Chapter 5
Lucky opened the door to the Lone Star Hotel and let Tempest precede him into the lobby. He watched her look around at the décor that paid homage to the heritage of Texas. A pine staircase led to the second floor. Furniture sported brown and white steer hide for upholstery. Buffalo, bear, deer, and longhorn heads adorned the walls. The floor was scratched and gouged by cowboys’ spur rowels. In one corner a stuffed black bear stood on hind legs and reached out with clawed paws.
He liked the place because it was simple, clean, and homey. He stayed here when he was in town. Yet he was still surprised that it also served as the Bend’s jail. He doubted Tempest would think the hotel was good enough for her, but it’d have to do.
He didn’t see Saul anywhere, so he walked over to the check-in desk, rang the bell, and waited. Tempest stood stoically beside him.
“Place is mostly quiet,” he reassured her. “Saul won’t allow any shenanigans.”
“Maybe that’s why he runs the jail.”
“Miss Tempest!” A compact man with a bushy black mustache and wearing a white shirt and black trousers hurried down the stairs. “Excuse me for keeping you waiting. It’s unforgivable, but still I beg your pardon.”
Lucky turned to peer at Saul. He’d never seen the man so discombobulated or in such a hurry to accommodate somebody. Anyway, how did he know about Tempest?
“Saul Silver.” He stopped in front of Tempest and gave a deferential bow of his head. “I’m at your service for so long as you should care to grace the Lone Star Hotel. Gratis, of course.” He hurried behind his desk.
“Folks don’t usually pay for a jail cell,” Lucky said, trying to figure out what was going on.
Saul tossed a frown at Lucky, and then smiled at Tempest. “Naturally, you’re getting the best room in the house.”
“I thought I had it,” Lucky said.
“After I heard the news, I barely had time to move you.”
“What!”
“You wouldn’t expect Miss Tempest to stay in second best, would you?”
“I expect her to stay in the jail cell.”
“Not on your life.” Saul gave a quick stroke to his mustache. “Word spread around town about Big Jim’s ungallant behavior.”
“She chopped Lulu in half. Isn’t everybody mad?”
“A few, but they’ll come around.”
“To what?” Lucky asked.
“It’s been dull as dirt around here, lady wise, since Lady Gone Bad sang ballads and the Black Widow played poker in the Red River Saloon. Now this! Big Jim has all the luck. But I’m part of it.” Saul swiveled the register book toward Tempest and held out a pen. “Will you please sign as Temperance Tempest?”
“What?” Tempest glanced at Lucky in confusion.
“That’s what everybody’s calling you.” Saul winked. “Men’ll be riding in from miles around to see that signature and sleep in her bed . . . after she’s gone, of course. I’ll have a big sign put on the door. TEMPERANCE TEMPEST ROOM.”
Lucky shook his head. Life was never dull in the Bend. Maybe because the denizens wouldn’t let it be.
Tempest covered her mouth with her hand, but chuckles escaped around her fingers.
“What about Big Jim’s bar?” Lucky was unable to think of another thing to say since the situation was so crazy.
“Big confab over at the Red River Saloon. They’re trying to figure out how to fix Lulu.”
“Couldn’t they get the artist to help?” Tempest asked.
“Some Eastern tenderfoot carved the bar, drank his whiskey in payment, and left town,” Saul said.
“Where’d he go?” she asked.
“That’s the trouble. Nobody knows.” Saul stroked his mustache. “And nobody much cared till today.”
“I doubt it’s fixable,” Lucky said.
“Don’t say that out loud,” Saul warned. “It’s one thing for Miss Tempest to get the rough side of Big Jim’s tongue and be abandoned by her temperance league. It’s quite another to say the cut she put in Lulu can’t be healed.”
“Okay,” Lucky said. “Not another word. I delivered Miss Tempest to the hotel and into your care. Now where’s my room?”
“Next door to the Temperance Tempest Room.” Saul pointed toward the stairs. “If you’ll see Miss Tempest to her new abode, I’ll get Joseph to work on that sign. And Mama Lou will bring supper later.”
“Am I included in the vittles?” Lucky’s stomach rumbled at the thought of good food.
Saul frowned. “No. It’s courtesy of the hotel and Mama Lou’s Café for Miss Tempest. But there’ll probably be enough for two.”
“If you’re hungry, I’ll share,” Tempest said.
“Mama Lou’s the best cook in town.” Saul hurried out from behind his desk. “I’ll be back in a minute.” He stopped at the front door and looked back. “Oh, yes, Manny over at Manny’s Stable said to tell you that he’s got a gentle mare you can borrow anytime you need her.”
Lucky watched Saul hurry out the door, then turned back to Tempest. “Are you normally this lucky?”
“I’ve never had so many people be so kind to me. I wish now I hadn’t hurt their bar,” she said wistfully. “Maybe it’s because they don’t know me.”
“More likely they recognize you as one of their own.”
“What do you mean?”
“The Bend is a town of outsiders, outlaws, and independents.”
“That’s not me.”
He cocked his head, studying her. He didn’t think she knew herself very well, or she’d lived her life according to society’s rules till now. One day soon she might come to realize that she was no ordinary young lady. She appeared to draw out the best and the worst in people. That could be a gift or a curse, depending on how it influenced her or others.
She was a mystery he’d like to unravel, but he didn’t have time to satisfy personal curiosity or pleasure. He was here to meet somebody and get a job done before it was too late.
“Let’s get you settled upstairs,” he said.
“You’ve been kind to me. I’m sorry about your room. I don’t expect the best. Anything will do. Let’s go switch before Saul gets back.” She quickly headed for the stairs.
He watched her walk away with her long skirts swaying in a way that made a man stop thinking with the head on his shoulders.