Sweetwater (Birdsong Series) Read online

  She sat up. “But I am ready. I want you to touch me and make me feel something more. I want you to make love to me, Doc.” She held out her arms inviting him to return to her.

  Blake forced himself to stand. It was the most difficult thing he had ever done. It was quite evident that his body had responded to the beguiling woman lying beneath him, only a few moments ago. He smiled and gently shook his head. “Come, sweetheart. We need to leave this room, or I may not be able to contain this urge I have to feel you lying naked in my arms, to hear you call out my name. If only you knew how seductive you are, darling. Please, Emmie . . . for my sake? Let’s go for a walk in the fresh evening air.”

  Emily didn’t want to go for a walk, but she knew there was wisdom and truth in what he was saying. At this point, she would gladly have taken him into her body, giving up her virtue to him. Her physical need for him was overwhelming and her body ached for his touch. Her mind was in turmoil.

  “Give me a few minutes. I’ll meet you downstairs,” she sighed.

  *

  Patty wasn’t surprised to see the young doctor descending the steps, alone. “Did she kick you out? I swear that woman doesn’t have the sense God gave rocks.”

  Cassie giggled. “I’d have gone out with you, Doc, if you’d only asked.”

  “Really?” He hadn’t expected that from the pretty girl. “I didn’t think you wanted to go to the dance. I take it you’ve forgiven me?”

  Cassie’s hand waved him away. “Aw, that was years ago, Doc. I was just a spoiled kid then. I didn’t really intend to go to the dance, but I would have gone with you . . . to keep you company. I trust you.” Her face fell, as if she had remembered something sad. “Will I ever be happy, again, Doc?”

  Blake walked over to Cassie and placed a light kiss on her forehead. “One day, the man of your dreams will walk through that door and he’ll make you forget all the bad and ugly things of that night. You just wait for him, darlin’, and finish growing up a little.”

  Her pretty face lit up like a candelabra. “Thanks, Doc. I’ll wait for that special one. I have a gift for you. It’s not much, but I made it to thank you for saving me. Even against my will, sometimes,” she added. She ran back behind the desk and retrieved a pillow.

  “Read it,” she said excitedly, as she thrust it into his open hands.

  Blake’s cheeks turned bright red as he read the sentiments sewn so carefully onto the face of the beautiful pillow. “Doc, My Hero.” He was touched by the simple words. “I don’t know what to say, Cassie. I don’t feel much like a hero, but I’m glad you think I am. I’ll put it in my office and keep it, always. It isn’t everyday a man gets a gift, of this quality, from such a lovely young lady.”

  Clapping her hands, Cassie was delighted in Blake’s response. She felt like her old self—almost.

  “Hope I didn’t keep you waiting too long, Doc, but I needed to repair my hair. I’m ready to go, now,” Emily said in a husky voice. She glided down the stairs and practically floated into the arms of the man waiting for her.

  He laughed. “I would wait forever for you, darling, but I must admit, I have been kept thoroughly entertained by this delightful young lady. She even gave me a special gift.” Blake held up the pillow for Emily’s inspection. “It’s really something,” he said, as he winked at Cassie, standing proudly by his side.

  Blake knew the others had heard his term of endearment for Emily, but that was a good thing. He wanted everyone to know that he had claimed her for his very own. Holding out his arm to her, he smiled. “Come, sweetheart. Let’s get some fresh air.”

  Patty and Cassie stood by, watching and learning. “Wow,” Cassie muttered. “That was some entrance.”

  Patty nodded. “It certainly was. I think our lady doth protest too much.”

  Cassie shot her friend a puzzled look. “What?”

  Patty laughed. “Oh, never mind.”

  The cool evening breeze was just what the doctor ordered. It was refreshing and it helped clear their heads—not to mention, it cooled their fevers. The music, from the dance, drifted down the street, lending an air of celebration to the otherwise, silence of the night. The stars twinkled overhead; as the young couple walked silently, arm in arm, down the wooden sidewalk.

  Blake swallowed, clearing his throat before speaking. “Emmie, I want you to know that I love you. I’ve loved you for a very long time, now, and I refuse to give up on us. I will do anything to make you happy. If you need a farm, we’ll find one, together. My grandparents had a farm here, a long time ago. I could sell the land and take the money and buy any farm you want—maybe even the one that got away. What do you say, darling? Could you learn to love me in time? Would you be willing to try?”

