Closer To You (Tales of the Sweet Magnolia Book 1) (16 page)

The mayor raised his eyes to meet Lil’s gaze, and the look was not lost to either Jake or Mrs. Clancy. “Well, I say that’s wonderful. All of us here in Deadwater ought to get to know each other.”

His wife jabbed him in the ribs.

“For the betterment of the community, of course,” the mayor amended.

Lillian rolled her gaze to Jake. “Of course, your honor. You and Mrs. Clancy are welcome at the Magnolia anytime.”

Rosemond gasped quietly as her hand flew to her throat.

“Why, thank you.” The mayor clamped his hand down on Jake’s shoulder as though they were best friends, and he wanted to slap the man’s hand away. He hadn’t brought her here as a visual hors d'oeuvres to be offered to anyone.

“Dinner is served, sir,” the servant announced stepping into the hall. Within the dining room, Jake heard the muted conversation of the other guests and secretly hoped his father wasn’t among them. 

As the mayor offered his arm to Lil, Mrs. Clancy rushed forward between them, possessively taking her husband’s arm.

Jake held Lilly’s arm preventing her from following. “We’ll be just a moment.”

“Very well, son, but don’t be long. You have some anxious supporters in that next room.”

Jake waited until they’d gone and turned Lilly to face him. “You be good.” He brushed Lil’s nose with his fingertip.

She grabbed his wrist, closing her painted lips over the end of his finger, keeping her challenging gaze to his. “Aren’t I always?” she whispered. Her voice tempted him almost as much as thoughts of what he suspected she wore under that dress. It was his goal to find out the answer to that very question before the end of the night.

Jake’s mouth went dry, his body heating rapidly. He cleared his throat and removed his hat, hanging it on the hall tree behind him. Nervous despite the fact that he and Lil weren’t exactly strangers, Jake swiped his palm over his thigh, feeling the small box in his pocket. “I have a little something for you.”

“Why yes, Jake. I know, but weren’t we going to wait?” She flashed him a coy smile.

For a good ten seconds, he considered grabbing his hat, Lil, and making an escape to the hotel in town, but it was important to him that she’d feel as though she belonged, or at least felt accepted.

The mayor, his wife, and prominent members of the community had proven their support of him in the past; there was no reason to believe they wouldn’t now. And if they didn’t, he would simply remind them of how many charities the Magnolia had funded in the past year, including the new books for the library that Lil had created in one of the gaming rooms off the saloon. Sure, Jake had experienced second thoughts about tonight, though he wasn’t about to let her see it. He was determined to make this work. Lil was more than just his lover, and he wanted her to know that. “It’s a necklace. I want you to wear it tonight and know how proud I am to have you at my side.”

Her eyes grew wide and she took a step back, her hand flying to the red amulet at her neck. “Oh Jake, I don’t think I should….”

“It’s not a bribe, Lil, nor payment for anything. If you’d rather not accept it, I’ll understand.” He started to put it back in his pocket.

She stopped his hand. “No, it’s not like that.” She hesitated and then pressed to her toes and gave him a peck on the cheek. “I would be honored to wear it tonight.”

Jake’s heart raced as he held out the box. He heard her quiet gasp. The wood box he’d made himself. It had taken him several weeks to carve the intricate shamrock on the lid. Still, he knew that she must be used to getting much fancier store bought gifts from appreciative clients of the Magnolia, though he didn’t want to think that he was just one more in a long line of men she’d befriended. He watched her face closely “It’s not wrapping from the store. You deserve fancy ribbons, Lil. I guess I wanted it to be special…so you’d always know that it came from me. “He held the box at an angle. “The carving is my own handiwork. Not too bad for an amateur. See there, it’s a shamrock for my Lucky Lil.”

Lil put her hand over her mouth and when she looked up at him, Jake swore her eyes were misty. Lowering her hand, she pressed her lips together and gently shook her head. “It’s beautiful, Jake. I mean that.”

Jake opened the box, revealing the delicate chain and polished gold shamrock pendent inside. He’d commissioned it from the jeweler in town and spent most of a month’s wages in the process. It wasn’t a ring, but he hoped she would find the sentiment in its value.

“Turn around.” Jake leaned forward to place a kiss on her forehead.

“Oh, Jake,” she whispered in awe and turned her gaze to his. “Oh, wait. Here let me take this one off…can you help me?” 

