Her First Love

TWELVE

Nicole had changed back into one of her dresses, not wanting to put on the saloon uniform ever again. She would have fixed her hair up in a proper bun, but then she was too exhausted to do it. Very little food had touched her belly today because of the distress she and the others had gone through, and now Nicole wished she would have eaten a little more.

The heavenly aroma from the kitchen downstairs made her stomach grumble, but she didn't dare step foot out of this room. Although she still had the pistol that Caleb had given her, she didn't want to shoot anyone. It nearly broke her heart knowing that she could have killed Weston. But Caleb had given it to her for protection. If the person responsible for Brenda and Patsy's death came after Nicole, would she have the courage to pull the trigger? Even if it was Caleb?

Her forehead pounded. It couldn't have been Caleb. He was too kind, and too giving. She had mourned with him both times. If he was the killer, why would he mourn? Not only that, but if he was the one killing the saloon girls, why did he give them guns to protect themselves? Did he want to get shot? She just couldn't believe it was him because she didn't want it to be him, the man she was falling in love with.

Then again, Brenda had fallen in love with him, too.

A heavy knock shook the door, and she jumped. Please, don't be Edward. Her mind paused. And don't be Caleb, either.

She stepped closer to the door. "Who is it?"

"It's Mrs. Crane. I thought you might like something to eat."

The loud grumbling in Nicole's stomach gave her the final answer. She opened the door and smiled at the middle-aged widow. "You are a lifesaver. I'm starving."

The salt-and-peppered hair woman smiled and nodded. "When you didn't come down for supper, I knew you had to be hungry." She handed her the tray of food. "I hope you like biscuits and gravy. And I made some freshly squeezed orange juice."

"I'll eat anything right now." Nicole chuckled and took the tray. "Thank you again."

The kind woman nodded, turned, and walked back down the hallway. Nicole closed the door and hurried to set the tray on the small table. She didn't wait to sit before she started shoveling the food in her mouth like a starved woman. Oh, and it tasted so good, too. She sipped the orange juice, then sighed heavily. Not eating for most of the day certainly helped her to appreciate food when she finally was able to eat.

After a few minutes, she wondered if it would be too rude of her to go downstairs and ask Mr. Crane for more. That woman was a wonderful cook.

When the last bite of food was gone, and the last drop of juice had been swallowed, Nicole sighed heavily and relaxed in the chair. Now, she just needed to wait for the snow to stop so that she could leave. Then again, she'd have to wait for morning to arrive since that was the only time she could catch the stagecoach.

She blew out a frustrated breath. For once, she wished things would go her way. Instead, she was always waiting for someone else.

Someone knocked on the door again, and her spirits lifted. Had Mrs. Crane returned with desert?

Nicole nearly tripped over her feet hurrying to the door and pulling it open. But it wasn't Mr. Crane. Caleb stood in front of her looking like an icycle. But it was the relief in his gaze that calmed her slightly.

"Heavens, you look like you've been outside all night." She pulled on his snow-caked coat sleeve and led him to the fire. "Stay right here until you melt."

Nicole moved back to the door and closed it. When she turned to look at him again, he had been watching her with sad eyes. Her heart twisted.

"Why did you leave?" he asked in a tight voice.