Texas Twilight (16 page)

“Good.” He nodded a greeting to Bixby.

“Just making the rounds?” the old doctor
asked.

“No, actually. Wanted to introduce you all.
This is Lector Boone. Seems he’s investigating a robbery that he’s
followed all the way to Rio Wells. I’ll let him fill you in.”

Boone was dressed in all black, which in a
way matched his demeanor. Hard lines accentuated his face and his
build was tall and strong. Twin Colt 45s were holstered on his
thighs and tied in place with a leather strings. The man slowly
stepped forward with the confident swagger of a gunfighter who
relied on the persuasion and power of the weapons strapped to his
legs.

“I’m here to retrieve a jewel that was stolen
from my client in Boston,” he said, barely above a whisper. “It’s
taken some doing, but I’m positive it was smuggled to Rio Wells on
the last stage from Concepción.”

John
masked his surprise, though moisture instantly slicked his palms.
It was just this morning after church that he’d locked the subject
of the conversation into his safe, not ten feet from where they all
stood now.
Was Harriett a jewel thief?
That was unthinkable. Granted the woman was
addicted to drugs, which sometimes led people to do things they
wouldn’t normally do, but still. He didn’t believe it. And it
wasn’t Lily. Even if she hadn’t brought the gem to him, proving her
innocence, he wouldn’t have believed her capable of such a deed.
Still, the women would be suspects to Boone. And he knew he’d be a
prime suspect too, as he’d traveled the said route that the
precious stone had to reach town.

“Who’s your client?” John asked to keep the
conversation moving. “I didn’t catch the name?”

“That’s of no importance to you, doctor,”
Boone replied. So, the sheriff had already told Boone who he was,
had been discussing him, and possibly Dr. Bixby, too. This wasn’t
just a chance meeting.

“No?” Irritation bubbled inside. Bixby gave
him a long look, so he changed tack. “Guess you’re right. What can
we do for you?”

“Just answer a few questions.”

“I will if I can.’

“Me too,” Bixby added.

“Have you seen or heard anything unusual? Any
new faces?”

John glanced at Bixby, who shook his head.
“Can’t say that I have.”

“Me either,” John said. “But I’m relatively
new in town. Can’t say I’d be able to distinguish between new or
old. On the other hand, Cradle Hupton, the livery owner, told me
he’s been seeing a lot of new faces around Rio Wells lately. Some
he wouldn’t want to meet in a dark alley.”

“We’ll talk to him next,” Sheriff Dane said
to Boone.

“Is this robbery common knowledge? Was it in
the papers?” John wanted to know if there would be other bounty
hunters showing up in Rio Wells looking for clues, as he was sure
that was what Boone was.

“A crime of this size is hard to cover up,”
he replied. “But to answer your question, yes.”

The men looked around at each other, then the
deputy spoke up. “I guess we can expect more visitors to Rio Wells
then.” His hat was tipped back and his eyes were clearly visible.
“Maybe we should deputize more men.”

“That’s not necessary, deputy.” Boone lifted
his lips in a cold smile as he glanced around in the darkness
beyond. “Shouldn’t take me long to find the guilty party, if
they’re still here. I’m not about to muck up my perfect record
now.”

The town clock clanged seven times.
“Gentlemen, I’m off,” John stated. “I have a dinner date with my
sister and I don’t want to keep her waiting. If you have any more
questions, Sheriff, you know where to find me.”

John walked away. His mind whirled, trying to
figure out just where the stolen stone had come from. Thank
goodness Lily had done as he’d asked her and brought it to him. At
least it was locked safely away. He’d have to get to the bottom of
this before the gunfighter did. If not, who knew what the outcome
would be.

The workday on Monday went smoothly with
everyone’s help. Their new shop, the little storeroom, now
christened Lily’s Lace and More, at Tante Harriett’s insistence,
had been gutted, washed inside and out, stripped of its old paint
and paper and then painted a cheery yellow on the outside, with a
soft cream tone on the inside. All the door hinges were tightened
and oiled, windows were washed, floors were mopped, the indoor
water pump checked, re-worked and greased, and wall lamps hung.

