Tracks To Love (Birdsong Series)

by Alice Addy

  Eve wanted to give the beauty a hug, but feared her display of empathy would be unwelcomed. Instead, she nodded in understanding and acceptance. Turning her head to the petite woman sitting directly across from her, she prompted, “It’s time to hear from you. What can you tell us about yourself?”

  Finally, the last of the four women arose. She was a pretty little thing, sweet and fragile, appearing to be no older than Cassie. Her head was covered with a riot of bright red curls, cut short. Her eyes were a vivid green, sparkling with intelligence. But, when she opened her mouth to speak, Eve and Ty were astonished. This “child” had the voice of a cultured and well-educated woman.

  “I was christened, Patricia Elizabeth Mirabelle Franklin. I was born in Philadelphia. My father was a physician and I adored him. My mother was a beautiful socialite and I barely knew her. I studied abroad for two years, in France. I speak three languages, fluently. A fever took both my parents and grandparents, leaving me alone. Our home had been mortgaged to help keep my mother in the latest French couture. Thank God, I am an only child, as my mother would have had to endure months of confinement, therefore, missing all the parties and balls that were her life. If I sound bitter, forgive me. But I am, most assuredly, bitter.

  “My education is superb and totally useless. I could be a museum curator, with my vast knowledge of antiquities and the great masterpieces of the world, but out here, I could only hope to chronicle the latest obituary on boot hill. This hotel may be my new start. I saw your ad, and the train was blowing its whistle, throwing steam high up into the air. That train was beckoning me. So, here I am. I’m completely unqualified for anything you need, but I’m willing to learn.” She paused for a moment. “Seriously,Eve, this may be my last chance. I feel so lost.” She started to sit and then stood quickly. “Oh, yes—I forgot. I’m nearly thirty years old. I hope that’s not too old.”

  Ty stepped up, his hat in his hands. Clearing his throat, he looked from one woman to the next, all around the table. “I would like to say how happy I am to make the acquaintance of you ladies. You’re a fine group of women, and I hope you’ll like it here. I’d be honored if you turn to me for assistance. That’s my job around here. I’m just a dumb rancher, but I’m strong, and I’m used to women telling me what to do.” He grinned at Eve. “I’ll take my leave, now. Oh, yeah, I’m twenty four.” He left by way of the back door, letting the screen slam shut.

  “Someone needs to let that boy know, you don’t go around lettin’ the door slam behind you, on your way out,” Dora said.

  Everyone laughed.

  Eve refilled the teacups. “Well, this has been quite enlightening. I think you’ll all fit in nicely, if you still want the positions. I’ll be learning how to run a hotel, right along side the four of you. So if you have any ideas, feel free to talk to me. We’re all in this together. Hopefully, you won’t think of me as your boss. I do not think of you as employees, but as friends who are helping me make a success of this place.

  “I only have one rule that I must insist you follow . . . there will be no entertaining of men, in the hotel. I’m not saying that any of you would even think about such a thing, but rumors are almost impossible to stop, once they start. It could kill our business. Ty has his own room, here, when he’s in town, but he is the only exception.”

  The women all nodded in agreement.

  Dora stood and proceeded to clear the table. “Well, what do we do first, Eve? You give us our duties.”

  “I think I’ll let you decide on your own duties. You pick what you like to do and the things that you do well. If you see someone needs help, then lend a hand. If you see something that needs attending to, either do it yourself or come to me and let me know of the situation. You all have an idea what is done at hotels, yes?” She hoped so, because Eve had never set foot inside a hotel, in her entire life.

  “Oh, before I forget—Cassie, there’s a piano in my parlor, and some evening, I’d like for you to come and entertain us with a song. I’ve studied music all my life and I’d be happy to tutor you, if you’d like. What do you say?”

  “Wow! I say I’m gonna love it here, Eve,” and the girl literally bounced from the room, humming a delightful little ditty.

  “Well, I think we’ve covered everything. Make yourselves at home, for this is truly your home. Walk around and explore, if you like. We’ll start work tomorrow. Good day, ladies.”

