Promise Trail

by Shirleen Davies

  “Luke mentioned it to me.” Bull glanced at his friend. “He didn’t go into detail.”

  “The quick version is the war devastated much of our businesses. Our shipping business was one of the largest on the Eastern Seaboard. Most of it burned to the ground when Sherman’s troops marched through. Luckily, our family didn’t lose everything. We were able to salvage a decent portion of the shipping business, but I had no desire to return to the sea. We still own sizable amounts of property. Before the war, George and Polly worked the land as slaves. When they were freed, Luke made a deal with them.”

  “We made a deal, Dax.” Luke relaxed into the chair.

  “All right. We made a deal where they’d earn ownership of the land for continuing to work. After we settled in Splendor, we made another agreement with a longtime friend of our father’s, Arthur Yancey. We supplied the funds, and he helped rebuild our shipping business. Luke traveled back to Savannah a few times to help with major decisions. Other than that, Yancey’s been the man in charge of rebuilding.” Dax watched Bull as he explained the events.

  “What does that have to do with now?”

  “The shipping company is once again a major competitor. We’ve been talking to Yancey about expanding.”

  Bull’s gaze narrowed as he began to see where this might be leading. “You want to expand into San Francisco.”

  “It’s the logical place,” Luke said. “Dax captained one of our ships and ran the shipping operation before the war. I was in charge of other aspects of the business, including the warehouse, working with suppliers, and setting up contracts.”

  “Yancey’s getting older. He’s asked Luke or me to come back and take over. We’ve made it clear that won’t happen, but we can expand to San Francisco. I’ve already contacted Suzanne’s brother-in-law, a well-known businessman there.”

  “Quentin Briar.”

  “You’ve met him?” Dax asked.

  “Once.” Bull sat down, still wondering how this involved him. “I didn’t form an opinion, but Suzanne thinks highly of him.”

  “She does. Since he visited Splendor a couple years ago, his businesses in San Francisco have expanded a great deal. He’s willing to help us in any way he can, perhaps even becoming a partner. Nick Barnett has done business with Quentin before and believes we can trust him.”

  “Still doesn’t explain why I need to go out there with you. I don’t have any experience in the shipping industry.”

  “What you have is experience building around the docks of Cincinnati. You know how to design the buildings, order materials, talk to the workers.”

  Bull held up his hands, palms out. “Whoa. That was a long time ago, before the war. And it was my father’s business, not mine.”

  “Are you saying you can’t draw the plans and hire men?”

  Bull let out a deep breath, then scrubbed a hand down his stubbled jaw. His shoulders slumped, knowing he couldn’t turn Dax or Luke down. “I’m not saying I can’t. I’ll do whatever you and Luke need.”

  Luke stood, holding out his hand. “Thanks, Bull. You won’t regret it. When you return, you’ll still have your house and job. Nothing will change.”

  Bull took Luke’s hand, then glanced at Dax, who nodded. “When do you want to leave?”

  “The stage leaves on Monday. We’ll be on it.”

  We’ll be on it. Bull thought over Dax’s words as he walked outside. Heading toward his house, he detoured around it to a path leading into the tall trees.

  Passing a berry bush, he remembered the times he and Lydia had taken buckets to gather the fruit for pies. She’d always teased him with them, holding a juicy, ripe berry to his mouth before popping it into her own, laughing as she dashed away.

  It had become a game. Each played their part, knowing what would happen. The last time had been a week before Sam had been kidnapped. Bull had led her further from the ranch, behind thick boulders and lush bushes, making love to her until they couldn’t move.

  The memory felt like a knife twisting in his gut and shredding his heart. He lost track of time as he continued along the trail, hearing the gentle breeze ruffle the aspen leaves. Entering a clearing, he lifted his face to the sky, watching a hawk circle above before flying away. Shoving his hands into his pockets, he stared at the ground, unable to focus on much of anything until a strong gust of wind reminded him to move on. A moment later, a thick stand of aspen closed around him, giving Bull a strange sense of comfort.

