Kaitlin's Silver Lining (4 page)

“Well?” Bryce clearly
expected a response.

She crumpled the
note, crammed it in her skirt pocket, and began sweeping at the shards of
glass. “A prank. It was just a senseless prank.”

“Well, if that was a
senseless prank, then we can all expect to see a herd of doggies sprout wings.”
His voice held a note of irritation.

She kept the broom in
motion, fearing he would read the lie in her eyes. She needed many things, but
she didn’t need the intrusion of this stranger into her business.

Without warning, his
hand shot out and grabbed the broom. Her head snapped up, incredulous he would
dare such a high-handed maneuver.

“What gives you the
right to manhandle me like that, Mr. Stanton?”

“I reckon it’s that
guilty look you’ve got plastered on your face.” His gaze held accusation. Gone
was the polite cowboy who’d knocked on her door. Before her stood a hard man, a
man determined to unravel the mystery. “That note? That wasn’t your first, was
it? You’ve had other threats, haven’t you?”

“Now, see here...”

He let go of the
broom. Urgent strides carried him past her and toward the parlor. She rushed
after him. He located the stack of unopened mail. Realizing what he intended,
she dropped the broom and grabbed his arm. Muscles rippled beneath her
ineffective hold.

“Uncle Bryce!”
Charley exclaimed. Her youthful enthusiasm seemed to distract him from his
purpose but only for a moment.

“Charley. You look
well rested.” His mood seemed to lighten. “Did you and your aunt have a nice
visit?”

“No. She’s rude.”
Charley threw her arms about his waist. “I don’t wanna stay here, Bryce.
Please, don’t make me.”

“Maybe, she’ll let
both of us stay. Would that suit you better, Charley?” He put his hand on her
back.

“Maybe.” Charley
didn’t look pleased.

Kaitlin puffed out
her chest, startled he would even suggest such a thing. “Well, it doesn’t suit
me, Mr. Stanton. First of all, I don’t have the room, and secondly, it would be
highly improper.”

In answer, he held up
one of her unopened pieces of mail and raised a brow. He ripped open the
envelope and looked at the contents:
Leave Denver or else.
He dropped
the note to open another.
Leave Denver or else.
Tearing into several
more, he found the same threatening note with very little variation.

Kaitlin stood mute,
her arms folded across her chest. He broke open each piece of hate mail. She’d
left these letters unopened on purpose, knowing what she would find. The
policeman she’d summoned after receiving the first note had offered very little
help. He had patronized her, patting her hand and telling her that these things
were to be expected.

Expected?
Just
because she voiced her strong opinion concerning alcohol and women’s rights
didn’t mean she wanted to be the target for some cruel bully.

~*~

When a pile of the
offensive notes littered the floor, Bryce turned to her. Why would anyone
threaten a woman in this manner? He studied her chagrined features. Kaitlin was
an odd character. He’d expected her to be a beautiful replica of Bethany with
some of the same features and pretty attributes. When she’d re-entered the
room, clean and dressed in a simple but prim frock of pale green, Bryce’s
imagined vision turned out to be quite plain. No, that wasn’t an apt
description at all. Homely might better describe the woman before him. Homely,
but with striking features.

Frizzy brown curls
framed an oval face. A large nose sat between two almond-shaped eyes more
violet than blue. Her lips were fuller than average, and when she smiled, a
slight gap sat between her two front teeth.

Yet, as she stood
before him, proud and undaunted by the hate that crashed through her window, he
felt a connection. He’d been raised to cherish women, and this woman clearly
needed help.

His eyes swept over
Charley. They both needed him. Charley was the reason he was here in the first
place. Kaitlin wouldn’t be happy with his plan, but then, he was just stubborn
enough to insist.

“Ma’am. ’Pears to me
you need protection.”

She ignored his
suggestion as she rattled on about the unopened mail. “I figured if I didn’t
open them, I wouldn’t know what they said, and it wouldn’t affect me. I never
thought someone would break my window to make a point.”

“Do you know who’s
behind this?”

“No. Lots of people
would like to see us leave. I’m not very popular with some of our citizens. My
group of suffragists has made quite a few enemies in our quest to shut down
saloons and gain women the vote.”

Shut
down saloons?
No wonder those yahoos doused her with molasses. Only a very brave
soul or a very stupid one would dare threaten man’s haven from quarrelsome
wives and underpaid jobs.

