Shadow of Regret (Shadow #3) (13 page)

“And that, dear husband is why she is here.”

Quinn sighed. “I’ll see that she gets the best treatment. I owe her, for when she saved you, she saved my life as well. I don’t think I could have carried on as a normal person if I’d have lost you.”

“Remember what Reverend Martin said? We all must die, and when God says it’s time—”

“Then I’m glad it wasn’t your time.” Quinn picked her up and carried her into the bedroom.

“No sweetness for you tonight, m’lady. You will sleep, but I want to hold you all night. I want to feel you close to me, warm and alive.”

Dora’s shiny red hair glowed, and her complexion without the cosmetics was fair and lovely. “I think you’re beautiful without all that makeup, Dora, and I know you’ll find someone like I have, if you just clean your life up.”

“I just might, Rose.”

Rose was sitting by Dora’s bed, where she usually sat when she read to her, or helped her eat her meals. Dora had smiled at the beautiful roses Quinn had presented her with for saving his beloved wife. Dora had confided to Rose that these days of healing had given her time to think about her life choices. 

Later, Quinn and Rose stood at the foot of Dora’s bed. Quinn kissed the top of Rose’s head as he had a habit of doing frequently, probably because her head was level with his lips.

“How’s the arm, Dora?” Quinn asked.

“Getting better all the time.” She smiled fondly at the couple. “You two are really in love, aren’t you?”

“We are,” Quinn said. “Rose has changed my life.”

“No more drinking and saloon women?”

“Nope. I’m happy to say I am permanently retired from drinking and saloons. But you’re the only saloon woman I truly am thankful for. How can I ever thank you, Dora?”

“Easy. I need a job. I’m quitting the saloons, too. Rose has encouraged me to better myself. She said she could find me an honest job. I could clean, mind a child, or even do farm work. I’m willing to try.” Dora winked at Rose. “Rose has changed my life, too.”

That night when Quinn and Rose were cuddled together in bed, Quinn asked her, “Should we hire Dora? We do need staff.”

“No.” Rose stated firmly. “I love Dora, but I don’t wish to have someone my husband was intimate with working here. You understand, don’t you Quinn?”

Quinn smiled. “I certainly can understand that. Even though I can assure you I don’t remember any of it.”

“You were always drunk?” she asked.

“Yes.”

“I promised her I’d find her a job, and I will,” Rose said.

“You? How?” Quinn frowned, but he knew Rose couldn’t see it in the dark.

“I heard Reverend Martin is in need of staff, given that he has five kids, with another on the way. I think the Martins’ house would be the perfect place for Dora.” Rose wrapped her arms around his neck. “I need some of that sweetness you refused to give me the other night.”

Quinn pulled her closer and kissed her tenderly. “And I always try to give you whatever you want, if I can,” he said. He thought again about how he’d almost lost her, and pulled her so close and tight, he was afraid he might hurt her. “I love you so much,” he said. “Promise me no more dangerous adventures.”

“I’ve permanently retired from dangerous adventures,” she said, and she kissed him with every bit of emotion she was feeling.

“Rose,” he whispered. “Each day I think I couldn't possibly love you more, but the next day I do love you more. You’ve become the light of my life, Rose.”

“I hope that light shines bright forever, Quinn, because I love you just as much. Some days I can’t believe you’re actually mine. For years I had daydreams about being with you. Most of that time you hardly knew I was alive

“I didn’t like Martha because she had you instead of me, but she smiled at me one day, and I decided she wasn’t so bad after all. But when I heard she was expecting, I knew I had to give up my dream of ever being held in your arms or kissed by you.

“I thought that day in the cemetery was my only chance, and I was going to savor it forever. It’s hard for me to comprehend that I have you, and that you’re mine! This,” she caressed his chest, “sturdy, muscular, handsome, blond cowboy is all mine.”

Quinn kissed her passionately, and made sweet love to his Rose.

When Dora was healed, Rose introduced her to Reverend Martin who hired her as a nanny.

Several days later, four women from the Silver Slipper came to visit Rose.

Rose was shocked when she answered the door. “Can I help you ladies?” she asked.

“We wondered if you had any more of that soap that makes shiny hair,” a small brunette said.

Rose invited them in and gave them each a bar of soap. She and her mother had made up a huge batch. After she handed them the soap she expected them to take their leave, but they hesitated instead.

“We also wondered,” the blonde said, “would you be able to get us jobs like you did for Dora?”

“I’d love to try,” Rose said. She led them to the sitting room, and asked her new maid, Heidi, to serve tea. 

While they were having tea and discussing jobs, Quinn walked in. He looked shocked to see the women and stood in the doorway, speechless.

“Hello, Quinn,” they all said in unison.

“Betsy. Deedee. Dotty. Georgia.” Quinn nodded at each one in turn as he said her name.

Rose raised an eyebrow at him. “Well,” she said, “I guess introductions aren’t necessary.”

Quinn approached Rose, picked her up, and swung her around. “And this is the love of my life, my wife.” He smiled.

“You’re a fast thinker,” she whispered. She turned to her guests. “If you ladies will come back in two days, I’ll see what I can do.” She escorted the women to the door.

She returned after they'd left, and gave Quinn a “How could you?” look.

He shrugged. “I knew them from the saloon, I wasn’t ‘with’ all of them.”

