Callie Mae recalled overhearing a conversation between an about-to-be-married friend and her mother.
“Just try to think of other things, dear. It will be over quickly and you can go about your business,” the matron had advised quietly.
Rising from the bed, Callie Mae washed again, taking care to avoid the trouble spot. She dressed simply, tonight would be relatively quiet with the usual customers. It would be hometown men who wanted to play a few hands of poker and listen to Fancy sing. With any luck she could work on her books.
Tomorrow night would be another story. Moving to her wardrobe, she opened the door and looked at the black dress. It was bold and shorter than her others, but she’d be damned if she let Morgan tell her what to wear. He acted like he owned her already, and if that’s what married life was going to be, she wanted no part of it. She would wear the dress she decided, slipping her gun from the top shelf and securing it in her garter. If he so much as looked like he was going to carry through on his threat, she’d pull it and personally escort him from her establishment.
CHAPTER 15
Lillian looked out her window, noting the huge plume of smoke rising from behind The Duchess.
“I think our neighborhood eyesore may be on fire,” she remarked to Mead as he waited at the table for supper.
“What?” he exclaimed, jumping to his feet and hurrying to the window. “No, that’s just the fire Callie Mae’s got going out back.”
“Why does she have a fire that big burning?” Lilly asked, sitting at the table and opening her napkin.
“She’s heating water,” Mead replied, cutting into his steak.
“For what?”
“Hmm, this is good. Make sure you tell Mrs. Dixon I said so.”
“Why ever would I tell Mrs. Dixon you think my cooking is good?” Lilly asked, looking at her plate.
Mead snorted. “Come on, Lilly, I know you can barely boil water. Do you think I don’t know you’ve taken nearly all your meals at the Blue Bonnet?”
“I haven’t the faintest idea what you’re talking about,” she insisted indignantly, not quite meeting his eyes. “I’m an excellent cook.”
“Pretending you cooked this meal is one thing; lying to me about it is another,” Mead replied softly, setting aside his fork. His stern gaze didn’t seem to have an effect on her, but when he slid his chair away from the table and crooked his finger at her, she jumped.
“All right, I can’t cook!” she admitted, tossing her napkin on her plate. “There are worse things you know,” she stammered as she rose from the table.
“I know, and you seem to be acquiring some of those habits as well. It doesn’t matter to me if we get our meals at the café. Laurie Dixon is struggling to support her family, but this has been going on for months. Why did you feel you couldn’t be honest with me? I’ve been waiting for you to tell me the truth.”
“I thought I could learn to cook before we got married and you’d never have to know,” Lilly whispered, twisting her hankie in her hands. “It’s not something a woman should be inept at.”
Mead hid his grin and stood. Taking her in his arms, he pulled her head to his shoulder. “Sometimes you’re a very silly girl,” he murmured into her hair. “You make some very pretty hats and not every woman can do that. There’s no reason for you to keep things from me. I didn’t ask you to marry me because I need a cook.”
“I know. It’s just that sometimes I feel so…unsure of myself. Like no matter how hard I try, I’ll never be good enough,” she whispered as she snuggled in his arms.
“I understand, honey, but trying to make others feel inferior is not the way for you to feel better about yourself.”
“What are you talking about?”
“I’m talking about the way you treat Callie Mae and the girls. They’re just like you, trying to make their way in the world and doing the best they can. I don’t like it when you’re so judgmental and critical. When you do that it doesn’t make less of them, it makes you less than you could be.”
“But, Mead, it’s a saloon,” she wailed softly.
“I don’t care if they are digging ditches or herding cows. Every one of them is a lady and deserves to be treated as such. You have to stop, Lilly, or I’ll have to help you.”
“What do you mean?” she asked uneasily.
Stepping back, Mead took her chin in his hand and tipped her face up to his. His eyes were dark and serious and Lilly gulped.
“I mean that if you don’t acquire a better attitude toward others and stop acting like an uppity brat, I will spank you each and every time it comes to my attention,” he promised.
“You wouldn’t do that,” Lilly hissed, blushing.
