“No, I thought you were one of the most patient people I ever met. Besides, I was curious to see if I could make a living without my voice. You gave me the opportunity to find out.”
“I think you could do anything you wanted to, if you had the training for it,” Angel said. “A little experience in the world is all you need.”
“I certainly found skills I didn’t know I possessed. In fact, my only regret is I’ve never gotten to meet Angel,” Jessie said wistfully. “Do you think there’s any chance I can? More than anything I want to tell her how much her friendship meant to my mother.”
Angel felt a stab of remorse for Jessie’s obvious disappointment. Suddenly, the urge to confess was more than she could stand. “Your mother’s friendship meant a lot to me, too,” she said quietly. “I was with her when she died.”
Jessie’s eyes widened in astonishment. “Angel?”
“Yes.”
“That’s why Sam kept telling me knowing Alexis was as good as knowing Angel! I wonder why he just didn’t tell me the truth.”
“Sam’s as protective as a mother wolf.”
“I know,” Jessie said. “I think he brought me here because he was afraid someone would take advantage of my inexperience, and I’d wind up following in my mother’s footsteps.”
“You know?”
Jessie smiled. “That she was a lady of the evening? Of course I do. I lived with her until I was ten. We spent most of that time at a place called Delilah’s. It wasn’t much as whorehouses go, but Delilah didn’t mind having me there as long as I stayed out of the way.”
“I didn’t realize—”
“I know you didn’t, and neither did Sam. Mama said I should always tell people she worked as a cook, so Sam thought I didn’t know. He so wanted to protect me from the truth, I didn’t have the heart to tell him I’d grown up in a brothel. I even started doing a few jobs for Delilah when I got older, like emptying chamber pots and running errands.”
“And one day Delilah noticed how pretty you were,” Angel murmured.
Jessie nodded. “Mama refused to let her hire me as one of her girls, and they had a terrible fight. The next thing I knew, I was on my way to boarding school. I have no idea how she managed to come up with the money for my voice training, but she did.”
“She never said a word to me.”
“No, but she told me all about you. She said you had a heart of gold and that God had never put a kinder soul on Earth.”
Angel raised an eyebrow. “Either you made that up, or you have me confused with someone else your mother told you about.”
“Mama saw right through that cynical shell you wear. She said it was a disguise you hid behind so people wouldn’t get too close and see the soft heart underneath.”
“I never realized what a vivid imagination your mother had,” Angel said.
“Did she imagine the freedom money, too?” Jessie smiled at Angel’s shocked expression. “Mama tried to give it to me as soon as you told her about it. I refused to have any part of it unless she came to live with me. She finally agreed to come.”
“But she never did.”
Jessie shook her head sadly. “She didn’t write much, so I didn’t think too much about it when I didn’t get any letters. Then she didn’t show up when she’d promised, and I figured she was going to need some convincing. So I decided to take some time off and come get her. I never even considered the possibility she wouldn’t be there when I arrived.”
“I wish I had been there.”
“Sam took me under his wing.” Jessie smiled. “Besides, you had enough on your mind without me.”
“I suppose you’re wondering why I’m pretending to be Alexis.”
“It has crossed my mind.”
Angel sighed. “It started out simple enough, but somewhere along the way, it got complicated.” As she poured her story into Jessie’s sympathetic ears, Angel began to relax for the first time in weeks. It felt incredibly good to share it with someone.
“I think my mother was exactly right about you,” Jessie said when she was finished. “You began this against your better judgment to help your sister and wound up turning it into an opportunity.”
Angel made a face. “I turned it into a disaster, you mean.”
“Sam says The Silver Springs Express will provide a good living for all three of you. I wouldn’t call that a disaster.”
“It will if we don’t go under first.”
“I’m not very smart about numbers or business ventures, but from what little I’ve seen working down at the office, I don’t think that’s likely. You and Ox are incredible together.”
