Dixie Moon

by Shirleen Davies

  “I believe fall may be my favorite time of year. It reminds me of New York with the changing colors and crisp air.” Gabe smiled at her, taking the boardwalk to the opposite end of the street, placing a hand over hers.

  “I’ve been to New York. It’s a fascinating city and so different from New Orleans. Although it seems similar to Philadelphia where my friend, Isabella, lives.”

  “Do you ever get a chance to visit her?” Gabe asked, slowing their pace, wanting to prolong their walk.

  “Not as often as I’d like. She’s quite busy with her social functions and raising Jackson.”

  “Jackson?”

  Lena bit her bottom lip, not wanting to go into detail. “He’s six and growing fast. Perhaps they’ll visit me out here someday. Do you miss your family, Gabe?”

  He pondered the question a few moments. Although he thought of his parents and brothers, he’d never considered that he missed them. With the death of Uncle James, he believed he’d be traveling east in the near future to settle details on the estate. While there, he’d take a few extra days to spend time with his family.

  “There are times I miss them. My brothers bickering amongst themselves, Mother chastising them for being too rowdy.”

  “How many brothers do you have?” Lena asked, interested in anything she could learn about him.

  “Three. All younger.”

  A pang of longing passed over Lena. As an only child, Isabella had been her one playmate. “Sisters?”

  “No, just the three brothers. And you?”

  “No siblings. Just Nick and Isabella.”

  As much as he loved his brothers, the idea of growing up in a quiet home held a certain appeal. As he’d gotten older, the time he spent at home decreased because of work at his uncle’s hotel and friendship with Noah. His mother tried to get him to spend more time with his brothers, but the next oldest was four years younger. In Gabe’s opinion, they had little in common.

  “Does Isabella have any other children?” Gabe asked as they came to a stop in front of the boardinghouse.

  “Um…no. Just Jackson.”

  Gabe looked through the windows to see a few diners still eating. Making a quick decision, he turned to Lena. “Do you have time for a slice of Suzanne’s pie and coffee?”

  “I think Nick can handle the saloon a little while longer.”

  “Well. Hello, you two.” Suzanne flashed a smile at them when they walked through the door, nodding to a table up front.

  “Pie and coffee for each of us please, Suzanne.” Gabe held out Lena’s chair, then took a seat across from her. “Did I already tell you how nice you look tonight?”

  “Why, yes, I believe you did.” The smile she flashed at him created a pool of heat deep in his belly.

  He waited to explain his reason for bringing her here until Suzanne set down their plates and cups. Taking a sip of the steaming liquid, he thought of what he needed to say, hoping she’d understand. As he waited, she took a bite of pie, her eyes lighting up.

  “I don’t believe I’ve ever had better pie than the ones Suzanne makes.” She took one more bite, then picked up her cup. “I believe it’s time for you to tell me why you wanted to speak with me tonight.”

  Her straight-forward comment surprised him, even as the corners of his mouth tilted up into a tight smile.

  “Can’t a man take a pretty woman for a walk?”

  “Yes, most men can. However, I don’t believe you to be that kind of man. You seem to have a purpose for every action.” Taking one more bite of pie, she set down her fork and waited.

  “All right. It’s about the time you spent helping with my recovery. I wanted to thank you and let you know how much I appreciated all your help. Even though you didn’t volunteer, I’m grateful for the time you spent at my place.” Gabe took another sip of coffee, hoping what he said came out right.

  “I see.” She hesitated a moment to collect her thoughts. They might never have another opportunity to sit and talk about their time together, so she wanted her words and their meaning to be clear. “You’re a stubborn man, Gabe…strong and proud. I know how difficult it was for you to accept help. As the sheriff, you’ve always gone beyond what most people expect, and we’re all grateful to have you. There’s no need for thanks. It was the least I could do to express my appreciation.”

  “And if another man had been injured, would you have offered your help to him?” He could see a slight amount of pink tinge her olive-colored skin as she thought about his question.

