Chapter 15: The Hotel Guest
Emily walked down the stairs into the hotel lobby. She was always a little bit put down by her hotel room. Not that it wasn't nice and all, but it was so impersonal. The only reason she had kept the hotel room all this time had been because she expected to marry Ike soon and there was no point in getting a different place to live. She really ought to get a grip on herself. After all, she and Ike had split up more than three weeks ago. Either she ought to get herself a proper home or leave town altogether. She was leaning towards the latter. There wasn't all that much to keep her here, and moving was always an adventure.
The clerk was talking to a customer and little bits of there conversation came through to Emily, but she paid very little attention to it at first.
Here you go, miss. The clerk handed the key over to the customer. May I ask for you name?
Alejandra Fernandez. The young woman's voice was low, but Emily heard it clearly and spun around. So this was the girl Ike had left her for!
You're much welcome, miss Fernandez. Are you travelling alone?
I'm afraid so. Thank you very much.
Sandy turned away from the clerk and found that she was looking into Emily's eyes. She frowned suspiciously.
she asked. Her voice wasn't unfriendly, but clearly on its guard.
You're Sandy, right? I'm Emily.
Sandy's eyes widened.
The two rivals stared at each other, measuring each other with their eyes. So that is what she looks like.
We should go to my room, Sandy said. I don't want to have this conversation in public.
Emily realised the sense in this suggestion and followed the other girl upstairs.
Sandy closed the door and looked around.
Not a bad room, she said.
You won't think that when you've lived in one for a few months.
Oh, I wasn't planning to stay that long.
Then why are you here at all?
There was steel in Emily's voice and Sandy looked her straight into the eyes when she said:
I'm not trying to take Ike away from you.
Away from me? Emily's voice got higher. She could hardly believe her ears. You already took him away from me! Now you may as well keep him for all I care! Ike and I broke up three weeks ago, and you were the only reason. Now, if you can live with that, he's all yours.
Sandy opened her mouth, then closed it and shook her head.
You can't give him away like he's some kind of present for bad behaviour! Just because he's not yours, that doesn't mean he's mine.
He wants you, Emily informed her calmly.
Well, maybe I don't want him, has that thought entered you mind! Sandy was getting defensive now, and her voice was harsh.
You don't? Emily's voice was sarcastic.
Maybe not.
Don't lie to me.
Sandy lost control of her temper.
Okay, fine, you want the truth? I love that man! But I'm not here to get him back. I just want to talk to him, then I'll get going. That's all. As for your breaking up, I'm sorry about that, but I didn't tie him to his hands and feet and drag him to my bed. He came voluntarily.
Emily couldn't deny that fact, but she didn't trust this girl either.
You listen to me, she said. I know Ike's lovelife is none of my business anymore, but I don't want you playing with his feelings.
Who's playing? Both the girls were now openly hostile.
Do you want to marry him then? Or what are your plans?
I told you my plans. Some things we did need to be discussed further. Once I've done that, I'm going back to Chicago. Whether or not I see him again is up to him, but I'm certainly not going to marry him. Not even if he asks me to.
But you said you love him, Emily pointed out.
That's not the point.
Emily stared at this strange girl. Against her own will, she began to be interested in her rival. What Buck had tried to tell her made sense now. Sandy wasn't a little tramp, but what on earth was she then?
I don't understand you, she said.
A smile flickered over Sandy's lips. You don't have to. Non of this is really your business.
Emily should have been angry at this remark. Instead, she found herself saying:
It's a pity we can't be friends.
Sandy viewed her for a moment, surprised.
It is, she admitted.
We can't, can we?
No. I don't think so.
It was, not nice, Emily thought, but not the complete opposite either, interesting meeting you. Relieving.
Her curiosity had been settled at some points, but on others it had just awoken.
Well, I should be leaving, she said. And remember, if you hurt him I'll kill you.
Emily, wait, Sandy said as the other girl opened he door. Emily waited with her hand on the doorknob as Sandy went through her luggage, carefully lifting something up and handing it over to Emily.
It was two hands made of clay, cupped together, holding a feather in their hands, so thin Emily couldn't understand how it was made. But she recognized those hands, and she knew what Sandy tried to tell her. She inspected the statuette and found in it every mark she was looking for.
I couldn't make his face, Sandy said in a low tone. But this was easy.
Emily nodded and gave the statuette back to Sandy, careful not to break it. Sandy's eyes met hers.
If I hurt him, it won't be intentional.
Emily found the riders outside on the street, loading goods from Thompkins' store on the wagon. She noticed their uncomfort as she went by and was irritated. These people used to be her friends, but now they punished her for something that wasn't even her fault. She deliberately stopped to talk to them, forcing them to meet her eyes. The only one doing that with comfort was Buck. Of course, she thought sourly to herself. He had gotten the whole thing out of his system by telling her the truth and could honestly keep his slate clean.
It didn't surprise her when Cody excused himself, but that special tone in his voice still made her turn around to see what had caught his interest. What she saw made her grin wryly.
Oh, Ike, I forgot to tell you, she told her ex-fiancé, who still awkwardly looked down. Your girlfriend's in town.
