by Mary Burton
“Her son’s future was on the line and she didn’t know you from Adam. And let’s face it, you didn’t have a squeaky clean reputation when you lived in town.”
Cole couldn’t deny Wade’s logic.
Wade grunted. “Eat your vittles before they get cold. I got to get cleaned up so I can take Bess for a ride in the country.”
Before Cole could respond, the old man strode out the door past Stan Farthing who stood with his hand raised, poised to knock. Cold air rushed into the stuffy cabin.
Stan cleared his throat. “The dozen men you hired are outside waiting for orders.”
“Good.” Cole rose, grabbed his hat.
Cole and Stan had struggled through an awkward few days, but had settled into a businesslike arrangement that suited them both. Stan’s supply connections in Denver coupled with Cole’s bank-roll and management skills had complemented each other.
Everything was going well and if his fortune held, the Lucky Star would soon be releasing silver.
If only he could manage his marriage as smoothly.
Stan hesitated. He rubbed his hand over his freshly shaved chin. “The fate of White Stone rests on your shoulders now.”
“On all our shoulders.”
“Folks are hoping for the best, but I don’t think most believe you’ll find silver.”
Cole squinted as he stared into the sun. “When the odds are against me, I’m at my best. I’m a gambler at heart.”
“You really believe there’s silver in there?”
“Yep.”
“Think it’ll be easy to reach?”
“Nope, the free silver is gone. We’re gonna have to work for everything we find now.”
“I’m willing to work, as long as it brings prosperity back to White Stone.” Stan shoved a dirty hand through his hair. “Look, I’m sorry for the things I said when you first came to town.”
“Forget it.”
“I can’t. My family would have gone hungry without you. Hell, after the fight we had years ago, I couldn’t blame you if you turned your back on me.”
“What’s past is past, Stan.” He held out his hand.
Standing stock straight, he accepted Cole’s hand and shook it. “I’m glad to be on your crew.”
“Good.”
“Well, let me get to work.” He headed toward the mine entrance then he stopped. “Oh, I thought it best you know—Dusty’s pa came back in town late last night. I saw him at the Rosebud.”
Every muscle in Cole’s body stiffened. “What’s he want?”
“Dusty, I reckon.”
* * *
“Papa!” Mac shouted. He ran into the kitchen, carrying a toy truck Cole had carved for him. “Papa’s home!”
Rebecca looked up from the sink. “Papa? You mean Cole?” The child had started calling Cole Papa days ago, but it still sounded strange to Rebecca’s ears.
“Yes, Papa!”
Mac had forged a strong bond with Cole, as if he had craved a man’s attention all his life. She was glad Mac was growing to love his father.
Drying her hands on a kitchen towel, Rebecca followed Mac toward the front door. Nervous excitement mingled with dread.
Cole never came home in the middle of the day so likely Mac had spotted a traveler in need of a room. Cole had insisted that there’d be no more boarders at the inn, but that hadn’t stopped the stray person from stopping. She’d sent them all to the Rosebud.
“Honey, Papa is at the mine.”
These last two weeks had been the loneliest of her life. Cole spent most of his waking hours with the boys or at the mine and he barely had spoken to her, let alone offered her any tenderness.
Mac ran out the front door, Rebecca on his heels. She stopped on the porch when she saw Cole. Covered in dirt and grime, striding up the walkway, he still possessed grace and confidence. Her heart skipped a beat.
Cole scooped Mac up in his arms tossing him high in the air. “Hey, partner. You having a good day?”
“Truck.”
The creases around Cole’s eyes deepened. “So I see.”
Rebecca managed a smile. “Everything all right at the mine?” It was a simple question, but with all the anger that had passed between them, she stumbled over the words.
“All’s well,” he said. “The central mine shaft is in better shape than we first thought and the ten men we’ve hired are hardworking. If our luck holds, excavation could begin next month.”
“That mine was Papa’s dream. I never thought I’d see that mine open again,” she said quietly.
