Kaitlin's Silver Lining (12 page)

Kaitlin grabbed his
forearm. “Where are you going with my mail?”

“What mail?”

“Bryce Stanton. You
give me those letters.”

“This is evidence. I
plan to turn them over to Dan.”

“You can’t.”

“Watch me.”

And she did. She
watched him cram on his hat, grab his coat, and stalk out the front door. She
stared at the closed portal. What had she stirred up with her lie? Who was she
really protecting? What did it matter if Sarge still hounded her to return to
the Silver Saddle Ranch?

“I’m thinking it’s a
good thing that man came when he did.”

Kaitlin snapped out
of her forlorn thoughts to glance at Maggie. “What makes you say that?”

“You’ve been hiding
from your past too long, Kaitlin. All this bravado, all this screaming for
rights is just your way of hiding. God works in mysterious ways, and whether
you like it or not, I think He just sent you an angel.”

Kaitlin shivered.
Angel? No, Bryce wore no halo. She remembered how he tormented her with a kiss
that never happened. More like, he was the devil meant to taunt her with her
shortcomings. And as always, the devil would have his due. She just wondered
when Bryce would have his.

Fourteen

Bryce sat in a
darkened corner with his back to the wall. The Red Garter Bar seemed to be a
sleazier establishment compared to the Tip Top Saloon or the Thirsty Sailor.
He’d rather be home sparring with Kaitlin than inhaling stale smoke and
watching the riffraff float in and out.

Home? When had he
begun to think of Kaitlin’s house as home? He ran his hand over his tired eyes,
trying to shake an obscure notion that Kaitlin meant more to him than just
Charley’s aunt. The thought was ludicrous. Kaitlin’s place seemed like home
because Charley was there, and it was currently his place of residence. That’s
all.

He took a swig of
beer, sipping slow to keep the appearance of drinking. He couldn’t afford to
become inebriated if he hoped to find Kaitlin’s nemesis. A quick turn of his
head to the right and left made his neck crack. It felt stiff from sleeping on
the floor where he’d been moved once the parlor had been cleaned. He didn’t
mind the hard floor. It proved a sight better than sleeping with all those
dolls.

He raised his eyes to
the door, searching the dim interior for any newcomers. The place was packed,
and the low hum of voices made it difficult to hone in on individual
conversations. His head ached, a sure sign he’d stayed an hour longer than he
should have. Pulling out a worn pocket watch, he sighed. He’d give this place
fifteen more minutes before calling it a night.

As promised, Jack
agreed to watch the house, keeping vigil over the ladies while Bryce conducted
business about town. Kaitlin had no clue as to the nature of tonight’s errand,
nor did he wish to apprise her of his activities. He saw no sense in getting
her hopes up, and he didn’t want her or Charley to worry about him finding
trouble while he frequented the less desirable areas of town.

He set his empty mug
down, intending to get up from the table and leave, when his diligence finally
paid off.

The very fiend he’d
chased from Kaitlin’s home that first day came strolling through the swinging
door.

The familiar face
appeared much younger than he’d thought. The youngster’s features registered a
weariness that indicated fear. Bryce smiled. The poor youngster didn’t yet know
what fear was, but Bryce had a mind to show him.

He waited until the
boy had seated himself at the bar before he made his move. Slowly, with the
stealth of a bobcat, Bryce picked his way through the milling crowd. His
motions were unhurried as he sidled in next to the culprit. Up close, the boy
looked even younger. He couldn’t have been more than fifteen or sixteen. Dirty
fingers gripped a mug of beer, and downcast eyes peered at nothing in
particular. Perhaps the boy hoped to keep a low profile, disillusioned into
thinking it rendered him invisible. Bryce grinned. The boy wasn’t invisible to
him.

“Fine night to
partake in a bit of refreshment,” Bryce said softly, evenly. The boy reminded
him of a trapped animal. He didn’t even look Bryce’s way.

“Got no use for
company, Mister,” the boy replied.

