He could advertise in the Deseret News, but people wouldn't come this far to get their photographs taken, not with photographers available in Salt Lake City.
Damn, he had to figure a way to make a shop here pay well. He must use his imagination and ingenuity to come up with ideas for earning a good enough profit to support two women, a five-year-old and himself.
He'd toyed for some time with the idea of writing a novel. He had plenty of ideas gleaned from his travels and the interesting people he'd met. Back in school, he'd wanted to be a cartoonist and work for a newspaper. The Ridge Weekly didn't have a big enough circulation for him to make money doing that here.
He could send his cartoons to the Deseret News and other papers. He hadn't lost his knack. His wagon held dozens of his sketches, amusing, satirical, witty. And charactures of interesting people.
Could he sell those?
He needed to talk to Cady, beg for her forgiveness. Hell, he needed to convince her to marry him.
Now!
Throwing open the door, he stalked down the hallway to her room. He held his fist up, ready to knock, when he heard noises inside—gasps, gurgles, a man cursing. A cat hissing.
What in thunder?
He tried the door. Locked.
"Cady? What's going on in there? Cady, unlock this door!"
A door down the hall opened. Mae stepped out. "Garrick? What is it? Why are you pounding on Cady's door?"
"Someone's in there with her. Get Lach and Sam. Hurry. I'm going to break the door down."
Mae took off running. "Lach. Sam. Franco. Help!"
The other girls came from their rooms.
Garrick ignored their questions and threw himself against the solid wood door. Groaning with pain, he felt his bandage to see if he'd begun bleeding.
"Move over, you fool." Leda edged him aside. "You'll open your wound. Let me try my skill picking the lock. I can get into any room."
He pounded on the door again while she inserted the pin and wiggled it around.
"There!" she shouted and swung the door inward.
Garrick burst inside and scanned the room, empty except for Cady on the bed, gasping for air, and Rooster trying to lick her face.
The curtains on an open window billowed into the room.
"Sweetheart." He sat beside her. "Are you all right?"
She tried to nod but barely moved her head. He brushed loose hair from her face and bent to kiss her forehead.
The girls crowded around, whispering.
"She's been choked," he growled. "Someone, put a warm compress on her neck. Get her some water. Make yourselves useful. I have to go after who did this."
"Garrick?" Cady held up a hand and he took it, glad to feel her warm soft skin.
"What happened, honey? Tell me who did this."
"Don’t… know."
A cold breeze washed over his back, reminding him of the open window. He kissed Cady again. "I'll be right back."
From the window, he saw a man running toward the back of the building. A rope hung down from a drain near the window. Garrick slammed the window shut and raced out the door, one hand pressed to his throbbing side.
He met Franco and Sam coming up the back stairs from their quarters, Franco in his night clothes, Sam wearing trousers and boots.
"What's going on?" Franco asked.
"Some bastard tried to kill Cady. He escaped out the window. I'm going after him."
Sam stepped forward, his face full of concern. "Is she all right?"
"Yes. Someone needs to find out from Cady about who did this."
"You're in no shape for chasing after killers," Franco said. "Especially in a storm like this one."
"I'll be fine. I have to make sure he doesn’t make any more attempts on her life." Garrick bolted down the stairs.
Sam followed. "Let me help. What can I do?"
"Search the premises."
"I can do that," Franco said. "You go with him, Sam."
In the kitchen, Garrick halted. "Gun. I left my Colt in my room."
"There are weapons over here." Sam led the way to the gun rack where he took down two gun-belts and a box of bullets. He handed one Garrick and fastened the other gun-belt around his hips.
"Damn," Garrick muttered as he did the same. "We're losing time. That murdering devil's getting away."
"We'll catch him."
The next morning, Cady awoke to a sore neck and a feeling of terror. The room was cold. Through the window, she saw the storm hadn't died yet.
She jerked up, her gaze scouring the room.
Except for Rooster lying next to her, she was alone.
A dream. No, a nightmare had wakened her. Who was that awful man who tried to kill her last night? And why did he want her dead? She'd never hurt anyone. Unknowingly hurt someone's feelings perhaps, but nothing that deserved dying for.
