No Place for a Lady (Heart of the West Book #1): A Novel

by Brendan, Maggie

  The Oxford Hotel, though five stories tall, did not impress Crystal very much from the outside. But once inside, Crystal clapped her mouth shut and stifled her outright delight so as not to seem lacking in manners. The beautiful, rich oak furnishings and marbled floors were gleaming. A crackling fire beckoned warmth to patrons from its ornate oak fireplace, which was flanked by overstuffed tapestry chairs. A Victorian settee in rich gold brocade sat facing the fire, inviting guests to converse. Velvet drapery with deep swags adorned the windows overlooking the burgeoning metropolis that had started out as a mining town.

  Crystal was elated as they strode straight up to the clerk at the front desk, who peered over his spectacles at them with an inquiring look. Crystal felt his gaze, knowing full well that she must appear a little the worse for wear with her worn chambray shirt, pants tucked into her boot tops, and hair trailing down her back. Not a proper lady! his look said.

  “Yes?” He removed his glasses and waited.

  “We’d like a room, please.” Luke seemed to ignore the clerk’s stare.

  The clerk cleared his throat. “Of course. You must pay in advance, er, Mr. and Mrs. . . .”

  “Oh, no.” Luke waved his hand. “Just one person. One night.” Embarrassed, Crystal spoke up. “I’m Crystal Clark. I’d like a hot bath sent up as soon as possible to wash away the trail grime.”

  The clerk cocked one bushy eyebrow but said, “No problem, ma’am. Will you be dining with us as well?”

  “That sounds heavenly.” Crystal turned to Luke. “Would you and Rusty care to join me at seven?”

  Luke hesitated, so she added, “I’m paying.”

  “If you insist.” He started counting out the money for the night’s stay.

  “Excellent. I’ll meet both of you at seven o’clock sharp,” Crystal said. A bellman appeared at her side and guided her up the carved oak staircase as Luke arranged for dinner.

  Crystal was delighted with her exquisite room on the fourth floor. She waited for the maid to prepare a hot bath and stood looking out her own private window.

  What a wonderful change from sleeping on a bedroll under the stars. She was thrilled that she had her own water closet and electricity provided by the hotel’s own power system. She would enjoy this night, she was sure.

  There was a wonderful view of the bustling activity of 17th Street below with vendors, streetcars, horses, and buggies. A stroll after dinner would be a pleasant outing, if she could stay awake. The gaslights were already casting a soft glow against the backdrop of the mountains that lay west of Denver in the twilight. Crystal could just imagine how beautiful it would look at Christmastime with a blanket of snow.

  “Ma’am, your bath is ready now. Would you like assistance?” The maid stood near the bathroom with her hands clasped and awaited further instructions. It was apparent from her disapproving looks that she did not consider Crystal a lady.

  After a slight hesitation, Crystal shook her head, excused the young girl, and started peeling off her grimy clothes. A few months ago she would have expected and accepted assistance, but that seemed long ago now.

  “Ahh . . .” Crystal groaned out loud when she stuck her feet in the tub and then scooted down as far as she could until the soap suds were up to her neck. Now this is close to heaven! This would ease the sore muscles and make her feel like a woman once again. She had packed her blue serge dress and hoped it would be appropriate for the dining room. Her mouth was watering at the thought of dining out instead of by the campfire. She lay back and closed her eyes while the hot water did its magic, and she was soon fast asleep.

  Pounding on her door awakened her one hour later. The bath water had long ago become cold. “Yes? Who is it?” she called out.

  “Rusty, Miss Crystal. I’m here to fetch you for dinner as ordered by Luke. Is everything okay?”

  Crystal was mortified. She must have slept a very long time. She reached for her towel, almost slipping down in the process, and leaned against the door. “I’m so sorry. I guess I fell asleep. Give me twenty minutes, and I’ll be right down.”

  “He’s runnin’late too. I’ll be waitin’in the parlor.”

  “I’ll hurry.”

