Texas Cinderella (18 page)

“Oh, but surely you have something better to do than to be pushing an old widow woman about town.” Her tone was almost embarrassingly coy.

“There is nothing I would enjoy more. I'll hear no further arguments. This is but a small way to repay your kindness.”

“Then I accept. Cassie usually takes me for my stroll around four o'clock, but I would much prefer two o'clock, if that is all right with you?” Mrs. Flanagan smiled sweetly. “That way, at the end of my outing, I could stop in at the Blue Bottle and have some tea and visit with that nice Eve Dawson. If you don't mind such frivolous indulgences, that is.”

“I have always thought afternoon tea to be a very civilized practice. Two o'clock it is.” He stood. “Now, I will bid you goodbye until then.”

Mrs. Flanagan waited until Guy had turned from her front walk onto the sidewalk before she allowed Cassie to push her back into the house.

“I take it from your disapproving frown that my performance was convincing.”

“Performance?” So it had been an act.

“Of course. I've met men like him before. Trying to win you over with gifts, pretty words and grand gestures. Smooth and pleasant as rose petals on the outside, but dark and nasty as rotted fruit on the inside.”

“But why did you fawn over him?”

“Cassie Lynn, I know you don't have a deceptive bone in your body, and that's a good thing. However, I've learned that if you allow people like Guy to think they have you under their spell, there are all kinds of things you can find out about them.”

“And is that why you're allowing him to push your chair through town?”

“That, and the fact that if he's with me, he can't be causing mischief here or elsewhere. It also leaves you and Riley time to take a breather from keeping such close guard over the children.”

“I just realized, you actually manipulated him into offering to take over that task, didn't you?”

The woman shrugged. “It's always best if they think the idea was theirs.”

“But why two o'clock?”

“Because the three o'clock train is never late and I intend to keep him out until we hear the whistle. That way you'll have a bit of warning before we return home.”

Cassie shook her head. “I never imagined you could be so outright devious.”

“I'll take that as a compliment.”

Riley joined them, seeming a bit agitated. “Noah's awake and complaining about the itching. And we're all out of calamine lotion.”

Cassie grimaced. “I meant to get more while I was out earlier. I'll run down to the pharmacy right now. In the meantime, if you would fill the kettles with water and put them on the stove to heat, we'll let him take a nice warm soak with some baking soda.”

Riley nodded, then looked from one to the other of them. “How did it go with my stepbrother?”

Cassie gave a quick recap of Mrs. Flanagan's performance and Guy's reaction to it.

When she was done, Riley had a worried frown on his face. “I appreciate what you're trying to do,” he told the widow, “but please be careful. Guy is very good at reading people.”

“Well, he's never encountered me before. I think that stepbrother of yours wouldn't ever dream that an old woman like myself, especially one who's stuck in a wheelchair, wouldn't be taken in by his charm and flattery.”

“Still, please promise me that you will be careful.”

“You have my word.”

Seeing the smugly confident look on the widow's face, however, Cassie found herself as worried as Riley.

Chapter Twenty-One

L
ater that afternoon, Cassie watched Guy carry Mrs. Flanagan down the steps and settle her in her chair before wheeling her down the sidewalk. There was nothing improper about his manner, but she still had an uneasy feeling about the whole business.

Stepping inside, she sought out Riley. “Now that we know your stepbrother will be occupied elsewhere, I was thinking perhaps we could let the children go outside in the backyard for a little while.”

“Do you think that wise?”

“As long as we don't let them overdo it, and keep a close eye on them, then I think the fresh air and sunshine would actually be good for them.”

The children were excited by the idea and eagerly followed the grown-ups out the back door.

Riley turned to Pru. “I think what you need, young lady, is a ride on a swing. What do you say? Would you like me to push you?

“I want to swing, too.” Noah's expression threatened to turn to a pout.

“Maybe in another day or two,” Cassie responded. Would they still be here then? “But don't worry,” she continued, “we're not going to let them have all the fun. I've got something for the two of us.”

“What's that?”

She reached into her skirt pocket and pulled out the two long pieces of chalk she'd purchased at the mercantile. “I thought we could draw some pictures right here on the porch floor.”

“Pictures of what?” Most of the enthusiasm had gone out of his voice.