Jessie’s words brought images of togetherness that had nothing to do with business. Angel tried to ignore the warmth that flowed through her. “I’m glad you feel that way, because the money I owed your mother is invested in the company. You stand to lose a rather substantial sum if we fail.”
“I hope this means I’m considered an investor,” Jessie said enthusiastically. “I’d like that.”
Angel was surprised. “Do you dislike your life as an opera singer?”
“No, but I was glad to experience something different.”
“I hope you aren’t going to try and convince me you prefer all those other jobs.”
“No, but some of it was rather fun.” Jessie grinned. “The day we sold all Miss Jones’s hats, for instance.”
“I had a terrible time keeping a straight face,” Angel admitted.
Jessie giggled. “So did I, especially when you showed Ox the hat you wound up with. He was appalled.”
Angel chuckled. “If you think that was funny, you should have seen the look on his face when it was destroyed. I’ve never seen a man more pleased about anything in my life. He gloated for the better part of a week, then bought me a new hat without a clue I’d been teasing him all along. ”
“He’s such a sweet man.”
Angel blinked in surprise. Since when was Ox sweet to Jessie? Suddenly, James Treenery’s accusation came back to haunt her. Had something been going on during the long hours Ox and Jessie spent together in the office? The memory of the hug she’d witnessed between the two suddenly loomed large in her mind. “I’ve called Ox Bruford many things over the years, but I don’t think sweet was ever one of them,” Angel said a trifle tartly.
Jessie smiled. “But then the two of you are such very good friends.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Only that friends tend to take each other for granted.”
Angel cocked her head to one side. “You speak from experience?”
“Sort of. My mother loved a man who considered her a friend. I don’t think he ever realized how she felt about him.”
“Your father?” Angel asked gently.
Jessie gave a humorless laugh. “Heavens, no. She didn’t have the slightest idea who he was. I was born when she was fourteen, the year after her drunken mother sold her to Delilah.”
“Good heavens!”
“I know. Pretty sordid, isn’t it? Anyway, it wasn’t until Mama went to live at The Green Garter that she met a man she could trust. She fell madly in love with him.”
“She told you that?”
Jessie smiled. “No, but it wasn’t hard to figure out. Every letter mentioned him at least three times. When I finally met him, it didn’t take long to figure out why she loved him so much. He’s wonderful.”
“You sound like you’re in love with him yourself,” Angel said.
“I am,” Jessie whispered, closing her eyes and leaning against the window frame. “I never knew I could feel this way about anyone. That’s why I’m still here. I want to be close to him.”
Angel thought she might choke on the hard knot of pain that rose in her throat. If Jesse stayed in Cheyenne to be near him, it could only be one man, Ox Bruford. Ox, who had brought Molly the licorice whips she was so fond of and teased her about her freckles. “Have…” Angel swallowed. “Have you told him how y
ou feel?”
“Heavens, no.” Jessie opened her eyes. “Do you think I should?”
“I…I don’t think he’s completely immune to you. I could be wrong, of course. We’ve never really discussed it.”
“But you’re his best friend in the world. If you think he cares…” She gave Angel a blinding smile. “You’re right. I’ll never know how he feels otherwise.”
Unable to bear the incredulous joy shining from Jessie’s beautiful blue eyes, Angel dropped her gaze to the watch pinned to her bodice. “Uh-oh, I had no idea it was so late. I’m supposed to pick up some molasses for Martha. I’ll be in big trouble if I don’t get moving.”
“Goodbye, then. I’ll see you at supper.”
“Right. And maybe afterward we can have a long talk about Molly.” With a wave, Angel left the barn. Willing herself not to cry, she walked down the road. It wasn’t like Ox was hers to lose; he’d never thought of her as anything but a good friend anyway.
The idea of going into competition with the younger woman was laughable. Jessie was beautiful, sweet, and unsullied, while Ox’s good friend, Angel, was contrary, stubborn, and the madame of a whorehouse. It wasn’t too difficult to figure out who would win that contest.
