Authors: Penny Richards
Beryl had jumped down from her perch and now waited on the boardwalk. Unlike Laurie, she didn't smirk or send teasing grins their way. Of course, she was a couple of years older than Laurie and thus more mature. Her restraint was both admirable and much appreciated.
“Shall we go in?” Rand offered an arm to both Marybeth and Beryl.
Beryl's face grew a bit pink beneath her freckles. Maybe she wasn't used to gentlemanly manners. Marybeth had learned how to receive such graces only two years ago at Fairfield Young Ladies' Academy, so she understood how the younger girl felt. If she could help Beryl and her sisters, including the irrepressible Maisie, learn about the finer customs of society, it might in some small way repay their kindnesses. After Marybeth inquired about Jimmy, she would offer to help Beryl shop for some feminine fripperies.
They entered the general store and Beryl's eyes lit up. Instead of perusing the aisles of fabric, laces and ladies' hats, however, she strode away toward the guns and saddles, the heels of her riding boots thumping on the wood flooring. Marybeth caught herself before laughing out loud at her own foolish thoughts about Beryl. Being a true cowgirl, maybe she didn't want to purchase fripperies or to learn social graces.
“The post office is that little room in the back.” Rand indicated a sign above a small area similar to a teller's cage. “Looks like the postmistress is in.” He gave a gentle tug on Marybeth's arm.
Her pulse quickened, especially when she saw the woman's gray-streaked hair. Surely she'd been around long enough to recall Jimmy.
“Howdy, Mrs. Sanchez.” Rand gave her a charming grin, and her expression brightened.
“Señor Randall Northam, how good to see you.” She leaned forward with her forearms on the counter. “The people of Del Norte, they still speak of your heroics in ridding our town of those evil men. You know how grateful we are,
sÃ
?”
Rand gave what seemed like an involuntary shudder. “Thank you, ma'am.” He cleared his throat. “This is Miss Marybeth O'Brien from Boston.”
The woman acknowledged Marybeth with a friendly smile. “I have met a certain Señor O'Brien. Perhaps you are related?”
Chapter Eight
R
and felt his jaw drop, while Marybeth yipped like an excited puppy.
“You've met Jimmy? You know my brother?” She looked about ready to jump through the bars separating her from the postmistress. “Oh, please tell me where he is.”
From the way Mrs. Sanchez drew back, Rand was pretty sure it wouldn't be that simple. He put a bracing arm around Marybeth's shoulders. “Hold on, sweetheart.” Oops. Better not let that slip out again until she really was his sweetheart. “Ma'am, was it recent when you met him or sometime in the past?”
The lady shook her head. “Oh, very long ago.” She gave Marybeth a compassionate smile. “I have the excellent memory, but this one, he was easy not to forget by anybody. Hair the color of autumn sunsets, same color
la barba y
bigote
just beginning, like he was trying to look older.” She chuckled in her deep, throaty way. “James O'Brien. He came in the store many times wanting to mail his letter, but changing his mind. Finally he gave it to my late husband. It was to go toâ” She gasped softly. “To Boston. Did you receive it?”
Marybeth swayed and Rand tightened his hold on her. “Yes,” she said on a sob. She looked up at Rand, her eyes brimming. He guessed she couldn't speak, so he'd best do it for her.
“We appreciate your information, Mrs. Sanchez. By any chance, do you have any idea where Jimmy went after turning the letter over to you?”
“
SÃ, naturalmente
. He go to the silver fields up there.” She waved toward the west as if brushing away a pesky fly. “Carlos, my husband, God rest his soul, he tell the boy he should be the cowboy. Not like those.” She batted a dismissive hand toward the front of the store just as some cowpokes walked by the display window. From their swaggering, staggering steps, Rand surmised they were already in the midst of their Saturday night celebration, even though it wasn't much past two o'clock in the afternoon. “Go to
el rancho del buen hombre
, the ranch of the good man like Colonel Northam or George Eberly. Work for him, Carlos tell him. It is good life.” She shook her head, sadness emanating from her maternal eyes. “What can you do when the young ones refuse the wise advice? No, this one buy his mining supplies and go west. We see him no more.”
“Well, then.” Marybeth straightened, a smile brightening her face and making it even prettier. “I'll just have to go to Wagon Wheel Gap. Thank you, Mrs. Sanchez.”
Her reaction to the news both surprised and worried Rand, but he gave her an encouraging nod anyway. For his own part, he couldn't be more pleased to find out for certain Jimmy O'Brien actually existed. Now he had to decide just how far to go in helping Marybeth find him.
Wagon Wheel Gap wasn't a place for a lady. If Nate agreed to it, maybe Rand and a couple of hands could go up there once the cattle came down from summer grazing in the mountains and the hay was in. He'd keep that to himself, though. No sense in putting ideas into Marybeth's head. No sense in stirring up hope too soon. Or stirring up any hope at all. After almost eight years, would O'Brien still be prospecting? Any sensible man would give up after all that time and take up a more realistic occupation.
