I was gone for a while there, but it's nice to get back to cowboy fantasy land again. Here's a nice, long chapter to make up for the wait :)
4. Parting Gifts and Wisdom
When Deputy Belikov awoke the next morning, her thoughts flew immediately to the attack in the barn.
Dimitri turned away from Captain Darnell and fired at the other soldier. Darnell drew a derringer from his boot. Dimitri swung his revolver back towards Darnell then toppled at the sound of a single gunshot - bleeding from the bullet wound in his head. And yet, when the rebels found him soon afterwards, he was still alive.
But how? Rose played the scene over in her mind countless times, but she couldn't work out how her husband had miraculously survived an injury that should have caused certain death.
After struggling with the problem for what seemed like an age, Rose conceded defeat. In the end, it didn't matter how Dimitri had survived. It only mattered that he was still alive (or at least, he was sixteen hours ago), and soon she would be on her way to find him.
Spurred on by the thought of being reunited with her husband, the deputy dressed quickly in her riding habit, boots and hat, then collected the overnight bags she and Dimitri had brought with them to Cottonwood Creek Ranch - emptying their contents out onto the sitting-room floor to take inventory.
While there were a few of Dimitri's things among the pile, most of the items belonged to Rose; an excess of petticoats, spare underwear, her winter day dress, night clothes, a pot of scented cold cream, and a folded square of waxed paper containing her secret stash of buffalo jerky. She had enough money in her coin purse to buy food to last a few days' ride, but it was possible the mission to find Dimitri might take weeks, or even months. Rose would need to stop off in Saint's Town to pick up additional supplies for the journey; a few extra pairs of stockings, the heaviest coat she could find, warm bedding and plenty of food. There were already some basic medical provisions packed in one of the saddlebags, but it wouldn't hurt to take some extra whiskey and bandages as well - just in case they ran into trouble on the way. And ammunition. Lots of ammunition.
The creak of footsteps on the floorboards upstairs caught Rose's attention and she realised that the rest of the household must be awake.
'Not long now, cowboy,' she muttered to the empty room, grabbing the nearest carpet bag and beginning to stuff everything back inside - eager to track down Christian and Sydney to find out how soon they could depart.
Most of the items were packed away without a second glance, but when Rose came to her husband's meagre belongings, her pace faltered. Lifting Dimitri's nightshirt to her cheek, she buried her face in its collar and greedily breathed in his scent. Familiar notes of citrus, spices and sweat sent a wash of comfort through her body, and Rose allowed herself to indulge for a moment in memories of lazy Saturday mornings, stolen roadside embraces, and sweet, passion-filled nights.
'Roza?'
She startled, her heart clenching painfully to hear that name spoken by a voice that was not Dimitri's.
'I have a message for you,' Viktoria announced from the doorway, her eyes still puffy from a night of private grieving. 'Mr O'Hara and Sydney Sage are ready to leave as soon as you've packed your things. They're waiting outside with the horses, and everybody has gathered to see you off.'
Everybody? Rose doubted whether Lisa would be there to say goodbye after last night's outburst, and Olena had made it quite clear that she and her family didn't support Rose's search for Dimitri either. At this rate she'd be lucky if her farewell party consisted of Carly Sage and a couple of stray cows.
'Thank you, Vika,' she summoned a grimace. 'I'll be out directly.'
The Russian girl hesitated at the door, but instead of turning to leave she crossed the room quickly and dropped down to kneel beside Rose on the floor, clutching her sister firmly by the arm.
'Take me with you, Roza. I want to help you find him.'
Rose put down the night-shirt she had been holding and squeezed Viktoria's hand in gratitude.
'You don't know how much it means to me that you want to find him too, but I can't take you with me. You're only seventeen - and even if you were already an adult, your mother would never allow it.'
Viktoria narrowed her eyes, pulling back from Rose's touch.
'Didn't you run away from home when you were sixteen? I bet you didn't ask your mother's permission before you left!'
A flicker of guilt crossed the deputy's features. She definitely didn't seek out Alberta's permission or advice before she and Lisa fled Saint's Town. She didn't even write a note to say goodbye.
'That was an entirely different situation,' she justified herself, pressing on despite Viktoria's hard expression. 'If it was up to me, I would take you with us in a heartbeat, but it's not my decision to make. Olena... Yeva... The girls... You have people who need you here.'
Vika's dark eyes flashed with hurt and accusation.
'I thought you - of all people - would understand why I need to do something to help my brother... but I guess you're just like all the others.'
She jumped to her feet and stormed out of the room without looking back.
