The Courting of Widow Shaw (12 page)

Ruby ushered the girls out, including Gloria. “Fine. I’ll tell Mattie to save you something. But I can’t guarantee dessert, if one of the girls wants your piece of pie.”

“Oh, that’s all right. I have everything I need right here.”

And Gloria ambled downstairs with the rest of the women, hungry for food and praying for Merry. Perhaps, one soul might get saved from this place.

“Dear Jesus, thank you for the meal before us. We ask you to keep us safely in our house. And we ask you for the justice. To find the bastard who killed Trudy Tremaine and slit his throat.”

“Carmen!” Mattie and Gloria both chorused.

The news at supper had not been good. Toby, who’d delivered provisions to Mattie from the mercantile, had relayed a terrible story. Trudy Tremaine, a local prostitute who’d fallen on hard times, had been murdered in the street late last night. Some of the Rainbow House women had known her. But even the ones who hadn’t known her still reeled in shock and despair.

The mood at the table was somber now, in direct
contrast to minutes ago when all were taken by the little curly-haired dog that had brought Merry so much joy. With heads down in contemplation, some ate their meal in silence. Others had lost their appetite. Gloria had suggested that Carmen offer up the after-noon prayer.

After a brief pause and stern looks from Gloria and Mattie, Carmen continued, “We pray, dear Jesus, that You find mercy for Trudy Tremaine. It is not right that Trudy is dead. God rest her soul. Amen.”

“Amen,” all of the ladies repeated.

“It ain’t fair,” Julia said. “Trudy never hurt anybody.”

“I hope the sheriff finds the bastard that done it,” Eva said firmly, glancing in defiance at Gloria.

“She should have took a knife to him the way Glory did,” another one suggested.

Mortified, Gloria sucked in a lungful of air. “I’m not sure what happened the night Boone died.”

“It’s okay, Glory. We all know how you suffered that night. You had good reason to kill him, if you did,” Emmie said, and Glory found the other ladies nodding. “We only wished Trudy would’ve had the same opportunity.”

“But don’t you see? You can’t compare me to her,” Glory began, wondering if she should try to make her point with these women. “Your very livelihood puts you all in danger every day. You don’t know these men or what they are capable of. Many are strangers from another land. You expose yourself to trouble every day.”

“Are you saying Trudy asked to be killed?” Ruby asked, her brows raised, her expression grim.

“No, of course not. No one deserves that sort of
treatment. But she chose a dangerous way of life. Look what happened to my poor father, a beloved sweet man, just because he got in the way.”

“It’s not Lorene’s fault your father got killed, Glory,” Emmie said softly.

Even Emmie didn’t understand.

“Because of Lorene Harding. Because of Rainbow House. That drifter was mad over getting thrown out of here. And my father paid the price.”

“What’s this got to do with Trudy, anyhow?” Eva asked, puzzled.

“Yeah, and we have Marcus to protect us,” Julia added.

Gloria tried to explain. “I’m glad that you’re safe, but not all women are. They don’t have Marcus around. Don’t you see, if you all found different professions, you wouldn’t have call to worry about your life every time you walk down the street.”

Carmen grunted. Gloria was getting used to the unfeminine sound. “We do not worry. It is you who worry. You have to hide here in the house, while the rest of us are free to go anywhere we like, no?”

“Yes, but that’s different,” Gloria argued. “My profession didn’t cause my trouble.”

“No, you only married the wrong man,” Emmie said gently.

Gloria squeezed her eyes shut. “Yes, yes…I did. I made a mistake.”

“The girls are happy here, Glory. And Lorene makes sure we are safe,” Ruby said, taking charge of the conversation. “We understand your grief about your father, but don’t come in here and try to change things.”

“Even if it’s for your own good?” Gloria asked.

“We’re all grown women. We know what’s right for us,” Ruby said. “Now, this conversation is over. It’s getting late and the girls need to get ready for tonight. Finish up your meal, everyone, and no more distressing talk about Trudy.”

Gloria waited until all the women left the room, then stood to help Mattie with the clean-up. “No, you don’t have to help.” Mattie’s voice was sweet, but firm. “It’s my job.”

“Mattie, if I don’t
do
something, I’m going to pull all my hair out. I have to do something useful around here. And it may shock you to learn that I used to clean my father’s house and my husband’s house. Every day.”

