Chapter Thirty-Six

Zachary grumbled upon waking up and realizing that Samantha wasn't wrapped in his arms. He preferred mornings where he could simply breathe her in and gaze at her while slept peacefully against him. He opened his eyes and saw his woman sitting at the vanity in the corner of their hotel room. Her soft curves were wrapped in a robe and she was running a brush through her long red curls.

Pushing himself to his feet, Zachary crossed the room silently and came behind her taking the brush from her hand. She jumped a bit and looked at his face in the mirror. "You scared me...."

"I didn't mean to. You were lost in thought," he replied, taking over in the job of brushing out all that soft hair. "Just like you were most of the day yesterday. I didn't push then, and I won't push now but if you want to talk, I'm here."

She let out a sigh and leaned back on the stool she was seated upon, resting her back and head against his bare stomach and chest. "I know. It's Eleanor. She told me something yesterday and I'm worried about her... and about Tim."

Zachary sat the brush down on the vanity and laid his hands on her shoulders before dropping a kiss to her hair. "Timothy really seems to like her. And I thought after seeing them together that she liked him too."

"She does," Samantha quickly assured him, turning her head and looking up to meet his gaze. "But.. there's something he doesn't know and she just told me yesterday and... I would love to be able to tell you but she trusted me.."

Zachary smiled and stooped again, this time to press a tender kiss to her lips. "I would never ask you to betray your friends' confidence, Sam. I really hope she doesn't hurt Tim. He deserves a bit of happiness."

Samantha chewed at her lip a moment. "I know that she has no intention of hurting him. But what she has to tell him could change things."

Zachary sighed as he stood back straight. "Alright then. When it comes to dealing with our friends and their feelings, I'll let you take the reins. I think you're better suited."

"You're probably right," she teased. Then her gaze drifted down and her eyes widened when she seemed to realize for the first time that Zachary hadn't taken the time to put clothes on before approaching her. "Well, Mr. Marston... good morning."

"Good morning, ma'am."

Zachary's blood coursed hotter and harder as she turned on that stool and raised an arched brow while gazing up at him through those long lashes. "I know how I can make it an even better one."

Those fingertips seared his skin, branding him as they danced over his stomach and down his lean hips to his thighs. Damn this woman had a power over him that was terrifying. Already he was hard for her and his legs were shaking as she held him captivated in that hungry gaze.

A sudden knock on the door had Zachary growling and Samantha to leaping to her feet. She pulled her robe tighter around her nightgown. Zachary willed his cock to calm the hell down as he searched for his pants. "Who the hell is it?" he demanded when the knock sounded again.

"Tim."

The subdued tone of his friends' voice had Zachary's temper fading a bit. He finished buttoning his trousers and nodded at Samantha to open the door. Tim looked like hell. His black pants were splattered with mud, his white shirt was unbuttoned part of the way down and his red vest was hanging open. Messy blond hair fell over his brow and it was clear from the circles around his tired eyes and the pallor of his face that the man hadn't slept.

"Oh Tim..." Samantha instantly threw her arms around the other man and held him tight. Zachary smiled at the desperate way Tim hugged her back. Samantha always seemed to know what people needed—her warmth and caring always left him in awe.

Timothy slowly pulled away and shoved his hands in his pockets. He glanced toward Zachary and then again at Samantha and frowned. "I'm sorry.. I didn't mean to interrupt anything."

Samantha waved her hand. "You're our brother and we'll always have time for you," she assured him. He stepped in and closed the door behind him before leaning back against it. "You don't look like you've slept," Samantha said, pouring him a glass of water from the pitcher and carrying it to him.

Zachary crossed his arms over his chest and leaned against the wall. He would leave this conversation up to Sam unless for some reason one of them pulled him into it. Tim took the glass of water and downed it quickly. "I haven't."

Samantha sat down in the arm chair, crossed her legs, folded her hands in her lap. "I'm guessing she told you?"

