by Alice Addy
But it all turned to ashes, and he loathed himself for being so weak. He once had a plan that should have brought him riches and power, but he did not possess the will to stop her then, and he’d been foolish to walk away. If he had killed the cowboy, she’d be his woman now, lying beneath him every night, maybe with his babe growing in her belly. He’d been robbed of his future, of everything dear and worthwhile, and he vowed to do something to retaliate, or risk losing his mind, entirely.
Sam stood up and discovered a small hairbrush lying on a table. A few strands of copper-colored curls coiled around its bristles. “Eve,” he sighed, as he reverently placed the brush in his pocket and left the hotel.
* * *
Six months later and Hays City’s newest hotel was deemed a success. People had carried word of it as far away as Chicago and Denver. One day, a young couple arrived and asked for a room. They were obviously very much in love—honeymooners, Eve surmised. Unfortunately, there was not a room to be had. The hotel was full up for the next several days. Eve was certain that they would be able to find accommodations at the Hays City Hotel, a very nice establishment, just down the street.
The young woman started to cry and then outright sobbed. “You promised me, Billy. You said we’d stay at the Birdsong. You promised.” She stomped her foot in protest.
“I . . .I . . .I’m sorry, darling.” he stammered. How was I to know they’d be full? We’ll go down the street. It’s sure to be real nice.”
“No! I want to tell my friends that we stayed here!”
Eve was intrigued by their conversation. “May I ask how you heard of the Birdsong?”
The young lady sniffed into her lace handkerchief and stopped her crying long enough to inform Eve of the minor miracle occurring elsewhere. “My best friend’s father stayed here a couple of months ago. It was all he could talk about—how nice the rooms were, how good the food was, and what a beautiful singer you had. He said it was the only place to stay. So his brother and his wife stayed here and told all their friends. Our mayor came here and bragged to all of us at the July 4th picnic, that he and his wife received special accommodations, while here. Billy promised that if I’d marry him, he’d bring me here, to the famous Birdsong Hotel, not the Hays City!” The tears began to flow, once again.
Eve smiled. The famous Birdsong Hotel, huh? “I tell you what. If you’ll wait one half hour, I’ll see if I can get you a room, but I must tell you that they are very special accommodations, and we never rent it out to ordinary guests—not even to a mayor. You’ll be able to tell him that you stayed in the Presidential Suite.”
The girl was overwhelmed. “Did you hear that, Billy?” Her eyes filled with wonder and adoration for her new husband. He could work miracles. “Everyone will be just pea green with envy. I’m so happy and I love you so much.”
Eve laughed, as she rushed up the back stairs. Running into her room, she gathered up her personal items, grabbed her dresses from the wardrobe, and stripped the bed.
Emily was passing by and came into see what all the activity was about. “That’s the sweetest thing I’ve ever heard. Let me help you,” she exclaimed, wanting to be a part of making the young couple’s honeymoon truly special.
She helped finish the bed, brought in fresh flowers from her own room, and supplied lilac scented soap and warm water for the guests. Clean towels were laid out, and then, snapping her fingers, she got an idea. “I know just the finishing touch.”
Emily ran to Cassie’s room and begged for something very precious. Cassie had just purchased a small box of chocolates that very day. She was asked to part with them, for the good of the hotel. The young girl grumbled, but handed them over to Emily. “You owe me, Emmie.”
“Perfect!” Eve announced, as Emily placed the pretty little box of candy on the pillows. “It’s now the Presidential Suite. She’ll be very pleased to tell all her friends she slept here. Now, can I sleep with you, Em?”
Emily laughed. “I knew I should have kept on walking.”
Ty came in the following day. He’d been gone for a long spell. Much had changed since he was last in Hays City. For one thing, the Birdsong had gained an excellent reputation.
People actually made the trip into the city simply to have dinner at the hotel. The food was the best to be found anywhere and men brought their wives in for dessert and a song. Both Cassie and Eve entertained the diners while encouraging their customers to sing along. This made everyone happy and eager to return.