  Emily thought for several minutes. How much should she divulge to this wonderful man, she asked herself? Should she risk her heart? It was not an easy decision for her to make, as she trusted no man. She’d been on her own for a very long time. However, she had never felt this way about another man. The emotions running wild through her brain were deep and powerful. Her skin still tingled from his touch and her nostrils were filled his masculine fragrance—an aphrodisiac to her senses. She possessed no defense against his allure, and realized she had no choice but to trust him. Emily stopped walking and looked deep into his soulful, brown eyes.

  “Doc, as you’ve probably guessed, I had a bad childhood. It is something I try never to think about, but I can’t always escape the memories. Until I arrived here, at the Birdsong, I was angry all the time. I hated all men. I’ve never known a man that didn’t want me for my body.” She waited to see Blake’s reaction.

  “When Eve advertised for women to come here and work . . . women who really needed a job . . . I knew it was my one chance at happiness. Don’t ask me how I knew, I just did.” She laughed. “The truth be told, I think Eve was only planning to hire one or two of us, but her heart is so big, that after seeing how badly we all wanted the job, she declared she had need of exactly four women.”

  Smiling, she sniffed before continuing. “We worked well together, and now, we’ve become a real family of sisters. I’d do anything for them. Then you happened upon the scene, and I must say, when I saw you standing at the door, you stole my breath away. I may not have liked men, but I sure admired the looks of you. You are quite the handsomest of men, you know.”

  The tips of Blake’s ears turned pink with embarrassment. “You think I’m good lookin?”

  She giggled. “I knew I shouldn’t have mentioned that part. Oh, well, too late now. Yes, Doc. I think you’re prettier than a newborn pup! A veritable God among men! A superb human specimen! A . . .”

  Holding up his hand to halt Emily’s oration, he shouted, “Okay! That’s quite enough. I’ll just assume that there are simply not enough adjectives to describe my masculine magnificence,” he chuckled.

  “Oh, dear. I fear I may have created a vain varmint.”

  After the laughter subsided, Blake grew serious. “Tell me more, Emmie.”

  “I like you calling me, Emmie. Did I ever tell you that?”

  Blake shook his head.

  “Yes, well,” she continued, “I’ve been happy here. One day, Eve took all of us girls out to a little farm, for a picnic, and showed me the property. She knew how I loved planting things and caring for them, and she thought that this would be the perfect place for me to buy. Eve split the profits of the hotel with all of us, making us financially comfortable, you know.

  “I realize it’s silly and irrational, but since I first set eyes on that farm, I have thought of it as mine. Never in my life, have I ever wanted anything so badly. Night and day, it’s never far from my thoughts. Am I crazy, Doc?”

  “Yeah, you are, but so am I. I’m that crazy in love with you. I’ll help you get that damn farm, if it means so much to you, Emmie. Have you met with the owners?”

  Emily stuck out her bottom lip in a delightful pout. Blake had the strongest urge too suck on that puffy little lip.

/>   “No. I don’t even know their names. They don’t live in Hays City. I’m not sure they live in Kansas. Why won’t they sell it to me? I rode out one day, just for a look-see, and they’ve done nothing with the place. They’re not living there or raising crops and it’s falling into disrepair. They’re just being stubborn and mean.” She stomped her foot to make her point.

  She was adorable, Blake thought. “I’ll look into the matter, Emmie. Don’t worry about it any longer. You and I, together, we can get to the bottom of this.”

  They crossed the street and headed back in the direction of the hotel. As they were passing one of the thirty-four saloons, now open in Hays, two rough, dirty men stumbled out of the open doors. Blake tried to pull Emily out of the way, but she stumbled and the older man fell against her.

  Cursing and spitting mad, the man grabbed her by the upper arm, as if it was her fault they collided. “Bitch! Get outta’ my way,” he snarled. Barely able to stand up straight, he tried to focus on the lady’s stunned face. “Shit, Dusty. Lookee here. She’s a real beauty.”

  Blake quickly dragged Emily away from the ruffians. He felt her body stiffen with shock, and as he gazed into her face, he could sense she was terrified. She was petrified with fear. He ignored the crude and vulgar things the men were saying, as he cared nothing for them. His only concern was for Emmie. Two steps, then two more . . . two steps further . . . before she fainted in his arms.