  Lydia loved running her hands over the smooth, pale aspen bark as she watched the feather-like leaves flutter in the wind. He loved the way she found joy in everything and insisted on sharing it with him. Lifting a hand to his chest, he pressed hard, trying to relieve the pain pulsing through him. For a few days on the open range with Dirk, he’d been able to push the loss aside, finding a small measure of peace. Returning to the ranch, the emptiness returned, reminding him each day and night of how alone he was.

  You don’t have to let her go. Lydia believes she’s doing this for you. Only you can decide if she’s right. Bull thought over Rachel’s words, the ones said when she’d brought over a pot of stew when he didn’t show up for supper. He suspected she’d been searching for a reason to speak with him alone, perhaps make amends for the hurt her silence caused. By the time she arrived, his mind was already clouded from too much whiskey and too little sleep. Still, he remembered her words.

  “She’s doing this for me.” Bull whispered the words, repeating them. Pressing his fingers to his throbbing temples, he settled back against the trunk of a large pine. He closed his eyes, willing his mind to focus on an image of her the day of Cash and Alison’s wedding. Her happiness overflowed, filling him as they held hands, talking of plans for their own marriage a few weeks away. It hadn’t happened the way they’d hoped.

  Whoever the father is, the baby will still be half Lydia, Luke had reminded him after Bull had returned from catching Rosemary and the boys rustling. Most on the ranch didn’t say a word to him about Lydia leaving—except for Luke. He made it a point to prod Bull more than the others, making sure he looked at it from every perspective. Although irritating, Bull knew he hadn’t allowed himself to think much beyond the fact she’d left without confiding in him about the baby. The betrayal kept his mind rooted in one place, stopping him from considering all the consequences of letting her go.

  Groaning, he pushed away from the tree, walking back the way he’d come. In a few days, he’d be on a stage to Ogden, then a train to San Francisco, the same city as Lydia. Would he go see her? Should he track her down, confront her about the baby and her decision to leave? He didn’t even know where Caro lived, although he felt certain Rachel did.

  An odd feeling he couldn’t define washed over him as he made his way to the front of his house. Although he knew it wasn’t real, an image of Lydia standing in his kitchen, smiling while holding a baby, assailed him, causing him to stumble up the steps. Bracing his hand on the door, he sucked in an unsteady breath, then walked inside, his heart breaking at the sight before him. Emptiness, the same as every day since Lydia left.

  “Oh my. You look beautiful.” Fannie walked around Suzanne, nodding her head in approval. “Where did you get such a fine dress?”

  Suzanne blushed at the fuss her friend made over a simple store-bought dress from Alison Coulter’s shop. Except nothing ever left Allie’s without her putting some distinctive style onto it. She’d added lace and fine pearls to the sleeves and collar of the blue and white silk dress. The colors and refinements enhanced Suzanne’s deep blue eyes and strawberry blonde hair.

  “Add a little rouge and Nick won’t be able to take a breath.”

  “Rouge? Oh, I don’t know, Fannie. I don’t even own any.”

  Lifting a small bag she held in her right hand, Fannie stepped forward, eyes twinkling. “I have it right here. Now sit down and I’ll fix you right up.”

  Fannie continued to chatter as she applied the rouge and made a few adjustments to Suzanne’s ha
ir. Suzanne stayed silent, hearing her friend, yet letting her thoughts stray elsewhere. For a brief moment, she remembered the sharp pang of disappointment when Nick forgot their supper a few weeks before. Her stomach twisted, wondering if that would be her fate again this evening.

  “I’m telling you. When it comes to you, Nick Barnett is well and truly caught.”

  Suzanne forgot her fear of being hurt again as her attention snapped back to Fannie. “What did you say?”

  “Nick Barnett. Anyone can tell by the way he looks at you that he wants to carry you away somewhere private…if you know what I mean.”

  Suzanne could feel her face heat. “He’s younger than me.”

  “Nothing wrong with that. It doesn’t seem to worry him, so it shouldn’t worry you.” Fannie picked up a small bottle of perfume Nick had given Suzanne the previous Christmas. “Now just a little of this.”

  “Do you think it’s necessary?” Suzanne hadn’t used a drop of the expensive liquid, guessing what it had cost him.

