Nissa (The Widows of Wildcat Ridge Book 3) Page 5

  Nissa cringed at hearing the maniacal laugh. Her head down since she refused to look at the men across the creek, Nissa hurried her children north on Front Street and, after crossing Chestnut again, angled toward the back edge of the laundry shack. Grateful she heard no splash of water to indicate the men crossed the creek, she hoped once she and her children were out of sight on the other side of the building, the trio would move on.

  “Mrs. Stillwell, are you all right?”

  Nissa jerked her head up, startled at the nearness of Dallin Walsh’s voice. He stood at the edge of Front Street with his feet spread and his arms folded. Although he spoke to her, his focus remained on the three rough-looking newcomers.

  “I believe so, Mr. Walsh. I need to check on my water.” Out of the corner of her eyes she spotted the welcome sight of the rancher’s pistol and gun belt. She hurried the children towards Dallin. Still carrying Molly, she continued to drag Jamie—wide-eyed as he tried to take in all the details of the scene—towards the opening between the hotel and her shed.

  Nissa pulled Jamie into the back room of the hotel where they all slept and pushed both of the children down on the bed. “Stay. Don’t either of you move.” She reached atop the highboy dresser and opened the box that held her derringer. After slipping the weapon into her pocket, she turned to face the two, their eyes wide as they watched her.

  Jamie’s voice quivered. “Mama…”

  Nissa cut him off. “Listen. This is very important. I don’t know who those men are out there, but I suspect they are not very nice men. Mr. Walsh is alone with them. I’m going back out, but you must do what I say and stay here. Do not bother Mrs. Ames. She’s busy with customers.” Nissa handed her son the room key. “Jamie, lock the door behind me. Don’t open it until you hear my voice or Mrs. Ames’s voice. Take care of your sister.”

  Tears in her eyes and her face scrunched in fear, Molly launched her body at Nissa. “Mama!”

  Nissa squeezed her daughter into a tight hug and kissed her cheek. “It will be all right, Molly. Be a good girl and stay here with your brother until I come back.”

  Nissa set her daughter back on the bed and hurried out the door. A stern expression on her face, she turned back to address her son. “Lock this door and do what I say, Jamie.”

  Nissa heard the click of the lock as she raced to the far corner of the laundry building by the corner of Front and Chestnut Streets. She realized the trio must have backtracked, either by crossing the bridge at Chestnut Street or the creek itself. They now sat on their mounts at the intersection. Her fingers wrapped around the pistol in her pocket, she stopped several feet behind Dallin Walsh.

  Dallin nodded towards the south end of town that, at one time, had been a thriving red light district. “If you’re looking for a waterhole where you can get a decent meal and recreation, I think you’ll find it down that way. I doubt there’s anything in this part of town that would appeal to you.”

  Nissa preferred to not puzzle much over how this newcomer, Mr. Walsh, had learned so much about the seedier part of town. She knew most of the saloon keepers, gamblers and prostitutes had followed the miners up to Mortimer Crane’s new mine, but at least one saloon remained. She had no doubt Mr. Crane, after being unsuccessful at stopping the word from spreading about the horse auction, had sent some of his minions in the vice trades back for the week with the promise of increased profits for everyone, including himself.

  The man named Skelly emitted a high-pitched laugh. “I see something here I like right fine. You came back for me, didn’t you, pretty lady?”

  Nissa watched Dallin spin to glance at her behind him then he turned back. He jammed his fists at his waist, and he growled as he stretched to his full height. “She’s spoken for. Time for you boys to move on.”

  A surge of anger coursed through Nissa. What did he mean she was spoken for? How dare he treat her like he owned her? Even though she realized her new laundry customer made the comment to discourage the reprobate from bothering her, she still found it annoying to be treated like men had the right to possess women. She had experienced enough of that with James and, just this morning, Mortimer Crane.

  Nissa refused to let a virtual stranger fight her battle. She avoided the gaze of the obnoxious man as if he was beneath her notice. Instead, with as much determination in her voice as she could muster, she faced the other two in the trio. “I don’t appreciate the comments made about me, especially in front of my children. Please leave.”

