Liberty Belle (21 page)

“I am surprised at your cleverness but so very glad.” Libby wanted to say more, but Harley had finished untying the horses and neared the carriage.

He glared at Flora but took his seat next to Mark. “I think you’ll like Auraria. Although I hear it’s about to become part of Denver.”

Mark turned and gave Libby a wink. “Mr. Mason, can I drive the team?”

“No. I don’t know these horses, and you don’t know where you’re going.” Harley didn’t look at the boy.

Libby frowned. The edge to his voice sent her a warning. He was not a man to be made a fool of, not when he could turn them out in the street. What could she say that would be pleasant but not encourage him?

Before words came to her mind, her aunt tapped Harley’s shoulder. “I want to thank you for taking time out of your day for us. That was very kind of you.”

With a not so friendly grunt, he accepted Flora’s thanks. Her aunt didn’t seem to mind as she pointed out a patch of purple wildflowers.

While there were many buildings, the rickety shacks, tents, and lean-tos outnumbered them. Apparently, the lust for gold outweighed the need for decent housing. Despite the hardship, a number of citizens appeared to want to make Denver a proud city.

A stirring in Libby’s heart provoked her to want to be one of them. But what did she have to offer? Her life had been one of spoiled indulgence with the thought of someday marrying into a good family. She’d not been raised to offer anything.

A cloud sailed in front of the sun. Shadows crossed their path and her mind. She remembered her father saying something about finding a need and meeting it. Perhaps that was her answer. But besides manners and a good washing, what did the people of Denver need?

She sighed so loud that Flora turned to gaze at her.

“Just thinking. I’m all right.” Libby gazed out the buggy to avoid the questions Flora was sure to ask.

A fair-sized creek flowed on the western side of the Denver separating it from Auraria. Men and women cluttered the creek bank on either side. She thought they must be doing the wash, but didn’t see any clothing near them. How did they expect to clean their laundry if they all stood so close to one another?

Farther downstream, a wooden bridge crossed into Auraria. The city sign gave her a sense of home. After all, she and this outpost were named after the same small town in Georgia.

As Harley drove the buggy over the bridge, the rhythmic clip-clop over the boards lulled her into a feeling of safety and home. The beauty of the distant mountains, fresh air, and excitement that blanketed the town chased away any desire to return to her parents. She belonged here.

The horses halted, and Harley jumped down. “I thought I’d stop so we can walk.”

After stepping onto the ground, Libby was quickly met by Harley with arm extended for her to hold onto. “Just to escort you around these wild parts. Wouldn’t want any gold-crazed miners to get ideas.” He winked and gave her a pleasant smile.

As if he had presented her with a coiled snake, she carefully placed her hand on his arm. Surprised at the muscles hidden by his ever-present suit jacket, she fought the warmth rising inside of her. She had to admit, he was handsome. Although if she had to guess, he was more Flora’s age than hers. Of course in Georgia, it was quite common for an older man to have a younger wife.

What am I thinking?
To place Harley and marriage in the same thought was frightful. To take her mind away from such an awful idea, she scanned the surroundings for something to say. She pointed to the creek. “I guess this must be wash day. I don’t think I’ve ever seen so many people line the banks of a stream.”

His deep mocking chuckle met her observation. “You are far from the family mansion aren’t you? My dear, they are panning for gold. Though from what I’ve heard, Cherry Creek is played out, but the newcomers start here in their quest to strike it rich.”

She hated being laughed at. Perhaps she did come from a family of means, and perhaps she had left hastily, but she’d come west to be free. Not looking for gold, just the opportunity to live her life without restrictions and her mother’s schemes.

She pointed downstream. “There’s a structure going up. Someone is building for the future.”

Again his cynical laugh. “Yes, they’re building for the future all right. They’re going to make liquid gold and more than likely be the richest men in Denver. It’s a brewery. As you’ve noticed, saloons are the prevalent business in this boom town.”

“I don’t find that a very noble cause. Perhaps on the return drive you can stop at a diner. I may try my hand at cooking.” She turned to go back to the buggy.

Harley didn’t move. He flexed his arm and held her beside him. “You weren’t meant to cook for others. I want to show you a special piece of property. It’s just up this street.”