“That’s too bad,
because I do have use for your company,” Bryce said.

The boy gave a long
sigh, as if defeated by Bryce’s simple statement then squared his shoulder. “I
charge five dollars for the evening.”

Bryce blinked.
Surely, he’d misunderstood. “What?”

The boy stared across
the room, not meeting Bryce’s eyes. “A dollar for the whole night. Three if I
gotta take all my clothes off.”

The boy had
misunderstood his intent. What the boy suggested made his stomach roil with
nausea. No one should have to sell their body to live if they didn’t want to.
Even in these difficult times, a person could find suitable work if they really
wanted. He thought of Bethany. She’d enjoyed such a profession, had reveled in
the various attentions paid to her. Every movement the boy made indicated a
clear lack of enthusiasm. Bryce’s protective nature surfaced. He tried to tamp
it down by reminding himself of the boy’s crimes.

Bryce slapped five
silver dollars on the table. The boy looked like he could use the money. The
man beside him snickered. Bryce ignored him. He wanted the boy alone, so he
could make his accusations and get answers. This just seemed like the best way.

The boy looked at the
money, raised his head, and glanced at the bartender. “Which room, Harry?”

“Second on the left
is unoccupied.” Harry took the coins, stuffed them into his pocket and gave the
boy twenty five cents. That sickened Bryce even more. Through it all, the boy
never looked his way, had no idea whom he’d be entertaining tonight.

Bryce followed him
upstairs. A cockroach scurried out of the way when he opened the door. Bryce
grimaced at the filth but said nothing. The boy walked in, threw a log on the
fire, and took off his shirt. Bryce would have stopped him, but the bruises
upon this boy’s skin arrested his attention. Bryce closed the door, and locked
it, pocketing the key.

The click of the lock
made the unkempt waif finally turn to look at Bryce. It took a minute for
recognition to set in. Sad brown eyes rounded and his Adam’s apple bobbed, but
he made no sound.

“Your name, son,”
Bryce said quietly.

“No need for names.”

“I’m not going to
spend the time I paid for calling you boy. Your name.”

“Pete.”

“Pete, I guess you
know why I’m here.” Bryce meandered toward the grimy window, blocking the only
avenue of escape.

Pete nodded.

“I want answers.” He
braced his feet and folded his arms. “I think you can help me.”

“I ain’t talkin’.”

“You threw a rock
that busted the window of a very nice lady. After seeing you like this, I’m
thinking someone paid you to do it.”

“Look. You paid for
me to service you. Nothin’ else.” Pete unbuttoned his pants.

“I paid for your
time. As the customer, I get to say how this time will be spent. We’re going to
spend it talking.”

The boy shrugged.
“Suit yourself. I’m a good listener.”

Stubborn cuss. Pete
plopped onto the bed and his gaze settled on a piece of torn wallpaper. He
wouldn’t meet Bryce’s eyes. The set of his thin shoulders indicated pride, and
Bryce realized whatever events set him on this path, it hadn’t yet broken this
boy’s spirit.

“How old are you?”

“Fourteen.”

Bryce sauntered
closer. Pete’s bruised skin stretched taut against his ribs. It had been awhile
since he’d seen a decent meal. Bryce eased onto the bed next to Pete and
reached out to turn the boy, so he could assess the damage. Pete tensed,
obviously expecting another beating to loosen his tongue. Red welts covered his
back. A few areas still bled.

“Who did this to
you?”

“Don’t matter.”

“It matters to me.”
Bryce touched one of the welts, and Pete flinched. “No one should abuse you
like that.”

Pete shrugged.

“How much were you
paid to throw that rock?”

“A whole twenty
dollars, more money than I usually make in a month,” Pete said with some pride.

“What did you do with
the money?”

“The man what keeps
me found out about it and took it all,” Pete growled.

“Harry?”

Pete nodded. “He had
to fight me to get it, though.”

“I see. Why do you
stay?”