  Luke snapped open his pocket watch and checked the time. He had half an hour before he was to meet Rusty and Crystal for dinner at the Oxford. He had bathed and shaved, then donned a clean shirt and new waist overalls before strapping on his thick black belt with its huge silver buckle. Then he tied a thin black necktie in a neat knot around his throat and threw on his black leather vest and hat.

  He looked down at his boots. He had tried to polish them up a bit, but they had seen too much wear and tear. As an afterthought, he decided to wear his duster. Once the sun slipped below the mountains, it would be much colder. He hoped they could get back to Aspengold before snow closed the passes.

  Well, who are you trying to impress, anyway? he reminded himself. He argued in his mind that it was because he’d been without a real bath in a long time.

  He had to hurry or he wouldn’t have time to meet with Mr. McCarthy. He wondered what an attorney could possibly want with him.

  Luke made his way down the boardwalk to the attorney’s office, his spurs making a faint jingling sound.

  A bell jangled above the door as it swung open when Luke entered the small, stuffy, book-lined office that smelled of cigars. Stacks of papers and books surrounded an older man with round spectacles that threatened to slide down his large, pink nose. When he saw Luke, he struggled to his feet.

  “You Luke Weber?” McCarthy asked in a rich Scottish brogue. He lost no time in needless talk. Luke knew he had been expecting him and had stayed open until he arrived in Denver, as Luke had requested.

  “That’s right.” He extended his hand to shake McCarthy’s in a firm grasp. “I’m sorry that I was unable to get here until now, but we’ve been pushing cattle down from the Yampa Valley. I appreciate you staying open late. I must confess when I got your telegram, I wasn’t sure what you wanted with me, but it sounded urgent.”

  “Well, matter of fact, it is. Katherine Morgan and I go way back. Have a seat.” He gestured toward the chair in front of the desk. “I offer my condolences. I was very shocked to learn of her unfortunate death.”

  “Is this about Kate?” Luke took the proffered seat, his long legs half under the wooden desk.

  “It is indeed,” McCarthy said. He shuffled through the enormous stack of papers and found the one he wanted, then paused to push his glasses up. He cleared his throat. “It appears that Kate made you the sole heir of Aspengold.” McCarthy looked at Luke over the top of his spectacles.

  Luke jerked up in the chair and gripped the wooden armrest, his knuckles turning white. “What . . . did you say?”

  “Are you hard of hearing, boy? I said you are now the owner of Aspengold. With a few stipulations, of course, but I’m sure you won’t have a problem with that.”

  “I can’t believe it. What about Crystal, Kate’s niece?” Luke’s mouth was dry.

  “This will was written last year. It provides a Crystal Clark with a Columbine pin and the proceeds from the sale of the cattle, but that is all. A said Rusty Wendell is to have the right to live on said ranch for as long as he lives, but the five hundred acres of the land adjacent to the Blue River and its livestock belong to you now. You will, of course, have to pay taxes on the property in the spring.” McCarthy clasped his hands behind his head and leaned back in his chair. “I take it that this is a surprise by your reaction.”

  “You could say that. I had no idea. I assumed Crystal was the rightful owner.” Luke was flabbergasted.

  “When we drew this up, Kate told me that you were like the son she never had. She wasn’t expecting anything to happen, of course, but she did want to make certain that you were provided for. I have the necessary papers here that you will need to sign.”

  “I had no idea. None.” Luke sat with tears in his eyes. He stared down at the worn floor, grateful that Kate would do
such a thing but feeling terrible for Crystal.

  “I’m sure that you will make her proud, son. Now, if you don’t mind, I’d like to get your signature on this before you go, stating that I gave you a copy of the will and deed and that I discussed all this with you.” He held a pen out to Luke.

  With hesitation, Luke scrawled his name.

  “Is Crystal Clark still at Aspengold?” McCarthy asked.

  “Actually, she drove the trail drive with us, and she’s in town right now.”

  “Is that a fact? Boy howdy. Never heard of a female going on a trail drive.”

  “You don’t know Crystal Clark,” Luke said, his voice softening.

  “Do I detect a hint of interest there?” Not waiting for an answer, he continued, “Well, you’ll have to tell her about the will. I’m sure she will understand. After all, Kate raised you and not her. Anyway, as Kate’s attorney, I respect her decision.”

