A Girl Like That Page 5

  An expression of hope and excitement crossed Bridget’s face. “It might work. But how do we get it started?”

  “We could call a meeting for those who are interested in working. Once we introduce the plan, we can help them get organized. After that, it will be up to them to keep things going.”

  Excited, the girls discussed the possibility of the day care until Katie’s father interrupted them. It was time for a light supper before dress rehearsal. They joined the rest of the troupe, then after supper, they headed for the theater.

  Katie loved her costume. She was a little disappointed to find there was no wig with it, such as some of the others had. But Mr. Harrigan, laughing, assured her that her own bouncing golden curls were perfect for the part.

  The celebration at Ma Casey’s broke up early. Mr. Harrigan insisted. After all, he couldn’t have a sleepy bunch of actors stumbling around the stage on opening day.

  ❧

  “Oh, Sam, I’m so excited. I’ve never been to Harrigan’s before.”

  Sam tried not to wince at the shrill tone of Janet’s voice. Had she been this annoying before? And the way she clutched at his arm, digging her fingers into his flesh, made him wonder if she truly understood the nature of their friendship after all. The clip-clop of the horses’ hooves seemed to be attempting to compete with the young woman’s incessant chatter. But perhaps she was nervous. Forcing a smile, he turned to her. “Then I’m delighted to be the one to give you the pleasure.”

  She flashed a coquettish smile at him, and dropping her lashes, she turned away. “Oh, look! There are Jack and Sally.”

  The couple stood by the theater entrance, apparently awaiting Sam and Janet’s arrival.

  Sam pulled to a stop in front of Harrigan’s and, after helping Janet from the carriage, threw a coin to a boy who, with obvious experience, grabbed the reins and led the horse and carriage away.

  Janet joined Jack and Sally while Sam went to purchase their tickets.

  Animated voices greeted them as they walked into the auditorium. They found their seats, very near the front, and Jack and Sally scooted in first.

  As Sam seated himself on the aisle seat, the lights dimmed and the auditorium quieted.

  The boisterous emcee greeted the audience and told a couple of jokes. Then he announced Katherine O’Shannon.

  Sam glanced with curiosity toward the wings as a small figure walked out onstage. His breath caught, and he blinked. Surely it was his imagination. After all, the light was dim.

  Then she stepped into the spotlight, and there was no doubt. That lovely smile. The golden curls. The sky blue eyes. Oh yes. It was her.

  Sam sat mesmerized as she sang a pretty Irish ballad, turning it into a masterpiece, then stood to his feet and applauded loudly as she left the stage.

  “Sam, you idiot, sit down.”

  Jack’s whisper brought Sam back to his senses, and he realized he was the only one standing. He dropped back onto his chair but continued to applaud. After all, everyone else was clapping, too.

  The girl walked back onto the stage and did a short encore, then she hurried off the stage.

  As the emcee returned to the stage to announce the first act, Sam leaned back, suddenly conscience of the girl seated next to him. He glanced at her and was met with a look of fury and stony silence.

  The curtain rose and the play began.

  In the middle of the first act, Sam was delighted to see Katherine O’Shannon step onto the stage in a housemaid’s uniform. After that, although she only appeared once more and spoke only one line, he had no idea what the rest of the play was about.

  During intermission, Sam followed the other three to the lobby.

  After the girls excused themselves, Jack turned to Sam with a look of unbelief. “Are you crazy? Why were you gaping at that actress? You’ll be lucky if Janet ever speaks to you again, much less agrees to see you.”

  “It’s her, Jack.” Sam almost whispered the words.

  “What? Who?”

  “It’s the girl from the train station,” Sam said.

  Suddenly, understanding appeared on Jack’s face, and he frowned. “The one who lives at the Patch?”

  “The very same.”

  Jack groaned. “Don’t do something stupid, Sam. You’ll regret it when you come to your senses.”

  Sam was saved from answering by the return of the girls.

