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“I already have. I lost the twins. Mary said had I been Colored she could have maybe passed me off as a long lost relative. The state probably wouldn't have cared. But since I wasn't  . . .” He then said softly, “I didn't want to lose you, too.”

The tiny shoots of hope she'd been harboring inside suddenly grew tall and straight under the bright sunshine filling her heart.

“I do want us to marry, Eddy, but truthfully, it's unfair of me to expect an answer right now. I want you to think about it for a few days.”

She agreed. “I'll also keep your secret.”

“Thanks. I need to contact Andrew. A few years ago we hatched a plan just in case I had a change of heart. Either way, my business holdings and money won't be affected. It isn't against Nevada law for me to own land or a business. I'll break the news to the White Republicans at the upcoming ball. After that, socially, I'll be a pariah in their circles, and will most certainly be asked to resign from the town council, but that's a small price to pay.”

Eddy could imagine how people like Natalie Greer were going to react. “Some might want to harm you.”

“I know. If I have to protect myself or those I love, I will. And if anything does happen to me, I expect you to seek out my brother. He'll know what to do. Promise me.”

“I will, but let's hope it doesn't come to that.” There was so much bad happening around the country now that the war was over. She didn't want any of it spilling onto him for reclaiming his heritage.

He eased her back into his arms and she snuggled close. “You've led quite a life so far, Rhine Fontaine.”

“I'm hoping you'll be with me for the rest of it, Eddy Carmichael, but in the meantime, I need more kisses.”

She laughed and rose. “I thought you'd never ask.”

I
t was very late when he drove her home. When he pulled up behind the boardinghouse, sadness claimed her. She didn't want to leave him. “I had a wonderful time.”

“I did, too.”

She reached up and cupped his cheek before leaning in and kissing him good-­bye. “I'll see you later at the anniversary party.”

“Do you think we can sneak off and open a few buttons?”

Chucking, she said, “Don't even think about it.”

“I have, which is why I said that.”

“Go home.”

In the silence that followed, they each mined all they'd shared. His voice turned serious. “Thank you for a grand evening.”

And it had been grand indeed. “Good night, Rhine.”

When she reached the porch, she waved. Once she was inside he drove away, and the changed-­forever Eddy Carmichael tiptoed through the darkness to her room. She fell back onto the bed and smiled. Marriage. To Rhine. She then turned serious. His revelation continued to resonate. Having never been enslaved, she could only imagine the pain-­filled memories he carried inside. The next few weeks were going to be trying for him. Turning his world upside down and having to face those who'd undoubtedly denounce him and maybe even threaten his life would take an incredible amount of strength. That he was willing to do so in order for her to be his wife—­she had no words to describe how special and loved it made her feel or how much she loved him in return. As long he didn't expect her to give up her dreams—­and she knew he wouldn't—­she saw no reason to say anything but yes.

R
hine was having an equal amount of trouble putting his feelings into words as he drove back to the saloon. Spending the evening with her had been more than he could've imagined. No matter what he had to face, he knew he'd made the right choice to reveal his true self. He loved Eddy Carmichael. He worried that she might be angry about being deceived, but she hadn't been and that made him love her even more. He'd give her some time to think over his proposal but in his heart he already knew she'd say yes, and there were no words to describe how that made him feel either.

It being a Friday night, the saloon was still open. When he entered via the back door, Jim was in the kitchen.

“Well?” Jim asked.

“I told her and asked her to marry me.”

His partner smiled. “Good for you. How's it feel?”

“She hasn't agreed yet but she took the story well. She's worried about retaliation.”

“I am, too. Some of these folks aren't going to like knowing you were hiding right under their noses.”

Rhine agreed. “I'll break the news to them at the ball and they can all howl at me at once. I'll wire Drew later today so he'll be abreast of the situation and start buttoning things down.” Then he and Eddy would no longer have to worry about being seen together. He could start taking her driving out into the desert. They could dine publicly. Although dining in secret did have its advantages. “Are we all set for food and beverages for Edgar and Aretha's anniversary party?”

“Yes.”

“Okay, then I'm going up and change clothes. Be back down shortly. Thanks for being a good friend.”

“You're welcome.”

