Logan's Land Read online

“Only place t’go is Janey’s Place cross the street.”

  “That isn’t a hotel. It’s a — ”

  “Sure it is, hon.” She grinned. “Don’t look like much but it’s the only hotel in Ruby City. Used to have three, no it were four. Good places. Janey’s Place looked lots better in its time, too. But as business fell, so did the places. Now Janey’s Place is about the only hotel left where visitors can stay.”

  I frowned and looked out the window again.

  “Can’t say as it’s any great shakes, but it’ll do. Now if you were staying for a bit, I’d say Miss Lily’s would do you. But I know for a fact that she ain’t got no vacancy now.”

  “I suppose the hotel will have to do,” I sighed.

  “That where you’ll be if anyone comes lookin’ fer you?”

  I nodded and pulled my cape on. Lifting my case, I headed toward the door.

  “Honey. I need t’know yer name. That is if I’m goin’ to be directin’ anyone yer way.”

  “Oh. Right.” I paused and looked again toward the empty street. “My name is Elisa.”

  I picked up my case. It felt heavier than before, but maybe it was the heavy feeling in my heart.

  “And your last name is Elliot. Or are you married?”

  I shook my head. “Elliot Edwards... is my brother’s real name. But for some reason” – I saw her eyes narrow – “he changed his name. I... don’t know why.”

  “Honeychild, if I were you, I wouldn’t tell anyone that you’re Edward Elliot’s sister. Last I heard he weren’t none too popular.”

  I wanted to ask her why and find out what she could tell me, but the machine in the office began clicking rapidly.

  Theora ran towards it, hastily jotting down notes.

  Knowing she would be busy for a while. I decided I might as well find a place at the hotel and have something to eat.

  The street seemed deserted as I crossed, but I had the strange feeling I was being watched. My stomach tightened as I paused mid-street and turned. In the darkness. I could see no one. I wanted to think it was Elliot, but my senses told me it was not. Quickening my step, I hurried the rest of the way, only to be stopped on the wooden steps outside the hotel.

  There, coming out of the saloon with two women one on each arm, was Logan James.

  His eyes met mine and he dropped the arms of the two ladies as he took two strides forward to meet me. I was thankful that I had replaced my bonnet before leaving the telegraph office.

  Deciding I would not allow him to intimidate me as he had done earlier that day, I reached for my case again.

  “Allow me, ma’am.” He smiled and tipped his hat.

  “I can manage on my own.”

  “Can you now?” Still smiling, he leaned down and picked up my case despite my protest. “Rather heavy for a delicate young thing like yourself.”

  I shrugged.

  Seeing that he insisted on carrying the portmanteau and too exhausted to quarrel with him, I walked head high into the hotel.

  He followed. It was impossible not to notice that his ladies followed after him.

  The exterior of the place had indeed seen better days. But as I entered the smoky interior, which served both as the lobby of the hotel and, within the same room but off to the far side, the saloon, I was duly impressed.

  The lobby was reasonably well-furnished, considering where we were. In Chicago, I had seen better – my favorite being the fabulous Palmer House with its Venetian marble and Egyptian glass. But this was the West. If I intended to stay, I would have to try to accustom myself to less.

  Not that my life had been opulent, but certainly it seemed to have been more civilized than what I was hearing from the saloon now. The men, now seated around the tables played cards and puffing on their cigars, made more noise than the piano player who was attempting to make some sort of music.

  Sawdust covered the floor; I assumed because it was easier to clean that up than to mop the floors daily since I was certain the women who strolled around the tables adorned in little else but their ostrich feathers did no housework.

  No one seemed to be available in the hotel section, a carved hardwood extension of the bar and so I waited patiently, touching the marble slab which, if the inscription read right, had also been imported from Italy. Several of the mirrors hanging on the wall behind were cracked and in need of cleaning. Obviously, they had been brought from the East. I glanced at Logan James who had remained at my side. Had he anything to do with it?

  He grinned at me. And taking my look for an opening he said. “You gonna wait all day. Miss... uh... Baxter?”

