McKenna, (Sweet Western Historical Romance) (Nevada Brides Series Book 1) (9 page)

McKenna yawned. Cole wasn’t in the room, although she could still smell the sandalwood fragrance that clung to the air. It had been hard to sleep without Cole there; she’d jumped at every sound or noise. She was finally relieved when he did come back and actually relaxed when he came to bed. Only then did she allow herself to calm down enough for sleep to be possible.

She got up and put on a much simpler gown, which she wasn’t so concerned about getting dirty. She also went without the corset since she hated wearing it anyway. Besides, not too many women she’d seen the day before had one on, except for Chastity. It really bugged her the way she had put her hand on Cole’s arm. What shocked McKenna the most was how she felt about it. She saw red and wanted to throttle the woman. McKenna had never felt anything about a man before, so this was new territory for her. Was she falling for Cole?

Cole came into the room with coffee cups, handing her one. “Are you ready to get started with the cleaning?”

“I certainly am. I think I’m finally over the shock of how the place looked.”

“We have a week to get everything set up. Bret ordered supplies to stock the store with last night.”

“Well, we had better get busy then.”

They left and had a quick breakfast at the restaurant. When they went into the store, Bret had the coverings pulled off the windows, making it much brighter inside. McKenna went in search of a bucket and came back with it filled with water.

Cole and Bret worked on constructing shelves from the wood that had been left behind by the previous owner and after hours of cleaning, the section of the store that would be the counter was clean and free of dust. This made McKenna feel optimistic about being able to have the store ready for goods within a week.

“Looks like your part of the store is nice.” He frowned. “I can’t say so much about my side.”

McKenna glanced over to where Cole and Bret had been working and could agree since it was layered with sawdust and discarded pieces of wood from all the sawing they were doing over there. “I see. Well, at least you made progress with the shelves. They’ll look great with a little paint.”

His brow rose considerably. “Oh, about the paint. I don’t think we ordered any. I guess that means we’ll have to head over to Chastity’s store to see if she has any for sale.”

McKenna’s shoulders slumped at the mere suggestion that they’d have to go over there for anything. “I suppose you’re right, but I’d hate to see how much that would be.”

“Let’s go now. We could start painting tomorrow, I think.”

It killed McKenna that they had to buy paint from Chastity’s store. It would be overpriced and she’d be very smug, too, but McKenna knocked the dust off her dress the best she could and allowed Cole to lead her across the street.

Chastity was holding up a roll of fabric and showing it to a woman when they walked in, the bell over the door alerting her of their entrance. Chastity handed the fabric to the woman and came over. “Fancy meeting you two over here. Did you give up trying to open a store of your own?”

“No, but we do need paint if you have any,” Cole said.

“Of course. Anything for you, Cole.” She sashayed her way across the room where supplies were kept. “I only have white; anything else needs to be special ordered.”

“White would be fine,” McKenna said.

She all but ignored McKenna’s presence as she purred, “It costs quite a bit, but I’d be willing to give you a discount, Cole.”

“No, thanks,” McKenna answered. “We’ll pay your over—”

“What my wife means is thank you,” Cole interjected with an arched brow.

“That’s what I thought. Since you’ll be a member of Silver as a business owner, it’s nice to help one another out, don’t you think?”

McKenna was fuming that Cole was even considering buying anything from this woman. She’d certainly expect something in return.

After they headed back to their store with the paint, McKenna saw Bret was hanging a banner outside that read, ‘Winters Mercantile Opening Soon.’

“I wish you had asked me for my opinion on the name,” McKenna said.

“I didn’t think you’d mind. That’s our last name, after all,” Cole reminded her.

“That’s
your
last name. Mine is Jameson.”

“Not anymore it’s not. You can’t expect me to not name the business that when it’s—”

“Our last name,” Bret said from his position on the ladder.

McKenna didn’t say anymore. There was no sense in arguing with Cole when people were glancing over to the red and yellow sign they’d have to be blind not to see.

Instead, she picked up a broom and swept the piles of sawdust while Cole stayed outside. She was impressed with how much progress the men made. Things were shaping up faster than she thought. When she was satisfied that the floor was free from dust, her stomach growled. It had been a long day of cleaning and she was famished.

