by A. C. Wilson
“Hello?” Her dad answered the phone and Nora couldn’t help but smile.
“Hey Dad is Drew around to talk?” Nora asked as she heard her mother ask who was on the phone. “Tell Mom hello.” Nora grinned as her dad made some smart butt remark before he told Lacey it was her daughter.
“He’s in the shower. Your mom is headed up there.” Travis had a soft voice and it comforted as much as it held depth for his children. Nora always found strength in the rich timbre.
“Thanks. I’m meeting a friend for dinner in a bit, but if Drew wants he can call me back.” She ran her fingers over the cool bedspread as she stared up at the ceiling. There were a million things running through her head and none of them would come out of her mouth. She didn’t like keeping secrets from her family. Honestly, she’d only ever kept one and that was Drew’s paternity.
“How’s Deadwood this time of night? Did you get a good view?” Travis surprised Nora with his questions, but instead of being annoyed with her mother, Nora laughed. Her father offered the least amount of criticism.
“It’s beautiful and yes, the view is amazing too.” Nora sighed and toyed with a strand of her hair. “How much did Mom tell you?” It wasn’t like she needed all the details, but it might save time. She didn’t know how much her family knew and she certainly hadn’t a clue that her mother knew Colt was Drew’s father.
“Enough. I figured you would tell us all what you wanted us to know when you were ready to share it. You’ve always been an open book, baby girl. You’ve only ever had the one secret that you held so close that no one could guess.” Her father’s voice was thoughtful and soothing. There was a pause that made her listen more closely. “I’m not sure how much you want to hear, Nora. I can’t sugar coat everything for you.”
Nora swallowed hard and looked out the patio windows to the shining lights. Her eyes welled up and her vision blurred slightly.
“I’m listening, Dad.” Nora’s voice croaked over the receiver and she clamped her lips shut. A tear slipped over her lips and down her chin. She closed her eyes and focused on her father’s voice. It surprised her that he didn’t speak right away. It took a minute or two and just as she was going to say something, Travis began.
“Do you remember when you were a little girl and one Christmas you and your brothers got cowboy hats? The only difference between the hats was the color. The boys’ hats were black and yours was pink.”
Nora could only nod as she squeezed the phone harder.
“You were so mad that yours was pink. It was far too girly in your mind. I remember pulling you into my lap and turning your hat over and over in my hands. Do you remember what I told you, Nora?” He paused just a heartbeat before continuing. Nora couldn’t have answered without blubbering. “I told you that the only difference between the three hats was the color. The structure is still the same. A man is still a man, regardless of his color. The only thing that changes him for you is how you see him.
“Is he a good man? Is he capable of being your best friend? Is he willing to love Drew? Is he in love with you? Can he commit to this family? It’s as simple as I can make it. Nothing else matters outside of how he measures up and how you feel.”
Nora sat there as speechless as she had ever been. For someone who sat just outside the chaos, her father had a knack for getting to the heart of the matter. She had never known the man to judge. If anything, his paternal position had only ever been to guide and lead.
“How will I know? What if it is neither of them? I really don’t want to be alone.” Nora’s voice faltered as she realized that a huge portion of her fear rode on the fact that she didn’t want to be alone.
What if being alone means I’m unlovable? What if I’m not worth the aggravation?
Her inner foundation was shaken and the quake just kept fracturing whatever was still built on it. It was nothing solid and it certainly wasn’t anything worth building on.
“It should be glaringly obvious when the choice is made, and who is right for the position. If neither match up, then you start over with someone else.” Her father stopped talking and she knew he was thinking. She could almost hear him thinking of something suitable to say to his only daughter. Nora imagined it was easier for him to speak to the boys, because he was one too. She sniffed and wiped the tears away with the back of her hand.
“As for being alone, Nora, there are worse things. Being with someone who doesn’t love you is worse and knowing that can be even more devastating.” Travis drove the last of his point home and it needled her where she ached the most.
