Lincoln County Series 1-3 (2 page)

Chapter Two

A grumbling stomach woke up Cameron. She stretched lazily and slowly opened her eyes. After some time adjusting to new body aches, she sat up and took in her surroundings. With no energy the night before to even care what the room was like, she was surprised now at the touches of femininity about her. The room was filled with a fresh, clean smell—lilacs. Gold colored wallpaper patterned with blood-red roses adorned her four walls. The furniture was an ivory color painted with gold-tone trim. There was a small window covered with red velvet drapery, tied back with golden ropes. The hotel was quiet and her room more elegant than anything she’d before known.

Cameron eased her tender but rested body out of bed, vaguely remembering where the dark haired lady who had checked her in last night said the privy was. After putting on her wrapper, she ventured into the hallway until she spotted the shared toilet. She hesitated and looked around—no one in sight. She could not have waited until she got dressed appropriately and made a dash for it.

A few minutes later, she put on a brown riding skirt, light blue blouse and twisted her hair into a bun at the base of her neck. She pulled open the drapes completely and looked out the window to see the sun high in the clear sky. It was time to find some food.

The saloon was now void of raucous townspeople and cleaned up, the chairs upside down on the tabletops, as if they were sleeping off their long night. Cameron entered the dining room on the other side of the hotel, the side that didn’t appear tainted by the brothel across the foyer.

“Grab yourself a seat. I’ll be right with you,” the dark haired woman from the night prior called out over her shoulder as she walked past, bearing two copper pots. Cameron obeyed, wishing she wasn’t so quick to judge the place last night. This side of the inn was stylish and beautiful. She chose one of the few remaining burgundy velvet upholstered booths. Each table had a crystal vase filled with fresh flowers centered on a doily.

The lady soon placed a china cup on a saucer in front of Cameron. “Coffee?”

“Yes, please.”

“Where are you visiting from?”

“Ludenville, Wyoming. I’m here to find my brother.”

“What’s his name?”

“Thomas Engel.”

She pulled her dark eyebrows together and it seemed all kindness left her. “Why can’t you find him? Aren’t you family?”

Cameron cradled her fingers over the cup. “It’s a long story.”

The noise level in the dining room increased as late risers began to arrive.

“My name’s Lacey, I’d love to hear this long story of yours. I’ll be back with a plate of ham and flapjacks for you, then you’ll stay put until things slow down a little, yes?”

*** *** ***

As promised, Cameron waited around until the restaurant was near empty. It wasn’t hard to do. She had nowhere else to go. Once Lacey came and sat across from her Cameron observed, “Seems awful busy for one person to serve all of these guests.”

“This town is a popular place. People settling all over the area now that the Indians are on reservations.”

“Do you own the hotel, then?”

“My no-good husband owned it all before he up and left two years ago. The hotel is still in his name, but I’m claiming it as my own...since he saw fit to desert it, and me. A good man named Liam keeps the saloon across the foyer, which he rents from me. I want nothing to do with whores.”

Cameron was curious. “Do you know where your husband is?”

“Nope, and I don’t care. He left me a note one morning saying he was bored with life and needed some adventure. Funny thing is, Della Carter seems to have disappeared the same time he did.” Lacey’s full lips spread into a friendly smile. “I’m sure that was all more than you wanted to hear!”

“I did ask,” Cameron replied. “My pa left us when I was a little girl. He was the town drunk so my mother and I didn’t mind too much.”

“Well I guess we have some things in common.” Lacey fiddled with a napkin a moment. “Tell me about Thomas. Why would you be looking for him?”

“He doesn’t know about me. My mother said she was carrying him in her belly when she met my father. An unwed woman you know. I had no idea of any of this until last month. Apparently my pa hated Thomas. I guess our mother forced him to leave one day. She said my pa was going to kill him. She was expecting me at the time, but Thomas didn’t know.” Cameron peered at her. “Now you tell me, why did you respond that way when I told you his name?”

“I don’t care much for your brother or his gang.”

“His… gang?”

“Mmm hmmm, they pretty much run Lincoln County. They don’t do any harm to the townspeople, in fact they are like heroes to some. They are the only ones who took care of Ken Murphy—a man who once ruled this territory. He brought new meaning to the word ‘terror’ let me tell you. I suppose in his own way, Thomas believes he does us all good. By the way, what’s your name?”

“Cameron.”

Lacey’s brows furrowed, “Seems to be an odder name than most.”

Used to the puzzled response, Cameron explained as she’s had to whenever she encountered someone new. “I was named after my mama’s town of birth.”

“Well, Cameron. You can’t just go up to his ranch and declare your intentions. Sister or no, it doesn’t mean he’ll believe you. He’s mean. You need to know that.”

“I promised our mother, on her deathbed.”

Lacey folded the napkin into a square before making a suggestion. “Then let me ask someone to help you.”

“I have his letter to our ma as proof.”

“In turn, I have a favor to ask of you,” Lacey propositioned. “Could you work for me until you find out about Thomas? I really need the help and you can stay as long as you need.”

“I could do that.”

“The tables aren’t going to clean themselves. I best get to them. You be careful.” Lacey removed herself from the booth.

Cameron sighed, she needed to get her thoughts wrapped around the fact that her brother was in a gang. In her mind, men in gangs were bank robbers like Jesse James, or killers… Yes, she could wait a while longer before declaring herself as Thomas Engel’s kid sister.

