by Sarah Cass
“Did you take her at her word?”
“I believed her, but I waited for Bess to wake up. She did the next day for a few hours. I tried to be there every time she woke up the next few days to let her know she had someone there, someone who didn’t scare her. Eventually I got the truth from her, she’s terrified for her child, but has nowhere to go. I sent you a wire straight away.”
“What would you have me do with her?” Despite the harsh sounding words, his lips twitched in amusement. “Hide her in the stables?”
“Don’t be obtuse, you foolish man.” Kat chuckled. Their food arrived, so she straightened to pay mind to her rumbling stomach. As she ate she rudely spoke around her food. “I pleaded her case with the League, but they wouldn’t rally to help her. They said it was too risky to remove her from under her husband’s nose.”
“Yet they will destroy a man’s livelihood to make their point.” Patrick chewed slowly, staring off into the street. “When will she be well enough to travel?”
“The nurse says the doctor is going to release her in three days. I was hoping to sneak her out tomorrow or the day after.” Kat fluttered her eyelashes at him. “If you would take her to St. Louis and see she’s cared for and finds somewhere to live and work.”
“You won’t come help me with this task? I thought by your tone you were done with your grand adventure among the women of the league.”
“I am, but I convinced them to make their next stop in Colorado.”
His head snapped back around to face her. “Oh?”
“Dominion Falls. I told them of the debauchery and numerous saloons and gambling and drinking running rampant. They were salivating for a chance at it.”
“Your parents?”
“They aren’t there. At least, I don’t believe they are. I’m not quite ready.”
“It’s been five years.”
“I know,” she whispered. When he set his hand on hers, she turned hers over to grab his tight. “You don’t know my mother. She is—intimidating. I’m not ready.”
“You’re stronger than you realize.”
“You’re biased, but thank you.” She smiled and gave his hand another squeeze before she released it to dive into her food. “The trick will be getting her out of town before the doctors realize she’s gone and reach her husband. I will have to get her out with only a little time to spare to get her to your train.”
“We’ll figure out how to do so. Today I’d like to enjoy the day with you and meet this Bess. Then we’ll worry about how to help her and her child. After which, I will do my best to convince to come straight home once you’re done in Dominion Falls.”
“No convincing needed. I’ve enjoyed travelling so much, but I’m ready to rest for a while. Mayhap I’ll join the suffrage group there, they’re far more active than the group in Chicago ever was. It could be fun stirring up trouble I can get behind.”
“Stirring up trouble is an area of expertise for us both.”
* * * *
Kat leaned her head out the window of the stagecoach to get as much fresh air as she could. After a year she should be used to riding in a stagecoach with these women, but this time around her nerves made everything intolerable. Not even the beauty of the snowcapped mountains in the distance eased her distress.
Eugenia had passed the night before the plan to remove Bess from the hospital. In the end, Kat was sure that had worked in her favor, for she didn’t have to put on a dress and hat and try to hide from a doctor once Bess was safe.
Patrick had promised to send a telegram to Dominion Falls once he and Bess were safe in St. Louis, and to keep her informed of Bess’s progress. Kat was relieved she’d been able to help the woman escape a fate like Delphie’s, but couldn’t fully enjoy it.
Not with her old hometown looming in the distance. Shockingly, there were buildings everywhere now. As they’d paused on the mountain pass, Kat had been able to get a good look. The settlement north of town was now filled with homes, and the richer homes on the hill had grown from just their old house to several homes.
The town itself now had buildings lining the T-shaped roads. Tents still surrounded the main portion of town, and on their current approach she saw the first sign of carts lining the street.
Anxiety twisted her stomach tighter and she pulled her head back in the carriage. After she’d slid the curtain closed, she fiddled with her handkerchief. She hadn’t yet told the women this would be her last stop with them, and she would once again do her best to make sure they didn’t take things too far.
