Love's Gamble ~ Chapter 6
Posted by Tina Dee Books | Labels: Love's Gamble - Free Book | Posted On at 3:17 PM
Here it is! Thanks for your prayers and patience. And thank you, Ginny--for your eyes and your feedback and your heart. xoxo!I hope you enjoy reading chapter 6 as much as I enjoyed writing it for you.
Copyright - Tina Dee Books/Tina Dee Communications 2009 - All Rights Reserved
Chapter 6
Jeff shook his head in disbelief as he turned away from the window in the lawyer's office. “I'm telling you Will, Eddie's got to own up to his responsibilities. His choices are affecting other people now.”
The attorney leaned forward, bringing his arms to rest on his desk. “I agree with you, but there's nothing I can do until the lady actually comes forward to pursue the matter legally.”
“That's just it, she's threatened to take legal action.” Never mind that she'd decided to take it out on him rather than Eddie, but that could all be a misunderstanding—if she'd just listen to reason... How to accomplish that would be a challenge.
“Jeff?”
“Sorry, Will. Guess I wasn't here for a moment.”
Will nodded. “Is it really Eddie you're here about, or this...Miss Adams?” A hint of humor sparkled in the lawyer's eyes.
Of course he was there for Eddie. And Miss Adams, but mostly for Eddie. Jeff plopped into one of the guest chairs. Miss Adams had filled his thoughts nearly every moment. But he was there for Eddie. Mostly.
Jeff blew out a deep breath and relaxed his shoulders.
Will had a grin across his face.
“Now Will, let's not make this more complicated than need be. Let's focus on Eddie.”
“Understood. From what I hear, Eddie owes an awful lot of money around town, and to some of the most unsavory sorts.”
“I've heard the same thing. I'd like to see my brother turn his life around and this woman might be able to play a part in that.”
“How do you mean?”
“Well, it would be a lot better if she put pressure on him than if any of Eddie's debtors came after him, they're of the sort that wouldn't mind seeing him six feet under if he didn't pay—at least as an example to their other borrowers. Maybe he'd turn his life around if he realized how much he's hurt this woman.” Or, this could be a scheme built more on hope than reality. I'm desperate for this change in him, Lord.
Will leaned back in his chair. “Are we talking about the same man who has lady-friends all over town? Sounds like you're hoping for a miracle.”
“Maybe I am. I don't want Eddie to know about this conversation, I've told him I'm not helping him, but I can't stay out of it. If he knows I'm involved, he'll only resist reform.”
“And how do you propose we get Miss Adams to go along with this?”
Jeff rubbed his chin between his finger and thumb. “She's already threatened to come to see you about this whole mess. Let's hope she does.”
Will chuckled. “I can't help feeling like the busybody my wife can sometimes be.” Will obviously amused himself. He stopped laughing and took on a serious manner. “You sure dampen a witty moment.”
Jeff raised his brows at the man across from him. Miss Adams needed his help. And, so did Eddie. Laughing was the last thing to come to mind.
The lawyer stood. “When, and if, she comes in I'll be able to go from there, until then, let's hope Eddie watches his step around town.”
With a nod, Jeff shook Will's hand and made his way out the door.
Outside, Jeff settled his hat on his head as he looked out over the community. He stepped off the boardwalk, walking toward the mercantile. Eddie watch his step around town? That would be hoping for a miracle.
~ ~ ~
Molly strolled the boardwalk in the direction of Mr. Darby's office. The mid-morning still held a chill in the air, she'd remember to wear her coat or a wrap tomorrow. She pulled her collar up then quickened her stride, but slowed in wonder at a man who sloshed, then climbed out of a trough a couple of storefronts down, outside the butcher shop.
She squinted for a better look as she drew near.
Mr. Jeff dripped from heat to toe and shivered in his boots.
“What happened?”
He pulled his shirt away from his body. “It ain't p-proper for you to be lookin' at me as I am, s-so you just turn away now.”
She ignored him. “You're freezing. You should go back to Sunny's and warm yourself by the stove.”
“Th-that sounds g-good. I'll meet you there.”
“Not for a while. I'm taking your suggestion and seeing Mr. Darby about—”
“A-about th-that no-account who s-stood you up?” His teeth chattered.
“Exactly!”
“Y-you give him wh-what-for and d-don't let h-him get away with an-anything. P-pp-ress charges.”
