A Good Man for Katie (2 page)

Chase guided Champion over the bridge, the horse’s hooves loud on the wooden planks. Two boys were fishing off the side of the bridge. The older one nudged the younger and they both gaped as she and her companion passed by. She smiled and nodded at them, but neither boy returned the greeting.

Nestled at the base of a mountain, Crystal Springs proper spread out before her. Businesses lined both sides of the town square. Kathryne nodded to a man as he swept the raised sidewalk outside the general store. He didn’t return the greeting. Instead, he ceased sweeping and leaned on the broom handle, his eyes on them as they passed. The stagecoach horses pawed at the ground in front of the Seton Stage office. Two men, shirtsleeves rolled to their elbows, tried to calm the horses with little success. They, too, paused in their efforts as she and Chase rode by.

The same tableau repeated several times. People stopped in the middle of their activities and observed their passage. Even those resting on the wooden benches and lounging against the white lattice of the bandstand in the tree-shaded square watched with avid curiosity and not a little censure.

“I’m afraid your reputation may be tarnished by the time we reach Doc Leslie’s.” Remorse colored his voice. Kathryne turned slightly and saw the emotion reflected in his eyes as well.

“Why?”

He gave a short, cynical laugh. “Because you’re with me and you look like you’ve been ravished.”

Kathryne pushed her hair out of her face and looked at her once beautiful traveling ensemble. The tear in her skirt exposed the white of her petticoats. Another rip in the fabric separated the sleeve from her shoulder. Dust dulled the dark hunter green.

“But you saved me.”

“Don’t matter.” She felt him inhale and exhale, his breath whistling through his teeth before he answered. “You’re still with me, still looking like you’ve been, ah…compromised and let’s just say I’m not exactly welcome in town.”

“Why?”

He sighed again. “Because of who and what I am.”

“Who are you? What are you?”

He didn’t answer as he pulled on the reins and turned at the end of the town square. They rode past the sheriff’s office where a tall, thin man stood in deep conversation with a willowy blonde-haired woman. Their conversation stopped as both turned. Sunlight glinted off the shiny badge pinned to the tall man’s vest. Animosity, suspicion and downright hatred reflected in their eyes.

Kathryne shuddered as tears pricked her eyes. She did her best to pay no attention to the looks she received and focused straight ahead.
This can’t be happening again! I can’t handle another public humiliation!

“Here you are, safe and sound.” Chase brought Champion to a halt in front of a three-story home painted the most unusual colors of lilac, white, pink and turquoise. Flowers bloomed in a riot of color behind the picket fence surrounding the yard. Several mature evergreen trees cast long shadows on the front porch and a light breeze made the porch swing sway. A small sign nailed beside the door proclaimed Dr. Terrence Leslie resided within.

Chase slid from the saddle. His strong hands encircled her waist as he helped her do the same.

“Thank you, Mr. Hunter, for saving my life.”

Gray eyes alight with warmth, he tipped his hat. “My pleasure, Miss Katie.”

Kathryne pushed her hair away from her face, adjusted her glasses on her nose and walked up the crushed stone path to the front door on unstable legs. Chase followed behind a few steps. Her hand shook as she pulled the bell.

The door swung open to reveal a petite woman with light brown hair braided into a coronet atop her head. She dropped the dishtowel in her hand and blinked as if she saw a ghost. “My God! Kate! What—Are you all right?”

Kathryne gazed at the woman with whom she had shared all her dreams and wishes, dances and tea parties, first loves and disappointments. If there was one person in the world who understood her and loved her without reservation, perhaps in spite of the trouble she frequently found herself in, it was Emeline Treymane Leslie. Her sister.

Though they’d been apart since Emeline left Washington and settled in this little town with her husband, Kathryne knew she’d be welcome.

Her mouth opened with all the words she wanted to say but couldn’t. Her eyes filled with tears before everything grew dim then pitch black.

****

“She’s coming around, Mrs. Leslie.”

Kathryne heard the deep timber of his voice as if from far away and yet, from very near. The coolness of the cloth on her head helped ease the dizziness and she opened her eyes to meet the warmth of Chase’s above her. He possessed the loveliest eyes she’d ever seen on a man. Framed by coal black lashes, they sparkled with integrity and humor. The black goatee and mustache didn’t seem so devilish now, not when one considered the look in his eyes.

