An Unconventional Lady Page 3

  “What’s it like down there? Is it as beautiful as I imagine? You were gone forever.”

  “It’s quite a ways down.” Dallas’s eyes glittered in the fading light. “I don’t have any idea what you imagine, but I’d say it looks like the desert, painted brown, mauve, terracotta and with bits of green mixed in.”

  “Brown?” Her nose wrinkled.

  “Yep, from cactus and sage. The river is swift and it winds a lot as it runs through the canyon.” He slid from the horse and looped the reins over his shoulder. “Want me to take you sometime?”

  Did she? Would that be admitting defeat? “No, thank you. I’ll go myself soon. Was it pretty? You didn’t say anything about the awesome beauty of the canyon. Why is it that men leave out the more decorative details?”

  “Really? I did describe the colors. Besides, I’m looking at something mighty pretty right now.”

  Annie glanced around them. “What are you looking at? It’s the same every day. A dirt street, a towering hotel. No, the only thing with any beauty is the canyon.”

  “I disagree. Besides, it’s quite dangerous—and, well, doesn’t your job take up a lot of your time?”

  She narrowed her eyes, not missing his abrupt change of topic. “My job is not my life or what I intend to do for the rest of my life. My job is something I do to placate my mother until something else comes along.”

  “That’s commendable.” His mouth quirked.

  “Are you being facetious?” He really knew how to get under her skin.

  “A bit.” He stopped and faced her. “Sure, you’re working at the restaurant to make your mother happy, but who does that really help, Annie? Not you or the restaurant. Definitely not your mother.”

  “That is none of your concern.” She planted her fists on her hips. “I’m sure you would be more than happy for a woman to sit at home and do nothing.”

  “I doubt that would happen. My ma and sisters always seem to have plenty of work to do.”

  Annie stamped her foot. “You are incorrigible. I pity the woman who ever marries you.” Hitching her skirts, she dashed into the house, ran up the stairs and then slammed the door to her room. The man was a cad.

  It was the twentieth century. Women were capable of more than doing laundry and having babies. She threw herself across the mattress. So what if she took a job to help her mother? They’d both been through enough. She rolled over, then grunted when the knot from her apron dug into her back. Silly uniform.

  She sat up, untied the apron, then tossed it across the room onto the rocking chair. Working at El Tovar wasn’t her choice, but she’d do a fine job regardless. Who was Dallas to say otherwise?

  A knock sounded at the door. “Annette? I baked some scones today. Would you come join me?”

  “Yes, Mother. Let me change out of my uniform.” Annie straightened and changed into a simple cotton day dress. It was good that her mother interrupted her wayward thoughts. Dallas Baker occupied them way too much.

  Simply because he took away her dreams, she admitted, nothing else. But the man created a fine picture on the back of his horse.

  Mother sat at their old wood table in the kitchen, two steaming cups of coffee and a plate of strawberry scones in front of her. She smiled and gestured to the chair across from her. “This is nice. I missed you today.”

  “I’m exhausted.” Annie took her seat and accepted the cup her mother slid toward her. “I missed being home, also. The men who frequent the restaurant seem to think it’s a place to find a wife.”

  “Really?” Her mother’s eyes lit up.

  “Mother.” Annie took her time taking a bite of scone and a sip of coffee, choosing her words carefully. “I am not in a hurry to marry.”

  “But you’re nineteen years old! I had you at that age and had already been married for three years.”

  “Times have changed. A modern woman doesn’t rush into marriage.”

  “Posh.” Her mother set her cup down hard enough to slosh her drink over the rim. “Daughter, with your good looks and moral upbringing, you are in high demand. Especially here in Williams. But—” she raised her eyebrows “—even you shouldn’t be too picky. You stand in danger of becoming an old maid. I won’t be around forever, and you’ll be alone.”

  “You’re not even forty years old.” Annie ran her gaze over her mother’s chestnut hair and wrinkle-free skin. “You could still marry, if you felt inclined.”

  “No.” Tears shimmered in her eyes. “I’m not desirable anymore.”

