To Love and Cherish (13 page)

Tears welled in Evan's eyes at the insults. The man might as well have been his own father hurling abusive comments about Evan's failings. He quickly turned away as Harland made some comment. It was only moments, however, before Harland joined him on the street.

Evan swiped his eyes with his shirtsleeve. “He's a poor excuse of a man.”

“That he is. But we need to pray for Mr. Toomie. I told him we would, and I figure that's the only hope that man has to straighten out his life. So we'll pray for him. Right?”

“Yes, and for his boy, Bobby, as well.”

Lawrence looked at the cards in his hand—two queens, an ace, a three, and a five. The hand was lousy, but his face didn't so much as twitch. He'd learned quite well how to mask his emotions. Losing his parents had been his first lesson, and the lessons just kept coming after that. Now, after all this time, rather than feeling the pain, he had gained.

“So what's it going to be?” the man opposite asked.

“I think I'm happy with this hand, and I call.”

A groan could be heard from the others around the table. Everyone but the dealer folded and reached for their drinks. Lawrence looked at the man and shrugged. “Guess that just leaves you and me.”

The man looked at the money on the table and then at his hand. Finally, he threw his cards down. “I'm out.”

Lawrence smiled and put his cards on the table before reaching for the pot. The men moaned at the sight of the single pair. To keep from making enemies of his financial contributors, Lawrence threw several bills back on the table. “Drinks are on me. I'm afraid I need to go attend to family business.”

He made his way from the game and headed to the livery where he'd stabled his horse. He owed the owner for another week of care and didn't want to do anything to make the man suspicious.

Making his way through the dimly lit stable, Lawrence found the black and smiled. He pulled a lump of sugar from his pocket and gave it to the horse. “We did good today. A few more games like that, and we'll have more than enough money to make our way to California.”

“So you're California bound, eh?” the liveryman asked, joining Lawrence.

“It's been a thought,” Lawrence replied. More of a dream he'd never been able to quite commit to. Commitment wasn't his best asset. Lawrence reached into his pocket and drew out his money. Peeling off several bills, he handed them to the man.

“Give him the best.”

The man took the money and nodded. “You gonna ride him today?”

Lawrence shook his head. He knew the energetic horse needed a good long run, but he didn't have the time. “Maybe have someone take him for a run later this evening.” He threw the man a coin. “Give him this.”

“Yes, sir.” The man tucked the money into his pocket. “I could have one of the boys take him out now.”

“No. I'd rather not have him out in the heat of the day.”
Or the light of the day
, he thought.

Melinda stood at the window of her hotel room and stared down at the street below. If Lawrence returned at this very moment, she would throttle him! While her every waking hour was consumed with worries over Evan and Bridal Veil, Lawrence was busy filling his days and nights at any gaming establishment that would permit him entry. When she'd confronted him about gambling while on the train, he'd denied her accusation—at least in the beginning. After she'd actually seen him when she passed through the club car on her way to dinner, he'd given up all pretenses. After all, he'd been holding a fistful of cards and she'd seen the money in the center of the table. To deny he'd been participating would have been absurd. That's what he'd said when she'd confronted him, and she had agreed. Later, he'd acknowledged that the horse for which she'd paid passage had also been won in a game of cards in Cleveland. Though she'd given him a tongue-lashing, he had simply chuckled and promised to repay her once they arrived at their destination.

The journey to Savannah had taken far longer than either of them had anticipated. Though they'd made good time in the beginning, storm damage along the East Coast had caused them to take alternate routes as they progressed farther south. They'd finally arrived, but rail travel out of Savannah remained unavailable except to those heading north or west. The news had created anxiety for her, but Lawrence hadn't minded. He'd been using the time to fatten his wallet. When she complained, he pointed out it was his winnings that were paying for their hotel rooms and had permitted him to repay her for his train ticket and passage for his horse. That fact aside, she didn't approve of his habit.

Today Melinda had decided a breath of fresh air was in order. She stood in front of the mirror, pinned her hat in place, and picked up one of Mrs. Mifflin's hand-me-down parasols. Lawrence might not approve, but she couldn't remain cooped up in a hotel room waiting for him to locate transportation out of Savannah. Besides, she thought he'd become more devoted to spending time at the gaming tables than to seeking adequate travel arrangements. Walking about the city alone might prove daunting to some women, but she'd never been a wilting violet when it came to a challenge. And with no one to question the suitability of her unaccompanied excursion, she exited the hotel room and descended the carpeted staircase to the main floor of the hotel.

Without any idea how to locate travel information, she decided a visit to a local milliner might be a good place to start. A small shop where she could visit with someone who knew the city should provide the necessary particulars. She straightened her shoulders and, with purpose in her stride, headed toward the front doors of the hotel.

She came to an abrupt halt when a bellboy stepped in front of her. “Are you departing the hotel, miss?”

She tipped her head to one side and smiled. “That is my intention—once you step out of my path.”

“Alone? Mr. Colson won't be accompanying you?”

She thought his behavior somewhat obtuse since Lawrence was nowhere to be seen. “Yes. Very much alone.”

He nodded toward a door at the other side of the foyer. “The ladies' door is over there. Unaccompanied ladies use the door leading to Abercorn Street rather than this one.”

“I didn't realize.” Melinda glanced at the door. “But then, I've never departed a hotel unaccompanied.” Memories of the many hotels she'd visited with her parents during her younger years flooded her mind as the bellboy walked alongside her. She felt quite alone, but with each passing day she'd gained greater inner strength. “You wouldn't happen to know where I might find available transportation to Biscayne, would you?”

He leaned closer and a hank of thick dark brown hair fell across his forehead. “You know there was a hurricane down in Biscayne, don't you?”