Cole whistled as he walked in the door carrying something. “I went over and grabbed us sandwiches. I figured you might be hungry about now.”

McKenna took the sandwich. “Thanks. I am.”

“I hope you’re not too sore about the name of the store. It sounded like a logical choice to me.”

She sighed. “I suppose it doesn’t matter, but I won’t be your wife forever, you know. Then what?”

Cole’s face darkened. “I’ll give you your share of the business. You know, the money you gave me to start it.”

McKenna was livid. “I knew at the bank something wasn’t right when you wouldn’t allow me to pay my part like we agreed.” Tears of anger blinded her. “You’re just like my Uncle Abner.”

She threw down the sandwich and stomped outside, making her way to the boarding house. When she was in front of the saloon, a bearded man grabbed her around the waist. “A-Are you the new g-girl?” he slurred.

McKenna socked him in the eye and the man raised a fist to her, but with a rustling of skirts, Bella appeared. “Hold on there, cowboy. She doesn’t work in the saloon. Why don’t you wait inside for me, and I’ll show you a real good time upstairs. It won’t cost you a thing.”

The man smiled and stumbled inside.

“Where is your husband? It’s not safe to be walking around by yourself, McKenna.”

“I-I was angry and I just wanted to go back to the boarding house.”

Cole came walking up. “Oh, there you are. You can’t be walking around by yourself.”

“That’s what I told her,” Bella said.

McKenna watched Cole as his eyes narrowed when he took in Bella’s appearance.

“He doesn’t think I should be speaking to you,” McKenna said.

“He’s probably right. I’d be happy to escort you back to the boarding house, though. You certainly shouldn’t be here by the saloon or you’ll be accosted a second time.”

“What is she talking about, McKenna?” Cole demanded.

“Nothing,” McKenna said, giving Bella a look.

“Sorry, but I’m not going to lie for you, McKenna. A man grabbed her, but I took care of it.”

“Which man?” Cole demanded.

Bella took a hold of McKenna’s arm and led her in the direction of the boarding house.

“Wait,” Cole said.

“I’ll take her back. I think she needs some woman time alone.”

McKenna tried to see what Cole was going to do, but Bella tugged her along.

“Don’t worry. Whatever you two were arguing about can be worked out later, upstairs.” She laughed.

She didn’t think it would be good for anyone to know her marriage wasn’t for real, so she said, “Yes, I was mad that he named our business without even asking me. I’m really not sure how this marriage will work out if he does things like that. He told me if I left, I’d only get what I put in which was nothing. He wouldn’t let me pay my part.”

“Why would you want to ever leave a handsome man like that?”

“Oh, I don’t know. I wouldn’t even have married if my Uncle Abner hadn’t stolen our family store right out from under us when our parents died.”

“You have family back in Ohio?”

“Four sisters,” McKenna replied.

“More like you?” Bella laughed.

“Not exactly. I don’t think any of us are alike in any way, really.”

“I should hope not. It would be pretty boring if we were,” Bella said. “I’m sure your husband only said that because he doesn’t want to lose you. Men like to think they’re the only ones who should be making all of the decisions, but it’s a man’s world. I have a good feeling about you two. He sure looked upset when he found out you had been accosted.”

“I suppose.”

They stopped walking when they made it to the boarding house.

“Please, come in,” McKenna invited.

“I can’t, dear, but take care. I have to get back to work.”

“H-How are things going for you?”

“Great. I’m making way more than I ever had. If I save my money, I’ll be able to open my own house. Then I won’t have to be a working girl. I’ll have girls working for me. I’ll only take a man to bed then if he’s really handsome, if you catch my drift.”

“Good luck, Bella. That would certainly be better than what you’re doing now.”

“It’s not so bad. Most of the men are really nice … a little dirty, but nice and generous.” She laughed.

McKenna went into the boarding house, and the woman who usually ran the counter was at the front door, peeking out. She darn well almost hit the woman in the face with the door.

“Y-You shouldn’t be consorting with a woman like that,” she said.

“She happened to help me when a man accosted me, I’ll have you know, and she escorted me here so it wouldn’t happen again.”

“Oh, sorry. I hope you’re okay.”

“Yes, quite,” McKenna said as she moved past her.

