2 August

"I heard you and Mr Lawson…Hank…arguing last night," Flora said as she and Eloise walked slowly around the outskirts of the meadow the following morning.

"Oh," Eloise replied, her heart sinking. "I didn't realise." After their altercation, she had retired quietly to her room, not looking at him as she passed in the bar and then leaving in the morning to meet her parents for breakfast.

"All marriages have their moments of discord. Your father and I are not above quarrelling. But within the confines of such a new marriage, it may be considered slightly unusual."

"It's…well…it's been a strange time."

"I can imagine. To be so swept up in love and passion for a man you've barely known a week must be so all-consuming."

"Well, you and Father…"

"Yes, our courtship was swift but not as swift as yours." Flora looked at her sideways. "Is there anything you feel you need to tell me?"

"Such as?"

"Did Hank…persuade you in some way?"

Eloise stopped walking and turned to look at her mother. "What do you mean?"

"I suppose what I mean is, did something happen that made you feel you had to marry him? I'm not completely naïve to the ways of the world, Lou, and sometimes a woman may find herself in a situation…in trouble, as it were…"

"You think I'm with child?"

"Are you?"

"No!" Eloise wasn't sure whether to laugh or feel offended at her mother's insinuation as to her morals. "I haven't…that is to say, no I am not with child, Hank's or anyone else's."

"That you're aware of."

"I'm sorry?"

"Well, you are married, my dear. You may very well be with child."

"I…well…yes…" she continued walking as her mother fell back into step beside her, ever conscious of the farcical nature of the conversation. "But I believe I would be able to tell if that were the case. To respond to your earlier comment, however, there was no need for me to marry Hank. I wanted to."

"Then he didn't force you, in any way?"

"No."

"Well, that is something I suppose." Flora paused, gazing around her. "It is a beautiful setting, I grant you that. Perhaps less appealing in the grip of winter. Dr Quinn seems like an interesting woman. Quite a challenge, forging a medical career as a woman in such a man's world."

"Yes, I suppose so. I imagine it's not been without its obstacles."

"Most admirable," Flora agreed. "And what of your own plans?"

"Plans?"

"Yes, do you intend to stay in Colorado Springs?"

"I…" For a moment, Eloise feared it was a trick question, but her mother's expression appeared innocent. "I suppose so. This is where Hank lives, where we live, and where his business is."

"And you can see yourself making this your home?"

"Yes."

Flora pursed her lips. "Then, I must say I feel somewhat at a loss. You said to us that you left home because you didn't wish to marry Thomas, did not want the life he would provide you, did not want him to take you away from your home and your work and yet…"

"My main reason for not wanting to marry him was that I don't love him."

"And yet…" Flora said pointedly, "you have fled out here to a completely different, frontier life leaving your family, your home and, more specifically, the work you love behind. What led you here? What if you had not met Hank? Would you have remained here regardless?"

Eloise paused, unsure how much to say lest she end up undoing all the work done so far. "If you want honesty, Mother, I came here because when I arrived in Denver, I saw Cousin Peter at the train station. I'm assuming that, upon finding my note and learning of my intentions, Father wired him asking him to try and find me. At that moment, I didn't want to be found and there was a stagecoach bound for here, so…"

"So, you took it? With no inclination as your destination?" She would almost have said her mother looked impressed. "It must have been quite a shock when you arrived here and saw how different it is from home."

"Yes, I suppose it was. But then I met Hank and…and things changed. I started to feel at home here and then when I was alerted to Thomas's telegram, I felt I owed it to you to let you know where I was, knowing that you would likely come here. As to what I would have done had I not met Hank…I can't answer that, because I did."

"A mother only wants her children to be happy."

"I am happy."

"Here? Living in a brothel?" Flora shook her head. "Your father and I were talking last night, and we understand that marriages can be brought to an end for all sorts of reasons. If it's an issue of money or property, then an appropriate arrangement could be made with Hank…Thomas would assist of course…"

"Mother, I'm not marrying Thomas."

"Lou…"

"No! Besides, his suggestion to me last night was one of annulment rather than divorce and that…well…that isn't possible, not on the grounds he was suggesting anyway."

"Which were?"

"Non-consummation, though he appeared to be suggesting that be overlooked, legally. Even were the marriage to be annulled or I to be divorced from Hank, I still would not marry Thomas. And given that I don't intend for either, the question is moot anyway."