“What happened?”

“You fainted.” He removed the damp cloth from her forehead and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.

“I never faint.” She shook her head as she sat up on the blue velvet divan and glanced around the small, comfortable parlor. Sunlight filtered in through the sheer drapes at the windows.

He cocked an eyebrow. “If you insist, ma’am, but I’ve seen women faint before and you fainted.”

The clank and rattle of a silver coffee service interrupted their conversation. Emeline stood in the doorway to the parlor, her mouth pulled into a frown. Worry lines furrowed her forehead. “Perhaps it would be best if you left now, Mr. Hunter.”

“Of course, Mrs. Leslie.” He lifted his hat from the small ornate table beside him and jammed it on his head, his movements stiff. “Stay out of stage coaches for a while, Miss Katie.”

In three long strides, he moved across the parlor and nodded to Emeline without a word. The front door slammed behind him as he left.

Kathryne wondered why Emeline had been so impolite while the look in her eyes conveyed sympathy. The contradiction puzzled her. “I’ve never known you to be rude, Emy,” she said, reverting to the childhood nickname. “Why? You gave him the same look everyone else did as we rode through town. Who is he?”

“Mr. Hunter?” Emeline shrugged her slim shoulders as she placed the tray on the table where Chase’s hat had rested just a moment ago. “Stay away from him, Kate, for your own good.”

“Why? He seemed so nice.”

“He’s
not
a nice man, Kate.” Emeline didn’t look at her as she said the words. “He’s an outlaw, a killer of the worse kind.”

Kathryne shook her head, taken aback by the venom in Emeline’s voice and the fact Chase Hunter had been labeled a gunfighter. True, he wore a holster around his slim hips but she’d seen other men wearing the same. Theirs weren’t tied around their thighs as his were, though. “I don’t believe it. He was nothing but kind to me.”

“What you believe isn’t the point, Kate. Do yourself a favor and stay away from him. He’s not welcome in this town given what he is.” Emeline said nothing more as she took her seat and poured coffee into thin china cups, her unblinking gaze remaining on her.

“I guess you’re wondering why I’m here.”

“You’re in trouble,” Emeline stated without hesitation then rose and went to the glass and mahogany cabinet in the corner to pull out a bottle of sipping whiskey. “Why else would you show up at my door looking like you do? Mr. Hunter told me about the stagecoach and your wild ride across the mountain pass. You were lucky you weren’t killed.” She poured a healthy dollop of the liquor into both their cups. “So tell me what was so bad in Washington you risked life and limb to come here. The last time we saw each other, you were planning your wedding to Richard. What happened?”

Kathryne swallowed the lump in her throat and picked at a loose thread on her gown. “Richard was—is—already married. With six children.” She couldn’t look at Emeline, see the sympathy on her face and not burst into tears. As it was, her throat closed even tighter as she remembered the humiliation Richard caused. She took a healthy swallow of the whiskey-laced coffee and fought for composure. “I didn’t know. I swear, I didn’t.”

“Oh, Kate. I’m so sorry. I knew I didn’t like Richard the first time we met.” Emeline shook her head and reached out to force the cup up to her mouth once more. “Take another swallow. That’s it.” Her mouth formed a tremulous smile. “Tell me the rest of it.”

“Father was furious when he found out, but he managed to keep it quiet and no one knew of my disgrace.” The whiskey in the coffee began to relax her. The knot in her stomach loosened a bit, the trembling ceased and the mere presence of Emeline brought comfort. The words came a little easier. “It was the first time Father threatened me with the convent.” She blinked as she finished the rest of the drink. Her heart hammered in her chest as she recalled the hurtful words the General had thrown at her. “Worse, he wanted me to live with Aunt Euphemia.” She held out her cup for more.

Emeline obliged but said nothing as she poured more coffee and added another splash of whiskey.

“Then I met Andrew. Oh, Emy, he was wonderful. So charming, so romantic, so—I don’t know—manly. He swept me off my feet. We went everywhere together. Parties. Balls. I introduced him to the best families of Washington.” She choked on the words and stared at the coffee in her cup.

“Then what happened?”

Kathryne took off her glasses and swiped at the tears pain and anguish brought. Without a word, Emeline handed her an embroidered handkerchief she pulled from her apron pocket. “Andrew repaid me by robbing every home we visited. Father couldn’t save me from the scandal.”