Randy. She knew he loved her, but she wasn’t sure he was in love with her. In her mind there was a huge difference. She loved him for his support and his care of Drew. She loved him for being sturdy and committed to a path.
What if it isn’t my path? There were a hell of a lot of what ifs going around in her head and it was starting to feel muddled. The waters of thought muddied by guilt and pain.
“I was never dishonest with him, Dad.” She had no idea what else to say, but an indignant part of her blurted out the words. Even as she said them she knew the argument that would follow.
“I don’t think you were honest with him either.” Travis sighed and she could hear her mother’s voice.
How had her parents survived thirty years of marriage? There certainly had to be a trick to it.
“Touché.” Nora offered up the draw and knew it was time to be getting ready for dinner. She definitely needed a shower now and hopefully her puffy eyes would calm down. “I need to get ready for dinner. Tell Drew goodnight for me and I’ll call in the morning.” She got up off the bed and twirled the phone cord around her finger.
“Alright, I’ll tell him. We love you, Nora.” Her father’s words made the tears spring back into her eyes. She nodded stiltedly, the cord unraveling slowly.
“I love you too.” She paused a second before she hung up the phone. Once it was back in its cradle, Nora bowed her head for a second. She took a deep breath and let it out slowly. There were no answers that could pacify the ache she felt so strongly inside. All she had left to go on was faith that everything would work itself out in time.
The hot shower did wonders to renew the spring in her step and the buoyancy of her heart. Having no idea where dinner was actually going to be, Nora dressed in black slacks, black heels, and a shimmering silver blouse that bared both shoulders. She actually liked this top, because it displayed her neckline to perfection.
Running the brush of her mascara over her lashes once more and checking her eyeliner, Nora felt better prepared to face the world outside the door. Checking the contents of her purse, Nora made sure to put in some cash, her id, and hotel key card. She felt twitchy and she recognized it as being nervous. It was almost like she was that naïve girl again.
Lessons learned cannot be unlearned. There might be some relief if they could be, but there was no guarantee that there would be a different outcome. Nora glanced at the clock on the small table by the bed. Smiling she shook her head. Colt was older, but he hadn’t outgrown being late. As if summoned by her thoughts, there was a knock on her door. Nora moved to open it and she smiled when she saw Colt with a look of nervousness.
“Hi.” Nora smiled as she opened the door wider and stepped back so that he could come inside.
“You look amazing.” His smile widened and she blushed as she turned to pick up her purse. She settled the leather strap onto her shoulder and turned back to him.
“Thank you. You clean up pretty great yourself.” She teased as she walked past him through the open door and into the hallway. He chuckled as he closed the door and closed the distance between them. Offering his arm, Nora slid her hand around his forearm and lay her palm on his sleeve.
“Ready for dinner?” Colt asked as his silver grey eyes danced with mischief. Her insides bubbled with anticipation. She nodded her head and batted her eyes. He grinned.
“Absolutely.” Nora let herself be led down the hallway and
to the elevator. It felt amazing to be so lost in the moment. Of course responsibility weighed her down, but it always would. There were definitely things that she needed to say to Colt and things he needed to know. It just didn’t have to be tonight. The magic could indeed last for the evening before she shattered it.
“I thought taking the trolley to dinner would be fun. Is that okay with you?” Colt barely paused for a breath. “Or I could have the hotel call for a car?”
Nora squeezed his arm and waited for him to breathe.
“I love the trolley.” She smiled at him and he returned it. She loved that smile. A flashback of them sitting on the tailgate of his pickup that summer filtered through her mind’s eye. The warm summer breeze tousled his hair and she longed to run her fingers through it. His laughter was infectious and his easy manner settled her nerves. She smiled as she watched the floors tick away on the elevator. Funny how she was the one settling his nerves now.
