Trail of Golden Dreams

by Coverstone, Stacey

  Grey glanced at Josie and saw her face register shock at that bit of news. She sat still with her hands folded in her lap, barely breathing, waiting to hear more.

  Juanita sighed. “I finally tired of waiting, so I decided to accept the proposal of Alamar Gonzales, a rancher from the New Mexico territory. By that time, Alamar had been coming to the village for months, pestering me. I believed it was Divine Providence when Leroy showed up one week before the wedding was to take place. When I asked him if there was any reason why I shouldn’t marry Alamar, whom he intensely disliked without even knowing him, Leroy said no. I didn’t believe him, but there was nothing more I could do or say, so I married Alamar. Shortly after he and I settled in together, I heard Leroy had married a Tewa Indian girl. She must have been your mother.”

  Josie nodded, but didn’t reply. It was clear all this new information about her pa was overwhelming.

  Juanita paused for a sip of tea then said, “I didn’t see Leroy for many years, not even after my husband died. I suppose he was happy with your mother. He showed up here a few weeks ago, quite unexpectedly.”

  Josie leaned forward, anxious to hear more.

  “I was so pleased to see him.” Juanita’s chocolate brown eyes sparkled with the memory. “It was as if a day had not passed between us. He was still my Leroy, but different somehow—changed. He was harder than I’d remembered. His eyes betrayed him in that way. But this land does that to a man. I could tell he hadn’t shaved for some time, and he wore rags for clothes.” She stared deep into Josie’s eyes. “He was running from something, or someone.”

  Grey spoke up, unable to contain himself. “He was trying to escape his conscience. Juanita, you should know Leroy Hart was a thief. He was running from me and Josie, and whoever else he’d done wrong.”

  Juanita narrowed her gaze at him, while Josie said nothing. After a moment’s silence, Juanita calmly said, “I know what he’d become, Mr. Paladin. Leroy didn’t give me details, but I knew he was in deep trouble. I also knew he loved his daughter more than anything in the world.”

  At this, Josie hung her head and stared at her feet.

  “What else did he tell you?” Grey asked.

  “Nothing else, except he wanted to do right by you, Josephine.” She took Josie’s hands into hers and squeezed them. “He told me he was going back to Dry Gulch, where he expected to be hanged for one crime or another. He also said you would be coming to my ranch. He would make sure of it. He wanted us to meet. I believe he wanted you to know he was a different man in another lifetime. He wasn’t always selfish or cruel. Leroy asked me to be kind to you, because you have had little kindness in your young life.” She caressed Josie’s damp cheek with a warm hand. “I loved your father, Josephine. He was a good man when I knew him. All these years, I have loved him. I will miss him terribly.” She touched her forehead to Josie’s, where it remained for several moments. Then she said, “You and Mr. Paladin are welcome to stay in my home as long as you’d like.”

  There was no use in asking Juanita more questions, Grey decided. Apparently, Leroy had no ulterior motive for leading his daughter here than to meet his old sweetheart, as she’d said. If some kindness from this woman helped Josie in some way, it was fine with him. Anyway, it would do both of them good to rest in comfort for one night. He was already thinking about sleeping in a soft bed.

  “Tonight, we will have a party,” Juanita announced. She jumped up and clapped her hands together. “We will celebrate our new friendship.”

  Grey looked over and saw Josie’s face come to life. Juanita pulled her off the couch by her fingertips while Grey stood up and stretched his legs.

  “We will have food and music and dancing!” she promised. Does that sound fun?” Juanita looked between the two of them.

  “Sounds fun to me,” Josie replied. “What do you think, Grey?”

  Her eyelashes fluttered, and the innocent, childlike expression on her face tugged at his heartstrings. She deserved some good times, a few hours to forget about her pa, the posse, the gold, shootings and people dying, and the long road still ahead. He smiled and answered, “Whatever you want, Josie. A party sounds real nice.”

  Juanita grinned from ear to ear and tossed an arm around Josie’s shoulders, and they started down the hallway. “I’ll show you to your room, and I’ll have Marcella prepare a hot bath. Would you like that?”

  Josie nodded. “Yes, ma’am, I would.”