  * * *

  Twilight was descending upon the dusty streets of Hays City. God, how he despised the dirt and the heat of the West. Every bone in his body screamed for the civilized streets of Boston, New York, or Philadelphia. Hell, he’d settle for Saint Louis. His mouth was dry and his breath had a deathly odor to it. Pain resonated throughout his skull, causing him to experience double vision and a churning stomach. Sam was unwell, and he knew it, making him angrier by the hour. It was all her fault. That little copper-haired witch! Oh, how he despised her . . . and yet, he wanted her with a primal urgency so strong that he had ruined his life in pursuit of her.

  Sam was eaten up with jealousy and remorse. He’d killed for her, and it had gotten him nowhere. Frieda never saw him coming up behind her. One swift push and she was lying in a heap at the bottom of the stairs. It had been so easy. Why didn’t Eve turn to him in her sorrow?

  He growled with a fierceness that would have stopped any sane man in his tracks. It was all because of that damn cowboy. He could offer Eve nothing but a life full of hard work and a cabin full of squalling brats. How could she choose that over what he, himself, could provide for her? Sam longed to dress her in satins and lace. He’d buy her chocolates everyday, if she wanted. Maybe if that bastard cowboy were permanently out of the picture, she’d willingly turn to Sam in her loneliness. For the first time in weeks, he felt a little better. He’d bide his time and watch for his chance to do away with Ty Fenton.

  *

  Things couldn’t have been better at the Birdsong Hotel. The ladies proudly wore their blue dresses with crisp, white, ruffled aprons. Cassie had never had anything so pretty, she exclaimed. Dora winced at the ruffles.

  “I guess it won’t kill me to dress like a little girl,” she grumbled.

  Emily smiled, wickedly, and asked if she could shorten the skirt a few feet and lower the neckline ten inches. It was soon obvious to all that she loved to shock. “Just wanted to be helpful and bring in the business,” she teased.

  Eve grimaced. “Business like that, we don’t need. And if I thought for one minute . . .” But she didn’t need to finish her threat, as everyone knew it was all said in good fun.

  Two days after Dora and Patty had first started planning the new menu, they excitedly presented the finished product to Eve for her approval. It was glorious. Patty’s artwork came in handy, as she had hand-decorated thirty menus. All the food was simple and hearty fare, and easily prepared by Dora, but the surprise was in the name of the dishes and the descriptions thereof. Part of the menu was in French, and part was in German. Naturally, English was provided, as well, but it made the hotel more exclusive, fancier, Eve thought. It would surely be a big draw to the restaurant.

  Eve pressed the menu to her chest. “Oh, my goodness. These are amazing. You’ve both worked so hard. Thank you. Thank you very much. I wouldn’t be a bit surprised if some of our customers steal a menu to hang on their wall, at home. Patty, you’re an artist!”

  Patty blushed at the compliment. “Dora deserves the credit. It was her idea. Those dishes are her specialties and she just wanted to make them sound as special as they taste.”

  Dora was embarrassed at the credit given her. “Aw, shucks. It weren’t nothin’.” They all broke out into peals of laughter.

  Ty had been gone for almost two weeks, but he made it back for the grand opening. “My goodness, ladies, I am surely impressed. You’ve been busy while I was away. I’ve never seen a finer hotel, anywhere.” He wouldn’t mention that he’d never been out of Hays City—not that he could remember, anyway.

 
; The six of them were still standing out in the middle of the street, admiring their hard work, when a horse, lathered and wild eyed, almost ran them down. ”

  What the hell?” Ty yelled. He caught a glimpse of the rider—Sam Garrison. “He must be drunk,” Ty muttered.

  Eve refused to let anything or anyone dampen their enthusiasm. The train was due in at any moment, and it would be bringing people to Hays City, and just maybe, their first customer would be getting off that dear old train, as well.

  “Look at the window glass sparkle. It looks like diamonds in the sun. I cleaned them, you know.” Cassie proudly announced.

  “The windows are nice, kid, but look at the roses I planted around the porch. They soften the whole exterior and lend a special ambiance to the entrance,” Emily boasted.