Mattie chuckled.

Gloria grinned, grateful for the release of tension. Her conversation earlier hadn’t gone well. She hadn’t made her point with the women here. She couldn’t make them see that life had more to offer them. They just needed to believe. They needed more faith. “So hand over that cloth and let me help clean up.”

Mattie relented and Gloria spent the next hour cleaning the kitchen, dusting the main rooms downstairs and beating the carpets. She needed to tire herself out. She didn’t want boredom to set in again this evening, because she’d decided that she couldn’t spend any more time with Steven. Last night, he’d made her feel things she shouldn’t feel. He’d made her come alive in a way she never had before. She had no regrets, but she also didn’t want to encourage him in any way.

She’d spent the afternoon preaching her morals to the ladies here at Rainbow House. She couldn’t very well fall from grace. She couldn’t give Steven liberty
to her body, while trying to keep her faith and soul intact.

Her decision made, great relief washed over her. It was the first positive thing she’d done for herself. She would stay away from Steven Harding tonight and for the rest of the nights to come.

For as long as she had to hide out here.

Chapter Eight

S
teven slipped into Rainbow House right behind Sheriff Brimley and followed him into the main parlor. After the night he’d spent with Glory, Steven had debated about whether to show up here tonight at all. He told himself to stay away, steer clear of Glory for a while, to keep his concentration sharp and focus solely on her safety. She had a way of distracting him. He needed to stay on track to keep her from falling into the hands of the law.

But he’d come to town earlier today to make some purchases for his ranch and found out that Sheriff Brimley and his deputies were on the lookout for Trudy Tremaine’s murderer. The sheriff and his men planned on visiting all the brothels nearby to investigate.

And if the sheriff decided he needed to search the rooms at Rainbow House, Steven couldn’t stop him.

“Evening, Sheriff,” Steven said matter-of-factly. “What brings you to the house tonight?” He walked over to the bar and poured whiskey into two glasses.

“Investigating a murder. Another murder. Still haven’t found out a dang thing regarding the whereabouts
of Mrs. Shaw. She sort of disappeared, mysteriously.”

Steven nodded and handed the sheriff the drink. They spoke in one corner of the room, while the women all floated about entertaining their customers. Every so often, one of them would catch Steven’s eye. Business as usual, he told them with a quick look. No need to worry. He couldn’t afford to have any of the ladies behave suspiciously.

“Thanks,” Brimley said, lifting his glass. “I sorta wondered if Lorene knew anything about the girl. Seems to me, she left town about the time of Boone Shaw’s death.”

Shocked, Steven’s gut clenched. “You don’t think my mother had anything to do with it, do you?”

The sheriff sipped his whiskey. “Well now, I don’t rightly know what to think. We’ve had two murders in Storey County this month, and both seem to relate back to the whorehouses.”

“How so?”

“You got a woman missing who was hell-bent on shutting them down. And you got a prostitute dead on the back streets.”

“Yes, and neither had anything to do with Rainbow House.”

“Well, Mrs. Shaw wasn’t exactly a disinterested party. Seems she aimed most of her wrath at Rainbow House. Makes me think that maybe someone wanted to shut her up.”

“You know Lorene. Glory Shaw is the last person my mother would want to see hurt, regardless of her attempts to shut this place down.”

“Glory, huh?”

Steven’s slip of the tongue had the sheriff eyeing him warily. He’d have to be more careful.

“Don’t most folks call her Gloria?”

Steven shrugged, sipping his drink. “Hell, I don’t know. I don’t even know the woman.”

“Well, I’m going to have to check this place out. I want to question the girls here about Trudy. Who knows, maybe her killer is right here in this room tonight.”

The sheriff made a quick cursory glance around, then focused his attention on him again. “How’s the new place coming? What’s the ranch called again?”

“I haven’t named it yet. It’s nearly done. Working hard to finish up. Gonna get my horses soon.”

“That’s why I’m surprised you’ve been spending so much time here, with Lorene gone and all. One of my deputies says he sees you coming into town late at night.” There was no mistaking the suspicion laced in his tone or the doubt in his eyes.

Emmie drifted by their corner of the room with perfect timing. She was the same height as Glory and had the same light coloring. Emmie had even loaned her one of her signature blue gowns. If anyone had seen Steven with a woman, he’d make sure they’d think it was Emmie.

