Forsaken Falls

by Shirleen Davies

  “Isn’t Gabe Evans the sheriff?”

  “That he is. A fine man and excellent sheriff.”

  Bull watched the exchange, studying Ruby’s face as she took in what Silas shared. He didn’t know what it was about her, but something in her manner told him she’d be stirring up the kind of trouble the men would appreciate but Splendor didn’t need.

  “You gentlemen have been quite helpful. I’m certain we’ll run into each other again.”

  Silas grinned. “Soon, I hope.”

  “Oh, quite soon, Mr. Jenks.”

  The men didn’t take their eyes off her until she disappeared out the door and headed down the street.

  “Well, I’ll be,” Silas muttered, his gaze still fixed on the front door.

  “Yep.”

  Silas straightened, slapping the counter with one hand. “What do you think of Miss Ruby

  Walsh, Bull?”

  Shaking his head, Bull met his friend’s gaze. “I think we’re in for some interesting times, Silas. Yep…very interesting times.”

  “Let me put Jack to bed, then I want to hear all about your discussion with Allie.” Lena reached for her son’s hand, who deftly pulled it away from her.

  “I can go work with Papa in his study.” Jack’s hopeful gaze moved between his mother and Nora. “I’ll be real quiet, Mama.”

  Nora did her best to hide a grin, turning away when Jack looked at her again. She envied Lena’s ability to hold firm in her discipline of the precocious eight-year-old. He had the uncanny ability to look forlorn and hopeful at the same time, making her want to wrap her arms around him. As a former teacher, she knew the value of consistency, admiring the way Gabe and Lena handled their son.

  Lena glanced at the grandfather clock Gabe moved out from New York. “Let me check with your father. If he says it’s all right, you can work with him for thirty minutes.”

  Jack jumped up, clapping his hands.

  “But no longer than that, young man. Understood?”

  His excited features instantly sobered. “Yes, Mama. Thirty minutes.”

  Lena looked at Nora. “I’ll be right back. Come along, Jack.”

  Nora sat back in the overstuffed chair, the one she always preferred in the comfortable parlor. She had so much to tell Lena and Gabe, but he’d disappeared into his study right after supper, closing the door. Nora had learned it was his way of politely telling them he didn’t want to be disturbed. Somehow, she didn’t think he’d mind an intrusion by his son.

  Returning to the parlor, Lena sat down in a chair next to Nora’s, folding her hands in her lap. “All right. Tell me everything.”

  Ten minutes later, Nora finished explaining Allie’s offer. “What do you think, Lena?”

  “I think it’s a wonderful idea. You have a wonderful sense of style, are calm under pressure, and make everyone feel welcome. I don’t believe there are any negatives at all.” She leaned forward, searching Nora’s face. “What’s important is what you think of the idea.”

  Face brightening, Nora moved to the edge of the seat. “I’d love to do it.”

  “Then that’s what you should tell Allie.”

  “I’m concerned about the days I meet Jack at school and bring him home. What if I’m with a customer and can’t leave on time?”

  Lena thought of her son, the way she always thought of him as young and defenseless. In truth, Jack was a smart, clever little boy. He could easily walk down the boardwalk to Allie’s shop.

  “If you aren’t there, Jack can meet you at the shop. Many of the younger children walk or ride horses much farther to get home after school. We’ve coddled him a little, and that’s my fault.”

  Nora knew Lena and Jack’s background, the struggles they’d endured to get to this point. “I doubt anyone would fault you for being a little protective of him. You’ve both been through a lot.”

  Lena’s face sobered. “Yes. If it weren’t for Gabe, I don’t know what would’ve happened to us.”

  “You would’ve been fine. With Nick as a business partner and Isabella Boucher as your closest friend, you and Jack wouldn’t have had to worry about anything. Isn’t Isabella returning to Splendor soon?”

  “Tomorrow. She and Ginny Pelletier planned to be in Big Pine three days,” she answered, mentioning Luke’s wife.

  “Do you think she’ll ever move back in here with us?”

