A Family for the Holidays (7 page)

The sheriff's furious hollering followed him out the door.

Once outside, he tucked his hair inside his coat and turned up his collar, then set his hat low on his forehead. Head bent, his hands stuffed in his pockets, he stepped onto the boardwalk. As long as he stayed clear of Vic and Regina, he could keep an eye on Lily and the boys.

He crossed the street and leaned against the corner of the hotel, then waited. He didn't have to wait long. Lily and the boys exited the barbershop and made their way down the stairs.

As he pushed off to follow, the door swung open beside him. He slipped around the corner and waited. After the footsteps faded, he stepped into sight once more.

Regina.

Even from the back he recognized her. No one else in town wore that shade of emerald. Especially not around Frozen Oaks. Regina might be smarter than Vic, but her taste in men left something to be desired. Jake would never understand what she saw in him.

On a hunch, Jake crossed the street and followed her. She ducked into the telegraph office and emerged only a moment later, stuffing a sheaf of telegrams into the fur muff she carried. Once she cleared the doorway, Jake slipped inside and let his eyes adjust.

The telegraph operator was a nondescript middle-aged woman with a dishwater-blond topknot and a plain gray dress. She glanced up from her work.

“May I help you, sir?” she asked.

“You haven't gotten any dispatches from Emil Tyler, have you?”

“The name doesn't sound familiar.” The woman set down her quill and knocked over her ink well in the process. “Oh, dear me. Look at that.”

She hastily mopped up the mess, darkening her white handkerchief an indigo blue.

“Emil Tyler.” Jake concealed his impatience. “Owns the barbershop.”

“No. I can't say that I've had any dispatches from someone by that name. 'Course, I'm not the only one who works here. You could ask one of the other ladies.” She pinched the soaked rag between her thumb and index finger and dropped the mess in the wastebasket. “We're all ladies running the telegraph machines. Western Union figures we're cheaper than men. They're right, you know.”

Not in the mood for small talk, Jake gave a curt nod. “Thanks.”

He stepped onto the boardwalk and froze.

Regina had cornered Lily and the boys.

Chapter Seven

W
ith Sam and Peter eagerly trailing behind her, the three of them had made their way to the barbershop unimpeded. The town was quiet, the boardwalk deserted for the noon meal. Lily gathered their bags and paused. A stack of correspondence sat on a side table. On impulse, she stuffed the mail into her bag. While the chances of discovering a clue were slim, they were running out of possibilities.

“All right.” She faced the children. They each carried a single small bag. “How are the two of you holding up?”

“We're doing great.”

“This is neat.”

Lily sighed. At least their enthusiastic embracing of the situation was better than fear.

She looked them up and down. They'd dressed in double layers with their hats pulled low over their ears and yards of knitted scarves wrapped around their necks. The weather was cold, but not frigid, and there was barely a breeze stirring the air. As long as she kept a close eye on them, they shouldn't come to any harm.

“Stop worrying,” Sam said.

“I'm not.”

“You're chewing on your lip and frowning.”

Lily touched her cheek. “I guess I am worrying. Just a little. I was hired to keep the two of you safe, and I've involved you in a jailbreak and a cross-country escape on horseback. Believe me, if I thought there was another way, I'd never put you two through this ordeal. I don't trust Vic Skaar. I still think we have a chance of finding your grandfather. I'm not giving up just yet. I will never do anything unless I truly believe my actions are in your best interest. I promise.”

Sam grew serious. “Kids aren't as dumb as adults think. For the first few months after our parents died, we did nothing but travel. We traveled across Africa, we traveled across the ocean, we traveled across America. The whole time I felt like a burden. I never felt like that before. I never understood what it was like when nobody wanted you. For the past week you've been fussing over us. I never thought I'd miss my mom fussing over me, but I do. She was trying to show us she cared. That's how I know you care. You just keep fussing over us, okay? And we'll keep pretending like we're annoyed.”

“I will. I promise.” She drew them both into a hug. “Your parents must have been very special people, because they raised two very special children.”

Peter pulled back. “We'd best get going or Mr. Jake will be champing at the bit.”

She stuck out her hand. “All in.”

Peter set his hand over hers, and Sam followed suit. “All in!” they shouted in unison.

Lily opened the door and searched the empty street. “It's as quiet as a Sunday morning during church service.”

Halfway down the stairs, she paused. A movement caught her attention and she glanced at the hotel across the street.

“What is it, Miss Lily?” Sam asked.

“Nothing.” She shrugged. Must have been a trick of the light. “We'd best not dawdle.”

Peter paused before the mercantile window and Lily recalled the money from Vic in her reticule. She ushered them inside.

“Choose quickly,” she said. “Something small. Remember, we're traveling light.”

