Beatrice and the Beast, page 9
‘If I were hundreds of miles from nowhere, I wouldn’t be anywhere,’ she reasoned.
‘Well wherever you wuz. You wouldn’t get nowhere without a hoss.’
She emitted a loud sigh. He was so exasperating and almost impossible to pick a quarrel with. He didn’t even realise it when she tried to correct him, her words simply passed over his head.
‘You don’t have a very high opinion of me do you Mister Zelletta?’
He regarded her from under the brim of his hat.
‘I ain’t got no kind of opinion of you. What I said is a fact. Ain’t no two ways about it.’
‘I might be more robust than you think.’
‘I sure hope so, cos so far you’ve had it easy. The next couple of weeks are gonna be a test of just how tough you really are.’
Thanks for telling me that, she thought. Now I’ve really got something to look forward to.
‘What do you mean by that? Are we going to be in some kind of danger where we’re going?’
He noted the worried look on her face.
‘It ain’t very likely, but nobody can be sure what we gonna run across on the way. You ain’t got nothin’ to worry about though. I promised I’d get you were we goin’ in one piece and that’s what I’m gonna do.’
They rested for thirty minutes before the reluctant girl was lifted onto her horse and they were underway once more.
‘If we make good time,’ He’d announced. ‘We should make Caldwell long before sundown.’
‘Is that a town?’ She enquired.
‘It was little more than a settlement last time I passed through. But if there’s a store there we can buy fresh eggs and meat. Then we’ll camp at Bluff Creek which is close by.’
‘How long will it take to get there?’
‘Around three hours.’
Three hours didn’t seem so bad considering she had expected him to say four or more. She still expected to be sore and aching when they arrived, but at least it would still be early, giving her a chance to have a long rest before continuing the journey when hopefully, her aches would have eased.
ELEVEN
Caldwell had grown since Zelletta had passed through less than a year previously. Now it was a town with amongst other businesses, a post office, stores, a saloon and a hotel with a small restaurant attached. Its prosperity was mainly, due to its close proximity to the Chisholm Trail and the many cattle drives that passed close by.
At that particular time, the town wasn’t busy because it was still early in the season. The bulk of the herds travelling up from Texas were only just starting out and it would be months before they got this far.
They found the store and Beatrice gratefully, allowed herself to slip from her horse into his waiting arms to be set down on her feet on the dusty street. From the store, Zelletta purchased eggs and smoked bacon, as well as a freshly killed chicken to add to their supplies. Then they walked their horses to a livery the storekeeper had directed them to.
‘Wait out here with the horses,’ Frank ordered the girl. ‘I’m gonna see if I can offload these spare horses.’
She was very happy to obey his instructions, she wanted no part in the selling of dead men’s horses and would prefer not to be there when Zelletta entered into negotiations for their sale.
He led the trappers’ horses into the barn and called out for the liveryman. Presently, she heard voices and after a few minutes, Zelletta reappeared minus the horses.
‘We gonna have to stay in Caldwell overnight,’ he said. ‘The liveryman’s got a buyer for them hosses, but he can’t do the deal ‘til morning. We’ll stable our animals here and see if the hotel has any rooms for the night.’
Though she refused to show it, she felt elated that she may be sleeping in a real bed for the night instead of on the hard ground somewhere out there on the prairie.
‘Alright,’ she said simply.
He glanced down at her.
‘I thought you’d be cock-a-hoop to be sleeping in a bed for the night.’
She shrugged.
‘I don’t mind either way,’
‘Well I guess we could save money by camping by the crick and coming back to town in the morning.’
‘No!’ She exclaimed much louder than she had intended. ‘I mean, um…Yes I suppose the hotel will be most acceptable if that’s what you want.’
‘You sure you wouldn’t prefer sleeping on the ground in the open?’
She realised he was baiting her and glared angrily, at him.
‘Are you teasing me Mister Zelletta?’
‘Just trying to work out which you prefer. The hotel or the open air.’
‘I already told you, if you want to stay at the hotel, then I will be willing to stay there too.’
‘Nah, you don’t seem too sure. I figure we’ll both be happier sleeping by the crick.’
‘Alright!’ She yelled. ‘I’ll say what you want to hear. I want to sleep in a real bed for the night. I want it more than anything else in the world right now and I want to eat dinner in that restaurant with real utensils and plates. Not drinking awful bitter coffee from a tin mug and eating from a tin plate using just a knife and my fingers. There are you satisfied now?’
‘No need to get your dander up.’ He grinned. ‘Just trying to figure out what’s best for you.’
‘I know what you were doing,’ she hissed. ‘You were baiting me in order to bring about a reaction. Well now you’ve got one and I hope you’re satisfied that your silly ploy worked.’
He grinned again.
‘Okay then let’s stable these animals for the night and see what the hotel’s got.’
After leaving the animals and the pack saddle complete with supplies, in the care of the liveryman. They headed for the hotel with him striding out and her having to run alongside of him to keep up.
‘Would you please slow down Mister Zelletta,’ she cried breathlessly. ‘In case you hadn’t noticed, my legs are not as long as yours and I’m finding it very difficult to keep up with you carrying this heavy valise.’