Alone again, Rose let her shoulders droop a little. It would have been nice to have at least one ally among the Belikovas but now it looked like she had lost Vika's support too. She sighed in resignation. She couldn't let something like this distract her from her mission. The only thing she could afford to focus on right now was finding Dimitri - with or without his family's blessing.
When Rose stepped out of the front door a few minutes later - her deputy's badge gleaming on her chest, and Dimitri's sheriff's badge pinned secretly to the underside of her collar - she was surprised by the number of people who had assembled to say farewell.
Olena, Yeva and Karolina stood in a huddle at one end of the veranda. (Sonja was indoors looking after the children, and Viktoria had locked herself in one of the bedrooms - protesting the injustice of not being allowed to join the search party). Sydney Sage was waiting to depart by the foot of the steps, apparently listening to an exchange between Carly and Reverend Mastrano, but her eyes closely shadowing the movements of Adrian Ivara as he peeled away from his conversation with Eddie and Christian to greet the serious, dark-haired woman who had just emerged from the house.
'Good morning, little lady. May I be of assistance?' Adrian glided to Rose's side, relieving her of her luggage and leading the way towards the horses.
'What are you doing here, Mr Ivara?' Rose had to hurry to match the gentleman's longer stride. 'I thought we arranged to meet you at the saloon on our way through Saint's Town.' The deputy frowned as a nasty thought sprung to mind. 'You haven't heard any bad news, have you?'
'Nothing of consequence,' Adrian quirked a reassuring smile, though he didn't seem his usual cheery self. 'Eddie and I put our heads together last night and organised a few supplies to help you on your way,' he set Rose's bags on the ground so he could point out the various packages and bundles tied to the back of her horse. 'We figured you'd already be stocked with the essentials, but we've added enough food and water rations to last you the first week, extra bedding, and a tent to keep you out of the weather when you make camp. I also took the liberty of selecting a few changes of clothing for you, and...'
The woman's grateful expression turned murderous.
'Tell me you did not go through my private things, Adrian Ivara!'
He raised an eyebrow.
'There was once a time when I would have liked nothing more than to get my hands on your linens, Mrs Belikov, but never fear. I had one of the servant girls from the hotel sort out the particulars.'
Rose was not convinced.
'Honest,' the man raised his hands in innocence. 'In fact, I'd be grateful if we could change the topic now,' he darted a meaningful look back towards the house. 'I'm trying to make a good impression on Miss Sage, and if she overhears me discussing your under-things it's not going to help my chances.'
Sydney's ears must have been burning because at that exact moment she turned her head and shot Adrian a reproving glance. He looked away quickly - hating the way she seemed to read his mind and disapprove of everything she found there.
'So you're serious about her then?' Rose's earlier indignation was replaced by curiosity. 'Mr O'Hara mentioned that something happened between you and Sydney while I was living in Silver Springs, but I couldn't get the whole story out of him.'
Adrian looked down at her archly.
'A gentleman doesn't kiss and tell.'
'Ha!' Rose smirked. 'Or maybe the gentleman isn't telling because there is nothing to tell?' she teased.
The brooding silence she received in reply alerted Rose that her comment might not be too far from the truth.
'I assume you've heard that Miss Sage plans to accompany me on the search for Dimitri?' she spoke more gently this time. 'How do you think you'll manage with her being so far away?'
'Christian told me when I arrived,' Adrian replied darkly, and when he blinked up to look at the deputy she hardly recognised him. 'Rose...,' the expression in his green eyes was raw and vulnerable as he grabbed her elbow, steering her around to the other side of the horse to hide from Sydney's accusing gaze. '...I need your help.'
'What have you done, Adrian?' Deputy Belikov demanded, her mind jumping to several disturbing possibilities. 'Are you in legal trouble?... Have you harmed somebody?' She dropped her voice to a fierce whisper. 'Is Sydney carrying your child?'
'Of course not,' he looked scandalised. 'Why would you even suggest that?'
Because you're a notorious womaniser who has a reputation for getting whatever he wants? Rose thought, but she didn't think it prudent to mention the fact aloud.
'Well, what is it then?' she pressed.
Adrian fiddled with a buckle on one of the saddlebags, agitation breaking through his usually cool facade.
'As soon as I became aware of Miss Sage's intentions to travel with you, I took her aside and told her in no uncertain terms that the journey south would be far too dangerous for a proper lady like her and that I wouldn't allow her to go.'
'Then what happened?' Rose cringed, knowing how she would have reacted if she were in Sydney's shoes.
'She said I had no right to tell what she could or couldn't do,' Mr Ivara gave the buckle a vicious tug, making the horse stamp in annoyance. 'When I tried to explain that I only wanted to keep her safe because I care for her, she... she slapped me!' his jaw pulled tight and he glared into the distance, too embarrassed to meet the deputy's eye.
