Tainted Dreams

by Christi Corbett

  "Margaret, why don't you continue telling Mr. Martin about your journey?" She leveled a cool gaze at the man, ready to prove he wasn't the only one proficient in steering a conversation for personal benefit. "Be sure to include what Jake did less than ten minutes after meeting you and William."

  Margaret nodded, eager to oblige Kate's request. "I really have Kate to thank. She's the one who saw me tumbling down the hillside, heading right for the Columbia River. And convinced those horrible men to land the raft."

  "Horrible indeed," Kate agreed. "They wanted to charge William and Margaret triple the normal fare."

  "Shame on them!" Theodore slapped his knee. "I detest those who take advantage of the less fortunate. Though I would have gladly paid ten times the amount to ensure the safety of you and William."

  Margaret continued. "Jake convinced the men to accept the regular fee. Then, when I told him we'd been robbed and left with nothing, he paid our way with a loan." Margaret laid her hand upon Kate's and gave it a gentle squeeze. "If it weren't for Kate and Jake, we wouldn't be here now."

  "Yes, of course." Theodore nodded his agreement, then faced Kate with an expression she recognized as more calculating than sincere. "As you've probably gathered, Jake and I don't get along, mainly because I can't condone his past behavior. However, in this instance, I'm thankful he was willing to set aside our differences to help ensure the safe arrival of my dear family."

  "I appreciate your candor, Mr. Martin," Kate said. He was a smooth talker indeed, given that Jake hadn't known of their relationship to Theodore before tonight. Jake had simply done what was right.

  "Please, call me Theodore. While we're on the subject, William introduced you as Katherine, but I've heard Margaret call you Kate several times. Which do you prefer?"

  Kate considered her answer. She'd been raised around men of his ilk and wasn't fooled by his brow, furrowed with feigned concern, nor his eyes that begged her to believe his words. However, she was about to be a business owner in a town where this man obviously carried a big influence, so it would behoove her to keep him an asset, not an enemy.

  She forced a smile. "Kate is fine."

  Chapter Five

  A Chink in the Armor

  Five weeks.

  It had taken Jake five weeks, and saving Kate's family and all their possessions after their overloaded wagon sank in the Wabash River, before she'd allowed him to use the familiar address of Kate instead of Katherine.

  She'd bestowed the same honor upon Theo in less than an hour.

  Jake pulled the room-dividing curtains aside and stepped into the parlor, determined not to let his expression betray his unease.

  Seeing her didn't help. Though she wore trail clothes and a week's worth of dirt, Kate seemed perfectly at ease in this parlor crammed with everything he'd fought Theo on bringing along. She even held a china cup full of tea on her lap!

  His unease deepened.

  She'd come from a life of luxury, and had left it all trailside. At his demand. Now she was again surrounded by items he could never provide, talking with a man who belittled anything or anyone that didn't benefit his self-serving interests.

  "How disappointing to see the two of you back so soon," Theo said.

  Jake took petty pleasure in noticing the man's hair, now cut short in an effort to disguise the thinning on top. At least there were some things money couldn't buy.

  "These charming ladies and I were having such an enjoyable time getting acquainted," Theo said. "In fact, Margaret was just filling me in on your interesting adventures on the trail. Jake, it seems you've learned some shrewd negotiation skills since our last meeting."

  Given Theo's tendency to twist the words and actions of others to suit himself, and never let an opportunity to slander a rival go to waste, Jake cast a glance to Kate.

  She rewarded him with a smile that left no question her affections lay with him.

  Doubt fled as fast as it had taken hold.

  Theo rose from his chair and crossed the room to stand with Jake and William. After casting a discreet, sidelong glance at the women to make certain they were watching, he made a grand show of removing a white handkerchief from his pocket and blotting his eyes.

  "Jake, my nephew and his bride are the only family I have left, and I..."