  As the man named Skelly gave another high-pitched laugh, the one called Snake slapped Skelly’s arm with the back of his hand. “Enough, idjit. That’s not why we came here. Now let’s get where we can find a meal and see if this town serves something worth drinking.”

  Both Nissa and Dallin held their positions as the three galloped within feet of them before reining their horses to a stop. Skelly emitted a high-pitched squeal. Snake eyed Dallin and Nissa and sniffed his distain. He then turned his horse in the direction of the south end of town and rode down Front Street with his face forward, as if the pair were of no consequence to him. The one named Skelly turned back one last time to look at Nissa. His act earned him a slap on the back of his head from Snake who then spoke to him in a sharp tone, although Nissa didn’t hear the words.

  Knowing her anger over the situation as a whole and Dallin Walsh’s remark in particular threatened to prompt her to say something she might later regret, Nissa settled for shooting a glare in his direction before returning to the laundry yard to check on her water. It had reached a hard boil on the stove. She picked up her folded cloths to move the copper pot off the stove but stilled when she felt Dallin Walsh still her hand by placing his atop hers.

  “Mrs. Stillwell?”

  Slowly, Nissa turned to face him, pressing her lips together to prevent them from saying something rude. She raised her eyes until her gaze met his. All she saw in them was kindness and concern, so different than the feelings she fought against inside herself.

  “Mrs. Stillwell, I apologize if you found my comment about you being spoken for offensive. I had no desire to demean you, and I know I have no claim on you. It’s just I’ve run into men like this before. Sometimes, when there’s a woman involved, that’s the only thing they understand. That one who spoke to you so rudely, especially, I’m not sure is one hundred percent all there in the head. I figured anything to discourage him, and convince his partners to keep him in line, the safer it would be for you and your children.”

  Nissa swallowed as she felt the anger fall away from her. She fought back the tears that threatened to fill her eyes. “You’re right, Mr. Walsh. Those kind don’t always listen to reason. It infuriates me that some men treat women as objects to be owned, which is why I didn’t react well. I do appreciate you coming to my assistance.”

  “Not all men think like that, Mrs. Stillwell. I hope you don’t think I do. I might have misspoken, but I was not about to leave you out there alone to face that bunch, especially not when you have little children to worry about.”

  Nissa pulled the derringer from her pocket and studied it. “I haven’t been carrying this on me because I was afraid the water and harsh nature of the soap I use might get on it and ruin it. However, I think until this auction is over and everyone leaves town, I better keep it with me.” Nissa looked up and met Dallin’s gaze. “Thank you again, Mr. Walsh. I better get this water in the tub and then go check on my children. I’m afraid I frightened them when I left.”

  “That might be a good idea, ma’am. Let me dump this water in the tub while you see to them.”

  Nissa took him up on his offer and hurried to the back room. She knocked and called out Jamie’s name, telling him it was all right to unlock the door.

  Nissa waited impatiently as she listened to Jamie work the lock. The door flew open, and Molly ran out and leaped into her arms. Jamie wrapped his arms around her waist and buried his face in her side. Both her children shed tears, but Nissa could tell they were tears of relie
f.

  Jamie looked up at her. “Did those mean-looking men go away, Mama?”

  Nissa patted her son’s head. “Yes, they did. Mr. Walsh went out to talk to them and they left. I don’t think they’ll come back.”

  Nissa smiled as Jamie to reassure him. Next she watched his attention focus on something behind her. She turned her head enough to see Dallin Walsh walk up to join them.

  Jamie released her and stepped past her to talk to the man. “Did you help Mama tell those men to go away?”

  Dallin put his hands on his hips and looked down with a smile. “I sure did. We don’t need any hooligans like that bunch bothering you and your sister, do we?”

  Jamie’s eyes grew wide. “Mama got her gun before she went back outside. Did you have to use your guns to scare them off?”