  “Not as long as Ginny and Luke need her to help with baby Cooper. Of course, if Travis Dixon ever figures out his feelings for her, she might be inclined to marry him.”

  Nora shook her head. “I don’t know, Lena. From the little I know, Travis seems in no hurry to make a decision about the two of them. It’s such a shame because she’d make him a wonderful wife.”

  Lena blew out a breath. “She loves him so much that I’m certain she’ll wait as long as it takes. I just hope he doesn’t end up breaking her heart.” She noticed Nora’s features brighten. “I’ve seen that look before. What are you thinking?”

  “Well, I was just wondering what Travis would do if he had some competition.”

  Lena leaned forward, clasping her hands in front of her. “Oh, I like the idea already. Do you have someone in mind?”

  “I’d have to think on it a bit. With your help, of course.”

  Lena nodded. “Of course.” She bit her lip, her eyes narrowing as she concentrated on the idea. “Isabella would never do anything to intentionally hurt Travis. I’m not certain we could get her to go along with a fake courtship.”

  Nora tilted her head to one side. “Why would it have to be fake?”

  Lena’s eyes widened. “You mean a true courtship?”

  “Why not? If Travis doesn’t love her enough to marry her, why shouldn’t she find someone who can love her and wants her as his wife? She’s a wonderful woman, attractive, kind. There must be any number of men who’d be interested.”

  Lena pursed her lips as she considered the idea. “But would Isabella be interested in any of them?”

  “Well, there’s only one way to find out.”

  “I don’t know, Nora. She’s my closest friend, as close as a sister. I won’t be a part of anything where she might get hurt.”

  Nora tapped a finger against her lips. “You’re right. Perhaps we need to give this more thought.”

  “I do believe you have the beginning of a wonderful idea. We just have to find a way to make it happen without anyone getting hurt.” Lena glanced at the clock, then stood. “I’d better get Jack. Do you plan to see Allie tomorrow?”

  The grin on Nora’s face was all the answer Lena needed before she left the parlor on her way to the study.

  Chapter Four

  Nora propped herself against a pillow, pulling the covers up over her legs. She lifted her favorite dime novel from its place on the table next to the bed, staring at the detailed drawing on the cover. As short and simply written as the story was, Nora loved every word about the young Mormon woman traveling by wagon train from Nauvoo, Illinois, to Salt Lake.

  Her father had once spotted the novels on a table in the New York apartment he provided for her, scowling at the titles. He hadn’t attempted to hide his disdain for what he thought were worthless pieces of trash, unsuitable for a young woman with Nora’s education. She’d countered, telling him her education did no good if she were to be hidden away from the world by a father too ashamed to introduce her into society. Less than two weeks later, he placed her on a train to start the long journey to Splendor and her half-brother, Gabe.

  Tonight, she eagerly opened the novel, ready for another adventure. After a few minutes, Nora realized as much as she wanted to get into the story, she couldn’t. Her mind kept wandering back to the last time she saw Wyatt.

  It had been two days after he arrived at the Pelletier ranch with the message from Travis. Sam had been told he’d be following Wyatt to the old Frey ranch, taking Billy’s place. The news took him by surprise, but the excitement on the young man’s face couldn’t have been more gen
uine.

  Nora had waited to leave for town until after Wyatt and Sam left, needing one more chance to be near him. Sitting next to her at supper the night before, he’d been polite, his communication sparse as he responded to her questions with short sentences. Even so, her attraction to him hadn’t changed. And if her instincts held true, he’d felt a similar attraction to her. Although a relationship between the two of them could never work, it boosted her spirits to be seen as somewhat attractive to the handsome younger man.

  The dime novel slipped from her fingers as her eyelids became heavy. A slight smile played across her face, the image of Wyatt creating a warm sensation in her chest as she drifted off to sleep.

  Wyatt slouched in a large chair in the ranch house parlor, his attention focused on the book in front of him. The day he’d gone to town with Luke, he’d been able to get one of the few short novels Stan Petermann had received at his general store. Reading was one of the few pleasures he allowed himself. The stories gave him a means to escape the memories of war and the subsequent deaths of his sister and brother-in-law.