They both purchased a bag of marbles. Outside once more, Lily breathed a sigh of relief. Thus far, everything was going neatly according to plan. A few more steps and they'd be safely tucked inside the livery. She'd nearly reached the door when a familiar voice called out her name.

“Hand me your bags.” Lily halted and glanced askance at Sam. “Whatever happens, let me do all the talking.”

There was no reason to panic. Absolutely no reason at all. Willing her pulse to slow, she took a deep, steadying breath. Just an ordinary day in Frozen Oaks.

Turning slowly, she faced Regina. In deference to the cold, Regina wore an emerald cape lined with dark, supple fur. The outfit featured a matching hat and muff in the same luxurious materials. The ensemble seemed rather extravagant for an afternoon in Frozen Oaks. Lily gave a mental shrug. Then again, almost everything Regina did appeared a touch extravagant.

“Lily, how fortunate I ran into you,” Regina said.

“Isn't it?” They hadn't run into each other at all. Regina had practically chased them down. “Your cape is beautiful.”

“I do miss the amenities available in the city.” Regina touched the fur on her collar. “A few luxuries make town living bearable.”

“Yes, well, I...you... Love the color,” Lily blurted at last. Oh, dear. She sounded like a babbling idiot. There was absolutely no reason for this nervous twittering. There was nothing odd in strolling around town. What was the use of walking with conviction if she didn't talk with a little conviction, as well?

Lily spread her hands in an encompassing gesture. “Green is your color.”

As conviction went, her conversation was lacking.

“Thank you.” Regina puckered her brow. “That shade of brown is definitely not your color. You should wear pink. Nothing too bright. Something subtle and pastel.”

“Pink.” Lily stifled a grimace. She loathed pale pink. “Yes. I'll remember your advice the next time I purchase a dress.”

Definitely not a lie. Recalling a piece of advice did not mean she intended to take the guidance.

Regina flicked a glance at Sam and Peter. “Vic told me all about how the sheriff has appointed him guardian. You must be so relieved. Vic was a close friend to Emil. I'm sure it's what he would have wanted. Although I sincerely hope Vic doesn't expect me to get involved. You know how I feel about children. Better to be seen than heard and all that. I'm certain Emil will make an appearance soon enough. Anyway, are you leaving today? Looks like you're all packed and ready to go.”

“Just taking my bags to the livery.”

“It's a little early for the stagecoach.”

“I like to be prepared.”

“Well, I suppose in your line of work, you're used to packing up. Given Mrs. Hollingsworth's temperament, I'm sure you don't want to be away from home for long.” Regina pulled her hand from her muff and wiggled her gloved fingers. “Maybe we'll run into each other again someday.”

“Maybe.”

Lily heaved a sigh and turned.

Sam tugged on her sleeve. “That was a close one.”

“Too close,” Lily said. “Let's walk past the livery, then circle around back.”

Walking with as much conviction as she could muster, they made their way to the end of the block, then walked to the back of the building. Lily slipped inside first and held her index finger over her lips for silence, then motioned them forward.

An almost imperceptible sound came from behind her. Something touched her shoulder and she shrieked. “Jake!”

A large hand came over her mouth and solid wall of male muscle pressed against her back.

“Yes,” he said. “It's me. Probably we shouldn't alert the whole town.”

He released his hold and stepped back.

Lily whipped around. “Then don't sneak up on me.”

She pressed a hand over her pounding heart. She shouldn't be peevish, but skulking about had made her jumpy. Not to mention, for such a large man he could move with remarkable stealth.

“What did Regina have to say?” Jake asked.

Lily reared back. “How did you know Regina talked with us?”

“I was keeping watch.” He scratched his forehead and glanced away. “Just in case Koepke sounded the alarm.”

There it was again. That innate sense of protectiveness. More and more she pondered what had driven him into living as a gunfighter. Perhaps she'd been reading too many of Peter's novels, but something about Jake didn't fit her preconceived notions. His speech was too refined, and his conversation too intelligent.

“Regina wanted to say goodbye,” Lily said. “But I had the feeling she was making sure I was leaving town.”

“I'm not surprised. She doesn't like the competition for Vic's attention. Single, pretty women don't last very long in this town. Vic has a wandering eye, and Regina ensures he doesn't have any temptation.”

A spark of pure feminine pride jolted through Lily. He'd called her pretty. And not in that calculated way the men staying at the boardinghouse had said it. The sly nod and wink as they tested the waters. They tossed around premeditated flattery in the hopes of scoring an extra slice of pie at dinner or a walk in the moonlight.

Jake's compliment had been haphazard and off the cuff. There was an unabashed sincerity in his delivery.

