The Heart of a Soiled Dove (21 page)

Women were everywhere and poor Roman, Martin, Levi and Philippe stood in shock and awe. Aurora broke the awkwardness. “It’s so good to have everyone back!”

Philippe looked too afraid to go to the barn and stared at all the females inundating the property. Carrie Anne was hugging the life out of Roman until he set her aside and asked, “What’s all of this?”

“A lot has happened since you’ve been away.”

“I can see that. What the heck are all of these whor --”

Aurora eyed him, cutting him off with a sharp look.

Josie quickly intervened. “Aurora wants to have a boardinghouse. Teach these women how to live without selling their bodies.”

Martin coughed uncomfortably and made his way to the bunkhouse. “Come on Levi.” He jerked his dumbfounded friend alongside him.

Roman did not look happy. For the first time Aurora saw his brother’s scowl creep into his usual smiling eyes and mouth. She was astonished when he uttered a question filled with judgment. “What have you exposed my wife to?”

“Roman!” Carrie Anne blurted.

He held her in check, keeping his eyes on Aurora. “I come home thinking that you want to have a cattle ranch, only to find dozens of prostitutes living here instead?”

Carrie Anne laid a hand on his flailing arm. “Not instead, Roman. The ranch is important to Aurora, but so are they. We’re going to learn them how to live domestically so they can make a living for themselves. For when they move on.”

His look was incredulous and he said to Carrie Anne, “We’re going to the Double R.”

She halted and he turned in surprise to her rebellious stance. “We live
here
, Roman.”

The turn of events hit Aurora. “Roman, please….”

“I won’t have her living here with these… these types.”

She felt as though he’d slapped her. He’d been such a true friend.

Thankfully Carrie Anne wasn’t as lost for words as she was.

“Roman, this is our home.”

His face was ruddy; he looked exhausted and clearly emotions were running amuck. “Carrie Anne….” His voice held warning.

“Just what do you think I been doing while you were away?”

Aurora cringed as he answered his wife with the wrong words. “Why don’t
you
tell me?”

Carrie Anne gasped and he retorted, “It don’t look good, Carrie Anne.”

She flung herself away from him and Aurora saw anger piercing through his eyes. Carrie Anne was hurt and crying and had run into the cabin.

“Roman….” Aurora appealed.

“What’s going on?” he demanded.

“Please come inside and we’ll talk.” Assuming he would follow, Aurora moseyed towards the house.

“I’d rather settle this here and now,” he said.

Without turning around she replied, “If you want to know what we have been through, including your wife, I suggest you come inside. It’s getting chilly and I want a cup of coffee.” Her back was to him and he’d been left standing by the water well. Without much of a choice, Roman joined Aurora and plunged himself into a seat at the kitchen table.

It had been a long hour. She gave Roman time to let her words settle in. She’d shared about Lauren being hanged, about Emmy killing herself. When it looked to have sunk in, he put his face into his calloused hands. “I shouldn’t have left her alone… any of that… could have been her.”

Aurora heard his anguish. She agreed but also encouraged, “But it wasn’t.”

“I need to make things right,” he went to Aurora. “I like your idea on schooling those women out there. They ain’t never had a chance like this, I reckon.”

“That’s a nice thing to say, Roman.”

“We’ll work on that boardinghouse for you, starting day after tomorrow.”

“You will have many hands to work with you.” She smiled.

“I can see that. Maybe I’ll get Luke and some others to come on over as well. Lord knows, they’ll be curious enough.” His laughter of relief filled the room.

“Yes, they will. I’m proud of you. You’re a good man. The cattle drive’s success was beyond my expectation. You did well for us.”

He replaced his hat and readied to leave.

“Take care of yourself.” Aurora folded her arms around herself. Soon the house would be swarming with women and yet Aurora would still feel alone.

“You do the same,” he said.

Early the next morning Aurora rode into town. It was not the same without Sheriff Bradbury or Thatcher Poe, and the weight of torment had been lifted from many in their absence. Aurora realized at once that she did not have to look over her shoulder as she made her way to the Meadow Lark Inn to see Iris. It felt good to have proper law representing Pine City, a first for the town. She was pleased at Marshal LaSalle’s offer to stay on until another sheriff could be found. And just as if he read her thoughts, she happened to see the marshal strolling down the boardwalk. He righted himself and made haste towards her. She welcomed him with a smile and he asked, “May I join you?”

“I’m only going to see Iris.”

He looked to where she pointed. “May I persist anyway?”

The attraction presenting itself before her was clear as she looked into his solid brown eyes. “You may.”

