Deborah Camp (10 page)

“Mrs. Nation hasn’t had her day in court, sir. Even in Eureka Springs, one is innocent until
proven
guilty. Nevertheless, that doesn’t rub out all her other good work, does it?”

“Well, I guess not …” The chairman looked to his left and right to gauge the support of the council, or the lack of it.

“She took an axe to Tom Wilson’s bar!” Mrs. Hampf said, her voice strong and damning. “If that’s not breaking the law, I’d like to know what is!”

Regina whirled to face the other woman. “Just because she can best your husband on the pulpit doesn’t give you the right to condemn her at every turn. How can you speak out against innocent women and children and still call yourself a Christian?”

Mrs. Hampf’s eyes blazed with fury. “How dare you question my faith! My husband is—”

“I’m not talking about your husband,” Regina cut in.

“Ladies, ladies, please.” Chairman Danforth rapped the gavel. “I say we table this issue for further discussion.”

Councilman Bunt jumped in. “I second that.”

“All in favor … all opposed. Issue is tabled. Meeting is adjourned.” The gavel fell once more.

Regina spun away from Mrs. Hampf’s victorious expression and wilted onto the pew. She sat and watched the council file out, not one of them man enough to meet her eye. The room emptied. When it was quiet, Regina drew in a shaky breath and released it with a sigh of lost hope. She stood slowly, feeling beaten, and turned toward the open double doors. The sight of Theo Dane lounging on the threshold stopped her in her tracks. He offered a smile as her consolation prize.

“Can’t win ’em all.”

“Are you responsible for Mrs. Hampf being here tonight?” Regina asked, her tone blistering with accusation.

“Me? I hardly know the woman.”

“She’s testifying against Mrs. Nation at your request, so don’t lie to me.” Regina lifted her skirts a quarter inch and strode toward him, intent on mowing him down if necessary. Theo slipped a hand around her upper arm and she jerked violently from his hold.

“Move out of the way or I’ll scream.”

He lifted his brows in comic surprise and stepped back to give her an escape route. “Don’t take it out on me, Mistress Rosy. I didn’t open my mouth through the whole meeting.”

“You told her. That’s why she showed up.”

“Told her what? I didn’t know you were going to be here tonight.”

Regina, striding blindly along the boardwalk,
stumbled to a halt, lassoed by the truth in his observation. “Oh, that’s right.” She glanced at him, suddenly chagrined. “You couldn’t have known. Then why
was
she here tonight?”

“I attend these when I can, and Mrs. Harriet Hampf is always sitting in that same pew. I imagine she goes to them all, being the town busybody. She’s got to keep her nose in the middle of it, don’t you know.”

Regina dimpled and ducked her head. “I’m sorry for snapping at you like that. It’s just that … well, I’m disappointed in the council—and in myself.”

“A piece of pie with ice cream on top will sweeten that disappointment.” He cradled her elbow in the palm of his hand and cast her a wary glance. “You’re not going to scream, are you?”

She felt herself blush. “You’re very kind, but I must be getting back home—”

“After that piece of pie, I’ll escort you home.”

“Oh, no, I can—” She found herself being guided along the boardwalk. “Mr. Dane, really I …” Up ahead she spotted the Basin Street Hotel and thought of Jack. Maybe Theo Dane would know if Jack was still in town. “… would love some pie.”

“You would?” He grinned, and Regina’s heart flip-flopped.

“I …” She cleared her throat nervously. Why did he always make her feel light-headed? “Yes, I would.”

He slowed his strides to accommodate her. “I’m mighty glad I stopped in on the council meeting tonight. Civic affairs are so … stimulating.” His sly, sideways glance caught the flash of her smile before she gave her face to the shadows.

F
inishing the piece of apple pie and ice cream, Regina pushed back her plate and smiled across the small table at Theodore.

“That was very good. Thank you.” She dabbed at the corners of her mouth with the white napkin. “Mr. Dane …” She caught his frown and cleared her throat. “I mean, Theodore.”

“Better. Much better,” he said, his gaze drifting to her mouth and lingering.

“Theodore,” she repeated, tasting the name on her tongue again. She found that she couldn’t say it without thinking of the word
adore
, and that set her heart to pounding. Maybe she should stick to Theo. “Do you know if my half brother is still in town?”

