Xenia’s Renegade (9 page)

“And what would you do when you got your father’s wire demanding you come home?”

“I’d tell the man I loved we had to hurry up and marry. Then, I’d hope I would be with child before Father got here. There would be no way Father would want me home if I was going to have a baby.” She laughed. “Of course, the man I love would love me just at much. He’d be strong enough to protect me from my father’s demands, baby or no baby.”

“You sure have faith in your cowboy.”

“Of course I do. I wouldn’t love him enough to marry him if I didn’t.” She laughed. “How in the world did we get on such a subject? There’s no cowboy who loves me or I him. Now, let’s talk about something else.”

“What else do you want to talk about?”

“Chapa told us today about all of your Sioux names. She said yours meant Courageous. I think it fits you perfectly.”

“Why in the world would she tell you that?”

“We were asking about your parents and she told us the story. I thought it was lovely.”

“What do you mean, ‘lovely’?”

“The way your fathers fell in love with sisters and married them. Your grandmother must have been a special lady to come all the way to Arizona with her daughters and their husbands.” She looked at him. “Do you remember her well?”

“I remember her kind of well. She told us stories of the Sioux and how proud her ancestors were. She instilled a sense of pride in Wilt and me. For that reason, I’ve never been ashamed of my Sioux blood.”

“You should always be proud of it, and you need to pass that pride on to your children.”

“I have no children, Xenia.”

“I know that.” She looked at him as if he shouldn’t have said such a thing. “You should know I meant your future children. Surely, you plan to marry and have children someday, don’t you?”

“I haven’t thought much about it.” He didn’t add that he’d hoped to have children with Verna McGill at one time. After her, he’d given up on the idea.

“Well, you need to find the right woman and get married and have a family. You’ll make a wonderful father.”

He looked at her in disbelief. “What makes you say that?”

“I can tell by the way you’ve protected Johnny. At the way station, you made sure he was where no bullets could find him, and he was the first person you asked about when the fighting was over. Then, when we were stranded in town with no place to sleep, you made sure we were taken to your ranch. The first thing you told Chapa was to make sure the baby got milk. You can’t tell me a man like that wouldn’t make a wonderful father.”

Ty didn’t know what to say after that, so he turned his attention to the approaching town. “We’re almost to Deer Meadow. I’m going to take you to the hotel, then I’ll turn in the buggy and come back there. If you insist, I’ll take you with me to talk to the sheriff.”

“Oh, thank you, Ty. I hoped you’d be willing to go with me.” She sighed. “I just hope that little man will let me have a room at the hotel.”

“Don’t worry. He will.”

****

Xenia watched Ty open the front door of the Deer Lodge Hotel and then follow her inside carrying the small valise she’d packed for the night. Alvin Stoneman put down the book he was studying and said in a crisp, but nervous voice, “Good morning, ma’am. Mr. Eldridge. What can I do for you?”

Xenia muttered a good morning, but Ty only nodded. “Miss Poindexter is here for a room.”

“Of course. Welcome, Miss Poindexter.”

“I assume you plan to put her in the corner room on the second floor.” Ty eyed Alvin.

“Oh, yes, sir. That room was readied for a guest earlier. I’m sure Miss Poindexter will find it to her liking.” His voice was actually shaking.

Xenia wondered what kind of hold Ty had on this man. He was certainly different from the brassy clerk who had thrown her and Mea Ann out of the place. Now, he didn’t seem to be able to do enough to please her.

Alvin looked at Ty. “Would you like to sign Miss Poindexter in, Mr. Eldridge?”

She had to smile when Ty said, “Miss Poindexter can write, Alvin.”

“Yes, sir.” He turned the small swivel table that held the register book, dipped the pen in ink and held it toward her. “Please sign, Miss Poindexter.”

She wrote her name and handed back the pen.

“Will you be taking Miss Poindexter’s luggage up, Mr. Eldridge?”

“Yes. I want to make sure the room is adequate.”

Alvin looked at Xenia. “That’ll be…” He then looked past her to Ty. Without finishing his sentence he reached behind the desk and handed her a key. “I hope you enjoy your stay, Miss Poindexter.”

“Thank you.” It dawned on Xenia the man hadn’t asked her for any money. She started to say something, but Ty had picked up her bag and nodded toward the steps.

She shrugged and walked ahead of him.

At the end of the upstairs hall, he sat the valise down and reached for her key. “While you’re here, Xenia, I want you to keep this door locked.”

“While I’m inside as well as when I go out?”

