Brides of Arizona, page 23
A faint knock sounded from the front door. They heard the thump of booted feet as Conlon strode down the hallway to answer. Kathleen had told Quinn she would be at Glorianna’s getting ready. Conlon and Glorianna were going to the fandango, too. Glory insisted the babies would be fine. Usually, the older women loved to care for the babies while their mothers danced. This would be the first time they’d get to watch Glory’s twins, and Kathleen had heard there were several ladies vying to be the first to hold them.
“Kathleen, Quinn’s here.” Conlon stuck his head in the room, his black hair in total disarray, his clothes unchanged. He grinned at Glory’s look of dismay. “I’m a fast dresser. I’ll be ready before Angelina cries.” They heard him rush down the hall to the bedroom.
“When he grins at me that way, I wonder how his mother could ever punish him.” Glorianna sighed. “I can almost see the cute little boy he was. I’m hoping Andrew doesn’t ever grin at me like that, or he’ll get away with anything.”
Tamping down her nervousness, Kathleen gave a strangled sound she hoped passed for a laugh. “You always were one to let the boys’ smiles get to you.” She glanced at the door. Her fingers twined together, squeezing until she wondered if the bones would crack. Jesus, help me. I have to find a way to discourage Quinn. … And he’s the most persistent man I’ve ever known.
A faint wail sounded from Glorianna’s bedroom. “That sounds like Angelina. I guess that means Conlon is ready to go.” Glorianna chuckled and swept from the room to retrieve her unhappy child.
Kathleen watched her cousin leave. Quinn was waiting in the sitting room. She should be happy to be going to the fandango with such a handsome man. Why, all the girls there would probably want to dance with him. Kathleen gasped. That was the answer to her problem. Relief swept through her. Her fingers unclenched, and she touched her hat to make sure it was firmly pinned in place. Straightening her shoulders, she marched out the door and down the hallway to meet Quinn.
Quinn stared out into the darkness, the lamp behind him giving an eerie reflection in the glass. A leather vest stretched taut across his chest, his only concession to the cool November evening. Cold rarely bothered him. Here in Tucson the weather didn’t get chilly enough to worry about. When he’d worked up in the northern territories, the cold had been fierce enough to make a man want to hibernate right along with the bears.
A gleam caught his eye. He’d wondered about leaving his badge and gun at home but thought better of it. He never knew when conflict could break out at one of these dances. Usually, it wasn’t anything too big. Some fella would get jealous of another, probably because of a pretty señorita they both wanted to dance with. Quinn grinned to himself and rocked back on his heels. He had the advantage over all the other men in town. He knew where the prettiest girl lived, and they had no idea. Maybe tonight Kathleen would leave her veil at home. Being seen at the fandango with her on his arm would give Quinn no end of pleasure. All the unmarried men in town would burn with jealousy.
More and more, he heard speculation about why Kathleen wore a veil all of the time. Although he hadn’t said anything, Quinn had been chuckling to himself, wondering what these men would say if they knew the truth. Meanwhile, every day he made some excuse to visit her. A few times lately, she had even allowed him to come into her shop and talk when she had removed her veil to do some of her work. She admitted that sewing was impossible to do with heavy gauze blocking the view. Even taking measurements and writing were probably a challenge. Several times, he’d seen her copying Scriptures on a paper, and she never wore her veil for that, either.
The firm click of shoes on the hard floor alerted him to her approach. Quinn turned as Kathleen walked into the room. Disappointment flashed through him. Heavy green netting covered her face and part of her slender neck. An urge to rip the fragile material away made him clench his fists, lest he follow through with the desire. The beauty of her green dress stole his breath. The finely ruffled blouse over a straight skirt with ruffles at the hem and an overskirt of intricate ruffles and bows displayed her feminine charms. He could only imagine how the green of her dress would bring out the color in her eyes. What he wouldn’t give to see them.
Kathleen paused. “Is there something wrong, Deputy?”
Quinn realized he still had a frown on his face from seeing her with her veil in place. He relaxed and smiled. “I had hoped you would accompany me without the veil. I can’t imagine how hard it must be to have everything around you muted by the covering over your face. Can I convince you to leave it behind tonight?”
