As soon as they were out of sight, Luke took off in the opposite direction.
* * *
Monday night, the miners were broke, and the saloons empty.
Which suited Jake just fine.
Chestnut lay cloaked in snow, the scent of smoldering coal hovering on the air. Jake patrolled past the street leading to the orphanage. Light spilled from the kitchen window onto the snow-blanketed yard. Livy and Mrs. Brooks would be cleaning up after supper and getting the children ready for bed, so he decided to stop in and ease Livy’s mind about Susie’s baby.
He stepped onto the porch, the boards creaking under his weight.
Mrs. Brooks opened the door on his first knock. Her eyes lit up with a welcoming smile. “Good evening, Jake. Come in out of the cold. How are you?”
“I’m fine, thank you.” He took off his hat and stood close to the door, careful not to muddy her floor.
“Would you like a cup of coffee to warm you?”
“Thank you, but I can’t stay.” He looked around the empty kitchen. “How’s the little girl?”
“Much better. I think she’s on the mend.”
“Is Livy here? I wanted to give her the good news.”
“Oh?” Mrs. Brooks arched a brow.
“My sister had her baby.” Jake grinned, proud as punch to be an uncle.
“That’s wonderful.” Her smile widened. “I’ll get Livy. She’s been mighty worried.”
Moments later Livy came into the kitchen, an armload of blankets in her arms, a worried look on her face. “How are your sister and the baby?”
“They’re both fine. A healthy boy.”
She smiled, the relief on her face evident. “Oh, I’m so glad.”
Jake’s eyes took in the damp splotches dotting her dress. She caught his gaze and shrugged. “Sorry I’m such a mess. Grace managed to spill her supper. I just gave her a bath, and she enjoyed splashing water all over us both.”
Shadows danced across her face, softening features framed by wispy curls. Jake reached out and tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear, his fingers brushing her cheek. “You look fine.”
Jake wanted to take back the husky words as soon as the rose tint flooded her cheeks. He remembered her parting comment from the night before, and with an effort, he let her go and stepped back. He didn’t want to rush her, but if he didn’t put some distance between them soon, he’d give in and kiss her, and she’d as much as told him she wasn’t ready for that, even though the look in her eyes told him otherwise.
She glanced away. “Thank you for stopping by.”
“Good night, Livy.”
“Good night.”
He opened the door.
“Jake?” She took a step toward him, her eyes luminous in the lamplight, the blankets clasped like a shield in front of her. “Take care.”
He touched her cheek, wanting to take her in his arms, to feel her close for just one second. Instead, he let his fingers slide down her jaw and backed away. “I will.”
Jake headed toward shantytown, thinking of Livy’s face, soft and pretty in the glow of the lantern. She’d drawn him in, then held him at arm’s length. Why? Could there be a man in her past? Could that be why she’d said she wasn’t ready?
His long legs ate up the distance as he stomped out his rounds, the thoughts in his head swirling faster than the snow flurries from the week before. Surely that couldn’t be the reason she seemed hesitant.
His stride faltered.
What else could it be?
He stepped into the Golden Nugget, not in the mood to face the smoky room and deal with the drunks and coal miners who wanted to prove how tough they were. Out of habit, he took in the room as soon as the door shut behind him.
Four old-timers played cards, a friendly game that wouldn’t get out of hand. A couple of strangers stood at the bar, and the corner table boasted a card game in full swing. The greenbacks in the center of the table screamed that this was a group of gamblers intent on taking that pile of money home. Jake didn’t know two of the players, and the third sat with his back to the door. His tall, lanky form looked familiar even through the haze, but Jake couldn’t place him.
The fellow slumped over the table, bracing himself with his elbows, looking like a good stiff wind might knock him down. He tried to play a card, and it fluttered to the floor. Jake shook his head. Anybody with one eye and half sense ought