Amos frowned at his wife, and she looked sorry she’d spoken. She studied her sandwich in her lap.
Evangeline observed the gathering from beneath the brim of her wide hat. “I think I’d have been disappointed if they’d come attired in any other fashion.”
The comment surprised Nate.
It apparently shocked her mother. She stared at the young woman as though she’d spoken heresy and her hand went to her bosom.
“Well, they’re sure colorful,” Spooner pointed out. “And they whupped all the other teams so far, no matter what they got on. Guess we’d best be thinkin’ less about their dresses and more about hittin’ the balls.”
Howard and Wade’s team lost that afternoon, as did Bernie and Zeke’s. At the end, the miners competed against the mayor’s team to see who would play the Shady Lady after church the next day.
Nate remained frustrated with Peyton’s lack of performance. Now that Lily’s team had done so well, he didn’t want to lose.
One of the miners got struck in the head with a fly ball. Doc Umber treated him and he was hauled off the field.
Nate took his turn at bat with determination. When the ball was pitched, he swung and hit it with a thwack that splintered his bat and sent the ball sailing beyond the field. His home run brought in the players on the bases and won the match.
So it would be his team against Lily’s.
They glanced at each other as congratulations and good-natured ribbing went on all around them. Lily loved a good fight, and he had no doubt that she’d give the game her all the following day.
“Will you stop by this evening for a game of cribbage?” Evangeline asked.
She’d beat him three games out of five the last few times they played. “I probably do need to salvage my dignity.”
She laughed. “Mother says if I insist on occupying myself with such a vulgar pastime, I should at least let you win.”
“I appreciate that you don’t,” he replied. “I wouldn’t want to wonder. This way, the fact that you’re more clever than I isn’t a secret.”
She seemed inordinately pleased by his statement, smiling and tucking her arm through his.
“I’ll see you early this evening,” he told her. “I won’t be able to stay long. It’s Saturday night.”
He bathed at home, dressed in fresh clothing and buckled on his holster. At the livery, he saddled his horse and rode the perimeter of town, observing tracks and studying the landscape.
Smoke he’d noticed earlier in the day caught his attention and he rode out to investigate. The smoke curled from a campfire near the Little Deer Creek, as he’d suspected.
Instead of the miner he thought he’d see, however, he found a woman and several children camped beside a wagon. Roasting on a spit over the fire was a squirrel.
Nate climbed down and walked toward the campfire.
The woman looked nervously toward the oldest boy, who appeared about twelve. He wore pants that showed the tops of his boots and bore patches in both knees.
She said something to him, and he picked up a rifle that had been leaning against the wagon and handed it to his mother. She kept the barrel lowered, but the message was plain.
Nate swept off his hat. “How do, ma’am. Sheriff Nathaniel Harding’s the name.”
“We haven’t broken any laws, have we?” she asked.
Two little girls sat on the ground and nearby another held a baby.
“No, ma’am. I saw your fire and came to have a look. Been mighty dry in these parts.”
“I’m very careful,” she told him. “We’re not bothering anybody out here.”
“No, no,” he agreed easily. “Just doin’ my job.”
“We’re preparing our supper. Would you care to join us?”
That squirrel would barely feed the lot of them, let alone another mouth, but the woman had her pride. “Thank you, ma’am, that’s generous, but I had my supper. You travelin’ alone?”
He didn’t even see a coffeepot. A jug that probably held water sat on the ground.
“No. My husband is hunting.”
“He a miner?”
She nodded.
“Where are you headed?”
“East,” she said simply, then looked away.
“Good luck to you. Maybe I’ll see you in town.”
Nate got on his horse, paused to look over the woman and five children, then rode out.
There was no man, he’d bet a dollar to a plug nickel. She’d either been too afraid or too embarrassed to say so.
Later as he played cards with Evangeline, he had trouble focusing on the game. Making rounds of the streets and businesses in the dark, his thoughts strayed back to that mother and her children alone out there in the night. He’d camped out a thousand nights alone, but he was a man. He’d even be uncomfortable knowing Lily was alone at a camp, and she was the most self-sufficient woman he knew.
He couldn’t imagine how they’d make it any farther east with those tired-looking horses and no food or supplies. Maybe there’d been provisions under the tarp on the wagon, but he doubted it.
Later in the evening, Nate visited each of the saloons and eventually made his way to the Shady Lady. Lily and her girls were celebrating their base ball skills with an evening of red beer and red dresses. He perched on a stool at the bar and smiled at their frivolity. Thomas played his banjo and made up a ribald song about Lily and the balls she’d sent flying that day.
Lily called an end to his composition and asked the musicians to play a song Helena could sing to.
The Polish woman stood on a chair in the midst of the gathering and sang a song in her native language. It was haunting, the simple notes and the longing in her voice conveying a universal message of love. When she sang it through once more in English, there wasn’t a dry eye in the dance hall. Love lost. Love longed for. The applause was slow in coming as listeners came out of the spell she’d woven.
“I didn’t tell you to make us all blubber like babies,” Lily chided her, swiping at her eyes. “Get on with something cheerful.”