Someone knocked.
"Come in." Her voice was so hoarse she could barely hear herself speak.
The door opened, and Mae peeked inside. "Want some company?"
"Yes." She pushed herself up, leaning against the headboard. "Where's Garrick?"
Mae sat on the side of the bed. "He went after the man who tried to strangle you. Sam's with him."
"Oh, no. What if he's killed?" Cady sat forward in panic.
Mae eased her back against the pillows. "There was no way you could have stopped him. He's a man. Of course, he went after someone who tried to kill the woman he loves."
"Loves? Me? Honest? You think he loves me? Even though I deceived him?"
"I think he's set that aside. You probably didn't notice his face last night. He was frantic about you."
"You truly believe that?"
Mae grinned. "Yes, I do. And guess what? Franco loves me too."
"That's no surprise. Did he finally confess it?"
"Yes. Oh, Cady, he's so sweet." Mae flopped back onto the bed, grinning dreamily at the ceiling. "And honorable. I invited him to stay with me last night and he said no, not until we're married."
"Married?"
Mae sat up again. "Isn't it wonderful? I never believed this would happen to me. A wonderful man actually wants me to be his wife."
"I'm so happy for you, Mae. I guess you haven't had a chance to tell Garrick yet. He'll be thrilled and so relieved to see you get out of this place."
"I know, sweet man. I'm so, so lucky." Mae got up and waltzed around the room. "Franco has put a down-payment on the Two-Bit Saloon. We'll live upstairs for a while but when we can afford it, he wants to buy one of the houses on the hill. Can you imagine?"
Cady laughed. "Yes, I can, quite easily, and you deserve it. Both of you."
Mae halted her dance and came back to the bed. She began petting Rooster. "Franco said you didn't see the man who attacked you well enough to identify him. Don't you remember anything about him? How he smelled or sounded or—"
"Whiskey. He smelled of whiskey and sweat."
"That's something. Anything else?"
"His voice was rough, like pebbles grinding together in water. At first I believed Garrick had come to see me. When he started choking me, I thought Mortimer, but he was too thick around the waist to be Mortimer Moron."
"Whoever it was, Garrick and Sam will find him."
"It would be good to know he was in jail and couldn't come back here, but I'm so worried about Garrick. He isn't well enough to be riding over rough ground in bad weather."
Mae went to the dresser and came back with a hair brush. She released Cady's hair from her night braid and brushed out the kinks. Cady closed her eyes, soothed by the rhythmic motion of Mae's hands.
"You'll be marrying Garrick soon too," Mae said, bringing Cady back to earth. "Maybe we can have a double wedding up at the springs. That's the place to be married now."
"I haven't seen it, but I've heard it's breathtaking."
"I haven't seen it either. I want champagne at my wedding. You'll be my attendant, of course."
"And you mine, when th
at day comes." Laughter colored Cady's tone. She put her hand to her throat. "Oh, it hurts to laugh."
"I'm sorry. Maybe some of Henri's hot chocolate will help. I'll run down and get us both a cup. Be right back." She darted out of the room, leaving the door open.
Cady relaxed against the pillows, wondering if Mae was right about her brother's feelings for her. She wouldn't have the nerve to tell him she loved him, not unless he said it first. Oh, but she did. She loved him with her whole heart. She wanted to spend the rest of her life with him and bear his babies. Lots of babies.
Thoughts of Regina sobered her. How could she think of being happy and having babies when she still needed to find her sister? If only Mortimer would decide to stay in Cranesville forever.
Never would she detest a person as much as she did him.
But him staying in Cranesville wouldn't help her find Regina.
The door creaked open. The light from the lamp by her bed failed to reached the shadows on the other side of the room. "Mae?"
No answer.
She sat up. "Mae, I heard the door open. Don't play games with me, plea—"
"Well, now, this is what I've dreamed of. You, waiting for me in your bed."
Mortimer materialize out of the darkness.