  “Don’t just stand there, Mr. Paladin,” Juanita called over her shoulder. “You come, too. I’m sure you could use a wash-up yourself.”

  Grey grabbed his hat off the couch and fell into step behind them. “Yes, ma’am. That I could.”

  * * * *

  With her head laid back against the cast iron bathtub, Josie never dreamed hot water could feel so good over skin. Marcella had given her some nice smelling soap and suggested she step into the tub while it was empty and use a bucket of water to wash and rinse with, since there was so much dirt covering her body. After she was clean, she could wrap in a towel and Marcella would fill the tub with hot water. That way, she wouldn’t have to soak in dirty water.

  Josie had never soaked in a tub before, but it was something she decided she could get used to. At home she’d washed up in the porcelain bowl. That made washing her long hair difficult, since it was hard to soap all that hair and then dump a bucket of well water over her head by herself. That was the main reason she kept her hair in a braid all the time. She didn’t have to clean it so often.

  An apothecary bottle of thick amber liquid, with a label reading Dr. Hunter’s Hair Wash, sat on a small table next to the tub. She slid under the water and scrubbed her scalp with the concoction until it tingled.

  I wonder if Grey is taking a bath, too, she thought when she surfaced. She didn’t take him for a bath-soaking man, but the image of him sitting in a tub naked caused her heart to skip a beat. She couldn’t stop thinking about the way he’d kissed her and put his hands on her body. When she remembered his passionate kisses and how taut his muscular body had felt pressed against her, her stomach fluttered, like a million butterflies had been set free inside.

  A knock at the door interrupted her daydreams.

  “Josephine, Marcella is washing your travel clothes.” Juanita stepped into the room. “I’m spreading some clothes out on the bed for you to try on for the party. If they need alterations, I will have my seamstress take care of it.”

  “You have a seamstress?” Josie asked, amazed at yet another extravagance. Juanita was like the queen of a castle, with servants to handle every household chore, yet she didn’t appear haughty or boastful.

  “Oh, yes,” she sighed. “Pilar came with the rancho. She’s been here for years. I sewed my own clothes when I was younger, but if I did that now, what purpose would Pilar serve? She knows nothing about cooking or cleaning. Sewing is her life.”

  Josie’s nose tipped into the air. Delicious scents wafted in through the open door. “What do I smell, Juanita? And what’s all that noise I hear?”

  “The head cook is preparing a pig for the party. It’s already roasting on the spit. The others are working in the kitchen, and my ranch hands are setting up tables and chairs outside. I’ve told them they can have the rest of the day off once they’re finished, so they have time to get cleaned up. I’ve sent my foreman to town to bring back some girls.”

  “Girls?”

  “Of course. My boys can’t dance with each other tonight!” Juanita laughed and then asked, “Are you enjoying your bath, dear?”

  Pausing before answering, because no one had ever called her dear before, and this was the second time Juanita had used the pet term, Josie replied, “Yes. It’s wonderful, but I’m beginning to wrinkle like an old apple. I think I’ll be getting out soon.”

  “Take your time, Josephine. Nap on the bed if you’d like. You’ve traveled hard. There’s time to rest. Come out when you’re ready.”

  Josie heard her footsteps retreat, and th
en return. “I forgot to tell you, I’ve also selected some of my personal jewelry and put it on the dresser. Feel free to choose some to wear tonight.”

  “Thank you, Juanita.” The words came out choked. She’d never met anyone so kind and generous. A woman she barely knew was throwing her a party and letting her borrow some pretty clothes and jewelry, all because of her pa, whom, it seemed, she’d loved most of her life. It was like a dream, and Josie felt like a princess.

  She slipped out of the tub and dried off. After brushing out her long hair, she fingered the dresses laid out on the bed and suppressed a gasp. They were so beautiful and elegant. After trying them all on, she finally decided on a floor-length periwinkle blue linen dress with cap sleeves and embroidery of white and golden yellow flosses. It fit perfectly, like it had been made for her. Several shawls were also left on the bed. Josie decided she’d wear the solid white.