“You grew up here?” Lottie, the young woman closest to Kat’s own age spoke up. Her nose wrinkled as she peeked out of the curtain. “How...quaint.”
“It was better then, not so many buildings.” Kat felt frisky enough to rile Lottie. The woman acted so prim and proper, but Kat knew her to be a hypocrite. At least Kat was honest about her dislike of some of what the league did. Lottie just drank and made time with men in every town they went to right behind the other women’s back.
“Well, I guess it explains some things.” Lottie eyed Kat’s pantaloons in disdain.
“Oh, please. I only started wearing these a year ago. Growing up here had little to do with my fashion choice.” Kat smirked. “I’m not ashamed of what I am, certainly not of where I came from. I liked growing up here. It was wilder, freer, and dangerous at times.”
Lottie’s reply was cut off with a sharp jolt of the carriage when the stagecoach stopped suddenly.
Kat didn’t wait for Lottie’s retort, or the driver. Instead, she reached out of the window and opened the door. She leaped out into the street, not surprised by the constant bustle of activity around her.
Her smile brightened as she turned, taking in the sights, and smells, of the town. The unease and tension slipped away and her shoulders dropped. She was home.
The other women exited the stagecoach once the driver brought about the steps, and began to congregate to discuss where they’d stay.
“Well, Katherine?” Lottie’s nasally tone interrupted Kat’s enjoyment of the crowded street. “This is your town? Where do we stay?”
“I haven’t been here in five years. I haven’t the faintest idea. Half of these buildings didn’t even exist then.” Kat glared at Lottie. “If it’s still there, my sister had a boarding house down the street that way across from the saloon. I wouldn’t know if there’s a proper hotel now or not. Go ask someone.”
Lottie harrumphed and spun, leading the ladies to the general store.
Kat shook off her annoyance and began to wonder where she herself would stay. If the ladies chose her sister’s boarding house she certainly wouldn’t be joining them.
“Just give me that mail bag.” A familiar voice called behind her. A gentleman with careworn features, twenty years her senior glared at the driver. Norman Woodward, who had run the telegraph office when she’d lived here, still did if his call for the mail was any indicator. “Took ya long enough to get here. Supply wagon was here three days ago.”
“We crossed paths with them coming over the mountain,” Kat interjected before the driver could respond. If nothing else, it would be interesting to see if he remembered her. “Our driver was kind enough to help them fix their broken wheel. That’s why we’re late.”
“Well, that’s just...” Norman’s words trailed off and he studied her. “I know you.”
“Are you sure?” Kat grinned and set her hand on her hip. Unsurprisingly, the man scanned her from top to bottom, his nose wrinkling at her pantaloons. “Or did you once and not any longer?”
“Katherine Daugherty. What have you done to yourself?”
“Well, Norman.” She chuckled when he grumbled about her using his proper name. “I went off and grew up. That is allowed, isn’t it? Also, I go by Kat now. Katherine doesn’t suit me so well these days.”
“See you’re as brash and unseemly as ever.”
“Oh no, I’m far worse now.”
“Your parents had a right
fit when you disappeared. Tore the town up looking for ya.” Norman almost smiled. “Funniest damn thing I ever seen when your Ma crawled along looking under porches for you.”
“A sight I wish I could have seen myself, but I’m glad I was far away for it.” Kat pointed to her trunk for the driver. “Tell me, Norman. Is there a proper hotel these days, or just my sister’s place still?”
“There’s a hotel, just opened. Called the Silver Saddle. Two doors down from your sister, but they got gambling and whores.”
“Sounds perfect. Cole Mitchell never turned his into a hotel, then? Even large as it is? What a pity.”
“Nope. His place is best for whoring, though.”
“And you would know this how?” Kat laughed when he turned his back on her. “Good seeing you again, Norman.”
