“Hello, ladies. No need to rush.” Iris admired the dresses on the mannequins near the front door. She would love to try them on, but they appeared a size or two smaller than would fit her five-foot nine-inch sturdy build.
Ruby approached, smiling. “What can I help you with today, Miss Lake?”
“Oh, please, Iris will do. I would like to purchase another dress or two.”
“So unfortunate your trunks were stolen on your way to Milestone,” Ruby said, sympathetically.
Iris had hated telling the shop worker that white lie during her first visit, but the truth could never be known. “Thank you. I love the wren-brown dress I purchased a week ago.” Iris clasped her hands together. “It fits like a glove. I can wear it all day, and by bedtime, it still feels comfortable.”
“I’m delighted you’re pleased with it.” Ruby beamed. “And we’re happy to help you.”
Amanda strode toward the front. “It’s the custom fit that makes all the difference.”
“You’ve sold me. No pun intended.” Iris laughed. “This poor old thing I’m wearing today is almost ready for the rag bag. Do you perhaps have another dress that would fit me?”
“We most certainly do.” Ruby strode toward the racks of dresses across from the shelving. “This blue one is the same size as the one you purchased, and the dark green might fit as well.”
“Wonderful!” Iris exclaimed.
She hadn’t been able to bring most of her clothes with her, and she desperately required more dresses for everything from teaching to attending Sunday services. Having enjoyed supper at the hotel with Daniel McLennon a few nights ago, she worried he might ask her to accompany him on a buggy ride or to attend Sunday luncheon with his family. She couldn’t suddenly ignore the man without causing him to question the reason for her change of heart. And she couldn’t keep showing up in the same clothing.
Ruby removed the dresses she suggested from the rack.
Iris loved the look of the garments, but perhaps she would get greater benefit from one dark skirt and then purchase three or four different jackets to wear with it. She blew out her breath. What she wouldn’t give for the wardrobe she’d abandoned in her haste to escape her former life. But given the choice, she’d rather walk naked down Main Street than return to that nightmare.
Ruby carried the dresses to the back of the store. “Here you go. Try these on and let me know if they’re suitable.”
“I’m crossing my fingers they’ll fit,” Iris called, stepping behind the four-panel polished mahogany dressing screen painted with exotic birds and tropical greenery. She set her reticule on the chair, slipped out of her tired old calico, and chose the blue one first.
“I can always adjust a seam or make any alterations we deem necessary,” Amanda called.
“How do you like teaching school?” Ruby inquired from the other side of the screen.
“I love it!” Iris slipped into the dress and fastened the front closure. “I couldn’t be happier teaching here.”
“Several ladies have mentioned their children come home and regale them with stories of how wonderful school was that day. You’re such a lovely, soft-spoken young lady. We’re lucky to have you teaching our children.”
“Thank you, Ruby. That’s so kind of you to say.” Iris’s vision blurred and she blinked away the tears. She’d seldom received praise from anyone in her entire life.
“Sorry, I’m late. But I’m here now. It took a bit longer at Doc Bennett’s clinic than I anticipated.”
Iris recognized the other seamstress’s voice over the tinkling of the bell and then the closing of the front door. She stepped out from behind the screen to look at herself in the cheval mirror.
“Nancy, I told you family comes before this job,” Amanda called from the back. “Is your daughter all right?”
“Yes, just a bit of an infection where she scraped her knee while playing.”
Ruby waylaid Nancy on her way to the back area of the store reserved for staff. “Have you met Miss Lake, the new schoolteacher?”
“Yes, we met on the first day of school when I dropped Victoria off.”
“Hello again, Mrs. Cameron.”
Nancy beamed. “Lovely to see you again, too. And Victoria absolutely adores you.”
“She’s a sweet little girl.” Iris touched the mother’s arm. “Victoria mentioned her daddy is in heaven.”
Nancy nodded. “Yes. He died… a while back.”
“I’m so sorry she suffered such a terrible loss at a young age. And losing your husband must have been extremely difficult for you.”
“Thank you. It was hard at first.” Nancy sighed. “We’re getting our lives back on track as best we can. Working here definitely helps.”
“I’m certain it does.” Iris turned, admiring herself in the cheval mirror. “This dress fits perfectly. Let me try on the other one.”