Cady groaned. No, this can't be happening. Garrick, oh, Garrick, where are you?
"Stay away from me, Mr. Crane. I-I'm not well. My neck is bruised. Someone tried to strangle me."
"Is that so?" he sauntered over to the side of the bed, peering down at her. "It's a good excuse, but not good enough. I'll get you some of that hot chocolate Henri makes that you like so much. Later though. I have other plans for now."
"Did you bring that gunslinger with you that you said you'd send? Is that who tried to kill me?"
"I didn't hire any gunslinger." Looking innocent as a babe, he set his hat on a chair, pulled off his cravat and unbuttoned his waistcoat. "I have Lach. He's gunslinger enough. I only said that as a threat."
How could that be true? Who shot Sam and Garrick? "Did you have Lach shoot Garrick?"
Mortimer grinned. "Someone shot him? If it was Lach, I'll give him a bonus. Garrick's dead, I hope."
"No, he's alive and he'll make you pay if you hurt me."
"Well, at least he's out of commission for a while and not here trying to steal you from me." He removed his waistcoat and reached for the buttons on his pants.
"Stop that. You are not getting in this bed." Sliding out the other side, she picked up the lit oil lamp. Rooster dove off the bed and crawled underneath. "You even try to touch me, and I'll set this whole dump on fire."
He stopped messing with his buttons. "You put that down right now, Cady Biggler. I'm warning you. I'm through with your sass and your la-dee-dah ways. That is coming to an end right now."
He edged toward the foot of the bed.
"I mean it, Mr. Crane. I'll kill you before I let you lay hands on me." She raised the lamp as if to throw it at the man.
"You burn my salon down and you'll pay for it. I'll see to that, my girl. You'll be my slave the rest of your life or at least until I tire of you. Then you'll spend what's left of your time on earth on your back, earning money to pay me back."
He stood next to the bed. Suddenly, he screeched and flapped his hand around as if swatting flies. "Something bit me. Some animal. What was it? I don't allow critters in here." Hopping around on one foot, he rubbed his other ankle.
The door rattled. "Cady?" Mae called. "Open up. I brought the chocolate."
"Whatever you've got, take it away," Mortimer yelled. "Now. And don't bother us again. Anyone who interrupts what's about to happen in this room will be looking for a new job tomorrow."
Silence answered.
"Good," Mortimer said. "Where were we?"
"When did you get back, Mr. Crane? Neither the trains nor the stagecoach have been running because of the storm." She had to distract him. Mae would run to Franco. If she could keep Mortimer away long enough, her friends would come and save her. She had no doubt of that.
"The storm eased up during the night and the train made it through this morning. I barely got in before I came up to see you." Step by step he crept closer. "I missed you. Didn't you miss me a little bit?"
"No. Not one second. How's my sister? How's Regina?"
Anger flashed in his eyes. "What makes you think I know? Regina. Regina. That's all you think about. She's packing her bag, if you want to know. If I don't send a wire by morning, she'll be taken away. A long way away.
She lifted her chin. "You were in Cranesville. I knew that's where you took her. Isn't it?"
"I'm not telling you. Now, put down that lamp and get back in bed."
"Never, Mr. Crane. Never. I'll find Regina. No matter where you take her, I'll find her."
"Don't be foolish. You'd only waste your time."
Running feet sounded outside. A fist banged on the door.
"Cady?" Franco shouted. "Are you all right? Can you unlock the door?"
"Go away, Franco," Mortimer shouted. "She's fine."
"I need to see her. Open the door."
"I'm your employer and I said go away."
"Not until I see that she's okay."
Furious, Mortimer stomped over, turned the key and swung the door open. "Didn't Mae tell you what would happen if you disturbed me here? You're fired."
Through the doorway, Cady saw Mae, Leda and Alma behind Franco.
"Fine," Franco countered. "Mae and I were planning to leave anyway. But Cady is coming with us."
"Oh, no, she's not," Mortimer screeched in rage. "And neither is Mae. She belongs to me, same as Cady does, only in a different way. My only interest in Mae is the money she can make me."
