Time Passage by Douglas Elyse

Author:Douglas, Elyse [Douglas, Elyse]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Amazon: B0C3FB9R4N
Goodreads: 140213184
Publisher: Broadback
Published: 2023-06-20T07:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 25

“You shouldn’t be out here, Miss Adams,” Thomas Dayton said.

I jerked my head left and saw his silhouette—his large silhouette—near a mound of shoveled snow.

“Son of a bit…” I stopped, grabbing a startled breath, putting a hand to my heart. “You scared the shit out of me!”

Real ladies in this period of history didn’t curse, so I swiftly recovered. “I mean, I didn’t know you were there.”

“Mr. Gannon said you wasn’t meant to leave the house.”

I saw clouds of vapor puffing from his mouth.

“Yeah, well, I couldn’t stay locked up in that house another hour. I had to get out. It’s not like I can run away, right?”

“Still, that’s what he said.”

“And do you do everything Mr. Gannon says?” I asked, in a defiant tone. “Every single thing?”

“He pays me my wages.”

I lifted my shoulders and settled them, trying to shake off the fright. “Yeah, well, I guess that’s how the world works, isn’t it? You kiss ass so you can get money.”

I shook my head, instantly regretting the words. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said that.”

Thomas remained still. “You’re right, Miss Adams. That’s the way of it, all right, until a man’s had enough. And then, maybe he ain’t gonna take it anymore.”

I wasn’t sure what he meant. “Did you get into trouble when Mr. Gannon found out I didn’t send the telegram and that you didn’t escort me inside?”

“I was wrong about that. I should have gone in with you.”

“No, Thomas, I was wrong, and I’m sorry, and I’m sorry if I got you in trouble, and I’m glad you’re still here.”

“Do you know what he said to us all? Mr. Gannon said, ‘Don’t talk to Miss Adams. You leave her be.’”

“And why do you suppose he said that?”

“Don’t know. None of my concern.”

“But you’re talking to me now,” I said, suddenly aware he was up to something.

“And I’ve got my reasons, don’t I?”

“I don’t know. Do you?”

“I just said so, and I’m sure you heard me.”

“Did Mr. Gannon threaten you when he found out about Denver?”

“He whipped me.”

“He did what?”

“Horsewhipped me.”

“And you didn’t fight back? You’re a big guy.”

“One of his old miner pals held a 45 Colt on me while Gannon whipped me. Either I take it or I’m dead and buried, and won’t ever be found. I took it, standing. I didn’t go down. So my back’s sore, and my face took some licks, but I didn’t go down no matter how he slashed at me.”

My stomach twisted. “That’s sick. Gannon’s just sick. I’m so sorry Thomas.”

His laugh was low, moist and dark. “Yeah… sick’s the word, and it’s right for the like of him.”

“And what if he finds out you’re talking to me now?”

“He said next time he’d kill me.”

I blew out a jet of vapor, frustrated, not wanting to get Thomas killed. “And would you let him kill you just because he pays your wages?”

He was quiet for a moment, as he kicked at the snow. “I was a weedle before I came here looking for work.

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