Alex felt proud of her resourcefulness, but disappointed in her ability to deceive. He looked at Penny, who had slumped to the bed beside them, only to see tears trickle down her cheeks.
All indecision fled. Before he could scold her, his daughter placed her chubby little hands on both of his cheeks and turned his face to look at her.
“Are you my daddy?” Her tone was low and determined.
Alex drew a breath. “Yes.”
He waited. Instead of smiling or hugging or any other response he might have expected from a small child, her delicate little brow puckered. “Then why haven’t you been with me like other daddies?”
Under her frowning examination, he swallowed hard. “Remember the injury I showed you, the one on my arm? I was hurt and was sick for a very long time. I was too sick to send word or write.”
He decided to leave the discussion of the War Between the States for a later time when she was older.
His daughter’s frown deepened. “If you were sick, we should have been taking care of you. Mommy lied and said you were dead!”
Alex shook his head. “Mommy didn’t lie, Lexie. She never lies. When I left, I promised Mommy I would come back to you both. She knows I always keep my promises. When I didn’t come back, she believed I was dead. She’s worked hard ever since to take care of you…all by herself.”
Lexie paused, and then gave a little nod. “Mommy takes care of everybody.”
The truth of her words hit Alex right in the solar plexus.
Out of the mouth of babes.
Responsibility for Lexie, Jann and Inga, Jewel, and who knew how many other people had somehow fallen on Penny’s slender shoulders…shoulders now slumped in dejection.
“Yes, she does take care of everybody, especially you. She didn’t deserve the disrespect you showed her by calling her a liar and running off. That was very naughty.”
She ducked her head. “I know. I’ll give up playing with Darcy for a whole week as my punishment.”
“Who is Darcy?”
“My favorite doll in the whole wide world, of course. I’ll miss her so much. That should be enough punishment.”
Alex shook his head. “Your mother and I will decide your punishment, young lady, and what will be enough. For right now, you need to apologize.”
Her sweet little forehead wrinkled once again. Someday that stubborn frown was going to be his worst enemy, but right now, Alex thought it was just about the most adorable thing he’d ever seen.
He had a really tough time keeping the smile off his lips as he said, “Alexa, you need to tell your mother you’re sorry.”
Behind his daughter, he saw Penny’s mouth drop open in surprise. With his gaze firmly fixed on Lexie, he reached across the space and lifted his wife’s chin with his finger. Her mouth closed with a little snap.
For a moment, he thought Lexie was going to be willful and he would have to resort to a sterner voice, but she finally pursed her lips and huffed. Then she turned reluctantly.
As soon as she saw the tears on her mother’s cheeks, all stubbornness disappeared. “Oh, Mommy, I’m sorry,” she cried and leapt into Penny’s waiting arms.
“It’s all right, sweetheart, I know you were upset. But you must promise never to do anything like that again. I was so worried. And not just me, Jann is frantic. And Alex…your father has half the town out looking for you.”
“You did that for me?” Lexie looked back at him.
“I was shooting for the whole town.” His voice was quiet. “But yes, I did that for you. Come on.” He held out his arms. “Let’s go tell everyone you’re safe.”
He lifted her up.
Lexie curled her arms tightly around his neck.
Penny stood and, for the first time, stepped willingly into his embrace.
With his arm looped around her waist, they walked down the stairs.
9
It was late when the last of the searchers finally left. Many stayed to enjoy Inga’s coffee and the peach pies she’d baked ahead of time.
When Lexie made her appearance, everyone cheered and the little imp talked as if she was holding court.
Penny helped Inga serve and quietly thanked everyone, more appreciative than she could put into words, and more than overwhelmed by the kindness she’d encountered.
As her evening customers began to filter in, Penny noticed Alex was gone. Sometime later, she saw him return with his bags and head upstairs.
A rock settled in her stomach. He actually believed he was going to sleep in her room. The rest of the night went by in a blur as her mind focused on that.
He’d moved into her life lock, stock, and barrel. He’d claimed her in front of the whole town, made decisions for her, and even divided her daughter’s loyalties to her. But this was one area he was not going to control. She absolutely refused to live with him as man and wife.
