A Dream to Call My Own (7 page)

“And the stage would definitely make stops here for the miners,” Hank said, grinning. “You’re right. This changes everything.”

CHAPTER EIGHT

“We can’t possibly keep up with this crowd,” Gwen said, wiping her brow with the edge of her apron. “How many men have we fed lunch to today?”

“At my last count, it was fifty-two,” Beth replied.

“Feels like one hundred and two,” Lacy interjected. “I’ve never seen men eat so much. We’re out of nearly everything.”

Beth brought an empty pot to the counter. “At least they like beans and corn bread.”

“But we’re even out of beans now,” Lacy said, shaking her head.

Gwen put on a fresh pot of coffee. “Hank put in a triple order for most of our regular supplies. He said it should be delivered today, if the weather holds.”

Lacy went to the kitchen window and gazed out at the brilliant March skies. “Doesn’t look like rain or snow is threatening. There isn’t a cloud anywhere.” She turned and surveyed the stack of dishes to be washed. “Guess I’d better get to work.”

“I can’t bake too much until we get more flour,” Beth said, lifting the lid off the flour barrel Hank had brought them just three days earlier. “This is nearly empty.”

Julianne began to fuss from the corner where Gwen had her set up in a small makeshift bed. “I guess the men aren’t the only ones who are hungry.” She went to pick up her daughter, and the baby instantly calmed.

“Maybe we should charge more,” Lacy suggested. “That would surely discourage some of the miners from coming here. In fact, I don’t see why we need their business anyway. They just make it more difficult to deal with the stage folks.”

“Lacy’s right,” Beth said. “Maybe we should figure out a way to schedule things so that we only deal with the miners after the stage folks have departed.”

“I’d like that,” Gwen agreed. “Still, with you expecting and Lacy trying to plan a wedding, we have more to do than we can keep up with. We’ll make ourselves sick if we keep trying to go at this pace.”

Hank was having no better time of it at the store. He’d sold out his fifth shipment of gold pans, picks, and shovels. The new arrivals were none too happy to hear they’d have to wait for the afternoon freight delivery before they could set out to work.

“I understand you own a lot of the land around here,” one man said, approaching Hank. “I wonder if you’d lease me a claim.”

“No,” Hank replied. He’d already been approached at least two dozen times about the same thing.

“The saloonkeep said you should be willing to. We could split any of the profits I made. Just give it a chance, mister.”

Hank shook his head. “I’m already dealing with squatters and men tramping through to get to other claims. The answer is no.”

The man grumbled and stepped away from the counter. He was quickly replaced by two other men who had a list of supplies they hoped to secure.

Raising his arms, Hank tried to calm the throng. “Look, if you would all quiet down for just a minute and listen, we could save some time.” Little by little, the room went silent.

“Thank you. As you can see we’re out of most everything. I have three freight wagons due in this afternoon. If they keep to their schedule, they’ll be here within the hour. I’ll need time to secure the shipment, but then I can deal with each of you. For now, I’d like you to form a line here at the counter. We’ll write down what you need and your name. Then come back this afternoon around five, and we’ll divvy up and you can pay.”

“Are you taking any credit, mister?” one man called out from the back.

“No. There’s too great a risk with panning for gold. If you haven’t got the money to buy what you need, you shouldn’t even be here.”

“But we are here,” another threw out.

Hank looked at the ragtag collection of men. Some were young, while others were quite grizzled with age. They all had a look of expectation and confidence in their expression. They had come here to make their fortunes—no matter the cost. Hank could have told them they might do better to open a store than to try and pan for gold, but he wasn’t entirely sure he wanted the competition. He’d been so busy and so prosperous that he’d taken Nick on as a full-time employee. Besides, who could tell when the bottom would give out and everyone would move on to the next gold discovery?

A few of the men left the store, while most of the others lined up and gave their information to Hank. By the time the last fellow had gone, Hank had twenty-seven slips of paper, detailing the men’s various needs.

“Looks like you’ve gone out of business,” Dave said as he stepped up to the register. He glanced around at the empty shelves and then looked at Hank. “They’ve stripped you clean.”