  “Mother.” Annie reached across the table and laid a hand over hers. “If you dislike Williams so much, why don’t you go back East? Visit your sister for a while. I can manage fine on my own.”

  Mother reached for a napkin and dabbed her eyes. “No, it wouldn’t be proper for you to be alone.”

  “But you would consider taking a holiday if I weren’t alone?”

  “We have boarders, Annette. Stop being ridiculous. I have way too much work to do to consider such a thing.” Her mother straightened. The usual determined gleam returned to her eyes. “Drink your coffee before it gets cold.”

  What had happened? Annie sat back. For a moment, she’d caught a glimpse of the mother she’d had before her father’s death. Then a curtain fell, blocking out that woman, and replacing her with the one in front of Annie. Did it make her a horrible daughter to want the kind, gentle version back?

  Annie froze, the scone halfway to her mouth. For the first time in her life, her mother had commented favorably on her looks. So had Dallas.

  The pretty thing he had spoken about...was her.

  Chapter 4

  Annie tried to stroll in a ladylike manner toward the hotel, instead of shuffling as Dallas led a group of six men and two women on mules past the boardinghouse and over the lip of the canyon. Oh, life was so unfair. She kicked at a rock, scuffing her shoe. She’d have to repolish that spot before beginning work, or receive a demerit.

  She stopped before climbing the hotel stairs, and cast another glance toward the canyon. One look wouldn’t hurt anything. She’d barely be tardy. Hitching up her skirt, she dashed in the direction Dallas and his guests had disappeared. They’d be gone for three days. It wouldn’t hurt to wave goodbye.

  Stopping at the top of the trail with enough abruptness to send pebbles cascading over the side, Annie lifted her right hand to shade her eyes. There. Around the curve she could make out Dallas leading the line. Old man Horace, the other guide, wouldn’t be far behind.

  She waved. A grin spread across her face as Dallas waved his hat in her direction. She so wanted to be there, second in line if not first. A woman to converse with the two women guests making the trip.

  Her shoulders slumped as she turned back to her job. She entered through the back door just as the train whistle blew. Oh, my. She dashed to Mrs. Oakley’s room and grabbed a polishing cloth. After a quick swipe at her shoe, she rushed to the lunch counter, took position and pasted a smile to her face.

  “Cutting it close, aren’t we?” Dottie, the other lunch girl, seemed to have a personal vendetta against Annie since the first day. “It wouldn’t do for Miss Cartwright to find out.”

  “Mind your own business.” Annie moved farther down the counter. Anywhere was better than right next to the spiteful redhead.

  Soon, the counter filled with hungry customers, and Annie hopped to get them served. Once a train arrived, there was little time for petty grievances or wishing she was somewhere else. Because El Tovar was a hotel, the serving didn’t stop when the train pulled out. Most nights, Annie made her way home long past dark.

  It wasn’t that she didn’t like her job. She did, surprisingly enough, other than the lack of freedom to spend outdoors. There were most likely worse jobs for women. Most of the girls were friendly, and Miss Cartwright was one of the s
weetest women Annie had ever met, but there was the occasional bad apple. In the month that she had worked for the Fred Harvey Company, Dottie seemed to have a mysterious grudge against her.

  Keeping a smile on her face, Annie wiped spilled coffee from the polished counter after the customers left. The question was, why did Dottie dislike her? They’d never laid eyes on each other until Annie’s employment.

  “Look sharp, ladies.” Miss Cartwright pulled a pocket watch from her apron pocket. “The train is late, and the passengers will be in a hurry.”

  Annie stashed the rag under the counter and stood at attention as the train pulled into the station. She couldn’t explain why, but the moment the doors opened and the people crowded inside was her favorite part. She loved the eager looks on their faces, knowing they would receive a meal equal to big city restaurants. Yes, Annie still yearned to explore the canyon floor, but here in El Tovar she could live, temporarily, through the adventures of others.

