The Bride's Prerogative (70 page)

“I like it,” Bitsy said. “Looks dignified.”

Hiram nodded slowly. “Refined.”

“The picture really looks like a spur, and the gold stripe gives it an aristocratic touch.” She chuckled. “Who’d have thought it?”

“Bitsy, your place is as proper as a church now.”

“Well, thank you. I don’t need folks to feel all inhibited, but I want them to know we’re decent now.”

“How’s business?”

Bitsy scrunched up her face. “I’m not sure yet. We don’t make nearly so much as we did when we sold liquor. I probably shouldn’t have bought so many new dishes. Might have to cut the girls’ pay, but I hate to do that.”

Charles and Orissa Walker strolled over from their house across the street.

“New sign?” Charles asked as they mounted the steps.

“New paint on the old one,” Bitsy said.

Orissa eyed it closely. “Looks fine.”

“What’s the special tonight?” Charles asked.

“We’ve got chicken and dumplings or roast beef.” Bitsy watched the Walkers enter the building. She looked anxiously at Hiram. “Do you think we ought to put,
‘NO
L
IQUOR’
on there, too?”

Hiram twitched his lips back and forth, thinking about it. “No, I think it’s good.”

“Magnolious. I’m going to go get Augie so he can see your handiwork. Of course, he’ll say he’s too busy and want to wait until the dinner rush is past.”

“Say, I’d better get moving.” Hiram gathered his tools.

Bitsy headed for the door grinning. “I’ll be looking for you a little later.”

CHAPTER 42

E
than ambled down the sidewalk toward the Dooleys’ house. The sun had sunk behind the mountains, leaving the valley in soft twilight. Across the street, Libby shut the door to the emporium and turned the placard in the window. Ethan strolled around to the kitchen door and mounted the steps. When he knocked, Trudy let him in.

“Am I late?” he asked.

“No. At least no later than anyone else.”

To his surprise, the table was set for only three. A vase of fresh wildflowers stood on a doily in the middle.

“Isn’t Rose joining us tonight?” He hung his dusty hat on the peg rack.

“Yes—at least I think she is. She went down to the store beside the telegraph office.”

“What store?”

Trudy scowled. “The empty one between the telegraph and Bitsy’s.”

“Why’d she go there?”

“That’s the one she wants to lease from Isabel for her millinery shop. Isabel told her she could go in and measure the windows for curtains.”

“Rose is really planning to do it?”

“I guess.” Trudy set a plate of sliced, cold ham on the table. “I didn’t want to heat up the oven today.”

“Can’t say as I blame you.” He eyed the place settings. “Er … if Rose is going to be here, am I one too many?”

“What? Oh no.” Trudy pushed her hair back. “Hiram’s going out.”

“Out?” Something wasn’t right. Ethan frowned, certain he had missed something.

Trudy smiled and peeked around the parlor doorjamb. She turned back and whispered, “With Libby. He finally asked her. I think he’s going to court her.”

Ethan’s jaw dropped.

She laughed and went to the stove. “Don’t look so shocked.”

“Sorry. I just didn’t …”

“Didn’t think he’d have the nerve?”

“Something like that.”

“Well, he found it someplace. Maybe you inspired him when you asked me to marry you.”

Now, that was something worth discussing. Ethan stepped closer and wrapped his arms around her from behind. For a moment, she leaned back against his chest. He bent and kissed her cheek.

“Hey, now.” She gently disentangled herself from his embrace. “I do think Rose will be home any minute, and Hi might finish with his preparations and come out here, too.”

“What’s he doing?”

“Having a bath. Though he came home later than I expected. He’ll have to make it a quick one. I had the water ready for half an hour before he showed up. Didn’t want to keep the stove going, so it was only lukewarm when he got to it.”

Ethan laughed.

“Why is that funny?” Trudy placed her hands on her hips. “Don’t you dare make fun of him. You’ve been known to bathe once in a blue moon yourself.”

“I know it.” He grinned. “I think it’s great.”

“Good. He can’t pick Libby up until a half hour after she closes the store.”

“She getting a bath, too?”

Trudy slugged his shoulder and picked up the bread plate. “Maybe you could run out to the street and see if you can tell whether she’s closed shop yet.”

“Don’t need to. I saw her closing up right before I got here.”

“Good. I can tell Hiram when he’s dressed.”

Ethan followed her to the table. “Hey, listen, I’ve got some news for you. They caught Wilfred Sterling.”

She whirled to face him. “
Who
caught him?”

“The marshal in Boise. They’re holding him in a bank robbery. And he did have a wound that hadn’t healed. Guess Arthur Tinen was right when he said he thought he’d hit him.”

“Well, what do you know?” Trudy said.