“I ran once. Harry
found me, beat me so bad, I almost died. I got well and ran again. This time he
took it out on my sister. I told him I’d stay, but only if’n he promised to see
my sister married off.” Pete’s shoulders sagged. “He kept his promise. Now, I
gotta keep mine.”

Bryce swallowed hard.
He thought about Charley and her upbringing. Charley was luckier than most. At
least, she’d never been physically abused, though her scars probably ran just
as deep.

“You stay right
here.” Bryce made a quick decision. “I’m still on the clock, so don’t move. I
won’t be cheated out of my full time. You just sit a spell, and I’ll be right
back.”

Bryce stomped down
the stairway, rounded the corner, and grabbed Harry by his shirtfront. Without
batting an eye, he threw down a wad of bills. “The boy. I want him permanently.
This is payment.”

He dropped his hand
from Harry’s shirt. Harry grabbed for the money and tallied the amount. Bryce
took out a piece of paper and wrote a few words on it. He shoved it under
Harry’s nose. “Sign it.”

Harry shoved the cash
into his pocket and scanned the short contract. “Says here I can’t even visit
with him. He’s my kid.”

“Not anymore. That
money you just pocketed says he’s mine. That paper you’re gonna sign gives me
all legal rights to the boy. I don’t want you anywhere near him.”

“That ain’t right.”
Harry pushed the contract away.

Bryce laid his hand
suggestively on the hilt of his gun. “We could negotiate another way.”

“No...No. That’s all
right. I’m happy with this agreement.” Harry retrieved the piece of paper and attached
a signature.

Bryce smiled. Harry obviously
possessed very few, if any, morals. Slowly, Bryce folded the document and put
it into his vest pocket. He climbed the rickety stairs, feeling Harry’s hard
stare with every step. When he entered the dingy room again, he locked the door
and went to investigate the window. Luckily, the location of the window offered
a wonderful means of escape. He didn’t trust Harry not to arrange a different
outcome for their agreement when Bryce tried to leave with Pete.

“Put your shirt on.”
Bryce tossed Pete the wrinkled garment.

Pete obeyed without
protest. “What now?”

“Now, we leave.” He
struggled with the window, forcing the swollen wood to slide open.

“Leave?”

Bryce turned back to
Pete, withdrew the paper, and showed it to him. Pete shook his head. “I can’t
cipher letters, Mister.”

“You’re no longer
Harry’s responsibility. You’re now mine. I’m gonna buy you a train ticket
that’ll take you to Kansas City then to Ft. Worth. I’ll give you enough money,
so you can make your way to Brownwood from there. It’ll be your choice. You can
go to Brownwood where my brother, William, will give you a decent job, or you
can squander the funds and find yourself out on the streets again. All I want
in return is the man who paid you to throw that rock.”

For one brief minute,
hope shone in the boy’s eyes only to be dashed when Bryce offered his
conditions. The boy hung his head and stared at the floor. “Might as well get
your money back. I ain’t got no name to give you.”

“A description will
do.”

Pete’s face
brightened. “I can do that. Yes sir, I can tell you what he looked like.” Pete
gave him a full description including how the man smelled and how he sounded.
Bryce couldn’t have hoped for more. “He also had this right pretty gold ring on
his pinky finger. I wouldn’t have thought too much of it, but most men don’t
wear no rings on their pinkies like he did.”

Bryce smiled back.
The kid was a fighter. He’d send William a telegram tomorrow. In the meantime,
he now had a solid lead to check on, one he hoped would yield results. Pete
didn’t know it, but he’d offered valuable information that could put an end to
Kaitlin’s troubles.

Fifteen

“Aren’t you going to
set your lunch on the stage for auction?” Bryce asked.

Kaitlin gave him a
glaring look. “No.”

He appeared way too
handsome today in his dress clothing. The tailored suit jacket emphasized his
wide shoulders and set off the color of his dark, brown eyes. Now that she knew
him better, she had a difficult time thinking of him as just Charley’s uncle.