“I don't know if it will come to that. He'll probably make good in some manner once he's had some pressure on him. He reminds me of my uncle, who used women for his comfort and then pawned off the responsibilities of caring for one.” Not that Uncle Bert had actually done that with anyone but her, at least not that she knew of. “And that's what's happening to one too many women who agree to come out west and marry a man, hoping for a life and family—and maybe a little adventure.”
Mr. Jeff shivered a nod of agreement.
She doubted he even heard her last words, he shook so much and his lips had turned blue. “Well, look at me keeping you here, you'll catch your death standing out here chatting. Go on now, go get warmed and have something to eat. I'm sure Sunny won't mind.” Molly smiled. “I've seen the way she looks at you.”
“Th-the way sh-she looks at m-me?”
“Oh, sometimes you men are without a clue as to who or what's standing right before you—now go Mr. Jeff.”
“A-about that—”
She raised her chin. “Not another word.” She shooed him toward the restaurant with a wave. “Go before you freeze to death.” Molly hurried along before he could protest, not that he would, but he might. Mr. Jeff had been so nice since she'd arrived. A lifetime seemed to have passed since then, and yet, Edwin Riley's words were loud and clear: I think it best you go back home. Heat bloomed across her face at the thought of it.
Molly opened the door to the lawyer's office, entered, then swung the door closed a little too hard.
The large man across the desk stood. “How may I help you?” He furrowed his brow as he eyed the door.
“I'm terribly sorry, Mr. Darby. I...my mind's somewhere else."
He extended an arm toward the seat in front of his desk inviting her to sit down, then sat in his own leather chair.
"Sir, I here because I need legal counsel about a situation I'm in. It's not really my fault, you see--”
“Anything to do with Eddie Riley?”
She dropped into the chair. “It is. Do you know him?”
“Everyone knows Eddie.” His voice had dropped deep in tone and held a note of disapproval.
“Oh...”
“Jeff told me you'd be in. In fact, he suggested you might want to pressure Eddie to make things right.”
“Yes. I think it's terrible that a man would take advantage of a woman in this way.”
Mr. Darby rested hands across his large midsection. “You don't know him very well, do you Miss?”
“It's Miss Adams, but please call me Molly. And no, I don't. But what I do know is that he, and other men—take my uncle, for instance—can't treat women this way. We have hopes and feelings and dreams too.”
“What would you like to do?”
Molly's gaze roamed over his desk as she thought over his question. “Well, I don't really know. You're the legal counselor, can't you counsel me?”
He sat up, his chair groaning under his weight. “What I mean to say is, what do you want from him. What would make you feel compensated for your trouble?”
“I guess I'd like for him to honor his commitment or to make restitution for what I've been put through. I came without money of my own, he was to be my husband and my uncle paid him.”
Mr. Darby's brows rose. “What exactly did your uncle pay him for?”
“Like a dowry, something like a dowry.” The explanation sounded unbelievable even to her.
“I see. Do you have any of the correspondence between your uncle and Eddie?”
The whole thing seemed preposterous. Molly's stomach flipped. If only she did have some of those letters. “Will it matter?”
“It would be proof that there was an agreement between your uncle and—”
“And that cad!” Molly's hand covered her mouth. “I'm sorry. He gets me so upset—” she pounded her fist on the desk. “Oh, forgive me.”
He pulled a gold watch from his pocket to study the time. “Why don't we meet again to discuss this further?” He snapped the timepiece shut and tucked it back into his pocket. “My wife and I have a standing date for lunch every day, and today I'm taking her down to San Diego for some shopping. Would you be free two days from now?”
Molly sat back. “Two days?”
“We'll be in San Diego for a couple of days. Better make that three days now that I think about it.”
She tried to smile, but her heart just wasn't in it. “I guess, if that's the soonest we can meet. I'll check with my employer and leave a note on your door that morning as to what time she could spare me.”
Mr. Darby saw her to the door where they said their goodbyes.
The door shutting behind her felt more like a door closing on her hope—her hope to make a stand, not only for herself, but for all women.
~ ~ ~
Molly entered the mercantile, but had to skirt a stack of crates. Once past them, it was easy to see they blocked the view of the register and counter from the front door. She came to a stop and let her eyes have their fill of the large establishment. Not as nice or big as those in St. Louis, but she'd not expected to see such tall shelves here--filled with every ware imaginable--not in a western town anyway. This store had ample supply with barrels of flour, sugar, crates of coffee sitting or stacked near the counter, several glass jars of candy and a shelf holding a few books, even a Bible.