Kat arranged to have her bags sent to the hotel, then headed there herself to get a room. Rather than rush, she strolled down the street to take in all the new buildings and businesses. A few familiar faces did a double take, but no one spoke up to call out to her. Perhaps they weren’t sure it was actually her. Five years was a long time.
The building next to the Silver Saddle stopped her in her tracks as she took in the sign. A combination lawyers office and clinic had to be the most unique thing she’d seen yet in her life. Even more so was the doctor’s name: Caroline Pearson.
Kat couldn’t keep her surprise to herself. “A woman doctor?”
A familiar, sexy timbre of a voice sent a shiver down her spine. Cole Mitchell himself muttered nearby, “Just got here six months ago. Her husband is pushing as many people as he can into her care.”
“Cole Mitchell.”
“Kathy Daugherty.”
She turned around and smiled. “I go by Kat now.”
“Sure thing, Kathy.” He leaned against the building’s post, all six foot plus of him on display for her enjoyment. The wicked grin he wore let her know he didn’t miss her perusal. “Didn’t expect you back here so soon.”
“Soon? It’s been five years. I made sure my parents were well ensconced in Denver before I came.” She leaned back against the building as he took his own turn. “I thought I should return home for a while.”
“That so? What about them Temperance ladies you got off the coach with?”
“I came with them. It remains to be seen if I leave with them.”
“You? With the temperance biddies?”
“In theory I agree with some of their points, not all. Plus, I was able to travel some of this country instead of being tied down to one city.” She shrugged. “I might have suggested this camp. What with all the saloons it had when I left.”
“Down to four now, mine’s still the busiest. And it’s a town now.”
“Really? My mother’s doing?” She knew her mother had wanted to incorporate Dominion Falls since they set up camp. No one had ever managed to organize enough to do as much.
“Nah. Pretty much everyone realized the train wouldn’t come unless they worked for it. Made a real government and everything.” He chuckled. “Lasted long enough to make the town, then fell apart.”
“Well, I should go get a room at the Silver Saddle.”
“Ya won’t like it there.”
“Why on earth would you say such a thing? You don’t know me, Cole.”
“Just a guess. Swing by the saloon for a drink later.” He winked. “If you want. I know you’re opposed to drinking and all.”
“I’m opposed to excess, not drinking.” She pushed off the glass and started toward the hotel. “As for drinking at your saloon, I suppose we’ll see.”
“Kathy.” He hadn’t moved when she turned around. Only his gaze had followed her. His sly grin returned. “Bein’ away did ya good. Lookin’ forward to my reward.”
“You’re presumptuous as ever.”
“And you ain’t fifteen no more.”
“I’m certainly not.” She turned away from his chuckle, not bothering to hide her own grin. Unfortunately, the moment she stepped into the hotel, her grin faded. Loathed as she was to admit it, Cole was right as rain.
To her right were gambling tables littered with a few men and some whores one might call high class. The bar stretched along the wall to her left, with cages along the back wall not unlike the bank windows she used to sit behind.
None of that was what bothered her, though. No, it was the overdone opulence and gilt the owner had thrown on every surface. Maybe he wanted to class the business up in this dirty little town to try to attract future train customers, but it was obscene.
Kat wrinkled her nose and considered turning around to leave, but made herself stand still. Only other place to stay was her sisters. She supposed she could pester Cole for a room, but she wouldn’t allow him another excuse to push for repayment—not yet, at least.
A man of moderate height with a styled black moustache approached. His suit was well cut and his cravat was held in place with a bright silver pin. The smarmy grin he wore made Kat itch to slap him before he even spoke. “May I help you?”
“I was hoping to get a room for a few nights.” If she decided to stay in town, she’d have to look for another place to stay. Between the extravagance and the man before her, she really didn’t want to stay here. “Do you have any available?”
The man looked her over and nodded. “I do. There’s a discounted rate for company if you wish it while you’re here.”
“I don’t.” She smiled pleasant as she could at the insinuation. While some of the women Patrick had brought home had suggested such a thing, she found herself with no desire toward women. This man’s assumption only lowered her already poor regard for him. “Just a room.”
