Prizes
Chapter One
The wind was blowing through the air as Ben rode into Virginia City. He was glad it was now springtime. At least he didn't have to ride through a bitter cold wind. Once he got to the livery stable, Ben hurried down the streets of Virginia City towards his good friend, Tyler Mason. The man had collapsed in the general mercantile and had sent for him. From what Ben had been told, Tyler had suffered a bad heart attack and was not expected to live.
"Hello, Ben. Mr. Mason's in his room," said Catlin. She had become good friends with Tyler's widowed daughter, Sarah, due to the woman's constant visits to the dress shop which Catlin now owned. She opened the Mason's front door and stepped aside to let Ben in. "He and Sarah are waiting for you."
Ben quickly walked through the living room and into the room on the other side. Once inside the red headed woman stepped out of the room giving her dying father and Ben some time alone.
"I hoped you'd be able to come, Ben." Tyler spoke softly as Ben pulled a chair away from the wall and sat down next to the bed. "With the spring round up and Hop Sing leavin' to visit those cousins of his, I wasn't sure you'd be available."
"The boys and our men are taking care of that; well, they will be once Adam joins Hoss and Little Joe later today. When it comes to our cook, Hop Sing hasn't left to visit his cousins yet. In fact, Hoss made a point to ask me to stay behind with Deborah being with child and all." Ben told him.
Hoss had married four months ago and already he and Deborah were expecting Ben's first grandchild. While the couple had more than a few months before the baby was due, Hoss was still being very protective of his wife and was anxious when leaving her.
While Ben talked with Tyler, Sarah and Catlin were out on the porch visiting. From where they stood, the two women could see Adam and Bridget Hammer talking. Adam had ridden into town for a few things the cook that would need on the trail. "I hope Adam's not setting himself up for a heartache." Catlin leaned against the post of the Mason home.
Sarah nodded in agreement. Bridget was intelligent and okay to a degree, though she lacked compassion and was very two faced at times. "Adam is a smart man. He won't be with her long." Then, due to the streak of humor she had in her, Sarah looked at Catlin and asked, "Do I hear a hint of jealousy?"
Catlin gave her a small smile as she thought on all of the Cartwright sons and chuckled. "Maybe, I don't know." Without thinking, she'd thrown a quick glance towards nearby window of the Mason house. It didn't matter how quick it was though, Sarah had seen it and she shook her head in disbelief.
"You've lived here for some time now; you've had more than one gentleman take you to dinner or to a dance, and," Sarah said as she watched Bridget walk away from Adam, "even Adam has made a comment or two about you. Why dwell on Ben? He sees you only as the daughter he was never blessed with." She didn't like watching her friend carry a torch for a man who would never be able to give her the love and attention every woman deserved.
Catlin knew that, and she had never once tried to get Ben to change his mind. Still, she knew it was the feelings he'd awoke in her that she was letting keep her from looking at any one else in "that way". Not knowing what else to say, Catlin sighed and answered. "I can't change the way I feel, Sarah. I think I've loved Ben from the moment I rode around the corner and saw him staked out." She let her mind wander back to those first few days and the fight she and William had had trying to do what they could for a man who neither of them knew, along with all the days that had passed since. "I've tried, believe me, I have. I suppose I'll keep on trying until Ben either comes around to my way of thinking or I meet someone who has the capacity to turn my thoughts away from him." What else could she do? It's not like she had a switch that could be switched from on to off in her heart.
Unbeknownst to Catlin or Sarah, Ben had walked out of Tyler's room and was standing in the living room. Since the window was slightly opened, he'd heard every word the two women were saying. He couldn't believe Catlin still had feelings for him. With all the attention the gentlemen had been giving her, and the comments Adam himself had made, Ben had been sure Catlin had forgotten all about him. He might have stood where he was indefinitely only the front door began to open. When Sarah and Catlin entered the home, Ben was heading for the door.
"Your father wanted me to send you back in to him." He told Sarah and then looked at Catlin. "Deborah wanted me to see if you would come out to dinner. I think she's craving female company. If you want to, I can take you out there now." Ben hadn't minded the request his daughter-in-law had made, only now he wondered if he would be able to concentrate on the nice meal she and Hop Sing would cook or not. Still, for Deborah's sake, he extended the invitation.
Catlin was not surprised to hear that Hoss' wife had made such a request. Deborah was another dear friend Catlin had made since deciding to make Virginia City her home. In actual fact it was Catlin that had arranged the date between Deborah and Hoss. Everyone, including Catlin, had been surprised beyond measure when the two had run off and got married shortly afterward.
As she thought on it, Catlin realized Deborah seemed to be inviting her out a lot more often lately. She couldn't help but wonder, did the young woman know about Catlin's love for Ben or was she trying to get her to look at one of the other brothers? Guess it didn't matter though, she enjoyed her friend's cooking. "I'll get my shawl." She answered and turned around, throwing Sarah a 'get off my case look, I'm going.'