Love Finds You in Deadwood, South Dakota

by Tracey Cross

  “Where would you like to go?”

  Hope widened her green eyes. “Could you take me to Mr. Franklin Lloyd? He owns the Lloyds’ Mercantile and lives—somewhere. He took me to his house when I was sick, so I could get better. I was just going back to Pa when the men started shooting. They killed Shen Huan too.”

  “Who is Shen Huan?”

  “Mr. Lloyd’s servant. He cleans—cleaned.”

  Jane turned to Trent. “May I speak with you in private?”

  “Of course.”

  She patted the girl. “We’ll be right back. Would you try to eat something? You will get weak and sickly if you don’t eat.” She looked at Danny, who had been taking in the whole scene. “Sweetheart, will you do Mommy a big favor and stay right here with Jenny while she eats her supper?”

  “Yes, Ma.”

  “Thank you, Baby.” Jane glared at the woman as she walked past her. “You leave that child alone.”

  “I don’t take orders from you, cow.”

  Trent reached out and grabbed the woman’s wrist, twisting her arm. “You don’t speak to her that way.”

  The woman gasped. Jane placed her hand on his arm. “Trent, don’t hurt her. Just please keep her away from the child.”

  He let her go, and she stumbled into the hall, then righted herself. “Get your things and get out,” he commanded.

  She raised her chin. “Make no mistake about why he wants that little girl.” She flung the words at Jane with a sneer.

  Muttering a vile oath, Trent took a menacing step forward. The woman screeched, and he restrained himself. But the look he gave her left no room for doubt as to what he might do if she didn’t leave his sight immediately. “Get out.”

  Jane turned to him. “I’d like to know what your plans are concerning that child.”

  His lips curved upward, but his smile didn’t quite reach his eyes. He slipped his arms around her waist and pulled her close. “Don’t listen to Simone.”

  So that was Simone. Had she ever struck Danny? The thought made Jane see red.

  “Yes, but why did you bring the child into your home instead of contacting authorities?”

  “Of course I am going to do so. I just thought she might like a few days to mourn her father before going to an orphanage.”

  Jane turned and looked in on the child. She was attempting to nibble on her food. Jane cringed at the thought in her head. She had no choice but to spend the night in this house. For the first time she wondered if perhaps this were the reason Danny had been brought to Trent’s home. Perhaps these weeks had been for no other reason than to save this girl.

  She was beginning to feel a bit smothered by Trent’s closeness but forced herself to turn in his arms. “I am going to need my nightgown brought from the saloon.” She tried to keep her face so he did not have easy access to her lips. Lately he never passed up the opportunity to kiss her.

  “Oh?” His eyes brightened. “You’ve decided to stay with me?”

  She shook her head and leveled her gaze at him so there was no room for him to mistake her intent. “I’m staying for Jenny’s sake.”

  “I’ll have the housekeeper get you a room ready.”

  “No thank you. I’ll sleep in there with her. And I’d like for Danny to sleep in here with me. On a pallet.”

  When Jane recognized the refusal in his eyes, she rushed her words. “If it’s all right with you, of course. Otherwise, she might be afraid. Think about it, Trent. Her pa was killed, probably in front of her eyes. Evil men rode off with her. And now she’s in a strange home.”

  He scrutinized her, then nodded. “Probably a good idea. But Danny can stay in his own room. I don’t need you getting any ideas about trying to run off.”

  So he knew her better than she thought he did. Frustration grew, but she pushed the feeling aside. Now was not the time to let her emotions rule her tongue or her expression. She smiled. “Thank you, Trent.” Rising on her tiptoes, she forced herself to press a quick kiss to his cheek.

  If she could keep him thinking about her, perhaps his mind would stay away from Jenny.

  He grabbed her hand, pulled her against him, and searched her face. “Don’t play me for a fool, Jane.”

  Swallowing hard, she nodded. His eyes moved over her face again, and then he let her go. She stumbled back. Trent lunged forward, steadying her.

  She stared at him.

  He scowled. “Danny!” he called. “Let’s go feed Sioux.”