Ethan nodded in satisfaction. “I might ride up to Boise when Sterling goes to trial. I wired the marshal some details about Isabel’s kidnapping. And I told him to ask Sterling why he was so interested in Milzie Peart’s land.”

“Did they get anything out of him?”

“Sterling said Kenton put him up to it, thinking he could get Frank’s mine and make some featherhead think it was worth something and sell it to him. But when I started all the inquiries, it wasn’t worth the trouble, so they gave up on that.”

“Hmm. If he’s telling the truth.”

“Right.”

“I suppose it fits with what Isabel told you she heard them talking about.”

“Trudy, can you—” Hiram appeared in the parlor doorway, his hair damp and his face pink and clean shaven. “Oh hello, Eth. Trudy, I can’t make this tie sit right.” He fumbled at the black ribbon below his collar.

“Here, let me.” She untied the ribbon and gritted her teeth as she set about tying it correctly. “There. But you can’t go yet. You’re too early.”

“You sure?” Hiram glanced anxiously toward the window. “I don’t want to be too early. But I don’t want to be late either.” Ethan chuckled. “Maybe you need a watch.”

“Can’t afford one.”

“Well, maybe for Christmas.” Ethan closed his mouth, but he couldn’t help where his thoughts led. If Hiram succeeded in wooing Libby, he’d probably have a very nice pocket watch by yuletide.

“Ethan says Libby closed up about ten minutes ago,” Trudy said. “Relax and give her time to prissy up.”

Hiram glared at her and went to the stove. He hefted the coffeepot and reached for a mug.

“So …” Ethan watched him. “I thought maybe we could ride out to the Fennel ranch this evening and dig up that tin for Isabel. I asked her if she wanted me to check the place where her pa had buried something, and she said she’d be grateful if she didn’t have to do it herself. But I don’t suppose you’d want to go now. I mean, you’ll probably be tied up till all hours, and—”

“Yes, he’ll be busy,” Trudy said. “You and I could go, though.”

“Yeah, I like that idea.” Ethan smiled at her. Trudy and moonlight, always a good combination.

“What are you going to do with the paper that’s in there?” Hiram asked.

“Get rid of it,” Ethan said.

Hiram nodded. “Probably best.”

“And I’ll take Isabel the money. I was thinking I could tell her that when I dug up the hole, I found that pouch in the tin. She doesn’t need to know it wasn’t the only thing in there.”

“That’s a good idea.” Trudy beamed at him. “That way she’ll stop fretting. Let’s do it tonight.”

Hiram sipped his coffee and looked at them over the rim of his cup. “You kids have fun. But just remember, Ethan—you might be getting married in a couple of weeks, but I still expect Trudy home at a decent hour.”

Ethan saluted. “Yes sir. We’ll be in by curfew.”

Hiram grunted and set his mug down. “Guess I’ll get going.”

“Wait!” Trudy lifted the flowers from the vase and wiped the dripping stems on a linen towel. “Hold on. Let me wrap a handkerchief around these.” From her apron pocket, she produced a white square of cotton edged in blue tatting. “There, now.” She held the bouquet out to Hiram.

He swallowed hard and stared at them.

“Take it. And don’t ask me what you’re supposed to do with them.” Trudy scowled at him.

At last he raised his hand and took the posy. “Thank you. Shoulda thought of it myself.”

“Yes, you should, but I wouldn’t say so.” She nodded firmly.

Ethan hid a smile by turning to open the back door for him. “Have a pleasant evening, my friend.”

“No doubt.” Hiram walked down the steps and around the house.

“I was afraid he wouldn’t go through with it,” Trudy whispered.

From outside, Rose’s high-pitched tones reached them. “Why, Hiram, where
are
you going? And just look as those delectable blossoms!”

Hiram muttered a reply.

Before Rose came into their line of sight, Ethan leaned down and kissed Trudy. “You’re a good sister.”

She smiled and nodded. “He makes it easy, but yes, I am.”

CHAPTER 43

L
ibby turned before the beveled mirror, anxiously regarding as much as she could see of the back of her dress.

“Are you sure I’m all buttoned correctly?”

Isabel smiled at her in the mirror. “You look marvelous.”

“Thank you.” Libby put a hand to the smooth wing of hair at her temple. “I’m nervous, I guess.”

“I could tell.”

“Yes, well it’s been a long time since I’ve had a gentleman caller.”

Isabel sat down on the cherry-framed settee and picked up the skirt she was sewing. “I hope you and Mr. Dooley have a very pleasant time.”

“I hope so, too.” Libby glanced in the mirror again then made herself move away from it. “You know, I think it’s a good idea for you to rent Rose that little shop near the telegraph office. It will be income for you, and she’ll be out of Hiram and Trudy’s hair.”