“How will a potential
beau bet on it, if it isn’t up front with the others?”

He’d asked the
question innocently enough. Kaitlin shrugged. “He won’t. I’ve never put my
basket on display with everyone else’s. I prefer my own company to that of some
pompous male who thinks he has the right to call upon me just because he won my
basket.” Kaitlin wasn’t about to tell Bryce the real reason. She knew without a
doubt no one would bid on hers. To see her lone basket left for no one to claim
would touch a very sensitive nerve. She hadn’t set herself up for that kind of
hurt in the past, and she certainly wasn’t going to set herself up now.

She noted Bryce’s
avid interest in the maidens walking up front with their bounty. He’d been at
the house for three and a half weeks and to church the past two Sundays; this
being the third. It seemed he flirted with a different girl each weekend. Today
would be no different. He looked as if he debated which decorated container
held the most promise.

She stared at the
frilly creations. Let him pick one to bid on. That was just fine by her. She
didn’t want to share her lunch with him anyway.

The church sponsored
the event once a month to help raise funds. Rather than submit herself to close
scrutiny and probable failure, she donated an amount equal to that of the
lowest bid. In this manner, she gave her support to the Christian community.

“Why is that one all
prettied up with bows and such?” Charley asked as she looked at the array.

“That’s Marcy Klein’s
basket. No doubt she’s got her eye on your uncle. For some reason, she fancies
competition between us. I don’t know her well, but she takes great delight in
besting me at every turn. She’s marched a few times with us, but I don’t think
her heart is with our cause. Marcy’s pretty enough, but very opinionated. She
talks all the time and loves to gossip.”

“Oh. If I ever marry,
I’m gonna marry rich.”

“What about love?”

“Love doesn’t exist.
My momma said so.”

Kaitlin had no
rebuttal for that one, having never experienced the emotion herself. Without
proof, she couldn’t very well tell Charley differently.

“Mr. Stanton.” Farley
Kaufmann came up from behind to offer his greetings. “It’s good of you to join
us for church.”

By his side stood a
very beautiful woman. Kaitlin had seen her before on many an occasion but had
never met her. She peered at the woman curiously, noting the woman’s obvious
interest in Bryce.

“Bryce, I hoped to
see you again. Is this the lovely young woman you’re staying with?” The woman
wore a stunning dress of lavender silk trimmed in black lace. She tiled her
head and gave Kaitlin a gentle smile.

Kaitlin looked from
side to side, wondering if the creature meant the compliment for her.

“Emma, this is
Kaitlin Kanatzer. You might recognize the name from the newspaper. She’s head
of the suffragist movement that’s giving your fiancé fits.” Bryce patted
Kaitlin’s shoulder.

“Ah. Pleased to make
your acquaintance,” Emma replied. Her sultry voice hit a raw spot on Kaitlin’s
nerves, but she couldn’t fathom the reason behind her sudden animosity. “I’ve
seen you with Bryce the past two Sundays and was curious.”

Farley stepped
forward to complete the introductions. “Miss Kanatzer, this is my fiancée, Emma
Hood. I understand that she and Bryce know each other from way back.”

Kaitlin stared
curiously at the two of them. So this was the young woman Bryce hoped to court
when he first came to Denver. She had wondered what became of the courtship.
Now she knew. Emma greeted everyone graciously, giving no hint as to what she
really thought. Bryce, on the other hand, had a tight look upon his
well-groomed features. Kaitlin should feel sorry for the man, but instead she
found herself glad Emma was no longer available to tempt him.

“Uncle Bryce, ain’t
that the lady you said you planned to marry?” Charley blurted.

Bryce’s blush sent
out an alarm that could have been seen for miles. To Emma’s credit, she reacted
with subtle compassion. “I’m sure you’re mistaken, Charley. Bryce and I are
just good friends.”

“But he said...”

