Adele, p.11
Adele, page 11
Beau had been many things in his lifetime, but he had always kept his word. It didn’t matter if it had been a punch in the nose to a rowdy cowhand, the shuffling of a piano from his saloon, or a bartered marriage to a woman who had been a help to him and his business.
Shame washed over him as he remembered his behavior. The sound of someone shuffling in the kitchen made Beau lift his head and look toward his door, a name dropping from numb lips. “Adele?” he wondered, pushing himself from the bed and hurrying to the nightstand to wash his face. Head still spinning a little, the barkeep dressed quickly, checked his appearance in the mirror, and stepped into the hall.
Perhaps if he pretended he didn’t remember what had happened, Adele wouldn’t leave. Beau froze in the middle of the hall, one foot lifted to take a step as he realized he didn’t want her to leave. He had grown accustomed to coming home each day and talking to Adele.
Feeling more alone than he had since his mother had died, Beau realized he didn’t want to live a solitary life. He wanted the woman he had wed to be... what did he want?
“Beau, is that you?” Adele called softly from the kitchen, the smell of coffee drawing him forward.
“Yes,” he replied, taking that first step, his words echoing in his head. “Do I smell coffee?”
ADELE WATCHED BEAUREGARD Alder walk into the kitchen, his steps a little unsteady and his bloodshot eyes squinting at the gray light drifting into the room.
“Good morning,” she greeted, keeping her voice soft. “Sit down and I’ll get you a cup of coffee.”
Beau nodded, obeying without question as he slumped into a chair.
“How are you feeling this morning?” Adele asked, her lips twitching as Beau’s head snapped up.
“Uh, my head,” Beau stuttered. “Not so great.”
“I’m not surprised,” Adele returned to the stove, turning the bacon in the pan before cracking five eggs into a bowl. “I’m afraid you had a rough night.”
“About that,” Beau tugged at his collar that suddenly felt too tight. “I’m sorry, I’m not a man given to drink and if I upset you,” his hazel eyes lifted, meeting hers as she turned from the stove. “I’m sorry.”
Adele whisked the eggs until they were fluffy, setting the bowl back on the edge of the stove and removing the bacon. “You didn’t do anything wrong,” her voice was just above a whisper. Pouring the eggs into the pan full of bacon drippings, she waited to see what the man would say. Did he remember kissing her?
“Well,” Beau waved his hand, not looking at the woman at the stove. “If I said or did anything stupid, I apologize. I’m afraid I let my disappointment get the best of me.”
Adele stiffened but didn’t reply as she scrambled the eggs to perfection and scooped them onto the waiting plates. He had forgotten about the kiss. How could she love a man who forgot he had kissed her? Closing her eyes, she pushed the disappointment away, asking God for the love she needed for this man. Perhaps it wasn’t his will that they ever care for each other as husband and wife. Something pinched in her heart, but Adele pushed it away. Beau was her nearest neighbor even if he never loved her and the great command said to love your neighbor as yourself.
Pasting a smile on her face, Adele lifted both plates and walked toward the table.
“I hope you can eat,” she said.
Beau nodded, still not meeting her eyes as he lifted his fork.
Adele let go of her doubts and bowed her head, whispering a silent thanks for the food before her and the roof over her head.
“What will you do today?” Adele asked, turning her attention to her breakfast.
Beau shook his head. After his behavior last night and the devastation of losing the election, he wasn’t sure he wanted to do anything.
“I believe I will open later today,” he finally said, his head a little steadier on his shoulders. “We could go to the mercantile and take care of this week’s shopping.”
Adele nodded, offering a smile. “It would be nice to walk out with you,” she said. “You’ll be able to see the decorations we put up around town.”
Beau’s face darkened as he thought of the expense he had put into the decorations with little to show for it. His eyes flashed, but when he saw the concern on Adele’s face, he settled. It didn’t matter. He would show the people of Needful by making even more money.
