Will heard the commotion all the way on the third floor. He set aside the sheriff’s report and stood. Stretching his back, he considered the news the sheriff had provided. The Cowboy Café had been robbed. The Cowboy Café. What sort of outlaws robbed an eatery? The Murdoch Gang was desperate if they were stealing slices of pie.
He swung open the door and discovered Simon dashing toward the stairs.
“What’s going on?” Will asked.
Without pausing, the porter called over his shoulder, “Trouble with one of the guests. Don’t worry, Mrs. Foster and Mr. Rumsford have been fetched.”
“Then why are you needed?”
“I’m not needed. I just don’t want to hear about this secondhand.”
“A little decorum, please. This is a hotel, not a sideshow.”
Since he’d finished his ledgers already, Will reached for his coat and walking stick and followed the sounds of excited chattering. He turned the corner of the second-floor landing and halted.
Rubbing his forehead, he studied the strange scene. A rather overweight patron was flat on his back in the center of the corridor. He’d been trussed up like a calf, his hands and feet tied to each other and strung together in the middle. The hotel staff had formed a crescent around the odd sight.
Mrs. Foster knelt beside the man and struggled with the ropes. “Be still, sir. You’re making the knots tighter.”
Will frantically searched for the obvious culprit. Tomasina stood with her arms crossed and one shoulder propped against the wall. She didn’t appear any worse for wear, and the air whooshed from his lungs.
“I wouldn’t get too close to that one, Mrs. Foster,” Tomasina said. “He’s got busy fingers.”
In his weekly report Mr. Rumsford had indicated several complaints lodged against Mr. Daniels. Will’s annoyance flared. Though he didn’t know the guest personally, he recognized the traveling salesman by reputation.
“This is outrageous!” The man tipped back his head and caught sight of Will. “Help me! This woman tried to kill me.”
Pushing off from the wall, Tomasina planted her hands on her hips and glared down at the man. “You’d know if I was trying to kill you because you’d be dead. I was teaching you a lesson. You seem big on lessons, fellow. You remember promising to teach me one? I was returning the favor, is all.”
Though shaken, the man appeared uninjured. His pride was more wounded than his physical person. And who could blame him? The gathering crowd of hotel workers and guests didn’t help the situation. The salesman deserved a little humiliation, but there was no benefit in letting the situation spiral out of control.
Will braced both hands on his cane and widened his stance. “What exactly happened here, Mr. Daniels?”
“This woman trussed me up for no reason.”
Tomasina inhaled sharply, and Will silenced her with an almost-imperceptible shake of his head. Let the man dig his own hole. “Are you telling me this wee maid overtook a man of your size and stature all alone? You must have two hundred pounds on her. How did she manage? Did she have an accomplice, perhaps?”
“She caught me by surprise, she did.”
Will turned toward Tomasina and hoisted an eyebrow. “I assume there’s a reasonable explanation for this.”
“I’d rather tell you in private.”
He waved her nearer. She leaned forward and whispered her explanation in his ear. With each subsequent word, his wrath grew.
“Mr. Daniels,” Will declared, “I believe it’s time for you to check out of this establishment. The Cattleman Hotel is no longer interested in your business.”
Mrs. Foster, who appeared no closer to unraveling the knots, heaved a sigh. “It’s about time.”
Will reached into his pocket for the collapsible knife he’d carried since his days in the army and stepped toward the prone man. “You’re going to slink quietly back into your room, pack your belongings and check out of the hotel. If you cause another ruckus, I will tie you up myself and dump you at the edge of town. Do we have an understanding?”
Despite his predicament, the man remained unrepentant. “I’m reporting the lot of you to the sheriff.”
“That’s a superb idea.” Will snapped his fingers. “Simon, fetch Sheriff Davis. While you’re out, run by the newspaper offices and summon D.B. Burrows. He can write up a story for the morning edition. I’ll request a front-page article. If you don’t mind waiting, I’ll even have the photographer, John Cleve, set up his equipment. A photo for your scrapbook.”
The man scowled. “That’s blackmail. I won’t have my name dragged through the mud.”
Will neatly sliced through the ropes. “One more word and I’ll drag more than your name.”
Mr. Daniels sprang upright with surprising agility for a man of his size and girth. He rubbed his wrists and glared. “This is an outrage. My superiors at Baker Furniture will get a full accounting of this incident.”
Will ignored the furious muttering and faced the crowd of cooks and bellhops. “The show is over. Everyone back to work.”
When a certain trouble-making redhead turned away as well, Will caught her arm. “Except for you and Simon.”
Mr. Daniels slammed the door behind him with a last furious curse.
Will bade Simon keep an eye on the man. “Make sure you escort him out of the hotel. I’ll contact Sheriff Davis and see that Mr. Daniels leaves town on the first train. In the future, let’s be more discerning of our guests. There’s no reason the maids have to put up with this nonsense.”
