Independent Brake (The Dominion Falls Series) Read online

  She didn’t know how long they stood there, or what else was said, all that mattered was her friend was gone. The touch of hand after hand to her arm drew her out of her misery, and she managed to get her tears under control enough to realize everyone was departing. She didn’t move from Patrick’s hold, but opened her teary eyes to watch the group walking from the gravesite.

  After she’d wiped her tears with her kerchief, she sniffled. “How long do you think it will be before they forget?”

  “Forget what?” Patrick, for his part, didn’t seem too eager to move either. His chin rested on the top of her head, and he held her as tight as he could and still afford her some freedom of movement.

  “Delphie.”

  “Oh, I don’t know. They’ll remember for a time. They’ll speak of her and the tragedy for a while. The Temperance ladies will use her as a banner for a time, but in a couple of years, she will fade.”

  “They never knew her anyway.”

  “No. I suppose not.”

  Kat sighed, the tension of her torment oozing from her shoulders and exhaustion seeped in again. “I only knew her a year.”

  A stranger’s voice made them both jump. “But she loved you.”

  Patrick spun, his grasp on Kat remaining tight.

  Kat relaxed in the same moment Patrick did when they spotted the gentleman behind them. Small, almost meek, the man had strawberry blond hair and a crisp, smart suit. His glasses reflected the thin sunlight, making it impossible to see his eyes.

  Instantly, Kat knew who it was, though she’d never met him before. “Matthew.”

  “Aye.” Matthew tipped his head. “I guess I am not as you imagined.”

  Truth be told, the way Delphie had spoken of him, Kat had imagined on some occasions a large, strapping man. Then again, her husband had been one and also a brute, so it stood to reason that she’d find the opposite attractive. Kat laughed and shook her head. “No. I think you’re exactly what I would expect.”

  “Myself as well. It’s good to meet you finally.” Patrick held out his hand.

  “As ‘tis to meet you.” A light Scottish lilt dotted his words, and his smile held strong. “Delphine spoke so highly of you both.”

  “And you. I wish you had stepped up during the service.” Kat blinked when the tears threatened to erupt once again. “She would have liked that.”

  “Ach, no. I was best suited in the background. As I was in her life, should I remain now.” The words sounded harsh, but his smile never wavered. “I am not one for grand gestures and public displays, but I wanted to be here to say goodbye, and to meet you.”

  “I’m glad you did.” Patrick’s voice was tight, his grasp on Kat’s shoulder growing tighter. “I wish we’d met sooner.”

  “Wish for the future, not for the past.” Matthew reached for Kat’s hand. When she took it, he smiled. “You knew her best; do not let my absence let you believe otherwise. We were content in our arrangement.”

  “She loved you,” Kat managed to speak over her tears.

  “I know.” Matthew smiled and brushed the tear from her cheek. “And she loved you both. You were her family.”

  Kat nodded, but couldn’t bring herself to say anything else.

  Matthew reached into his coat and withdrew an envelope. “After last year, when Charles hit her and closed her account, Delphine asked if I would allow her an account under my name for the purpose of escape. I said yes without hesitation.”

  “I remember that.” Patrick cleared his throat. “We offered her assistance, which she refused. She was stubborn.”

  “Yes she was. However, she had to build the account slower so Charles wouldn’t know. I believe you know she also did some small work to earn more money, some piecework and tailoring by hand.” Matthew moved the envelope through his hands, his head dropping as he took a shaky breath. “She’d almost reached her goal.”

  “Charles hadn’t hit her again,” Kat filled in when Matthew fell silent. “She told us she wanted to leave anyway. She was saving for it. August was her goal.”

  “Two months and two hundred dollars shy.” Matthew surreptitiously swiped at his cheek, and neither Kat nor Patrick acknowledged the gesture. He cleared his throat. “She would want you both to have it and do with it as you see fit. I have no need for it.”

  “You should give it to the league. We haven’t the need either.” Kat held up her hands when he held the envelope toward her. “It’s not right.”

