by Kari Trumbo
“Beau, you need a haircut. You look like a pirate from a dime novel.” May laughed. “We’ll have to clip you tonight, no way I’m standing for that.”
Beau frowned. “Who’s this with you?” The gentleman waited a few feet away, his eyebrow arching over a gold-rimmed monocle and his lips turning down in distaste.
“Oh, this is Mr. Emerson Caruso. He’s a lawyer I met the very day I got your correspondence. He’s hoping to spend a brief period in Cutter’s Creek on business. Now I can work for him while he’s here. Isn’t it perfect?”
May, working with some stranger? She wouldn’t have time to look after Pa if she were working.
“May, what about Pa? You can’t work and take care of him.” Beau glared over her shoulder and frowned at Mr. Caruso. The man hadn’t even made his acquaintance and he’d already made a muck of things.
May touched Beau’s cheek and tugged the hair by his ear. “You mean like you’ve been caring for Father as you travel all over, doing whatever it is you’ve decided you do? It’s time for you to settle down and find a respectable job, Beauford. Maybe even a wife.”
He ground his teeth. “It’s Beau, and I’ve done what I can to keep Pa fed and in his house.”
May rolled her eyes. “Of course you have.” She snapped her fingers. “We’ll need a wagon. We each have four trunks.”
“Four! Where in blazes do you plan on keeping all that? It isn’t like Pa built an extra wing onto the house while you were gone!” Beau set his jaw. May was always able to set him off, and if he wasn’t careful, she’d do it again.
She crossed her arms and narrowed her eyes at him. “Then I’ll just take your room. It isn’t as if you need it. Mr. Caruso will be staying at the Silver Dollar until he can find a place to set up a temporary office.”
“Why does he need an office if he ain’t staying?” Beau threw his hands into the air. “Never mind. I’ll go borrow the ox cart from Josiah, that ought to be big enough,” he couldn’t keep his agitation at bay.
“I am not riding in an ox cart,” Mr. Caruso finally spoke up. His brow furrowed, swallowing his monocle in the deep recesses of his eye socket.
Beau turned away from the pair and rubbed his forehead. How could May think inviting that man to live in Montana was a good idea? He wouldn’t last the winter. Course, May had been away for two years, she might’ve softened so much she wouldn’t survive, either.
She was the exact opposite of Ruby.
Ruby Gresham. Why couldn’t he stop thinking about her?
Earlier that day, he’d stopped by at the coffee shop to grab a cup and chat with Ruby a little, but Mable said she hadn’t worked there in a month. He hoped she hadn’t left town. She hadn’t gone home. He’d been in Yellow Medicine and hadn’t seen her come by stage, but he hadn’t been watching for her, either.
He’d asked around about her as he’d worked a few odd jobs, and the fact that no one knew anything made him even more curious about Ruby. Everyone he’d spoken to had high-tailed it as soon as he’d mentioned her name. He hated to admit it but…maybe she lied.
It wasn’t far to Josiah’s, and the ox cart was in the barn behind the house. Beau spotted Josiah’s large new house at the end of the street. It was the perfect place for a new wife.
Beau sneered to himself. There was a time he thought Penny would make a good wife, if he’d wanted to take one. That thought didn’t last long, not with Penny and Josiah being inseparable since Josiah helped Penny’s family move to Cutter’s Creek. Penny was Josiah’s. Stealing a man’s woman was as bad as stealing his horse, you just didn’t do it.
Beau led the team of oxen back to the railroad station and the waiting couple, still on the platform.
His sister resumed her fussing as soon as she saw him approaching, crossing her arms over her chest and tapping her foot as the snow gathered around her. He swallowed a laugh at the thought that the snow would never cover her mouth, it moved too much.
“Beau, I think you’re doing this just to be contrary! You knew Mr. Caruso didn’t want to use the cart, yet here you are. I declare, you must be the most difficult man in all of Creation.”
He gave her a forced smile as he climbed down. “If you’re going to do something, do it well.”
