December 1882, Oklahoma (Indian) Territory
Brian didn’t see Lillian for several days. She wasn’t working when he went into the saloon, and then after a few nights, he was told she was with “some city slicker in a fancy suit with combed yellow hair.” Riker. The thought of them together made Brian ill.
He was brooding over this as he returned to building after tending to a family a couple of miles out on the prairie. It would be harder to tend people with winter coming; there was already an inch or two of snow on the ground. Winter seemed to be starting on time, a good sign. Had the snows started in October, it would be a hard winter.
As he swung down from his horse, he realized his father was standing near the doorway.
“Hello, Pa,” he said cheerfully. “What are you doing here?”
Peter Belden wasn’t smiling. “I need to speak to you, Brian, privately.”
“Sure,” Brian knew what was coming. “Hold on just a moment, I need to put Clancy here in.”
Once the horse was groomed and settled, Brian joined his father and started a fire in the small living quarters above the doctor’s office. Doc Ferris had moved in with his daughter and son-in-law, leaving Brian the living quarters. It wasn’t much, a double sized bed, a table, a couple of chairs, a potbellied stove in the corner, and a fireplace. It did have a nice little balcony that Brian would enjoy sitting out on come spring. It also gave him a good view of the town’s happenings.
“I’ve been hearing some disturbing things, son,” Peter said soberly.
Brian nodded, wondering if he could deflect the attention off himself. “I have too. Trixie won’t be happy about it if she hears them.”
“Trixie?” Peter looked puzzled.
“This is about Jim and Dan, isn’t it?” Brian asked. At Peter’s confusion, Brian sighed. “I’ve been hearing all sorts of rumors about them. How they patronized a fair number of saloon girls in New York, gambled too much, drank even more, before Dan joined the Marshals and Jim came West to help his great uncle. The carousing got pretty out of hand.”
Peter’s jaw dropped.
“There’s only one person I can think of who would have ay reason to spread that sort of gossip, especially if it’s malignant,” Brian continued as he warmed himself next to the fire. “My money is on Riker.”
Peter nodded, holding his hands out to the heat. “You may very well be right, Brian. He certainly has reason to want to cause us all grief.”
“Lytell mentioned it to yesterday,” Brian continued. “You know how he gets a kick out of mocking Trixie.”
Peter rubbed his beard. “I doubt any of it is true but there’s no real telling.”
“Don’t go buying Riker’s hogwash,” Bran said sharply. “Jim and Dan are fine men. They might have been a little wild in their youth, but they’re respectable men now.”
“You have a point, son. But I actually came to talk to you.”
“What about?” Briand asked casually.
“Deputy Hardy told me you’ve been seen at Swegin’s saloon almost every night for the last couple weeks.”
Brian shrugged. “Sure. I go in, have a drink, play some cards on occasion.”
“And you spend a lot of time upstairs with a young lady of a uh…questionable occupation.”
“Father, I’m a grown man,” Brian said firmly. “Who I keep company with is no one’s business but mine.”
“I understand that, Brian, but I’m curious as to what would make you want to.”
Brian looked at his father, uncomprehending. “I’m a man,” he said, his face flushing red. “I’m also her doctor. I examine those girls every week to treat them.”
“And if she claimed she was having your baby, you would never know it was yours!” Peter burst out.
Brian laughed, which only made his father irate.
“Pa, not that it’s anyone business, nor do I care, but we just talk. She’s a scared girl who shouldn’t be turning to that life. I even asked Madeleine if she could hire her at the house. I was going to ask Diana next.”
Peter gaped at his son. “Brian, what kind of spell has this girl put you under? Every one of those…women concocts some crazy story to get out of the lifestyle.”
Brian shook his head. “She hasn’t even told me the whole story, Pa. All I know is she’s a lovely young girl who’s terrified of something and she sleeps better when I’m sitting in her room.”
Peter just shook his head.
“I hope you don’t feel too disgraced, Pa,” Brian said, “but I’m not going to abandon her. She needs me.”
“Brian, people talk. Aren’t you concerned that you could lose business?”