Tucker had returned from Grady’s Mercantile
with two strong locks and keys, one for the front door and one for
the alley door. Even with only one hand, he was able to remove the
old locks and install the new. Being tall, Dustin did most of the
outside painting, using a buckboard and ladder when he needed to
reach the high spots. His sisters had a grand time laughing at his
yellow-speckled face.

Mrs. McCutcheon donated a beautiful pair of
pale emerald curtains made of velvet. Becky said her mother had
stored them away after she’d redone her bed chamber at the ranch
and wanted to give them to Lily. They fit the front window
perfectly, and looked so beautiful Lily was barely able to hold
back tears. She’d been overwhelmed several other times throughout
the day too, as when she’d seen the two small beds for her and
Tante in the two bedrooms upstairs. There was also a small table
with a couple of chairs in the back of the McCutcheon’s big
buckboard.

Theodore, having an artful touch, was chosen
to make two signs—a large for the front of the building, and
another smaller one to hang on the boardwalk.

John and Chaim, working well together, built
a small dressing room in the main body of the shop, which was
finished off with another matching curtain from the emerald set
that garnished the front window. Once the two got to building, they
were impossible to stop. Next they constructed an elevated platform
by the window, so Lily could adjust hemlines with ease. Then they
made a cutting table and some shelves to show off her fabrics, and
put up a handful of pegs on the opposite wall to display spools of
different types of lace she’d made.

With the shop taken care of, they continued
working and updating the tiny kitchen area in the rear of the first
floor. They quickly built a wall that went halfway across the room,
so the kitchen had a little privacy and a homey feel. Lily was
amazed at their speed and skill. Then, just for fun, they fashioned
together a large frame, the size of a window, on which Lily could
stretch fabric. Later, when she had time, she would add handfuls of
old buttons, sequins, glass beads and such she and her aunt had
collected over the years. It would be a piece of novel decorative
art. It was a clever idea Charity had dreamed up and Lily looked
forward to starting work on it.

Within the day, Lily’s Lace and More was done
and ready for customers. Lily and her aunt’s belongings had been
moved over from the hotel and put away upstairs. When she and Tante
Harriett had gone to pay the bill, they found it had been taken
care of and nobody would tell them who was responsible. The day had
turned out better than any fairytale she’d ever been told.

Lily moved around the upstairs rooms getting
ready for the big party out at the McCutcheon ranch. She’d been
thinking about it all day, and now that it was almost time to go,
she was filled with excitement. She had grown close with Charity
today and with Becky and Madeline as well. The cousins were so much
alike, yet different, too.

“Tante Harriett, would you like some warm
water for a bath?” Lily asked, looking at the little clock on the
bedside table. She dried behind her neck with a fluffy towel,
another generous gift from John’s aunt, then padded to her closet
for her wrapper. “We will be leaving within the hour.”

“Please forgive me if I don’t go. The thought
of snuggling into my bed holds much more appeal.” She had already
removed her heavy, purple dress and presented an adorable picture
in her petticoat and stockings.

“Of course you are going,” Lily insisted,
donning her housecoat and all but running to her aunt’s room. “I
would not have a good time if I left you at home.”

Harriett yawned as she patted Lily’s arm
several times. “Of course you will. I’m so pleased you now have
three wonderful girlfriends.”

Lily admitted to herself that staying home
was probably better for her aunt. “Well, if you’re certain. I will
have Doctor Bixby check in on you later. He is staying home,
too.”

“Fine, dear. But only if it will make you
feel better. She bent over slowly and picked up the kitten. “See. I
have all the company I need.”

J
ohn pulled up
in front of Rim Rock Ranch and set the brake with his foot. The
buggy rocked forward and back several times as it settled to a halt
in the gravelly dirt and the gangly old bay in the harness nickered
to the animals in the corral. John had rented a two-seat buggy from
Cradle so they could all ride together. Lily sat beside him,
dressed in a pretty pink dress with a shawl draped over her
shoulders. Charity was wedged in back between Theodore and Tucker
and had been conspicuously quiet ever since they’d left town. John
looped the reins around the bar running the length of the front
dash section of the carriage, then hopped out, extending his hand
to Lily.