  As he trailed off, seemingly overcome with grief or fright, Margaret cooed sympathetic nonsense from the bench and William slid a comforting arm around his uncle's shoulders. Seconds later, Theo put up a hand to show he'd collected himself enough to continue.

  "Jake, I've already let Kate know how grateful I am to her for saving their lives, and now I must offer you the same."

  Jake stayed silent and kept still. This man was a proficient gambler, capable of keeping a face of stone for hours should the need arise. His display of emotion had a reason, and it wasn't gratitude.

  Theo folded the dry handkerchief, returned it to his pocket, and focused on Jake. "Please, let me know if there is ever anything I can do for you."

  "It was an honor to do it and I expect nothing in return," Jake said.

  "On the contrary, I hear you do expect something in return," Theo said, then turned and faced William. "We have a financial matter to discuss?"

  Margaret hopped to her feet, her brow creased with worry. "William, perhaps it wasn't my place to do so, but I mentioned our debt we owe to Jake."

  William sighed. "I'm sorry, Uncle Theodore, but if we didn't get on that raft I would have died, leaving Margaret alone and unprotected in the wilderness."

  "What are the terms?" asked Theo, ever the businessman.

  "The fare was sixty dollars. Jake expects repayment tonight."

  Jake's eyes narrowed at the use of the word "expects," especially since William had been the one who'd suggested the timeframe. He opened his mouth, prepared to correct William's view on the matter, but Theo spoke first.

  "Jake, you and Kate shall dine as my guests tomorrow morning for breakfast. I'll have the money for you then. In the meantime, have you considered where you'll stay for the night?"

  As much as Jake hated to be under the man's roof, he wanted Kate to have the protection it provided. "We'll take two rooms."

  "Two rooms?" Theo's eyebrows rose in surprise, and then his lips curled into a wolfish grin. "I will check with Clara right away." He slipped through the curtains and disappeared into the lobby.

  Guilt hit Jake. He'd allowed himself to doubt Kate's affections when she'd given him no reason to do so. In fact, given Theo's reaction to his request for separate rooms, Kate must have implied they were married, or at least courting. He'd been so caught up in his own issues with Theo that he'd lost sight of what was most important—starting a life with Kate.

  Theo returned. "I have one room available."

  Kate eyed him with a worried frown. "One?"

  "I'm sorry," Theo said, raising a shoulder in an apologetic shrug. "We're booked through the rest of the month. There's such a rush of people coming in that I can't keep a room empty for more than a few hours, except for the one I've saved for William's arrival. I have this one because the man occupying it was killed in a gunfight this afternoon. Kate, after Clara clears out his things, the room is yours for the rest of the week."

  Kate's eyes were like windows into the battle raging within—stay in the comfort of a hotel without him, or camp outside of town with only him?

  While they'd spent nearly every waking moment together on the trail and slept beside each other every night, their time in town would be a different matter. Jake had no intention of inviting speculation as to Kate's reputation.

  Before she could utter a word, he saved her from herself. "I'll see you to your room, and then I'll be back in the morning."

  "But it's raining, and cold, and I want..." Kate's voiced faded as she likely realized the futility of protesting. Even out west, there was still an expectation for a single woman to maintain a certain level of propriety.

  Never one to miss an opportunity to impress, T
heo tapped a finger against his pursed lips a few times, then snapped his fingers as if brilliance had suddenly struck. "I don't know why I didn't think of it earlier. There's a space at the end of the upstairs hallway. I typically keep extra supplies there, but you're welcome to it."

  Jake had an idea of what kind of space Theo was offering him—likely a cramped closet that held bedpans awaiting an emptying—but it was late, he was exhausted, and at least he'd be out of the weather and close to Kate.

  Tomorrow he'd find a more suitable arrangement. And a preacher.

  "Margaret, are you all right?" William crossed the room to the bench and kneeled before his wife, whose cheeks had paled considerably.

  "I'm just overwhelmed with everything," she replied, her tone wavering between desperation and fear. "Especially hearing there's a man who's just been killed that was staying in this hotel!"

