“But you shouldn’t send her away, Aaron. I think she has fallen in love with Gus.”
He stared at his wife. “I’m not so sure. Maybe she should go away to know what she really wants to do with her life.”
“Maybe she knows already.”
Aaron shook his head. “Drina, you know what Milly is about to become. I can’t have a wh—I mean a woman like her here on the ranch. Brit could find out and do her harm. Besides, it could cause trouble with the men.”
“May I say something?” Lottie asked.
“Of course you can,” Drina said before Aaron could refuse to let her talk.
“Milly only came to work at The Swinging Door a few weeks ago. Brit brought her in, and from what I understand, he said he’d not make her work upstairs for a while. She hasn’t been forced to be with any men. She told me she didn’t want to come to work at the saloon, but she felt as if she had no choice because she wasn’t able to even buy food. I felt sorry for her and I’ve kind of protected her, because I know how demanding Brit can be. She doesn’t understand how the people in town and on the ranches will feel about her when she actually starts working. They’ll recognize her on the street but would rather eat dirt pudding than speak.” She gave Aaron a quick glance and went on. “If she wants to stay with that old man, there’s really no good reason why she shouldn’t.”
“What Lottie says makes a lot of sense, Aaron.” Drina touched his arm. “Why don’t you find out what Gus wants to do before you send her away?”
He frowned. “But—”
“Please, Aaron. I think Milly deserves this chance for a good life.”
Aaron took hold of Drina’s hand. “Are you sure you want me to do this?”
“Yes.”
“Then, I’ll do it for you.”
Lottie looked at him. “I don’t think you’ll regret giving Milly this chance, Aaron. She’s really a good girl.”
* * * *
Gus looked at the tears in Milly’s eyes. “What’s wrong?”
“Mr. Wilcox says Lottie and I have to leave today.”
He frowned. “Why?”
“I’m not sure. I think he’s afraid Sheriff Mason will find us here. I think I told you, he’s a friend of Brit Vance. Lottie said that even if the sheriff is a friend of Mr. Wilcox, he’ll more than likely listen to whatever Brit says, since he’s an important man in town.”
“What has that got to with you being here?”
“It’s complicated, Gus. Lottie found out Brit Vance is behind all this mess. Since the sheriff is a good friend of his, she’s afraid he’ll have the lawman to either arrest us or take us back to town.”
“Why would he want to arrest you?” Gus was getting more confused.
“Lottie says it’s because we know Brit wants to make the Wilcox’s marriage fail so he can get the ranch. She says he’ll kill us to stop us from telling Mr. Wilcox he’s doing this.”
“But haven’t you already told him?”
“Yes. That’s why he says we have to leave to save our lives.” More tears ran down her cheeks.
Gus reached out and touched her arm. “Don’t cry, Milly.”
“But I don’t want to leave you.”
He swallowed. What was she saying? Did she like him in a way a man wanted to be liked? Or did she only want to stay because she had it better on this ranch than she did at The Swinging Door? He couldn’t help hoping he was the reason she wanted to be here.
He took a deep breath, “I don’t want you to go, Milly.”
She grabbed his hand and pressed it to her lips. “Oh, Gus. Do you really want me to stay with you?”
His heart pounded. “I do, Milly. I’m an old man and you’re a young beautiful woman, but I’d be good to you and I think we could be happy together if you think you could ever consider marrying me?”
“Oh, Gus. I’d love to be your wife. I’ll love you forever and I’ll be a good wife and I’ll cook and clean for you and give you children and…and…I love you. I really love you.” She leaned down and kissed his lips.
He blushed, squeezed her hand and whispered, “They ain’t no way I’m gonna let Aaron send you away.”
She kissed him again. This time, he kissed back.
* * * *
Salty pulled the buckboard up toward the house.
Drina, Beulah, and Milly walked out with Lottie to see her off. Because he wanted to talk with Gus, Aaron had wished Lottie luck and gone to the bunkhouse on his crutches.