She held the box while he removed the ruby that he’d never seen her without. He’d never asked where the ruby had come from, but her willingness to wear this for him, made his heart swell with pride. His gut tightened, sweat beaded on his upper lip, and his heart raced like a cattle stampede.
What the hell was wrong with him?
Then it dawned on him.
Sweet Jesus
.
He loved her
. The thought before now, a sentiment of emotion based on his desire to be with her, had become more than that.
I love her.
What the hell was he supposed to do with that? Cold fear gripped his gut. What if she wasn’t ready to give up her life at the Magnolia? Though she’d expressed no desire to see other men, which he was grateful for, would she be willing to walk away from the people and life she’d built at the parlor house?

Lil held the ruby out to him. “Would you mind holding this until we get back to the Magnolia?”

She dropped the necklace in his hand and he tucked it in his jacket.

“There, now I’m ready. Will you please do the honors?”

Jake studied her face as he placed the necklace around her neck. At first, he thought she wasn’t pleased. She stared at her reflection, her hand cautiously moving to her throat, touching the gold shamrock where it fell just above the swell of her breasts. In the center sparkled a small emerald that twinkled in the flickering lamplight.

“You’re my lucky Lil.” Jake cupped her shoulders and for a moment they looked at their two images in the mirror. “I know it’s not much. But the gold is from right here, in the Deadwater mines. I asked Simms, the jeweler to make it with something that sparkled as beautiful as your green eyes.”

She turned without warning, flung her arms around his neck, and kissed him with such force that he stumbled backward and bumped against the wall, which surely must have some raised brows on the other side.

“You like it, then?” he asked when she let him up for air.

“It’s beautiful, Jake. I’ll wear it always.”

He grabbed her, capturing her mouth in a toe-tingling kiss that previewed what was to come later that night if things worked out as he hoped.

“Sheriff Sloan and—Miss White, the mayor requested I remind you that your guests are waiting.” The servant stood at the dining room entrance, his eyes discreetly averted from staring at them.

“Sorry to keep them waiting, Clarence.” Jake grabbed Lilly’s hand and pressed it to his lips. There was nothing left to spoil this evening. 

Clarence nodded and turned to address the room. “Sheriff Sloan and Miss

White,” he announced and stepped aside to let them through.

Jake walked through the double wide arch with Lil’s hand tucked firmly on his arm. He had the confidence of a man who saw a delightful future, which he hoped included the woman next to him. “Good evening to you all. My apologies for the delay. It was entirely my fault,” he stated with a bright smile.

“Well, well, the prodigal has finally arrived.” His father stood, chuckling at his own joke. Everyone seated at the table followed suit with a rush of pleasant laughter. “Good evening, son. Come on in and have a seat. We’ve all been waiting.”

“The very idea of bringing someone like her….”

“It’s deplorable….”

Lillian shifted in the chair at the dining room table. She was seated across from Jake and two seats away from his father, the man they called “Preacher.” He was a tall man, with broad shoulders like his son and Lil decided that as a father, he would have been an imposing, if not terrifying figure to a young boy.

The preacher watched her. Throughout the several courses served, Lil would periodically glance his way and find him staring at her. He would smile pleasantly as though the act was not rude, and go back to his meal.

The mayor scanned the table and placed his glass of wine down with a sigh. “Sheriff Sloan, if elected to the Deputy Marshall’s position, or shall I say—when, elected to the position—what do you intend to do about keeping the new towns like Deadwater productive and clean places suitable for new families coming in from the East?”

A quiet titter of laughter bubbled from two women seated at the far end of the table. They covered their mouths with their napkins, in a futile attempt to hide their faux pas, but the damage, intended or not, had already been done. Lil tried to ignore the thick tension in the room. She met Jake’s gaze, hoping he would address her discomfiture.

“Well, Mr. Mayor.” Jake cleared his throat, averting his eyes from Lil. “I’d like to think that Deadwater already exemplifies a healthy, productive town. I believe our citizens are open-minded, and that our town will grow given that attitude. As sheriff, I’ve seen the people in this town embrace the changes we need to make in order to thrive. Open minds and open hearts is what will entice newcomers to settle here.”

An obvious cough by Mrs. Clancy garnered the attention of most of those at the table. Lillian felt her confidence slipping away by the moment. She wanted to remind the females seated at this
tête-à-tête
that many of their husbands were frequent guests of the Sweet Magnolia. Sometimes it was simply for a friendly game of poker, but on occasion, it was for the company of the women. But it was a Magnolia rule that all client visits were kept strictly confidential. Lillian bit her lip, sensing the heat rising in her cheeks as the silence shrouded whatever good was intended from the conversation. It was evident to some, and it seemed to those seated at the table that the Sweet Magnolia, and its tenants, were nothing more than a house of ill-repute with tainted women and devious undertakings. Lilly looked around her, some met her gaze, others averted their eyes to the table. She took a sip of water, and though her ire was rising, she summoned her courage to speak with as much diplomacy as she could muster. “I believe that all of the town’s businesses working together can create an atmosphere that would entice new settlers. In fact, the Magnolia was hoping to double what we donated last year to the to the Church Women’s fund for orphaned children this year.” A gasp emitted from the direction of Mrs. Clancy.

