LOVE'S GAMBLE ~ Ch. 4
Posted by Tina Dee Books | Labels: Love's Gamble - Free Book | Posted On at 12:12 AM
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Here it is! Thank you for reading along. I'm writing this just for you, dear readers, so thank you for dropping in to find out how deep they've gotten themselves into it. Here they are, Molly & the Riley brothers.
Copyright - Tina Dee Books/Tina Dee Communications 2009 - All Rights Reserved
Chapter 4
Molly woke with a start. Darkness bathed her room. Closing her eyes, she breathed a sigh of contentment, then snuggled down into the warmth and comfort of the bed. The clock downstairs chimed three times. Her eyes popped open. Sunny needed her at the café by four o’clock to start the baking.
She tried to kick free from the tangled sheets, but they only wound tighter around her. Reaching over, she turned on the lantern. The same dress she’d worn yesterday was still on and now tangled around her legs. She heaved a sigh, freed herself and then sat up.
Through heavy lids she found her bags and trunk against the wall near the door, still packed.
Unpacking something to wear today would be the first order of business. The rest could wait until this evening. From her trunk she pulled a fresh outfit, a Polonaise with walking skirt. The corners of her mouth curved upward as she shook her head. Not for the grueling work of a café kitchen. The next dress was no different.
“They’re all unsuitable.” Rather than dirty another dress, she opted to wear the one she had on, wrinkled as it may be.
She opened her travel bag, then pulled out her Bible and laid it aside on the small table next to her bed. Next, she lifted out a framed portrait of her parents. Although her mother and father weren’t smiling, the happiness and love they shared over many years leaped from the painting and into her heart. Thankful for having inherited her mother’s curly blonde hair, dark eyes, and light skin, she smiled.
But the sting of hot tears filled her eyes. She closed them, allowing the moisture to spill from them. After all this time, even the memory of her mother’s tender embrace felt real, and she could still feel the warm breath on her skin from when her mother had so lovingly whispered advice into Molly’s ears. Those wise offerings had helped Molly to become a lady in the same social set her mother had navigated so well and with such grace. She ran a finger over her father’s image. Ernest Adams’s warm gaze brought such comfort. His authority, coupled with a kindness, spilled forth from the portrait. Never had she known such qualities in another man—especially not his brother, Uncle Bert. Oh, they shared their looks, certainly—large moustaches and long sideburns, curly fair hair, but that was about all they’d shared. Uncle Bert had offered none of her father’s protective care or wise counsel. He was too much of a cad.
She hugged the portrait to her chest. They were never coming back. She wouldn’t see her parents again this side of Heaven. She gulped down the urge to sob, not wanting to wake any of the other boarders.
Her jaw tightened at the thought of Uncle Bert. He couldn’t wait to marry her off, and move to India with her inheritance, no doubt. Well, good riddance! I don’t need him, or the money he stole. Things would be just fine. They had to be.
Or would they? She’d left all her friends behind. Right now, she longed for her parents.
The pit of her stomach clenched as more tears trailed down her cheeks. Why have you brought me here, Lord, to this God-forsaken place to be rejected by that horrible Mr. Riley?
She grabbed a handkerchief from her bag and dabbed her face. Here, thousands of miles from her friends, with nothing but the stark reminder of how little she had. Maybe she should go back home to one of them. But they were all starting new lives, married or engaged to be married, and one of them starting school at a university next fall. If only she had that same sense of adventure, to make a new start in a new place.
Molly turned the portrait over, her mother’s small script written across the back. She lifted it closer and squinted to read it. Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. Isaiah 26:3.
She turned the picture over again to look at her parents. They worked to live by those words. There were times when they could have chosen to rely on their own efforts and understanding, but instead they chose to seek God’s counsel through his word, prayer, and the counsel of godly friends.
“How can I find your peace in this, Lord?” she whispered. “Please help me to trust you today.”
The clock downstairs chimed at half past the hour. Only thirty minutes remained to wash and finish getting ready in order to make it to the café by four o’clock. The batters needed to be mixed and the dough kneaded and set to rise. At least those were the things Sunny had mentioned. Hopefully, Sunny would show her how to do them. Not to mention lighting a fire in the oven, and help with whatever other chores to prepare for their breakfast crowd. Molly sniffled, wiped her eyes dry, and set her parents’ portrait next to her Bible.
