by Diane Darcy
“Boone Jackson?” The other woman’s tone was incredulous and then she let out a laugh. “You have no idea… that just makes so much more sense.”
Just then another lady entered the parlor, and it was none other than Boone’s mother, Mrs. Charity Jackson.
“Oh, my dear. Are you all right?”
Lucy was startled to see her in light of recent revelations. “I’m fine. Thank you.” Lucy straightened in her chair.
“I was walking up here when I ran into Boone and the other men. They told me what happened. My dear, how can I help?”
“I really am fine. I definitely had a scare, but I wasn’t injured, and I expect I just need a bath and a good night’s sleep.”
“Of course, of course.”
Mrs. Collier stood. “I’ll just go draw a bath now.”
“Thank you.”
When the other woman was gone, Mrs. Jackson leaned forward and put her hand on Lucy’s knee. “Boone told me that he misled you about his name.”
That surprised Lucy. “He told you?”
“Please, my dear, you’ve got to forgive him. You don’t understand the way it’s been for him. Women throwing themselves at him constantly. It must have been refreshing to find a girl who didn’t know who he was or what he owned.”
“I’m hardly the type to throw myself at a man for money. If that was my motivation, I would have married my ex-fiancé. Boone should have known that.”
“Well, maybe now is not the best time to talk about it. I just wanted to make sure you’re all right. What a relief to have you home. If you need anything, please don’t hesitate to ask.”
Mrs. Collier came to get her as Mrs. Jackson was leaving. Ten minutes later, she was sinking into a hot bath, and the relief was immense.
She lay there, trying to calm, but all she could think about was that darn man! He’d sent his mother here specifically to work on her sympathies?
Why hadn’t he just told Lucy who he was?
She lay back, closed her eyes, and willed herself to relax. Boone had been so angry. She’d been so angry. She wasn’t sure this was something they could get past.
That thought set up a feeling of loss inside of her.
Did that mean she wanted him in her life?
She’d already had one man in her life who turned out to be a liar. Did she really need another?
What was the saying? Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me?
But was it the same? It wasn’t as if Boone was anything like her ex-fiancé. Boone was a hard worker, for one. He didn’t cheat, was good to his mother, gave to charities.
Ooooh! She was quoting his mother!
But truly. Could she get past this?
She finally washed her hair, soaped her body, rinsed off and dressed in her pajamas.
Exhaustion overtook her. This was something she couldn’t figure out right now.
Hopefully, she’d have a better time forgetting about him after she fell asleep.
It was a few days later, and Lucy had been back to school for most of them.
She hadn’t seen Boone.
She had, however, seen Mr. Newby. A nice, older gentleman, with a big red nose, who did look the part of a drinker.
The man had been quick to assure her that Boone had been the one to get him employment in the school district, and also used him for other odd jobs around town.
He was exceedingly grateful.
She supposed the fact that she hadn’t run into Boone said it all, didn’t it?
She’d been concerned about forgiving him.
Apparently, he wasn’t ready to forgive, either, and she’d come to the conclusion that that was fine by her.
She went outside to catch a ride home from school, and was surprised to see Boone waiting for her.
Speak of the devil.
Her breath left her, and she came to a stop. She could see Mr. Beekman in the background with his children, and knew if she hurried over she could get a ride from him. In fact, the man was looking in her direction as if to ask what to do.
She didn’t know what to do either.
As she approached the wagon, Boone jumped down. “Can I offer you a ride home, Lucy?”
Lucy, was it? So, they were dropping formalities once more.
Did that mean the man had calmed down?
Had she?
Her anger had turned into a simmering resentment, when Boone had made himself scarce.
She could shove his invitation back in his face, stomp past him, and get a ride from Mr. Beekman.
If she did, she doubted Boone would bother her again.
Did she want that?
Looking into his slightly worried, warm brown eyes, she conceded that she did not.
She lifted her hand and waved at Mr. Beekman. “I’ll be getting a ride with Mr. Jackson. Thank you!”
The man gave her a nod and a smile, and he was on his way.
The awkwardness between her and Boone didn’t dissipate, but, without a word, he helped her up onto the wagon seat, and then climbed up beside her.
He started the horse on its way, and still didn’t say anything.
She wanted to roll her eyes. Were they sixteen-years-old again? They were certainly acting like it.
“It was thoughtful of you to pick me up from school today, thank you.”
“I’m happy to. Anytime.”
His emphasis on the word anytime, had her relaxing. He might not know how to say it but the man was definitely sorry for his actions.
Perhaps they needed to clear the air. If they couldn’t, then there really wasn’t any point in continuing this.
“Boone, I told you about Mr. Hargraves. About how he lied to me. Surely, you can see your actions are a concern.”
“I’m sorry.” His voice was low and heartfelt. “It was not well done of me, and if I could do it again, I’d do it differently. I’d do it right.”
Lucy looked to her left, and didn’t comment for a moment. Did she forgive him? Could she? If she didn’t, she’d lose him. She pictured him marrying someone else, having a family with another woman, and the thought of it had her fists clenching.
