River Queen Rose

by Shirley Kennedy

  Mitch had listened carefully to her every word. “You don’t think she’d ever go back to…uh, her previous occupation?”

  “She’ll never go back. Of course, being as women are so outnumbered around here, she’ll have no trouble finding a man to support her. But will he really love her? Or will he just want a woman to wash his clothes, cook his meals and…you know.”

  “I see.” For a long moment, Mitch sat in silence, lips pursed in thought. “That night I met Cherry, when I helped bring her baby into this world—”

  “You did more than help. Little James wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for you.”

  “You’re very kind, but what I was saying was I felt something special for Cherry even then. I admired how brave she was, gritting her teeth to keep from screaming, and how she never lost her sense of humor even in all that pain. I think I loved her even then. But when I found out what she did for a living…” A grieved expression crossed his face. “Some things are hard to forgive.”

  Ah, the perfect opening. In her head Rose quickly ran through the verses she’d so carefully memorized. She hoped she wouldn’t stumble, but it was worth a try. “Mitch, are you familiar with Colossians 3:13? ‘Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.’”

  Mitch nodded solemnly. “Ah, yes. The Lord has forgiven me many a time. But still—”

  “Mark 11:25: ‘And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.’”

  Mitch arched an eyebrow in surprise. “I didn’t know you knew your Bible verses that well.”

  “I don’t.” Despite the seriousness of the subject, she couldn’t help a playful grin. “I had to look them up before I came here.”

  Mitch sat a moment and then broke into hearty laughter. Such unrestrained behavior wasn’t like him at all, but through his laughter, she’d detected a strain of relief, as if—could it be possible?—he might have got beyond certain narrow-minded beliefs he’d been raised with, and good riddance.

  Cautiously, she inquired, “Have I made any sense?”

  “You always make sense to me. I’ve heard every word you said, and I—” The sound of a horse’s hooves diverted Mitch’s attention. Deke came riding up on Sidney. Mitch stood up. “Guess I’d better get back to work. Nice talking to you, Rose. I’ll think about what you said.”

  She had an urge to grab Mitch, tell him not to go, but with a wave to his friend, he ambled off before she could stop him. God help her, she was going to be alone with Deke. Her heart started pounding. Nothing she could do about it, though. Her mind went blank. All she could do was watch as Deke swung from his horse, graceful as always. His unreadable expression didn’t change as he touched two fingers to his hat in a brief salute. “Good afternoon, Rose.”

  His greeting sounded so cool, so distant. Well, so would hers be. “Hello, Deke.” Good. She’d sounded just as cool. She’d pretend she was far too busy to talk and must depart immediately. “I was leaving.”

  She turned her back on him and started walking toward her buggy. With each step she took, she hoped he’d speak. Please let him speak.

  But he didn’t.

  He must be watching, though. She unhitched Star and climbed in the buggy with extra care. God forbid she should trip on the hem of her dress and go sprawling. With a smart snap of the reins, she guided the buggy to the street, looking straight ahead, her nose in the air. She’d been crazy to think he cared a fig about her in the first place. She would never make such a stupid mistake again.

  * * * *

  Deke blew out his breath as he stared after her. Why hadn’t she said something? Why hadn’t he said something? But if Mason Talbot was her choice, what was there to say? Deke had pictured the scene a million times. Rose in the arms of that scoundrel—kissing him—or was she? At the time, he hadn’t questioned what he’d seen so clearly with his own eyes. Only later, when he got past his rage—a rare thing for him—had he begun to realize he may have been mistaken. The light was dim. From what he could see, Mason had wrapped his arms around Rose, but now that he looked back, her arms were not around him. He remembered what she’d said right before he drove away. Didn’t you see he was forcing me?

  The more he thought about it…

  He hadn’t realized it was possible to fall in love with someone so completely, and in such a short time. He had, though. Since that night, his gnawing ache for her hadn’t ceased. Fool that he was, he may have lost her, but by God, he was going to get her back. He just had to figure out how to do it.