  “I’ve never asked myself that question, so I don’t know. Perhaps, depending on the circumstances. Cash, Beau, maybe a few others who had no one else to help.” Clasping her hands in her lap, she straightened her spine, knowing he searched for some answer, but not sure what.

  He pushed the plate away and leaned forward, resting his arms on the table.

  “And would you have offered them the same degree of help you gave me?”

  She caught her bottom lip between her teeth as his probing became clear. It had nothing to do with her cooking, cleaning, or helping him with his daily needs, and everything to do with their kiss. That’s what weighed on his mind, the same as it had on hers since the day it happened.

  She thought of her life—growing up in a saloon, working in the Dixie every day. In all that time, two men had drawn her attention. Willie Carlyle and Gabe Evans. Willie had turned out to be a scoundrel of the worst sort, while Gabe had shown himself to be the opposite. Other than Nick, she knew of no finer man. If she could ever love again, it would be Gabe, but circumstances had intervened long ago. She had more to consider now than the opportunity for love. Not that a man like him, raised with wealth and advantage, would be interested in more than a casual relationship with a woman of her background.

  “If you’re asking if I would have allowed one of them to kiss me, the answer is no.”

  He stared at her, his expression hooded. Standing, Gabe reached into his pocket, tossed money on the table, then pulled out her chair, reaching his hand toward her.

  She made no comment as they stepped onto the boardwalk and turned toward the Dixie, her arm once again through his. The excitement of being with Gabe diminished at the knowledge nothing would ever come of their friendship. There were confidences she’d never share with him. He’d never understand the choices she had to make and that knowledge made her feel lacking.

  Every shop between the boardinghouse and the Dixie had closed hours ago. Other than the lights from the Dixie and the Wild Rose across the street, the walkway was bathed in darkness. As they continued on, Gabe’s arm tightened, drawing her closer to his side.

  He said nothing as they approached the last shop before the saloon. Turning toward her, he touched her cheek, running the knuckle of a single finger along the curve of her jaw. He lifted her chin, locking his gaze with hers, then lowered his mouth. Brushing his lips in a light stroke across hers, the brief touch he intended turned heated as she moved her hands up his arms, holding tight, and leaning into the kiss.

  Cupping Lena’s face, his mouth began to ravage hers, seeking entry. Her lips were warm and moist, tasting of apples and coffee. Letting his hands move to her shoulders, he wrapped them around her back, aligning their bodies. Heat fused them and he felt her writhe against him, as if she couldn’t get close enough.

  “Lena,” he whispered, his lips trailing a line down to the hollow of her neck. His splayed hands on her back pulled her tight before one drifted down the curve of her waist and soft fullness of her hips.

  “Gabe…”

  Her voice echoed through his mind as she tried to push away, but his body wouldn’t respond. A vague impression of her thrusting against him as she repeated his name broke through and he eased away.

  His eyes locked with hers as he took a deep breath, trying to calm the turmoil he felt. One touch of her lips to his and he was lost, unable to form a simple thought. Never had a woman’s touch affected him so.

  “My apologies, Lena. That sho
uldn’t have happened.” He stepped away, even as desire continued to draw him to her.

  Although right, his words pierced what she still allowed herself to think of as hope. The kiss shouldn’t have happened, no matter how much she wanted it to and how perfect it felt. She had a life, responsibilities he knew nothing about. A relationship with any man was out of the question.

  Besides, she doubted he would have taken such liberties with any other woman, at least not one who worked in a saloon. When he found the right woman, she’d be someone he’d be proud to have by his side for everyone to notice. To her regret, Lena knew she’d never be that woman. Touching a hand to her face, feeling her heated skin, told her how easy it would be to forget everything and surrender to the desire she felt for Gabe. But Lena knew the cost of such a reckless action.

  “You’re right. We must forget it ever happened.” Smoothing her hands down her skirt, she straightened and walked past him, disappearing into the Dixie without looking back.

  Gabe wanted to call her back, but what would he say? The more time he spent around her, the more his arguments against a relationship dissolved. His deeply held conviction to leave marriage and providing heirs to his younger brothers faded into the distance when he thought of having Lena as a permanent part of his life. At that moment, he couldn’t remember a single reason why he’d been so adamant about keeping his bachelor status.

