large bruise marked Rosie’s pale cheek.
Lacey asked spontaneously, “What happened to your face, Rosie? Did you fall?”
Rosie flashed a weak smile. “Yes…that’s what I did. I fell. I’m just clumsy, I guess.” She hastened to add, “But I’m all right. The mark won’t show under my makeup tonight, so Scully won’t have to worry about it when I work.”
“I’m sure Scully will just be glad as I am that you’re all right.”
Rosie changed the subject, saying, “Sadie hasn’t opened the door yet. I guess I’m early, but I didn’t get a chance to eat supper last night, and breakfast at the boarding house won’t be ready for hours yet. I couldn’t sleep for the loud complaints my stomach was making, so here I am.”
Somehow hesitant, Lacey replied, “I don’t think Sadie has everything ready, but you can come inside with me and wait, if you like.”
“No, I’ll wait outside.” Rosie took a backward step. “Some of the ladies in town don’t approve of Gold Nugget women, and I don’t want to cause any trouble.”
“Sadie’s not like that.” Lacey took Rosie’s arm. “Besides, you’re hungry, and that’s what the restaurant’s here for.”
“That’s all right. I’ll wait here.”
“Rosie, please.” Lacey smiled encouragingly and said, “It’s no trouble if you come inside now…really.”
Lacey drew Rosie reluctantly behind her as she entered. She called out to Sadie as the older woman worked at the stove, “Good morning, Sadie. I told Rosie it would be all right to wait at a table until you’re ready to open up.”
Sadie glanced over her shoulder. “That’s fine. I’ll be ready in a few minutes.”
Standing beside Sadie moments later, Lacey whispered, “I hope you don’t mind, Sadie. I didn’t want Rosie to wait outside. She fell and hurt herself. She’s kind of pale, and her face is bruised. I don’t think she feels too well.”
“Fell and hurt herself, huh? Is that what she told you?” Sadie looked back at Rosie, then shook her head. “It’s that boyfriend of hers. That Riley fella uses his hands on her when he has too much to drink. Everybody knows it.”
“You mean he hits her?” Lacey was stunned. “Why does she let him do that to her?”
“Life is sometimes hard for a woman out here, Lacey, especially somebody like Rosie who doesn’t have much to fall back on. I guess she figures she’s better off with Riley than without him.”
“But—”
“I know. It’s not right or fair.”
“But—”
“But that’s the way things are.”
Voices at the door turned Sadie’s attention to the four cowpokes who entered and sat down at a table. She said, “It looks like the restaurant’s open whether I’m ready or not. You’d better get started with the customers, Lacey. We’re going to fill up in here in a hurry.”
Lacey looked at Rosie.
“But take care of Rosie first. Like you said, she looks like she doesn’t feel too good.”
Lacey nodded. She swallowed the thickness in her throat as she turned in Rosie’s direction.
“You’re looking very fine today, Lacey.”
“Thank you, Mr. Gould. What can I get for you this morning?”
Barret smiled his practiced smile as Lacey awaited his reply. He had entered the busy restaurant for breakfast a few minutes earlier, as he had for the past few days since Lacey started working there. He knew he made a good appearance. He knew his clothes were impressive, and that the deference the customers of the restaurant showed him made him stand out favorably in Lacey’s mind. He also knew gaining Lacey’s confidence could be useful in so many ways.
He looked at Lacey as she smiled at him, showing even, white teeth with a candid, guileless expression.
He said softly, “You forgot to call me Barret, Lacey.”
To her credit, Lacey managed a demure flush. “Of course. I’m sorry.”
“No need to apologize. I’d like us to be friends.” Responding to her initial inquiry, he said, “I’ll have some of Sadie’s fine hotcakes and eggs this morning, but I know they couldn’t be any finer than the service.”
Barret complimented himself on the inroads he was certain he had made into Lacey’s esteem as she returned to work and he nodded at the familiar faces quickly filling the restaurant. Amused, he watched the cowhands at a nearby table scramble to retrieve a fork Lacey had dropped. He almost laughed. She had everyone fooled with her innocent appearance—everyone but him. He wondered what they would think if they knew how carefully she was guarding her real reason for returning to Weaver.
Those thoughts were still prominent in Barret’s mind when Lacey returned with his breakfast in hand. He patted her slender, ladylike hand as she placed his plate on the table and he commented, “Reverend Sykes and I look forward to seeing you at Sunday services this weekend.”
Withdrawing her hand, Lacey responded, “Yes, I’m looking forward to attending services, too.”
She walked quickly back to the counter to retrieve another customer’s breakfast. Barret turned under the weight of someone’s stare to see Jake Scully looking at him from the doorway. Scully did not return his smile of acknowledgment and Barret turned his attention to his breakfast in an effort to conceal his anger at the slight.
Barret inwardly smarted. He had never liked Jake Scully. Scully had never shown him the same respect that other residents of Weaver displayed toward him. As unbelievable as it seemed, he had the feeling Jake Scully looked down on him.
On him!
Actually, he was astounded that a man of the world like Scully could possibly have deceived himself into believing Lacey had left the refinement of city life behind and returned to Weaver without having greater prospects in mind. Could he possibly believe Lacey had come “home” because of a sense of obligation to him?
If so, he was a fool.
Barret watched covertly as Scully settled himself at a corner table. Scully’s gaze was fixed on Lacey with an intensity that appeared almost proprietary, and Barret’s questions were answered.
Jake Scully—a man who had seen it all, taken in by the wiles of a cunning woman!
The thought was delicious.
He didn’t like it…not one little bit.
Scully scrutinized the patrons who had filled Sadie’s restaurant to capacity although the day had hardly begun. His breakfast lay untouched in front of him as Lacey moved between the tables serving customers.
He