Running the hotel was exciting, but Eve had missed Ty, terribly, and was very glad to see him. Her arms ached to hold him and she wanted to bury her face in his strong, muscled chest, and inhale his masculine scent. She needed to feel his hands on her body and his lips feasting on her own. She could feel her senses tingle just at the thought of what they would share privately, later that evening.
“Ty. It’s about time you came to town. Everything’s all right at the ranch, I hope?”
“Yeah, but Pa needs more help than he used to. The ranch is getting bigger all the time and I’m needed to oversee the place. When are you gonna marry me, Eve?”
“Well, actually, I’ve been thinking about that. The hotel is doing well and the girls are getting on their feet, too. The time for me to make a change is coming soon. Give me just a little longer, darling, and I’ll run to your ranch.”
“That sounds fine, to me. In the meantime, how about you come with me for a ride? I’m sure we can find some privacy if we look hard enough. I’ve got to love you or I’ll bust.” He grinned from ear to ear and wiggled his brows up and down, for her amusement.
“I know just the place. Let me grab a blanket,” Eve said, excitedly, as she rushed to the linen closet to retrieve a quilt.
“Dora, Ty and I are going for a ride out into the country. We’ll be gone for a couple of hours. Will that be all right with you?” Eve asked, as she saw the woman coming out from the kitchen.
Dora smiled that all-knowing smile women sometimes have. “Lands sake. It’s about time the two of you found some time for yourselves. Don’t you worry about a thing. You’ve got the best hotel staff in the state. There ain’t nothin’ we can’t handle. Now, off with the both of you. I don’t have time to stand here gabbin.” She shooed the couple out the door and watched them ride away in the big empty wagon. Laughing, she muttered, “Just a matter of time, now, I ‘spect.”
“There used to be a small place, about three miles from town, down by the edge of a tiny lake. The little family died out and no one lives there, anymore. It’s so sad, but the land is beautiful. Could we go there, Ty?”
“Eve, I’d take you anywhere on earth, if I could spend some time with my arms wrapped around you. That little farm sounds real good, about now.”
After a while, Ty spoke up. “You know, honey, you’ve never talked much about your childhood . . .where you came from and all that. I know that Mrs. Birdsong wasn’t your real ma. Care to share?”
Eve was a little uncomfortable recalling her early years, and to be honest, her memories were vague and not at all clear. She could remember the voices of her mama singing, and of her papa telling her how smart and pretty she was. She could close her eyes and hear him whisper her name, “Evie”. It never ceased to make her smile. But their faces were not as clear. She knew her mama was beautiful and always happy. She also remembered the terrible coughing and the fear of her mama going away. Those memories, she tried to keep at bay.
“I don’t remember much. My papa was a soldier and my mama sang to me. She got sick and died. That’s about all I remember.” She stared straight ahead, gazing down the long and empty road.
“Oh, Eve. I’m sorry if I upset you by asking. I didn’t know it’d make you sad. It’s just that I love you so darn much, and I want to know everything about you. When you’re in town and I’m out on the ranch, I go over our conversations in my head, trying to keep myself company. I recall every smile you ever gave me, the sound of your laughter, and the softness of your voice. A
nd I’ll never get used to your singing. It’s a gift from God, for sure. Those recollections comfort me and get me through some long and lonesome nights. I guess I just thought that you’d have good memories of your childhood. Memories that made you happy.
“I tell you this, Eve. Whoever your parents were, I’m eternally grateful to them for having had a daughter like you. God bless ‘em for bringing you into the world—for me to love.” He squeezed her knee and gave her a wink.
Eve looked up at the man she loved more than anything—the man she planned to spend the rest of her life with. “Enough of this sad talk. I’m here, right now, with you, and I intend to let you ravish me, sir.” She was grinning, too.
“Whoopee! I’m just the man to do that, little lady.” He snapped the reins and the horses picked up their pace. Ty was a man with a mission and he had no time to waste.
The little farm was as pretty as Eve had said. It had fallen into some disrepair, but it still possessed charm and a quiet dignity. Eve placed the quilt under a thick, broad apple tree, providing much needed shade. From there, they had a beautiful view of a small lake, where diamonds glittered and sparkled across its surface. Hawks circled high overhead and robins foraged in the soft damp earth, in hopes of catching a worm. With the sun hiding, now and then, behind fluffy white clouds set in a true blue sky, it was one day in a million.
