Tender Trust (5 page)

“Maybe I can help.” He’d made up his mind.

“Vhat?” Inga’s voice was barely above a whisper.

“You can?” Jann beamed.

“I don’t drink anymore,” Alex added. “I gave it up when I found the Lord. But I think I can remember enough to help out.”

“But vhy? Vhy vould you do this?” Inga asked.

“Because I don’t want my wife behind a bar. Besides, this business is important to Penny. It’s her livelihood. I’ll help out until we can find another solution.”

“That’s great, Mr. Alex. Just great!” Jann said.

Looking at Inga’s worried expression, Alex knew not all of the residents at The Copper Penny would agree.

****

Laughter finally drove Penny out of her room. She’d stayed upstairs all afternoon to avoid Alex.

Inga had come upstairs to tell her what had transpired in the kitchen.

Penny had every intention of thanking Alex for his offer to tend bar and sending him on his way, but she couldn’t forget the look on his face when he’d first seen Lexie. That look had torn out Penny’s heart and at the same time made it beat again.

She closed her eyes against the image, trying to block it, to find a way to tell him to go, but she couldn’t find the words or the courage. In the end, the laughter had drawn her out. She crept to the top of the stairs where she could watch them play.

They’d been at it now for hours, most of the afternoon. Once they’d stopped, and Inga brought them oatmeal cookies and milk.

Alex smiled and ate. He’d stared at Lexie and listened to Jann’s story of how when his pa had died, Ma didn’t speak any English and they had no place to go. Aunt Penny had made them come and live with her and they’d been together ever since.

Alex had nodded and smiled. That smile.

It made Penny’s heart do flip-flops, and it terrified her. It could make her feel things she didn’t need to feel.

Alex gestured to Jann who crept around the back of the bar.

Lexie went the opposite way. When she came around the corner and saw Jann, she squealed and ran back…straight into Alex’s arms.

They laughed and rolled backwards on the floor. Alex cradled Lexie with his good arm.

Lexie noticed it. “What’s wrong with your arm?”

“I got shot in the war and now it doesn’t work like it should.”

“My daddy was killed in the war.”

Alex hesitated and Jann grew silent.

Fortunately, Lexie didn’t seem to notice. “Can I see your arm?” she asked.

“Yes. I’ll show you.” He unbuttoned his cuff as he crossed the room to a table. Alex rolled up his sleeve, sat in a chair and laid his arm on the table where Lexie could see.

“The scar is so big.” Lexie’s voice was tiny as she trailed her small fingers along her father’s arm. “Does it hurt?” Wide-eyed, she looked up into Alex’s face.

Penny hadn’t been able to resist. She’d crept down the stairs and now stood just behind Alex, close enough to see the wide, wicked scar.

“Sometimes,” he said. “When I’m tired or it’s raining.”

Lexie turned his arm over to see the other side. “The hole is bigger here. Did the bullet go all the way through?”

“And into my side. I was sick for a long time. When my arm finally healed, it just didn’t work very well.”

Lexie studied him. “Do people make fun of you because you’re different? They do it all the time to Jann.”

Penny caught her breath.

All three of them turned to look at her.

Alex met her gaze before he turned back to Jann. “Yes, they do,” he said, his voice low. “But that doesn’t stop me from doing my best, from being the best I can.”

Lexie nodded. “There’s so many things Jann’s good at. I tell him that all the time, but he doesn’t believe me.”

“Aw, Lexie…I’m not.”

“You are! You’re strong and…and…”

“You’re the best kind of friend to Lexie,” Alex said.

Startled, Jann looked at Alex, his blue eyes wide. Then a ghost of a smile flitted over his lips. “Yeah,” he said ducking his head. “I guess I am.”

They were all silent until a pan clattered in the kitchen where Inga was working.

Alex lifted his arm and folded down his shirt. “It’s getting late. I have a function to attend tonight, but first thing tomorrow, I’ll be back to start my new duties.”

“Jann, I’m sure your mother could use some help,” Penny said. “And Lexie, your dolls are scattered all over the hall…again.”

“OK, Mommy. Will you really be back tomorrow, Mr. Alex? I know you don’t want to play with them, but I can show you my favorite doll.”

