Chapter 1

Chapter 1

1866

Joseph POV

Sitting here staring at my hand waiting for the men at the table to place their bets is just another boring moment in my life. I used to find excitement in the game. The thrill of anticipation, wondering if my hand would be the one to beat. But today, my mind wasn’t on the game. It was on the auburn-haired beauty that I had met just hours ago.

Emily.

Even her name stirred my soul. Her beauty stole my breath away. She…

“Hey! Are you gonna bid?” came the impatient voice of one of the men at the table, effectively pulling me out of my musings.

I glanced around the table. The dealer was to my left, he probably was holding two pair. That had been his hand for most of the last hour. Next to him sat a young buck, who was so arrogant and believed he couldn’t lose this hand. He was still in. Ok, youngin’ we’ll see in just a minute.

I made my way around the table, looking at each man. Watching each face, determining the confidence or lack thereof. But the man to my right, I couldn’t quite get a read on him. My gut told me he was bluffing, as he had just raised the pot and bet all the money laying in front of him.

“Well, let’s see, now,” I began, my thick brogue coming through. “Looks like I have enough to cover me share of da pot. So ‘ere’s dat,” I replied as I pushed my money into the center of the table. “I’m gonna raise another five dollars and call.” Then I laid that on the top and the table went silent.

The dealer said, “Gentlemen, another five to stay in the game.” I watched in confidence as each man made his decision. By the time it came back around to me, the young buck, and the man to my right.

“The pot’s good. Let’s see those cards,” the dealer declared as he laid out his cards.

“Nice,” drawled the young buck, “I hope you can beat my three of kind.” He laid out three nines.

I glanced at the man next to me, he smirked. He was sure he would win. “Well, sonny. That’s a mighty fine hand, but it don’t beat my full house, aces high.” He laid down three aces and two fours. Not a bad hand. But not good enough.

“Sir, show your cards,” came the request from the dealer.

I didn’t say a word, my eyes never leaving the man on the right. He watched as I laid out a royal flush. For those who might not know, that’s the highest hand in a game of cards. Damn hard to get, but when you do, it’s a thrill. I watched as his face flushed, then turned beet red in anger as he stared at the ace, king, queen, jack and ten of hearts.

“Congratulations,” the dealer remarked.

I nodded and continued to watch the man sitting on my right. He was itching for a fight, had been since he walked into the saloon. I was in no hurry to clear my winnings. I wanted to see what he would do. I didn’t have to wait long.

“You cheated,” he growled out and then began to curse me.

“I have no control over the deal of the cards. That lies with the dealer,” I told him calmly, then turning to the dealer, “No offense, mind ye.”

He nodded, he understood.

Before I could turn back to the man, he was on his feet and he threw a punch my direction. He was partly drunk and his swing went wide, glancing on my hard head. My mum always said I had a hard head and she hoped I would put it to good use, but I don’t think that’s what she meant.

He lost his balance and landed on his arse on the floor. I calmly stood up and moved to stand over him, “I think ye best go to bed, sir. I fear the drink has gone to yer head.” I leaned down to help him up, I had no desire to fight and he was drunk and pissed because he lost his money. Probably all he had with him.

He slapped my hand away and grumbled, “Don’t need no help from the likes of you. Go back to your mountain and f*ck your momma, why don’t ya.”

Luckily, the sheriff came in and pulled him to his feet, “Come on, Johnny. Let’s go. A night in the cell will calm you down. Bertha’s gonna be mighty pissed in the morning, when she finds out you lost it all again.”

I watched as he dragged the man out of the saloon. Then I turned and began to collect my winnings. The young buck was still sitting there, staring at the table in disbelief. “Ye did well, just not well ‘nuff. Ye need to not be so antsy when ye get a good hand. Learn how to stay calm and keep yer face the same no matter what,” I told him.

“Did you cheat?” he asked quietly.

“Now how would I have cheated? Did I deal the cards?”

He shook his head.

“Did I ask for an illegal number of replacement cards?”

Again, he shook his head no.

“Then tell me, how did I cheat?”