Brian shrugged. “Doc Ferris is retired. I’m the only doctor between here and Claremore. I take good care of my patients, Pa, and that’s all that matters.”
Peter sighed. “I must tell you that I am not happy with my oldest son’s decision to keep company with a lady of the night.”
“If you met her, you’d understand,” Brian said quietly. “I respect your position but it is my decision, and I won’t abandon her. She needs a friend she can trust, and I’m the only one.”
Peter just nodded. “I suppose I should be proud that my boy is so intent on helping people. I’m just worried for you. Women in that line of work aren’t known for being honest.”
“Don’t worry,” Brian said. “She’s a special girl, Pa. She just needs a bit of help and I think I’m the only one to do it.”
“I hope you’re right,” Peter replied.
***
Peter hurried Peanut home, and took his time currying the animal in the barn. Mart had been cleared of those murder charges only a few weeks ago. Brian was spending his time with a prostitute. Trixie was engaged to a man who had an honorable profession but might have a shady past. Peter was very grateful his youngest was still too young to realize the other gender could be very appealing.
***
Regan listened discreetly at the door as he heard Jasper telling Madeleine about his uncle being sick.
“He coughs an awful lot,” Jasper confessed. “I’m really worried about him.”
“Has he seen Bri-I mean, Dr Belden?” Madeleine asked.
Jasper nodded. “He was over this morning, after I went to fetch him. He said he doesn’t think it’s pneumonia yet, but it could be. Uncle Thom needs to stay inside and stay warm, so I’ll be doing the rest of the chores on the farm for a while, with William to help me. Uncle Thom’s kind of old you know, and I heard some men at the store talking about it could be a hard winter.”
Madeleine nodded. “I had heard the same thing, though I’m not sure what they mean by it. I do hope you’re uncle is all right though.”
Regan didn’t. If the old man got sick and died, Ayla would free to be with him. Regan was immediately ashamed of having such thoughts, and chastised himself. He had seen Malley in town several times. The man never smiled or laughed, he was always serious and sour looking. How could one go through life that way? Regan wondered. And to have such a beautiful young wife, who loved to laugh, and dance and perform…or at least she did.
Regan lived for church, for the simple fact he got to see her. He didn’t really hear the sermons, but he could see her, lost in thought at what could have been. She would nod to him, gripping her son’s hand tightly. He hung back from Madeleine and her father until the Malleys were gone, finding an excuse to talk with the Beldens and Fraynes.
He visited Dan every other day, and was pleased his nephew was recovering. Not as fast as the young man wanted to, he was anxious to get back to his duties. Brian was out every few days to check on Dan.
Dan was going stir crazy. Brian had finally agreed he could get up and out of bed in limited amounts, and Dan liked to wander to the window. He stared out at the snow, hoping it wouldn’t deter Trixie from her daily visit. He didn’t really think it would, but his favorite time of the day was when she was there with them.
He hadn’t been surprised about Hallie’s punishment of the convent. Ben Riker’s involvement was new information to him, though Riker’s action didn’t surprise him either. Riker was scum of the lowest sort, and Dan knew he had been right in warning the women in his life to stay away from him. It was too bad Hallie hadn’t listened.
Dan hadn’t testified against Riker last year at his murder trial, but Dan had hunted down and helped bring the witnesses in, serving on the team to protect them until the trial. It was to no avail though; the witnesses recanted at the last minute and scurried away into the night, never to be seen again. Riker’s pockets ran deep. Dan had arrested him for beating up a prostitute in a saloon, but no charges were pressed and Riker was let go. Riker had promised Dan they’d see each other again.
And here he was in Sleepyside.
“You’re brooding again,” Trixie said from the doorway.
Dan turned and smiled at his pretty betrothed.
“Just waiting for my ray of sunshine,” he held out his hand to her.
“How long have you been up?” she asked.
“Just a few minutes,” he sighed. “I’m getting back in bed now.”
When he was settled, with her sitting on the edge holding her hand, he studied her.
“What’s got you down, Curly?” he asked.
“I don’t know,” she mused. “There’s something odd in the air.”
“Snow?” he chuckled.
