I have been struck in the face by the pillow of divine inspiration.

You have GOT to tell me what you think!

13. Fate and Fortune

Rose refused her dinner that night, and Alberta nearly called for the doctor, worried something was dreadfully wrong.

'I'm fine. Just leave me alone,' the teenager snapped, rolling over in bed and ignoring her roommate until it was time to attend Lisa's homecoming celebration at eleven the next morning.

It was a strange group who gathered around the table in the saloon. Usually the life of any party, Rose sat quietly between Lisa and Natalie and refrained from taking part in their polite conversation. She was busy enough fretting about the little looks that were passing between her best friend and Christian O'Hara across the table, as well as the unknown fate of Deputy Belikov. At the other end of the table, Victor Dashley spent most of the meal telling Alberta about the progress he was making on his plans for the telegraph line, drawing Mr O'Hara into the conversation whenever he was able, and Adrian Ivara stopped by every now and then to make ensure everybody was plied with drinks – whiskey for Christian, brandy for Victor, gin and tonic for Alberta, and glasses of lemonade for the young ladies.

When it looked like the party was finally winding down, Adrian approached the table and tinged his own martini glass.

'Before you all go, I have an announcement to make,' he eyed each of his guests warmly. 'Over the past five months, Sheriff Peterson and Mr Dashley have both made me feel very welcome here in Saints Town. I would like to extend that welcome on to you, Miss Hathaway and you, Miss Draymore,' he nodded to the two girls. 'The whole town is a happier place now you have returned, and I would like to celebrate by presenting you each with a gift.'

He passed a small box to Lisa first, who opened it with interest.

'It's a set of watercolours, Miss Draymore,' Adrian explained for the benefit of the others at the table. 'I was saddened to hear that Madam Kiroy has allowed your studies in the finer arts to fall by the wayside. Hopefully these supplies will get you started again. I have an interest in drawing and painting myself, if you should be in need of a tutor? That goes for all of you, in fact,' he added, glancing to Rose and Natalie.

'You are too generous,' Lisa smiled gratefully. She used to enjoy her art lessons with Miss Karp and had kept a nature journal since she was a young girl. This was just the distraction she needed from the anxiety that crept up on her too often these days.

'And for the other little lady,' Adrian walked around to Rose and handed her a velvet bag. 'Be careful. It's fragile,' he cautioned.

Rose was still seething over the disparaging remarks Mr Ivara had made about Deputy Belikov yesterday but she couldn't very well refuse the gift in front of everybody without it raising questions. Swallowing her pride, she untied the cord and drew out a small bottle with a crystal stopper in the top, containing a clear, pale liquid. She eyed it suspiciously – knowing Adrian, it was probably some kind of alcohol.

'Otto of Roses,' Adrian breathed perfume's name like it was holy. 'I know it's a become quite common now, but classic fragrances will never go out of fashion, and seeing as it was named for you, I couldn't resist,' he finished with a charming smile.

'What excellent taste, Mr Ivara,' Natalie piped up, 'and expensive too,' she added in an undertone to Rose, her eyes sparkling with intrigue. 'It seems you've made quite an impression on our foreign friend, you naughty girl. I insist that you fill me in later.'

Rose didn't have time to come up with a reply because Adrian was already at her elbow.

'May I?' the gentleman asked, plucking the bottle from her fingers, and removing the stopper.

Before she had a chance to protest he had taken possession of her hand, flipping it over to expose her wrist.

Rose felt confused and slightly embarrassed. The gift felt far too personal and she wasn't entirely comfortable with him touching her so casually, but maybe she was overreacting. Alberta was right there – surely she would stop him if she thought it was inappropriate? But the sheriff didn't move a muscle. She just sat at the far end of the table and watched the situation play out with a curious look in her beady eyes.

'Just a small drop will suffice,' Adrian instructed, as he applied a dab of perfume just under the cuff of her sleeve. 'Aah… beautiful!' he proclaimed, dropping his nose to her wrist and inhaling deeply. 'It suits you perfectly, Miss Hathaway.'

The girl eyed him uneasily, a small crease between her brows. What was Adrian up to? Only yesterday he'd been a carefree dandy, entertaining her with joking banter and stories of his exploits (that is, before he went and ruined their conversation with his stupid, malicious gossip). But now he was gazing down at her, his face soft, intense and expectant. She knew that look. That was exactly the way Mason had looked when he asked her to be his sweetheart. Was it possible Mr Ivara could have feelings for her too? She assumed he was only paying attention to her because she was female and in close range, but if it was more than that?... Rose's eyes glazed over in thought. They did get on easily, she supposed, and he made her laugh – that was important. And he was attractive, of course, but in a different way to Deputy Belikov.