  “Ma said stay with Jenny.”

  “It’s okay, Danny,” Jane said. “I’m coming to stay with her.”

  A minute later Trent swung Danny to his shoulders and their laughter rang down the hall.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Shen Huan was the first to be buried in the cemetery intended for family. But Franklin was beginning to doubt that the family of his dreams would ever grace his home. Instead, he had a family of four Chinese servants. Three now.

  His hands shook as he took the Bible from Cheng’s outstretched hand and read from Psalm 23. The words seemed to bring comfort to the others, even though they probably didn’t understand half of them.

  For him, the words meant nothing: “He maketh me lie down in green pastures…. He restoreth my soul.” His soul felt empty.

  He finished the psalm, handed the Bible back to Cheng, and left the family to grieve over their loved one.

  Walking the five minutes from the cemetery to the house gave him the solitude to berate himself for causing Huan’s death. He should never have gotten involved with Jenny Ames and her pa. When would he learn to mind his own business?

  Look at what he’d done to a good woman like Jane Albright. If not his fault, whose? No matter. She would never raise the money to pay Tom’s debt in just a couple more months. He entered through the back door, untying his tie as he walked through the kitchen and down the hall. As he turned to head upstairs to change his clothes, he heard a knock at the door.

  When he opened the door, Andy Armor stood on the porch.

  “Mr. Lloyd,” he said, kneading the back of his neck. Then he took in Franklin’s attire. “Did I catch you at a bad time? I can come back later.”

  Franklin shook his head and stepped out into the warm summer morning. “One of my employees was killed yesterday. We were having a service for him at the cemetery in back of the house.”

  “The Chinaman with the little girl?”

  “What do you know about that?” Franklin’s heartbeat rose, and he frowned at Andy. “Here—sit down and tell me about it.”

  They strode across the full-length porch and sat on the wooden rocking chairs Huan had insisted upon after seeing several of the homes in Denver with them.

  Sitting with his elbows resting on his thighs, holding his hat between his knees, Andy let out a breath. “I’m probably going to get shot for this. But I can tell you it had something to do with Bedlow.”

  Franklin tightened his grip on the arms on the chair. “How do you mean?”

  “He had a hankerin’ for the fella’s gold.”

  “His gold? How did he know about Mr. Ames’ strike?”

  “It ain’t easy to keep something like that a secret these days,” Andy said. “Maybe three years ago when there weren’t near as many people and lots more gold. But these days, any strike at all is mighty exciting.”

  What he said was true. The gold was nearly depleted, but somehow Mr. Ames had managed to find himself a viable mine. “So you’re saying Mr. Bedlow somehow knew about the strike and sent his men to kill Mr. Ames? To what end?”

  Andy shrugged. “Mr. Bedlow has his ways of getting around the law.”

  Such as buying off the local sheriff. There was no need to mention it. The most pressing issue still had not been discussed. “What about Jenny?”

  “The little girl?” Misery clouded Andy’s face. “I saw her.”

  “Where?” Any hope Franklin had carried that she might be found had fled by now. But once again possibility sprang up inside him. />
  “You ain’t going to like it, and it ain’t going to do no good to run off.”

  “Where, Andy?”

  “Bedlow’s house.”

  Franklin sprang to his feet. “Bedlow has Jenny?”

  “Yeah, but your Mrs. Albright is making sure nothing happens to her.”

  His gut twisted at Andy’s words, nauseating him. If Jane were keeping the girl safe, that meant she was also staying at Bedlow’s home. The image was more than he could bear and impossible to shake from his mind. He’d lost her for good.

  “How is she doing that?”

  “Sleeping in the little girl’s room.”

  Franklin gave a tight smile. So she had left Bedlow’s bed to save the girl. That much was commendable. And typical of Jane to be stubborn. “What was your purpose in coming? Just to tell me this?” Franklin shrugged. “I don’t know what I can do about it.”

  “The little girl asked for you.”

  “How’d you hear that?”

  “Danny told me. I was in the barn last night when him and Bedlow came to feed his horse.”

  “What were you doing at Bedlow’s?”