  Three men, dusty under the borrowed jackets the hotel’s dress code required, sat at Annie’s end of the bar. All three ordered coffee and ham sandwiches. And all three watched every move she made.

  Her skin prickled under their scrutiny. Most of the dining guests were friendly, but these men had yet to crack a smile.

  By the time they’d eaten and had their second cups of coffee, the train was preparing to pull out of the station, and still the men sat. Obviously they intended to stay in town awhile longer. Annie wasn’t sure why the idea made her nervous, but instinct warned their visit would not be pleasant for someone.

  “Pa, this hotel is a bit fancy for my taste.” A man in his twenties plunked down his cup. “This jacket they gave us is constricting.”

  “Stop bellyaching,” the older man said. “Your ma taught you better than that. Miss?”

  Annie paused in clearing away their dishes. “Yes, sir?”

  “Is there another place to stay besides the El Tovar? Seems my boys have an aversion to luxury.”

  “The Rollins Boardinghouse is right down the road. Feels more like home.” And her mother could use the income. Still, there was something about these three that didn’t sit right with Annie. She prayed she wasn’t sending danger to her mother’s doorstep.

  “One more question, if you’ve the time.” The older gentleman wiped his mouth with his napkin, then tossed the white cloth on the counter. “I’m looking for a man by the name of Dallas Baker. You wouldn’t happen to know of him, would you?”

  * * *

  Dallas tethered Rascal in a patch of grass, then moved to stir the coals in order to start coffee for breakfast. A simple meal of hardtack and bacon would suffice.

  From the smiles and murmurs coming from his guests, he deduced the trips since he’d arrived in Williams weeks ago had been a success. He’d no sooner arrive back at the boardinghouse than it was time to take out another group. This time, after three days, he was more than eager to return to the Rollinses’. A bedroll on the ground was no match for a soft mattress, and his coffee was nowhere near as good as Mrs. Rollins’s.

  A hawk soared overhead, its cries serving as an alarm for whoever still dozed in their tents. Hard ground at night or not, Dallas thanked God for the opportunity to spend his days in the great outdoors, and a homey place to rest his head once in a while. The bird swooped and emerged with a squealing mouse in his talons.

  “Beautiful morning. I thought the rain last night would wash us away.” Mr. Wood, one of the trail guests, hunkered on the opposite side of the fire. “I contemplated booking the tour with the El Tovar because of the hotel’s prestige and luxury, but the smaller group you led allowed for a more personal experience.”

  “I’m glad you enjoyed it, sir.” Dallas set the coffeepot next to the glowing coals.

  The man nodded. “I’ll inform my acquaintances of the Rollins trail guides. You and the old man should also consider longer tours. Maybe a week of following the river.”

  “We’ll definitely take that into consideration.” Dallas glanced at the riverbank, where Horace was instructing one of the guests on the best way to fish. He couldn’t wait to tell Annie that her idea of drawing guests to her family’s business was a success, at least the tour part. Now, if she could only find a way to draw overnight guests away from El Tovar.

  Would she be pleased or upset that he was the one to hear the man’s praises? Dallas hoped she would be happy, but as the one who’d taken what she had hoped would be her job, he feared she’d be angry.

  By midmorning, the group began their trek back up the narrow trail to the canyon’s rim. With the previous night’s rain, the trail was more dangerous than usual, and Dallas looked behind him more than he did to the trail ahead. If he’d had his way, he would have liked to camp an extra night to let the ground dry some, but the guests had voted to go on. All he could do now was pray and be vigilant.

  Rascal’s left hind leg slipped on loose rocks. He snorted and tossed his mane. Dallas’s heart shot to his throat. “Let your mule have its head,” he called behind him. “They know the safest place to set their feet. Horace, keep a lookout back there.”

  Horace waved his hat to let Dallas know he’d heard.

  “I’m terrified, Mr. Baker.” Mrs. Romero, one of the female guests, clutched at the lace around her throat. “My beast is sliding around something terrible. It’s a long way down. Maybe we should go back.”

