Chapter Five
“Here you are, gentlemen.” Suzanne Briar set supper plates in front of Cash and Beau a couple nights later. “Now, don’t you go showing your food to anyone else in the restaurant. I prepared these special for the two of you.” She winked as she turned to leave, running smack into Nick Barnett, one of the partners in the town’s two saloons.
Grasping her arms, he steadied her, seeing a flush creep up her face. They’d been dancing around feelings for each other since he’d first come to town, taking a room in her boardinghouse. Neither had acted on their attraction.
Since then, he’d built the Dixie Saloon, welcomed his business partner, Lena Campanel Evans, to town, and partnered with Lena and Gabe to purchase the existing Wild Rose Saloon. They’d then built an upscale hotel, the St. James, at the other end of town. Their latest project was to buy into Suzanne’s boardinghouse and expand the restaurant, as well as the number of rooms she offered. The two of them had been working closely together for weeks, yet neither had acted on the desire whirling around them.
“Steady, sweetheart.” Nick’s smile triggered an immediate increase in her heart rate, his touch causing heat to flow through her body.
A widow, losing both her husband and young daughter to a blinding snowstorm years before, Suzanne had sealed herself off from the possibility of loving again. Nick’s quiet resolve, absolute loyalty to those he cared about, and strong presence continued to chip away at her resistance, making her wonder how much longer she could avoid the truth in her heart.
“Sorry, Nick. We’re so busy, I…” Her voice trailed off as she looked up at his face. Tall with broad shoulders and his trademark black attire, he wore a patch over his left eye. She didn’t know the history behind it, but it didn’t deter from the strength she saw when her gaze met his.
“Why don’t you rest for a few minutes? I can ask one of the other servers to handle your tables.”
She stepped away, instantly missing his touch when his hands slipped from her arms.
“Who would you ask? We’re all busy tonight.” She bit her lower lip, then drew in a deep breath. “Why don’t you join the deputies?” She glanced over her shoulder at the table behind her, noticing Beau’s and Cash’s attention on her and Nick. “I’d better get back to the kitchen.”
A sigh escaped as Nick watched her go, then he turned toward Cash and Beau. “Mind if I join you?”
“Not at all.” Cash took a bite of the pan fried steak Suzanne had prepared to celebrate his return. Waiting until Nick took a seat, he cut another bite, holding the steak in the air. “When are you going to claim her?” He narrowed his gaze at Nick before slipping the steak into his mouth.
Leaning back in his chair and crossing his arms, Nick let out a breath. “You know, I could pretend I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
“But you won’t,” Cash countered, taking a bite of mashed potatoes.
Nick glanced over his shoulder toward the kitchen, seeing Suzanne emerge juggling three plates piled high with food. “The timing isn’t right.”
Beau laughed, cutting another piece of his steak. “It’s never right. I say state your feelings. If you don’t, someone might beat you to it.”
Nick tensed at Beau’s comment. “Have you heard something?”
“I’m always hearing things, Nick. You know Stan Petermann’s wife died last summer. Word is he’s got a sweet spot for Suzanne. And Silas Jenks at the lumber mill has been coming in here more often than he used to. Makes me wonder.” Beau lifted his brows as he stuck another bite of steak in his mouth.
Mumbling a curse, Nick stood, shoving his hands in his pockets. “I’m headed to the Dixie. Stop by and I’ll buy you two miscreants a drink.”
Cash shook his head, a grin splitting his otherwise somber face, staring at Beau as Nick walked away. “You may have gone a mite too far.”
“It’s all truthful. I spoke to Silas yesterday and he asked me about Nick and Suzanne, as if I’d know anything. Told him I didn’t know what he was talking about and left.” Beau leaned forward, lowering his voice. “Nick needs to make a move or that woman’s going to be snatched up by another man.”
“You wouldn’t be referring to you, right?”
“Suzanne’s a good woman, but I’ve got my sights on someone else.” Beau set down his fork, chewing slowly.
“Caroline Iverson.”
Beau’s eyes widened, but he stayed quiet, a muscle in his jaw twitching.
“She’s a wonderful woman. Beautiful, kind. You couldn’t do much better.” Cash slid his chair back as the front door opened and Alison walked in, slipping out of her coat.
Beau turned, lifting his hand in a welcome gesture, then lowered his voice. “Well now, it’s Mrs. Burns. Have you seen each other since having supper together?”
Cash didn’t respond. He couldn’t stop staring, the attraction he felt for her squeezing his chest. She stood not fifteen feet away, her hair twisted into a loose bun at the nape of her neck, and even from this distance, he could see her radiant brown eyes searching the restaurant. Seeing Beau, she took a hesitant step forward before her gaze locked on Cash. He could see her suck in a quick breath, knowing she felt the same attraction to him.
Standing, Beau made a slight bow. “Good evening, Mrs. Burns. Won’t you join us?”
