Silver Springs

by Carolyn Lampman

“And Father would never think to look there.”

  “Exactly.” Martha pursed her lips. “You were angry with your father and dead set against marriage, but I think something else happened to you soon after. Something that convinced you to fear marriage the same way Alexis fears your father.”

  A vision of Terence flashed across Angel’s mind, and she sat down hard. “That’s ridiculous,” she said weakly, but she knew it wasn’t. It was all starting to make a horrible kind of sense.

  “You’re terrified of winding up with someone like your father, who will dominate you and take away all your freedom.”

  “You mean like he did to my mother?” Angel asked bitterly.

  Martha snorted. “It may surprise you to know, your mother enjoyed being married to your father.”

  “She did?”

  “As far as Julia was concerned, her husband was the most important thing in the world, next to her home and her babies.” Martha smiled a little sadly. “She really wasn’t comfortable making difficult decisions and was quite happy to let her beloved Richard do it for her. Freedom would have been frightening for her.”

  “She sounds just like Vanessa,” Angel said in surprise.

  “She was. I’ve often thought that’s what attracted your father to Vanessa. Anyway, your mother married Richard for precisely the same reasons you would reject a man like him.”

  “Your point being?”

  “Young Treenery isn’t like your father. “

  “No fooling.”

  “He likes you in spite of all the barricades you’ve built against him.” Martha smiled knowingly. “The problem is you like him too, and it scares you to death. That’s why you pretend to be your sister, and why you keep running away from him when he gets too close.”

  “I don’t run away!”

  “Oh, no? How about the night you went to see Sam as yourself?”

  “Ox made me an indecent proposal.”

  “Good for him.” Martha smiled. “You wanted to take him up on it too, I’ll bet.”

  “Martha!”

  “Then there was the night you came tearing home like the hounds of hell were on your heels and immediately sent for Alexis. He almost succeeded that night, didn’t he? That’s why you’ve used Brandon as an excuse ever since.”

  Angel flushed. “You have a good imagination.”

  “Do I? Then tell him who you are and see what happens.”

  “I know what will happen,” she said gloomily. “Precisely nothing. I’m a great friend, nothing more. He even named a mule Angel because it was contrary and stubborn.”

  “You ought to be flattered. The man’s a muleskinner. He’s probably very fond of his mules.”

  “Nice try, Martha. If he cares at all, he’ll feel betrayed when he finds out how I’ve lied to him. He’ll hate me.”

  “He won’t hate you. If ever I saw a man crazy in love, it’s young Treenery.”

  Martha paused and listened carefully. The sound of someone knocking on the front door came through clearly this time. “I wonder who that could be.”

  “I hope it’s Sam with good news. Are you done lecturing me, or should I go answer the door for you?”

  “Humph, I might as well be talking to myself anyway. You won’t listen; you never do. I just hope you don’t wind up a lonely old woman.”

  “I’m more concerned about winding up a destitute young woman. For God’s sake, Martha, go see who’s at the door!”

  Alexis’s expensive Turkish rug took another beating from Angel’s pacing as Martha went to answer the door. Maybe the older woman had a point. Alexis had said almost exactly the same thing before she left with Brandon. When Angel looked back over her relationship with Ox, the ridiculous notion became a serious possibility. They’d had a comfortable friendship in South Pass City, but it wasn’t until she became Alexis that she actually showed him her true self. Had she deliberately misled him, simply because she was afraid of having a serious relationship? Would Ox turn away when he found out who she really was, or would he sweep her into his arms as Martha seemed to think?

  “Jessica’s back,” Martha said from the open door. “I’ll get her room ready.”

  “There’s no need for that, Martha, I won’t be staying.” Jessica’s melodious voice had a new, happier lilt to it.

  “Why not?” Angel asked. “Are you leaving us for the East?”

  Jessica gave her a beautiful glowing smile. “Can’t you guess?”

  “Well,” Angel said cautiously. “I know you left with Ox.”

  “That’s right, and it was just like you said.”

  “What was?”