“I don’t know. I can’t figure it out,” he whispered. “You were so calm the whole time. As if you knew you would win.”

“Nope, I hoped. I wasn’t certain until the dealer, here, gave me da king and da ten. That’s when I ken. But no one else did. Tell me why,” I asked him.

“On account of you didn’t flinch. Like I said, you never changed your expression. How do you do that?” he asked, truly wanting to know.

“Years of practice, youngin’. Years of practice. Me Da is better than I. Just keep practicin’. Oh, and don’t bet yer whole wad at one time,” I smiled and walked out the door. I quickly made my way to the hotel where I had already acquired a room for the duration of my stay.

As I laid down in the borrowed bed, I thought about Emily. I couldn’t wait to get back to the boarding house and hopefully ask if she would take a walk with me. I imagined her hazel eyes that gleamed with flecks of gold when she smiled. Just thinking about her made me rock hard. I stroked myself to relieve the pressure.  My last thought as I drifted off to sleep was that in the morning, I had business at the docks. Then I would go and see my Emily.

I woke refreshed and ready for the day. My business appointment was at nine o’clock at the dock and I made sure to be there on time. As I walked up to the dock, I spotted a man in a business suit talking with a ship captain. As I waited patiently for the two men to cease their conversation, I took note that the man was about as tall as me but not as broad. He definitely didn’t spend his days traipsing through the woods. He was definitely an office man. I didn’t think less of him, mind you. It takes all manner of men and all manner of work to make this world spin.

As they finished and the captain walked away, I asked, “Are you Mr. Bolin?’

“Yes. I presume you are Mr. Fraser?” he reached out his hand in greeting.

“Yes, Joseph Fraser. It’s a pleasure to meet you,” I spoke more slowly than normal, trying to pronounce my words in a clearer tone than my normal Gaelic brogue. Recently, I decided that I needed to learn to speak more clearly so that others could understand me. If I was to marry, I didn’t want her to think she was marrying a heathen.

“Yes, indeed. So, your missive and invitation to meet indicated that you had a business proposition for me. What can I help you with?” he asked.

“I live in the Dakota territory and I make my living as a fur trader. I trap all manner of animals. Bears, foxes, and beavers are the most prevalent. I previously had an arrangement with Josiah Stephenson who has decided to chase the silver in the mountains. He said that he had an arrangement with you and I should reach out,” I explained, hoping to have provided enough information.

“Ah, yes. Josiah. What a shame. I fear, he will sadly spend all of his money searching for silver and never find anything. I was saddened by his notice to me. I received his wire a few months ago, just after his last delivery. When he suggested meeting with you directly, I was happy to do so because the furs are quite popular with my customers,” he confirmed what I had already been told by Josiah.

When I arrived in St. Louis a few days ago, I had inquired about Mr. Bolin’s business. It seems that Cole Bolin has a very successful shipping company. He has two fleets of ships. The first, sails to the Far East, places like China, the Philippines, and the Dutch East Indies. He trades furs for spices and silks. The other fleet sails to the Caribbean out of New Orleans, and he trades silks and spices for sugar cane, rum and other indulgences.

“I would be very much interested in forming a business arrangement, Mr. Bolin,” I stated plainly.

“Please, call me Cole. From what Josiah told me, you typically produce 75 to 100 pelts each winter and bring them to the landing near Fort Pierre. From there Josiah would float them down the Missouri until he got here to St. Louis. From here, he would load them onto my steam ship which would then take them to New Orleans. I would like to continue this arrangement. I have met with a young man yesterday that I hope will act in Josiah’s stead. He should be arriving anytime, I wanted you to meet with him. Are you still interested in providing pelts and furs?”

“Absolutely. My Da and I are quite good at it. I would like to continue as we have in the past. I live near the Black Hills and can send a telegram at the end of March as always. I used to telegram Josiah, but I would prefer to send the telegram directly to you. I can let you know how many of each type of pelt and fur I have. Are you happy to continue with the same prices? $10 for each bear or mountain lion, $5 for each beaver and fox pelt?” I asked, hoping to work directly with this man, for he seemed to be an honest fellow.

