Reclaimed Love: Banished Saga, Book Two (28 page)

“Not now, Rissa,” he said again, pausing to smile engagingly up at the waitress, making small talk while he quickly paid the bill. He rose, expecting me to follow his lead. “Rissa?” he said.

“Col, no,” I said. “Talk to me.”

“Not here. If you want to talk, we’ll talk at the hotel.” He strode out of the café.

I slid out of the booth, almost slipping onto the tattered carpet covering the wooden floor in my haste. I caught myself just before I landed there, causing a few patrons to gasp in alarm. Unfortunately my clumsiness slowed me down, and I knew I had no hopes of catching up to Colin and his long strides.

I raced after Colin as quickly as I could, dodging the barber next door as he washed his front window. I kicked his metal bucket, but only a small amount of water sloshed out of the top of it.

“Watch where you’re going, miss!” the barber grumbled as he reached for his bucket and damp cloths.

“Col, wait,” I gasped, quickly losing my breath. He appeared not to hear me, and continued to march away. I gave up trying to keep pace, slowing down to a brisk walk. After I crossed Main Street, I stumbled as I ascended the stairs onto the boardwalk and was grabbed by a young man to prevent my falling.

As I righted myself and absently thanked the man who aided me, I glanced ahead, but Colin was nowhere in sight. I continued, passing a tailor shop, a bakery, a cobbler and numerous saloons. After a few minutes, I walked past the Thornton and then crossed the street to the McDermott. I entered the hotel lobby, its parquet floors glinting in the late morning sun from the tall windows.

After nodding to the man at the front desk, I made my way upstairs to the rooms Colin and I shared. I found him pacing in front of the windows in the sitting room. The forest-green sitting room suite was pushed aside so he had more room to pace, reminding me of Da. I collapsed onto the settee, now pushed against my bedroom door, in an attempt to catch my breath and remain out of his way.

“Colin, why are you upset?” I asked as I glared at him.

“I must inquire at the front desk about the train schedule to Missoula,” Colin said as he continued to pace.

“Missoula?”

“Yes, Missoula. That’s what that Mr. Jeffers told me,” Colin said, the tempo of his pacing increasing.

“He must have told you something else to have put you in such a black mood. What did Mr. Jeffers really tell you today that bothered you?”

Colin paused for a moment as though thinking through his response. “Fine, I’ll tell you. But remember that you wanted me to.” He watched me with a stern expression. “I went by the M&M, but he wasn’t there so I then went to the Thornton. We should have had you just wait here, Rissa.” He began to pace again, and he rubbed his hand through his auburn hair in agitation. “I spoke with Mr. Jeffers. He wasn’t inclined to aid me at all at first but finally decided to help.”

“Why?”

“I honestly have no idea. But, when I was nearing the end of my patience and worried I would do him bodily harm because he seemed to take joy out of my distress, he admitted that he had heard that Gabriel had moved to a place called Missoula.” At this Colin paused, causing me to wait in a near breathless state for what he would say next. “And he didn’t go there alone.”

“What?”

“Gabe traveled to Missoula with a woman, Rissa,” he said.

“No, that Mr. Jeffers must have been mistaken,” I argued, shaking my head in denial. I paled and met Colin’s furious eyes while I fought panic at the thought of having lost Gabriel.

CHAPTER 25

TWO DAYS LATER I walked arm in arm with Colin into Butte’s train station. Until today there had been no available seats for the short journey to Missoula. The redbrick building had large oak double doors leading into a two-story foyer. After Colin purchased our tickets and discovered our train was delayed, we walked down the platform toward the porter’s storage room. Every bench along the hallway was filled with delayed passengers.

“Sir, we have tickets booked to Missoula and would like to ensure our trunks join us on our journey.”

“Never fear, young man. Old Jedediah will see they make the train.” Frayed suspenders stretched over his paunch covered in a crisp white shirt with his formal jacket and waistcoat draped over a nearby chair. He squinted at Colin. “Ah, you’d be the lovely lady and brother from the East. I just spoke with the young lady’s betrothed. I’ll be sure to inform him I’ve seen you when he returns.” He turned away toward a desk at the back of the room, his irregular gait forming an offbeat tattoo as his shoe heels clicked on the tiled floor.

I reached out and gripped his right arm. “Sir. He’s not my betrothed. He’s not my anything. I’ve no wish to see him ever again.”

“He seemed confident of his welcome here, miss.” Jedediah raised his eyebrows as he studied me. “You running away from the young man?”