Hank nodded. “You ought to see the list I have for what they want once the freighters get in. It’ll be all I can do to pull out the supplies for Gallatin House and Rafe first. I’ve had to send out requests for supplies from every direction.”

“I don’t doubt it,” Dave said. “I think we were wise to have me start sleeping over here nights. Smart, too, to turn that loafing shed into a jail of sorts. Not that it’s going to hold any truly determined soul.”

“Something’s going to have to be done about that,” Hank said, shaking his head. “Those men get awfully mean out there—especially after drinking.”

“I heard that Mulholland has brought in an assay man. I have to say, I’m still stumped at there being gold in the river. You’d think someone would have found something before now.”

“I know what you’re saying, but Nick mentioned some dynamiting being done upstream as they’re trying to build a road. Maybe it’s opened a vein and washed it down this way.”

“I suppose that’s entirely possible. It’s the first speculation that makes sense.” At the sound of wagons, Dave went to the door. “Looks like the freight is in. Guess I’d better go out there and control the men before they get carried away.”

“I’d appreciate that, Dave. I’ll get Nick. He’s been working with the horses out back.”

As the second anniversary of their father’s death drew near, Lacy found herself facing increased pressure to marry. She was grateful for the constant work required by the gold rush; it allowed her to avoid committing to a wedding date, given that she and Dave had very little time together alone. The madness that consumed their little community was the perfect excuse to keep things exactly as they were.

Beth was growing quite large in her pregnancy and constantly reminded Lacy that it would only be another six weeks or so until she would deliver her child. She hoped Lacy would have the wedding right away or else wait until well after the birth. That had been the best thing anyone could have said. Lacy used the excuse when Dave came to her that evening after supper.

“I don’t want to set a wedding date until after Beth gives birth and recovers. She’ll work much too hard to see that I have a nice wedding otherwise.”

Dave frowned. “Are you sure you aren’t just delaying this because you’re trying to back out?”

Lacy thought about it for a moment. “If you want to end our engagement, I won’t fight you.”

“You won’t, eh?” He crossed to where she stood and pulled her into his arms. “Somehow, I don’t believe you.”

Lacy trembled but fought to keep her wits. It seemed the only time she wasn’t overcome by his touch was when they were fighting. “You know my father has been dead now for two years.”

He frowned. “Not quite, but I know the date is fast approaching.”

“We’re no closer to catching the killer than we were two years ago,” Lacy protested. “Cubby swears his father knows what happened, yet I don’t see you dragging Rafe into Bozeman to be questioned.”

Dave dropped his hold. “I can’t just force the man to go with me to Bozeman. I don’t have any evidence against him.”

Lacy went to the fireplace and warmed her hands. The chill of the night air made the fire a welcome sight. She drew a deep breath and turned back to face Dave. “I really can’t marry you until this is resolved.”

“What?”

“You heard me. I want my father’s killer caught. I want justice for him. I can’t have a wedding and enjoy the idea of sharing my life with someone while that is yet undone.”

“That’s just an excuse.”

She shook her head. “You know it isn’t.” She took a seat in the rocker next to the fireplace. “I’ve wanted this since the night our father died.”

“That may be, but you’re using it as an excuse for delaying our wedding.”

She shrugged. “Think what you will. It’s not that way at all.” She looked at the floor and studied the pattern of the new rag rug to avoid Dave’s intense stare.

“You’re deliberately trying to make me mad so that I won’t pester you with planning our wedding. Maybe you even hope I’ll break the engagement. I think this has very little to do with your father’s killer being caught, however.”

Lacy crossed her arms and began to rock. “Then tell me, Mr. Shepard, what you think it has to do with.”

“You’re afraid. You’re just scared, and that’s all there is to it.”

She didn’t like him pinpointing the truth. “Maybe you’re scared, too. Scared to find Pa’s killer.”

“That’s ridiculous.”

She met his gaze. “It’s no more ridiculous than you saying I’m too scared to marry you.” She hoped he wouldn’t notice the slight tremor to her voice.

Dave shook his head. “You are the most irritating and aggravating woman I’ve ever known.”

“Then why do you want to marry me?” Lacy asked with a sweet smile.

“Sometimes I wonder,” he muttered and stalked out of the room without another word.

