Winter Winds of Wyoming Read online

  Unease slid through his bones. Adaline was seventeen years old, he reminded himself. Barely a woman. Still, his heart felt a strong pull in her direction. “Anyone would do the same.”

  “I think not, Dalton,” she teased. “You’re much too humble.”

  Jake chuckled as his brows tented. A crease from his hat marked his damp hair all the way around his head. “Easy, Adaline, you best settle down. But you know, Dalton, she’s right. Everyone thinks very highly of you. Maybe Adaline can write about you herself. The written word is her first love. I rarely find her without pen and paper.”

  Adaline’s face turned ruby red.

  Jake had changed, all for the better, since learning he had a last name and meeting his father. But maybe marriage did that for a fella, too. Only a little over three weeks ago, he and Daisy had said their ‘I do’s. They were still newlyweds and the toast of the town.

  “But more than that,” Jake went on. “If Albert didn’t have complete faith in you, he’d never have suggested such a thing. I think congratulations are in order!”

  Everyone nodded.

  Daisy, usually quiet, straightened and smiled. “The Christmas competition will be so much fun this year with my two new sisters-in-law. And the town council has raised the prize to ten whole dollars!”

  Dalton whistled. “That’s a lot of money. I’ve heard rumblings about some upcoming competition but don’t really know all that much.”

  Daisy and Jake exchanged a warm look. “Our community cares about those in need,” Daisy went on, a shy gleam in her eyes. “And I used to be one of the recipients—but not again. After the gathering tomorrow evening to decorate the Christmas tree, the rest of the businesses will unveil their window displays.”

  “Unveil?” Dalton asked.

  “The displays have been planned and constructed but hidden until the unveiling,” Daisy replied. “Tonight, everyone will work through the wee hours but will keep them covered. Logan Meadows looks magical all dressed up for the holiday.”

  Dalton nodded, intrigued and thankful he’d be here for such a special time—without wondering where his next meal was coming from.

  “So tomorrow commences a friendly competition for the best display,” Jake said. “The winner is announced Christmas Eve at the Christmas party. This year’s celebration will be held in the new community hall. In years past, the church, Winston’s Feed and Seed, and the mercantile have all hosted.”

  Daisy smiled at Jake and rubbed his arm. “Everyone who can afford to brings a gift or two, as well as foodstuffs, and everyone shares—so families who are struggling will still have a nice Christmas. After the party, Reverend Wilbrand has a candlelight church service for all who are interested.”

  Impressed, Dalton widened his eyes. “Who won last year?”

  “Nana’s Place, the restaurant on the other side of town,” Jake replied.

  Susanna appeared with a coffeepot and extra cup. “Sorry for the delay. A new pot just finished perking.” She refilled everyone’s cups and gave Dalton his first. Finished, she fished a small pad from her pocket and pencil from behind her ear. After taking the group’s order, she hurried away.

  “Who judges?” Dalton asked after gulping down half the cup. The hot coffee thawed his still-cold insides. God’s simplest pleasures were the best. “Same person every year?”

  Jake shook his head. “Nope. New judge. Tomorrow, after the tree is decorated, names will be thrown out and a vote taken with a show of hands.”

  “And the Silky Hen provides hot cider for anyone interested,” Daisy added.

  Susanna appeared with a basket of bread and a crock of butter. “I’ll be a mite sorry to miss tomorrow’s festivities, but not so sorry I’d give up time away with Albert and Nate.”

  Delighted for Susanna’s newfound happiness, Dalton just smiled. He was content with having a job—a real job—for a whole month. He’d concentrate on watching the town. Deputy Sheriff in Logan Meadows at Christmastime was a fine windfall. He chanced a glimpse at Adaline to find her quietly watching him.

  When their gazes touched, she smiled shyly and looked down at her cup.

  Worried, he looked at his own coffee cup. When he’d been in Newport with Jake and his sisters, he’d heard rumblings about Wil Lemon. Jake and Adaline hated the man. Jake wasn’t saying outright, but Lemon had hurt Courtney. Broke her heart before they came to Logan Meadows. And Wil, being much older, should have known better. He had been twenty-four or so, she barely fifteen and—according to Jake—too young for any relationship.