She stiffened. “I can see just fine. If my veil embarrasses you, we can cancel our plans for the evening.”
“Oh, I’m not embarrassed. In fact, I was just considering my advantage over the other men in town.”
“Your advantage?”
He reached to pluck his hat from the hat rack. His grin widened. “Of course. I’m the only single man in town who knows just how beautiful you are. The others don’t have any idea how lucky I am.”
“And just why are you so lucky, Deputy Kirby?” Her frosty tone almost made him glance up to see if snow was in the air.
“Why, because I’ll be the gentleman at the fandango with the most beautiful woman on my arm. I know we got off to a rough start, but I think you have to admit to enjoying my visits.”
Her slender hands clamped onto green-clad hips with enough force to make Quinn wince. Pulling herself up to her full height, which meant the top of her head might reach his chest, Kathleen looked like she was prepared to wage a war.
“Oh, good. You two are ready to go.” Glorianna swept into the room, a well-bundled baby in her arms. Conlon strode in behind her with the other twin snuggled on his shoulder.
“Good evening, Quinn.” Glory stretched up and kissed his cheek. “Whoever would think I’d be so excited about a silly dance?” She sighed. “I’ve been cooped up here for weeks; and before that, I couldn’t dance because I was so big, my husband couldn’t get his arms around me.”
“I believe you must be talking about someone else, my dear.” Conlon gazed fondly at his wife. “I seem to remember my arms being around you a number of times.”
Glorianna blushed. “If you two will help us with our cloaks, we’ll be ready.”
Quinn accepted the dark gray cloak Glorianna handed him and stepped toward Kathleen. She had relaxed her stance somewhat but still acted a bit miffed. He couldn’t resist letting his hands linger a minute on her shoulders as he settled the cloak there. Giving her a little squeeze, he released Kathleen and stepped to her side.
“Shall we go?” Quinn offered his arm. Her head inclined to the right, and he thought he could see the faint shadow of a smile through the veil. Her slender fingers rested on his sleeve, their slight pressure making him long to see her expression clearly.
“Would you like me to carry that for you?” Quinn gestured at the satchel containing the babies’ belongings. Conlon still hadn’t figured out how to carry a baby, a satchel, and offer his arm to his wife. Quinn wondered how he would manage if he were in his friend’s shoes. Before meeting Kathleen, he would have scoffed at taking the thought seriously. Now, the idea didn’t scare him. Maybe being a husband and father could be right for him.
Although the fandango wasn’t far, Conlon had arranged for a buggy to transport them. He told Quinn he wasn’t sure Glorianna was up to walking so much yet. Besides, he wanted to have plenty of dances with his wife without her being worn out.
Strains of guitar and violin music drifted to them on the evening breeze long before they arrived. Cowhands and cavalrymen milled around the door, laughing and sharing stories as they watched the pretty girls inside. The men would be picking the one they wanted to dance with, then building courage before entering the hall.
Reaching up, Quinn put his hands on Kathleen’s waist to swing her down. She must be made of air, because she sure didn’t weigh anything. Once again, he chafed at the veil keeping him from seeing her expression. He thought maybe she enjoyed his company and his touch and longed to see for himself what her eyes would tell.
Kathleen hesitated as they faced the crowd of men around the door. She seemed to draw nearer to him. Quinn tightened his arm, pulling her close, wanting to comfort her.
“These men are noisy and a little rough sometimes, but they’re harmless.” Quinn leaned close, his cheek brushing her veil. He thought he could feel a slight tremor pass through her. “Shall we go on in?”
Conlon and Glorianna were disappearing through the group. Many of the cavalrymen called greetings to them. Kathleen stiffened her shoulders and nodded. Quinn led her in, not wanting to give her time to be afraid. She’d admitted to him a few days ago that being in public had been a rare occurrence in her life. He wondered if she was afraid of saying or doing something wrong. Perhaps she feared the careless remarks said by people who didn’t stop to think before they spoke.