When she went upstairs and into her room, McKenna stared out the window, watching miners heading into town. They were laughing and must’ve been heading for the saloon or the bank. Once they passed, McKenna walked to the bed and sank on it, burying a pillow over her head. Perhaps Bella was right and Cole just didn’t want to lose her, but his words really hit a soft spot in her. She still was smarting after what had happened back home with her uncle. She just couldn’t bear for it to happen again. She had to make this work for not only her, but her sisters. They were counting on her, and Cole wasn’t that bad, really. It was just what he’d said that bothered her.

* * *

Cole came back to the boarding house and McKenna was asleep. He couldn’t even wake her to ask if she wanted to get something to eat. He regretted what he’d said to her about what would happen if she no longer wanted to be his wife in regards to the store. The look on her face was more than enough for him to know he had hurt her. Who could blame her when that uncle of hers had taken the family business from her? He knew she wanted to make a go of the store for the better of her sisters, who she’d most likely be sending for when things took off.

It angered him when she defied him about speaking to Bella, but it seemed the vivacious saloon girl had stepped in when he wasn’t there. He should have gone right after her straight away, but he thought she had only stepped outside for air until Bret came in and asked why he was allowing his wife to walk unattended outside.

After his confrontation with McKenna in front of the saloon, he went back to the store to clean and straighten their living quarters. He’d make it up to McKenna for his words. He had to; he wasn’t willing to let her go.

McKenna awoke with a start when someone knocked on the door. She pulled herself out of bed and put her ear to the door. “Who is it?”

“It’s Bret.”

McKenna opened the door a crack. “What do you want?”

“Cole asked me to fetch you. He has a surprise for you this morning back at the store. He told me for you to bring fresh clothing and your toiletries.”

McKenna nodded and closed the door, gathering up her bag that contained everything she would need to get cleaned up, along with a clean dress. Cole must have figured she could get cleaned up over there.

Bret was waiting downstairs to escort her over to the store. When they arrived, she noticed the inside was quite clean with all the shelves hanging and fixtures where goods would be put for sale.

“I can’t believe this is the same store,” she remarked.

“Cole and I worked long into the night, and one of the miner’s families came over to help out. They were really down on their luck since their family hasn’t been able to find any gold as of yet.”

“I see. That was nice of him, providing they were paid.”

“Of course I paid them,” Cole said as he came down the stairs. “I hope you’re hungry. I have breakfast for you.”

McKenna’s brow shot up. “That sounds interesting.”

“You say that like I don’t know how to cook. I assure you I had to learn after my wife died or I’d have starved.”

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to say you were incapable, but most men can’t cook or wouldn’t want to.”

“It’s not something I’d want to do all the time, but I wanted to make up for what I said yesterday. Can we have a fresh start today?”

McKenna smiled. “I’d like that.”

He motioned to the stairs and she carried her belongings to the upper floor. There was a worn table and two chairs with plates loaded with eggs and bacon. Not only did that shock her, but also her attention went over to the top of the stove where large pots were boiling.

“I thought you’d like a bath today,” Cole said.

McKenna’s face lit up. “I can?”

“Yes. I found a brass tub.”

McKenna was so excited she almost forgot food was on the table, but she finally wandered over there and sat. She nearly threw herself into Cole’s arms and kissed him. She picked up her fork and began to eat, nodding at Cole. “This is pretty good,” she said. “I half-expected to get a mouthful of egg shells.”

“Really? I guess when you were raised, your father never did any cooking.”

“No, we had a very traditional family. Papa ran the store and Mama cooked. Us girls learned a little of both, but I was the only one who had any interest in the store. Abigail kept the house in order from the age of twelve, which allowed Penelope, Cadence, and Kayla freedom to enjoy their childhood.”

“When I met Abigail, I figured her for the oldest. She’s going to be a tough woman to find a husband for.”

“Husband? I hardly think she wants one of those.”

“She’ll have to if she doesn’t want the label of spinster.”

McKenna just shook her head. “That’s just like a man to say that. Actually, I was more of a spinster than her, since I’m twenty-two. She’s a year younger.”

“Well, you’re not a spinster now.”