Her heart did a flutter. It had been a long while since a man had given her a look of admiration, and she deemed that he was not hard to look at himself. If only this were Donovan asking to join her, her day would have been complete. But it wasn’t, and possibly may never be.

“It’s a marvelous day wouldn’t you agree?”

The scents of fall had always been a comfort to her. “I would.”

It had been too long a while for an intelligent conversation, and Aurora was already enjoying herself. With Donovan it had always been curt and abrupt. No pleasantries were delivered from Donovan’s lips – ever. Aurora would not dissuade it from happening with Marshal LaSalle. They arrived at her destination all too soon.

He cleared his throat. “I apologize for putting this before you at short notice.... I would like for you to join me for supper, not assuming you would even consider, of course, but... well, it seems there is not a proper dining facility here in town.”

“Again, I agree with you. There isn’t anything but saloons around here so I must reverse the invitation. You are welcome to join us at my home for supper tonight if you will.”

He tipped his hat in a cordial manner. “I would be more than honored. Thank you, Miss Young.”

Iris must have been watching them through her window because she met Aurora at the door before she’d raised her hand to knock.

“I’ve been expecting you.”

Aurora had the grace to lace her smile with a little bit of embarrassment. “I should have come sooner.”

“Yes, you should have. Well, you’re here now, come in.”

As they settled themselves in the quaint parlor, Iris wasted no time, “I suppose I ought to be angry, but honestly, Kate is carrying on enough for the both of us.”

“So I hear.”

Iris continued, “I won’t begrudge you, Aurora. In fact, I should be thanking you. I could have retired long ago and now you are making it possible. I lost my passion for this business years ago. I haven’t the stomach anymore to see scum walk through my front door and have their way with my girls. You made me see that we are worth something other than a dollar. You are a dream come true for these women and I know when to throw in the white flag of surrender.”

“You are a good woman, Iris.”

Iris scoffed, “That’s not something many would say, and it’s too late to change their opinions on the matter.”

“We could use your help at the new boardinghouse, if you’ve a mind to.”

“Did you know I have a daughter who lives back east? No, of course you didn’t. I’ve three grandchildren as well.” Iris rose and paced the hardwood floor. “If my Mary will have me, I’d like to spend the rest of my days with her and the children.”

“That would be wonderful. I’m happy for you.”

“Don’t be yet. Anyway, I am going to sell this house and give you and your girls all of the furniture.”

Her tone was absolute and Aurora would not argue. It was for the better for “her girls” as Iris put it and she would accept. “We could use it and we are obliged to you.”

A fine tear rested on Iris’s wrinkled cheek. “Take care of them, I wish I had it in me to do as you are. You are one fine soiled dove, Aurora.”

The compliments being tossed her way lately were all uncalled for in her opinion, but Aurora answered, “As are you. I will miss the friendship we could have had.”

Iris looked at her squarely. “Good luck to you.”

Aurora planted a light kiss onto her wet cheek and left Iris standing alone in her empty parlor. No longer did laughter emanate from it, no more men perused through it, no bodies would ever be sold for entertainment again from this place.

Upset that he had nerves other than those of iron where Aurora was concerned made Donovan unsure if he should high-tail it out of there. Then Aurora saw him and it was too late. He was stuck now between conquering his timid frame of mind and running away from the beauty walking his way. He also cursed himself for the stupidity that brought him here in the first place – like she’d have his grumpy self. Oddly enough, she seemed pleased to see him, even greeted him brightly. “Good afternoon, Donovan.”

He hooked his thumbs into the loops at his waist. It was all he could think of doing in order to preserve his usual stoic manner. Donovan’s body relaxed and he softened. “I came to see you.”

Nonchalantly, she was filling up canteens when he said this and she looked at him in a business-like manner. “What can I do for you?”

His eyes touched on her porcelain skin. He was forgetting himself. “I spoke to Roman about….”

She searched him out, giving her full attention.

“I have never done this before…”

Why couldn’t he just spit it out? He’d never been one to hold his words. Her stance became somewhat impatient.

“Well I… I’d like to come calling on you. If you don’t mind. Not that I expect you to agree or anything, but just in case you….”

“I would like nothing more.”

He was surprised by her quick answer. “Alright then,” He replaced his hat and looked around at the empty acreage. “Where is everybody?”

“They are out on the line near the pasture. It’s why I’m filling up the canteens.”

“Shall we take a ride out and deliver them?”

“I walked. My horse isn’t ready.”

“We’ll take mine.” It was all too sudden, as if the relationship could now be enveloped in those few words and had changed full circle.