She stuck out her tongue at him. “I don’t know. It’s weird with Hallie gone. Don’t get me wrong, I wanted her gone, but…”
“You still feel guilty.”
Trixie nodded.
“Trixie, don’t feel guilty. Hallie was no innocent party to this. I was pretty sure her intentions towards me were similar when I first met her, especially after that fiasco with my uncle and her attention to me. She was determined to snare someone of wealth.”
“I kind of wish Riker had married her,” Trixie sighed. “It would be better than being stuck at the convent!”
“No, it wouldn’t,” Dan said firmly. “Riker had a nasty reputation, Trixie. Not just for beating that murder rap. He’s been picked up more than once for beating up the women he keeps.”
Trixie’s eyes widened.
“He’s a cheat, and he has the money to get away with most anything.”
“Oh dear,” she murmured.
Dan squeezed her hand. “Trust me when I say he is nothing but trouble and bad news, except for the lowest of criminals. I really want you to stay away from him, Trixie. If you see him walking towards you, I want you to turn around and go the other way.”
Trixie nodded in understanding and agreement. “How’s Regan?”
“Managing,” Dan answered. “He was here yesterday. Madeline is able to get a fair amount of information on the family, but I’m worried Regan is becoming obsessed with it.”
“What do you mean?” Trixie asked.
“I think the only thing keeping him from riding out to that farm everyday is the snow,” Dan answered. “He doesn’t like the horses out in it. But he’s opened up about his history with her, and it does sound awfully romantic and promising.”
“Such a shame it was interrupted,” Trixie murmured.
Dan nodded. “I think if the boy wasn’t involved, Regan would be slightly less invested. But only slightly. Julianna never stood a chance of getting that kind of love from him.”
Trixie thought about that for a moment. “Dan, after all this time do you think they could make it work?”
“Not while her husband is alive,” Dan answered. “And even then…we’re talking about a childhood romance, essentially. Things that sound good when you’re younger, don’t always work out the right way.”
Trixie giggled. “You’re such an old, wise man.”
Dan chuckled. “I jut don’t want to see him hurt. He spent the majority of his life alone. Now he’s found me, her, the boy. I’m afraid it’s going to be too much pressure on him. It’s a lot of adjustments and in a very short time.”
Trixie nodded. “I can only imagine what he must be feeling.”
Dan raised her hand to his lips. “You know what I’m feeling?”
Trixie giggled. “What?”
He crooked his finger at her and she leaned forward with a smile of anticipation. The kiss didn’t disappoint. Their lips met and heat shot through them both. Trixie wanted to purr when his hand touched the side of her face.
The heavy footsteps coming down the hall broke them apart. Trixie flushed red and giggled as Dan looked sheepish.
“Knock knock,” Jim said, coming in with a tray. “Hi, Trixie.”
“Hi, Jim,” she smiled at her former beau.
“Mother sent up some tea and cake.” Jim set the tray on the table next to Dan’s bed, and ignored the blushing of Trixie and the mischievous smile of his brother.
“Good, I was getting hungry. Sit, join us,” he said to Jim.
Jim did so, trying to not feel the persistent ache in his heart when looked at Trixie.
“You better cut back on those cookies,” Jim teased, hiding his pain. “You look like you’re gaining a bit around the middle.”
Dan chuckled. “I don’t mind. Mother is always saying I’m too thin. I think she’s determined to fatten me up.” He squeezed Trixie’s hand.
“Be sure to get Mother’s recipe for beef stew,” Jim said to Trixie. “Dan loves it. He went through a phase one winter where that was all he wanted.”
Dan chuckled. “I couldn’t help it.”
Trixie forced a smile and tried to squelch the butterflies in her stomach at the thought of having to cook meals by herself, for her and Dan once they were married. Ma had been instructing her on cooking more and more lately, but it was overwhelming and made Trixie grumpy.
“Word around town is your brother is courting a young lady,” Jim said to Trixie.
“But Mart is – you mean Brian?” she asked.
Jim nodded. “Apparently there’s a young blonde woman he’s been seen with.”
Trixie frowned. “I guess he really isn’t going to court Madeleine then.”