“Charley, why don’t
you find us a place to sit and take this basket with you.” Kaitlin shoved the
container of food into Charley’s arms. Hopefully giving Charley this chore
would take the child’s mind from her uncle’s failed courtship.

“This seems strange.
I ain’t never had a picnic inside before,” Charley mumbled as she took the woven
container of food.

“If it weren’t so
cold outside, we wouldn’t have to eat in the church. During the fall and
winter, we just sit in the pews.”

Charley pulled at the
bow in her hair. “I’d rather stay and talk.”

Kaitlin gave her a
pointed look. “I’m sure you would, but if you don’t get us a seat, we might
have to eat on the floor, and that would be highly uncomfortable.”

Charley’s brows
lifted. “Oh, I get it. You just want to get rid of me for a spell. I can take a
hint.”

Bryce tugged at his
necktie. Charley scampered off with their lunch. Farley cleared his throat, and
Emma smiled.

“She says the oddest
things sometimes,” Bryce began.

“I was flattered,”
Emma said.

“So, Mr. Stanton,
will you be staying on for a while longer?” Farley asked, his mood less jovial
than before. Obviously, he’d taken Charley’s comment to heart.

“At least a month,
maybe two. I plan to stay long enough for Charley to get to know her aunt.”

Kaitlin didn’t like
the idea of talking to Farley for any length of time, so she did the best she
could to excuse them from the man’s annoying presence. “Come along, Bryce.
They’re beginning the auction now. Mr. Kaufmann, I expect we’ll see you next
week, but I’m giving you fair notice. My suffragist group will be at your
political rally in force.”

“Thank you for the
warning.” Farley inclined his head. “I’ll be prepared to answer your questions
as honestly as I can. My opponent, John Routt, has the advantage of incumbency,
so I’ll need all the support I can get.”

“Honest, my foot,”
Kaitlin muttered when Farley and his fiancée stepped out of earshot. “That man
is a weasel. Mr. Routt would have my vote if women could vote. He’s more
sympathetic to our cause, and he seems to have Colorado’s best interests at
heart, whereas Kaufmann is just trying to capitalize on Colorado’s new
statehood. He doesn’t care about the issues or the people. He just wants to
line his pockets.”

“And of course,
you’re right on all of the issues.” Bryce took her elbow and steered her toward
Charley. “You can’t possibly be wrong, can you?”

“What do you know?
You’re from Texas. You can’t possibly relate to issues that only concern those
of us in Colorado.”

“You’re wrong.” He
squeezed her elbow. “If one state votes in favor of issues that affect all of
us in the nation, other states might follow suit. Your suffrage movement, for
example, is gainin’ popularity in several areas. Temperance is another issue
other states are dealin’ with at the moment. I might herd cows for a livin’,
but that doesn’t mean I don’t care about other things.”

“Forgive me.” He’d
sounded peeved. She hadn’t meant to belittle him in any way. “I didn’t mean to
accuse you of being shallow.”

“Apology accepted.
Now you owe me one.”

Kaitlin’s eyebrows
lifted in question.

He continued. “For
not allowin’ me the pleasure of biddin’ on your basket, and for cheatin’ all of
these other eager bachelors out of the pleasure.” To her disconcertment, he
winked at her.

“If I understand
correctly, you’re in the market for a wife. I, on the other hand, am not in the
market for a husband.” She smoothed a nonexistent wrinkle from her flowered
frock. “You would be defeating your purpose in bidding on my basket.”

“Ah heck, Katy, I’m
tired of lockin’ horns with you.” He fixed his gaze on the front of the
sanctuary where the reverend arranged the baskets. “Sometimes, I really like
you, and other times, I could shake you ’til your teeth rattle out. You’d be a
fine catch for any man. You just have to give ’em a chance.”

The Reverend Barker
began the proceedings, saving her from answering. If he really wanted to have
lunch with her, he didn’t have to bid on any of the baskets up there. Had he
even thought about that?