As the music resumed behind her, Lily picked up a few empty bottles and made her way to the bar.
“Evening, Sheriff.”
“Miss Lily.”
He was nursing a now-warm beer.
“Want a fresh drink?”
“I’m good.”
“That was an impressive hit today.”
He shrugged. “Your whole team is impressive.”
Her grin brought a sparkle to her eyes. “We are, aren’t we?”
“Sheriff?” one of the miners called to Nate from the doorway. “There’s somebody out here wants to talk to ya.”
Nate got up and crossed to the bat wing doors. In the glow of the gas lamp stood a boy. Recognition dawned immediately. The boy who was camped outside town with his mother and siblings.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
NATE LED HIM AWAY from the noisy saloon, and they stood at the corner of the street. “What’s on your mind, son?”
“You’re really the sheriff, ain’t ya?”
“I am.”
“I don’t think my ma trusted you right off.”
“That’s understandable. And wise.”
“We don’t have a place to live anymore.”
“What happened?”
“My pa sold all the furniture and the stock and took off. The house and land didn’t belong to us. The mortgage came due and we couldn’t live there no more.”
“So you’ve been living out of your wagon since then?”
The lad nodded.
“How long has it been?”
“Weeks, I think. Not sure how many. Even I know fall’s comin’, and that means winter. We might be doin’ all right for now, but soon it’ll be cold and there won’t be blankets or food. My ma’s doin’ the best she can.”
“Sure she is. Do you have any family? Grandparents?”
“My grandma back in Nebraska is old. My mom’s pa won’t have nothin’ to do w
ith us.”
“What’s your name?”
“Boone, sir. Boone Waldrop.”
Nate extended a hand. “Pleased to meet you, Boone. You’re a fine man for looking out for your ma and your sisters.”
The boy’s hand was small, the bones in his fingers delicate in Nate’s enormous paw. “Brother, too,” he added. “He’s just one.”
“It’s a good thing you came to me. You and me can get some help.”
“Like what?”
Nate glanced down the street. “I’m not sure what just yet. But don’t you worry. We’ll take care of things. Does your ma have bullets for that rifle?”
Boone nodded.
“Good.” He propped his hands on his hips. “What about food? You got supplies in that wagon?”
Boone shook his head.
“Okay. Come back to the saloon with me.” He guided the boy to a bench. “Sit right here. Don’t move. I’ll be right back.”
Inside, he found Lily. “You have any dinner left?”
“Sure,” she said, drying a glass. “I can make you a plate.”
He took several coins from his pocket and placed them on the shiny wood surface of the bar. “Not for me. Could you make up several sandwiches with cheese and maybe a couple jars of milk?”
“You planning a late-night ball practice?” She leaned across the bar. “You’re gonna need it.”
He chuckled and then explained the situation, knowing Lily would understand and maybe even have an idea of how to help.
She pushed the coins back toward him.
Nate covered her hand with his. “You’re not the only one who can lend a hand. I’m paying for the food.”
Lily took the money and placed it in the box under the bar. Then she went to the kitchen and returned with a gunny sack. Nate suspected it held more than a few sandwiches.
“Come meet him.”
Lily followed Nate out the door.
“Boone, this is Miss Lily. She made some sandwiches for your family.”
“Thank you, miss,” the boy said solemnly.
“You’re welcome.”
“My ma’ll likely be mad I came into town,” he said.
“That’s because she’d be worried about you.” Nate looked him over. “Did you walk all the way here?”
“Nah. Rode Nelly. Couldn’t get lost ’cause I could see the lights and hear the music.”
“Well, I’ll ride back with you. It’s a little harder to find a campfire than a whole town.”
“Thanks, Sheriff.”
Lily stood on the boardwalk behind them as they headed out.
Nate rode within a shout of the campfire and handed the boy the gunny sack. “Tell your ma I said she wasn’t to be mad at you. And I’m the law in these parts.”
Boone grinned and shifted the weight over his shoulder. “I’ll tell her.”
“There’s no shame in needin’ a little help now and then, Boone. You remember that. And remember, you did the right thing.”
“Yessir.”
Nate watched from the cover of night as the boy approached the camp and his mother caught sight of him. He slid from the horse and showed her what he’d brought.
His mother’s gaze lifted and she scanned the darkness. Nate knew she couldn’t see beyond the ring of light thrown by the fire. He turned the roan’s head and started back toward town.
NATE RAPPED on Lily’s kitchen door the following morning, and Mollie opened the door to him. “Sheriff Nate! Come in. Helena made cinnamon rolls, and I’m cooking up some eggs and sausage. You’re just in time.”
Nate glanced around and took a seat. “Does Miss Lily cook?”
“Some,” Mollie replied. “She has a knack for game. You want me to get her?”
“If she’ll be along for breakfast, I can wait.”
Within twenty minutes the household had gathered around the long table, and Mollie and Helena served up heaping platters of food.
“You’re not in church this morning,” Lily said to Nate. “Backsliding already?”
He took a cinnamon roll from the plate that was passed and refused to be goaded by her teasing.
