by Kit Morgan
“That’s right.”
Clint grabbed a chair from a nearby table and set it near the stove. “Here, sit. Seamus will bring the coffee soon.”
She sat, shivering. He took off his coat and put it around her shoulders as Seamus brought their coffee. Clint took one and handed it to her. “Here, drink this.” He took a sip from the other cup. “Ah, that feels good.”
She took a tentative sip, then another, smiled and sighed contentedly. “That is good.”
A sound caught their attention, and they turned to see two men hammering something together at the other end of the saloon. “What are they doing?” Clint asked.
“Building the stage for the talent show tomorrow.”
“Talent show?” He suddenly smiled as he remembered her sliding a flyer under his door. “Right, I heard about that,” he said in a teasing tone.
She smiled and rolled her eyes. She obviously remembered too. “Are you entering?”
“Oh no. I’m good at a lot of things but standing in front of people on a stage isn’t one of them.”
She giggled and held the cup with both hands, warming them. “I have to admit I’m not good at it either. I’m better at watching.”
He smiled at her. “So am I.” He took another sip of coffee, then asked, “Ophelia Rathbone, would you do me the honor of accompanying me to the talent show tomorrow?”
Her face broke into a wide grin. “Clint Jones, I’d love to.”
Chapter Thirteen
He did what?” Felicity asked the next day.
Ophelia grinned. “He kissed me.” Maybe she should have kept that piece of information to herself, but she didn’t want Felicity or Chase hearing it from someone else in case anyone saw them. Thank Heavens they were alone in Felicity’s room where no one could hear them.
“What kind of kiss?” Felicity asked.
“There are kinds?”
Felicity stifled a giggle. “Was that your first kiss?”
Ophelia felt herself turn very red. “Yes.”
“And?” Felicity said, eyes bright.
Ophelia looked at her and blinked. “You’re supposed to be a pastor’s wife? Shouldn’t you be chastising me on how I’m going to burn in …”
“Not for one kiss – don’t be silly. Now, what else happened?”
Ophelia sat. “He told me that when he first met me, he’d thought I was a fallen woman.”
Felicity laughed. “Oh yes, Chase told me about that.”
“Did you know he thought the same about you?”
Felicity waved it off. “Don’t think anything of it, Ophey. He made a mistake. What you need to think about is how you feel about him.”
“Feel about him? I … well … at this point I’m not sure. So far he’s insulted me, scared me half to death, ravished me, and I still don’t know if he’s staying.”
“Scared you half to death? How did he do that?” Felicity asked, concerned.
“He mentioned who he worked for. I thought Father had sent him.”
“Oh heavens,” Felicity said. “How did I not put that together?”
“You knew he was an agent for Wells Fargo?”
“No, only that he was a bank agent. Chase never told me which one. But I can see how that would upset you. Do you really think your father would send someone after you?”
Ophelia stood and began to pace. “Oh, Felicity, I don’t know what my father will do. But if he does, what will I do?”
“You have a point. There was some trouble here just after we arrived – a man showed up and tried to kidnap the sheriff’s wife. Granted, he thought she was someone else …”
“I have no protection,” Ophelia said. “What if Clint feels obligated to write my father and tell him where I am?”
Felicity left her chair and took Ophelia by the arms. “Listen to me. Clint Jones seems to be a very nice man, and very interested in you.”
“My point exactly! If he’s an honorable man, he might feel obligated to tell Father I’m here.”
“Oh dear, that’s a valid point.” Felicity made a face. “Let me talk to Chase – he’ll have some ideas. But you’ll have to tell us what you think your father might do.”
“If only I knew. He already disowned me – who knows how long it will be before I hear from him? If I ever do.”
“But after he receives your letter, he’ll know where you are.”
Ophelia grimaced. “Yes … but I haven’t actually sent the letter yet. I know I should’ve, but I just couldn’t bring myself to.”
“Oh for Heaven’s sake … did you tell Clint you sent it?”
“I told him I wrote one.”
Felicity shook her head. “Well, we haven’t time to worry about it now. We have to get downstairs for the talent show. Let’s talk about this later.”
Ophelia nodded. With any luck, it would be much later.
By the time they got downstairs, the saloon was filling with people. Clint stood next to their table near the little stage. Felicity waved at Chase, who was already seated along with the Hardts. She turned to Ophelia. “Tell him the truth. You didn’t send the letter.”
“But …”
“Ophey, he thinks your father knows where you are. I can only imagine what’s going through Clint’s head after you told him you thought your father sent him here to drag you back.”
“But what if Clint feels obligated to …”
“Do you really think he’s the type to take advantage of a situation like this?”
Ophelia shrugged. “Father might give him some sort of reward for returning me.”
Felicity sighed as Clint waved at them. “If he’s after a reward, he’s not the man for you.”
“Yes, but what if I don’t find that out until it’s too late?”
Felicity turned and smiled at Clint, then at her husband. “Then Sheriff Draven will make him wish he hadn’t.”