  * * * *

  When Rose got back to the hotel, she found Howie waiting for her. “Your solicitor came by and left a message. He wants to talk to you.”

  How strange. She couldn’t imagine a situation urgent enough to bring the dignified Mr. Field to the River Queen. “I’ll go see him right now.”

  A visit to the solicitor’s office provided a sharp reminder of that momentous day she’d stood up for herself and refused to sign over the River Queen. It wasn’t that long ago, but already she felt like a different woman. Back then, she’d been anxious and ill at ease. Today she leaned back in her chair with confidence and addressed Mr. Field. “I received your message. What’s this about?”

  The solicitor picked up a paper from his desk. “I’ll get right to the point. I have in my hand an offer from Mr. Mason Talbot. I must say, it’s quite extraordinary.” He regarded the paper with near disbelief. “Most extraordinary indeed.”

  “Please do go on.”

  “I won’t read all of it.” Mr. Field returned the paper to his desk, rested his elbows on the desk, and laced his fingers. “In essence, Mr. Talbot wishes to purchase your hotel, the River Queen, including all furnishings and various appurtenances, for forty-two thousand dollars. That’s twice what he offered the first time. Even taking into account the improvements you’ve made, such as the restaurant, that’s more than a generous offer.”

  For only a fleeting moment did Rose consider what the magnificent sum of forty-two thousand could do. A fancy new wardrobe for herself and Lucy. A new carriage. A big house in the best part of town. But profits kept growing at the River Queen. Part of the fun was the challenge of making them increase even more. “You can tell Mr. Talbot thank you, but I’m not interested.”

  With a start, the solicitor sat back in his chair. “Are you sure you understand? Offers such as this are hard to come by. You’ll never—”

  “You heard me, Mr. Field. I will not sell the River Queen, no matter what the offer. Please convey my answer to Mr. Talbot, and you might add that if he thinks a higher offer will persuade me, he’s wasting his time.”

  A long silence followed. The solicitor seemed to be frozen with astonishment. At last he spoke. “Well, I must say, you surprise me. Not that I mistrust your business acumen, but I hardly expected a refusal after such a magnanimous offer.”

  She gave him a playful smile. “Well, you know how we women are. So scatterbrained and unreliable. It’s a wonder we’re allowed out of the house.” She picked up her reticle and rose to leave. “Thank you very much anyway.”

  To her surprise, Mr. Field returned her smile, seeming to appreciate her attempt at humor. Quickly he grew serious. “Please sit down. I’m not through yet.”

  “Something more?” She dropped into the chair again.

  “Yes, something more.” He spoke slowly, as if carefully arranging his thoughts. “As I’m sure you’re aware, I’ve built a highly respectable reputation for myself in this town. My entire practice is built on my high regard for ethical behavior and lofty principles. Today, however, I shall make an exception.”

  “You will?” She had no idea what he was going to say.

  “I will.” Judging from the look on his face, he could be about to plunge from a high cliff into
dangerous, deep waters below. “Mason Talbot is a spiteful man. He’s my client, so I’m definitely speaking out of turn, but I’m warning you to be careful, and I mean very careful indeed.”

  “Why do you say that, Mr. Field?”

  “Several reasons. From the beginning, I’ve considered Mr. Talbot’s behavior to be outside normal bounds, shall we say. Too pretentious…too ambitious…too ruthless. In his business dealings, he’s shown a decided penchant for getting what he wants, no matter whom he might hurt. That’s why I’m stepping away from my duties to my client to warn you.”

  “You mean Mason might wish me harm?”

  “This morning when he appeared in my office, he appeared calm but too calm, if you get my meaning. For appearance’s sake, he was keeping a tight control of himself, but underneath, I sensed he was seething with rage. He wants the River Queen, and he’s a man who doesn’t like to be thwarted. Anyone who crosses him does so at their peril. That’s why I’m warning you to watch out. Frankly, the best advice I can give you is to accept his offer and be done with it.”

  “I can’t do that.”

