Independent Brake (The Dominion Falls Series) (12 page)

“How about a swim?”

“You’re fully clothed.”

“So are you.”

“Sounds fun.”

––––––––

K
atherine paced the full length of the train platform in Topeka. Every glance her way was ignored, for by now she was used to stares. Her stomach churned with anxious excitement as the steady pulse of the arriving train grew louder.

She spun on her heel and walked back down the length of the platform. When the train finally appeared from around the bend, she jumped in place and rubbed her hands together in excitement.

While she’d only been in St. Louis a month ago to visit with Patrick, he’d agreed to come to Topeka at her request. Over the past year they’d kept every promise. Regular exchanges of letters and telegrams, as well as her regular visits to St. Louis had kept them close. Although none of that kept her from missing him.

As the train drew to a stop with a loud screech of brakes, Kat tightened her pacing circle. She wrung her hands, trying her best to keep from literally bouncing in place.

Patrick’s voice bellowed through the small crowd at the platform, “Kat!”

She squealed and spun around, scanning the crowd on her tiptoes. When she spotted him, she took off at a dead run and leaped into his waiting arms, planting a solid kiss on his cheek. “Patrick!”

With a laugh, he hoisted her in the air before he set her back on her feet. “You just saw me five weeks ago. You haven’t missed me that much.”

“Pshaw. I missed you plenty.” She laced her arm through his as they crossed the platform. “I wish I had better reasons for seeing you so soon.”

“What’s happening?”

“I tried to lean on the women to assist in this situation, but they won’t. I don’t understand how they can be so opposed to drinking and yet so unwilling to help a woman escape a situation like this. I can’t tolerate their intolerance any longer. I’m at my wits end. I just don’t know when and how or—”

“Katherine.” Patrick dropped his bag to set both hands on her shoulders. “Breathe and speak slowly. I speak fluent Kat, but you’re going too fast even for me.”

“Oh, you.” She smacked his stomach. “Come with me, I’ll explain while we eat.”

He offered his arm again, and followed without protest. “So, why are you in Topeka? Seems like a large town to try to influence.”

“Oh, one of our older members fell ill down in Brownville. We had to bring her here to the hospital.” Kat pulled him into the closest small café and snagged a table. Once he was seated, she scooted closer. “They have been gathered around her every day since we got here. The doctors don’t believe she’s going to make it, I’m afraid. Cancer of the liver.”

“Sorry to hear it.”

“It is tragic. I did like the old bird. She was one of the ones that actually listened to me and my arguments.” She sighed, but when the waiter arrived, turned on her smile. They both ordered a sandwich and water before turning their attention back to each other.

“Of course, this isn’t why you asked me to come.” Patrick studied her. “You said something about what Delphie left us?”

“Yes. The first day we were in the hospital, there wasn’t much to do but wait since the doctors had to poke and prod Eugenia to find her ailment.”

“You were bored and nosy, then?”

“Yes.” She grinned, glad he still knew her so well. “So I wandered a while. That’s when I found her.”

“Her?”

“Her name is Bess. When I first found her, she was unconscious and all alone in her room, quite pregnant and...” She exhaled long and slow, trying to rid herself of the turmoil again. “She’d been beaten.”

Patrick’s brows knit together and he sat forward. He set his hand on her wrist.

“At first I was too upset, too distracted by my own memories to comprehend. Then a nurse came in. At first she only told me what the husband had said, what the doctors would repeat. I knew she was lying.”

“What did the husband say?”

“That she’d run out the door the same time he took off in his wagon and into his path, he had no time to stop.” Kat pursed her lips. “When I stayed there all day, and returned the next, the nurse was more willing to whisper gossip.”

“Her husband?”

“He’s been there once or twice, but mostly ignored her existence. The nurse told me it wasn’t the first time she’s been in the hospital. She said she’d seen Bess several times and that her husband was a drunkard.”

“Did you take her at her word?”

“I believed her, but I waited for Bess to wake up. She did the next day for a few hours. I tried to be there every time she woke up the next few days to let her know she had someone there, someone who didn’t scare her. Eventually I got the truth from her, she’s terrified for her child, but has nowhere to go. I sent you a wire straight away.”

