Ruby (14 page)

Cimarron looked up from her sewing by the window. “I think Belle does. She and Per used to ride. Why?”

“Captain McHenry wants to teach Opal and me how to ride tomorrow morning.”

“Ride? Me?” Opal dropped the plate she was washing back in the water. “I get to ride a horse?”

“Looks that way.” Ruby oomphed as she caught Opal running full tilt to hug her. The change in her hand bounced on the floor.

“Oh, thank you, thank you.”

“Don’t thank me. Save that for the captain—not that you will thank him the same way, right?”

“Right.” Opal squeezed even harder. “I get to ride a horse. Tomorrow can’t come soon enough.”

Ruby broke free and picked up the coins. She laid them on the table. “Captain McHenry said this tip is for you, Daisy, for doing such a nice job.”

Daisy stopped kneading the bread and gaped at Ruby. “For me? Really? All of it?”

“Of course. Why?”

“Well, Per took half . . . I mean . . .” She stared at her hands, then back at Ruby. “Sorry.”

“That’s all right. It’s yours.” Ruby shook her head as if shaking off a fly.

“All right, tell me about divided skirts. I’ve never heard of such a thing.”

Cimarron put down the napkin she was hemming. “You and Belle aren’t too different in size, if the waist is a bit big—”

“I thought we were talking about a skirt, not a waist.”

“We are.” Patience colored her words gently, but her smile was a teaser. “I mean the waistband. And if I remember right, Belle’s is made of real soft leather, both skirt and jacket, beaded with a leather fringe. Per had a jacket like it. I wonder what happened to that jacket? Humph.” She thought for a moment. “Wonder when I saw them last? But then Belle don’t get rid of nothing, so we might find them. I could take one of Opal’s skirts and remodel it for her.”

“By tomorrow?” Opal went to stand next to Cimarron.

“If I start now. You bring me one, and I’ll get right at it.”

“Thank you.” Ruby studied the young woman whose red hair was backlit enough by the window to look like autumn in all its blaze of glory. What a difference there was between who she had thought Cimarron was at their first meeting and this young woman sitting in the chair, so ready and willing to make Opal happy. And Ruby too, for that matter. She turned and glanced at Daisy smiling up at Charlie as she kneaded the dough.

What about Belle? Was there someone else lurking under that brash and brassy exterior? Someone who might come out if a bit of kindness was shown to her?

“You think Belle would loan me her skirt?”

“Never hurts to ask. And if she won’t, I’ll stitch faster.”

“You think Belle is up by now?”

“Ain’t seen hide nor hair of her, but it’s early yet.”

Ruby stretched around from one side to another. Often lately she woke with a backache. Her body still wasn’t used to the heavy labor. It made no sense for all of them to sleep on pallets when all the beds in the hotel but one were empty. But any day now they could have a crowd of people wanting rooms, couldn’t they?

“I been thinking . . .” Charlie brought her a cup of coffee.

“Thanks. About what?”

“About how to get more people to know about the changes at Dove House.”

“Me too, but I hope you’ve come up with some ideas, because I’m fresh out.”

“I think you should write letters to places of business in Dickinson, Bismarck, and even Fargo. Or maybe write to the newspapers and ask if they’d like to make an announcement to their readers. The
Bismarck Daily Tribune
is always reporting on things here in Little Missouri.”

“Good idea. Do you know to whom I should write?” She held up a hand. “Wait until I get paper and pen.”

As soon as Charlie had given her a list, Ruby sat down at the table to write. She knew she could go in the dining room where it was quieter, but today she wanted others around. The laughing and talking in the kitchen reminded her of home at the Brandons’ in New York.

After finishing one letter, she looked up, tickling her chin with the feather end of her quill pen. “I’m surprised we haven’t gotten any business from the sign you put up where the train stops.”

“Come to think of it, me too.”

“I’ll go look.” Opal carried the dishpan toward the door. “After I dump this.”

“When we get the garden in, all water goes on the plants. I’m thinking to put some roses around Dove House. Will look right purty.”

Ruby stared at Charlie. That man was full of surprises.

“We had a garden last year, but this year it better be a big one. I will keep digging it up today. I already planted the peas and early stuff, ’cause when it’s warm like this the ground heats up fast. Got seeds coming in on the next train, besides the ones I saved from last year.”

“Charlie, you constantly amaze me.” Ruby signed another letter and began addressing envelopes.

“Good morning.” Belle swept into the kitchen, all dressed to go out, her lavender walking dress with black trim a sight to behold.

“You’re going to get that hem all muddy out there.” Cimarron glanced up from her hemming.

“No, I won’t. I’ll be riding in a wagon.”