* * *
On the way back to Esperanza, Marybeth found the day even brighter and the wild Colorado scenery even lovelier than when they'd traveled west that morning. Speaking with someone who actually knew Jimmy, knew where he'd gone, gave her hope beyond all her expectations. Although more than seven years had passed since Mrs. Sanchez had last seen him, Marybeth had no doubt her determined brother would still be searching for silver or gold or whatever valuable minerals the San Juan Mountains had to offer. If he'd already struck it rich, surely he would have contacted Mam, would have come to rescue her and Marybeth from Da.
The thought sobered her. Jimmy would be heartbroken when he learned Mam was dead. If he was still the loyal, caring person she remembered, he'd also grieve for Da, but more for his wasted life than his demise. Marybeth prayed he hadn't followed their father's habits, either the drinking or the everlasting search for quick riches. She thought, not for the first time, of prospecting as exactly that, a quick riches scheme. She added a prayer about the locket. If he'd sold it to buy his mining supplies, that would be the end of that. They'd both be working hard to survive for the rest of their lives. For her it wouldn't be quite so bad. She could marry Rand.
The thought shamed her. It wouldn't be fair to Rand if she married him just to get a husband to provide for her. Wouldn't be fair to her, either. At least Mam had loved Da, and Marybeth couldn't think of settling for anything else. That was, if she had to marry. Which she prayed would never happen.
“What's going through that pretty head of yours?” Rand gently elbowed her arm. “Are you pleased with what we found out?”
She looked up at him without answering for several seconds. Should she tell him what was in her heart? That she could not bear to postpone the trip to Wagon Wheel Gap? She would have to earn enough money for the stagecoach fare, food and lodging. It would take a while, even with the generous salary Mr. Means paid her. If she asked Rand, would he take her now? She couldn't bring herself to do it, not when she had no plans to marry him.
“Well, are you pleased?” Rand repeated.
“I'm sorry.” She couldn't even tell him how sorry she was. She hadn't missed his slip in calling her “sweetheart” back at the post office. He wouldn't think she was so sweet or that she even possessed a heart if he knew how disloyal her thoughts were. “Yes, I'm more than pleased. Thank you so much for today.”
“Glad to do it.”
He gave her his cute, crooked grin, and her traitorous heart warmed dangerously in his favor. Oh, how she wanted to tell him everything. Well, not everything, but more about Jimmy. More about her growing-up years. About Mam and Da. About why finding her brother was more important to her than marriage.
She couldn't very well discuss those things with Rand while Beryl sat at their shoulders. Maybe they could talk more once they delivered their chaperone to Maisie's house in town, where she would spend the night.
Marybeth glanced back to engage the girl in a more general conversation. But Beryl's head was propped on one arm against the top of the leather seatback, her wide-brimmed hat pulled low over her face and her newly purchased, pearl-handled six-shooter safely tucked in its wooden box and clutched close to her chest. Yet even with her steady breathing indicating she was asleep, Marybeth couldn't tell Rand about the things eating at her soul until they were completely alone.
They rolled into Esperanza just as the sun ducked behind the San Juan range and lengthening shadows spread darkness across the San Luis Valley like an ocean's rising tide swept over the seashore.
Rand turned off of Main Street onto Clark Avenue where the Henshaws lived. Beryl awoke just as they reached her sister's two-story house. Or so it seemed. Maybe she'd been awake the whole time. Or maybe that was Marybeth's own guilty conscience, which took for granted that everyone bent the truth in some way or another from time to time.
Leaving Beryl to explain the success of the day to Maisie and Doc, Rand and Marybeth made the two-block trip to Pike Street. As they traveled, Marybeth tried to summon the courage to tell Rand all that was in her heart, yet she found her moment for complete truthfulness had passed. Mrs. Foster met them at the door and insisted Rand must join them for a light supper.
Perhaps it was for the best. If she told Rand everything, she'd lose any semblance of control in the situation, and she might lose Rand's friendship. He certainly wouldn't keep helping her if she told him right out she didn't plan to marry him, maybe never had. At this point, she really couldn't say herself what she'd felt back in Boston. All she'd known then was that Colonel and Mrs. Northam had offered to pay her fare to Colorado. And not just any place in that new state, but the very area where Jimmy had gone. How could she not accept their offer? Yet now her guilty feelings diminished her joy over the day's revelations.
Despite her drooping spirits, she managed to smile and chat during supper, bringing Mrs. Foster into the circle of those celebrating her good news. Afterward, she saw Rand to the door. “Thank you for everything. I had a lovely time, and not just because of what Mrs. Sanchez told us.” As she said the words she knew they were true. She'd become more than accustomed to his company; she honestly enjoyed it. If she did lose his friendship, the loss would be devastating.
