by Nancy Pirri
“Simon, really….”
“Please. I want to get a look at the entire pretty picture before we head out for the dance. I’ve a feeling once we get there I’ll be lucky to secure even one dance with you.”
Janie couldn’t help it. She laughed and self-consciously turned in a full circle, her hands holding out the skirt of her gown.
“Like I said—beautiful,” he whispered, drawing nearer once she stopped turning.
She stiffened when she felt his hand slide around her waist, then relaxed. This is Simon, not Robert or Clive!
He draped her cloak around her shoulders, picked up the satchel and said, “Come along, lovely lady.”
She allowed Simon to lead her out of Katie’s Palace.
Standing on the boardwalk, Janie exclaimed, “Why, Simon! What a beautiful carriage.”
“I rented it for the evening.” He looked up at the carriage owner, Harley Fuller, who was grinning down at them. “To the Smith place, Harley.”
“Yes, sirree, Judge. I plan on stayin’ the night for the party, too, so you just let me know when you’re ready to return home.”
“Will do,” Simon said.
“It’s not all that far to the Smith place. We could have walked, or taken your wagon.”
“We could have, but I wanted this first time stepping out together to be special.”
He assisted her into the carriage and settled down beside her, setting his bag on the opposite seat. She thought about what he’d said and murmured, “We are not stepping out, Simon.”
“We’re not?” Simon raised his brow.
She sniffed. “No, we’re simply sharing a conveyance to a dance we happen to both be attending.”
He scoffed, “Call it what you will, but that’s not how folks will see things.”
“What!”
“Haven’t you heard how people have been talking about us for the past few months?”
“Absurd, absolutely absurd,” she snapped. “There’s nothing to talk about.”
“Suit yourself, but I can’t believe you haven’t heard any rumblings from Katie or Annie, at the least.”
Oh, she’d heard all right. Plenty of times. She just couldn’t face the possibility that Simon might be interested in her in any way but as a friend. She said, “You’ve been a good friend.”
Taking her hand in his he leaned over and kissed her cheek. Janie was stunned and she sat frozen.
“I aim to change that.”
“You…you don’t want to be my friend anymore?” Janie heard the trembling in her voice and damned herself for being such an open book.
“Sure, but I’m beginning to think just being friends isn’t enough.”
“Simon? Don’t say something you’ll regret later. Please,” she begged.
“I won’t regret it. It’s high time I allowed myself to have some happiness in life before I get too old.”
“Oh, Simon, you are not old.”
“Forty in June. Life is passing me by and I want a piece of the pie before I leave this earth.”
Janie’s spine stiffened. “So, now I’m a piece of pie?”
Simon groaned. “That’s not what I meant. I haven’t been with any one particular woman for long, until you came along. And now I find I want more of you, but I must be careful, for your sake.”
“Well!” she huffed, “If you think you’ll get a piece of this pie…”
“I don’t want a simple piece of pie, I want the whole thing; I want it for a lifetime. But we can’t always have what we want.”
“I still don’t understand.”
“I’ve been a judge for several years. Consequently, I’ve made enemies; lots of them. I’ve never married because of that.”
“Because you believe an enemy would harm your family.”
He nodded. “That’s right.
“Oh, Simon, don’t you know people have to take chances in life?”
Leaning near he looked deep into her eyes. “Not with you I can’t. I won’t. But we can enjoy ourselves tonight, can’t we?”
Janie saw the sincerity in his face and nodded. “Yes, I believe we can.”
His smile lit up his face and he leaned toward her. Janie closed her eyes as she felt his lips gently press against hers in the lightest of kisses. He released her then and sank back against the seat with a smile.
“Save me a dance?”
“Of course!”
They arrived at the Smith’s place and Janie was surprised by the crowd. It seemed everyone in Bozeman was at the barn-raising. Excitement strummed through her at the thought of a party and she could barely wait for Simon to assist her from the carriage. She managed to stay in her seat until he came around and opened the door for her. Placing his hands around her waist he swung her to the ground, tucked her arm in his and walked around the Smith’s house to the back yard.