  “What are you reading tonight?” Travis sat in the chair across from him, sipping coffee from an old, chipped cup.

  Wyatt glanced at the cover. “The Trail Hunters by Edward Ellis.”

  “What’s it about?”

  “Pioneers in Kentucky and Tennessee after the Revolution. You’re welcome to read it when I’m finished.”

  Travis nodded. “I’d like that. The last one you let me read was pretty good. They’re a good way to keep my mind off things I shouldn’t be thinking about.”

  Wyatt chuckled. “You mean Isabella?”

  A desolate expression crossed Travis’s face. “I’ve got no business thinking about her. She’s a fine woman, used to the best of everything. I’m a ranch hand who trains horses for soldiers to ride. No matter how I try to see a future with her, I can’t.”

  Wyatt set the book down, his eyes widening. “That’s the most I’ve ever heard you say at one time.”

  Travis snorted, but didn’t comment.

  “Must mean you have some pretty deep feelings for her.”

  Shaking his head, Travis rested his head against the back of the chair, closing his eyes.

  Wyatt didn’t need an answer to know how the man felt about Isabella. He’d seen them together a few times during his short time in Splendor—at Dirk and Rosemary’s wedding, supper at the Pelletier’s, in town once. Neither Travis nor Isabella could hide the way they felt about each other.

  Wyatt wondered if his interest in Nora Evans was as obvious. Supper at the Pelletier home a few nights before had been torture. Sitting next to her, unable to show his interest, made him almost wild with need. The worst part was he had no idea what drew him to her like flies to honey. He couldn’t control his natural instinct to want her any more than he could stop himself from waking at dawn.

  The same as Travis, Wyatt had no business harboring the feelings he did for Nora. She and Isabella were similar in many ways. Both arrived in Splendor educated, with cultured backgrounds, from families with wealth and social status. The difference was Isabella didn’t attempt to hide her feelings for Travis. Nora hadn’t shown any interest in Wyatt. Genuine kindness, warmth, and a smile that took his breath away, but nothing indicating desire.

  Closing the book, he stood. “I’m headed up to bed. See you in the morning, Travis.”

  Walking up the stairs, Wyatt decided to do something he hadn’t done in a very long time. A certain comely young lady at the Dixie saloon would welcome his attention. It had been much too long since he’d availed himself of female comfort. If he could never be with the woman he wanted, perhaps he could rid her from his mind in the arms of someone else.

  A loud pounding on her door brought Nora awake from the deepest sleep she had in a long while. Rubbing her eyes, she sat up, shaking her head.

  “Nora, are you awake?”

  “I am now, Lena. You can come in.” She rubbed her eyes again, noting the bright light coming through the curtains. “What time is it?”

  “Almost ten. You never sleep this late. I got worried.”

  “Ten?” Nora threw the covers off, then dashed to the bowl on her dresser to splash water on her face. “I can’t believe I slept so late.”

  “I’m riding into town and didn’t want to leave without letting you know.”

  Slipping into her clothes, Nora ran a brush through her hair, clipping it at the back of her neck. “I’ll saddle my horse and ride with you. I want to speak with Allie about the job.”

  Not long after she arrived in Splendor, Gabe had purchased a sweet mare named Sugar from the Pelletiers. She’d ridden little back east, but with help from Gabe and Lena, she became proficient in no time. Nora loved to ride whenever she could.

  “We’ll leave after you’ve had something to eat.”

  Nora shook her head. “No. I’ll wait until later. I’m too excited about working with Allie to eat right now.”

  Heading downstairs and out the door, they walked to the nearby stable. Fifteen minutes later, the women mounted their horses for the short ride to town. The trail took them along a path widened by constant use. Crossing a narrow stream, they continued over the next mile, entering the outskirts of Splendor behind Noah’s blacksmith and livery.

  The sounds of loud voices and laughter greeted them before they rounded the corner to see two wagons surrounded by a large group of people.

  “What in the world?” Lena reined her horse to the right, stopping in front of the livery. Gabe and Noah stood next to a tall, slender man dressed in a black suit, a red overcoat slung over his shoulders. His dark beard and mustache matched his thick hair. He held a black top hat in one hand, his other resting on the shoulder of a young boy.

