Iron Ties Part 20

Inez wavered, trying to decide on a course of action.

Birdie seized his hand, clutching it to her breast. "Don't say that. Oh, you don't know, you just don't know how I feel." Her blue eyes were imploring. Tears began to slide down her cheeks.

Another low murmur.

Inez sensed a subtle s.h.i.+fting of stance between the two figures.

Something giving way.

The reverend extracted his hand from hers, raised it to her face, brus.h.i.+ng away a tear.

She lifted her face to his- Inez's stomach twisted in a sharp somersault. She braced a hand on the tree trunk, the bark rough, sticky with sap.

Turning away, she stared down the path she'd come up. Numb. But knowing that the rage would come.

Lumbering toward her, still a goodly distance away, was Herr Braun, carrying two bowls. The white ceramic flashed hot in the sunlight, a beacon approaching.

Inez retreated hastily from the boulder field, nearly running back down the path as if she'd disturbed a hornet's nest.

Braun held out a bowl of melting ice cream. "Mrs. Stannert. I was looking for you. The bookseller's wife said this way-"

"Mr. Braun." She seized his arm, ignoring the proffered bowl. "I find that I'm not feeling well. Not at all. May I impose on you for a ride back to town?"

"Surely. Surely." He hesitated, then juggled the two bowls into one hand. The metal handle of a spoon caught a sunbeam, reflecting a needle of light sharp as betrayal into her eye.

Inez covered her face, blocking out the stab of light.

"Ach, Mrs. Stannert." His concern sounded genuine. Hesitantly, he took her by the arm. "Erlauben Sie mich, bitte. Allow me. Please." He led her back to the picnic grove. They pa.s.sed a shrieking knot of children, all waiting their turn on a long single-strand rope swing. The girl in possession of the swing had wound the rope up and was now twirling-faster and faster-a clock spring unwinding, speeding up, as time rushed forward furiously. Only to overshoot, wind up in the opposite direction-and unwind again in reverse. Her skirts billowed out behind her, braid stuck straight out, her striped-stockinged legs a blur.

Inez's thoughts careened in the same frenetic fas.h.i.+on. There's a reasonable explanation. I didn't see what I thought I saw. She's just a girl. He promised me. Then, reeling the other way...Don't make excuses for him. Oh I saw plenty enough. It's just like Mark. There was always another explanation. Another apology. And it never stopped. Never.

"Mrs. Stannert."

Inez blinked. They were standing by the buckboard, the horses twitching their ears and s.h.i.+fting, s.h.i.+vering away the flies that buzzed around them.

Braun let go of her elbow and pulled down the step. "Please." He helped her up into the wagon. "I'll be right back."

He bustled over to the tables, left off the dessert bowls, and stopped to confer with Susan. Susan's eyes widened. She looked at Inez and struggled to stand. Inez shook her head and motioned her back down. Susan settled reluctantly. Braun gestured, and Inez filled in the approximate meaning: to town, back right away. Susan nodded, gave him a gla.s.s, and waved at Inez, who gave a half-wave in return.

Braun brought the lemonade to Inez and said simply, "For helping, perhaps," before picking up the reins and attending to the business of getting the wagon back onto the road. The s.p.a.ce of silence between them widened as Braun headed the horses back to town. Soda Springs and the noise of cheerful picnickers faded behind them. Suddenly thirsty, Inez drained the lemonade, thankful for the coolness.

"Better?" Braun asked a few minutes later.

"Some. Thank you."

He was quiet for a moment, then said gruffly, "I hoped to talk with you. But maybe this is not the right time."

She looked at him, dazed. "You wished to talk with me?" She could not imagine on what grounds their lives might have a common intersection, aside from the church.

He cleared his throat. "I know you are building in your saloon. It is your saloon, yes?"

She turned to look at him full on.

"I mean, you own the business?"

"I own it with my business partner, Mr. Jackson."

Braun's eyebrows shot up. "Der Neger? He is in the business with you?"

"If I interpret your questions correctly, yes, Abe is a colored. And yes, we are business partners, half and half." Inez waited for the coda. If he says anything that hints of disapproval or condemnation, I will get off this wagon and walk.

Braun clicked and snapped the reins. "Well then. I propose to make you and Herr Jackson a good deal on lumber."

She relaxed a little, glad that she did not have to fight that battle, at least. "I'll need to discuss it with him."

