Brighter than Gold (Western Rebels Book 1) (6 page)

June 26, 1864

“That was delicious!” Brian declared, swallowing the last bite of his toast and poached egg. “Your strawberry jam is as fine as any your dear mother ever made.”

“Thank you, Papa.” Absently, Katie picked up his plate and walked over to wash it with the other breakfast dishes.

Brian followed, wrapping an arm around her slim shoulders. “You look real pretty today! Is that a new frock?”

She glanced down at the dress of white percale dotted in violet. The full skirt was set off by a violet sash at the waist, and the high, violet-bordered collar was edged in starched white lace. “It’s the one Victoria made for my birthday. Do you really like it?”

“You’re a picture. Have you thought about putting your hair up?” Immediately Brian regretted his words. “I see—that’d be a mistake, wouldn’t it? Jack might think you were changing your hair because
he
suggested it.”

“Mr. Adams’s opinion is of no consequence as far as I’m concerned, Papa.”

“That’s my girl! You know, the sight of you so beautiful and grown-up makes me remember something I’ve been meanin’ to give you.” He took her by the hand and led her into his bedroom. Opening the top drawer of a worn cherrywood bureau, Brian reached to the back and withdrew a small wooden box. “This was your mother’s, and she wanted you to have it. I should’ve given it to you on your birthday, but you know how absentminded I can be. I forget that you’re not my little girl anymore.”

Katie held the box for a moment before opening it. She tried not to think of her mother, avoiding the pain that inevitably accompanied memories, and now she could already feel the familiar sting mingling with a sense of anticipation. Slowly she lifted the lid to reveal Mary MacKenzie’s three cherished pieces of jewelry. Nestled in a bed of velvet were a lustrous pearl necklace, a cameo brooch edged with gold filigree, and a beautiful ring that featured a sapphire encircled by tiny diamonds.

“Oh...” she breathed. She picked up the cameo, stroking the sculpted pink-and-white surface with the side of her thumb. “Mama wore this nearly every day! I assumed that...”

“She wore it still?” Brian whispered. The sight of Katie’s eyes shining with tears made his throat close and his voice grow thick. “No, darlin’. Mary has her wedding rings, but she asked me to keep these for you. You’ve never shown an interest in jewelry before, but seeing you so lovely in that dress made me think that it’s time you had these.”

Katie looked into his shaving mirror and pinned the brooch to the base of her lacy collar. “I love it, Papa. Thank you.”

Brian gathered her into his bearlike embrace. He held her for a long time, awkwardly patting the back of her head until he felt the warmth of her tears penetrate his shirt. “What’s wrong, lass?”

“I miss Mama.”

“I know you do. I do, too, but I’m thinking that’s not all that’s bothering you. Won’t you tell your pa what it is?”

She shook her head but wouldn’t meet his eyes. “It’s nothing, really.”

“Wouldn’t have anything to do with Jack Adams, would it?” Brian pressed gently.

Katie disengaged from her father’s arms and walked over to lean against the door frame, arms folded across her breasts. “No. Well, yes, but not in the way you think. I mean, I have no feelings
at all
about the man himself—it’s the things he does and says that vex me so!”

Brian’s gaze was tender as he took in the stubborn set of Katie’s chin. “Tell me what you mean.”

“I feel that this is my home. I’m a part of our family, of this town, and I’ve grown to depend on certain things being constant. You and the saloon and my friends and neighbors are my whole world... yet since Jack came to Columbia, everything seems turned upside-down!” She took a deep breath, hoping to calm herself. “He’s
changed
things that I had come to rely upon. Even you aren’t the same, Papa! I always could predict what you would say and do, but that man has convinced you to change things that were just fine until he interfered. He’s invaded our home, and everything is different at the saloon. You know that I like Abigail just fine, but I don’t think we needed her to work at the saloon. It used to be a place of business, a friendly place with a sort of dignity, where the men could come for a quiet drink, some conversation, wholesome food, and a game if they were so inclined. Now there’s this blushing, pretty girl who wears gowns that show part of her bosom when she bends over and who causes the men to act like adolescent boys! And meanwhile, there is Jack Adams, leaning against the bar and admiring his own handiwork. Well, it wasn’t his place to interfere! He has you so charmed that you don’t even blink when he discusses taking a job with Harold Van Hosten! Well, I can see him for what he is. I just wish he would go away and leave us alone!”