  Seeing Lena and Nora, Gabe excused himself, walking over to meet them.

  “What is all this?” Lena asked as she dismounted into her husband’s waiting arms.

  “It seems Baron Ernst Wolfgang Klaussner has arrived.” Kissing her, he stepped away, looking at Nora. “Would you two like to meet him?”

  Nora nodded, walking Sugar to a post, tossing the reins over before turning back to Gabe and Lena. “What do you think of him?”

  “I’ve no opinion yet. He came racing into town with the two wagons, scaring people off the street and inciting the horses. That’s how I learned who’d arrived.” Gabe shook his head as he looked at Noah speaking with Klaussner. “He brought his son with him.”

  “What about his wife?” Lena asked as they began walking toward the others.

  “No idea where she is. The men and women he brought with him seem to be his servants.”

  Nora lifted a brow, glancing at Gabe. “Servants?”

  The corners of his mouth lifted into a slight grin as they stopped next to Noah.

  “Baron Klaussner, I’d like to present my wife, Mrs. Lena Evans, and my sister, Miss Nora Evans. Ladies, Baron Klaussner.”

  “Baron Ernst Wolfgang Klaussner, at your service.” He bent at the waist in a dramatic bow, then straightened. “It is my great pleasure to make your acquaintance.” Looking to his side, he motioned for the boy to come forward. “This is my son, Johann Wolfgang Klaussner.”

  Johann made a deep bow, the same as his father, his features somber as he rose. Squaring his shoulders, he locked his hands behind his back.

  Taking a step forward, Klaussner looked down the street. “Now, I would like to talk with the proprietor of the best hotel in town.”

  Lena walked up to him. “I’m one of the partners in the St. James Hotel. How may I help you?”

  He looked her up and down, then nodded. “Very good. I will need all the rooms on the top floor.”

  Lena glanced at Gabe, who shrugged. “I’ll do my best.”

  “I’m sure you will, Mrs. Evans. May I assume there is a dining room?”

  “Yes. The Eagle’s Nest, a very good restaurant.”

  A slight smile crossed his face. “Excellent. As with the ro
oms, we’ll be using the dining room until my house is built.”

  Lena lifted a brow. “I see. When do you plan to have your home finished?”

  Klaussner turned to one of the men behind him. “Ulrich?”

  “A few months, Freiherr Klaussner.”

  Hearing the answer, Lena almost choked. “Months?”

  “I am prepared to pay whatever you require for the accommodations. And I will require a teacher for my son, Johann.”

  “Father?” Johann stepped forward, but his father ignored him.

  “A private teacher would be best.”

  “I understand, Baron, but we have an excellent school in Splendor with a wonderful teacher.”

  When Klaussner opened his mouth to respond, Johann gripped his arm. “Father, I would like to go to the regular school.”

  Frowning, he looked down at his son. “We talked of this already.”

  Lifting his chin, Johann’s jaw tightened. “Yes, Father, we did.”

  Sighing, Klaussner shook his head. They had talked about school, him insisting Johann would have a private tutor, his son pleading to attend the regular school.

  “All right. I will allow you to try it. If you do not do well, I will hire a tutor.”

  Johann’s shoulders relaxed, although his expression didn’t change. “Thank you, Father.”

  Nora watched the exchange, fascinated by the formal manner between son and father. And thankful Lena didn’t recommend her as a private tutor. She’d enjoyed teaching in Pennsylvania before her father relocated her to a small apartment in New York City—a place that never felt like a home. Now, she looked forward to working with Allie. She stepped next to Lena.

  “Baron Klaussner, Johann. It was a pleasure meeting both of you, but I’m afraid I have an appointment.”

  Klaussner made a slight bow, as did his son. “Miss Evans. I’m certain we will see you soon.”

  Leaving her horse with Noah at the livery, she walked around the telegraph office, taking the boardwalk toward Allie’s shop. An amused grin crossed her face as she thought of Klaussner, his son, and household staff taking over much of the St. James.