One day, while she was working in her office, Drucilla opened the door and peeked in. “I have a surprise.” She opened the door wide.
To Rose’s joy, Lucy was standing there, holding her aunt’s hand. At the sight of Rose, she cried, “Mommy,” and rushed to throw her arms around her.
Rose held back tears as she knelt to embrace her daughter. No words were necessary. Finally, over the top of Lucy’s head, she asked Drucilla, “How did you manage?”
“Ben was going to be gone for a while, so I took the chance. I’ve got to get her back soon, but I’ll leave you two alone for a little while.”
After Drucilla left, Lucy peered around the room with her usual curiosity. “Is this your office?”
“Yes, it is.”
“Is this your hotel?”
“Yes, this is the River Queen. First it was Daddy’s and now it’s mine.”
Lucy looked toward the desk. “Can I sit in your chair?”
“Indeed you can.”
Lucy perched herself in the big mahogany chair and immediately discovered she could swivel back and forth. “This is fun. Do you tell everybody what to do?”
“I’m the boss, so I guess I do.”
Lucy stopped swiveling and gazed at Rose with troubled eyes. “Grandpa doesn’t like that you work here. He says you ought to be home, taking care of me.”
Rose wasn’t going to lie. No sense trying to convince Lucy everything was fine when it wasn’t. She was a smart little girl who wouldn’t believe her anyway. “Grownups have problems sometimes, and that’s why I’m not living at home right now.”
“Are you mad at Grandma and Grandpa?”
“No, I’m not. I love them both very much and want us to be together again. Meantime, you’re to stay with your grandparents and be a good little girl.”
“You promise you’ll come home?”
“I promise.” Her voice almost broke. “I love you more than anything else in this world, Lucy. Of course, I’m coming home.”
Rose knew she’d given the right answer when she saw the relief in her little girl’s eyes.
After Drucilla came back and took Lucy away, Rose sat for a time in dark, brooding silence. Only with the greatest effort did she pull herself together. She hated being so muddle-headed, so unsure of herself. She only knew she couldn’t give up now, when she was beginning to see improvements in the hotel, and the opening of Gaston’s was in just a week. She must stay strong. Mustn’t let the world know how her heart ached for her daughter. Someday soon all would be well. She wouldn’t let herself think otherwise.
She’d kept dodging Mason’s invitation for dinner, claiming she had too much work to do. True, of course, but whenever she thought of his advice that she should sell the River Queen, an icy resentment rose within her, and she had no desire to see him. That might change, though. He’d been good to her in so many ways, she would certainly see him again—when she had the time.
As for Deke…
They’d both been so busy she’d hardly seen him since that day she spent in his room. She thought about him, though, and whenever she did, which was far more often than she liked, her mind spun in such a tangle of emotions that she quickly blocked him out each time. Not easy, considering the memory of his making love to her with his tough, sinewy body did strange things to her insides. Despite that, she couldn’t possibly be in love with him. He wasn’t on crutches anymore, so he wasn’t the cripple she’d felt so sorry for. Even so, much as he’d changed, first impressions were hard to forget. Of course, she had to admit her heart did a little leap whenever she caught a glimpse of him. As soon as she had the time, if she ever did, she’d sort it all out, but not right now. She was far too busy.
* * * *
Deke Fleming considered himself a lucky fellow. Only weeks ago, he’d been a miserable cripple, left to fend for himself while his companions made their fortunes in the gold fields. Although he took no pleasure from reports of their various miseries and dismal failures, he couldn’t help but be proud of his own success. Thanks to his and Mitch’s hard work, profits from their ice business had spiraled to heights they hadn’t dreamed of. “We’re rich,” Mitch declared. “All because the customers like their beer cold.”
