M. Donice Byrd - The Warner Saga by No Unspoken Promises Page B

do it in St. Joseph. It’s far away from my home and your relatives in Nebraska. I have friends there who can keep a secret and it’s where I was taking you anyway.”
    “You weren’t taking me home?”
    He looked at her askance. “No, not right away.”
     
    Night had fallen long before Blake stopped for the night in one of the small communities they came to. Meredith’s nerves were frazzled from the day’s travel and thoughts that the Sioux might be nearby following their movements, ready to do the unthinkable. She never verbalized her fears nor told Blake of her fatigue. Their marriage started precariously enough and she preferred not to strain their fragile peace by sounding like a complainer.
    Bone weary, Meredith trudged behind Blake into the sole hotel sported by the community. They each set their luggage on the floor of the empty lobby. Blake rang the bell and a sleepy voice called from an adjoining room, saying he’d be there in just a second. Soon a young man with red-rimmed eyes appeared. At the sight of Meredith, he unrolled his shirt sleeves and buttoned the cuffs muttering something about the heat.
    “We need two rooms for the night.”
    The first words out of Blake’s mouth in hours stunned her. Two rooms? All day she daydreamed of the night’s promise.  Before they entered she slipped on her mother’s wedding ring so the clerk would not question them sharing a room but now she wanted to remove it without anyone noticing.
    The clerk’s eyes darted from Blake to Meredith and back. “We only have one room left,” he said. “There’s a wedding in town on Saturday and the bride’s got family in from out-of-state. Oh, heck, I know you folks don’t care about all that.”
    Blake’s eyes followed the clerk’s to Meredith. Her ribbon was coming loose freeing wisps of hair to frame her face and the black hat, pushed back on the crown of her head looked like a black halo from a Renaissance painting. He was again surprised by her simple beauty, her unique coloring and the fresh-from-the-farm innocence she wore. Blake ran his hand through his hair. “Any place in town likely to have another room?”
    The man cleared his throat and glanced at Meredith; a slight blush stained his cheeks and turned his ears red. “Gristle’s saloon has rooms upstairs they let sometimes when business is slow.” Then he added in a desperate attempt to divert attention from his brash recommendation, “Or there might be an open stall at the livery – the hay is clean.”
    Blake nodded. “We'll want your last room.”
    The man brought out a large ledger and showed Blake where to sign it. After he paid for the room the man handed him the key with the instructions, “Upstairs, down the hall, last door on the right.”
    Blake in turn handed the key to Meredith. The questioning look in her eyes told him that she had not expected separate rooms. It surprised him but neither of them was inclined to discuss the matter in front of the clerk. “Good night,” he said as she picked up her suitcase and started for the stairs. Blake lifted his carpet bag and was about to leave. “I’ll be by to get you early…” he began and saw her shoulders drop as she paused before the stairs. He let his sentence die on his lips as he strode to her side and took the valise from her. He put his arm around her shoulders and walked her up the stairs. “Tired?”
    She nodded. “It’s been a long day. Are you sure you don’t want to share the room? One of us can sleep on the floor.”
    Blake shook his head. When they reached the room, Blake unlocked the door and placed her suitcase inside. “Keep the door locked.”
    Before he could leave, Meredith put her arms around his neck and tried to kiss him but he set her away from him with strong hands. “I’d rather take my chances with a girl from Gristle’s saloon. At least I know I’ll get no more than I bargained for.”
    She stood looking after him as he turned on his heel and strode