  Luke cleared his throat. “Actually, I’m engaged to marry April McBride. Perhaps you’ve heard of Jim McBride?”

  “Matter of fact, I have done business with him. Quite a wealthy cattleman. Congratulations.”

  Luke rose and took his deed. McCarthy rose as well and shook his hand.

  “Good luck to you in the future. That’s beautiful land. You could always sell it to Crystal, if she was inclined to buy.”

  “Nope. I’ll never sell Aspengold. You can count on that.” Conviction was firm in Luke’s voice. He bid Mr. McCarthy good day and made his way out onto the busy streets of Denver, shoving the deed deep into his vest pocket.

  Darkness had settled in over the sprawling cow town as the gas streetlights began to glow. Crystal waited with Rusty at the Oxford, her toe tapping against the wooden floor. She glanced through the crowd and anxiously searched for Luke. When she spotted him, she rose to meet him. He looked dashing in his long black duster, and she thought the thin necktie added a nice touch. “Well, it’s about time!”

  “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to keep you waiting. I had some business to tend to that couldn’t wait.”

  “I figured that. We’ve been waiting awhile, Luke Weber, and we were just about to go ahead without you. As usual, your manners are sorely lacking.” Crystal’s comment seemed to create immediate tension between them.

  “I said I was sorry . . .” Luke sounded lame.

  Rusty rose and picked up his hat. He looked at Crystal and then back to Luke.

  “Now that we got all of that out of the way, let’s go eat.” Rusty took Crystal’s arm, and she walked past Luke toward the dining room.

  Crystal knew she was being silly because she had been late herself, and if the truth be known, she would still be asleep if Rusty hadn’t awakened her. She couldn’t help herself, though. Part of her just wanted to act indifferent to him since he became engaged, and part of her wanted him to put his arms around her and hold her fast to his broad chest. I’m acting like a sullen child.

  Now that the cattle were sold, maybe the best thing she could do was just pay off her aunt’s debts, go back to Georgia, and try to pick up her life there. Then she wouldn’t have to see Luke every day. Not that he would stay at the ranch anyway once he married April.

  The truth was that Crystal had come to love this wide-open land, its mountains, and its people. She had accomplished something— saving Aspengold—and felt useful. Crystal knew that God had given her this peace and sense of belonging here because nothing happened to her without God’s involvement. She vowed in her heart to spend some time alone praying about her dilemma.

  “Ma’am?” The waiter bowed as he pulled out her chair.

  Crystal’s wandering mind was pulled back to the present moment. “Thank you,” she murmured and took her seat.

  Rusty sat next to her and Luke across from her. The table was gleaming with fine Haviland china bearing the hotel’s name. Finely cut glass adorned the table, along with engraved silverware lying against damask linens. A silver vase held one single red rose, and a candle’s glow in the center created a soft patina over the entire setting.

  Crystal felt like she was being treated like royalty the entire evening and decided not to think about anything but the two men in attendance and the delicious food. They talked about the trail drive, how pleased they were now that it was over, and the tidy sum they had made.

  “Crystal, are you spending another night? This place is incredible. I saw where they have their own Western Union, barber shop, library, and pharmacy. You never even have to step foot outside and get your skirts dirty.” Rusty’s smile showed his approval.

  “I reckon not. I don’t want to be extravagant. One night will be sufficient.”

  Luke seemed more than a little restless as the night wore on.

  Crystal thought that he was distracted. Maybe he couldn’t wait to get back to April and begin planning their wedding.

  “I think it’s best if you and Rusty take the train as far as Central City and then the stage on back to the ranch. Jube, Slim, and I can bring our horses with the remuda.” Luke’s voice took on a serious tone.

  “It beats riding horseback for two weeks,” Crystal agreed. “But what’s the hurry?”

  Rusty answered, “For one thing, we will be workin’against time. It’s August. The mountain passes sometimes get snow early on. Then you’d be stuck.” He continued to eat every morsel on his plate, then wiped his mouth. “Time for some coffee and dessert, huh?”