  Like a child, she perched on the edge of the bed and bounced up and down gently. It was so soft. Sleep would come easy tonight. Her dirty leather saddlebags sat in the middle of the floor where she’d dropped them upon entering the room. They looked out of place in the lovely bedroom. Josie shoved them under the bed with her foot and strolled to the dresser.

  She took a gander at the silver necklaces, turquoise rings, and beaded jewelry Juanita had set out. It was a difficult decision, but she finally chose a string of lapis lazuli beads, which she felt would complement the dress beautifully. As for her hair, she considered fixing it into two braids, and then changed her mind. Grey had told her he liked her hair down. That was how she’d wear it tonight, loose and free.

  There was no need for her to pull out the hand mirror Molly had given her, because there was a full-length oval mirror propped in the corner of the room. Josie stood in front of it and didn’t recognize herself. She gazed into it for some time, staring. Finally, a smile spread across her face.

  “I look like a real lady,” she said aloud. As she twirled in a circle, she laughed and wondered what Grey would think when he saw her.

  Chapter Thirteen

  When a horse-drawn wagon pulled up to the house, the ranch hands rushed from the bunkhouse and circled it like a bunch of wild Indians. They elbowed each other in the ribs and pushed each other out of the way while trying to catch the eye of the lady of their choice. Grey leaned against the adobe wall with his arms crossed over his chest and watched as a dozen chattering women accepted the hands of the men and clamored out of the wagon, all dressed in party finery.

  When the couples had disbursed to the back patio, he walked over and introduced himself to the Mexican wagon driver. “Hola. I’m Grey Paladin.”

  “Hola. Manuel Ortiz, rancho foreman.” They shook hands.

  “Pleased to meet you. Looks like it’s gonna be a good time tonight.”

  “Si, señor. The boys have been working hard for months. They deserve some fun. We’re all glad you and the Indian girl showed up.”

  Hearing Josie referred to as an Indian took Grey aback. He hadn’t thought of her that way since the first night they met in the cave and he’d made that crack about her being a half-breed. Her skin was bronze, but Grey’s own skin was as brown as a nut from being out in the sun every day. Those brilliant blue eyes of hers were what differentiated her from all the Indians he’d ever been around. “Where’d you find the ladies?” he asked Ortiz to change the subject.

  “Oh, here and there. It’s easy to find ladies with a wad of cash in your pocket.”

  Grey grinned. He could just imagine where Juanita’s top man had picked up these fallen women. They didn’t exactly look like schoolmarms or Sunday school teachers with their painted lips and form-fitting saloon dresses.

  “There are plenty to go around,” Ortiz told Grey. “Do you like redheads or blondes?” He didn’t give Grey time to answer. “Me, I like blondes,” he said. “Blondes with mucho grande che-chees.” He winked and led the horse and wagon to the outbuilding next to the barn.

  Grey chuckled and shuffled behind the house. From the looks of things, the party was starting off with a bang. Lights had been strung from the portico rafters, and vases of flowers and brightly colored cloths decorated the tables. A pig had been taken off the spit and was being sliced by a cook wearing a white smock. Several servants hurried back and forth between the house and the patio carrying platters of food to the tables. Fantastic smells drifted through the air, causing his stomach to grumble in anticipation. He was going to eat high off the hog tonight—literally!

  Mariachi musicians were setting up on a makeshift stage. The three-man band was composed of a violinist, a trumpeter and a guitarist. They were dressed in traditional waist-length jackets and tight fitting pants, which opened slightly at the ankle, exposing short riding boots. The outfits were turquoise in color and ornamented with embroidery and silver buttons. Each man also wore a black hat on his head, with brims that flipped up on the ends.

  As Grey looked around, he was amazed at how fast Juanita had put the party together, and she’d obviously spared no expense. He still found it hard to believe that a sophisticated, elegant lady such as herself had fallen in with that scoundrel, Leroy Hart. Oh, well. She appeared genuine in her desire to give Josie a night to remember, and he was glad about that.

