Liberty Belle (17 page)

She wasn’t used to taking charity, Wade could see that. Then again, what southern belle would be?

“Goes for you and the boy, too.”

No smirk this time. The gambler looked sincere. Wade nodded. “Let me wake Mark, and we’ll be down.”

Flora sashayed between Libby and Harley. “We’ll be along shortly, Mr. Mason. I think it proper we wait until Libby’s
brother
can accompany us.”

Harley’s smile faded. “Of course, I’ll go see your table is ready.” He nodded and left them.

After entering his room, Wade roused Mark for breakfast. He’d never seen the boy move so fast. While waiting, Wade’s own stomach reminded him that a good meal would be welcome.

With a lick to a palm, Mark slicked his hair and ran out of the room.

Wade paused and glanced in the mirror at his unruly hair. After splashing water on his face, he ran his hand through his hair to make it presentable. He frowned, no way he could appear as neat as the slick gambler. He slipped on his boots, grabbed his hat, and left the room.

“Ladies, shall we go?” Wade offered his arm to Libby.

Mark went to Flora and did the same.

Laughing, the small woman took the boy’s arm and whispered in his ear. In a moment, they took off, skipping with an odd gait to accommodate Mark’s limp.

Wade walked slow, wishing they were outside and not going downstairs to meet the gambler. “Flora’s good with the boy. Have you considered watching him for me while I find a job?”

Libby stiffened ever so slightly. “I don’t know. We have a five dollar gold piece between us and that’s all. I am not even sure where we’ll stay this night.”

That familiar cloud of failure fell on his shoulders. He shoved past his pride. He’d do anything to help her. “I thought I’d ask Harley for the wagon and drive you and Flora around the city. Look for your school and a respectable boardinghouse, if that’s all right?”

Libby’s head came up, and she squeezed his arm. “Would you?”

“Can’t promise what Harley will say, but he does seem to care in some way.”

Downstairs, Harley made good on his promise. In a small room behind the kitchen, he had a table set for them complete with eggs, biscuits, bacon, and flapjacks. Any man who could provide such a good breakfast couldn’t be all bad.

After quieting the hungry beast in his gut, Wade studied the gambler. The man had an easy way about him. Likeable but with an edge that warned he wasn’t one to turn your back on.

“Mr. Mason, I was wondering if you’d allow me to take the wagon and drive the ladies around the city. After I get a job, I’ll repay you.” Wade noticed fear creep into Mark’s eyes. “Of course, I’ll need my partner to help.” He winked at the boy.

Harley stretched. “I do have a lot to do here in my new establishment.” He glanced at Libby and shook his head. “All right. Remember, I’ll hold those rooms for you. No charge.”

Libby let her fork clink to the plate. “I am sure we’ll find other accommodations for tonight. I may be penniless today, but as soon as I wire my parents, they will send funds. I will pay my bill.”

Chuckling, Harley pushed away from the table and stood. “Bless your pretty little head. I don’t suppose you noticed there weren’t any telegraph poles on the way to Denver. There is no telegraph. You can send a letter on the stage, but you’re looking at a couple of weeks before your parents even know where you are and another two for any money they might send to reach you. And that’s if the stage isn’t held up or Indians attack. No, Miss Libby, you better not count on any help from your mama and papa.”

Wade frowned. Libby’s first thought was to ask her parents for help. Did he fit into her life at all? Should he even try?

###

Libby forced her mouth to close. She was cut off. Rising panic had her feet ready to run. Why had she not thought of that? She glanced at Wade. The look on his face did little to calm her.

Suddenly, the bright day had grown dark. Weeks would pass before she had enough money for a room in a respectable boardinghouse. Living in a saloon was not going to make for a good reference.

Staring Harley in the eye, she took a sip of coffee, and forced herself to appear at ease. She gently set her cup on the table, wiped her lips, and smiled. “I am confident that I will have the funds. Now, about the wagon—”

Shaking his head and laughing, Harley pointed at Wade. “You can have the wagon to drive these ladies around. And like I said, when you’ve seen the town, you’re welcome to come back in time for dinner and the night.” He left and strode to his office, still chuckling.

Flora threw her napkin onto the table. “Oh dear. What a haughty man. I feel like a fly in a spider web.”