  Well, Dalton was twenty-five, making him almost eight years older than Adaline, and in almost the exact same boat with Wil. Certainly, Jake wouldn’t approve of anything between Dalton and Adaline, either. Jake had made himself perfectly clear. Men didn’t go after girls! Not now, not ever.

  Dalton had heard his friend—and rescuer. And he couldn’t agree more. Jake wouldn’t welcome a courtship between Dalton and his little sister. That’s exactly why a romance between them would never happen. He had Logan Meadows to focus on, anyway. Nothing more. He’d worry about the rest of his future later—after the holidays.

  Chapter Five

  Later that night, in her bedroom at the Red Rooster Inn, Adaline sat before her mirror brushing her hair. She recalled the day in bits and pieces. Decorating the Christmas tree with her sister and brother at the Logans’ ranch, the wagon ride into town, and then running into Dalton at the Silky Hen.

  She stilled her hand mid-stroke as a flurry of butterflies tickled her tummy.

  Did Dalton think she was pretty? No one had ever said she was beautiful except her father and Hugh Hexim, the disgusting banker in Newport. At seventeen, many women had already had several suitors or, perhaps, were even married. Adaline had been too focused on her studies, writing, and poetry to ever really like a boy. Dalton had opened her world. Colors seemed brighter, scents more attractive, and a world of fantasies kept her mind abuzz. She could sit and think about him for hours.

  The sensual thoughts inspired by Dalton warmed her face. Dusty rose spread across her high-set cheekbones and traveled to the swell of her breasts, barely visible at the neckline of the borrowed, empire-waist nightgown where her robe fell open. The lace trim moved as she slowly breathed. The flushed hue of her face accented the vivid blue of her eyes—more round than almond and trimmed with dark lashes. Next, she considered her brows, finely shaped, if not a bit thick, and a few shades darker than her honey-blond hair. She lifted one, practicing a seductive come-hither expression—and then giggled, thinking she looked more like a pet hamster they’d had when they were young than a vixen impressing her amore.

  A frustrated huff escaped her lips.

  Why doesn’t Dalton see me? He thinks I’m a girl, nothing more. Jake’s little sister to pester him.

  Feeling discouraged, she stood and crossed her tiny room to the small bed where her journal entry remained half finished. She stared at the page and her shoulders drooped. What’s to become of me? Where’s my life going? How should I prepare for my future? I’m adrift in a sea of uncertainty.

  Back in Newport, before her father had taken ill, she’d been on track, knew she wanted a job where her love of expression could be explored. Her best subject in school had been English. Her teacher had encouraged her to write, write, and write some more—saying practice made perfect. Alas, none of the short pieces she’d submitted to the local newspaper had been published. Still, she hadn’t allowed the rejections to deter her resolve, but now here in Logan Meadows…

  A soft knock on the door brought Adaline out of her troubled thoughts.

  Darkness had fallen, and she’d thought most occupants of the Red Rooster had gone to bed long ago. “Yes?”

  “You still awake, honey-pie?”

  Violet.

  Adaline hurried to the door in her wool socks—also borrowed. “I sure am.” She opened the door. “I thought you were asleep.”

  A white porcela
in candle holder with the nub of a candle wobbled in Violet’s hand.

  Adaline reached out and took the stub of light before an impending drip had a chance to burn Violet’s hand. Stepping aside, she made room for the old woman to enter. For eighty-seven, the innkeeper moved around extremely well.

  “Was kneelin’ at my bedside, saying my prayers, when you popped into my head.”

  “I did?” She placed the candle holder on her nightstand. Closing her journal, she set the book aside and patted the quilt in invitation. “Why, I wonder?” She gave a smile, appreciating the fact someone other than her family looked out for her. “I was just brushing my hair before bed.” And bemoaning my future. She lifted a shoulder where several tresses cascaded over to her bodice.

  Violet, now settled on the bed, resembled a small, stuffed doll in her calico dress and warm shawl. She hadn’t even dressed yet to retire.

  “Don’t rightly know, dearie. Ya seemed awful quiet at supper, I guess. More so than normal. Did somethin’ happen today? Are you worrin’ ’bout anythin’?”