Lottie looked at Milly hoping the girl wasn’t making a mistake. “Are you sure you don’t want to go? We can start a whole new life away from here.”
“I’m going to start a new life here with Gus, but I wish you good luck wherever you go.”
Lottie thought it best not to tell anybody she’d decided to go to San Francisco. “I’m thinking about Phoenix.”
“I’ll always remember what a good friend you’ve been to me. I’ll miss you.”
Lottie put her arm around Milly. “I’ll miss you, too, but I’m glad you have a chance at a decent life. Make the most of it.”
Milly swiped a tear from her eye. “I will.”
Lottie turned to Drina. “Thank you for all you’ve done for me.”
Drina nodded. “You don’t have to thank me. You did us all a favor by telling us about Brit Vance.” Drina held out an envelope to her. “Here’s something to help you get started in your new place.”
Lottie frowned. “Why would you do that for me?”
“Aaron felt you needed something to live on until you were established again, and I agreed with him.”
“Thank you, Mrs. Wilcox. I’ll never forget there are some good women who realize I’m not only a whore, but I’m a person, too.”
“Of course, you are, Lottie.”
Swallowing, she turned to Beulah. “I appreciate everything you’ve done for me and Milly, Beulah.”
“You was a help with everything, Lottie. I know you wounded one of them men who was shooting at us and you didn’t mind helping when Papa Win was so near death. You’re a good woman, whether you know it or not.”
Lottie smiled. She couldn’t believe the old Indian woman had said this about her. “I didn’t mind helping. I also appreciate the good food you served while I was here.”
Beulah nodded. “Glad you liked it.”
Salty interrupted them. “We gotta get on the road, Lottie. We want to be as far away as we can before the weather turns bad.”
She nodded and started for the buckboard, but changed her mind and turned around. She walked up to Drina. “Mrs. Wilcox, I want you to tell you something in private.”
Drina looked confused. “All right. Let’s move over here.”
When they stepped away from the others, Lottie said. “You need to know nothing happened between Aaron and me on your wedding night. He was so drunk when he finally got upstairs he passed out as soon as he entered my room. He fell across the bed and started snoring like a pig.”
Drina stared at her. “Are you telling me the truth?”
“Yes, I am. I couldn’t even sleep in the bed beside him because he was sprawled out so much there was no room. I went next door and spent the night with Milly. She knows exactly what happened that night, so if you don’t believe me, ask her.”
“Thank you for telling me, Lottie.”
“I wanted you to know the truth after what Brit Vance said. I hope this will help you forgive Aaron, because he loves you.”
“It will make it easier for me to forgive him, but I’m not sure you’re right about him loving me.”
“I am, and I can tell you why I know.”
“Oh?”
“I came into his room one night and tried to seduce him, but he wouldn’t have anything to do with me. He made it clear you’re the only woman he wants.”
“I want him, too, Lottie.”
“I figured as much, and I’m sorry I went near him; but, he did make me see you two make a good pair.”
“I think s
o, too.”
Lottie smiled and added, “Well, I guess that’s it. I better get on my way.”
“Good luck, Lottie. I wish you well, and if you find you need anything, please contact us.”
Lottie couldn’t believe Drina had offered her help. She was too stunned to say anything, but she reached out and hugged Drina quickly. “Be happy.”
She then turned and rushed to the buckboard. “Let’s go, Salty,” she said in a tear-choked voice.
He shook the reins over the horses’ backs and headed to the road leading to Fiddler’s Creek.
They were almost to the end of the long yard when Lottie turned around and waved at the women standing there. She then turned to Salty. “Do you realize what a wonderful place you work at?”
“Yes, I do.”
“I’m glad you do. The people are wonderful, too.”
“Yeah, they are.”