  Fannie cocked her head to one side, raising an eyebrow. “Believe me. He wouldn’t have given it to you unless he wanted to get a whiff every now and then.” Stepping back, she took one more critical look at Suzanne, then smiled. “You are simply going to shock him into silence tonight.”

  Laughing, Suzanne stood, smoothing her dress with both hands. “That would surely make it an awkward evening.” The words were said in a light tone, as if his reaction to her meant little. In truth, what Nick thought of her meant a great deal. More than she would ever admit to him or anyone else. “I guess it’s time to go downstairs.” Placing a hand on her stomach to quell the butterflies, she followed Fannie into the hall, stopping at the top of the stairs.

  “I’ll go on down and nod if he’s waiting.”

  “Thank you, Fannie. I may need a couple minutes before coming down.” She knew her hesitancy had to do with the fear he wouldn’t be waiting for her. If he failed to honor his invitation a second time, there’d be no third chance, and the thought chilled her. The damage to her pride, and her heart, would be too great for him to continue living in the boardinghouse. She’d ask him to vacate his room, knowing he’d have no trouble moving into the hotel he owned with Gabe and Lena.

  Suzanne took hold of the banister, waiting. When Fannie reached the first floor, she looked around. It seemed to take forever before she looked over her shoulder, a smile on her face.

  Letting out a relieved breath, Suzanne tightened her grip on the banister and took the steps on shaky legs. Stopping midway, she scolded herself for acting like a schoolgirl. At her age, she shouldn’t feel this anxious at having a man such as Nick show an interest in her. Several single women in town had made no secret of their interest in him. And why not? Handsome, single, and wealthy, he didn’t have to work hard at finding female companions. Yet, in all the time he’d been in Splendor, Suzanne had never heard of him showing an interest in anyone—except her.

  She was about to finish her descent when she glanced down to see Nick standing at the bottom of the stairs, looking up at her and holding out his hand, an appreciative smile on his face, causing her heart to beat faster. Keeping her gaze focused on him, she took the remaining steps, taking his hand.

  “You look stunning, Suzanne.” His gaze drifted over her, then settled on her mouth before lifting to her eyes. Seeing surprise on her face, he took her other hand in his. “You have no idea what a gorgeous woman you are, do you?”

  Uncomfortable with the praise and the intimate stance any of the dining room guests could see if they turned to look their way, she tried to pull back. His fingers tightened around hers. Shaking his head, Nick chuckled, tucking her arm through his, turning them toward the door.

  “I’ve waited too long for this evening, Suzanne, and I mean to let everyone know I’m courting you.” Opening the door, he escorted her outside, taking a slow stroll down the boardwalk.

  Her eyes widened. “You’re courting me?”

  He came to a stop, turning to face her. “Suzanne Briar, let me make my intentions clear. You are the most intriguing woman I’ve ever met. You’re smart, generous, hardworking, courageous, and beautiful. Few men are worthy of you, and certainly not me. I can be brutal when needed. I’ve done things that might make you turn away, yet here I am, staking my claim in public, hoping you won’t turn me down. Make no mistake. I am courting you, unless you tell me otherwise.”

  Her lips parted. She’d never heard anything so wonderful, so heartfelt. Her mind whirled with the implications of his declaration. She couldn’t form words, so she nodded.

  “Then we’re agreed?” He lifted one of her hands to his lips, brushing a kiss across the palm.

  The instant heat rushing through her body stunned her. Suzanne hadn’t been interested in a man in years. Not one man since her husband died sparked any interest within her broken heart until Nick Barnett walked into her boardinghouse. Since then, she’d done everything possible to build a barrier to feeling anything other than friendship. The wall was crumbling fast.

  “Suzanne? Are we agreed?”

  “Yes, Nick. I believe we are.”

  Suzanne couldn’t recall the last time she’d eaten so much or laughed so hard. They’d made a grand tour of the town, stopping several times to greet people they knew before he escorted her into the St. James Hotel, directing her to the dining room. Taking his time, he strolled past tables of strangers, greeting them, introducing Suzanne as he held her close to his side. Spotting Noah and Abby watching them from a table near the window, Nick walked straight toward them, holding out his hand, seeing Noah’s right arm still confined in a sling.

