“It was only a few weeks later, I realized I was with child, but by then, it was too late. He’d gone away on an extended trip around the world. There was no one to turn to, no one to help me, except for Blake. He allowed me to live in a room over the Golden Dawn until I gave birth. He paid the doctor; he gave me money for food and things you needed. Every item I thought was a gift, was neatly recorded in his ledger of outstanding debts and when I was able to work, I had to pay it all back.”
Ruby’s hand covered the gasp. She’d never heard this story before. It filled her with sorrow for her mother.
“I could have paid him back, ten times over with this necklace, Ruby. I’ve kept it, always hoping that someday when I was finally tired of this life, I could use it to get away from Blake.”
Tears rolled down Ruby’s cheeks. “Why didn’t you, Mother?” Her voice barely audible. A deep sadness filled her as she realized her mother could have provide them with a better life than the one in which Ruby was raised in a room over a saloon.
“I never got tired. I never wanted to change my life. I’ve always been the main attraction at the Golden Dawn.” Her voice filled with pride. “I’ve paid Blake back and have set aside plenty of money if I ever need to retire.”
Ruby wiped her cheeks in unbelief. Her mother had the wherewithal to have given her a better life and she’d never chosen caring for her daughter over her own selfish ambition. Now, she had the money to give Timmy a better home as well, but she still didn’t do it. Ruby sat feeling shocked at what she’d just learned.
“I thought I would have to quit soon. Blake has made some comments about my age, but now I won’t have to stop dancing. You and I together will shine even brighter.” Her mother’s eyes seemed to fill with a bright gleam. “Blake will see what a great draw the two of us will be.”
Ruby swallowed. She knew better than to speak back to the woman, but she felt she could no longer hold in her thoughts. “That’s not the life I want, Mother. I’ve tried to tell you over and over. Besides, who will take care of Timmy if I ever did work in the saloon?”
Her mother’s countenance changed and a low scream came from her throat. “Timmy, Timmy, that’s all you ever talk about. I don’t have time to raise another child. I don’t want to.” She threw the ruby necklace onto the sofa. “You will join me at the Golden Dawn in one week, Ruby. You will wear the clothes Blake bought. I might even let you wear this ruby necklace.”
Ruby kept shaking her head back and forth. “What about Timmy, Mother?”
“I told you, I’ve taken care of that.”
“How? What have you done?” Ruby’s voice began to raise in distress.
Her mother spun around and she began to stomp out of the room. “He’s going to the orphanage tomorrow. I’ve already made the plans.” She hurried into her bedroom and slammed the door closed.
Ruby was almost gasping for air, through her tears and sobs. She couldn’t believe what her mother had just told her.
Put Timmy in an orphanage? Never!
She held the ruby necklace up and stared at it, thinking of the life it could have provided.
She stood up quickly, knowing she had to do something but not sure what to do. Just then a letter fluttered to the floor. She leaned over, picked it up and spread the letter open.
Dear Miss Dawson,
Enclosed is a train ticket and money for the two stage coach trips you would have to take to get to Waterhole, Texas.
Seth Miller
She’d had the letter for several weeks now. The answer for her to be able to leave home, but not knowing what to do about Timmy had kept her from following through with becoming a mail order bride.
Ruby sat down, her head hung low, whispering a desperate prayer. Lord, what should I do? What can I do?
She crinkled the letter in her right hand, the ruby necklace in her left.
I could sell the necklace, and run away with Timmy, but where would I go? Thoughts seemed to be scrambling her mind. She was unable to think straight. She felt she had to do something now, before morning. She couldn’t let Timmy be taken to an orphanage.
Once more, she opened the letter and reread it. In previous letters, Seth Miller spoke of wanting to civilize the small town of Waterhole, Texas. He mentioned needing a wife with good morals to stand beside him and help his mission to rid the town of its saloon.
Ruby bit her lip, wavering. A young woman showing up with a child in tow, expecting Mr. Miller to marry her didn’t fit that image, but what else could she do? He was the only answer she could think of. She’d told her mother nothing of Seth Miller or Waterhole, Texas and with the prepaid tickets and the extra money the man had provided, she could take Timmy and leave before morning.
Ruby stood back up; this time with determination. She moved across the room and looked at Timmy, sleeping. He was an innocent angel and needed to be protected. Ruby turned around, quickly accessing everything and making a decision. She would pack bags for herself and Timmy before her mother awoke in the morning. She would take Timmy to Waterhole, Texas with her.
If she even cared, her