“Remember those fairy tales Mrs. Flanagan has been reading to you and Pru?”

He nodded.

“Well, I was thinking we could draw some of our favorite things from the stories. Like a castle, or a dragon, or a knight with a sword.”

“Or the frog prince?”

“Absolutely. You could even draw him as a giant frog, bigger than Dapple here.”

“Yeah, with a crown on his head and everything.” Noah's enthusiasm had definitely increased. “And I could draw a castle next to him?”

“Whatever you like.”

The boy reached for the piece of chalk, then met her gaze. “What are you going to draw?”

“I think I'll draw a princess to go with your frog.”

Noah shrugged. “I guess that'll be okay.”

Cassie supposed princesses were not particularly exciting to little boys. “Would you rather I drew something else?”

Noah started work on his frog. “I didn't like that princess very much. She tried to go back on her word to the poor Frog Prince after he dived down really deep and got her golden ball back for her.”

“I see. But she did finally keep her word, didn't she?”

He grimaced, obviously unimpressed. “Only because her pa made her. I just think the Frog Prince should've had a nicer princess, like Cinderella, maybe.”

“So you liked Cinderella.”

“Uh-huh. She worked really hard and even when her stepmother and stepsisters were mean to her she was always really nice. Kinda like you.” Noah looked up and met Cassie's gaze. “Not that you have a mean stepmother and stepsister, but you always seem to be working and you're really nice to everyone.”

“Why, thank you, Noah. I believe that is the nicest thing anyone has ever said to me.” Oh, how she was going to miss them when they were gone. “Why don't I draw Cinderella and we can pretend that she and the Frog Prince are really good friends?”

The boy nodded enthusiastically.

As they drew their pictures, Cassie made up a story of how Cinderella and the Frog Prince met and became friends. Noah contributed bits and pieces about some of the adventures they had together.

Occasionally little-girl giggles drifted their way and Cassie would glance over to Riley and Pru at the swing. They made such a poignantly beautiful father-and-daughter picture, even if Riley wasn't truly the girl's parent.

How dear these three people had become to her. A lump formed in her throat and she had to fight to swallow it. The thought of them leaving in a few days and disappearing from her life entirely was nearly more than she could bear.

“Are you okay, Miss Vickers?”

Cassie glanced up to find Noah watching her with a concerned look. “I'm fine.” She waved to her drawing, which so far consisted of a head and face. “I'm just trying to decide if I should draw Cinderella dressed in her ball gown or in her rags.”

Noah seemed to give that some thought. “Not in her rags, because that was the unhappy time for her. But ball gowns aren't very good for adventures.” He looked up again. “Do you reckon, after she became a princess, that she had any regular clothes?”

Cassie hid her grin. “I imagine she did.”

He gave a satisfied nod. “Then that's what you should draw. And she could still wear her crown, just so everyone knows she's a princess.”

“Perfect!” Cassie went back to work with a smile at the child's unique but very valid insights.

Yes, she was definitely going to miss these precious children.

And
their uncle.

* * *

Riley was waiting on the porch when Guy escorted Mrs. Flanagan back to her house. “And how did you enjoy your outing?”

Guy lifted her from the chair before Riley could perform that service, so instead he carried the chair up the steps.

Mrs. Flanagan smiled up at him. “I had a grand time. You never told me you had such a charming stepbrother. Why, I declare, he was turning heads everywhere we went.”

Guy laughed good-naturedly. “I don't know about that, Irene. I only had eyes for you.”

Mrs. Flanagan actually tittered. “Go on with you. I only hope all my silly errands didn't overtax your patience.”

“Not at all. It gave me a chance to get better acquainted with the town.”

She sighed as he lowered her into the chair. “Like I said, simply charming.”

Guy gave her a short bow. “I will leave you now, gracious lady, but will return tomorrow so that we can do this again.”

“I shall be looking forward to it.” She turned to Riley. “Will you be so good as to roll me inside?”

“Of course.”

As soon as they were safely in, Mrs. Flanagan laughed. “I haven't had so much fun in quite a while. I had Guy taking me to the dress shop to check out the new fabrics, the restaurant to look through the new romance books in Abigail's library and the Blue Bottle for afternoon tea.” She gave them a waggish smile. “We happened on Eunice Ortolon on the way to the Blue Bottle and I invited her to join us and catch me up on all the news about town.”

