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98 The Redemption of Jake Scully
But the remainder of the afternoon, while they had stopped
at the stream to cool off themselves and their mounts, had
been one of the most pleasant times she could recall in recent
years. Sitting so close to Scully and speaking to him so
honestly from the heart, she had been even more conscious
of the special intimacy they shared. Careful s affectionate bid
for attention had interrupted their dialogue, but the display had
warmed her heart and returned her briefly to a carefree period
of her life that she cherished in memory.
She recalled her astonishment when Scully waded into the
stream behind her, his feet as bare as hers. She remembered
how they had both stomped around in the cool water. She
recalled the moment when Scully laughed out loud in spon-
taneous enjoyment. Her heart had jumped a beat at the sheer
beauty of the sound.
She truly was fond of Scully. There was no one whose af-
fection was presently more dear to her. She whispered another
brief prayer of gratitude, knowing she could never give
enough thanks to the Lord for His having placed Scully in her
life although she wondered why she deserved such a
precious gift.
Lacey closed the door behind her. Their visit to the stream
had been invigorating, a relief from the intense heat of the day.
Their damp clothing had cooled them for the greater portion
of their ride home, but once their clothes had dried, the heat
had become oppressive. She was presently looking forward
to sponging herself with cool water from her washstand and
refreshing herself with the delicate fragrance of the lilac-
scented soap she favored.
Lacey looked at the clock on the mantle. She had a few
hours until Scully and she would go to the restaurant for their
Elaine Barbieri 99
evening meal. It occurred to her that Mary was right. She had
yet to take advantage of the food the dear woman provided
her guests meals reputed to be consistently excellent. She
knew, however, that even if she were given the choice, she
would prefer Scully s company to a meal fit for royalty.
Lacey turned to the washstand. She was unbuttoning her
shirtwaist when she looked at the soap dish and stopped cold.
She had used up the last of her soap that morning.
Impatient with herself for having forgotten to stop at the
mercantile to buy another bar, Lacey checked her small purse
for change. Satisfied, she started for the door.
Lacey walked briskly toward the store. Her path lay past
Barret Gould s office, but the possibility of a second en-
counter with him that day was more than she could presently
face. Deciding to avoid it if she could, Lacey crossed the
street and walked quickly along the crowded walk, hoping no
one would notice her circuitous route when she crossed back
again to the other side.
Lacey moved quickly between the last straggling shoppers
of the day and the influx of wranglers just beginning to arrive
for the weekend s entertainment. She approached a small
boutique where it was rumored that many of the Gold Nugget
women did their shopping. According to the whispers of two
matrons standing behind her while she had waited for her
order to be filled at the mercantile a few days earlier, the
clothing at the boutique was fashionable, direct from Paris and
well beyond the reach of the  decent women in town.
He who guards his lips, guards his soul.
She had wondered if those two  decent women were
familiar with that passage. Less important than that, she had then
wondered if the clothing in the store was really direct from Paris.
100 The Redemption of Jake Scully
That thought lingered as Lacey spotted a familiar figure
standing in front of the boutique. She recognized the distinc-
tive shopping basket Rosie carried. Rosie s surprising talent
for weaving was well-known at the Gold Nugget, and her
baskets were easy to pick out.
Lacey s step slowed as she approached the thin dancehall
girl and said,  I thought it was you standing here, Rosie.
Rosie turned toward her, then glanced away but not
before Lacey saw the fresh bruise at the corner of her eye.
Rosie replied,  Marcella told me that Madame Lilly had
reduced her prices on some dresses because she expects
new stock to arrive on the stage at the end of the week. Re-
ferring to the voluptuous brunette rumored to be so popular
in the Gold Nugget, Rosie continued,  Marcella bought
herself a beautiful dress. I thought I might be able to find
something. My old gold satin got ripped somehow.
Lacey paused in her response. She knew how Rosie s dress
had gotten ripped, all right.
Lacey said simply,  Maybe I can help you fix it. I ve done a
pretty good job of repairing my own dresses from time to time.
 No& I don t think so. It s ripped beyond repair.
Her heart aching for Rosie, Lacey looked at the sign in the
window and said,  It seems there are a few more dresses left
at reduced prices.
Rosie turned back hopefully toward her.  How do you
know that?
 It says so right there on the sign. Lacey read,   Only six
dresses remaining at greatly reduced prices. 
 I won t get paid for another few days. Does it say how
much longer Madame will keep the prices reduced?
Lacey looked back at the sign. The sign was clearly written
Elaine Barbieri 101
in bold letters. Momentarily confused by the question, Lacey
responded,  No, that s all it says.
Realization then struck her, and Lacey asked,  Don t you
know how to read, Rosie?
Rosie stiffened and took a backward step.
 Rosie?
Rosie s lips wobbled.  No.
 Oh.
 My Ma and Pa died in an accident when I was six. My uncle
didn t have any choice but to take me in. She shrugged.  That s
what he said, anyway. He raised me until I was ten. I guess he
figured a girl like me wouldn t have no use for book learning.
 A girl like you?
Rosie ignored the question.  He ran off when I was ten.
 He left you alone?
 He said I always had too much to say.
Lacey took a breath, then forced a smile.  Well, I suppose I
wouldn t know how to read, either, if it wasn t for my grandpa.
He took me in when my mother died, too, you know.
 I know.
Lacey s brows rose with surprise.
 Everybody at the Nugget knows that story. Your grandpa
was killed, and before he died, he told you to go to town and
ask for Scully, so Scully could take care of you. Then Scully
sent you back east to school, so you could learn to be a lady.
A lady.
Rosie had used that word with profound admiration, and
Lacey felt her own eyes moisten. She heard herself say,  Yes,
Scully did all that for me, but I could already read by the time
I met him. My grandpa taught me easily enough. I could
teach you, too.
102 The Redemption of Jake Scully
 No, it s too late for me.
 Oh, pooh! I never heard such nonsense! Realizing she
had startled Rosie with the sudden vehemence of her
response, Lacey continued more softly,  I d really enjoy
teaching you to read, Rosie. It would be fun.
 Everybody would laugh at me. Besides, Scully wouldn t
like it if you spent too much time with me.
 He wouldn t care.
 Yes, he would.
Rosie was adamant. Aware that she was losing the battle,
Lacey said,  Then we don t have to tell anybody I m teaching
you to read.
 That won t work.
 Yes, it will.
A glimmer of hope shone in Rosie s eyes as she said,  You
really think I could learn& it s not too late for me?
 Of course it s not too late.
Rosie hesitated a moment longer, then said,  I could try
but only if I can pay you for teaching me.
 Pay me? Why?
 Men get paid for the work they do. Women should, too.
The light of principle shone in Rosie s eyes and a fragile
fragment of a pride that was almost nil. Lacey could not
infringe upon what little Rosie had left.
Lacey replied,  All right, I ll teach you to read if
you ll  Lacey continued smoothly after a moment s hesi-
tation   if you ll make me a basket just like yours. It s
beautiful.
 That s not a fair exchange.
 We ll both be getting something we want. What s fairer
than that?
Elaine Barbieri 103
Rosie hesitated. [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]