He glanced back at her trotting along behind him with her large valise in hand swinging against her legs and threatening to trip her up. He stopped suddenly causing her to run into him. He was carrying both their rifles and had his saddlebags slung over his shoulder.
‘Gimme that,’ he growled reaching for the valise. ‘You carry this.’
He took the valise from her and handed her the Winchester.
‘Can you manage to carry your gun without falling over?’
He didn’t wait for an answer and instead, walked away at the same pace leaving her to run after him bearing the much lighter and easier to carry, rifle.
When she finally caught up with him in the hotel lobby, he was already at the desk enquiring about rooms. She went to where he leaned resting his hands on the desk and stood behind him while he spoke to the clerk. After a long conversation, he turned around and spoke to her.
‘They’ve only got one room,’ he said. ‘So, looks like you’ll be sleeping in the livery with the hosses.’
Her mouth dropped open and she looked aghast as she stared at him in disbelief.
‘What?’ She gasped.
‘Just joshing,’ he said. ‘But it was worth it, your face was picture.’
She considered his revelation to be very childish. She’d already had visions of bedding down next to the horses and the thought didn’t exactly fill her with Joy.
‘You have a strange sense of humour Mister Zelletta,’ she snapped. ‘I didn’t find that in the least bit amusing.’
‘Well you wouldn’t seeing as how you were the butt of the joke.’
She harrumphed bad-temperedly.
‘Does that mean you have procured two rooms?’
‘Nope, I already told you, they only got one.’
‘Oh,’ she said tentatively. ‘What are we going to do?’
He grinned.
‘I guess we’ll have to sleep in the same bed together.’
She stared at him, horrified and speechless.
‘Don’t worry,’ he said. ‘I ain’t expecting you to share. I’ll bed down in the livery, it don’t bother me none.’
She felt a little humbled by his sacrifice, especially as he paid for the room himself. However, she didn’t have time to dwell on the matter, because he picked up her valise and carried it to the room before leaving her at the door.
‘Have you got any objections about me eating chow with you in the restaurant later?’ He asked. ‘It don’t bother me none if you have.’
‘Of course, I have no objections Mister Zelletta. We are travelling companions are we not? It is only right and proper that we take dinner together.’
‘Ok,’ he replied. ‘How about I meet you in there at seven.’
…
Beatrice entered the restaurant at exactly seven-o-clock that evening and looked around to find Frank Zelletta already there still wearing his hat and seated by a wall at the far side of the room. She made her way between the tables and halted close to where he sat. She waited for him to stand and pull out her chair, but he simply looked up and appraised the beautiful emerald coloured dress she wore. Still she waited in the hope that he would prove his credentials as a gentleman. But her expectation was to come to nought. Eventually, he spoke.
‘What you waiting for? Ain’t you gonna sit down?’
She glared at him impatiently until awareness seemed to dawn on him.
‘Oh, I forgot,’ he said brightly. ‘You still have a sore butt. How ‘bout I get you cushion to sit on?’
She became very exasperated.
‘I do not have a sore butt,’
Her words came out a little louder than she’d intended, which caused many diners to look around and smile. Her embarrassment showed on her face and she felt herself blushing furiously as she quickly pulled out the chair and sat down opposite the man with her face turned down toward the table top.
‘Why did you say that?’ She hissed without looking up.
‘Say what?’
‘What you said about me being sore.’
‘Your sore butt?’
She groaned.
‘Why are you so determined to embarrass me Mister Zelletta?’
‘I think you made a pretty good job of that yourself Miss Mellowday.’
‘Only because you brought up the discomfort I suffered in certain parts of my anatomy.’
‘I thought that was the reason you didn’t want to sit down.’
‘I was waiting for you to pull out my chair so that I may be seated. It is what is expected of a gentleman when he wishes to dine with a lady.’
‘Well you gotta learn to do things for yourself in the next couple of weeks so that’s a damn good start to your education.’
She lifted her head to regard him intently.
‘You knew I was waiting for you to pull out my chair,’ she accused. ‘You were making fun of me.’
‘Would I do that to a gentlewoman like you?’
‘Yes, I believe you would. I’m beginning to see another side to your nature Mister Zelletta and I’m not sure I can tolerate your preposterous behaviour for much longer.’
Before he could reply, the waitress came to take their order, which was a choice of three meals, beefsteak, beef stew and beef pie. Zelletta ordered the steak with eggs and vegetables while the girl opted for the stew. Surprisingly, as he’d ordered a beer, he asked if she would like wine with her meal.
‘Thank you Mister Zelletta, I would like that very much.’
After the middle-aged waitress brought their drinks, Beatrice regarded her companion before voicing something that had bothered her since she met him.
‘Aren’t you going to remove your hat?’
‘Nope.’
‘But it’s poor etiquette to wear your hat on in a restaurant.’
‘I ain’t interested in what it is, Miss Mellowday. I’ll keep the hat on.’
‘Why would you do that?’
‘I don’t want to put you off your food.’
She studied his face for a moment.