  “She did not think the suffragists active or organized yet. I believe her words were, it is a ‘weekly tea party or quilting circle with some talk of freedom and liberty’.” Matthew’s smile returned at Kat’s choked laughter. “I know you agreed.”

  “I did.” Kat still couldn’t bring herself to take the envelope. “I wouldn’t know what to do with it.”

  “But we’ll figure it out, if you’re certain Delphie wouldn’t want you to have it.” Patrick held out his hand. “You helped her save it, I would think she meant for you to have it.”

  “Delphine was aware I had no need for the money. My name only afforded her some security in saving the money.” Matthew handed off the envelope to Patrick, nodding when it disappeared into Patrick’s coat. “I should take my leave. I’m glad to have met you both, and I am glad Delphine had you.”

  Kat stepped forward, panicked though she had no idea why. “Are you sure you don’t want to join us, for lunch. I mean, I haven’t got much of an appetite, but...”

  “No, lass. I will not disturb your memories with my own. Don’t you worry. I will be all right, as will you. Delphine would not allow otherwise. She did not pick weak friends, not after being arranged into marriage with that buffoon.” Matthew tipped his hat and turned. Without another word, he walked from the gravesite, and out of the cemetery.

  Kat sagged when he was gone from view. “I guess that’s that.”

  Patrick dropped his hand from her shoulder, but laced his fingers with hers. “Let’s go dine at Chez Jacques.”

  “And have dessert at the confectionary?”

  “Just as you promised her.”

  “After all, she did make you cry.” Kat laughed weakly when he did. “Don’t worry, I won’t tell a soul.”

  “Neither will I.” He kissed the tip of her nose. “Come. She won the bet.”

  “And I get to partake in the rewards.”

  “So do I. Only fair since I am the one the suffered for it.”

  “No. We all did.”

  * * * *

  After some discussion, Kat and Patrick had decided to set aside the money until they found a purpose for it. In the days since the funeral, they’d eased into life again. Although Kat now had no job, she felt no desire to go searching for one yet. For the time being she would exist on the savings she’d built on since moving to Chicago.

  In the mean time she had begun attending more temperance meetings and, while she disagreed with some of their more forceful tendencies, she had seen what too much alcohol could do. Patrick called her a paradox, attending the meetings and protesting drinking, while enjoying an occasional drink of her own.

  She was frankly surprised he didn’t call her a hypocrite, but that was most likely because he understood. Truly, she didn’t want the abolishment of alcohol, she was trying to urge toward true temperance. There were no true causes to join toward that cause, though. Not even the Temperance League, which spoke of it in its title but not its actions.

  The worst part about the days since they lost Delphine, was the burning itch to move on, to travel, to just get away from Chicago. The only thing tying her there now was Patrick, and she wasn’t sure she could leave him now.

  Instead she satisfied herself with regular rides to the lake. She’d begun to wear pantaloons for ease of riding and wading in the water when she arrived. In the few days since she’d begun the fashion, she’d found herself more comfortable than ever. Ever since she’d stopped wearing her corset, the layers of skirts and petticoats had been painfully heavy. With
pantaloons, she’d become light as a feather.

  The gentle waves lapped her bare toes, drawing her back to the beach. She stared across the water, wondering what lay ahead.

  “I thought I would find you here.” Patrick’s voice cut through her reverie. She turned to find him walking toward her, his boots off and pants rolled up to his knees. His smile was warm, and as he had every time they met or parted since the funeral, he hugged her tight and kissed her forehead. “When you weren’t home, I came here first.”

  “Sorry. I find having the openness of the lake before me eases some of the melancholy.” She turned back toward the water once released from the hug. “I have something to tell you.”

  “And I, you.”

  “My real name is Daugherty. Katherine Daugherty.”

  “I know. I’ve always known.” He smiled when she spun his way. “One does not keep Pinkerton’s on payroll without putting them to use.”

