You learn something new every day.
Naturally, she ignored him completely.
She wished to see Alexander again. So what? She was woman enough to admit that, if only to herself. Clementine thought he was different from most men and wanted to speak with him again. Nothing more.
Keeping her previous experiences with men in mind, one would think Clementine would want to stay clear from the species altogether for good. Usually, that was true. Despite her occupation, she rejected all the advances she received over the years. Life was simpler that way.
Alexander felt different to her. She had a feeling about him she simply could not identify and wished to explore it.
That did not mean, by any chance, she was about to start acting recklessly. Clementine knew better and had scars to prove it. She would be smart while engaging with Alexander, yet would not be closed to the opportunities.
Listen to yourself, she snapped. I do believe you are getting ridiculously ahead of yourself. The man isn’t even here! Maybe he’s not coming at all. Clementine suddenly had to agree that the other part of her had a point. So she decided to stop obsessing and simply do her work.
“There he comes,” Garry announced with unnatural excitement in his voice.
Clementine instantly turned, only to see Spotty, their cat, making an appearance.
“The expression on your face is adorable. Well, not this one,” he gestured toward her since she was frowning so hard, he actually took a step back. She’d had enough with his jesting.
Clementine threw a stray apple at him, and he dodged it as though she was using an actual weapon against him. He was rather agile for his age, she observed. Her rage only made him laugh even more.
“You are impossible, such a child.”
“And you are in love,” he replied for her ears only, and Clementine was grateful he at least gave her that. She did not need all their patrons to know about her...What?
Only then did she actually register Garry’s words. In love?
Clementine scowled. “I am no such thing,” she replied sternly. That was no self-delusional lie either. Perhaps she was never actually in love. Even at the beginning when her husband courted her, Clementine hadn’t been in love with him. She was delighted to receive such attention, it felt nice. That changed the moment they were wed, and her feelings toward him vanished as his true face started to show. Whatever she was, she certainly wasn’t in love.
“Not yet,” Garry insisted, winking at her. She felt the urge to roll her eyes at him.
“Don’t you have better things to do, like polishing glasses, than teasing me about nothing?”
“Nope,” he replied with a grin. “I am perfectly happy just standing here, teasing you.” He leaned on the bar. “And I do believe it is only going to get better.”
Clementine scoffed in fake outrage. Despite all the torment, she knew Garry was good-natured, and this really was all for a laugh. That did not mean she was not going to take advantage of the situation. “I am taking a break, then,” she announced, taking her apron off and throwing it at him, which he caught effortlessly, for good measure.
As she walked toward the door, Garry yelled after her. “You do know this proves my point.”
He was a cheeky devil. As though she was going outside to look for him. She would never do such a thing. It would reek of desperation, and Clementine certainly wasn’t that.
“You spend too much time in your books,” she yelled back. “You started mixing fantasy with reality.”
She could hear him laugh even when she put a substantial distance between her and the store.
The only reason she took a break was that she needed some fresh air, she thought as she walked aimlessly, and perhaps to buy something to eat. As she thought about food, her stomach growled. There was a big chance she had forgotten to eat that morning.
Not too far away from the store was a tavern she frequently went to for a meal. She knew and loved the owners and as a bonus, her friend Viola worked there as well.
Clementine adjusted her course toward Silver Tailed Fox tavern. She wondered what Martha made today. It had been a while since she had gone to the tavern.
Thank you, Garry, his relentless teasing provided her with a much-needed break. Besides, Garry never minded especially if the store was half empty, and it was a slow day today.
The fact that the tavern was closely located to the only hotel in town had no merit in her decision making. Garry would probably disagree with her. That was why she was not going to tell him.
While she was passing the hotel, she slowed her stride and looked about. It did not matter there were no witnesses to her private thoughts and public actions. It was bad enough she had to endure them.
She asked herself what it was about this man that was so appealing to her she seemly couldn’t get him out of her mind. Not knowing was driving her mad.
Clementine felt almost relieved reaching the tavern. Although it was a quick walk, she was more than happy to enter. And not simply because of her growling stomach. Her mind could use a distraction as well.
This tavern was one of the nicer ones this town had to offer. And it showed since it was always full of people. All the tables were wooden, really big so strangers and friends could sit side by side and have a chat while sharing a meal.
It had a gallery where Clementine preferred to sit. At the moment, it was closed off. It was burned a bit a month ago and it was still being rebuild. Clementine was glad to discover that the smell of smoke was almost completely gone.