Only one area of his life caused Deke to lose sleep at night. Rose. Since that day she’d come to his room, he longed to see her again, but his ice business had kept him at least as busy as she with her hotel, and somehow the days had slipped by without their even talking. Since he’d never been the kind of man who sat on his arse and waited for something to happen, he took action. On the day before the grand opening of Gaston’s, he went to the River Queen and stopped by the lunch counter. Next, he found Rose in her office, poring over some kind of list, no doubt having to do with tomorrow night’s big event. She was wearing a blue dress he hadn’t yet seen, which he liked very much. Her hair was nicely done up in a bun. Only little strands of it had escaped and framed her pretty face.
“We’re going on a picnic,” he said.
Startled, she looked up. “The restaurant’s opening tomorrow. I couldn’t possibly.”
He nailed her with a firm and unrelenting gaze. “Yes, you could. You’ve got to eat sometime. It’s time we talked.”
After a long moment, she nodded, more to herself than him. “You’re right. I could use a little time to myself, and besides, it’s been a while, hasn’t it?”
He took her to the banks of the American River, where tall oak trees shaded a grassy spot below. Facing her over a checkered tablecloth spread on the ground, Deke pulled all sorts of items from a basket, which Gus himself had prepared. “Beef sandwiches. Potato salad. Boiled eggs. Chocolate cake, which I hope didn’t get squashed.”
Gazing at the feast before her, Rose burst out laughing. “What a wonderful idea. I’ve been so busy I’ve forgotten how to enjoy myself.”
“Why do you think we’re here?”
While they ate, he saw to it they talked only of pleasantries, taking time to watch the river flowing by while a group of white herons waded along the shallow edges. Finishing her cake, she remarked, “It’s beautiful here, and so peaceful. I should do this more often instead of letting my stomach get in knots over…so many things.”
Only then did he ask, “Has Ben relented?”
“No, he has not.” She told him about her visit to the solicitor, and how she was still waiting to hear. How she’d seen Lucy the one heart-wrenching time, and how she couldn’t hold on much longer. As soon as Gaston’s opened and the excitement died down, she’d take some kind of action, but as yet she didn’t know what.
As always, Deke listened with full attention. There was one subject she hadn’t mentioned, the most important of all, as far as he was concerned, and he needed to know. “I haven’t seen you with Mason Talbot lately.” He waited. She knew damn well what he meant.
“Well…” Looking down at her plate, she busily rearranged the remaining crumbs of her chocolate cake with her fork. “I haven’t seen him for a while.” As if she’d finally reached a decision, she looked up and gazed directly into his eyes. “It’s not anything to do with us. Mason said something I didn’t like, and I’ve been avoiding him.”
“Do you think you’ll see him again?”
Again she hesitated. He waited, his heart beating like a hammer in his chest. A large bird with a streaked belly landed on a branch nearby. He pointed. “Red-tailed hawk.” Damned if he’d let her know how much her answer meant to him.
She finally spoke. “I’ve been trying to make myself like him. He’s been kind to me, at least most of the time, and of course, even you can see he’s a desirable man in so many ways. Only…” After a moment more of thought, she continued, “The farthest thing from my mind right now is finding a husband. Be that as it may, as far as Mason Talbot is concerned, I could never love him. In fact, I’m not even sure I like him.”
/> He was hard put to quell the joyous shout that rose in his throat, but he stayed straight-faced and asked in a mildly interested voice, “You’re sure about that?”
“I’m sure about that.” A smile trembled on her lips. “You and I have lots to talk about. Are you busy tomorrow night? If you’re not, you’re invited to Gaston’s for the grand opening. Drucilla and I are planning to be there, and I’d love to have you join us. Mitch, too, if you like.”
Deke chuckled. “I’ll ask, but I can tell you right now Mitch prefers to stay home and read his Bible.”
“But you?”
“I’ll be there.”
She began to pick up the remains of the lunch. “We’d best get back. There’s still lots to do before the grand opening.”
He quickly arose and joined in the cleanup. Tomorrow night. After dinner. That’s when he’d get her alone. He’d never been all that good at expressing himself, especially to a woman, but the time had come to tell her how he felt.