  Janet gave him a cold smile but took his arm as they returned to their seats to await the next act. “What do you think of actresses, Sally?” Janet turned to her cousin, but her words reached Sam clearly.

  “Why, what do you mean?” Sally asked.

  “Well, I’ve always heard their morals are atrocious. Haven’t you heard that?” Without waiting for Sally to reply, Janet’s malicious words continued. “Take that singer, for instance. She looks so demure, and her voice is so, so sweet. But of course, that’s only an act. I wouldn’t want to even think what sort of life she lives after the curtain goes down.”

  Jack and Sally stared at her in surprise, but Sam, attempting to hold back his anger, knew her words were spoken for his benefit. “Perhaps you should reserve your judgment. Especially about a girl you don’t know.” Sam heard the words almost before he realized he’d spoken.

  Janet’s mouth flew open in disbelief. “Well! If that’s the sort of girl who interests you, I’m certainly glad I found out now.” Her face was red, and she spoke loudly enough that people around them were taking notice.

  Sam groaned inwardly. His parents would have been mortified if they’d heard him. “Janet, I apologize. I shouldn’t have spoken to you as I did. It was ungentlemanly of me. But I do think you spoke those unkind words without thinking.”

  At her angry gasp, he realized he’d done it again. Well, he’d tried. At first.

  “Well, the very idea! I refuse to stay in your presence any longer. I’m leaving.” The girl jumped up and, with Sam, Sally, and Jack trailing after, rushed to the lobby.

  “I’ll take you home then.” He didn’t want to miss another possible glimpse of Katherine, but he obviously couldn’t let Janet leave unescorted.

  “No, you most certainly will not take me home! I wouldn’t go anywhere with you if I had to walk every step of the way home.” She frowned at him and then turned her back. “But I’m sure Jack will see that I don’t have to do that. After all, he is a gentleman.”

  “Sally and I will see you home, Janet, of course.” He shook his head at Sam. “To be honest, I don’t care for the show that much, and Sally and I have plans for the rest of the evening.”

  After they’d left, Sam headed back to his seat, feeling guilty. . .at first. He should probably have tried harder to reason with Janet. He couldn’t really blame her for being angry. But then, he’d only been defending the honor of another young woman. Janet’s words had been downright mean.

  After a while, he managed to convince himself he’d done all he could and admitted he was relieved she’d left. Because he had no intention of leaving the theater without an attempt to speak to Katherine O’Shannon.

  Six

  Katie bit her upper lip and squinted her eyes in an attempt to hold back the tears. She ran into the ladies’ dressing room and flung herself onto a stool, her head leaning on the dressing table. The memory of the young man’s shocked expression as he stared at her from the audience stabbed her, and humiliation tore at her in relentless frenzy.

  “Katie! Whatever is the matter?” Fear sharpened Bridget’s voice. “Did something go wrong onstage?”

  Katie looked up. “No, no. It’s nothing. Nothing at all. Just nerves, I guess.” She stiffened and swiped at the moisture in her eyes. What right did he have to be shocked that she was an actress? He was probably some rich man’s son who’d never worked a day in his life. The snob.

&nbs
p; The other actresses spilled into the room, their sudden entrance catching Katie by surprise.

  “What a great first night. I don’t think we’ve had this good an opening since last holiday season.” Caitlyn Brown threw her wig on a table and slipped off her shoes. “And Katie, honey, you did a wonderful job. Congratulations.”

  “Thank you.” Furtively, Katie dabbed at her eyes.

  A tap sounded on the door, and Caitlyn walked over and flung it open.

  Katie gasped at the sight of her tormenter, holding a bouquet of flowers he must have bought from the street vendor outside the theater.

  He cleared his throat, his clean-shaven face red with embarrassment. “Uh, could I speak with Miss O’Shannon?”

  Caitlyn eyed him then glanced sideways at Katie, who shook her head. “Sorry. Miss O’Shannon is indisposed at the moment.”

  “Oh.” He glanced across at Katie then looked away.