“What would you have me do with her?” Despite the harsh sounding words, his lips twitched in amusement. “Hide her in the stables?”

“Don’t be obtuse, you foolish man.” Kat chuckled. Their food arrived, so she straightened to pay mind to her rumbling stomach. As she ate she rudely spoke around her food. “I pleaded her case with the League, but they wouldn’t rally to help her. They said it was too risky to remove her from under her husband’s nose.”

“Yet they will destroy a man’s livelihood to make their point.” Patrick chewed slowly, staring off into the street. “When will she be well enough to travel?”

“The nurse says the doctor is going to release her in three days. I was hoping to sneak her out tomorrow or the day after.” Kat fluttered her eyelashes at him. “If you would take her to St. Louis and see she’s cared for and finds somewhere to live and work.”

“You won’t come help me with this task? I thought by your tone you were done with your grand adventure among the women of the league.”

“I am, but I convinced them to make their next stop in Colorado.”

His head snapped back around to face her. “Oh?”

“Dominion Falls. I told them of the debauchery and numerous saloons and gambling and drinking running rampant. They were salivating for a chance at it.”

“Your parents?”

“They aren’t there. At least, I don’t believe they are. I’m not quite ready.”

“It’s been five years.”

“I know,” she whispered. When he set his hand on hers, she turned hers over to grab his tight. “You don’t know my mother. She is—intimidating. I’m not ready.”

“You’re stronger than you realize.”

“You’re biased, but thank you.” She smiled and gave his hand another squeeze before she released it to dive into her food. “The trick will be getting her out of town before the doctors realize she’s gone and reach her husband. I will have to get her out with only a little time to spare to get her to your train.”

“We’ll figure out how to do so. Today I’d like to enjoy the day with you and meet this Bess. Then we’ll worry about how to help her and her child. After which, I will do my best to convince to come straight home once you’re done in Dominion Falls.”

“No convincing needed. I’ve enjoyed travelling so much, but I’m ready to rest for a while. Mayhap I’ll join the suffrage group there, they’re far more active than the group in Chicago ever was. It could be fun stirring up trouble I can get behind.”

“Stirring up trouble is an area of expertise for us both.”

* * * *

K
at leaned her head out the window of the stagecoach to get as much fresh air as she could. After a year she should be used to riding in a stagecoach with these women, but this time around her nerves made everything intolerable. Not even the beauty of the snowcapped mountains in the distance eased her distress.

Eugenia had passed the night before the plan to remove Bess from the hospital. In the end, Kat was sure that had worked in her favor, for she didn’t have to put on a dress and hat and try to hide from a doctor once Bess was safe.

Patrick had promised to send a telegram to Dominion Falls once he and Bess were safe in St. Louis, and to keep her informed of Bess’s progress. Kat was relieved she’d been able to help the woman escape a fate like Delphie’s, but couldn’t fully enjoy it.

Not with her old hometown looming in the distance. Shockingly, there were buildings everywhere now. As they’d paused on the mountain pass, Kat had been able to get a good look. The settlement north of town was now filled with homes, and the richer homes on the hill had grown from just their old house to several homes.

The town itself now had buildings lining the T-shaped roads. Tents still surrounded the main portion of town, and on their current approach she saw the first sign of carts lining the street.

Anxiety twisted her stomach tighter and she pulled her head back in the carriage. After she’d slid the curtain closed, she fiddled with her handkerchief. She hadn’t yet told the women this would be her last stop with them, and she would once again do her best to make sure they didn’t take things too far.

“You grew up here?” Lottie, the young woman closest to Kat’s own age spoke up. Her nose wrinkled as she peeked out of the curtain. “How...quaint.”

“It was better then, not so many buildings.” Kat felt frisky enough to rile Lottie. The woman acted so prim and proper, but Kat knew her to be a hypocrite. At least Kat was honest about her dislike of some of what the league did. Lottie just drank and made time with men in every town they went to right behind the other women’s back.

“Well, I guess it explains some things.” Lottie eyed Kat’s pantaloons in disdain.

“Oh, please. I only started wearing these a year ago. Growing up here had little to do with my fashion choice.” Kat smirked. “I’m not ashamed of what I am, certainly not of where I came from. I liked growing up here. It was wilder, freer, and dangerous at times.”