“Count on it.” Reaching across the space, he tugged on her braid.

Penny knew his words were meant for her as much as Lexie. She took a slow, controlled breath.

Alex picked up his coat from the table as Lexie clattered up the stairs. He watched her all the way up before he turned to back to Penny. “Thank you,” he said again, his tone low. “She’s….”

“A handful,” Penny tried to forestall the look that had undone her before.

He laughed. “Yes. I have no doubt.” He picked up his hat and held it in his hands. “I hope you see, Penny. Our worlds are not so different. We want the same things, care about the same things.”

The late afternoon sun fell through the windows, casting long shadows throughout the room. One ray of golden light fell on Alex, bringing highlights to his hair and his handsome face. That small smile flitted over his lips.

Penny felt herself slipping, sliding into an abyss of wanting and needing him. She turned away. “Thanks for saying what you did to Jann. And thank you,” she hesitated. “Thank you for honoring my wishes and not telling Lexie you’re her father.”

“I won’t keep quiet for long, Penny. She deserves to know.”

Penny couldn’t deny it. Watching her daughter’s face this afternoon had convinced her.

Lexie deserved time with her father. She deserved Alex.

Penny gave a small, wry laugh.

“What?” Alex asked when she offered no explanation.

“You.” She shook her head. “It’s you. Somehow you always manage to sweep in like a knight in shining armor and make life bigger, better, and brighter.”

He sent her a full, dazzling smile that made her heart flip. “It’s nice to know you notice.”

“Oh, I notice, especially when you’re gone.”

“I’m not going anywhere.”

“You’ve said that both times I’ve lost you, Alex.”

He nodded, conceding her point. “But I’m here now. Against all odds, we’re together again. Surely that means something.”

She shook her head. “It only shows me how different we are. You believe we have a chance. I know if I let you in, I’ll be setting myself up for heartache. I won’t do it. I can’t afford to. I won’t survive another one.” She picked up her skirts and hurried up the stairs.

5

The ballroom of the Metropolitan Hotel sparkled like a million diamonds. The cut glass chandelier hanging from the ceiling twinkled. Massive mirrors mounted on the walls between the glass lamps caught the reflections and bounced them back. Crystal and polished silver, carefully situated on the pristine white tablecloths, finished the effect of sparkling diamonds scattered throughout the room.

The wealth of the new hotel and its ballroom reflected the desired status of many of Bodie’s residents. Rich. Growing richer and waiting to be noticed.

It made Alex uncomfortable. Pausing before he entered the room, he pulled at the tight collar of his crisp white shirt. Maybe he was uncomfortable because wearing tails reminded him too much of his uniform. Or maybe the real reason was that none of these ostentations really mattered. Not anymore.

This was the life he’d been born to on his family’s Georgia plantation. It was the life he’d earned again with his own two hands in California and should have been able to share with his wife, should have been able to give to his daughter. Instead, it had all been swept away by war, even the two things he valued most.

Now that he’d found them again, they were the only people who mattered. All these pretty trappings might as well have been sawdust for all they meant to him.

“Alex! Glad you could make it!” Andy walked towards him, his hand extended.

Alex smiled lightly and extended his left hand. He was luckier than most men. He still had an arm, but with his stiff movements, shaking hands wasn’t one of his best efforts.

Momentarily flustered, Andy smiled, and then grasped Alex’s left hand with his. “Sorry,” he said, as he patted Alex’s arm. “Forgot for a moment.”

Alex nodded. He was used to it. It didn’t bother him as much as it did others. In fact, he found it useful in his business. He learned quite a bit about a man in those first awkward handshaking moments.

A woman in a pale blue gown walked towards them. Her lovely blonde hair was piled on top of her head and curls dangled on one side in the latest fashion.

“Mr. Marsden! What a delight to finally meet you,” she said. “Andy has told me so much about you, I already consider us friends.”

“If you haven’t guessed, Alex, this is my bold wife, Christine.”

“Bold?” She tapped her husband with her fan. “Oh, all right, bold.”

She opened her fan and leaned in closer to Alex. “My husband is a wonderful judge of character, Mr. Marsden. If he likes you, then I know I will, too. There, I’ve been bold again.” She had a kind smile and love in her eyes for her husband.