*** *** ***

The man who walked into the restaurant during the supper hour was both stunning and dangerous looking. Cameron had never laid eyes on such a man in her entire life.

Lacey’s laughter was light and came from behind her. “That’s Jake Collins. Every female on the face of this earth looks at him like that. Young, old, married, you name it. Even the schoolgirls have playground fights about who’s going to marry him. Close your mouth dear and I’ll introduce you.”

Cameron snapped her jaw together.

“Don’t worry,” Lacey added. “He doesn’t realize the extent of his effect on the female race. If you want to go to Thomas’s place, Jake’s your best bet.”

“Why’s that?”

“Because he’s the only one in this town who doesn’t give a fig about Thomas. Jake is controlled by no one.”

Cameron didn’t care if Jake was willing to help her or not. There was no way in the world she could go anywhere with him.

“Is the food any good today?” Jake took both of Lacey’s hands in his and kissed her cheek.

“The best food in Kansas is served here and you know it!” She stepped aside. “Jake, I’d like you to meet my new friend.” Lacey turned back to where she’d been standing. “Cameron?”

“I’m here.” She stepped forward.

Jake’s mouth spread into a teasing grin. “Looks like you found the place after all. We’ve already met.”

“You haven’t
met
. She’s only been here a day.”

He shook his head in disagreement and looked at Cameron with such intensity she thought she’d melt into the floor.

“It was last night when I tried to offer assistance.” He spoke to Lacey, but his eyes remained on Cameron in torment.

“I… I was… not myself last night.”

He took a step closer. “Are you yourself now?”

“Jake! Go to your favorite table, and leave the poor girl alone.”

He chuckled. “All right all right, I’ll be good.”

Chapter Three

Her second full day in town brought Cameron to the mercantile. She needed to tell Thomas she was here, despite other opinions on the matter. Family was family, no matter who God gave you and certainly Thomas would see things her way.

“Is there somewhere I can try these on?”

The store owner answered, “Surely you are jesting.”

Cameron smiled, undeterred. “Not unless you know which one of these will fit me.” She held up two pairs of pants so their sizes could be judged.

“I certainly don’t know what size of
pants
you need! Why, those are men’s!” The lady snatched the pants away and showed Cameron to a back room. She remained standing at the door, arms crossed, as if to see for herself.

“Thank you...Miss…?”

“It’s Miss Evah!” She snapped the curtain shut.

Cameron felt a tiny bit of remorse for not telling Lacey what her plans were. But she was a woman now and heeded to no one. So why did she feel as if she were doing something wrong? Cameron selected the pair which fit her the best, picked out a navy blue bandana, a canteen and a belt, all much to Miss Evah’s dismay and displeasure.

A shameful, perverse delight filled Cameron as she bounded from the boardwalk to seek out a livery stable. She was not unaware of the stares she was receiving from townspeople. Some women gasped, children pointed and snickered, and the men had a different response entirely.

Upon entering, she asked the stable hand for a gentle horse.

“I have two that you can choose from.”

He looked at her clothing from head and toe and shook his head in puzzlement or disapproval, she wasn’t sure.

“I’ll be right back with them. I collect the money from you when you bring ‘er back because if she’s riddin’ hard, I collect more money, you see?”

While he was getting the horses Cameron filled her canteen from the bucket of water near the door and mentally recited what she would say to Thomas when she met him. She had packed a slice of roast beef, a biscuit and a couple of Lacey’s oatmeal cookies, which she couldn’t resist. And with what she’d purchased, she was prepared, confident, and knew everything was going to be all right.

The unkempt man returned with her horse choices.

“This here’s Sandy and this one’s Morty, brother and sister. Both old and gentle.” He smiled crudely. “Course, Morty’s still got a bit of spunk in him if you know what I mean.”

“I’ll take Sandy.” Cameron nuzzled up to the horse’s face, petting the top of her nose.

“Now don’t go spoilin’ her—like any other female she’ll get the idea she deserves it!” He spat, taking Sandy from her to go and “saddle her up.”

She followed him. “Sir?”

“What?”

“I also need to know how to get to Thomas Engel’s ranch.”

“What in heck do you want to go out there for? Don’t ya get enough of those boys when they come blazing through town causing all kinds of trouble?” He tossed her the reins.

“I just need to know where it is.”

He sighed, letting out offensive breath. “I’ll tell you how to get there but don’t come running my way iffen ya don’t like it.”

She almost laughed at the thought of running to him for anything other than securing a horse.

*** *** ***

After an hour of riding in the warm sun, Cameron stopped to take a small break and a drink of water. She startled as she heard a rider approaching, rather rapidly. Before she could respond, Jake Collins was in front of her, dust rising up in a swirl from the abrupt halt of his horse.

“Are you crazy? Do you want to get yourself killed?”

Between his presence and his flagrant accusations, Cameron was so angry all she could say was, “It’s none of your business.”

“It became my business when Lacey ask me to help you. She’s very upset that you would risk your life.”

“Stop shouting!”

“I’m not shouting.”

“How did you know where I was anyway—are you following me?”

“Don’t flatter yourself. You’re the talk of the town! Did you not consider that anyone would think it odd as you parade yourself down the middle of the street wearing men’s clothes?” He clicked open and checked the barrel of his gun. “If you insist on going, then I’m obliged to come with.”