  “Oh.” Heat flooded her cheeks, and she ducked her head.

  “For what it’s worth, your father has employed a Pinkerton or two of his own to look for you. I used mine to block him. You will face him on your time, not his.”

  “That’s a mite bit controlling.”

  “Or protective.”

  “Or controlling.”

  “Or controlling,” he agreed. “Would you like me to let them find you?”

  “No.” She frowned. “I just would have preferred the option.”

  “Fair enough. My apologies. I didn’t tell you at first because we weren’t as we are now, and then I was embarrassed I hadn’t told you sooner.” He grimaced. “Sorry.”

  “It’s all right, but I thought it was time you knew. You are like family to me, and I wanted you to know.” She fiddled with the edge of her bodice.

  Patrick tucked a finger under her chin and drew her gaze up to his. “Fifteen was too young. I have a feeling your father regrets his actions.”

  “He regretted them before I left.”

  “Will you go find them?”

  “No.” Heavens, she was far from ready for that. Although her thoughts often went back to Dominion Falls, she feared returning. Her parents, or sister, might still remain. Of all the things she wanted to do, and felt she had to do, facing them was one she knew she wasn’t prepared to do just yet.

  “What will you do?”

  “I haven’t figured that out yet.”

  “I think you have.”

  “So have you.”

  “Perhaps.” He sighed and dropped to the sand. With his ankles crossed in front of him, he rested his arms on his knees. “Perhaps I fear for telling you.”

  “Me too.” She joined him on the sand, her head rested against his shoulder. “At the same time?”

  He nodded. “On three. One, two three—I’m leaving Chicago.”

  “I’m leaving,” she whispered at the same time. Tears she thought long dry flickered to life again. “Where will you go?”

  “I was thinking St. Louis. Further west, but certainly not the frontier.”

  “You couldn’t handle the frontier.” Kat laughed when he nudged her from his shoulder. “What? I speak the truth.”

  “Truth or not, you wound me.” He clutched his chest and dropped to the sand. After a moment, he chuckled. “It is the truth. I am not the frontier type.”

  “Will you bring Pearl?”

  “I have considered offering. I doubt she will, she has friends here, and a new start is not always as exciting as it sounds. Plus, I’m not quite sure I like the implications.”

  “Neither of you wish to be married, but you enjoy each other’s company. I don’t see the implications.”

  “What will you do? Will you join me?” There was a small plea in his voice, one part of her wanted to respond to. Patrick had already suffered so much loss in his life; she was loathed to add to it.

  “Not right away, but perhaps after a time.” She flopped back in the sand beside him. High clouds floated by in wispy shapes, soothing her pained soul. “I wish to travel some, first. I just don’t know where.”

  “You’ll join the Temperance League’s travels, won’t you?”

  “It would give me some purpose.”

  “What purpose?”

  “If I can stop them from their violent actions against an establishment just once I’d consider it an accomplishment; and if the people of the town listen to me for it, all the better.” She frowned. “Although I doubt one voice will make much of a difference.”

  “You’ve got an awful loud voice.”

  She slugged him in the ribs. “Brute.”

  “Ow.” He chuckled and grabbed her hand. “Promise me you’ll visit.”

  “Every few months I’ll make sure to visit. Every time I’m on a train or in a stagecoach, I will write a letter. I won’t let you go so easy, Mr. Warner.”

  “Neither will I. Don’t forget, I got some friendly Pinkerton’s should you try.”

  “Pinkerton’s are not friendly.”

  “Not true. They are quite friendly.”

  “Until it’s time to strike.”

  “True.” He turned his gaze on her. “If you ever need anything, I am a telegram away. No matter what it is. Except marriage, of course.”

  “Of course.” She took a shaky breath. “When do you leave?”

  “When do you?”

  “A month. Will you take my things with you? I won’t have a place to keep them.”

  “Of course. I will always have a room that is yours, my Kat.” He kissed her forehead. “You are family.”

