Safe Havens Bundle

by Sandy James

  At least he’d been more of a lover than most customers, treating her like a lady instead of a whore. But that was exactly what she was.

  A whore.

  The urge to spit on him as though he were all of her former customers was overwhelming, but she denied herself that last insult. With her luck, he’d awaken and blacken her left eye to match her right. Of course, most of the men who came to her room got a little rough. A bruise here. A scrape there. At least she’d avoided the broken bones some of the other girls got.

  Besides, if she indulged herself, he might wake up and ruin her escape.

  After adding the bills she’d stolen to her own nest egg, she stuffed the cash into her carpetbag along with the letter that had started her plan of escape. Then she donned her clothing, buttoning the crisp, white blouse all the way to the throat. When she left, she’d go looking like a lady. Prim skirt. Starched shirt. Sensible boots.

  No one would ever guess what she truly was.

  Was, she reminded herself. The money she’d just fleeced from the cowboy would get her away from Denver. For good.

  As she reached for the doorknob, Sara cast one last glance around the room. The familiar brass bed. The oak bureau. The cracked pitcher and porcelain basin. There was nothing here for her now. No good memories. No fond farewells. Only pain and a life that nearly destroyed her pride.

  The cowboy snorted and rolled to his side, making her heart leap and pound furiously. Thankfully, his movement was followed by more loud snoring. As much whisky as she’d poured down his throat, he’d be out for a good, long while—at least long enough for her to get her backside to Union station.

  She’d been watching the trains for weeks, plotting the timing of her escape. She’d have to finish the journey on a stagecoach, but a train would see her safely away before her last customer could ever find her. A twinge of guilt was brushed aside. While he might have worked hard weeks on the trail to earn that windfall and had been entrusted with the men’s pay, she’d worked harder on her back the last six months. He could make more on his next long drive and explain the loss of the payroll to his boss. If she stayed here, she’d be dead before she reached thirty.

  Sara closed the door and tread softly down the stairs.

  “Yer really goin’, girl?” Crazy Kate McCoy rubbed a cloth over the now empty bar and narrowed her eyes.

  What a ridiculous question. All the girls who worked for Kate knew how much Sara wanted to go. They all wanted to get away.

  Few ever would.

  Now, Sara needed to find out if Kate would allow it. Although she was prepared for a fight, she hoped the madam would make this an easy escape. As fast as Kate’s moods shifted, Sara had no idea what to expect.

  She tried honesty. “I’m really going.”

  “And ye think I’ll be lettin’ ye go without a penalty?”

  Sara lightly touched her swollen face. “I think that man yesterday gave me more than enough penalty.”

  Kate gave a scoffing laugh. “Aye...that’s a nice shiner.” Tossing the towel aside, she came from behind the bar. “There’ll be no penalty. Ye’ve paid dearly enough.” She gathered Sara into her arms and hugged her against her rather large body.

  It was akin to being hugged by a fat bear wearing far too much cheap toilet water. Not knowing how to react to the unusual show of affection, Sara tried to relax and prayed that Crazy Kate wouldn’t live up to her nickname and suddenly become mean.

  Turning Sara loose, Kate reached into her pocket and yanked out a hefty wad of bills—no doubt the takings for the evening. With ten girls working in the brothel, the woman was raking in money from the miners and cowboys—even respectable businessmen—who found their way to the wrong side of Denver. She peeled off a few bills and handed them to Sara. “Get yerself away a’fore that bastard wakes, or ye’ll be on yer back again. A proper stallion, that man be.”

  With a nod, Sara squeezed the money in her fist. She didn’t dare open her carpetbag to put what Kate surrendered with the rest of her bounty. If Kate knew that Sara had just robbed that cowboy blind, she’d find herself lying dead in the alley. “Thank you, Kate.”

  “Be gone with ye.” Kate waved her away with the back of her hand. “Get outta this godforsaken town a’fore it kills ye. Ye ain’t got what it takes ta be a proper whore, Sara. Leave now while ye’ve got yer health and yer looks.” Whirling around, she considered her own reflection in the cracked mirror behind the bar. A frown fixed on her painted lips, and her bloodshot eyes filled with tears. “Mine been gone far too long.”