He walked past the duo, ignoring Mr. Caruso’s glare and mumbled words. A mountain of trunks sat next to them. All eight trunks were bigger than Beau had expected. Did May suddenly think she was royalty? Who in their right mind needed so much stuff?
May had left Cutter’s Creek with one carpet bag and come back with an entire life.
He raised a questioning eyebrow at the lawyer but decided against asking for help. The uppity man wouldn’t lift a finger. May told him which trunks were hers and Beau put them in first so they could drop off the others at the inn. He refused to carry the other man’s trunks up to his room; Mr. Caruso’d have to pay someone at The Silver Dollar to do it.
The snow was coming down in earnest now, coating everything in white and cold and quiet. Beau just wanted to get everyone where they needed to be so he could get home and stoke the fire for Pa.
I won’t be able to check on Ruby during this storm… Not that he knew where she was.
Beau dropped Mr. Caruso at the inn and the man descended the cart without even a thank you. Rushing into the inn, he snapped his fingers as four men appeared and unloaded his trunks. He stood to the side to supervise.
“May, I do hope I’ll see you soon,” he called up to her, approaching the cart.
May smiled down at him. “Be sure to stop by for a few meals. I’m sure the Silver Dollar is busy.”
Beau cracked the whip over the oxen before Mr. Caruso could answer and May lost her balance, grabbing hold of him to steady herself. She glared over at him, looking like she wanted to box his ears, but held tightly to the seat. He pulled to a stop in front of Pa’s house and May waited with her hands in her lap for him to come around and help her down. Beau grumbled as he shimmied down the wheel of the huge cart and went around the back. May stood and he grabbed her around the waist, swinging her down in one motion. She shrieked in protest.
“Beau! You can’t do that. You don’t go swinging women about like they’re a sack of potatoes.” She pulled her hand out of her muff and readjusted her hat.
He grunted. “Well, I wanted you out quickly so I can get these trunks in the house. I still have to get the cart back to Josiah’s and walk all the way home. I’m in a hurry. Snow’s coming down fast.” He gestured to the air, astounded that such a smart woman couldn’t figure all this out.
“Beauford Edward Rockford, stop being so selfish.” May crossed her arms and huffed a harrumph that billowed over her head.
“Just go in the house, and keep your things out of my room. With this weather, it looks like I’ll be sticking around for a while.”
She stomped up the walk to the house. “Pity. I was hoping you’d leave so I could have your room.” She tossed over her shoulder.
Beau heaved each of the four trunks into the house and left them in the front room. Pa and May sat in front of the fire, chatting the entire time. Neither bothered to say a word to him, which was fine. He didn’t care. Pa would be happier with May there to care for him and make sure the soup was just as he liked it. Maybe he hadn’t watched over Pa as much as he expected May to, but it’d be good for both of them. It would ground May, and Pa would be well-fed.
He climbed back onto the cart and drove it to the end of the street where he could turn it around. The snow in the street buried the cart wheels by at least two inches just in the short time he’d used it. It took some doing but he got the cart back to the barn.
Josiah was there, waving to Beau as he drove the oxen in.
“Beau! Good to see you. Want to come in and share some stew? Penny sure can cook.” He jumped to action, helping Beau unhitch the oxen.
“I just dropped May at home. I need to stake my claim to my own space, since I plan to stick around a bit. She came home with a passel o
f new clothes and I don’t know where she’s gonna put ‘em. She also brought some lawyer, because Cutter’s Creek needs one.” Beau shook his head. “Course, I don’t think Mr. Emerson Caruso will last the winter.”
“Why do we need a lawyer? That doesn’t make sense. He going to fight cases against himself?” Josiah squeezed the bridge of his nose. “Your sister always did have grand ideas. Crazy as all get-out, but grand.”
“You don’t have to tell me,” he muttered. Suddenly, a thought occurred to him. “Hey, have you seen Ruby Gresham lately? She was here when I left, but I haven’t seen her since I got back.”
Josiah laughed and led one of the oxen back into its stall. “You ain’t been back but a few hours, have you, and you’re already asking about her?”
