by Jenna Brandt
“Am I? You were the one who told me this place wasn’t where respectable people frequent.”
Wiping her hands on her apron, she walked over to the counter behind her as she said, “I suppose I’ll just have to be careful then.”
Frustrated he was not getting anywhere with her, he decided to bare his true feelings. “I do not know what I would do if something happened to you, Amelie. Please, for my sake, stop this foolishness and let me give you the money you need for the bakery.”
Narrowing her eyes, she said, “I think I have made myself clear on how I feel about the matter. You best be on your way, Pierre. I still have a lot to do.”
Realizing he had been dismissed and there was nothing he could do about it, Pierre left the kitchen. If she wasn’t going to listen to reason, he would just have to make sure nothing happened to her while she chose this path.
Chapter 15
Four days had passed by since Amelie had started working at The Trail’s End. As soon as she was done cleaning up from breakfast, she was preparing for the mid-day meal. The same pattern repeated for dinner. By the time Amelie got home from work, her feet ached, her back throbbed, and she could barely keep her eyes open. What was worse, she barely got to see Elise. Amelie knew her sister was putting on a brave face, but the current situation was hard on both of them. Additionally, her aunt had made her objections known about Amelie working at The Trail’s End. She didn’t like it any more than Pierre did. It seemed no one was happy with her choice to work at the local saloon.
When Amelie arrived at work on the fourth day, she looked around to find Lulu and Becky, the other server. They usually arrived before her to make sure everything was in order when the saloon opened. Today she didn’t see either of them. As she made her way through the back hall, looking for either woman, she heard voices from Mr. Buckley’s office. Amelie paused outside the door to listen.
“What do you mean Becky isn’t coming to work today?”
“No, Buckley, I didn’t say she isn’t coming in today. I’m telling you she isn’t coming to work ever again. What you did to her yesterday was the final straw. When I found her crying, after you put your hands on her, she told me she was done. She has already purchased a ticket for a stagecoach ride back to Colorado.”
“Well, what are we going to do about it? We can’t run this place with only you working the front.”
“I told you if you kept treating the girls the way you do, they were going to leave. First, Margo left and now Becky. I’m warning you, if you keep it up, I’m leaving next.”
“Don’t use empty threats on me, Lulu. I know you need this job. Besides, I can make your life a living hell.”
“And I’ve told you, Buckley, just because we work for you, doesn’t mean you own us. You need to keep your roaming hands to yourself.”
Amelie heard some shuffle and then Lulu yelp, before she said, “Let me go. You’re hurting me.”
“I can do whatever I want whenever I want. No one cares what happens to girls like you, except me, and you better never forget it. I keep you safe, and without me, you would have to fend for yourselves. If I ask for a little gratitude in return, I think I’m owed it.”
She heard some more shuffling and Lulu mumbling as if something was pressed against her mouth, “Stop it. Get away from me.”
Without thinking, Amelie pushed the door open and said, “What is going on in here?”
Buckley released Lulu and stepped back, sneering at Amelie. “We were just discussing how you are going to have to help out tonight because it seems Becky has quit suddenly.”
Amelie balked at the demand. “I was never hired to be a server, Mr. Buckley. I am the cook for this establishment, nothing more.”
“Well, if we don’t have servers to serve your food, you won’t have a reason to cook. Lulu can get by for breakfast and possibly lunch, but you will have to help her with dinner. There is no way around it, you hear me?”
“And if I refuse?”
“Then both you and Lulu will be fired, and I will have new gals to fill your places.”
Lulu’s eyes darted over to Amelie. With a worried tone, she said, “He means it. He can get girls from Oregon City by tomorrow. You need to agree to what he is asking because I need this job.” With a narrowed glare, she added, “No matter what I have to put up with in order to keep it.”
“Look, Miss Leclaire, it’ll be only for tonight. I will get another girl to fill Becky’s place by tomorrow. You can go back to your singular duties then.”
Amelie also needed this job. It was the only thing keeping her aunt from taking Elise away from her, not to mention, keeping food on the table. She also couldn’t live with herself if she caused Lulu to lose her job. She had no choice but to comply.
“I suppose if it’s only for one night…”
“Good,” Mr. Buckley said, with a smirk. “You made the right decision. Now both of you, get back to work.”
The saloon was abnormally busy when Pierre walked in to take his usual seat in the back corner. He had been there every night since Amelie started working at the place. He knew he could not convince her to quit but he could keep her safe by staying near until she made it home every night. Pierre had convinced Lulu not to tell Amelie. Since he had given her a handsome reward for doing so, she had remained quiet about his constant presence.
Pierre watched as the men talked to Lulu. After several minutes ticked by, he noticed the other server—he believed her name was Becky—was nowhere to be seen. Was she off tonight? With how busy the place was, he wondered how they would manage.
A few minutes later, he rocked back in his seat as he watched Amelie come out with a tray in hand. What in the blazes was going on? She was the cook for the saloon; she should not be out serving the customers. Several of the men tried to strike up a conversation with her, and she was cordial to them. Pierre could tell she wanted to avoid contact with them as much as possible. She deposited plates of food at several tables before quickly escaping back down the hallway.
