Page 99 of Forbidden (Old West 1)

Chapter Seventeen

The following morning, in keeping with his plan, Rhine walked to the telegraph office and sent his brother Andrew a wire with the one word message: Azelia. It was the coded word they agreed to use if Rhine ever decided to step back over the color line. Once the operator confirmed that the message had been received on the other end, Rhine set off for the return trip to the saloon to help with the preparations for the day’s festivities. People were on the walks going about their morning errands, and he nodded a greeting to those he knew. When he came upon council member Clyde “Wally” Swain and his thin-­as-­a-­hickory-­stick, wife, Ora, Rhine said, “Good morning.”

Swain, still angry over the failure of his proposal to ban the children of color from the local schools, offered a terse, “Fontaine,” and didn’t break stride. Rhine smiled to himself. Once word got out about who he really was, he was sure Wally was going to be ecstatic over never having to publicly acknowledge him again.

That afternoon, everyone had a good time at Edgar and Aretha Carter’s anniversary party. Rhine gave the first toast, wishing them continued marital bliss, and the attendees responded with supportive cheers. Eddy received compliments and thanks from the happy couple for her cake, and she and Rhine moved through the celebration trying to be discreet and not stare at each other from across the room. It was difficult when all she could think about was how dazzled she’d been by his kisses, and all he could think about was finding a secluded spot so he could treat her to another fiery orgasm.

After the affair ended, Eddy stayed behind to help Jim with the cleanup while Rhine invited Doc Randolph and Sylvie upstairs to his office.

“Have a seat, if you would please.”

As they complied, Sylvie appeared and sounded wary as she asked, “What’s this about, Rhine?”

So he told them. And when he was done, a smiling Sylvie thrust her palm towards Doc and crowed, “Pay up. I was right.”

Tight-­lipped, Doc reached into his pocket and slapped a gold piece onto her outstretched palm, and it was Rhine’s turn to be confused.

Sylvie explained, “When you first came to town and started doing good works for our community, I bet Doc you were passing.”

Rhine laughed. “What?”

She nodded. “I have cousins who are as fair-­skinned as you, so it wasn’t a stretch for me.”

Rhine didn’t know what to think. “And you never said anything?”

“Wasn’t my place. If you’d wanted folks to know the truth, you would’ve told them.”

Thoroughly outdone, he looked between the two of them. “Anyone else in on the bet, or maybe knows?”

“No one else was in on the bet,” Doc assured him. “But that you might be passing has been talked about, at least among our people. Nine times out of ten we can usually tell. The Whites of course have no idea. The only see what’s in front of their faces.”

Rhine knew that to be true, but the idea that Doc and Sylvia had made a bet so many years ago was both surprising and amusing. “Thanks for keeping it secret.”

“Being Colored in this country is not easy,” Doc said. “And I understand those who pass and never come back. We all have to make choices in life. Why tell us now though?”

“Because I’m in love with Eddy and I want to marry her.”

Sylvia’s jaw dropped. “Oh my. That’s wonderful. We haven’t had a wedding in quite some time.”

Doc said to her, “If you’re so fired up about a wedding, how about you stop being so stubborn and marry me?”

She froze. “What?”

He tossed back. “I know you’re aging, Syl, but I didn’t know you were going deaf, too.”

She shot him a glare so reminiscent of Eddy’s, Rhine choked back a laugh. Sensing a brewing battle, he stood. “I will leave you two to work this out. If you need to reserve the Union for the reception, let me know.”

Sylvia said, “I’m not marrying him.”

“Yeah you are.”

They were still going back and forth when Rhine made his exit.

Downstairs, he found Eddy in the kitchen washing dishes, and she asked, “You told Sylvie and Doc about your decision?”

“Yes.”

“How’d they react?”

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