A half-hour later, Beau was helping Adele into her flimsy wrap and walking to the door.
“You need a new coat,” Beau observed. “The weather is getting cold. I wouldn’t want you to catch a chill.”
A different kind of chill made Adele shiver as she stepped out into the alley. Was the man concerned about her appearance for appearance's sake, or was he concerned for her? She wasn’t sure, but the thought still touched her heart.
“I don’t want you to go to any extra expense,” she said, shaking her head. “I’m sure my wrap will be enough. This is Texas, after all.”
“It may be Texas,” Beau grumbled, “but it can get cold in the winter. Snow is not uncommon.”
“Snow?” Adele turned, a bright smile lighting her face. “Wouldn’t that be lovely?”
Beau found himself chuckling at the woman’s excitement. “I guess that depends on who you are and what you do in Needful. Some of the cowboys don’t care for the cold at all.”
Adele laughed, imagining the hard work of managing cattle in winter. The cold wind, the long days, the dangers from blizzards, ice, and storms. “That doesn’t sound pleasant,” she agreed, looking along the street. “Oh, someone has relit the lamps.”
Beau followed Adele’s gaze to the wreaths dotting the street. Some had jars with candles flickering brightly within, while others held tin cans with stars and other cutouts carved into them, letting the flame shine through.
“You did that?” Beau asked, turning to look at Adele. He smiled when her cheeks heated, surprised by the response.
“I had loads of help.”
“You did very well,” he said, relaxing as he gazed at the festive decorations. “It’s beginning to look like Christmas around here.”
Adele smiled, her heart suddenly certain what she wanted as her gift. Could God work on this man’s heart and show him the way to truth, and maybe love.
Beau tucked Adele’s hand into his arm as they stepped up on the boardwalk, turning toward the general store.
“Mornin’ Beau, Mrs. Alder,” a few cowboys touched their hats in greeting as they moved through the town headed for a warm place to get out of the rain(rain?).
Beau nodded in return, surprised that people weren’t shunning him for his run against Dan Gaines. He flicked his eyes to Adele, who smiled at the few people out at this early hour.
“It may turn out to be a good day after all,” he said, his headache and ill-temper receding slightly.
Beau opened the door to the store, letting Adele walk in before him as a blast of warm air rushed at him from the woodstove at the front of the store.
“Good morning,” William Scripts said, leaning across the high counter at the back of the store. “Miserable weather, isn’t.” His smile was bright as he tossed the words out casually, making Beau shake his head.
“We’re in for supplies,” Beau said, looking thoughtfully at the other man. “Do you have a list?” He turned to Adele, only now wondering if she had been ready to go to the store.
“Is Alice about?” Adele asked. “She had something she wanted me to look at.”
“She’ll be along shortly,” William said. “What can I do for you?”
“My wife needs a new coat,” Beau said, walking toward the man as Adele pulled her list from a handbag.
“Beau,” she chided.
“Now, don’t argue,” he said, his face serious. “You need a new coat. I won’t have my wife going about without decent things.”
Adele flushed slightly, her mind whirring with thoughts of all that had happened in the past few days. She didn’t want to argue with Beau, but she didn’t want him to spend more money unnecessarily.
“What’s this about a new coat?” Alice slipped through the back door, her little daughter on her hip.
“Beau thinks I need a new coat,” Adele said, offering the list to William, who had stretched out his hand for it.
“We’ll have to order it,” Alice said. “I don’t have any good wool at the moment for a new coat.”
“Fetch the catalog,” Beau said, walking toward a stack of readymade shirts. “Adele won’t be catching her death in this two-bit town on my watch.”
Silence fell in the almost empty store, the sound of a log shifting in the stove the only sound as everyone turned to look at the man.
“I,” Beau’s eyes grew wide as he realized what he had said, the bitterness of defeat still raw in his soul. “Well, this cowtown,” he tried only to receive a stern look from Alice Scripts.