  “Two of his men were shot. He needed me to help protect the place last night.”

  That was the problem with being a man like Bedlow. Too many enemies. Judging from Andy’s presence on Franklin’s porch, more enemies than Bedlow even knew he had.

  “How is Danny? Is he being treated well?”

  Andy nodded. “Nothing to worry about there. Bedlow treats him like a son.”

  The words twisted inside Franklin like a bowie knife. Even Danny. But he couldn’t blame the boy. Children were trusting by nature—until the trust was crushed. “I suppose that’s good. I guess I don’t have to ask why Jenny was taken to Bedlow’s?”

  Andy scratched at his stubbled jaw. “I reckon you don’t.”

  “She’s nothing but a baby.”

  “Yeah. He won’t use her for a while. He’ll put her to work pouring drinks or scrubbing floors. Get her used to the men and the goings on. But eventually someone will offer a price he can’t pass up, and he’ll sell her innocence.”

  “How do we get her out of there, then?”

  “Mrs. Albright.”

  Franklin nodded. It was the only solution that made good sense. Jane would have to help them.

  The sun beat down on the east part of the house now, and Franklin noticed Andy’s forehead beginning to bead with sweat.

  “How would you like to come inside?”

  Andy shook his head. “I best get back.”

  “You’re still working for Bedlow after all this?”

  Andy leveled his gaze at Franklin and spoke earnestly. “Can you think of a better way to save that little girl? Bedlow hired another freighter. He only keeps men he trusts at the house, and I’ve been with him long enough that he trusts me. I’m working there now. Miss Jane is there. We’ll get that little girl out soon.”

  Franklin nodded. “What about Miss Jane?” He cleared his throat. “You think we need to rescue her too?”

  Swiping at his brow with the back of his sleeve, Andy shook his head. “I ain’t got it all figured out, but she’s staying with him, and he ain’t exactly making her that I can see.”

  That’s all Franklin needed to hear. Jane had made her decision. This was about more than paying off her debt to Bedlow. Something must have changed their relationship, and there was no room left for whatever possibilities there had been between Jane and Franklin.

  An awkward silence settled between them.

  Andy finally stood. “I best be getting back. I’ll find a way to speak with Miss Jane, and I’ll get word to you somehow.”

  Franklin nodded. “If it looks like Jenny is in any trouble sooner, you’ll do whatever it takes, right?”

  “As God is my witness.”

  “I’ll expect to hear from you within a few days, then.”

  The two men shook hands, then Andy made his way down the steps and mounted his horse.

  As Andy rode away, Franklin ruminated on their conversation. He had to push Jane out of his head and concentrate on Jenny. His anger burned toward Bedlow. Huan was dead because of him. Jenny’s pa too, and now Jenny was in danger of losing her future to lust and greed.

  He walked inside, slammed the door, then stormed upstairs, yanking at his tie and top buttons as he threw open his bedroom door.

  Dropping to a chair, he yanked at his dressy boots. Frustration welled up when the boot refused to budge. He pulled as hard as he could until it slid off with a jerk. Then he threw the boot across the room. It crashed into the mirror over his shaving supplies. Dropping his head into his hands, Franklin released a breath. Jenny’s image played across his mind. Innocent and sweet. But for how long?

  He punched his thigh. Why did evil always win?

  The pains were coming at regular intervals now. Thankfully, she’d slept well and had awakened to intermittent pains so she could concentrate on Jenny, wipe her tears.

  Though Jenny grieved her pa, in true childlike resilience she had stopped crying and had been playing with Danny all day. She seemed to enjoy the boy, and he had even taken her to the stable to play. Only the knowledge that Andy Armor had been stationed to guard the part of the property that held the barn had given Jane the peace to allow the two to go.

  Now she lay on the bed she’d shared with Jenny and closed her eyes to ward off the pain of another contraction. The other side of the bed dipped just as the pain eased. She opened her eyes to find Trent lying on his side, staring, with his head resting in his hand.

  “You’re in bed during the day?” he asked. “Are you ill?”