“Your father had good instincts. He knew there was more silver to be had in the Lucky Star and I intend to find it.”
Cole stood proud and tall, his voice full of un-spoken confidence. If anyone could make the mine work, her husband would. Unexpected pride swelled in Rebecca. “I’m glad things are going well.”
He set Mac down. “We’d not be making such good progress if you hadn’t agreed to add me as a full partner.”
It had been an olive branch. “We’re a team.”
“Yes.”
“What are you doing home so early in the day?”
His gaze roamed the front lawn. “Just needed a break. Where’s Dusty?”
“He and Jared are fishing.”
“He knows to stay clear of barns and lit cigars?”
Rebecca smiled. “I don’t think Dusty will ever touch a cigar again.”
“When’s he due back?”
“An hour or so.”
Cole drew in a deep breath. “I don’t like the idea of him running around like an urchin. I’d rather he stay close to home.”
“Dusty’s got a good head on his shoulders and he knows White Stone just about as well as anyone. He’ll be fine.”
“Still, I’d rather he stay close to home.”
She frowned. “Is there a problem?”
“No. But I’d rather he help you out around here instead of running around the countryside.”
“He’s done all his chores.”
His lips drew into a tight line as if the answer didn’t satisfy him.
“What’s wrong?”
Before Cole could respond, Dusty strolled up the front walk, his pants rolled up to his knees, a fishing pole over one shoulder and a pail in the other.
Dusty’s face brightened at the sight of Cole. “What are you doing home so early?”
Cole’s shoulders relaxed a fraction. “Catch any fish?”
Mac ran to Dusty and pointed inside the pail. “Fish! Fish!”
Cole peered in the rusted pail and saw two six-inch fish lying wide-eyed in the bottom.
Mac picked up one of the fish only to have it slide out of his hands. “Yuck.”
Dusty rolled his eyes. “I think they’ll taste great for dinner.”
“I couldn’t agree more,” Rebecca said. “Fresh fish is always a treat.”
Cole examined the fish. “Where’d you catch them?”
“I’ve got a secret fishing spot. No one knows about it.”
Rebecca smiled. “Is it the one under the willow tree next to Miller’s Pond?”
Dusty’s jaw dropped. “Hey, how’d you know about my secret spot?”
“You spent most of the late spring up by that pond.”
“How’d you know that?”
Rebecca folded her arms over her chest. “I know more about you than you realize.”
Cole cocked an eyebrow, curious. “I thought you just met the boy a few weeks ago.”
“I may have just met him, but I’ve known about him for a long time.”
“What do you know about me?”
“I know you like cherry pie better than apple. You always sat behind the saloon right after Seth swept it out, and went through the dust looking for coins.”
“Hey! I thought no one saw me.”
She smiled. “Dusty Saunders, do you really think I didn’t know you were taking all those pies from my windowsill?”
Dusty shrugged. “I figur
ed you just weren’t paying attention.”
“I saw you steal the very first pie back in April and I watched you sit out under the oak tree and eat it. You didn’t think I could see, but I could.”
“Why didn’t you come after me?”
“Because I could see you were hungry.”
He scrunched up his brow. “What about the blanket and pillow that I found in the hayloft?”
“I didn’t want you getting cold at night.”
“Dang,” Dusty said shaking his head. “And I thought I was pulling one over on you.”
“Oh, but you were a careful one. I had to hide real well otherwise you stayed clear of the house.”
Cole patted the boy on the back. “Better men than you have been fooled by a woman.”
The comment was made spontaneously, not intended to hold hidden meaning, but Rebecca flinched. She folded her arms over her chest again.
Cole, sensing the shift in her mood, cleared his throat. “Dusty, do me a favor and take Mac in the house. Rebecca and I need to talk over a few things.”
“Sure, Cole. Come on, Mac. I smelled cookies baking this morning.”