“I'm fully aware of the hurricane. That is what has detained us here in Savannah. And though I find your city lovely and the hospitality of the hotel staff wonderful, I have . . . friends in the Biscayne area, and I'm concerned about their welfare.”

He pushed the hair off his forehead. “In that case, I'd say your best chance would be one of the barges heading down that way, but I don't think the accommodations would be suitable.” The young man frowned at the idea. “Besides, ladies shouldn't go down to the dock by themselves. You might have your brother see if there are any other vessels sailing in that direction.”

“I'll do that. Thank you for your kindness.”

He hesitated before opening the door for her. “You're not going down to the docks, are you, Miss Colson?”

She didn't want to lie to the boy. He'd been so kind and she could see the concern in his eyes. He was likely worried he'd get in trouble if anything happened to her. She flashed a bright smile. “Are you able to tell me where I might find a milliner's shop?”

A sigh of relief escaped his lips, and his look of concern vanished. “Oh yes. Not far from here you'll find the finest milliner in all of Savannah.” He provided exacting details before he opened the door. “You have a wonderful afternoon, Miss Colson. And I hope you find a hat to your liking.”

She waved and headed off in the direction of the milliner's shop. The weather was beautiful and she'd seen little of Savannah. The Mifflins had stopped on a few occasions during their travels to Bridal Veil Island, but Melinda's time had been spent in a hotel room looking after Mrs. Mifflin's needs. She knew it wouldn't be cold when she stepped outdoors, yet the balmy temperature still surprised her. The profusion of greenery that remained on the trees provided shade as well as a feeling of spring rather than fall.

Melinda stopped in front of a dress shop and let her gaze wander over several gowns that decorated the window before proceeding on to the milliner's shop. A gold and black sign hung from ornate framework that extended over the sidewalk and could be viewed at a distance. The proprietor of Leota's Millinery wasn't taking a chance that shoppers would overlook her store. The window, tastefully decorated, contained a variety of beautiful hats. Not that Melinda could afford one of them, but she might secure a bit more information before going to the docks. Besides, she could honestly report to the bellboy that she'd visited the store.

She didn't notice the man who had approached until he tapped his finger on the display window. “That one would look quite attractive on you.”

“Excuse me, but I was preparing to go inside.” As she turned, she gained a better view of the man and was startled by his striking good looks. Tall and broad-shouldered, his dark hair had been combed to perfection and his brown eyes danced with amusement. A quick appraisal of his clothing revealed he was a man of affluence. Or, like her, he'd received his expensive clothing from a former employer.

“Then let me open the door for you. I'm going inside myself.” He stepped around her, grasped the door handle, and gave her a charming smile.

Without thinking, she returned the smile. “Looking to replace your derby?” She didn't know what had come over her, bantering with a complete stranger. His carefree and genial manner had caused her to act before thinking.

He chuckled and pointed to a hat as they entered the store. “Do you think this one might look good on me?”

Two bright blue feathers of at least twelve inches in height waved from atop the crown and were offset on either side by ruffled gauze that had been fastened on the brim with beaded rings. A satin bow of huge proportions adorned the back brim. Melinda tipped her head to the side and surveyed the chapeau. “I don't know if the color is quite right for the suit you're wearing.”

His laughter filled the front end of the shop. “You have a very quick wit, Miss . . .”

Melinda hesitated, suddenly aware that she'd likely given a very poor impression. This man had likely mistaken her for a flirt who gave out her name to men on a regular basis.

Before Melinda had decided upon a proper response, a well-dressed lady stepped around one of the narrow counters and directed a broad smile at the gentleman. “Mr. Powers! Welcome. Is your aunt with you?” The woman glanced toward the door.

He chuckled and shook his head. “I'm afraid she's a bit under the weather and asked if I would pick up the hat she ordered from you. She believes she must have it before she attends some function or other early next week. Since I was coming to the area, I offered to stop.” He lowered his head as if confiding a deep secret. “She says I am to be sure that you've added all of the feathers that she requested.”

A slight look of irritation crossed the woman's face before she offered him another bright smile. “I have never adorned a hat for your aunt that wasn't exactly to her specifications.”

The man she'd referred to as Mr. Powers nodded. “I'm sure your work has been pure perfection, Mrs. Frederick. Unfortunately, my aunt is one of those affluent people who believes her wealth causes others to sometimes take advantage.” He tightened his lips as though embarrassed he'd been required to mention his aunt's eccentricity. He reached into his pocket and withdrew a piece of paper.

Mrs. Frederick clapped a hand to the embroidered velvet bands that adorned the yoke of her gown. “She sent a list with you?” She directed a fleeting look at Melinda.

He hiked one shoulder and grinned. “You see? My aunt doesn't trust me, either.”

Mr. Powers' attempt to make light of the matter hadn't set Mrs. Frederick at ease. Indeed, her level of discomfort seemed to increase, and Melinda's presence appeared to be adding to the cause. She should leave the shop. After all, she had no intention of purchasing a hat, and she didn't want the shop owner to think further conversation with Mr. Powers would influence her.

“I believe I'll leave you two to your business. I'm merely passing through Savannah and stopped for help with directions. You're busy at the moment.” Melinda took a backward step toward the door, but the woman reached for her arm.

“There's no need to hurry off. We have several hats that would look stunning on you.” She pointed at a lovely hat in the far corner of the shop. “That hat would be lovely with the dress you're wearing—not that your current hat isn't quite fashionable.”

No doubt the humble shop owner constantly worried about offending her customers. Melinda smiled. “It is a bit old, but I spruced it up with new ribbon.” She hoped her comment would let the woman know she wasn't someone who could afford to purchase anything from her fashionable shop.