“Well...I…”
Cash stood, pulling out a chair, encouraging her to sit down.
“Thank you, Mr. Coulter. I don’t want to hold either of you up from any plans.”
Not glancing at Beau, Cash answered. “I have none.”
Beau cleared his throat, already feeling like an outsider. “Cash, I need to start the rounds. I’ll see you later.” Shifting his attention to Alison, he made another slight blow. “I’ll check your shop while I’m out.”
“Thank you, Mr. Davis. I appreciate it.”
He shot a look at Cash before leaving, his mouth twisting into a knowing smile.
“What would you like tonight, Alison?” Suzanne stood next to them as she set a full cup in front of Alison, refilling Cash’s cup with coffee.
She blinked a couple times before forcing her gaze from Cash’s. “Whatever your special is would be fine.”
Suzanne pursed her lips, eyes sparking. “Anything else for you, Cash?”
“I’ll wait to have dessert until Mrs. Burns is ready.”
Suzanne nodded before leaving the two alone.
“Thank you for letting me join you, Mr. Coulter.”
Cash leaned forward, resting his arms on the table, flashing her one of his rare smiles, transforming his closed features into one of the most handsome faces she’d ever seen. “This is a small town. Would you do me the honor of calling me Cash?”
The deep timber of his voice washed over her, reminding her of what had almost happened in her shop a few days before. “All right, but only if you call me Alison.”
“Done. Now, I have a question for you.”
“All right.” Her voice didn’t shake, even as her mind went on alert.
“You said your husband fought and died in the war.”
“Yes. Like you, he served the Confederacy.” Another lie she’d add to her growing list of deceptions.
“Under whose command?”
Her lips parted as her mind tried to rifle through the names of Confederate commanders. “Um…I’m afraid his name escapes me right now. Who did you serve under?”
“General Hood.” Saying the name, remembering the lives lost, caused his chest to tighten. All he wanted was to put the war, the death and destruction, behind him. “You mentioned your mother died not long after your husband. It must have been a hard decision to move across the country and build a new life.”
“Um…yes, it was.”
“Why Splendor?”
Alison knew her standard response wouldn’t quell further questions. Cash was too perceptive. She opened her mouth to speak, saying a silent prayer for the right words, when Suzanne walked up.
“How about some pie?” Suzanne picked up the empty plates and waited.
“One for each of us, Suzanne. And more coffee, please.” Cash touched the rim of his empty cup. He looked back at Alison. “You were about to tell me why you picked Splendor.”
“It’s simple. I saw an ad Mr. Clausen posted about a shop for sale. We came to an agreement and here I am.” She took a forkful of the pie Suzanne had set before her. “Oh, this is wonderful. She makes the best pie. Don’t you think?”
Cash knew he’d struck a nerve, but decided to let the change of subject pass. He needed to bide his time. Eventually, the truth would surface.
“Yes, she does.”
They continued with small talk of inconsequential, impersonal subjects while finishing their dessert and coffee. When Suzanne took the last of the plates away, Cash pulled out some money, laying it on the table.
“I’ll escort you home.” Standing, he pulled out her chair.
“It’s not necessary. You already know I live above the shop.”
“Then it won’t take long to walk you home.” After helping her with her coat, he held out his arm.
They walked in silence, passing several closed stores and the crowded Dixie Saloon before crossing the street and stopping at her shop.
“May I call on you, Alison?” The question sprung from his lips unbidden, surprising Cash. Meeting for supper a couple times, helping her with her shelves, even buying her meal tonight didn’t constitute a true courting. His question went beyond being neighborly.
He couldn’t remember the last time he’d been attracted enough to a woman to want to court her, knowing it had to be before the war. Even with the secrets he knew she held, he wanted to see her, learn about her past, discover if they could build something together.
Her tongue slid out, moistening her lips. Alison knew she should decline and not become too close to anyone in Splendor. “I’d like that.” Her stomach churned the moment the words were out.
His face relaxed, the creases between his brows smoothing. “Would Saturday evening suit you?”
“Yes, it would.” A smile tugged at her lips when she saw the relief on his face.
He waited as she unlocked the door and stepped inside.
“I’m glad you were in the restaurant tonight, Cash. I look forward to Saturday.”
“Same here, Alison.” He lifted his hand, wanting to brush his knuckles along her jaw and down her neck. Instead, he touched the brim of his hat, nodded, then walked away.
She watched him leave, moving a hand to her throat as butterflies stirred in her stomach. For the first time in her life, she began to understand what her mother had said about experiencing an immediate pull to a man. But it couldn’t come at a worse time or in a more inappropriate town.
Closing the door, her mind raced ahead to Saturday and what she would wear. Although she came to Splendor with one task in mind, Alison convinced herself having a little fun while sorting out her brother’s death couldn’t hurt. She’d relax and enjoy herself while beginning to ask the questions she’d been holding back. And she’d start Saturday night with Cash Coulter.