"Ah, but my terms are good. I can give you a deal. But only for the next two weeks."

"Two weeks....Before the railroad arrives?"

They'd reached the steep hill leading up to town. Braun snapped the reins again, with more vigor. The horses began to labor up the rise. "Verdammte railroad!" he muttered. "Scheisskopf Palmer." He stopped, looked guiltily at Inez. "Excuse me. I lose my temper when thinking of this. I must close my business. So the stock must go."

"Close your business?" Inez felt as if she'd fallen through a rabbit hole into some crazy world. She'd only wanted to escape from the picnic as quickly as possible, away from the sight of Birdie Snow and Justice Sands in each other's arms. But now Braun had suddenly metamorphosed from a quiet, rather stiff gentleman to spouting what sounded like Teutonic swear words and announcing he was throwing over his business.

"But, weren't you talking to the church about new pews? I remember you said something about green wood."

"I hoped. I hoped I could persuade the church to buy soon. Ach, it's no use. I cannot hold on any longer. The committee, it is too slow, and now, it's too late. I cannot keep bleeding money. And once the railroad comes, no one will want my lumber, unless I sell at a loss. They bring it in cheaper than I can sell. Already, I cannot cover costs. It's only a matter of time. Ich werde bankrott sein."

She wasn't entirely certain about the last statement, but suspected it had something to do with being bankrupt. The sulfur scent of the smelters grew stronger; the city limits were nearly upon them. "But, don't you own more than the sawmill? I thought you have a charcoal business as well."

"No charcoal," he said bitterly. "The trees are gone in the gulch to make it with. And there is no time to move the business. Also ruined by the railroad. More charcoal, they bring it up from the south. So much of it. If I could have more time, slowed them down." He cut himself off abruptly. "Where do you wish to go?" They had arrived at the corner of Chestnut and Harrison.

"If you wouldn't mind, West Fourth Street, and about one block down."

Braun turned the wagon, forcing the horses to fall in line behind a buggy.

They approached State Street; Inez risked a glance at the Silver Queen. From what she could see through the dusty window, the place looked packed.

She turned and caught Braun staring at the saloon as well. He looked at her with a bitter smile. "Frau Stannert. You are a businesswoman. A good one. I have watched your business since I arrived in Leadville, six months ago. It does well. You make the right decision to expand. I bought my businesses, thinking it would make me rich. But I was wrong. The railroad-verdammte Rio Grande. I should have seen what its coming would mean. How it brings in a flood of materials at cheap prices. But I was blind with greed. And hope. Now, I only hope I can escape with enough capital to start over."

He stopped talking, concentrating on turning the horses and wagon across traffic to West Fourth.

When they reached her house, Inez said, "Thank you, Mr. Braun. I appreciate your kindness in bringing me home. And your frankness."

"Bitte schon, Mrs. Stannert. You're welcome." He set the brake. "And I would appreciate if you would talk with Herr Jackson about my offer. Soon."

CHAPTER THIRTY.

Inez combed out Lucy's black mane, grateful for the dimness of the stall, the patience of her animal. "I'm glad I came to see you," she whispered, working the long-toothed comb through the coa.r.s.e strands. "I hope you'll forgive me for not bringing a treat nor taking you for a ride."

It was enough to just be in the silent livery, without having to talk to anyone. No sooner had the buckboard and Mr. Braun departed than she'd realized she dreaded going into her home. To do what? Pound on the piano? Drink more than I should and start throwing things around?

Going to the saloon also held no appeal. Having to run the gauntlet of customers in festive moods. Watching the Fairplays or, even worse, having to make small talk with Maude upstairs afterward. She did not trust herself to remain civil or sober.

So, she'd fled to the livery and Lucy. It was dark, quiet. All the carriages and most of the horses were gone. Neither Hollis nor Jack was in sight.

Inez stroked Lucy's nose. The horse pushed her muzzle into Inez's hand, perhaps not believing that there wasn't a lump of sugar or an apple yet to appear. Inez dropped the comb onto an upside-down bucket that served as a makes.h.i.+ft table and picked up the currycomb.

She began brus.h.i.+ng Lucy's coat in rhythmic circular motions, speaking low and steady. "Well, girl. It's just you and me again. What is it with men? None have a lick of sense when it comes to women. I swear, if Braun hadn't shown up, I might have pulled the Smoot out of my pocket and shot them both!"