Chapter 10
As soon they stepped out the front door of the Deadwood Mountain Grand, the Deadwood Trolley was just pulling up for their stop. Six other couples were waiting to board as soon as the door opened. Nora smiled at the green trolley that definitely looked as if it belonged to another era. The magic of Deadwood along with the history and stories was as captivating now as it had ever been before. There had been famous lawmen, beautiful ladies of the night, gamblers, miners, and outlaws all vying for their spot in Deadwood’s golden light. The town may not be as lawless as it was so long ago, but here you could still have the time of your life.
Colt helped her up the two steps into the trolley and he put a couple of dollars into the money slot. She smiled at the driver and looked for an open seat. It was definitely busy tonight. She guessed it was probably too much to ask that it be virtually empty so their conversation wouldn’t be overheard and that someone might not recognize him. The only lucky part of it was that night had fallen and the only light inside the trolley was the soft running lights along the floor.
“How about this one?” Nora asked as she paused to look around for any other open seats. Colt pressed his fingers along the small of her back and she felt a warm tremor cascade the length of her body.
“Fine.” The word was little more than a breath against her ear and she slipped onto the wooden seat. She nearly stopped breathing altogether when Colt sat down and it brought their thighs to touch. She had forgotten how small the trolley seats were and she applauded the forgetfulness. Colt’s arm relaxed on the back of the seat behind her shoulders.
“I forgot how beautiful the trolley can be.” Nora half whispered in the quite of the vehicle. The Deadwood Trolley was a dark green set off by the polished wood benches and the shining brass poles. The swoop of the windows gave it a certain elegance on the inside.
“I wondered if you would think it was cheesy, but I’ve always loved to ride on it. We may have to call a driver later. I had no idea it would be this crowded.” Colt smiled as his arm behind her shoulder hugged her closer to him. Her heart thumped an erratic cadence.
“Sometimes the best place to hide is in plain sight.” Nora offered a small smile in his direction and looked around the trolley. The trolley riders’ ages ran the spectrum from early twenties to late sixties. It appears like a progression of sorts.
“I suppose that’s true.” Colt offered with a nod. He still looked nervous and Nora wasn’t sure if that was because of her or of possibly being found out. She imagined celebrity status could be a party killer sometimes.
She tried to think of something to say, but everything that she shouldn’t say now drifted into her head. Nora figured it was better to say nothing for now and just watch the jewels of Deadwood go past. There was the Mineral Palace where the Gem Theater had burnt down a couple of different times. They passed the Celebrity Casino and Hotel that hosted costumes, movie props, and instruments of famous people on display. It was one of her favorites to walk through and maybe slip a quarter or two into some slots.
There were quite a few places to buy the famous Black Hills Gold jewelry and Nora struggled not to buy more and more. Her favorites were the four leaf clovers and the black backgrounds topped with the customary green and pink leaves. Of course everything was for sale from rings to earrings to money clips and key chains. The sky was the limit as far as the souvenirs a person could take home. Soon they passed the famous Saloon No. 10 and there was a whole group of people standing near the door. It could get a bit rowdy in the bar with the sawdust on the floor and the loud music. Nora grinned to herself as she remembered the night of her twenty-first birthday. It had been a slow crawl from one bar to another down the main street of Deadwood.
The trolley stopped and Colt stood up. Nora had been marking all the landmarks that she hadn’t thought to ask exactly where they were going to for dinner.
“This is our stop.” He held his hand out to her and she took it. They passed the other couples waiting for other stops in town. Nora said goodnight to the trolley driver as they stepped out onto the sidewalk of Main Street.
“Are you going to tell me where we are going?” Nora asked, tilting her head sideways and giving him a wink. His grin was answer enough. He wasn’t going to. So she followed along beside him. There was laughter along the street and bright lights spilling from the windows of each looming building. The atmosphere was infectious and Nora really enjoyed the respite of her everyday life.
