Luke’s Runaway Bride (15 page)

As humiliating as it was, Jenny might as well get it over with and ask Luke for a favor. She’d already tried three times to catch him alone, but could never corner him. After Daisy and Nathaniel left, Luke took Adam for a horse ride, then came back and did the banking, taking Adam with him again, and then the two of them disappeared with Travis.

Lord, the man was busy. You’d think he were the president, so many people sought his counsel.

But he was back in the saloon now, busy with Lee, and Jenny braced herself to approach him. He’d understand, she told herself. She’d felt a softening in him after their afternoon spent together, and she was also beginning to see him in a more considerate light.

She took a deep breath and wove her way among the empty tables to where Luke and Lee were discussing bills, schedules and liquor supplies. Up on the stage, the piano player and Lola were practicing songs, gearing up for a busy Saturday night.

“Excuse me, Luke,” Jenny interrupted.

He glanced up from his pile of papers. He was wearing a chocolate-colored shirt that brought out the brown flecks in his eyes. She suddenly felt very dowdy, dressed in her ragged clothes. All the more reason to ask him for the favor.

“You never seem to be alone,” she said, “and…and before I go for a walk with Olivia, there’s something I’d like to ask you.”

Luke dismissed Lee with a nod. The bartender folded their papers and headed to the bar, giving Jenny a friendly smile as he left.

“You won’t be staying for the show?” Luke asked.

Her senses spun at the clean scent of him. “No, we’d—we’d like some fresh air,” she began. Why did she stutter so much around this man? Couldn’t she just talk? “And this isn’t really the way we’d choose to entertain ourselves, if we…if we had the choice.”

His jaw stiffened as if he’d been slapped. “You do have the choice. My men will escort you anywhere in town you’d like to go. Don’t force yourself to stay here if you don’t want to.” There was an edge to his voice. That wall between them appeared again.

She hadn’t meant to insult him. She tried to explain. “It’s just that we’re bored—”

“Bored?” He furrowed his brow.

She was inadvertently getting in deeper. She wasn’t bored at all. The truth be told, after last night’s show she had no desire to see any of the people she’d embarrassed herself in front of with the honey and the spilled drink. And no desire to repeat any performances alone in Luke’s room. She would stay as far out of reach as possible.

“I’d like to ask a favor, I suppose you’d call it.”

He slowly leaned back in his chair and appraised her. “Well now, doesn’t that sound interesting? A favor from me.”

He straightened his broad shoulders and leaned forward on his elbows to stare at her, making her aware of the blouse she was wearing. Another one of Daisy’s, buttoned to the top, but this one was more faded and tighter. The only reason she was wearing it was because she’d rinsed the other two and they were still wet. The faded cloth pulled at her breasts, and if you looked real close, the shadow of her undergarment was visible. Where had she left her shawl?

“What kind of favor do you need from me?” The sensual tone of his voice made her blush.

“It’s about money. Olivia and I don’t have much with us and we’re staying for another week—”

“You know the room is yours for as long as you need. And the staff know you’re not to be charged for any food or drink.”

“We know.”

He frowned.

“Well, the thing is, we need pocket money. We’d like to buy some clothes that fit us properly.” It was a mistake for her to look down at her blouse, for when she did, his gaze followed hers, and she felt herself blush all over again. “And we might like to send a telegram to my father, or eat at a
decent
—” Her lashes flew up at the insult she’d unwittingly hurled.

His eyes cooled.

“You know what I mean.”

“Yes, I do. You might even want to buy a stagecoach ticket out of here as fast as you can.”

“That’s right.” A smile leaped to her face. “Could we borrow, say, thirty dollars from you? Until we get back to Denver?”

“Oh, there’s no need to borrow,” he said calmly.

Her smile grew wider. “I knew you’d understand.”

“You can have all the extra pocket money you can
earn.
”

Her hands fluttered together. “Pardon me?”

“You can
earn
it. You’re always saying how no one’ll give you a chance to show how hard you can work. So, I say, work. I’ll give you the chance.”

The idea startled her. “You expect me to
work
for you?”