“I’ve been trying to come up with something to help the Waldrop woman,” he said.
Lily explained the situation to those gathered around the table.
Helena clucked in distaste. “Someone should find the husband and introduce him to the end of a rope.”
“Probably didn’t even do anything illegal,” Nate replied.
“Not since all the property was his in the eyes of the law and she has no legal claim to any of it. Think on it,” Lily said angrily. “If I married, all that I own would become the property of a man who could sell it and leave me destitute. And the law wouldn’t blink an eye!”
“Well, we’re not changin’ any laws today,” Nate said.
Lily ate her breakfast in a thoughtful manner.
“I’ve thought and thought how to supply more jobs for women,” she said. “I can’t buy enough butter or soap or find any more room here.”
“My room will be available soon.”
All eyes focused on Celeste, a few of them clouded with tears.
“That will be one room open,” Celeste said with a shrug. “And one less hand around here.”
“You are not replaceable,” Helena told her.
“And even so,” Lily went on. “That’s just one room. I’m thinking bigger. The livery will employ only men, with the exception of Charlotte. What other occupations are there for women?”
“Schoolteachers,” Rosemary said.
“Laundry,” Mollie added, “which me ’n’ Helena already do.”
“Cooks,” Thomas added.
“What kind of business employs a lot of people? You’ve been in plenty of cities, Sheriff. Where have you seen women employed? Besides dance halls.”
“Restaurants,” he replied. “Bakeries. Hotels.”
“Hotels.” Lily’s attention had been arrested. She laid down her fork. “Beds to change, laundry to do, meals to prepare. That’d take a lot of workers, wouldn’t it?”
“I’d say so.”
“What are you thinking, Lily?” Celeste asked.
“I’m thinking the sheriff really came to practice with us this morning. Did you, Sheriff? Because we can’t let you in on our secrets for winning the ball game today.”
“Your tactics are no secret,” he said. “Distract the other team with those—” he gestured with his fork “—dresses.”
Everyone laughed, and Lily pretended to take offense. “You’re underestimating our talent!”
Nate threw up his hands.
One by one they finished eating and went about their tasks.
“I’ll let you know if I have any ideas,” Lily said to him.
They studied each other, and Nate couldn’t help thinking how fleeting and elusive the best moments in his life had been. What he and Lily had shared so briefly were among the times he most regretted losing.
He grabbed his hat and left.
THE PEOPLE OF THUNDER CANYON stood beneath an overcast sky that afternoon. The rain would be much welcomed, but what a day for it to announce its arrival.
“We could postpone the game,” George said.
“Those dark clouds are on the other side of the mountains,” Howard replied. “The rain might blow on over.”
By an overwhelming vote, the players chose to go ahead with the match.
They tossed a coin, and Lily’s team was up to bat first, a discouraging predicament in Nate’s opinion, because they started tallying points immediately. Each time Rosemary ran, she hiked up her dress with both fists and ran to the bases with her red drawers on display.
Saul was a powerhouse behind that wooden bat, and Lily could send the ball sailing herself. Once, she hit it low and it bounced up at first base where Nate was standing, striking him in the knee. He hit the ground in pain.
As the ball rolled away, Lily ran past in a blur of skirts and petticoats. Scowling,
Nate got up and rubbed his knee. By the time they changed positions, her team already had six runs.
Old Jess pitched the ball fast and low and struck out a good many of Nate’s team. Nate hit the ball and hobbled to a base. They only had two runs by the time Nate got his second turn. Ignoring his throbbing knee, he remedied the score, and by the time the first drops of rain hit the dirt, they were tied.
Most of the women bystanders headed home, but Evangeline remained. She held a black umbrella over her head and called encouragement to Nate and his team.
Lily and her girls had the energy, physical agility and drive it took to compete and win. They won the game and received good-natured congratulations from the other teams and most of those who’d come to watch. The fact that the other women had already left helped keep the atmosphere friendly.
As Lily headed for home, she crossed Evangeline’s path.
“You played very well,” the young woman told her.
Surprised to be addressed in public, Lily said, “Thanks.”
“It’s a shame it had to rain and spoil the afternoon.”
“Yes.” Lily was getting soaked, and she had mud caked to her boots. Evangeline still looked pretty as a picture under her umbrella.
As an awkward silence stretched, Mayor Gibbs joined them. “You showed us all how the game is played, Lily. Well done. Let’s get home, Evangeline.”
Father and daughter hurried to a covered buggy.
Lily ran through the rain toward home.
MONDAY MORNING Lily sat in Amos Douglas’s office at the bank and announced, “I want to buy the vacant hotel building.”
No reaction showed on his face, but his hands paused on the papers he’d been shuffling on his desk. He released them and sat back. “Well. This is a surprise.”
“You keep telling me I should invest and vary my holdings. You said you’d support me.”
“That’s right, and I do. I just wasn’t expecting this particular request.”
“Does the building belong to you?”
“It does.”
The previous owner had unloaded it in a hurry, so it had probably been a bargain, but Lily knew Amos would never pass that good fortune along. He was in the money-making business.
“How much?”
The Bounty Hunter Page 19