  “Emmie? What’s wrong?” He could hear the stranger’s raucous laughter behind them, coming from the doorway of the seedy saloon.

  She lay quietly in his arms, totally helpless. He scooped her up as easily as if she were a child, and ran back to the hotel. He couldn’t understand what had brought this on. The men are obnoxious, but they did no real harm to her. Why had she swooned?

  Bursting through the lobby doors, the doctor placed an unconscious Emily on the settee. “Cassie, get me some whiskey. Patty, bring me a cool wet cloth.”

  The women were already running to do his bidding. Rubbing her cold, delicate hands between his own roughened ones, he tried to figure out what had happened. He urged Emily to wake up.

  “Darling, open your eyes. We’re back at the hotel. Emmie, wake up.” Hearing returning footsteps, he looked up and gratefully took the small glass of whiskey from Cassie. Propping Emily up against his chest, he tried to coax a little of the hot burning liquid past her lips. Sputtering, Emily opened her gorgeous blue eyes and stared up at Blake, as if she had witnessed something horrible.

  “Oh, my God. Where is he?” She looked frantically around the room. Her entire body was trembling with what looked to be fear. “Where?” she screamed.

  “Emmie, darling. There’s nobody here. What are you afraid of, sweetheart? Those drunks can’t you hurt you here. I’d never let them touch you. They’re probably riding out about now, anyway. Oh, darling, they can’t harm you.” He held her tight, willing his strength into her.

  Emily started crying, almost hysterically.

  “Doc, what on earth happened?” Patty asked, as she placed the cool wet cloth on Emily’s forehead. “Did someone attack her?”

  He shook his head. “No. It was the queerest thing. Two drunks stumbled out of the Dollar Saloon and startled her. One of them fell against her, knocking her to her knees. By the time I had hold of her, she was already frozen in shock. It happened just that fast. One look at the old man’s face, and she was as you see her now.”

  They were all silent for the moment, and then as if a candle went on in both their heads, Patty and Blake looked at one another. Patty was the first to ask.

  “Did she know the man? She would have had to know him to get this reaction, and obviously, she was deathly afraid of him. Blake, you’ve got to hunt him down and find out what this is all about.”

  “No,” a feeble Emily whispered. “Leave him be. Maybe it wasn’t him. Let him leave town. Please.”

  “Emmie, who did you think he was?” Blake asked.

  Ignoring Blake’s inquiry, Emily raised herself up on one elbow. “Help me to my room, Doc. I need to rest. We’ll speak about this, later.” Trying to stand, she nearly fell back, looking for help from Blake.

  As he steadied her on her feet, he had to smile, watching his very proper Emmie reach out for the glass of whiskey. Tossing her head back, she gulped the fiery liquid down, and brought new tears to her eyes. She ran her delectable pink tongue across her lips and nodded. “That’s good.”

  CHAPTER FOUR

  The following morning, Dora sang while she prepared breakfast for the hotel guests, and Whiskey whistled as he worked on the front gate. The birds sang noisily from their perches under the eaves. It was a glorious morning; one entirely suitable to follow a most magical evening, Dora chuckled to herself.

  As she piled serving platters high with the most delectable meats, eggs, and potato dishes possible, she said, happily, “If there’s anythin’ you want, and you don’t see it . . . just call out. I can whip it up in a jiffy. Pancakes and waffles, so light they nearly float off the plate, are coming up and I got strawberries and blueberries aplenty, with clotted cream. If anyone would prefer blackberries, just holler.” She sashayed back into the kitchen, humming merrily.

  Patty looked at Cassie. “What’s gotten into her . . . and Whiskey, for that matter? He’s as happy as a kid playing hooky from school.” She grinned a mischievous smile. “What do you suppose happened last night, after the dance?”

  Cassie giggled at the thought of the two older people romancing under the stars. “Oh, Patty. That’s too unthinkable. They’re old.”

  Patty laughed. “And you’re young! It would be the most wonderful thing in the world if those two sweet and lovable people found happiness with one another. I’d be so pleased for them. No one should live their life alone, especially when one’s heart is as big as the two of theirs.”