Lil turned, looking directly at the preacher. His lips were white, stretched in a firm, thin line. The woman next to her choked, and Lil set down her glass and calmly patted her back.

“I highly doubt that the church women will require your help, Miss White. We’ve done quite well up to now with our raffle and bake sales.” A sour-faced woman to Lillian’s left interjected with an air of snobbishness.

“Are you implying that the Magnolia’s money isn’t good enough for charity?” She knew the challenge she presented to these small-minded townspeople, and she hoped that Jake would step in soon to defend the Magnolia.

“It is well-known, Miss White.” Preacher spoke, not addressing her, but instead looking across at his son. “That the good ladies of our parish take care of their own.” His eyes rested on Jake. “Wouldn’t you agree, son?”

Lillian spoke before Jake could respond. “I simply think that if we are going to progress as a community, then all of its members should become socially aware and involved.”

Jake offered her a grin, raised his glass, and nodded in agreement.

“Well, I never—”

Probably not
. Lillian smiled, and realized why the woman’s husband was a regular to the Magnolia every Thursday night.

“I’m not sure that the business the Magnolia partakes in can actually be referred to as either productive or community-minded.” Preacher remarked, only this time he looked straight at Lil, his eyes as cold as his tone when he spoke.

The mayor attempted to harness the political and moral monster that had been unleashed. “Now, see here, Preacher, Miss White is our guest—”

“And your job is elected by the people of this town,” Preacher interjected with a venomous voice.

“It’s true.
Those
women out at
that
place, are—” One woman glanced sheepishly around the room. “Well, being a lady, I cannot say what it is I think.”

Lillian’s spine stiffened. She saw Jake take a deep breath and set his glass down firmly on the table. He was about to ride to her aid, and Lil realized that as much as she wanted him to, the fact was that the people seated around him represented his future. Equally as clear to her was the fact that with the exception of Jake, everyone at that table saw her as nothing more than a stain on the good reputation of Deadwater. She held up her hand, halting Jake’s rebuttal, and spoke with an eerie calm that surprised even her. “It is apparent, that at least for a few more years, the town of Deadwater will go on pretending that the women on the edge of town aren’t really people trying to make a living the best that they can.” She scanned the horrified expressions of the men and women staring at her. “You see them as inhuman, as women you think made the choice to do what they do because they
like
it. But as you would realize, if you looked a little deeper, they are no different than you. They yearn for the same things—family, home, security, dental benefits….”

Shock gave way to curious glances at one another, but Lillian did not let that stop her. “These women have feelings and emotions. They have hopes and dreams of a better life. Your small-minded perspective and reluctance to allow anyone into your circle that does not dress, think, and act like you will detour any manner of progress for Deadwater Gulch.” She pushed from her chair, reached for her wine, and swallowed it in one gulp. “Mr. Clancy, Mrs. Clancy, I wish to thank you for this otherwise enlightening evening, but I regret to inform you that I can no longer abide sitting in the presence of such close-minded, self-serving bureaucrats.”

She glanced at Jake across the table, noting the shock on his face, but didn’t want to analyze whether he supported her or not at the moment. Could she really blame him if he didn’t? After all, he’d brought her there, hoping that somehow she could change the view that his constituents had of her, and that of the Magnolia. Sadly, his intentions were as fleeting as the dawn.

In all likelihood, it would be several years more of struggle for the women of the Magnolia before they would receive the credit for what they achieved with their humble earnings. Now was not the time, nor place, to try to educate. Life, eventually, would be the teacher, and many bordellos and parlor houses, and the Madams who ran them throughout history, would come to be known for the charitable works they funded without public acknowledgement.

“I’ll see you home,” Jake stated quietly as he stood.

“Thank you just the same, Sheriff, but I’m sure the mayor and your friends here would feel much more comfortable if I were to leave—alone.” She moved quickly toward the door. “If I may take the buggy?” She spoke directly to Jake who stood caught between gallantry and his future. Lillian knew which one she wanted him to choose, and so she made it easy. “You belong here, Jake. Please stay.”

The look on his face revealed how torn he was about what to do. He nodded, but she saw the concern in his eyes.

“She’s right, son. Sit down,” his father ordered with a dead calm.