“Certainly. I’m Guy Forrester. I’m the owner of this establishment. And you are?”
“Katherine Wells.” For the time being she’d use her assumed name. No reason to let this man know who she really was just yet. “I’ve arranged to have my bags brought here, and if you’ll show me my room, I’d like to freshen up after the ride in the stagecoach.”
“Certainly. Right this way, Miss Wells.”
Kat followed him to the room he offered, and closed the door in his face when he turned to offer her something else. First, she’d clean up, and then she’d get food. After that, the sky was the limit. At least until the ladies managed to corral her again.
For the next few days she’d stay in their good graces and make the requisite rounds to the saloons. At least until she could learn their plans and warn the appropriate saloon owner to prepare for a fight.
Then she would break ties and figure out what to do next. Whether it would be to remain in Dominion Falls or head to St. Louis, she didn’t know yet.
The openness of the possibilities ahead of her satisfied her enough.
* * * *
Kat emerged from the small saloon tent to take a deep breath of fresh air. Inside, her fellow ladies were continuing to pray for the sinners in their loudest voices, but they underestimated how strong the miners in the town drank. Most of the men ignored the women as nothing more than the pesky flies buzzing about them.
“Lookie here.” Cole sat atop a large horse, grinning down at her. “Maybe ya do drink after all.”
“My group is inside, praying for the sinners.” Kat tried, but was unable to keep the derisive tone from her voice. “I decided to get some fresh air.”
Cole hopped off his horse and started down the street toward his stables. If he’d expected her to follow, he was right. Only because she was glad for the excuse of an escape. “Can’t imagine they’ll be doin’ much at Tiny’s place.”
“Ah, but Tiny’s is an easy first target. It’s much easier to clear a small saloon tent than a larger saloon with whores to boot.” Kat kept stride beside him easily, her hands clasped in front of her. “Are you ready for company? I expect them to be at your place tomorrow. I believe they’re going to the Silver Saddle this afternoon.”
“Savin’ me for last?”
“Well, as y
ou pointed out, yours is the busiest saloon in town.”
“So you started with this after Chicago, eh?”
She shrugged. “Like I said, it gave me an excuse to leave and travel. I do believe men should practice more temperance, and leave behind such excess enjoyment. However, I don’t believe in destroying the existence of alcohol. I enjoy some from time to time myself.”
“I thought you might.” He opened the gate to the corral and urged his horse to go through. Once it was closed, he turned to face her. “Care for one now?”
“Yes.” She didn’t hesitate, and even led the way to the front of his saloon. If any of the women questioned, she’d simply say she was talking to him in advance. After all, knowing the owner prior could create an influence they didn’t have.
“What d’ya like?”
“I doubt you have brandy, do you?”
“No. My customers prefer beer and whiskey, with an occasional call for gin.”
She sighed. “Shame. Fine, I’ll have whiskey.” Certainly Patrick had taught her the pleasures of whiskey, but she didn’t have to reveal all to Cole, he’d sure never do that with anyone else.
For the whole time Cole had been in Dominion Falls, no one ever knew much about him. Where he came from, or who he was. She could vaguely remember that he didn’t start out a blatant rake, but it hadn’t taken him long to fall into a role that appeared to suit him quite well.
Kat didn’t mind. Unlike her experience with Patrick, she’d learned to enjoy men’s company without forming friendships. This time would be no different, when and if she allowed it to happen. Then again, with the tingles that climbed up her arm when it brushed with his, maybe she would allow it.
He pushed open the door to the saloon. “Sorry ya gotta settle for whiskey.”
“You don’t sound in the least bit sorry.”
“That’s ‘cause I ain’t.”
She laughed and strode with him to the bar, taking a seat next to an older gentleman. “Just pour the whiskey and stop trying to charm me.”