“Come here, honey,” Steven said, grabbing Emmie’s hand. She flowed into him without hesitation. He wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her up close and tight. Kissing her throat and running his hand just under her breast, he glanced at the sheriff. “The sheriff’s been wondering why I come around so much while Lorene’s gone. You want me to tell him?”

Emmie caught on immediately and played her part
well. “Oh, dear. Sheriff, you won’t tell Lorene, will you? I mean, she’d be furious if she found out about Steven and me. She might even send me away from here. Lorene’s got her strict rules.”

The sheriff cleared his throat and glanced at Steven, this time with a bit of apology in his eyes, before turning back to Emmie. “Uh, no. Don’t you worry. I won’t tell Lorene about this.”

“Well, seeing as my mother is coming back in a few days, I might as well make the best of it. You ready to go upstairs, darlin’?”

Emmie splayed her hand across his chest lovingly. “You bet I am.”

Steven grinned. “See you around, Roy.”

He left the sheriff to his task of questioning the clientele and escorted Emmie up to the second floor. He turned to her once they reached her room. “Thanks. You did great,” he said, swamped with relief. “You mind staying up in your room for a few hours? I’ve got to get Glory out of here before the sheriff comes nosing around.”

“Don’t worry about me, Steven. I’ll keep Buddy company up here. Sorta falling for that sweet little pup, myself. You go on and take care of Glory.”

Steven kissed Emmie’s cheek, thanking her again, before heading up the last flight of stairs to Glory.

Gloria didn’t want to answer the soft knock at her door, knowing it was most likely Steven. It was earlier than he usually came for her and though she’d worked herself into a frenzy today, hoping to tire by cleaning, dusting and doing all manner of chores, she simply couldn’t sleep. She lay restless in bed, trying
to get her mind to shut down some so she could claim fatigue but in truth, she simply wasn’t tired.

“Let me in,” Steven demanded quietly.

Gloria tied the robe tight and walked to the door. “I’m trying to sleep,” she whispered.

“Sheriff Brimley is downstairs, nosing around,” he whispered back. “So your sleep is most likely going to get disturbed if you don’t open this door now.”

Gloria opened the door and quickly closed it after Steven rushed in.

“Sheriff Brimley is here?” Gloria asked, her throat tight.

“Yeah, he’s here. Claims he’s investigating Trudy’s murder, but he sure had a whole lot of questions about you.”

Gloria swallowed. There was still a part of her that wanted to turn herself in, to be done with all this hiding and deception. The only thing stopping her entirely was the thought of a tight noose around her neck.

And the fact that she had no real defense. She couldn’t recall anything from the night Boone had died.

“What did you tell him?”

“He’s seen me riding into town every night. It’s getting more dangerous for me to come here. But I think I covered okay.”

“How?”

“By pretending I’m coming here for one of the women. Emmie happened to be close at hand and it makes good sense, with my mother out of town, that I’d want to, uh…well, I think Sheriff Brimley got the idea.”

Gloria swallowed again, wondering about Steven’s
real relationship with the women here. Emmie was young and so pretty. Something painful jabbed at her insides, creating turmoil in her heart and mind. “What do we do now?”

“Well, we can’t stay here. He might decide he needs to examine all the rooms.”

“Another night ride?” Gloria didn’t want to be alone with Steven again, but if it meant keeping one step ahead of the sheriff, she’d have to submit.

“No, I have a better idea. Get dressed.”

Steven opened his armoire and brought out a clean shirt and trousers. He began unbuttoning his shirt.

“Steven?” she asked, watching in awe as he removed his shirt entirely, exposing a strong chest stretching a thin undershirt to its limit. She glanced at his powerful arms and the breath just whooshed out of her.

“Glory, we don’t have much time. You’d best get your clothes on behind that screen.”

Gloria grabbed her dress and petticoat off a peg and went behind the screen, her mind spinning. “Where are you taking me?”

“We’re going to the opera house.”

“Are you sure nobody will know it’s me?” Gloria whispered as Steven ushered her into the back door of the opera house. They’d deliberately arrived late so that all the other patrons would be seated already. Glory kept her head down, her hood covering up her blond hair.