Dakota Dream (18 page)

"Barney?" she whispered, concerned about the deep furrows between his thick eyebrows. "Did I say something wrong? I only wanted you to understand about Dominique."

"It's not you," he finally said, brushing off her apology. "I was just thinking ahead, wondering how the boys are gonna make out, this being their first time in town since winter and all. I'd sure hate to have the general come back and find half the troops in jail."

"I heard that." Ed Ruffing spun sideways on the seat, intentionally brushing the back of his hand against the bodice of his silent passenger's dress. "Do you really think the men will be a problem once we get to town?"

Drawing her wrap tight against her breasts, Dominique moved as far away from the captain as she could get without toppling over the edge of the buckboard. Her tone icy, she cut into Barney's reply before he could even voice it. "This trip to town was planned by me,
for
me, Captain, even if you do plan to fill the supply wagon. The main purpose is for Hazel and me to purchase some yard goods. I strongly suggest you speak to your men and let them know my uncle will not be pleased if one of them should ruin this little outing for me."

"Of course, ma'am."
Ed glanced at the haughty woman, and grumbled under his breath. The general's niece was proving to be a real uppity bitch, too good to even sit close by him. She'd been hanging on the edge of the buckboard since they'd left the fort, even stayed put during the ferry ride across the river, clinging to the wooden slats as if her precious virtue depended on it. As far as Ed Ruffing was concerned, she could die unspoiled. She wasn't worth the trouble, or the risk to his career should the general find out his intentions were less than honorable.

Turning back to the horses, he made the decision that would best serve his military future. "I expect I'd best stay with the troops just to make sure they behave themselves. Lieutenant Woodhouse? Bismarck can be a pretty rowdy town. Think you can handle these two women by yourself?"

"It'd be a pleasure, Captain."

Ed didn't bother to hide his sneer or the snicker as he steered the rig onto Main Avenue. Barney Woodhouse wouldn't know pleasure if she ripped off his pants and raped him. But Ed
Ruffing
did. And Ed Ruffing planned to find himself some hot, willing flesh if it took all day. He glanced to his right and grimaced. He sure as hell wasn't going to find it with the ice maiden sitting next to him.

Ed made his plans for the afternoon as he guided the buckboard down Main Avenue and steered it toward a series of logs fashioned into hitching posts across from the shops and stores of Bismarck. By the time he'd jumped from the seat and tied the horses, his blood was boiling for a good time.

"Lieutenant, we can't afford to miss that last ferry. You see those ladies are back here at least two hours before sundown." He spun on his heel and marched over to his guides. "You're free for the afternoon. Just make sure to stay out of trouble.
Long Back, you know the rules—no whiskey.
Stoltz, if you want a drink or two, go ahead, but don't get so drunk you can't stay in the saddle on the way back. Understood?"

Jacob nodded, watching as the captain sauntered on across the wide dirt road. Then he turned to question Long Back about the town, but the Ree had disappeared. Jacob spun back to the buckboard. Barney was helping Hazel and Dominique out of the rig. Laughing together, with never a glance in his direction, the trio dodged horses and buggies as they made their way across the street. Then they disappeared inside one of buildings.

Jacob was suddenly alone in what might as well have been a new world. Impulse and his survival instincts told him to flee, to run for cover in the cottonwood trees along the riverbank. Common sense told him to stay put. With a tremendous effort, Jacob willed his pulse to slow,
then
he shoved his hands in his pockets in an effort to still their sudden tremors. Forcing an expression of nonchalance, he glanced around at the town, searching for something, anything, that might bring him comfort or at least some sense of safety. A long seemingly endless row of buildings threatened him from across the street. All of them bore large hand-painted letters above their openings, but none of them made any sense or spelled a word he could understand. A group of horsemen rounded the corner, whooping and hollering as they galloped on by him, splattering his boots with mud in the bargain. Wagons and buggies bobbed along, crisscrossing the deep ruts in the road, adding to Jacob's confusion.

Then he noticed the sign above the doorway of one of the buildings. Although he couldn't make sense of the letters, Braun Mercantile, something about their shape and arrangement seemed familiar.

He decided to take a chance. Avoiding the mud puddles in earth still damp from the spring thaw, Jacob made his way across the street and stepped inside the large wooden store. The rich scent of leather goods and expensive fabrics greeted him, but he passed by the yard goods and piles of furs just purchased from trappers, and headed for the counter laden with sparkling glass jars.

He was staring at a jar containing something that looked like bees frozen in honey when the clerk said, "Kin I
hep
ya
?"

Jacob snapped his head upward. "Ah, yes.
Some of those."

"How much?
A pound?"

Jacob offered his palms and shrugged. "Sure."

Using a big metal scoop, the clerk dug several pieces of the candy out of the jar and dropped them into a bag. "There
ya
go. A pound of horehound drops.
Anything else?"

