t help but notice the surprise on some faces as they took note of her dining companion. She swallowed hard and leaned across the table trying to get closer to Dutch. She whispered, “People are staring.”
He laughed and smiled, his eyes never leaving hers. “Can you blame them? You’re the most beautiful woman in here. In Creede even. I bet you’re the most beautiful woman in all of Colorado.”
Rachel’s breath hitched as she stayed captured in his gaze. She shook her head. “I don’t think that’s it.”
“Well, what else could it be? It’s certainly not me. I’m no one. Nothing to take notice of. But you! You are amazing. In fact, you define the word.” He laughed again.
Rachel knew he was teasing her. It actually helped to lighten her darkening mood. “But they all think…”
Dutch reached for her hand and pulled it to the center of the table. He held it tightly, the smile fading from his face. “I don’t care what they think and neither should you. We both know the truth and shouldn’t have to explain ourselves because they’ve all wrongly assumed something.” He waited a beat and took a breath. “And I meant what I said before. You are the most beautiful.”
Rachel felt her cheeks getting hot. She had so much she wanted to say but words failed her. Instead she sat there, caught in his gaze, her hand tightly held in his until their meals arrived. The waitress was young. Seemingly too young, but she was cheery. “Sorry to interrupt.” She set plates in front of them. She tilted her head. “You two enjoy.” And she walked away, leaving Rachel to stew about the odd look on her face.
“What…” She paused, worrying if she once again was worrying too much about what others were thinking. She quickly decided she wasn’t. That she didn’t understand that look and maybe Dutch would. She took a bite of her potatoes and enjoyed as they melted across her tongue. They were smooth and buttery just like she liked them. “What was that look she gave us?” she asked in between bites.
Dutch shook his head as he cut off a piece of chicken. “Not sure. Pay her and everyone else no mind. Couldn’t guess what they’re all thinkin’.”
Rachel nodded as she watched him eat. He was rough and delicate at the same time. He would handle the food roughly until it was on his fork, on its way to his mouth. Then he’d be gentlemanly and chew with his mouth closed and not savagely at all. He was like that in a lot of ways. Soft and mannerly with her and even with her pa, but she knew his reputation. He was known for doing what needed doing. He worked security for the mines. You couldn’t work security if you were gentlemanly and mannerly all the time. The idea that there were these two sides to this man, one of which was reserved for her and a few other people made her heart flutter. She’d always dreamt that when she found a man that she’d have some sort of effect on him.
Rachel had seen many women marry for many different reasons, but she could see the difference between the couples who had an effect on one another and those that didn’t. She had vowed not to ever enter into a relationship with someone that didn’t boil her blood, and she had always hoped that he’d be able to say the same.
“So, what did you do in New York?”
Dutch had just taken a long draw of ale from his mug. He seemed to swallow it wrong, though, and was spitting and sputtering, coughing. “Sorry…” He tried to say more, but another fit of coughing overwhelmed him. “Sorry.” He breathed slowly in through his nose. She could hear him trying to be careful. “I worked for, or rather with, Mr. Dobbs. That’s how I met Kara and Nessa. He was involved in a few different businesses. I was one of his associates.”
Rachel could tell her question had made him uncomfortable. He was stumbling over his words, and he’d still not completely stopped coughing. She was trying to think of how to ask about his family without being too intrusive when Sophia walked up to their table. “Evening.”
Rachel enjoyed Sophia’s company. They’d spoken several times after church services or when Rachel had gone in to the livery. She was very sweet. Rachel noticed her husband hanging back a few feet. Sophia’s focus switched from Rachel to Dutch. “Thought you might wanna know that Ab came by with the horse you borrowed the other day. Poor thing was spooked and stirred up, but other than that it’s well.”
Rachel watched as Dutch seemed to let all the air out of his lungs at once. He fell flat against his chair, shaking his head. “I’m terribly sorry. I can’t believe I forgot about the poor beast.” He looked up to Sophia. “My mind hasn’t been right the last few days. What do I owe you?”
It was Sophia’s turn to shake her head. “I didn’t come over here for that. We heard what happened. We know you wouldn’t have left the horse on purpose. We…” She looked back at her husband, who was still standing back, sentinel. “We wanted to ask after your health as well as let you know that Ab might need tending to. We tried to get him to go to the clinic, but he wouldn’t hear of it.”
Sophia turned back to Rachel, giving Dutch a moment to think about all she’d said. “He’s a good one, I think.” She reached down and gave Rachel’s hand a squeeze. Not knowing what else to do, Rachel nodded. “Me too.”
Dutch couldn’t believe his luck. Yeah, he’d been blown up, but meeting Rachel had made it all worth it. He sat across from her at a small table in Graham’s Grub and watched, mesmerized as she spoke with Sophia. He nodded at Otto, who nodded back. Dutch was confused as to why he wasn’t right beside his wife. He watched the man closely. His eyes were darting all around the room, watching the two doors most often. Otto was uneasy, waiting and watching for something or someone.
Dutch slid out of his chair. “Excuse me, ladies.” He got up with both of them watching him take every step over to where Otto was.
“What is it?”
Otto shook his head. “Nothin’ to worry about.”
Dutch turned back to where the ladies were still talking at the table. “I doubt that. I’ve never seen you more than a few steps from her side. Now you suddenly feel like you need to take measure of the entire room? What is it? What are you waiting for, or better yet who?”
Otto shook his head again, but this time he tilted it down. Dutch knew he had him. He was ready to spill. “Someone tried to blow me up a few days ago. It would be mighty helpful if all the folks in town helped each other out. Maybe we could find out who’s doing these things.”
Otto picked his head back up, but his eyes
went straight to his wife. She had taken the seat that Dutch had vacated, and she and Rachel were gossiping away. He looked to both the doors then. “It’s probably nothing.”
Dutch nodded. “Probably, but why not share in case it isn’t? Things have been changing in Creede.”
“Right they have.” Otto looked back to his wife again. The longing Dutch saw there was palpable. He could feel the love Otto had for Sophia. It made his bones ache. He wanted that. He looked to Rachel. She certainly got his heart racing, even if she didn’t make his bones ache. Yet.
“Not sure how much you know about my wife or her history, but she came to Creede from Durango and not under the best circumstances. Though she’s free of those fears now, she’s been seeing some formerly familiar faces.”
Dutch was curious now. He hadn’t known anything about Sophia. She’d been Otto’s wife since he’d arrived in Creede. That was all he’d ever known her as, and he wasn’t in the habit of asking folks after their pasts. It wasn’t his place. But from what little Otto had told him, his interest was piqued. He nodded. “I assume these are faces she’d rather have left in the past?”