Simon touched his cap. “Will do, boss.”
The mere idea of someone laying a hand on Tomasina filled Will with rage. While he admired her actions, he wasn’t leaving her vulnerable again. She’d been here less than a week, and the woman was giving him gray hairs. She was a magnet for trouble. There weren’t enough guns in the county to keep her from disaster.
Tomasina sidled toward the stairs.
“I’d like a word with you, Miss Stone.”
“Don’t go blaming me for what happened back there,” she seethed. “That fellow had it coming.”
He propped his walking stick against the wall and limped the distance. “Your actions with Mr. Daniels were warranted, and I rather admire your restraint. I don’t believe he realizes how much worse things might have gone for him.”
“He has no idea.”
“It’s clear this position isn’t a good fit.” He rubbed his forehead with a thumb and forefinger. “You might be more suited for kitchen work.”
Something behind the scenes where she didn’t cross paths with lecherous guests. The hotel was better than the laundry. There’d be no more pink shirts. There’d be no more cleaning guest rooms. He’d find a nice, peaceful solution to her employment dilemma.
She swallowed. “Kitchen work?”
“I don’t think housekeeping suits you.”
“Agreed.”
“Don’t forget, the staff has Friday off for a dance celebrating the town’s founding.” He searched her animated face, drawn toward the smudge of dirt on her nose. “I trust you’re attending?”
“I don’t dance, but Hannah is looking forward to attending.”
“I’m glad the two of you are getting along well.”
“Like a house on fire.”
She had one foot propped on the stairs as though she might flee at any moment. He placed a hand on the door frame and leaned forward. The enchanting smattering of freckles beckoned him, and he touched her nose.
“You have a smudge.”
Her gaze dropped to his mouth. “Oh.”
The air between them crackled. She had only to duck under his arm and slip away. She didn’t move.
This was madness, and yet he couldn’t resist dropping a chaste kiss on her forehead. He immediately liked the feel of her warm skin beneath his lips but forced himself to pull away.
“Stay out of trouble,” he said, his voice thick.
With a swish of her skirts she was gone, leaving his heart clattering against his ribs. He’d only been near her for a moment, and yet he could map each and every freckle on her delightful, troublemaking nose.
Straightening his lapels, he turned away from the stairs. Kitchen work better suit her, because he was running out of other options. Having her near meant more to him than he cared to admit to himself.
The little firebrand was burrowing her way into his affections, and she didn’t fit his plans any more than he fit into her future. As much as he admired her pluck and those luminous green eyes, they weren’t suited for one another. She’d never stay put. She’d never settle for the staid life of a politician’s wife. She’d wither beneath the restrictions. She was a wild thing, that one. His chest burned with the truth.
Wild things weren’t meant to be tamed.
* * *
Fifteen minutes later Tomasina dumped her load of linens in the rolling hamper, glanced up and realized the next room on her list belonged to her and Hannah. In deference to her new roommate, Tomasina knocked softly. The living arrangement had been working out well enough thus far. She’d never had much privacy beyond the basics in her life. Hannah, on the other hand, put great stock in her time alone.
The only child of a preacher was probably used to being alone. Since Tomasina didn’t spend much time in her room anyway, after a few missteps, they’d become accustomed to one another.
Hannah had also been watching more and more of Ava recently. Because Will’s office was also located in his suite, he’d moved them to a larger room with an adjoining parlor that they’d turned into a nursery. Only one lingering concern nagged at her.
Having watched her in close quarters, Tomasina had begun to worry that Hannah was growing too attached to the baby. Will’s self-imposed timeline was about to lapse, which meant placing the child with a permanent family in the very near future. When that happened, Tomasina feared Hannah’s reaction.
The door opened, and Hannah waved her inside. “I’ve got Ava this afternoon, but she’s not sleeping. There’s no need to be quiet.”
“Thank goodness.”
Tomasina entered the room and flopped on the bed. Ava was lying on her back on a blanket spread over the floor, cooing and clasping her hands. Hannah brushed her skirts aside and knelt beside the baby.
“You going to the dance?” Tomasina asked.
“I don’t think so. Someone has to stay and watch Ava.”
“Mrs. Foster already volunteered. She said she’s far too old for dances and she can’t stay up past nine anymore. She also said...” Tomasina assumed a falsetto voice. “‘The band plays far too many reels. It’s not dignified, a lady of my age, hopping about.’”
Hannah giggled and smoothed her hair from her face. “Do you think the drovers are invited?”
“Pretty girls and free food? They’ll show.” Tomasina linked her fingers behind her head. “Any particular drover you were hoping to see?”
Hannah blushed. “No. Of course not. I just wondered.”