“Well, that settles
it.” He folded his arms across his chest.

“Settles what?”

“I’m stayin’ here.”
His mouth quirked in a half smile. “I’ll bed down on the floor if’n I have to,
but I’m not leavin’ Charley unprotected, and it’s clear to me you need help.”

“But...”

“With me here, I can
watch the place, see if any strangers start lurking around.”

She set her fists on
her hips. “You can take Charley with you to a hotel in town and visit anytime
you like if you’re so concerned about her being here.”

“I brought her to
Denver, so she could spend time with you. She can’t very well do that holed up
in a hotel most of the day.”

“Mr. Stanton,
really...”

He gave her his most
charismatic smile then winked. “Can’t argue with a stubborn cowboy, Miss
Kanatzer. Find me a blanket and pillow. Best resign yourself to the fact I’m
stayin’.”

Three

Kaitlin held her
mouth ajar. Unfortunately, the incredulous look she gave Mr. Stanton didn’t
seem to ruffle his determination. Of all the high-handed maneuvers, his took
the cake. She picked up the broom while she pondered her next words.

“Mr. Stanton, I
appreciate your concern, but we need to clarify a few things here.”

“I’m all ears.”

Her gaze darted to his
ears, and she wanted to argue that point. His ears were perfectly shaped and
complemented his square jaw.

Kaitlin turned to
Charley. “Charley, there’s a jar of cookies in the kitchen you’re welcome to.
You’ll find glasses in the cupboard, and there’s fresh-squeezed lemonade in a
pitcher on the counter.”

“If that’s my cue to
leave, so the two of you can talk about me, I’d rather stay,” Charley said. The
mature remark caught Kaitlin by surprise.

“Earlier, you said
you were hungry.”

She clutched her lower
abdomen and grimaced. “That’s before my stomach started hurting again.”

“Charley, go to the
kitchen and give us some time to talk.” Bryce gave Charley a pointed glare.

Charley stalked off
to the kitchen as directed.

“Really, Mr.
Stanton.” Kaitlin leaned her weight on the broom. “Today has been too much. You
can’t just dump a child on a person without forewarning.”

Mr. Stanton picked up
the one letter he hadn’t torn open yet, the one he’d written some months back.
“Beggin’ pardon, ma’am, but I believe this is your forewarnin’.”

She snagged the
letter from his hand. “Even so, you don’t know anything about me. While I want
the best for Charley, I’m just not equipped to take on a child.”

He gave her a lazy
smile, and his gaze roamed her figure. “’Pears like you’re well equipped to
me.”

She pointed the broom
at him. “That remark was uncalled for.”

He made her
uncomfortably aware of her shortcomings. She thought she’d gotten past her lack
of self-confidence, but Charley’s sudden appearance and this man’s keen regard
had brought her feelings of inadequacy to the forefront once more.

“You’ve got more
bristles than that broom you’re clutchin’.” He took the broom from her hands
and set it aside. “Maybe you’re right, Miss Kanatzer. I’m not so sure Charley
needs a stodgy aunt. Charley doesn’t want a keeper, she just needs female
guidance.”

“What do you mean by
stodgy aunt?” She leaned toward him and furrowed her brow. She wanted to stomp
her foot in anger but refrained from the childish gesture.

He expelled warm
breath and stepped back. “I think maybe you and me got on the wrong horse. I
brought Charley here because you’re her only family, at least, the only family
I know of. Charley’s a young lady in desperate need of somethin’ I can’t give
her. I assumed you’d welcome her into your home.”

“What is your
relationship to Charley?”

“Can we sit? It’s
been a long day.”

Kaitlin inclined her
head and followed him to the settee. She took a seat opposite him.

“Well?” She couldn’t
keep the impatience from her voice.

“Bethany and I were
friends.”

“I’m sure.” Her brow
arched in disdain. Bethany’s chosen profession had broken her father’s heart.
“Bethany liked male friends. Is Charley your daughter?”

“Hell no.”

Her eyes widened at
his use of profanity, but she refrained from correcting him. Instead, she
asked, “Do you know who her father is?”

“No, and I doubt we
ever will, but I know for a fact it wasn’t me.”

“So, how...”

“Bryce! Uncle Bryce.”
Charley came into the room, clutching her stomach, tears streaming down her
face. “My stomach really hurts, now.”

