Love's Gamble - Chapter 2
Posted by Tina Dee Books | Labels: Love's Gamble - Free Book | Posted On at 4:21 PM
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Copyright - Tina Dee Books/Tina Dee Communications 2009 - All Rights Reserved
Chapter 2
Molly drew in a deep breath and blinked several times from the seat Pastor Cameron had helped her into. Perspiration beaded on her upper lip. Thankfully, Mrs. Cameron fanned her with several papers.
Focusing on the man across the room, her lips tightened. Just where does he think he’ll send me back to? Something had obviously gone wrong between this man and her uncle during her travels. No matter. I’m here now, and he'll honor the arrangement or I’ll see an attorney!
Pastor Cameron handed her the teacup she’d set down only moments ago.
She shook her head, glaring at Mr. Riley.
The man fished something from his pocket. He pulled out what looked like a thick folded letter. “Money. Enough to get you back home. Your stage ticket is here too.”
For the second time today she had the wind knocked out of her. Molly stood, boring through him with her gaze. She had to get out of here, and fast. “Pastor, Mrs. Cameron,” she now turned to them, “thank you for your hospitality.”
The Camerons exchanged a look before offering her supper and a place to stay for the evening.
“No, but thank you kindly.” She spun to look back at that man, the skirt of her dress flared around her. Leveling her gaze on him, she marched over and snatched the letter from his hand, then strode from the room.
Once outside, Molly lifted her hat to shield her face from the sun’s glare. She the let the hot tears that had pooled in her eyes spill forth. Nothing, she had nothing left in this world except the clothes she had packed, a small portrait painting of her parents, and the traveling dress she wore.
Her grip tightened around the letter and wad of money. The nerve of him! She cast about glances over the town. She had nowhere to go. Well, at least she had the money and ticket.
But now what?
~ ~ ~
Jeff stared at his pastor. “What just happened?”
The other man cocked his head to the side, the hint of a smile played across his lips. “I don’t think she was very happy with your solution.”
“You think this is funny, don’t you?” He shook his head. This was unbelievable. “I was trying to offer her something better than marrying Eddie.”
“Jeff,” Mrs. Cameron moved closer, “why don’t you stay for supper? We have plenty.”
The evening meal hadn’t even crossed his mind. Back home, his stove stood bare, even the coffee pot sat empty. “I will, thank you. But if you don’t mind, I think I’d better go after Miss Adams first. Maybe I can persuade her to join us. Then, we can figure out how to get her back to her family.”
Mrs. Cameron patted Jeff’s arm. “You do that. Bring her back and we’ll get it all sorted out. Or at least provide a place for some privacy, so the two of you could get things settled.”
Jeff nodded, then ambled from the room pushing his hat on.
~ ~ ~
Molly stormed up the boardwalk, huffing along the way. Her paced slowed. Where to now?
The smell of roast beef and apple pie hung in the air. Across the street, a steady stream of customers flowed in and out of a restaurant.
Her stomach growled. Hours had passed since she’d last eaten. Stepping off the boardwalk, she crossed the dirt road, coming that much closer to her next meal. Inside, Molly closed the door behind her. The gingham red curtains on the door’s window swayed after the door latched closed. She found a seat in the back at a small table near the kitchen entrance. A low hum of grumbling carried through the room. Some folks drummed fingers against their tables, while a few glared in the direction of the kitchen.
A short woman, a few years or so older than Molly, scurried in from the kitchen carrying full plates in each hand, with another stacked up each arm. She blew tendrils of hair that fallen loose from her bun, all the while delivering food to different tables. The dew on her face gave evidence of her hard work over a hot oven. She skirted a few tables to hand a meal to an older gentleman in the front corner of the establishment.
The whirlwind of a woman passed by a heavyset man who pounded his fist against his table. “Come on, Sunny! I’ve been waitin’ for nearly an hour. Why don’t you get yourself some help?”
She ignored him and hurried back to the kitchen, then returned with more plates, passing them around to various folks.