After all these years, he thought he could just step in and take over without her permission. The idea angered her, but most of all, it terrified her. The last time Alex had claimed her in front of a town, it almost cost him his life. She could not let that happen again.
Her anger and fear hardened into a steely resolve.
People filtered out until everyone was gone.
“I don’t know about you, but I’m exhausted.” Alex was at the door locking up.
“Yes, I am, too.” She snuffed the wall lantern out and turned to face him. “Bed is going to feel very good tonight. I hope you won’t be too uncomfortable on the cot.”
In the process of lifting the kerosene lamp, Alex halted. Surrounded by darkness, the light wavered over his features. “The cot?”
“Yes. You’ll be sleeping on it in Jann’s room until we can make other arrangements.”
“I thought after today—”
“Don’t think for one minute I don’t appreciate what you did today, Alex. Lexie means everything to me. That’s why I have to stay strong. I can’t afford to let you or anyone else make my decisions or control my life. I have to stay strong for her.”
“We’re partners. We’ll make decisions together.” His voice was low, tight.
“Did you ask my opinion even once this afternoon, Alex? No. You just took over and assumed we would all obey.”
“It was an emergency. I only did what was necessary. You can’t hold that against me.”
“I don’t. I told you, I’m thankful you found her. But don’t forget, she would not have been missing if you hadn’t inserted yourself into our lives.”
“She wouldn’t have been missing if you’d been honest and told her who I was.”
“Why? So you can be driven out of her life and leave her alone again? Why in the world would I want that for my daughter?”
“Penny, I understand your fears, but you can’t let them control you.”
“I won’t. I’m not going to let anything or anyone control me again. That’s why you’re not going to my room.”
His features hardened.
“I am not sleeping on the cot.” Each word was tight, hard, and cold.
Penny swallowed. That man was back, the one she’d seen this afternoon, the one who inspired fear in her. “Fine. Have it your way, but we’re not living as man and wife.” Her words were just as steely. “I told you I almost died when I lost you. Parts of me never came back. I can’t feel…don’t want any man. Do you understand, Alex?
“Can’t or won’t?”
“Does it matter? That part of me died, and I don’t need it back. I have to stay strong, independent. I tried to tell you, to make you understand. I’m not a fit wife for you, or any man. Maybe now you’ll believe me.”
His features were flat. He was furious, but he didn’t speak. Instead, he gestured towards the stairs. “Let’s go.”
They climbed the stairs in silence.
Once inside her room, he set the lamp on the nightstand and turned.
Penny stood at the door, her hands gripped in front of her, not moving.
Alex shook his head and began to undress. He slipped her garters off his sleeves and unbuttoned his shirt.
Penny turned away, but it was too late. In spite of what she had told him, the image of his strong shoulders and taut stomach were etched into her mind.
When she heard the sweep of the covers and the bed ropes creak, she blew out the light and undressed in the dark. Much later, covered from head to toe in her flannel nightgown, she slipped into bed and turned her back to her husband.
****
Alex woke up on the wrong side of the bed the next morning. He wanted to be on his wife’s side.
But Penny had risen early enough for her spot to be cold.
He stretched a hand out and smoothed the wrinkles in the sheets.
Did he believe her quietly spoken words last night? Was she dead to his touch? It would explain a lot. How she stood rigid in his arms every time he tried to hold her. How she resisted even the slightest show of affection, even a companionable smile.
It was hard for him to accept. His Penny, his lovely sweet bride, had always been so happy, so affectionate, and filled with joy.
He threw an arm over his eyes. Maybe Penny was right. Maybe the woman he loved was dead. In her place was a stranger he didn’t understand and probably could never love.
Disturbed by the thought, he threw the covers back and climbed out of bed. The smell of bacon drifted up. He dressed and headed downstairs. The sounds of Lexie’s laughter reached him as he opened the door to the kitchen.
Inga had biscuits already on the table and was busy frying bacon. She asked him how he liked his eggs.
