The Devil's Daughter (2 page)

“Why is it then, Mr. Caine, that you are here and not your brother? She’s
his
wife after all.”

A painful hush fell over the room. Mr. Caine swallowed, his Adam’s apple bobbing slowly with the movement, and his eyes darkened to near pitch.

“My brother. . .Sam. . .is missing, and until he returns, Maggie and I need a little help.” His jaw clenched, as though waiting for someone to voice what the entire room was thinking. Sam Caine was dead, and he’d probably killed himself to get away from his crazy wife.

With practiced ease, Lucy slinked closer until they stood toe to toe. Broad across the shoulder, he stood like a rock wall, his sleeves rolled to the elbows and his faded blue shirt tucked neatly into the waistband of his wool pants.

Yes, Jedidiah Caine was a man to behold - tall, but not towering. Lucy had only to tip her head slightly to look into his eyes. She’d been right – he didn’t smell anything like the rest of the people in the room. In fact, there was a warm, musky scent about him that only confirmed what she already knew.

He was what humans referred to as a “good man.” A good man meant a good soul; a trusting soul; a weak soul.

Perfect
.

“I can be ugly if you want me to.”

He quirked his left eyebrow. “I doubt that.”

She opened her eyes wide and blinked up at him with all the false innocence she could muster.

“The work is hard.”

“I like things hard.” She murmured as she toyed with the button nearest his navel.

“And dirty.”

“The dirtier the better.” She waggled her brow, and slipped her tongue out to moisten her lips.

Tiny crinkles formed at the corners of his eyes, but he didn’t laugh. Instead, he cast a telling glance down the length of her skirt.

“And living without any frilly dresses?”

Lucy waved her hand down her skirt. “Do you see any frills?”

The fat lady cleared her throat again. Tension built throughout the room, but Mr. Caine remained perfectly calm, apparently unmoved by any of Lucy’s actions or words.

“Move it along, Caine,” someone called as grumbling began to roll around the room.

“Can you cook?” Mr. Caine ignored the other man and eyed Lucy suspiciously.

“Yes,” she lied. The rest of the crowd, especially the women, seemed disinclined to believe her, given the way they rolled their eyes and snorted, but Mr. Caine did neither.

“And you can keep the house?”

“Of course.” Another lie.

One of the men near the back stood up. “Caine already said he don’t want her, so let’s give the rest of us a chance.”

An odd look flashed across his face, then disappeared. He hesitated a moment, and licked his lips.

“What about children?” he asked.

Lucy trailed her fingers up to the next button. “I believe that’s what the dirty work will produce.”

One of the women sucked in a shocked breath, and several of the other men grumbled louder, but neither Lucy nor her man spared them a glance.

He still didn’t look convinced. “You’re awfully skinny; you don’t look strong enough for the work.”

Lucy leaned closer and trailed her finger in a long slow path down his cheek, laughing softly when his jaw twitched beneath her touch.

“I’ve got all the strength you’ll ever need, Mr. Caine.”

More gasps and groans filled the room.

“Miss Firr, please!” The woman in charge fanned herself with her hand.

A tiny smile tugged at his mouth. He was enjoying this as much as she was, yet there was still something wrenching him away, something he was bound to by honor: caring for his brother’s wife.

“As tempting as that sounds--” Mr. Caine wrapped his fingers around her wrist and tugged her hand away from his face-- “and as tempting as you are, Miss Firr, I doubt very much you’d last a week.”

“Move on!” the man in the back yelled. “We ain’t got all day.”

“Mr. Caine,” the fat lady stammered. “I need a decision.”

After a moment’s hesitation, with the internal battle playing out in his eyes, he sighed in resignation.

“I’m sorry, Miss Blake,” he said to the fat lady, his smile gone. “As much as I’d like to agree to this, Miss Firr isn’t the type of woman I’m looking for.”

Desperation flooded Lucy’s veins. He was a stubborn one, this human. Well, so was she. If only she could think of something else to tempt him with.

“But--” Miss Blake stammered. “If you don’t want her. . .what about the school?”

Mr. Caine tipped a short nod at Lucy and headed back to his place at the far end of the room as the other men all started calling out at once.

“I’ll take her!”

“I like ‘em skinny.”

“Ten dollars!”

Miss Blake turned desperate eyes on Lucy, who shrugged nonchalantly, smiled and made like she was going to leave, all the while fighting the fear and anguish that had begun to overpower her. She had about five seconds to figure something out, something that would save her from her father’s wrath and the desolate eternity that beckoned.

She hadn’t taken two complete steps when Miss Blake started offering her own services.

 “If it turns out she can’t cook, I’ll teach her myself.” The woman sounded almost as desperate as Lucy felt. The school must really need those books.

Judging by the excited nods and murmurs going on around them, it was safe to assume the woman could cook. And from the size of her, she must cook well. Lucy cocked a taunting brow at her man’s back and waited.

He continued to make his way to the back.

“And I’ll help her with the cleaning and the wash.” Miss Blake’s voice went higher with each word.

He stopped, but took his time turning around.

A loud whisper carried across the room. “Maybe Caine should marry you instead.”

Chuckles and snorts followed, but Mr. Caine held Lucy’s gaze, his lips pressed together as though fighting back what he wanted to say.

“Mr. Caine, please.” Miss Blake mopped her brow with a lace handkerchief. “You need a woman to make you a home, to give you a family, and to help you make something of all that land you bought.”

He didn’t look the slightest bit swayed.

“And think of the children.” She lifted her chin and pinned him with what must have been a well-practiced frown. “One day your brother’s child will attend that school – do you not think it’s your responsibility to help ensure the best education possible?”