“Where to?” Charlie asked.

“You’ll know soon enough.” Belle poured herself a cup of coffee. “Are there any rolls left?”

“In the pan.” Charlie nodded to the pan covered with a dish towel and sitting in the middle of the table.

Belle helped herself and made appreciative noises with the first bite.

Ruby folded one of the letters and inserted it into the addressed envelope. Might as well get it over with. “Belle, I have a favor to ask.”

Belle licked the frosting off her fingertips. “And what might that be?”

“You know your leather riding skirt?” Cimarron intervened. “Ruby needs it to go riding.”

“Riding. Really? Who with?”

“Captain McHenry. He said he’ll teach Opal and me how to ride.”

“Well, well, well. I assume you have no riding costume?”

“No, I’ve never had a chance to ride before. Opal is ecstatic.”
Please say yes before I have to beg
.

“I wonder where it is.” Belle propped her elbows on the table to hold up her coffee cup. “I haven’t seen it in a month of Sundays. Not since Per lost the horses gambling. Miracle he didn’t lose the whole place.” She took another bite of roll. “You got any idea where it is?” She looked over to Cimarron.

“Back of the armoire would be my guess. Unless it’s in the trunk under the window.”

“Must be there. I tore the armoire apart and didn’t see it.” Eyes slitted, she studied Ruby over the rim of her cup. “You find ’em, you can have them. Including that shirt of your father’s if you’d like. Should be with the others.” She turned her head to the side, watching Ruby from the corner of her eyes. “Of course, we might work out an exchange. Say riding skirt for rent?”

So much for Belle’s generosity. “We can work something out, I’m sure.”

Opal came through the back door, shouting her sister’s name.

“What? Lower your voice, please.”

“But the sign! It’s gone. Someone took it.”

Ruby glanced over at Belle but saw no guilt there. Either the woman was a superb actress or she really wasn’t involved in the conspiracy. Which was it?

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

“Look, Ruby, I’m really riding.”

Ruby would like to have been able to wave gaily and sing back to her precocious baby sister, “Yes. Me too,” but she daren’t take her eyes off the horse to which she clung with hands, feet, legs, posterior, ankles, toes, elbows, and any other portion of her anatomy with which she could maintain contact.

All but her stomach, which was ready to jump ship, or rather jump horse, at any moment.

“How are you doing up there?” Captain McHenry smiled over his shoulder as he led her mount gently around in a circle.

Is this really necessary? Surely a buggy would be better. Or walking.I’m a good walker
. “Fine, I’m just fine.”
Can he see the fear all over my face, or am I as good an actress as Belle? Why did I ever find this outfit? I could have had an excuse
.

“You look fetching in that outfit.”

“Th-thank you.”

“You know, if you relax in the saddle, it will pretty much keep you from falling off. We train our new recruits to relax and have them galloping in no time.”

Her throat clamped shut.

“No, don’t worry. I wouldn’t do that to you. But this old horse, he’s trained many a young rider. Here, let me give you the reins.”

Her squeak must have changed his mind.

“All right. Once more around the circle, and then I’ll stop and you can ride around me.”

Ruby kept her gaze straight out between the two ears that swiveled and twitched with all manner of motions. Surely the horse couldn’t see with his ears too, but that’s what he seemed to be doing.

Captain McHenry stopped and flipped the rein over the horse’s head to lie on the mane. “Pick up the rein. This horse is neck-reined, meaning when you lay the rein to the left, he will turn left and the right for right. See how Opal is doing? She’s a natural rider. You’d have thought she’d ridden for years, not just minutes.”

“I’m glad. She has looked forward to this day most of her life, but before it was only a dream.” Ruby could feel herself relax now that the horse wasn’t moving.

“Hold your reins gently and even. You’ll think that Blaze here will almost read your mind, but really he’s reading the way you move. Your feet and legs are just right. Sit straight and stay relaxed like you are now. Let yourself feel the horse moving.”

She wanted to nod and smile, show her courage, but she couldn’t find it. Where had it gone? She took a breath and let it out.

“See, Ruby, how easy it is?” Opal stopped beside her.

Captain McHenry had found a fairly small mount for her.

“You be careful,” Ruby admonished.

Opal picked up her rein again. “Come, ride with me, Ruby,”

“All right.” Ruby glanced up to catch a smile from the captain. She could do this, of course she could. She could also fall off and crack her head, and then who would take care of Opal?

“Just lean forward slightly, and your horse will walk out.” The captain’s smile gave her renewed courage. Why could someone brave enough to get on a train and head west to a place she had no idea what to expect panic at riding a horse around in a circle?

“Come on, Ruby. You have to ride here so we can go up the river.”