“I’m glad you think so.” Isabel frowned as she pushed her needle through the fabric. “I don’t like to admit it, but sometimes I find it difficult to think charitable thoughts toward Mrs. Caplinger. But she is a sister in Christ, and I’m sure her business will be an asset to the town. I told her she could fix the rooms above the shop and move in if she wants and live there.”

Libby tried not to let her face show the full extent of her delight. Seeing Rose move out from under Hiram’s roof would be pure pleasure. “That sounds good. She has such a flair for decorating, I’m sure she’ll improve the building’s value for you.”

“Yes, if she doesn’t pester me about repairs and such.” Isabel waved a hand in dismissal. “What am I saying? I shall have to educate myself on what it means to be a landlady. I have several tenants, after all.”

“I’m sure you can hire someone to make repairs to the buildings your father left you.”

“True. And I’m thinking of reserving one of the houses on Gold Lane for myself.”

“Oh! You’d be right near the Bentons. How delightful.”

“Yes. I don’t want to live at the ranch anymore. I’ve made that decision, at least. And I’m trying to negotiate with a gentleman I’m sure would like to have the ranch.”

“That’s good.” A quiet rap sounded on the kitchen door, and Libby caught her breath.

“That must be your gentleman caller.” Isabel laid her sewing aside and rose. “Shall I let him in?”

“Oh! Yes, I guess so.” Libby tried to breathe evenly as Isabel walked briskly into the next room. She glanced again at the mirror then resolutely turned her back. Too late to change anything now. As Isabel’s greeting rang throughout the apartment, she clenched handfuls of her embroidered pink muslin skirt. She’d loved the fabric when it first came in and had hired Annie to stitch her a gown. Then she’d wondered if she’d have a place to wear it. The dress was too fine for workdays in the store. She’d decided to wear it to church on Sunday—and then Hiram had invited her to dinner.

He stood in the doorway, beaming at her and holding the dearest nosegay of bouncing bet and fleabane she’d ever seen. His freshly shaven face fairly glowed, and his hair was neatly parted and combed. Libby’s stomach fluttered. She would be proud to be seen on his arm tonight.

“Evening,” he said.

She let go of her skirt and crossed the room to meet him, trying to rein in her smile so she wouldn’t look foolish. “Good evening.”

“You look fine, Elizabeth. Mighty fine.”

“Oh thank you.” She felt the blood rush to her cheeks. He’d given her Christian name a lyrical lilt, and suddenly she was glad to be wearing pink again and to hear a man say
Elizabeth
in that deep, profound voice.

He thrust out the flowers and opened his mouth then closed it.

“For me? How lovely!” Libby took the bouquet, noting that the stems were folded in one of Trudy’s handkerchiefs. The blossoms in varied pinks and mauves complemented her gown. “Thank you so much. I shall wear a sprig if you don’t mind.” Isabel hovered in the doorway behind him, grinning at her over his shoulder. “Perhaps dear Isabel would put the rest in water.”

Libby pulled one of the fuller stems free and took it to the table beneath the mirror, where she found a pin. After fastening it to her bodice, she turned.

Hiram gazed at her, unblinking. His usually mournful eyes seemed younger. Libby even thought she glimpsed a bit of a twinkle there. His mouth curved in a fetching smile that demanded an answer. How long they stood like that, she couldn’t tell, but Isabel entered the room with the posies in a small, milk-glass vase.

“These are delightful. I’ll set them here on the side table.”

“Thank you, Isabel.” Libby sucked in a breath and reached for her gloves and handbag. “I’m ready if you are.”

In reply, Hiram offered the crook of his arm.

“Good night,” Isabel called as they went through the kitchen.

“Good night, dear,” Libby said. Somehow they went through two doorways and started down her rear stairway, and she was still holding on to Hiram’s arm. She shot a glance at his face. He was only three inches or so taller than she was, but she felt he was just the right size. They stepped across the back porch and down to the ground, then rounded the corner and entered the alley between the emporium and the stagecoach office.

“Griffin seems to be doing a good job keeping the stages running on schedule,” she said.

“Yes.”

She smiled. One word from Hiram was as good as ten from any other man.

After supper Rose retired to work on her plans for the millinery shop, and Trudy quickly did the dishes with Ethan’s help. The two of them sauntered out to the barn, and Trudy hummed as she saddled Crinkles. Ethan untied Scout’s reins and led his mount away from the fence.

“You all set?”

“Sure am.” Trudy swung into the saddle and stroked Crinkles’s neck as she looked up at the almost-full moon. “Going to be a pretty ride tonight.”

The horses trotted side by side, snorting now and then. When they reached the Fennels’ barnyard, a man came from the bunkhouse.

“Evening, Brady,” Ethan called.

“Sheriff. Can I help you?”

“Miss Dooley and I have a bit of business for Miss Fennel.”

“Anything I can help you with?”

