There. That should do. And was decidedly true.
A big smile turned Miss Frieda’s face quite pretty and, he reckoned, she was not near as old as he’d considered before. Reckoned he understood right fine why Asa admired her so. She cooked good, and wasn’t opposed to changing her mind when she was wrong.
“Well, then, son, get yourself over to one of the liveries in this town. By the bye, there are ranches galore down below full of horses, and what not. Don’t stick yourself with hammer and nails should it not be natural for you.”
She was right, oh, Miss Frieda was so right to fill him with hope, but disappointment clogged him, too. If he slogged about town for a new job already this afternoon, he’d not have the chance to cart Lila around as a polite gentleman did a lady.
And today might be their only chance. Oh, his heart jumped fast and loose.
But then, like he’d wondered before, Miss Frieda did read his mind. “I’m thrilled to report Malina is on the mend, and her Clemmons will be dispatched from the hospital in a day or two.”
“Happy,” Bronx said, and meant it. Wondered if she’d make room in the boardinghouse for the pitiful Mr. Dykstra, should even Bronx share his own room. But he’d speak of such things later. “Happy for them both at the blessing of good health.”
Miss Frieda smiled, sly. “I say, you might enjoy this fine weather. I thought for certain we’d be getting a snow shower today. It’s not likely to last, and your wage from Asa yesterday ought to hold you for one afternoon. You can search for employment at the liveries tomorrow.” Her eyes twinkled. “Why not wander down to Gethsemane and see how our—I mean—Lila fares?”
“All righty, ma’am.” He held off a hug, but he wanted to so bad. Within a quarter-hour, Bronx was gussied to the gills, and smelling like fresh laundry, had hitched Chadwell, quite obedient he was pleased to find, to Miss Frieda’s buggy, and parked the equipage in front of Gethsemane.
His heart beat faster than a marshal’s posse on his tail outside Phoenix in July. His breath pumped thinner, colder, than the trek up Maligne Canyon frozen with midwinter. Both glacier cold and desert heat took turns dumping across his shoulders. Every sinew shook, and not due to the hammering that had pounded him at the Delaware.
What would Lila say?
With a deep breath—make that ten—he ambled out of the buggy—and this time, knocked on her unlocked door. Waited an eternity at heaven’s gate before she opened up.
She was breathless, he could tell. “Why, Bronx, what a surprise.”
And…almost like she expected somebody else. Or at least, a knock on the door wasn’t always a good thing.
He doffed his Stetson and bowed like he’d seen others do.
“Miz Lila, might I ask your company on a drive outside of town? The weather is welcoming, and Asa promises some fine scenery.”
“Why, Mister Bronx, I should like that, I think. As long as Asa has given you permission to leave work?”
He nodded, not willing to undertake the long story of his greenhorn ways just yet. “I’m to report back Monday should a needed shipment come in.”
“Well, then, I indeed could use some fresh air after a noseful of perfume from the literary society.” She grinned with a slight head shake. “A slew of the ladies attended Bible study today.”
He breathed some easiness, for her smile was bright and beautiful. Doubtful the proper ladies pointed fingers at her with noses high in the air. “Then, I reckon the ladies were all in support about a woman preaching instead of a man.”
Her laugher rang like a bell. “Rather, they enjoyed the tale of Queen Esther defying her husband and bursting into his throne room without his permission.”
“She must have been brave, indeed.” He grinned along with her, although none too keen on Biblical tales himself. “Likely, they’ll follow her example with their own menfolk. Isn’t that what the Good Book is all about?”
“The said ladies of Leadville may think twice. His Majesty Xerxes had threatened with death anyone who pulled such a stunt.”
She held books against her form, else he might have taken a hand. Just being in the big room where they’d slept together on a pew did that to a man. His breath hitched some thinking of the night past.
“Uh…Lila, let me help collect those books. And we can get a start, if you’ve a mind.”
His words caught on his tongue. Oh, she was beautiful in a dress all the colors of sun setting in the sky. Tied up in her hair, a funny hat with feathers like a chicken’s tail. But she made it seem elegant as a queen’s crown. Then, his heart sank. Was he too rough and tumble for such a lady?