"She's done making money for cockroaches like you. Get out of my way."
"Like hell I will." He drew a derringer from an inner pocket of his coat and pointed it at Franco. Mae screamed.
"Mr. Crane, put that down," Cady yelled.
"You ready to cooperate?"
She couldn't let Franco be killed, not when he and Mae had found each other at last. Nor could she give in to Mortimer's demands. If she did, she'd never be able to look herself in the mirror again. There had to be another way to solve this.
Keeping his back to her, he said, "Well, Cady?"
She began to put the lamp down, thinking she had no choice but to give in. She paused, an idea forming in her mind. She signaled for Franco and the girls to stand back. Franco shook his head. She ignored him. On silent bare feet, she crept behind Mortimer.
"The only way I might stay on is if you gave me a raise," Franco told Mortimer.
Cady wanted to kiss him for trying to distract the man.
"What? You've lost your mind. Why would I give you a raise when I've just fired you?"
Finally in position, she slammed the lamp as hard as she could against Mortimer's head.
He shrieked, dropped his gun and dancing around, slapping at the flames gobbling his coat.
Horrified, Cady covered her mouth with her hands and backed up. "Do something, someone. Help him. Please, Heavenly Father, I forgot the lamp was lit."
Franco raced into the room, grabbed a blanket from the bed and tossed it over the man rolling on the floor shrieking his lungs out. The girls scrambled to help put out the fire.
When it was over, Mortimer lay on the floor, weeping. His singed hair stuck out all over his head like a brush, his clothing partially burned from his body. Whimpering, he sent Cady an accusing glare.
"Why? I would have treated you like a queen. How can you hate me this much?"
Easily, she wanted to answer. Instead, she remained mute, watching as Franco and the girls helped him up and out of the room.
"One of you get dressed and go for the doctor," Franco instructed, his voice fading with distance.
Cady slid down to sit on the floor, her back to the bed, hands covering her mouth.
Mae dropped down beside her, wrapping an arm around her. "Are y
ou all right?"
"I almost killed him. I could have killed us all if Franco hadn't gotten the fire out. Oh, Mae, what have I come to?"
"You're an angel, that's what. You have more guts and gumption than anyone I know, Cady. I'm proud of you."
"The whole building could have burned down and us with it," she cried.
"Not with so many of us here to help put out the flames." Mae chuckled. "I'm sorry. It's not funny, I know. But the expression on Mortimer's face afterward. He was crushed, the old bedbug. He couldn't believe you'd do that to him. The man has no brain."
A wan smile formed on Cady's face. "It was comical, wasn't it? I hope he's going to be all right. I didn't mean to hurt him. I simply wanted to keep him from shooting Franco."
"Franco had a six-gun. He could have defended himself, and if he had, Mortimer would be dead now and out of our lives."
Cady groaned at that truth. Silence descended as the girls sat wrapped in each other's arms. Mae encouraged her to drink more tea and, at last, Cady slept.
The next morning, Cady found herself alone. When she called for Mae, the girl appeared. "Mae, is Garrick back yet?"
"No, but he will be." Mae sat beside her and gave her a squeeze. "You know he's out looking for the man who choked you."
"Oh, my heavens, Mae, something's happened to him. Has no one seen him? It's been too long."
New panic threatened to envelop Cady. She gasped for air. Images and sensations from the horror of the past two nights and fear for Garrick rushed over her. "Can't breathe."
"Easy, Cady. Calm down. You're fine."
"No, c-can't get…air."
Chapter Fifteen
"Relax, Cady." Mae tried to calm her. "Dr. Spense is here tending to Mortimer. I'll get him."
Mae left, and Cady sat there, feeling like a dying fish with her mouth gaping. Garrick. Oh, Garrick, where are you? Rooster jumped up and crawled into her lap.
"In here, Doctor." Mae rushed into the room with Dr. Spense.
He set Rooster aside, helped her up and onto the bed. "She has the vapors. Too much excitement." Opening his bag, the doctor took out a small vial and waved it under Cady's nose.
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