Several red and white checkered oilskin cloths covered tables had been set up outside, beneath a canvas awning offering protection from the sun. The crowd of Bozeman folk roamed the yard, visiting and laughing, the women and children drinking punch and the men a dark ale. Most of the able-bodied men were dressed for the hard work of raising barn walls.
Katie rushed over to Janie and Simon, a child clinging to each hand, James followed with baby Rory cradled in his arms. James and Katie’s eldest, Luke, was a tall, sturdy, handsome boy at three and a half, the image of his father while the little girl—Hannah—shyly clung to Katie’s hand.
“Oh, you’ve finally made it. Let me tell you the plan; while the ladies make food preparations the men pull up the walls and secure them.”
“Sounds just like the barn raising’s I attended as a child back home.”
“Good. Then you know what to expect.”
“Honey, you’ll have to take Rory now.”
“Can I help?” Janie asked. She couldn’t help envying the couple with their three adorable children. She especially wanted to hold the baby.
James plopped the baby in Janie’s arms. Immediately, Rory started crying. Instinctively, Janie started rocking back and forth and he quieted.
“Hey, you’ve got the touch,” James said. “Doesn’t she Simon?”
Janie caught the grin on Simon’s face when he sauntered up beside them.
“Seems she does, doesn’t it?” Simon drawled.
Heat seeped into Janie’s cheeks when Simon turned his gaze on her. He swept her body a long, intimate look before saying, “Don’t forget you’re saving me a dance or two.”
“I won’t forget,” she promised.
He shrugged out of his vest and looked around, obviously seeking a place to set it while he worked.
“Here, I’ll take it. Look for our table,” she said.
“Thanks.” “Make it a table close to the food. I’m going to be hungry after all this work.”
James laughed and slapped Simon’s back. “You, old man, aren’t used to physical work so you’re probably right.” As the men sauntered away, James tossed a smile at his wife over his shoulder. “Let’s join them at their table, darlin’.”
Katie laughed. “You got it, sheriff.”
They found a table. Janie sat and held the baby until he started squalling. Obviously, it was meal time again. Katie went inside with her children to feed her baby while Janie watched the men raise the barn walls.
Her eyes focused on Simon’s tall, lean frame as he bent, grabbed hold of one edge of a wall with several other men and pushed it up into position with the help of a crew of men using a rope, pulley-fashion opposite them. She knew how heavy those walls were so it always amazed her how easy the men made the task appear.
Within an amazingly short time, the men finished and the roar of applause made Janie laugh. She focused on Simon striding toward her table. When he reached her, he sank down on the bench beside her, leaned over with a twinkle in his eyes and bussed her cheek.
“You look so calm, cool and beautiful sitting here. I feel guilty being all hot and sweaty in your presen
ce.”
“You’ve nothing to feel guilty about. Let me get you a cool drink. What would you like? Water, lemonade or ale?”
“You don’t have to wait on me,” he said as he started to rise.
“I’m not. It’s the least I can do since you’ve worked so hard. Now, what would you like?”
“An ale would be appreciated.”
With a nod, she lifted her skirts and made her way to the refreshment table. After pouring Simon a tall glass of ale from a pitcher she started back but stopped abruptly when a man blocked her way.
“Clive!” she gasped.
Chapter 4
Clive Miller clicked his tongue. “Surprised you, didn’t I?”
Janie looked around for help but everyone was busy socializing. Though she had no doubt any one of her new friends would come running if she screamed for help.
“Thought I’d stop by and let you know, you’ll be returning to Boise with me—tomorrow. Meet me around four, before dawn, on the northern edge of town. Oh, and don’t let your beau know, that is if you want him to live. And you know I mean every word. You belong to me, no one else.”