  No matter how inappropriate it seemed, Nick knocked on Suzanne’s door, hoping she hadn’t yet gone to sleep. All evening he’d been thinking about a possible solution to finding someone to replace her as the cook at her boardinghouse. It took a random comment from one of Luke Pelletier’s ranch hands for the solution to appear.

  “Suzanne, are you awake?” He knocked again, trying not to wake any of the other boarders.

  The door flew open, Suzanne still pulling her wrapper tight around her waist, attempting to brush strands of hair away from her face.

  “What is it, Nick? Are you all right?” Instead of being upset at his late summons, her face lined with worry as her eyes searched his.

  Nick’s lips parted as he took in the sight before him. Her bare feet, braided hair draped over her shoulder, and sleep-glazed eyes made her look no more than a young woman of twenty.

  “Nick?”

  “Oh, yes. I’m sorry to wake you, but I have information on someone who might be available to take over the cooking.” He took a slight step back as doubts about waking her for a discussion that could wait until morning assaulted him. As a rule, he always thought his actions through and didn’t act on impulse. Standing in the hall, watching Suzanne shiver in her gown and wrapper, forced him to accept there may be other reasons he pounded on her door so late.

  Her eyes squinted as she tilted her head, her lips slanting up at the corners. “Of course. If you believe it’s important enough to discuss tonight, I’ll make us some tea and we can talk in the kitchen. Let me get my coat.”

  He stood aside as she headed for the stairs, still closing the buttons of her coat. Other than sliding into silk slippers, she’d taken no time to freshen her appearance, an act which would’ve been unheard of by most women he knew. The girls in the Dixie obsessed about their appearance. Suzanne possessed none of this vanity.

  Pulling down cups from a shelf, he watched as she boiled water and lifted tea leaves from a sealed container. It remained one of her personal indulgences, offered to friends who visited, and not appearing on the menu. Pouring hot water into the cups, she handed him one, then took a seat at the table.

  “Don’t keep me in suspense, Nick. Tell me your thoughts.”

  He sat across from her, idly stirring the tea with a spoon. “I overheard two of the Pelletier men mention the cook at Luke’s place.”

  “Fanny Dobbins.”

  “Right. They said she told Luke and Ginny she’d like to find a place in town, live closer to the shops and church. They’re going to move Hank and Bernice Wilson from Dax’s over to Luke’s to take over for her.”

  The older couple had worked at the ranch for years, ever since the original owner started it. Hank had been the foreman while Bernice cooked and cleaned. When Bernice took ill, they’d given up their jobs, but stayed on at the ranch at Dax’s request. Her health had improved at a slow, steady pace, and now she wanted to get back to work. Since Rachel had Lydia to help her, moving them to Luke and Ginny’s made perfect sense.

  “I had heard about Bernice wanting to get back to work, but thought it would be to help Rachel.”

  Nick could see Suzanne’s eyes begin to sparkle at the thought of having Fanny work for her. They’d be perfect together.

  “What do you think?” Nick asked, sipping his tea, grimacing at the weak flavor.

  “It’s a wonderful idea. I’ve known her for years and she’s always mentioned living in town someday. I wonder if she still wants to work.”

  “There’s one way to find out.” He set the cup down, leaning his arms on the table. “I’ll ride out tomorrow morning and talk with her. Of course, you’re welcome to come—”

  “No,” she interrupted. As much as she wanted to be the one to approach Fanny, she couldn’t leave her boarders. “You go ahead. I don’t have an empty room in the place right now.” Her lips drew into a thin line at the realization she had no place for Fanny to live. “There may be no room for her if she does accept.”

  “Leave that to me.” He pushed back from the table, holding out his hand to Suzanne. “Now, get some sleep. I’ll head out after breakfast tomorrow.”

  They walked upstairs, stopping at her door.

  “Thanks, Nick. I appreciate your help with this.”