“You could bring me a shovel.”

Brady’s eyes widened, but he nodded and turned toward the barn.

“They’ll want to know what’s going on,” Trudy said.

“I’ll just tell them Isabel knew her daddy had a stash behind the barn, and I’m digging it up to see if he left any cash there for her.”

Trudy nodded and smiled as Brady came from the barn hefting the spade.

Fifteen minutes later, they left the ranch and rode back toward town. Ethan carried the tin box in his saddlebag.

“Thought we wouldn’t get away without opening it in front of Brady,” Trudy said.

“Me, too. He sure was curious.”

“Good thinking to tell him he could ask Isabel all about it when he sees her.”

Ethan grinned over at her. “She’ll tell him she found a pouch of hard money, and that was all.”

“Right.”

As they passed his own ranch, Ethan said, “I don’t s’pose you want to stop in and take a look at your new kitchen?”

“Well … it’s tempting.”
Too tempting
, Trudy thought. If anyone else in town heard she’d gone into Ethan’s house alone with him before they were married, the gossip would fly. “We’d probably best go home. Rose will be there even if Hiram’s not back yet.”

“All right.” They rode along in companionable silence to the Dooleys’ house. A light shone in the front bedroom window.

“Rose must be upstairs,” Trudy said as they rode behind the house to the barnyard. The oppressive heat was gone, but the breeze that flowed down from the mountains was almost too cool.

Ethan halted Scout near the corral fence. “I’ll take care of Crinkles. You take the box inside and stoke the fire.” He dismounted and opened the saddlebag.

Trudy lit beside him on the ground and exchanged Crinkles’s reins for the tin they’d unearthed. He came in five minutes after she did. By then she’d lit the lamp and had the kindling snapping. She added a couple of good-sized sticks to the firebox and smiled at him.

Shadows lay dark under Ethan’s eyes. He looked tired, and she knew the outcome of the shootout still bothered him. “It wasn’t your fault,” she said.

He didn’t ask what she meant. He only set his lips together and shrugged. “Shoulda been some way to get Isabel out without killing anyone.”

Trudy put the lid on the stove. “You can’t let that nag at you. It’s over.”

“I know.” He exhaled in a puff and shook his head. “And I know that God is in control. He could have stopped it.” He still stood by the table, staring off at nothing.

“You sure you’re ready to get married? Next Saturday, I mean. It’s not too soon?” Trudy’s own question appalled her. Why was she giving him the chance to back out?

He focused on her, his dark eyes glittering in the lamplight. “Trudy, it’s not too soon. I don’t want you thinking that way.”

“What way?”

“That I don’t want to tie the knot.”

“I’m not thinking that.”

“Good. Because the closer it gets, the happier I am that we’re going through with it. A week from Saturday is
not
too soon.” She shivered as his voice cracked with emotion. “I love you, Ethan.”

He stepped closer and pulled her to him. She wrapped her arms around him and met his kiss eagerly, hoping her lips would transmit her own anticipation and joy.

After a long moment, he pulled away. “Guess we’d better get down to business.”

She ducked her head and ran a hand over her hair. Her face must be five shades of red. Why hadn’t anyone ever told her how wonderful it was to kiss the man you loved?

Ethan picked up the tin and worked the lid off. The pouch of coins clinked as he set it on the table. Carefully, he took the rolled-up paper out.

Trudy opened the stove lid. “Let’s not even look at it again. Those pictures are burned into my brain, and I need to forget about them.”

“All right.” He brought it over and paused a moment, holding the paper above the open firebox.

“This is the right thing to do,” she whispered.

He tossed it into the stove, and the blaze flared up. She closed the lid.

“Trudy, is that you?” Rose came into the parlor doorway. She saw Ethan and pulled her wrapper closer around her. “Oh, excuse me. I didn’t know Mr. Chapman was here.”

“I’m just leaving, ma’am.” Ethan tucked the tin under his arm.

Trudy saw him to the door. “Good night, Ethan.”

He winked at her as he clapped his hat on. “I’ll see you tomorrow.” He nodded vaguely at Rose over Trudy’s head and went out.

With the door shut behind him, Trudy turned to face her sister-in-law. “What is it, Rose?”

“I’ve decided to rent the shop from Miss Fennel, and I wondered …” She looked down at the floor for a moment. “It’s just filthy. All dust and cobwebs. And … well, I wondered if … do you know someone I could hire to help me clean it?”

Trudy smiled. That certainly wasn’t what Rose had intended to ask, but for whatever reason, she had changed her mind and her approach.

She walked across the room and squeezed Rose’s arm gently. “I’d be happy to help you without pay, and I know a few other gals who might pitch in, too.”

Rose’s eyes flared. “Really? I hated to ask you with the wedding coming up and all. I know you’re busy.”