  “Take care of yourself,” Sara murmured as she strode to the door that led to the alley.

  Kate never answered as she sadly touched her mirrored reflection with a shaky hand. Tears rolled down her rouged cheeks, and her bottom lip trembled. “I were a looker in my day. I truly were.”

  Afraid the unstable woman would grow angry, Sara slipped on her coat and left.

  The moment her feet hit the cobblestones, she ran. Holding her reticule tight to her chest, she followed the path she knew well. At Union Station there was a train waiting to take her away. From Denver. From the life she’d led the last six months. From a future that was too grim to even consider.

  If she didn’t escape, she’d one day be the sad and defeated woman staring in the mirror and wondering when her soul had died.

  A drizzling rain began to fall a block before the station. Sara kept running, ignoring the stitch in her side and trying to keep her footing as the walkways grew slippery. The harsh autumn weather matched her mood—dark and bleak. Her fear drove her forward.

  Had the cowboy awakened?

  Had Kate changed her mind?

  Would someone come to stop her and fetch her back to The Palace?

  No. I’ll die if that happens.

  She’d wanted to escape for so long. Forever. From the moment she’d found herself standing in front of Crazy Kate, knowing the woman owned her as though she were a slave and understanding what she’d have to do to survive.

  Sara didn’t remember buying the ticket. Nor did she remember boarding the train. By the time her senses returned, she sat on a day bench, looking out a filthy window and watching the scenery pass by in a blur until the buildings changed to houses and then to trees and wide open fields.

  There were days of travel ahead, but that time was now her own. No customers. No Crazy Kate. No anything she didn’t want to do.

  I’m free!

  For the first time in far too long, Sara allowed herself to smile.

  ***

  Caleb plucked a piece of hay from one of the fragrant bales piled up outside of the livery. Crossing the street, he took a seat on the worn bench outside the general store and set the stalk in the corner of his mouth. Sure, it was a nasty habit. But chewing on hay stalks beat cheroots or cigars. As nasty habits went, his was mostly harmless.

  He laid his outstretched arms against the back of the bench, settling in for his familiar wait as he wondered if he’d be going home alone. Again.

  The sun was warm today, and he enjoyed the feel of it on his face. Closing his eyes, he stretched his legs out, crossing them at the ankles.

  Today was the day. His heart told him so.

  “Lord have mercy! You’re here again?”

  The voice belonged to his older brother, Gideon, so Caleb didn’t bother to open his eyes. “Yep.”

  “Waiting for the damned stage, I suppose.”

  “Yep.”

  “When are you gonna get it through your thick skull that this plan of yours ain’t gonna work? One letter ain’t gonna convince a woman to marry you.”

  With a reluctant sigh, he opened his eyes and leveled a hard stare at his brother. “It’ll work. Just you wait and see.”

  “Bullshit. Women don’t wanna come live with lonely Montana farmers. That pastor lied to you, damn it. He ain’t finding you a wife. You just pissed all that cash away, little brother.”

  Despite his brother’s confidence that Caleb had wasted
his money by giving it to Reverend Hayes, Caleb knew the good pastor was going to follow through. He’d use that money to send Caleb the wife he wanted. The wife he needed. She was coming to him—maybe even on the stage due in White Pines any minute.

  Yes, she was coming to him.

  Today.

  Why was he so sure? Because he knew something Gideon didn’t, which brought a smug smile to Caleb’s lips. Someone had claimed the fare from Hayes—a woman who wanted a fresh start, or so the letter the reverend had sent told him.

  Every morning for the last week, Caleb did his chores and then hitched up his wagon and drove to White Pines. He’d waited here at the general store, hoping his salvation would be on the next stage. And each day of disappointment had increased his anticipation until he was sure he’d see her soon or lose his mind.

  Today, his gut told him. She’ll come today.