Kindness edged his face, but the secure grip gave warning it wasn’t a question. Sure she couldn’t persuade him otherwise, she nodded and matched his step. A gusty wind blew her skirt and threatened to blow her hat away. She turned from the gust and saw that Flora and Mark lagged behind.

The stiff breeze chilled her, but it was the cold hand of fear she felt the most. The gambler marched at a fast pace, pulling her beside him. She gasped for breath, but he took no notice and trudged up the hill. Just as she felt she might faint, Harley stopped and pointed to a lush meadow.

“I plan to buy this land and build the biggest house Denver’s ever seen.” He paused and turned to face her, his grey eyes piercing. “I won’t live in it alone. I want you by my side. I want to marry you.”

She twisted her arm free. She wanted to laugh, ridicule him as he had done to her, but the fire in his words warned her to tread lightly. “The land is beautiful, but I came out here to make my own way in the world. To be free. I left my home after one wedding disaster, and I don’t intend to jump into … to jump into anything so quickly.”

In an instant, he pulled her to him and kissed her.

Libby pushed at him to break his hold, but he was too strong. She flailed at him.

He let her go and caught her fist. “I can wait. You were made for me. A southern belle who needs a real man. One who can teach you how to love and spoil you at the same time. You’ll see.”

Breathing hard, she stepped out of his reach. “You are wrong. Wrong! I am ready to leave. Please drive us back to our room.”

His easy laugh did little to cover the flicker of anger in his eyes.

Libby retreated another step and wished Flora and Mark were closer. How long would he allow them to stay at The Yellow Slipper without some kind of payment, or demand a price she couldn’t pay?

Harley glanced northward. “Lucky for you, storm’s coming. We better hurry.” He grabbed her. Tugging, he rushed over the rough ground and pointed at Flora. “Run for the buggy.”

Harley almost threw Libby into the front seat, daring her to say a word.

She didn’t.

Flora and Mark scrambled into the back seat. Once they were in, the gambler cracked the whip and set the horses at a fast pace.

Libby thought him just angry. Until she saw the raging clouds behind them.

###

Wade walked to the circle of men hanging around the corral.

With a big grin, Jacob Sweeny waved him over. “You won’t believe it. The horse is standing. He seemed a little unsteady at first, but we got him into the corral. Now his nasty disposition has returned. Don’t know whether you should be happy or sad.”

Mark’s prayers
.

Before he saw Fire, he heard the animal snort. Wade shoved between a man in buckskins and another who appeared to be a farmer. The stallion was a beauty with long sturdy legs, a strong back, and vibrant red color.

“Easy boy, you’ve got a new owner.” Wade slipped between the railings and circled the stallion. Blood covered Fire’s forehead, but his eyes were focused and clear. The animal’s lead rope swept the ground. Apparently, nobody wanted to risk getting close enough to tie him up.

 “Has he had any water?”

One of the men nearest pointed to a battered bucket. “Tried a couple of times. Decided the beast could die of thirst instead.”

Wade picked up the bucket and stuck his arm through a hole in the bottom. “There another one around? And a whip I might borrow?”

Jacob disappeared and returned a few minutes later with a pail half-full of water and a long-lashed whip. “Worth it to me to watch you try and get close enough for him to drink. Figured you’d have to thrash him.” The big man guffawed.

“Not going to lay the whip on him. Just give him something other than stomping me to think about.”

Wade swished his hand in the water. The horse was smart, that he could tell by the way the animal watched him. “I’m going to walk around you, Fire, until you decide you’re thirsty enough to trust me.”

He motioned for the men to step off the corral rails. He didn’t need any half-drunk miner to spook the horse. The stallion had recovered enough to give him a challenge. Wade slowly walked around the corral, making sure to splash the water every few steps.

“Whatcha doin’? Trying to make him dizzy again.” Rowdy laughter rang out.

“Just getting to know him. I’d like it if you all could be quiet. I don’t want to miss it when Fire tells me he’s ready to make friends.”

A long lost peace fell on Wade. How long had it been since he’d trained a horse?

After three circles around the corral, Fire pawed at the ground, set his ears back, and charged toward him. Wade snapped the whip and let the lash snake around the horse’s feet. The horse shied from the lash and raced around the corral.