  “But perhaps if you come back in ten minutes, she will see you.”

  His face brightened. “Good. Will you give her these?”

  Caitlyn took the bouquet and shut the door. With a teasing look, she handed the flowers to Katie. “Your first performance and already an admirer at the door.”

  “Why did you tell him to come back?”

  “Because he’s a bonnie handsome lad and I couldn’t resist the pleading in his eyes.”

  Katie removed her makeup and changed into her street clothes. Maybe she had misunderstood the look on his face. Perhaps it wasn’t revulsion, after all.

  Ten minutes later, right on schedule, another tap sounded on the door. She threw a reproachful look at Caitlyn and went to answer. She supposed she mustn’t be rude.

  He stood, hat in hand, and in spite of herself, she nearly melted at his smile.

  “Miss O’Shannon?”

  “Yes.” She stepped out into the hall and closed the door. “Is there something I can do for you, sir?”

  “You do remember me, don’t you?”

  “Of course. You’re the gentleman who returned the napkin that fell off my basket.” She paused then continued. “The man at the station.”

  He grinned and gave a little laugh. “Good. I was afraid you’d forgotten me.”

  “Sir, you know my name, but I have no idea of yours.” She crossed her arms and waited, determined not to be at that sort of disadvantage another moment.

  “Oh, I’m so sorry. I’m Sam Nelson.”

  She held out her hand for a shake, and to her surprise, he lifted it and brushed his lips softly against her fingers. A bolt went through her, and she jerked her hand away.

  “Forgive me. I don’t know what I was thinking.” He smiled.

  She shook her head and laughed. “Well, all right. You’re forgiven. But don’t ever take such liberties again.” She tucked her hand into her pocket to make sure. “The flowers are lovely. Thank you.”

  “You’re very welcome.” He cleared his throat. “I wonder if you would consent to dine with me.”

  She drew back in surprise. “Tonight?”

  “No, no. Of course not. How stupid of me. I’m sure you have plans. Well, how about tomorrow night?”

  Katie blushed. She had no plans except to go home and get a good night’s sleep. But she would never accept a dinner invitation on such short notice, especially from a young man she barely knew. Besides, her father had forbidden it. “No, I’m sorry. That won’t be possible.” She noticed she was picking at a nonexistent thread on her dress. She curled her fingers up and crammed her hand back into her pocket.

  “I see. Very well, I’ll see you tomorrow night. Thank you for allowing me to speak with you.” He bowed, turned, and walked away.

  What did he mean he’d see her tomorrow night? Didn’t he hear her refuse his dinner invitation?

  She turned and went inside, nearly knocking Caitlyn down. “Oh. You were listening!” Katie declared, scandalized.

  Caitlyn burst out laughing. “Yes, I admit it. Unfortunately, I didn’t hear much. Do tell us.”

  “There’s nothing to tell. He invited me to dinner, and I refused. That’s all.”

  “You refused? Why? He’s gorgeous.” Caitlyn rolled her eyes.

  “Now you be leaving her alone.” Bridget glared at the teasing actress. “Pay her no mind, Katie.”

  “Thanks, I won’t.” She smiled at her defender and at the playful actress, happy to have friends who cared.

  Katie and Bridget walked home. As they trailed behind her father and Rosie, Katie told her friend about the incident at the station and the encounter at Conley’s Patch.

  A thoughtful expression settled across Bridget’s brow. “It seems to me he’s setting his cap for you. Be careful. Who knows if his intentions are honorable or not?”

  Fear shot through Katie. Could Bridget be right? It was strange that he’d had that shocked look on his face. Then he came with flowers and an invitation so soon.

  Katie gasped. Did Sam Nelson think she was a loose woman?

  ❧

  Sam reached inside his vest pocket and pulled out the string of tickets he’d purchased before he’d gone backstage. Row one, center seat. If the show outlasted what he’d bought, he’d buy more.