* * * *
Rose greeted the opening night of Gaston’s with mixed feelings. On the bad side, she’d so focused all her energies on the restaurant, she’d put off any and all decisions concerning her in-laws until after the opening. But now the big night had arrived. Starting tomorrow, no more excuses. She must start making some decisions. On the good side, she could hardly contain her excitement that at last her hotel could boast a major attraction. The Egyptian had its Le Chantecler. The Woodcock Hotel had a dining saloon which was, according to the Sacramento Union, “in point of comfort and elegance, unsurpassed by anything of the kind that we have seen in the country.” Sacramento boasted other fabulous restaurants besides, but Rose had every confidence that Gaston’s at the River Queen, run by one of the great chefs of Paris, would soon become the most elegant French restaurant in town.
To her relief, in the last days before the opening, Gaston had calmed his jitters and now exuded such confidence that everyone, she included, had no doubt opening night would be a big success. She’d ordered a new gown for the occasion. Now, with only minutes left before she must go downstairs, she stood before the full-length mirror in her room, twisting this way and that for a good look at herself. She had to admit she didn’t look half-bad in her new off-shouldered gown of cream satin and chiffon. Embroidered with gold coral beads and spangles, it was by far the most elegant she’d ever owned.
Drucilla knocked and entered. She cared nothing for fancy clothes, but when Rose had firmly informed her she couldn’t possibly attend such an elegant event in anything she owned, she, too, ordered a new gown, a low-cut Nile-green chiffon velvet, trimmed in gold. She’d even done something with her hair, sweeping it up into curls atop her head, fastened with a jeweled comb. Stepping to the mirror, she took a close look at herself. “Well? Do I look all right?”
Rose refrained from declaring she’d never seen her look as good, a two-way compliment if ever there was one. She absolutely did, though. “You look gorgeous in that gown. It’s your height that carries it off.”
Drucilla responded with her usual scornful sniff, yet Rose knew she was pleased. Even though her sister-in-law had worked at the River Queen for only a few weeks, already she seemed to be standing taller, holding her chin higher. All due, Rose very much suspected, to Drucilla’s finally escaping her mother’s stifling criticism. Not that she realized it yet, but if she could see how beautifully regal she looked in that gown, she’d gain even more confidence in herself.
“Don’t forget Deke is joining us,” Rose said. “We’re to meet him downstairs.”
“What happened to Mason?”
She might have known Drucilla would ask. “I have no idea.”
“At least Mason knows how to dress, but does Deke?” Drucilla frowned with concern. “I’ve never seen him in anything but work clothes. Does he even know what a frock coat looks like?”
Rose had wondered the same thing. When she invited Deke, she’d failed to mention the opening was a formal affair. Judging from what she’d seen of the clothes hanging from pegs in his room, he owned nothing that could pass for evening clothes. She’d taken care of it, though. “I spoke to Gaston. If Deke shows up in ordinary clothes, the maître d’ is to let him in regardless.”
“Is that wise?”
“Deke has been helpful to me in many ways, and I don’t care if it’s wise or not.”
Rose’s snappish answer had its effect. Drucilla shrugged and changed the subject. “By the way, rumors are flying about who Gaston hired for his maître d’hôtel. Nobody seems to know. Have you heard anything?”
“All I know is, all the waiters are French, but I have no idea who the maître d’ might be, or the kitchen help or everyone else. Gaston was quite secretive about it. I suspect we’re in for some surprises.” She glanced at the clock. “It’s time to go.”
During the course of the day, Rose went up and down the stairs thinking nothing of it. So did Drucilla, but tonight the River Queen’s main staircase served more like a theater stage. Dressed in their stylish new gowns, aware of the many eyes upon them, Rose and Drucilla slowed their pace as they paraded down, heads held high, gloved hands lightly touching the railing.