Adeptly, he pulled her up in front of him, her closeness stirring him. He was on fire. As they neared the pasture Donovan saw a small gathering of people and a foundation for a building. Why were there so many women about?

He guided Aurora so she could slide off the horse and she took Luke a canteen. He’d been sawing a plank and drank the cool water the second it reached his hands. He looked deflated at seeing them ride in together. Donovan knew all too well what he’d always felt like when Luke was with Aurora. He ordered, “Luke, you should take a break.”

“Will do,
Boss
.”

Donovan eyed Aurora with confusion. “What’s all this?”

“We’re building a boardinghouse.”

His teeth clenched at the thought. Women not used to working with their hands were helping Roman’s men, even helping some of his own, build of all things.

Aurora went on to explain her dreams for these girls and Donovan couldn’t take anymore of this nonsense. He interrupted, “You are making a way for prostitutes to live on your property.”

“
Ex
-prostitutes.”

Donovan’s voice raised, “This is insane! Why would you do something like this?” He noted Luke stand to full height from a log he was leaning against to see what was going on, as well as others.

“Donovan, please.” She placed her hand on his forearm.

He looked down at it and attempted to keep his voice lowered. “I don’t know what to make of you, Aurora.” For once he didn’t want to be angry, nor did he wish to ruin any chance with her, but for the life of him, he didn’t understand the woman.

“Why is it so hard for everyone to believe in a better life for these women? Someone needs to help them or they will forever be made lower in life.”

They found a spot to sit on the plush grass, away from the workers and from prying eyes. Donovan plucked a blade of it and twirled it in his fingers. “Why does it have to be you? Let them find their own way. You are too good to taint yourself in their company.”

Aurora came down to his level and he looked into her eyes, hoping to change her mind. She asked him an odd question. “Did you mean what you said by the well?”

“I don’t say things like that lightly. I’ve been thinking about you for weeks.”

A blush actually crept into her cheeks. She never struck him as a coy girl who played games and she didn’t disappoint. What looked to be an afterthought, the boldness he knew she possessed rose to the surface. Without meaning to appear seductive, he decided, she removed the blade of grass from his mouth and set it aside. “You were in my thoughts, too.”

“I’ve been awful to you.”

“Yes you have,” she responded with a smile.

Donovan inched closer. “Like I said, I don’t know what to make of you.”

“Would it be fun if you did?”

The workers below were forgotten. Donovan cupped Aurora’s cheek and kissed her slowly. Shivers raced throughout his entire being. She returned the kiss deeply, as if she’d been starving for it and his breath was filling her. She was a passionate woman, he knew this, but had no idea she would overcome him this way. When Donovan reluctantly pulled away, a teardrop rested on her cheek. He wiped it with his thumb.

After shifting her gently from his arms, Donovan continued where the conversation left off. He gestured towards the workers below. “So, answer me this. Why does it have to be you?”

Could Aurora entertain a relationship with someone who did not share her hopes and dreams? Ironically enough, she had fallen in love with Donovan the moment he put down his guard and shared a picnic with her, only to grow the day he took her land with Luke’s blessing.

“They will never be able to make their own way, Donovan.”

“You can’t be sure. There are other jobs for them to find if only they set about to find them. It’s their choice. And it’s not your job to rescue them.” He seemed to have forgotten the reasons he admired her as he spoke the unsympathetic words.

“It is my job. I once…worked in a high-class brothel,” she whispered.

There. It was done.

Donovan stared hard at her. The moment seemed an eternity. “What are you saying?”

A panic driven, shattered feeling ebbed at her heart.

“It’s not our choice to live like that. Some maybe, but it wasn’t for me. My own mother forced me into prostitution when I was fourteen.” She made sure there was no trace of self-pity in her voice. It was an unchangeable part of her life and God had restored her.

She could see that Donovan couldn’t take this. She read the disgust in his eyes, in his judgmental body language.

“I make no excuses, Donovan. I would still be living that way today if I hadn’t gotten lucky and come into some money.” Aurora was never one to be emotional and cry, but she did so now – not for her but for the love of the women who had come to her, for their own hopes and choice to persevere in this unjust world. “So you see, it
is
up to me. I can make a way for them. I can’t stand back and witness this defilement any longer.”

Without another word from either, Aurora stood and ironed out her wrinkled skirts. With silent sobs and sadness, she went to the horse and plucked free more canteens. If she had to choose, it would be those who needed her most. She headed back over the hill, hoping the tears would be dry before she reached them all, and she did not look back.