Expressly Yours, Samantha (Cotillion Ball Saga Book 7)

by Becky Lower

  Gus pulled out a seat opposite him and sat. Val glanced up from his mug.

  “What?” Even though he welcomed the interruption of his dark thoughts, his voice was tinged with anger.

  “Thinking about Sam again, are you? Or should I say Samantha?”

  “I hope she’s all right. Her uncle is a real ass.”

  “Yeah, he struck me the same way. Even though I can’t approve her duping all of us into thinking she was a boy, I applaud her.”

  Valerian raised an eyebrow. “I keep thinking of my sisters and what they would have done in a similar situation.”

  “It’s a real shame the law is with her uncle.”

  “Yeah, but only for another five or six months. When she turns eighteen, he won’t have the law backing him up anymore.”

  “But he’ll still be a threat. She won’t have an easy time of it until he’s dead. I’ve seen his kind before. Always want what they can’t have, and fighting them only makes matters worse. I have a feeling Samantha didn’t bend to him when they were living together, and now he wants to make her pay.”

  “Maybe she’ll get lucky then, and he’ll die soon. He headed west, into Paiute territory.”

  “I don’t suppose you had anything to do with setting his direction?”

  “Just trying to help a bit, that’s all.” Valerian allowed himself a small grin.

  “Well, you did what you could for her. There is no good answer to her dilemma. But it’s her problem, not mine and not yours. Let it go, Val, and join us at the card table tonight.”

  “Being a Pony Express rider is enough of a gamble for me, Gus. I’ll keep my money in my pocket and let the cards fall where they may.” He shoved back from the table, the chair scraping the floor. “I’ll sleep in the barn tonight.”

  Chapter 23

  September and October were normally Valerian’s favorite months of the year. He enjoyed the way the leaves changed from green to red, orange, and yellow shortly after the temperature cooled off. Then, when the trees finally shed the last of their leaves, he loved the starkness of the landscape. The tall grass of the prairie had died back in the late summer heat, and the trail was clear of wagons headed west until the following spring. His job as a rider became easier with unclogged roads and no hiding places for an ambush from Indians or robbers. As he raced from one station to the next, he was alone with his thoughts.

  Not paying attention to his surroundings had gotten more than one Pony Express rider into trouble, but Valerian couldn’t stop his rampant thoughts. He was worried about someone other than himself for the first time in his life. By comparison to Samantha’s upbringing, his life had been so easy, so comfortable. If he ever found her again, he’d marry her in a minute and spend the rest of his life making sure hers was a satisfying one. Maybe he should give up his spot on the Express and head off to find her now. But he didn’t have a clue where to go. All he could do was keep his job with the Express and hope she would find him again. He growled his frustration as he urged his mount forward into the darkening landscape.

  He raced by a large herd of bison, skirting the perimeter. The beasts nearest the outer rim of the herd turned their large heads toward him as he whipped by them. He wanted to get far away from the herd before night set in. Bison didn’t appreciate being awakened before they were ready, and both he and his horse would pay the price if he was still anywhere close to the massive herd by nightfall. The burly animals stretched as far as the eye could see. Must be thousands of them. So, he spurred his horse, pulling another spurt of energy from him and putting much needed sapce between them and the bison before he let the horse lope a bit.

  Darkness snuck over the land, but Valerian spurred his horse to a gallop again. His horse was familiar with the way to the next station, and Val wanted his ride over with. He wanted a bed and Samantha beside him. They hadn’t had enough time together. If Uncle Jack hadn’t gotten himself killed by Indians, he’d come after her again. She needed someone to help protect her. Perhaps it was time to hang up his spurs and let some other young man take his spot on the lauded Pony Express. He couldn’t shake the idea his place was now with Samantha. Wherever she was.

  His horse was tiring as he came within a mile of the relay station. He blew on his horn three times to alert them a rider was coming in. One last leg to go.

