Colorado Dawn (32 page)

She turned those big eyes on him, and he felt like a worm. Her eyebrows arched, and she blinked. “No?” Her lips remained parted.

Sam shoved his hands in his pockets. “The officer and I feel it would be best for Phin to work off his fine.”

It was Phin’s turn to gape. “Work it off? How?”

Keys jangling, the policeman stepped forward. “You’ll be sweeping sidewalks, cleaning the streets, and emptying the spittoons in the public buildings.” He inserted one of the keys and cranked it over, opening the door. Withdrawing a pair of shackles from his belt, he slipped one on Phin’s thin wrist and let out a piercing whistle.

Eldora jumped a foot, and Sam put his hand on her arm to steady her.

A burly constable shouldered his way into the cell area. “You want something, boss?”

“I do. Take this young man out to do some service for the community. Start with the courthouse. He can sweep the floors and empty the spittoons.”

“Sir,” Eldora asked, “are the shackles necessary?”

“They are. If he’s out of the cell and not actually working, he’ll be cuffed to the constable here.” With a snap, the cuff closed around the young officer’s wrist.

Phin scowled at Sam. “This is the best you could do? I thought you’d pay the fine.”

“You thought wrong. You know, you’re a rotten thief. I’ve only known you a few days, and you’ve been caught stealing three times.”

Phin’s mutinous glare turned into a smirk as the constable headed him out the door. “You don’t know how many times I
don’t
get caught.”

Sam didn’t know whether to laugh or yell, so he gritted his teeth. Phin was the epitome of unrepentant arrogance. A little time cleaning spittoons and sweeping up the dung on the streets would do him a world of good. In the meantime, Sam didn’t intend to go another hour without taking care of another problem that needed tending to.

“Let’s go check on Tick. The nurse said Celeste could sit with Tick for a while, but I’m sure she’s getting restless.” He put his hand under Eldora’s elbow and steered her out. “I never would’ve suspected Celeste could be so…”

“Strong-willed?”

“Yes. I never thought she’d break down like that. Poor kid. How did you convince her finally to let the doctor at least look at her lip?”

“I had to promise to hold her hand through everything, and I had to promise that he wouldn’t laugh or make fun of her or hurt her in any way. Dr. O’Kelly was so kind and matter of fact. He didn’t recoil or even talk about her lip the whole time he examined her. He talked about his new puppy. It seems he got a new spaniel pup a couple of weeks ago, and he told her all about the dog’s antics and made up a few adventures about him, too. In the end, she forgot to be afraid or self-conscious, though she refused to answer any of his questions. He promised to bring the puppy to the hospital for her and Tick to see this afternoon.”

They crossed the street and walked up the two blocks to the hospital. The wind whipped her skirts and tugged her hair from its braid. She clutched her shawl under her chin and leaned into the breeze. He held her elbow with one hand and anchored his hat with the other. When they reached the calm of the hospital foyer, she blew on her hands and shivered, then tried to tuck wisps of wayward hair behind her ears.

“Run up and get Celeste, and then we have an errand or two to see to.” He waited at the bottom of the stairs, eager to get going now that he’d made up his mind what he wanted to do.

When the girls reached the bottom of the stairs, he took Celeste’s hand and Eldora’s elbow and led them back out into the wind. Good thing the Emporium was only in the next block.

The bell overhead jangled when he opened it, and they stepped inside.

Celeste gave a gasp, and her blue eyes widened. Eldora wasn’t much different, trying to see everything in the packed store at once. The little girl dropped his hand and took Eldora’s, pointing to a glass case full of jars of candy.

Eldora seemed to remember her manners and turned to him. “Was there something you needed to pick up?”

“I need quite a few things, actually. Hopefully you can help me.”

“Of course.” She let her fingers drift across the polished wood on the edge of the counter. “I don’t have much experience shopping, but anything I can do to help I will.”

“I haven’t the slightest doubt that you’ll be more than up to the task.” He nodded to the sales clerk headed their way.

“How can I help you?” The woman tucked a pencil behind her ear and brushed the front of her white apron. “My, what a pretty young’un you have.” She tilted her head to one side. “I’m trying to decide who she favors. Must be you, sir, with the blue eyes.”