  She didn’t have to be beautiful. She didn’t even have to be pretty. Hell, she could be as ugly as his mule. All he desired was that she be young, healthy, and kind—and willing to come to the last vestiges of the frontier to become his wife.

  “She’ll come,” Caleb said, his voice a harsh whisper.

  When Gideon put his hand on Caleb’s shoulder, it took all Caleb’s self-control not to smack it away. “It’s been too long, brother. Had a woman taken you up on your offer, she’d be here by now. You ain’t heard nothing from the pastor.”

  Ah, but I have. “She’ll come.”

  With a shake of his head, Gideon walked away. At least he was smart enough to know that nothing he could say would change Caleb’s mind. He was getting a wife.

  Even if he had to buy one.

  Squinting, he stared into the distance, then he grinned as though it were Christmas morning.

  The stage was coming.

  Jumping to his feet, he spit the hay out and waited. Long minutes passed as the sweaty horses crossed the last of the distance to the general store on the street leading into the small town.

  The anticipation was killing him the same way the loneliness had eaten at him. In all the time he’d waited, never had he felt so much confidence. She would step off the stagecoach, then she’d smile. He’d take her hand, and he’d lead the way to the church.

  Such a simple plan.

  The stage ground to a stop, clouds of dust following in its wake.

  Caleb stood his ground.

  The driver peered down from his perch, giving no indication of whether he knew why Caleb waited, even though he’d seen him there each day. With no comment, he climbed over the top, unhooked the thick ropes holding down the baggage, and started tossing things to the ground while his companion crawled down the side of the coach.

  The second man patted the dust from his vest and pants before going to the door, opening it, and unfolding the stairs. He reached in and started helping the passengers out.

  A man exited first, not even sparing Caleb a glance.

  A woman with gray hair followed.

  Two more men appeared, causing panic to swell in Caleb’s chest.

  Had he been wrong about his bride?

  He was about to surrender and admit defeat when a slender, white hand reached out for assistance.

  Holding his breath, he watched the woman descend the stairs. She was a little bit of a thing. Young. Too thin. Dressed like a school marm. Her gaze darted around as though searching for someone waiting for her arrival.

  “It’s her,” he whispered, stepping forward to claim his new wife.

  As soon as the stagecoach assistant let go of her, Caleb was there, holding out his hand. “Welcome to White Pines. I’m so glad you came.”

  Tilting her head, she considered him with blue eyes the color of cornflowers. “Thank you.”

  “You’re gonna love it here.”

  “You knew I was coming?” she asked, her voice a sweet sound to his ears. She clutched a carpetbag handle with one hand while she pushed her black-brown braid back over her shoulder with the other.

  Caleb nodded. “The letter—”

  “You know about the letter?” Her surprised tone and trembling hand made him want to ease her worries.

  “Yes, ma’am. I surely do. I was the one who wanted you to come here. The letter was on my behalf.”

  “I’m afraid I don’t understand.”

  Feeling foolish, he started to drop his hand.

  She stopped him by grasping it tightly. “I don’t mean to be rude, sir. I’m grateful for your aid. I just expected...” Giving her head a shake, she let her gaze meet his. “It’s kind of you to meet the stage. Will you be taking me to—”

  “The church? Oh, yes, ma’am. I ain’t gonna compromise your reputation. We’re gonna get married proper before I take you out to my farm. I want a wife. A real wife—not some doxy to warm my bed.” Damn if his cheeks didn’t heat to a blush. “If you’ll pardon my gutter talk.”

  “You–you think we’re going to marry?” Her eyes were wide with fear, like a doe first scenting danger. “That’s why I was asked to come here?”

  “Yes, ma’am. A marriage. Good and proper.” Crooking his elbow, he placed her hand there, trying to show he had good manners. “I can fetch your baggage, then—”

  She dropped her chin and nibbled on her bottom lip. “I fear I have nothing other than my bag. My exit was...hasty.”

  “None at all?”

  With a shake of her head, she tried to ease her hand away. “I understand if you don’t wish to follow through with your promise of marriage. It wasn’t what I expected anyway. I simply needed a place to stay and a job to earn my keep.”