“Evenin’, Deputy.”
Quinn nodded at several of the young men crowding the door and returned a few greetings. Curiosity filled more than one gaze as the men parted to let them pass. Stifling a grin, Quinn again thought how lucky he was to have Kathleen at his side. He could feel the shaking of her hand on his arm and knew she would stick close simply because he was someone she knew and felt partially comfortable with.
Chattering women and uncomfortable-looking men crowded the inside of the hall. Most husbands would rather stay at home, relaxing for the evening. The women seemed to blossom in the charged social atmosphere.
At one end of the hall, several musicians seated on a raised platform tried out their various instruments. Even though they hadn’t begun a formal song, the partial tunes they played made the people tap their toes, anxious for the dancing to begin.
A tug on his arm reminded Quinn that Kathleen stood beside him. He glanced down to find her gazing across the large room at a group of young women. Harriet and Maria, the new schoolteachers, stood with several other girls. Pulling his arm, Kathleen began to work her way through the crowd to reach her friends from the boardinghouse. Quinn hoped she didn’t intend to stay with them all night.
By the time they reached the girls, the first strains of the opening song called the dancers to gather on the floor. Kathleen plucked the forgotten satchel with the babies’ things from Quinn. Taking her hand from his arm, Kathleen pulled Maria forward.
“Maria, Quinn is dying to get started dancing. Would you mind joining him while I deliver these things to Glorianna?” With that she swept off, leaving a stunned deputy in her wake. Maria gave a shy smile, her brown eyes not meeting his as she stretched out her hand. As if in a dream, Quinn led her to the dance floor, his heart following the veiled beauty as she left him behind.
Chapter 9
Here’s the bag with the babies’ necessities, Glory.” Kathleen stepped into a small anteroom. Chairs were grouped in a corner, and several baby beds stood to one side of the floor. A few older ladies bent over some of the beds. Others sat with infants on their laps. At Kathleen’s entrance, they looked up and seemed to realize for the first time that Glory and her twins were there. They rushed in an excited ensemble to surround the new mother and her sleeping newborns.
Glorianna handed Angelina to a stout, black-clad woman, then retrieved Andrew from Conlon, who made a hasty retreat. Handing Andrew, then the bag Kathleen carried, to the women, Glorianna drew her cousin to a corner of the room.
“What are you doing in here?” Glorianna looked suspicious. “Why aren’t you with Quinn?”
“I had to bring you the babies’ things.” Kathleen breathed a quiet sigh of relief that Glory couldn’t see her face. Even without the visual, Glory would probably know she was omitting something. Kathleen knew she couldn’t hide what she’d done forever.
“Conlon is waiting for you out there. You’d better get a start on the dancing.” Kathleen pushed Glory toward the door. Conlon turned, peering into the room. He pulled his wife onto the dance floor, where they began a lively step Kathleen had never seen.
After Glorianna disappeared from sight, Kathleen slipped into the nursery. She would do her best to hide here. Holding babies was much more to her liking than attempting to dance when she had no idea how to do such a thing. Her mother never allowed her to attend a function like this. There was always too much chance that her mark would be seen and shame the family. Kathleen still felt uncomfortable appearing in public even with her face covered.
Growing up, she met a few friends at church. Those friends kept her up on the latest happenings and romances in the community. They described picnics at the park, box socials, and dances in great detail, but Kathleen never experienced them in person. As a teenager, she’d longed for a normal life, but now she was comfortable with the way things turned out. She didn’t need love and marriage and family. She could be content with where God had her. Maybe the mark on her face was special to God.
“Look at this, Kathleen.” Mrs. Monroy settled onto a chair beside her. Her plump cheeks creased as she smiled at Andrew nestled in her arms. “Have you ever seen such a sweet thing?”
“Not since looking at his sister.” Kathleen grinned at the matron’s startled expression.
Mrs. Monroy chuckled, her plump body shaking like jelly. “I reckon that’s true. This has to be the prettiest pair of babies I’ve seen in years. Of course, with the parents they have, how could they be anything but beautiful? Glorianna and Conlon make a fine-looking couple.”