“Thank you, one and all, for opening my eyes.” She brought her gaze back to Jake’s. “I wish you a wonderful future, Sheriff Sloan.” She left, choosing not to look back to see if he followed but knew what she would have to say if he did. Thankfully, she reached the buggy and was halfway down the lane, when a swathe of light illuminated the lane. She didn’t have to look over her shoulder to know it was Jake, but she glanced back anyway. For a fleeting moment, she waited to hear him call her name, but he stood there, his broad shouldered silhouette filled the doorway, and she hoped that once the evening was over, he might find his way back to the Magnolia.

***

Jake clutched the door, as the carriage rattled out of sight. Torn again, his wants and needs divided, he stepped out to get some fresh air, and hopefully gain some perspective of how to remedy this issue. Jake searched the starlit desert sky, looking for an answer.

“You were wise to let her go. She’d only hold you back.” His father’s icy tone sent an unexpected shiver up Jake’s spine.

He glanced over his shoulder to where Preacher stood in the doorway. He was no longer afraid of repercussions. His father couldn’t hurt him anymore. “I’d like to be alone if you don’t mind,” Jake responded lifting his gaze back to the night sky.

“The way I see it, boy, you have two options.” His father ignored his request. That much didn’t surprise Jake. “One will get you to a place where you have worked for all of your life, a position of pride and doing some good—helping people. It’s what your mother would have wanted.”

Jake turned a jaundiced eye to his father. “You leave her out of this. You have no right to speak of what she wanted for me. You have no right to speak about her like you cared one damn bit about what she wanted, or needed.”

His father’s deep, heavy sigh—trademark of what generally preceded one of his condescending dissertations—drifted between them. “I suppose, to some degree, I deserve that. You were always closer to her than I was. She coddled you too much, I think.” Preacher walked to Jake’s side, his hands clasped behind his back, making his form look even more imposing. Which he surmised was the intent, except now, Jake was every bit his size and able to hold his own. He shook his head in disgust and started down the front steps needing to distance himself.

“Where are you going?” his father asked.

“To see if I can find a way to apologize for the small-minded folks in this town, speaking of which you are the worst,” Jake tossed over his shoulder.

“I suppose it’s only natural,” Preacher stated coolly.

Jake stopped. His foot paused on the last step, he turned back to see his father’s dark silhouette outlined in the glow of the front parlor light. “What lesson, what pearls of wisdom do you have for me this time, Preacher?” Jake’s voice dripped with the sarcasm he felt for the man. Ten minutes ago, he’d been divided between what was right and wrong, and thanks to this little father and son talk, his decision had become increasingly clear.

“You will not take that tone with me, boy. I am still your father and you will treat me with the respect I deserve,” Preacher thundered.

Jake walked slowly up the stairs, loaded for bear, just looking for the opportunity to take out years of pent-up frustration on the man. “What will you do to me, Father? Give me a sound lashing every time I don’t obey you? That’s how it is with you, isn’t it? Beating people is your specialty—whether it’s behind your pulpit or with your fist. You are the high and mighty authority in this town. People quake when you preach about fire and damnation. And inside you like that, don’t you, Preacher? You enjoy striking fear into the hearts of your parishioners because it makes you feel big and important. That’s how you treated my mother and that’s how you raised me. But I have news for you. I am nothing like you and I would give up my position in a heartbeat if it meant diffusing some twisted idea you’ve cooked up to use me as a stepping stone into the political arena.”

He saw the fire in his father’s eyes and barely saw the fist before it slammed into his jaw. The force caused him to stumble down the stairs, and he grabbed the railing to keep his legs from buckling beneath him. His ears were ringing, but he caught sight of the Preacher stomping down the steps toward him. Jake pulled his gun and aimed it at the angry man’s chest. “One more step. You’ve already given me enough to arrest you.” He cocked the hammer of his Colt, praying the older man would back down.

Preacher stared at him long and hard and then a sneer parted his lips. “If you leave now and go after her, I’ll end your career before you can reach her.”

“I don’t care about that anymore,” Jake replied keeping his focus clear.

“Then maybe you should think about her and the people at the Magnolia? What’s going to happen to them when a new sheriff is appointed? One who doesn’t share your particular view of that establishment? Be reasonable. Do you think she ever intended to stay with you?”

Jake swallowed. His father touched on the one fear that kept him awake most nights since he realized that he couldn’t stand being away from her. He raised his gun, keeping his hand steady.

“Listen to me.” Preacher put up his hands in surrender. “Could you please put that away so I may speak civilly to you?”

Jake tasted the blood in his mouth, certain his father had broken at least one tooth. It was all he could do to lower the gun and holster it.

“I know what a difficult decision this is for you.”