“I hope the supplies can withstand freezing temperatures,” Kate said sweetly. “You see, without the supplies being held here, my staff and my son and I will have to close the inn and winter elsewhere. I will have to rescind my offer to house your men through the worst of the snow.”
His face hardened. “I am unaccustomed to blackmail.”
“And I am unaccustomed to these relentless attacks on my livelihood, my friends, and my guests.” She took a step closer, gaze drilling into his. “Are you aware that before the Virginia City Outfitters stole my supplies, its representatives offered to buy my establishment with a warning not to refuse, spread vicious rumors about me and my hotel, attempted to hire away my staff, and caused an accident that injured my driver and four visitors?”
“I am kept apprised of all activities in Yellowstone, madam,” he said, though he looked to Will, who stood taller. “But, as I said, the Army cannot interfere with civilian matters.”
“Even when they involve two of your concessionaires? Mr. Freeman’s stage has been crippled, his spotless reputation damaged. I won’t see him punished for someone else’s ill-advised actions.”
Captain Harris’s face was stern. “Rest assured your concerns have been noted and will be included in my assessment of the leases and contracts next spring.”
He simply didn’t understand. “I may not be returning next spring unless I can maintain the hotel over the winter. Is there nothing you can offer to assist?”
He spread his hands. “I have fifty men to manage nearly two million acres. Even if I was allowed to intercede in civilian affairs, I wouldn’t have the staff.”
Will stepped forward. “Thank you, Captain, for allowing Mrs. Tremaine to make her case. With your permission, I’ll spend the night here before escorting her home tomorrow. Unless you have other duties you’d like me to attend to, I could speak to the teamster and see if anything can be done to free up her supplies.”
She thought the captain would argue, set him to some more important task for the Army. But he nodded. “Very well, Lieutenant. I believe you’ll find Mr. Boyne, the teamster, at the National Hotel.”
Of course they would. The Virginia City Outfitters were very likely putting him up in style in the hopes he’d give in to their proposal.
“And Mrs. Tremaine,” Captain Harris added, “I hope you’ll join my officers and me for dinner tonight.”
“We’d be delighted,” Will answered for her.
Kate merely smiled, but she rounded on Will the moment they stepped outside.
“How dare you speak for me! After that interview, I have no intention of sitting down to a meal with Captain Harris or any of his men. At the moment, I’m not sure about you.”
He grimaced. “Sorry, Kate. There wasn’t time to explain. Trust me on this. You are your own best advocate—for the park and the Geyser Gateway. I wasn’t the one who convinced Captain Harris to allow me to assist you. That was all you. It won’t take much to persuade him to side with you against the Virginia City Outfitters either.”
She couldn’t believe that, but she had to eat, and she wasn’t opposed to making the Army pay for the meal after coming this far. “Very well. At least he allowed you to help with this teamster. Let’s find him and get this over with.”
It took a little effort, but they located Mr. Boyne out at one of the stables, checking on his horses. A big man, gut swelling over his dusty brown trousers, he nodded to Kate when Will introduced her.
“Ma’am. You must be here about your supplies.”
Kate kept her temper with difficulty. “Yes. I’ve been expecting delivery any day. When are you heading to the Lower Geyser Basin?”
He tilted his head to glance out the door toward the back of the big hotel, then returned his gaze to hers. “I’ve been asked to send the supplies to Virginia City instead.”
“So I was given to understand,” Kate said. “I’m sure there’s been a misunderstanding. My hotel is not part of the Virginia City Outfitters, Mr. Boyne. Your contract is with me, not them.”
“My contract is with the merchant in Bozeman, ma’am,” he said, broad face apologetic. “They like the idea of additional profit.”
Was everyone greedy? “They stated their prices; I paid them,” Kate told him. “They cannot raise their prices now.”
He licked his flabby lips. “Maybe you could match what the Virginia City Outfitters are offering.”
“Maybe the merchant could honor his word,” Will put in.
He shifted on his feet. “It’s not for me to say.”
Honey, remember? Kate put a hand on his arm. “Please, Mr. Boyne. I need those supplies to feed my staff and my son through the winter. I don’t have the extra money to pay more or buy more. But I can promise you, if you deliver to the Geyser Gateway, I’ll give you a lovely room and the best pie west of the Mississippi.”
He gazed down at her, eyes bloodshot from the dust of the road, face burned from the sun. He’d likely driven the worst roads of the West and lived to tell the tale. What were her problems to a man like that?
Suddenly, he snapped a nod. “I’ll do it. I’ll deliver them. I’ve been stuck at that hotel for three days while the merchant and the Virginia City Outfitters telegraphed each other. They don’t care about my time, my horses. At least you treat me like a gentleman.”
Relief left her sagging. “Thank you, Mr. Boyne. If you reach the inn before I do, tell Alberta, my cook, that I said to treat you not like a gentleman, but like a king!”
They were all predisposed to do her bidding. Will wasn’t surprised. She had a way about her, a sparkle in those misty eyes, that engaging grin. And Boyne was right. Kate treated everyone with respect and admiration.
Until they wronged her.
Captain Harris was lucky. The fire in her eyes at his initial refusal could have
