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“Accept what?” Ben asked.
Betsey didn’t want to get into the particulars with Ben while Harrison was here but it seemed as if Mr. McBride had other ideas.
“Your sister,” Harrison said, “Is about to become a household name.” He smiled at them both. “It was a long ride out here. May I come in? I’m afraid that old horse I rented had the worst gate of any creature I’ve ever been on and a soft seat would be heavenly.”
Ben looked as if he wanted to refuse but stood back from the door, opening it wider. Harrison thanked him and entered the house, giving the small space a thorough look. “That fellow at the livery stable wasn’t exaggerating when he said you lived in a small house out on the prairie.”
The door shut with an audible click. Ben turned and crossedhis arms over his chest. “What’s this all about, Betsey? How do you know this man?”
Ben’s face was turning red and she knew what he was thinking. He’d only questioned her once about working the rooms above the saloon and took her word about never walking up those stairs but the look on his face now said he was thinking she’d lied.
Harrison looked at them both in turn. “You’ve not told your brother about me?”
Betsey sighed. “It never came up.” Not a complete lie but the look on Ben’s face told her that wasn’t a good enough excuse, nor would this be a pleasant conversation. Not that she imagined it would be, but she’d held out hope for a small miracle.
She pulled out one of the kitchen chairs and sat down. “Mr. McBride said he could put me on a stage to sing in front of hundreds of people.”
Ben raised one eyebrow. “Is that right.” He looked at Harrison. “And how exactly do you plan on doing that?”
“He owns a theater,” Betsey said.
“I’m asking him, Betsey, not you.”
Ben’s tone was exactly the one she’d thought he’d have and why she’d hesitated in telling him. He leaned back against the door, arms still crossed. “What do you want with my sister?”
“Exactly what she said. I’m going to make her famous.” Harrison threw a smile her way. “She’ll shine so brilliantly on my stage, she’ll be brighter than all the stars in the heavens.”
“Putting her on stage to do what?” Ben asked.
“Why, to sing, of course. I own a theater in San Francisco and I imagine by this time next month, every person in that fine city will know your sister’s name.”
Ben finally looked at her. “I didn’t know how to tell you.” She shrugged her shoulders. “I’ve been trying to find the right words, then with all the stuff with Aaron, it just got more complicated.”
“So tell me now.”
“Your sister and I have a business arrangement. She sings in my theater, and I make her a rich woman.”
Ben threw Harrison a look hard enough to scald the skin right off his bones but Mr. McBride didn’t flinch. “I was talking to Betsey, not you.” He turned back to face her. “Well?”
“It’s just as he said, Ben. I was going to sing at his theater, and he was going to pay me more money than I could ever earn in a lifetime here in Willow Creek.” She glanced at Harrison. “He said I’d make enough to buy a nice house and new clothes.” She looked away. Saying out loud, all the things she’d longed for her whole life, made her seem shallow now. As if nothing else mattered but material things.
“And what about Samuel?”
“I’ve already made arrangements for the little one,” Harrison said. “I’ve hired a children’s nurse who is awaiting us this very moment. She’ll treat young Samuel as if he were her own.”
Ben flicked a glance at Harrison before meeting her gaze. “And Aaron?”
The words were spoken softly but the impact they had were staggering. She’d done all this because of Aaron. Because he’d hurt her so badly. But now things were different. Now, having Aaron in her life was more tempting than all the fine houses, fancy dresses, jewels, and food money could buy. She’d never wanted anything the way she’d wanted him. How could she leave now when she was on the verge of getting everything she ever wanted?
“I don’t—“ She glanced at her feet then lifted her eyes. “I’m sorry, Mr. McBride. I … I’ve changed my mind. I can’t go with you to San Francisco after all.”
He said nothing for long moments, just stood there staring at her until she felt uncomfortable, then he smiled and straightened. “Well, that’s a shame to hear.”
Relief so profound swept through her she tightened her hold on the back of the chair to keep from falling. “I know. I reallywanted to sing in your theater but Samuel’s father … things weren’t good between us when I agreed to go with you but now things are and—“ She shrugged. Her personal life wasn’t any of his business so she left it at that.
“Well, perhaps you can bring him along.”
“I don’t think he’d be willing to do that.”