Brian rubbed his jaw, bemused. “Sounds like you’ve been holdin’ in a whole lot of frustration, love.”

Suddenly she felt like crying, but she pushed down the tide of emotion, merely nodding in response.

“Probably upsets you that I haven’t seemed to pay any mind to your objections to Jack so far.”

“Well... yes! Yes, it’s bothered me that a virtual stranger has had more sway with you than I, that you seem to have more respect for his judgment than for mine.
And,
it bothers me that
he
brushes off my protestations and opinions as if they aren’t worth considering!”

MacKenzie wanted to put an arm around his daughter, but he gave her space instead. “I apologize if I’ve been inconsiderate. I’ve not meant to hurt you, and I think you know that I respect your judgment and opinions. Haven’t I listened to you always?” He paused, then added gently, “You’ve had a great deal of power in your own world, ever since your ma died. You’ve been used to behaving as you pleased and looking as you pleased... and having things the way you wanted them. I’m not saying that’s bad. You have a strong will, Kathleen, and you’re pretty and as smart as any man. It’s only natural that you’d stand out in this town.”

“Are you suggesting that I’m spoiled?” she asked in a quiet, shocked voice.

“I wouldn’t put it that way. You’ve worked too hard to be spoiled. You’re just a natural leader, and you’re used to that. I’m afraid that Jack Adams is the same way. I happen to believe that other people’s opinions can be worthwhile, which is why I’ve listened to Jack. It sure doesn’t mean I put any less stock in what you think! I love you more than my own life. It just seems to me that you’re accustomed to people doing what you want, and rightly so. It’s natural that you’d be annoyed by Jack busting into your world. Not only are people listening to him instead of you, but you can’t get
him
to do what you want, either.”

“You make me sound horrid, Papa!”

“Nonsense!” Brian laughed. “And what you’re feeling is just part of growing up. Look on it as a lesson. Even in a town like Columbia, you can’t always make life turn out the way you’d like. Other people have their own ways, which may not be the same as what
you
want.”

Slowly, she came over to him and rested her head against his sturdy shoulder. “I’ll try to remember that, Papa.”

“You’ll be a lot happier if you can.” Smiling, he patted her cheek. “Would you listen to a bit more advice from your old pa about Jack Adams?”

Katie sighed. “I suppose so.”

“You’re lettin’ him bother you too much, lass. Just let him be. And, don’t think that everything he does is to get your goat! Relax... accept him as he is, because there’s not a blessed chance that you can change him. If he ever does start actin’ the way you’d like him to, it’ll be because he chooses to and not because you willed it.” Brian kissed the tip of her nose. “I have a suspicion that, deep down inside, you like him just a little bit. You know, you’re too young and pretty to get so riled up over one human being. Why not look on Jack’s visit here as an opportunity for adventure? Try to have a bit of fun!”

Katie made a face. “Why don’t I start with something that would be easier to enjoy? Perhaps I could persuade our good dentist Dr. Blake to extract one of my teeth!”

* * *

“Have you ever tried this concoction?” Gideon Henderson asked as he set the type for an advertisement of “Dr. Webber’s Invigorating Cordial.”

Smiling, Katie read aloud from the copy: “Do you feel prostration of the nerves, the body, or the mind? Are your nerves unstrung, your spirits low?” She skipped ahead to “Weakness in Females, and Aged Persons, are singularly benefitted.” Katie laughed. “How interesting to learn that we women are classified with the aged in terms of our health! No, Gideon, I’ve never tried this miraculous cure. Have you?”

He pushed up his glasses with ink-smeared fingers. “No, but a few years back, my mother was drinking a bottle a day. She smelled like she’d just left a saloon, and she acted that way, too! Finally, Mother set the kitchen on fire while trying to light the stove and my father refused to let her have any more of Dr. Webber’s Invigorating Cordial!”

“A wise decision. Did she miss it?”

“Oh, yes. She took to her bed and sulked for a week before announcing that her headaches were completely gone and she felt fine for the first time in months.”