Molly waited.
Sunny never came by to take her order, only rushed past into the kitchen.
Trying to crane her neck to get a look into the kitchen, Molly ended up standing, then followed the woman back. The kitchen was alive with pots boiling or simmering and fresh rolls being pulled from the oven. The aromas were wonderful, but the air was heavy with moisture from the pots bubbling with liquid.
The short woman worked in haste to read a row of paper scraps set along the counter. She turned and scooped food onto each of the dishes. After loading dishes up one arm and grabbing another plate with her free hand, she turned and startled at Molly, but quickly recovered. “Do me a favor hon, put that plate of ham on my arm and move aside real quick, will ya? Then crumple up those last five order slips on the right and toss ‘em!”
Molly nodded and rushed to do Sunny’s bidding.
“Thanks, you’re a peach.” Sunny was gone before Molly could say a word.
Three more plates filled to the edges with sliced beef, mashed potatoes and gravy, and corn lined the other side of the counter awaiting their delivery.
On the stove, a large pot of thick brown gravy bubbled. She inhaled the deep aroma, wishing she could have a plate of potatoes drowning in it. Turning away, she focused on serving the food.
Food she wished she could eat.
Scooting closer to the order slips, Molly grabbed the last five and threw them out. She looked over the next several tickets, pulled plates down from the shelf and filled them according to the orders.
Sunny swept through and back out with full dishes in each hand. She did this two more times.
Molly moved as fast as she could to have plates ready, but sloshed a little gravy onto the counter in the process.
Her stomach rumbled. Without a thought, she wiped her finger over the gravy drop and then licked it. The flavor was better, richer than she’d thought it might be. Her hunger grew more unbearable. The tray held several more rolls, so she took one, dropped half of it into a bowl and then ladled gravy over it. Sunny would return at any moment, so Molly decided she’d make quick work of her makeshift meal and remember to add it to her bill later.
She crammed the first half into her mouth, then dipped the second half of her roll into the last of her gravy and shoved it into her mouth. A mistake, since she’d filled her mouth with more than she could chew. Warm gravy dribbled down her chin. She lifted the back of her hand to wipe her mouth, but before she could, she found Sunny standing in the doorway, hands on hips and staring.
Molly held up a finger to the restaurant owner while she tried to finish the last bit of food in her mouth. “I’m sorry, I haven’t eaten since breakfast today.”
“You look like you’ve got a beard. Well, wipe off your chin and plate up some more food. You got a job? If you don’t have one, you can work here.” Sunny leaned in waiting for Molly’s answer. Her intense gaze nearly willed Molly to accept her offer.
She shook her head at the proprietress. “I’d have to think about it. I don’t have a place here. I’m not even sure I’m staying in Julian.”
“Well, think about it. I can help you with finding a room. I pay fair and you can have whatever meals you’re here for. Customers can be a bit much at times, you don’t have to put up with anyone touching you. But let ‘em say all they want, they pay our wages. You run out any of my customers for that and you’d better be runnin’ out right after them.” Without waiting for a response, she pressed past Molly, heaped food on plates and scurried back out into the dining room with them.
Turning back to the counter, Molly readied more orders. She handed them to Sunny, but wanted to do more. Grabbing a couple of plates she entered the dining room. Her pace slowed to a halt. Who do these belong to? She whirled around to return to the kitchen, but froze when she saw him sitting there at the table she’d occupied earlier.
Her face heated at the sight of him. Maybe he’d changed his mind and come back for her. “Are you following me, Mr. Riley?”
“Actually, yes.” He smiled and leaned back in his chair.
So he had changed his mind. But he still hadn’t apologized for wanting to send her home. “I don’t think we have anything to discuss, now if you’ll excuse me, I need to get back to the kitchen.”
In a one swift move Mr. Riley was on his feet next to her. He leaned in nearer to her ear. “What are you doing?” He looked down at the plates in her hands. “Are you working here? I gave you enough money for your trip home.”