Libby held her head to keep it from exploding. “What will I do?”

“Well, Mark and I are going to get that wagon. Now isn’t the time to give up.”

Swiping a tear from her eye, Libby gazed at Wade.

“Oh my. He’s right Libby. Why, we’ve held off drunks, been through a holdup, and ridden over half the country. I am sure I can procure payment for my sewing. I just need to paint a sign.”

Mark reached for another flapjack. “I can help make the sign, Miss Flora.”

“Why, thank you young man. While we are out, I have enough to buy some supplies. I need material, thread, needles, and signage.”

“Let’s go, partner.” Wade stood and motioned for Mark to follow.

The boy stuffed the last piece of pancake into his mouth and limped after him.

Libby watched them walk out the door and wondered at the sudden hole in her heart. She liked Wade’s presence. Wanted him around. But she hadn’t come all this way to give up her freedom to Harley or Wade.

Fishing the advertisement from her reticule, Libby prayed she’d get the teaching position. “I should go to the newspaper first. They can tell me who to see about the position.” Just having a plan made her feel stronger.

After several minutes, Flora set her bag on the table with a clunk. “I wonder if I should bring my pistol?”

“No, I don’t think so.” The words had just left her mouth when Harley came out of his office.

A slovenly dressed man cursed at him and drew a gun. Before she could even gasp, Harley popped the man in the mouth and slapped the gun out of his hand.

She swallowed hard. “Well, maybe just a few more days until we obtain a room somewhere else.”

“Oh dear. Seeing that vagrant, I heartily agree. Mr. Mason reacted with such speed to prevent a nasty scene. Perhaps Wade can give us shooting lessons.”

Libby smiled at the mention of Wade’s name. “I just hope he stays around.”

Soft chuckles from Flora sent Libby’s cheeks burning.

Her aunt nodded toward the front door. “I see Wade with the wagon. Are we going to walk out of the saloon for all to see?” Flora adjusted her spectacles.

“The proper thing would be to take the stairs outside our room. Fortunately, my ankle is much better this morning. Let’s go. Destiny awaits us.”

By the time she walked up the stairs to their room and then down the outside steps, her ankle throbbed. Libby limped to the wagon and wondered if appearing proper had been worth the trouble.

Wade jumped from the wagon and ran to her. “You shouldn’t have gone up those stairs. What were you thinking?”

Libby held back the harsh words she wanted to say. No point in making him mad. So instead, she smiled being sure to use her dimples. “A lady must always appear proper. My ankle will be fine after a few minutes rest.”

He opened his mouth to say something but instead shrugged and helped her into the seat.

Libby anticipated the ride next to Wade. She waited while he helped Flora. When he climbed onto the seat beside her, sparks set her heart to a fast trot.

Wade slapped the reins. “Up, boys.”

The deep tenor of his voice surrounded her in a cloud of warm confusion. Libby stared at him, basking in the waves of excitement. He was the man in her dreams. A young couple walking along the road looked at them and smiled. She clasped a hand to her chest.
They must think we are husband and wife.

“I asked around. The paper is just a few blocks over.”

His voice startled her out of her dreams. She glanced at him, thankful he couldn’t read her mind. He sounded so sure and confident. She latched onto his strength, hoping to control her breathing.

In minutes, her pulse jumped as the sign for the
Mountain News
came into view. Although her excitement took a temporary stumble when she realized it hung over a rather shabby wooden building. But soon she’d have employment. Everything was going to work out.

Wade stopped the wagon. He helped Flora down and soon stood at Libby’s side. “I won’t be long. This part of town doesn’t look too bad, and the owner of the paper is supposed to be a decent man. Mind if I drop you and Flora off while I check on a horse?”

She began to protest when he grasped her around the waist and swung her to the ground. His touch chased away her remarks. Then as he held her hand, he gazed at her with a tenderness she’d not seen in him before. “I’ll come back for you.”

She kept her hand in his, delighting in his warmth. After a few moments, she gently pulled her fingers from his grasp. “Um … and what kind of employment are you looking for?”

His smile turned grim. “Anything I can find.” He snorted in disgust. “Even a job mucking the stables looks better than nothing.”

A mere stableman?