  He placed the tickets in the top drawer of his bedside table and berated himself for being so bold with Miss O’Shannon. Just because he’d been thinking of her for weeks, did he think she would jump into his arms?

  Sam’s thoughts continued to chastise him as he tossed and turned in his bed, finally falling into a troubled sleep sometime near dawn.

  He was front and center the following night. Once more he carried a bouquet to her dressing room and asked her to dine with him the next evening. She declined the invitation.

  There was no show the next day, as the theater was closed on Sundays, and Sam spent the afternoon fidgeting until his mother finally turned to him with a frown.

  “What in the world is the matter with you, Sam?”

  “I’m fine.” He sent her a rather sick smile that even he knew was unconvincing.

  Suddenly her face brightened. “You’re in love, aren’t you? That’s why you’re mooning around.”

  “Really, Mother. I’m not some young lad with a crush.”

  “Mmm-hmm.” She busied herself with her knitting. “Who is she?”

  Sam was silent for a moment as his mind considered opening up to his mother about Katherine O’Shannon. No, not yet. He didn’t need a reaction from her just yet. “Mother, when there is actually a young woman in my life, I promise to tell you all about her.” There. Not a lie. But maybe not the complete truth either.

  The two weeks that followed were a world of contradictions. During the day, Sam was the serious, hardworking attorney, focusing his attention on the Flannigan case.

  Evenings were a different matter altogether. Like a lovesick schoolboy, in the middle seat of the first row, he sat mesmerized by Katherine O’Shannon.

  Every night, after being turned down again, he told himself he would stay away from Harrigan’s from now on. But the following night, there he sat, swimming in the depths of her blue eyes. If his mother had again accused him of being in love, he couldn’t have denied it.

  Jack was about to lose patience with him. “Sam, my friend, you’re going to let that showgirl rob you of your partnership.”

  “No, I’m not. And don’t call her ‘that showgirl’ in that tone of voice.”

  His friend sighed. “Sorry, but man, you’re losing your mind.”

  Sam bristled. “I’m doing my work just fine.”

  The Flannigan folder peeked out from under the stack of books piled on Sam’s desk. Something about the case still bothered him. At this point, he was mostly getting paperwork together and checking for any evidence that might have been overloo
ked.

  Making a sudden decision, Sam stood up. “As a matter of fact, I’m heading out to Conley’s Patch now to interview Flannigan again. I’ve got a hunch there’s something I’m missing.”

  “The Patch, huh?” Jack’s suspicious tone grated on Sam. “You sure you’re not hoping to run into the actress?”

  “I hope I do, but that’s not my reason for going. I honestly do have business to attend to.”

  “All right. But I hope you know what you’re doing.”

  Sam considered his friend’s words all the way to Conley’s Patch.

  The heat in the Patch radiated from the stinking street, and the smell from the ditch running down the center was so bad Sam would have covered his nose and mouth with a handkerchief, but he didn’t want to offend Flannigan more than he already had.

  The meeting with Flannigan did little except confuse Sam. The injured man’s attitude and demeanor simply didn’t line up with the accusations against him.

  Disturbed, he left the house, determined not to let the seeming inconsistencies get him off course. Flannigan should probably be performing at Harrigan’s. After all, a con man wouldn’t get very far if he wasn’t convincing.

  He got into his buggy and headed back to the office.

  A young woman walked down the dirty street, her golden curls peeking out from beneath her bonnet. The tilt of her head, the set of her shoulders, even from the back he knew it was her. He urged the horse forward and pulled up beside her. “Miss O’Shannon.”

  Startled, she turned. Her eyes grew wide, and Sam knew he wasn’t mistaking the gladness he saw there.

  “May I give you a lift somewhere? It’s awfully hot to be walking.”

  Nervously, she glanced around. “I had hoped to hail a cabbie, but there doesn’t seem to be one in sight.”

  He didn’t want to say that cabbies didn’t usually hang around this area. Strange she didn’t know that. He stepped out of the carriage. “I assure you, I only wish to help you if you’ll allow it.”