Jim shook his head. “No, it seems Madeleine is quite taken with young Jasper Malley.”
“Good,” Dan said, leaning back against his pillow. “Then I don’t feel so bad about her spying for us.”
Trixie smiled. “Madeleine did seem awfully happy when I saw her yesterday.”
“She deserves to be,” Dan closed his eyes.
“You all right?” Jim asked, concerned.
“Yep. Just a bit tired.”
“You were out of bed longer than you were supposed to be, weren’t you,” Trixie scolded.
Dan chuckled. “Maybe a few moments.”
Jim frowned at him. “That shot was serious, Danny. You need to listen to Brian.”
“I am,” Dan promised. “I just wanted to see the snow. Remember the snowball fights we used to have? I was looking forward to that.”
Jim smiled. “I expect we’ll have snow long enough that we can still get in a snowball fight.”
Trixie nodded. “Yes. Brian and Bobby would team up against me and Mart. Diana and her siblings come over too, and it’s just a big free for all.”
“I can’t wait,” Dan smiled, his dark eyes on Trixie.
***
A winter storm dumped several more inches of snow on the ground and froze the lakes and ponds as December finished up.
Jim and Mart made a trip to Claremore that took several days, picking up Christmas presents. Dan had sent Jim with a list.
Brian had a rough time keeping check on patients that weren’t in town. He tried to get out to the Malley place, and was chagrined to learn that Thom Malley did indeed have pneumonia now. For several days the rough weather kept Brian in town, unable to get out to any patients.
He kept up his frequent visits to the saloon, finally figuring he had to get there early, before Riker could. Riker had taken a liking to Lillian, and she spent her nights with Brian just curled up next to him, sometimes crying. He saw the marks on her arms and urged her to complain to Swegin but she shook her head. As long as he got his money and the marks weren’t on her face, Swegin didn’t really care. Brian’s blood boiled and he asked Lillian to leave Swegin’s place. She was too scared though, and wouldn’t. She had nowhere to go.
Deputy Marshal Hardy had been keeping Dan abreast of the activities in the town, running things while Dan recovered. Dan was chomping at the bit to get back in the action.
Ben Riker kept himself out of trouble with the law. He taunted Brian Belden by occupying Lily’s time, and spread a few more rumors about Dan and Jim. Dan was an easy target since he was out of commission, and Riker enjoyed bragging how he had taken a worse shot than Dan, it was simply a light wound but the Marshal was enjoying the attention and was enjoying some luxury at his family estate. He spread enough money around and bought enough rounds of liquor that he became very popular very quickly, his prior reputation forgotten.
He also decided to amuse himself by visiting Jane Morgan, who helped her parents running the only hotel that he stayed in. He paid her just enough attention to make her giggly and devoted, and she was an excellent gossip source, both for passing information around and gathering it. The plain, mean-spirited girl was easily manipulated, he found, and that of course worked to his advantage. She was desperate for a husband and eagerly lapped up the attention he gave her, when leaned against the counter of the hotel and tuned on the charm.
The weather let up for a few days and while it didn’t really thaw, travel was easier. Regan rode into town to pick up an item for Madeleine and check the mail, and as he turned back to Lady, he spotted Ayla.
She rode an ivory horse that he admired briefly, and she was stopping at Brian’s. Regan hurried towards the doctor’s office as she tied the reins to the post.
“Ayla,” he said quickly.
She turned and acknowledged him. “Regan.” She was bundled in dark blue, which made her cloudy ocean colored eyes stand out even further. Her long coat covered her dress, and her hat, scarf and gloves matched. Her fair skin was pink from the cold wind.
“Why are you visiting Brian? Is the boy okay?”
“William is fine,” she answered shortly. “Thom has pneumonia.”
Regan hesitated. “I’m sorry to hear that. Please give him my best.”
“Will do,” she nodded to him and opened the door to Brian’s office. She wondered if her husband was going to survive the winter.
 
Author Notes
- a huge yee-haa! to Julie (Macjest), my ever patient and helpful editor for this universe! All mistakes are mine.
-Word count 3,203
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