  “We must make the most of this month, then. What shall we do first?”

  “How about a swim?”

  “You’re fully clothed.”

  “So are you.”

  “Sounds fun.”

  Found

  Katherine paced the full length of the train platform in Topeka. Every glance her way was ignored, for by now she was used to stares. Her stomach churned with anxious excitement as the steady pulse of the arriving train grew louder.

  She spun on her heel and walked back down the length of the platform. When the train finally appeared from around the bend, she jumped in place and rubbed her hands together in excitement.

  While she’d only been in St. Louis a month ago to visit with Patrick, he’d agreed to come to Topeka at her request. Over the past year they’d kept every promise. Regular exchanges of letters and telegrams, as well as her regular visits to St. Louis had kept them close. Although none of that kept her from missing him.

  As the train drew to a stop with a loud screech of brakes, Kat tightened her pacing circle. She wrung her hands, trying her best to keep from literally bouncing in place.

  Patrick’s voice bellowed through the small crowd at the platform, “Kat!”

  She squealed and spun around, scanning the crowd on her tiptoes. When she spotted him, she took off at a dead run and leaped into his waiting arms, planting a solid kiss on his cheek. “Patrick!”

  With a laugh, he hoisted her in the air before he set her back on her feet. “You just saw me five weeks ago. You haven’t missed me that much.”

  “Pshaw. I missed you plenty.” She laced her arm through his as they crossed the platform. “I wish I had better reasons for seeing you so soon.”

  “What’s happening?”

  “I tried to lean on the women to assist in this situation, but they won’t. I don’t understand how they can be so opposed to drinking and yet so unwilling to help a woman escape a situation like this. I can’t tolerate their intolerance any longer. I’m at my wits end. I just don’t know when and how or—”

  “Katherine.” Patrick dropped his bag to set both hands on her shoulders. “Breathe and speak slowly. I speak fluent Kat, but you’re going too fast even for me.”

  “Oh, you.” She smacked his stomach. “Come with me, I’ll explain while we eat.”

  He offered his arm again, and followed without protest. “So, why are you in Topeka? Seems like a large town to try to inf
luence.”

  “Oh, one of our older members fell ill down in Brownville. We had to bring her here to the hospital.” Kat pulled him into the closest small café and snagged a table. Once he was seated, she scooted closer. “They have been gathered around her every day since we got here. The doctors don’t believe she’s going to make it, I’m afraid. Cancer of the liver.”

  “Sorry to hear it.”

  “It is tragic. I did like the old bird. She was one of the ones that actually listened to me and my arguments.” She sighed, but when the waiter arrived, turned on her smile. They both ordered a sandwich and water before turning their attention back to each other.

  “Of course, this isn’t why you asked me to come.” Patrick studied her. “You said something about what Delphie left us?”

  “Yes. The first day we were in the hospital, there wasn’t much to do but wait since the doctors had to poke and prod Eugenia to find her ailment.”

  “You were bored and nosy, then?”

  “Yes.” She grinned, glad he still knew her so well. “So I wandered a while. That’s when I found her.”

  “Her?”

  “Her name is Bess. When I first found her, she was unconscious and all alone in her room, quite pregnant and...” She exhaled long and slow, trying to rid herself of the turmoil again. “She’d been beaten.”

  Patrick’s brows knit together and he sat forward. He set his hand on her wrist.

  “At first I was too upset, too distracted by my own memories to comprehend. Then a nurse came in. At first she only told me what the husband had said, what the doctors would repeat. I knew she was lying.”

  “What did the husband say?”

  “That she’d run out the door the same time he took off in his wagon and into his path, he had no time to stop.” Kat pursed her lips. “When I stayed there all day, and returned the next, the nurse was more willing to whisper gossip.”

  “Her husband?”

  “He’s been there once or twice, but mostly ignored her existence. The nurse told me it wasn’t the first time she’s been in the hospital. She said she’d seen Bess several times and that her husband was a drunkard.”