She didn’t want a husband who was a liar, but she didn’t want to lose Boone.
“Do all men lie?”
He laughed humorlessly, and looked down at the reins in his hand. “I can’t speak for any others, but I can honestly say that this is the first time I’ve been in this position.”
He finally looked at her. “Lucy, it started out as a game. I liked you from the moment I met you, and the fact that you didn’t know I was wealthy, made it freeing somehow.”
Honesty made her admit, “I do understand. I came to this town, and no one knew my background, either. It was like a fresh start, a clean slate.”
“Yes! That’s it exactly! I really am sorry. I’ll never lie to you again, I promise.”
Either she forgave him, or she didn’t. But if she didn’t, then she wouldn’t have him, and she knew that was not what she wanted. She didn’t want to be without Boone. “Does this mean we’re still courting?”
He grinned at her, his relief evident. “My life depends on it.”
“What do you mean?”
“My mother has been after me for days. Trying to get me to come and apologize before you got away. She said she’d kill me if I messed it up.”
Her temper spiked again. “Oh, it’s good to know that you couldn’t do this without your mother’s help.”
“Now, now. No need to get nasty.”
Hurt speared through her. “Nasty, is it?”
They bickered all the way back to the boardinghouse and when they arrived at Mrs. Colliers, Lucy jumped down without his help.
Obviously, this wasn’t going to work out. “Goodbye, Boone.”
Chapter 17
He’d blown it.
As his mother had told him, maybe he shouldn’t have pouted for three days.
Boone headed up to the mining office, and considered what
his next move might be.
He could romance her. They could picnic, but the weather had turned cloudy recently. Or maybe a train ride to Helena and they could go to the Ming Opera House. Or perhaps he could get his mother to make dinner for the two of them at his house? Ha! That would show Lucy.
As he was dwelling on that, he arrived at the office, and jumped down and handed the reins to one of the young boys.
“Take care of the horse, will you?”
“Yes, sir.” The boy gave him a big grin. “I heard you drove Miss Rickman home from school today.”
“News travels fast.”
“I also hear her fiancé is in town. How about that?”
Boone froze. “Her fiancé?”
“Yes. Mr. Davenport picked him up at the station and took him to Mrs. Collier’s boardinghouse. Did you see him? I thought the two of you might have gotten into fisticuffs or something.”
“I didn’t see him.”
The boy shrugged, having lost interest in the conversation.
Boone headed up the steps, and had to force himself not to run. Rather than turning left, he went right and on to Samuel’s office and found the man hard at work. “Did you drive a man to Mrs. Collier’s from the train station?”
“Yes. He asked for a ride. Did you see him?”
“I just dropped her off. I didn’t see him. I don’t think Lucy knew he was there yet.”
Boone wandered to the window and looked out. He was jingling change in both pockets, when his friend laughed.
“What’s so funny?”
“You. Are you just going to stand there all day, or are you going to go see what’s going on with your girl?”
Boone scowled at him, took another second or two to decide, and then he was out the door.
He called to the boy. “Don’t put that horse away. I’m going to need it.”
The boy led the horse back around. “Are you going to fight for your girl?”
That was the second time she’d been called his girl in as many minutes.
Maybe it was time that he claimed her.
Lucy went inside to find Mr. Hargraves there, standing by the fireplace and looking uncomfortable. She couldn’t believe it!
“What are you doing here?”
“Lucy, darling, I’ve come to apologize.”
“Apologize?” She parroted the word back at him, dumbfounded.
This was exactly what she wanted to hear, but it was from the wrong man. “I can’t believe you’re here.”
“Lucy, darling, of course, I’m here. Of course, I followed you. I want to make this right.”
Again, she simply stared at him. Make it right? He was expecting a child with another woman. How was he supposed to make it right? “Mr. Hargraves…”
He gave her an indulgent look. “Lucy, please, after all we’ve been through together, I insist that you call me Charles.”
“I would think that name would be reserved for your wife’s use.”
“You are my future wife.”
Was the man delusional?
“I don’t believe I am anymore. I believe that title is reserved for the woman who should soon give birth to your child.”
“Lucy, I’m so sorry you had to witness any of that.”
“I’m sure you are.”
“I’m a man, and a man has needs.”
“Really? All this time and that’s what you came up with? Well, a woman has needs as well. At the top of that list is the need to have a faithful husband.”
“We weren’t married yet.”
“Thank heavens.”
As she looked at the man before her, she couldn’t believe she’d been comparing him to Boone.
Yes, Boone had lied to her. But he was like a little boy getting away with something.
Charles was slippery with the truth. Not only that, but he wasn’t nearly as attractive as Boone. “Mr. Hargraves, what are you really doing here?”
“Our families want us to be together.”
“They might want us together, but do you really want to be with me?”
He crossed to her, but she held her arms up to ward him off. “Answer the question, please.”
“Of course, I want to be with you, my darling.”