Riley raised a brow. “Should I know who this Eunice Ortolon is?”

“Eunice runs the boardinghouse,” Cassie said. “She is also quite fond of talking.”

“I see.”

Mrs. Flanagan gave a very unladylike snort. “Cassie is just being polite. Eunice is actually the town's most notorious busybody. And I do believe she was quite taken with your brother.”

“Of course she was.”

“An interesting thing, though. We left the Blue Bottle about the same time as the train whistle sounded. Your stepbrother then asked me if I'd mind making a stop at the depot. He professed to enjoy watching people come and go on the train and imagining where they were coming from or going to.”

“He's watching the trains to make certain I don't try to slip away.”

The widow nodded. “That was my guess, as well.” She straightened, and tapped her cheek with her forefinger. “I think tomorrow I shall need to visit the apothecary to pick up some more of my liniment. And now that Constance Harper is back from her schooling and is working there again, I'll have all kinds of questions for her. I also may have to stop at several merchants to pay my bills.” She nodded confidently. “Between that and having tea at the Blue Bottle, I should be able to keep Guy busy until the train comes in.”

Riley bent down and planted a kiss on her cheek. “You, my dear, are a true treasure.”

Mrs. Flanagan turned to Cassie. “In case you were wondering, this is what genuine charm looks like.”

Cassie couldn't agree more.

Chapter Twenty-Two

T
he first part of Saturday passed pretty much the same way Friday had. Riley stayed close to the house, Cassie delivered her baked goods to her three customers and took orders for Monday, and Mrs. Flanagan had her outing with Guy.

The only difference was, when Mrs. Flanagan and Guy had their outing, Cassie insisted Riley take River for a ride.

“As good as that sounds,” he answered, “I wouldn't feel right going off and leaving you alone with the kids.”

“Nonsense. Pru's almost completely recovered and Noah is getting better—we'll be fine. And Mrs. Flanagan is keeping Guy occupied, so there's no worries on that front.”

When Riley still hesitated, Cassie pressed harder. “It's been a few days since you've taken River out for a run and the poor animal is probably pining for it. And you said yourself that a good ride clears your head and helps you think through your problems better.” She put a hand on her hip. “And goodness knows we need some good problem-fixin' thinking right now.”

“You're right.” He grabbed her hand and gave it a squeeze. “Thank you.”

She waved off his gratitude. “Get on with you. If you're going to be back before the train whistle sounds, you'd best not tarry.”

Cassie watched him go, a worried frown on her face. Riley seemed outwardly calm, but she could feel the tension thrumming from him. This had to be difficult for a man who was used to taking action. She wanted to help, but didn't know how. She didn't think Riley had figured out a solution yet, either.

What were they going to do?

She thought about trying to hide them all at her father's farm—it was certainly remote enough. But Guy would find out about it sooner or later and then they'd be right back where they started, and maybe worse. Then again, it could buy them a little time, and if Riley's detective was really close to proving the case against Guy, it might be enough.

She would mention her idea to Riley as soon as he returned. Of course, if they decided to actually follow through with it, she'd have to convince her father to let them stay. And that could be a difficult task.

* * *

Riley found a long stretch of open road and gave River his head. The horse immediately surged into a gallop. For a few moments Riley just savored the movement, the sensation of almost flying, of the powerful animal beneath him and the open sky above.

But his mind wouldn't empty of his worries for long.

Sheriff Gleason had come to him after having that same welcome-to-town meeting with Guy that he'd had with him.

“I understand Guy Simpson is your brother,” he'd said.

“Stepbrother.”

“Anything you care to tell me about him?”

The sheriff's expression had been impassive, but Riley got the distinct impression the lawman was troubled by something he'd seen in or heard from Guy. His respect for the man went up several notches.

He'd given Sheriff Gleason the information about Guy's crimes and time in prison, but he'd left off anything to do with Nancy or the kids. He didn't see any point in airing that particular dirty laundry.

The sheriff had accepted the information with a nod and moved on. He was prepared now, if Guy should attempt to break the law. Not that that was particularly comforting, because Riley knew Guy well enough to know he wouldn't make any attempts to break the law until he had everything he'd come here for, namely Noah and Pru.