She washed and dried her face at the porcelain pitcher and bowl stand. Pulling a brush through her hair, now a frizzed mess of blonde around her head and down her back, a groan escaped from her throat. Wetting her hair, she then squeezed the excess water from it. This would control the frizz. She pulled the brush through it, then let the ringlets hang lose down her back. In the mirror, her eyes were puffed and red from crying. They should be fine by the time she arrived at work. Besides, no one else would be out at this hour.
At ten minutes to four, she smoothed out the wrinkles in her dress as best she could. Her gaze fell on her parents’ picture, then to the Bible next to it. No time for devotions this morning, I want to make it to work on time. With a sigh she extinguished the lantern, and then made her way from the room, tiptoeing down the stairs. The front door creaked louder than a screeching cat as she eased it closed. “Oh goodness,” she whispered.
The cold air nipped at her skin, sending goose bumps along her arms and neck as she kept a brisk pace toward the café. Molly hadn’t counted on just how dark it would be outside. The café was a good two blocks from the boardinghouse, at least there was light up ahead. But, did it have spill out from the saloons, along with that awful bar music? Who in their right mind would be up and out at this time of the night…day?
~ ~ ~
Jeff tossed and turned. He wasn’t worried about his usual concern, the farm. His thoughts circled more around Miss Adams. And also on his brother. Surely, neither of them was losing sleep. So why should he?
He punched his pillow and turned over on his other side. Though thankful the Camerons had invited him to stay the night, he hadn’t slept a wink. His own bed had more than twice the width. His brow furrowed. Best get home and get the chores done. Already a good day’s work had been missed. Before heading home, there’d be a stop to settle his account and pick up a few things he needed from the mercantile, then a visit to Will for some legal advice. Surely Eddie should be responsible in some manner for the welfare of Miss Adams.
Miss Adams. Boy-howdy, she’s a pill! Is that why his brother didn’t want her? Jeff hadn’t seen a woman as…interesting…as Miss Adams in, well, never. Not even Lucille held his captured his thoughts the way Miss Adams had. Something about this lady pulled his thoughts in her direction.
Jeff rolled over to lie on his other side, but instead fell off the bed and landed on the floor with a thump. He pushed himself up and climbed back in bed. Distracting, that’s what she is—downright distracting! He lay on his back, resting his hands behind his head. Best put her out of mind for good. He chuckled. A fella could get hurt, just thinking about her.
Bet she’s even prettier when she smiles. Wonder what would make her smile? The look on her face when they first met—one of the sweetest things he’d ever seen. What would she be like if a fella was on her good side? Jeff grinned. A whole handful o’ trouble, but maybe a whole lot of loveliness too. After all, she could’ve just been put off by Eddie’s desertion of her, especially after traveling for such a long, hard journey, only to be stood up by her intended.
Eddie, what I am I going to do with you? Jeff sighed. He wished he could help the lady. He’d tried, really tried. Even offered her the money he desperately needed himself, so she could get back to the security of her family.
He could’ve gotten the money back from Eddie before his brother squandered it away on women of ill repute and more booze. In all of this, Lord, where is my brother?!
~ ~ ~
Eddie slid off the bar stool and wiggled out of the saloon girl’s arms. For some reason, her face looked like a blurred painted mess. Huh! Never bothered me before. He tried to focus, but the room pitched and rocked.
“Aw, come on, Eddie. Take me upstairs where we can be alone.”
He barely caught her words, but he knew what she’d said. His gaze swung to the window. Across the street and a few steps over stood Sunny’s restaurant. Yesterday, she and the curly-headed-lady who wore the hair were there working hard. That didn’t make sense. And, why think of them now? He shook his head and pushed Debbie away. But the image stayed with him. “Not tonight, honey.” Maybe never again.
What was happening too him? Filling his glass and emptying it wasn’t a problem, but finding his comfort and whatnot in the arms of his usual women didn’t sit well with him this morning. Or was it night? At least not right now. “I’ll see you later, Darlene.”
She snapped to rest her hands on her hips. “It’s Darla!”
Eddie waived without looking back at her. “Right, Donna.”
She looked awful mad, what for, he didn’t know. He turned toward the door and the room swayed. His eyes grew wide and he swallowed hard—he might lose every ounce of whiskey he’d poured down his gullet in the last few hours. Wouldn’t that be a waste of the few ounces of gold from winning at cards tonight?
Sweat beaded his forehead and he yanked at his collar. The warm room rocked and his stomach churned with a burning. He needed to get out into the cool air—and quick! His legs shook with each step until finally, he grabbed for the swinging half-door and threw his body weight onto it. The door swung wide open, Eddie stumbled to get his footing on the boardwalk.
