Courting Kate (16 page)

“I don’t, usually. Jeanne talked me into it.”

“Here, Tanner, why don’t you take this stuff? One of the boys offered me something a little stronger.” He glanced at Kate. “If you don’t mind, Kathleen?”

“Go ahead, Fred,” she said. “You deserve it after the week you’ve put in.” Kate brought the cup to her lips and took a sip. A bead of water dropped from the bottom of the cup and landed at the base of her throat, then, little by little, it inched lower, finally coming to a stop between the shadowy cleft of her breasts.

Mesmerized, Tanner watched, wondering if it would stay there or go lower still.
 

“What are you looking at?” she asked, fixing him with a frown of disapproval.
 

“Uh, nothing. Your cup was dripping.” He congratulated himself for being able to drag his gaze back to her face. It took every bit of concentration he had to keep it there. “You said something about the doc putting in a hard week. Is it diphtheria?” Every winter the dread disease took a heavy toll.

“No. Smallpox.” She sipped her punch. “You haven’t heard?”

“Smallpox? No. Tell me about it.”

“The first case occurred about two weeks ago. A man in Roseburg died. Then a few cases showed up locally. Everyone was worried for a while, but this week there were only two new cases. The
Sentinel
reported that the worst of it was over.”

“Where did they put the sick people?” He didn’t like to think of Kate being exposed to anyone that might have the disease.
 

“The Board of Health opened a pesthouse up on Kanaka Flats. They also opened a hospital for the overflow in that old store building outside of town, but so far there hasn’t been any need for it.”

“Kanaka Flats.” It figured. Kanaka Flats, mostly a conglomeration of saloons and shanties, was home to most of the undesirable element in the area. “Guess they figured to get rid of the riffraff along with the victims.”

“It’s nothing to joke about, Tanner. I can’t imagine a more horrible way to die.”

“I’m sorry, Kate.” Thinking of the array of people she came in contact with, he frowned. “Have you taken any precautions?”

“Of course. I’ve had the vaccination, and I also have a saucer of chloride of lime in my house.”

“Is that enough?”

“Do I look sick to you?”

She had never looked healthier. His gaze dipped to her chest. Almost too healthy. “You got a shawl or something? I wouldn’t want you to catch cold.”

“I told you, I’m fine. In fact I’m hot. Feel.”
 

She took his hand and put it on her forehead, then on the base of her neck.

He jerked his hand back like he’d been burnt.

“Kate, are you all right?” the doctor asked, hurrying back to her side.
 

“For pity’s sake. I’m fine. Do I look sick to you?”

“No, but I saw Tanner—”

“He wanted me to put on a shawl, but I said I didn’t need it.”

“Oh.” The doctor peered up at Tanner and grinned. “She sure looks fine to me.” He glanced down at Kate. “I think it’s time to raise the curtain. Shall we go back to our seats?”

“Goodbye, Tanner. Enjoy the show.” She hooked her arm through the physician’s and went back into the theater.
 

Tanner scanned the emptying room, then spotted Jeanne. “I wondered where you went to,” he said.
 

“I did not theenk you would meess me,” she said, smiling. “Besides, I had beesness to deescuss with Cornelius.”

He led her back to her seat. “How is Beekman these days?”

“Looking forward to the new year; he plans to make even more money.”

“New year? By golly, I had forgotten. Tonight is New Year’s Eve. Speaking of money, I guess Kate’s pie shop is still doing a booming business.”

“Yes, eet ees a shame she weel be leaving us before long.”

“Kate’s leaving?”
 

Madame Jeanne didn’t answer. The curtain had risen, the second act was beginning. Tanner knew Kate wasn’t in front of them, for he had examined the back of every head. None of them belonged to her. Trying not to be obvious about it, he swiveled and looked to the right and then to the left. Finally, he turned completely around and found her seated directly behind him.
 

“Sit still. I can’t see,” she hissed.
 