“I don’t see how that matters. Nothing ever changes much in Cutter’s Creek.” Beau led the other ox into its stall. He hunched his shoulders. Josiah had seen right through him. He had to stop thinking about the alluring redhead.
“That’s where you’re wrong, Beau. Things always change. You just never notice anything because you aren’t here. Now, Ruby’s been working for Heath Jr. His wife has been sickly and they have little Malcom to take care of. Ruby’s been watching the baby and helping Maddie, his wife.”
“Heath is married? We went to school together.” Beau scratched his cheek and counted in his head how many of his school mates were now pairs.
“Yup. You’re the only holdout, Beau. So, when are you going to settle down?” Josiah hit him with a heavy glance and waited.
“I don’t need to marry anyone. No one wants to get hitched to a man who can’t sit still. I don’t like to be in any place too long, and I like the freedom to move more than I like any woman.”
“You just haven’t met the right one. Once you do, you’ll want to put down roots.”
Beau grunted as he heaved the heavy cart back into its place and tipped his hat. “Evening. Enjoy your dinner.” Beau didn’t want to listen to Josiah go on about getting married. He’d get enough of that at home with May.
Josiah laughed as Beau tromped out of the barn.
6
Ruby hadn’t wanted to attend the Christmas Social at the little red chapel. Social gatherings always made her lack of social grace stand out like a purple ox. However, she’d heard a rumor from Maddie that Beau was back in town after a month-long absence. She hadn’t been able to think of a single good reason to seek him out, so she’d strapped on her courage and said a prayer he’d make an appearance.
She’d been working for Maddie Moore for a month, but Maddie had insisted she take the night off as she couldn’t go herself. Little Malcom had weaseled his way into Ruby’s heart and she hated even one evening away from him. Her arms ached to hold the child, since she’d never have one of her own, it was a passable replacement.
So far that evening, she’d spent most of the event with Carol Williams who, despite her actions at the wedding, was now warm and friendly. It could have something to do with the dark handsome stranger who couldn’t take his eyes off Carol. The woman fairly glowed whenever she looked over at him. However, when it came time to ice skate, Carol deserted her to go frolic with the others. Ice skating was one thing Ruby had no interest in learning. So, she remained where she was, away from the crowd, watching people gather coats and skates near the doors of the sanctuary.
As the crush of people thinned, she strolled near the door, avoiding the remaining couples filtering out of the little chapel but not ready to go out in the cold. She sat on one of the pews the men had pushed against the wall and watched as guests claimed the last of the food and then cleaned up the tables.
Her skin tingled, someone was watching her. She glanced around the room rubbing her arms to dispel the feeling and spotted a cowboy standing in the corner. She’d noticed him earlier and thought he’d seemed familiar but she’d been whisked away by Carol before she could give him much notice. Now that she had a minute to look at him, she was almost certain it was Beau.
He glanced up, his hat revealing the barest hint of the shadow of a beard, then the long dark hair and finally those eyes so dark she couldn’t name their color, at least until she got a closer look. Heavens, when had she decided to get closer? Her pulse raced as he pushed himself away from the wall, staring straight at her. Thank the Lord she was sitting; her knees wouldn’t hold weight. Her hand ached to reach for him as Beau strode up beside her. “Care to join me outside for a little fresh air, Miss Gresham?” He held out his hand.
Her breath caught in her lungs and she couldn’t answer. She stood and placed her hand in his, gazing up into his face, memorizing every handsome angle in case he disappeared again. His hair had grown even longer since she’d seen him last, and he had it pulled back with a leather tie. Close enough now to see his eyes, she saw they were dark blue inky pools. His hint of dashing beard made Ruby warm right down to her bones.
“I think I could use some fresh air,” she squeaked.
He placed her hand on his arm and directed her toward the door. Reaching for her cloak as they strode by, he draped it over her shoulder, his hand lingering for just the briefest moment before he clasped her hand back around his arm to lead her outside.
Her resolve to stay away from men after her disastrous marriage easily crumbled beneath Beau’s unpracticed charm and earthy appeal. All he’d had to do was walk back into her life and here she was, clinging to his arm. He smelled of cloves and wood fires, and she tucked herself into him, dragging his scent into her lungs.