Wade kept the stallion trotting in a circle until Fire flicked an ear forward and his pace became more relaxed. Wade angled his shoulder to the animal and looked outward at the fence. He was surprised as now over fifty men and a few women leaned on the rails.

Amazingly, none of them made a sound. When one of the women put a hand to her mouth and turned into her husband’s shoulder, Wade figured the horse must have been approaching. He faced the animal.

Fire’s ears flattened. Teeth bared, the stallion lunged.

Wade slithered the lash around the horse’s back feet.

The stallion saw the movement and changed direction. Wade stopped. Fire pawed the ground. Again the whip snaked over the ground, and the spooked horse ran in a circle.

A half hour later, Fire had both ears up when he looked to Wade, although the animal kept a wary look for the whip’s tail.

“Good boy.” He let the horse come to him. Still skittish, the animal dodged his hand, but his ears remained alert. Finally, Wade patted the silky neck. “There you go. We’ll be good friends.”

Wade walked forward, and Fire followed. After a slow walk around the corral, Wade let him drink.

“Mr. Sweeny, you have a wagon?”

“It’s the one by the entrance.” The older man shook his head and chuckled. “Never seen anything like that.”

Careful to keep an eye on the horse, Wade led him to the buckboard and tied him tight. He patted Fire and fished a handful of oats from a sack in the wagon bed. The stallion snorted at first, but soon ate the offering.

Jacob climbed into the wagon and motioned for Wade to get on. “We’ll put him into a sturdy stall with lots of hay and oats. I can’t believe how easily you tamed him.” Jacob slapped the reins.

“He’s not trained yet. I made progress, but it might be the giant headache from my bullet that settled him down. I learned the trick from an Arab horse trader. He knew more about horses than anyone I’ve ever met.” Wade relaxed and turned to Jacob. “Thanks for taking us in. I’ll work hard.”

A loud laugh rumbled from Jacob. “All those folks that watched you today are going to want to bring their animals in for you to train. Hope you’ll have the time to help me in the livery. In fact, I ought to make you partner. Business will be booming.”

“Might wait and see how Fire turns out.”

“Ach, the little you did today is more than Mercado could do. He always put two ropes on the horse’s neck to control him. I think he was hoping to sell him for breeding. Though I doubt anyone would want the wild blood in their stock.”

“Do you have any gentle horses for sale? One for the boy who was with me.”

“Well, let me think.” Jacob scrunched his lips as if to force his brain to work harder. A grin surfaced. “Yeah, I got a sweet little mare. She’s small but sound.”

“Great. As soon as I get Fire trained, I’ll work for the mare.”

He hated leaving Libby so long with the gambler. He wanted to ask if Jacob had a place where he and Mark could stay, but then Libby would be unguarded at night.

Another block and Jacob guided the wagon into a sturdy barn.

Wade dropped to the ground and eased to where Fire nervously paced the length of the rope. “Whoa, boy.” He untied the horse.

Fire snorted and laid his ears back.

“You got that whip handy?”

Jacob thrust the handle into Wade’s hand.

Wade led the stallion away from the wagon. Fire reared. After cracking the whip, Wade let the lash dance on the ground.

The horse circled, eyeing the ribbon-like snake chasing his heels.

“Remember the lessons we’ve already learned.” He kept the stallion trotting. “Where do you want me to put him?”

“The stall at the far end.”

A few minutes later, Wade led the stallion to the stall and turned him loose. Fire went right to the food.

“Thanks again. I need to check on Mark. I’ll be here before sunrise tomorrow to start work.”

Jacob nodded. “Fine with me. Better hurry wherever you’re going. The wind’s picked up. Storms can sail right over the mountains and blanket us quicker than flies on food.”

Wade left the barn and was greeted by dark clouds to the north barking warnings of thunder. He figured it was at least mile to The Yellow Slipper. He was going to get soaked. As if the clouds heard, the gray skies opened and cold rain stung him.

The road quickly turned into a roiling pit of slick mud forcing him to slow to keep his footing. He ran until he had to stop and catch his breath. He slowed to a walk, rounded the corner, and breathed easier when he saw the saloon at the end of the block.