Her friend, Viola Langley, was happy to see her. “Come and sit in the back with us,” Viola instructed with a wave of her hand. They embraced once Clementine reached her.
“There,” Viola was pleased, settling her in next to the kitchen, so Clementine could speak with Martha as well, who was the tavern’s cook. “This way we can gossip while I work,” she added with a wink and Clementine couldn’t help smiling. She knew coming here was a good idea.
Viola was Clementine’s best friend, actually, she was more like a sister and Clementine couldn’t imagine her life without Ola, as she was sometimes called. She was the only family Clementine had.
“Any news?” Viola prompted, putting some bread in front of Clementine. Clementine instantly started to nibble at it while she waited for her food.
Oh, I met a very beautiful stranger with a scarred arm yesterday, who saved me from that pest Herbert. “Nothing,” she lied.
Even with their bond, Clementine refrained from telling Viola anything. In a town like Courtfield, people knew one another and loved to talk; Viola would find out everything sooner rather than later. For now, Clementine preferred it to be later.
She kept quiet not because she did not trust her friend; far from it. It was quite the contrary. Viola worried too much. And how could she not after everything we’ve been through?
Clementine did not want to burden her further. Viola had enough problems of her own as it was, and if she heard how serious the situation with Herbert got, she would insist Clementine found another job. As though it was that easy.
So for now, it was better to simply say nothing and enjoy Viola’s company. There had been an instant connection between the two women when they met. Actually, Viola was like a sister to Clementine, it was just that she was a sister-in-law since she was Steve’s sister. That was the hard truth they both chose to ignore. Being married to Steve was the worst period of Clementine’s life, and that was saying a lot considering she buried both her parents. Providence wanted it that she eventually buried her husband as well.
As far as Clementine was concerned, the only good thing that came out of that horrid marriage was her long-lasting friendship with Viola.
She did not have to wait long for her meal, and she dug into it instantly. Clementine chatted with Viola as she ate.
“That was delicious, Martha, thank you,” Clementine said, patting her full belly as she ate the last bite of her food. Martha sent her a quick kiss bef
ore continuing to prepare meals for other customers, once in a while cursing her husband in Spanish for trying to meddle.
Once the crowd subsided, Viola slumped at the seat next to her, clearly exhausted. There was still a radiant smile on her face.
“So, what are your plans for tomorrow?” Viola asked conversationally. That took Clementine by surprise.
Clementine frowned, she did not understand the question. “Tomorrow?” she repeated, feeling silly as she wracked her brain trying to remember what it could be.
She was sure it was nobody’s birthday. Did she have an obligation? A promise to keep that she completely forgot about?
Luckily Viola told her. “The Founding Day Fair starts tomorrow.”
Oh, indeed. Clementine forgot about that even though it was the talk of the town for months. The annual fair was a great event in Courtfield, with many promised attractions.
As the name suggested, it was founded to mark the day the first settlers made this place their new home. Vendors were built across all Main Street offering all kinds of crafts and foods and animal traffic was banned for the duration of the festivities. There were all kinds of contests as well, for the best marksman or best-made apple pie, and the winners would get monetary prizes for their efforts.
“Oh,” was all Clementine said.
“So?” Viola prompted, clearly losing patience with her. Truth be told, Clementine had planned on skipping the whole event. She was never a lover of crowds or carnivals. Although there would be a little play performed on the Square by the traveling theater and she thought that could be fun to watch.
“I am working,” Clementine realized, much to Viola’s disdain.
“Only during the day, what about in the evening?” Viola did not let her go that easily. She could get like that sometimes. When she had a certain idea in mind the only thing you could do was comply.
Clementine did not feel like doing that; she was bone tired and could not wait to get home and simply put her feet up, rest. Standing all day was taking its toll on her legs, especially feet and the last thing she wanted was to spend additional time on them.
“I will be sleeping?” That should not have been formed as a question; unfortunately, that was how Clementine said it, and Viola’s victorious smile in return was expected. That was all she needed, a small hesitation from Clementine to continue persuading her.
“Nonsense, you are going to the fair with me. You are a healthy, young woman.”
Clementine sighed. She was not that young. She was a thirty-two-year-old widow, with no children, who worked as a shop assistant in the store.
“And you need a bit of entertainment in your life,” Viola concluded, only in one breath, with certain finality and Clementine knew it would be pointless arguing. Besides, in a way, Viola did have a point. Clementine deserved a little entertainment in her life that did not involve drunken idiots doing foolish things on a dare.
“You are going to the dance in the City Hall tomorrow night,” Viola announced excitedly.