"So…" Flora said tightly. "You will remain here, with Hank, bear him children and make hats for the women of Colorado Springs all whilst living in the saloon?"

"Yes, I suppose I shall. You said you wanted me to be happy, Mother and, as I said, I am. Hank has taught me many things already since I came here. I know how to ride, how to shoot…"

"Shoot? Shoot what?"

"A gun."

"Yes, I had assumed that, but what have you been shooting?"

"Tin cans mostly…"

"Lou…"

"This may not have been the life you envisaged for me, but it is the life I have chosen and, given that I legally belong to Hank, there is nothing you can do about it." She turned to face her mother, hoping against all hope that she could adequately convince her "Please, I need you to accept that."

"Oh Lou…" Flora sighed, sliding her arm through her daughter's. "What are we to do?"

XXXX

Hank had been surprised when Eloise's father had entered the saloon and asked to speak with him privately. Despite being a man, he didn't strike Hank as the type to frequent his kind of establishment, though he did accept the offer of a whisky, which he sipped carefully, as though ensuring he kept hold of his faculties. Seated at a table in the corner, he found himself surveying his father-in-law with a curious eye, wondering what the other man might have to say, or offer.

"You're a businessman, Mr Lawson, much like myself," he said without preamble.

"Hank…different line of work from you though."

"Well, indeed…Hank…but a businessman all the same. I imagine that life out on the frontier here can be hard at times."

"No harder than anywhere's else I would imagine."

Alexander nodded. "I've been a tailor in San Francisco for more than thirty years now. I've built up a good business, a strong business, with many loyal customers, but I'm not sure what Eloise may have told you about the current condition of our family finances…"

"She told me some."

"Then I won't insult your intelligence by pretending that this…" he gestured at the room, "is what we had envisioned for her. Eloise has always been bright and smart. Flora and I were young when she was born, perhaps too young, but she has been a joy from the moment she came into our lives. Her millinery skills are beyond compare. She has a talent." He paused. "She was engaged to Thomas, and he comes from a prestigious family who…"

"Who could invest in yer tailorin' business, if he marries yer daughter."

"Yes, that's true, our business would benefit from Lewis money, but you have to understand that so would Eloise. I take it you don't have children but, if you were a father, you would understand a father's wish…need…to give their child the best. Thomas can give her a good life, take her places, introduce her to influential people, help her in her own endeavours more than I can…give her everything she could ever want."

It was on the tip of his tongue to tell his father-in-law about Zack but given he hadn't even seen fit to tell Eloise, the knowledge could only backfire. "What if what she wants is right here?"

"In a brothel in a frontier town?"

Hank folded his arms across his chest. "Ain't sure what the point of this conversation even is. All fine and well to tell me what Ellie could have had, but she's my wife now. Whatever promises might have been made to and from old Thomas don't stand no more."

"The point is, if money is the issue…" Alexander leaned forward, "then we could come to some sort of arrangement."

"Meanin' what?"

"Meaning, I know that Thomas, and myself, would be happy to negotiate a settlement in your favour in exchange for the ending of your marriage, by whichever means, be that annulment or divorce."

"Well, annulment ain't gonna work," he replied, lighting up a Cheroot and blowing smoke into the air. "Bin yer daughter's husband more than a week now and let's just say, we've had a good time together. Less yer suggestin' that we lie to the law…"

"A divorce then. Thomas is prepared to overlook the stigma. A cash sum, agreeable by all of us, transferred to you in full in return for your agreement to a divorce. And Eloise will make no claim on any property or other holdings you have that she may have been entitled to as a result of your marriage, brief though it would have been."

"She don't wanna marry Thomas, even if she weren't married to me."

"I know that's what she said…"

"It's what she meant. Yer her Pa. Don't ya want her to be happy?"

"Of course I do, but I know my daughter a lot better than you do and I cannot believe for one moment that she's truly happy living here. None of this is what she is used to. Thomas can give her a good life, a happy life. In time, she'll come to see that it is the right decision for everyone. Love and happiness can grow from almost any circumstance. My daughter has led somewhat of a sheltered life, I accept that, and this first taste of…of freedom has opened her eyes. Thomas is not naïve enough not to recognise that. But we both know that once back amongst her own kind, doing what she is used to doing, being with a man who is more suited…"

Hank shook his head. "No."

Alexander paused. "No?"

"No. Ain't agreein' to no divorce."