“You’re one of the prospective brides. Makes sense you’d want to check out all the possibilities. I’ve seen you turn down two of the fellows from town already. I just thought maybe you had someone particular in mind.” Tomasina paused. “Why do you want to get married anyway?”
“I don’t want to stay in my father’s house forever. I want my own home. My own things. I want my own family.”
Rubbing her chin, Tomasina considered her new roommate. “I guess that makes sense.”
She’d always considered her and her father a team. She’d never much thought of them as a family. Her and James and her pa. Now that the team had parted ways, she realized how much she’d taken for granted. They had been a family. Maybe not in the traditional sense, but they’d cobbled together a reasonable imitation.
Somehow she’d thought they’d go on the same indefinitely. She’d never much considered the future. How naive she’d been. Things couldn’t stay the same forever, yet she’d given no thought to what she’d do if her life changed.
Tomasina raised her head. “At least you have a skill. You can sew. A lady who can take care of herself doesn’t need a fellow.”
“There’re other reasons to have a fellow. Love. Companionship. Children.”
Will would be a wonderful father. He was patient and kind. He wasn’t afraid to be vulnerable. He was different from her pa in that regard. Her father had loved her, but he’d preferred her once she was able to care for herself. He’d never had much use for helpless things.
“I’d rather be you.” Hannah braced her hands behind her and leaned back. “You’re independent. You can do whatever you want. Fall in love with whomever you want.”
Tomasina narrowed her gaze. “What are you getting at?”
“What if you fell in love with the wrong man? What would your father have done?”
“Probably shot him.”
“Oh, my.”
“Not to kill, of course. Just to maim. Pa was a good shot.” Tomasina stared at the ceiling. “What about your pa?”
“I don’t know. It’s never come up.” She sighed. “You’re right. At least I have my sewing.”
For a woman who wanted a family, she didn’t appear interested in a suitor. The two things Hannah seemed to enjoy were Ava and sewing. When not busy with Ava, the woman sewed fiendishly. She spent much of her time with a measuring tape slung around her neck and a needle in her hand. While Tomasina didn’t know much about women’s fashion in general, she preferred Pippa’s style to Hannah’s. Though flamboyant, Pippa’s mode of dress was far less fussy than Hannah’s flounces and ruffles.
Then again, Hannah hadn’t been wearing those awful dresses much lately.
“Say,” Tomasina began, “how about we go to Booker & Son to see if they have anything fancy I can wear to that party? Maybe you could buy some fabric or ribbons, as well.”
“About that...” Hannah stood and approached the wardrobe. “I have an idea.”
While Tomasina’s belongings remained in a knapsack under her bed, Hannah had filled the wardrobe to overflowing with her dresses.
Hannah riffled through the ruffles and bows. “I’ve been reworking some of my old dresses. Now that we’re out West, I’ve discovered my fashion is woefully overdone.”
You could say that again. “I hadn’t noticed.”
“Anyway, I pored over all the fashion plates in Booker & Son and drew up some of my own sketches. I had plenty of fabric in my old gowns to rework the designs. And, well, since I haven’t been taking care of my father and Ava naps most of the day, I’ve had a lot more time on my hands. What do you think of this?”
Tomasina gasped. Pushing up with her elbows locked behind her, she leaned forward. Entranced by the dress, she swung her legs off the bed and gingerly touched the silky fabric.
The design was elegant and simple. The fabric was satin in a shade the color of new spring grass. The design featured a scooped neck with cap sleeves and a modest bell skirt. Hannah had decorated the neckline with an embroidered ivory-silk ruffle. She’d created a matching embroidered silk overlay for the skirt with scalloped edges in the same fabric.
“Why, this is absolutely beautiful, Hannah.” The young woman had real talent. Tomasina admired the elaborate craftsmanship of the stitching. “You did this all by yourself?”
“Yes. I learned from my mother.” She took Tomasina’s hand. “I thought...well, I thought that if some of the ladies in town wore my dresses, it would be an advertisement. Once Mr. Canfield realizes how many orders I can arrange, he might consider investing in my shop.”
“You wouldn’t have to talk anyone into wearing something this beautiful.”
“I designed this one for you. I was hoping you’d wear it to the dance.”
“I couldn’t.” Tomasina reverently touched the gossamer fabric. “It’s too pretty.”
“But you have to! It’s the exact color of your eyes. I knew the minute I saw you that this dress would be perfect.”
Dropping her arms to her sides, Tomasina backed away. “I’ll look silly all decked out in something that fancy.”
“You won’t. We’ll have Pippa fix your hair.” Hannah moved behind her and grabbed the mass of red curls, piling them atop her head, then angled her toward the mirror. “Look how pretty that is. With a few strands hanging down to frame your face, you’ll be the belle of the ball.”