She held in a deep breath at the sight of the Bible. She hadn't taken the time today to read and pray beyond selfish wants. This business with Mr. Riley distracted from time with God. Shame on me, thinking I can fix the mess my life is in, rather than asking for Your guidance, Lord. Tonight, before bed, would be set aside for time in the Word. With a nod to the leather book she turned and ventured deeper into the store.
On a rack against the wall hung four dresses. Two of them much smaller than her size. The third, a brownish-yellow dress, flaunted bright orange flowers and pea green leaves. She stuck her tongue out. Pulling the last one off the rack, she held up against her body. The material, a sky blue with a small white flower print sprinkled through. Pretty and perfect. She took it up front and opened her purse—no money. She'd kindly returned it all to Mr. Riley.
A lady came from the back room. “Good morning. Are you through shopping?”
“Actually, no, but I wanted to pay for this before you had more customers come in. In case I needed to leave for the cafe. However, I wanted to browse a bit more, without the possibility of waiting behind others to pay. I also don't want to lose the dress to someone else. The problem is, I just realized I won't receive pay until the end of the week.”
The lady smiled warmly. “That's fine. Do you work at the cafe?”
“Yes, Sunny hired me yesterday. I'm staying at Miss Claire's boardinghouse, but none of the dresses I brought with me are suitable for work.” She looked down at the dress she wore. Her face heated at the sight of all the chunks of splattered food across it, and the deep creases from when she'd slept in it.
“Well, don't you worry. We'll start a tab, then stop in and pay this weekend. My name is Prudence, by the way.” She slid a piece of paper and a pencil to Molly. “Fill this out and I'll set up an account.”
Molly smiled into the kindness she'd found in Prudence's eyes. “Thank you. I appreciate it.”
“I'll just wrap this up for you and you'll be on your way.” Prudence removed the dress from the hanger, then wrapped it in plain brown paper. “Feel free to look around. I don't suppose you attend church here yet, do you?”
“No, yesterday was my first day in town. I've only had time to find a job and a place to stay.”
“Well, Sunny sits with us in church on occasion. Feel free to sit with us if you ever come with Sunny. She closes the cafe Sundays, although I'm sure she'd get a lot of business if she stayed open. We have a mid-week Bible group that you're welcome to come to sometime, if you're interested, that is.” She finished tying the package and then pushed it across the counter to Molly. “All set.”
Molly's heart warmed at the invitation. Why Sunny hadn't mentioned being closed on Sundays, or the Bible group, she didn't know, but maybe they hadn't had the time to talk yet. She scooped up her package, thanked her new friend, and wandered up and down a few aisles. With a few moments left before needing to return to Sunny's kitchen, and the dough that still awaited her for tonight's dinner rolls, she enjoyed the quiet.
Bolts of bright calico or checkered prints as well as darker, heavier fabrics stood in a wooden bin. She paused and ran her hand over the material nearest her. With such a small selection of ready-made dresses, maybe she could find someone to make her a couple more. Those dresses in her trunks were far too fancy for this dust-filled gritty little town. She wiped a finger along the shelf, then rubbed the dust collected between her finger and thumb, then crinkled her nose. Living here would take some getting used to.
The heavy sound of boots entering the store and plodding their way up to the counter barely caught her attention. The man's laughter, however, did. It couldn't be!
She breathed in sharply as she eased up the aisle to where she could peek out from around it. Him!
Prudence's laughter rolled easily throughout the store. “You are just too much! But it always brightens my day when you come in. You're account's balanced out. Thanks for bringing it current.”
Mr. Riley leaned his forearm on the counter; obviously familiar with the young woman he carried on with. “I look for any excuse to come talk with you, Miss Prudence. Always a pleasure to stop in.”
“Oh go on with you.” Prudence waved a hand at him. “I bet you say that to all your lady friends.”
He nodded, a big ol' silly grin plastered across his face. “Oh sure, the droves of them all about town.”
Molly stared through narrowed eyes. No wonder he wanted to pay her to get out of town. So he could carry on with all his little fillies and not be tied down.
Prudence handed him a piece of paper and a pen. “Sign here," she pointed to the paper. "You know it only takes one woman for a wife.”