Sam didn’t bother to correct her, giving the girls a wink when the clerk turned her back to straighten some boxes on the shelf behind her. “You seem to have a nice selection of ready-made clothing available. I’m looking for new clothes.”

Eldora’s eyebrows rose and bunched, but she still didn’t ask her questions aloud. The saleswoman nodded and pulled a tablet toward her. “What size?” She flicked a glance at him, appraising his build.

“Several sizes. The clothing isn’t for me. It’s for Miss Carter and Celeste here. Also for two boys, one about seven and one around thirteen.” Sam held his hand level with his waist and then raised it to mid-chest. “About so high for each of them.”

“Sam,” Eldora breathed, “you don’t—”

“Don’t argue.” He took her hand and tugged her away a few steps. “Celeste, you stay right there.” When they were at the far end of the store, standing among the garden tools and hardware, he stared straight into her eyes. “You all need new clothes, warmer clothes. I feel like a cad in my heavy coat when you’re getting by with nothing but a shawl.” He gestured to the frayed edge.

Pink flooded her cheeks, and her lips flattened. “I’m sorry if we shame you.” Guilt stabbed him. He’d said the wrong thing. “No, no. I’m not in the least ashamed of you.” He squeezed her chilly hands. “You’ve done more with less better than any person I’ve ever met. It’s just that I have so much, and you have so little. Please, let me do this for you and the kids. It won’t do Tick much good to come out of the hospital and get a chill because his coat is too small and worn out to keep him warm. And Celeste’s wrists stick out of her dress. They’ll be better off with clothes and shoes that fit and function.” He tilted his head to the side and entreated her.

“You know the orphanage won’t authorize the expense. They won’t reimburse you.”

“I’m not worried about that.”

She stared at their joined hands for a long time without speaking.

“Is it such a difficult decision?”

“If it was only for myself I would refuse, but you are right. The children need warmer clothes.”

“So do you.”

“No.” She shook her head. “The children’s needs are one thing. I can’t let you buy anything for me. It wouldn’t be proper.” She bit on her lower lip. “I wouldn’t feel right knowing I could never repay you.”

He released her hands and shook his head. Rubbing his palm on the back of his neck, he contemplated her. Yvette had taken with both hands, though she had no real need of the baubles and fripperies he’d bought for her, and here stood Ellie in threadbare clothing and worn-out boots, refusing necessities for fear of owing a debt she couldn’t pay.

“I tell you what. You can consider it an early Christmas gift. It’s rude to refuse a gift, and if you don’t pick out the stuff yourself, I’ll have to do it. Now, stop arguing with me and start shopping.” He stepped aside for her to walk up the packed aisle, hoping she’d acquiesce to his authority.

Another thought occurred to him, something Phin had shared at dinner the night before. He reached for her hand once more. “I assure you I’m not looking to be repaid for anything, not with money and not any other way.” He waited until understanding dawned in her brown eyes.

Again pink raced up her cheeks, and she nodded.

T
hough she was grateful to be getting back on the train and continuing their journey after so many days in Salina, Eldora couldn’t help but feel it was wrong to be traveling on a Sunday morning. The rain from the past few days had turned to sleet in the night, coating every surface with a layer of glittering ice. Her brand-new shoes slid on the frozen ruts of the rail yard, and she lurched.

Sam’s strong hand came under her elbow and steadied her. “Whoops. A little slippery.” He winked at Tick, high on his other arm. “At least the sun is finally shining.”

The Mackenzie railcar, its dark green paint and brass rails gleaming, stood just ahead, the last in the train. Frosty crystals hung in the air, shreds of the clouds of steam emanating from the hulking engine far to their right up the line ahead of the passenger, freight, and mail cars.

Entering Sam’s private car felt familiar and yet strange. Like her new clothes. She squeezed her shoulders together inside her new wool coat, luxuriating in the warmth and heaviness but uneasy at taking so much from him.

Phin shucked his coat to reveal a smart new tweed jacket and pants. He’d been even more reluctant than Eldora to take anything from Sam, but in the end, Sam had his way. Though Phin pretended not to be impressed with the new outfit, Eldora caught him fingering the edge of his jacket or the sturdy buttons on his shirtfront several times.

A porter carried their bags, the old, beat-up valise and a shiny, new leather case, to their rooms.

