With a pounding heart, she swung her legs over the bed and pulled her arms through her wrapper, the coolness of the air bringing gooseflesh to her arms. Searching her bedside table for some matches, she carefully lit her lamp. The sound outside was not moving along. Sometimes she thought she heard laughter, but mostly metal banging against metal. When she opened her bedroom door, she found Hunter at the top of the stairs, a sour look on his face.
“What is it? Do you know?”
“A shivaree.”
His tone was none too pleased. His long hair hung around his face and his eyes were red.
The banging increased and moved around the building to her bedroom balcony.
“What do we do?”
“I suppose we’ll have to make some kind of appearance or they might stay all night. I was getting some teasing in the saloon earlier—I suppose that’s when they were making their plans. I should have guessed.”
Was it the teasing that had him so grumpy when he came in? “We can go out on my balcony and tell them goodnight. Will that do?”
He gave a wry smile and shrugged. “I’d think. Let’s get this over with.”
In her bedroom, she was about to pull her curtain aside, and then open the door, but Hunter stopped her. The cries and hollering below grew all the louder, as well as the pounding of noisemakers.
“Wait,” he said, looking her up and down. He reached out and with both hands mussed her hair until it felt like a tumbleweed and a good portion hung in her face. That brought a small smile to his lips. “One more thing.”
She stood like a docile lamb as he reached for the sash that kept her robe together. He loosened the knot, then pulled one side open a bit, and slipped it to the edge of her shoulder. The action brought a cascading tidal wave of desire crashing through Tabitha. Warmth pooled in her abdomen and she had to stay her impulse to look into his eyes. To quiet her knee-jerk response, she bit down on her lower lip.
His brow arched. “Do you want to make this convincing or not? It’s up to you. I know thoughts of being with me must be repulsive to your Hoity-Toityness, but just play along. It’ll save my pride.”
Why the big ox! How dare he misconstrue her reactions. Two could play at this game.
Outside, the crowd was yelling at the top of their lungs for them to get out of bed and make a showing. The lantern light must have signaled that they were now awake.
“You need some fixing, too,” she said, keeping a firm hold on her quavering voice. Having him so near, in her bedroom while she was in her nightgown, was totally unnerving.
With hands as steady as she could muster, she unbuttoned his shirt and pulled it wide to expose his muscled chest. It was almost impossible to tug her gaze away from the light sprinkling of hair covering his bronzed skin. Throwing caution to the wind, she went up on tiptoe and mussed his already-tangled hair. The only thing left were his pants, which she figured he’d pulled on when he heard the racket outside, and she wasn’t daring enough to go there.
“There! That’s better. You look good and tousled. What’s good for the goose is good for the gander.”
“You’re a goose, all right.”
His crankiness seemed to have abated, and she thought she heard a small chuckle. She lifted her chin. “Go ahead and open the door, I’m ready.”
Hunter took Tabitha’s hand and stepped out, a wild clamor rending the air from below. Buckskin Jack, unsteady on his feet, gave a whoop of victory. He held up a triangle and striker, rounding it so quickly Hunter couldn’t believe the drunk could move that fast. Beside him, Clyde plugged the ear closest to his friend and plopped to the earth, a silly smile stretching his face. Kendall was there, Mr. Hatfield from the train depot, Farley, and Mr. Harrell. And a bunch of other saloon regulars, all smiling and laughing, and calling out for a kiss.
Hunter held up his hand until they quieted. “Howdy, men,” he said with as much good humor as he could muster. “Good to see you all here so late. My lovely bride and I appreciate your thoughtfulness.”
That brought a round of laughter.
He looked down at Tabitha, her eyes bright with excitement as she searched his face and waited to hear what he would say next. He realized this was probably the most daring thing she’d ever done.
“Kiss, kiss!” the men shouted in unison.
Tabitha, who was nestled under his arm as if they really had just rolled out of a warm bed together, straightened her spine, probably dreading the intimacy.
“Kiss yer bride!” Buckskin shouted. “We ain’t going away until ya do!” He rounded the triangle with renewed energy.