"Yeah, she told me." Tim tossed the now empty glass from hand to hand.

"And..... what did you say?"

Timothy sighed. "Nothing. We spent the whole evening together. We ate supper, we talked, we laughed... I've never felt the way she makes me feel, Sam. We went for a walk and that's when she changed. She put those walls right back up around herself and wanted to go home—so I took her back to the docs and that's when she told me. We were outside the door and she told me—but she told me not to say anything. She wanted me to take time to think about things before I gave her a response."

Zachary frowned. What the hell could be that damn serious? He wanted to know—and his curiosity was overwhelming his private nature. "What exactly did she tell you?"

Timothy sat his glass on the small table by the door. "She's with child. So, a future with her would include a baby."

Oh. Well, that was definitely big news—but it made sense. Her sickness, her worry, her sudden exit from the brothel. Zach studied his best friends face for any signs as to how he felt about it. Timothy didn't look sad, or depressed, or worried at all. He looked tired but other than that he seemed fine.

Zachary shrugged. "You wanted a family of your own—and it seems you've got a head start."

Timothy cleared his throat loudly, rubbed at the back of his neck and rocked back on his heels. "I uh... well...."

"Zachary, you said you'd leave these talks up to me, remember?" Samantha stated pointedly. He simply shrugged and went to find his vest so he could get his cigarette and matches from within it. "It's complicated and I'm sure Timothy needs to think about things..."

"Why is it complicated?" Zachary found what he had been hunting for, placed his cigarette in his mouth and struck the match. After lighting the cigarette and taking a long draw, he shrugged. "Eleanor is still the same woman she was, and Tim seemed pretty sure he wanted a future with her. A babe might be unexpected, but it shouldn't change that—it wouldn't have changed my mind about you."

Samantha's cheeks colored and she picked at a string hanging off her robe. "Oh."

Zachary met Timothy's gaze and saw that his friend seemed lost in thought. "You gonna go talk to her?" Zach asked.

"Uh..no..not uh..not yet."

"Don't rush it, Tim," Samantha encouraged gently as she got to her feet. "Make sure you're positive about your decision before you talk to her."

He nodded and shoved his hands in his pockets. "Don't worry, Sam. I will."

Zachary grunted. Seemed an obvious choice to him but what the hell did he know. He lifted the curtain to see that the sun was already burning through the clouds to the east. It was going to be a pretty day. "You coming out to work on the house today?" he asked Tim.

"Uh..no.. I had something I wanted to take care of."

"I'm working at the post office," Sam added. "But we're closing early because Lewis' going away party is at three."

"I'm not going to that," Zachary quickly informed her.

The look she fixed him with told him differently. "Yes, you are. I want to go and I want you to go with me."

Zachary sighed. "Why?"

She batted her lashes. "Because I love you."

With Timothy chuckling, Zachary shook his head. "I know you love me and I love you too—but why are you so determined to go? You don't work tomorrow so we could just go for a long ride, spend the night out under the stars..."

"That sounds nice." Samantha walked his way and laid her hands against his bare chest. "And we'll do that right after the party."

Zachary trembled at her touch but raised his brow. "You that eager to spend time with your hopeful beau Lewis?"

Samantha's gaze went skyward. "Don't feign jealousy. We both now you're too confident to ever be jealous."

"She knows you well, Zach," Tim spoke up.

Zachary chuckled. "There will be people at the party. A lot of people. Didn't we have enough people time yesterday?"

"You anti-social grump. We can have a people free day tomorrow. I want to go to the party. Lewis is a friend. Eleanor will be there. And you can go to support the doc. I know you have fondness and respect for him."

"Fine." Hell, all this woman had to do was ask and he would do anything for her. "But I'm holding you to that people free day tomorrow."

Rising on her toes, Samantha pressed a quick kiss to his lips. Zachary slowly pulled himself away from her. His blood was beginning to run hot and they had an audience. "I need to be getting to the ranch to work, the crew is probably already on their way there.... Unless you need me, Tim? I can just let them handle things..."