Sam waited for a second porter to bring his bags before letting Tick slide down until he landed on the settee. “Don’t take your coat off yet. Let it warm up in here a bit. Once the engine gets going, the radiators will heat up.” He ducked outside to speak to the conductor, a different man from the martinet on the last train.

Celeste sat beside Tick, her feet together in her glossy black boots. She stroked the edges of her cape, seemingly unable to stop touching the soft fur. Her black hood framed her face, and the blue scarf Sam had chosen for her made her eyes even more brilliant.

Tick bounced on his seat, his cheeks pink from the cold and better health. He knelt on the upholstery and peered out the window at Sam. “Eldora, he’s pretty swell, isn’t he? New clothes for us, and food and medicine and candy.” He flashed a grin over his shoulder, a faint ring of stickiness testament to the peppermints he’d consumed that morning.

Sam
was
pretty swell, to use Tick’s description, but Eldora knew she must steel her heart against him. A headache pinged behind her eyes, reminding her of her sleepless night, tossing and turning, worrying about the children, being squashed under the responsibility she bore and tortured with thoughts of Sam and the mounting debts she owed him.

She heard once again the cautions of a kindly woman who had come to teach a Sunday school for the orphan girls once.
“You are so vulnerable, more than most. Without fathers and brothers to look after you, you’re easy prey for men once you leave here. If you aren’t taken advantage of, then you’re in danger of giving your heart too easily to the wrong man. Starved for love and affection as you are, any kindness or flattery might turn your head. I know from experience, for I was once a girl newly turned out of an orphanage. I married the first man who came along, and I have lived to regret it. So, beware, all of you. Don’t spin dreams about romance and rescue. You’ll wind up hurt and more alone than ever before.”

Though Eldora hadn’t understood at the time everything the woman was trying to caution them against, she had come to realize the truth and wisdom in the warning. Too many of her fellow orphan girls, once released into the world, had become street walkers or virtual slaves in the workhouses, or had married men who abused and mistreated them. Even those like Eldora who had found work as domestics were considered easy pickings for the male members of the households, as she had encountered firsthand.

But was Sam like that? He claimed to want nothing in return for his kindness. In every way, he had behaved as a gentleman should. But why? What did he have to gain? What did he want from them,
from her
, in exchange?

She couldn’t deny that every time she was near him her breath came a little faster and her heart began to trip and stall. The way he had with the children, even the prickly Phin, made her middle feel mushy and warm, and sometimes when he looked right at her she forgot to breathe altogether.

Stop it, Eldora. You’re in danger of making a complete fool of yourself. A man like Sam Mackenzie would never be interested in an ugly duckling like you, poorer than a muskrat, with no proper schooling. If you let yourself dream romantic notions about him, you’re just going to get your heart broken when he leaves you in Denver. Get through the next two days with your wits and your heart intact
.

Something tugged her sleeve. She looked down into Tick’s face.

“I said, ‘He’s pretty swell, isn’t he?’ ”

She smoothed his fair hair out of his eyes and nodded, a lump in her throat. “Yes, he’s pretty swell, but Tick…” She wanted to caution him against hero worship, against giving his little heart to someone who would walk away from them, but somehow she couldn’t do it, couldn’t rub the bloom off his obvious admiration for Sam. He’d know heartache soon enough without her hurrying it along.

The train shuddered, and Sam swung up onto the platform and entered the car. He braced his legs as the train jerked and then slid into motion. “Two days to Denver.” He took the seat beside Eldora. The smells of coal smoke, cold air, and shaving soap clung to him.

She slid down the settee and fussed with helping Celeste remove her cloak and hood.

“Kids, there’s some hot cocoa and cookies down in the dining room.” Sam pointed to the rear of the car. “You head on back there. I want to talk to Eldora for a minute, and then we’ll join you.”

Eldora’s palms prickled, and her throat went dry. She had to get over this silly-girl attraction to him. Securing a polite expression on her face that she prayed gave nothing away, she waited.

Tick and Celeste went without having to be asked twice, but Phin remained, his hands in his pockets. The suspicious tilt of his eyebrows and the set of his jaw both touched and exasperated Eldora. “Go ahead, Phin. We’ll be right along.”