  “Tonight must be a special occasion, Noah.”

  Standing, Noah held out his left hand. “We’re celebrating Abby’s birthday. I couldn’t think of a better place to bring her for such a special occasion. No offense, Suzanne.”

  “None taken, Noah. Are you enjoying your evening so far, Abby?”

  Abby hadn’t been able to break her gaze away from the sight of Nick’s arm around Suzanne’s waist. She’d known the older woman her entire life. After Abby’s mother died, and until her father had sent her away to school back east, she’d spent a great deal of time in the boardinghouse kitchen. Suzanne had become a second mother to her.

  “Um…yes. I’m having a wonderful time. Are you having supper here…together?”

  Nick spoke before Suzanne could. “Mrs. Briar has agreed to allow me to court her. I hope we have your approval, Abby.”

  Suzanne blushed at his words, but didn’t attempt to move away.

  Setting her napkin aside, Abby stood, giving Suzanne a hug. “I think it’s wonderful.” Stepping back, she looked at Nick. “What took you so long?” Seeing the surprise on his face, she got on her tiptoes to place a kiss on his cheek.

  Nick glanced at Suzanne, then shifted his gaze back to Abby. “Fear.”

  “Fear?” Abby and Noah asked at the same time.

  “Of course. I was afraid this beautiful woman would turn me down.”

  Abby smiled. “I don’t believe there was ever much chance of that.”

  “Abby…” Noah’s deep voice warned her she may have gone too far.

  “It’s all right, Noah. She’s right.” Suzanne cast a shy look at Nick, whose mouth turned up at the corners when he heard her confession.

  “We’ll let you two finish your supper.” Nick turned Suzanne toward a private alcove in the far corner, taking her wrap, then pulling out a chair. The table had been set with the finest silverware and china. A vase filled with native flowers sat in the middle of the table, candles on either side.

  “Nick, this is lovely.”

  He didn’t respond as he took a seat next to her, then nodded to a server standing a few feet away. Without a word, wine was poured, their meal appearing several minutes later.

  Picking up his glass, Nick tilted it toward her. “Here’s to the first of many evenings together, Suzanne.”

  She held up her glass, tou
ching the rim to his. “Many evenings,” she murmured, her voice unsteady.

  Nick continued to hold his glass to hers, unwilling to break the moment. “And many days, and whatever else you’re willing to give me.”

  Her mouth went dry as she understood the meaning of his words. If she’d been eighteen, or even in her twenties, she might have found his words insulting. Tonight, as a much older, perhaps wiser woman, she felt her body tingle with desire, spiraling to heights she hadn’t experienced in years. Without a trace of shame, she leaned toward him, her voice dropping to a whisper.

  “I’m willing to give you as much as you’ll take.”

  Nick had been lucky to save his wine from spilling into his lap. The unexpected offer, the sultry tone of her voice, caught him so off guard, he felt his face color, an occurrence that never happened. People could do or say anything, and he’d take it without flinching.

  Those soft words, spoken over a quiet supper, undid him.

  Setting down her glass, Suzanne took a generous bite of the steak covered with a wine and mushroom sauce. “Oh my. This is the best steak I’ve ever had. And the sauce…” Her eyes closed as she savored a second delicious bite.

  Watching her reaction, Nick’s breathing grew shallow, his body reacting in a way he didn’t want her to see. His stomach growled, yet all he could do was sip his wine and enjoy the pleasure on her face.

  “Nick? Aren’t you going to eat?” She rested her knife and fork on the edge of her plate. “It’s delicious.”

  Leaning forward, he raised a hand, brushing a dot of gravy from the corner of her mouth. “I can see it is.”

  Sitting back, he took his first bite. It was, indeed, good, but not as satisfying as Suzanne’s appreciation of it. They continued eating and talking until both plates were clean.

  “Are you ever going to tell me about the woman?”

  Nick’s hand stilled on his wine glass. A young female face with clear, green eyes and molasses-colored hair flashed before him, bringing a warm feeling with it. His thoughts must have shown in his expression.