Peppermint Sticks for Susie (6 page)

"Lord knows we could use the money, and we do have a spare bedroom. It's small, though," she warned Jenny. Would you let me go and ask Peter?" Alma looked almost relieved at their request. She desperately needed money and had been praying that something would come to her. Renting out the spare bedroom would help so much. She hurried into her bedroom to speak to Peter.

Jennifer got up and started making biscuits to go with the stew since it was more than obvious that Alma was getting ready to do so. All of a sudden little Susie came flying into the kitchen from the back porch.

"Ma, I found green onions!" she called out, and then her blue eyes widened when she saw Jenny was in her house. "Miss Jenny!" She dropped the onions on the table and then threw her arms around Jenny to hug her.

"Oh, Susie! No! Look at Miss Jenny's church dress! You got mud from the garden all over her! I'm so sorry, Miss Jenny," Alma apologized.

"Don't be. I love this special little girl and I love her hugs." Jenny hugged the child close.

"I didn't mean to get you dirty, Miss Jenny."

"I know, and it truly is okay."

Alex knew he loved the pretty redhead even more in that second. She loved children as much as he did and she would make a wonderful mother. She cared more for a child's feelings than she did for what was probably her best dress. He was so proud of her.

"Miss Jenny, Peter said it would be nice to have you boarding with us. I don't know what to do next, or how much to charge...? What were you paying Mrs. Neely? Jenny replied, and Alex hurried to cut her off.

"We will pay you more, of course, Mrs. Beckley."

"Oh, I don't think that would be fair!" the woman replied, shocked. She'd been willing to settle for less since her house wasn't as fancy as the widow's.

"Yes, it would be very fair since you are going out of your way to accommodate me." Jenny understood what Alex was doing and she smiled at him. "I always paid Mrs. Neely in advance," she said, nodding at Alex.

Alex nodded in return, and took money out of his pocket and gave Alma a generous amount. "This will cover two weeks," he said.

"It's more than enough for an entire month!" Alma told him. "Please... You have no idea how grateful I am for your help!"

"You are helping me, Mrs. Beckley. Mrs. Neely threw me out without a bit of warning and I had nowhere to go that was respectable. Alex met Susie on Friday, and he thought of you, and I am so happy he did. I know I will be happy here."

"I hope so," Alma whispered emotionally.

"If you will show me where Miss Jenny's room is, I will unload her trunk and other belongings."

Alma jumped up and immediately showed Alex where the room was. By then Jenny had the biscuits cut and in a baking pan and put in the oven. She was so impressed that the room was very clean, and it was much larger than her room at Mrs. Neely's. Jenny loved the furniture, too, and said so. Alma told her it was her grandmother's and she was glad that Jenny liked it.

They checked on the biscuits and Alma pronounced the stew ready to eat. She was fixing a tray to take to Peter when he suddenly appeared in the doorway. "I thought I would join our guests tonight," he told his startled wife, and then took his place at the head of the table.

"I like this, Papa," Susie said with a big smile for her father.

"I like it, too, baby girl," he answered, and winked at Susie. Peter led them in saying grace and Alex was touched by his sincerity.

The meal was simple and it was full of joy that Peter was feeling well enough to actually come to the table. Once he excused Susie, he asked some pretty pointed questions about why Jennifer came to them. Alex admitted that he wanted somewhere safe for Jennifer to live, and he explained about Lefty Bridges. He felt that Jenny would be safer if no one knew where she was living.

Peter nodded and said, "I can still point a gun and shoot it if I have to," he quietly commented. "Miss Jenny, you will be safe here under my roof."

It was easy to see that Peter was growing tired and Alex got to his feet. "Peter, thank you for allowing my girl to stay here. I feel better knowing she is here." He offered the other man his hand and Peter shook, surprising strength in his hand. "Alma, thank you, too."

"You are welcome, and thank you for thinking of us," she said, glancing at Peter to make sure she wasn't hurting his pride.

"Yes, we can use the extra income," Peter said easily.

"It sounds like a mutual benefit, Peter." Alex turned to Jenny and said, "Will you walk me outside, Jenny?" he asked politely.

Jennifer nodded, anxious to speak with him. They walked out on the porch and she said, "This was very nice, Alex. Thank you for thinking of it."