She concentrated on her meal. She had the feeling that Cole thought this was a real marriage. However, she’d keep her thoughts to herself since he had not only cooked her a good meal, but was warming water so she’d be able to take a
real
bath!

McKenna used some of the hot water to wash the dishes and the remainder was taken into another room.

Cole returned and announced, “I set your bath up in the other room. You might need to add cold water from the pump so you don’t burn yourself.”

He went back downstairs and she practically ran to the bathtub. It was steaming nicely and she added water from the hand pump until it felt hot yet comfortable. She started to remove her clothing, but suddenly realized the curtains were open and snapped them closed. Why, there was even a man staring up at her.

When McKenna finally took her clothing off, she eased into the tub, sighing. She leaned back, enjoying how the hot water invigorated her. She had to admit Cole knew a thing or two about making a woman happy. Of course, he had also been married before. She certainly couldn’t stay mad at him anymore.

* * *

McKenna came down the stairs and when Cole’s eyes met hers, she felt a warmness that she couldn’t explain. She gazed around; it was clean enough to open the store if only they had more than some mining equipment.

“Why are you standing around?”

“I thought we’d take a stroll around town. We could even thank the women who helped clean last night. I have yet to pay them.”

“Are they here in town?”

“We’ll be heading out to the tent city.”

“B-But I thought it would be dangerous there.” McKenna’s eyes widened at the thought.

“I’ll be right with you the whole time. I’ll leave my mind open in regards to the miners in this town until I get to know them.”

McKenna smiled. “This sounds like a start to a great day.”

Cole took her arm and they waved to Bret who was sanding the shelves. While they walked down the street, men were hammering nails to boards in the structures that were being built. Women in worn dresses strolled into town with a few children weaving in and around them, but staying somewhat close.

They drew attention when they entered the outskirts of the tent city, and McKenna was appalled at the poor conditions. The tents were very small and few had room for a campfire even. It smelled bad, too.

“Watch your facial expressions, dear. We don’t want to offend anyone.”

McKenna nodded at the women and miners they passed, and Cole waved at a group of four women.

“Hello there, ladies.” He pulled out money, slipping a gold coin into each of their hands. “I can’t thank you enough, ladies.”

“Is this your wife?” one bright-eyed woman asked.

“Why, yes, I am. I’m McKenna.”

“I’m Grace,” the woman responded. “This is Betsy, Joslyn and Irma.”

“Nice to meet you, ladies, and thank you for helping ready the shop.”

“Is the table working okay?” Grace asked. “It was our mama’s set, but we don’t have no place to have anything that fancy.”

‘Fancy’ wasn’t a word that would describe the table and chairs, but McKenna said, “Once you have a better place to stay, I’ll make sure you get it back.”

“The only way I see that happening is if our sister Fanny strikes it rich. So far, she hasn’t found any gold.”

“Sister? So, you’re not here with a husband?”

“Oh, no, none of us are married,” Grace told her.

“The pickings are slim,” Irma added with a cockeyed smile.

“With all the men here, I can’t imagine that’s the case.”

“Except all the good ones are busy working their claims most of the time. Whenever they make it into town, it’s for a visit at the saloon. We can’t compete with a saloon girl,” Irma explained.

“I don’t know why you’d even want to. Men are often pretty dense when it comes to women. Sometimes you have to put some effort into it by at least saying hello to a man,” McKenna said.

“Oh, I could never do that,” Betsy said. “And men tend to take it the wrong way here.”

“She’s right,” Cole said. “Do you have regular jobs?”

“We work in the kitchen tent,” Grace responded. “We were headed there now.”

“Great. I’d love to tag along,” McKenna said. “If you don’t mind.”

“That’s no place for a lady such as yourself,” Joslyn remarked. “It’s not like a fancy restaurant back in Ohio.”

“How do you know where we’re from?”

“I told them,” Cole said.

“Oh, well, no matter. I’m ready to get my hands dirty. It’s the least I can do since you’ve all helped us with the store.”

Grace shook her head. “It’s not like we weren’t paid, and we’d really rather give our business to you than that Chastity Burke. I don’t care for her at all.”

“And I’d watch my husband around her, too, if I were you,” Irma added.

McKenna looked over at Cole. “I-I don’t think I have to worry about Cole, but it sounds like solid advice.”