He told her and seated himself as Jann filled Alex’s cup with coffee.
Lexie and Jann talked about horses. Jann asked Alex a hundred questions about their care and feeding.
It gave Alex an idea and another purpose for his day. He soon forgot his concerns about Penny, and the fact that she stayed shuttered in her office doing bookwork while they all enjoyed each other’s company.
Even Jewel seemed to open a little more and smiled as he teased Lexie.
After breakfast, Alex headed to the stables where he kept his horse. The owner, Charley Breckenridge, was a slender, quiet, sometimes surly man. But he took great care, better than most, with his horses.
Alex had also seen a three-legged collie dog and some stray cats around. Usually a man who took such care with his animals had a tendency to take care of people, too.
“Could you use the services of a slightly slow, but upright and dependable young man?” Alex asked.
“Depends on the young man, don’t it?” Charlie squinted at Alex over the rough wooden rail of a horse stall.
“Jann Swensen.”
“The tall kid what lives at The Copper Penny?”
“He’s a hard worker. He loves horses and he’s anxious to learn. I’ll vouch for him. I’ll even pay his wages if you’ll give him a chance.”
“I don’t really need more help, but let me think on it for a while. I’ll let you know in a few days.”
Alex didn’t know any of the other stable owners, and he wouldn’t trust Jann with anyone he didn’t know, so he’d have to be patient. Given his circumstances right now, patience was high on his list of things to pray for.
Somewhat irritated, he headed over to check on the progress at the warehouse. Afterwards, he visited the site of the new mill and signed paperwork at the bank. When he finished it was late afternoon, but he still had time for his main purpose.
He hadn’t forgotten Sheriff Andersen’s response yesterday.
Penny was right.
Holloway owned the sheriff. Even his opinions seem to come straight out of Holloway’s mouth. A dangerous situation, and the kind of attitude that had impacted Alex’s life in the past. Twice he’d been driven away from his loved ones by embittered men and angry mobs. He wasn’t going to sit around and wait for it to happen again.
The sheriff’s position was an elected one, and that made him responsible to the public. How many other important people did Holloway own?
Alex walked into the office of
The Bodie Reporter
, one of three daily newspapers in town. Andy had introduced the editor, Thomas Wingate, to Alex the night of the party at the Metropolitan.
When he entered, Thomas was seated at his desk. Alex could hear the furious scribble of his pen five feet away. Three other men chatted as they set type at the printing press.
“May I have a word with you in private, Thomas?”
A little surprised, the shorter, wiry, young man gestured to the back. They entered a storeroom rife with the smell of printer ink, dusty paper, and thinner.
“Sorry, this is the best I can offer you,” Thomas said with a slight smile. “We’re the newest of Bodie’s papers and still building.”
“I hope your small size doesn’t deter you from taking on big stories.”
“I’m not sure what you mean.”
“I just found my wife and daughter after two years of looking. We were separated by the war. My family had no idea I was alive, and my wife had to make a living the hard way. She told my daughter I was dead. Yesterday, my daughter found out I was her father, and the shock made her run away. She thought her mother was lying to her all this time.” Alex then told the young man about Sheriff Andersen’s response.
Thomas’ lips thinned into a tight line. “I’m not surprised.” His tone was taut. “Outraged, but not surprised.”
“Didn’t I hear Andy mention there’s an election in the spring?” Alex prompted.
“I see what you mean about the big stories. You’d like my new and faltering young paper to take on one of the most powerful, and probably the most dangerous, man in Bodie.” Thomas had a speculative glint in his eyes.
“No single man should be that powerful. An editorial here and there at the proper place and time, might limit his influence. Unless, of course, the story is too big for your little paper.”
Thomas burst out laughing. “Some men might take that as insult, Mr. Marsden.”
“You’re not most men, and neither am I.”
“I can see that.” He studied Alex. “I’m wondering if you just might be the man to give Holloway the tussle he needs.”
“I’m certain of it,” Alex countered. “The question is which side of the fray do you want to be on?”
“There’s no question. Right is always the choice for me.”