Rose almost laughed. Here they were in the middle of a life and death situation, and Adrian had girl trouble. He was usually the one causing trouble for women, not the other way around!
'It's not funny,' the man's pained expression wiped the smile off her face. 'She's the one, Rose. I just know it,' Adrian lent in closer, locking his fingers roughly around Rose's shoulders and pleading with her to understand. 'Promise me you'll keep her safe. I need her to know I'm not the total pig she thinks I am, and to show her that I am willing to do anything to be deserving of her love. Please. If she has to go with you, then I'll wait for her. Just... bring her home safely when you're done?'
'Oh, Adrian,' Rose shook her head in pity. This was nothing like the perfume-and-flattery style of romancing he'd lavished on her when they first met a year ago. This was the real thing. Adrian Ivara was in love. 'You've got it bad, my friend.'
He nodded, pouting his bottom lip in a bid for extra sympathy.
This time Rose did laugh.
'Alright, alright. I get the message,' she patted his chest lightly, before freeing herself from his grasp. 'I give you my word that I will do everything in my power to keep Sydney safe while we are away, and to bring her back to you as soon as I am able.'
The man clutched a hand to his heart in gratitude.
'And in the interests of a happy outcome to this affair,' Rose continued, beginning a slow circle of her horse to double-check that all the baggage was properly secured, 'I promise not to volunteer any stories about your past behaviour in the course of my private conversions with Miss Sage...,' she paused, amused to see Adrian visibly sag in relief, but then a sly expression came over her face. '...But if she asks me a direct question, I'm not going to lie!'
'You finally ready, slowcoach?' Christian greeted the deputy as she approached from the horses, ducking his head into a tan-coloured cowboy hat and settling it firmly over his ears.
Rose stalled, looking the man up and down in shock. With his ridiculous flop of hair hidden under the hat's broad brim, a casual necktie knotted around his throat, and his long pants tucked into knee-length boots - pulling tight to showcase a pair of surprisingly shapely legs - Mr O'Hara actually looked... dashing.
'Close your mouth or you'll start attracting flies,' he smirked, breaking the illusion of attractiveness immediately.
'Don't look so pleased with yourself, Mr O'Hara,' the woman retorted. 'I was just thinking that this is the first time I've seen you wearing something practical for a change. You've always seemed more of a... feminine type to me.'
Christian's eyes narrowed at the slight to his ego, but he decided it would be best not to start trading insults with his wife's best friend before they had even left the ranch.
'I am pleased to challenge your preconceptions, Mrs Belikov,' he replied calmly. 'Now, if you are done critiquing my wardrobe choices, I suggest you make your final farewells. The rest of our travelling party are awaiting us at the hotel in Argenta, and I'd like to arrive in town well before sundown.'
'Of course,' Rose complied at once. Dimitri needed her, and she was ready to fly to his side.
In a matter of seconds she had made her way to the group at the foot of the stairs.
'It's time to leave, Miss Sage,' Deputy Belikov touched the lady's sleeve to get her attention. 'Is there anything else you need to do before we depart?'
Sydney shook her head, a small dint appearing between her eyebrows.
'Carly and I have said our goodbyes. Consider me at your disposal.' It was a polite figure of speech, but lacked the warmth to make it sound genuine.
'Thank you,' Rose smiled briefly in acknowledgement, before casting a dubious eye over her travelling companion's attire; a smart, beige day-dress, the bodice stylishly tailored with black collar and cuffs, and a matching black ribbon bordering the hemline of the skirt. 'Are you sure we can't get you another dress? This one is quite unsuitable for riding.'
It was a small miracle they'd made it all the way to Cottonwood Creek Ranch yesterday without Sydney's voluminous skirts getting caught underneath the horse and causing a horrible accident.
'It's the only one I have with me,' Miss Sage answered curtly, as though it should have been obvious. 'When we stop in at the next town I'll see if I can have a proper riding habit made up, but this will have to do for now. Carly? Will you walk me to my horse?'
Rose was taken aback by the woman's abrupt manner, thinking it was directed specifically at her, but then she saw the true object of Sydney's irritation. Adrian Ivara had motioned to join the Sage sisters but was beaten back by a withering glare that would have singed the hair off a tarantula's legs. Poor Adrian. What on earth had he done to upset the doctor's daughter so severely?
'Rosemarie?'
The deputy turned at the sound of Reverend Mastrano's voice and saw that her family and friends had formed a reception line, waiting to bestow their parting gifts and wisdom.
'I'm sorry we had to trouble you yesterday, reverend,' Rose began, but he cut her off with a shake of the head.