‘Oh, Mister Zelletta, whatever you are concealing with your hat, it surely can’t be that bad and I assure you, I would not be put off my food in any case.’
‘I’ll keep the hat on. If you don’t like it, I’ll move to another table.’
‘I’m sorry Mister Zelletta, I did not mean to provoke you and I really have no desire for you sit at another table. By all means keep your hat on if that is what you prefer.’
‘Thanks, I will.’
They ate their food in silence when it finally arrived and both declined desert in favour of coffee. Frank took his coffee black the way he was used to drinking it, but Beatrice indulged in milk and sugar.
‘What will you do for the rest of the evening Mister Zelletta?’ She asked by way of conversation.
He took a sip from his coffee cup and regarded her over the rim.
‘I figure I’ll pay a visit to that saloon we passed and see if they’ve got anything that passes for whisky.’
‘Do you intend to get drunk?’
She couldn’t see his eyes properly beneath the brim of his hat. But she felt sure they showed signs of amusement.
‘I never get drunk Miss Mellowday. Doing that in my line of business could be fatal.’
‘I never considered killing people to be a business.’
He considered her pretty, but serious countenance.
‘You have a poor opinion of me don’t you lady?’
She hoped she hadn’t gone too far with her derogatory remark and angered him.
‘Forgive me Mister Zelletta, I should never have said that. How you choose to conduct your life, is really none of my business.’
He shrugged.
‘It makes no never mind to me lady. Once I get you to south Texas, you’ll never see me again anyhow.’
‘Yes of course, but I shouldn’t have made that remark and I feel better for apologising to you.’
‘Forget it,’ he mumbled. ‘If you’ve finished your coffee, maybe you’ll want to get an early night.’
She smiled knowingly.
‘Are you so desperate to get to the saloon that you have to pack me off to bed as quickly as is humanly possible?’
Because of the way his hat was pulled down low, she was unable to read his eyes or the expression on his face. But she felt sure he was scowling openly, at her.
‘Would you want me to stay with you instead?’ He growled.
‘Not at all, I was simply making an observation. Far be it from me to deprive you of your alcoholic requirement.’
In truth, she felt a little disappointed that he preferred the company of a bottle of whiskey over her. But she could not for the life of her, understand why. Perhaps it was vanity. From the time she had reached puberty, she had always been the centre of attention from male suitors. First boys, then as she progressed into womanhood, she attracted the attentions of men of all ages.
‘In that case,’ he said. ‘I’ll take my leave. Be sure to lock your door when you go to your room. A beautiful girl like you stands out like a boil on the ass in a town like this and there's some men who might just take a chance if the opportunity arises.’
She was astounded that the first time since they’d met, he'd acknowledged her beauty and despite his choice of words, she felt a certain amount of pleasure that he saw beyond a package to be safely delivered for reward and had clearly, noticed she was also a good-looking young woman.
Before he left, he placed several greenbacks on the table, far more than would be needed to pay for their meals.
‘You might want another glass of wine before you go to bed.’ He opined. ‘There should be more than enough there to cover it, but don’t stay up late. You’ll be safer in your room while I’m not here to protect you.’
Before she could protest, he had gotten to his feet and walked out, leaving her alone with her mouth gaping in disbelief.
Beatrice paid the waitress for their meals and was about to stand, when she had a sudden change of mind.
Why should he expect me to meekly, make my way to bed while he enjoys drinking whiskey half the night?
Before the waitress could go far, Beatrice called her back and ordered another glass of wine. It was an act of defiance rather than the need to drink. If Zelletta asked about her evening and enquired if she went straight to bed after he’d left, she would take great pleasure in revealing that she had partaken in another glass of wine or more and stayed up late, before retiring. It was a childish act of course, but she felt the need to make some kind of stand against his dictatorial treatment of her.
After the wine had been placed on the table before her, she took a small sip and then considered her small hands resting on her lap. She felt tired after the long day and strenuous journey but had no intention of succumbing to the need to retire to her room. Unfortunately, she would be unable to prove to Zelletta that she had remained where she had after he left. She would not see him again until morning. So, in reality her silent protest was wasted. Therefore, after taking another sip from her glass, she decided to leave the rest and go to her room. As she was about to rise from her chair, a smooth male voice spoke from behind and slightly to one side of her.
‘Excuse me madam, would it be prudent to ask if I may join you and perhaps engage in a little polite conversation whilst you finish your wine?’
Beatrice regarded the man who had come to stand beside the chair that Zelletta had vacated earlier. He was a young man in possibly, his early twenties and was dressed in a black frock coat over a grey and silver brocade vest and white shirt. The pants he wore were also grey but with thin stripes. Beatrice thought he looked very handsome, but because he wore a gun and holster low on his thigh, she became instantly, wary of him.
‘I must beg your pardon sir,’ she began. ‘But I was about to leave and retire to my room.’
‘Aren’t you going to finish your wine?’
‘I stupidly ordered it without really wanting it and only now realise how tired I am.’
‘Then of course you must go and enjoy your much-needed sleep. I deeply regret that I am unable to converse with such a clearly, genteel and educated lady in a town where ladies of your standing, do not exist.’