  She breathed in—first, because he had the audacity to lie next to her, and second, because she knew she had no choice but to inform him of her situation. “The baby’s coming.”

  His expression didn’t change. “I’ll call Doc White.”

  Jane reached out and took his hand. “Please don’t. I’d rather have a midwife. Surely there’s a woman in town—”

  He shook his head insistently. “Doc knows how to care for you better. If something were to go wrong—”

  “This isn’t my first child. I delivered Danny alone in the soddy and cared for him for two weeks before Tom came home. So, you see, I am not in need of a doctor. I’m not scared.”

  “Be that as it may, I am not going to risk losing you.” He covered her hand with his.

  She didn’t want to argue with him on today of all days. But she would not submit to Doc White’s ministrations. The thought of that man coming anywhere near her child after he had implied that she might want to miscarry this baby…

  “I won’t allow him to touch me or my baby.”

  “There is only one midwife in town. If you haven’t noticed, there aren’t many married women in Deadwood.”

  “How often do you call on her?”

  His mouth twisted. “She doesn’t perform abortions, if that’s what you’re asking. Usually the girls don’t tell me until it’s too late to safely get rid of the baby.”

  Tears formed in her eyes as a contraction seized her. How on earth could he be so complacent about a life?

  She squeezed Trent’s hand until the pain eased. He slipped his hand from her grasp. “Okay, honey, I’m going for the midwife.”

  Relief flooded her. “Thank you.”

  By the time Mam Truman, the former slave woman, arrived, the pains had increased in intensity. Trent stood and sat respectively, pacing and fidgeting.

  “For heaven’s sake,” Jane said to the midwife, “make him go away. He’s driving me to distraction.”

  Mam Truman turned to him and nodded to the door. Jane doubted anyone else could have induced obedience, but he reluctantly obeyed, pausing at the door to look back at Jane.

  Mam gave him a shove out the door. “Gwine now! I’ll come get you soon as we got a baby.” She shook her head as she closed the door behind him. “Never saw him care about any baby. This ain’t his baby, is it
?”

  “No, my husband’s.”

  A scowl wrinkled her already wrinkled face. “Where’s he?”

  If Jane hadn’t felt so miserable, she might have taken offense to the midwife’s implication. “He’s dead.”

  Mam worked a cool cloth across Jane’s forehead. “The worst thing is when a man don’t live to help raise his own childrens.”

  “Well, it’s just as well he didn’t.” She looked up into Mam’s wizened eyes. “He wasn’t the sort of man I’d want raising my son or this new baby.”

  “And Mistah Bedlow is?”

  “No, of course not. Mr. Bedlow believes I owe him a debt. I’ve been working in his general store to pay him back. As soon as I’ve settled my debt, my children and I will leave Deadwood forever.”

  “Is that whut you think?” Mam shook her head. “Honey, you is doin’ nothin’ but foolin’ yourself. I ain’t never seen Mr. Bedlow gwine so over a woman.”

  “I can’t help that.” A pain started low in her back, radiating to the front. “I. Never. Encouraged. Him. He. Knows. How. I. Feel.”

  Mam held her hand and spoke softly until the contraction reached its peak and subsided. Then she bent forward and met Jane’s gaze. Her black eyes never wavered. “Mistah Bedlow don’t care how you feel. Only how he feels. And he wants you. He think he love you, but a man without God don’t know anything but lust and evil. He gwine take you no matter how you feel. And he gwine use these babies of yours against you.”

  Tears misted Jane’s eyes. The old midwife spoke the truth. Jane had been fooling herself, biding her time until the baby was born so she could finish earning enough to pay off her so-called debt. She had to get out of here as soon as she could go.

  “He’s been keeping me at the saloon and my boy here,” she admitted.

  “It’s what he does. He don’t want you runnin’ off.”

  “Do you know Franklin Lloyd?”

  Recognition flashed in her eyes. “I knows him.”

  “After my baby is born, will you please take it to Mr. Lloyd?”

  Mam’s eyes narrowed. “Whut are you sayin’?”

  “You can tell Mr. Bedlow the baby didn’t survive.”