  An hour later, when he pulled up in front of the Seneca station corral, it hit him again that Samantha wasn’t here. He had enjoyed coming into Seneca each time, because it meant they could spend time together. Especially once he discovered she was really a woman rather than a boy. But it was well past midnight, so his talk with Gus would have to wait until morning. He handed off the mochila to the new rider, who galloped off on a fresh horse, heading to St. Joseph. He let himself into the attic of the hotel, and fell into the first available cot, asleep before he hit the sheet.

  The following morning, Valerian headed to the kitchen. Breakfast first, then a talk with Gus. He loaded up his plate with scrambled eggs, bacon, toast, and hash browns. The scent of the bacon made his mouth water, and he sat at the first available table. He stuck his fork into the eggs and began to satisfy his hunger.

  As if he’d conjured him up, Gus sat down across from him.

  “Can you go on another run this morning?”

  Valerian glanced up from his plate. “I guess I could. What’s up?”

  “Johnny fell from his horse yesterday and broke his leg. Had a devil of a time getting remounted so he could get here before he passed out. Doc’s set his leg, but he’s out of the rotation for at least six weeks. So we’ll be shorthanded for awhile.”

  Damn. Val couldn’t even broach the subject of leaving now. Not for another six weeks, at least. He drank the last of his coffee and set the mug back on the table with a thunk.

  “Guess I’ll go and get ready, then.”

  Chapter 24

  Samantha could not deny it any longer. Even if she could write off the lack of her monthly courses due to stress and strain, she could not turn her back on the queasiness she had each morning or the way her breasts were enlarged and more sensitive. She was going to have a child. Valerian’s child. She alternated between giddy joy and overwhelming panic daily.

  How would she be able to make a living if she had to care for a babe? Could she and a baby exist in a room in a stable? The similarities between herself and the Christ child’s birth made her smile. Not that she was any virgin mother. When she and Valerian made love by the lake, she was aware this might be the eventual outcome, even though the chances were small. Some part of her hoped even then she would be able to carry his child. Her final remaining connection to Valerian would last her lifetime. Besides, what choice did she have? None. Just as Mary and Joseph had no choice. She’d make the best of it because she had to. Right now, though, she needed to tell Letty. If the woman let her go from her job here in the roadhouse, perhaps she could still retain her place in the stable. But she hoped Letty would allow her to stay in both jobs, at least until the baby came. Then Samantha would have to figure out a new way of doing things.

  “Hi, Letty.” Samantha let herself into the kitchen of the restaurant, breathing in the warm air and the scent of yeast. Dough was rising on the wooden table and would soon be ready to fashion into rolls and loaves of bread. Letty bustled around the room, a wooden spoon in her hands. “What are you working on?”

  “Applesauce, if these apples would ever cook. I’m running behind.”

  “Shall I get started on the bread? Or would you rather I cook the bacon?” Samantha crossed her fingers behind her back, hoping for the bread. The greasy bacon made her stomach churn.

  “Bread needs doing first. There’s a good girl.” Letty turned back to the stove and her apples.

  They worked in companionable silence for a while, the only sounds coming from the spoons and pots they were using. Samantha got the loaves of bread into the oven and began working on the rolls. They needed a lot of rolls for the day’s crowd, so Samantha pinched t
he dough and shaped it into balls between her hands. But even with the homey atmosphere pervading the kitchen, Samantha was on edge. She had to speak.

  “Letty, I have a problem.” She raised her eyes from the large worktable and focused on the plump woman who held Samantha’s future in her hands.

  Letty turned from the stove and glanced at Samantha. “What is it, dearie?”

  “I’m with child.” No sense in dragging it out. Samantha held her breath while she waited on Letty’s reaction.

  “What wonderful news, Samantha. A child is always welcome here in the West. There’s room enough for everyone.”

  “Yes, it’s wonderful news, but it’s also frightening. I can barely take care of myself, and now, soon, I’ll have someone dependent on me. How can I possibly do it?”

  “Have you no family, then?”

  “No, ma’am.”

  Letty left her apples for a moment and walked over to where Samantha stood. She put an arm around the girl and kissed her temple. “Well, you do now. Does the father of your child know?”

  “No, and I don’t want him to. He’s better off without us in his life.”