She followed the ladies to a large tent, which held makeshift tables and chairs made out of crates and boxes. Along one end, a long table separated the kitchen from where the miners ate. In the kitchen area were two wood-burning stoves, which made it hotter in there than outside. Two burly women turned, one of whom asked, “Who do you have there, Grace? Those folks should be eating at the restaurant, not here.”

“We’ve come to help,” McKenna said.

The woman cocked a brow. “Now that’s a switch. Ladies like you don’t usually bother even looking in the direction of our tent city.”

“Actually, my husband and I came to Silver to open a store, Winters Mercantile.”

She laughed. “Chastity Burke won’t be liking that. I’d watch my back if I were you. She’s not above running the competition out of town.”

“Now, Bertha. We don’t know that for sure,” Grace reprimanded.

“I thought the owner of the building we bought was killed over cheating at cards,” McKenna said.

“That’s what they like to tell folks, but it wouldn’t surprise me if she put somebody up to that and he hadn’t cheated at all. All it would take is for one man to even suggest the other might be cheating to turn the other players against him.”

“Bertha is right,” the other woman agreed. “I’m Maggie, and I’d actually love some help.”

“Thanks,” Cole said. “Because my wife McKenna doesn’t take no for an answer.”

The women laughed and McKenna frowned, looking down at the bread that had bugs in it. “Where did you get this bread?” she asked.

“That’s what Chastity sold us. We should have checked it over before we left the store with it,” Bertha admitted. “We’re making fresh bread.”

“Do you buy all the food supplies from Chastity’s store?”

“Don’t have much of a choice. Her father owns the only shipping company that delivers goods in Silver, and they won’t even take orders from us. The whole system is jaded if you ask me,” Bertha stated.

“I see. I hope we don’t have a problem getting our order delivered.”

“Wouldn’t surprise me. How about coming over here and cutting up vegetables for the stew,” Bertha said.

McKenna began to chop up carrots, onions, and potatoes. “You bought the vegetables from Chastity, too?”

“Yes, she must have been in a generous mood. We don’t get fresh vegetables here much.”

“I guess not if Chastity is controlling what comes into Silver and who she sells what to.”

“When our store gets up and running,” Cole began, “I promise you’ll have fewer problems. I’ll make sure you get what you want and at a cheaper price.”

“Now, that’s what I’d like to hear, but you’ll have to sort out your deliveries before you’ll even make it a day. Don’t trust Chastity, no matter how sweet she acts. She’s a real snake in the grass,” Bertha said.

After she added the vegetables to the stew, McKenna asked, “What do you want me to do next?”

“We scored a few bags of apples from one of the miners. He just came back from Reno,” Maggie told her. “Do you know how to make pie crust?”

“I sure do.” McKenna smiled.

Cole gathered up the apples and proceeded to peel them while McKenna got busy with the flour, lard and water. She used her fingers to mix it and was handed a roller to flatten out the dough. She twitched her nose when it itched.

“Cole, can you itch my nose?” she asked.

He laughed and scratched it for her and she thanked him by flicking flour at him.

“Teach me to help you itch your nose.”

After the crust was in the pans, Cole added the apples, sugar, and cinnamon. Then they were handed off to Bertha to place in the oven.

“Oh, Cole, look,” McKenna called, holding up her hands that were covered with sticky dough that hadn’t fallen off when she rolled it.

Bertha shook her head and handed McKenna a towel to clean off with. “You two make my heart feel good. I don’t think I’ve ever seen two people more in love.”

“I-I—” McKenna began, but didn’t know what to say. Bertha had it all wrong; Cole didn’t love her and she … wasn’t sure how she felt. Although she certainly was enjoying her day with him.

“We haven’t been married that long,” Cole explained.

“That explains it then,” Bertha said. “Why don’t you young people have a seat until it’s time to eat?”

McKenna and Cole sat at a table, or what served as one. She was really appalled at the conditions and vowed to somehow make them better. “What they really need here, besides decent food supplies, is an area away from the tent city where outhouses can be built. Somewhere that is nowhere near their water supply. If they keep going on like this, disease will surely follow; cholera for one.”

McKenna got up and asked Bertha, “How do you get water out here?”