That maddening arrogance in him surfaced. “Why not?”

She drew herself taller. What the heck did he expect from her? “Because it wasn’t
my
idea to come here.”

His gaze roved over her. “You’re here now.”

The man was unbelievable! She spun away. “Forget I asked. This is humiliating—”

“Hard work often is.”

She reeled around once more. Was he goading her? Didn’t he think she could work? She could out-work anyone. “What exactly did you have in mind?”

Luke glanced at the bar. “What can you do?”

“Well,” she said, lifting her chin proudly, “I can sew.”

He paused. “I’m not in the market for a new shirt.”

“That’s not what I sew.” She gulped and glared at him. “I sew…
undergarments.
”

It took several seconds for him to respond. He studied her face, then smiled in such a vexing way she felt like kicking him. “You mean like underwear?”

She placed her hands on her hips. “That’s right.”

“Let me guess.” He leaned back in his chair and laughed. “It all makes sense now. Lavender corsets?”

“Why do you men always find it necessary to laugh every time a woman brings up the subject of undergarments? Why, between you and the bankers—” She shook her head. “Yes, I sew corsets for women. And for men, nightshirts and long johns and…” she swallowed hard “…and men’s drawers.”

He inclined his head and smiled. “As tempting as that sounds, I’m not in the market for drawers, either.”

She averted her eyes. Why had she ever suggested it?

“What else do you know how to do?”

She did have one other important skill. “I know business. I secretly wrote a college paper for my youngest brother once, on British colonial trade, and I got—I mean
he
got—an A. The highest grade he’s ever had.”

Luke’s expression mellowed. He shook his head. “Your brother did that…? I don’t need any papers written,” he said gently. She could tell he somehow felt sorry for her, and that angered her more. She didn’t want his pity. She had enjoyed writing that paper.

One of the Denver bankers she’d approached for a loan had looked at her with the same dismissal in his eyes, as if she were a child who didn’t know how to count, let alone succeed in a business venture. “I’m not talking about writing papers. I’m good with business ideas, and I could figure out a plan, say…” she glanced around at the empty tables “…how to bring in more customers.”

“It’s packed in here already.”

“Not during the day.”

He squared his wide shoulders. “You have ideas on that?”

“Not off the top of my head, but I could come up with a few, and you could pay me.”

“Hmm. How soon could I have your plan?”

“Well, it’d take me a few days. You could give me the money now, and I’ll come up with the plan later.”

He paused for a moment and stared at her. Then he smiled that charming, irritating smile again. “Sorry, I don’t give credit to people I don’t know. If you want the money now, you’ll have to do the work now.”

She tightened her mouth in exasperation. People he didn’t know? He’d brought her here to a place
she
didn’t know! Was he kidding?

“Thirty dollars is a lot of cash. It might not be in the household you grew up in, but it takes one of my men an entire month to earn that much.”

She stiffened at the insult. She knew thirty dollars was a lot of money. Hadn’t she and her grandmother worked hard for every bit they’d earned sewing? Why did everyone out West assume she came from a privileged class? Why, her father had worked his way up from loading coal on the railroad to his position now. And each of her brothers had worked at manual labor, saving for their college tuitions.

Yes, they had more than many families, but every penny earned came from sheer hard work, not from sitting on their behinds. But pride made her hold her tongue.

His eyes sparkled with a dangerous gleam. “Do you know how to wait tables? Do you know how to pour a drink?”

She shot him a cold-eyed glare, spun on her heel and left. He was out of his mind! The man hadn’t changed at all!

“A
re you sure I can have it? You’ll sell me this blue velvet gown?” Lola stood beside Jenny in the saloon, above the crate of fabrics Lola’s sister from back East had shipped her. The two had spent hours together in the past two days, and Jenny liked Lola’s easygoing style. It was early afternoon and the dancing girls were kicking up their heels, practicing their leg raises and taps in preparation for Luke’s birthday party tomorrow.