Lucy felt the uncertainty ebb over Miss Blake’s soul first, then Mr. Caine’s. He seemed to falter for a moment, but remained rooted where he stood. His mouth tightened into a thin line, his dark eyes staring straight back at Lucy.

Guilt – it worked amazing feats in humans. Lucy was certain if the fat lady – Miss Blake – could produce one of these book-less unschooled children, the man would no doubt hand over his last penny.

But Lucy had to give her man credit – he continued to resist. Sure, he’d been tempted, but he’d held strong. If he didn’t want Lucy, he might end up taking home one of these other women.

That would never do. Still, she held her tongue. Watching the guilt crash and ebb over his expression was almost worth the anxiety of the wait.

“Mr. Caine,” Miss Blake went on, “if nothing else, think about Maggie.”

Every muscle in Mr. Caine’s face and neck tightened.

“It’s not good for her to be out there all alone in her condition. Obviously, if you could care for her yourself, you wouldn’t be here.”

When he didn’t answer, Miss Blake cleared her throat and continued.

“She needs a woman with her, someone to tend her needs, someone who understands.” She adjusted her glasses and cleared her throat quietly. “And though it’s not a nice thing to say, most of these other women. . .” she indicated the four behind her, “would not willingly want to take on a responsibility like that with someone in Maggie’s. . .condition.”

Mr. Caine’s gaze flicked from Miss Blake, to Lucy, to the other four women who all suddenly found great fascination with the toes of their boots.

He mumbled something under his breath and pushed back to the front of the room.

“Have you ever done a day’s work in your life?” he asked, taking Lucy’s hands in his and turning her palms up.

“Yes,” she answered with a definitive nod. Stoking fires and chiseling brimstone counted as work, even in a human world.

His brow furrowed slightly as he ran his thumb over her calloused and scarred fingers.

Lucy tried to tug her hands away, but he held them a moment longer, his gaze locked on hers. What did that look mean? And why did a tremble creep up her spine?

“There’s plenty of other men here, Miss Firr.” He spoke quietly, causing the others to shift and strain to hear. “Why are you set on me?”

Lucy lifted her chin and leaned close enough to whisper. “Because you have a good soul. I can see it.” She hesitated a moment, then added, “And because you’re the only one
not
set on me.”

An odd look came over him, a small spark glinting in the depth of his dark eyes.

“Okay.” He released her, then held up a hand to quell the burst of complaints. “So long as you understand it’s going to be hard work, and you’ll have to do your share.”

“M-Miss Firr?” The fat lady stuttered. “Are you in agreement?”

“Of course – whatever Mr. Caine wants.”

“Once the money’s paid,” Miss Blake hurried to say, “there’s no refund.”

Caine nodded in silent agreement.

“And,” she went on. “Annulments are not--”

“There’ll be no need for an annulment,” he interrupted with a hard glare.

Another loud groan sounded through the room, but before anyone could complain too loudly--or, God forbid, change their mind--Miss Blake bartered an amount, had them both sign the slip, then ushered them through the crowd toward the door.

“Reverend Conroy is waiting at the church.” She hurried them out of the restaurant. “Just give him this slip and the school’s portion of the money. Good luck to you both.”

She made to shut the door behind them, but stood on the other side, peering through the last remaining crack for a long moment.

“Mr. Caine,” she said quietly. “I meant what I said. I’ll help in any way I can.”

Lucy waited until the door was closed before speaking. There was something about the fat lady Lucy didn’t trust. Granted, she didn’t trust anyone, but this woman was particularly odd.

“Do we have to be married in the church?” Lucy shivered, panic clenching at her throat.

Mr. Caine held out his arm for her to take, but she didn’t move. She couldn’t go inside a church – God would strike her down before her foot crossed the threshold - and any preacher worth his salt would know what she was the instant he saw her. If that happened, this whole plan would be finished before it began.

“Change your mind already?” He chuckled, setting his hat over his dark hair and tipping her a raised brow.

“No,” she answered, her mind racing. “I’m not a particularly religious person is all.” That was putting it mildly. “Couldn’t we go see the judge instead and have him pass the money on to the school?”

Mr. Caine shrugged. “Makes no difference to me as long as it’s done quickly and we can get back. Day’s a-wastin’.”

She released a breath and took the arm he offered. Warmth radiated from his skin – a welcome relief to Lucy as she shivered again. “Does it ever get warm?”

His laughter startled her. “It’s the middle of July, Miss Firr.” He waved towards the sun, directly overhead. “It doesn’t get any hotter than Texas in July.” He turned to look at her while they walked. “Where are you from, anyway?”

“Somewhere warmer than here,” she answered with a smile.

He led her across the main street of town, steering her around potholes and horse droppings.

“What brings you to a town like Redemption?” he asked.

A lie jumped to her tongue, but Lucy bit it back. It would be much more interesting to see him figure it out bit by bit, even though his mind would refuse to believe any of it.

“I came here to save myself from a life of misery.” She lifted her silk skirts higher than necessary to avoid another pile of dung. “I want to live what you’d call a normal life.”

“And you didn’t have a normal life where you lived before?”

“Normal for there, yes,” she answered.

They passed by the bank and then the feed store, where two men standing outside leered openly at her. A pointed look from Mr. Caine had them scurrying inside, safe from the trouble his glare promised.

“What was so bad about where you lived?” he asked, as though nothing had happened.

Lucy bit back a laugh, then watched his face as she answered. “It was Hell.”

To her surprise, he didn’t flinch at her language. Instead he chuckled softly. “I know what you mean. I used to think this was hell, too.”

“Oh no,” she muttered. “This isn’t even close.”