She searched his gaze, looking for sincerity, and found none. “You really don’t, do you? You’d rather be with the lady that I met, Miss Smith, I believe she called herself.
Anger flared in his gaze. “No, I wouldn’t. She wasn’t supposed to come and see you, and she knew it.”
And apparently that had made him angry. “I’m sorry, Mr. Hargraves. I just don’t see this working out.”
There was panic in the other man’s gaze. “All right, I’m going to level with you. I need this marriage.”
“Because?”
“Because I love you!”
She considered for a moment if she did marry the man. He could give her the children she’d been wanting. And maybe Hargraves would transform into an outstanding gentleman. A family man.
Ha! Now who was spinning a fantasy?
Anyway, she loved Boone.
If she couldn’t have him, she could simply be a schoolteacher. They would have to be her children.
“Why don’t you just tell me the truth?”
“Because I’m tired of working for my father. With the money you bring to this marriage, I can open my own business.”
“Ah, at last, the truth.” She looked at the man, and realized she’d never seen that expression on his face before.
He really was slippery.
“All I can say to that is, I’m sorry. I have no intention of marrying you.”
“You can’t mean that! I came all this way.”
“I’m sure you’ve traveled distances for other investments that didn’t work out as well. Consider me a bad investment.”
Frustration reddened his face. “This isn’t just an investment!”
“Actually, I believe that is exactly what it is to you. I’m sorry, Mr. Hargraves. I’ve no desire to insult or belittle you. So, let’s just leave it at the fact that this marriage will never take place.”
Charles lunged forward and grabbed her by the hands. “Please —”
There was a sharp knock on the door, and then it was flung open.
Boone stood there looking wild, and upset, his gaze zeroing in on their clasped hands.
Breathing hard, Boone glared at the slim, tall, well-dressed man before him.
He glanced over at Lucy. “Lucy, you’re coming with me.”
Lucy snatched her hands out of the other man’s grasp, then looked at Boone like he was a madman. He didn’t suppose he could blame her, but it didn’t change anything. He held out a hand to her, palm up.
She looked at the other man, and then back at Boone, and then finally at his hand. “What —”
“Come on.”
With an exasperated sigh, she finally crossed the room and took his hand. “What is going on?”
“I might ask the same.” The man crossed to stand before them. “I am Charles Hargraves. Lucy’s fiancé.”
“Is that true?” Boone asked Lucy as panic flared within him. He knew their families had known each other forever, because she’d told him so. This was the man she’d once agreed to marry. A love match gone awry? Was he now stepping in the middle of it?
She shook her head. “He’s come here to try to convince me otherwise, but no, it isn’t true.”
Something unclenched inside Boone’s chest and he could breathe again. He pulled Lucy to him and held her tight.
“Lucy, is this the man you wrote to your parents about? The handyman? Surely, you know your parents wanted more for you than that?”
Lucy glared. “He’s honest, hard-working, loving, and kind. He’s also good with children. He’s the best man that you’ll ever meet!”
“Don’t call her Lucy,” Boone growled.
“Or what? Or what?” The man was looking at Boone as if he was a bug that needed stepping on.
“Or I’ll be glad to teach you some manners.”
“Lucy…” The other man dared.
Boone tried to move Lucy away, but she tightened her grip on him. “Boone, don’t.”
Hargreaves pressed his fingers to his forehead. “I have crossed the country to this godforsaken spot on the map in order to take you home. I think I deserve some consideration.”
“Really? I thought that I deserved a faithful fiancé. I guess we’re both out of luck, aren’t we?”
Boone grinned, his mood suddenly lightening. “You hear that, Hargraves? She has a problem with cheaters. As I am the faithful type, I guess that means the girl is mine.”
Lucy rolled her eyes and let out a scoffing noise. “Really, Mr. Jackson.” She emphasized his name. “I actually have a problem with liars in general.”
“I know that,” he quickly inserted. “And I swear to you it’ll never happen again.”
“He’s a liar, is he? I’m sure your mother and father will be interested to hear about that.”
“Mind your own business, before I make it mine to make you.”
“Lucy, who is this man?”
“I told you not to call her that. You no longer have the right.”
“And I think you’d better mind your own business.”
“Anything to do with Lucy is my business.” Boone grabbed Lucy by the hand. “Come on, we’re leaving.”
This time, she went with him, and relief flooded his body. “I swear, you won’t regret this.”
She looked back at Mr. Hargraves. “Say hello to my mother and father for me, will you? Tell my grandmother, things worked out exactly the way she said they would.”
She waved a hand in the air.
“Nevermind, I’ll tell them myself. Good luck with your future, and with your new baby.”
“A handyman? Really, Lucy? Over me?”
With that, Boone pulled her right out the door, lifted her up onto his horse, and climbed on behind her.
Chapter 18
“Did you mean all those things that you said about me?”
Lucy fought not to roll her eyes. “About you being a liar?”
He grinned at her. “No, about me being hard-working, loving and kind. Oh, and good with children.”