  I flushed.

  “That’s not my name. I said my cousins were Baxter.

  “Oh. And just what do I call you, pretty lady?”

  “Nothing.” I snapped. I pounded irritably on the bell which I had just noticed.

  The gentleman, if you could call him that, who now ran forward seemed to be shoddily dressed for a hotel clerk.

  I pulled back, slightly disgusted as I caught the odor of whiskey on his breath.

  “Can I help you?”

  His leering smile nauseated me. I didn’t know who was worse – him or Logan James – and I felt trapped in by these two despicable creatures.

  “Yes. I need a room.”

  “For how long?” His yellow tobacco-stained teeth flashed as he grinned, examining me, sizing me up.

  “I don’t know... I... for a night at least.”

  He hummed to himself as he looked at his array of keys. “Got a share. Cost you two dollars.”

  “A share!” My eyes widened. For the price he was charging, I expected a suite. “Can I have a bath there?”

  He shrugged. “Extra fifteen cents.”

  I frowned. At this rate my money would disappear in no time. “Is this the only hotel in town?”

  “Only one.” He reached down and from beneath the counter removed a small bottle. Taking a gulp, he replaced it quickly, and then gave me a big smile so that the smell of his whiskey permeated the air around me.

  “You do have a choice, pretty lady.”

  “What’s that?” I asked, turning momentarily.

  “You could room with me.”

  I glared at him and opened up my reticule. “I will take that share. Please have someone bring me up a bath and hot water.” I placed several bills and a bit on the counter, hearing the hollow vibrations as they touched the scared wood.

  The clerk nodded and handed me a key. “Up the stairs and to the right.”

  “Will someone bring up my luggage?”

  There was a moment’s pause before the clerk responded. “Sure. I’ll get someone.”

  I scrawled my name on the ledger he handed me and, taking the key, hurried up the stairs, feeling the blue eyes of Logan James following me.

  Chapter 3

  I wanted to run across the width of the lobby towards the steps, but I didn’t want him to notice my discomfort. Raising my head, I walked steadily toward the support of the wooden banister.

  The hall lights were dim, and the walls evidently paper thin for I could hear voices and other embarrassing sounds as I passed.

  Was this truly just a hotel? My face flushed with the moans and groans coming through the doors around me as I tried unsuccessfully to fit my key into the door. Certainly, I couldn’t stay here very long. I only prayed that Elliot would come soon to find me, and that by tomorrow I would be home with him. Somewhere – anywhere but this.

  As I continued fumbling with the key, the door flung open.

  “What the hell d’you want?” the barely dressed woman standing in front of me screeched.

  I could only stare at her black lace corset and the garters which connected her silk hose.

  “Well? Don’t just stand there in the hall, girl? You mean to catch ‘neumonia?”

  I shook my head and stepped into the room. It was brighter than the hall, but not by much. Only then did I notice a man lay in the bed. The sheets covered him so that I cou
ldn’t see anything but his hairy chest, but it was enough to bring a flush to my cheeks.

  “I’m sorry, but I... you see... I... that is... ”

  I looked at the key in my hand and then at the number on door. Yes, this was the right room.

  “Don’t tell me Charlie did it again.” The woman grabbed the key from me and looked at her partner. “He did it again, Sam.”

  I gathered the man in the bed was Sam because he answered by throwing back the covers. Horrified, I quickly shut my eyes. “Guess I’ll just have to go down and have a talk with our friend Charlie,” he said from behind the screen.

  “Guess you will.”

  He stepped out from the dressing area and buckled his guns on. “You be good and stay right here, Dru. I’ll be back in a moment and then we’ll…” He cleared his throat, “take up where we left off.” He leaned over, kissing her and fondling her breasts in a way that left me shivering with embarrassment.

  The door slammed behind him as the woman indicated for me to sit down. “Don’t mind Sam none, honey. He’s just horny from bein’ out on the ranch for three weeks.”

  Mutely, I nodded and took the chair offered.