She noticed Simon heading her way and she whispered, “No, I won’t say a word.” She had to go with him for she couldn’t let anything happen to Simon.
Clive saw Simon then turned away with a curse and walked swiftly around the back of the Smith’s house. Just as Simon reached her he took her arms and held her gently, concern on his face. “Are you all right? Wasn’t that your brother-in-law?”
“Yes! Here.” She handed him his beer and grabbed his free hand. “Let’s return to the party.”
They took just a few steps when Janie heard the thundering of a horse’s hooves nearby. Simon grasped her arms and she dropped the glass of ale. He pulled her out of the path of the horse, to the ground and rolled them out of the way of the oncoming animal. The pounding sound of Clive’s horse dwindled into the distance as Simon scrambled to his feet and pulled Janie up.
“You okay, sweetheart?” he asked, brushing off her gown, his hands sliding up and down her body.
Embarrassment flooded Janie as she pushed his hands off her behind, gulping down her anxiety just as James arrived.
“Who in the hell was that fool? He just about ran over the two of you!”
Simon snarled, “Janie’s brother-in-law. Seems he’s not too happy about her starting over a new life here in Bozeman.” He looked at Janie. “What did he say?”
“Like you said, he’s not happy I’m here.”
“What else?”
Janie bit her lip and her eyes filled with tears. She couldn’t tell him. She just knew that she would have to leave with Clive in the morning, scolding herself for having let down her guard; believing Clive had given up on her.
“Janie?”
“Nothing.” She shook her head. “Nothing more than that.”
Simon didn’t like how she wouldn’t meet his eyes. Something had happened—Clive had frightened her. “I’ll ask once more, what did he say?” He managed to keep his voice calm, but fury tore through him. Something the bastard said had upset her.
“Little, very little.”
“Then why is he here? What purpose does he have in Bozeman?” When she didn’t reply but stubbornly lifted her chin and looked away, he turned to James.
“We have to go after him. You know that, don’t you?”
James nodded. “In the morning. I’ll round up a few other men and we’ll head over to Butte.”
“No.” Janie grasped Simon’s arm. “Just leave him be, I beg you.”
Simon saw how all color had drained from Janie’s face. “Janie. You can’t live the rest of your life with the threat of Clive Miller hovering over you.”
“But what can we do?” she whispered. “He’s committed no crime—yet.”
“She’s got a point,” James said dryly, “Much as I hate to admit it. We have to wait for something to happen.”
“You mean wait until the bastard harms her? No,” Simon growled.
“Please, Simon. I’m safe at Katie’s Palace.”
Finally, much as Simon hated caving, he nodded. “All right. But you go nowhere alone. Understand?”
Janie nodded. “You’ll get no argument from me on that.”
Breathing a little easier, Simon took Janie’s arm and they joined the other guests.
As Simon guessed, Janie was never without a partner. While he wanted to keep her to himself, he couldn’t. But by the end of the dance he was burning with jealousy toward the steady stream of men who kept Janie dancing all night, though he kept his feelings hidden. He’d also come to a decision; Janie would be safe if she married him. Ironically, the very reason he’d chosen not to marry—was the exact reason he decided he must marry her—to protect her.
When the last dance was announced, Simon turned to Janie. “One more?”
With a smile, she took his hand and followed him out to the dance floor, and he took her into his arms. Simon pulled her closer, tucked the top of her head beneath his chin as the music filled the barn and they danced. Most of the lanterns had been extinguished, affording couples some privacy.
A protective streak unlike any before settled inside Simon and he knew he couldn’t let this woman out of his arms—out of his life. With the last notes from the musicians Simon stopped moving.
“Thank you. I had a lovely time this evening,” she whispered.
“Me too.” A kiss from her was what he needed to seal his silent commitment to her which he’d soon reveal. He drew near to her lips. Initially, he felt Janie’s arms braced against his shoulders, maintaining her distance. He sighed when he realized she was trying to push him away from her. But just when he started releasing her she pulled on his string tie, keeping him close, her lips meeting his with sweet excitement.