  “Oh, Angel,” Jessica cried, giving her a hug. “We’re married!”

  Chapter 37

  “You’re married!” Angel wondered if she was going to be sick. Until that moment, she hadn’t realized how much she’d hoped Martha was right.

  “Are you all right?” Jessie asked.

  “I’m fine.” Angel took a deep steadying breath. Somehow, she had to get through this without Jessie knowing how devastated she was.

  Jessie was watching her with deep concern. “Are you sure? You got so pale just now.”

  “I turned a little too quickly and made myself dizzy, that’s all.” Angel forced a

  smile. “So things went the way you planned?”

  “I had to convince him I was serious, and that took some doing.” She smiled softly. “Once he finally believed me, he admitted he was in love with me, too, and had been, almost since the beginning. It didn’t take much to convince him we should get married after that.”

  “I’m not surprised,” Angel said faintly.

  “I waited until after we’d been to the justice of the peace and tied the knot before I told him about my singing. I was afraid he’d change his mind if he knew.”

  “But he didn’t, did he?”

  “Oh, yes, he did! He went on and on about how he wasn’t good enough for me, and that being married to him was going to ruin my career. He even threatened to get the marriage annulled. I don’t know what would have happened if Ox hadn’t told him to stop being such a damned idiot and be glad I wanted him.”

  “Ox?”

  Jessie nodded. “He insisted on being the best man.”

  “The best man?” Angel frowned in confusion. “Jessie, who did you marry?

  Jessie blinked. “Sam, of course.”

  “Sam!” Angel had the oddest feeling the universe had just turned on its side. “I had no idea you felt that way about him.”

  “Neither did he. That’s why I had to take matters into my own hands. If I’d waited for him to make the first move, I’d have died a spinster.”

  Angel collapsed on the sofa and laughed, giddy with relief. “I feel like such a fool!”

  “Why, who did you think I’d married?”

  “Ox.”

  “Ox!” Jessie’s mouth fell open. “He’s never even flirted with me.” Suddenly, she started to grin. “No wonder you looked so horrified when I told you my news. You thought I’d stolen your man.”

  “He’s not mine.”

  “He would be, if you’d let him.”

  Angel gave her a suspicious look. “Have you and Martha been discussing me?”

  “No. Why, did she say the same thing?”

  “More or less.”

  “There, you see. Martha’s never wrong.”

  Angel gave Jessie a wry grin. “For heaven’s sake, don’t tell her that.”

  “Why not?” Martha came into the room carrying the tea tray. “We all know it’s true.”

  Angel rolled her eyes, and Jessie giggled. Martha ignored them both as she set the tray on the table. “Where is Ox, by the way?”

  Jessie looked surprised. “He isn’t here?”

  Angel shook her head. “Nobody has seen him since he left with you.”

  “That’s strange, I thought he’d be back by now. I only asked him to escort me to Silver Springs Gulch, which he was more than happy to do, even though
it was out of his way.”

  “Out of his way? Where on earth was he going?”

  “Denver. At least that’s what he told me.”

  “Denver! What was he going there for?”

  “I have no idea. He said he had something important to do, but he’d be back before the final confrontation on Friday.”

  “I certainly hope so. We’ve worked long and hard for it.”

  Jessie glanced out the window. “Oh, look,” she cried excitedly. “Sam’s on his way in from the barn. From the expression on his face, I’d say the meetings went the way he wanted them to. I’ll go let him in.”

  Martha raised her eyebrows as Jessie dashed past her into the hallway. “Is she going to try her hand at being a servant now?”

  Angel chuckled. “No. She’s just anxious to talk to her new husband.”

  “Ha! So it was Sam all along.” Martha gave her a smug look. “I hate to say I told you so, but I did, you know.”

  “That doesn’t mean you were right about the rest of it.”

  “Humph!”

  Sam’s grin practically covered his face as he strode into the room several minutes later. “I got the final meeting set up. Both your father and Treenery are mad enough to chew nails, and they don’t know the half of it yet. They won’t have much choice but to go for our terms.”