“Am I?” Clementine replied, only half-serious.
“Do not give me that look, Clementine,” Viola warned. “You are; we both are. And we are going to have a marvelous time.”
That was a tall order and Clementine nodded. Something occurred to her then. “You know, I have nothing good enough to wear.” All her fine dresses were long gone, sold off to pay off her husband’s many debts. She had one though, yet she certainly wasn’t planning on dressing herself in her Sunday best for this dance. She needed that dress for church.
“We will find something,” Viola replied, vehemently, with the wave of her hand. She was more excited about the dance than Clementine. She usually was.
They chatted a little more about tomorrow, forming plans. Actually, more accurately put, Viola made plans and Clementine simply listened, nodding in appropriate intervals.
Checking the time, Clementine jumped back up on her feet. “Garry will kill me. I stayed too long. You really shouldn’t keep me talking like this.” She had a job to do after all.
“Garry will understand. Besides, you could stay here all day and that man wouldn’t get angry at you.”
He wouldn’t get angry; however, I would still like to get paid.
After saying goodbye to everybody, Clementine rushed back to the store, barely avoiding being tumbled by a post office wagon. The carriage driver yelled at her.
“Sorry,” she yelled back, not losing her stride.
The scene that greeted her back was different from the one she left behind. The alcohol store had new costumers and a lot of them. Even Osmond came earlier to play.
Where had all these men come from? Clementine got to the bar, putting her apron on and wearing a guilty look on her face.
Garry was smirking, even though he wasn’t actually looking at her. He was too busy pouring shots to costumers. “How is Viola?” Garry asked, guessing where she was all this time.
“Good as ever. She is forcing me to go to the dance tomorrow.”
“You should, you deserve some leisure time.”
“That was what she said. Oh and she sent you some supper. Your favorite.” It was boiled mutton with vegetables and some pudding for dessert.
His eyes actually sparkled at that. “You are forgiven,” he replied in the way she knew he would, and that made her smile. “Now go back to work, woman,” he barked.
Clementine put her hands on her hips, giving him the look.
“Too much?” He asked, chuckling.
“Just a tad,” she replied, taking the filled glasses from the bar to carry them to the thirsty customers. Her first instinct was to look for Alexander among the newcomer’s faces. He was not at his table, or anywhere else for that matter, which created a small amount of disappointment inside of her.
Soon, she forgot all about the mysterious bounty hunter as she had to work at full speed, constantly going to and from the bar to meet the many demands from her customers. They were all fair workers, she realized. They came to Courtfield from time to time, yet this bigger crowd was due to the fact that their annual Founding Day Fair was a well-known affair.
Clementine even though she recognized some of the faces, since the workers usually liked to drink, which meant more work for them. This time, she was grateful for the distraction it provided.
Alexander wrestled with himself all day. Once he woke, after a well-rested night, he wanted to go to the store. However, going to the store first thing in the morning could give the wrong impression. Not to mention it made him look desperate. And he certainly was not that.
There was no denying the fact he wished to see Clementine again, even so, that was mostly due to the fact she was the only one he knew in this town.
Sure, keep rationalizing. Alexander ignored all the contradictory voices inside his head. A part of his wariness still lingered. He decided to spend his days alone for a reason, yet that was rapidly changing.
So even though he wished to see her, he forced himself to visit the post office and write the much-overdue telegram to his dear friend before finding a nice place to have some breakfast.
After enough time had passed, he walked, at a normal pace, toward the store. Glancing through the door, Alexander discovered, to his disappointment, that the store was full. There were not even empty places at the bar. He wondered where all these people had come from. Their numbers irked him a little.
As he tried to come up with possible reasons, a rodeo competition in town or a theater company just passing through, Clementine came into view. It hit him in the stomach to see her. His reaction to her was strange as it was overwhelming. She was milling about between demanding, yelling, and laughing men. Her stride was sure, no matter how many full glasses she carried.
She was beautiful; he realized he could stare at her all day, however, apparently that was not happening today.
You are ridiculous, Alexander Carson, he informed himself, forcing to move away from the entrance. I will be seeing you tomorrow, Clem
entine, he sent to the ether.
As he was walking toward this hotel, he actually started to notice all the commotion on the streets. Vendors were building stands on the small square for their products, a small stage was constructed as well, and he wondered what kind of plays would be performed on it. And the whole town was being decorated.
It looked as though some kind of a fair was about to happen, which could explain a larger number of people in the town than was usual.
A Courageous Bride to Bring Him Hope: A Historical Western Romance Book Page 6