  Dallin chuckled as he shook his head. “No, we just talked. It’s better if you can work things out without using weapons.” He slapped the pistol at his side. “I’m used to wearing this when I’m out working cattle, because you never know when you’ll come across some varmint that will threaten you or the cattle or your horse. I don’t use it with a man to get my way, only if it’s a life-or-death situation.”

  Nissa put Molly on her feet and took her hand. “We’re safe now, Jamie, thanks to Mr. Walsh. Everything’s all right.”

  “Thank you, Mr. Walsh.” Jamie’s forehead wrinkled into a frown as he looked up at his mother. “But everything is not all right, Mama. I lost my boat. I didn’t get to follow it to see how far it would go.”

  Nissa stooped down so she was at eye-level with Jamie. “You can look for another good piece of wood to be a boat, and we’ll float that down the creek sometime.”

  Dallin cut into the conversation. “Jamie, tell you what. I like to whittle, and I have some extra time in the next few days. We’ll find a good piece of wood, and I’ll carve it down so it has a point in front. I’ll even add a rudder to it so it will stay upright in the water better. Would you like that?”

  Jamie’s eyes grew wide once more. “You’ll carve me a new boat?”

  “Yes. The only thing I want you to promise me is you won’t go to the creek until after the horse auction and after all the strangers like those men we saw today leave town. Only go when your mother says it’s safe to go. Will you promise me that?”

  Jamie nodded.

  Nissa patted both her children on the head. “I agree with what Mr. Walsh said. While there are so many new people in town we don’t know, you both need to make sure you stay in this yard where I can always see you. Mama needs to get back to her laundry now.” Nissa looked at Dallin with a smile. “Thank you again, Mr. Walsh. It has been a pleasure to meet you. I’ll have your clothes to you, probably tomorrow morning.”

  “The pleasure has been mine, Mrs. Stillwell. Sometime tomorrow will be fine.” Dallin paused to watch the two children run to the wood pile to look for another good stick to use for a boat. He turned back to Nissa. “You have some wonderful children. You have good reason to be proud of them.” With smile and a tip of his hat, Dallin took his leave.

  All during the time Nissa prepared her fresh wash water, her thoughts returned to the man whose clothes she washed and who had come to her aid. As she thought about what had taken place, she realized in spite of his words, Dallin Walsh did not exhibit the attitude of many men, including James Stillwell, towards women. Although he said she was spoken for, it was more a declaration that they were on the same side—he was looking out for her and her children. Any decent man would have come to her aid. Any decent person—just like sweet, non-confrontational Diantha had swallowed her fears and joined her this morning to face Mortimer Crane. No, caring about Jamie’s lost stick and his willing offer to help the child make a better boat to float down the creek set him apart from most men she knew.

  As for his warning to the child that Jamie must wait until after the horse auction and the town returned to normal before returning to the creek, she appreciated him for saying so. As much as it pained Nissa to realize her own warnings would not hold as much weight with her son, she knew Jamie would be far more likely to keep his promise to Mr. Walsh.

  Jamie was of an age he needed a man to look up to. Nissa had watched as the boy sought for his father’s attention, and he had tried to emulate his father’s traits hoping to make his father proud of him. Nissa had not always agreed with those Jamie spoke of—such as his father being too important to Mr. Crane to find the time to spend with his own children—but she understood Jamie needed to learn how to be a man from being around and observing men.

  An off-hand comment made by Dallin Walsh when he first approached her popped into her mind. As much as she did not wish to marry again and find herself stuck in another situation like she had being the wife of James Stillwell, there might be a way to not only support her family but put Jamie in the position to be around good men who could have a positive influence on his life.

  Chapter Seven

  D

  allin paid for one room for both Hal and Buck. He handed the key to Hal before he turned to haul his saddlebags and bedroll upstairs. “One of you boys grab my saddle with yours and bring it up for me, will you?”

  With a nod of his head, Hal let Buck know he had the honors of hauling two saddles at a time up the stairs. “I’ll watch your bedroll and bags while you take boss his saddle.”