“Gather ’round,
gents. These young ladies have worked mighty hard at preparing meals fit for
kings,” the Reverend Barker announced.

Forgetting their
previous argument, Bryce leaned over and whispered in her ear. His warm breath
against her neck caused goose bumps to dance along her skin. “It’s amazin’ what
a little gold dust will do for a town. This church is so large compared to our
small sanctuary back home. I’m stunned at the number of folks that always show
up for services.”

“Denver continues to
grow. The local newspaper hailed it as the second largest city in the west next
to San Francisco,” Kaitlin boasted.

The bidding began in
earnest, and several baskets became spoken for before Bryce made his first
attempt. Kaitlin gave him an uneasy look when she realized he’d bid on Marcy
Klein’s basket. She’d entertained a fraction of hope he would decline from
participating in the event and join her and Charley for lunch. She should have
known better. A virile man like himself would want a pretty woman by his side
to share this meal, one who might qualify as wife material. But Marcy?

She glanced back and
found Charley in one of the center pews. Not wanting to see whether Bryce won
or not, she sauntered back and took a seat. She stared at the contents of her
own basket with diminished appetite while Charley dragged parcels of food out
to spread between them.

The pew creaked, and
Kaitlin looked up to see Bryce slide in beside her with Marcy next to him on
the other side. Kaitlin froze. The chicken she chewed on tasted like sawdust.
Watching Bryce simper over another woman made her uncomfortable and irritable.

“Hey, Uncle Bryce,
Aunt Kate made homemade biscuits just the way I like them.” Charley held up a
biscuit, leaning around Kaitlin, so she could show him.

“Looks mighty good. I
bet Miss Marcy has a basket full of tasty goodies also,” he said as he untied
the various ribbons holding the parcel closed against prying eyes.

“Why Mr. Stanton,
your hands are so big. Why don’t you let me do that for you? After all, you
were so kind to offer for my basket and all. It’s the least I can do.” Marcy
batted her eyes. Kaitlin rolled hers heavenly, deciding to pay closer attention
to her own meal.

“So where did you say
you came from? Texas? I have an uncle from Texas. You might have heard of him.
He owns a big spread north of Abilene called the Sandy Point Ranch. He runs
mostly longhorns. I don’t hear from him often, but...” Marcy’s voice droned on
as she related one story after another of her uncle’s escapades. Kaitlin wanted
to laugh later when Bryce turned his head her way and caught her eye. He hadn’t
been able to say a word once Marcy started talking, and from past experience,
she knew he never would. It served him right, she thought, a little spitefully.

Charley leaned over
after finishing off the last of the chicken. “Miss Marcy, don’t it hurt to talk
that much? You haven’t even taken a breath since you started. No wonder you’re
so skinny. You don’t have time to eat.”

Marcy’s mouth clamped
tight. A burst of laughter escaped Kaitlin’s lips. She brought her hand to her
mouth, trying not to choke on the bite of potato salad she still chewed on.

“Charley, that’s a
rude thing to say,” Bryce chastised, amusement evident in his tone of voice.

“Sorry, Miss Marcy. I
meant no offense. I just don’t see how you can eat for talking so much.”

Marcy peered at
Kaitlin with a disapproving frown. “If I didn’t know better, I’d think you
purposefully had that child bait me. Perhaps it would be best if you take what
you want out of my basket, Bryce, and I find somewhere else to sit.”

“I’m much obliged for
the food, and...”

“Here, take another
helping of potatoes, and here’s another slice of ham. I baked them both fresh
last night, and the pie’s one I whipped up this morning. Perhaps you’ll call
upon me when you aren’t burdened by bratty children.” It took Marcy another
fifteen minutes to say goodbye. As soon as she left, a look of utter relief
swept over Bryce’s features, and both Charley and Kaitlin dissolved into a fit
of giggles. Bryce gave them a disgruntled look before joining them.

“You can’t say I
didn’t warn you,” Kaitlin said, wiping tears of mirth from her eyes.