Ophelia looked at Clint and their eyes met. He waved at a chair in invitation. “All right, I’ll tell him. But don’t tell Sheriff Draven any of this. I’d hate to have him eviscerate poor Clint before he has a chance to prove himself.”
Felicity smiled. “Don’t worry – Draven would make sure he’s guilty before meting out any justice.” She headed between the tables full of people to her husband.
“That’s a relief.” Ophelia had seen the sheriff only once since coming to town, but he’d scared her from across the street! He looked wild, the type of man that answered to no one. She walked over to where Clint waited. “Sorry I took so long – we were … going over some last-minute details.”
“I’m sure you were – this was very impromptu. But I think everyone will have a good time.”
They chatted about this and that, and soon Ophelia began to relax. The talent show got underway, and she decided she could wait a while to tell Clint her father still hadn’t a clue where she was. In the meantime, she lost herself in the fun of the show.
Most of the acts were silly, but entertaining. Five miners got up and tried their hand at a barbershop quartet, plus one. Another sang solo and rather well, and she wondered what his story was – he was good enough to perform professionally. Some of the new brides she’d met in town sang, then a man got onstage with a set of bagpipes and played … something. Everyone was relieved when he got off.
All the while, Ophelia was acutely aware of Clint Jones – every movement, every sound. He laughed with her, clapped with her. He was attentive, gentlemanly and watched over her like a hawk. He even glared at a few men that got too close.
Finally he asked, “Would you like to have dinner with me?”
“What?”
“Dinner, Ophelia. Tonight.”
“Alone?”
“You could invite the Hammonds if you want.”
She turned to him, ignoring the laughter around them. “All right. I’ll tell Felicity.” She looked around at everyone laughing, clapping and having a good time. “I guess you can really see Noelle now.”
He nodded
. “I’ve seen everything I need to. My work here’s done.”
Her face fell. He was leaving – he must be. Hadn’t he told her the same thing yesterday, that he didn’t need to look at anything else? “I see.”
“Do you?” he asked, his voice barely audible over the laughter.
She nodded. He didn’t need her permission to leave town. That’s probably why she hadn’t seen him all day – he must have been writing his report. “When will you go?”
“In the morning,” he said.
Ophelia closed her eyes and bit her lower lip. When she opened them he was watching the stage. So that was it. He was done. Tonight would be the last she’d ever see of Clint Jones.
Ophelia and Felicity dressed for dinner in Felicity’s room while Clint and Chase waited downstairs. The talent show had been a roaring success, literally. The miners and townsfolk had laughed themselves silly, and Chase couldn’t be happier at how the little community had come together to entertain each other and have a good time.
But Ophelia had barely noticed the smiles of the townspeople or the raucous laughter of the miners after hearing Clint say those three horrid words. In the morning. He’d said little after that, just commented on the performances. One man even picked her to volunteer as part of his act. Clint didn’t say much to that either. She groaned in frustration.
“What’s the matter?” Felicity asked.
She turned to her friend, tears in her eyes. “He’s leaving, Felicity. First thing in the morning.”
Felicity swallowed hard and blinked back her own tears. “I know. Chase told me. Did you tell him about the letter?”
“No, I didn’t get the chance.”
“Ophey, you should have told him.”
“What for? For all I know he’ll be giving his report to Father. He’s Wells Fargo’s man in Denver. I’m sure he’ll tell him where I am, maybe even ask why he hasn’t written me yet.”
Felicity hugged her. “Do you want your father to know?”
“At this point, what does it matter?”
Felicity looked at her. “How can you say that when we’re about to embark on the most important work we’ve ever done?”
“The mission? I know, but my father will find me eventually. I might as well face him now than later.”
“By post, at any rate,” Felicity said with a smile.
“Yes,” Ophelia said and giggled. “I don’t know what he’ll do, but at least we have Sheriff Draven if he tries something desperate.”
“I don’t think your father will resort to having you abducted and carried off to Denver.”
“If he wants his way bad enough, he might.”
“Then we’ll just have to be ready for that. Besides, you’re of age – he can’t tell you what to do anymore.”
“No, he can’t,” she said with a sigh. “But he’ll still try. I feel like he ruins everything good in my life.”
“Like Clint Jones?”
“Especially Clint Jones.”
Felicity put an arm around her. “Come on, let’s at least enjoy one last evening with him.”
Ophelia forced one foot in front of the other. She felt more like she was heading to the gallows than dinner with the man she lov … what?! “Oh my…”
“Excuse me?” Felicity said as she reached for her coat.
Ophelia gasped. “This is terrible!”
“What is?” Felicity asked, eyes wide.
“Felicity. I’m in love with him!”
Her friend laughed, pulled her into another hug and said, “You just figured that out?”
“Yes.” Ophelia sighed. “And too late.”
Felicity looked her in the eyes. “It’s never too late. Tell him.”
“What? Oh, but … but …”
“But what? You need to tell him.”
Ophelia froze. If she wanted to be bolder, telling Clint Jones she’d fallen in love with him would certainly fit the bill. “But what if he doesn’t feel the same?”
“Then you’ll know. But if you don’t, you’ll regret it for a very long time. For all you know he feels the same way.”