Her heartbeat faltered, then began to race. The deputy. Where was he? Why wasn't he back yet? Her expression became pained as she thought of what Adrian had implied yesterday. Surely it wasn't true. But why shouldn't it be? Damn. Damn. Damn. Why did everything have to get so complicated?

'Ooh. Can I try some, Rose?' Natalie asked brightly, breaking her from the awkward trance.

'Huh? Oh. Yes. Be my guest. Have as much as you like,' she nodded, avoiding those emerald-green eyes as she pushed back her chair. 'Excuse me, all. I'll be back in a moment. Lis, do you mind coming with me?'

Her friend stood at once and the girls exited together in the direction of Rose's room.

'What was that?' Lisa hissed as soon as the bedroom door closed behind them.

'I have no idea,' Rose looked glum, wandering over to sit in a heap on the edge of her bed. 'Totally unexpected.'

Lisa followed to sit on the bed beside her, twisting around so they were facing one another. 'You don't look very happy about Mr Ivara's attentions, Rose.' Lisa watched her friend closely. 'In fact, you've seemed a bit off all day. What's going on?' she cocked her head to one side, inviting her friend to respond.

Rose hesitated. 'Can you keep a secret?'

'Of course. You know you can tell me anything. Has Mr Ivara done something to upset you?'

'It's not about him,' Rose shook her head in irritation, her frown deepening. 'I'm worried about Deputy Belikov.'

'Deputy Lover Boy,' Lisa raised her eyebrows suggestively, hoping to lift Rose's mood.

'Shut up, Lis. I'm being serious. He's been gone since Tuesday morning. I heard he was—' She couldn't bring herself to tell the whole truth. 'I heard he was doing a job for Alberta less than a day's ride away. It's Thursday afternoon – he should be back by now. What if something's happened?'

Lisa's expression softened. 'Don't be silly. Of course nothing's happened,' she put her arm around her friend, giving her shoulder a quick squeeze. 'You know how the deputy is. He's strong. And determined. He found us and brought us back, didn't he? Whatever Alberta's sent him to do, I'm sure he's perfectly fine. The man eats scorpions, for crying out loud. I bet he's on his way back here right now and you're worrying for nothing.'

Rose gave a poor attempt at a smile. 'I suppose you're right,' she conceded. 'I just don't want—' her eyes dropped to her lap.

'It's okay,' Lisa assured her. 'I get it. You care for him.'

There was a brief silence before Rose looked up again, her face drawn and desperate.

'No, Lis,' she whispered roughly, her eyes welling with tears. 'It's more than that. I think I love him.' She covered her face with her hands to hide a pair of traitorous tears that suddenly spilt down her cheeks. 'What if something went wrong? What if he doesn't come back?' her throat constricted and she choked on the last words, willing herself not to cry.

'Oh, Rose,' the blonde girl leant in and held her close – glad of the chance to be the one supporting Rose for a change, not the other way around.

After a minute or two they pulled apart.

'So does he return your feelings?' Lisa asked hopefully, releasing Rose from the embrace but keeping a hand on hers in reassurance.

'I think so,' she answered, but her face was uncertain. 'He calls me Roza.'

Lisa squeezed her hand. 'That's so sweet.'

The tear-stained girl managed a tight smile. 'I think so too. And sometimes he looks at me like… oh, I don't know. I can't describe it.' She could, actually, but it felt too personal to say the words aloud – even to Lisa. Admiration. Adoration. Want.

'So what do you think is holding him back from making a declaration?' her friend asked carefully.

Rose sighed. 'I can't be certain. Maybe he's scared someone will tell Alberta and then he'll lose his job? Maybe he thinks I'm too young and that I wouldn't take things seriously? He's what? Twenty four? Twenty five? He's already had so many responsibilities with his family, and what he's gone through moving to America and finding a job. I can't even cook a loaf of bread. What good am I to him?'

Lisa smiled softly and shook her head. 'Don't be silly. You've got a lot to offer. He's seen that already, I'm sure. Just be patient. These things take time.' Lisa always knew the right thing to say.

Rose took a steadying breath and this time her smile was more genuine. 'Speaking of time, we should probably get back,' she reluctantly swung her legs over the edge of the bed and pulled her friend to her feet. 'We really need to catch up more often. We didn't even get a chance to talk about you and Whatshisface.'

'I can't imagine who you mean,' Lisa replied, blinking innocently.

They both laughed, leaning in for one more hug before returning to the others at the table.

'There you are!' Natalie exclaimed when they arrived, busy gathering her things to leave.