  “This is the third time this week that Charlie’s done this.”

  “Done what?” I asked, finally finding my voice.

  “Why, told someone they could have a share of my bed.” She shook her head, clucking her tongue. “He knows that this here’s my private room for entertainin’ and the like.”

  “I see.” I looked around the room, taking in the velvet drapes, the huge double bed, the ruffled pillows and the rocking chair, on which I now sat, as well as the small delicate nightstand where the kerosene lamp burned. I realized that it did indeed seem nicer than I expected.

  “You just come to town, honey?”

  I nodded.

  “How long you stayin’?”

  “I... I don’t know. I was looking for... someone.” I quickly looked up at her, not knowing if I should admit who I was or not. After all, Theora had warned me that Elliot wasn’t too popular these days.

  “A man, huh?” She shook her head. “I shoulda known it. He leave you with child or something?”

  I looked out toward the darkened street not knowing what to say. Well, she wasn’t part of the law, but she might know someone who was.

  “No. He’s my brother.”

  “Your brother, huh?”

  “I haven’t heard from him in several months and with my money running out and all, I needed to leave Chicago and come here and so I... ” I looked towards her and realized that I was saying too much. “He was supposed to meet my stagecoach. Guess if he doesn’t come by tomorrow, I’ll have to get some work temporarily. Do you think they need a schoolmistress here?”

  “Don’t rightly know, hon. Not many kids here about.”

  I shrugged and studied my hands folded in my lap. This woman’s life was so alien from mine that I truly did know what to say.

  “What’s your name, hon?”

  “Elisa.”

  “Mine’s Drucilla. Dru for short.”

  My eyes must have widened in surprise. “You’re Drucilla!” I could not fathom my brother having been attracted to this woman after the gentlemanly training he’d received from Mama, and yet... how many Drucilla’s could there be?

  Hearing laughter from down below and then again echoing from the room next to us, I took a deep breath and softly said, “My full name is Elisa Edwards.”

  She looked at me strangely a moment, but before she could answer Sam bounded into the room.

  “Charlie says yer t’go downstairs.” He addressed me.

  “Won’t be necessary, Sam. I decided that I can share for a night.” She continued studying me.

  “Well, what about us, Dru?” he whined like a child being told he couldn’t have a cookie.

  “I’ll see you next time.”

  “Next time!” Sam sputtered, his moustache twitching. “But I paid you good — ”

  “I said, I’d see you next time, Sam.”

  “That won’t be for another week, at least.”

  She gave him the eye.

  Sighing, he picked up his hat. Giving me an evil look, he walked toward the door. “Don’t know what you did to her, girl, but you’d better be grateful. Dru doesn’t share her room with just anyone.”

  “I can see,” I responded.

  Once more he scowled and tightened his gun belt a notch. “I will see you next week, Drucilla. And don’t you forget it.”

  “How could I, sugarplum?” Dru gave him a big smile and leaning over, kissed him chastely on the cheek.

  The door slammed behind him and once more the two of us were alone in the room.

  “Where were we now?” she smiled at me. “You said your full name was Elisa Edwards and you were waiting... for your brother.”

  I nodded. “He said he had something wonderful to show me and he was going to have a home all set up for us. But I haven’t heard from Elliot in quite a few months and — ”

  “Elliot? Elliot Edwards?” Her mouth opened wide as if the doctor had just asked to see her tonsils. “Your brother is Elliot?” She shook her head. “Eddie shoulda told me you were comin’.”

  My insides trembled like rice pudding, but I found myself nodding. Now two people in town knew my secret.

  At the pounding of the door, my heart leaped. Knowing how well the sounds carried from room to room and room to hall, I wondered if anyone else knew my secret, too. I prayed that it was no one of importance.

  But my prayers were not answered.

  Drucilla opened the door to find Logan James standing outside the door with my luggage. How much had this lawman heard? And just what did he have to do with my brother’s disappearance? He had to know something.

  “Evenin’, ladies.” He tipped his hat, his blue eyes twinkled in the lamp light. “Charlie said to bring your valise up here.”