Riley felt the walls closing in on him. Noah would be better soon and then there'd be no excuse to keep Guy from seeing the boy and his sister. Pru was already terrified her father would snatch her away again, as he had when she was younger. Riley didn't like to think what his stepbrother had put her through back then.

He had to protect those two innocent children from Guy, no matter what.

But how?

* * *

Cassie and Riley didn't have a chance to speak when he returned. Noah was having a hard time with his illness and that kept everyone hopping most of the afternoon.

After Noah and Pru had been settled in bed for the night, Mrs. Flanagan called Riley and Cassie into the parlor. “We should discuss who goes to church tomorrow,” she announced without preamble.

Riley spoke up first. “I should stay here.” He held up a hand to forestall any protest his hostess might make. “Not because I think you can't handle the children, but because there's no telling what Guy might do if he knows I won't be around the entire duration of the church service. It gives him too large a window of opportunity to act. And forgive me, but you are not equipped to stop him if he sets his mind to take the kids.”

Mrs. Flanagan made an inelegant noise. “If worse came to worse, I have my husband's shotgun. But that won't be necessary. I've already considered all that, which is why I made sure you and Cassie Lynn would be escorting him to church. If you get to the hotel and he's not there, or makes an excuse not to accompany you, then you can come right back here and guard us to your heart's content.”

Riley raised a brow. “You arranged for us to escort him?”

Cassie nodded. “Yes, as a matter of fact, she did. I was there. And it was masterfully done, I might add.”

“And I reminded him of it on our outing today, so he will have no excuse to forget.” The woman sounded understandably smug.

Then she waved a hand. “I know Pru is no longer contagious, but she does have a few lingering spots. I think it best we keep her here, since contact with her father in such a public venue could upset her and cause a scene. Besides, she can help me tend to Noah if I should need a hand.”

“It seems you've given this quite a bit of consideration,” Riley said, eyeing her thoughtfully.

She nodded. “The children and I will have our own prayer and Bible study service here while you two are gone.”

“Is Guy planning to take you on your afternoon outing tomorrow?” Cassie asked.

Mrs. Flanagan nodded. “Oh yes. I specifically told him I wished to visit the graves of my dear Ernest and Willy. That I hadn't been able to do so since I'd been confined to this chair.” She grinned impishly. “He should have fun pushing it over that rough ground.”

Cassie spoke up in dismay. “Do you really want him to take you on such a personal visitation?”

“Land sakes, girl, Ernest wouldn't mind. In fact, he'd probably enjoy the joke as much as I do. As for my boy Willy, ah well, a grave is just a grave. Both those menfolk of mine are up in heaven with the Lord.”

Riley shook his head. “As I said, a true treasure.”

Mrs. Flanagan's eyes twinkled. “And don't you forget it.”

* * *

Later, after the widow retired for the night, Riley and Cassie headed for the kitchen.

“I'll just be making pies tonight,” she told him. “The Blue Bottle will be closed tomorrow, since it's Sunday.”

He professed himself ready to lend a hand regardless.

He'd gotten quite good with handling the dough these past few nights. He would have made a good partner if her business expanded.

As they worked, Cassie gathered her courage and cleared her throat. “I hope you won't think me too forward, but I've been trying to think of some way to get you and the kids out of your stepbrother's reach, and I have an idea.”

Riley smiled, obviously intrigued. “I don't think that's too forward at all. In fact I'd love to hear what you came up with.”

Cassie explained her idea. “What do you think?” she asked when she had finished. “I mean, I know it's not ideal, and we would have to convince my father, who can be quite stubborn, I'm afraid. But I thought it worth a try.”

Riley nodded and she could see him mulling over what she'd just said. “The idea does have merit. It would be a quick, easy move from here, and we'd be helped by someone familiar with the place. The problem is that it
is
close. If Guy should discover our location, and then bring the sheriff in on it, he'd have the law on his side. I'd be forced to turn the children over to him.”

“I just thought—”

Riley touched Cassie's hand, his smile tender. “It's a good plan. I'll keep it in mind as a backup, in case I can't come up with something else.”

So he hadn't decided on a course of action yet.

And time was running out.