Dust And Dreams (The Rivers Brothers Book 1)

by Lynn Landes

  “Thank you, Solomon. I don’t know why I’m telling you all of this.” She wipes her eyes.

  “I just have that kind of face,” he responds with a grin. Faith smiles back, and it floors him, how beautiful she is. Not a classic beauty but something about her captivates him. Soft freckles and light blue eyes framed in red lashes.

  “There is more,” she says changing the subject. “Sheriff Bower was killed. Willow and Jackson came with me, and they were staying here until this morning. They left on the train, she's going home to her family.”

  “How was the sheriff killed?” he asks quietly.

  “He rounded up a posse when you left, and they decided to confront Eustace Daniels while his son was away. Eustace shot the Sheriff before they killed him. When Willow offered me a ride, I decided to go with her. I couldn’t stand another visit from Aiden. My hope is that I will find work at the Western Union office, anywhere but San Francisco!”

  “So that's why you were in the office. Any luck?” He asks ignoring the comment about Aiden. It’s not hard to imagine what she means.

  “Not yet, the jobs are posted on the first of the month, so I have to check back in a few days. It's been weeks, I'm hoping my luck will change this week,” she says glancing at the squirming baby. An idea forms in the back of Solomon’s mind.

  “Perfect. Will you let me show you around San Francisco while you are here?” he asks with a smile. “It’s the least I could do, Faith. Your note helped me a great deal.”

  She blushes and rises to pick up the baby. Gently she kisses her cheek and the two small red heads pressed together makes Solomon long for things he's never longed for. A family.

  “You already paid me Solomon, which you shouldn’t have done. What they did to Cassandra Wolfe was unforgivable. I wanted to help.”

  He moves closer, and touches her face softly, sending shivers down her body. “You did great. Say yes, Faith? San Francisco isn’t all bad.”

  Her face tingles from his touch, and it has been so long since someone looked at her the way he does. She shakes herself and turns away to settle in the rocker. “It would be nice to be with a friend, Solomon. I admit I was just going to hide out, until my train leaves. So, yes. I would love to see San Francisco with you.” Excitement flutters in her stomach when he smiles ear to ear.

  “Perfect, I will pick you up at nine in the morning.” He leaves and calls out, “Be sure to lock the door behind me, Faith.”

  “Yes, Solomon.” She laughs and follows him to the door. A quick wave of her hand and she locks the door tight and goes to nurse her baby feeling optimistic about the future. There's no way a handsome man like Solomon is attracted to her, she just had a baby for goodness sake, but she will take the friendship just the same. Maybe he can help her find the job she needs.

  Solomon smiles and formulates his plan as he hurries down the street back to the Western Union office. “I'd like to leave a message for someone.” He quickly sends a telegram to his sister in Texas. She will handle everything. It might seem selfish and controlling, but Solomon is a man who gets what he wants, and he wants Faith.

  The next morning Solomon is waiting for Faith outside at nine a.m. sharp. She smiles when she hears the wagon and hurries to gather the small bag of food she has waiting. She plans on bribing him with food so he will take her to the ocean.

  “Good Morning, Mr. Abbott?” she calls out carrying a bag and Hope. The morning fog has covered everything in a gray mist. All the color is gone from the world until Faith steps out. Her red hair is pulled up with cascading curls over her shoulder and is a sharp contrast to the navy-blue dress she is wearing. The sight of her sends a sharp pain of lust through his body.

  “Solomon. Please, call me Solomon,” he says, leaping down to help her. “Let me hold her while you climb up.” Gently she places the five-pound baby girl into his waiting arms, and her heart almost stops at the sight.

  “Good morning, beautiful.” He whispers to Hope and tucks her into his large barrel chest and makes sure her blanket is thick enough.

  “You aren’t afraid to hold her? Most men would panic at the thought of holding such a tiny baby, I know I was.” She wonders as she settles a blanket around her legs and waits for him to hand her Hope.