Timothy smiled. "I'll be just fine, Zach. Gonna spend the day thinking about a few things."

"Are you sure, Timothy?" Samantha asked, tilting her head as she studied him.

"I'm sure." Zachary thought the man seemed pretty sure. He didn't look sad or confused—just thoughtful. "I'll see y'all at the party."

Tim opened the door to leave and Zachary scooped his shirt off the floor. "Hey Tim?"

Tim glanced at him expectantly. Zachary took another draw off his cigarette. "You know what it is to be a kid that needs a family. And you know more than most that blood don't mean much when it comes to what family is all about. If you care about the woman as much as I know you do, just keep that in mind." Remembering a previous encounter he'd had with his best friend, Zachary walked over to the man and tapped his finger against Tim's temple several times. "Don't get so caught up in here that you mess up and lose her."

Timothy's smile was a grateful one even as he rubbed at his abused head. "Thanks, Zach. I'll keep that in mind."

Zachary just shrugged and went back to getting dressed. He'd had enough with conversation for the time being.

***

Eleanor stood in the full-length mirror and simply studied her reflection. She had been told many times that she was beautiful and the living she had made selling her body proved that to be true. Her facial features were angelic in a way. Big blue eyes, full cheeks, a small delicate nose, rounded chin, and gentle smile. Her hair was a bright golden blond that shone with highlights when the sun touched it.

Her throat was delicate, her neck long, and her shoulders slender—as was the rest of her build. She had small but high breasts, slightly rounded hips, and long, shapely legs. Her body was free of any freckles, scars or blemishes other than a small brown mole on her collarbone. Yes, she knew she was beautiful—but that didn't matter. She was damaged goods. A whore. A pregnant whore.

It was nearly time to leave for the party and Eleanor had changed into her black skirt—though it taken some doing to get the mud splatters off the fabric—and her peach blouse. She wished she had other clothing but the only other clothing she owned were brothel costumes... certainly not anything she could wear to a party at the community center.

Eleanor longed to say she wasn't going. She wanted to curl up in this room and simply hide away for the rest of her days. What if Timothy was there? She hadn't seen or heard from the man all day—that had to mean something, didn't it? She had wanted to give him time to truly think about the sacrifice he would be making by being with her, but she hadn't realized how painful that time would be for her to live through.

Was he going to turn away from her? His silence made it seem that way. It was what she had expected. She had known that if she had let him speak last night, he probably would have vowed to stay at her side simply out of obligation or pity—and so, Eleanor had given him a way out. Time to think and the opportunity to distance himself.

It was for the best—Eleanor knew that. But it still hurt. She had allowed herself to begin to dream the prettiest of dreams—she'd been foolish to do so.

Yes, she wanted to hide away but that would be cowardly and Eleanor would not be a coward. Not only that, but the doctor truly wanted her to come. This party meant a lot to him because his nephew meant a lot to him and he would miss Lewis once he was gone. The doctor had already done so much for her and had given her a place and a job and future that, while not as pretty as those dreams she'd allowed herself to have, would be safe and secure for herself and her child.

Eleanor would go. She would face the townsfolk and their judgments. She hoped Samantha would be there—that would make things a little easier. She hoped Timothy wouldn't be there. She didn't want to have to look into those gentle green eyes and know that he hadn't chosen her—she was selfish.

After letting out a final steadying breath, securing her hair in a chignon upon the back of her head, and adjusting her blouse, Eleanor left the safety of her bedroom to find Lewis and the doc in the kitchen. The doc smiled warmly at her arrival. "I'm glad you decided to come."

"Of course I did," she replied, gripping the back of a kitchen chair to steady her legs. "You've done so much for me, the least I can do is help give Lewis a proper goodbye."

"Are you certain you feel up to going?" Lewis questioned. "You look pale and as if you haven't slept."