  Not seeing Josie for several hours had made him think about her more than usual. He’d gotten used to being near her every minute of the day. After his bath and shave, he’d stretched out on the bed in his room. It’d been like sinking into a cloud. He’d lain there, naked, letting his imagination soar, picturing her in a bath, her breasts bobbing in the water as she ran soap down her flat belly and between her legs. He’d visualized her stepping out of the tub straight into his arms, with the two of them falling into the bed together, rolling around in the cool sheets with their legs entwined and their bodies melding into one. It’d taken only moments for him to grow stiff. He’d gritted his teeth and pounded his fists into the springy mattress, and then jumped off the bed and paced around the room.

  The woman had no idea what she did to him! Sweat beaded over his brow even now as he recalled the daydream.

  “Everyone! May I please have your attention?”

  Upon hearing Juanita’s commanding voice, his head swung in the direction of the house. She stood in the doorway looking lovely in a dark red dress. Chatter on the patio hushed, and all eyes focused on her. She spoke as if she were addressing the Town Council or important government officials, not her rowdy ranch hands and a passel of ladies of the evening.

  “I want to thank you all for joining me this evening. Tonight is a celebration in honor of my new friends, Miss Hart and Mr. Paladin, who have traveled to us from the south.” She gazed around and caught Grey’s eye and waved him forward. “Mr. Paladin, please come here.” He obliged by sauntering across the yard and standing next to her. “Everyone, this is Mr. Paladin.” Juanita linked her arm through his and smiled up at him. When he nodded his head to the crowd, the men and ladies clapped politely.

  Unclasping her arm, she said, “And now, I want to introduce you all to a very special young lady. Her father was a dear friend of mine. Please welcome Miss Josephine Hart.” She clapped and welcomed Josie forth.

  When Grey saw Josie stroll through the door, his mouth dropped open, and his gut twisted into a knot. Could this be the same person he’d been riding the trail with the past five days? She was beautiful! Her face was scrubbed clean, and her shiny black hair fell in loose waves over her shoulders. The memory of his fingers pushing through that soft hair assaulted him. His gaze raked her up and down. The blue dress hugged her curves and brought out the sparkle in her eyes. He remembered what she’d felt like when he’d held her and felt the breath seize in his chest.

  Her gaze met his and fastened. When she smiled, he tilted his head. Her smile was not one of a shy, awkward girl, but rather that of a confident woman who knew she was the belle of the ball. His heart hammered at the sight of her. Time stood still as they locked gazes. The surreal moment
was interrupted when he heard Juanita shout, “Time to eat!”

  As the crowd clamored to the banquet table, Josie stepped over to him. “Hello, Grey.” Her gaze perused him from head to toe, from his dusted Stetson to his polished boots. “You look mighty handsome all cleaned up. I almost didn’t recognize you. You shaved, too.”

  With his heart lodged in his throat, it was difficult to speak. He swallowed hard and replied, “Thank you, Josie. I swear. You look as pretty as a picture.”

  Her face beamed at the compliment. “Thank you, Grey.” She glanced around at the people filling their plates. “Isn’t this all so wonderful and grand? No one has ever thrown a party for me before, not even for my birthday. It’s like a dream come true. Juanita is the kindest woman I’ve ever known. Look!” She lifted the beads off her chest. “She even let me borrow her own personal jewelry to wear tonight. I feel like a real lady for the first time in my life.”

  He grinned. His chest swelled with pride for her, and he had the strongest desire to grab her into his arms and swing her around. She was so happy, and that made him happy. “Josie, you are a real lady. I don’t want you to ever forget that.”

  Her thick eyelashes fluttered like butterfly wings, and then she pushed her knuckles into his shoulder and chuckled. “Why, Grey. I think you do have a heart hiding inside those black duds of yours.”

  His gaze delved deep. “I do, Josie. And it’s beating like an Apache drum for you right now.”

  Her eyes smoldered, awakening a hunger inside him so intense. The words he spoke were as close to real emotion as he’d felt in five years, particularly for a woman. Honest feelings had not been easy to admit since he’d lost everyone he loved. Love. Was he associating that word with Josie? He put his hands on her arms, and she peered up at him with her face glowing like an angel.

  “Josephine! Mr. Paladin! Come fill your plates.” Juanita broke them apart and steered them toward the table piled high with food.