“No, I don’t. He hasn’t been around again?”

She shook her head. “He’s not still at the Basin Street Hotel?”

“Not to my knowledge. I paid for one night and I hear that he checked out the next morning. I don’t know where he went. Let’s hope he left town.”

“Yes, I do hope—” Her thoughts interrupted her. “
You
paid for Jack’s room?”

He winced. “He only had a dollar or so on him, and I hated to take the man’s last piece of silver,
so I paid for the room.” Theo shook his head when she reached for the velvet pouch fastened to her belt. “No, Regina. I won’t take your money.”

“But I can’t allow you to pay for his room.”

“It’s done.” He sent her a stubborn glare. “Let’s not make a fuss over this, please. I was glad to do it.”

She surrendered to his firm voice and determined expression. Looking out the window, she watched the tallyho, now empty, jingle past the café. She sighed, perplexed by the man sitting across from her. “I can’t figure you out, Theodore Dane. Are you with me or against me?” She swung her gaze to his. “Can you give me a simple answer to that?”

His smile was rueful. “Simply put, I like you.”

“But you don’t approve of my beliefs.”

“I don’t know enough about them to approve or disapprove.”

“Yes, you do. You know that I want the saloons closed.”

“That’s a goal, not a belief,” he corrected. “I don’t think closing saloons will rid this town or any other town of drunks. If a man wants whiskey, he’ll get himself a pint. A saloon just gives him a place to drink it. Saloons keep drunks off the streets.”

“Many a young man has been ruined by them. If there were none the men wouldn’t be tempted to spend time in them.”

“Maybe. Maybe not. Human nature isn’t so simple, Regina.”

“You like to spend time in them, don’t you?”

“On occasion, yes.”

She wrinkled her nose in distaste, and he laughed.

“For a woman who has never stepped inside a saloon, you sure are judgmental.”

She waved aside the argument. “I really would feel better repaying you the money you spent on Jack.”

“There are things more precious than money, Regina.”

Regina eyed him cautiously, catching the glint of mischief in his eyes. “Such as?”

“You could save me a dance at the cotillion.”

She laughed shortly. “A dance is hardly worth a whole dollar.”

“Depends on the partner.” He glanced at the waitress, who was busy mopping the floor, then he checked his pocket watch. “It’s late. I’ll walk you home.”

“I can see myself home. It’s out of your way.”

He leaned forward on crossed arms. “Regina, are you going to argue
every
point with me? Can’t you this once just go along?”

She realized he was right. She seemed to be fighting him at every turn. “I’m sorry to be so quarrelsome.” She pushed back her chair. “Shall we go?”

Once they were outside he placed a light hand on her elbow. The night was pleasantly cool, carrying the scent of new blooms and moist soil. Regina tried to notice the businesses and homes along the street, but she was alert to Theo’s every move. When they passed under the last street lamp before turning onto the lane that led to her home, Regina glanced at him. She was tall, but he was taller, and she liked that. His profile was nearly perfect in the glow of the streetlight. He slanted his blue eyes in her direction and she looked away quickly, guiltily. He laughed low in his throat.

“You’re as jumpy as a jackrabbit,” he noted. “Do you like what you see?”

“Where?” she asked, trying for innocence.

His chuckle called her a fool. “What’s wrong,
Regina? Are you afraid I might ravish you once we’re on this dark lane?”

“No, of course not,” she scoffed, even as her mind flashed the images of his hands on her body, his mouth claiming hers. A delicious thrill scampered up her spine.

“Tell me about the feud between Mrs. Nation and Mrs. Hampf. At the meeting tonight you said something about Mrs. Nation preaching a better sermon than Reverend Hampf.”

“Oh, that.” She laughed at the memory. “I wasn’t there, but Mrs. Nation told me about it. She used to attend the Hampfs’ church. It was the only one still receiving her at the time.”

“You mean the other churches wouldn’t let her in? Why not?”

“Well …” She hesitated, trying to find the best words. “Mrs. Nation doesn’t suffer fools gladly. The preachers in town aren’t dynamic enough to suit her. Their parishioners have come to expect very little from them in the way of forceful sermons.”

“Hellfire and brimstone!” Theo said, waving a fist.

“Something like that. Anyway, Mrs. Nation began to speak up in church and the preachers didn’t like it.”