“Oh, of course, go up the river.” Ruby did as the captain had told her, and sure enough the horse moved smoothly forward, following Opal’s mount, stopping and starting the same as she.

“All right, lean your reins to the left and turn in a gentle loop to go the other way. Good.”

After once more around, Ruby realized she was actually enjoying the movement of the horse. She smiled over at the captain, who touched the brim of his hat with two fingers.

“Are you ready to go riding with us?” he asked.

“I think so. As long as we don’t go any faster than this.”

“We’ll take it easy.”

I sure hope you and I have the same definition of easy
.

Single file, they headed south along the river. Long pussy willows wore a patina of yellow pollen, their bright green leaves sparkling in the sunlight.

“What’s that sound?” Ruby stopped her horse to listen. A thrumming rose on the air, then abated before rising again.

“That’s a grouse looking for a mate. He makes that sound to attract the females.”

“Where is he?”

“Most likely up there in the brush. You can see them roosting in the trees come dusk. You mean no one has brought you any to eat?”

“Not that I know of. Charlie bought venison and antelope from a hunter.”

“You ever been fishing?”

“No. There’s not much call for fishing in New York City.”

“Would you like to learn?”

“I would.” Opal sat on her horse like she’d been riding for years.

“We could take a picnic and go to one of the best fishing holes, not that there are any bad ones, and fry our fish right there.”

“Really?” Opal looked from the captain to her sister. “Can we do that?”

“Do we have to ride very far?”

“No, but it’s faster than walking.”

Ruby rubbed one hand down the soft leather covering her thigh. Without her petticoats, she felt a freedom she’d never known. She tipped back the flat-brimmed hat that had stayed on her head only with the help of the leather string under her chin. Now it swung down her back, and the breeze lifted the tendrils of hair that refused to stay bound in the bun at the base of her head. She looked up into a sky so blue she could think of no words to describe it. The light danced on the water, the current bouncing back sparkles like the crystals that glistened in the candlelight from the chandeliers in the Brandon home. Her gaze moved up the hills along the river, where a cowboy on a horse stood watching them.

“Do you know who that is?” she asked the captain.

“Looks to be Rand Harrison. He’s the only man around here that I know of who owns a buckskin.”

“Buckskin?”

“The dun color of his horse.”

“Ah.” Could he be behind the conspiracy? But she hesitated to ask the question. After all, even the captain could be involved.

The sight of the rider on the hill stayed with her as they rode back to what only euphemistically could be called a town. It was just a small group of buildings scattered down along the railroad tracks.

“Thank you, Captain.” Ruby smiled his way and then stared at the ground. Now that she was going to have to get both feet back down there without embarrassing him or herself, it looked farther away than ever.

“Like this,” Opal said, demonstrating the dismount. She swung her leg over the rear of the horse and, kicking her foot free of the stirrup, jumped to the ground. But Opal didn’t have to worry about showing any more of her leg than was proper, whereas the divided skirt Ruby wore didn’t cover her legs clear to her ankles.

“Did you have a nice time?” Charlie stood on the back porch of the hotel, his derby hat in place, as always. He snapped his suspenders. “I have good news for you.”

“What?”

“Would you like some assistance?” The captain stood at the horse’s shoulder.

“I . . . ah . . .”

“Just swing your right leg over while you hang on to both the front and the rear of the saddle.”

“You make it sound so easy.”

“Once you do it a few times, you’ll find it so.” His smile eased the panic setting her stomach to fluttering. “I won’t let you fall.”

“Good. The thought of suddenly sitting on the ground isn’t appealing.” She took a deep breath and followed his instructions.
Right leg over, strangle the saddle, but there’s no ground down there
. She hung on the side of the horse.

“You only have a few inches from your foot to the ground, but if I assist you at this time, you will accuse me of being most forward.” His voice came from just behind her, and she could feel the heat of him he was so close. “Just let go. You won’t fall.”

She shut her eyes and did just as he said. Both feet hit the ground. “I did it.”

“Good for you, miss. Next time we’ll devise a mounting block to make this easier.”

He stepped back as she turned to leave. Her gaze traveled up the row of polished gold buttons to his chin, a fine square chin, clean shaven, a smiling mouth and eyes that held both warmth and a hint of laughter. In spite of his rank, he seemed a man who liked to laugh.

Her breath caught in her throat. What a fine man it was who stood right next to her. “Thank you again. We had a most pleasurable time.”

“Tomorrow?”

“Tomorrow?”

“For the fishing expedition.”

“Oh.” If only she’d left her hat on to shield the heat she could feel blazing from her face. She must look red as a radish.