“You’re right. That dress could have been custom-made especially for you,” Ruby agreed as Iris disappeared behind the screen.
After a return trip to the cheval mirror, Iris decided to buy both dresses. She donned her old calico and strode toward the front counter. While Ruby wrote up the sale in the receipt book, Iris wandered through the store and gazed at the shelves filled with sewing supplies.
“Goodness, I wouldn’t know where to begin sewing a dress. I do admire your talent, Amanda.”
The shop owner glanced her way. “Perhaps I should offer lessons.”
“Goodness, dear, then you wouldn’t have need of customers,” Ruby reminded her.
Amanda nodded. “I suppose you’re right. I’ll continue to sell material and thread and such to everyone talented with a needle. And dresses to everyone less inclined to sew their own.”
“I’ll be one of the latter.” Iris laughed, returning to the front counter. “I’ve never had any inclination to learn to sew.”
Ruby collected payment for the dresses, wrapped them up in brown paper tied with string, and then handed the package to Iris. “Here you go. Thank you for your patronage.”
“You’re welcome, and I can’t wait to wear them.”
Amanda wandered up to the front counter and smiled. “Perhaps you’ll be having a meal at the hotel with my brother again. I heard about your supper together from Ellie over a cup of coffee yesterday.”
Iris laughed, knowing very little went on in a small town that wasn’t observed by the local citizens. “Goodness, I imagine he’s much too busy working on the family ranch.”
“Oh, Daniel doesn’t work on the Double M.” Amanda waved off the notion. “He hates ranching. He’s one of the town’s deputies working with Sheriff Robertson.”
Iris dropped her package but picked it up just as quickly. “Daniel… is a deputy?”
“He hopes to become a Pinkerton agent one day,” Ruby added, beaming. “We need excellent lawmen like him. Maybe one day he’ll help solve the bank robbery case.”
Iris’s heart almost stopped as she clasped her parcel to her bosom. “The… the bank robbery?” she stammered. She’d been told about it soon after she arrived in town, which raised her suspicions, not that she could risk voicing them to anyone.
Nancy wrung her hands. “I do hope they find those terrible men. Especially the one who shot Sid.”
“Nancy’s husband was the bank manager who was killed during the robbery,” Amanda explained.
Iris’s knees nearly buckled, her legs shaking beneath her skirts. Nancy’s husband? Victoria’s father? Dead because of… She couldn’t complete the thought. She needed to leave. Now. She swallowed hard, hoping she wouldn’t be sick until she’d moved well away from the shop and curious eyes. Her vision blurred with unshed tears. “I… I should go. Thank you.” She stumbled toward the front exit and yanked open the door.
“Are you all right?” Amanda called.
Iris nodded. “I… I just need a bit of air.” She closed the door and hurried down the boardwalk toward home.
Her heart raced so fast, s
he feared she might do herself harm. Daniel worked as a local lawman? She’d been smitten with the handsome fellow believing him a rancher. Had Daniel asked her to supper at the hotel because he’d felt the same attraction? Or had he suspected something? She never would have given Daniel McLennon the time of day had she known his occupation!
Had Daniel suspected who she was?
Had he discovered who her family was?
Had he learned what Iris worried they’d done?
Her shopping excursion started out carefree and pleasant, but learning what she had, the day resulted in her worst nightmare. The question remained, what should she do about it? As if she had any choice. She could never speak to Daniel McLennon again. More importantly, he could never learn the truth about her.
Perhaps the best way to keep her identity a secret was to simply leave town.
Chapter 3
Daniel rode over to the Copper Nugget Saloon at eight o’clock on Saturday night. It was his second trip that day to ensure the patrons kept their revelry to a peaceable level and the fisticuffs hadn’t started yet. He wound Honor’s reins around the hitching rail and patted his gelding’s neck. “Duty calls. Be right back, boy.”
The two-story brick establishment represented one of the oldest buildings in town. A row of small upstairs windows faced the street, and a wide veranda littered with an assortment of mismatched wooden chairs fronted the lower floor of the business. Familiar tinny piano music drifted out through the batwing doors.