  “I guess you could be right. They probably do get lonely, huh?”

  Laughing, Patty agreed. “You’ll find out, someday. We all need someone with whom to share our lives.”

  “What about you, Patty? You never mention anyone special. You never seem to want to have any fun. Don’t you get lonely?”

  Patty’s eyes slowly misted over, as she thought back, many years. “I had my one chance at love, Cassie, and I threw it all away to please others. I’ll never know that kind of love again. His name was Andre, and I shall continue to carry him in my heart until the day I die.”

  Cassie had never known Patty to speak of her past. She was a very private person, and this revelation of her lost love, surprised her. She didn’t know what to say. As the young woman stood there, trying to think of a proper response, Dr. Donovan walked swiftly, into the room.

  “Morning, ladies. Have either one of you seen or spoken with Emily this morning? After her traumatic evening, I’m somewhat worried about her.”

  Dora entered from the dining room and stopped suddenly when she saw the look of concern on the young doc’s face. “Traumatic? What happened to her, Doc?” Dora had arrived back from the dance, quite late, and retired to her room without waking anyone. This was her first chance to talk about the events of the night before.

  “Please, don’t be alarmed, but it is a puzzlement, to be sure. Last evening, as I was walking her back to the hotel, a couple of drunks stumbled out of the Dollar Saloon. One man fell against Emmie, practically knocking her to the ground. She wasn’t hurt, but the look on her face was daunting. Emmie looked as if she recognized the bum, and she was terrified of him. He was dirty and vile, but he didn’t really hurt her. She wasn’t herself after that. I think it was simply a state of shock, but she was extremely upset by the encounter. I need to discover his identity. Unfortunately, I was too concerned with her welfare to get a good look at his face. If he walked in here, right now, I doubt I’d recognize him.”

  Cassie was intrigued. With eyes, as round as saucers, she asked, “You want me to run upstairs and see if she’s awake?”

  Patty placed
her hand on Cassie’s shoulder, to calm the young woman, and addressed Blake. “Dora can fix up a breakfast tray, and you can carry it up to Emily. Being a doctor and all,” she grinned, “you can check her out for yourself.”

  He nodded. “Good. That’s a good idea. Thanks, Patty.”

  Blake knocked on Emily’s door—for the third time. Still, she didn’t answer. Balancing the food tray on one hand, he tried the latch, allowing the door to swing open.

  “Emmie? Wake up, sleepy head,” he said with feigned frivolity. “I’ve brought you some of Dora’s finest. Got some good, strong coffee to sweep those cobwebs away, too. Emmie?”

  He set the tray down on the bureau and turned toward the bed. She was wrapped in her spread, under several quilts. That was odd, as the weather was quite mild for this time of year.

  “Emmie?” An unsettled feeling overcame Blake, as he stepped closer to the pile of bed linens. He knew the truth before he pulled them back, exposing an empty bed. There was no indentation in the soft mattress. She had never slept there, last evening.

  He rummaged through the drawers and the wardrobe. What did she take with her, he wondered? It appeared that most of her clothing was still there. He sighed with relief. At the very least, she had not planned to stay away for any length of time. But where did she go?

  Running down the stairs, he got the attention of the three women, conferring behind the front desk. They all looked up with inquisitive faces.

  “Emmie’s gone,” he announced. “She didn’t sleep here, last night. Where would she have gone and why would she leave without telling anyone?” Panic was starting to set in. The longer she was away, the greater her chance of coming to some physical harm. “I’ve got to find her.”

  Dora, always the voice of reason, spoke firmly. “Blake. Sit down!” She pointed to the settee. She could be quite stern, when needed, and now was one of those times when it was required. “You’ll sit there ‘til you calm down, ya’ hear? You’re not goin’ to find her, runnin’ off half-cocked like that. I’ll ask Whiskey to nose around town. Somebody’s bound to have seen her. Everyone knows her on sight. She can’t hide for long. I think she probably just wanted to think about things. A woman has to do that, from time to time. You need to see if you can find those two varmints from the Dollar. Ask them what they’re doin’ in town and when they plan to leave. Don’t mention Emily! No need to give them an advantage. She might not want them to know it was her, they saw.” With her arms folded across her chest, she tapped her foot silently, on the soft rug. “Doc, you better now?”