'It was no trouble at all, child. You always made my daughter feel welcome in Saint's Town - when Jill used to visit here as a child, and again when we moved here to stay - so I am glad of the chance to repay your kindness. God bless you, Mrs Belikov. I will hold you and your husband in my prayers every day until we meet again,' he gave her shoulder a fatherly squeeze then took his leave.
Sheriff Castile was next in line, a steady tower of strength and comfort.
'I'll keep a close watch over things in town while you're gone, deputy, and I'll check in on the ladies here at the ranch as often as I can.'
'Thank you, Eddie,' Rose hugged him tightly, hoping the townsfolk would take to their new sheriff without too much of a fight. 'Keep an eye out for Viktoria, won't you? She seems to be very... strong willed. She actually reminds me a little of myself before I met Dimitri.'
Eddie's eyes gleamed at the challenge.
'I appreciate the warning. If she gives me any trouble I can always do what the last Deputy Belikov did and lock her in one of the jail cells until she cools down a bit!' he shot the woman a knowing grin, then ushered her on to speak with the next well-wisher.
'Wait just a second,' Mr Ivara apologised, reaching into his jacket to retrieve a small, leatherbound pocketbook.
Instructing Eddie Castile to turn around, Adrian leant the book against the sheriff's back to pen a few words, then awarded the deputy his full attention.
'For you,' he handed Rose a narrow slip of paper, trying his best to look casual.
'Mr Ivara!' she stared at the bank check in shock, seeing her own name written next to the heading marked 'Pay to:', and Adrian's signature in the bottom right corner - underneath a blank line where the dollar amount should have been. 'I can't possibly take this!' she thrust the gift back at him. 'You've already helped too much.'
'There's no need to make a fuss, little lady,' he chided softly, pushing her hand away. 'It's for you - and her,' he nodded across at Sydney Sage, who was perched side-saddle atop her horse, rearranging the draping of her skirt while Christian held the reins. 'I've already given Mr O'Hara a wallet of paper bills to purchase any food and sundries you might require along the way, but if a more costly need arises... if you have to stay in one town for an extend period, or pay somebody for information, or purchase a new horse...'
'A new horse? But that would cost at least twenty-five dollars!' Rose looked appalled. 'I appreciate your generosity, Mr Ivara, but I have no intention of sending you bankrupt!' she hissed, attempting to return the check again.
Adrian bit back a smile, closing her fingers firmly over the slip of paper.
'You could by a new horse every day for the next year and I'd barely even notice a dip in the bank balance.'
The woman's jaw dropped.
'Exactly how rich are you?' she stuttered.
His smile broadened.
'Well, let's just say I decided to give up gambling a few months ago, but I spent a very memorable weekend in San Francisco bidding a final farewell to some of my favourite gambling establishments... and I fleeced the lot of them for every last dime they had.' A roguish expression came over his face. 'Why the sudden interest in my financial affairs, if I may ask? Are you beginning to regret choosing Sheriff Belikov over me?'
'Never!' Rose shook her head emphatically.
The idea of anybody replacing Dimitri was ludicrous – no matter how rich or handsome the suitor might be.
'Well you'd better go and get him then,' Adrian urged her gently, stooping to kiss her first on one cheek then the other, before stepping back to make way for Olena Belikova.
'My daughter...'
Rose had barely made it through Adrian's farewell without letting her emotions get the better of her, but seeing the love and sadness that lined Olena's face was enough to bring tears to her eyes.
'I am sorry I abandoned you last night, my dear Roza, but the shock of the news you brought us was too much for my heart and mind to bear,' she cupped the younger woman's cheek, searching her eyes for forgiveness. 'I still wish you would change your mind - that you'd stay here with us in safety - but I believe I understand why you need to go. And I give you my blessing.'
'Thank you, Olena,' Rose whispered roughly. A burden she didn't know she was carrying lifted suddenly, and she felt lighter and more hopeful than she had all morning. 'I'll find Dimitri and...'
'I do not see why you are wasting your time on this journey,' Yeva pushed forward, her pruned face puckered with reproval. 'You will be too late to save him.'
Rosemarie Hathaway would have seized the old witch by her shoulders and screamed at her that she was wrong, but Rosemarie Belikov managed to contain the contempt and anger that bubbled up inside her.
'How could you possibly know that?' she scowled, fists clenched at her sides.
Yeva didn't bat an eyelid.
'I have seen it. Only a fool would argue with fate.'
Rose took a slow, calming breath then drew herself up to her full height.