It pleased Alex to see it. “If it is bold, ma’am, then I’m guilty of the same since it seems he’s made an excellent choice in his wife.”

She laughed, a sweet, pleasing sound. “And charming, too! See, I knew we were going to be friends. But we’ll have to get better acquainted later. Andy has been anxious to show you off, so I won’t keep you a moment longer.”

Andy bent to kiss his wife’s forehead. “Bold and brilliant,” he murmured.

Christine laughed and pushed him on his way.

It took the better part of an hour for Andy to move around the room.

Alex had met most of the influential businessmen in the growing town of Bodie. Land owners. Mine owners. Engineers. Lawyers. There was one last enclave standing near the back of the room.

As they made their way in that direction, Alex saw a dark-haired man in the middle. He’d met him last night.

His name was Daniel Holloway and it seemed as if he was holding court. The other men stood around, listening as he regaled them with some story, a drink in one hand and his other in his pocket.

Something about his stance, his confidence put Alex on edge.

Just as they reached the group, the men burst into laughter.

“Sorry to interrupt, judge, but this is Alex Marsden, the gentleman I told you about, from Darnell Lumber,” Andy said, stepping into the group.

“Oh yes, of course. How do you do, sir?”

The older, white-haired man across from Alex held out his hand.

After a moment’s pause, Alex extended his left. “Sorry, judge. The right doesn’t work so well since the war.”

“Oh, yes, yes, of course,” the judge said. The handshake took only a moment, long enough for Alex to glance around the group and gauge the men’s expressions.

A flash of a smile, almost a smirk passed over Holloway’s lips, the familiar look that said he considered Alex less of a man without the use of his arm.

It was a look Alex had come to know all too well.

“Yes, well.” The judge cleared his throat. “You just bought that large plot of land at the corner of Greene and Bonanza Streets.”

“Yes, I did. It will be the location for our new warehouse.”

“Good,” said the judge. “Good. I’m always glad to hear about growth in Bodie. Mr. Holloway here,” the judge gestured, “was just telling us about a new…holding…he’s about to acquire.”

“Saloon, judge. You can say it. I’m buying another saloon.”

There was a stilted silence, and all the men looked about uncomfortably. Many of them probably owned holdings in saloons and gambling houses, maybe even some prostitution cribs. But most of them would not talk about it so openly, and certainly not in mixed company.

Holloway stood with his hand still in his pocket, his look brazen, almost defying anyone to correct him.

“I thought you already owned most of the property on Bonanza Street,” Andy said, his tone flat.

“I do. The Copper Penny is one of the last holdouts.”

Alex gave a start.

Holloway noticed the movement and his piercing gaze made Alex tense.

Alex already didn’t like the man. His interest in Penny’s saloon made Alex like the man even less.

“The Copper Penny,” Alex said, trying to control his tone. “Quite an unusual name for a saloon.”

“Not half as unusual as the red-headed widow who owns it,” said a florid, balding man to the right of Alex.

Alex stiffened.

Holloway’s gaze flicked towards him and settled.

“You have an interest in red-headed widows, my friend?” Holloway asked, his tone low and cool.

Warning bells went off and Alex controlled his features. “Curiosity. Not interest.”

Holloway nodded, but didn’t look convinced.

Another man took up the conversation and Holloway looked away.

Alex was careful not to say anything else or to show how anxious he was to get away.

It was almost fifteen minutes before he could move from the group and another thirty before he was certain Holloway wasn’t tracking his movements.

Alex left the gathering early, taut, tense, and more than ready to have a long discussion with Penny first thing in the morning.

****

“Are you finished with me, Aunt Penny?” Jann stood in the door of her office.

“Yes, Jann. I’m finished.” Penny blew out the match and fit the glass chimney into place.

“Good, ‘cuz Lexie wants to play tag.”

Penny drew a tight, sharp little breath. “Alexa Marsden.”

Lexie poked her head around the corner of the door. Her long, thick, copper-colored braid whipped over her shoulder.

“Yes, Mommy?”

“It’s no use hiding and sending Jann to do your dirty work. You know I said there would be no playing until your dolls were picked up from the kitchen.”