That was because she hadn't slept. It was hard to sleep while your dreams slipped away. She simply offered him her best fake smile and waved her hand. "I feel perfectly fine."

Both men shared knowing glances. She knew they had an idea about what had happened the night before. Neither of the men before her were fools. Both knew she had gone out for the evening with Timothy, both knew she had come home and locked herself in her room in tears, and both knew the man had not been around today.

Doctor Reynolds was the first to speak again. "Well, let's get going then. The party starts shortly and I'd like to make sure all the refreshments and decorations are ready."

The trio headed out, Eleanor safely cocooned from prying eyes and hushed whispers as she walked between the two men. As they stepped into the community center, Eleanor found her eyes drawn to the hanging lanterns, the long tables full of foods including cakes and cookies. More tables lined the walls, covered in white tablecloths. A banner was upon the back wall bidding Lewis goodbye and a band was set up on a nearby stage—though they weren't playing music yet.

Eleanor had never been in this large, open building. Whores weren't allowed in the community center—they may speak to a child or a proper lady and lead them down a path of sin. Eleanor winced. She sincerely hoped that Judith Channing wouldn't show up tonight. Doctor Reynolds had assured her that the lady hadn't been invited but invitations probably meant little to the woman. She would feel entitled to show up based on her status in town alone.

"I'm going to go speak to the band, you make yourself comfortable, Eleanor." Doctor Reynolds turned to his nephew. "Lewis, stay near the door, guests will be arriving soon."

Eleanor made her way toward a back table, swiping a chocolate chip cookies from one of the refreshment tables as she went. She settled herself in a corner, hoping that would keep her unbothered and unseen for the afternoon.

The doc had been right and within minutes, guests began to arrive. The band began to play and the community center was soon full of the din of conversation as folks ate, talked, danced and simply enjoyed themselves. Eleanor didn't recognize many of them. Her job at the brothel had kept her out of all social circles. Some of the men were familiar—She shifted uncomfortably in her seat when she realized how many of them she had laid with.

If the wrong wife saw her she may end up having to fight her way out of this party. Eleanor should not have come. She should not have thought for a moment she had a future here that could include public gatherings and acceptance.

She was about to rise from her seat and slip out the back door when a woman looked her way, squared her shoulders, and began to approach. Eleanor remained in her seat and pushed her half-eaten cookie away. Perhaps the woman would be less likely to strike her if she simply kept her eyes down and stayed low.

"Is your name Eleanor?"

"Yes."

She was faintly aware of the woman folding her gloved hands in front of her. "And you were in the diner with the doctor the other night?"

"Yes."

The woman suddenly pulled out a chair and sat down across from her. Eleanor spared a glance up. She was a pretty woman, near middle-age with brown hair, tanned skin, and gentle features. She also did not seem angry or hostile. Instead, she smiled in an almost apologetic way and seemed embarrassed.

"I thought I recognized you. My name is Catherine. I believe you know my husband Greg."

Eleanor paled. Her hands shook and so she hid them in her lap. The woman didn't look hostile but that could be an act. Yes, Eleanor knew Greg. She had laid with Greg many many times—and Greg had attacked her on the street just two nights ago. Greg was the reason Timothy had spent a night in jail.

"Please, Eleanor, don't look so worried. I'm not here to fight with you."

She didn't have to fake her surprise. "You're not?"

Catherine shook her head and offered a smile. "No. I'm here to apologize to you. I heard the things he said to you. My husband is an unbearable ass. The way he spoke to you was beyond disgusting."

"Oh...."

Catherine's cheeks colored a bit as she fussed with a napkin on the table. "I may not understand what leads a woman to your previous profession, but it is not your fault that my husband was unfaithful. He is the one who chose to dishonor the vows he made to me and it was no fault of your own."

"I..." Eleanor was embarrassed by the tears she could feel burning behind her eyes. This conversation was surreal. "I don't know what to say."