'You don't scare me, old woman. I am going to find my husband, whether you think he's alive or not. Do you see this ring?' Rose waved her left hand in her grandmother's face. 'I vowed to love Dimitri for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health. I don't give a damn about whatever Russian voodoo powers you think you have. I will find him, and I will bring him home, and there's nothing you can say or do to stop me!'
The pair had drawn closer and closer until they were only inches apart, the raw energy crackling between them. Neither woman seemed willing to concede defeat, but then - in an unexpected move - Yeva backed down.
'Do what you like, I suppose,' she muttered, 'Just don't say I didn't warn you when you come home empty-handed.'
The deputy's patience had officially expired, but a light touch on her arm stopped her from unleashing an angry reply.
'If you do manage to find my son...,' Olena began. 'When you find my son,' she corrected herself, ignoring Yeva's piercing glare, 'will you please give him this from me?'
Hearing her cue, Karolina stepped forward and handed Rose a bulky parcel. It was lighter than expected, and whatever was inside made a soft scratching noise against the brown paper wrapping.
'I knitted this blanket for my Dimka when he was just a boy,' Olena explained. 'Perhaps, if he has something of home it will bring him safely back to us.'
She leant in to kiss Rose's cheek - whispering a Russian blessing in her ear - then took her sulking mother by the arm and escorted her slowly towards the house.
'Roza?' Karolina hung back a little longer to speak privately with her sister-in-law. 'Don't listen to babushka. Sometimes she is wrong.'
Rose didn't miss the hidden implication. 'But sometimes she's right?'
'Sometimes,' Karo smiled apologetically, '...but you mustn't let it trouble you. Babushka gadala, da nadvoye skazala.'
The American girl looked at her blankly.
'In English it means... nobody knows for certain. One way, or another way, you must follow what you believe. I believe that my brother is still alive and that you will bring him home to us. So does Sonja. And Vika too. Go to him, Roza. And come home again soon - together.'
Rose dropped the brown paper package and flung her arms around Dimitri's sister, squeezing her fiercely.
'We will,' she whispered into Karolina's shoulder.
'I know,' Karo whispered back, then pulled away to hurry after her mother and grandmother.
Joining the others at the horses, Deputy Belikov secured Olena's parcel with the rest of her luggage before turning her attention to the small knot of supporters who remained.
'So I guess this is goodbye,' Rose announced, trying to hide her disappointment at the fact that Lisa was not among the group. 'Christian has already advised you of our route to the Sylvania Mountains, but I'll try to send you a telegram if plans change... Miss Sage,' she looked to Carly, 'Do you need us to send word to your father when we pass through town?'
Carly shook her head.
'No thank you. I've already made other arrangements... but could you do something else for me?' she asked earnestly. 'Please promise me you'll take care of Sydney. She's the strongest, smartest, bravest women I know, but she's still my little sister and I don't want her getting hurt.'
A few feet away, Sydney's cheeks coloured in embarrassment - mortified at being babied in front of an audience.
'We'll take care of one another,' the deputy answered diplomatically. In all truth, she would have preferred to travel alone, but Sydney Sage seemed to be intelligent, clear-headed and determined - all desirable traits to find in a travelling companion - and Rose had a suspicion she might have need of the nurse's medical skills before the journey was over.
With nobody left to farewell, Deputy Belikov and Mr O'Hara moved to their horses to depart.
'WAIT!' a voice called out from the front porch.
Rose turned, one boot poised in the stirrup, and Christian - already half-way into the saddle - jumped back down at once and scurried to help his pregnant wife descend the stairs.
What now? Rose thought apprehensively, assuming her friend had come to make a scene - maybe to give her a lecture on why it was futile to chase after Dimitri, or to beg her to stay - but it was clear that Mrs O'Hara's intentions were different.
'Breakfast - for the road,' Lisa puffed, holding out a tea towel containing something warm and fragrant. 'I can't believe I nearly missed you. Mrs Carmack was going to bake a pumpkin loaf for you to share on the way, but I wanted to do it myself - as a peace offering. Please take it, Rose,' she urged, her heart nearly breaking at the wary expression she received in return.
'Last night...,' she scrambled to explain herself. '...I was selfish and thoughtless. You needed a friend and I wasn't there for you.'
Lisa looked at the ground in shame but when she lifted her eyes again they were filled with such sincerity and conviction that Rose forgave her before she even knew she'd done it.
'I can't take back what I said, but I want you to know that I'm sorry, and you're right - Dimitri is your life now and you have to go after him, no matter the risk.'
In less than a second Rose's arms were around her friend's shoulders, the loaf of bread probably crushed beyond recognition but neither of them cared.
'Thank you,' she mumbled into Lisa's hair.
'I'm going to miss you so much,' the blonde woman whimpered in reply.