Rose tapped her foot. “Well, I’ll try to find them jobs elsewhere.”

Quinn grabbed her and hugged her to him. “You have nothing whatsoever to worry about, you know.”

“I know,” she said. “But I’d still like to hire servants who are a bit older, and somewhat more mature looking.”

Rose was able to place four more saloon women, and she and Quinn were surprised to see two of them, Dora and Betsy, in church that Sunday. All because Reverend Martin had employed both of them as servants in his household.

The following Sunday they saw Deedee and Georgia in church. George Armstrong had employed both of them.

Rose had placed Dotty at the Abilene Hotel as a maid.

Quinn came home from the livery one day and swung Rose around as he kissed her. “I’m so proud of you, Rose. Everyone in town is singing your praises. You’ve created a ministry finding these saloon women jobs in Christian homes.”

“I never planned it; it just happened, Quinn.”

“Well, today the manager of the Abilene Hotel came into the livery, and asked me if my wife had any more women to place. He is hiring in the laundry and housekeeping departments.”

“Really?” Rose couldn’t keep the excitement from her eyes.

“This gave me an idea,” Quinn said. “I’m going to have a small office built onto the side of the livery for you. We can call it 'Rose’s Employment Agency.'”

“Now you’re joking,” she said.

He shook his head. “I’ve already contacted Caleb for the lumber, and the Miller Brothers for the construction. You, my dear, have a gift. You may as well use it.”

“How much should I charge people?”

“The manager offered fifty dollars per new hire you send him. You wouldn’t charge the employee, but the employer.”

Rose smiled. “I could do this!”

“That’s not all. Something else happened as I was leaving today: Mr. Lebold, the president of the bank, needs a cook, and a bank teller. He came to me asking if my wife could provide him with some staff. That's what made me order the lumber.”

“Amazing. Livy, Grace, and a girl name Bonita came in today, asking for jobs.”

“There
is
a downside,” Quinn said, wearing a serious expression.

“What’s that?” she asked.

“The saloons are angry with you. They are all short-staffed now.”

“They’ll have to deal with it,” Rose said.

“The only other downside is that I hope you will still have some time for your husband in your busy day,” Quinn said.

“I’ll always have time for you,” Rose said. “And all day long, I’ll be right next door to you.”

“We’ll have lunch together,” Quinn said.

Six months later.

Rose Iverson’s new business was booming. People came in off the streets, looking for jobs. She placed men into construction jobs, the lumberyards, and even found a teenager a job as gardener for Mr. Lebold.  She continued to place saloon women as well.

Quinn and Rose continued to be happy, but Rose feared her latest news might rock the boat of their marriage. She had put off telling Quinn for fear of his reaction, but now she knew she had no choice. She resolved to tell him that very night.

As they met at their buggy from their respective jobs, Rose cuddled up to Quinn. “Let’s go out for dinner tonight.”

“Where would you like to go? That fancy new place?” Quinn asked.

“No. I think I’d like home cooking today. Pete’s has the best soups.”

“Pete’s it is, then,” Quinn said, kissing her briefly.

Rose smiled. She felt maybe if she told him in a public place, his reaction might be more favorable.

After they were seated and Quinn had put their order in, he took her hand. “I’m surely neglecting you. It’s been ages since I took you out for dinner. My apologies, dear wife.”

“Oh, I enjoy eating at home, too, and I’m sure Heidi will be angry that she's cooked all day and here we are eating out,” Rose said.

“Things are going along so beautifully, Rose. I’m so proud of your business success. Do you enjoy it more than you think you would teaching?”

“Yes! I love it! It’s wonderful to be helping both the employees and the employers. Everyone ends up happy.”

“Except for the saloons,” Quinn added.

“Yes, they aren’t very happy.”

“Quinn, there's something I need to tell you.”

“Go ahead, you have my full attention.” He squeezed her hand.

“I’m with child.”

Quinn simply stared at her.

“I’m serious, Quinn. We're expecting a baby in just six months. I’ve already seen Doc Harris.

“Say
something!
”

Quinn was speechless. All sorts ran through his mind—Rose dying, first and foremost. Then he remembered what Reverend Martin had told him: if it was her time to die, it could happen at any time, and it didn’t have to be in childbirth. God knows what time we’ll all die, so there's no need to worry over it.

He saw the trepidation on Rose’s face. She was waiting for him to react.  His mind was still trying to accept what he’d heard. One thing she didn’t need in her condition was any more worry or anxiety.

He vowed to take the best care of her, and he smiled.

“I’m happy, Rose. I’m so happy that I found myself speechless.”

Rose breathed a sigh of relief.

“What about your business?” he asked.

“I’ll run it until I can’t anymore, and meanwhile I’ll train someone to take it over for a while. If the person I train works out, I may never come back. The business is solid, and it matters little who runs it.  I just might want to stay at home and be a full-time mother.”

“Whatever you decide, it’s fine with me.”

“I already have someone in mind to train for the business, but I’d rather not say who for now.”

Their dinners arrived, and Quinn said the before meal prayer. He thanked God for the food, his wife, and their baby.

Before he started to eat, he squeezed Rose’s hand and said, “I thought I couldn’t possibly love you more than I already did—but surprise! I do. You’ve changed my life, and now you’ve made me a father. A father! I love you, Rose Iverson.”