Colorado Heart (9781101612026) (8 page)

The road curved and rose in a gentle slope and the town stood before them. Smoke poured from a chimney and the sound of a hammer hitting iron echoed off the buildings. Cassie recognized the lean form of the sheriff as he walked across the street with a black-and-white dog on his heels. There was a wagon in front of the store, and a pair of horses stood at a hitching post in front of a building past the saloon.

“‘Devil's Table Café'?” Cassie read the sign as they rode past the mercantile.

“Yes,” Jake said. “It belongs to Dusty. He considers himself a rebel, but the food is good, so no one complains.”

“It's an easy guess how the town got its name,” Cassie said as she looked at the statue of an angel with outstretched arms and wings that stood on a pile of stones in the middle of the street. “But where did the angel come from?” she asked.

“It was here when the town was first settled,” Jake said. “The only thing we can figure is someone tried to take it across the passes and realized they weren't going to make it so they left it here.”

“It must have killed them to leave it,” Cassie said. She stopped Puck before the statue and looked up at the face of the angel. It was worn smooth by the wind, but the features were still there, offering welcome and forgiveness for any who needed it.

“It would have killed them to take it,” Jake replied. Bright stood next to Puck, but when Cassie looked over at Jake, he wasn't looking at the statue, but beyond, at a house on the end of the street, right before the church. He must have realized she was watching him because he suddenly turned to her. She had grown accustomed to his eyes being a stormy gray, so she was surprised to see them verge on blue when he stared into hers.

“Sometimes you've just got to leave your burdens behind,” he added.

If only she could. Jake Reece was getting too close for comfort. Cassie felt as if he knew things about her, things no one should know. There was no way he could, and yet his words often seemed to carry a hidden message. It made her uneasy. She couldn't afford to let anyone get close to her. “Where's the bank?” she asked.

Jake pointed to a building on the right, just past the statue. “Curry and Hayes Stage Line and Bank” was scrolled importantly on the sign.

They dismounted in front of the bank and tossed the reins over the rail. Cassie hung her hat on the saddle horn and tugged at the ragged ends of her hair. She really should have worn better clothes. If she wanted to be taken seriously as a landowner then she should dress the part. That didn't mean she had to wear a dress, but maybe she should invest in some better quality clothes for business gatherings.

Jake stopped and studied Puck.

“He's not good around strangers,” she warned him.

Jake indicated the scars on Puck's flanks. “I can see that he had a bad time before he came into your care.”

“He did,” Cassie said. “There were some who said he should be put down.”

Jake held his hand out, palm down, beneath the white blazed nose of her horse. “It would have been a waste,” he said. “You can tell by looking into his eyes that he's intelligent and has a lot of heart.”

“That he does,” Cassie agreed. She watched carefully as Puck's nostrils flared and the horse snuffed at his hand. Finally Puck dipped his head and allowed Jake to rub his neck.

“I'd say he's lucky you took him in,” Jake said as he turned.

“The feeling is mutual,” Cassie said in wonder. It was the first time she'd ever seen Puck let anyone touch him. He was even skittish around Manuel, except when she was close by.

“Well.” Jake looked around as if he were searching for an excuse not to go inside. He must not have found one, so he opened the door for Cassie as if she were dressed in silk and satin. “Let's get this over with,” he said.

Cassie stepped inside. Apprehension gripped her. Signing the account over to her might be an ending for Jake, but it was a beginning for her. How it would turn out was another matter entirely.

TEN

T
here were two clerks inside. One served as a postmaster and worked the stage office, and the other one worked the bank. The postmaster was middle-aged and wore a wedding band. The other was around Cassie's age, gangly and tall with thin black hair that he wore slicked back from his forehead. He gawked at Cassie when she ran her fingers through her hair to fluff it up. Jake went to the window with the bank book in hand.

“I need to transfer this account from my name to Miss Parker's,” he said.

The clerk looked at the book and his brows rose up close to his hairline.

“Will you be making a withdrawal, ma'am?” he asked. “I have to send to Denver for the money if it's over one hundred dollars.”

Cassie joined Jake at the window and opened the tax bill for the young man to see. “I need to have this amount paid to the town for taxes,” she said. “Whichever way the town prefers is fine with me.”

“I'll ask the mayor,” he said. He went to a desk and moved some papers. Jake turned and leaned against the ledge so he could see the door. Cassie kept her eyes on the bank clerk. She wasn't anxious for any more conversation with Jake. He left her too unsettled.

The bell rang over the door and Jake shifted suddenly, straightening up from his casual stance. Cassie turned to see what had his attention.

A very pretty and very pregnant woman came through the door. Her light-brown hair was neatly swept up in a twist and she wore a beautiful shawl against the cool springtime air. She looked so much a lady that Cassie decided then and there that she was going to the mercantile to find something decent to wear.

