Quicksilver Passion (156 page)

Keso made a noise as if he was considering.
If she’s no older than that, she’s a little big for her age.”

Big like me
, Cherokee thought,
and part Indian
. He’d had a feeling in Buckskin Joe that Doc was holding something back, something he wasn’t telling Cherokee. And now he knew what it was.

He stood listening, so torn with emotions, he didn’t know what to do. The piano and her high, sweet voice drifted on the still air. His heart told him to run into the Palace, and sweep them both up in his arms. On the other hand, Silver was evidently as rich and successful as ever if she could afford a governess for their child. What could he—a blind man with little money—offer her, unless he managed to get back what the big cracker had stolen? No, he couldn’t burden Silver. He almost wished he had not found her. To be so close and not be able to take her in his arms, carry her off, and make love to her was more than he could stand.

Come on, Keso, let’s get away from here.”

Wait, boss, that man you were askin’ about—he just came out of the Palace.”

Jake Dallinger?”

Yep, he’s walking off down the street now.”

And suddenly Cherokee remembered where he had heard that name before; Iron Knife had mentioned him. Surely Silver wouldn’t be mixed up with a bad hombre like that. A thought occured to him.
Keso, do you suppose he was just having a drink?”

Don’t think so. The Palace ain’t open in the mornings.”

Silver was singing again, a Stephen Foster song, the haunting, sad words drifting on the air.

I dream of Jeannie with the light
brown
hair . . .”

He had to be close to her if only for a moment.
Keso let’s go over there.”

You sure, boss?”

He nodded and they crossed the street slowly. Cherokee stood in front of the bat-wing doors, listening to the piano, the high sweet voice with a little girl’s joining in. Oh God, if he could only see them!

Keso, you stay right here. I’m going just inside the door.” He had to see her. He had to!

Cherokee went in. With his blurred vision, he was aware of shapes like a stairway and poker tables. He could smell the usual saloon smells of whiskey and stale cigar smoke.

And then he saw the outline of the two at a piano in the shadows. If only they would move out into the light. If only he could see better.

...
many were the sweet notes her merry voice would pour, many were the blithe birds that warbled them o’er . . .”

Her voice drew him like a moth to a flame. He must not let her see him, pity him. He was too proud to accept her charity. And besides, Silver must have changed since he had know her. The Silver he knew had a reputation for running a clean card game. No one was ever cheated or mugged when she ran the Nugget. Had she gotten mixed up with Jake Dallinger?

Everything in him wanted to go to her, and take her in his arms. But he loved her too much to be a burden to her. He turned and hurried toward the daylight of the door. And in his haste, he stumbled over a chair.

By damn! He ran outside.
Keso, get me out of here quick!”