Something wasn’t right. His stomach felt sick, but something deeper down felt sicker.
“Eddie, you all right?” the saloon girl hollered from inside.
He didn’t answer. Couldn’t, even if he’d tried.
~ ~ ~
Molly had crossed the street to avoid walking past the saloons where tin music pounded and raucous laughter spilled out into the darkness.
A man had staggered out from one of the saloons, nearly pulling the door off its hinges. He stumbled along and fell facedown at the entrance of the alleyway.
Molly shook her head, glad she’d be too busy this morning to see this man waste his life in drunken slumber in the alley. He no doubt spent his hard-earned wages each night finding the bottom of a bottle—and who knows what else? Such a waste of whatever talent and time God had gifted him on this earth.
But then again, life could be hard. And boy, am I’m finding out how hard it can be. Not that she was in want physically, but her desire had only increased in wanting to share life with someone she could care for, someone who would cherish her. She had so hoped for it with Edwin. But he rejected her out of hand. No discussion, no explanation. Nothing.
How many times had this happened to other women? How many women had come out west on a promise for a future and been turned away or disappointed by rejection upon their arrival?
Something darker than the morning swallowed her heart. Fresh tears sprang forth, pooling in her eyes. This won’t do. No crying! She wasn’t alone, God was with her.
She slowed her pace. Her foot caught between the uneven boards beneath her, then she stumbled. She chuckled. She wasn’t so different from the drunk across the street. He staggered around in a drunken stupor, I’m stumbling around in self-pity.
Well, no more. She would not waste another breath feeling sorry for herself. Today, she would do just as Mr. Jeff recommended. She would see the attorney about how to handle Edwin Riley. Someone had to show these men out west that they can’t take a woman’s heart, and her dreams, and push them aside, as he’d done. He’d pay for abandoning her to the wilds of the west. She tightened her jaw. He’d pay, by golly, and learn his lesson the hard way.
How long she’d been standing outside the café door staring at the poor man lying in the dirt across the street, she didn’t know. She shook her head and turned to let herself in to the establishment, then looked back to the alley. Lord, please help that poor man across way. Help him to find you in his messy life. She spun back around, then closed the door behind her. And, please help me know what to do today.
The clanging of pots and pans from the kitchen told her Sunny had already started her morning ritual to ready breakfast for the customers who would arrive soon. Molly threw up a quick prayer, asking the Lord to be with her when she visited the attorney on her break later.
That Edwin Riley won’t be the same man when I’m through with him!
Copyright - Tina Dee Books/Tina Dee Communications 2009 - All Rights Reserved
So...how'd you like it?
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You have done a really good job so far on this blog book. I now can't wait for Chapter 5. :)
Thanks, Katey!
I'm working feverishly to get ch 5 done & posted by Sunday night.
I also have to credit my FABULOUS crit partner, Ginny, and my dear hubby for a second & third set of eyes.
DH must love me to read something that doesn't have dragons & hobbits, or intergalactic space battles, or rivaling alien races, LOL. Thought I might throw one of those in there as a bone to him, but everyone else might not appreciate as much, LOL!
Thanks for stopping by and reading LOVE'S GAMBLE! I really appreciate your kind words.
Lord bless your day!
Oh, btw, any mistakes or story problems are a reflection on me and not my crit partner or hubby.
Thanks for reading along!
Ahh... finally, something to sink my teeth into during my lunch break. Thanks for the respite from my crazy day. Loved the chapter. Can't wait to read more.
It's great! It's hard waiting for the next chapter each time but I realize it takes a lot to gather thoughts and write them down. Thanks for sharing this story online.
Hi Cyndi,
Thanks so much for stopping by and reading Molly's & the Riley brothers story.
Working hard to get the next chapter posted this weekend.
Thanks again!
I'm so looking forward to more...I hope that's a compliment to your writing and not an insult to your offering of the newest chapter!
It's shaping up to be an interesting, thickening plot...will Eddie (gasp) actually become a decent person and not the cad he has been? What will Molly do when faced with two decent brothers, each desiring her hand?
Sorry, couldn't resist. I'm falling in love with these characters. ;) Thanks so much, Tina, and don't work too hard on the next chapter! We're (not so patiently) waiting. ;)
Can't wait to get to reading this. How amazing that you choose Julian, CA. I live south of there by about 1 1/2 hrs in El Centro,CA just not in the 1800's.
Keep on writing.
Auntie Pam
Fantastic! I'm just sorry it took me this long to find you!