"You don't have to say anything. I just wanted you to know that while there might be some women that blame you for their husbands' indiscretions, I am not one of them. You can consider me a friend, Eleanor. I'm divorcing Greg. And a big part of that is the way he spoke to you. We have a son and I don't want our boy growing up watching his father and thinking that behavior is appropriate for a man. Men seem to enjoy judging women as whores and yet they forget that they are the ones paying those women to do the exact acts that they then judge them for!"

Eleanor's head was whirling. Of all the things she had imagined when she had seen Catherine approaching her table, this had not been one of them. She laid her hands on the table and managed a shaky smile. "Thank you, Catherine. I'm going to do my best to start a new life here. Friends are something I wasn't expecting to have many of."

Catherine's smile was genuine as she laid her hand over Eleanor's on the table. "A person doesn't need a lot of friends, Eleanor. Just a few good ones."

"Is everything okay here?" Samantha's voice had Eleanor's head whipping around to find that Sam and Zachary were standing beside the table. Samantha looked ready to take on Catherine with her bare hands if needed—Zachary in his work-stained clothes with dirt on his face, just looked awkward, out of place, and ready to leave.

"Of course," Catherine stood up and held her hand out to Samantha. "My name is Catherine." Samantha still seemed a bit wary but shook her hand. "I was just telling Eleanor here that I would love to take her out to lunch anytime she's free. A woman needs friends in this world."

Eleanor met Samantha's protective gaze and nodded. "She's been nothing but kind."

Samantha's posture relaxed and her smile was friendly when she once again turned her attention to Catherine. Eleanor found herself surprised by just how different Samantha was from the woman she'd been before Zachary had come to town. Samantha had been quiet, closed off, reserved, and fearful—she certainly wasn't any of those things any longer.

"It's nice to meet you, Catherine. My name is Samantha. This is my fiancé Zachary."

"Yes," Catherine held her hand out to Zachary. He hesitated a moment before shaking it quickly and then pulling away. "I knew your mother. Evelyn was a wonderful woman and little Sara and Susan were beautiful girls. I know it's been a while since they were taken but I want to offer my sincerest condolences. The world lost a light when it lost your family."

Eleanor saw Zachary's jaw tighten as his eyes turned red and he quickly averted his gaze. Samantha's hand found his, squeezing it tightly, as Zachary's throat worked up and down several times. Finally, he nodded. "Thank you."

"Well, I'm going to go get myself something to eat and mingle a bit." Catherine smiled at Eleanor. "I meant what I said. If there is ever a time you'd like to go to lunch or simply talk, I'm staying with my mother in the blue house just outside of town to the east. You're welcome to come visit."

Eleanor watched Catherine walk off into the crowd before turning her attention to Samantha and Zachary. She tapped her fingers on the table and frowned. "That was... unexpected."

Samantha took the seat that Catherine had just left while Zachary stood behind her with his hand on her shoulder. "How are you feeling, Eleanor?"

Eleanor sighed and picked at the half-eaten cookie she had laid on the table. She wanted that chocolate—but at the same time her stomach rolled at the thought of food. Pregnancy was confusing. "I'm fine."

"Have you seen Tim?"

Her heart ached. Laughter rang out from a nearby conversation and the band began a fast-paced dancing tune. "No. He's not here."

Samantha frowned up at Zachary who simply shrugged. "I've been working all day. I haven't seen Tim since he left our room this morning."

"Do you want Zach to go look for him?" Samantha offered.

Eleanor was quick to shake her head. "No." Eleanor picked at the white tablecloth. "What he chooses has to be his choice, I won't push him. I told him last night to take his time and think about things. I also told him that if he chose to walk away from me, I wouldn't be angry and I wouldn't blame him. I can't send someone chasing after him now."

Samantha sighed. She stood up from the chair. "Come on, Eleanor. Let's go get you something to drink and stretch our legs."

"I was just going to hide in this chair for the evening and hope no one notices me."

Zachary chuckled. "Sounds like a plan. Maybe I'll join you."