“I hope you don’t think that I’m putting on a show, but I’ve always wanted to try this place.” Colt’s voice melted into the air and it brought her attention back to their surroundings. She looked up at the red brick building that housed The Midnight Star. She smiled as she recognized one of her favorite places in Deadwood. Kevin Costner’s The Midnight Star housed a casino with slot machines and card games as well as two restaurants. Diamond Lil’s was a sports bar and Jakes offered upscale fine dining.
“I’ve always wanted to see Jakes.” She smiled at him and stepped through the glass door into the sparkling interior of an era gone by. Nora admired the black and gold star tiled into the middle of the lobby. Colt’s hand comfortably spanned her lower back and moved her towards the stairs. A beautiful sweeping staircase brought guests from the lobby onto the second floor where the card tables welcomed players wanting to try their luck. The gentle tings of the slot machines filled the air as they ascended the staircase to the second floor and then up the second set to the third floor.
The dining room was gently opulent with windows that looked out onto the street and the people walking under the glow of the lights. Nora felt weirdly out of her element. Once upon a time she had been all about the flare and flash, but now that seemed ages ago. Still she didn’t want to be rude to Colt and she could appreciate the dining of one of Deadwood’s highly prized gems.
“It’s breathtaking.” Nora lowered her voice to a whisper. She grinned at her self-consciousness at being too loud and bothering the other guests. She did feel a bit flashy and under-dressed for such a place.
“I’ve never felt so oddly country until now.” Colt looked at her and offered an all too self-aware grin. “Is that weird?”
Nora chuckled and raised a hand to cover her smile.
“Definitely not weird at all. I was starting to feel the same.” Her cheeks heated somewhat with embarrassment. Colt lifted a brow at her as the hostess walked up to greet them.
“Good evening and welcome to Jakes. Two?” The young woman smiled warmly and Colt smiled back. When his hand gripped Nora’s waist a bit tighter, she thought she forgot to breathe.
“Actually we aren’t quite sure.” Colt bumbled his way through the words and Nora smiled at the woman.
“This is a bit more than we expected. If you’ll excuse us”, Nora turned to leave and took a deep breath in when Colt followed. They went back downstairs to the star in the lobby before they spoke again.
Nora tipped her chin to look up into those flashing grey eyes and smiled at the way his dark hair fell over his brow.
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“Any suggestions?” He asked as he held her gaze. The warmth infused her and Nora couldn’t help feeling appreciated.
“Do you still like burgers?” A cheeky grin upturned her lips as she watched him nod eagerly.
Just like his son. Her heart missed a beat and then it sped up.
My son. She quickly amended to herself. Her mouth went dry and her foundation trembled.
Our son. The world had just gotten a whole lot smaller and a great deal more connected. Colt though didn’t seem to notice her dilemma as he walked her out of The Midnight Star. They came out onto the sidewalk and Nora was never so thankful for the cold night air of the Black Hills.
“Where do you suggest we go for burgers?” Colt paused for directions and Nora managed to marshal her thoughts.
“Have you ever been to Mustang Sally’s?” Nora directed their path back down the street and they walked in companionable silence. Suddenly there was a great deal on her mind and she didn’t know where she’d ever find the courage to tell Colt Cavanaugh all that she needed too.
***
Randy pulled into North Platte no worse for wear, but the drive had been masked by silent questions that played like a reel over and over in his head. Garrett had been stuck to his phone like it was a life raft. There was humor in watching his brother-in-law curse and pound on the screen of his phone. Finally giving up, Garrett had made a few calls and came up with his idea of romance designed to curl any woman’s toes.
I am really not sure I want to know what he has planned. Randy tried to see the lighter side of this cataclysmic problem, but he knew all too well what was at stake here. He was about to lose the woman he cared for if he hadn’t already. Randy blew out a frustrated breath as he tried to park the truck and livestock trailer in the hotel parking lot. He had dropped Garrett off at the door to get them a room, where they would have to stay until they could pick up the bulls and the horse in the morning.