"You should be very safe here, Jenny. Just keep your window locked and leaved that rod in there that will keep it from sliding up. I'll come and walk you to work in the morning."

"Do you really believe that Lefty is that big a threat?" she asked.

"Yes, I do. And, if what we heard today wasn't Kieran O'Malley, then we've been made, and that could be even more dangerous. So, until I give the all clear I expect you to humor me and let me keep you safe. Is that clear, young lady?"

Jennifer looked at him in disgust. "I hate to be such a bother!"

"You are not a bother, Miss Jennifer Shelley. Now, are you going to believe me or am I going to have to spank you to get you to believe me?"

"I will accept you at your word. I am much too sore for any more spanking! Goodness, Alex, is that all you ever think of?" she demanded with her hands on her hips.

"No, I think of this even more," he confessed, reaching for her and pulling her close to kiss her sweet lips. "You taste so good," he told her, and was thrilled when she kissed him back. He loved the petite redhead and hated the thought of leaving her alone, even though he was sure she would be safe as long as she obeyed him. He kissed her again and he begged, "Please stay right here, and wait for me to come in the morning."

"I will," she agreed, feeling very much protected. Alex's dark eyes held her within their depths, and she was stunned at the feelings of love he evoked. He'd certainly taken care of her tonight, and she hoped she wasn't mistaking her gratitude to him for something stronger. When he kissed her it felt so right.

Alex deliberately put his hand on her very tender bottom and patted her gently. "Remember what I told you about our secret, honey. Please." He emphasized the word with another pat to her bottom.

Far from it hurting, the little pats created a yearning within her for something more, something she'd never experienced before. She let out a little gasp and her eyes grew wide with surprise. "Alex...? I don't understand!" she whispered, her voice husky with passion.

"It's normal between a man and woman who are falling in love, honey. It's a good thing. Think about me tonight." He kissed her again, gave her another gentle pat, and then opened the front door and gently pushed her inside. "Lock the door, honey."

He waited until he heard the lock click and then he got in the buggy and returned it to the livery. He then walked to the hotel and once he was in bed he realized that he didn't feel nearly as worried for Jennifer's safety as he did the night before. But he did have another problem that was making it impossible to sleep. An hour later he was still waiting on his problem to go down when he heard a noise outside his window. Alex instantly grabbed his gun and moved as quietly as he could to the floor. Two shots rang out and they hit the mattress right where he'd been lying only moments before!

Alex jumped up and ran to the window. He saw a figure running away, but before he could throw up the window and give chase, there was banging on his door. "What is going on in there? I've sent for the Sheriff!"

Alex opened the door. "Someone fired through the window at me. What kind of town do you have here?" he demanded, letting his voice carry up and down the hallway. "I've been looking at properties to buy with every intention of settling here, but now I'm of a mind to look elsewhere!"

"I'm so sorry, sir," the desk clerk apologized. "It is very unusual for things of this sort to happen here in Pine Ridge. Someone's gun probably just went off by accident."

"I'll speak to the Sheriff about that!" Alex continued his act. When the Sheriff arrived, he insulted the man by asking him why he permitted such rowdy behavior in town. The Sheriff sputtered a bit, then told the desk clerk he had someone waiting to check in. The man took off running and Clyde came on inside the room. "I'm sorry for insulting you, sir." Alex made the apology that the man deserved. "I'm acting and trying to stay in character."

"I figured that out," Clyde nodded, then grinned before adding, "I felt like slapping you in jail for a few seconds, though." He put his hand on Alex's shoulder to ask, "Are you doing okay, son? You came real close if those holes in the mattress are any indication."

"I was still awake and heard someone outside the window and I hit the floor just before the shots were fired."

"You see anyone?" Clyde asked.

"It was too dark to see clearly, but I saw them running away. It was definitely a man."

"Probably Left Bridges. He's been bad mouthing you all over town." He waited for Alex to say something, but when he didn't, Clyde asked, "You think it was someone else?"

"Yes, but I have no proof, and he would deny it. The town would be outraged, and I don't want to upset folks." It wouldn't do to make the whole town mad at him, Alex knew. He would have to find some proof.

"You gonna tell me or not?" The Sheriff didn't like guessing games.

"The Preacher. He's new in town, right? There's just something about him that doesn't ring true."