With a burst of determination, Jenny took out a spindle of thread. “I’ll mend the torn waistline and replace the missing button. I’ve already taken it out at the side seams, just like we measured, then it’s all yours. Fifty dollars, right?” Jenny gulped at the amount of money Lola was willing to pay. But then again, the fabric alone had cost forty.

Jenny would show Luke she could strike her own business deals without having to grovel to him.

“Worth every penny.” Dressed in a simple polka-dot frock for practice, Lola stroked the velvet. Distracted by the girls on stage, she shouted, “Raise your legs higher, girls, at precisely the same time. That’s how they do the can-can in New York City.”

Glancing down at the gown, Jenny thought of Daniel. She’d sewn this gown for him, for the night of their engagement. Just last week, she never could have imagined parting with it, but after all that’d happened… Back in Denver, was Daniel missing her terribly? Had he gotten a telegram from Harley, saying she’d given back his ring? Would he come to her on Friday’s train, eager to make amends and explain that it was all a mistake?

She sighed, threaded her needle and began stitching the torn pleats. Would she accept any of his explanations?

How would her father manage his speech tomorrow at the podium? He’d given her his rough notes to write up, and she’d stuffed them into the hall desk. Lord knew if he’d even find those without her.

She frowned. Why didn’t her broken engagement bother her more? Was it for the best?

Adam’s future was more affected than her own. The affectionate hours she’d spent with him eased her own time here. Yesterday, she’d quizzed him on simple addition and the spelling of his name, and discovered how smart he was. She’d repeated the rope tricks for him, then it was back to his puppies.

Luke had given Adam one of the rooms off the huge kitchen and moved his own things into the room beside Adam’s. They had their own back door to come and go. Adam could slip out anytime, with the supervision of Beuford and Tom, and play with his friends down the street.

Lola waved toward the stage. “Higher, higher!” When she stepped back beside Jenny, the older woman eyed Jenny’s worn dress. “You’re not going to wear that tomorrow night, are you?”

Jenny’s hand fluttered to the chipped button at her throat. “There’s nothing wrong with these clothes.”

“There’s no life left in them.” Lola yanked on the fabrics inside the crate, pulling out an apricot lace. “If you have time, I’d say help yourself to these and make yourself something pretty.” She narrowed her green eyes thoughtfully. “Hey, I’ll bet one of the girls could lend you something.”

“No, thank you, these are fine.”

“Oh, wear something pretty. For Luke. It’s his birthday.”

Jenny knotted the thread and didn’t answer.

“Don’t ignore the suggestion. I see the way he looks at you.”

Jenny felt herself color.

“I know they’re Daisy’s dresses, but they don’t do you justice. They’re certainly not up to the standard of clothing you’re wearing underneath—”

Jenny’s lashes flew up. “I beg your pardon?”

Lola’s round cheeks dimpled. “Your purple corset and bloomers. Remember? You got honey on them the first night. When you rinsed them, Olivia hung them by the kitchen fire to dry. They’re pretty.”

“You…looked at my corset while I was sleeping?”

“Sure, we all did. Olivia told us you sewed them.”

Jenny’s mouth fell open.

“You know, my girls and I haven’t toured the East for three years, and I’d be mighty obliged if you’d tell us about the latest fashions.”

“The latest fashions in…in burlesque?”

Lola stared at her for a moment, then tilted her head back and roared with laughter. The troop of dancers had disbanded and two black-haired women hopped off the stage to join them.

“Darlin’,” said Lola, catching her breath, her ear-bobs dangling with her movements, “we know you don’t know anything about burlesque. Tell us what the latest fashions are in
normal
clothing. Believe it or not, we go to restaurants just like normal women. And we go to the bank, and we shop at the mercantile. All we are is dancers and entertainers, nothing more, if you catch my meaning. I’d love to get the latest fashions from a high society woman like yourself.”

When Lola draped a plump arm around her, Jenny was enveloped in the woman’s natural warmth and found herself unable to be insulted by the blunt words.

An idea occurred to her. Was it possible?

Sure. If Lola was really this interested, then the others might be, too. When Olivia burst through the kitchen doors, Jenny hauled her over.