“Leah,” Jake said casually. “It's good to see you.” There was something in his voice that caught Cassie's attention, and she studied him while he looked at the woman. His eyes were once more that stormy gray that intrigued her so.

“It's good to see you too, Jake,” Leah replied. “I see you fared well over the winter.”

“As did you,” Jake replied.

Leah's hands went to her burgeoning belly. “Yes, we did,” she said. “Cade and I are very happy.”

“I'm glad for you, Leah.” His words sounded genuine and he smiled at her.

“Thank you, Jake. That means the world to me to hear you say so.”

Well that was interesting. There must have been something between them at one time. And now Leah was married to the sheriff. Leah's green eyes settled on Cassie with expectation and without judgment. Cassie wondered if she should speak or maybe give Jake a quick kick to remind him of his manners.

“I'm sorry,” Jake said. “This is Cassie Parker. She's Sam's granddaughter.”

“I heard you've taken over his spread.” Leah held out her hand to shake Cassie's. “My husband is Cade Gentry, the sheriff.”

Cassie hesitated a moment and then took her hand. It had been a long while since she'd been around such friendly people.

Leah squeezed it gently. “I'm so sorry about your grandfather. He used to come into the café where I work. He was always a gentleman.”

“Thank you,” Cassie said. “It's nice to hear people talk about him so kindly.”

“Since you're in town, why don't you come by the café for lunch? It's a great place to get to know the townsfolk.”

“We'll see,” Cassie said. “I've got a lot of work to do at home.”

Jake suddenly choked. Or was he laughing? Cassie eyed him suspiciously. Leah looked between the two of them with a slight smile on her face.

“Is there something wrong?” Cassie asked.

“Oh no, I'm fine,” he finally croaked. He cleared his throat. “Here's the paperwork,” he said.

“It was nice meeting you,” Leah said. “Take care, Jake.”

“You too, Leah,” Jake replied. “Tell Banks I said hello. And my promise of a horse for him is still there.”

“I'll talk it over with Cade,” Leah said, and went to the opposite window to talk to the postmaster.

“Banks is her son,” Jake said by way of explanation when he joined Cassie at the bank teller's window. “He's six . . . no, he would have turned seven over the winter.”

“She seems very nice,” Cassie said.

“She is,” Jake agreed. He picked up the pen and signed his name and handed the paper to Cassie. His handwriting was very neat and concise, a lot like the man. Cassie signed her name where the clerk indicated. They repeated the process two more times.

“Is that it?” Jake asked.

“That's it,” the clerk said. “I'll send two copies to the office in Denver and keep the other one here. Is there anything else I can do for you, Miss Parker?”

“Yes, I'd like to withdraw twenty dollars.”

“Planning on shopping?” Jake asked.

“I'm pretty sure he said you were done,” Cassie replied. The clerk gave her the money and carefully recorded the transaction in her book, even going so far as to subtract and write the still healthy balance on the line. Cassie put the money and the book into the inside pocket of her jacket. “So you can go on about your business and leave me to mine.”

“Think you can find your way back home?” he asked with a grin. “Because you got lost on the way here.”

“Your life must have been boring before I got here,” Cassie replied. “Seeing as how all you've got to do now is antagonize me.”

That set him back on his heels. His mouth opened and closed again and without another word he left. Cassie watched him go with a look of amusement on her face. It was fun leaving him speechless, but she regretted it as soon as the door shut behind him. She felt very alone.

She did have business to do. Leah had just finished with the postmaster and looked at Cassie with an amused expression on her face. Maybe she could help with the first thing on her list.

“Would you happen to know of anyone who has a cat they'd like to get rid of?” she asked. “I've got a barn full of mice.”

“The Martins do,” Leah said. “I'll take you there.”

“No, just point me in the right direction,” Cassie said.

“Nonsense,” Leah said. “I can introduce you to the brood.” She looped her arm through Cassie's, and Cassie realized Leah would not take no for an answer. Besides, it felt rather nice to know that the people of the town were so friendly. It certainly hadn't been true in the last place they lived.

“The Martins own the livery stable,” Leah said as they walked outside. “Where you got Libby?”

“Actually my friend Manuel purchased Libby when we arrived last fall.”

“It's a shame the weather wasn't any better. It was one of the worst winters we've had in a long time,” Leah continued. “And the Martins have three sets of twins.”

“Three sets of twins?” Cassie said. “I couldn't even imagine.”

Cassie listened to Leah's conversation with half a mind while she searched the street for Jake. She saw his palomino standing in front of the Heaven's Gate Saloon.

“Isn't a little early in the day to be drinking?” she said without even realizing she spoke out loud.

“Jake?” Leah said. “You don't have to worry about him. He's one of the most levelheaded men I know. He and Ward are best friends, although sometimes when they talk to each other you wouldn't know it.”

“I wasn't really worried,” Cassie started to protest.