“Adele,” the woman said, her voice short. “If you’ll come along, I’m sure we can find something for you. William and Ty are headed to Ferry Flats soon and if we hurry, we may get the order in before that. It takes a few weeks, as you know,” her dark eyes flicked to Beau, “for things to reach the outskirts of civilization,” she finished.
Adele felt the tension rising in the room as Beau’s words were taken as criticism, was it any wonder no one had wanted to make him Mayor?
“Beau,” the woman turned, smiling at him. “Could you find me some paper for the office? You know I like to scribble and we’re getting low.”
Beau nodded, feeling the chill in the room as he walked to a shelf full of stationary. He would buy the most expensive stuff they had in store. Nothing spoke to character like money.
“DID YOU FIND EVERYTHING you needed?” Beau asked as he escorted Adele back to their home. He had puffed out his chest and paid cash for their supplies, something he knew others wouldn’t be able to do and it gave him a sense of superiority and contempt for the others in the town.
“I did,” Adele agreed, her eyes flicking to the package in her hand then back to the one Beau carried as well. “I’ll cook something nice for dinner tonight.”
“As you wish,” Beau replied.
“Beau, did you open the saloon doors earlier today?” Adele stopped blinking at the outer door, moving gently in a soft breeze.
“What? No!” Beau dropped his package with a rattle and raced forward, darting through the door of the business before Adele could call out.
“Wait,” she cried, hurrying toward the front of the saloon. “Beau!” her heart raced as a million dangers zipped through her mind.
“We’ve been burgled,” Beau walked out of the office holding a wad of papers in his fist. “At least someone tried.” His hazel eyes flashed as his face grew red. “After all, I’ve done to help this town!”
“I’ll fetch the sheriff,” Adele said, lifting her skirt and running down the street, her heart pounding in her chest.
SHERIFF SPENCER GAINES ran a hand through his dark hair then replaced his hat. “Looks like someone forced the lock,” he said, studying the dark green doors before him. “Was anything taken?”
“Not for lack of trying,” Beau growled. “They made a mess of my office trying to get the safe open.”
Spencer straightened, nodding at Adele, who stood in the doorway, a hand to her throat. “I’ll look into this,” he said, walking toward Beau, who stood in the entrance to the office. “May I?”
Beau stepped aside, letting Spencer into the small room.
“That’s quite the safe,” the sheriff said, stopping to look at the black behemoth. “It’s nearly as tall as a grown man. No one person is going to shift it on their own.”
“And a good thing too,” Beau hissed. “What kind of town is this that a man’s business is broken into in the middle of the night? I have a wife to think of.” He waved a hand at Adele, too annoyed to see the worry on her face.
“I know,” Spencer said, his voice calm. “We haven’t had any robberies in this town,” he added, pushing his hat back on his head. “Let’s hope it was just some drunken cowboy thinking he might find some ready cash.”
Beau thought the sheriff’s words over for a minute. “You’re probably right,” he said, his face flaming. “People do stupid things when they’ve been drinking.” His eyes darted to Adele, but she walked toward the door to their quarters and didn’t see.
“You’d better change the locks,” Spencer continued, “but I’ll keep a watch for a few nights.”
“You do that,” Beau spluttered. “But what are you going to do now?”
“I’ll take a look around outside and see if there’s any sign of a disturbance.”
Beau looked between the sheriff and Adele, who was jiggling the lock on the door behind the bar. “I have a sturdy deadbolt on that door,” the barkeep said, his voice gentling. “Don’t you worry about anyone being able to open that.”
Adele looked up, meeting his eyes and nodding, the fear from a moment ago ebbing away.
Pulling a key from his pocket, Beau made his way to where Adele was standing as Spencer Gaines slipped out the front door. “Are you alright?” he asked as he put the key into the lock and twisted.
The sound of heavy tumblers and latches turning made Adele feel more confident and she nodded. “It’s an unpleasant feeling knowing someone was sneaking around right down the hall from where I sleep.”