They stopped by the door, let a few people by, and he gazed down into her eyes. Heat flushed her cheeks but she couldn’t break free of his stare if she’d wanted to. He led her out into the night as a soft smattering of flakes fell around them, their glittering softness brightened by the moonlight as it dashed through the clouds. Carol and the other skaters were already long gone on their way to the river for the skating part of the Christmas Social, and soon Ruby and Beau were alone outside the chapel, the other townsfolk drifting away.
Could she trust Beau? She snuck a look up into his face through the snow on her lashes. His face was mostly hidden in shadow. Though she’d tried avoiding his gaze, she knew he’d been watching her, his eyes never leaving her. No, he definitely couldn’t be trusted, but then, neither could she. She’d left her husband to die under a tree.
“Pretty night,” she whispered to break the silence.
He led her to a bench behind the church, far from the gas lights of the street. The trees surrounded them and, though they were in the middle of town, they gave the impression of a wooded glade. He brushed the snow off the bench so she could sit. “Yup. If you like snow, Montana is the place to see it.” He helped her sit then took the seat next to her.
“I’m sure other places have snow. I don’t necessarily want to stay here forever, though I don’t know how I’d leave.” The words wandered out of her and she wished she could pull them back. Where would she go beyond Cutter’s Creek?
Beau shifted on the bench. “I guess I always just figured you’d stay here. What with your family living so close and all. Your family is close, isn’t it?”
“Why yes, in Yellow Medicine, as I said.” Her stomach tightened, he was getting far too close to the truth and, though Josiah knew more than anyone else, she wasn’t ready to share her past with anyone else, not even Beau.
“I think I’d better get back to my room. I shouldn’t be out here with you, alone in the dark.” Ruby stood, preparing to run for the safety of her rented room…and the loneliness waiting there for her. She pulled her cloak tighter around her shoulders.
Beau reached out to stop her. “Ruby, stay for a minute. If you don’t want to talk about your family, I won’t ask. It’s been a whole month…” There was a pleading in his voice she didn’t understand…but it was one she recognized.
She wanted to spend time with him, too.
She stopped and turned back to him. “It’s a long story, Beau. I told you I was kidnapped, a
nd that’s mostly true. But, my family wouldn’t want to see me again. So, it does no good to talk about it. I don’t belong anywhere. Not Cutter’s Creek, not Yellow Medicine.”
Beau drew her back down next to him on the seat, her heart racing. What if he kissed her? If he did, she’d run; it’s what she wanted to do. She couldn’t let him get that close, but... He placed one hand on her back and she flinched, pulling away from the brief contact. He bowed his head for a moment and sucked in a deep breath, then tugged her to standing, taking her hand in his. Then he walked her a few feet from the bench. Though no music played, he led her in a slow dance.
She hadn’t let a man so much as help her across the street, yet Beau held her close in his arms. And…she had to admit, it was nice. Ruby hesitated only a moment before she raised her hand to his shoulder. It was a broad, strong shoulder. The strength of it evident beneath her fingers even through his thick wool coat.
She’d never danced before, but he led her easily. They didn’t speak about family or future; words weren’t necessary and neither was music. They danced in the moonlight, to a tune only softly falling snow could play.
They danced like that, beneath the moon and snow, for quite some time. Finally, he widened the space between them and gazed down into her face. The flickering torches from the area set up for the skaters by the river a block away cast a faint glow behind him, but Ruby could only make out his glinting eyes and his mouth. His gaze was penetrating, piercing her skin and into her blood. Again, the urge to run shot through her, but a stronger feeling emerged from deep within her, begging her to stay.
Beau took her hand still gripped in his and kissed her knuckles, the heat of his breath sent a shiver down her body. It was a sensation she’d never felt before.
“I’ll see you home.” He led her down the path and back to the church, then into the street. Though it was only a short way to her house, she wanted to fill the silence. He’d danced with her; a new and intimate experience, yet they’d hardly shared a word.