With his help she stepped to the ground and
straightened her dress as the others descended. The house was
ablaze with light from within and a ranch hand came out of the barn
and took the horse and carriage away.

The ranch house door opened and Becky looked
out. “They’re here,” she called out excitedly and ran to meet them.
She hugged Charity and Lily, then went straight to Theodore’s side.
“How are you, Theo?” she asked in a shy voice. She laced her
fingers together behind her back and looked up at the young man
with worship shining in her eyes.

Theodore looked embarrassed. “It’s only been
a few hours since I’ve seen you, Becky. I was fine then and I’m
still fine,” he replied stiltedly, slipping in next to Charity as
they all walked to the front door.

“Welcome, come in,” Uncle Winston boomed in a
voice that echoed through the room. John found it amazing how much
of his own father he recognized in his uncle. Not just in his
physical attributes, but in his actions and expression as well.
“How was the drive out?” he asked, looking directly at John.

“Good. It’s a nice, easy ride.” John shook
hands with the three men, ending with Dustin. They looked each
other in the eye, not knowing what to say.

Aunt Winnie came dashing in from another
room. “Where is she?” she asked in excitement. Spotting Charity,
she pulled her into a hug. “I was so surprised when I heard you’d
come to town on Sunday. I guess we just missed each other.” She
backed up to get a good look. “You’re beautiful! I can’t even begin
to tell you how glad I am to have you and John here. It’s just…”
Her words trailed off as her eyes welled with tears.

“Just too much emotion,” Winston said,
laughing. “Calm down, woman. We have the whole night ahead of us
and you’re going to wear yourself out in the first five minutes.
Charity is going to be staying on in Rio Wells for some time. I’m
sure you’ll have plenty chance to get acquainted.”

Winnie dabbed at the corner of her eyes with
the tip of the apron. “You’re right. Tonight is not a time for
tears, but one of joy. A celebration. To welcome John and Charity
to Rio Wells and to congratulate Lily on her fine new shop.”

Again Winnie marshaled her emotions. “I know
Tucker here, welcome, young man, but who is this tall fellow?” she
asked, looking at Theodore.

“A friend from Y Knot,” John answered. “He
made the trip south with Charity. Seems he’ll need a job.”

Everyone nodded and Theodore’s face went
scarlet.

Winnie smiled at Lily. “Where is Harriett? I
hoped she would be joining us tonight. I haven’t yet met her.”

“I wanted her to come along, also, Mrs.
McCutcheon,” Lily said. “But all the activity the last two days has
completely worn her out. She sends her regrets.”

Winnie
nodded. “That’s totally understandable. Rio Wells
can
be exhausting. Now,” she said,
gesturing to everyone. “Come into the dining room. Maria and I have
cooked up a feast you’ll not soon forget.”

The sight of the beautifully decorated table
almost took Lily’s breath away. It was opulently laden with china
and sterling and eye-catching linen finished off with intricately
stitched lace that Lily longed to inspect. Two candle stands held
six candles each, giving the room an enchanting amber glow.

“It’s stunning,” Charity gasped. “You really
shouldn’t have gone to so much trouble, Aunt Winnie.”

“Of course we should have,” Madeline
corrected her. “You’re family.” She proceeded to walk beside the
long table, glancing at the place cards above each plate. “John,
you’re down here.”

Lily glanced at the table, noticing the name
cards for the first time. Dustin was on this end of the table, at
the head. She was next to him, on the corner to his right, with
Chaim on her other side. John proceeded to the opposite end of the
table where Mr. McCutcheon was already standing at the other head
spot. It felt like a mile away. John pulled out Madeline’s chair
for her and pushed it in as his cousin got settled. He looked up
and his gaze met hers.

Tucker and Theodore sat opposite each other
in the middle. Becky waited patiently, gazing at Theodore until he
grasped her meaning and pulled out her chair, making Lily
smile.

“Lily?” Dustin said, as he pulled out her
chair for her. Chaim took hold of the back of her chair also. After
she was seated her chair fairly flew forward as both men pushed her
in.