Ike's head jerked up, and he saw Sandy coming towards him, smiling at Cody's attempts to flirt with her.
So this is a friend of yours, Ike? Cody asked as they came up to the wagon, unable to interpret the stares directed at Sandy.
Ike nodded and signed to Sandy: What are you doing here?
I needed to talk to you. Sandy noticed herself that her voice was harsh because of all the people around. Hi everybody, she said to them, then turning back to Ike. Ike, whenever you have the time I'd really appreciate a talk. In private.
Ike nodded. His eyes unwillingly turned to Emily, and Sandy caught this look and said:
Hi again, Emily.
Emily smiled at her. She didn't want to leave and thereby resign from her position, but she knew that the suspense her presence added wasn't what Sandy needed - and she had promised herself not to be bitter.
Hi Sandy. I'm going back to my hotelroom. Maybe I'll see you later?
At this point Cody finally caught on. His jaw dropped and he stared first at Sandy, then at Emily leaving, then back to Sandy again. All of the riders listened with utmost suspense as Sandy continued her conversation with Ike.
So what do you say? she asked. Can you get off sometime and meet me at the hotel?
He nodded. I'm working now, but later this afternoon I can come.
She turned to leave, and Ike rushed up to her. He felt that if he didn't stop her now, she would disappear from his life again as sudden as she had entered it.
I'm glad you're here he signed.
She smiled at him, but she wasn't quite herself. It wasn't the aggressive nervousness you could expect, but she seemed thoughtful and tired.
I'll walk you back to the hotel.
It's about forty feet away.
I'll walk you anyway.
She laughed a little. Alright, then.
She moved closer to him and gave him a quick peck, but turned her face away before he could return the kiss.
The other riders watched them go in shocked silence.
Buck said. He was uncapable of finishing the sentence.
We should at least have said hello, Lou said. I was just so stunned to see her.
That was Sandy Fernandez? Cody asked rhetorically. But she's so pretty!
Buck looked at him.
Why wouldn't she be?
Well it's just that Ike I mean his girls are Why is he so lucky all of a sudden? Cody babbled incoherently. Then he thought of something. She said I reminded her of her brother. At least that has to be a compliment, doesn't it?
He looked at Lou, who answered: I'm sure it was.
So maybe she'd be interested in me? I mean if things don't work out with her and Ike?
Lou put her hand on his shoulder and gave him a friendly smile. Her brother is a pederast.
Ike knocked on Sandy's door with an eagerness that surprised him. His heart fluttered oh so slightly and he thought to himself that he mustn't spoil this. He mustn't let her go another time.
Sandy opened the door, and by the tone of her voice he could hear that she wasn't exactly calm herself.
Come in. Sit down, she ordered, and when he was seated she sat down opposite him.
she said. I'm sorry to come unexpectedly like this. I tried to write, but I couldn't. It was just I had to see you face to face.
You needed to talk to me? His questioning eyes were fixed on her face.
, she said. She sat silent for a moment and then asked: Ike, you know I can take care of myself, don't you?
This wasn't what he had expected. He raised his eyebrows, but nodded after a moment's thought.
I don't need anybody's help, and I can take responsibility. I want you to know that.
Yes. He didn't understand what she was getting at.
She took a deep breath. I'm having a baby. When she had said those words, a smile came over her face. And this one I'm keeping, she added.
Ike forgot to breath. He stared at her and felt mixed feelings of joy and fear rising in his heart. A baby. He was going to be a father. Carefully, he took her face in her hands and kissed her. Then he drew back from her with a smile on his face, signing: Really?
Well, I'm sure not lying to you. Listen, Ike, I anticipated this, but I know you didn't, and I'm not asking any favours. I can take care of the baby on my own, I just thought you had a right to know.
He hardly even listened to her. He had been afraid that whatever she had to tell him would separate them, but this would bring them closer together. This confirmed their relationship, proved that it was something else than just a flirt, easy to start, easy to forget.
Will you marry me? he asked.
She moved away from him, and a frustrated wrinkle was seen between her eyebrows. No! I won't marry you.
Why not?
you're feeling sorry for me. We wouldn't even have this conversation if I wasn't pregnant.
Maybe not he admitted. But sooner or later I'd want to marry you anyway. So what if this rushes things a bit?
She shook her head violently.
You haven't even thought this through! she said angrily.
I have he signed. Every day since I left you. A thought struck his mind. But maybe this is too quick for you? Or you don't want to marry me at all?
Don't want to? She raised her voice. Do you have any idea what it feels like to dream about someone, hoping against hope that one day you will be able to marry him, and then when he proposes it's out of pity!? Don't do this to me, Ike.
At last he understood what was wrong, and he shook his head, caressing her gently before he assured her:
It's not pity. If I may spend the rest of my life with you and our child, I will consider myself the luckiest man alive. I know you can get by on your own, but won't you please let us be a family?
He pulled her closer, feeling the soft skin of her cheek against his neck. He felt her take a deep breath and then nod slowly.
, she whispered.
Overwhelmed by joy, he held her so close they were almost as one being. He felt tears coming down his cheeks and did nothing to stop them. His prayers had been heard. She would stay with him.
The end - for now