“I had a good time, too.” Even in the dim lantern light, his attractive smile stirred traitorous emotions in her heart. “I'll meet you at the church in the morning.” He squeezed her hand. “We'll each choose a side of the church and see who can set out the hymnals faster.”
Here he was again, making even the simplest task more fun. “I'll accept that challenge.”
He bent forward but pulled back and questioned her with one raised eyebrow and a comical smirk.
She huffed out an indulgent sigh. “Yes, I suppose you may kiss me.” She couldn't contain a giggle over his silliness.
This time his lips made contact just a wee bit closer to hers rather than farther up her cheek, and once again her heart lilted. As he donned his hat, his knowing grin and waggle of his dark eyebrows suggested he knew how he'd affected her. If she truly was going to stay in control of her future, she really must stop reacting to him this way.
* * *
Satisfaction filled Rand over the events of the day, and he whistled as he drove home. He could tell Marybeth liked him, liked it when he kissed her on the cheek. One of these days he'd kiss those pretty, tempting lips and hope she liked it even more.
On second thought, he'd better postpone such plans until he found out what she was hiding from him. He could still see it in her eyes, the way she'd seem about to tell him something but then back off. Maybe she'd trust him more if he made that trip to Wagon Wheel Gap and located Jimmy. If he could reunite her with her brother, surely that would put an end to whatever was bothering her. Then he could court her in earnest.
He chuckled to himself. Remembering the fairy tale he'd read to Lizzy a few nights ago, he pictured himself as a knight courting a princess. To win her hand, he'd have to go on a quest to a distant location and bring back a particular treasure. What a fine story, one his friend Seamus would appreciate. But Seamus was up in the mountains with the cattle, and if Rand told his brothers, they'd never let him live it down.
* * *
After a lovely church service the next day, Marybeth visited with several people whom she'd met at the bank, including Mr. Hardison.
“How was your first week at the bank, Miss O'Brien?” His warm smile and courteous tone made her wonder again what Rand found so offensive in the man.
“Very enjoyable, thank you.”
“Then you'll continue working there?”
“Why, I suppose so.”
She started to add that she'd stay because Mr. Means was a pleasant employer, but across the churchyard, she saw the three Northam brothers coming their way. Rand's expression was nothing less than hostile. As before, she guessed he was jealous, yet this time she found no pleasure in it. Would he start an argument, a fight, right here in front of the church?
The three brothers were still a few yards away when Susanna hurried over and put an arm around Marybeth's waist. “You're coming out to the ranch for dinner, aren't you?”
“How do, Mrs. Northam?” As Mr. Hardison tipped his hat, he didn't seem to notice Susanna's warning glare sent toward her husband and his brothers. “A mighty fine sermon today, don't you think?”
“I would agree, sir. âBlessed are the peacemakers' are words we all should heed.” Her lilting accent carried the same Southern inflections as Reverend Thomas's. “Now, if you'll excuse us.” She turned Marybeth away from the gentleman and urged her toward the grassy lawn where the smaller children were playing tag. “I spoke to Mrs. Foster and she doesn't mind sparing you for the afternoon. Do say you'll come.”
Marybeth looked back to see whether Rand and his brothers had actually accosted Mr. Hardison, but the minister had beaten them to it. Reverend Thomas must have said something witty, because Mr. Hardison was laughing. With trouble averted, Marybeth gave her attention to her new friend. Her potential sister. The thought stirred a dormant longing within her. Having a sister meant having a confidante, another woman to share joys and secrets with, as Marybeth had had with Mam. As she'd just begun to with Rosamond back at the academy.
“I'd love to come.” Yes, she did want to go, wanted to be with Rand and his lovely family, wanted to see this Four Stones Ranch he was so proud of. Putting aside questions about his dislike for Mr. Hardison, she joined the Northam entourage heading south from town.
The men rode horseback, following the ladies in the buggy. While Susanna drove, Marybeth found herself the center of Lizzy's attention. The child must have decided she was a worthy friend even without the bribe of a lemon stick, for she rested in Marybeth's arms as if she had always done so.
In return, her sweet scent and childish babble charmed Marybeth and stirred a longing to have her own child to pamper and cuddle. She imagined any child of Rand's would be a fine-looking boy or girl. If she didn't marry him, the privilege of bearing said child would belong to another woman. She found the thought more than a little annoying. Then she was annoyed at herself for being annoyed. She mustn't be a dog in a manger, not wanting the hay and not wanting another animal to have it, either. Yet the thought of stepping aside so another woman could have Rand's attentions grated inexplicably on her heart.
With the Northam cook off for the day, Susanna and Marybeth put together a simple but substantial dinner of sandwiches, potato salad and pickled vegetables. Afterward, Rand took Marybeth on a tour of the house. To her amazement, the roomy two-story abode had a ballroom on its north end where, Rand told her, the family enjoyed entertaining their neighbors for just about any special occasion they could come up with. With his parents back East, he'd been put in charge of the annual Christmas party.