Simon breathed deeply as surprise, then determination tore through him and he deepened the kiss. Tightening his arms around her waist he lifted her clear from the floor. Her womanly curves built a fire inside him, and all he could think about was taking her to his bed. He felt her kiss change, from one of a young girl’s to aroused womanly desire—until the lights in the barn unexpectedly brightened. It was only then, as they broke away from each other, staring with confusion around them, that they noticed the music had ended.
Janie’s cheeks turned pink. Simon looked around in chagrin when he caught the grins on folks’ faces watching them.
Lifting her skirts, she wouldn’t meet his eyes and murmured, “Excuse me,” and fled the barn.
Surprised, he stood a minute, trying to decide what to do before following her outside. He found her leaning against a fence surrounding one of several corrals, arms folded protectively over her chest. She must have sensed his coming for she said, “I want to go home, Simon.”
“You must be exhausted from all that dancing. Of course we’ll leave now.”
“I mean, I want to return to Butte.”
Coldness settled in Simon as he cautiously formulated a reply, “Bozeman’s your home now.”
“It never truly was, not really.”
“You told me you felt it was.” Simon couldn’t hide his exasperation.
“I had thought…had hoped.” She laughed mirthlessly. “Suffice it to say I’ve been wrong several times in my life. Bozeman can’t ever be my home.”
“But—”
“Simon, don’t ask me any questions. Please! Just take me back to Katie’s Palace.”
“Did I frighten you with my kiss? Is that it?”
She whirled to face him and with the moon shining down on her face he caught the tears sliding down her cheeks as she shook her head. “No.”
He smiled. “So, what’s wrong?”
Janie frowned and shook her head. “I don’t want to like you too much. Especially since you’ve made it clear you’ll never take a wife.”
Looking up he saw the brilliant stars, felt he could reach right up and pull one down from the sky, just for her. Yes, she ha
d been right; he had told her exactly that. But he’d changed his mind. Now he geared himself up to propose marriage for the first time—ever.
“That was a foolish thing for me to say. Life is always changing, including my feelings. Plain and simple, cause I’m too old to romance you with pretty words, I’m in love with you. I want you for my wife.”
“Simon! You can’t mean it.”
“I do.” He frowned when he saw how distressed she looked. “Maybe you don’t love me but I know you’ve got some feelings for me. I’m not blind.”
Her hand slowly came up, stroked his face. He covered her hand, held it there. “Oh, if I only could—marry you. But I can’t. I just can’t.”
His body went cold with her words. “Ever?”
She nodded, pulled at her hand until he released it. “Not ever. Take me home now, please. Know that you did nothing wrong; it’s me. I need to work some things out in my life before I can truly begin living it the way I want to.”
Before he could press her further, Janie picked up her skirts and rushed toward the waiting carriage. Simon stood there, looking down at the ground unseeingly. What in the hell happened? He felt as if he’d been pole-axed. There was no accounting for women and their temperaments, he mused, as anger filled his heart and soul. He swiveled on his heel and raced after her.
He settled inside beside her. She hugged one side of the carriage and he snapped, “Stop cringing away from me, for Christ’s sake.”
She gasped and bit her lip worriedly. “You’re very angry with me.”
“I’m stunned.” He sighed in exasperation. “I don’t understand. And yes, I’m furious at this situation, but not at you.”
“Perhaps, someday, I’ll be able to explain things. But I can’t—not now. Suffice it to say I do love you but it wouldn’t work out between us right now.”
Leaning toward her he reached out and cupped her chin, forcing her to meet his eyes. “You owe me an explanation—now—not at some later date—since this is our future happiness at stake here. In the morning, I want a full explanation. I want you to spill your guts to me, Janie Miller. Because I want you to become Mrs. Simon Hopkins soon. Whatever the problem, we’ll work it out. I believe that nothing can stand in the way of us marrying. Nothing.”
