Twice Promised (The Blue Willow Brides Book #2): A Novel (12 page)

Greta and Cora spent the rest of the day filling orders, cleaning the other side of the store, and assisting customers. Greta was grateful to be busy since it made the day pass quickly. She couldn’t help but feel the watchful eyes of Zach and Jess on her and Cora’s every move, as if they were expecting them to do something odd with the store’s merchandise. It almost made her laugh, but when no complaints were forthcoming, she relaxed and went about doing the things that needed to be done. Ideas were already forming in her head of possible suggestions to Jess on how he could improve the display of items for customers. But she wouldn’t tell him today. Enough had happened in two days to fluster him.

“I believe we’re about to be escorted to dinner, and I’m looking forward to having a good, hot meal,” Cora said. “We’ve nothing much in the cabin, and since I can’t cook, well . . .”

“Cora, maybe I can help you learn some basics. We’ll stock a few supplies tomorrow and figure something out to cook,” Greta said cheerfully. She removed her apron and looped it across the hook behind the counter.

Cora giggled. “You may find that I’m a hopeless case, but I’d be much obliged.”

“Not to worry. Experience is the key to cooking, nothing more.”

Zach removed the money from the cash register to take upstairs as Jess flipped the C
LOSED
sign over the door.

“You can leave that box until tomorrow to be opened,” Jess said, walking toward them. “You ladies ready for supper? You’ve hardly taken a break all day.”

“I believe we are. I’ll just get our purses and coats.” Cora moved to the curtain beyond the counter that separated the store from the supply room.

When Greta and Jess were alone, Jess opened his mouth to say something to her as he stood rocking back on his boot heels.

“Is there anything else you need me to do?” Greta asked. She could hear the puppy yapping from his crate. For the time being, it was decided that the pup would stay at the store.

“No, it’s not that. I . . . uh . . .” He gave a small cough, clearing his throat. “I want to apologize for sounding so harsh earlier. I shouldn’t have said that. Truce?” His brown eyes reflected a seriousness that surprised her.

“Well . . . okay, apology accepted. Truce.” Greta dropped her eyes under his gaze, but she sensed the tension in him. He took a step to close the distance between them and gave her a peck on the cheek, his lips soft and warm to her skin. She stumbled backward in surprise. He caught her arm to steady her as she touched her fingers to her face. “What—”

“Greta,” he said, “it’s only a friendly kiss—to seal a truce.”

“Oh. Is that how it’s done in America?” Her heart was thumping hard against her ribs as she looked up at him. His mouth twitched to thwart a smile, but before he could reply, they were interrupted by Zach’s and Cora’s chattering about where to dine. Zach doffed his hat, then gallantly took Greta’s arm, guiding her to the door, leaving Cora to follow with Jess. As they moved to the door, they heard a loud voice, and a young man brandishing a gun quickly slipped through the unlocked door.

“Stop right where you are and hand over that bag of money lying on the counter over there!” he ordered, waving his gun around.

———

Cora screamed and clung to Jess’s arm, and Greta’s eyes flew open in fear. Zach dropped Greta’s arm and stretched out his hand. “Whoa there, young man. Just take it easy.” Zach took a step toward him, and the young man waved his gun again.

“Step back or I’ll shoot that pretty blonde you’re with.” The young man’s dirty black hair fell over his eyes, and his face was set in determination, leaving no doubt in Jess’s mind that he was serious.

Jess glanced over at the muslin bag on the counter. Zach must have gotten distracted and forgotten to take it to the safe upstairs. He didn’t want anyone to get hurt, so he’d have to hand it over to the young lad carefully. He could go off half-cocked, as foolish young men sometimes did. Jess took a few steps backward toward the counter, keeping his eye on the gun. Cora clung to Greta’s arm, shaking.

The puppy yapped louder and scratched against the sides of his crate.

“Shut that dog up or he’s gonna git a bullet right between the eyes! And hand me that money. NOW!”

