Joe's Wife (19 page)

Gus and Purdy waited in the wagon bed.

"Whoo-ee, look at the missy!" Gus called. "Hurry up, Tye! The Double Oarlock hands will get all the prairie oysters ahead of us!"

"I'm sure there'll be plenty." Tye clucked to the team with a grin.

"What's prairie oysters?" Eve asked from her perch between Meg and Tye.

Meg studied a spot on the horizon with diligence.

"That's the Founder's Day specialty," Tye replied. "Each ranch takes turns cooking their own secret recipe."

Apparently satisfied, Eve moved on to another question. Meg listened to their exchange all the way to town. Tye was inexhaustible in his explanations and stories. Meg learned more about him every time she was close enough to overhear his conversations with Eve.

Since it was the only building large enough to accommodate all the ranchers and townspeople, as well as protect them from the weather, the livery had been scrubbed and cleaned and the animals corralled out back.

Long tables had been set with refreshments: barrels of beer, pans of baked goods, jars of pickled eggs and trays of potatoes baked in their jackets, as well as the traditional roundup specialty.

Gus and Purdy headed for the food.

"Hatch, we need a hand with a couple of barrels," Jed Wheeler called to Tye.

"I'll be right back," Tye said.

A platform for the musicians had been constructed of planks, and several men tuned fiddles. One of the wives from the Lazy B always played the harmonica, and Meg spotted her among the other women.

A commotion sounded outside and a half-dozen men unloaded a piano from the back of a wagon and lifted it onto the platform. Several heads turned toward Fiona Hill, who smiled nervously, and Meg stifled a chuckle at the thought of the woman's clumsy renditions of hymns being pounded out for the celebration.

Before long the music began. Eager to celebrate, the ranchers, wives, reps and merchants ignored the off-key selections and mingled on the dance floor. Eve stood at Meg's side, watching the activities with fascination.

Catching Meg's eye, Reverend Baker made his way toward her. "Good evening, Meg."

"Good evening, Reverend."

"How's little Eve doing these days?"

"She's doing quite well, actually," she said over the choppy music. "She positively dotes on Tye, and the feeling is mutual. I've grown quite fond of her myself. Tye and I have decided to adopt her."

"That's wonderful news. I know she'll be a blessing and a comfort to you, as well as the other way around."

"I believe you're right."

"I'm always glad to see roundup over and church attendance pick up again."

"We've missed the last couple of services. We'll be there again tomorrow."

"I'll look forward to that." He bent forward to give Eve a pat on the head. She smiled up at him, then turned her attention back to the dancers. The reverend moved into the party.

Meg took Eve's hand and wandered through the milling people toward the tables of food. "Are you hungry, sweetheart?"

Eve shook her head.

"Maybe you'll change your mind when you see what's there."

Eve's eyes widened at the impressive display of dishes. She chose a chicken leg, a slice of bread and a dessert, and Meg carried her plate in search of a place for her to eat.

Gus motioned to them from where he was seated on a row of hay bales across the back wall. "The missy can eat with us," he offered.

Meg settled her with her food and, promising to bring her a drink, headed back to the tables.

Laughter rippled through the gathering. Meg spotted Fiona moving away from the piano with a grin. A handful of men urged Tye to take a seat on the bench before the keyboard.

He obliged, coordinated briefly with the other musicians, then led into a smooth, lighthearted waltz.

A murmur ran though the crowd, and delighted dancers paired off on the sawdust-covered floor.

Tye knew piece after piece, popular tunes as well as old favorites, and played song after song, many with words he sang for the listeners' pleasure.

No one asked Meg to dance. She wasn't surprised, really: her standing in the community had taken a serious punch in the past month. The only one who'd said more than two words to her had been the preacher, and he didn't dance. It had been a long time since she'd danced with Joe. She swayed to the music, remembering those days and the admiring glances of all the other young women.

Finally,
Tye
left his station at the piano, and the musicians continued without him. He made his way through the crowd to where Meg stood.

She looked up. "I'd heard you used to play at the saloon, but I didn't know you were so good."

"Yeah, well, I don't know if I'm 'good.' Maybe just 'better.'"

She grinned at his reference to Fiona's exuberant attempts.

"Want to dance?"

She glanced around, a little surprised, a little embarrassed. On the other side of the dance area she spotted Niles Kestler frowning at them. "Yes. I'd love to."

Tye was a good dancer. He led smoothly, one hand at her waist, the other holding her right hand, his steps not at all ungraceful, even though he favored one leg. Meg learned the unusual gait, the comfortable pace he set, and allowed herself to relax and enjoy the dance and the music. It had been a long time…

Several songs later, Tye led her to the side. "Where's Eve?"

"She's back with Gus and Purdy."

"Let's go outside for a few minutes. I have something for you."

"All right."

Emery and Claudelle Parks whispered something to each another as Tye led Meg toward the door. Meg chose to ignore their rude gossiping and stares.