Libby tried to breath. She stared at him, hoping he didn’t see her disappointment, but her dream world had just shattered.

Chapter 18

Wade stepped away from her. The wrinkles on Libby’s nose had only lasted a moment, but the disappointment in her eyes lingered. Her southern belle ways might not be comfortable with a common laborer, but he wasn’t ashamed of hard work. Yet even before his thoughts could finish his defense, the old feeling of failure reared up and froze the heated words he wanted to throw her way.

Head down, she rummaged in the cloth bag that never left her side. What was she doing out here? To him, she was a silly girl in a wild land, forced to accept comfort from a gambler, while he played the imaginary brother to keep her safe.

Libby pulled a torn slip of paper from her reticule and clutched it to her chest. With a sigh, she looked up at him. “If I secure this job, my troubles will be behind me.” She smiled, but not the warm, inviting one she’d given him earlier.

Anger drove his gaze from her. He’d fought all his life to better his status. As sheriff, he’d gained some respect, but he’d thrown his badge away for revenge. And now?

“Wade? You will return for us? Her bottom lip trembled.

Not tears. Her discomfort undid him and his irritation softened. “I’ll come back to escort the new teacher.” He tried to smile and reassure her but wasn’t at all convinced his lips obeyed.

Relief brightened her face. “Don’t be long.”

He waved. “Just going to check the livestock auction.”

With his injured pride unable to endure any more blows, he retreated to the wagon. Without a backward glance, he sat next to Mark and grabbed the reins. That woman had him turned all inside and out. How did she melt his heart with a warm smile one minute and then freeze him the next?

A touch to his shoulder caused him to turn.

“Mr. Wade, can I drive the team?”

Wade pulled his mind from the confusion. He nodded and placed the leather guides in Mark’s hands.

The boy sat up straight, a determined set to his lips. “You think we’ll find Banjo?”

“No.” Wade grimaced. His answer came out too short, too harsh. He glanced at Mark. The hurt on his young face bit into Wade’s conscience. To ease the harm, he winked and pointed down the street. “Slap the reins lightly and drive them to the corner where the man riding the bay turned.”

Mark drove the team. His beaming smile lightened the burden from Wade’s shoulders.

“We’ll look for a horse at the Elephant Corral.”

Eyes wide, Mark’s jaw dropped. “They got elephants?”

“No.” Wade nudged the boy’s shoulder. “The barkeep told me it’s where they hold town meetings and trade livestock. In the forties, prospectors on the trail to California said they were going to see the elephant. Something wild, magnificent, and new.”

“Mr. Wade, do you think after you get your horse, we can hunt for our gold?”

Wade tumbled the question around while he searched for the right words. More than likely, the claim was worthless. “I’ll have to earn money for food and supplies, and then we need to take care of Libby and Flora.”

“Miss Libby isn’t your real sister, is she?”

“Well, no.”

“I didn’t think so. My friend in Missouri, Jimmy Cranston, never liked to be close to his sister.”

Great. If the kid could see he cared for Libby, everyone must notice. But he doubted she’d consider him anything but her convenient protector. Shaking the dark clouds from his thoughts, he showed Mark how to turn the horses around the corner.

“Good job. We’ll stop here and walk the rest of the way.”

The deep lowing of oxen, horses snorting, and shouts of men drifted from behind the cottonwood log and canvas structure. Wade stopped the team, set the brake, and helped Mark down. “Stay right by me. I don’t want to lose you.”

“Yes, sir.” The boy saluted.

The kid sure had a happy outlook on life. Hopefully he’d prayed  they’d find a horse or even Banjo. Mark talked to the Lord like He was an old friend. Wade had crossed too many lines. No reason for the Lord to listen or for him to pray.

He entered the arena and was met by a cloud of dirt. The result of an ox digging at the torn dirt. Wade wiped his sleeve across his face and choked a cough. He gripped Mark’s shoulder and steered him away from the beast.

The boy held his arm to his nose and grimaced.

Wade welcomed the familiar smell of animals and sweat. A loose calf romped toward them, turning at the last minute. Cattle, mules, and horses crowded one side of the corral and wagons the other. In the middle, men yelled to sell or buy.

A robust man wearing a vest with bulging pockets stood among those in the center. The way he ordered drivers around, he looked to be the one in charge.