"But…the money…"

"Don't matter how much money ya offer. Ain't what she wants."

"Mr Lawson…"

"Ain't Ellie's job to keep yer business afloat. Certainly ain't her job to do it by marryin' a man she don't want to. Seems like I'm the one who's known her least and yet I'm the only one concerned with what's gonna make her happy. She married me 'cause she wanted to. Unless she stands in front of me, tells me that a divorce is what she wants and I believe her, ain't gonna happen."

Alexander sighed heavily, "I had hoped you would be reasonable about this."

"This is me bein' reasonable. Now, if ya'd like another drink or some…entertainin'…on the house of course given that yer family…I ain't got no issue with that." He raised his eyebrows as the other man's face grew red. "Ya blush just like yer daughter."

"Perhaps we could talk again," Alexander said, getting to his feet. "When you've had time to consider my suggestion."

"Don't mind talkin' to ya whenever ya like, but my answer ain't gonna change."

As he watched Eloise's father leave, he found himself pondering on what he might do in the other man's situation. If he had a daughter and he found her married to a man eminently unsuitable, wouldn't he too do everything he could to try and extricate her from that predicament? It was an interesting thought to dwell on as he resumed his work, but given it was highly unlikely that he would ever have such a daughter, there seemed little point in wasting energy on the idea of a life so out with his reach.

XXXX

Having deposited her mother back at the clinic for a rest and with no sign of her father or Thomas, Eloise made her way back into the saloon, feeling little short of exhausted herself. It was a feat, maintaining a lie and yet, more than half of what she was saying was the truth. She didn't want to marry Thomas and Colorado Springs was indeed growing on her, little by little, the longer she remained. As for Hank, she might not have loved him, and they may have quarrelled, but it was his presence she found herself seeking out as she entered the bar.

"My mother insinuated that you had 'got me into trouble'," she said, moving over to where he had just finished serving. "Not only does she think I've taken leave of my senses by coming out here, but she clearly assumes I've left my morals in the gutter to boot."

"Yer Pa offered me money to divorce you," he offered in return. "Told him I wouldn't do it unless it was what ya wanted. Guess it shows what kind of man he thinks I am."

"I don't want a divorce. I don't want to marry Thomas, how many times do I have to say it?" She shook her head despairingly.

"Then it ain't happenin'. They ain't got nothin' else to offer so…" he turned away and began clearing the glasses sat on the shelf behind.

"Hank…" he glanced over his shoulder at her. "I wanted to apologise again for last night."

"Forget it."

"No, I…I can't. Please." She waited until he turned back to her. "I'm grateful that you wanted to defend me, but it would only have made things worse and whilst I know that you're more than capable of defending yourself in any fight, I wouldn't want you to risk getting hurt because of me."

"Only person gittin' hurt in a fight between me and Lewis would be him. Can tell by lookin' at him he ain't ever mixed it up with anyone. Wouldn't wanna git his pretty suit all messed up. Men like him can't take it from another man, but more than willin' to hurt a woman. But then…ain't I just like him?"

She felt cowed under his gaze and pointed comment, hating herself for having called his behaviour into question after all he had done for her, yet, aware that perhaps there was a point to be made. "I know that you would never hurt me. Don't ask me how I know given we've only been acquainted a little more than a week, but, somehow, I know. But if you're going to deny that you've ever laid hands on your girls then that's a lie, and you know it is."

"Whores need kept in line. Can't have them gittin' fool ideas above their station. Can't have them forgettin' who they belong to."

"But…they're people, not property."

"Contract says they're mine. Told ya before that everythin' under this roof belongs to me."

"Why is that so important to you?"

He blinked. "What do ya mean?"

"Why is it so important to claim ownership? Here I am, a runaway with nothing but the clothes in my suitcase and the small amount of money in my purse…"

"It's different, Ellie, and the fact ya can't see that just shows how far apart we are. Ya might have come here with nothin' but ya got everythin' to go back to. Once this little…experiment…is over and done with, ya can go back to everythin' ya had before. This saloon and everythin' in it is all I got. All I'll ever have. Ain't fool enough to think a woman like ya would ever wanna be here unless she had to, so I gotta hold on to what's mine."

He ducked his gaze away from her and she felt a sudden rush of feeling towards him that she found she couldn't explain, couldn't rationalise in her mind and, for a moment, found herself incapable of saying anything in response.