Chapter 33
“About time you got here.” Martha met Angel at the door with a predictably sour expression.
“I’m sorry,” Angel said, handing Martha the bottle of molasses. “I went to watch Jared and Shannon for a while. I thought you said it wasn’t urgent.”
“I’m not talking about the molasses. You’ve got company.”
“Who?”
“See for yourself.”
“Honestly, Martha. Sometimes I think you’re the most exasperating person on the face of the planet.”
“Takes one to know one,” Martha said over her shoulder as she walked down the hall.
Angel straightened her dress. Heaven only knew what awaited her in the parlor. A knock on the front door stopped her in mid-step. “Martha...” But the housekeeper was long gone. With an annoyed sigh, Angel went to answer it.
“This is a surprise,” Ox said when she opened the door. “To what do I owe this honor?”
“Who knows? Martha’s in a snit about something.” Angel frowned. “What are you doing here anyway? I thought you had a poker game tonight.”
“I got a message saying I was needed here urgently. You didn’t send it?”
“I just got home. Martha said I had company in the parlor.” Angel paled. “Oh no, you don’t suppose it’s my father and your grandfather?”
“If it is, their timing couldn’t be worse. I got a telegram from Sam this afternoon. He just tracked down the last of the early creditors for The Flying T.”
“Will they sell?”
“Without a qualm. I don’t think my grandfather made a very positive impression on them when he contracted with them for supplies.”
“At last, we have them right where we want them.”
Ox smiled. “We do indeed. The Flying T owes more money than it’s worth. I plan on sending out one more plea for money to cover what we owe. When they both refuse, we can start calling in our debts. Have you heard any shouting through the door?”
Angel shook her head. “No, but then I don’t know how long they’ve been in there. If it’s really them, they might have gotten around to identifying the real culprits by now.”
“They might suspect, but they couldn’t have any real proof. We’ll just have to brazen it out.” Ox reached down and squeezed her hand. “Don’t worry. We’re an unbeatable team, remember?”
She gave him a brave smile and squeezed back. “Here’s to teamwork.”
Angel and Ox walked through the door together, then stopped on the other side in astonishment. Nothing had prepared them for the sight of Beth Ann Treenery, Jared, Shannon, and Betsy all focused on a gray-haired man, who appeared to be folding a piece of paper into a small boat.
“Mother?”
“Oh, Jamie, you’re here at last!” Beth Ann cried, jumping to her feet. She flew into his arms and hugged him. “I’m sorry to surprise you like this, sweetheart. I hope you’ll forgive me.”
“I’d forgive you anything,” he said, hugging her back. “But a surprise visit hardly warrants an apology.”
“That wasn’t what I was talking about.”
“Uh-oh,” he said with an indulgent grin. “That sounds ominous. What did you do, sell the family silver?”
“As though that would bother you.” She grabbed his hand and led him over to the man rising from the sofa. “Do you remember Theodore Collicott?”
“Of course I do.” Ox shook hands with the man. “You used to live close to Aunt Thelma.”
“Still do, as a matter of fact. Flattered you remember. Only met you that one time when you were about the age of our friend here,” he said with a nod toward Jared.
Ox grinned. “How could I forget? Alexis, I want you to meet Captain Collicott, formerly of the U.S. Navy. We spent three glorious days building and sailing the best little wooden ships you ever saw. Captain Collicott, my betrothed, Alexis Smythe.”
“Charmed,” he said, bowing over her hand.
She smiled. “Welcome to Cheyenne, Captain.”
“And thank you for escorting my mother all the way out here,” Ox added.
Collicott turned red and cast a helpless look at Beth Ann. “Didn’t exactly escort her. That is to say, I did, but not for the reason you think.”
Beth Ann smiled and took his hand. “What Teddy is trying to say is we came together.” She gazed up at the captain adoringly. “We wanted to tell you in person.”
Ox looked from one to the other in confusion. “Tell me what?”