  “What if they don’t?”

  Sam shrugged. “Then we sell The Flying T out from under them. You know, Angel, I got to thinking. That might be the best way anyhow, since we can’t use much of it.”

  “I know, but it’s so much more satisfying this way,” Angel said. “I’ll give up the extra profit just for the satisfaction of watching them squirm.”

  Martha gave a disapproving sniff. “For revenge, you mean.”

  Angel’s eyes gleamed. “Precisely!”

  Ox took off his hat, leaned back, and closed his eyes wearily. The train would be pulling into Cheyenne in a little over an hour, and he was no closer to accomplishing his mission than when he’d left. His search for Angel proved to be one frustrating dead end after another. She simply wasn’t anywhere to be found in the town of Denver. As far as he could tell, she hadn’t been there any time during the last six months.

  Ox wondered what game Alexis and Martha were playing. Why would they lie about where Angel was? It made about as much sense as the miniature of Angel and Alexis disappearing. He hadn’t seen the picture since he and Alexis discussed it, though he couldn’t imagine any reason why she’d hide it from him. Ox wished he had the picture with him now. Maybe if he studied it, he’d be able to sort out his feelings for the Brady twins.

  Even after all this time, he couldn’t tell which twin was which. He wondered whether even having them in the same room would make a difference. To be honest, he doubted he’d be able to tell them apart even then. Hell, if he closed his eyes he couldn’t even tell which one he was kissing unless he smelled their perfume!

  At the thought of their favorite scents, an odd inconsistency suddenly occurred to him. Jared and Shannon had soaked rags with Angel’s perfume to make him think of her, but they’d locked him in the barn with Alexis. Couldn’t they make up their mind which one they wanted him to marry?

  Ox’s eyes popped open as an extraordinary idea occurred to him. “Son of a bitch!”

  “I beg your pardon!” The woman sitting on the facing seat glared at him indignantly.

  Ox blinked. “Oh, I’m sorry. I was talking to myself.” Hell yes, Shannon and Jared knew which one they wanted him to marry. The only one he’d ever met! Ox raked his fingers through his hair as a dozen images of Alexis tumbled through his mind. No wonder none of the things people said about her fit the woman he knew. Challenging him to a race, climbing down a tree in the middle of the night, striking a deal with Mother Featherlegs, wearing a stiletto under her skirt; the socially correct Alexis Smythe would never do any of those things. But Angel would. Tough, independent, lovable Angel. It had been her all along!

  “Damn!” he exclaimed. “How did I miss it?”

  “Sir!” the lady in the other seat snapped. “Do you mind?”

  “No, I don’t mind at all. In fact, I’m pleased as hell!”

  “Well, I never!”

  Ox hardly noticed as she rose to her feet in righteous anger and moved across the aisle to another seat. Suddenly, everything made sense. He wasn’t in love with two women, only one. One gloriously unique, wonderful woman. His impossible dream had just come true! Wait until he told Martha! Ox laughed out loud in sheer joy; he could just imagine what she’d say about how long it had taken him to figure it out.

  Ox grinned all the rest of the way to Cheyenne, completely oblivious of the woman who sat across the aisle watching him as though he were a dangerous lunatic.

  “Are you sure Ox’s telegram said he’d be in on this evening’s train?” Angel asked nervously.

  Martha sighed. “You just asked me that ten minutes ago, and yes, according to the telegram he sent Sam, he’ll be here tonight. It isn’t likely he’d miss the big meeting tomorrow anyway. He’s waited a long time to defeat his grandfather.”

  “I know. I’m just afraid something will go wrong.”

  “What could happen?”

  Angel gave a brittle laugh. “Nothing worse than Father and Alexis both showing up this afternoon. Do you realize how close we came to total disaster?”

  “So what? He didn’t see her, and he won’t until she and Brandon confront him together tomorrow morning.”

  “What if he does? What if he runs into Alexis before Brandon gets back from the ranch? She’ll crumble if she has to face him by herself.”