“Please don’t hurt the puppy, mister. He’s harmless,” Greta pleaded.

“Shut yer face, pretty girl!” His eyes slid up and down Greta’s body.

Greta shrank back against Cora, turning to flash an anxious look at Zach.

Zach moved sideways to the crate to try to shush the puppy, still watching the robber. He patted the dog, which gave him a friendly lick on his fingers. Jess was hoping that Zach wouldn’t do anything impulsive. He saw the fear in the lad’s eyes, making him think this could be his first robbery attempt. The boy’s mouth might be more dangerous than his actions. Reaching behind himself, Jess slid the muslin bag off the counter and cautiously crept forward, holding the bag within reach of the robber.

“Here, take it!” Jess thrust the bag into the man’s hand as Zach yelled then lunged toward the robber, who fired a wide shot. Both women squealed and Cora covered her eyes.

The robber whirled around, flew out the door, and bounded down the stairs into the crowded streets. Jess and Zach hurried down the steps after him but, after a few minutes of chase, lost sight of him.

11

Greta was glad when she saw no harm had come to either brother as they trotted back to the store—but neither had they caught the robber. Cora wrung her handkerchief in her hands despite Greta’s reassurances that everything was going to be okay. “At least no one was hurt, Cora. I think the robber was all talk.”

“Maybe so, but he still got away with a lot of money!” Zach shook his head, breathing hard.

“We have to stop in and see Sheriff Mack before we have supper,” Jess remarked as he reached the front steps with heaving sides. He leaned over, placing his hands on his knees to catch his breath. “I’m too old for this.”

“He got away. He’s just a young lad, and we’re no match for someone who can run that fast,” Zach said.

Cora’s face reflected deep concern. “Then we need to pray for him.”

“Pray for him? He’s a robber, for heaven’s sake!” Zach swore under his breath. “That kid just made off with half of our earnings for the week, and you want me to pray for him?”

“That’s exactly why we need to. We’re to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us,” Cora said, gently touching the sleeve of Zach’s coat.

Jess humphed. “Now you’re sounding like Brother Abel.”

Cora colored slightly. Greta quietly observed this side of her newfound friend. How odd that they could be thrown together this way and still have mutual respect. Cora had already earned it from her.

“She’s right. We should,” Greta agreed. “Now that you two have caught your breath, why don’t we walk on over to the sheriff’s office?” She started down the steps.

“Yes. Let’s get going. The longer we stand here jawing about the right or wrong of it, the colder the trail will be for the sheriff.” Jess reached for Cora’s hand and they led the way, scurrying down the sidewalk.

During a wonderful meal of roast and potatoes at Mabel’s, Greta sat next to Zach, whose leg occasionally touched hers under the small table. She wasn’t sure if it was on purpose. Cora seemed pleased to be sitting next to Jess. Her upturned face glowed under the soft lighting, her rapt attention focused on Jess. She was a vision—soft and lovely—as she listened to Jess talk. Part of Greta was jealous, especially with the way Jess gazed back at Cora. But why should she care? After all, she was sitting with a good-looking and gregarious man. But there was something about Jess’s mannerisms that gave her pause. Just what, she wasn’t sure. Underneath his controlled exterior, he seemed to carry a certain wretchedness in his soul. Whatever it was, it could be the reason that he was unreasonable at times.

“I must say, the sheriff didn’t appear to be in any hurry to track down the robber,” Greta said.

Zach polished off the last of his cherry pie before answering. “I’d say you’re right about that, but he had very little to go on except our description of a young man whose appearance was less than pleasant.”

“I was just telling Cora that maybe we should see if we can move you two to a hotel or boardinghouse now that you’ve seen the robber. It might not be safe for you to be out there in that cabin alone.” Jess blotted his mouth and set his napkin aside.

Cora bobbed her dark head. “So true. I never felt safe there. Could we see about doing that tonight?” she asked, dabbing the corner of her mouth with her napkin.