"No, you won't," Samantha warned. "Come on, Eleanor. You can't hide forever."

Eleanor knew Samantha was right—that didn't mean she appreciated the woman's stubbornness. With a grumble, she pushed herself to her feet. Samantha reached out and looped her arm through hers. "No one will say anything to you while we're with you," she promised. "I have a scary feller."

Eleanor found herself laughing lightly despite the nerves dancing in her stomach. They made their way through the crowd to the refreshments table and Zachary poured both women a glass of lemonade. Eleanor did her best to return friendly smiles and waves as she stood there awkwardly with one arm wrapped around herself.

Samantha did her best to keep the conversation light and Eleanor knew the woman was attempting to put her at ease and help her relax and she appreciated her friend even more for the effort.

Doctor Reynold's approached them with a smile on his face. "Nice to see you here, Zachary. I figured you would avoid the crowd."

"I wanted to, doc, but when Samantha sets her mind to something there's no reasoning with the woman."

Samantha batted her lashes. "He just can't tell me no."

When Eleanor and the doc laughed, Zachary simply shrugged and hid his amusement behind his cup of lemonade. Doctor Reynold's glanced at Eleanor, pulling off his spectacles and cleaning them on his sleeve. "I trust you haven't had any trouble so far?"

She smiled and shook her head. "Everyone has been just fine."

"Well good!" he put his glasses back on his nose.

Zachary cleared his throat. "Sam, we showed up. We've seen the doc. How long until we can leave?"

Samantha tapped her chin while Eleanor laughed lightly. Zachary truly did look out of place. Covered in dirt and weapons, eyes scanning his surroundings, shoulders tense. He oozed danger and threat—which was a sharp contrast to the lacy tablecloths and glowing lamps. "Just as soon as you dance with me."

"Guess we're staying forever then. I don't dance, Samantha."

"Just one?"

"Nope."

She snorted. "Fine. I'll go ask Lewis to dance with me. I'm sure he'd be happy to."

"More than happy to," Doc Reynolds agreed. "He'll probably suffer a stroke the moment you ask him."

Zachary tilted his head. "Go for it."

Eleanor watched on in amusement as Samantha made her way to Lewis. They were too far away to hear the conversation, but Lewis did indeed look near fainting as Samantha spoke to him. He cast a rather nervous glance in Zachary's direction but Zachary simply took a drink of lemonade and leaned his shoulder against the post beside him.

The happiness on Lewis' face as he led Samantha to the dance floor made even Eleanor's heart feel just a bit lighter.

Doctor Reynolds cleared his throat. "The boys head will be swollen so large with his inflated ego that we'll be lucky to fit him back out the door tonight." He turned his attention to Zachary. "I want you to come speak with Hosea Thompson for a moment. He's a cattle man from down in Texas and is going to be selling a few hundred head soon. I thought maybe you might be interested. And even if you're not, it wouldn't hurt to make a good contact in the ranching business."

Zachary sighed. "I guess you're right. Will you be alright, Eleanor?"

She nodded, though her stomach turned a bit at the thought of standing here alone. Perhaps she would go hide once again at her table. "I'll be just fine. Go on and have a good talk about cows."

Eleanor found herself alone beside the refreshment table. A group of women approached, whispering behind their hands as they stared in her direction.

Yes. She was going back to her table. Turning quickly, Eleanor headed that way only to be stopped when quick footsteps approached and a throat cleared behind her. "As if dirtying up the diner was not enough, you had to come show your sinful face in the community center? This is a place for decent folks and families—not whores who spread their legs for a bit of coin!"  

A/N: For a man who says he's going to leave the 'feelings' conversations up to Samantha, Zachary is rather good at them! And dang Judith Channing just has to come along and ruin a perfectly nice party. Also, where has Timothy gone?? Thoughts, comments, feelings, random ramblings you'd like to share--I love all the interactions so feel free to comment away! Love y'all