  Caleb put his hand over hers, keeping it cradled against his elbow. “It don’t matter to me you ain’t got much. That ain’t why I sent for you. I’ve got plenty for us both. Please don’t fret. I’ll take good care of you. I promise. I’ll be a good husband in every way. You ain’t gonna have to work, except to help out on the farm. I don’t even care if you can’t cook. I’ll teach you.”

  Her eyes found his again. The pain there tore at his heart, and the shadow of a faded bruise around her right eye explained her timidity. “I’m not...pure. You shouldn’t even be thinking of marriage with the likes of me.”

  So that explained why she’d accepted his bargain. Some man had taken advantage of her, taken her virginity, making her feel as though she’d never make a good marriage.

  He’d expected as much, even wondering if the woman who came to him might have a child or two clinging to her skirts. Between the way she’d been compromised and her black eye, she’d been sorely abused.

  He could offer her a better life—a solid reason to marry with him. “Don’t matter to me none. You’re young. Strong. You’ll make a good wife, even if you ain’t a vir— Um...pure.”

  Those blue eyes held him captive. He hadn’t expected someone so damned pretty. “You’d still have me?” she asked, her voice ragged.

  “Yes, ma’am. I surely would.”

  “I–I don’t even know your name.”

  “Well, now... We can fix that problem right quick. I’m Caleb. Caleb Young. I sent for you with honorable intentions. There just ain’t no young women here, and I... To be honest, I’m lonely.”

  “I’m Sara. Sara Fuller.”

  Sara. Such a pretty name. Such a pretty face. Even if they’d met under the most proper of circumstances—a church social or a town dance—he’d still have chosen her to court. She was everything he’d ever dreamed of. Didn’t matter that she was a mail-order bride.

  He couldn’t let her get away.

  “Then let’s go, Sara Fuller. We’re going to the church to change your name to Sara Young.”

  Chapter Two

  Sara stood before the preacher, staring at Caleb Young.

  My, but he was a handsome devil. Hair and eyes dark as sin. A dimple in his left cheek whenever he smiled. Strong arms that clearly knew hard work.

  What was he doing marrying a woman like her?

  She wanted to blurt out the myriad q
uestions running through her thoughts. How had her brother arranged this marvel? What had Ty promised him if he took her to wife? Why hadn’t Ty told her about his plans to marry her off in his letter, where he’d begged her to leave Denver and come to White Pines?

  Then again, her brother had told her this was the perfect place to start over. Perhaps he’d taken it upon himself to find her a husband and a home so she wouldn’t be a burden to him and his new wife. That would be very much like Ty—trying to solve every problem.

  When she’d stepped off the stagecoach, Caleb had been waiting for her. That, in and of itself, was miraculous. She hadn’t written Ty that she was coming, fearing that Crazy Kate would somehow intercept the letter and stop her.

  So how had Caleb known she’d be coming on that particular stage?

  “Sara? Sweetheart?” Caleb’s voice was tender. Kind. “Reverend David is waitin’ for your answer.” He gave her hands a squeeze.

  Her face flushed hot at being caught daydreaming at her own wedding. “I–I’m sorry I... Could you please repeat...?”

  She sounded like a ninny.

  The preacher gave her a sympathetic smile. The gray-haired man had probably dealt with many a nervous bride. “Will you accept Caleb as your husband?”

  Although she’d been honest with Caleb—at least as honest as she could be on a public street—he’d insisted he still wanted her for his wife. The guilt at not telling him the whole truth was easily swept aside. Life had treated her poorly. If this man was willing to marry her, she wasn’t about to walk away from that miracle.

  Ty had surely told Caleb about her past. There was no way her brother would trap someone into marrying a whore. Ty was too honest to do something so reprehensible.

  Caleb was sure to expect husbandly rights. But she’d be giving herself to only one man, not anyone who could put money in Crazy Kate’s hand. She’d have a home of her own. She was smart. Surely she’d be able to learn to cook and clean and take care of him.