  Letty gazed into her eyes, and Samantha forced herself not to close them to Letty’s scrutiny. “I think the father should be the one to make that decision, not you. After all, it’s not only you anymore. Unless, of course, he beats you. Is that why you’ve run?”

  Samantha let out a small gasp. “No, not at all. He’s the most wonderful man I’ve ever met. I’m not running from him. It’s someone else I have to be careful of, a very dangerous man, and there’s no sense involving more people in my life than is necessary. Certainly not someone who cares for me.”

  Letty squeezed her tightly, and Samantha allowed herself to be hugged against the woman’s soft body. She bit her bottom lip to keep from crying. She hadn’t cried for her circumstances since the day she visited her parents’ graves. Now was not the time to start. But she welcomed the close contact.

  “There’s no avoiding having people in your life who care for you. My darling girl, you’ve become a member of my family, another daughter, almost. Horace thinks so, too. If someone is threatening you, we’ll form a line of defense around you. You’re safe here. Of course, with a baby coming, you can’t stay in the barn anymore. You must be where it’s clean, warm, and comfortable.”

  “No, I’ll be fine in the barn, Letty. I don’t want to cause any trouble.”

  “It’s no trouble at all. I have just the spot for you.” She gently reached out for Samantha’s hand and led her to a small room off the kitchen. “Here is an extra pantry room, which we use in the summer to hold fresh produce and goods. It sits empty all winter.”

  Samantha stepped into the tiny space. It was clean, warm, bright, and smelled of bread. Heaven. She turned to Letty with a lump in her throat. “I don’t know what to say. Thank you isn’t enough.”

  “Thank you will do fine. I’ll get Horace to move your bed from the barn this afternoon. He’ll love the idea of a babe coming. Now, I must get back to my apples.”

  • • •

  Late October’s cold snap made Samantha grateful all over again for Letty and Horace’s insistence that she move from the barn to the kitchen. The cot and little chest of drawers fit nicely in the pantry room. Samantha was once again able to display her picture of her parents on the nightstand. She ran her finger over their faces as she dusted the picture frame.

  “Ah, Momma and Daddy, you’re going to be grandparents in a few short months. Spring’s the time for new things, and my baby will be born then. I’ll have a bit of Valerian to take with me wherever I go. That will have to be enough.”

  She sighed and rose from her cot. It was still dark outside, but she moved to the window and shivered as the snowflakes danced their way to the ground. If it kept up, there’d be a couple inches of the white stuff by noon. That would mean fewer guests at the roadhouse. An occasional slow day was welcomed, but if the snow kept coming, it could spell disaster for Letty and Horace, so Samantha hoped it was only temporary.

  She pulled the apron over her slightly rounded belly and got to work on her morning’s chores. She’d trek out to the barn after she got things started here in the kitchen. She’d feed the animals and give them water, but the mucking could wait until the snow stopped.

  Letty joined her in the kitchen, and together they got things ready for the morning crowd, if there were to be one. When they had everything in order, Samantha pulled on her boots and threw a shawl over her shoulders before letting herself out of the warm, cozy kitchen. The squall was all around her, but she made her way to the barn with sure steps. There were only two horses housed in the barn currently, so feed and water for them both was handled quickly.

  “I’ll be back soon to clean up after you messy boys. Maybe there will even be time to brush you down.” She fed them both a bit of apple she’d taken from the kitchen before she let herself out into the storm again, grateful she no longer had to bed down in the drafty barn.

  Letty bustled around in the kitchen, preparing meals for some hearty souls who had obviously ventured out. Samantha put the coffee pot on the stove and helped Letty plate the breakfasts.

  “Why don’t you take these out to the table for me, child? Ginger and Joseph have two delightful little children who you will adore.”