He jumped up from the
settee. Rushing to Charley’s side, he knelt down. Kaitlin came up behind them
and peered down at the girl. Charley held her hands just below her abdomen.

“Tell me how it
hurts, Charley.” His gentleness surprised Kaitlin.

“I don’t know. It
just hurts. Bad.”

His large hand
cradled her forehead, searching for fever. “You got a doctor close I can take
her to?”

“I’m not sure she
needs...”

“Make it stop, Uncle
Bryce,” Charley cried, bending double.

He whipped around to
glare at Kaitlin. “She’s hurtin’. She needs a doctor!”

Kaitlin knelt down
beside the two of them. Placing her hand on Charley’s shoulder, she asked, “Do
you feel sick, like you’re going to throw up?”

Her pigtails bobbed
from side to side as she shook her head no. If this was just an act to gain
sympathy from Mr. Stanton, she was doing a supreme job. Kaitlin searched
Charley’s pinched features for signs of deceit, but all she found was a sincere
display of pain.

Understanding dawned.
She wondered if she should ask Mr. Stanton to give her some time alone with
Charley. On the other hand, knowing his penchant for stubborn behavior, she
doubted he would take the hint. If he were going to be the primary guardian for
this young girl, he would need the education she was about to give them both.

Ignoring Mr. Stanton,
Kaitlin continued, “Charley, is it a sharp pain or a dull pain?”

“Both. Make it go
away.” Her face flushed with anguish.

Mr. Stanton stood up
and walked over to the hall tree to fetch Charley’s coat. “We’re wastin’ time.
She’s gotta go see a doctor. She started complainin’ some on the way here, but
I figured it was just nerves.”

Kaitlin’s eyes met
his. Tamping down her embarrassment, she replied, “I think this is one of those
times you were worrying over. Charley doesn’t need a doctor for what ails her.
I suspect she’s just started her monthlies. If you’ll excuse us, I’ll see
Charley taken care of.”

Color flooded his
cheeks, and he cleared his throat. “She’s too young, ain’t she? My sister
didn’t get her first visit ’til she was fifteen. She caused quite a ruckus when
it happened.” He gave a rueful smile. “None of the men knew how to handle the
situation.”

She smiled at his
unguarded display of embarrassment and his candid revelation. “While eleven is
a mite young, it’s not unheard of. If I remember correctly, her mother was an
early bloomer. If you’ll trust me to take Charley upstairs for a minute, I can
confirm my suspicions.”

To his credit, he
made no derogatory comment, but accepted her diagnosis at face value. He hung
the coat again while Kaitlin ushered Charley up the stairs to a bedroom. En
route, Kaitlin accepted the truth of Mr. Stanton’s argument. Charley was her
niece, her responsibility now that Bethany was gone, and Charley needed her.

~ *
~

“How is she?” Bryce
asked when Kaitlin came down the stairs.

“She’s resting. The
first time for a girl is always traumatic.” Kaitlin met his eyes straight on,
and he admired her diplomacy in handling a delicate situation.

Bryce nodded. His
sister’s first time had caught them all unawares. Traumatic was an
understatement. She’d carried on like she was dying. They had lost their mother
when Julia was just five, so he and his brothers helped his father raise her.
Growing up in the male-dominated arena had been difficult for Julia, and he
didn’t want that for Charley.

“Thank you.” Not many
of the women he knew would speak of such a personal matter with a complete
stranger.

“Kaitlin?” Maggie
called out. Her timing couldn’t have been better. He bowed his head, indicating
Kaitlin should answer. She called back in kind, directing Maggie to meet them
in the parlor.

With her gaze
averted, he let his eyes travel the length of her. What Kaitlin Kanatzer lacked
in beauty, she made up for in feminine curves. Full chested with a tiny waist,
Kaitlin had a very impressive figure. Bryce would give his best pair of boots
to be able to see through the layers of material that hid a luscious body.

“I found a policeman,
but I don’t know what you expect him to do about...” Maggie began but trailed
off when her eyes settled on Bryce.

“As you can see, Mr.
Stanton wasn’t the culprit.” Kaitlin stood to meet the policeman, and Bryce
followed suit.