“Sorry.” Feeling like a fool, he faced the stage and scooted down in his seat. At least now he knew where she was.
 

Toward the end of the act, he heard a man say in a loud whisper, “Doc, you’re needed at the hotel. Looks like another case of the pox.”

“Kate?” the elder man asked.

“Don’t worry, I’ll be fine,” she said softly.
 

Tanner turned. “Go ahead, Doc, I’ll see she gets home.”

“Thanks, Tanner. Kinda cold out. I’ll leave my buggy.”

The rest of the performance seemed to go in slow motion and more than a few of the patrons began to nod. Others, mostly men, retreated to the lobby for a cigar or something to drink. But Tanner had no difficulty staying awake. He could actually hear Kate breathing. And with every intake he visualized the rise and fall of her breasts.

When the second act ended, the patrons again headed for the lobby.

By the time Jeanne stood and they started up the aisle, Kate was nowhere to be seen. Jeanne left Tanner and was soon huddled with Cornelius over a piece of paper, giving Tanner the opportunity to look for Kate. He found her in the midst of a group of women.

Telling himself he was glad she was unapproachable, he stepped outside to catch a breath of air. Several men in deep conversation drew his attention.
 

“I heard three more came down sick today.”

“Thought the worst of it was over. At least that’s what the
Sentinel
is telling us.”

“Well, it appears that editor don’t know everything, no matter what he prints in his paper.”

“He left the shindig early. He’s down at the paper now. Hear the
Sentinel
is putting out a special edition.”

A knot of fear gripped Tanner’s heart. Kate had been vaccinated, but his brothers hadn’t. Maybe he should get them vaccinated, but that would mean bringing them into town and possibly exposing them to the disease. He’d talk to the doctor. In the meantime, he’d make sure the boys stayed clear of Jacksonville if he had to tie their feet to a stump.
 

“Mr. Blaine?”

He turned to see one of the Britt boys. “Howdy, son. What can I do for you?”

“Madame deRoboam said to give you this note.” He handed Tanner a folded piece of paper, then ran off to join his chums.
 

Tanner went back into the lobby and opened it. Claiming a headache, Madame Jeanne had gone home by way of Cornelius Beekman’s carriage. While he hoped she wasn’t ill, Tanner couldn’t help but be grateful that she had left. It gave him the opportunity to spend the rest of the evening with Kate.

When the curtain went up on the last act, Tanner took the seat that the doctor had vacated.
 

Kate looked up in surprise.

“Jeanne went home. No sense in both of us sitting alone.”

Kate nodded, then directed her attention toward the stage.

He, however, couldn’t focus on anything but her. He inhaled the scent of her, examined her profile by the dim lights of the theater. And since she couldn’t see, him being taller, he drank his fill of the creamy, rising mounds of flesh he’d only dreamed of watching earlier. From his viewpoint, he could almost swear he saw dusky nipples, but then he always did have a vivid imagination. Whatever he was seeing, it looked mighty fine.
 

He heard her sniff, then saw a sparkling tear make its way down her cheek. “Kate?”

“It’s so sad,” she whispered, fishing in her reticule.
 

He took a handkerchief from his pocket and handed it to her. Murmuring a thank you, she took it and dabbed at her cheeks. When she tried to return it, he took her hand and encased it in his own. He could have sat there forever, but long before he was ready, the curtain dropped.
 

Yells and whistles rose from the audience.

He gave Kate a startled look.

“They loved it. Wasn’t it wonderful?” she sighed, her expression dreamy.

“Wonderful,” he agreed. While Tanner had no idea what had happened on the stage, he wished the play could have lasted all night.
 

After several curtain calls, the house lights were lit and the audience filed out of the theater.
 

He helped Kate into her cloak and saw her to the buggy, then he retrieved his horse and tied it on behind. Two blocks. He wished it was two miles, but the night was cold and he didn’t want Kate to take a chill.
 

A gun boomed, then another.
 

