Charlene Sands (14 page)

“Of course,” Nora said sympathetically, “I understand. It couldn’t have been too comfortable for you in that jail cell, all night.” Nora lifted her brow and Kate wondered if she knew. Could her best friend tell
that Kate was keeping something private and special all to herself? “Oh!” Nora’s eyes went wide. “Here, quick, Kate. Feel the baby, he’s moving.”

Kate placed her hand on Nora’s abdomen just in time to feel the life stirring around. “Oh…my,” she breathed. She’d never in her life felt anything quite so mystical, so magical. The slight movements brought with it a sense of awe. Kate smiled warmly at Nora. “It’s wonderful, isn’t it?”

Nora nodded.

Kate kept her hand there, hoping to feel life again. She was truly pleased for her friend, and Kate knew deep down in her heart, she’d never, ever, experience this feeling for herself. She’d never give herself to anyone but Cole, and that wasn’t likely to happen again. They’d never have a “heap” of babies together. They’d never be a family.

A hollow ache buried itself deep inside where she could conceal it from her friends’ good intentions.

“He moved again,” Kate said eagerly, when the baby kicked.

Nora’s gaze flowed onto hers and Kate had the profound sense that Nora had guessed everything.

“It
will
happen for you, Kate.”

Kate removed her hand and shook her head, laughing with a lightness she didn’t really feel. “My
baby
is sitting on Main Street, ready to be delivered at first light. There’ll be some joy in that, Nora. Don’t you worry.”

But Nora only pursed her lips, a wise light sparkling
in her eyes. “I’m not worried, Kate, just wondering when two stubborn people I know are going to stop butting heads.”

Sadly Kate knew the answer to Nora’s pondering.

And that answer was…never.

A
thin whiskered man sat at the Silver Saddle’s piano, wearing an insightful smile and playing a lively tune that lifted Kate’s spirits instantly. Kate stepped closer, glancing at Big Josh, who stood beside the piano. She silently thanked him with a grateful smile. He made short work of introducing her to Shady Rawlings. The man nodded his greeting, his fingers sweeping over the keys fluidly, not missing a note and Kate knew without a doubt he was right for the job.

“That was lovely,” she said when he’d hit the last key.

“Thank ya, miss. It’s been a while, but it’s amazin’ how it all comes back.” He tapped a slim agile finger to his head. “Music’s all up here,” he said, gray eyes twinkling. “Has been ever since I can recall. Feels good to get these hands back on the keys.”

Kate spoke with Shady for several minutes, offering him the job and finalizing details of his employment.
Shady agreed to her terms, happy to have the chance to play his music again. He was an odd man, she mused, living on his own for years, never having a family. He’d said he lived for his music for most of his days but had hit upon hard times recently. He moved north to a small shanty outside the lumber mills and hadn’t touched a piano for two years, although Kate thought he’d played expertly, as though the music lived within him.

He’d had his music all of his life, which clearly brought him joy, yet Kate sensed in him something deeper, a fragile loneliness that called to her.

Was that how Kate would end up? Sacrificing everything for her dream, only to grow into a lonely old woman?

Kate pushed the melancholy thoughts far from her mind. She should be thankful that everything was running smoothly. She had a beautiful saloon that would be opening in a few hours, a barkeep who was becoming a dear friend and she’d just hired on a piano player. Now all she needed was customers.

The saloon door opened and Kate immediately turned. Cole stood just inside the door, his heart revealed in his eyes as he glanced around the saloon, taking in the two men at the piano and then finally resting his gaze on her. Kate’s breath caught, seeing that look in his eyes. It dawned on her then that she hadn’t been the only one to lose something special yet fleeting. Cole had lost, too, and defeat didn’t sit well with him.

Big Josh took a step forward. “If he’s here to arrest you again,” he muttered, alarming Kate.

“No, he’s not,” Kate said, putting a stopping hand on Josh’s arm. “I’ll take care of it. Why don’t you show Shady his room in the back and have something to eat? We’ll be opening just after noon.”

Josh shot Cole one more condemning look then ushered Shady into the back. Kate lifted her skirts, moving toward Cole. She stopped three feet away, abhorring her fear of getting too close to him, taking in his scent, letting his breath touch her cheek.

She waited for him to speak.

“Who’s that man with Josh?” Cole demanded.

“My new piano player.”

Cole inhaled sharply and stared into her eyes, the silence echoing off the walls. There was a time when they could read each other’s thoughts, but Kate didn’t know Cole that way anymore. Instead deadly quiet surrounded them like a cloak. Finally Kate found her voice. “What do you want, Cole?”

Cole raked her over thoroughly, his gaze touching every part of her intimately, speaking of his physical want. Kate’s body responded instantly, the pull of his gaze, the desire in his eyes too profound to ignore. But seducing her wasn’t the reason he’d come to the Silver Saddle.

Cole was a man of his convictions. Kate had always admired that trait in him, but those very convictions were keeping them apart.