Upstairs in his bedroom, Rhine changed clothes. The saloon would be open another few hours, and he had to go back downstairs and play host. His thoughts drifted to Eddy. Who knew she'd be so uninhibited? He cast his mind back to the memory of her rising and falling to his touch and he was aroused all over again. They'd have to have a repeat performance soon. In the meantime, he'd wait for her to say yes. He also planned to share the truth about himself with Sylvie and Doc Randolph as soon as possible. Over the years both had been stalwart friends, and deserved to know before anyone else.

Ready to head back downstairs, he quietly thanked the Old Queens for putting Eddy in his life and hoped that Sable wouldn't be far behind.

Chapter Seventeen

T
he following morning, in keeping with his plan, Rhine walked to the telegraph office and sent his brother Andrew a wire with the one word message:
Azelia
. It was the coded word they agreed to use if Rhine ever decided to step back over the color line. Once the operator confirmed that the message had been received on the other end, Rhine set off for the return trip to the saloon to help with the preparations for the day's festivities. People were on the walks going about their morning errands, and he nodded a greeting to those he knew. When he came upon council member Clyde “Wally” Swain and his thin-­as-­a-­hickory-­stick, wife, Ora, Rhine said, “Good morning.”

Swain, still angry over the failure of his proposal to ban the children of color from the local schools, offered a terse, “Fontaine,” and didn't break stride. Rhine smiled to himself. Once word got out about who he really was, he was sure Wally was going to be ecstatic over never having to publicly acknowledge him again.

That afternoon, everyone had a good time at Edgar and Aretha Carter's anniversary party. Rhine gave the first toast, wishing them continued marital bliss, and the attendees responded with supportive cheers. Eddy received compliments and thanks from the happy couple for her cake, and she and Rhine moved through the celebration trying to be discreet and not stare at each other from across the room. It was difficult when all she could think about was how dazzled she'd been by his kisses, and all he could think about was finding a secluded spot so he could treat her to another fiery orgasm.

After the affair ended, Eddy stayed behind to help Jim with the cleanup while Rhine invited Doc Randolph and Sylvie upstairs to his office.

“Have a seat, if you would please.”

As they complied, Sylvie appeared and sounded wary as she asked, “What's this about, Rhine?”

So he told them. And when he was done, a smiling Sylvie thrust her palm towards Doc and crowed, “Pay up. I was right.”

Tight-­lipped, Doc reached into his pocket and slapped a gold piece onto her outstretched palm, and it was Rhine's turn to be confused.

Sylvie explained, “When you first came to town and started doing good works for our community, I bet Doc you were passing.”

Rhine laughed. “What?”

She nodded. “I have cousins who are as fair-­skinned as you, so it wasn't a stretch for me.”

Rhine didn't know what to think. “And you never said anything?”

“Wasn't my place. If you'd wanted folks to know the truth, you would've told them.”

Thoroughly outdone, he looked between the two of them. “Anyone else in on the bet, or maybe knows?”

“No one else was in on the bet,” Doc assured him. “But that you might be passing has been talked about, at least among our people. Nine times out of ten we can usually tell. The Whites of course have no idea. The only see what's in front of their faces.”

Rhine knew that to be true, but the idea that Doc and Sylvia had made a bet so many years ago was both surprising and amusing. “Thanks for keeping it secret.”

“Being Colored in this country is not easy,” Doc said. “And I understand those who pass and never come back. We all have to make choices in life. Why tell us now though?”

“Because I'm in love with Eddy and I want to marry her.”

Sylvia's jaw dropped. “Oh my. That's wonderful. We haven't had a wedding in quite some time.”

Doc said to her, “If you're so fired up about a wedding, how about you stop being so stubborn and marry me?”

She froze. “What?”

He tossed back. “I know you're aging, Syl, but I didn't know you were going deaf, too.”

She shot him a glare so reminiscent of Eddy's, Rhine choked back a laugh. Sensing a brewing battle, he stood. “I will leave you two to work this out. If you need to reserve the Union for the reception, let me know.”

Sylvia said, “I'm not marrying him.”

“Yeah you are.”

They were still going back and forth when Rhine made his exit.

Downstairs, he found Eddy in the kitchen washing dishes, and she asked, “You told Sylvie and Doc about your decision?”