A man stood at the bottom of the staircase looking up at them. Halfway down, Rose realized who it was. Deke! And dressed to the nines in a black frock coat and trousers, starched, pleated high-collared white shirt, cravat and—incredible!—white gloves. Oh my God, he looks amazing. She’d never thought of him as handsome, but seeing him dressed the way he was, with those great wide shoulders and his tall, lean build, she was hard put to conceal her admiration. Arriving at the bottom of the stairs, she smiled and said, “Good evening,” hoping she sounded casual, as if she saw him dressed this way all the time.
Deke gave a slight but gracious bow. His gaze swept over them. “Good evening, ladies. You both look beautiful.”
“You don’t look so bad yourself.” Rose hid her amusement at her considerable understatement.
His mouth hinted at a smile. “Hard to believe, but we’ve been known to wear frock coats even in Australia.”
Tilting her head, she declared, “Fancy that. Then let’s go to dinner, shall we?”
They made their way through the saloon to where a crowd of patrons, all dressed in their best finery, had formed a line in front of the entrance to Gaston’s. They joined the line. After a short wait, they reached the maître d’s station inside the door.
What? Rose couldn’t quite grasp who was standing there. “Gus, is that you?”
“It’s me.” A pleased expression crossed the face of Gus Hurdlicka. “Monsieur Bernier has been training me. He didn’t want you to know. Said it would be a big surprise.”
“I’m surprised all right.” Flabbergasted would be more like it. Gaston had performed a miracle on the sly. Gone were the stained apron, the surly expression. Dressed in elegant evening attire, Gus resembled the ideal maître d’, especially when his friendly smile disappeared, replaced by a disdainful lift of his chin.
“You will have a table by the orchestra,” he loftily declared. He raised his arm and imperiously snapped his fingers. A waiter came running. “Table number ten, Julien.”
“Thank you, Gus,” Rose said.
He peered down his nose at her. “It’s ‘Guillaume’ now, if you don’t mind.”
“Of course.” Rose stifled her laughter, happy Gaston had chosen to keep Gus, despite all his faults. Judging from what she’d just seen, he’d do fine. As they followed the waiter to their table, she got her first good look at the magnificence Gaston had created. What a difference! Thick, red Axminster carpet covered what had once been a sawdust floor. Overhead, six chandeliers, bigger than Le Chantecler’s, twinkled and sparkled from newly installed gas lighting. At one end of the room, partially hidden by potted palms, a four-piece orchestra played the classical music of Haydn and Mozart.
At the table,
the waiter seated Drucilla, pulling her chair back with an extra flourish. Deke did the same for Rose, without the flourish but with the composure of someone who had dined in fancy restaurants all his life. “Well done,” she whispered as she sat. “Do they have restaurants in Australia, too?”
The waiter brought the menus. Gaston had outdone himself. Starting with canapes of caviar, there were so many courses, Rose could hardly count them all. She marveled at the list of mouth-watering entrees: Escargots à la Bourguignonne, Huitres Thermidor…
From across the table came a gasp from Drucilla. She’d been holding the large menu with both hands. Now she slapped one hand to her mouth and stared wide-eyed at something she’d just read.
Rose and Deke exchanged questioning glances. Never had she seen her sister-in-law anything but cool and composed. “Drucilla, what is it?”
“Look, look!” Drucilla pointed at the menu. “It’s under the entrees. Oh, I don’t believe it.” She slapped her hand over her mouth again.
Rose went back to her own menu and scanned the entrees. “Oh, I see it! ‘Coquilles a la Drucilla.’ Oh, my goodness, Gaston has named a dish after you.”
“I… I…” Drucilla choked up and couldn’t go on. Her eyes got watery. Finally she managed, “Did you know about this?”
“Are you joking? Gaston kept almost everything a secret.”
“I’ve never had anything named after me before.”
“Who has?” said Deke.
With a twinkle in her eye, Rose declared, “Coquilles are scallops, aren’t they? That’s what I’ll order. And why shouldn’t you have a dish named after you? Gaston obviously thinks you’re an exceptional woman, and I think so, too.”
River Queen Rose Page 18