  Buck shot Hal a mock annoyed glance and good-naturedly grumbled under his breath as he hefted both saddles. “You just want a reason to stay down here and eyeball that pretty gal behind the counter. Where’s the key?”

  “I got it. You got your hands full. Just drop the saddle by our door, and we’ll unlock when we get the rest of this gear up.”

  Buck returned, and between the two of them, they shouldered the rest of their belongings and started up the stairs. Buck, in the lead, looked back and waggled his eyebrows. “I got to admit, she’s a pretty one. Too bad she’s too old for me. You, though…”

  Hal shook his head then tipped up his chin to tell Buck to keep walking. They got to the top and started down the hall before Hal responded. “We’ve been stuck on that ranch for so long without a woman in sight, just about anything female is going to look good to us. Just keep in mind, Buck, this town is full of widows. From what I read, most mine worker widows pulled up stakes and joined family somewhere else. The ones still here are looking for husbands who are willing to move here and take over the businesses left to the wives. That’s not me.”

  Buck studied him with a knowing look. “You don’t got no intention of going anywhere else, do you? You figure when Curly kicks off or Boss decides he’s too old and retires him from the foreman job to stay around the home place, you’ll be the new foreman for the Grassy Fork?”

  Hal shrugged. “Who knows what Boss will decide when that time comes. I have no ambitions to displace Curly, but once he leaves the job, I wouldn’t be averse to taking it if Boss offered it to me. This our room?”

  Both men checked the number on the key. Hal slid the key in the lock and opened the door. They each came to an abrupt halt as they surveyed the layout of the room.

  While Hal stepped into the room and dropped this load Buck stepped back into the hallway and called over to Dallin, his arm holding a stuffed canvas bag, as he locked the door to his room. “Uh, Boss? There’s only one bed in here. Didn’t you ask for a room with two beds?”

  Dallin turned to face the younger of the two wranglers. “I asked, but turns out all the rooms with two beds were already taken. Figured you’ve slept in worse. At least the hotel provides wash water and a chamber pot.”

  Fighting down his disgruntlement, Buck stepped back into the room only to be met with a bedroll tossed into his face. Buck batted the bundle of blankets to the braided rug next to the bed. He glowered at Hal as the man stretched his body crossways on the double bed mattress. “What was that for?”

  “You got the floor. I’m not sleeping in the same bed with another man. You can add my bedroll to that ra
g rug to create a little padding.”

  Buck scowled as he studied Hal. He did not disagree with the sentiment about not sharing the same bed with another man. He had not slept in the same bed with another male since he and his brother had shared a bed as kids before he left his uncle’s home. “Why do I got to be the one to sleep in the floor?”

  “I’ve got seniority, plus you’re younger.”

  Buck grunted but tossed his bedroll on the floor next to Hal’s, then kicked the mess next to the wall. “I guess I’ll let you get away with it this time. You stay there flat on your back on that fancy mattress and stare at the ceiling. I’m going to go look this town over.”

  Hal leaped out of the bed but reached for the room key just as Buck snatched it from the top of the dressing table and buried it in his fist he jerked out of Hal’s reach.

  Buck’s face exploded into a taunting grin. “I got the key. You want to be able to get back into this room to enjoy that fancy soft bed with its clean sheets, you better keep in mind who controls whether or not you get through the door.”

  “You just try. Give me any trouble and I’ll go ask that pretty gal running the front desk to let me in.”

  “I thought you might be sweet on her. You coming?”

  “I’m not sweet on her.” Hal walked over to the chair next to the window facing south to pick up his hat. A glance out the window stopped him, and he motioned his roommate over. “Hey, Buck, come look at this.”

  Buck walked over and looked through the lace curtains to the scene below. Neither man said anything as they watched their boss hand the canvas bag to a slender, auburn-haired woman with the appearance of being a little worse for wear. The yard looked set up as a laundry area. A young girl clung to her mother’s skirts, and a boy not much older who held a stick stood next to her.

  Wearing a grin, Buck prodded Hal. “There’s another one for you, if Boss don’t claim her first. Judging by the size of the kids, she’s just about the right age.”