  Worried about anything? My life’s mission? Being a canoe without a paddle, maybe? If not that, perhaps someone? The man who’s stolen my heart but thinks I’m a child? Nothing more. “No, Violet,” she whispered in case Marlene, Jake’s mother, and Beth Fairington, had already gone to bed. Marlene had been a saloon girl for most of her life and lived in the room next to hers. Beth Fairington, right across the hall, had the ears of an elephant. Adaline didn’t want to bother her. She’d been chewed up one side and down the other by Beth more than once for making too much noise and disturbing her sleep. Keeping quiet was far more enjoyable. “I guess I’m just tired. Well, maybe a little homesick, too.”

  The wrinkles on Violet’s face softened. “I’ve been expectin’ such. When ya first moved in, there was lots ta do ta get comfortable. Settle in. Now, all the work’s done, and the dark winter nights have descended.”

  Violet stroked the back of Adaline’s hand, the leathery palm much softer than Adaline expected. And warm. She thought of her father, so recently passed away. Without warning, wetness welled, and a fat tear slipped out and ran down her cheek.

  Violet’s forehead crinkled. “Being young’s more difficult than flyin’ to the moon. I’d never wish ta go back, even iffin I could. Jist want ya to know, I’m mighty glad ya moved into the Red Rooster. Ya brought laughter and joy. Me, Marlene, and Beth can get plenty morose at times, and yer jist the medicine we needed. I hope ya like living here. If not, and ya want to go back to the Logans, feel free. I’d never want ta stand in the way of yer happiness. Thought being closer ta town would make meeting friends easier. Where Courtney has a need of a mother and father, she has that in Chase and Jessie.”

  Adaline wiped away another tear. Violet felt like the grandmother Adaline and Courtney never had. “Thank you. I love living here. I feel very independent and grown-up, even though I know you’re looking out for me. Thank you for letting me take a room.”

  Violet patted her hand. “No need fir thanks. How’re ya settlin’ in at the haberdashery? Mr. and Mrs. Harrell treatin’ ya well?”

  “Being a part of the store, even if only for the few weeks before Christmas, is a joy. Mrs. Harrell has been very kind. And I am meeting new friends.”

  “Well, ladies. I thought I heard some chatter in here.” Marlene gazed through the half-open door, her dark-blue robe wrapped tightly around her body.

  Being she was her brother’s mother, Adaline had taken to her right off.

  “If this isn’t a private party, may I join you?”

  Violet’s eyebrow tipped. “Marlene, can’t ya see the little miss and me are havin’ a heart ta heart? Now’s ain’t the time—”

  “Now’s not the time,” Marlene corrected. Ignoring Violet, she crossed the room and sat on Adaline’s other side. “You were quiet at supper, Adaline. Did something happen?”

  Violet huffed. “We’ve already gone over that, Nosy Nelly.”

  “I’m just stating what I saw—don’t get cranky, Violet. Orneriness doesn’t become you.”

  “Watch yer sassy mouth.”

  Marlene chuckled.

  Adaline gazed back and forth between the women, flattered by their motherly attention. They had a long history—one Adaline didn’t completely know. Jake was close-mouthed whenever the topic of his mother came into the conversation—and she hoped someday he’d open up. Seemed the two were working through years of hurt. Beth Fairington was only all too happy to whisper everything she knew about Marlene and Jake, going all the way back to Valley Springs, Wyoming. Marlene’s lies about Jake’s father—Adaline’s father, too—the verbal abuse, anything Beth felt like sharing. Adaline was taken by surprise by the gossip the first time, but after that, she’d been ready. The next time Beth tried to natter, Adaline cut her off and told her never to speak about her brother again. Or his mother. Life was too short to dwell on past hurts. Present day survival was difficult enough.

  Marlene lifted her brows. “I think I know what’s bothering our little miss. And I can help.”

  Intrigued, Adaline sat straighter. If Dalton didn’t see her as a woman, someone else would come along and steal his heart away before she even had a chance to tell him how she felt. Ever since the stormy night in the pig shed at Yaquina Head lighthouse, Adaline was besotted. But to him, she was nothing.

  “What on earth?” Violet went to stand.