“Yes, absolutely. The way that you care for the hides is the best of all those I trade with. I do not mind paying your rate because they are quality,” Cole grinned as he spoke.

“Mr. Bolin!”

We both turned to the voice that had called out, and watched as a young man hurried in our direction. The lad couldn’t have been more than eighteen. I had at least ten years on him. He was fit but not built as I was. My mum said I was built like an ox and tall as a tree.

“Ah, Thomas. I was beginning to worry, lad,” Cole said as the lad came to a stop in front of us.

He was out of breath, huffing and puffing, taking deep gulps of air, trying to calm down. “Sorry, sir,” he gasped. “I was waylaid by a woman outside of the saloon and I couldn’t get past without being rude.”

Cole reached out and slapped the boy upside the head. “What are you doing at a saloon, you fool. My first rule, you don’t go to the saloon while you are working. Got that? I am entrusting you with a huge task and you cannot be waylaid in either direction. Now, straighten your shirt and meet your supplier, Mr. Joseph Fraser.”

The boy looked my direction and leaned back to look up at me. I wasn’t that tall, just six foot four inches or so. But the lad barely reached my shoulders. “S…S…Sir,” he stammered.

“Pull it together, boy. I’m not gonna bite ye,” I told him, my brogue slipping at the end.

I looked at Cole, “You trust this boy?”

“I’m not a boy. I’m a man, turned eighteen just last month. ‘Sides, I need the job. I can’t stay at the orphanage no more. Mrs. Sheffield said, I gotta find a job,” Thomas huffed.

“Calm down lad. I’m just teasin’ ye. So, ye lived at the orphanage? Do ye know Emily?” I asked, my eyebrows raised.

His eyes jerked to mine and then he grinned, “Yes, I do. Right fine young gal, she is. Whatcha want to know?”

“Nothing, that I can ask ye. But it does give me an idea,” I told him. Then I turned to Cole and said, “Alright, let’s get this business arrangement finished. I need to go see Mrs. Sheffield.”

The three of us made our way to Cole’s hotel, which incidentally was the same hotel where I was staying. We sat in the dining room and worked out the arrangement. I had an idea that would benefit Thomas as well as myself. But I needed to find out a few things first. We lingered over lunch as we discussed plans for the future. By the end of the meal, you would never know that we had just met a few hours prior.

Once our business was concluded, I excused myself from the pair and left the hotel. I casually made my way to the south side of town. It was time to visit my Emily. Arriving a short time later, I could hear the laughter of children playing in the back yard. It was a joyous sound and it made me pause. That’s what I want, children playing and a wife to hold in my arms as we watched them discover the world around them.

I cleared my throat and pushed myself forward to the front door. I knocked and waited for the door to be answered. It wasn’t long and I was greeted by Mrs. Sheffield herself, “Good afternoon, Mr. Fraser. Come in.”

“Thank you, Ma’am,” I replied, as she stood aside for me to enter. “I would like to speak with you about a couple of things, if you have time.”

“Why yes, of course. Please, let’s have a seat over here in the parlor,” her voice was almost humming in response.

Once seated, I began, “Today, I met a young man named Thomas. He indicated that he can no longer stay here because he has now reached eighteen, is that correct?”

“Yes, he is a grown man. I take every effort to raise these children to be dependable adults. But once they are grown, I simply cannot allow them to stay. I have too many children in need, and the need for a bed grows every day. I hope you understand. Has he done something wrong?”

“No, nothing like that. I just wanted to confirm a few things. It seems he has found a job delivering furs and hides from the Dakota’s to here in St. Louis. What can you tell me about him?” I asked, lowering my voice, all the while trying to contain my natural slur.

Understanding that I wished to keep my inquiry secret, she lowered her voice as well and said, “he is one of my brightest charges. He can read, write, and do sums. He is careful with the little children and very protective of the girls. Last year, one of the older boys began to pick on one of the littler children. Thomas stopped the bullying and made the boy apologize. Thomas definitely understands right from wrong.” She paused, the raised her chin curiously, “why do you ask?”

