The Redemption Of Jake Scully

Lacey had automatically dropped the “uncle” prefix from his name when she saw it was turning heads, and Scully was glad. He didn’t need it to remember he was still responsible for her safety and for the direction of her future.

“Scully…”

Responding with an unconscious furrowing of his brow, Scully said, “The Gold Nugget isn’t the right place for you to live.”

“You live there.”

“That’s different.”

“Why?”

“I own the place.”

“So?”

He could not believe she could be so dense. As determined as she, Scully asserted, “Helen can’t stay indefinitely. She’ll want to go home, and your grandfather wouldn’t approve.”

“Grandpa sent me to the Gold Nugget.”

“He sent you to me, not to the Gold Nugget.”

“He sent me to the Gold Nugget to see you because he knew I’d be safe with you. I am safe with you there.”

Scully took an impatient breath. “You’re a respectable young woman, Lacey.”

“You’re respectable, too.”

“No, I’m not.”

“Yes, you are!”

Scully stared at Lacey. He had angered her by refuting her statement, but he couldn’t let her dodge the truth. “I own a saloon, Lacey,” he explained. “You saw Pete Loughlin’s reaction when I met you at the stage. Even he didn’t think I’d be a good influence on you.”

“He doesn’t know you like I do.”

“He probably knows me better.”

The startling blue of Lacey’s eyes linked with his. “I don’t believe that.”

“Lacey…things get pretty wild in the saloon at times. Drinking, gambling…and more.”

“Oh…”

Scully remained conspicuously silent.

She shrugged. “I’ve read the Bible, you know. I know about those things. But Jewel and Rosie both told me you don’t allow that kind of activity on your premises. They said they respect you for it, too.”

Scully’s frown darkened. How had Lacey become so friendly with the girls at the Gold Nugget in so short a time? And when had they begun talking so frankly? He didn’t like it. He needed to get her out of there as soon as possible.

He replied, “Whatever the girls said is beside the point.”

“No, it isn’t.”

“A room just became available in Mary McInnes’s boarding house this morning. It’s a fine place—clean and respectable.”

“The Gold Nugget is clean.”

“But not respectable.”

“It’s respectable enough for me.”

“No, it isn’t.”

Lacey was beginning to smart at his insistence. She countered, “Besides, I don’t have an income yet and I can’t afford to pay the board at Mary McInnes’s.”

“Pay the board…”

“That’s right. I don’t intend to let you support me forever, you know. It won’t cost you as much to keep me at the Gold Nugget until I find a position and can start paying my own way.”

“A position…?”

Lacey’s lips tightened.

“No.”

“No what?”

“No position. And I’m not supporting you. I’m only returning a favor to your grandfather.”

“Grandpa may have helped you, but in time, you went out on your own.”

“In time. It’s not time for you yet.”

“When will it be time then?”

“I’ll let you know.”

“No.”

“Yes.”

Lacey continued resolutely, “I’m not going to move into the boarding house right now. The Gold Nugget is fine.”

Scully didn’t agree. Choosing to conclude the discussion for the present, he said, “Are you finished?”

“I’m not moving out of the Gold Nugget.”

“With your breakfast.”