Alberta was the only one left at the table, with Victor Dashley already at the door in discussion with his burly manservant Spiridon, Adrian off serving customers behind the bar, and Christian nowhere to be seen.

'You missed all the fun,' the girl prattled excitedly. 'Mr Ivara was just playing a parlour trick, reading our palms to tell us our fortune. He said I'm going to be filthy rich and famous, and Alberta is going to travel abroad! Oh, Lisa. I just remembered I need to go to the dressmaker's while we're in town. Would you mind coming with me?'

'Of course I'll come,' Lisa reached for her parasol and fan with an apologetic look back to Rose. 'I'll see you soon?'

'Wild horses couldn't keep me away,' her friend waved the group off then moved back to sit opposite Alberta. 'What are you smirking about, old prune?' Rose frowned suspiciously.

The sheriff shook her head. 'You really are a rude pain in the neck, Rose. It's amazing that you've got men willing to give you a second glance.'

'What do you mean men,' Rose was instantly on the alert.

Obviously Alberta had read something into Adrian's extravagant gift, but who else was she referring to? Mason maybe? Surely she couldn't know about Deputy Belikov. Rose hadn't said anything, and she was certain the deputy wasn't the kind of man to discuss his personal affairs with anybody.

Alberta sighed and rose to her feet, only wincing slightly at the pressure her movement put on her injuries. 'I wash my hands of you, child. I'm off to take a walk. It's nice weather out there and I feel like I'm finally on the mend. Besides, I'll have to get moving sooner or later, or this lardy backside won't fit in the saddle when I'm finally ready to ride again.'

Rose screwed up her face in disgust. 'Thanks for sharing, Alberta.'

'Any time,' the older woman shot back. 'Now behave yourself until I get back, won't you?' she added more quietly as she passed her daughter on her way to the door, glancing meaningfully towards the man behind the bar.

The teenager rolled her eyes. 'You seriously have nothing to worry about there. Take all the time you want. I think I'll just head back to the room and read for a bit.'

Alberta nodded thoughtfully then moved away, leaving Rose alone at the table.

Rose looked around at the empty plates and glasses, her eyes falling on the bottle of perfume Mr Ivara had presented to her. She supposed she should take it with her. It would be rude to just leave it there. She reached for the bottle and was placing it back in its bag when she sensed a presence behind her.

'Did you like my gift?' Adrian asked smoothly, coming to sit on the chair beside her.

There was a hopeful look in his eye that made Rose wary.

'It was very nice, but you know you really didn't have to do that,' was her guarded reply.

'But I wanted to,' the man smiled benevolently, before a dark look flitted across his face. 'I wanted to say sorry for yesterday – what I said about the deputy. It was thoughtless and unkind to speak of such things.'

Rose was surprised. She didn't expect him to even acknowledge the incident, nevertheless apologise for it. 'It's okay,' she replied with a cautious smile. 'Let's just forget about it.' She shifted her chair back to leave. 'Thanks for the perfume, by the way. I don't normally like things with a rose theme, but it was a lovely thought.'

'Wait,' Adrian caught her hand, preventing her from rising. 'You missed your other present.'

Rose looked confused.

'The palm reading,' he explained, and the girl eyed him nervously as he turned her hand over, placing it in his own upturned palm. 'I'm quite accurate, you know. I've only made one slight error before.'

'And what was that?' she asked, curious despite herself.

'When my cousin was expecting her fourth child I told her she was going to have a boy.'

'But it was a girl?'

'Twin girls,' Adrian pulled a silly face and rejoiced at the trickle of laughter that escaped Rose's lips.

'Alright, Miss Hathaway. Are you ready?' he held her hand delicately and assumed a brooding expression. 'This line here,' he pointed out the crease that cut through the centre of her palm, 'tells me you live for adventure, and your enthusiasm for life is infectious. And this one,' he traced the line nearest her thumb. 'This one tells me you will face your fair share of trouble but you are strong enough to overcome every obstacle.' He paused for a moment, his eyes focusing on the line that ran below her fingers. 'Hmm... Interesting.'

'What is it?' Rose's brow wrinkled.

'This line at the top says you can't keep your emotions inside. You blurt out whatever you feel, and as a result somebody very close to you thinks you are a pain in the neck.'

It only took a second for Rose to realise that he was messing with her. She pulled her hand away to smack his arm. 'You devil! I can't believe I nearly fell for that!'

Adrian's green eyes sparkled with amusement. 'Just one more. Please.'

She thought he'd probably had enough fun for one day, but he did say please. The young lady gave him a warning look and allowed him to take her hand again.