“Never you fear,” Beau said, wanting to put her at ease. “This door is safe as could be. It’s not a flimsy lock like on the front, and I hadn’t even closed the door to the office.” He shook his head. “You go on home. I’ll lock up behind you and fetch our things. It’s been a hel...er... a rough week.”
Adele placed her hand on Beau’s arm. “I’m sorry.”
“For what? You didn’t do this.”
Without taking the time to think it over, Adele leaned in, placing a gentle kiss on Beau’s broad cheek before slipping through the door.
“I’m afraid it’s too wet to see much outside,” Spencer said as Beau stepped out of the saloon a minute later. “I’ll keep an eye out while you see Mr. Scripts about a better lock.”
“Thanks, Spence,” Beau said, his voice gruff as he pondered Adele’s kiss. “I’ll carry our things to Adele and then head back to the store.”
Chapter 15
Life returned to the usual routine after new locks were added to the saloon, at least for the most part and Adele wondered if Beau had forgotten the kiss from his drunken night. She had stopped worrying about the break-in, agreeing with the sheriff that some drunken cowboy had probably tried his hand at opening the safe.
Beau worked harder than ever and was all but cold to the town's people, who welcomed her with open arms. How was she supposed to get through to the man’s heart if he all but shunned the company of anyone who didn’t patronize his saloon?
Adele could tell that Beau was troubled, disquieted, and unhappy. The more she watched him, the more she wanted to help, comfort, and even love the man.
“It’s Sunday,” Adele offered as Beau walked into the kitchen in his usual attire of white shirt and trousers. “Will you leave the saloon closed all day again?”
Beau flashed her a questioning look. “I’m not sure.” He settled at the table, accepting the breakfast she placed before him. “It was a late night last night.”
“I heard the preacher’s music,” Adele grinned. “He isn’t afraid to play the piano with gusto, is he?”
Beau squirmed. He had been thinking about skipping church altogether today, but the preacher had lived up to his side of the bargain, and it went against the grain to not keep his.
“What are you cooking?” he asked, changing the subject.
“I have a pot of ham and beans on. I hope you don’t mind. It’s cold and they are so filling.”
Beau nodded, dipping a piece of toast into the soft middle of his egg. “That’s fine.”
“Are you well?”
Adele’s question made him look up sharply. “Why wouldn’t I be?”
“You’ve been,” she hesitated, biting her lip. “Distracted,” she finally finished.
“It’s a busy time of year.”
“You’re still angry about the election.”
Beau pinned her with a stern glare. “No, I’m not.”
Adele dropped her eyes and Beau could tell that his words had hurt her. It was strange having this woman want to support him. So many emotions coiled inside him, it felt like he had swallowed a rattlesnake.
“I’m sorry,” he finally managed. “That is all in the past. I have a good business and that’s enough.”
Adele pushed her breakfast around her plate. “Of course.” She was quiet for several seconds then looked up to meet his gaze. “I thought it might be nice to have my family over for Christmas dinner if you don’t mind.”
“Christmas?” Beau had all but forgotten about the holiday. “Oh, yes, of course. Whatever you want.”
“Thank you.”
Beau raised a brow, wondering at the sound of sorrow in Adele’s voice.
“I’ll get ready for church.”
Beau watched as his wife walked down the hall. Had he said something to upset her? This seemingly simple arrangement had gotten far too complicated in his mind. He had kissed her, and he liked it. Even as drunk as he had been that night, he couldn’t get the kiss out of his mind.
Wiping up the rest of his breakfast with his toast, Beau chewed thoughtfully, turning over his feelings for the woman he had wed. They said that familiarity bred contempt, but the longer he knew Adele, the more he liked her.
She had been rather cold and hard when she had first moved into his home, but she had lived up to her side of the deal and over the past few weeks, something had changed. That rattler coiled in his middle again and Beau bounced to his feet, carrying his plate to the sink. Was he developing feelings for the woman? Would she be able to care for him after he had blurted the truth of his birth?
