Quicksilver Passion (25 page)

Phash! I kin recognize every man jack who has a claim up here from a distance. The others don’t have any business nosin’ around.”

Cherokee started to point out again that Bill had almost shot his own partner, then shrugged and started toward the cabin. He’d have to watch the trigger-happy old man.

The day seemed long to Silver. She looked forward to sundown. There was less time to think when the Nugget held a noisy crowd. But when she put on the silver-heeled slippers, she couldn’t keep her mind off the half-breed. That night she danced as she had never danced before and the men shouted in unison:
Silver Heels! Silver Heels! Silver Heels!”

If nothing else, Cherokee Evans had given her a new nickname. She had a feeling the name would stick for a long time.

But later, it was another troubled night for Silver, although she kept her lamp burning brightly. Every time she dozed off, she dreamed of the rugged half-breed. In her dream, she looked into his face and saw her own reflection in his adoring eyes. Then he reached for her, pulling her into his embrace. She woke up shaking. Why had she dreamed of him? Why couldn’t she forget him? She hated men. She need never let one hurt and humiliate her ever again.

It was her insecurity, that was all. She was so afraid of losing both her beauty and her money. What would happen to her then? Maybe she needed to buy into something besides a saloon. That way if the Nugget caught fire or business went down, she’d still have something for her old age. Maybe she ought to invest in a claim of her own.

That morning Silver had coffee in the empty saloon with Al and brought it up as casually as she could.
I been thinking, maybe putting all my eggs in one basket isn’t such a good idea. Everyone says there’s bound to be a civil war. Maybe all the men will go off to fight and no one will come in the Nugget anymore.”

Al looked at her a long moment, then poured a big slug of his medicine into his coffee. He stirred it and sipped, not saying anything.

Al, you oughta lay off that stuff, it’ll kill you.”

He laughed and winked at her.
I promised my mama I wouldn’t touch liquor, Silver, I told you that before. But these bitters have enough alcohol to suit me. Mama didn’t say nothin’ about taking medicine.”

There was no point in pressing the matter further. She never drank anything but coffee herself, wanting to be cold sober at all times—completely in control. At the Velvet Kitten, Brett had forced whiskey down her throat every night before he took her, so she’d be easier to handle.

Al must have read her thoughts.
Forget Chicago. Don’t think anything but good thoughts, Silver. You look like you haven’t slept a wink.”

Silver started to comment that Al didn’t look so good either. His face seemed a little gray this morning, then she decided it might be her imagination.
I don’t know what I’d do without you, Al.”

Oh, maybe some nice man will come along and take over for me sometime.” He said it a little too brightly.

She shook her head, revolted at the thought.
The others aren’t like you, Al. You know what a husband would want, don’t you?”

Don’t think about it, Silver. I’m here for you as long as you need me. I just keep thinking about the future . . .”

That was something she didn’t want to think about. The future meant time passing. Time passing meant aging. Maybe even Al wouldn’t love her when she was a wrinkled old lady. That brought her back to her original thought.
I’ve been considering making some investments so I wouldn’t have all my eggs in one basket.”