  “Well, now, you got yourself one mighty fancy porter, girl.” Dru laughed as she hugged Logan, kissing him on the cheek but with far more passion than she’d just kissed Sam. “How are you, precious?”

  “Fine, Dru.” He patted her bottom and she squeaked noisily as she moved away.

  “Now how is it that Charlie has you carryin’ bags? He complainin’ ‘bout his back again?” She winked at me.

  “Nope.” Logan put his thumbs into his belt. His hip jutted forward slightly so that I could see the gun holster under his jacket. Then he smiled at me. “I came to see this pretty lady and offer her a job.”

  I stared at him. “I do not need a job.”

  Logan shrugged.

  “That’s not what I just heard.”

  I flushed hotly wondering what exactly he had heard. What exactly did he know about me? Did he plan to use me as a hostage to smoke my brother out? I wanted to tell him it would never work, but with his blue eyes studying me intently, I found that I could not speak.

  “What did you hear, Logan?” Dru asked, sensing my quandary.

  “Heard that this little lady came to town to meet some folks and now that they ain’t here, she got a heap of trouble. My guess is she either has to move on or find something to support herself, so she can stay.” He paused, but his eyes never left my face. “That right, pretty lady?”

  “I said don’t call me that!”

  “Then what do I call you? If you’re gonna be in town long, we’re bound to see each other, ma’am.” He tipped his hat again in exaggerated politeness.

  “He’s right, honey,” Dru put her hand through the crook of his arm. “Logan here practically owns the town.”

  He laughed good-naturedly. “I wouldn’t exactly say that.”

  “Well, you and Morgan combined.”

  “And Washburne.”

  “The sheriff?” I asked.

  “You got it, little lady.” He smiled at me so genuinely that for a very brief second, I allowed myself to be taken in by his charm.

  “My name is — ”

 
; “I know your name, Miss Elisa.”

  Startled I stared at him and sucked in my breath fearfully.

  “Saw it on the register downstairs, ma’am. Just wanted to hear you say it yourself.”

  Silently I cursed myself for being so stupid. I should have used the name Baxter that I’d given him before.

  Since it was Mama’s maiden name, Elliot would no doubt know it was me. But it was too late now.

  “So, am I right, ma’am?”

  I frowned. “Yes, you’re right, but I don’t need a job from you. Besides, I’m sure my friend will show up any day now.”

  “Your friend? Thought it was your cousins you were waitin’ for?”

  “A cousin can be a friend, can’t he?” I glared at him, angry at myself for being caught in the lie. I wondered then that Washburne hadn’t told him that he’d checked the name through and found that there were no Baxters around here. Maybe the sheriff didn’t trust Logan James any more than I did.

  “Tell me what the job is, honey.” Dru urged, flirting with him as she stroked his chest with her painted nails. “Maybe I’ll want it.” She licked her lips seductively.

  “Hardly,” Logan laughed. “I need someone out at the ranch to help mind little Sara.”

  “Who?” I asked.

  “My daughter, ma’am.” A sadness came to his eyes. “We lost her mother near about three years now. ‘Bout more than time Sara’s taught some learnin’.”

  “Why that’s be perfect for you, Elisa!” Dru exclaimed.

  She was right. But I certainly wasn’t going anywhere with Logan James and certainly no place where I’d be alone with him.

  I turned to stare at him. “Why don’t you send her to school?”

  This time both Dru and Logan laughed, making me feel rather silly.

  “You can tell she’s an Easterner.” Dru shook her head. “Got but one school here, lovely, and that’s not even open all the time. ‘Sides which, for Logan to bring his daughter this far in to school each day would create quite a hardship out there, wouldn’t it?”

  He pushed his hat up from his head showing the dark curly hair and the slight marking of a scar at his temple. I wondered how he had gotten that.

  “I can tell you’ve got education, ma’am.” He smiled at me. “And I’d be obliged to you if you could pass some of your manners to my little girl. She needs a woman around the house.”