  “French! Bon, Emily. I must agree with the two of you. The glass is nice and the roses are quite pretty, but the real accoutrement is the fine European influence found throughout the entire hotel—from the sign above the door, to the lace in the bedchambers. Quite a nice touch, if I do say so myself,” exclaimed Patty.

  “Well now, all of that is good, for sure. But what a weary traveler really wants, when he gets off a train or a swayback mule, is a good meal in his stomach. I’m partial to the menus. It’s right good food we’ll be known for dishin’ up, that’s for certain.” Dora puffed out her ample chest and nodded her head, totally serious.

  Eve giggled. “I guess I didn’t do anything.”

  Ty laughed out loud. “Now I wouldn’t say that, honey. You did the best thing of all.”

  All the women wrinkled their brows, wondering what she could have possibly done that would outshine their combined contributions. Eve worked hard, but she only helped them in their efforts. Maybe that was it?

  “Eve, darling. You had the wisdom and the foresight to hire these four magnificent women, we see standing here, before us. Nowhere, in all of Kansas, are there four women with as much talent, ingenuity, confidence, and courage as these beautiful ladies. Ladies, I salute you.” And he did just that.

  Emily leaned over and whispered in Eve’s ear. “He’s a keeper, Eve. Full of blarney, but a keeper just the same.”

  Eve, with tears in her eyes, nodded back at Emily. “You know, there is something I can do all by myself. Ty, would you help me with something?”

  “Sure, sweetheart. I’m yours to command.”

  “Would you ladies mind waiting by the train depot for any travelers that may wish to get a room? I’ll be a few minutes.”

  They all nodded and grew more excited as the smoke from the train could be seen in the distance. They prayed a customer would be on that train.

  “What’s this all about, Eve? What do you need me to do? Everything looks great.”

  “Thank you, Ty. But I just thought I might be able to bring something to the Birdsong that none of the other hotels have. If you’d help me move the piano from the parlor to the dining room, I’ll sing for my supper.” Eve was ecstatic at having thought of it. At long last, she would sing and entertain her guests.

  Cassie was breathless as she rushed through the double doors of the hotel lobby. “Eve! Eve!” she yelled. “Hurry. They’re coming. All of them are coming! Eve! Where are you?”

  “Calm down, darlin’, Eve’s comin’,” Ty said, trying to reassure the nearly hysterical Cassie. “Take a deep breath and tell me what you’re so excited about.”

  She pointed back out through the doors. “They’re coming along with Patty, Emily and Dora. The guests are coming here.”

  Ty smiled. “Hey, that’s good news. Why all the hysterics?”

  “You’re not listening to me, Ty. I said, they’re ALL coming.”

  He grabbed her little shoulders and looked her in the eye. Very calmly, he asked, “How many is all, Cassie?”

  She looked to be on the verge of tears. “Nineteen.”

  “Eve! Eve! Get out here, now! Eve, where are you?” Ty shouted at the top of his lungs.

  Ty stood back and watched a miracle. Eve was enchanting as she welcomed her guests to their temporary home, away from home. She introduced the four ladies and gave those that wished it, a brief tour of the hotel.

  “Dinner is anytime after five o’clock. Feel free to ask one of the staff for a snack, if you feel you cannot wait until then. We understand, perfectly.

  “Ladies, please show our guests to their rooms.”

  Smiles were plastered on the many faces of those lucky enough to get a room, as they followed the women up the stairs. They remarked on the beautiful and elegant interior of the hotel. They all agreed that it was comforting and quite welcoming. Emily overheard a woman remark on how surprising it was to find such sophisticated lodgings this far west.

  Ty grinned at Eve. “I think you’ve got a winner, Eve. You succeeded in charming them all. Can I perhaps have a quick kiss for all my efforts?”

  “Oh, Ty, you’re terrible. You needn’t ask, you know.” She reached up and pulled his handsome face down to hers, and pressed her lips tight up against his. She let out a little mewl of contentment, as his hands caressed her back. “Can you spend the night or must you get back?”

  “I’m sorry, sugar. I have to return tonight. It gets more difficult with every visit. I want to marry you so much. It kills me to leave you.” He nuzzled her hair, taking in her wonderful and seductive scent. “I miss you and think of you, constantly.”