“Speak up during their sermons, you mean? She did that to Reverend Hampf?”

“Yes, I’m afraid so. She even went further. She scolded him before his congregation for delivering such a boring sermon. She took over for him, edged him off the pulpit and finished the Sunday service. Mrs. Hampf was livid and she barred the church door the next Sunday when she saw Mrs. Nation coming up the steps. It’s not funny!” Regina said, poking an elbow into Theo’s ribs when he started laughing. She had trouble keeping solemn
because his full-throated laughter never failed to make her want to join in. “I think it’s terrible of Mrs. Hampf to close the church doors to anyone wanting to worship. It’s the house of the Lord, not of the Hampfs. Stop laughing. It’s disrespectful.” She turned to face him.

“You’re going to stand there and tell me you don’t see the humor in this, Regina Rose?” he challenged, amusement making his eyes dance with blue lights.

“It was certainly not funny to Mrs. Nation. Since then she’s conducted Sunday school in her home because she isn’t welcome in the other—will you stop that cackling?”

He presented his back to escape her glare and carried his laughter with him. When he faced her again, he mirrored her stern expression. “Can’t you even give me a smile, Regina?” He tapped the underside of her chin with his knuckle. “You have such a charming smile. Now if I can only find your sense of humor, we’ll be in business. It’s got to be in there somewhere. Wait … wait … I think I see a hint of it in those pretty gray eyes of yours. Yes, I believe there is a spark of humor there. Here it comes … ah-ha!”

She let go a breathy laugh and he laughed with her. Pushing him away, she tried to control her thundering heart. Unable to deny the thrill of attraction zigzagging through her like lightning, she whirled and started up the lane again. Her breath caught in her throat when she heard Theo’s steps behind her, then felt the clamp of his hand on hers. He spun her around and caught her against him. His mouth descended to hers, warm and lush. Her small hat slipped from its pins when she raised her arms to encircle his neck. He buried his hands in her hair, removed her hat, and slanted her head so that his mouth could more fully take
hers. His tongue swept across the seam of her lips, and Regina knew what he wanted. She warred with herself, wanting and not wanting, afraid and not afraid.

Desire won out and she parted her lips on a low, aching moan. His tongue filled her with white-hot longing. The surge and retreat of it shocked her, alarmed her, sent her stumbling backward. She brushed a lock of hair away from her eyes and listened to the roar of her pulse. Theo stared at her, his breathing rapid, his chest rising and falling with it. His eyes glinted dangerously. Regina thought she might faint from the naked lust shining in his hooded eyes. He handed her hat to her, and in that moment, she saw him regain his composure. She envied him that, for her heart still hammered and she knew she looked anything but composed.

“You’re dangerous,” he whispered, his tone making light of their brief but boisterous encounter.

“I was thinking the same thing about you,” she admitted. She walked ahead and he fell into step. She could see the roof of Mrs. Nation’s house outlined against the starry sky. “So, you’re going to the cotillion?”

“Yes.”

“Did you know that we’ve been hired to provide some of the refreshments and serve them there?”

“Not you, though. You’ll be on Stu’s arm.”

She glanced at him through her lashes. “Who will you be escorting?”

“I haven’t decided yet.” He smiled disarmingly. “My first choice turned me down.”

Regina looked ahead to the houses again. “I’m not sure Mrs. Nation would approve of me going
to the cotillion with the sheriff. I should be serving with the others.”

“Why did you join them in the first place? Was it your brother or your mother?”

“My mother?” She looked at him sharply, then remembered telling him a bit about her upbringing. “Both, I suppose.”

He was silent until they stood in front of her house. “Is Mrs. Nation delivering sermons on the road these days?”

“She’s speaking out about saloons to those who are intelligent enough to listen.” Regina stood on the first step leading up to her porch. It put her at eye level with Theo. “She’s a great orator and she is opinionated.”

“Like so many of her ilk.”

Regina sent him a curious glare. “Her ilk?”

“The Anti-Saloon League and the Women’s Christian Temperance Union. Those women are full of themselves and of their opinions.”

“Just like most men I know,” Regina noted dryly.

“I think they’d get more attention if they weren’t so eager to tell everyone how
deprived
they are because they can’t vote.”

“It
is
a deprivation!” Regina said hotly.