  “Whatever you need, Suzanne.” He leaned down and gave her a quick kiss on the cheek, then disappeared into his room a few doors down the hall.

  “It’s settled then. You can start at the boardinghouse whenever you’re ready.” Nick sat in Luke Pelletier’s study, Fanny on one side with Ginny beside her. They hated to lose her, but the offer to work for Suzanne made them feel better about her leaving.

  “Hank and Bernice will be moving over here the end of the week,” Fanny said, looking at Ginny. “Is it all right with you if I leave?”

  “Whatever you want, Fanny. We appreciate you’ve stayed this long.” Ginny placed a hand on Fanny’s arm.

  After Abby’s father died, Fanny had moved back to Splendor to help her. She had no intention of staying when the woman she had helped raise married Noah and moved to town. However, after a few months, Fanny had grown used to being back and liked the Pelletiers.

  “When you’re ready, I’ll bring a wagon out to take you to town.” Nick glanced at Luke. “I wonder if we might speak in private.”

  Ginny and Fanny took the hint and both stood, Fanny looking at Nick. “Thank you, Mr. Barnett. Please tell Suzanne how much I look forward to working with her.”

  “I’ll be sure and do that.” Nick waited until they’d closed the door before turning to face Luke. “I’m in the market for some land and thought I’d start with you.”

  Not too long ago, the two men had a misunderstanding about Ginny, which could’ve led to ongoing resentment. They’d worked it out and now got along fine.

  “Do you want to run cattle, raise horses?” Luke asked.

  “Nothing so grand. I’ll have a few horses, but not to breed, and enough acres where I can get away from town, have my privacy. Maybe enough so Lena can have a place nearby.” He leaned forward, resting his arms on the desk. “The truth is, even though I’ll continue with the Dixie, plus maybe open some other businesses, I’m getting tired of town life.”

  “I can’t blame you. It’s good to have a place to get away. Noah and Abby stay at his cabin most Saturdays and Sundays, and…well, I might not go into town on Sundays if Ginny and Rachel didn’t insist.” He grinned at how his life had changed since they’d married. All for the better. “Dax and I have twenty acres not far from where the road splits. A lot of trees and boulders, so it’s not suitable for our n
eeds. There’s a creek, so you shouldn’t have trouble digging a well. Would that do?”

  “Sounds about perfect. Do you have time to show it to me?”

  “Let’s go.”

  The land stretched across what appeared to be more than twenty acres. A winding creek set one border, while tall boulder formations lined the north, separating it from the southern end of the Pelletier property. As they rode through it, Nick located two level plots of ground, perfect for home sites, with enough land for barns and other outbuildings.

  He reined up his horse and slid to the ground, walking around one flat plot as Luke stayed atop Prince and watched. After a few moments, he returned and swung into the saddle.

  “How much?”

  Checking herself in the mirror once more, Lena draped a coat over her arm and picked up her reticule. She’d slept through breakfast and now her stomach growled. Suzanne would have something left in the kitchen, if only bread and jam.

  “I wondered if you were coming down today.” Suzanne glanced over her shoulder, then back at what she worked on in the sink. “Would you like some eggs?”

  “Coffee and toast if it isn’t too much trouble.”

  “None at all. Take a seat and I’ll get it for you.” She motioned to the table where most people congregated when they visited her in the kitchen.

  “Has Nick already left for the saloon?” Lena stirred a little sugar in the cup Suzanne set before her, then took a sip.

  “Actually, he rode out to Luke’s place to talk with Fanny.”

  Lena’s brows knit together. “About what?”

  “Taking over the cooking for me. Nick believes I can afford it.”

  “That’s a wonderful idea. You might even be able to take some days off.” Lena had never known anyone who worked as hard as Suzanne. Seven days a week from sunup until she finished cleaning after the last customer left, with a rare break to eat. “I’d think Ginny would miss her, though.”

  “Fanny wants to move to town, and they have someone to take over for her.” Suzanne explained about Hank and Bernice. “I just don’t know where she’ll live. All my rooms are full, and I don’t expect anyone to move on for quite a while.”