Lottie didn’t say anything else, but looked down, and realized the envelope Drina had given her was still in her hand. She was curious to see what Aaron had given her with his wife’s approval. Peeking into the envelope, she gasped when she counted five hundred dollars. A tear slid down her cheek. She was going to always remember Aaron and her stay at the Rocking Chair Ranch as one of the best times of her life. As for Mrs. Drina Wilcox, her sweet face would always come to mind when some high society dame turned up her nose because they’d met on the sidewalk. In her heart, Lottie would always know there was one real lady in the world who treated her as more than a whore to be shunned.
* * * *
When Aaron entered the bunkhouse, Felix Browning jumped up from his seat on the bunk. “Hello, boss. It’s good to see you out and about.”
“If feels good to be out, Felix. I hope to get back to work soon.”
“How about a cup of coffee?”
“Sounds good. I’m going to have a little talk with Gus. How about bringing him one, too?”
“Shore will.”
As he left for the kitchen side of the bunkhouse, Aaron move to the blanket Milly had rigged up to separate Gus’s bunk from the others in the room. He pushed it aside.
“Why, Boss, what in the world are you doing out here?”
“Thought you and I needed to talk.”
“You should’ve sent for me. I would’ve come to you.”
“Looks like you’re in worse shape than me, right now.”
“Milly’s been taking good care of me.”
“So I’ve heard.”
Felix brought their coffee and discreetly disappeared back into the kitchen.
“I bet I know what you want to say. You want me to reconsider my notion of marrying Miss Milly.”
Aaron shook his head. “No, Gus. I figure you’ve made up your mind.”
“You’re right, I have.”
“What I want to talk to you about is the fact that Milly’s been staying here with you.”
“And you feel she shouldn’t be here, don’t you?”
“Yes, Gus. I do. I know you have this blanket for privacy, but it’s not much of a barrier.”
“That’s true, Boss.”
“You know the weekend is coming and the men will be heading to town. I don’t have to tell you they often they come back, some half drunk and acting boisterous.”
Gus frowned. “What do you think we should do?”
“I think Milly should stay in the house until you two get married, and I figure it’s up to you to convince her to do so.”
“Will Mrs. Wilcox let her stay in the house?”
“Yes, she will.”
Gus shook his head. “Your wife is a special person. Most wives would never let somebody who has worked in a saloon stay in their house, even if the person didn’t do nothin’ but serve drinks.”
“My wife is special, Gus, and she’ll see that Milly is well hidden in the house if Vance or any of his friends come around.”
“Thank you, Boss. I hope to be able to get out of this bed in a day or two. Then, I’ll make arrangements for Miss Milly.”
“What kind of arrangements are you talking about?”
“We want to get married as soon as I can get outa this bed.”
“If that’s what you want, I wish you luck.”
“Do you think she’ll mind hurrying up the marriage?”
Aaron shrugged. “I’m sure she won’t.”
Gus grinned. “I guess then I’ll have to find us a place to live. Somewhere I can still be close enough to work for you. That is, if you’ll still let me work here.”
“Of course I want you to work here. As a matter of fact, have you thought about that cabin near the small lake in the west pasture?”
“I’ve seen it, but I didn’t think you’d want to give it up.”
“I wouldn’t be giving it up. I’d simply be letting you live there as long as you work for me, which I hope will be a long time.”
“Boss, you’ve made me realize I’ve got to hurry up and get well. It looks like I might have a pretty good future, after all.”
“I’m sure you do, Gus.”
“Don’t you tell Miss Milly about the cabin. I’d like to take her out there when I get better.”
“You got my word I won’t tell her a thing.” Aaron stood and leaned on his crutches. “Now, I’ve got to get back. My wife will be out here looking for me if I linger much longer.”
Chapter 19
Brit Vance sat behind his desk in the office he had opened three doors down from The Swinging Door Saloon when he first came to Hatchet Springs two years earlier. He was reading a week-old San Francisco newspaper. The bell jangled as the front door opened, and Zane Mason stepped inside.
Brit folded his newspaper. “Hello, Sheriff. What can I do for you?”
“Got a couple of things I wanted to check out with you.”
“Fine. Come on around and sit down. I’ll help you any way I can.” He indicated a chair in front of his desk. “Want a drink?”