  Luke couldn’t keep his eyes off Crystal. The candlelight made her face softer, and she looked even younger tonight. Her green eyes sparkled even as the evening wore on and her lids started drooping with fatigue. She held the fragile china cup and sipped her coffee, her every movement expressing her femininity. Her delicate lace blouse peaked from beneath her blue serge waistcoat and drew his eye to her small waist. Her skirt fell in soft folds.

  What would she think if she knew Luke owned Aspengold? He couldn’t ask her to leave. Where would he go when he was about to marry April? This would change everything. How could he leave the only place that he ever knew as home?

  A myriad of thoughts about April were beginning to gnaw at him. Luke admitted that he’d led April on. He had liked her in the beginning. But now he wasn’t sure he could follow through with the wedding. Now he realized why McBride would give him a big parcel of land near the Blue River—because he thought he would eventually own Aspengold. Try as he might, Luke could not see April living there.

  Now the tables were turned. Somehow he couldn’t bring himself to tell Crystal about the deed to the ranch. Maybe because he didn’t want her to leave. Crystal was like a magnet pulling him in. Then again, Luke didn’t think he could live up to her standards. He hadn’t always made the right choices. Just look what he had done with April. He should have told April when his feelings started changing.

  But when had his feelings changed? If he was honest with himself, it was when he had helped Crystal down from the buckboard the day she had arrived, fresh as a Columbine flower and such a greenhorn. But over the last month he had changed his mind on that note when he saw how capable she could be.

  While he was excited and honored that Kate had left the ranch to him, he felt bad for Crystal. Well, she more than likely would go back to Georgia. He would have to get used to the idea. He would tell her once they got back to the ranch.

  Crystal’s low-throated laugh caused Luke’s heart to skip a beat, and he tried to refocus on the conversation. The evening was coming to a close, and Rusty and Crystal stood up to leave.

  “Okay, y’all. I’ll be ready to leave first thing in the morning,” Crystal promised. “I’ll go straight to bed, and I promise to be ready this time.”

  Rusty and Crystal laughed, and Luke wondered if he was missing something as he followed them into the lobby.

  Luke took his time walking back to his hotel while Rusty saw Crystal back to her floor. He wanted to get some fresh air. He walked toward Union Station to see what time the train left in the morning. With his thoughts
in turmoil, Luke paused at the end of 17th Street to gaze up at the stars twinkling with brilliance in the cold night air. He thought of Curly and felt genuinely saddened. What had she said? God knows every one of us by name like the stars in the heavens. Maybe it was time for him to have a heartfelt talk with the man upstairs . . .

  20

  The outlying cottonwoods and aspens were ablaze with fall color when Crystal returned to Aspengold. In her absence the Johnsons had split and stacked firewood as high as the rooftop. Luke, Jube, and Kurt would be returning in a few days on horseback with the remuda in tow. She was glad that Rusty insisted she travel back with him on the train to Central City and later the stagecoach the rest of the way home. Crystal was happy to be back at the huge log house, and even more so to see Carmen, who bustled with excitement in the kitchen at her return.

  “You look different, señorita.” Carmen surveyed her friend’s tanned skin and leaner form. “You’ve lost a few pounds.”

  “Have I?”

  “Don’t worry, it makes you look taller.”

  “Good. I always wanted to be a bit taller.” Crystal giggled. “Pour us a cup of coffee and tell me what’s been happening in my absence. When did you come back?” Crystal pulled up a chair while Carmen retrieved the cups from the cupboard and filled them.

  “I came back two days ago. My sister had a healthy baby, and my mother is feeling better.”

  Crystal loved the way Carmen rolled her r’s. “I’m happy to hear that. I’ve missed you. I feel like I’ve been gone for months.”

  “Tell me . . . what was it like on the trail?”

  Crystal blew on the steaming coffee and noticed her broken nails curled around her cup. “It was the hardest thing I have ever done in my life. But at the same time, it was an experience I will never forget. I learned a lot, Carmen, about the cowboys and about myself.” Crystal sighed.