  She bent at the waist and hid her face in her hands. As the first of many muffled sobs filled the air, Kate rose from the bench and motioned for William to take her place. He slid beside his wife and began murmuring comforts and reassurances.

  "Forgive me," Theo said after she'd regained her composure. "I wasn't trying to upset or scare you. But now that the topic has been raised, you'd all do well to understand Oregon Territory is a wild place, filled with wild men. Until we are accepted for statehood—which brings with it the strength and enforcement of federal laws—mayhem and murder are a way of life out here."

  Theo pulled a gold pocket watch from his vest pocket, flicked it open, and then checked the time against the wall clock.

  "It's getting late and I still have a few things I need to get done before I retire for the evening, so I'll show you to your rooms now," he said, closing the watch and returning it to his pocket. "I'm sure you want to get settled in after your trip. Baths are taken in a room off the kitchen. Clara handles heating the water—" he paused to again check the time, then shook his head, "—but she's done for the day, so you'll need to wait until tomorrow."

  While he returned his watch to his pocket, Jake and the others gathered their belongings. With Theo leading the way and Jake bringing up the rear, the group headed back into the lobby and then through another doorway at the back of the room. They walked past a kitchen on the left and the dining room on the right, then several closed doors on either side of the narrow hallway.

  Theo stopped at the last door on the right.

  "William and Margaret, I've had quite a time keeping this empty for you." He unlocked the door and pushed it open, revealing a wallpapered room with a brass bed, plump pillows, a colorful quilt, a three-paneled dressing screen in the corner, a washstand with a basin and pitcher, a dried flower arrangement sitting on the dresser, and two cozy chairs positioned near the window.

  "It's perfect," Margaret said, stepping inside. "Thank you so much."

  "Breakfast is served promptly at seven-thirty in the morning. I'll see you then." Theo handed the key to William as he slipped through the doorway to join his wife. He shut the door behind them and then eyed Kate's saddlebags she'd hoisted over her shoulders.

  "Where are my manners? I'll take those for you." He reached to retrieve them, but she sidled beyond his grasp.

  "I prefer to carry them myself, thank you."

  "Suit yourself." His tone was pleasant, but his expression told of his irritation at the snub. As did his stomping up the staircase.

  Jake grinned all the way to the second floor. Kate was stubborn to a fault when it came to carrying her own saddlebags, a lesson he'd learned long ago.

  Theo led them down the dimly lit hallway, then stopped at the last door on the left.

  "The lock's broken," Theo said, opening the door with a quick twist of the glass knob. "It's nothing fancy, but it's clean."

  "Thank you," replied Kate.

  Jake looked over her shoulder and saw a room that was sparsely furnished, yet contained the basic necessities—thick mattress on a sturdy pine frame, chair, a bi-fold screen to wash and dress behind, and a table with an oil lamp. A cracked mirror hung on the wall above a washstand that held a floral patterned basin with matching pitcher and a stack of thick white towels. Though the bed was bare, folded linens and two pillows sat at the end.

  When Theo stepped inside to light the lamp, Jake leaned to her ear. "I'll miss you tonight," he whispered.

  She smiled, but Theo's return prevented any response.

  "There's fresh water in the pitcher," he said, sweeping his arm over the room and then settling his hand on the knob. "Clara will bring you more tomorrow at first light."

  Kate slipped past Theo and into the room. Once inside, she turned. Her eyes sought Jake's and betrayed her uncertainty at leaving him.

  "Goodnight, Jake."

  "Goodnight," Theo said, then shut the door before Jake could reply.

  Jake clenched, then restrained his fists, settling instead on adding this latest action to the growing list of reasons—starting with breaking Collette's leg—why he'd have no qualms about one day giving Theo the thrashing he deserved.

  Theo let go of the knob and then stepped into a small alcove across the hall. Ignoring Jake, he rummaged through items on a shelf until he found a basket of stubby candles destined to be melted down during the next candle-making session. He lit one and placed it carefully in a holder, scorching his finger in the process, much to Jake's amusement.