“I brought some lemonade. It’s in the back of the wagon,” Eve said, smiling. She knew lemonade was the furthest thing from either of their minds. Her eyes were on Ty. She admired him in so many ways, and someday she would list them all. But for today, she was content to admire his tall, strong body. Although his shoulders and chest were broad with muscles, his stomach was flat, and ribbed with strength. His waist was small and his hips straight and lean. His thighs were well developed from many hours on a horse. She grinned, looking at his incredible backside. His bum was firm and rounded and he looked so good in his tight trousers. Eve licked her lips, thinking of her man. It had been too long since they had been together in this way.
Ty chuckled. “Have you seen enough, ma’am?”
Eve blushed. “You caught me! What can I say, except I admire you greatly, Ty Fenton. I can’t keep my eyes off of you . . . or my hands. Please come and sit by me.”
“I thought you’d never ask, darlin’.” He kneeled beside her, and scooped her up into his arms. Bringing her close to his body, he could feel her heart beating in time with his own. Even their breathing was in accord with one another.
“Eve, I love you so much, I ache for your touch. You must know his is heavenly torture for me.” He nuzzled her neck and nipped at her ears, making her giggle. Gently he pressed her down onto the quilt and covered her voluptuous form with his body. His hands caressed her, stroked her, and roamed over her entire body.
The touch of his palms on the satiny flesh of her inner thigh caused Eve to tremble. His fingertips were only inches from her most intimate place. Already hot and moist, she wiggled against his hand.
“Darling, make love to me. Possess me, Ty. I’m ready for you,” Eve begged.
Ty smiled. He was hard and needed to bury himself deep within her warmth. As he entered her willing body, he was overwhelmed with the need to be one with her. Not just for a few stolen hours, but every day, every moment, for the rest of his life. He thought his heart would burst with the love he felt for Eve.
Together, they experienced that single, rapturous moment when worlds collide and stars fall from the sky. It was sheer bliss and over much too soon.
With their bodies still entwined, they repeated the act of their desire, and slowly made love for hours, not caring what the world would say, for they were in love—today and forever more.
As the sun lowered in the sky, the lovers reluctantly dressed and headed for town. Basking in the afterglow of the grand passion they had shared, they were quite content to ride along in silence.
The soft light from town began to light the evening sky, and Eve and Ty knew their time, together, was drawing to an end. He’d have to go back to the ranch and she had a very successful hotel to oversee. It wasn’t perfect, but nevertheless, it was a good life they had, and they felt incredibly lucky to have each other.
Pulling up in front of the hotel, Ty sighed. “I can’t go in with you tonight, Eve. As it is, I’ll be lucky to pick up the supplies I need, before the stores close. I guess I kept you out too long.” He smiled, sheepishly. “Take care of yourself, sweetheart, and I’ll ride back in a couple of weeks. I love you.”
“I love you, too.”
Eve stepped upon the front stoop, gave Ty a little wave, and turned to enter her hotel. It was nice to be home.
She walked through the big double doors and looked around. Everything looked the same as it had that morning, when she left. That was always a good thing. Nothing had burned down, she laughed to herself. After all, what did she expect to happen in her absence? Her friends were capable of handling any emergency as well as she. Besides, most of the guests had checked out that morning. It would have been a relatively slow day.
Just when she thought about retiring to Emily’s room, Cassie came rushing in from the kitchen. “Oh, thank God, you’re back!”
Cassie was prone to over excitement and slight exaggerations, so Eve wasn’t too alarmed. “Calm down, Cassie. What on earth has you in such a dither?”
“Oh, Eve. It’s the most terrible and sad thing in the whole world. She’s such a little thing and she’s so scared. It’s just horrible and sad and . . .”
Eve grabbed Cassie by her shoulders and held her in a firm grip. “Stop!” she ordered. “You’re not making any sense. Calmly tell me what’s happened. Is anyone hurt?”
Cassie nodded.