Leah smiled at her and continued on. “It's a shame Jake hasn't met the right woman yet. He's got so much to offer and I know he'd make a great father. He's always been good to my son, Banks.”

Cassie managed to gracefully separate her arm from Leah's by stopping and pretending to search for something in one of her pockets. She really didn't care about Jake's marital status, although she'd just assumed he wasn't by the way he talked to her. And he had not mentioned a wife. But she was curious about some of the things Leah said and what she'd observed between Jake and Leah in the bank.

“Doesn't that bother the sheriff to have Jake offering his son gifts?”

“Cade is my second husband,” Leah explained. “Banks's father died five years ago. Cade and I got married last Thanksgiving. And as you can see, we didn't waste any time.” She touched her belly.

“It's really not any of my business,” Cassie apologized.

“Nonsense,” Leah said. “The entire town knows everything that happened. That's the way of it in Angel's End. We look out for each other and we care about each other.”

They arrived at the house by the livery. Leah knocked on the door and then pushed it open. The sweet smell of roses assaulted her senses as Cassie tentatively followed Leah inside.

“Oh you're in luck,” Leah said. “Nonnie's making some of her rose salve and soap. It's wonderful for dry skin.” She showed Cassie her hands. “Mine sure do take a beating.”

“It does smell good,” Cassie admitted as she wondered who exactly Nonnie was and if they should have just walked into the house. Leah led her into a kitchen. The scents of roses and almonds filled the air. A long trestle table was covered with small crocks and baskets. An older woman sat at the table crushing almonds in a heavy stone mortar with a pedestal. Both pieces seemed ancient to Cassie but the smell coming from the large pot on the stove was enticing. A younger woman with red hair turned to greet them with a large ladle in her hand.

“Gretchen, Nonnie, this is Cassie Parker.”

“Sam's granddaughter,” Gretchen said in greeting. “And the owner of Libby,” she continued. “Welcome to Angel's End.”

“Thank you,” Cassie said. “As far as owning Libby, it seems like she has a different version of ownership than I do.”

Gretchen's eyes went immediately to Leah and she grinned widely. “Oh I do think I'm going to like having you as part of our little town,” she said. The words were genuine and they made Cassie feel hopeful and welcome, but her cautious nature would not let her do anything more than smile graciously at Gretchen.

Nonnie pulled out the chair next to her. “Come.” She patted the chair. “Sit.”

“Oh, I can't,” Cassie protested. “I must get home.”

“We heard your mother is here also?” Gretchen asked.

“My mother is an invalid,” Cassie said. “Which is why I need to get back.”

“Oh, I'm sorry to hear that,” Gretchen said. “Perhaps Nonnie and I could ride out and visit someday. And Leah also.”

“Before this baby gets in the way of me traveling.” Leah placed a hand on her burgeoning stomach.

Cassie hated to be rude but she didn't want anyone visiting her mother. They wouldn't know the vibrant and beautiful person she'd once been. They'd only see the empty shell she was now. She didn't want her mother exposed to their pity, yet how could she say no? Ever since she'd walked into the bank with Jake, she'd felt overwhelmed. Unsure whether to trust the friendly welcome she seemed to be receiving. Luckily Leah saved her from having to make excuses for why they shouldn't visit by changing the subject.

“Cassie needs a cat,” Leah added.

Gretchen dropped her ladle and dried her hands on her apron. “Thank goodness,” she exclaimed. “You have definitely come to the right place. It just so happens I have a spare. Actually I have four spares if you want more than one.”

“Gretchen, the twins will kill you!” Leah said.

“What they don't know won't hurt me,” Gretchen said with a laugh. The banter between the two women was so easy it made Cassie feel strange, as if she were looking through a window. It would be lovely to have a friend like that. Someone to talk to and to share her fears with. She was so used to keeping everything inside, everything private, that she could not even begin to imagine what it would be like to share confidences with someone. She'd thought friendships such as this only existed for schoolgirls.

“Actually I was just thinking, if you don't mind, you could take the momma cat,” Gretchen continued. “There's less chance of her getting pregnant again if she's living out in the country. The last thing we need in this house with six children is more kittens underfoot.”

“As long as you don't mind,” Cassie started.

“Heavens no,” Gretchen exclaimed. “You'd be doing me a favor. Come with me to the barn and I'll show you the momma cat. You can have your pick of the kittens too.”

“I'll let you two get to it,” Leah said. “I have to get back to work.” She turned to Cassie and stuck out her hand. “It was so nice to meet you.”

Cassie had no choice but to take it and Leah gave her a reassuring squeeze. “It was nice meeting you also,” Cassie said.

“Please stop by the diner before you leave town,” Leah said as she left. All Cassie could do was nod in response.

“Before you go,” Nonnie said to Cassie in her heavy German accent, “I have some things for you.” She picked up a bottle. “This one for skin,” she said, and placed it in a basket. “And this one for hair. Will make it grow faster.”