"I'm with you on that one. Didn't much like him when he came into town. Reminds me of a gambler I once knew. You're a good lawman to figure that one out so quick. What did you do to make the Preacher mad at you?" Clyde asked curiously, then listened as Alex answered. "Yeah, I saw him at the Widow Neely's this afternoon; he was shaking his head and pretending to be upset about something. He knew that old biddy would kick that sweet girl out of her house. You got her somewhere she'll be safe?"

"Over at the Beckley's. They can sure use the money, and Jenny will be safe."

"I sure hope so. I'll help to keep an eye out, too," Clyde answered. "Let's get you in a different room, on the other side of the hotel. A man would have to be a fool to cross this roof and hang over the edge to get off a shot."

Alex grabbed his belongings and within minutes he was settled in another room on the other side of the hotel. Like the Sheriff said, a person would find it nearly impossible to get off a shot inside this room. He would have to come straight through the door.

* * *

Morning arrived, and it was such a beautiful day that Jennifer was singing as she dressed and pinned up her hair. Once she was dressed for work, she neatened her room, making sure it looked as nice as possible. Then she went to see if she could help Alma in the kitchen. Alma was worried about fixing dishes that her new boarder would like, and Jenny had to assure her that she wasn't picky, except that she wasn't that fond of scrambled eggs.

"Good morning!" Alma greeted her with a big smile. "Did you sleep well, Jenny?"

"Yes, I did. The bed is very comfortable, and I love it here, Alma. It's so nice to have someone closer to my own age to talk to. Now, what can I do to help with breakfast?" she offered.

"Could you slice bread and toast it, Jenny?" Alma asked.

"Sure," Jenny replied. Alma was stirring something on the stove and then she went to put dishes on the table. The coffee pot was on the stove, too, and it would be done soon. By the time their oatmeal was finished, the toast was all ready, too. Jenny buttered each piece as it came out of the oven and she put strawberry jam in a small bowl to serve on the table. Alma opened a jar of canned peaches, and Jenny was thrilled with the simple breakfast. "This looks great, Alma!"

"Are you sure it's enough? I don't want you to be hungry this morning at the store." Alma looked concerned.

"It is perfect, and you don't need to worry. I'm not a picky eater. If I want something special, I'll ask for it... okay?"

"Yes, as long as you do remember to ask," Alma said firmly.

Little Susie came out then, wearing her nightdress and rubbing her eyes. "You're really here, Miss Jenny!"

"Yes, I am," Jenny gave the little girl a hug. "May I help you get some breakfast?" she offered since Alma was fixing a tray for Peter and hoping she could get him to eat something.

"Yes, please," Susie answered, and Alma thanked her for remembering her manners without being reminded. Susie's cheeks flushed pink with pleasure as she climbed on her chair. It didn't take Jenny long to fix Susie a bowl of oatmeal, and since the child insisted she could spread her own jam, Jennifer fixed her own breakfast.

Once she was finished, she poured coffee for herself and Alma, who was returning from the bedroom she shared with her husband. "Peter had appetite this morning," she said with a happy smile. "But he wanted to go back to sleep after he ate."

"Is that usual?" Jennifer asked, sensing Alma needed to talk.

"The sleeping part, yes. He's so tired all the time. Half the time he takes a few bites of food, drinks his coffee, and is done. It was good to see him eat better today." She looked at Jenny and asked, "Did you get enough to eat? I can make more food...?"

"I had plenty, Alma, and it is a pure relief not to have someone trying to get me to eat enough for three people in the morning!" She giggled, trying to hide the sense of betrayal she felt. Mrs. Neely didn't even give her a chance to explain her side of things. And why on earth Jeffrey acted the way he did was a mystery to her. She knew that Alex didn't much care for Jeffrey, but the man was a minister!

Alma asked her another question and she answered, visiting with her while they each sipped their coffee.

Jennifer finally looked at the watch she had pinned to her bodice and frowned. She needed to leave for work and Alex wasn't here yet. "Alma, I need to leave right away if I don't want to be late. I'm not sure why Alex isn't here yet, but if he comes, tell him I needed to leave. Angus MacGregor is a very punctual man and he expects me to be punctual, too." She didn't want to risk another session with his tawse. Once was more humiliation than she could handle...