Mr Ivara leaned closer to inspect her palm, running his finger lightly over a faint crease that ran from her middle finger to the heel of her hand. 'This is the fate line. Quite rare. Aha… It seems you are fated to meet the man of your dreams – a tall, dark and handsome stranger.'

Rose fixed him with a wearied expression and shook her head. The man couldn't be half-obvious.

'And he has an exotic accent,' Adrian added, thickening his own so she couldn't miss the insinuation.

She laughed out loud at that, but the sound died on her lips as the doors to the saloon swung open and in walked another tall, dark and handsome man. It was Dimitri.

The deputy was travel-weary and careworn, and when his eyes had adjusted to the change in light he scanned the room. A surge of jealousy and anger welled up in his chest at the sight of Rose seated so close to Mr Ivara – smiling as he cradled her hand in his. Without hesitation, Dimitri stalked across the room towards them, his face a thundercloud.

As soon as Rose saw the avenging angel advancing towards them, she pulled her hand away in panic, aware of how suspect her position must have looked. Her heart sank at the unfairness of it all and she silently cursed the pair of them – Dimitri for showing up just when he did, and Adrian for goading her into his game in the first place.

Adrian didn't look as afraid as perhaps he should have. Remembering his promise to be responsible and mature for Rose, he stood up and greeted the deputy with an easy smile. 'Welcome back, deputy. How was your journey?'

Dimitri wasn't interested in small talk and his eyes shifted immediately to the girl. 'Go to your room. Now,' his voice was quiet and dangerous.

Rose gave him a wary look and followed his instructions for once, choosing to leave before she had an emotional breakdown in front of half the town.

Mr Ivara frowned at the mountain of a man who blocked his way. 'What is your problem, deputy?' he challenged, when Rose had left the room. 'You seriously need to relax and let the girl live a little.' It was a brave move given their size difference, but Adrian refused to back down to anybody in his own hotel.

'Are you courting Miss Hathaway, sir?' the deputy demanded, ignoring his remarks.

'No... Not yet,' Adrian replied evenly.

'Then keep your hands to yourself,' Dimitri looked daggers at him. 'Your reputation may mean nothing to you, but hers should. Have a care, Mr Ivara,' he warned in parting, then turned and paced away to deal with the other half of the problem.

The bedroom was quiet when Dimitri entered. Sheriff Peterson was nowhere in sight, and he nearly thought Rose had shot through but then he spotted her. She was standing stock-still at the end of her bed, her hand gripping the bed-rail so tightly her knuckles had turned white.

Dimitri left the door ajar and discarded his hat on Alberta's bed before advancing silently up behind the girl.

'What were you thinking, Miss Hathaway?' he'd meant to sound impartial and reproving but his words came out tinged with hurt. 'I've warned you before about being too free with that gentleman in public, and now you've given every single person in that room reason to believe that you and Mr Ivara are an item. Think of your reputation.'

Rose turned to find the deputy staring down at her from only a foot away, his eyes boring into her soul. He was so big and intimidating he seemed to take up the entire room. 'I know. I'm sorry. Nothing happened, honestly,' she tried to explain, desperate to heal the rift that gaped like a ravine between them.

'Holding hands with a man in public was nothing?'

Rose shook her head. 'You don't understand. He wasn't really holding my hand.'

'Well, it certainly looked like it from where I was standing,' his voice was hard.

Dimitri's disappointment had more of an effect than any amount of yelling and reprisal, and Rose stumbled slightly over her words as she attempted to defend her actions. 'He was just reading my fortune. He did it for everybody at the table, I swear – I was just the last one. You can ask Alberta if you don't believe me.'

The deputy narrowed his eyes. He wanted to believe her, but the look on Adrian's face told him there was something more going on between the pair, at least as far as the gentleman was concerned. 'If you say so. And what was your fortune Miss Hathaway? Causing so much trouble you hurt yourself and everyone around you?'

Rose glowered at him from beneath her lashes. 'Not quite.' She stuck out her hand and relayed what Adrian had told her, her forehead dimpling with concentration as she tried to remember his words. 'This one means I like adventure… This one says I've got an impulsive temperament… And this one here means I'm strong enough to overcome great difficulty.'

She looked up at him then, and her heart leapt into her throat as she watched the hardness melt from his face, replaced by that quiet, intimate expression he reserved only for her.

'I'm sorry, Roza,' he conceded. Maybe Adrian was right. Maybe he was being too hard on her. Dimitri saw Rose as a strong, independent young woman, but in many ways she was still a girl – a girl who'd been forced to grow up too quickly. She was entitled to one last bit of freedom before her adult life commenced in proper. 'I guess I'm just tired from the journey. I may have overreacted,' he reached out and took her small hand in his large, calloused one, tracing the line down its centre. 'What does this one mean?' he asked softly, glancing up to meet her eyes.