  Samantha’s heart sped up a bit. It had been Joseph in the barn that day then. What were the chances that she’d wind up near where he lived? She wondered if he’d pieced together yet who she was and how they were acquainted with each other. Even if Joseph suspected her true identity, she hoped to still shield her whereabouts from Valerian. It was best to not let the father of her child anywhere close to her. Whatever happened to her at the hands of Uncle Jack she could deal with. But if Valerian got in the way and ended up wounded or dead as a result of trying to aid her, she’d never forgive herself. No, Valerian was in her past. She’d handle Uncle Jack on her own.

  She picked up the tray loaded with food and balanced it on her open palm as she bumped on the kitchen door. The laughter of young children soothed her jangled nerves, and a genuine smile crossed her face.

  “Good morning. You are certainly brave souls to venture out in the storm.”

  The lovely redheaded woman turned her gaze from the children to Samantha and returned her smile. Samantha could see a similarity between this woman and her brother, Valerian, and it made Samantha’s heart ache.

  “We had planned to go into town and do some shopping but changed our minds once we got this far. After a good breakfast, we’re on our way back home. I’m Ginger Lafontaine, and this is my husband, Joseph.”

  Samantha forced herself to turn her gaze toward Joseph. He stared at her intently. Samantha had to find a way to turn his attention away from her.

  “How old are your children? They are delightful.”

  “Aren’t they, though?” Ginger ran her hand over the little girl’s dark curls. “Elizabeth here is two, and our boy, Samuel, is three and a half. But he thinks he’s much older. Right, Joseph?”

  Joseph finally turned his attention away from Samantha, and his eyes softened as he gazed at his wife. “Yes. Our Samuel has an old soul. We need to take him to meet his grandfather next summer.”

  “When is your child due?” Ginger’s innocent question nearly drove Samantha to her knees. She didn’t think anyone could tell yet.

  “Why do you think I’m with child?” she asked softly, her breath releasing slowly.

  Ginger patted her hand. “We women know these things. And from the look of you, I’d say sometime in the spring. Am I right?”

  “Inendaagozi!” Joseph’s head snapped up, and he stared at Samantha again. She gritted her teeth as she stood her ground and met his intense gaze.

  Ginger’s eyes moved from Samantha to her husband. “What are you saying, Joseph?”

  “I am saying I have finally figured out how I know this woman. It has bothered me for weeks now. Only she was not a woman at
the time of our earlier meeting. She had been a boy. Sam Hughes. Is that not right, Sam?”

  Samantha wrung her hands into the fabric of her skirt. Her gaze flitted from Joseph to Ginger. “You’re right, Joseph. At one time I did answer to Sam Hughes. But that was a while ago.”

  Ginger’s gaze bounced between Joseph and Samantha. “Well, she certainly isn’t a boy any longer. Can you sit with us for a few minutes?”

  “I, uh, I should really get back into the kitchen and help Letty.”

  Joseph’s dark eyes bored into her, mesmerizing her. “There are no other guests to take care of. And I would appreciate an explanation. Please sit.”

  Without another thought, she sat, still wringing her hands.

  “You are correct, Joseph. The boy you met months ago and I are the same person. Sam Hughes has once again become Samantha Hughes. I had to leave Seneca and the Pony Express.”

  Samantha squirmed under Joseph’s continuing gaze. He raised his mug, taking a sip of coffee before he spoke again.

  “Why were you pretending to be a boy in the first place?”

  Joseph’s face told her he would not let her go without a complete explanation. She sighed and straightened her shoulders. It might be good to finally reveal all.

  “I ran away from my uncle after my aunt died. He’s an evil man who wants to use me and then sell me to the local brothel. He’s been after me ever since I ran.”

  “Where does your uncle live?”

  “Close to St. Joseph.”

  “I take it you ran from Seneca because he tracked you down. How did he find you?”

  “He’d been nosing around for a couple months. Sent some Pinkerton agents out to begin with, and then he came himself a few months ago. He brought the sheriff with him, only to find out Val and I were out picking up a supply wagon in Atchison.”

  “So you know my brother? You worked together on the Pony Express?” Ginger clapped her hands together.

  “Yes. Val was the only one who knew I was really a girl. I got shot in the back, and he had to care for me. It was a little hard to hide my true identity then.” Samantha gave Ginger a small smile.