Page 89 of The Prospector's Only Prospect
Pearl was chewing the corner of her mouth as she stared at Marigold.
Marigold avoided his gaze and wore red flags of war in her cheeks. Her chin was thrust out with the stubbornness of having made up her mind. It was a look he’d come to know a little too well.
“Rufus was kind enough to fetch Pearl’s things from the room where she was staying,” Marigold said in a high, thin voice. “I’ve had a word with Mrs. Dudley. She’s agreed to let me continue to use it—”
Marigold’s voice almost disappeared as she bent to pick up her bag.
Virgil heard her but couldn’t believe he’d heard right.
As she straightened, he caught her elbow and marched her in the direction of the “rooms.” They were shacks made of rough-hewn lumber set out in a row behind the saloon. They were sturdy enough against a brisk wind and snow, but they had dirt floors, no windows, and little else to recommend them except being a dry place to sleep.
“What the hell, Marigold? I was gone five minutes. What happened?”
She dropped her bag and folded her arms, pulling her elbow free of his grip so she could clasp onto it herself.
“You have to take Pearl.”
“Take her where?” His growing suspicion caused his teeth to clench.
“Home with you.”
“No, I don’t.” He was a grown man who made up his own mind.
“Pearl was the one you wanted first, Virgil. Youshouldwant her. She’s much easier to get along with than I am, and she won’t cause you all this talk.” She waved toward the front of the saloon.
“People will always find something to talk about. Ignore it.”
“Ican’t.” Her eyes grew glossy with tears, but she only pressed her lips a moment before she continued in an unsteady voice. “You owe it to her to at least give her the chance you gave me. Take her home and see how you two get on.”
“Just like that?” His whole chest felt carved out. “You’re backing out on me?” He couldn’t find words for how betrayed he felt. How rejected.
Was what he offered her not good enough? Was that it? He was prepared to give her his home and a right to his share in the company. He wanted her to be the mother of his children. If that wasn’t enough, he didn’t know what was.
You’re nothing. Hear me?
“You really want me to marry your sister. That’s really what you want?” He simply couldn’t believe it. “You promised my children that you would be their mother.”
“You promised my sister that you would be her husband,” she snapped back. “And I don’t want a husband. I told you that the day we met.”
Virgil rocked back on his heels, nearly bowled onto his ass by that kick in the gut.
“If you marry Pearl, I would still be an auntie to your children. I could come back to camp to help her with them if that was something you wanted, but you have to give her a chance, Virgil.” Her arms were crossed so tight, her hands were about to meet in front. “It’s not as if you and I…” She swallowed. “Fell in love… Is it?”
Her question hung in the air so long, he thought time itself had stopped. He couldn’t speak. He could only stand there immovable as the mountains. He was cold to the bone, as though glaciers weighed in all his joints.
You’re nothing.
“No.” He took no satisfaction in the way she reacted as if he’d struck her.
“Wait,” she said as he started to turn away. She offered him a handful of the company’s promissory notes. “Take this back to the men. I can’t accept it now.”
It was her wedding gift from his partners. He stared so hard at it the papers should have caught fire in her hands.
“What the hell will you live on?”
“Rufus has agreed to loan me twenty dollars until—”
“Rufus!” That claim-jumping little fuck.