“Now Miss Prudence,” he chuckled, “you know I'm not the marrying type, never will be.”
Molly's head pounded, his jovial manner burned her. Her teeth were clenched, but she tried to relax her jaw.
Prudence turned away from Mr. Riley to retrieve something from the large stockroom. He waited with his back to the front of the store.
Molly lifted her skirt, so as not to catch it on the bottom of the crates stacked up front. She stomped her way out, then slammed the door shut behind her. The nerve of that man! She stormed off, but was jerked back and fell, her package landing just within reach. Her skirt had caught in the door. She scrambled up, opened the door, tugged at her skirt and yanked the door shut again, causing the glass to rattle. Turning toward the cafe, she resumed stalking, eating up the boardwalk with each angry step, her package clutched against her chest. “He'll marry me, or pay me back every cent Uncle Bert paid, and the money it cost to travel here. And, he'll apologize—in front of the whole town!”
~ ~ ~
Jeff stared at the door someone had just slammed, twice, before he turned back to the counter.
Miss Prudence came in from the back, her eyes full of question. “I heard the door and thought you'd left.”
Jeff shook his head and glanced back toward the front of the store. “No, I don't know who it was, but they took off in a huff.”
“The only other person here besides us was Molly.”
“Molly?”
Prudence pulled a slip of paper from her file near the register and consulted it. “Yes, Miss Molly Adams.” A soft laugh escaped from her. “But that couldn't have been Molly, we just talked and she was sweet as could be.”
Jeff stood up and looked down at Miss Prudence. “Sweet?” He shot a look to the door. Miss Adams had been anything but sweet since he'd met her. Wonder what's got her in such a fuss now?
Copyright - Tina Dee Books/Tina Dee Communications 2009 - All Rights Reserved
Loved this chapter! Very good. It always has me intrigued for more. :)
Thank you, Katey! Thank you for riding along with me on this story!
I'm really trying to get it so that I'm posting a chapter every week, I'll do my best!
Merry Christmas, sweetie!
Hugs,
Tina
Oh those two... Talk about getting off on the wrong foot. lol
Tina, I'm finally back to reading my favorite bloggers...and I realize that there is not one, but TWO installments of Love's Gamble for me to read! What a present. :) I can't wait to see how the story continues to unfold.
I also wanted to let you know that you have a blogger award over at my blog...even though you might not use it, I just wanted to let you know that your words (and especially your wonderful storytelling) bring me happiness...along with your sweet and caring heart. Thank you for being who you are, my friend.
Take care, and have a wonderful holiday!
~Rebecca
thereluctanthomefront.blogspot.com/my-first-bloggy-award.html
Hi Lee,
LOL--Yes! Everyone's on the wrong foot! I hope that's what makes it fun. Thank you so much for reading along and leaving a comment. Love your visits. I'm trying really my best to make it a habit to post a chapter every week.
Have a Merry Christmas, sweetie!
Hugs,
Tina
Rebecca!
I know what you mean about getting time to read your fav blogs. I've sort of taken a break, especially from interviews, for a bit (not that I wanted to, I didn't) to try to organize life a little over the holidays (starting from Halloween until after New Years--a long break! But I needed it--think we all could use one, LOL.)
I've missed you and been thinking about you.
Thank you so much for the blog award. I've received 3 others, but I have to admit, I'm not sure what to do to get them up...and pass on a few also...
I'm glad you're reading Love's Gamble and enjoying it! My chapter 5 was dedicated to my firstborn son who was born close to date in Nov. when the chapter was posted. Same will happen with my next couple of chapters, my sons are fall/winter babies--well, two are men now.
Have a very Merry Christmas! Hope you like the chapters!
xoxo,
Tina
Great job - hope we don't have to wait too long for Chapter 7!!!
Ann
Tina, "Love's Gamble" is wonderful! I'm so eager for the next chapter, as well as the ones to follow. Your writing style is such that the reader is instantly drawn in & feels a part of the story from the first page. The twists and turns with the three characters are a hoot to follow and I can't wait to find out what is going to happen next.
Excellent!
Beverly
Good work!! Lovely story, do you have a tiny little idea about the time the next chapter will come up?
Hi Li Anne,
I'm working on two scenes today (I've been distracted by plotting out more of the story and two other stories--the two others I'm hoping a publisher will buy), so I hope it will be tomorrow. I'll do my best to get it done in the next day or so.
Thank you so much for reading along!