'I'll miss you too,' Rose confessed, 'but I promise I'll come back as soon as I find Dimitri. I will think of you every day and we'll both be back before you know it.'
Mrs O'Hara drew back from the embrace.
'But you might be gone for weeks!' she fretted.
'We've just survived an entire year apart, remember, so this will be a piece of cake,' Rose assured her. 'Let's just do what we did last time - we'll write. I can tell you about the new places I've been, and you can be my eyes and ears in Saint's Town. Let me know how things are going at Cottonwood Creek - for you and Dimitri's family... and make sure you tell me if Adrian and Eddie get up to any funny business while I'm out of town.'
Lisa's face lit up in approval, then clouded over again.
'But how will I know to where to send the letters?'
The deputy thought for a second.
'Keep them,' she smiled gently. 'That way I'll have to come back, right? You know I can't stand missing out on your gossip!'
They hugged again, and after Christian had claimed one final kiss from his wife, the travellers took to their saddles and headed off on the first leg of their journey.
It was sixty-eight miles from Saint's Town to Argenta, a distance that Rose could have covered in under six hours if she were riding alone and unencumbered, but with Sydney being only a moderately experienced rider, and their horses weighed down with excess luggage, the journey took them closer to eight hours.
'That was cutting it fine,' Christian glanced up at the dimming sky as they drew to a halt outside a tall building on the main street - the word SALOON stencilled in large, red letters above the entrance.
There was probably still another hour left until sundown, but a thick layer of cloud was obscuring the late-afternoon sun, making for poor visibility and plummeting temperatures. Travelling the California Trail was dangerous enough in broad daylight, but with these unfavourable conditions the road was a virtual death trap.
'Well, we would have gotten here sooner if you hadn't insisted on stopping for a hot meal at the last town,' Rose grumbled, dismounting to tether her horse to one of the posts outside the saloon.
'A man's got to eat to keep his strength up, Deputy Belikov,' Mr O'Hara reminded her, 'and the horses won't take us very far without rest. Besides, the stopover gave you a chance to question the local townsfolk about Dimitri, so it was worth the delay, wouldn't you agree?'
The deputy did agree, though very reluctantly. If she had her wish they'd be halfway to Tennessee by now.
After helping Miss Sage down from her saddle, Christian turned to address both of his travelling companions.
'Well, I don't know about you, ladies, but I could do with some warm supper and an early night. My colleagues will have already secured rooms for us. If you two can wait here a moment, I'll head inside and fetch a boy to stable the horses then return to assist with the bags.'
Both Rose and Sydney were perfectly capable of carrying their luggage without help, but the horses couldn't be left unattended so the two women waited as requested, an awkward silence settling between them.
'How's your backside after that ride?' Rose's attempt at breaking the ice was met with a humourless stare.
'I have an errand to run,' Sydney announced abruptly, collecting her medical bag and shrugging the strap over her shoulder. 'I saw a dressmaker's shop a few doors down. She might be willing to run up a riding outfit for me overnight to save the delay in the morning. Please start your supper without me. I'll take my meal in my room later.'
She took off down the street without waiting for a reply, and Rose bit back a grin when she noted the peculiar limp to Sydney's gait. Apparently, Miss Sage's backside had not fared well after all. The cultured lady was probably more accustomed to riding in a horse-drawn carriage than on the horse itself. No wonder she was in such an unsociable mood.
The deputy waited alone by the horses for one minute, then five, then ten. She was half-considering abandoning her post to see if the local sheriff's office could give her any information about Dimitri, when an exasperated-looking Christian emerged from the saloon.
'I couldn't find Mr Sarcone or Mr Barnes at the bar or in their rooms,' he muttered, unable to meet Rose's eye for some reason. 'The barkeeper said they've probably headed across to Aunt Rhonda's place. I'll have to go and get them so we can discuss our travel plans for the morning. Just give me a few minutes and I'll be back...,' he shifted his weight uncertainly then hurried away towards an unassuming parlour house on the opposite side of the street.
Aunt Rhonda? The bordello madam Dimitri had dealings with when they were investigating the disappearance of Sonya Karp!
Rose's first reaction was jealousy. She had no doubts about her husband's love and fidelity, but she still couldn't stomach the idea that he had spent time in a houseful of loose, scantily-clad women. Her second, more pressing thought was that the madam might have heard news of Dimitri (or the rebels who'd abducted him) through one of her customers. Rose's third realisation was that Christian O'Hara was now disappearing into a brothel only hours after saying farewell to his pregnant wife, and while she didn't believe the man to be a philandering swine, she decided she'd better follow after him to make absolutely certain that nothing untoward should happen.