"Horses got way more sense than men 'round women."

Inez whirled around to find One-Eyed Jack draped over the stall door, looking bleary. Straw stuck to the right shoulder and arm of his rusty black sack coat. A strand hung crooked from the brim of his dented derby.

"Jack! I didn't know you were here. Is Hollis around?"

"Gone. Races. Racin' Duke." He gestured with the bottle in his left hand toward the back of the livery, where Hollis' pet stallion, a rich chestnut sorrel, had his stall. Inez noticed that the bottle held in his three-fingered clasp was labeled "Jack Daniels Belle of London."

"Belle of London?" she exclaimed. "You certainly know how to celebrate."

"Yyyyyep." He held out the bottle to her.

She slipped her hand out of the currycomb, took the bottle, wiped the lip off with a sleeve, and took a mouthful. It exploded in her mouth, searing her throat on the way down. She coughed, handed the bottle back.

Jack took a swig, apparently impervious to the firepower of the alcohol.

She ran a hand along Lucy's back and felt Lucy's muscles s.h.i.+ver under her touch. "So where did you come by that libation?"

"A present. From Eli. Afore he left. 'Cause of my name. I was savin' for somethin' shpeshal." Exhausted from stringing so many words together, Jack leaned heavily on the gate and set his chin on the top bar as if searching for a way to hold himself perpendicular.

"Your name? Jack Daniels?"

"Dan-iel." He emphasized the last syllable. "Belle 'cause...my wife was from the North. Like his."

"Eli was a fine man."

Jack held the bottle back out to her. "Real fine."

She took the bottle, but didn't drink. "I thought Eli fought for the South."

Jack hiccupped and slowly nodded.

"Hollis said they fought together."

"Nope. Don't think so. Eli wasn't Texas. Missouri sniper."

"Eli Carter was a sniper for the Confederates? In Missouri?" Missouri again.

"Sharpshooter. Ninth Missouri." He waved the bottle desultorily. "In the war."

"Hmmmm." She rested a hand on Lucy's warm flank and pondered how best to profit from Jack's unusual loquaciousness. "Are you saying Eli's no longer a proponent of the Southern cause?"

"Naw. Swore off. Gave up. Got married. Saw her picture once. Be-ooo-ti-ful. Like my Gustine." His long face got even longer. "Eli 'n me. We put the war behind." He looked down at his hand with the missing digits. "Gave it too much t' give it any more."

"But Hollis and Eli got along, yes?"

He looked mournfully at the bottle. "States' rights, yeah, they agreed. h.e.l.l, me too, an' I'm no secesher. But they were fightin' all the time. Hollis havin' conniptions 'bout Rio Grande and the big bugs-Palmer, Snow."

"But they were business partners."

Jack sighed. Beneath Inez's hand, Lucy heaved an equine equivalent, as if to share in Jack's pain. "Big mistake. Yellin' all the time." He waved the bottle. "'Bout that flag." The amber liquor sloshed.

"What flag, Jack?" Maybe Hollis had something to do with Eli leaving.

"Flag up there." He gestured toward the front of the livery. Toward the office and the living quarters.

Inez remembered the shape on the wall, which she thought a quilt or blanket.

Eli rattled on. "Hollis said, keep it up. Eli said, take it down. Hollis said, d.a.m.n you son of a b.i.t.c.h." He looked up, attempting to focus on Inez. "Sorry, Mrs. Stannert. Shouldn'ta said that."

"What happened then?"

"Hollis...wouldn't back down."

"So Eli quit the business and left town? Because they didn't get along?"

Jack frowned. "Couldn't agree on railroad right-of-way. But there was more. Got the gun. Got...a letter. Sold the gun. And left. Left real fast."

Foreboding crawled up the back of Inez's neck. "What gun?"

Another sorrowful sigh. "Real fine gun. Sharps rifle."

Inez was silent, trying to digest the possibility that the Sharps she'd bought at the mercantile on a whim might have belonged to Eli Carter. She finally asked, "So, why did Eli leave?"

Jack shrugged eloquently. "Hollis followed."

"Followed Eli?"

"Yep. Saddled up 'n followed when he found out. Hoooooo, he was mad. Eli didn' even tell him he was goin'. Just told," he burped again, "me."

"What did Hollis say when he came back?"