The fellow’s words were like slugs slipping down Will’s back, cold and slimy. “If you have something to say, Private, say it.”
Smith turned his attention to the road, but that self-satisfied smile remained. “Perhaps at a more opportune time.”
Was that a hint of blackmail to come? Will wouldn’t stand for it. He’d sooner have everyone in the detachment know what he’d done than to live under the constant fear of discovery.
“There is no more opportune time, Smith,” he told him. “Whenever you choose to say what you think you know, I’ll be there to refute it.”
“Or confirm it,” Smith agreed. “After all, I can’t be the only one to notice you wear no spurs. But you needn’t be concerned. I’m impressed with your ability to rise above your circumstances. Sir.”
“Adding sir doesn’t help your insolence, Private,” Will said. “You know I can order you on nothing but hardtack.”
Smith pressed a hand to his chest like a dowager shocked by the latest fashion. “The horror. I’d only appeal to Alberta to rescue me. Such a dear. Too bad her livelihood is also at stake.”
He ought to punish the cavalryman for his behavior. Captain Harris didn’t stand for anyone dishonoring rank. But he had to agree with Kate that respect was earned. He had to be the man whom his men respected.
“Tell me what you heard about the Geyser Gateway, Private,” he ordered.
Smith raised a brow but answered readily enough. “One of the Wakefield and Hoffman drivers spoke to me earlier at the Fire Hole. He’s been told to favor that hotel over the Geyser Gateway.”
Will frowned at him. “That’s ridiculous. Captain Harris called the Fire Hole an unsatisfactory shanty.”
“Better a shanty run by a respectable gentleman and his wife than a fancy hotel run by a harlot.”
Will reined in. “Watch your words, Soldier.”
Smith stopped as well. “Not my words, sir. I’m just repeating what the driver said. It seems others have heard that Mrs. Tremaine extended her hospitality to us over the winter. I believe the exact phrase used to describe the Geyser Gateway was ‘fit only to be barracks.’ And there appeared to be a question as to why a widow would want to spend so much time alone with soldiers.”
“She won’t be alone,” Will protested. “Alberta and Danny will be with us. I wouldn’t have proposed the scheme if I thought her reputation would be damaged.”
Smith raised one hand. “Far be it from me to disagree with your plan, Lieutenant. I’d rather spend the winter at the hotel with Alberta’s fine cooking than shivering in a cabin with you. You asked me what was being said about Mrs. Tremaine, and I told you.”
Kate had expressed outrage that the Virginia City Outfitters would denigrate the Geyser Gateway. The rumors were spreading, but Captain Harris would surely find the place exceptional when he made his next inspection come spring. Will would personally recommend a ten-year lease for Kate, however much good his word was with the captain and the Department of the Interior.
But the quality of the hotel was easily verified by its cleanliness, comfort, and cooking. A reputation was far harder to verify. Once lost, it might never be regained. He knew from experience.
“You may have to shiver, Private,” he said. “Because if associating with us could damage Kate Tremaine’s reputation, we will cease associating with her, no matter the cost to us.”
13
Kate walked into the main salon of the inn, feeling oddly out of place. Why? Not a speck of dust showed on the furnishings; the hearth was swept clean. Sarah and Ida passed the arch on the other side, readying the tables for dinner. Alberta had a stew on—Kate could smell the rich scent. The inn was exactly as it should be. Was she the one who had changed?
Danny must have come through the kitchen, for he popped out of the dining room, biscuit in one hand. Kate caught him as he started past and hugged him a moment. His soft hair brushed her cheek. He smelled like the cinnamon and nutmeg Alberta used in her pies. She hadn’t thought about him while she was away, comfortable in her staff’s care of him. But she couldn’t seem to get enough of him now.
He wiggled in her arms, and she reluctantly released him. Shoving the last of the biscuit in his mouth, he skipped around the nearest sofa. Oh, for an ounce of that energy.
“What did you do while I was gone?” she asked, watching him.
“We finished the ice cream,” he informed her, making for the opposite sofa in a figure eight. “Miss Pringle and Mrs. Pettijohn played cards with me. Beggar-my-neighbor. Miss Pringle won. Mrs. Pettijohn didn’t like that. I didn’t mind.”
She’d almost forgotten about her guests too! “Where are Miss Pringle and Mrs. Pettijohn?”
Danny skidded to a stop and cocked his head as if thinking about the answer. “They made Caleb take them to Old Faithful in the pony cart. They’re coming back for dinner. You could talk to them on the telephone. Elijah said there’s one at the tent hotel there and one at the Fire Hole Hotel. Telephones can talk to anyone.”
“Not anyone,” Kate said. “But we can reach many locations in the park now.” She glanced around at the empty room. “And where are the other guests who were to arrive?”
“They went to the Fire Hole,” Danny said, returning to his loop about the sofas. “They didn’t want to stay here.”
Kate blocked him as he rounded the sofa. “Why?”
Danny shrugged. “I don’t know. Maybe they wanted to be closer to the telephone. Could we get one?”
“Maybe the Army will put one in for the winter,” Kate told him. “It would be a lot easier than sending people between detachments.” She turned him to face her. “Did we get any more guests?”
“One,” Danny admitted, meeting her gaze. “Mr. Jones rode in from up north. He came to take the waters. I heard him tell Alberta.”
That was odd.