  “Well, Faith, I'm not most men. I have two sisters and five nieces between them. I have lots of experience.” She stares into his eyes and longs to stroke the rough texture of his dark beard. Her eyes fall to his full lips, and she wonders if he tastes as good as he looks. Shocked at the path her thoughts are taking, she blushes and fusses with the baby tucking her blankets tight around her small body.

  He chuckles and moves around to drive. This will be an interesting day.

  They spend the day laughing, and Solomon is happy to take her to the beach. After a shared lunch, they are packing up, and Faith sighs. “Solomon, thank you for a lovely day. I shall not forget it anytime soon. The ocean is so beautiful! It makes me wish for my easel!”

  He looks at her, “Do you paint, Faith?”

  “I do.” She blushes and wonders how much to tell him. In a few days, they will go their separate ways, and she will probably never see him again, so why not. “I sketch and then use the sketches to transfer my ideas in paint. In fact, I brought some of my art with me. I'm going to try to sell them.”

  His smile grows wider at the revelation. “You are full of surprises, Faith. Now you will have to show them to me.” He says, stretching and beginning to pack up.

  “We will see about that,” she says, tossing her long red hair over her shoulder and tucking the baby inside her cape.

  “I should get you two back to the house. I have a meeting at the bank this afternoon to discuss the new job.” He tucks a blanket over her lap and looks up at her with a grin, “Can I take you to dinner tonight?”

  Looking down into his eyes, she wishes she could say yes, but she knows she shouldn't. Her eyes drop, and she looks away, “I really shouldn't take her out where there are large crowds, Solomon, but I do thank you.”

  His hand touches hers, “I will bring dinner to you then. Say yes, Faith. I hate to eat alone. I have a month before my job starts so you would be doing me a favor.”

  Looking into his handsome face, she hears herself saying, “Why not? I would be thankful for the company.”

  “Excellent. While I am out, I will ask Mr. Wells about the best art galleries. You will be selling them by Friday!” he says climbing up next to her.

  After dropping them off, he heads straight to the bank.

  “Solomon, come on back. I have the paperwork ready for you to sign. You are bringing the same crew this time, right?” Harry asks.

  “Yes, sir, it will take a little bit to get the equipment we need to the site. It is rough territory, but the nitroglycerin will make quick work of it. I have a shipment coming in on Friday by steamboat. We will store it here until you say otherwise.”

  “Excellent. I say the sooner, the better. We don't want to give them a chance to cause any more problems. You be here Friday night, around 10:30. I will pay you, and we can store the crates to take to the site. I would like to see about making it on site. I have a man coming in to talk about the possibility. It is much less dangerous than traveling with the stuff.” Harry slides the papers to Solomon.

  “I’ll be here. I agree it would be easier than traveling with that stuff.” He pauses and looks up at his friend, “Harry, this is going to be my last job. I am going back to Texas.” Solomon quickly signs the papers and pushes them back to his friend. His smile stretches ear to ear.

  “Does this have anything to do with a female?” Harry replies.

  “As a matter of fact, it does. I was hoping you could suggest some art galleries in town. It seems she has some pieces to sell.”

  “Of course.” He quickly writes down the names of three galleries. “Mention my name, and they will give you a good deal. Now I'm intrigued.”

  They walk out together, and Solomon responds, “I will tell yo
u how it goes on Friday when you pay me.”

  Solomon happily pushes his way through the crowds on Market Street oblivious to any that may be watching him. The first order of business is to figure out dinner for tonight, then he will head to the general store.

  Aiden is just leaving the bar across the street from the general store when he sees the large blonde man. If it weren't for his size, he probably would have missed him. Excited, he follows him, determined to make him pay for the loss of his gun. He watches as he enters the Wells bank and then waits patiently for him to exit.

  Solomon heads to the general store where he buys a sketch pad, paints, oil and watercolor, and a bag to carry them in. “Can you wrap that for me, Mrs. Chou?” he asks slipping her an extra coin.

  “Only for you, handsome.” She slips the coin in her pocket and wraps it in brown paper and ties it with a brown cord.

  “Mrs. Chou where can I get a romantic dinner for two? Surely your husband spoils you?” Solomon wonders.