Peter rubbed his hands together. “What's the plan? We're wasting time.”

“I've arranged for four horses,” Jake said. “Sam and I will ride the two horses from the livery. Lily and Peter can ride my horses. They're better trained and better suited for inexperienced riders.”

“I'm experienced.” Peter huffed.

“Yes, you are,” Jake conceded. “You can help look out for Lily.”

She might have protested the insult but Peter puffed up again and crossed his arms over his chest. He was so proud to be called out for the task, she couldn't disappoint him.

“Thank you, Peter,” she said. “You'll be my special helper.”

“Don't worry about anything, Miss Lily. I'll watch out for you.”

“Excellent,” Jake said. “Let's put this plan in motion.”

The three of them appeared to know exactly what to do. While they fetched saddles, bridles and horses, Lily paced the corridor between the stalls in the livery.

There was absolutely nothing sensible about this plan. The least sensible part of the whole crazy mess was that she'd been an integral part in the proposed strategy. If someone had told her a week ago she'd be on the run from the law with a hired gun, she'd have accused them of reading too many penny dreadfuls.

The plan was much more like something her brother, Benjamin, might have conjured. Anticipation stirred in her chest. Was this how Benjamin had felt before one of his adventures? For the first time in her life she felt a kinship with him. The thought of breaking a rule used to always leave her horrified. This time a curious sense of expectation filled her. Perhaps there was bit of her father's blood in her after all.

The stall door slid open and Lily jumped, then calmed when she realized Jake had returned.

“The livery owner owes me a favor,” Jake said. “He doesn't know where we're going, and he's agreed to look the other way when we leave. We've caught a fortunate break.” He waved them into the center corridor and indicated three stalls. “Those two horses are mine. The other two belong to the livery.”

“How will we return the horses?”

“I'll send word when we reach Steele City. He can retrieve them there. He's been well compensated for any trouble we might cause. We'll be long gone by the time anyone traces the horses.”

“As long as we're not breaking any laws.”

“Says the woman who planned a jailbreak.”

“That was different!”

Jake, Sam and Peter finished saddling and bridling the animals while Lily chewed on the ragged edge of her thumbnail and fretted. The initial excitement of the escape had worn off, replaced by the worry over her limited horsemanship skills. She didn't have to prove her aptitude, she simply had to stay mounted until the next town. This wasn't a dressage show on a Saturday afternoon. There were no winners and no ribbons.

As Sam tightened up the girth, Lily tugged on Peter's sleeve and pulled him aside. “Do you have any pointers? Any tips on riding?”

Peter looked her up and down. “Hang on tight and don't look down.”

“Anything more? Anything less ominous and terrifying?”

“Your horse will follow the others. Keep the reins slack and just follow the rest of us.” He patted her shoulder. “We'll keep an eye out for you. You'll be fine.”

Wonderful. She was begging advice from an eight-year-old. What was next?

Jake assembled the horses and Lily and her charges stared at him in anticipation.

“We've got an hour's ride, maybe an hour and a half. We're taking a well-traveled shortcut along a creek bed, but we'll still encounter some rough terrain. Follow my lead. If you get into trouble, ask for help.” He finished that last sentence with a pointed gaze at Lily. “Once we reach Steele City, I'll take care of the horses. Lily will buy the three of you train tickets, and I'll keep watch. If you're approached, be honest. Say I used you to escape from jail, and then I let you go. It's plausible enough. Even if Vic's influence reaches beyond Frozen Oaks, your story is rock solid.”

“But what about you?” Lily demanded. “What will happen to you?”

“I'm a wanted man, remember? I'm a kidnapper. We can't be seen traveling together until I clear my name.”

Her stomach plummeted.

“Whatever happens, Miss Lily,” Sam said, “we'll look out for each other. You just keep fussing.”

“I will.” Once again she marveled at the children Mr. and Mrs. Tyler had raised. “Don't forget to tuck your sleeves into your gloves or the wind will chap your wrists.”

Sam accepted the reins to a horse, and his brother followed him to a wooden block in the center of the paddock.

Lily faced the bay gelding she'd been assigned. She knew it was a bay gelding because Jake had told her so when he'd handed her the horse's reins.

“What's his name?” she asked.

Jake ran one hand down the horse's muzzle. “Paris.”

“Very romantic.”

“After the town.”

“In France?”

He grinned. “In Texas.”

Peter had already mounted and he sidled his horse nearer. “Did you kill your first man in Paris, Texas? Is that why you named your horse after the town?”

“No.” Jake chuckled. “I named him after the town where I was born.”

Lily couldn't contain her shock. Certainly he'd been born someplace. He hadn't been dropped in a blanket from the beak of a stork. He had a mother and father. He might even have brothers and sisters.