Lacy felt a strange urge to go after him but held herself in place. She wasn’t about to give him the satisfaction of believing himself to be right about her fears.

“What are you and Dave fighting about now?” Beth asked as she entered the room and carefully lowered herself onto a chair. “He looked madder than a wet hen.”

“He’s just angry that I won’t set the wedding date.”

Beth smoothed out her oversized white blouse. “And why won’t you?”

“I’d rather wait until after the baby comes and you are fully recovered. I think we need to focus on one event at a time. Besides, everything is in such an uproar right now. The town is overflowing with riffraff. It’s not exactly the kind of setting I want for my wedding.”

“I suppose I can understand that.” Beth rubbed her stomach. “This little one is in an uproar, as well. I sometimes wonder what in the world must be going on in there.”

Lacy came to kneel beside her sister. Putting her hand on Beth’s belly, she smiled. “Goodness, he’s strong.”

“So you’re convinced it’s a boy, are you?”

“I think so. You’re carrying this baby completely different from the way Gwen carried Julianne. I’m thinking it must be a boy.”

“Or a herd of cattle,” Beth said, smiling. This quickly gave way to a yawn. “I’m so exhausted all the time, and my back is always strained from this load.”

Lacy felt the baby kick hard against her hand. “It’s no wonder. But see, it completely justifies my decision to postpone the wedding.” She looked up and met Beth’s tired expression. “We have to be certain that you and the baby are strong and healthy. I want you and Gwen to stand up with me, after all.”

Beth touched Lacy’s cheek. “I would get off of my sickbed to be there for you. You know that.”

“I know, but I don’t want it to happen that way.” Lacy sighed and got to her feet. “Come on, little mama. I’ll help you upstairs and draw you a nice hot bath. That will soothe your aching back.”

Beth allowed Lacy to help her up. The sisters embraced. “Little sister, whatever your reasons for putting off your wedding,” Beth began, “I hope you won’t let it come between you and Dave and the love you share. It would be a pity to see you two at odds over something so trivial. Dave really does love you. . . . Don’t make him wait too long.”

“If he loves me so much, he won’t mind. After all, I think this is important. Besides, he can use the time to find Pa’s killer. He knows how important that is to me.”

Beth looked at her for a moment as if trying to figure out how to phrase her words, then nodded. “I’m sure he does.”

That night as Lacy sat brushing out her hair, she thought of what Dave had said about being afraid. She couldn’t deny that his comment held merit, but it wasn’t the reason in full.

“How do I make sure I’m doing the right thing? How do I know for certain that our love is real—that it will last?”

She abandoned the brush and went to check the lock on her door. Hank had told them all that despite having locked doors for the private section of the house, it would be wise to keep their bedrooms secured, as well. Lacy had to agree. The number of rowdies had increased drastically with the finding of gold.

There were robberies on a regular basis, as well as assaults and barroom brawls. Lacy leaned against the door and thought of Dave. His work had become so overwhelming that some residents had suggested he get an additional deputy or two to work with him.

Things have certainly changed overnight,
Lacy thought. She made her way to bed and turned down the lamp until the room went dark. The silence of the night was only temporary, however. A rifle was fired off several times and multiple voices filled the air.

Lacy rushed to the window, remembering with dread the night her father had been killed. Had someone else been murdered? She opened her window and looked out on the street below. A crowd had gathered over to the far end of the road near the trees. Several of the people held lanterns in order to better survey the situation. Lacy stiffened at the sight of a mound lying lifeless on the road.

“You killed him, sure thing!” someone declared.

“Good thing, too. He needed killin’.”

“Yeah, he’s been nothing but a nuisance.”

Lacy saw a light go on at the store next door and watched as Dave emerged. Her heart began to pound.

“What’s going on?” he demanded as he crossed the distance.

Lacy could see he had his rifle in hand.

“Old Blaylock killed a bear,” a man announced.

“It’s that old black that’s been bothering the miners,” someone else added.

Lacy relaxed a bit and drew a deep breath. It was just a bear.

No other man had died in the melee of this sinful town.

“But they might have,” Lacy whispered. “It could just as easily have been someone else’s pa.”