Feeling like a deviant and a snoop, Deputy Belikov shadowed after her best friend's husband and entered the bordello.
Christian wasn't hard to find. He was standing off to one side of the room, conversing with a pair of gentleman who were sprawled comfortably on a settee; each in the company of a beautiful soiled dove.
'Another half an hour - an hour at the most, Mr O'Hara, and we'll be with you,' drawled the thicker-set man, his attention never breaking away from the woman perched on his lap.
'I'm afraid that won't do, Mr Sarcone,' Christian insisted, his desire to leave becoming immediately more urgent when he noticed who had followed him into the room. 'We really must leave. Now. You too, Barnes, that is... if you still want to have a job in the morning,' he frowned at the man beside Mr Sarcone, who was nursing a whiskey and enjoying what appeared to be a very relaxing shoulder massage.
Barnes roused himself begrudgingly and caught sight of Rose haunting the doorway.
'Who's the broad?'
'Who indeed?' another voice crooned; as sweet as honey and as dangerous as poison.
Rose turned her head and her mouth went dry. At the far end of the room sat a tall, slender woman - not young and nubile like the other doves in the parlour room, but somehow more breathtaking and infinitely more intimidating as well.
'Come and let me see you, sweetheart. I won't bite,' Aunt Rhonda teased, beckoning the newcomer closer.
Ignoring the hammering of her heart and the half-dozen pairs of eyes following her every move, Rose squared her shoulders and approached the madam.
'Look at you!' Rhonda's eyes widened in appreciation, and she reached out eagerly to trail her fingers through the younger woman's hair. 'A very pretty dove indeed. What's your story pet? You been in the business long?' she brushed her palm carelessly over Rose's shoulder and let her hand come to rest on the deputy's badge at her breast. 'Oh, I like this trick, clever girl. Most of our gentlemen customers have had a brush with the law at one point or another, and I suspect they'd all leap at the chance to give a deputy sheriff a good poking!'
Deputy Belikov was not impressed. She swatted the madam's hand off her bosom and flashed a scowl over her shoulder at Christian, who was walking towards the exit with his associates, hooting with laughter.
'I am not a prostitute! My name is Rose Belikov - the new deputy of Saint's Town. I believe you know my husband, Sheriff Dimitri Belikov? He came here a year ago to help when you had that trouble with Micky Tanner and your girl Ambrosia.'
'Hmm...,' she considered the question for longer than necessary. 'Sure, I think I remember a Deputy Dimitri Belikov. Strong jaw. Exotic accent. Tight ass. Now there's a man I wouldn't mind wrapping my legs around...'
'That's my husband you're talking about,' Rose warned.
Rhonda arched an eyebrow.
'Then you know exactly what I mean, darling... And what is it you want from me, I wonder? Don't know how to please your man? Come for a few pointers from an expert?'
Rose bristled, dropping her voice to an angry hiss.
'Of course I know how to please him. I just came in to ask if you'd seen him.'
'If you're so good at pleasing your husband, then what would he be doing in a place like this?' the madam's eyes flashed wickedly, and Rose had to ball her fists tightly to prevent herself from assaulting an unarmed woman.
'He's been shot. Bad,' she explained through gritted teeth. 'He was taken by four men - rebels headed for the southern lines, we believe. They may have passed this way. Have you heard anything?'
The woman's provocative manner was gone in an instant.
'Nothing,' she answered with finality.
'I can pay, if that's what you want?' Rose pressed.
Money had a way of making people talk and, thanks to Adrian, she had plenty to bargain with.
'I don't want your money, child,' Rhonda cut her off with a frown. 'If I had information that would help you find your husband I'd tell you for free. He did me a great favour once and I never got the chance to thank him in person.'
'What did he do?' the deputy demanded, an uneasy feeling squirming in the pit of her stomach.
A shadow passed over the madam's features.
'In August last year, a gang of outlaws rode though Argenta and attacked my girls. Five of my doves were wounded that day. Two died later of their injuries - one of them was my daughter, Ambrosia.'
Rose opened her mouth to offer her condolences but Rhonda didn't seem to notice.
'I held her in my arms as she passed, and prayed to God that somebody would make those bastards pay for their crimes. A few days later we heard the news that your Dimitri shot two of the outlaws dead and had that James Nathan sonofabitch thrown into Alcatraz Prison. So now you see,' the woman looked at Rose, her mouth tight with bitterness, 'why I am indebted to your husband.'
There was a short silence, broken by Deputy Belikov.
'I'm sorry for your loss,' she said simply.
The prostitute tilted her head in surprise, never expecting to be treated with such tenderness or respect.
'Maybe there is one way I can help you...,' she reached out suddenly and clasped Rose's hand.