"This might not have been the obvious place for me to run to or you the obvious man for me to seek anything from, but…I don't think you give yourself enough credit for the man you are." He met her gaze again. "You've been nothing but good and kind towards me. You didn't need to offer to marry me and…and you could have taken advantage of our situation, of my naivety, and you haven't. You could have claimed what was legally yours the day we wed, and I would have been powerless to stop you. All of that speaks to your character, even if you don't think it does. And perhaps there have been women in the past that haven't been able to see that the way I do, women like Myra…"

"Don't talk about her," he said sharply, coming out from behind the bar and thumping glasses down on a nearby table. "Ya don't know nothin' about that."

"I know that you loved her and pretending that you didn't…"

"I said, don't talk about her."

"Pretending that you didn't only does yourself a disservice…" she gasped as he rounded on her, pressing her back against the hard edge of the bar. "We both deserve to be happy, Hank, with people who love us. You can't have that with Myra, and I definitely can't have it with Thomas but that doesn't mean that there aren't others out there for us." His eyes flickered across her face; his body so close to hers to almost be touching. "This place, this life…it doesn't need to be all that you have, and a woman doesn't have to stay with you just because she's afraid or has a contract, but because she wants to."

"Sayin' all this from yer vast experience of love," he said quietly.

"I have no experience of love, but I have to believe that we're both capable of giving and receiving it, otherwise what's the point? I have to believe that Thomas will move on so that I can find love with someone I care deeply for and you…you have to believe that there is someone out there who'll be able to see all the good in you that I do."

Her heart thudded wildly in her chest, not out of fear but of something else, something she had no words or thoughts to be able to give name to. As he continued to hold her gaze, his breath dancing across her face, she had a sudden notion that he might kiss her…

Gunfire suddenly erupted into the air, causing them both to jump and Hank to instantly step back, turn and hurry towards the door. After a few seconds to recover herself, she followed, emerging out into the street in time to see a wagon roll to a stop outside the clinic, Michaela hurrying out from inside as other townsfolk congregated nearby.

"What happened?!" Jake asked the driver, who leapt down, wiping sweat from his brow.

"Bandits. Came ridin' in, whoopin' and hollerin'. Shot my brothers here and took off with my sister. I couldn't stop them!"

"Injuns?"

"No, white folk. But they had masks on, couldn't see their faces," the man replied breathlessly. "Headed off towards Tanner Flats. They got my sister!"

"Need to get a posse together!" Jake called out. "Every man who can ride, get your guns!"

Chaos erupted as the two injured men were carried hurriedly into the clinic and men rushed around, grabbing horses and guns. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw her parents and Thomas standing a few feet away, looking nothing short of horrified.

"What's a p…?" she turned to Hank, only to find him no longer beside her. Hurrying back into the saloon, she met him coming back, saddlebag in hand, guns in both belts. "Where are you going?"

"Ya heard Jake, need to get a posse together."

"What's a posse? Hank…" she trailed behind him back outside, hovering as he started attaching the saddlebag to Hurricane.

"Woman's bin abducted. Gotta help find her."

"But, what about the saloon?"

"Ya'll be fine. Ya know where the cashbox is, Colt's behind the bar…ya git any trouble, just shoot 'em like I taught ya."

"What? I can't…you can't leave me in charge…!"

"Why not? Ain't nobody I'd trust more."

"But I can't…"

"Yes, ya can. Fled halfways across the country yerself. Ya can handle one saloon for a coupla days."

"A couple of days…?!"

"Got faith in ya, Ellie."

"But…you could get shot…!"

"Only person gonna git shot is gonna be them bandits. Can't have folks ridin' around thinkin' they can do what this gang's done and not pay fer it."

He started to unwind Hurricane's reins from the post, and she found herself hurrying forwards and putting her hand over his. Freezing slightly, he met her gaze again. She opened her mouth to say something and then found that she couldn't.

"I'll be back," he said, moving away from her touch and swinging into the saddle, before glancing over to where her family still stood. "Don't let them go talkin' ya into nothin' while I'm gone."

"Please…please be careful."

He nodded, then spurred Hurricane forwards to join the others, six of them, thundering down the street and around the corner, disappearing from view before she even had time to draw breath.

"Lou…" her mother hurried forward, her arm going around her. "Oh heavens, those poor men! They both looked beyond saving!"

"Yes," she heard herself reply mechanically, her gaze fixed on the empty horizon, her thoughts only with one person and their safe return.