“Sir, I don’t believe it’s any of your business what we are or aren’t doing,” Colin said.

“Seeing as you’re trying to rope me into your shenanigans, it just became my business.”

“I was to meet the man I hope to marry here, but he has left for Missoula. I … I need to travel to him. This other man is…” I broke off.

“Delusional,” Colin said.

“Dangerous,” I said at the same time.

“The dangerous, delusional ones always give you the most trouble,” Jedediah said with a rueful shake of his head. “I’ll watch your trunks, and I won’t tell him that I saw you. But you’d better hide, as I’m sure he’ll find his way back here, ’specially seen’ as you’re delayed a while here.”

I stiffened when I heard an imperious voice shouting, “Old man! I want to speak with you!”

“It’s Cameron.” I stifled a shriek as Jedediah grabbed my arm and pulled me toward the back room. His off-kilter gait made me stumble, and I reached out a hand to the doorjamb to steady myself.

“Hide,” he said pointing toward the storage room filled with trunks. Colin had followed, and we huddled behind a row of trunks. I sank to kneel among them in an attempt to find a comfortable position.

I heard the squeaking of the door as it was partially closed. I leaned against the trunks as far forward as possible to better hear the conversation.

“Hello, again,” Jedediah said in a welcoming voice.

“I was told you know everything about the coming and going of everyone who arrives and departs on trains. I’m beginning to doubt my sources. Tell me.” Cameron’s loud commanding voice and his footsteps carried on the wind as he paced back and forth. “Have that young man and sister I spoke with you about been seen here?”

“Were they not at the hotel?”

“They had just departed. I can’t have come so far to have just missed them. You told me they were at the McDermott,” Cameron demanded as a slapping sound of a hand hitting a wooden surface reverberated to the back room.

“As far as I know, they were,” Jedediah said. “Last I heard of the fancy brother and sister from Boston, they were staying there.”

“They checked out this morning. It means they must have come to the station.”

“Or they met someone in town and are staying with them now.”

“That damn McLeod,” Cameron muttered. “If he’s touched her, I’ll…”

“Better not to say something incriminatin’, son.”

“If you hear anything, send word to me. I’ll pay you handsomely,” Cameron ordered. “I will rent rooms at the McDermott, the only decent hotel in this wretched place.” The pacing stopped.

“As you say, sir.”

“If you play me false, I’ll discover it. You’ll find I am not on good terms with mercy.”

“Good day, sir.”

“At least someone out here knows their place.” I heard the rapid staccato of Cameron’s shoes as he strode away from the room.

I exchanged a long glance with Colin and agreed with him by a silent nod to remain where we were until Jedediah came for us. After a fifteen-minute wait, he entered the trunk room.

“All right, you can come out now,” he said.

I groaned as I rose from my position behind the trunks. I tried to massage my back as I arched it in an attempt to stretch it. Colin and I remained in the shadows of the room until Jedediah flung the door open and waved us out.

“I wandered to the front desk area as though I were making inquiries about a late-bound train. I watched to make sure that man left.” He sighed as he shook his head. “He’s gone for now, although I’m sure he’ll be back soon enough. He’ll want to know where McLeod went once he realizes he’s gone.”

“Why did you help us, Mr. Maloney?” I asked.

“I don’t like outsiders coming here and acting like they’re better than us.” Jedediah studied me with inquisitive eyes. “I imagine he meant Gabriel McLeod?”

“Yes, sir,” I said.

“Well, he’s in Missoula. At least that’s where his train ticket was booked. Anyone in town who knew him could tell your not-betrothed-suitor that. I can’t keep that secret for you.”

“I understand. I just want a chance to arrive in Missoula. Without him.”

“You do realize Mr. McLeod didn’t travel alone?”

“I know.”

“Hmm … Well, I wish you the best of luck. Your train just arrived, earlier ’n expected. It’ll leave in about thirty minutes. I imagine you could board now if you wanted. While I was out poking around, I ensured your trunks will travel with you.”

“Thank you, sir,” Colin said. He shook Jed’s hand before ushering me toward the waiting train.

“Whatever you gotta do in that town of Missoula, do it quickly. I fear that man is a bit fixated on you, miss.” Jedediah nodded toward us as we handed our tickets to the conductor and boarded the train.

CHAPTER 26

GABRIEL LOOKED UP from his workbench at the quick tapping on the frame of his open workshop door. He rose to greet the wiry man who stared into his room with blatant curiosity.