“I came to tell you not to expect much today. I’ve
heard talk, Kate, and it’s not likely you’re going to have too many customers. Your grand opening might not be so grand.”

Kate’s temper flared and she wondered again when Cole had acquired such a mean streak. “You must find great joy in telling me that. Did you come here to gloat?”

“No.” He glared at her.

“I’ll thank you to leave.” She folded her arms and spun around, unable to look at Cole another second.

She felt him come up from behind, standing inches away. His breath caressed the back of her neck and he spoke softly into her ear. “I find no joy in hurting you, Kate. Consider it a warning, from a friend.”

The door slammed shut and Kate whirled around to find Cole gone. She stared at the thick, protective iron door and wished she could shore up her heart just as powerfully.

That afternoon, Kate counted five customers at the bar. Jethro, Abe, Lou from the hotel and two drifters she’d never seen before had come in a short time ago. She hadn’t expected much since Cole’s warning, but the showing was even more dismal than she’d imagined.

“It’ll take a while for word to spread,” Abe said cordially, sipping his beer and winking at her.

“We’ll be sure to remind folks at the livery. I bet you’ll have more than a handful by nightfall tomorrow,” Jethro offered.

Kate smiled graciously. She wouldn’t let the poor showing get her down. Surrounded by friends at the saloon, she could only rejoice that she’d made it this far. But Kate was even more determined to make her saloon a success now and she had a plan. Her mama had taught her early on that a woman surviving alone in the world always had to have a plan.

“Thank you all for coming. It means a great deal to me, having my friends here. Enjoy the music and eat up!” She gestured to the dishes of cold meats, fresh peach cobbler and breads she’d prepared earlier in the day and had laid out on a table. Shady’s tunes filled the air, lending a jovial atmosphere to the near-empty saloon. “And, Abe, take a plate to Nora.”

Kate began fixing up a dish for Abe to take home.

He nodded. “I think she’ll like that. Thanks, Miss Kate.”

Two hours later, the sun set to a night absent of many stars. A few customers wandered in and out, to see what all the fuss was about, Kate surmised. Mostly they stayed for just one drink then left quickly, with gossip ready on their lips to spout out to the small crowd of men who’d gathered outside.

Kate nodded to Shady and leaned against the piano. Once his fingers hit the keys, Kate began singing. She’d heard her mama sing these tunes before, and many a time, Kate would join in. Her mama had always complimented Kate on her melodious voice. She was about to find out if that were true.

Big Josh opened the saloon doors and let the music
drift outside. “Drinks on the house tonight. Come in, gents. Hear the lady sing.”

Slowly and with sheepish expressions, several of the townsfolk made their way inside. Kate recognized many shop owners and workers. There were more men than Kate had originally thought, but she didn’t mind giving out free drinks tonight. It gave her a measure of pride to see the saloon fill up with patrons.

As the night wore on, melancholy feelings assailed her. She no longer felt like singing boisterous tunes like “The Blue Tail Fly” or “Oh, Dem Golden Slippers.” The late-night hour called for more soulful ballads—songs that spoke to the heart. And she sang them deep into the night.

Cole was late getting back to town. He’d been gone the better part of the afternoon and into the night, riding hard to the far end of the county on another lead regarding Sloan. The lead had proved false, leaving Cole with a bitter taste in his mouth. He’d sworn on Jeb’s grave that he’d avenge his death. It was something Cole intended to do before he left this life, yet finding the man wasn’t an easy task.

Cole slowed his mare to an easy gait as they headed for the jail. A honeyed, sweet voice floating out from the saloon knocked into him like a herd of wild mustangs. He knew that voice. Kate. A smile lifted the corners of his mouth as he thought back on the silly songs they used to sing years ago, about leapfrogs and prairie dogs and flapjacks that wouldn’t rise. But
this voice was more compelling, more satisfying, coming from a woman ripe with heartache in her young life.

Cole reined in his mare near the saloon and dismounted, tying up the horse at a post nearby. The doors to the saloon were open, but Cole wouldn’t go inside. Seeing Kate by the piano, dressed in her finest and singing her heart out, would only stir in him emotions he couldn’t afford.

Hell, listening to her outside would do the same, but at least Cole wouldn’t have to look into her eyes, see the beauty there and the pain. He wouldn’t have to doubt his own convictions or battle to keep from going against all his beliefs and surrender his heart to her. He leaned back, bracing one boot up against the wall and listened.

Songs poured out of Kate with lilting harmony. Her voice called to him, singing of loves lost, of hearts broken, of sad and lonely souls. The music, the poignant, powerful lyrics touched him deep down inside.

Cole didn’t have to close his eyes to envision Kate in his arms, in his bed. He’d had that dream once. He’d made love to her. Felt her body close, felt her heart beat in tune to his. He’d made her breathless, she’d nearly destroyed him. They’d been together, body and soul.

But it wasn’t enough.