“Yes.”

“How'd they react?”

When he told her story about the bet, she laughed. “Leave it to them to have already figured it out. How do you feel?”

“Okay.” And he did. That they'd guessed but never openly discussed it publicly only cemented in his mind just how special the two were.

“Is she ready to go home? I'm almost done here.”

“Not sure. She and Doc are in my office having a small argument.”

“Lord. Over what?”

“Whether she's going to marry him or not.”

She went still as a post. “Really?”

“I told them if they need to reserve the Union for the reception to let me know, and then I tiptoed out before the cannonballs started flying.”

She chuckled.

Rhine asked, “Where's Jim?”

“Took the rubbish to the dump. Said to tell you he'd be back shortly.”

“Then I might have time to undo a few buttons.”

“No, Mr. Incorrigible.”

“I probably don't have time to treat you to an orgasm, but then again you were quite quick last night.”

“Is that a bad thing?” she asked, her face serious.

“No darlin'. Not at all. In fact it was beautiful. You'll have more stamina the more we play. Speaking of which, have you considered my proposal?”

“I have.”

“And?”

“I have one question. Are you expecting me to give up my dreams?”

“Of course not. I don't want you to change anything about who you are—­except maybe your name.”

“Good, then my answer is yes. I would love to be your wife.”

He smiled and a thought occurred to him. Grabbing her hand, he pulled her away from the sink. “Come with me.”

“Where are we going?” she asked, trying to keep up with his faster pace.

He opened a door in the wall of the kitchen and hustled her inside. “Storage room.”

He closed the door behind them, and she found herself being so thoroughly kissed, any protests she may have wanted to voice slowly dissolved into pleasure. In the shadowy room with the potatoes, onions, shelved soup pots, and crockery, her buttons were undone and he treated her to a series of touches and heated caresses that made her arch and croon. He paid slow tribute to her breasts until she melted like chocolate in the sun. He then raised her skirt and murmured through the line of kisses he was placing against his throat, “Hold your skirt aside for me . . .”

She took the yards of fabric in hand, and he plied her so shamelessly and wantonly it didn't take long for her to explode. “You're so good at this,” she breathed, her eyes closed. “So good.”

He kissed her and whispered, “Aren't you glad?”

“Very.”

They took a minute to right her clothing and slipped back into the kitchen. Aching with need, Rhine prayed their wedding night would come soon, because if he didn't get some relief he was going to be reduced to crawling on his hands and knees in order to get around.

W
ith no baseball games, fund-­raisers, concerts, or anniversary parties to attend, Eddy settled back into a regular routine of cooking for the boarders and the large crowds frequenting the dining room. Rhine was on her mind most of the time, as were his kisses.

One afternoon while she was in the kitchen frying chicken before the diners arrived, Sylvie entered accompanied by a man Eddy didn't know.

“Eddy, this is Sheriff Blaine Howard. Blaine, my cook, Eddy Carmichael.”

He was a tall man with white-­blond hair and gray eyes. His star was pinned to his chest. “Pleased to meet you, Miss Eddy.”

“Same here,” she replied, all the while wondering why he'd come.

Eyeing the platter filled with the fragrant, golden chicken pieces, he said, “Just stopped by to let you know the sheriff up in Reno has apprehended the man you knew as Father Nash.”

Eddy went still. “That's wonderful news.”

“Yes, it is.” His eyes were riveted on the chicken she was removing from the oil. “His real name is Ned Weathers and he's wanted from Nevada to St. Louis and back for everything from assault and theft to embezzlement. He made the mistake of stealing from the sister of one of the Reno bankers, and the sheriff caught him before he could leave town.”

Because of the laws, Eddy doubted she'd be asked to testify, but it didn't matter as long as Weathers was charged and sent to jail.

The sheriff added, “Sorry we weren't able to grab him after your run-­in with him at Lady Ruby's. I think he hotfooted it out of town.”

Because he made it sound as if he were unaware of Rhine's threats, she didn't bring it up. “I appreciate that, but it's okay. He's been caught.” She wondered about the boy though. “When I met Weathers initially, he had a little boy with him he called Benjy. Did the Reno sheriff say anything about him?”