“I would like to take him with me. I think that I can teach him to trap like I do. My Da is not old by any means, but he is aging and I worry that he works too hard. A younger man would help in our situation. What do you think?” I noticed that she was nodding her head as I spoke. It would appear that she agreed, but I would wait for her to answer.

“I agree. But, what of Emily?” she smirked.

“I must first speak with Emily about many things. Yesterday, you mentioned that she was eligible to be married. At first meeting, I was intrigued by her beauty but also her spirit. I would like to talk with her again. Perhaps, take a stroll along the street?” I asked, hoping Mrs. Sheffield would agree.

“Only this street, yes?” she asked and I nodded. “You understand that I must protect her virtue.”

I was glad for my longer than normal hair, for it covered my ears that were surely red from her teasing, “Yes, Ma’am. I will be the most honorable escort. Me Da would tan my backside if I took advantage of an unwed lass.”

“Wait here. I’ll go fetch her. She’s outside with the children,” she said as she rose from the settee. I watched as she left the room.

No, I wouldn’t touch Emily. As I said, my Da would have my arse. And I wasn’t that type of man. Sure, I dallied from time to time, but only with willing ladies of the night, who knew how to avoid unwanted bairn’s. I wouldn’t touch her. Not yet. But soon.

“Mr. Fraser! You came back!” her sweet voice crooned to me like a siren’s song, as she glided into the room.

I rose and reached for her hand, then slightly bowed over it, “Miss Emily, would ye join me fer a walk on this fine day?”

She giggled as she blushed, nodded, and whispered, “Yes.”

I followed her to the door, catching Mrs. Sheffield’s eye as we walked out. The look she gave me told me in no uncertain terms that she would be watching.

As I pulled the door behind me, I took Emily’s arm and laced it through the crook of mine. We descended the stairs and walked the few steps to the gate and then left the property. I turned to my left and we moved at a leisurely pace.

“Miss Emily,” I croaked and the words caught in my throat. Holy hell! What is that? I have never been nervous in front of a lady!

She giggled at the sound, then placed her hand on her mouth and whispered, “I’m so sorry. But that sound. Are you alright?”

I nodded, gulped and tried again, “Miss Emily….”

She cut me off, “Just Emily. May I call you Joseph?”

“Yes, I would like that verra much. Emily, as I stated yesterday, one of me reasons for comin’ to St. Louis was due to the advertisement I saw about the availability of findin’ a bride at the boarding house. I talked with Mrs. Sheffield yesterday about the kind of wife I desire. She thinks you and I would be a match.” I spoke, before losing my nerve. Why was this so hard?

“Joseph, you told me this yesterday. What are you trying to say?” she sighed, a hint of longing in her voice.

We had reached the end of the street, so I turned us and we walked back the same direction. It was several moments before I spoke. “After our meetin’, I couldna stop thinkin’ ‘bout ye. I would verra much like to spend a few days with ye while I am here to see if we might get on well. Would that be agreeable to ye?”

She didn’t respond with her words, but her actions spoke louder than anything she could have uttered. She leaned her head on my shoulder and reached up with her free hand to clasp my forearm. She didn’t want to let go. It was a wonderful feeling. My chest swelled with pride as I thought about her gesture. It was purely innocent but held so much depth.

“Em, tell me about yerself. If we are to marry, I want to know this beauty on me arm.” I whispered to her. As I took in her scent, I was bombarded with emotions I had never felt. She smelled like cinnamon and apples. The more I took in, the more I wanted.

She quietly began to tell me about her family. She has two older sisters, both married and live in Illinois. Her father died three years ago and her mother was devasted. So heartbroken over losing the love of her life, she deemed it necessary to protect Emily from the same heartbreak and planned to send her to a convent.

She giggled in her retelling, “She has no idea that I didn’t go. I made sure to tell her I would send all of the letters and telegrams that she wanted sent. Only, I never sent them. Instead, I made plans and came here. I had wired Mrs. Sheffield and inquired about becoming a boarder and she agreed. I have been here ever since.”