“Hey there darlin’, I was wondering when you were going to show up tonight,” drawled Lulu.
Sighing, he turned his attention to her. “I arrived here the same time I do every night.”
“Maybe I just missed you extra bad this time, so it felt longer. Either way, it’s good to see you, darlin’.”
Pierre cringed at the familiar term Lulu insisted on using with him. He did not feel like dealing with her right now; however, perhaps he could get answers from her. “The place seems particularly crowded this evening. Is there a specific cause?”
“Well, it’s because the mill is hiring on extra hands this month. The news of jobs has brought over some men from Oregon City.”
He should have realized the reason, considering his new business investment in the mill. Mr. Moore had mentioned he would be working towards doubling the output this coming season.
“Is Becky around tonight?”
One of Lulu’s eyebrows shot up in surprise, followed by a sulking complaint. “Why are you asking about her? I can get you anything you need.”
“I am inquiring because I saw Miss Leclaire working out here. Why might that be?”
A flicker of jealousy crossed Lulu’s face before she masked it with flirtation once more. “Why are you so concerned about Amelie’s work duties?”
“It is the same reason why I have come here every night since she has started working here. I want to make sure she is safe.”
“I told you, I have been keeping an eye on her. Nothing is going to happen to your delicate flower.” Pierre could hear the biting sarcasm in Lulu’s response. She had made it very clear she was unhappy with the attention Pierre paid Amelie instead of her.
“You still haven’t answered my question. Why is she working as a server tonight?”
With a huff, Lulu answered, “Because Becky quit today. Buckley told Amelie she would have to fill in or he would fire both of us if she didn’t.”
It sounded just l
ike her. Amelie not only wanted to provide for herself and her sister, but she would never let herself be the reason for someone else losing their job. He had come to understand she cared deeply about what happened to other people, even if helping others caused her difficulties.
“I am sorry to hear Mr. Buckley put all of you in such an unwarrantable situation. Should I speak with him?”
“Don’t. You will only make it worse. You should stay out of it.” After that command, Lulu spun around, as she spoke over her shoulder, “I have to get back to work.”
The hardest part about dealing with Lulu was she was overly emotional. In an instant, she could flip from one extreme to another. Pierre never knew what mood she was going to be in when he was around her.
A few minutes later, Pierre saw Amelie make another trip out with a fresh tray of food. Although he assumed she had never served customers in this type of environment before, she seemed to be quite competent at it. Was there anything she could not do?
As Amelie delivered the last plate of food to the table next to him, she glanced over at where he was sitting. Her eyes grew broad, first with shock, then confusion, and finally anger settled on her face. She marched herself over to his table and slapped her empty tray down on his table.
“What are you doing in here?”
“I needed a break from my business dealings at the locks.”
She frowned at him, while saying, “I thought you said you were finished coming into The Trail’s End.”
“I had made that resolution until a certain person I cared about decided to take a job at this establishment. That changed my mind on the matter.”
“So, let me make sure I understand you clearly: you’re justifying your lascivious ways because I work here now?”
“On the contrary, my intent is only to keep you from harm. I have no reason beyond that to be here.”
“Well, I have been working here for a few days now, without incident. I can assure you, I’m just fine.” Picking up her tray, she added, “And I think since your purpose in being here is pointless, you would best be on your way.”
Frustrated with her response, Pierre asked, “Can we please talk somewhere privately?”
Shaking her head, she replied, “I don’t have time. As you can see, we are teeming with patrons tonight. Between cooking and serving, I can’t take the time to talk to you.”
As she started to move away, Pierre reached out to grab a hold of her arm. “Amelie, can you not see I am only trying to protect you.”
Pulling free from his grasp, she looked at him with an unyielding gaze, as she retorted, “Do you misunderstand the nature of our relationship? When did I ever agree to be yours to protect?”
Several chuckles and sneers could be heard around the room from the customers who had turned to watch their exchange. He tried to disguise the hurt her sharp words inflicted. Why did she make it so challenging for him to show he cared about her?
“You did not. You are making it abundantly clear how you view our relationship.” Standing up, he threw a couple of coins on the table before adding, “I think, under the circumstances, I will take my leave.”
Chapter 16
Amelie watched as Pierre exited The Trail’s End. As the men continued to watch her even closer, she wondered if she had done the right thing by sending him away. She hated being harsh with him, but she didn’t need to bring any more attention to herself than she already had for the day. The saloon had been extremely crowded for lunch. Several men had made lewd comments towards her, which she chose to ignore, a strategy that had been working for her up until now. But with all eyes on her, she worried the extra attention would provoke some of them men to act out inappropriately, especially now that Pierre had left.
As hastily as possible, she made her way out of the main room and back to the kitchen where she felt safe.
She checked the large soup pot which was simmering the stew she had made. It seemed to be holding up well. Mr. Buckley had told her the food she had been preparing over the last couples of days had been the best offered since The Trail’s End had opened. She had never been so grateful her mother had taught her to cook. Thanks to her mother’s instruction, she was not only able to get but keep this job.