Tomasina held the dress in front of her and examined her reflection. “Forget about convincing Mr. Canfield. I’ll be your first investor.”
With a shake of her head, Hannah let the red curls tumble free. “Opening a shop is quite expensive. I need fabric and another sewing machine. Not to mention trims, beading and buttons. I couldn’t ask that of you.”
“Don’t worry about me. I have a lot of money. More than I can spend on myself.”
“Then why are you working as a maid?”
“What else would I do? Sit around and twiddle my thumbs?” Tomasina opened the wardrobe door wider. Her work as a maid was finished after today anyway. She doubted she’d have much success in the kitchens, though she’d give the opportunity a try. There was no use sitting around bored. “How many more of those dresses do you have? You know, like that one. Not like the other, uh, fluffy ones with all the bows and stuff.”
“I’ve reworked this one and started on another.”
“If you and me and Pippa each wear one, that’d be a good start.” Tomasina rubbed her chin. “If Daniel Gardner’s wife wore one as well, we’d have you swimming in orders in no time.”
“I know Leah would help.” Hannah tugged her lower lip between her teeth. “I made her wedding dress, and she seemed quite pleased with that gown. I’ve also been letting out her other dresses.”
The news kept getting better and better. “Leah is married to one of the town founders. We’ll convince her that it’s important for Cowboy Creek to support a local business. Especially if that business is owned and operated by women.” Tomasina glanced at the clock and shot to her feet. “I have to get back to work. The dance is less than a week away. You make up a list of what you need, and we’ll get started right away. I’ll talk with Pippa and you speak with Leah.”
Distracted by her new project, Tomasina practically skipped to her next room. That’s what she’d been missing in her life since arriving in town. She’d been missing a goal. Normally by now she and Pa would be traveling back to Texas or taking on work with another outfit. Until now she hadn’t realized how much of her future had depended on her pa and where he chose to work next.
She paused at a smudged mirror and grasped the rag she’d tucked into her sleeve. Absently wiping the surface, she considered her life until this point. Everything she knew about herself was a lie. She wasn’t independent. She’d never been respected. The men had shown her deference because of her pa. She wasn’t a free spirit; she was a camp follower. Her entire upbringing had been dependent on her father’s whims.
Even the money tethered her to her pa, to the past. He’d saved that money because he’d known she’d relied on him for her future.
The image in front of her blurred.
For once she was in control of her own destiny. Assisting Hannah with her shop felt good. Why shouldn’t women help each other out instead of always counting on the men?
She wanted real respect, not the shelter of her pa’s reputation.
Opening the door to the next room, she wrinkled her nose. Clothing littered the floor, and dirty dishes covered every available surface.
She threw herself into cleaning the space.
A sound caught her attention, and she glanced up. Will leaned on the door frame, his arms crossed.
Her cheeks flooded with color. She wasn’t used to men who wore their clothing with such casual charm. For a cowboy, shirts were loose, often mended and rarely without stains.
Though not flamboyant, Will’s clothing spoke of impeccable tailoring and expensive materials. On closer inspection, she noted threads of black and forest green woven through his wool suit. The fawn colored embroidery of his waistcoat along with his crisp, white shirt contrasted nicely with the darker fabric.
She’d always considered men who wore suits as stamped replicas fashioned from the same mold.
Not so with Will Canfield. He was in a class alone.
She sat back on her heels. “Don’t you have your own work?”
“I was patrolling the corridors for hog-tied guests.”
“Very funny.” She fisted one hand on her hip. “You’re checking up on me.”
“Is that so bad?”
“I suppose not. A good trail boss always takes care of his crew.”
There was something comforting about having him near. He didn’t treat her as though she was helpless. He looked out for her, same as he would Simon or Mrs. Foster. She was part of his team.
All the loneliness of the past few weeks came flooding back. She should be happy. She should be relieved. She should be grateful she’d found a new team.
She’d gotten exactly what she wanted only to discover she craved more. She didn’t just want to be part of a team, she wanted to be a vital member. Indispensable. Not simply an interchangeable part.
Assisting Hannah with her new shop was just the thing to get her mind off her problems. She also liked the idea of snatching the project from under Will’s nose. He’d hesitated too long. That man was too used to getting his own way around town.
It would do him good to lose out to a woman once in a while.
“You don’t have to finish the day as a maid,” Will said. “Take the afternoon and relax. Leave the mess. Living in squalor will build character for this hotel guest.”
“Nope. This is my job. I’ll see it done properly.” She wasn’t living off her pa’s reputation anymore. She’d earn her own respect. “Now leave me alone. I have work to do.”
“Tomasina?”
“Yes.”
“Try not to kill any of the guests.”
She chucked her towel at him, and he ducked out of the way. “I’m not making any promises.”
One day she’d get the upper hand on him. One day soon.