  Dallas clamped his lips together. She’d thrown the biggest fit over an extra night’s stay in the wilderness. “No, ma’am. There’s no safe place to turn around. We keep moving forward.” Next time, he’d use his status as guide and put his foot down. Safety didn’t come by majority rule.

  He continued to pray for safety as they made their way, step by step, toward the rim. The two pack mules at the end of the line brayed. He didn’t blame them. Fear had set up residence in his gut, too. Perspiration broke out on his upper lip. What a fool he was to allow himself to be coerced into a trip he knew was dangerous. But then, Horace was the experienced one of the two, and he hadn’t said anything against going. “Hold ’em steady, folks.”

  “One of those mules is bucking something fierce back here,” one of the guests yelled. “He’s spooking my mount. The old man is having a hard time controlling them.”

  Dallas urged Rascal a bit faster. If he remembered correctly, there was a small area near the canyon wall ahead where he could stop and let the others pass. That way, he could grab the lead ropes to the mules and calm them. One big slip and they might lose more than an animal.

  It was plumb foolishness for Annie to think she could lead tours. What if she encountered a situation like the present one? Would she be calm enough of mind and wits to get the party to safety? Most of the women he knew tended to show hysterics at the first sign of danger, much like the increasing agitation of the two women with the group today. Their voices continued to rise in volume, and they shrieked with each rattle of loose rocks. He hated to think of what could happen if one of them lost her head.

  Finding the spot he’d searched for, he crowded Rascal against the rock and waved the others forward. Once they’d passed, he reached out and grabbed for the first pack mule’s lead rope. The animal shied away.

  “Whoa, boy.” Dallas slid from the back of his horse. He waved for Horace to continue on, while he worked to calm the animal.

  “Okay, Baker,” Horace said. “I’ve separated the two in order to settle them down, but that one acts like he’s got a burr under his blanket.”

  “Mr. Baker, do you think it wise to stay behind alone?” Mrs. Romero’s dark eyes widened as she glanced back at him.

  “Continue to the top, ma’am. I have everything here under control.” No sense in letting the others think otherwise. Especially since he was in danger of plummeting several hundred feet to his death.

  “Come on, boy.” He inched forwar
d. His fingers brushed the rope, then grabbed hold.

  The mule stepped back, slid, and fought to gain a firm footing. The rope slipped through Dallas’s hands. He hissed at the burn and let go. The mule screamed and disappeared.

  Dallas plastered his back against the rock wall. Thank God there hadn’t been anyone riding the animal. His heart sank as the mule’s cries faded, then stopped. The other one stood still, head hanging. Dallas took the rope and led the animal back to Rascal. Usually, he’d loop the rope around the saddle horn, but not this time. He wouldn’t risk the life of his friend.

  The others reached the top several minutes before he did. When his head cleared the rim, Annie ran toward him. “Mr. Baker! Are you all right? The others told us of the accident. Were you frightened? Thank goodness you let go.”

  Despite her obvious concern for his safety, Dallas detected a trace of excitement in her voice. The trail was definitely not a place for Annie Rollins. “I’m fine, Miss Rollins, thank you.” They’d got past the formality of last names a while ago, but had decided to continue to use them while around the guests.

  She leaned close and lowered her voice. “There are three men here looking for you. They’ve checked into the boardinghouse.”

  “Hello, son.”

  Dallas stared into the faces of his pa and older brothers.

  Chapter 5

  His pa? Annie trotted along behind the long-legged men as they headed back to the boardinghouse.

  Dallas stopped. “I’ve got to see to the horse and mules. Miss Rollins, please make sure the guests make their way back to the El Tovar.”

  “Of course.” Annie stopped, taken aback. Why didn’t he look pleased to be reunited with his family? They seemed to have come a long way. She fell into step behind the tour guests.

  “I hope your ride was pleasant.”

  “Oh, my, yes,” one of the women said. “Fraught with danger, beautiful scenery, a multitude of wildlife, and Mr. Baker was a true gentleman the entire time. I was most comfortable, considering the surroundings.”