“Then why is he leaving?”
“Because you haven’t told him yet?” Felicity reached for Ophelia’s coat and handed it to her. “If you don’t say anything, you’re not being fair to him – or yourself.” She went to the door and opened it. “Let’s go.”
Ophelia stared at her friend in horror. But she was right – she would regret it if she didn’t tell him. She took her coat from Felicity and together they went downstairs.
Chase was waiting for them. “Well, don’t you two look lovely?”
Ophelia glanced around, then up the stairs. “Clint hasn’t come down yet?”
Rev. Chase took a deep breath. “About Mr. Jones …”
Ophelia blanched. “What is it?”
The reverend looked at his wife, then Ophelia, and sighed. “He’s gone.”
“Ophelia?” Felicity called from the other side of the door. “Please open up. I have some food for you.”
Ophelia raised her head. She was in bed, having been there all day and now well into the night. She didn’t want to eat. She didn’t want to do anything. How could Clint just leave without saying goodbye? What was wrong with the man?
What confused her most was how big a hurry he must have been in. There was only so much daylight after the talent show ended. He might get to the next town, but no further. He must have planned on catching an early morning train back to Denver. Maybe he’d changed his mind and decided he wanted something out of his visit to Noelle – like a reward from her father for reporting her whereabouts …
“Ophelia! Please.”
“Fine!” she groaned, shoving aside the blankets. She shivered at the chill in her room, went to the door and opened it.
Felicity gasped. “Ophelia! Oh, you poor dear …” She came in with a tray, set it on the dresser and hugged Ophelia. “I know you’re hurt, but don’t do this to yourself.”
Tears welled in her eyes. She thought she was through crying, but apparently not. “I didn’t even get the chance to be bold and … and tell him I think he’s the most wonderful man in the world!”
“I know, but please, you can’t stay locked up in here starving.” She went to the water pitcher. “Have you even had any water today?”
“I don’t want anything.” She looked at her friend. “I don’t feel anything. I’ve cried and cried and I’m so angry at myself for not saying something to him earlier. I should have told him I never sent that letter to Father. You were right, I am full of regret. I should have …” She buried her face in her hands. “… told Clint I loved him!”
“And I should’ve told you I love you too.”
Ophelia froze, her hands still over her face. She heard the boot heels come into the room, felt warm hands wrap around her wrists and gently pull them aside.
“Hello, honey,” Clint said.
Ophelia gasped.
He smiled as he looked her over. “Aw, just look at you. I’m sorry I left so suddenly – I had no choice.” He pulled her against him. “But I’m here now.”
Ophelia’s eyes were round as saucers. She looked at Felicity over Clint’s arm, saw the big grin on her friend’s face, saw Chase behind her with an even bigger smile, and pulled away. “What’s going on? What is this? Where have you been?”
“Whatever do you mean?” Clint asked innocently.
Ophelia pointed at the Hammonds. “They don’t smile like that unless they’ve been up to something. I’ve been around long enough to at least know that!”
Clint beamed, then got down on one knee.
Ophelia gasped as her hands flew to her mouth.
“Ophelia Rathbone, I know we haven’t known each other long, but I feel in my heart this is the right thing to do. I don’t mind telling you I had a lot of things to think about and a little arranging to do, but here I am.”
Ophelia could only stare at this point. “Arranging?” she squeaked.
>
“Yes, because if we’re going to be married, I had business to take care of first. I won’t have your father breathing down our necks.”
“My father?”
“He can’t force you back to Denver if you’re married, now can he?”
She blinked. “You … you want to marry me to keep Father from …”
“No, I want to marry you because I love you.”
“For Heaven’s sake, just propose,” Chase said. “She doesn’t need a lengthy explanation.”
Clint glanced at the reverend and took a fortifying breath. “Doggone it, Ophelia Rathbone, will you marry me?”
She smiled, then laughed. “Yes!”
Epilogue
I now pronounce you man and wife,” Rev. Hammond said with a smile, then nodded to Clint. “You may kiss the bride.”
Clint took Ophelia in his arms and did just that. It was only the second time he’d kissed her, and she hadn’t been held so tightly before. There would be a lot of firsts for them, and she was looking forward to each and every one. If she had any doubt in her mind as to his feelings for her, they were gone.
Clint had consulted with Chase the morning of the talent show. He’d made up his mind the day before to marry her, but doing so meant sacrifices on his part. He’d need a new job if he was to stay in Noelle so she could do her work with the mission. So he went to the next town to wire his superiors about his intentions and let them know he’d be in Denver soon to give his report. He’d then hurried back to Noelle in the dark to be with her as quickly as possible.
He broke the kiss and hugged her. “Ophelia, you adorable little woman, I love you.”
She smiled. “I love you too,” she said – and yawned.
He laughed. “I’m putting you to sleep already?”
“No, silly. I’m just tired.”
“She was in her room crying most of yesterday,” Felicity mentioned, then yawned as well. “Good heavens, it must be late.”
Chase pulled out his watch. “After midnight.” He looked at his wife and kissed her on the cheek. “Happy Valentine’s Day.”
