It truly was a good day, and after delivering Leroy’s breakfast, Willa decided to visit Crowther’s Dry Goods to look for gifts to give on Christmas Day. She hoped to find something nice for Papa, Leroy, and Amos. And then perhaps something small for the Settles sisters, Mrs. Morgan, and Vivian. She could never truly repay Vivian for the dress she was bringing by this afternoon, but a small gift was the least she could do.
Willa wandered the aisles and the shelves, perusing all the store held, before settling on her gifts—handheld mirrors for the sisters, pretty soaps for Vivian, a lace-edged handkerchief for Mrs. Morgan, a leather-bound set of pages in which Leroy could write his music, a pocket watch for Amos, who had lost his in the New Mexico Territory, and a set of gold cuff links for Papa. On a whim, she bought a small, hand-carved box for Nick, as payment for his helping Amos. With most of the money she’d saved up for months now spent, Willa gathered her precious purchases, all wrapped in brown paper, and carried them back toward the hotel.
Flurries still drifted from the sky, and though the sun was weak, it lit up the morning with a golden hue. It was the sort of morning that made one want to sing, and seeing some of the stores and restaurants and offices with little wreaths or other nods to the approaching holiday lifted Willa’s spirits even more. Perhaps she’d run into Nick today. He may even be taking a late breakfast now in the hotel’s restaurant.
She was reliving that moment yesterday when he’d looked at her so hopefully as he offered to escort her to the ball, when she stepped off the plank sidewalk to cross a road—right into a disheveled-looking fellow with no hat.
“Pardon me, sir.” Willa took a step backward, but the man walked with her until her back was pressed against the wall of the business on the corner. Cold, wet snow began to soak into her shoes, but Willa barely noticed. Not when the man glared at her with slightly red eyes and a scowl on his face. The scent of whiskey curled off him. Willa clutched her packages to her chest as her heart picked up speed.
“You’re with the medicine show,” he said, pointing one finger at her as the rest held an empty bottle.
Willa nodded, the words caught in her throat. Everything about this man made her want to scream and run, and yet she couldn’t find her voice. He’d trapped her against the side of this building. She looked furtively over his shoulder. Surely someone would walk by and see what was happening. It was early, but a few folks were out and about.
“I bought this from you last week and it ain’t done a thing.Nothing.” The man’s words slurred together, and his breath smelled of drink. “I want my money back. And I want a word with that doctor!”
It wasn’t possible that the elixir hadn’t helped. It had helped more people than Willa could count. This man likely drank too much whiskey to pay attention to the medicine’s effects. And yet the stench of alcohol wafting off him brought Nick’s words to mind—it’s likely full of whiskey. Willa shoved that thought away. Nick was wrong, and so was this man.
“Where’s my money?” he demanded, shaking the empty elixir bottle in her face.
No one was here to rescue her. She had only herself to rely upon. Willa had sought out Nick to confront him before she really knew him. She regularly spoke to people she’d never met after their shows. She could stand up to this man, appease him just enough so she could get away. Calling up every ounce of courage she had, Willa pushed her shoulders back.
“I’m sorry you’re unhappy with the elixir, sir,” she said, her voice only shaking a little. “If you’ll kindly let me deliver my parcels, I’ll see that your money is refunded to you.”
“Now,” he said, not moving back even an inch. “I want it now. I don’t—” He stumbled to the side just a bit. “I don’t trust you to leave and bring it back.”
She could push him. It seemed he was just drunk enough that he’d lose his balance, and then she could run. It wouldn’t be easy with all that she was carrying, but it was her only choice. “I don’t have any money with me,” Willa said.
The man laughed, his breath making her wince. “Look at this!” he said to no one in particular. “She’s done bought up half the town and yet she don’t haveany money!” He laughed and stumbled even closer to Willa. He was pressed against her arms, the packages crushing against her chest. One good push, and she might be able to knock him down flat. She’d have to time it just right, though.
“Hey there!” a male voice called from the corner across the road.
Willa tried to look over the drunken man’s shoulder to get the attention of the voice she’d heard, but it was impossible. As tall as she was, the man pressed against her arms was bigger and broader. The voice had made him pause though, sending him looking in all directions for its source.
“What’s the meaning of this? What are you doing with this lady—Willa?” Nick appeared beside them, and Willa had never been so glad to see someone in her entire life.
“The lady and I were having—” The man didn’t get to finish his sentence. Instead, Nick grabbed hold of his arm and yanked him away from Willa. Two of her packages began to slide, and she caught them quickly just as Nick dragged the man a few feet to the street corner. How had he managed to happen upon her? Willa gripped her packages to herself as relief flooded through her. She was safe, thanks to Nick.
“How dare you accost a woman in that way.” Nick stood over the drunken man, a hand still on his arm. “I’ve half a mind to drag you to the marshal’s office.”
“But . . .” The man waved the empty bottle in his hand. “This medicine . . . It don’t work. Ipaidfor it, and it don’t work.” He looked at the bottle in a sort of forlorn manner. “I wanted it to cure me of drinking, but . . .” He looked at Willa, where she still stood against the side of the building. “Shetold me it would!”
Willa watched as Nick guided the man’s attention back to him. She never would have said such a thing. That was the sort of question she’d direct to Papa, or even to Leroy, since he helped make the elixir. In fact, she’d never heard Papa claim that any of his medicines would help cure someone of the need to drink or indulgence in any other vices. Perhaps the man had misunderstood.
“Then you need to take that issue up with the doctor who created it, not this lady. I don’t want to hear of you approaching her again. Do you understand?” Nick stared down at the man, who, after one more glance at Willa, nodded slowly. Nick let the man go and took a step backwards. “Now, are you going to be on your way, or do we need to find the marshal?”
Head hanging, the man stumbled away. Nick stood where he was for a moment, his eyes presumably following the fellow as he made his way down the street. Willa sank against the building, feeling as if she could finally breathe again. In a moment, Nick was before her, taking the parcels from her arms.
“Are you all right?” His eyes held hers, and as much as Willa wanted to be brave, especially for him, she couldn’t speak a lie—not when he looked at her like that.
“I’m terrified,” she said, pressing her hands to her stomach.
Nick’s eyes traced her face. “I’m sure. And I’m glad I happened to be walking by. Why don’t we get you back to the hotel?”
Willa nodded. There was nothing more she wanted right now than the safety of her room, with Papa next door. She forced her feet to take steps forward, and Nick walked at her side, carrying her Christmas gifts. They didn’t speak, and for that, Willa was grateful. Her thoughts flew in every direction as her eyes wandered over the few people who were out. What if something like that happened again? And what if Nick wasn’t nearby to save her?
And since when did she need saving?
She could have pushed that man over and run. But . . . Her stomach turned in fear. What if next time, the person wasn’t in his cups? What would she do then?