“Yes, they found him at a campsite Weathers was using. The boy said Weathers is his father. The sheriff is trying to verify that.”

Eddy was glad the boy had been found safe, but what kind of a man takes a child along while committing crimes? Saddened by that, she hoped some kind of arrangements were made to ensure the boy had a more secure life going forward. Seeing Howard still eyeing the platter of chicken, she asked, “Sheriff, would you care for a couple of pieces of chicken as my way of saying thanks for bringing me such good news?”

“I thought you'd never ask.”

She took down a plate and placed two hot pieces on it.

He sat. He ate. He smiled. “Been hearing a lot about how good you can cook. Be nice if I could get this on a regular basis, but—­“

Eddy understood. Times being what they were, the Whites didn't patronize Sylvia's, but she had an idea. “Suppose we wrap it up and have someone bring it to you? We'd have to charge you a bit extra of course.” Out of the corner of her eye she saw Sylvie beaming.

“You'd do that?” he asked.

“Of course. Would that be a problem, Sylvie?”

“Not at all. Just say the word and we'll send it over and no one will be the wiser.”

He finished his chicken. “Can I pay you for say three more pieces?”

A smiling Sylvie said, “You bet.”

When he left, Sylvie said, “Eddy Carmichael, I think you just tapped us into a gold mine.”

And Sylvie was right. Over the next few days, some of the White businessmen in town began approaching Sylvie about placing orders. She happily obliged and hired Maria's youngest son Martin to make the deliveries.

R
hine was on a business trip to Silver City, and Eddy hadn't seen him since the Carters' anniversary party. Just thinking about their fiery moments together made her sigh at the memory of his shamelessness and her own. His tutoring her in what it meant to be desired had her craving more and she missed him. She was in the kitchen peeling potatoes when she heard, “Good afternoon, Miss Carmichael.” And there he stood, handsome as the day was long and wearing a smile that matched hers.

“Miss me?”

“No,” she tossed back sassily. “I haven't thought about you in once in the three days, five hours, and twenty-­seven minutes you've been away.”

“Too bad because I've spent every minute thinking about how you'd look on my lap with your skirt raised and your buttons opened.”

Her eyes widened and she hastily looked around to make sure they weren't being overheard. “You are so scandalous.”

“Not nearly as much as I'll be the next time I get you alone.”

Heat filled her and she had to admit she couldn't wait.

Smiling as if he knew what she was thinking, he said, “I just left Sylvie the papers for the property she's buying from me. Everything is signed and sealed. She can begin building whenever she's ready.”

Eddy's heart swelled. Her dreams were one step closer to reality. She was also gaining an incredibly generous, incorrigible, and scandalous husband, too. She considered herself the happiest woman on earth.

“When do you want to get married?” he asked.

“Can we make it as soon as possible?”

“Now?”

She chuckled. “No.”

“Tomorrow?”

“How about we wait until after the ball so all that turmoil will be behind us.” The ball was only a few days away. “Are you worried?” she asked.

“I suppose, but I'm more looking forward to starting life with my sassy little wife, who I'd really like to kiss right now, but I passed Whitman Brown coming in, and I don't want him to see us.”

“No, we don't want that.” But she was dying for a kiss.

He turned serious. “I plan to be a good husband to you, Eddy. I don't want you to ever regret saying yes.”

“And I don't ever want you to regret stepping away from who you once were, so I'm going to be the best wife I can be to you.”

The look they shared silently sealed their pledges.

“Sylvie doesn't have a storeroom, does she?”

Eddy laughed. “No.”

“Pity. I'll have figure out a way for us to be together without prying ears or eyes soon.”

“I'd like that.”

“Any further word on Sylvie and Doc getting married?”

“No,” she replied. “And I'm afraid to ask.”

He chuckled. “Understood.”

She shared the news about Father Nash's apprehension.

“Good. Hope he gets sent to the penitentiary for a very long time.”

“I do, too.”

For a moment there was silence, and Eddy saw a longing in his eyes that matched hers.

“I should probably go,” he said. “Otherwise I might drag you into my arms and give the gossips something to talk about.”

She figured after the ball the gossips were going to have a field day anyway, but she and Rhine would be able to go on. “Glad you're back.”