Andrew scrunched his face in a scowl. Mrs. Monroy patted him until he burped and settled quietly to sleep. She snuggled the baby close and glanced over at Kathleen. “Of course, I’m wondering if there isn’t another couple who look pretty good together.”
“Is it someone I know?” Kathleen shot a glance at the door leading to the dance floor. Laughter and music drifted in, and she tamped down the longing to see the festivities.
“You’re half of the couple, so I guess you know them.” Mrs. Monroy smirked. Kathleen tried to keep her surprise from showing. “The other half is that handsome deputy sheriff who keeps showing up at my house. Funny thing is, I don’t ever remember Quinn Kirby dropping by my place until you moved in. Now he’s there every day.”
A plump hand patted Kathleen’s knee. “I don’t know why you always wear that veil, Kathleen, but there are other ways of being beautiful than through one’s looks. You have a caring, godly demeanor. Once these ladies get to know you, they can see for themselves what a beauty you are.”
Once again someone was after her to rid herself of the veil. She knew Mrs. Monroy wasn’t being bossy or nosy; she only intended to encourage and help. Kathleen wondered at the number of times she’d recently been asked to remove her veil. Always before, she spent most of her time around her family. She hadn’t been alone with anyone long enough for them to care to look at her.
“I can’t possibly take off my veil. People would stare and talk.” Kathleen blurted out the truth before she could stop herself.
Mrs. Monroy’s eyebrows shot skyward. “Take a look around you, Honey.” She gestured to the women on the far side of the room. As soon as Kathleen looked their way, they acted as if they weren’t watching her.
“You see, these women aren’t used to seeing someone covered by a veil. They’re all wondering what you have to hide. Believe me, the things they’re imagining are probably much worse than the reality.”
Kathleen’s eyes burned. What were these people thinking of her? She hoped coming out West would be a new start for her, away from the gossip and memories of childhood. Maybe she couldn’t escape the horror after all. Perhaps she should just return home and spend the rest of her life secreted in her mother’s house. The thought of that miserable existence terrified her.
Mrs. Monroy eased up from the chair and stepped toward the baby beds with the sleeping Andrew, then returned. “Whatever you’re hiding, I know there will be some who might make crude remarks. You can’t ever escape that, Honey, but the ones who count will accept you just the way the good Lord made you.” Her hand cupped Kathleen’s chin through the veil. “Give them a chance.”
Watching Mrs. Monroy cross the room and join the other women seated in a group, Kathleen felt so alone. Her foot tapped out the beat of the music being played in the other room. Everyone but she seemed to have a place. All her life, she’d been an embarrassment to her family. Now she had no idea how to fit in with others. Glorianna interacted with the townspeople so naturally. Kathleen didn’t think she could ever do that. She would always be aware of the mark on her cheek that set her apart from others. She would never be one with these people. Even now, she could still see the women casting glances in her direction and imagined the questions they were asking Mrs. Monroy.
“There you are, Kathleen. Why are you still in here?” Glorianna sank onto a chair beside her and wiped the perspiration from her brow. “Whew, the music is so fast here. I feel like I’ve run a few miles, and we’ve only done a few dances. I don’t know how I’ll make it through the evening.” She grinned. “Of course, I’ll figure out some way.”
Reaching over, Glory grabbed Kathleen’s hand and tugged. “Come on. I saw Quinn with one of the new schoolteachers, looking as uncomfortable as a man can. You have to come out there and rescue him.”
“He’s still with her?” Kathleen sat forward. A stab of jealousy cut through her. This was ridiculous. Her plan was working, and she didn’t want it to. She forced her feelings to recede and tried to look on the positive side. “I think I’ll stay here a little longer. I’m sure Quinn won’t mind.”
“Wait a minute. What’s going on here?”
“Nothing. I was in here, talking to Mrs. Monroy.” Attempting to look nonchalant, Kathleen relaxed in the chair. “Besides, next to you, I’m the woman who knows the twins best. My being in here assures you a much-needed evening with your husband. Now get out there before he comes looking for you.”