“Yes.” He pushed open the door and stood back for her to enter. “What do you think?”

She glanced at the big bed with its blue chenille spread and a matching wardrobe against the wall. There were white curtains at the corner windows and a set of chairs with needlepoint cushions on either side of a small round table. A blue rug was on the right side of the bed, and a screen with blue and white flowers blocked off an area that she figured was for dressing and possibly for using the chamber pot.

“It’s lovely, Ty. I’m sure I’ll be comfortable here.”

“I know it’s not what you’re used to, but it’s the best we have in Deer Meadow.” He moved to the middle of the room and set her bag at the foot of the bed.

She decided not to answer his remark. Instead, she said, “How long will it be before you come back to get me to go see the sheriff?”

“As I said, I have to see the stable man and turn the buggy in. I’ll also check on the cow and make arrangements to have it taken to the ranch. I know we have plenty to supply all the milk Johnny can drink, but I don’t want to leave his cow at the stable any longer. I’m not positive they’ll take good care of it.”

“Thank you, Ty. You’re thoughtful.”

“We’ll get some dinner either here in the hotel or at the café down the street a little later.” He grinned at her. “I’m beginning to get hungry.”

Xenia laughed. “I now understand why Chapa said she had a hard time keeping you and Wilt full. You always seem to be hungry.”

“I’m a big man, Miss Poindexter. I need enough food to keep this body going.”

“I can understand that.”

“I better be on my way. If you need anything, I’m sure Stoneman will be happy to get it for you.”

“I’m sure I’ll be fine until you get back. I have a book with me, so I can read—or if I get bored with that, I’ll take a nap. I’d rather not have to deal with Alvin Stoneman.”

“You do what you want to do, and I’ll see you later.” He started for the door. “Now, come lock up behind me.”

“Yes, sir.” She gave him a quick curtsy.

He laughed. “Stop that. People will think you’re my slave or something.”

She took the key from him and opened the door. “Now, be on your way. I have a book waiting.”

He went out and she closed the door behind him. She didn’t hear his boots going down the hall until she turned the lock. She had to smile. He wouldn’t leave until he was sure she was safe. He certainly was a complicated man. At times, he seemed to like her—and at others, he didn’t seem to care at all. Still, he protected her. She shook her head and took the book out of her valise, then moved to the chair under the window.

Two hours later Ty rapped on Xenia’s hotel room door. There was no answer. He knocked again, this time, a little louder. Still, no answer. He was about to call out when Lou Bullins came out a door diagonally down and across the hall from Xenia’s room.

“Well, Eldridge. Looks like your lady friend got the best room in the hotel and I see you’re visiting her.” He shook his head. “Don’t you care anything about a woman’s reputation?”

“What do you know about the woman in this room?”

He gave a sinister laugh. “Everyone in the hotel knows you brought her here, demanded the corner room for her, and probably paid for her to stay here.”

Ty’s eyes narrowed. “Bullins, I suggest you go back in your room and pack your bag, get your gambling devices and leave this hotel within the hour.”

“Who do you think you are to demand that I leave? I paid for a week, and I intend to stay for that length of time.”

“I’m telling you, your plans have changed.”

“We’ll see about that.” He turned and hurried toward the lobby.

Ty turned back to Xenia’s door. He knew once Bullins told Stoneman what had happened, Stoneman would insist he leave. But he couldn’t help wondering how Bullins knew Xenia was in this room. He knew he was going to have to question Alvin again before he left town.

Thinking Xenia had decided he’d been gone too long and had struck out on her own, he slammed his fist against the door and started to walk away. “I wish that damn woman wasn’t so hard-headed. She’s going to get herself in some trouble she can’t get out of if she doesn’t change,” he muttered. He only stepped back to the door when he heard a slight rustling on the other side of the door.

“Xenia?” he said, loud enough for her to hear him.

“I’m coming. Just wait a minute.”

The door opened. “I thought you’d left.”

“You told me not to, and I waited here for you.”

“Didn’t you hear me knocking?”

She shook her head. “I was asleep.”

He then noticed the rumpled bed, her unbuttoned collar and her slightly mussed hair. She looked beautiful. Shaking that thought away, he said, “I was gone longer than I thought I would be. I’m sorry.”

She smiled. “It didn’t seem long to me. I fell asleep almost as soon as you left, and it seems like only a few minutes ago.”

He would have liked to stay there and watch Xenia brush her hair, button up her blouse or do whatever she needed to do, but he knew that wouldn’t be proper. “Do you want me to wait downstairs until you’re ready to go get some dinner?