As Jenny gathered the girls around, she sorted through the fabrics, proudly giving suggestions on stylish suits and blouses. “We only have a few days left here, but Olivia and I could sew you anything you like. Lola, how about a day suit with the latest bustle, made from this green linen? It’ll match the color of your eyes. The rage in Boston is fingerless gloves, and smaller bonnets. We could make them all to match.”

Lola pursed her lips in an expression of satisfaction.

Jenny smiled. “And this bright red bobbin lace, such a delicate pattern of leaves and flowers, why, I could make you the prettiest boned corset.”

Lola nodded and Jenny launched into more suggestions.

She’d show Luke McLintock—and all those bankers who’d turned her down—that
her
ideas were nothing to laugh at. She had a good head on her shoulders, and she’d darn well prove it.

The next morning, Adam joined Jenny and the cook in the bright kitchen. He crawled out of his room in his nightshirt, shivering and crying. “Jenny…”

“Adam, what is it?”

Standing there, suddenly looking very young, he didn’t answer. He had a short new haircut she’d never seen before.

“Another bad dream?”

He nodded.

Jenny wiped her palms on her faded skirt and glanced down the hall to Luke’s door. It was open a crack. He was gone.

She entered Adam’s room, came back with his blanket and scooped him up. “Shh, everything’s going to be all right. Have you had breakfast yet?”

He shook his head.

“Let’s have honey and porridge together.”

As they were finishing up, voices carried through the kitchen door. They were coming from the hallway. Luke’s voice, and a couple she didn’t recognize.

Jenny hadn’t seen or heard from Luke in three days, and she had an urge to bolt out the alley door.

The voices got louder. She heard a woman say, “The reverend sent us to look at the boy.”

Jenny looked at Adam, but he was talking to the cook and hadn’t heard. She burst from her seat. “Adam, grab your hat.”

“Where we goin’?”

“Out the door. Come, show me your puppies.” Jenny didn’t know why, but she didn’t feel like facing the couple.

“Oh, yeah, the puppies.” Adam raced for the door. He grabbed the pot of fresh water for the dogs, which the cook had already set out for him. Adam could barely lift it. She stifled the urge to take it from him to help. He seemed to get such pleasure caring for the stray animals on his own.

When they dashed out the door, the warm sun greeted them. With a nod to Beuford and Tom, Jenny turned the corner at the old chicken coop, under the shade of the big pine.

Beuford and Tom were being extra careful since they’d spotted Harley poking around yesterday. Apparently he’d disappeared before they got a chance to confront him, but she refused to dwell on it.

Adam tiptoed through the dirt behind a lean-to, bending down when he reached the crate with the pile of straw. “Here they are,” he whispered. Three little puppies squirmed in greeting, two of them yellow-haired, one of them black. Adam scooped up a yellow one and placed it in her open palms.

“Oh, he’s so sweet,” she said, marveling at the feel of warm fur. “No wonder you like them so much.”

Adam smiled proudly and lifted the black one into his own arms. “I like Blackie. He likes me, too.”

Jenny smiled. “I like your new haircut, Adam.”

“Luke took me to the barber and made me cut it. He says I’ll get lice if I don’t take care of it.”

“Well, Luke is right.”

“He says I gotta go to school next year, too, but I don’t want to.”

“He’s right there, too. You need an education.”

“Yesterday, he got mad at me for takin’ off on my pony. He says I can’t do that anymore. I’m supposed to tell him first.”

Her puppy squirmed. She fought to keep him in her arms. “You took off on your own?”

Adam nodded.

Her eyes widened. “You’re only five years old.”

“You sound like Luke again. Why do you have to agree with him on everything?”

She reared back in surprise. Now
there
was a different perspective. She thought she and Luke couldn’t agree on anything.

Adam held the pup close to his face. “How you doin’ this mornin’, Blackie? Wanna hear a song?” Jenny stood mesmerized as Adam sang a loving version of “Pop Goes the Weasel.” “Do you like weasels, Blackie? Cook says there’s a few of them around here, on account of the chickens, but he says they won’t hurt you.”