Mounting frustration met with anger. Cole let out a string of oaths, pushing away from the wall of the Silver Saddle. He was dog tired but too riled to sleep.
He walked through the door of the saloon, ordered a bottle of whiskey from Big Josh and paid for it quickly. He left the saloon so damn fast he hadn’t even caught a glimpse of Kate.

Which was good, he thought wryly.

Darn woman drove a man to drink.

Kate sat down in church next to Nora and the Cables, wearing a big grin. She knew she should be listening to the sermon, but her mind kept wandering to her newfound success, small as it was. For the past week, Kate had enlisted the aid of Big Josh and Shady to drive her to the outlying ranches, farms and lumber mills in the mornings to deliver handbills she’d had printed up special. They’d even gone into Grass Valley seven miles north and posted some handbills there as well.

Her advertisements, an offer for the lowest prices west of the Rockies and an invitation for a free drink of choice to any man bringing in a new patron to the Silver Saddle, had worked! Each night more and more customers filtered in. The Silver Saddle wasn’t boasting crowds, but at least Kate was seeing a small profit.

The townsfolk of Crystal Creek weren’t shedding their bias and coming in, but Kate knew that too would change soon.

With the sermon finally over, Kate and Nora walked out of the church and into the yard. There, Jethro and Abe excused themselves to get back to work at the livery. Nora and Kate walked arm in arm
toward the gate. “What’s got you grinning from ear to ear?” Nora asked.

“Nothing much,” Kate answered, “just glad to see Mama’s advice really works. After the first night at the Silver Saddle I was afraid I’d be run out of town, just like Mama had been. But she always said, ‘Give them what they want’ and, you know, it’s working. I’m not getting rich by any means, but the saloon is picking up business, Nora. I think we’re going to make it.”

“I never had a doubt,” Nora encouraged.

“You have so much faith in me.” Kate cast her friend a grateful smile.

“Miss Kate!” Meggie came running at her full speed and wrapped her arms around Kate’s legs.

Kate’s heart nearly burst seeing Meggie again. It had been far too long, and she’d missed the tiny imp. She bent down to give Meggie a tight squeeze. “Hello, my little friend. How are you?”

“’Kay,” Meggie said in her sweet voice then announced, “Daddy’s sick. Mrs. Gregory is taking me to Aunt Caroline’s today to play.”

“Oh, I see,” Kate said, straightening. When she reached full height, she met with Mrs. Gregory’s soft brown eyes.

“Good afternoon, ladies,” the older woman offered cordially.

Kate and Nora both greeted the woman.

“Meggie and I were just about to leave for my daughter’s house. She’ll spend the night with us. Allow
her father some peace to recuperate,” Mrs. Gregory confided.

“What’s wrong with Sheriff Bradshaw?” Nora asked. Kate hadn’t wanted to pry, but she was dying to know, also.

“He’s been under the weather for a few days. Sneezing and coughing. That man’s caught himself a germ, I’d say. It’s best that Meggie isn’t around him. The little miss shouldn’t get sick again so soon after her fever.”

“It’s good that you’re taking her,” Kate said, concerned for both Meggie and her father. “I know Meggie loves playing at Caroline’s. How’s the new baby?”

“That child is round as a melon already,” Mrs. Gregory declared proudly, her face lighting up.

The women all laughed and Mrs. Gregory took Meggie’s hand. “Well, we’d better be off. Say goodbye to Miss Kate and Miss Nora.”

Meggie gazed up at Kate with wide blue eyes. Bradshaw eyes. “I want Miss Kate to come, too.”

“Oh, uh,” Kate said, glancing at Mrs. Gregory then down at Meggie. “I’d really like that, too, but I…can’t, Meggie.” Kate bent down to her level and looked directly into her eyes. “I promise that we’ll go down by the creek again real soon. We can practice skipping. And I have a new game to teach you called Run Sheepie Run, okay?”

“’Kay.” Meggie smiled, warming Kate’s heart.
“Will you teached me how to cook my Daddy a cake, like before?”

Kate blushed straight down to her white button-up shoes. “Sure,” she said quietly, “we can do that too.”

Meggie hugged Kate around the neck and Kate placed a soft kiss upon her forehead. “Bye-bye, Megpie. Have a fun time.”

Meggie giggled when Kate used her father’s favorite nickname for her.

Nora patted Meggie’s head and said goodbye also. “Sweet child,” she said wistfully, once the two had turned to leave.

“Yes, Cole’s done a good job with her.”

Nora took her arm as they headed out the gate. “Why don’t you see if you can help an ailing man this afternoon, Kate?”

Kate shuddered. She wasn’t going to go anywhere near Cole Bradshaw, today or any day. “Oh, no! I couldn’t.”

“Bet he’d be glad to see a friendly face.”

“It wouldn’t be mine, Nora,” Kate said woefully. “I’d only add to his illness. He and I, we don’t…get along anymore.”

“Hmm,” Nora said as they neared the main street of town, “seems to me, there’s been a whole lot of ‘getting along’ between the two of you.”