“You are quite the adventurer, are you?”

She shrugged and said, “I don’t know about that. I only know that I want love and a family. I don’t think it was fair of my mother to try to take that from me. Then, at the beginning of last year, when Mrs. Sheffield mentioned finding husbands for us, I knew this was how I would find my happily ever after.”

She let out another soft sigh and I turned to look down at her. Her face held a soft and dreamy expression. She was clearly thinking of the future that she wanted.

“Happily, ever after, huh? Like the fairy tales our parents used to tell us so we would go to sleep? So, what kind of future do you see for yourself?” I inquired. Would she be content in the mountains with me?

“A house and children playing in the yard. A husband to hold me in his arms while we watch the children play.”

I gasped at her comment. I had those same thoughts just a short while ago. I paused my steps, so surprised by her comment.

At my gasp, she raised her head and looked at me, “Is everything alright?”

“Yes, all is well. So, this husband you dream of? What does he do?” I asked, then resumed our walk.

“I don’t know yet. But I’ll let you know when I figure it out,” she grinned, then laid her head back on my shoulder.

We walked all afternoon, making our way down then street, then turning and retracing our steps. Sometimes talking, but mostly just being in each other’s company. All too soon, the day was ending and I walked her back to the house.

Standing on the porch, I reached out and pushed a stray curl behind her ear, and murmured, “Can I see ye tomorrow?”

“I would like that. What time shall I expect you?” she whispered.

“After lunch. I have a few things to do tomorrow,” I murmured, keeping my voice low so we didn’t attract unwanted attention. I wanted to kiss her so desperately, but I held back.

“Goodnight, Joseph.” She opened the door and stepped inside.

“Goodnight, Em.” I whispered as she closed the door.

I made my way back to the hotel and ordered a meal for supper. I don’t even know what I ate, my mind was replaying the entire afternoon. She was perfect for me. She fit into my arm just right, she enjoyed the silence as much as our conversation, and she had an intelligent mind.

I went to sleep and dreamt of my auburn-haired lass with those hazel eyes that sparkled like gold. I was awakened from my dreams by a pounding on the door. As I rolled over, I realized I was not alone in my bed. I jumped from the bed as the half-naked woman beside me rolled over and said, “Good morning, lover.”

What the hell? I glanced down, relieved to see that I still had my long underwear on. Thank Christ for that!

“Who the hell are ye and what are ye doin’ in me bed?” I growled. The banging on the door was growing louder.

I turned from her, stomped across the small room, and opened the door. The next thing I knew my jaw was thrown to the side as the man at the door punched me in the face. I looked back to find the man standing in the doorway, was none other than the man I had beaten at poker the other night.

“I’ll make you pay for fucking my wife,” he ground out, his teeth gnashing as he spoke.

I held my hands up and said, “Look mister. I ain’t sure what ye ken, but I dinna sleep with her! I dinna ken who she is!”

“Don’t say that, lover,” she said, as she walked up and ran her hand down my bare chest. “You seemed real interested in me last night when you brought me to your room.”

“Look lady,” I began, as I threw her hand away from my skin, “I dinna ken what yer playin’ at, but I dinna ken any idea who ye are and how ye got into me room, but ye need to leave. Now! Afore I call the sheriff!” I huffed in exasperation.

Her husband, Johnny, I think his name was, swung at me again. Only this time, I was ready for him and I caught his fist in my hand. Then I squeezed. Hard.

“Ow! Stop!” he called out.

“Take yer wife and get the hell outta me room!” I commanded.

He grabbed her arm and pulled her from the room. She was sobbing the entire time. Crying for me to not say such mean things. He began cursing her for her whorish ways. I slammed the door and turned the lock. I would need to remember to lock my door from now on. Living in the mountains, I wasn’t used to locking doors. There was no need. No one was around for miles.

I walked back over to my bed and looked for evidence that I had done something I shouldn’t have. I was pleased to find nothing. Good. I sat on the edge of the bed and worked on calming my racing heart. I hadn’t done anything that would ruin my chance with Emily.