Rose felt her pulse quicken at his touch. 'It's silly,' she winced in embarrassment.

'Tell me and I'll decide if it's silly,' he coaxed, studying the hand. The tiny puncture wounds he'd treated were all but gone, and he brushed his thumb over the few marks that remained, remembering how brave she was when he'd dug the cactus spines out from under her skin.

'Apparently I'm fated to fall in love with a handsome stranger…,' she trailed off, cringing in anticipation of his response.

He raised an eyebrow, a hint of a smile on his lips. 'Was that all?'

'A handsome stranger with an exotic accent,' Rose added reluctantly.

The eyebrow went even higher. 'I suppose that means Mr Ivara, then?'

Rose met his gaze, stomach fluttering. It was now or never. She reached out to join her spare hand to his, looking down at their linked fingers. 'I don't think so,' she whispered.

Don't hesitate, Aunt Rhonda's message rung in the deputy's ears, and his breathing shallowed as he took a step closer to the beguiling creature, moving as if lulled by a spell. 'I thought about you while I was gone,' he confessed, wondering how much more he should tell her.

'Me too,' she said quietly, her eyes tracing the loose sweep of his hair. She knew he would have tucked it behind his ear, except his hands were otherwise engaged. 'So where did Alberta send you, anyway? I was starting to get worried when you were away so long.'

Dimitri froze, unsure of how to answer.

The silence made Rose uncomfortable and she scrambled to fill it. 'It's just, I heard a stupid rumour. I knew it couldn't be true.'

'What rumour?' he asked carefully.

The girl paused, embarrassed. 'Mr Ivara told me you went to a brothel less than a day's ride from here. And if you weren't back by yesterday afternoon then you were…' She let him fill in the blank.

The deputy frowned. Sheriff Peterson had given him a direct order not to discuss the details of his last mission with her daughter, but seeing as Rose had already found out about it by herself, he wanted to make sure she understood why he went there in the first place.

'I was at a brothel, Roza,' he admitted, squeezing her hands in reassurance.

He opened his mouth to explain but a sharp sting ripped across his cheek and his head snapped sideways. Dimitri frowned in surprise, his ear still ringing from the slap, and turned to see Rose glaring up at him; eyes blazing with fury, her hands tense at her sides.

'How could you?' she hissed, her whole world tipped upside-down at the betrayal. 'I can't believe you were telling me off for holding hands with Mr Ivara, when you just came back from a three day visit to a whorehouse!' She was fierce and uncontrolled in her anger, lashing out to slap him again.

Dimitri was prepared for her this time. His fingers wrapped around her right wrist, blocking her attack and restricting her movement. 'Don't be so foolish, Rose. You know I only went there because Sheriff Peterson sent me.'

She thrashed against his hold, making another wild attempt with her left hand. 'I don't know what's worse. The fact you spent so long in that place, or that you didn't even trust me enough to tell me where you were going in the first place.'

She gasped as the deputy manhandled her around to face away from him, tucking her firmly against his body so she couldn't do any further damage.

'Will you wait one damn minute and let me explain?!'

He grunted, taking an elbow to the stomach.

'I went there to sort out a troublesome customer, not avail myself of their services,' his arms wrapped around her tightly and his breath was warm on her neck. 'I didn't lie with any of them. I barely even looked at them.'

She stomped on his foot.

'Stop, Roza!' Dimitri was aware that somebody might hear the ruckus and come barging in at any moment. He had to calm her down. 'I'm sorry I didn't tell you where I was going. I should have trusted you – I know that now – but you need to trust me too. Can we call a truce? Please?'

Rose was torn. She hated the idea of letting him off the hook so easily, but she knew that nothing would feel right until things were fixed between them. With great effort she ceased her assault, still shaking slightly from the adrenaline that was coursing through her blood.

The deputy didn't pull away but he relaxed his hold on her, dropping his mouth to her ear. 'When have I ever let you down, Roza?'

The warm, broken notes of his accent wrapped around her like a blanket, and she twisted in his arms to face him, burying her face in his chest.

'Never.'

.

Author's Note:

Now I feel a bit sorry for Adrian, but my, oh my, Dimitri is making serious headway with Rose! All it took was a trip to a brothel and slap in the face :)

It's only the beginning for the happy couple – love charm & cabin scenes have been mapped out in draft form. Hell, I've even written the epilogue. Just got to go back and fill in the gaps.