  The sound of footsteps approached the top of the stairs and Eve reluctantly stepped back, separating herself from Ty. It would not be proper to let her guests catch her in an intimate embrace. However, her subterfuge was unnecessary, as she was unaware of the way her eyes sparkled or the way her lips parted, still swollen from a kiss. Love’s glow, still upon her cheeks, spoke volumes. A blind man could recognize her tender feelings for the cowboy.

  Reluctantly, Ty left for the ranch and Eve happily attended to the needs of her guests. During the seven o’clock dinner hour, she decided it was time to sing for their enjoyment. It had been a long time and she hoped she wasn’t rusty. Sitting down at the piano, she let her fingers warm up the keys. They flew up and down the keyboard with ease, and set a nice tone for dinner. Then she opened her mouth and quietly sang, “I’ll take you home again, Kathleen . . . across the ocean wild and wide. To where your heart has ever been . . . since first, you were my bonny bride . . .”

  The room went silent, as the diners sat in awe of the lovely songstress. Even Emily and Patty stopped their serving for a moment, just to listen to the pure notes drifting up through the air, above their heads. Eve’s voice was glorious. Cassie and Dora came out of the kitchen to listen to the heavenly notes.

  Cassie whispered, “And to think she wants me to sing for her?”

  The room filled with applause at the conclusion of the song. “More. More, please,” the customers, begged.

  Eve nodded and turned back to the piano. “This is an old one, you’ll remember, by Stephen Foster. ‘I dream of Jeanie, with the light brown hair. Borne like a vapor on the summer air . . .”

  Finally, Eve concluded her little concert with a new song, taken from an old folk ballad. “In a cavern, in a canyon, excavating for a mine. Lived a miner, forty-niner, and his daughter, Clementine.”

  The crowd loved the new song, and by its conclusion, they were singing the chorus right along with their hostess. As she stood to excuse herself, she noticed there were quite a few people that had wandered in from the street, no doubt to listen to the music. She smiled at them, and offered them all a piece of pie and a cup of coffee, as her way of celebrating the grand opening of the Birdsong Hotel. They rejoiced and found seats. Cassie, Emily, and Patty were more than happy to oblige the new guests. It had been a terrific evening.

  After the hotel quieted down, and all the guests had retired to their beds, the tired, but happy, women sat in the kitchen resting their bones. Dora rested her feet upon a milk can and Cassie removed her shoes, altogether.

  “I want to thank you, girls,
for all your hard work. You made this evening a real success. I think we’re gonna get rich,” Eve laughed.

  Cassie was struggling with trying to decide if she should mention Eve’s singing. At long last she asked, “Were you going to make fun of me, when I sang for you? You sing like an angel. I’m not in your class.”

  Eve was surprised by Cassie’s insecurity. “Of course not, Cassie. I’d never make fun of you. What makes you think you’re not as good as me?”

  “I have ears.”

  “Well, they can deceive you. Did you know that when I was a little girl, I had a terrible lisp? My s sounds were th’s and my v’s were b’s. No one could understand me. It wasn’t until Aunt Frieda had me sing with the piano that we discovered I no longer lisped. The long and the short of it is . . . I’ve been singing almost everyday of my life, since I was five years old. You’ll never know if you possess real talent until you try, and try very hard. I simply offered to play the piano for you, and the offer still stands. Have confidence in yourself. Someday, I’ll tell you about my twisted foot—but not tonight. I’m beat and I’m going to bed. The sun will be up in five hours.”

  The little lady soldiers marched up the stairs, single file. Exhausted, but quite gratified, their first day had been a huge success.

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  The new kitchen had been added to the back of the hotel, with a small side porch for doing laundry and such. No one suspected that a dark and angry man had been sitting there for hours, listening to the pleasant songs streaming out through the open windows. He sat with his bloodshot eyes closed, remembering better days. From the moment he first saw her . . . the little temptress with the brilliant copper hair curling around an angelic face, and with eyes as blue as the sky, searing his soul and stealing his future, he knew what he wanted. He went as far as writing his sister and informing her of his good fortune. He even told her he was going to be married.