They had almost finished with the back page of the
Gazette.
Tomorrow this weekly issue, including her story about the Griffin, would go on sale. Anticipating increased interest, Gideon planned to print an extra fifty copies.

Katie stretched and felt the stiffness in her back from hours of bending over the type bed. “I’m ravenous! You must be, too. Shall I get us something to eat?”

He nodded, watching as she removed the white smock that protected her dress. For a moment, he was uneasily aware of his ink-smudged shirt with its frayed cuffs and the drabness of his black trousers and brown silk waistcoat. Then Gideon reminded himself that it would take more than fine clothing to transform him into a man worthy of Katie MacKenzie. “I’ve meant to tell you that you look pretty today, Katie. Not that you don’t always look pretty, but that frock is a beauty. And where did you get such an exquisite cameo?”

She looked at him in surprise. Was it her imagination, or was Gideon blushing a little? They’d known each other all their lives, though he was two years older, and Katie had never seen him show a romantic interest in any female. Gideon’s first love had always been the Adams bed and platen printing press. “Why, thank you!” She glanced down in confusion. “The cameo was my mother’s. Papa gave it to me today.” She touched it with slim fingers. “I adore it. I can remember so clearly when she wore it herself, pinned at this same spot on her gowns.”

“Your mother was a very beautiful woman,” he said quietly. “You look more like her all the time. Have you thought of putting up your hair?”

She reacted instantly. “No!”

“All right, all right, I’m sorry I mentioned it!” Gideon held up his hands in surrender. “I just thought that it would show off that lovely neck of yours... and the cameo.”

Katie pursed her lips thoughtfully and wandered over to the tiny mirror that hung in a the corner of the back room. Staring at herself, she slowly unbraided her hair, which cascaded down her back in rich ebony waves. Almost reluctantly, Katie reached back and wound it around, then carefully arranged it atop her head, holding it in place with one hand. The effect was stunning. She frowned but shyly emerged to show Gideon.

Her friend applauded. “If you don’t mind my saying so, I think you’ve been hiding your light under a bushel, Katie! Or, more precisely, under a braid and a plain, unflattering dress. You’ve grown into a woman, but kept the transformation a secret. Although I was aware that you were pretty, I can see now that you’re a true
beauty!”

Before Katie could reply, another voice spoke from the doorway. “It’s a distinct honor to witness this historic occasion. I hope it isn’t too late for you to change the
Gazette’s
headline to
Katie Unbraids
!”

She whirled around, freeing her hair to tumble over her shoulders. “You! Have you nothing better to do than lurk in doorways, waiting to mock me?”

Jack’s low laughter seemed to infuse the office’s stale atmosphere with fresh energy. He walked toward her slowly, his expression appealingly boyish. “I’d be obliged if you could accuse me of something else besides ‘lurking,’” he entreated.

“Oh, I’d be happy to, Mr. Adams. Shall I compose a list?”

Gideon stared as Jack responded to her barbs with a grin. Clearing his throat, Henderson murmured, “Katie, will you introduce me to your... friend?”

She’d forgotten he was there and now turned to him in embarrassment. “I’m sorry, Gideon. You must be quite shocked by my behavior. Mr. Adams has a talent for bringing out the worst in me.”

As Katie performed stiff introductions, Gideon looked at Jack Adams and felt puny, pale, and awkward. The other man certainly had presence. Clad in clean, soft buckskins and a shirt the color of ripe wheat, he exuded strength and self-assurance as he came forward, his hand outstretched. Gideon felt Adams sizing him up before white teeth flashed in a sudden, engaging smile.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Henderson,” Jack said, shaking the smaller man’s ink-stained hand. “You publish a very worthwhile newspaper here. I admire your work. Are you still turning a profit now that Columbia has... slowed down?”

“Uh—thank you for the compliment. I wish I could assure you that the
Gazette
is thriving, but unfortunately, that’s not the case,” he replied, struck by the inane sound of his own voice in contrast to Jack’s. “I’ve heard of you, Mr. Adams. You’ve earned quite a reputation for installing Abigail Armitage at MacKenzie’s Saloon. The miners are very grateful!”