  Mr. Field threw up his hands. “You’ve been warned. Nothing more I can do except wish you well and ask that in any future dealings with Talbot, you at least stay vigilant.”

  The stark intensity in the solicitor’s voice caused her to question her resolve. Was she making a mistake? Maybe she should take his advice and sell. But no, she refused to allow Mason Talbot to get the better of her. She’d come this far, and she would not turn back. “I truly appreciate your advice. I won’t change my mind, but I promise I’ll be careful.”

  To her surprise, Mr. Field came around his desk, took both her hands in his and held them tight. His eyes brimmed with concern. “You’re a very special woman, Mrs. Peterson. Please take care.”

  “I will, and don’t worry. I know how to take care of myself. After all, short of coming after me with a gun, what could he possibly do?”

  Stepping out of Mr. Field’s office, she found a wet street and light rain falling. Not again. A big storm had just passed through. Now here came another. It seemed Sacramento had had more than its share of rain, and she fervently hoped it would stop soon.

  Chapter 18

  Rose had been looking forward to finding a house, but for the next two days a steady rain prevented her from leaving the hotel. She had plenty to do. Unable to work in a downpour, miners had flocked to town, filling every hotel room, crowding two- and three-deep around the gambling tables. She welcomed the extra work. It helped keep her mind off Deke, but even so, she spent far too much time agonizing over questions she couldn’t answer. Why hadn’t she spoken up the last time she saw him? Why had she walked off like a ninny and left him standing there? But what if she had spoken and he looked at her with that flat, hard look in his eyes like he had the other night? Once was enough. She’d been wise to hurry off.

  Or so she kept telling herself.

  Should she really be concerned over Mason Talbot? Mr. Field seemed to think so and had taken the trouble to warn her. But why worry? There was nothing she could do about it, and besides, the thought that Mason could actually harm her seemed so outlandish she couldn’t take the solicitor’s warning seriously.

  After two days, the rain stopped and a bright sun broke through the clouds. Late that morning, she was in the lobby talking to Howie when Mitch Carter walked in. Other than the night of the shipwreck, she’d never seen him in the hotel before. After a greeting, she had to add, “This is a surprise.”

  “I’ve come to see Cherry.” He usually looked so serious, but today an easy smile played at the corners of his mouth. “Must have been those Bible verses you quoted.”

  How wonderful that her little ploy had worked! Or at least, she guessed it had. Mitch was a man who carefully guarded his emotions, though. He wouldn’t appreciate the ecstatic hug she wanted to give him, so she settled on a casual shrug instead. “Whatever the reason, I’m glad you’re here. Follow me up the stairs, and I’ll show you her room.”

  Cherry was cradling the baby in her arms when she opened her door. Dressed in a plain muslin gown, she bore little resemblance to the brazen ladies with their garish feathers and spangles who lived on the third floor. Seeing Rose, she smiled. “Hello, Mrs. Peterson.” Her gaze shifted to Mitch. After a long, silent, sizing-up moment, she cried, “It’s you!”

  Mitch spoke softly. “It’s me.”

  Tears welled in her eyes “I wondered what happened to you. I’ve wanted to thank you for all you did that night.”

  “It wasn’t anything.”

  “Yes, it was. I never met a man as kind and generous as you. You saved my life that night, me and”—she glanced down at James who lay asleep in her arms—“my precious baby. Where have you been? Why haven’t you—?” Her eyes went wide, as if she’d been struck by a revelation. “It’s you! You’re my benefactor—the one who’s kept me and James off the street.” She looked at Rose. “Am I right?”

  “Yes, you are.” Cherry’s joy was so contagious that Rose felt like crying, too. “I must go,” she murmured. “A million things to do.”

  Neither one appeared to notice she was leaving, and she wasn’t surprised. Mitch was peering at Cherry with a tender, heart-rending gaze. She was regarding him as if he were her handsome Prince Charming, not the ordinary-looking man Rose saw.