“Don’t get too carried away,” Rebecca warned. “Dinner’s in two hours.”
“We’ll stop at five cookies,” Dusty said, grinning.
“Stop at two,” Rebecca amended.
Rebecca and Cole watched Mac scamper behind Dusty into the house. She was proud of her boys, truly grateful to have them.
“Why’d you look after Dusty?” Cole asked. “No one else in this town did.”
“No child should go hungry or be mistreated.”
He studied her as if he sensed there was more to her caring for the boy. “And…?”
“And when I saw him running around town, half-starved with bad shoes and no one to care for him, I saw Mac. After Lily died, no one wanted him or cared what happened to him, either.”
Cole clenched his fists and his expression darkened. Rebecca had saved Mac from God knows what kind of life and for that he’d always be in her debt.
A tense silence fell between them before he finally said, “What do you know about Judd Saunders?”
The unexpected turn in the conversation surprised her but she kept it to herself. “He doesn’t come to town often, but I’ve seen enough of him to know he’s a dirty, mean drunk. The first time I saw the two of them in town, Judd was smacking Dusty around, demanding the boy find work.”
Cole’s fingers balled into fists. “Shame I wasn’t there.”
“I wish you had been.”
“Did he just up and leave the boy?”
“His wife died in the spring. Once she was gone, there was no one to protect the boy from Judd. I suppose it’s a blessing he abandoned Dusty in town.”
Cole seemed to absorb the information. “I see.”
“Why are you asking so many questions about Judd?”
He shrugged. “Curious.” He glanced up at the house. “Do me a favor, keep Dusty close to home. I don’t like him running wild. He may think he knows how to take care of himself, but he doesn’t.”
“Cole, the boy has got a level head.”
“Please make sure Dusty stays close to home unless you’re with him.”
His tone rankled her nerves. “I’ve been a parent longer than you and I think I know what’s best for Dusty.”
Fury blazed in Cole’s eyes. He was a man accustomed to having his orders followed. “I expect you to do as I say.”
She sucked in a deep breath, trying to keep her voice even. “Give me a reason to.”
“You don’t need a reason when I give an order.”
“This isn’t the army, Cole, and I’m not one of your soldiers.”
His jaw tensed. “Don’t push me, Rebecca.”
Rebecca’s temper snapped. “I’ll do what I think is best!” With that, she turned on her heel and slammed the front door behind her.
Standing in the foyer, she wrapped her shaking arms around her chest. How had her life become such a miserable mess?
Before she could entertain the first answer, the front door slammed open. Cole stood in the doorway, his body rigid with fury.
Chapter Sixteen
How dare she walk away from him!
Cole felt as if the demons of hell nipped at his feet as he stood in the doorway staring at Rebecca. She had the power to stir his passions and anger like no other woman and he was certain she was driving him mad. “I’m not finished with you.”
Rebecca smothered her shock with renewed anger. “I don’t want to talk to you.”
Before he could fire off another order, she turned on her heel and marched up the stairs.
He yanked off his hat and threw it on a chair. “Where the hell are you going?”
“Away from you!”
He marched after her and would have snatched her off the stairs if Bess hadn’t stepped out of the parlor and blocked his path. A dust rag in one hand, she glowered at him as a mother hen would protecting her young. “And just where do you think you’re going?”
“To talk to my wife,” he ground out. He watched Rebecca scurry up the stairs. He heard her door slam closed.
“Not until that temper of yours cools.” She planted her feet, ready to do battle.
Cole could have brushed past her with little effort, but he didn’t. He sucked in a deep breath through clenched teeth. “Bess, this is between Rebecca and me.”
“The way you were shouting, I’d say half the town’s heard what you’ve had to say.”
He stabbed fingers through his hair. “It’s not my fault she’s so damn hardheaded.”
“The pot calls the kettle black.”
“I’m not hardheaded. I’m logical and reasonable and she’s a fool if she can’t see that. I’m only doing what’s best for her.”