“Please do, Ty. I won’t be long.”

He turned and started out the door. “Lock this behind me.”

“Even with you waiting downstairs?”

“Yes, Xenia. Even with me waiting downstairs.”

“You don’t trust anybody, do you Ty?”

“Not when there’s a beautiful young single woman in town. There are a lot of men around who would…well, let’s just say they’d try to get your attention.”

“And what would be wrong with that? I might even meet that cowboy you said I could fall in love with and turn my family’s world upside down.”

“I can’t win with you, so I’m getting out of here before I say something else stupid.”

She shook her head and giggled. “You might be a lot of things, but stupid is not one of them, Mr. Ty Eldridge.” She followed him to the door and locked it just to keep him from arguing with her.

Ty went down the hall smiling. Why was it that Xenia could stir his insides in a way they’d never been stirred before? And didn’t she ever forget anything? Why was she bringing up a cowboy that she might fall in love with? He figured that conversation was forgotten, but apparently she remembered. Would she always throw it in his face, or did she really think she might fall in love with a cowboy?
If so, why couldn’t it be me?
He stopped in his tracks.
Oh, hell why did I think that? That would be a disaster, and we both know that’s never going to happen. Hell, I don’t want that to happen. I don’t even like the woman—or do I?

He shook his head and continued to the lobby. It was empty, so he took a seat in one of the wing-backed chairs. In a minute, Alvin Stoneman came through the door leading to the dining room with a cup of coffee in his hand.

“Mr. Eldridge, is there something I can do for you?” His hand shook as he sat his coffee on the desk. “Would you like some coffee?”

“No, thank you. I’m waiting for Miss Poindexter, but I’d like to ask you a couple of questions.”

“I’ll be happy to answer anything I can.”

“Has Lou Bullins been down here to talk with you?”

“No. He came through here just after you went upstairs. He looked mad. I spoke to him, but he didn’t speak to me.”

“I ran into him upstairs when I arrived and he was spouting off about Miss Poindexter being registered here. How would he know that?”

“I swear I didn’t tell him, Mr. Eldridge. He did come in just after she checked in and you were taking her bag to her room. He probably saw you, but he didn’t mention anything about her being registered here to me.”

Ty lifted an eye. “Maybe it would be better if he moved to some other location. You don’t want someone here who is gossiping about your other guests.”

“I agree. I’ll see he’s gone before dark.”

“Good decision, Mr. Stoneman.” He looked toward the stairs. They were still empty. “By the way, how many guests do you have registered tonight?”

“There are six besides Miss Poindexter. A couple came in on the stage last night and they rented for three nights. A couple of cowboys came in earlier today, registered, and said they’d be back before I closed the front doors. Bullins, who will be leaving, and another salesman. He came in last night and booked a room for a week.”

“I see. Are you expecting anyone else?”

“Not that I know of, but you know, sometimes some of the men get a little too drunk at the saloon and if they don’t stay there, they come here. Especially the business men or ranchers who don’t want their families to know they’ve been drinking and gambling.”

“I see.” Ty didn’t ask any more questions because Xenia appeared at the top of the steps.

****

In the hotel dining room, Ty ushered her to a table near the window. “I hope you like the food here. The café does a little better on their cooking, but they’re usually so crowded this time of day it’s hard to get a table.”

“I’m sure it will be fine here.” She gave him a tentative smile. “When are you going to tell me what you found out about my uncle?”

The waiter walked up and gave them menus. “Would you like something to drink while you’re deciding what to order?”

“I’ll have coffee,” Ty answered. He looked at Xenia. “Would you prefer something besides coffee?”

“A cup of tea would be nice.”

“Tea for the lady.”

The waiter nodded and walked away.

“Let’s decide on what we want to eat and then we’ll talk about what I found out.”

Xenia wondered why he was postponing telling her what went on while he was in town and she was napping. Deciding she’d eventually find out, she chose the baked chicken with corn and beans. Ty ordered a steak with potatoes and beans.

After the waiter brought the drinks and took their order, Ty said, “I talked with the sheriff. He told me your uncle is not in jail and hasn’t been in since he had to arrest him last winter when he shot a man. Longstreet was only in for a day at that time because witnesses swore he shot the man in self-defense.”

She frowned. “But his letter said he was in for something he didn’t do and they were going to hang him if we didn’t come to help.”

“I don’t know what to say about that except that your uncle lied to you for some reason.”

“Why would he do that?”