“We can go tomorrow, can’t we?” Opal pleaded with every ounce of her being.

“Let me think a moment.” Ruby stepped back away from the captain. Thinking was easier with a bit more space between them.

Charlie snapped one of his suspenders. He had waited patiently but obviously had news. “We have three guests who came in on the train today. They are talking with Frank Vine over at the post store about going on a hunting trip. But we can take care of them while you go fishing. In fact, fried fish would be a good thing to serve for supper.”

Ruby nodded. “All right, Captain. We’ll go fishing.”

Opal leaped up the steps to the porch and then back to the ground. “Fishing. We’re going fishing!”

Ruby smiled up at the man near her. “I think she’s happy.”

Captain McHenry chuckled. “How old did you say she is?”

“Ten next week.”

“What day?”

“May sixteenth.”

“Ten is a big year. Perhaps we should plan something special.”

“It’s already in the works.” She whispered so Opal would not hear. “I’ll let you know the details later. Thank you, sir, for a very special day.” She mounted the stairs and turned to wave as he rode back to the street, leading the other two horses.

“I like him.” Opal leaned against the carved post. “Ruby, riding that horse was more fun than I ever dreamed it would be.”

Ruby wanted to rub her backside but knew how improper that would be. If she was sore now, what would it be like to ride for hours?

She turned to Charlie. “All right, tell me about our guests.”

“You’ll meet them at supper. All are from the East—two from New York, one from Boston. They sure do talk funny. Have to concentrate real hard to understand them. It’s their first time out here. I don’t think they even know how to ride.”

“Now
that
I can understand. What are we having for supper?”

“Roast venison.”

“Good.” She met Daisy at the door.

“That Captain McHenry, he is one handsome man.”

“True, and so very mannerly.”

Daisy leaned closer to ask, “Are you sure he wanted me to have that big of a tip?”

“He said so.”

“But that’s almost as much as . . .” Daisy looked away over her shoulder.

“And it’s yours.” Ruby laid a hand on Daisy’s shoulder. “This is a new life, remember?” At Daisy’s nod, Ruby added, “Besides, who knows when I will be able to pay you.”

“Perhaps if you went back to the bar and the singing and dancing but not the . . . you know, that might bring in more money.”

“You liked the singing and dancing?”

“We all did, except for when the fellas got drunk. Some of them were real mean. I had bruises lots of times from them pinching. But Charlie, he tried to keep that kind of thing from happening. Any of us gave him the sign, and he took care of the customer all right. Threw them right out the door, he did.”

Ruby remembered the man who had been thrown out in the street soon after she and Opal arrived in Little Missouri. Now that she knew more, she wished he’d thrown out a lot of others too.

Opal ran to regale Milly with all the details of her ride, and Ruby followed Charlie into the dining room.

“I put them in the first three rooms on the back side.”

“Good. Those are the nicest.”

“The men will be here three nights now and also when they return from their hunting expedition. They agreed to pay for the rooms as long as their luggage was there, so . . .”He touched the brim of his bowler at Ruby’s beam of delight. “I try, Miss Ruby, I really do.”

“I know you do, Charlie, and I can’t begin to tell you how grateful I am. We couldn’t manage without you.”

“Thank you. We might have more customers soon. I talked to one of the drummers heading west, and he said he’ll pass on the information. Rumor on the line was that Dove House was closed up permanent-like, so I told him different. Got a new sign up too.”

“And the garden plot spaded up?”

“Not all of it but enough to get more seeded. Cimarron’s been making noodles to go with the venison roast. And Milly is doing the biscuits. We’ll put out a good spread, not like fancy hotels back east, but if they aren’t happy, they can try down to Mrs. McGeeney. Three in a room and no clean sheets. Or sleep on the floor at Williams’.”

“Why, Charlie, you make a right good salesman.”

“Now for the bad news.”

Ruby sighed. “Why would I ever think we could have all good news in one day?” She glanced down at her clothing. “Tell me what it is so that I can go change before I help with supper.”

“We got a letter from the mercantile in Dickinson.”

“Letter or a bill?”

“Since it was addressed to you, I thought I better not open it. No way it can be good though. We owe them a lot of money.”

“I know.” She took the letter and slit it open with her fingernail. Unfolding the sheet, she read swiftly, then went back to the top to read it aloud.

“Dear Miss Torvald,

      “I am sorry to be forced to these desperate measures, but unless I receive a sizable payment on your account by the end of May, we will be forced to operate on a cash-only basis. I hate to lose the business of Dove House, but with the changes you have implemented, we believe that your hotel will soon be bankrupt.

Sincerely,
Mr. Boyd Rumsford,
Proprietor”