“What do you have that could tempt me?” the man asked as he glanced around Gabriel’s workspace. Half-completed projects lined the back walls, while two pieces of maple were clamped together at the vise. Small blocks with different chiseled patterns lay on his workbench. A thin board hung above his workbench with sketches nailed into it.

“I’m Sebastian Carlin, the foreman at the local lumber mill, and I heard we had a new cabinetmaker in town. I just hope you’re better at your craft than the other one.” He roamed the room, picking up pieces of wood, nodding his approval as he studied the grain and cut of each piece.

“Why don’t you try this?” Gabriel said with a smile his hands on the back of the rocking chair his uncle had found comfortable. “I’m Gabriel McLeod. Nice to meet you.”

“Ah, a good chair.” Sebastian sighed as he sat. “Would you be able to make one to fit my frame?” Sebastian was a lanky six feet four inches tall, with long, limber-looking arms and legs. He had a deep, commanding voice, although he generally spoke in a soft tone.

“I already commissioned and bought another chair from your competitor, but it was a rickety thing. Fell apart after I sat on it a few nights,” Sebastian commented, rocking to and fro. He seemed incapable of remaining still. When animated, his pale complexion became flushed, highlighting his freckles and making his red hair seem brighter. “I hope you can build them better than he did.”

“I will build you a solid chair that you will be glad to sit in after a long day of work,” Gabriel promised, then motioned for Sebastian to move toward Gabriel’s workbench where he pulled out a blank piece of paper. He sketched a chair similar to the one Sebastian had been sitting in but with dimensions to match his frame.

“I want it sturdy, but attractive. I think maple would be the best choice. And not too much ornamentation. I want a good masculine piece.”

“Hmm. Something like this,” Gabriel said as he drew a new sketch with simple, elegant lines in the Eastlake style.

“Exactly,” Sebastian said. “You really do know what you’re doing.”

Gabriel grinned. “I am a Master of the craft, Mr. Carlin. Never fear.”

“You should call me Sebastian, as I hope to do plenty of business with you. It’s a pity we don’t have wood at my mill for you to purchase.”

“Of course,” Gabriel said. After haggling over the price, Sebastian departed.

After a few hours, Gabriel needed a break and was thankful for the knock at his workshop door.

Aidan poked his head in, a broad smile lighting his face. “Are you ready for our outing?”

“Yes, I’m tired of being inside on such a nice day.” Gabriel locked the workshop door and walked beside his uncle on the boardwalk. “I’ll finish my work tonight.”

Aidan’s pair of worn faded pants and rough cotton shirt were the most casual clothes Gabriel had ever seen him in. His uncle’s new cowboy boots were stiff and free of the scuffs common from frequent wear, and he was unable to hide a slight limp as he walked.

Gabriel smiled, remembering his discomfort when he first wore a pair in Butte. He flashed a quick grin, his dimple showing in his right cheek. “It’s good to see you. I don’t know as I’ll ever become tired of having you here.”

“I’m sure happy to be here, Gabriel. This is beautiful country. I went on a ride this morning and had a look around. Have you gone on any rides since you’ve been here?”

They walked down Main Street toward the corner of Higgins before turning left to walk toward Pine Street, their boot heels sounding on the planks of the boardwalk as they walked on the shady side of the street. A horse-pulled streetcar rumbled along beside them at a sedate pace, with Gabriel and Aidan nearly keeping abreast with the horses.

“No, not yet.” Gabriel flushed, looking uncomfortable. “I come from the city, Uncle.”

“Yes?”

“Let’s just say, I don’t get on well with horses, unless they are pulling a carriage. I haven’t ridden many, growing up in Boston,” Gabriel said, looking abashed.

“Well, nephew, you’re going to have to learn. You live in Montana now, and there’s no way around it.” Aidan laughed, pointing at the Johnson Livery, Feed, and Sale stables they now stood in front of. “We’ll take it slow, but it’ll be fun, don’t worry. I’ll enjoy exploring this area with you. I’ve hired a pair of horses, and there’s no time like the present for you to become more accustomed to horse riding. It’s a beautiful day, and you shouldn’t spend all of your time cooped up inside. I spoke with the stable master. He has a horse he usually hires out to the ladies, called Star. I thought he might be docile enough for you.” Aidan evaded Gabriel’s good-natured jab as he walked over to a pair of horses tied to a post in the stable yard.