Emeline gasped. “Oh Kate! I’m so sorry. How did you find out?”

“I was at the opera when Senator Parsons’ wife recognized the brooch Andrew had given me pinned to my gown. It was the same one stolen from her home a few weeks after Andrew and I attended a soiree there.”

Her breath hitched in her chest and she struggled to continue. “I wanted the floor to swallow me whole. Everyone I knew was there. The police were called. I was questioned for hours, as were Mama and Father. They thought I was Andrew’s accomplice until Father convinced them I couldn’t possibly be.” She dabbed at her eyes and the constant flow of tears.

“Father was so angry—you know how his voice can raise the rafters, especially after I started trying to find Andrew. I couldn’t stop myself, Emy. I had to know, had to find him and find out why he did this to me, but I never f-found him.” She hiccupped and tried to catch her breath, tried to speak over the lump in her throat. “A week later, Father put me on a train while Mama stood there, dry-eyed and silent, always the good soldier.”

Emeline shook her head, her eyes wide with disbelief. “He put you on a train alone? No escort?”

Her voice lowered to a bare whisper. “He didn’t want anyone to know where I was going.”

“Oh, Kate.” Emeline leaned forward and wrapped her arms around her. They rocked together as they had done when they were younger and sought comfort from each other, especially in the days after Emeline’s parents died and the General adopted her and took her in to live with them.

The simple action soothed Kathryne’s troubled soul. She knew she’d made the right decision to come here, despite almost losing her life on the way. She pulled away, sniffed then gave a shaky laugh. “I’m all right now.”

“Glad I could help.” Emeline wiped away her own tears with the corner of her apron. “Look at us. A couple of weepy willies.” She, too, gave a watery laugh then grew serious. “What will you do?”

“Truthfully, I hadn’t thought that far ahead. Get a job, I suppose. I have a little money, but it won’t last long. I’ll wait tables at the Wagon Wheel, the little café you’ve written to me about. Or become a maid at the hotel. I’ll even serve drinks at the saloon I passed, if I must. I don’t care.” She placed her coffee cup on the table and drew a deep breath. “One thing is certain, though, I’m through with men.”

“Are you serious? About being through with men?”

Kathryne dabbed at her eyes with the square of pressed linen. “Yes, I’m serious. Every spot of trouble I’ve been in is because of a man. I’ll never have what you and Terry have. I know it and I accept it.”

“Well, then, dry your tears. It’s settled. You’ll stay with us.”

“Oh, I couldn’t. You and Terry have only been married for a little over two years. I couldn’t impose.”

“Of course you can. We have plenty of room. It’ll just be for a little while because I have an idea. We need a schoolteacher. You need to earn a living. I’ll submit a request to the Ladies Society. They’ll love you as much as I do. The position comes with a little cottage on the hill.” One thin, shapely brow cocked over a light blue eye. “You still want to be a teacher, don’t you?”

For the first time since the humiliation of Andrew’s betrayal and leaving Washington in the wee hours of the morning with her father’s harsh words ringing in her ears, Kathryne felt a spark of hope lighten the burden she’d carried across the miles. “Of course. I worked hard just to get Father to agree to let us attend the Teacher’s College.” She smiled. “Is there a boarding house in town?”

“You’ll never change, Kate. You’re still determined to do things your own way.” Emeline shook her head but returned the grin. “But I happen to know Mrs. Rawlins has an empty room that’ll be perfect for you.” She laughed then, clear blue eyes twinkling. “I’m so glad you’re here. I’ve missed you more than you know.”

Once again, Kathryne was pulled into a warm embrace and she reveled in the love and acceptance that flowed through her. Tears squeezed from the corners of her eyes.

Chapter Two

The whispers started as soon as Chase left Doctor Leslie’s home, climbed into the saddle and made his way to the Seton Stage office. Back straight, hands fisted on the reins, he ignored them as he always did. He dismounted in front of the stage office, flipped Champion’s reins around the hitching post and entered the building.

Oren Jessup stood behind the counter, shirt sleeves rolled to his elbows to expose arms coated with thick black hair. Suspicion and distrust reflected in his narrowed eyes and repeated in his stiff-bodied stance. “What do you want, Hunter? We don’t like your kind here.” He addressed Chase with a voice that bore not one inkling of friendliness.