The evening air was clear and cool, a rain-scented breeze drifting down from the mountains. Tye took her arm and led her across the side street and up onto the boardwalk until they reached the front of the next building, where an oil lamp burned. There he stopped and stood awkwardly for a moment.

"What is it?" she asked.

"Well, I want to— I have something for you."

"What?"

He reached inside his vest and pulled out a tiny flannel bag with a drawstring. Taking her hand, he placed the bag in her palm.

Meg felt the small object inside through the fabric. With the fingers of her other hand, she traced the circular shape. Puzzled, she glanced up into his dark eyes.

Loosening the drawstring, she pried the bag open and turned it upside down. A large gold ring fell into her palm. Meg held it closer to the coal oil lamp. Could it be?

"Is this—" She picked it up and held it between her thumb and forefinger. "This is my father's ring."

Tye
nodded.

"How did you get this?"

"I earned the money to buy it back."

"How?"

"Working."

Working. He'd earned the money for this ring by working. Her mind raced across the concept. Working all those nights he'd ridden into town? All the nights she'd mentally accused him of numerous dishonorable acts. "Working at night?"

He nodded.

Meg closed her eyes against the rush of stinging shame. She'd thought the most horrible things of him. She'd imagined him doing anything but working. She'd thought he'd been drinking … visiting loose women. She'd thought the worst. "Doing what, Tye?"

"Playing at the Pair-A-Dice, like before."

"All those nights you were gone you were playing the piano to earn the money for this?"

A frown creased his handsome brow. "Aren't you glad to have it back?"

Unable to keep his gaze any longer, she placed the ring back in the bag and drew it tightly shut, clutching it in her fist. "I'm glad to have it back, Tye," she said softly. "But I'm ashamed of myself."

"You don't have anything to be ashamed of," he assured her. "You're the kindest, most good-hearted person I've ever known, Meg."

"No. No, I'm not." That last came out in a broken voice.

He engulfed her fist in his. "Yes. You are."

His warmth suffused her fingers and spread up her arm until it radiated through her entire body. She looked up hesitantly. "Thank you."

So simple. Such insignificant words for an enormous act of kindness.

"You're welcome," he said.

Gently, he cupped her cheek with his other hand. In the golden light, their eyes met. Meg felt like crying. She blinked furiously.

Tye laced his fingers into her hair behind her ear, stroked his thumb over her cheekbone. Meg's breath caught in her throat.

"Are those happy tears?"

Anticipating his kiss with a flutter in her breast, she whispered, "Yes."

"Good."

Music and laughter floated from the livery next door. A moth batted against the dome of the coal oil lamp.

She wanted him to hold her then, to forgive her for her doubt and her mistrust. For some demented reason she didn't understand, she craved his assurance and his acceptance.

"I'm thirsty," he said, drawing his hand from her cheek. "We'd better get back inside."

The loss of his heat and his touch left her feeling bereft. How foolish of her to want him to kiss her out here like this where anyone could happen by and see. She gathered her wits and followed him back to the livery.

"There you are," Reverence Baker said, spotting Tye. "I was just looking for a bit of gentlemanly conversation."

"Out-of-doors, Reverend?" Tye asked.

"Why, yes, don't mind if we do."

Tye cast her an apologetic glance, and she watched them exit through the back door. She checked on Eve and discovered Lilly Telford sitting beside her on a hay bale.

"Well, hello, Lilly. It's nice to see you."

"Hello, Aunt Meg—I mean, Meg. I'm not 'apose to call you aunt anymore."

"Oh." The information stung like salt in an open cut, but irritation quickly followed the pain. How cruel of the Telfords to turn the children against her. "Have you missed your
Alice in Wonderland
book? Eve has enjoyed it very much."

"Oh, no. Mama got me a new one. It has pictures."

"I'll bet they're pretty."

"They are. 'Cept the Cheshire cat is kind of scary. I had a bad dream after I looked at the pictures of him."

Meg started to reply, but Harley's voice interrupted. "Lilly. Come back and stay near your brother."

"But, Papa, I found a new friend. This here's—"

"Lilly, return to the other side of the room right now and stay with your brother."

With a fallen expression, Lilly stood. "Bye, Eve. I gotta sit with my dumb brother."

"Bye, Lilly," Eve said, and watched the other little girl scamper away.

Harley took Meg's elbow and pulled her a few feet away. "You have a lot of audacity bringing that prostitute's child to this respectable occasion." One eyebrow lifted in reproach. "What have you fallen into, anyway? Everyone's talking about Hatcher and that kid."

Righteous anger burned inside Meg. "Eve has just as much right to be here as anyone else."

"What are
you
doing with her?"

"Tye made a promise to Eve's mother. He was obligated to keep it."

"What kind of man makes promises to a whore?" Harley hissed against her ear.

"An honorable man, Harley."

"Think about what you're doing and saying, Meg. Just think about it. No self-respecting man is obligated to a woman like that. Or to a child like that—unless the child is his."

"No, Harley, no. You don't understand."

"Oh, I understand just fine, Meg. You're the one who doesn't understand. Or care about your standing in this town."