If something wasn’t done fast, the whole town would come to see what was happening. As it was, lanterns at Thom and Hannah’s house across the bridge and up the road had been lit just since they’d stepped out. The last people he wanted to attract were Roberta Brown and Marigold Canterbury.
He glanced down into Tabitha’s sleep-soft face, his heart giving a hurtful twinge. She looked so beautiful in the light of the moon.
“What’re you waiting for?” Kendall called, waving his hat. “An invitation? Get on with it! I’d think you’re afraid of her or something. She’s not the town spinster anymore!”
He was the only one who’d heard the small sound of distress that escaped Tabitha’s throat. Damn, Kendall. Without waiting another second, Hunter wrapped her in his arms and found her mouth. The noise from below ratcheted up a few more notches. But that’s not what had his attention. It was his wife’s warm mouth, the feel of her body, void of any corset or other female thingamabob, tight next to his. Her arms circled his neck and pulled him close. Seemed she was just as eager as he was to make this look good.
“Whooeee, look at ’em!”
“Thatta boy, Hunter! Give her one for the saloon!”
“Let ’er come up for air afore she faints!”
The catcalls swirled around, but Hunter only knew the feel of Tabitha’s lips on his, the curve of her back beneath his palm, and the way her ragged breathing made him feel. Lord, this was more than a kiss for show, it had stolen his soul. He’d been trying to convince himself he was just doing her a favor by marrying her, but now he had to face the facts. He’d wanted to. Had dreamed of waking by her side and gazing into her deep green eyes.
They broke apart.
She avoided his gaze.
Rocked by the kiss, Hunter glanced at the men needing to direct his attention at anything but her. “There you go, gentlemen! Will that do?”
“Darn tootin’!” Buckskin called.
Farley put on his hat and pulled Clyde up by the arm. “Let’s go men. Fun’s over. Let’s let the lovebirds get some sleep—our whiskey awaits.”
“Sleep! Pooh. We know what they’ll be up to.” Clyde was so busy talking and grinning up at them that he almost fell off the bank of Sandy Creek. He righted himself, gave them one last wave, and followed the rest of the men around the corner of the building and back to the saloon.
The night was once again quiet. Except for the pounding of Hunter’s heart. He followed Tabitha back inside.
“I guess we did it now,” she whispered much to herself.
Hunter was busy buttoning his shirt. “What do you mean?”
“The letter we wrote, sealed, and mailed to Reverend Wilbrand with a note not to open until instructed. He’ll have a hard time believing our vow of chastity after he hears about the show we put on tonight.”
Hunter couldn’t stop a harrumph. “I don’t like vowing anything. Too hard to know what’s coming down the trail. That was your idea, not mine.”
She was chewing her lip again. “I know. I’ve pretty much messed things up.”
Glancing around her very feminine room, he rubbed the back of his neck. She was right. He didn’t have any comforting words. “Well, good night,” he said, avoiding her gaze. He disliked being so gruff, but his insides were in a knot and the feel of her lips had been too enjoyable. He needed some space. Turning, he returned to his own room, wondering how
things had gotten so confusing so quickly. Without lighting his lamp, he stripped out of his clothes and got back under the covers, all the while thinking about Tabitha alone one room over.
Why was her mother so set against him? So what if he hadn’t been educated in a fancy school and didn’t have loads of money sitting in the bank. He was honest, and worked harder than most. He was who he was and he’d not be sorry for it.
Out of the blue, his old leg wound began to ache. He reached under the covers and pressed on his knee, remembering all he’d lived through. His life had had its ups and downs, but he’d always been in control of things. Except for now. This time, he couldn’t say the same.
CHAPTER FIFTY-SEVEN
Tabitha jerked around when somebody tapped on her window. Susanna stood waiting, a basket over her arm. Ready for some company after her semiquiet Sunday, Tabitha hurried to unlock the door.
“Happy Monday morning,” Susanna said, her face full of questions. “I was thrilled to see your shades rolled up even if it’s only eight. I haven’t gotten a chance to speak with you alone since the wedding.” She glanced around. “Is Hunter here?”
