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“I see.”
“And you asked me that why?”
“Was just curious as to how long you’ve known him.”
Eddy didn’t reply.
“I’m sorry if I’m prying. A man just likes to know where he stands.”
Any other questions he may have had were silenced by the musicians taking the stage. The three horn players, a piano player, and a drummer spent a few minutes tuning up. People who’d been chatting took their seats, as did people at the bar. She hazarded a glance in that direction. When Rhine’s gaze brushed hers and held, she again wondered how he was. She finally turned back, only to find Zeke staring her squarely in the face. She startled. He gave Rhine a long steady look before settling his gaze on her again. Radiating displeasure, he turned away and Eddy sighed silently.
The musicians were talented. They played favorites like “Jimmy Crack Corn,” “Jeanie with the Light Brown Hair,” “Listen to the Mockingbird,” and closed the concert with a rousing rendition of “The Battle Hymn of the Republic,” but throughout, Zeke had very little to say and offered even less interaction. Eddy was saddened by the indifference, but took full responsibility.
When it was time to leave, his voice was cool. “Let’s get you home.”
“That isn’t necessary. I can walk back alone.”
“No.”
Rather than argue she let him escort her out.
The air between them was as chilly as a Denver winter. He didn’t offer his arm. Eddy saw no point in trying to draw him out, so she didn’t.
After a few minutes of walking together silently, he finally looked her way and stopped. “Has he kissed you?” he asked quietly.
She didn’t lie. “Yes.”
Even though it was dark, she sensed his frustration, hurt, and disappointment. “I had hopes for us, Eddy.”
“I know. I’m sorry.” She wanted to explain to him how muddled her feelings were about Rhine, and how hard she’d been trying to keep him at bay, and that she knew she had no future with him, but she didn’t know how to do it so Zeke would understand. Instead she said, “Let’s just keep walking, okay?”
As they reached Sylvia’s, he held her eyes silently for a time. “I’m not going to compete with a White man for you, Eddy. I’d just lose. He’s got more money and can give you things I’ll never be able to afford, but he isn’t going to marry you. I hope you know that.”
She didn’t reply.
“Real sorry this didn’t work out. Take care of yourself.”
She whispered, “You, too.”
And he walked away.
When Eddy entered the house, Sylvie came out of her office and asked cheerily, “How’d it go?” But she must’ve seen Eddy’s sadness. “What happened?”
“I doubt I’ll be seeing him again. I’m going up. We’ll talk in the morning.”
“Eddy?”
“Night, Sylvie.”
Lying in bed, Eddy tried to convince herself that because she wouldn’t be staying in Virginia City there was no reason to be sad about the mess she’d made of the evening, but it was a lie. She’d enjoyed Zeke’s company and had had hopes for them as well. Now, all was lost, gone like autumn leaves in the wind, and there was no way to undo it.
The following morning she sat with Sylvie in the kitchen and told her about everything, including Rhine’s kiss. “My life was so much easier when all I had to worry about was surviving.”
“Men do tend to complicate things.”
Eddy smiled ruefully. “Poor Zeke. I felt so guilty. And in the scheme of things, if I had to choose a beau he’d be a much better choice. He seems steady and even, whereas Rhine...” She looked at Sylvie, “How can I possibly want to be with someone I know is forbidden and will probably break my heart?”
“I don’t know, honey.”