“Well, don’t waste time standing here, take me to her. Have you called the doctor? Is it Dora or Patty? Is Emily hurt?” Her legs were trembling, but still capable of flying down the hall, to the kitchen.
Eve stopped in her tracks. All the girls seemed well, and were sitting around the kitchen table. There was, however, a new face sitting there, also. Eve didn’t recognize the young girl, but she could see that she was very young and someone had been brutal with her.
Rushing to the girl’s side, Eve fell to her knees and took up the child’s hands. “Oh, my dear. Who has done this to you?”
Dora spoke up. “We’ve gone all over this, Eve, and I think the best thing for this girl, right now, is to find her a bed. I’ll come back down and tell you the whole awful story. Then, I just may go and find me a shotgun and go man huntin’!”
Eve knew that Dora wasn’t speaking just to hear her own voice. She was serious. Exhausted, Eve poured herself a cup of strong hot tea and grabbed one of Dora’s exceptional muffins. While she had been in the loving arms of the man she adored, this poor girl was being beaten, ruthlessly. It broke her heart. How could a world be filled with such goodness and light, and at the very same time, such acts of depravity and cruelty? It wasn’t fair.
Dora returned, looking years older than she had that very morning. Her eyes were red-rimmed, and she’d obviously been sniffling into her hanky. “That poor, poor little mite. Did you see her face, Eve? Some bastard took out his anger on her, and when she ran off, she was lucky he was too drunk to come after her. If I ever find out who did this, I swear to you, I’ll shoot him.”
Pulling out a chair for her friend, Eve said, “Start from the beginning, Dora. I’m a little confused.”
“Surely.”
She sat with her trembling hands folded in her lap. “It was just before dinnertime. It had been a real slow day and we were all sittin’ in here, waitin’ to serve the few remainin’ guests their dinner, when I heard sobbin’ out on the back porch. It was a pitiful sound mixed with groans of pain. I opened the door and discovered Pearl, crouching behind the laundry tub. Imagine that, Eve. This girl child is named, Pearl.”
Eve smiled, knowing that Dora was remembering her own little collection of precious jewels.
S
haking her head, Dora continued. “She’d been beaten black and blue and was covered in blood. Her dress was ripped right down the front. It was indecent. She didn’t know where she was, but she knew she was away from him. She won’t tell me his name, she’s so scared of him. But I’ll get her to talk, eventually, and then he’d better watch his back.”
Eve thought for a moment. “Well, I don’t see why we can’t give her job here, when she’s well—if she wants one. The two of you can share my room. It’s bigger. I’ll move my things into your room. That should work out splendidly.”
“I was hopin’ you’d say somethin’ like that. But there’s one more thing I need to tell you. Pearl is gonna have a baby.”
“A baby?” Eve shrieked, standing up, tipping her chair over.
Dora misunderstood Eve’s shocking reaction. “Now, Eve. Don’t be too quick to judge. A good girl might find herself in just this situation, if’n she was forced or taken unawares.”
“I’m not judging Pearl, Dora. I’m thinking what kind of a bastard beats on a young woman with child? It’s probably his babe, and that makes this twice as hideous. You may have to stand behind me and wait your turn, when it comes to shooting this varmint.”
The next morning, the ecstatic young honeymooners checked out of the Presidential Suite. The young bride couldn’t wait to get home and brag to all her friends about their stay at the Birdsong Hotel. Eve told her to tell them they were given special accommodations in honor of their wedding. Eve also gave the couple a beautiful vase from their room to commemorate their stay. Written in gold, it said, “Live long, Love well.” It had been a birthday gift to Frieda from Whiskey, and Eve knew that she would have approved her giving it to the young couple.
“Oh, honey, look what Miss Birdsong gave us. It’s simply magnificent!” She turned and placed a light kiss on Eve’s cheek. “I know what you’ve done for us, and I will never forget you.”
*
Sighing, Eve said, “I never thought I would hear myself say this, but thankfully, the hotel is empty. Hallelujah! No guests, for the moment. I think I’m a victim of my own success,” she giggled. “I declare you all deserve some time off. I’ll stay here and hold down the front desk for a few hours, and you all go off and spend some of that money I pay you.”