She leaned back to look up at him. “My trip home? Is that all you can think about? Getting rid of me?”
The chatter in the room died down. Not even the sound of utensils clanked against plates.
Molly looked around, everyone’s attention was drawn to them. She turned on the man standing next to her. “Well, Mr. Riley? Is that all you came here for?”
He leaned in closer, his eyes pinning her in place. “You’re full of questions, missy, but I’m the one who wants answers. I’m trying to see that you’re taken care of. Do you have enough money?” His tone deepened on his last words.
Molly shoved the plates into his hands and stormed into the kitchen. She grabbed her reticule and yanked his letter from it, then marched right back out to him. He had set the food down at his table, so she thrust the letter in his face. “Take it! I don’t need your money. I can take care of myself.” She turned away from him to head back to the kitchen.
He reached for her arm and held her there. “You need this money to go back home.”
She shot a narrowed gaze at him. “I have a job. I am home. And tomorrow, I’ll be seeing a lawyer about this whole mess.” She yanked her arm free from his hand and then stomped her way back to the order slips on the counter.
That man made her blood boil!
~ ~ ~
Jeff ran his fingers through his hair. His eyes met the questioning stares of those around him and with a nod here and there he excused himself until he reached the front of the restaurant. The buzz of conversations throughout the room had resumed.
He turned to look back at the kitchen.
She’s sure feisty. If she only knew Eddie she wouldn’t be fighting so hard to stay. Jeff shook his head and pushed through the doors. Was he crazy, wanting to send back a beautiful woman when there were hardly any here, or anywhere else in the west?
I may be crazy, but it’s the right thing to do.
Outside he shoved his hat on, took in the sight of folks bustling up and down Main Street before looking back to peek through the glass. He peered through a gap in the curtains.
Miss Adams rushed about serving customers.
He shook his head as he turned away and crossed the street. A walk would do him good. His long strides ate up the distance on the dirt road as he headed for the Camerons' house, the soil crunching and shifting under his boots. At least he could count on the solid advice of his friend, Pastor Jason.
And if one thing was obvious, he clearly needed wisdom in dealing with this woman.
~ ~ ~
Eddie Riley poked his head out from around the building. A thin cloud of dust trailed his brother’s footsteps.
Just about everyone in town would be looking for Eddie—and the money he owed them. His stomach rumbled. Sunny always let him build a tab with her. He could eat a meal in peace. No one would look for him there, not at this time of day. Not until tonight, when they’d expect to find him around the poker tables or sidled up at a bar in one of Julian’s saloons. Nobody, except his brother. And he definitely intended to avoid any trouble with Jeff.
Waiting until his brother was out of sight, Eddie moseyed the few steps to the door of the restaurant and glanced back in his brother’s direction. No sight of him. He smiled.
With a hand to the door knob he laughed to himself as he entered the restaurant. Dodged that bullet!
Copyright - Tina Dee Books/Tina Dee Communications 2009 - All Rights Reserved
I'm amazed by how youv'e drawn me into a genre I've never read.
In fact I was disappointed when chapter two ended. I'm looking forward to reading what Eddie's reaction will be to Molly.
BTW... I felt like I was with Jeff on the boardwalk, and the soil crunched and shifted under our boots.
Thanks Ginny. I appreciate your encouragement. I'd love to post two chapters a week and hopefully, eventually, will.
This is SO good, Tina. I'm loving your words.
More!
Oh, no no no! I *have* to know what happens when Eddie walks through that door! Does he hit on the pretty little lady? Does he let his name slip and she slings a fryin' pan at his head? Does she dump gravy down the back of his neck?
Hmm...glancing guiltily from side to side realizing she has revealed the romance addict within Oops! :)
I'm absolutely loving this, Tina...I can't wait to see more!
Thanks for posting the first two chapters.
ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com
I just "happened" upon this and am signing up for the next posts to get this GREAT continued story. I'm looking forward to all that follows and am watching for each new part.
Pam Williams
You are certainly keeping my interest!