  She returned to her office with an extra bounce in her step. Her own love life might be in a mess, but a wonderful new life had opened for Cherry and little James.

  Later on, Jake came by and said he’d heard she was looking for a house to rent. She told him she was. “Then you’d better get over to M Street. One of my dealers is quitting and going back East. It’s not a bad little house, if you’re interested.”

  Indeed she was!

  She hastened to find Drucilla who said she’d be delighted to come along. Because of the heavy rains, she’d been stuck in the hotel for days and hadn’t gone anywhere, not even home to the farm. Now, with her sister-in-law by her side, Rose drove the buggy to see the house on M Street. Because they’d been extra busy, they hadn’t had a chance to talk. As they drove along, Rose caught a lilt of happiness in Drucilla’s voice she’d never heard before. “You sound in good spirits,” she said.

  “Oh, I am.” Her sister-in-law brought up her hand to stifle a giggle.

  She’d never heard a giggle from Drucilla’s taciturn mouth in all her life. “May I ask what’s going on?”

  “Gaston has invited me to the American Theater tomorrow night to see Othello.”

  “Ah, Shakespeare. And you want to go?”

  “Of course.”

  “Does this mean you have an interest in him?”

  “It means I have an interest in Othello.”

  Drucilla had reverted to her usual cynical self. Obviously she didn’t care to pursue the subject any further. She hadn’t fooled Rose, though, not for a minute.

  * * * *

  The house on M Street sat behind neatly trimmed hedges in a front yard surrounded by a white picket fence. Lilac trees and rose bushes bloomed along a walkway. Two stories high, the house was completely furnished and contained two bedrooms, a big kitchen, dining room, and parlor. “What do you think?” Rose asked Drucilla after the owner had shown them through.

  “I love it, and I think Lucy will love it, too.”

  That settled it. In a week she could move in. Sheer joy flooded through her. For the first time in her life she would have a home of her own. At long last, she would be mistress of her own kitchen without her mother, Coralee, or anyone else telling her what to do.

  If only Deke could see it...

  Days had gone by and she’d neither seen nor heard from him. Their romance was over, if indeed it was ever a romance in the first place. She must move on, find comfort in knowing she and Lucy would soon be together again. She would not waste her time
looking back. For years she’d grieved over Anthony, only to finally realize he was nothing more than a young girl’s stupid mistake. But Deke? She’d never get over him but she’d try.

  On their way back to the River Queen, Drucilla asked, “When are you going to let Ma and Pa know you’ve found a place to live?”

  Rose glanced at the sky. “What about right now before it starts raining again? I’m glad you thought of it. They’ll have a week to adjust to not having Lucy around. As far as I’m concerned, bygones are bygones. They’ll always be welcome to visit any time they want.”

  “That’s awfully considerate, considering how they treated you.”

  “They’re Lucy’s grandparents. How could I hold a grudge? Do you want to come with me?”

  “Of course, I need to get some more clothes.”

  As they traveled the two miles to the farm, Rose couldn’t remember when she’d been in a better frame of mind. The miserable days of living without her daughter were almost at an end. Best of all, because she’d restrained herself and acted in a reasonable manner, she’d managed to get Lucy back without creating an ugly scene. Maybe even the thing with Deke didn’t seem quite as hopeless as it had been. She’d just solved one difficult problem over Lucy. Why couldn’t she do the same with Deke?

  A mixture of hope and determination filled Rose’s heart as she turned into the long driveway that led to the farm. They had to watch their step as they climbed from the buggy. The sky might now be clear, but the heavy rains of the past few days had left countless muddy puddles.

  They hurried up the steps. Drucilla opened the front door, swinging it wide. “Ma? Pa? I’m here and so is Rose. She brought some good news.” She muttered to Rose, “At least I hope they’ll think so.”

  “We’re in the kitchen,” Coralee called.

  When they entered the kitchen, they found her in-laws having a cup of coffee at the table. To her relief, Ben gave her a friendly nod. Coralee smiled. “Sit down and have some coffee with us, Rose. I trust all is going well?”