  Marlene gently nudged her back to the bed. “Give me a moment to explain, old woman, and you might come to see I know more than you think I do.” She narrowed her eyes. “Adaline’s in love.”

  Adaline dropped her jaw. She gripped a handful of quilt, shocked her secret had been discovered.

  “Am I correct?”

  Violet looked as if a burst of wind had just knocked her best hat into the mud.

  Adaline almost laughed. She would have, except Marlene’s astuteness was shocking.

  “You don’t have to say a word,” Marlene went on. “I can see by your reaction I’m right. I’ve spent practically my whole life around men and women and what transpires between the sexes.”

  Violet flapped her arms and a squawking sound emitted from her lips.

  Marlene shushed her with a look. “Quiet, Violet, or I just might think you’ve turned into one of your hens. Adaline?”

  She’d better be careful. If not, the whole town would know how she felt and she’d be a laughingstock. But worse, she’d embarrass Dalton and then he’d avoid her like a spoiled egg. How she wanted to confide in someone, though. The words were tumbling around inside, just begging to squeeze out.

  Marlene shook her head. “You don’t have to say, but don’t wait too long to act on your feelings, dear girl. Regret has much less of a sting if you try your best, not just sit back and hope. Now, if you are pining, as I believe you are, I have a few words of advice to hurry along the process.”

  What on earth is she suggesting?

  Marlene softly laughed. “I’m just saying a little sigh goes a long way.”

  She gaped at Marlene.

  As did Violet.

  The years seemed to melt away from Marlene’s face.

  “Watch and learn.” Marlene smiled and slowly lowered her lashes. A lingering sigh, rising in timbre right at the end, emitted from her lips. “To add impact, dip your chin and gaze up through your lashes at the same time. Like this.” Marlene dropped her face, then slowly raised her lashes, one eyebrow lifting. “Let your fingers brush, linger, like the kiss of a butterfly. Don’t be pushy. One thing a man hates is a bossy ol’ mare. If you follow my instructions, you’ll have your fella’s full and complete attention, I assure you. No man can resist, if the two of you are meant to be.”

  Heat inflamed Adaline’s cheeks. She couldn’t think of one reply because the image of her brushing Dalton’s fingers still occupied her full consciousness. Could she possibly do any of those things?

  “Well, I’ll be, Marlene. I think y
a hit the spike on the crown. I’d never a’knowed our little missy was sufferin’ from a heartache.”

  A scanty sneeze brought the three around to the door where Beth stood.

  Had the woman deliberately walked quietly, to eavesdrop?

  Every warm, fuzzy feeling inside evaporated. What had she heard? Everything? If yes, at least Dalton’s name hadn’t been mentioned. Beth couldn’t know the identity of the man she was pining for—she could only guess. From here on out, Adaline would need to be very careful. Beth would go straight to Dalton and tell him everything, just to spite her. When she’d moved in, Adaline had tried to befriend Beth, but that woman didn’t want friends. Adaline actually felt sorry for her, but not enough to let her in on her secret.

  “What’s going on in here?” Beth asked, her narrowed gaze skipping from face to face.

  “Never you mind.” Marlene reached over to pat Adaline’s hand before she stood. “I think that’s enough for one night. Come on, Violet, let me walk you to your room and help you into your nightdress. I’ll put a few more logs on the fire as well, so we all don’t turn into blocks of ice before morning.”

  Adaline kissed Violet’s cheek and stood and did the same with Marlene. She smiled at Beth, who turned to go. Adaline didn’t want to have enemies. Especially now that she felt a bit of hope where Dalton was concerned. The Christmas tree decorating party couldn’t come fast enough. Tomorrow was a new day. One where she was determined to show Dalton she wasn’t just some silly, young girl.

  Chapter Six

  Main Street Logan Meadows teemed with enthusiastic citizens all waiting for the Christmas tree decorating celebration to commence. Excitement sizzled in the air with laughter, friendly smiles, and hugs, a community brought together with a common goal. Dalton actually felt an eager joy he hadn’t experienced in months. Like something good was about to happen. Like he was a part of a mission larger than day-to-day life. Like the three meals he’d enjoyed today were building him back to his former strength.