“Your mother has done me the very great honor of becoming my wife,” Captain Collicott said. “Hope you don’t mind.”
Ox’s mouth dropped open. “You’re married? My God, why didn’t you tell me?”
“There wasn’t time,” Beth Ann admitted. “Teddy quite swept me off my feet.”
“Popped the question, she said yes. Went to the justice of the peace the same day, then headed out here to tell you.”
“Good Heavens!” Angel exclaimed. “You haven’t even had time to celebrate.”
“When you get to be our age, you don’t worry about little details like big weddings,” Beth Ann said. “You live every minute to its fullest.” Her gaze never left her son, who was still staring at them in astonishment. His expression was unreadable as he flexed his hands unconsciously. “Jamie?”
“Have you told my grandfather yet?”
“No. We wanted you to be the first to know.” Beth Ann bit her lip. “Jamie, please don’t be angry.”
“Angry? Don’t be ridiculous!” His face broke into a huge grin as he picked his mother up and spun her around. “You got married! I never even thought of that.” He laughed as he set her back on her feet and hugged her again. “Damn, but I’d love to be there when you tell my grandfather!”
“Then you don’t mind?” Captain Collicott asked cautiously.
“Mind?” Ox pumped his stepfather’s hand enthusiastically. “I couldn’t be happier. Did you hear that, Alexis? My mother is married!”
“Yes, of course I—oh.” Suddenly, the reason for his overreaction became clear. Beth Ann had just removed James Treenery’s one and only hold on his grandson. “Oh, Ox, this is wonderful!” she cried. “Do you realize what this means?”
“It means Captain Collicott will be sort of like my grandpa when you and Ox get married,” Jared said excitedly.
“It also means we can finally get rid of this bottle of champagne that’s been cluttering up my kitchen for these past two years,” Martha said, coming into the room. She set a tray of glasses on the table and handed the bottle to Ox. “You better do the honors.”
“You’re a fraud, Martha,” Angel said softly, as Ox made a ceremony out of popping the cork and pouring the champagne. “That bottle was what you were looking for when I came home,
wasn’t it?”
“Humph, you can believe what you like. I have work to do.” With that, she turned on her heel and stalked out of the room.
A mood of celebration permeated the gathering from then on. Jessie was drawn into the festivities when she returned home. Even Martha relaxed enough to join the group in an after-dinner toast to the bride and groom.
When the meal was over, they returned to the parlor, where Captain Collicott was soon entertaining Angel, Jessica, and the older children with stories of his adventures at sea. After a quick hug and a kiss, Betsy squirmed off Ox’s lap and ran across the room to join the others. For the first time all evening, mother and son had a chance to talk.
“I don’t know about this new husband of yours,” Ox joked. “He seems to have stolen my best girl.”
Beth Ann glanced at her son in surprise. “You really like her, don’t you?”
“Betsy?” Ox chuckled. “Kind of hard not to.”
“I’m so glad. After little Jonathan, I was afraid you’d never enjoy being with children again.”
“Neither did I, but Betsy wore down my defenses in short order.”
Beth Ann smiled. “From the way Jared and Shannon sang your praises, I gather you’ve spent quite a bit of time with them, too.”
“They have a way of getting you to do things for them.” He crossed his arms and studied the group across the room. “Not unlike their older sisters. I can’t see a nickel’s worth of difference in the five of them.”
“Are Alexis and Angel a great deal alike, then?”
“So alike, I sometimes find it difficult to tell them apart.” Ox’s face took on a faraway look. “Did you ever wish for the impossible, Mother, even though you know it could never happen?”
“Everyone does occasionally. Why?”
“I guess I just needed to know I’m not the only fool in the world.”
“Unattainable dreams have been known to come true upon occasion,” she said with a fond smile. “Maybe yours isn’t as impossible as you think.”
“It would take more than a miracle to make mine happen,” Ox said. Then he smiled down at his mother. “Enough about me. What about you and your prince charming over there? Isn’t this all kind of sudden?”
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