“That’d be nice.”
Brit opened his bottom desk drawer, took out two glasses and a bottle of whiskey. He figured Zane was going to ask him why he’d suggested Aaron Wilcox should be arrested for Cleg Keller’s death when Salty brought the body into town. Brit knew it would be a stretch to blame the man for the killing, but he would come up with a reason. He hoped Zane would be easy to fool when it came to false charges if the need called for it. And this one did. It was a sure way to get Wilcox out of the picture and get Adeline’s father on that ranch. Then he could move on to more important things. He’d been thinking about it and he’d decided he wanted to turn the feisty Mrs. Drina Wilcox into the big draw at The Swinging Door, now that Lottie had disappeared. He was actually looking forward to this. After filling the glasses and putting the bottle back in the desk drawer, he said, “Drink up, then tell me what you came to say.”
Zane drank then twisted the glass in his right hand. “I was down at the livery stable a little while ago. You’ll never believe what happened.”
When he paused, Brit asked, “Do you want me to guess?”
“No. Cain said when he opened up this morning the buggy the whores rode off in was sitting in the carriage area, and the horse was in a stall. It was fed and didn’t look none the worse for wear since it’s been gone.”
Brit frowned. “Were there any sign of who drove it back?”
“Nary a one. Cain said it was like it just dropped in. He looked everywhere, but couldn’t find a trace of anybody who could’ve brought it.”
“Wonder if the women left it at the Wilcox ranch and somebody there brought it back?”
“You said they weren’t there.”
“I said I didn’t see them there.”
Zane lifted an eyebrow. “So, you think they could have been hiding?”
“Anything’s possible, Zane.” Brit took a drink of his whiskey. “I sure want those women back.”
“Did they take something of yours?”
“You don’t think they’d leave and not take somethin
g, do you?” Brit was sure they hadn’t stolen anything, but he figured Zane wouldn’t know he was lying.
“Wilcox sent word he wants me to come out there. I’ll see if anybody at the ranch knows where they are.”
“While you’re there, you may want to find out why Wilcox killed Cleg Keller. As I suggested when they came in with the body, I’m sure he saw it as his chance to get rid of the man.”
“What do you know about Keller’s death?”
“You know I hear talk around town. I don’t know how, because of the shape he’s in, but somehow, Wilcox is tied to Cleg Keller’s death. Somebody even told me it was one of his fancy guns that did the deed.”
“Even if Aaron did shoot Keller, Salty said they were all defending the ranch when he drove in.”
“Who knows whether that’s true or not? Salty would say anything to defend his boss. I wouldn’t put it past Wilcox to have murdered Keller just because he could. He hates the man, you know.”
“Yeah. Everybody knows that.” Zane nodded as he said it, “but I know Aaron well enough to know he’d never kill somebody without good reason.”
“I know people think a lot of him, but Wilcox has an evil side. He needs to be arrested for Cleg’s killing, because I’m sure he’d pull a stunt like murder if he thought he could get away with it.”
“Maybe you don’t know him as well as you think you do, Brit.”Zane stood and set his glass on the edge of Brit’s desk. “I’ll check this out, but there’s no way I’m convinced Aaron committed murder. Thanks for the drink.”
Brit only nodded and sat back with a frown on his face as he watched Zane go out the door. This wasn’t going to be as easy as he thought. He was so used to getting his way, it was hard to accept that the sheriff didn’t fall in line and say he’d arrest Wilcox. Of course, he’d forgotten Zane and Aaron had grown up together in this town.
He poured another drink and tossed it down in one gulp. He had to get this handled in his favor soon so he’d be able to contact Aaron’s uncle and buy the ranch. Then, he could relax. After this talk with Zane, he felt uncertain about the whole situation. He hoped it didn’t come to it, but he might have to hunt down the remaining Keller and see it the idiot could manage to kill Wilcox. It would be the perfect answer, because everyone would think it’d be revenge for his father and his brother.
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