“Mind tellin’ me what
happened here? Miss McGuire told me some, but I can see she didn’t have all her
facts squared away.” A stockily built, middle-aged man followed Maggie into the
room. The badge and uniform indicated his status as a member of the Denver
Police Force.

“Bryce Stanton.”
Bryce held out his hand, which the man shook with ease and confidence.

“Dan Cochran. You
aren’t related to William Stanton, by any chance?”

“Does a rattler have
venom? That rascal’s my older brother. So how do you know him?”

“We were on a trail
drive together some years back. He was a good hand, got along with everyone.”

William? “He ain’t
like that now. He’s a cranky hombre these days.” Bryce arched a brow. The stern
man he called brother couldn’t get along with anyone. William had become a
controlling tyrant, worse than their father had been. Traveling to Colorado had
given him a break from William’s heavy thumb. Finding Charley’s aunt had given
him a valid excuse to accomplish three things: find an alternate home for
Charley, rekindle his friendship with Emma, and take a breather from family.

“Sorry to hear that.
So, what brings you to these parts?”

Kaitlin stepped
forward. “Mr. Stanton brought news of my sister’s death.”

“My condolences,
ma’am. So, what can you tell me about the window?” Cochran asked, nodding in
the direction of the hallway. A definite chill had infiltrated the room now
that a gaping hole let in the elements.

Kaitlin opened her
mouth to speak, but Bryce interrupted. He didn’t trust Kaitlin to give the man
the full story that included a pile of evidence, so to speak. Short and to the
point, Bryce laid out the details. Both women remained quiet during his
recounting of the event.

Cochran scratched his
balding pate. “I don’t rightly know what you expect me to do about this.”

“We want you to catch
the culprit, Mr. Cochran,” Maggie said.

“Well now, that may
be harder than you think. A half dozen folks have reason to see the two of you
put out of business. I just don’t have the manpower to conduct a full
investigation.”

“I did get a rather
quick look at the man’s face,” Bryce said.

“I tell you what. You
come on down to the station. We started capturing mugs the first of the year.
We have Alan Pinkerton to thank for the idea. Although we don’t have many, the
practice being fairly new and all, you can have a look-see at what we do have.”

“Mugs?”

“Faces.” He gave them
a sheepish grin. “It’s a theater term that my mom used quite frequently since
she considered herself something of an actress. We’ve been taking photographs
of any scoundrels we arrest just to keep a catalogue handy.” He scratched his
chin. “Anyway, you might get lucky. That way we’d have a name to go by, someone
to look for. Otherwise, I can’t do much for you.”

Bryce understood the
policeman’s position. Short of watching the place day and night in hopes this
anonymous miscreant would strike again, there probably wasn’t a whole heck of a
lot anyone could do. He doubted he’d find the man responsible in a group of
photographs.

Their dilemma only
strengthened his resolve. Kaitlin was sure to put up a fuss. Maggie, on the
other hand, seemed more reasonable, more likely to accept his offer of help. Ah
well, he’d just have to charm them both into seeing things his way.

He turned toward Maggie.
“Before you got back, I offered to stay with the two of you. I reckon I can
provide protection in the event this happens again.”

Maggie beamed at him.
“That’s awful nice of you, Mr. Stanton, but this isn’t your fight.”

“I know that, ma’am,
but Charley’s my responsibility. I brought her here to meet her aunt. I want
her to stay and get to know Miss Kanatzer, but I don’t feel right leavin’ her
here if it ain’t safe.”

Kaitlin pursed her
lips. “Back on up there, cowboy. There’s something bothering me about this
whole deal, so let’s get a few things straight before we make any major
decisions.”

“Like I said before,
I’m all ears.”

“Just who is
Charley’s legal guardian?”

Bryce stumbled over
the answer. How would it look to this woman when he told her the truth? “That
would be me.”

“I see. So you
brought your ward, your responsibility all the way to Denver from Texas to drop
her off at my house, to an aunt you know nothing about?”

He scratched his
head. “Sounds right bad put in that light. You don’t sugarcoat your words, do
you?” He scrunched his face and lifted his brows.

“The truth, Mr.
Stanton.”

He blew out a stream
of air and sighed. “Charley made such a nuisance of herself back at the ranch,
William pressured me into doin’ something with the girl. I remembered Bethany
had a sister, and I hoped, bein’ family, you’d want to help. Charley needs
things only a woman can teach her.”