“No. He was gone when I got up. The place was warm and he’d made a pot of coffee.”
Susanna came in and closed the door. “Very nice. How is married life treating you? Do you have any questions?” She searched Tabitha’s face so long Tabitha knew her cheeks must be red from their tingling warmth. “Well?”
“You’re still a newlywed, Susanna. If I had questions, I’d ask Hannah, or Brenna, or Jessie.” What else could she say? Her friends might not like the bargain she’d struck with her groom.
Susanna winked. “Believe me, you most certainly can ask me as well. But—I can see you’re too shy to talk right now. All things in their time.” She looked around, smiled. “Come with me over to the sheriff’s office. This business with Rock Springs has Albert on edge. He left for the office without eating. I want to drop this by.”
“I’m surprised you’re not already at the restaurant.”
“I traded shifts with Roberta, so she opened for me. Nate’s been struggling with some of his schooling, so I wanted to help him study for a test today.”
Girl time sounded good. Tabitha could get back to poster making after she took a little walk, even if it was just next door. “I’d like that. Let me get my shawl from upstairs.”
A minute later, Albert looked up from his desk when she and Susanna stepped through the door. He smiled and stood, circling his desk to greet his wife with a kiss. He gave Tabitha a smile and a nod.
“I’m glad you stopped in,” Albert said, his voice serious. “Telegram arrived this morning. Thom and I need to go to Rock Springs. Tensions have boiled over with the whites and Chinese. A man’s been killed. Sheriff over there doesn’t know if he’ll be able to hold off a full-fledged riot, but would like to try. He’s calling in as much law enforcement as he can.”
“Albert,” Susanna said, placing the basket of food on his desk to take his arm as if that would keep him safe. “I don’t like the sound of that. Do you have to go? It’s so dangerous.”
Tabitha didn’t like the sound of it either. Men dying for nothing. Why couldn’t the locals and the migrants all just get along?
“I’m sorry, darlin’, but I do. It’s my job. Thom’s, too. We’ll be as careful as we can. Don’t know when we’ll be back, though. I hope in a day or two.”
Thom came through the door.
“We all set?” Albert asked.
Thom nodded.
Susanna slipped into Albert’s arms and laid her head on his chest.
“It’ll be fine, honey. I’ll send a telegram as soon as I can if we’re going to be longer.” His hands rubbed up and down her back, and Tabitha couldn’t help but feel warmth behind her eyes herself.
Albert and Thom were so brave to go off, knowing what might lie ahead. And poor Susanna and Hannah. Tabitha didn’t know how they could stand having their men in such danger. Hunter entered her mind, and the rumors about his past. The gunslinging and killing. That couldn’t be true. She didn’t believe a word, and nothing anyone could say would change her mind.
Tabitha returned to her shop to find her mother standing at the locked door. “Mother?”
“Good morning, Tabitha.”
Alarm bells went off when she saw her mother’s carpetbag sitting on the ground by her feet. “Good morning,” she responded, wondering what that might mean. Was her mother finally giving up and heading back to New York?
“I’ve come for a visit. Do you have time?”
It was still only nine. A visit? Perhaps to say goodbye. “Yes, a whole hour before I open. Come in and we can talk. Have you eaten?”
“Oh, yes. Hours ago.”
Sneaking another peek at the bag, Tabitha unlocked the door and went inside, holding it for her mother to follow. “I’ll stoke the fire and put water on for tea.”
“Actually, daughter, there’s something I need to request from you. I’d like to get it out of the way first. So I can relax.”
Tabitha halted in her tracks. Slowly turned around. She hadn’t seen her mother since Sunday morning when Hunter had spoken to her from the stairway. “Yes?”
“I was wondering if I could stay with you for a day or two.”
She’s not going home? “Why?”
Her mother’s face crumpled. She looked away and her nostrils flared. “I can’t stay with Roberta any longer. We don’t see eye to eye on anything. She challenges everything I say. It’s not good for either of us. You have an extra bedroom. I’d be ever so grateful if I could have a nice visit with my only child.”