“The reason I don’t have you in a hotel now is because there weren’t any vacancies, but we could check the Teller House.” Zach seemed enthusiastic about the idea as well.

Their concern made Greta feel protected, and she liked knowing that someone cared about her well-being. “The cabin is really not so bad, but whatever you decide.” She looked from Zach to Jess, who narrowed his eyes and frowned.

“The Teller House is a little pricey, especially after the robber just stole half of this week’s earnings,” he said. “It’s not too late to check again at a couple of other places when we leave here. We might get lucky.” He gave Cora’s hand an affectionate pat. “I know how scared you were with the bear. Let me remind you that it was Zach’s idea to put you up in Jeb’s cabin in the first place,” Jess said, giving Zach an annoyed look.

“I did what I could on short notice. This town’s been crowded ever since John Gregory discovered gold,” Zach said, plunking down his coffee cup.

“Is it true that Central City is the richest square mile on earth? I overheard some customers say that,” Cora said, helping herself to another cup of coffee.

Zach smiled. “That’s true, Cora. Many got rich, but in the sixties and seventies the placer deposits petered out, so many miners were disillusioned and returned back East. The alternative was underground mining, and that takes money and investors.”

“So how did you two wind up being mercantile owners?” Greta laid her napkin aside.

Jess shifted in his chair, turning to face her. “Our parents were stable, hardworking people who had no interest in mining, but they knew there’d always be a need for supplies for the influx of a steady, growing population. When they died from influenza, we naturally took over running the store, with Granny’s help.” Jess’s look was sober. His sad brown eyes slid down to focus on her locket. She glimpsed the thick hair at the back of his neck curling into the collar of his blue chambray shirt, and more dark hair peeked through the top, just above his long handles.

Tearing her eyes away, she murmured, “I’m so sorry. How long ago was this, if you don’t mind me asking?”

“That was a year ago . . . right after . . . er . . . well, anyway, that’s all behind us now.” Jess stared down at his pocket watch.

“Do you have other family or cousins?” Greta asked.

“None that we know of,” Zach answered stiffly.

Jess abruptly changed the subject. “If you ladies agree, we’d like to take you to church with us on Sunday.”

Cora straightened up immediately. “I’d love to. It’s the best way to get involved in the community and share our common beliefs in the Almighty.”

There was no mistaking the fervor in her voice, which made Greta all the more curious about Cora’s background. “I’d like that as well.”

“Great. Now before the evening slips away, why don’t we see if we can find a hotel room,” Jess said, pushing his chair back. He extended his hand to Cora.

Greta rose from the table as Zach paid the waiter for their dinner. He placed his hand at the curve of her back to escort her from the restaurant. As they walked toward the door, she felt petite against his towering form, even though she herself was tall. She appreciated his good manners and found him to be very witty and easy to talk to—and more than once she caught his eyes lingering on her.

They were following Jess when he came to an abrupt halt, and they almost walked right into him and Cora. “What’s wrong, Jess?” Zach asked.

“There’s something mighty familiar about the young man over there.” He tossed his head toward the corner of the dining room. Their eyes followed his to gaze upon a clean-shaven young man rising from his table, leaving a tip behind.

“You don’t think—” Cora sucked in a quick breath of disbelief.

“I think it’s him, just a cleaned-up version. Let’s watch and follow him out,” Jess whispered. Cora clung to Jess’s arm, and they casually walked to the entrance not far behind the young man.

Getting a closer look, Greta believed Jess was correct in his assumption. What nerve for him to show up in a public place! But then again, no one would give him a second glance, cleaned up as he was. When he stepped out onto the porch, Jess hurried up to the man and tapped him on the shoulder. He turned around, and when he saw Jess he whirled around to make a hasty exit, but Zach was already standing in his path.

“Just what do you want?” the young man asked. His eyes darted nervously from Jess to Zach, one hand sliding into his pocket. Without his gun to wave under their noses, he obviously wasn’t in control as he had been earlier.