Uncomfortable, the deputy tried to pull away.
'I don't think...'
'Hush. Let me concentrate.' The madam shut her eyes for only a moment then jumped back, wringing her fingers as if they had been burnt. 'I'm sorry. I cannot help you. Go home, child. Forget about him.'
Rose's expression hardened.
'Why?' she demanded. 'What just happened? What did you see?'
'It would be too cruel to tell you. Go home, little girl. Start again,' Rhonda urged. 'Take another husband. Raise a family. Live your life. Be happy.'
'No!' Rose scowled deeply. 'Dimitri is my family, and I would happily give up my life if it meant seeing my husband again - even for one more hour. Good omens or bad, I will not abandon him.'
The madam shook her head, almost sadly.
'Suit yourself,' she began to turn away but paused. 'If you get as far as Memphis and need a place to stay, the woman who runs the main bordello in town is a friend of mine - Lady Scarlett, they call her. If you mention my name, I'm sure she'd be willing to put you up for a night or two.'
'I trust I'll be able to find suitable accommodation,' the deputy replied firmly.
Rosemarie Belikov would not be sleeping in a whorehouse.
A smile began to form at the corners of Aunt Rhonda's perfectly-painted lips.
'Well, if you do pass through the area, be sure to keep an eye out for a working girl called Miss Kelly. A few of my doves moved south recently to service the troops on the front lines and Kelly Hayes has been greatly missed by our regular clientele. She even caught the eye of your Sheriff Belikov when he paid us a visit!'
Rose began mentally listing all of the places she might bury Rhonda's body if the woman made one more lewd comment about Dimitri.
'I always wondered about that, you know. Given how little interest he showed in my other girls, I actually thought he might be the type of gentleman who prefers the company of other gentlemen...'
Rose narrowed the list down to two good options, turning her mind to the choice of murder weapon.
'...but now I've seen you I finally understand why. Dark hair, round hips, full bosom, juicy, red lips. He was looking at my Kelly but he was seeing you - how sweet,' the madam continued on, oblivious to her own impending doom. 'If you do see Miss Kelly, pet, make sure you tell her Aunt Rhonda sends her love, and there's always a place for her here when she's ready to come back.'
'If I see her I'll let her know,' the deputy replied tightly, then hurried from the building, storming blindly down the steps and colliding with somebody coming in the opposite direction - both of them falling down in a heap on the side of the road.
'CHYORT!' Rose shouted angrily, disentangling herself from the other woman and glaring down at her own mud-streaked hands and knees. 'Can't you watch where you're going?'
'I don't know why you're cursing at me!' the girl snapped back. 'I was just about to knock on the door and you came barrelling out without even looking and...'
Rose's eyes flew up, her face turning bright red with shock and exasperation.
'Vika?! What on God's good earth?!'
.
Author's Note:
So... Not the most dramatic chapter after the last few, but at least I'm not giving you a heart attack this time, hey?!
I had to laugh when researching the price of horses - $25 for a horse sounds affordable, but that was two weeks' wages back then!
It was fun making Dimitri visit a brothel in the last Deputy Belikov story, so it's only fair that Rose suffers the same embarrassment now! (There's actually a longer story-arc at work here – I wonder if you can pick it yet?)
Oh, silly Vika. I'd planned to include her full scene at the end of this chapter but had to delay it as the word count was getting a bit out of hand. Sorry that means you'll have to wait until the next chapter to find out what I've got in store for her.
More on Sarcone & Barnes next chapter too - you can probably guess who they are already.
Anybody else get stuck playing Sentence Tetrus when you're writing?
She startled, her heart leaping into her mouth to hear the name that her husband called her spoken by a different voice.
She startled, her heart leaping into her mouth to hear her husband's name for her spoken by another.
She startled, her heart leaping into her mouth at the sound of her husband's name for her spoken by someone else.
She startled, her heart clenching painfully to hear the name Dimitri had given her spoken by somebody else.
She startled, her heart clenching painfully to hear that name spoken by someone other than Dimitri.
Etc. Oh God. Make it stop!
*Important update on my publishing schedule*
I hoped to post a new chapter once a fortnight, but life has decided 'no'. Family stuff is stressful at the moment, so on the rare occasions I do have time to write, I'm struggling to concentrate on the task. Part of me wants to put this whole story on hold until things settle down again, but I also love writing and look forward to the escape it gives me. So here's all I can promise... I'll work on the story whenever I can, and publish as often as I can. If you haven't heard from me for a while, please feel free to send me a PM to check on how the next chapter is going. I'll be lurking on FanFiction even if I'm not posting, and I'll take all the love/encouragement you can give me :)