  “You leave my wife alone, pretty boy!” Mr. Chou yells from the other side of the counter and waves his broom at Solomon.

  “Now, Mr. Chou I’ve been shopping here for years, in all that time she just gets prettier and prettier. What’s the secret?” he asks, laughing at the look of pride in the man’s face.

  “Acch! It is her cooking! No one cooks like her.” He says, winking at his wife.

  “Here, you come to the back with me, I will make you dinner for your lady friend,” Mrs. Chou says smiling at her husband.

  “I couldn’t ask it of you, but… I will pay you handsomely for it!” he says deciding not to look a gift horse in the mouth and follows Mrs. Chou.

  Aiden is pacing outside waiting for Solomon to exit. Forty minutes later he stomps inside and finds that Solomon is gone

  “You there! Where did the big guy go?” Aiden growls out.

  “I don’t know. Customers come and go all day here! I not a babysitter.” Mr. Chou snaps out. Aiden draws his pistol and points it at the older man.

  “Does this jog your memory, old man!” he roars out.

  “He left through the back.” Mr. Chou answers.

  Aiden points his pistol and says, “Show me!”

  Slowly Mr. Chou walks into the back room, and Mrs. Chou is washing up dishes when they enter.

  “Ohhh!” she yells out and hurries to her husband’s side.

  “Where did he go?” he yells out.

  “Door, over there, he’s been gone thirty minutes.” Mr. Chou answers and pushes his wife behind him.

  “What was he buying? Where was he going?” he yells waving his pistol at them.

  “Art supplies and food. I cook and sell dinners out of this back room. I don’t know where he was going, I cook for many people!” Mrs. Chou answers without looking Aiden in the eye.

  “Damnit!” Aiden ducks back into the alley and Mr. Chou bolts the door shut and grabs his shotgun.

  “Let’s go, wife.” He drags her to the front. He keeps her close and locks the door after the last customer leaves.

  Aiden is in the alley and decides to follow it to see where it leads. It comes out next to a stable where horses and carts are kept. A piece of paper flutters in the breeze and he picks it up and smiles. It is freshly written and has the name of three art galleries on it.

  “Art Galleries. Well, now, that’s more like it.” He stuffs it in his pocket and follows the alley back to Market Street.

  Mr. Chou watches the stranger with his shotgun in his hand and wonders what his friend has gotten himself into now.

  Chapter 23

  Solomon showers and shaves at his hotel before loading his packages and dinner into the wagon. He is looking forward to seeing the look on Faith’s face when he gives her the art supplies. He swings by the Western Union office and finds a message waiting from his sister. Everything is arranged.

  Faith will receive a notice about a job in Texas. His hometown to be exact. She will have no clue that he has arranged everything. In his mind, he tells himself that it is for her and Hope, but his heart says something else.

  “We need time to get to know each other, and my family will help take care of them until I finish this job,” he mutters as he gets back into his wagon.

  A few minutes later Faith opens the door to her little wooden row house, and Solomon is speechless. Her long red hair is tumbled around her shoulders in a riot of damp curls, and it’s a startling contrast with the baby blue of her skirt and white blouse.

  He stares at her with his mouth hanging open, and she starts to worry. “Solomon, is everything okay?”

  “Faith, you make a man believe in magic, for surely you were dusted by angels at birth.”

  A blush lights her cheeks and her laughter ripples across his skin. “Oh, stop! Solomon, you are a poet.” Her eyes drop to his arms.

  “What's for dinner?” she asks, stepping aside so he can enter. “Something smells amazing!” she asks as he steps past her. He stops, and his mouth is just inches from hers. Faith gasps and he smiles.

  “That would be soap. I'm flattered you like the way I smell, Faith.” Her mind goes completely blank, and for a minute she thinks he means to kiss her. Her heart pounds and she tries to back up but bumps into a solid wall.

  He chuckles and passes her, then hurries out to get the rest of his packages. Faith checks on Hope and finds her sleeping sound. She had pre-set the table, so she waits while Solomon shuts the door. Something has changed between them, she feels a tension that wasn't there before. It's in your mind, Faith. You are just lonely, he could have his pick of women. Why on earth would he want you? She scolds herself.