“I have no idea, but knowing Seymour Longstreet, he had his motive.”

She looked at him and frowned. “You don’t like my uncle, do you Ty?”

“It’s not that, Xenia.”

“Then what is it?”

“I don’t trust the man.”

“Why?”

He shrugged, “I’ve had a few encounters with him and let’s just say, I didn’t like the way he handled things.”

Before she could ask anything more, their food arrived. At the same time, two men in suits came in. They sat at a table not far from Ty and Xenia. Both of them nodded at Ty and smiled at her, but didn’t speak.

Ty lowered his voice. “That’s the town lawyer and the doctor. I’d introduce you, but they seem to be discussing some kind of business.”

“I understand.” She cut into her chicken. It was a little dry, but tasty, nonetheless.

Several more people came into the dining room and Ty nodded to some and ignored others. She couldn’t help wondering if he was ashamed of being here with her and wouldn’t bother to introduce her to his friends. Or was it something else?

A couple of neatly dressed cowboys took seats at the table next to them. “Howdy, Ty. Ma’am,” the one with a scar on his chin said.

“Hello, Burk.”

“When did you get back in town?”

“Couple of days ago.”

The man looked as if he wanted to say something else, but the waiter approached his table and he busied himself deciding what to eat.

Xenia looked at Ty and whispered, “Friend of yours?”

“Neighbor.”

“Oh, I see.” She took another bite of the chicken. “Where are we going whenever we finish eating?”

“I have a little business I need to take care of for the ranch, then I’ll come back here and get you.”

This statement irritated her. “Why didn’t you take care of it before coming to take me to lunch then we could have concentrated on my uncle?”

“I didn’t have time because I thought you might be getting hungry.”

“I was fine.”

“I had no way of knowing that.”

She relaxed a little. Of course, he was right. He didn’t know that at times she’d skipped the midday meal without thinking she was going to starve to death. He, on the other hand, would need to eat without ever missing a meal. She then remembered he didn’t eat after they left the way station and he hadn’t complained at all. Maybe he was just a man that did what was necessary at the time. And eating when it was mealtime would be a necessity to him unless there was something pressing.

He gave her a puzzled look. “What are you smiling about?”

She didn’t realize she’d smiled, but she knew she’d have to give him an answer. “I was remembering the time Mea Ann and I tried to catch a chicken.”

“Did you have chickens in Richmond?”

“No, but one of Father’s uncles had a little farm outside the city. We went there because somebody in his family had died and Father said we needed to make a condolence call. Anyway, we were small girls and we’d never been on a farm. When we arrived, they insisted we eat, and I remember one of the things we had was fried chicken. It was delicious. Mea Ann and I both asked mother why we didn’t have such good fried chicken at our house. She said it was because we didn’t have nice big chickens like this at home. That was all we needed to hear. Mea Ann and I decided we’d catch a chicken and take it back home with us and give it to our cook to fry for a Sunday dinner.”

Ty chuckled. “Did you catch one?”

“No, but it wasn’t from lack of trying. I had mud on my fancy pink dress and a cut on my knee from falling and Mea Ann sprained her ankle. Mother and Father decided we’d shown enough respect to the family so they got us in the carriage and we went home. Though Mea Ann and I often asked when we were going to visit that family again, we never did. But Mea Ann often sprained her ankle after that.”  She frowned. “Come to think of it, Mea Ann has had weak ankles ever since that day, and it’s fitting she sprained hers again today while messing around with chickens.”

“Maybe we should keep her out of the chicken coop.”

“Not a bad idea.” Xenia used her napkin to wipe her mouth then she folded it and placed beside her plate. “That was good, but I don’t think I could eat another bite.”

“You don’t want a dessert?”

“No, but go ahead and indulge. I’ll drink another cup of tea while you eat it.”

Ty had cherry cobbler and after seeing it, Xenia almost wished she had ordered it, too. But she really was full.

“I see you eyeing this,” Ty said. “Want a bite?”

“I shouldn’t.”

“Why not? Get your spoon and help yourself.”

She actually took two bites and put down her spoon. “It’s good, but that’s all I can hold.”

“You sure?”

“Very sure.”

Ty finished the cobbler and nodded to her. “We’ll leave now, if you’ve finished your tea.”

“I have, but aren’t we going to pay for the meal?”

“It’ll be added to the bill.”

“I see.” She wondered if he expected her to pay for his food when she settled her bill with that strange Mr. Stoneman. But it didn’t matter, because she assumed things were done differently in Arizona Territory.