Her face creased with a frown. “Spoken like a true man.”
He thrust out a sigh. “I need to talk to Rebecca.”
“You’ve waited this long, you can wait another minute.” She motioned toward the library and started to walk toward it, fully expecting him to follow.
He did.
The room was just as it always was—stuffed with books and oversize chairs. Sunlight trickled into the room through lace curtains, giving the room a warm, inviting look.
Bess tucked her dust rag in her apron. “What’s eating at you?”
“Oh, I don’t know,” he said, sarcasm lacing his words. “I’ve got more work than three men could do in a lifetime and a wife who’s acting like a spoiled child.”
“I’d say you both are doing a fair imitation of that.”
“Make your point, Bess.”
“You’re not the kind of man to come home in the middle of the day unless you’re half dead with illness or something is terribly wrong.”
“Nothing’s wrong.”
“Liar.”
A mixture of wisdom and cunning sparked in her eyes. There wasn’t any point in lying to her. She’d find out the truth soon enough. “Judd Saunders is back in town.”
Her eyes narrowed. “What’s that snake doing in town?”
Cole shook his head, a bitter smile curling his lips. “Stan saw him at the Rosebud last night. He says he’s here for Dusty.”
She rubbed her chin, losing herself to thought. “Judd’s got a real problem with the bottle. Likely it’ll take a day or two before he sobers up. But Stan’s right, when he’s dried up he’ll come a looking for his boy. He always does.”
“He gave up all rights to that boy when he abandoned him.”
Bess shook her head. “Likely he don’t see it that way. The boy is his son.”
Cole sank into a chair, letting his long arms flop over the sides. “What the hell do I do?”
“Only one thing you can do. Talk to him. See if you can work out an arrangement so he’ll let Dusty stay.”
He pictured Dusty sauntering up the front walk with the fishing pole on his shoulder. He couldn’t bear the thought of him hungry or
covered in bruises. “What if he takes him away?”
“You sound like Rebecca.”
Cole pinned Bess with his gaze. “Our situations are completely different.”
“That so?”
“I’m nothing like Judd.”
“Rebecca didn’t know that when you first rode into town looking rougher than a prairie dog that got tangled with a cougar.”
“I’d been on the trail for two months. I didn’t worry about my appearance. I was coming to get my boy.”
“She didn’t know what you’d do, just like you don’t know what Judd is gonna do.”
Cole shot to his feet. “I know what Judd’s going to do. And I sure as hell am not going to let him lay a hand on Dusty.”
“You told any of this to Rebecca?”
“No!”
“Why not?”
Frustrated, he paced back and forth. “She doesn’t need to worry over something I can take care of.”
“She’s loves Dusty just as much as you. You need to trust her with your worries.”
“I trusted her once.”
“Sometimes things don’t turn out as we like. Life ain’t black and white and folks have to make the best decisions they can. And yes, sometimes, they make the wrong choice and disappoint us. If you give up on Rebecca because she made a mistake she’ll regret to her dying day, then you’re more a fool than I ever thought.”
Bess yanked out her dust rag from her apron. “Now I’ve got to get back to work.” She walked past him, dismissing him.
Cole smoothed his palms over his thighs. Bess was right in part. Rebecca needed to know Judd was in town and maybe, just maybe, he had been a bit heavy-handed with her earlier.
Resolved, he strode out of the room and toward the stairs. It was time he and Rebecca had that talk.
* * *
When Cole strode into Rebecca’s room, she sprang up from the edge of the bed. She wiped her moist face with the back of her hand. “Rebecca, we need—”
“How dare you come in here!” She looked up at the ceiling as if someone were there. “He comes in here looking so calm and collected and he’s turning my life upside down!”
“Calm down.”
She stamped her foot. “Great. Now he’s telling me to calm down.”
“Rebecca,” he said as if talking to a child.
“Get out!” She reached for a book on her night-stand and hurled it at his head.