  Her eyes jump to his, and she finds his arms are full of brown packages. “What in the world? Solomon you didn't have to go to such trouble.”

  “No trouble. The food is from a friend, Mrs. Chou. Her family owns the general store, and every now and then she cooks, and if I time it right, I am one of the lucky ones. I hope you like Chinese food.” Seeing the worry in his eyes, she laughs.

  “I've never had Chinese food before, but if it tastes as good as it smells, then you have nothing to worry about.” She watches as he places all the brown paper packages onto the couch and claps his hands together.

  “I'm starved, let's eat. We may have to warm it up first.” He unwraps the three dishes, and she stares in delight.

  “It looks amazing, do we have to warm it up? It smells so good, and I'm starving.”

  “I was hoping you would say that?” He laughs, and together they carry it to the table. The next hour is spent laughing and trying the new foods. She can't help but think about her husband. They never laughed together, he was always so serious. Her smile fades and wavers a little, and she hears the baby start to cry.

  “Excuse me, while I check on her.” Faith hurries out of the room, and he watches her go. He cleans up the dinner mess and takes a cup of coffee in the living room. A chill fills the small room, and he notices that she's almost out of wood. He steps out back and finds an ample supply of wood. Loading up his arms, he returns and stacks it inside near the fireplace, then stoops to start a fire.

  Faith nurses the baby and returns to find a fire crackling and him sipping on his coffee. Hope is almost three weeks old now. She's wide awake and staring up at her mother. Faith murmurs to Hope and settles a blanket on the couch, and places her on her side and turns to talk to him. Solomon stands in the last of the day's sunlight as it filters through the window and he looks to her like an angel.

  “I don’t know what to make of you Solomon. What are you thinking when you look at us?” she dares to ask.

  “I think I see my future, Faith.” He moves closer and lifts a red curl. “I look at the two of you, and I long for a family, and that has never happened until you.” Her eyes drop to his mouth, and she thinks things a new mother shouldn't possibly be thinking.

  “Solomon, you can’t possibly find me attractive, it is just your protective nature…” she starts to say, but the look on his
face stops her cold.

  “I haven't stopped thinking about you since I met you, Faith. I think about you day and night, and I wonder if your body is starred with freckles.”

  She gasps as his hand cups her neck, and he pulls her slowly towards him. His mouth descends on hers, and he takes what he has been dreaming of. He kisses her like a man starved for sustenance. A hard, demanding kiss that lets her know precisely how badly he wants her. When his tongue sweeps into her mouth, Faith forgets all her doubts and meets his demands which a seductive moan of pleasure. His strong arms lift her up as his mouth takes hers, over, and, over again. They are both panting and out of breath when he slides her to the floor and steps away.

  “I know that you need time to mourn your husband, and I have a job to do that will take me away. All I ask is that once you are settled, that you allow me to court you?” Solomon waits for her answer and smiles when she whispers her answer.

  “I would like that, Solomon.” Her eyes are huge, and a smile curves her swollen lips. “But Solomon, you mustn't kiss me anymore. It is dangerous.” Her trembling hand touches her lips, and his eyes flash with desire.

  “I plan on kissing you often, Faith. You taste like heaven.” He takes a step towards her, and her eyes widen.

  He smiles and bends to pick up Hope, who has started to fuss. “Easy, little one. I haven’t forgotten you.” He puts her on his shoulder and pats only to laugh when she burps.

  “I think I need to sit down.” Faith watches him, and her laughter joins his.

  Chapter 24

  The waterfront work is dirty, heavy, work, but the pay is excellent for those who are willing to keep their mouths shut. Jeb loads cargo on and off the ships and steamers which come and go. He missed four nights of work from drinking and recovering, which cost him. His supervisor wasn’t so understanding when he finally showed up.

  “You interested in extra work, Jeb? I have a high paying job Friday night, unloading a steamer.” His supervisor asks from behind him.