While humming one of the hymns they sang at church on Sunday, Amelie cleaned the dishes which were in the back. Gertrude was somewhere around but she often went “missing” when it was time to clean dishes.
From behind, she felt a hand come around her waist and grab her. She stiffened, until she assumed it was Pierre, who hadn’t taken “no” for an answer.
“Didn’t take the hint, did you?” Amelie retorted.
“I’m not sure what you’re talking about, but I’m sure you can convince me.”
Amelie went rigid with fright. She had expected to hear the melodic sound of Pierre’s voice, but instead, she heard the brusque voice of a stranger. Who was holding her so tight without invitation?
“I think you are mistaken about what I was saying. I was under the impression you were someone else.”
“Let me guess, you thought I was that French fellow who was in here earlier.”
“As it happens, yes, I did. And since you are not him, I would appreciate you releasing me.”
Pulling her around to face him, the stranger stated, “Nah, I’m happy with how thing are right now.” He grinned down at her, as he added, “And if you want, I can pretend to be French.”
Amelie looked up and was shocked to see a young man, not much older than a boy, was the culprit of the intrusion. He wasn’t one of the typical drunkards of the establishment. He rather seemed out of place with his relatively nice clothing and clean appearance. Perhaps, he was just confused about where he was and what he was doing.
“I would like to give you a chance, sir, to rethink your choices so far, before I scream and people come running in here. People around these parts don’t take kindly to men overstepping their boundaries with respectable women.”
“If you were a respectable woman, you wouldn’t need to work here.”
Offended by his statement, Amelie defended, “Just because a woman works here, doesn’t mean she deserves less respect. The women of The Trail’s End are of good stock. It’s rude for you to imply otherwise.”
“My, my, sensitive, aren’t we? Don’t worry, I like it when a woman is a little indecent.”
As he leaned closer and tightened his grip around her waist, she could smell the alcohol on his breath. In his present condition, she wasn’t getting anywhere, trying to reason with him. She needed to find another way out of this hazardous predicament and quickly.
Remembering how her father had taught her to defend herself, Amelie lifted her foot and slammed it down on the instep of the stranger’s foot. He grunted a bit and the look of lust was quickly replaced with one of indignation.
“Why did you go and do that for?” he asked, miffed.
“Because I already asked you to let go of me and you refused.”
“I can’t believe you think you had enough strength to best me. I should be fuming, but for some reason, it’s making me want you even more.”
Alarms were starting to sound in Amelie’s head. This drunkard was not accepting “no” for answer. How was she going to get out of this?
Lord, please help me. This man won’t leave me alone. Please send help.
From the door of the kitchen, Amelie heard Lulu say, “Now, Billy, you know how jealous I get when you give attention to any other woman other than me.”
Relief flooded Amelie at the sound of her co-worker’s voice. Lulu was fast becoming a reliable friend, despite their very different backgrounds.
With a roll of his shoulders, Billy reluctantly let go of Amelie. Turning his attention to Lulu, he said, “You seemed to be unavailable tonight, Lulu. I thought I would find someone else to entertain me since you were occupied.”
“Well, our cook needs to be cooking. She can’t be doing that if you are hassling her.”
&
nbsp; “Am I ‘hassling’ you? I thought we had an understanding.” Billy said, a hint of warning lacing his tone.
“No-no, it’s fine. He didn’t do anything, Lulu,” Amelie asserted, without looking at either of them. She had never been good at hiding the truth, even now, when it would have proved shrewd. “Can we just forget about all of this so I can get back to work?”
“Billy, you need to follow me out, and let Miss Leclaire alone.”
“Now, don’t be pushy, Lulu. I never said I was ready to leave yet. I have unfinished business with her,” he stated, as he grabbed Amelie by the upper arm.
Startled, a small cry escaped Amelie before she could stop it. She could see instantaneously her reaction made Billy upset.
Glaring down at Amelie, he asked, “Why is it, every time I touch you, you act like you don’t want it?”
“Because you daft fool, she doesn’t want you to. Take your hands off of her,” Lulu commanded, as she made her way over to them. She grabbed his hand and pulled it free from Amelie’s arm.
Without warning, Billy’s hand went wild and flew across Lulu’s face. “Don’t you dare behave that way towards me, Lulu. You need to learn your place.”
A giant red mark immediately started to show against the blonde’s pale skin of her cheek. Not only did she not react to it, she seemed to be even more defiant because of it.
“I wouldn’t have to if you weren’t so drunk you didn’t know what you were doing. You have two choices: get out of here before I let Buckley know what you just did or have me call him in here and find out what his reaction is going to be.”
His eyes darted to the door and a look of fear swiftly crossed his face. “You wouldn’t dare.” Reaching out towards her, he gently placed his hand over the mark on her face. “I’m sorry about that, Lulu. You’re not going to tell Buckley, are you? You like me too much for that, don’t you?”
“I like you when you’re not full of liquor, but when you get like this, you are a different person.” Crossing her arms, she pulled her face away and said, “Go back to the boarding house and sleep it off, Billy. I’ll give you a pass this time.”