As Adam turned his head to rub his face against Blackie’s, Jenny got a good look at his profile. Now that Adam’s hair was cut, his entire face was visible.

Oh, no. Alarmed, she stepped back. He looked just like… She swallowed. His jaw, his ears.
Daniel.

Sweat broke on her brow. Even his forehead slanted back the same. His new haircut gave him a cowlick at his forehead—just like Daniel’s.

She gulped at the shocking revelation.

He was Daniel’s son.

And Daniel didn’t want him.

Her throat closed tight.

Adam stroked the puppy. “Jenny, did you ever fly a kite?”

Still reeling, she shook her head and knotted her fingers into her skirt.

“Luke made me one yesterday. Wanna come with me and Blackie to the big hill?” He motioned westward toward the rugged mountains, to the hill that overlooked the valley and the ranches below. She stumbled back to look. Tall golden grass covered the slopes.

Her gaze clouded with tears for Adam. Daniel had lied.

Luke had told her the truth.

She’d been so horribly wrong about Luke.

Although she didn’t agree with his method of bringing her here, what desperation he must have felt to seek justice for Adam. Jenny found her composure, slid her puppy next to its mother, then put her arm around Adam’s shoulders. “You get the kite and we’ll go.”

Minutes later, standing under a clump of trees, Jenny watched Adam and his dog race the wind. Three little children, Adam’s longtime friends from the boardinghouse, joined him. Their laughter filled the air.

The weeds crunched behind her. She turned and swallowed when she saw who it was. All over again, a hot ache burned in her throat.

Hands in his pockets, Luke stood there, looking dark and rugged.

His galvanizing gaze sent a tremor through her. “Took me awhile to find you. I thought I heard you in the kitchen, but funny thing, when I stepped in to introduce you and Adam to a nice couple the reverend sent by, you disappeared.” He lowered the brim of his hat to shield his face from the sun.

Standing this close to his long, lean body made her breasts tingle against the soft cloth of her blouse. In haste, she glanced away.

In one smooth motion, he drew closer. He put his fingers under her chin, bringing her face back up to his. Her blood rushed to where his fingers touched her. She shivered as she met his inquisitive gaze. “Did you disappear on purpose?”

“Yes,” she whispered.

Laughter creased his eyes and softened his mouth. “Can’t tell a lie. You’re the most honest person I’ve ever met.” His fingers slid down her arm and dropped. Her skin felt cool where his fingers had trailed. Why did her body yearn for more of his touch?

They stood there, wrapped in each other’s gaze. Why didn’t she move? Why didn’t she say something? How could he have the power to hold her with his eyes alone?

She twisted away. “I notice you gave Adam a haircut.”

“It was about time.”

With a moan of distress, she shook her head. “Now he looks like…” She couldn’t finish the sentence.

Luke inclined his dark head and glanced at Adam, running in the distance. He swallowed hard. “I know.”

When Adam came racing over, Luke reached out for the boy. Although he didn’t say anything, she sensed a bonding between him and Adam. She’d misjudged this man so terribly.

Adam’s friends called him away, and he and the puppy tore off.

Jenny saw the pain linger on Luke’s face, and her heart squeezed. “If there’s anything I can do to help,” she said quietly, “please let me know.”

“You mean that?”

“Yes.”

He sighed and removed his hat, stroking the brim. “Thank you.”

A quiet understanding passed between them. After a few moments of watching the children, she took a step closer. “That night on the train, when I first asked you what this was all about, you said truth and honor. And doing what you know is right.” She took a deep breath. “You weren’t talking about Daniel, were you? You were talking about yourself. Your own truth and honor. Reuniting Adam with his father was the only honorable thing you thought you could do.”

He stood so close she could feel the heat pounding in his body. He nodded casually, but there was a catch in his husky voice. “I’m not sure anymore if that would be the best thing to do.”

“I don’t think it is, either. You can’t force a man to love his son—” She broke off with a sob.

He reached out and swept her into his arms. Crushed against him, she buried her face in his chest. She breathed him in. He felt like home.