  That amusement faded when the flickering flame revealed his earlier prediction as correct—the space was little more than a cluttered supply closet. The floor was littered with piles of used linens, and dirty towels were heaped upon the sole piece of furniture—a dilapidated wooden chair that looked more suited for a burn pile than a hotel.

  "As I see it, you've got two options," Theo said, turning to him. "You can bed down for the night in here. Or, since you probably prefer the company of animals, you're welcome to make yourself comfortable in my livery."

  Jake briefly considered the wisdom of letting at least one punch fly right then, but ultimately decided Kate would open her door and question the ruckus. On the day he and Theo finally settled their long-running feud, he wanted no chance of interruption.

  "Here will do," he said.

  "I figured," Theo said. "Since no guests come to the end of this hallway, no one will be the wiser should Kate desire your—" he tilted his head as if unable to think of the correct word, then continued with a smirk, "—assistance."

  Jake stepped forward until Theo's nose was less than an inch from his chest, forcing the man to look up to meet his glare.

  "Don't question her honor, or her innocence. Ever."

  Theo backed away, mumbling under his breath about Jake being too simple-minded to understand what he'd meant. After a few steps he executed a quick turn. His fast and firm footsteps echoed down the hall as he headed toward the staircase. Then he was gone.

  Jake grabbed the back of the chair and tipped it forward until the stained towels cascaded to the floor. He spun it on one leg until it faced Kate's door, then sat in stages, gingerly testing if the wood would hold his full weight.

  It promised to be a long night.

  Chapter Six

  Propriety's Influence

  Kate tucked the back of the wooden chair under the doorknob, then stood in the middle of the room, saddlebags in hand, willing her mind to let go of all this moment could have been. Should have been.

  Her father in the next room going over his extensive lists, checking and rechecking every detail, no matter how minor, of each step of his grand plan to open a mercantile in Oregon City. Her dear brother Ben traipsing between their doorways, babbling excitedly about all they'd seen that day and what was next to come.

  As she'd done countless times since their horrific deaths, Kate closed her eyes and thought again of Jake's words of encouragement and comfort he'd spoken to her on a moonlit night months ago.

  The night she'd finally overcome the mind-numbing pain and shock that had threatened to pull her down forever. The night she'd r
ealized moving on wasn't a betrayal to her family, but instead the best way to honor their memory. The night she'd chosen to ride away from all she'd ever known, and head toward everything she'd ever wanted.

  A long, slow creak from a floorboard in the hall set her nerves on edge, especially when a glimpse between the door and threshold revealed shadows. Her eyes never left the doorknob as she slowly crouched and lowered her saddlebags to the floor. Slipping her hand beneath the flap covering one of the bags, she fumbled inside until she felt the familiar leather sheath. After palming the handle of her knife, she straightened.

  First priority tomorrow morning would be retrieving her father's rifle from Jake.

  Another creak of the floorboard.

  Kate crept to the door, her left hand extended toward the glass knob, intent on holding fast should it begin to turn. Her right hand hung at her side, concealing the blade within the loose folds of her trousers.

  "Who's there?" she bellowed, doing her best to keep her tone low and abrasive despite the fear closing her throat like a vise.

  "Me," replied the voice she knew so well.

  She let out her relief in one long breath, then pulled the chair out from under the knob. She opened the door and smiled at the man standing there, as always, steadfast in his silent support and protection.

  "Jake, is everything all right?"

  "Yes," he said, eyeing the knife in her trembling hand. "Is everything all right with you?"

  Knowing Jake would see through any false bravado, she spoke honestly. "I got scared. I can't stop thinking about Theodore's speech earlier about wild men, especially given the debauchery I saw firsthand as we arrived."

  She crossed the room to put the knife back in its sheath. Returning to the doorway, she motioned to the chair. "The lock is indeed broken, and this won't hold up against drunken persistence."