Lottie’s reply was cut off with a sharp jolt of the carriage when the stagecoach stopped suddenly.

Kat didn’t wait for Lottie’s retort, or the driver. Instead, she reached out of the window and opened the door. She leaped out into the street, not surprised by the constant bustle of activity around her.

Her smile brightened as she turned, taking in the sights, and smells, of the town. The unease and tension slipped away and her shoulders dropped. She was home.

The other women exited the stagecoach once the driver brought about the steps, and began to congregate to discuss where they’d stay.

“Well, Katherine?” Lottie’s nasally tone interrupted Kat’s enjoyment of the crowded street. “This is your town? Where do we stay?”

“I haven’t been here in five years. I haven’t the faintest idea. Half of these buildings didn’t even exist then.” Kat glared at Lottie. “If it’s still there, my sister had a boarding house down the street that way across from the saloon. I wouldn’t know if there’s a proper hotel now or not. Go ask someone.”

Lottie harrumphed and spun, leading the ladies to the general store.

Kat shook off her annoyance and began to wonder where she herself would stay. If the ladies chose her sister’s boarding house she certainly wouldn’t be joining them.

“Just give me that mail bag.” A familiar voice called behind her. A gentleman with careworn features, twenty years her senior glared at the driver. Norman Woodward, who had run the telegraph office when she’d lived here, still did if his call for the mail was any indicator. “Took ya long enough to get here. Supply wagon was here three days ago.”

“We crossed paths with them coming over the mountain,” Kat interjected before the driver could respond. If nothing else, it would be interesting to see if he remembered her. “Our driver was kind enough to help them fix their broken wheel. That’s why we’re late.”

“Well, that’s just...” Norman’s words trailed off and he studied her. “I know you.”

“Are you sure?” Kat grinned and set her hand on her hip. Unsurprisingly, the man scanned her from top to bottom, his nose wrinkling at her pantaloons. “Or did you once and not any longer?”

“Katherine Daugherty. What have you done to yourself?”

“Well, Norman.” She chuckled when he grumbled about her using his proper name. “I went off and grew up. That is allowed, isn’t it? Also, I go by Kat now. Katherine doesn’t suit me so well these days.”

“See you’re as brash and unseemly as ever.”

“Oh no, I’m far worse now.”

“Your parents had a right fit when you disappeared. Tore the town up looking for ya.” Norman almost smiled. “Funniest damn thing I ever seen when your Ma crawled along looking under porches for you.”

“A sight I wish I could have seen myself, but I’m glad I was far away for it.” Kat pointed to her trunk for the driver. “Tell me, Norman. Is there a proper hotel these days, or just my sister’s place still?”

“There’s a hotel, just opened. Called the Silver Saddle. Two doors down from your sister, but they got gambling and whores.”

“Sounds perfect. Cole Mitchell never turned his into a hotel, then? Even large as it is? What a pity.”

“Nope. His place is best for whoring, though.”

“And you would know this how?” Kat laughed when he turned his back on her. “Good seeing you again, Norman.”

Kat arranged to have her bags sent to the hotel, then headed there herself to get a room. Rather than rush, she strolled down the street to take in all the new buildings and businesses. A few familiar faces did a double take, but no one spoke up to call out to her. Perhaps they weren’t sure it was actually her. Five years was a long time.

The building next to the Silver Saddle stopped her in her tracks as she took in the sign. A combination lawyers office and clinic had to be the most unique thing she’d seen yet in her life. Even more so was the doctor’s name: Caroline Pearson.

Kat couldn’t keep her surprise to herself. “A woman doctor?”

A familiar, sexy timbre of a voice sent a shiver down her spine. Cole Mitchell himself muttered nearby, “Just got here six months ago. Her husband is pushing as many people as he can into her care.”

“Cole Mitchell.”

“Kathy Daugherty.”

She turned around and smiled. “I go by Kat now.”

“Sure thing, Kathy.” He leaned against the building’s post, all six foot plus of him on display for her enjoyment. The wicked grin he wore let her know he didn’t miss her perusal. “Didn’t expect you back here so soon.”