His eyes suddenly bright and childlike, Jacob nodded. "Some of those,
and
 
how
about a pound of these, too." He made his way down the row as the clerk followed along filling bags with licorice, chocolate drops, and peppermint balls. He was eyeing some small cookies cut in the shape of stars when he bumped into another shopper. "Pardon me—"

"It's no—" Dominique stared into the deep blue of Jacob's eyes, caught for a moment by what she saw in them, stunned by the fact she could see
in
them at all. Usually shuttered, the windows to his soul were wide open, if only for a moment. She saw laughter, delight, wonder, and awe. She saw the child Jacob, the boy who'd never had a chance to live. Too soon he looked away.

"That be all, soldier?" the clerk asked.

"Yes." Jacob handed the man several coins, hoping he'd brought the correct amount of money,
then
accepted the bags.

Unable to resurrect her earlier anger, Dominique laughed as he collected his candy. "That's some sweet tooth you have, Private. Aren't you worried your teeth will fall out?"

Feeling awkward, embarrassed, Jacob took the change from the clerk's hand and fumbled for the right words, "I like these candy drops. My teeth, I don’t know ..." Unable to finish the sentence, he gave her a sheepish grin and shrugged.

His candor and that odd look of innocence spread like a warm poultice across her breast. Dominique reached out and impulsively pressed her fingers against his broad shoulder. "Why, Jacob?" she blurted out. "Why did you ignore my note last week? Why did you ignore me?"

"Your note?" he said, acutely aware how near her hand was to that very object.

"Don't play the innocent with me, Private. I know you received it. You've had almost two weeks to explain yourself. Why didn't you at least send your regrets?"

He paused, going over the story he'd settled on during the ride,
then
wondered if the truth wouldn't serve just as well. But he said, "You mean the note was from you?"

"Of course it was from me. Can't you read?"

Any thoughts he'd entertained about telling the truth vanished at her words. Stiff and guarded again, he lied. "I never had the chance to read your letter. It seems Peaches likes you and anything you have touched a great deal. She ate it before I had the chance to open it."

"Peaches?
Oh," she said laughing, "that's right. She did eat my hat. That means you didn't get a look at the contents?''

"No. Was the message important? I thought if it
was,
whoever sent the note would have come to me by now.''

"Oh, yes, I suppose I should have checked back with you, but I've been so busy of
late."
Chagrined, Dominique let her words and feeble explanation die out. Not convinced that she owed him an apology, however, she waved a gloved hand. "Then I guess we've just had a little misunderstanding. The note contained an invitation to join me and my aunt in her parlor for an evening of music and refreshments. It's a pity you couldn't make it. We had a delightful time."

"I am sorry I missed it." He lifted the bag of horehound drops, but before he could offer one, Barney and Hazel approached them.

"Private." Barney greeted Jacob before turning to Dominique. "Have you finished your shopping, Miss DuBois? Hazel and I are thinking of going over to the
Korner
Kafe
for some pie and coffee."

"I thought I'd look at the furs a little closer. Why don't you two run along? I can take care of myself.''

"Oh, Dominique," Hazel clucked. "Bismarck is a very dangerous place for a young lady alone. I'm afraid you'll have to stay with us."

"I have no plans," Jacob said. "I will be happy to escort Miss DuBois around town and see that she is safe."

"Well ...
I don't know." Warming to the private, but not entirely certain he could be trusted, Hazel looked to Barney.
"Do you think that will be all right?"

"I believe Private Stoltz can handle the assignment." Barney directed a narrowed eye at Jacob. "Captain Ruffing was right. Bismarck can be a little rowdy, son. Stay close to Miss DuBois and don't mention you're a soldier to anyone. Townsfolk, even the lowest of them, think we're on the same level as the savages we fight. Your duty today is to make certain the lady's reputation remains intact. And see that no harm comes to her, hear?"

"Yes, sir."

"Oh, and make sure you stay away from Murderer's Gulch. No telling what kind of trouble you'll find there, but find it you will."

"Where is this street called Murderer's Gulch?" Jacob asked.

"Sorry, I keep forgetting you're not from around here. Fourth is the name of the street. It's nothing but saloons, gambling halls, and other places not fit for a lady's eyes."

"Or for a gentleman's either," Hazel tossed in.

"Right," Barney agreed, careful to avoid her gaze.
"Or for a gentleman's.
You ready to go, Hazel? I can smell them app—those apples from here."

Laughing, she looped her hand through the crook of his arm, and the pair strolled out of the store. Jacob stuffed the bags of candy onto his pockets, hoping when he came across Fourth Street he would be able to read the sign. When the bags were all tucked away but one, he offered it to Dominique. "Would you like some candy before you shop?"

Intrigued by Barney's description of Murderer's Gulch, she shook her head.
"No, thanks.
And if you don't mind, I'd rather go outside and take a walk around town. I'm tired of being trapped inside, and there really isn't anything else I have to buy right this minute. We have the rest of the day.''