Stunned, Tabitha thought of the extra room laden with all of Hunter’s belongings. “What about Uncle Frank? He has a guest room.”
Her mother’s lips wobbled and she cast her gaze to the floor. “Please don’t ask me to go there. He mentioned that he’d recently had an infestation of mice, more than his cats could contain. You know how I can’t abide those critters. My skin crawls just thinking about them.”
“What about the El Dorado? The rooms are beautiful. I know you’d be very comfortable.”
“I knew I should have went there first and not bothered you.”
“It’s because of Hunter. We’re just married.”
Her mother walked to the window chair and lowered herself down. “I guess I won’t be too humiliated to stay in the hotel even when everyone knows my daughter has a perfectly fine guest room. I understand, Tabitha. I do. And I don’t hold it against you at all.”
Tabitha’s mind warred with reality and guilt. It wasn’t right to ask this of Hunter. Not after all he’d already done for her. Sacrificed for her. Her mother’s shoulders began to quiver. She was getting on in age. “How long would you be staying?”
“Just a handful of days. Since there isn’t anything I can do now that you’ve gone and married that mountain man, I’ll be leaving at the end of the week.”
What to do? In the large scheme of things, it was only a few days, and then she’d be gone. Maybe they could make up, mend their relationship. That was doubtful, but Tabitha would like to try. It was the right thing to do. She just prayed Hunter would see it the same.
CHAPTER FIFTY-EIGHT
Hunter dipped the last bar glass into the rinse water and set it upside down on a dishrag that looked as if it could use a good scrubbing. He straightened. Stretched his aching back muscles, then dried his hands. Three men stood at the bar and two occupied one table. Dichelle had brought in a boatload of men Saturday night, and he and Kendall had cleared a hundred and fifty-eight dollars after all was said and done. Tonight was a different story. No spillover whatsoever. Perhaps growing the Bright Nugget’s earning ability was a losing battle. Or maybe he was just tired. He’d stayed away from Storybook Lodge all day. Soon, though, he’d have to face Tabitha. She’d see the difference in him. She’d be able to tell that he longed to hold her again, kiss her lips. His troubling thoughts about his new wife had him
skeptical he’d ever again find firm footing.
Kendall clomped down the stairs. “Morning!”
“You loco? It’s after supper,” Buckskin shouted back.
Kendall stopped at the bottom of the stairs and rubbed a hand over his face, clearing away the sleep cobwebs. “That all-day nap sure felt good. I highly recommend it to everyone.” He smiled at Hunter. “I guess having a partner has a few advantages.”
Going to the end of the bar, Hunter untied his apron and set the wadded cloth on the top of the countertop. He reached for his coat but didn’t put it on for the short walk home. “Good night, gentlemen.” I wonder if there’ll be supper of any kind to speak of? We never discussed any topics of importance. He gave a mental shrug. If not, I guess my earnings can buy another meal at the Silky Hen.
“Good night, lover boy,” Clyde replied. “Sleep tight.”
Buckskin laughed and slapped his leg. He picked up his empty glass in anticipation of the change in shift. Hunter had asked Kendall not to keep feeding Buckskin and Clyde until they were cross-eyed drunk, but Hunter had the sneaking suspicion Kendall did whatever he wanted when he wasn’t around.
“Hold up,” Kendall called when he was about to leave. He hurried over.
“What is it, Kendall, I’m tired.”
Kendall stared at him for a long time.
“You got something to say, say it.”
The bartender cleared his throat, then began softly so no one else could hear. “It ain’t been so bad having a partner. The boon last Saturday night was due to you thinkin’ it up.”
“And my hard work.”
He nodded. “That’s right. And now, today, I haven’t had time off like that since I don’t remember when . . .”
“Do you have a point you’re trying to make here, Kendall, or is this some way to keep me—”
The man’s mouth flattened out. “What I’m trying to say is I’m sorry.”
Whispers on the Wind (A Prairie Hearts Novel Book 5) Page 28