  “Your father locked himself in the study with a bottle of brandy, and Alexis has already retired for the evening. Besides, what could he do? Not even your father is stupid enough to challenge their marriage when she’s due to have that baby any day.”

  “You’re sure Sam knows to meet the train and send Ox here?”

  “Oh, for heaven’s sake, Angel, you told him yourself! Young Treenery will be here, and you can plan everything down to the last detail. I’m going home before you drive me to distraction!”

  “Good, you can keep an eye on my father and make sure he doesn’t see Alexis before Brandon gets there.”

  Martha threw her hands up. “I give up! You’re obsessed tonight. I feel sorry for Ox, truly I do.”

  “I’m sorry, Martha. I just can’t seem to help myself.”

  “Thank goodness I don’t have to stay and listen to it. Good-night!”

  “Thanks for helping me bring everything over,” Angel called after her. So much for Martha. There was no way she’d be coming back this evening. Angel glanced at the clock on the mantel. Seven o’clock already! She was going to have to hurry to get everything ready by the time he got here.

  All of Angel’s years as a successful madame came into play as she transformed the cabin for Ox’s arrival. As she dug into the chest of supplies she’d brought along, she thought of the coming evening with a mixture of anticipation and nervousness. What if Martha was wrong, and he didn’t want her? And when should she tell him the truth about who she really was? Maybe it was best to play it by ear.

  The tall, elegant candles on the table cast a soft, romantic glow over the room when Angel finally stepped back and surveyed her work. A linen tablecloth with matching napkins in silver rings, goblets of the finest crystal, and a complete array of silver flatware and fine china graced the table. There was a fire in the fireplace to fight the winter chill and give the ambiance of cozy welcome. Perfect!

  “Now for me.” Angel’s fingers seemed strangely clumsy as she unbuttoned her dress and stripped down to her shift. A dab of perfume at her throat and on her wrists to give her confidence. She paused a moment and stared consideringly into the mirror, then applied a subtle touch of the fragrance between her breasts and behind her knees.

  The simple green silk dress was exactly the color of Ox’s eyes and had been hanging in her wardrobe for nearl
y two years because she lacked the courage to wear it in public. It was just the touch she needed tonight. The style seemed sweetly demure, but when she slipped it on, it clung to her curves in a way that was downright decadent.

  A smidgen of color to her lips and a slight darkening of her lashes, and she was ready except for her hair. Gazing critically into the mirror, Angel tried several styles in rapid succession. None of them appealed to her. They just weren’t soft enough for the effect she wanted. She was still trying to find the right combination when someone knocked on the door.

  Angel’s heart jumped to her throat as she let her hair fall around her shoulders. “Who is it?”

  “It’s me,” came Ox’s voice. “Sam said I was supposed to meet you here since your father is in residence.”

  “I’ll be right there,” she called. “I guess this will have to do,” she murmured, running the brush through her hair one more time and letting it hang loose around her shoulders. With one last look in the mirror, she took a deep breath and turned toward the door. The seduction of James Oxford Bruton Treenery the Third was about to begin.

  Chapter 38

  “Welcome back,” Angel said, throwing open the door. “How was your trip?”

  “Frustra...ting...” Ox’s voice trailed off as he took in her appearance. “Damn!”

  “I hope that means you like it.”

  “Hell yes, I like it. You look fantastic.”

  Angel dimpled. “Good answer. You may enter.”

  “You’re in a playful mood tonight,” he said with a grin. His smile faded as he took in the changed appearance of the cabin. Maybe playful wasn’t the right word. Intrigued by her elaborate preparations, he put aside his plan of taking her in his arms, revealing he knew who she was and asking her to marry him. Why not let her play her little game instead? “What’s the occasion?”

  “We’re celebrating. Your grandfather and my father are both in town, and everything is ready for tomorrow’s meeting.” She removed the hat from his hand and placed it on a wall peg. “By the way, I had Joe Simpkins add another clause to the contract.”

  “Oh?”

  “Neither of them will open a stage line west of the Mississippi for five years.”