fellow tells me who the hell he is himself!"
Jamie's eyes narrowed, and his face started to look like thunder.
"Hank," Tess said quickly.
"This is Lieutenant Jamie Slater, he's with the cavalry. And Mr. Jon Red
Feather..
Hank, they've been gracious enough to see me home"--" Then Joe really is
dead," Hank said miserably.
She nodded.
He swallowed hard, looking into the distance.
"I'd kinda hoped, seeing you and all ... Then he really did get it from
the Indians."
"No. From von Heusen."
"Him again," Hank muttered.
"He--him," Jamie interjected.
"Axe we, or are we not, talking about von Heusen all the way around
here?"
"Of course!" Tess stated firmly.
"You mean to tell me," Jamie said, striding toward Hank, "that this yon
Heusen has already been here, telling you that the property is going to
go up for public auction in lieu of being granted to legitimate heirs?"
"Yep, something like that."
"Just like a vulture," Jon commented. "Well, he'll be back," Hank
promised.
"Soon enough.
You'll get to meet him."
Dolly, still on the wagon, cleared her throat.
"Oh, Dolly!" Jamie exclaimed apologetically. He hurried around to help
her down. Dolly smiled and took Hank's hand firmly.
"I'm Dolly Simmons, Hank. Nice to make your acquaintance. And you, too,
young lady. Jane, isn't it?"
"Yes, ma'am."
"A fine name, a fine name. And I'm mighty parched. Perhaps we could go
inside and have ourselves a sip of something."
"Yes, let's!" Tess said.
She started for the house. Jon dismounted and looped his pinto's reins
around the hitching post in front of the house.
Tess was halfway up the stairs before she realized that Jamie hadn't
moved.
He was still standing with the roan's reins in his hands.
"Jamie, come in, please," she said politely. A bit distantly
perhaps--they were still involved in their fierce, personal battle.
"We'll see to the wagon later. Hank and the boys will help."
He shook his head, looking at Hank, not her.
"That the trail to follow into town?" he asked, pointing toward the
road.
"Yep, that's it."
"Where's the action congregate around here?" Hank was smiling but
curious.
"Why, the Bennington saloon. The best card games in town go on there,
the best whiskey flows there, and the best girls" -- He paused, glancing
quickly toward the ladies.
"Well, Lieutenant, the best entertainment in town can be found there,
too."
Jamie nodded. Smiling at Tess, he told her, "I think that I'll take a
ride in."
"Now?" she demanded. The best entertainment in town! Von Heusen was
expected at the house, and he was about to ride off to enjoy himself
with a dance-hall gift! "No time like the present."
"But von Heusen is going to come here!"
"I don't want to meet Mr. yon Heusen. Not just yet." He swung up on his
horse and glanced at Jon. Tess tried hard to follow his gaze. Something
passed between them, like cons of words, and yet it all happened in a
few seconds.
Jori was staying with her. And still, she was furious. Jamie was
demanding half her land and he wouldn't even stay around to meet his
adversary.
"Lieutenant, if you head into town, perhaps you should stay there for
the night," she snapped. They all stared at her. She had to control her
temper.
She had to quit caring.
He grinned, "Why, Miss. Stuart, do you think there'll be enough there to
keep me occupied all night?"
"I imagine, Lieutenant, that that is entirely up to you. Do what you
feel you must."
She turned her back on him as quickly as she could. He was a free man,
she thought furiously. He could do whatever he wanted to do, drink
himself silly, consort with whores, gamble his life away. He sure as
hell wasn't going to do it on her property, though!
He was going to do it, though. He didn't even enter the house, but
turned and rode away. Tess tried very hard to look back, not to let
anyone see that her eyes had misted with her are and frustration.
Damned Yank. Damned Yank.
"It's a nice place you've got here," Jon complimented as they entered
the house.
"Beautiful!" Dolly exclaimed.
It wasn't exactly beautiful, Tess thought. But it was nice, and it was
livable, too. The parlor into which they entered was vast, and it was
combined with a big dining room that held a heavy carved Mexican table
that could seat fourteen for dinner. To the left of the dining area,
against the rear wall, was the broad staircase that led to the second
floor.
Nearer the door was Joe's desk, on a dais, perched on a cow skin. His
large wing-chair was behind it, and two heavy leather chairs were
situated before it. There was a spittoon in the corner for those who
felt they absolutely must chew tobacco. In the center of the room, on a
beautiful hooked rug, was a. large, soft, brown leather sofa. It sat
next to the fire, with matching chairs across from it and occasional
tables beside it. There were bright Indian flower vases on the tables.
There were flowers in the vases, and Tess smiled. Hank and Jane had kept
up, no matter what.
"Well!" Dolly said.
"Now this is nice! Tess, where would you like us to stay?"
"Oh!" She had forgotten that even though Jamie Slater had ridden away
the moment they arrived, she had other guests to attend to.
"I'msorry. Upstairs, Dolly. Hank, we can wait a while on the other
things, but let's bring up Dolly's trunks. Come up, please!" She urged
Dolly and Jon forward.
When they reached the second-story landing, they looked down a long
hallway with doors on either side and a big-paned window with velvet
draperies at the end.
"There are eight rooms up here," she murmured.
"We shouldn't be wanting."
Jane, who had followed her up the stairs, cleared her throat softly.
"Tess, your room is aired, and Joe's room is 123 aired, and I just
happened to air the back two, but I haven't touched the others yet. I
was getting around to them, but then when we heard ... When we heard
that both you and Joe ... Nothing seemed to make much sense anymore."
"That's all right," Tess said.
"But we'll nee~l linens and all for Mrs. Simmons and Mr. Red Feather.
Can you see to that? We'll put them in those two rooms you aired."
"What about the lieutenant?"
"I believe he's staying in town. And should he wander back, well, he can
wander into the barn."
Jon made a choking sound, then laughed. Dolly gave a little gasp.
Tess didn't care. She walked grandly down the hall.
"Dolly, this room here is more appropriate for a lady, I think.
There's a big dressing table in here, and the light is wonderful in the
morning."
"It is just wonderful!" Dolly said delightedly.
"I love it!" She caught Tess's cheeks between her plump hands and gave
her a kiss on the cheek.
"I am so glad I came. And don't you dare wait on me. I'm here to help.
Jane, you run along and get linens, and I'll get this bed made up, and
then you show me around the house and tell me what I can do!"
' "Dolly, you don't have to do anything but rest. It's been a long trip
" You hush, dear. I'm going to get to know my room!" She stepped inside,
closing the door. Jane hurried down the hall to the little'
linen-storage room.
Tess smiled wryly at Jon.
"She's wonderful, isn't she?"
"Dolly? Yes, she's a wonder."
"I didn't really give her the best room, Jon, both these rooms are big
and have beautiful views. I think you'll be just as happy over here. The