“Somebody’s shooting.” Pulling Kate down on the seat, he guided the buggy off the road and stopped behind the drooping branches of a pine tree.

Kate laughed. “It’s midnight,” she explained, easing upright. “Happy New Year, Tanner.” She gazed up at him, her face pale, silvered by moonlight, her eyes shining like the brightest of stars.
 

“Happy New Year, Kate.” Unable to resist, he took her in his arms. Her lips were soft and cool; he warmed them with his own. Discovering she was kissing him back, his kiss deepened; he pressed his tongue between her teeth. She tasted of punch and honeyed nectar, like the heart of a fragrant flower. He savored the core of sweetness, exploring every delicious crevice.

She shyly made a few explorations of her own. Sighing, she moved even closer, then her arms crept up and around his neck.
 

He kissed her chin, then her neck where the cloak had parted, then nibbled his way to the creamy tops of each breast. Her skin was soft as the finest satin, flawless as the most priceless pearl. He slid his fingers inside the velvet fabric, savoring the heat of her flesh against his palm.
 

She arched against him, and whispered his name.

His pulse raged like the rapids of a river, making him oblivious to everything but the woman in his arms. He bent his head to her rose-colored lips.

Her hands fastened in his hair. Her heart beat like the wings of a hummingbird against the roughness of his fingers. She was so sweet, so perfect, and he wanted her more than he’d ever wanted anything in his life.
 

“Tanner, is that you?” a man called out from the street.

“Dammit!” Tanner moved in front of Kate, shielding her from the curious eyes of the caller. “Yeah, Ed. What do you want?”

“Doc needs his buggy. Got four more cases of the pox up Sterling Creek. Board of Health wants everyone off the street.”

The ominous message cooled Tanner’s overheated blood. Seven, maybe eight new victims, and who knew how many more. He gazed down at Kate, then tenderly kissed the tip of her nose. “Guess we’d better get you home, darlin’.”

After seeing Kate safely inside, and kissing her good night, he returned the buggy to the doctor.

“Sorry, Doc, didn’t know you’d be needing it tonight,” he said, climbing down off the seat.
 

“I was hoping I wouldn’t. If the circumstances were different, I wouldn’t have cared if you hadn’t brought the rig back until dawn.” The doctor ran a hand through his hair. “Damn this pox. You never know when it will strike next, or who.”

“Doc, are you sure Kate’s safe?” Tanner asked, unable to bear the thought that she might contract the disease. “And what about the boys? Should I get them immunized?”
 

“Kate’s been vaccinated. She won’t get it. The boys will be safe enough if you keep them home.” The physician set his black bag onto the floorboard, then he gripped Tanner’s shoulder. “Don’t worry, they’ll all be fine.” He climbed into the buggy.
 

Tanner swung into his saddle and followed the doctor as far as the cutoff, then headed toward the mountain.

A cold wind moaned down the canyon, and howled through the treetops overhead. It was a lonely, forbidding sound. Riding alone in the darkness, fear for Kate made him pull up his horse. Made him want to head back to town.

What would he do after he got there? She wouldn’t come with him. And he sure couldn’t stay.
 

Kate will be fine,
the doctor had assured him. The man knew his business. He wouldn’t have said that if she was in any danger.

Reluctantly, Tanner headed up the trail. Thinking of the awful disease and how fast it was spreading, he only wished he felt that certain.

Chapter 11

A rumble of wheels brought Kate to her window. Another wagon load of sick being taken to Kanaka Flats. Later, on the return trip, that same wagon filled with coffins would be heading for the cemetery.

She rubbed her arms against a sudden chill, and averted her eyes past the wagon to the street, where a choking cloud of dense smoke rose to cover the town. Pitch fires had been built at intervals down Main Street in hopes that the smoke would purify the air and therefore prevent the spread of the pox. Then, resorting to ancient traditions, sulphur had been added to the flames until the supply ran out.