Daniel wandered toward the entrance, but stopped short when Pete, Milestone’s notorious town drunk, stumbled outside. With arms and legs moving every which way, he resembled a disjointed marionette as he crossed the veranda. Tilting a bit to the right, he staggered down the two short steps to the street. The old fellow probably couldn’t see straight as he attempted to remain vertical while lumbering toward his old swaybacked horse tied to the hitching rail. Daniel leaned against the streetlamp pole and figured on watching the evening’s entertainment unfold while hopefully ensuring the old fellow didn’t hurt himself.
Sure enough, Pete precariously stood on one booted foot while attempting to raise the other to stirrup level. Daniel noticed the drunken fellow had forgotten to untie the reins or check the saddle’s cinch first. Even if he managed to swing himself into the saddle, which Daniel would bet his hard-earned money never happened, the old fool wouldn’t be going far. As expected, Pete completely missed the stirrup on both tries, nearly landing on his behind on the second attempt. The drunk staggered forward and faced the gelding, cussing a blue streak with each step.
The horse appeared bored and shook his mane.
“Don’t shake yer damn head at me, you cussed animal,” Pete scolded his mount, slurring his words. “Stand still so I can git in the saddle.”
Daniel almost laughed aloud. The horse hadn’t moved a muscle, let alone prevented his owner from mounting up. The horse stamped his front right hoof several times, perhaps an equine equivalent to a temper tantrum. Had the old fellow’s horse lost patience with its owner?
Pete eyed the critter and then drew a fist back, intending to slug the horse. He took a swing at the animal completely missing the mark. The motion carried Pete around in what resembled a drunken pirouette. The old fool’s Stetson fell off and he would have landed on his backside if he hadn’t grabbed the hitching post to catch his balance.
“Ya moved yer dang head, didn’t ya?” A string of colorful language followed, directed at the poor gelding.
Daniel could vouch for the animal who hadn’t so much as blinked an eye.
Although unsteady on his feet, Pete lined himself up in front of the horse, probably intending to take another swing at him. The gelding pawed the ground again, took a step forward, and tossed his head connecting soundly with his owner’s chest tipping the old fellow over. Pete fell backward like a domino, sending up a small cloud of dust as he landed on his back on the ground, his head missing the wooden sidewalk by mere inches. The horse tossed his head again and nickered. Translated, Daniel figured the horse had meant take that.
He rushed over to check on the old fool. Pete’s chest rose and fell with each breath. “At least, you didn’t kill him.” Daniel wagged a finger in the horse’s face. “I should probably arrest both of you for fighting in the street, but I’ll assume this is your first offence and let you off with a warning.” He stared at the man completely passed out on the ground. “However, your owner will be spending the night in a jail cell.”
Daniel hefted the man over his shoulder and carried the dead weight the half block to the jailhouse. He settled the drunk on the cot and locked the cell door behind himself before returning to the horse.
“Come on, boy. You’re spending the night at the livery.” Daniel rode Honor while he led Pete’s horse down Main Street, noticing the night-and-day difference in the quality of horseflesh. Neither animal appeared aware of any differences walking sedately alongside the other. “I hope you realize that if I thought for a minute the old fool would have actually landed a punch, I would have stopped him.”
The horse whinnied and plodded alongside Honor.
“You’re welcome. A man shouldn’t abuse his horse. And I doubt when he’s sober, Pete would lay a hand on you.”
As they arrived at the livery, Billy Turner exited his business. “Just about to leave for the night. You just caught me.”
“Got room for this fellow? Pete’s sleeping it off in a cell.” Daniel dismounted and led the gelding into the livery.
“Gus, you’re back again.” Billy removed the horse’s saddle and swung it onto the side of the stall.
“He’s been here before?”
“Yep. Pete overindulges quite regular. One of the deputies always brings Gus by for the night whenever Pete’s in jail. Got a pail of water and a ration of feed waiting for you, Gus.” Billy led the horse into the stall and removed his bridle. He turned to Daniel. “I usually prepare a few stalls every night, anticipating a couple latecomers.”
“Well, I’ll send Gus’s owner over to fetch him in the morning. I hope Pete’s got a few coins left to pay for his keep.”
“Don’t matter either way,” Billy muttered, patting the horse’s rump and then closing the stall door. “I’ll have strong coffee and a pitchfork waiting if’n he don’t. Always got a dozen stalls needing cleaning.”
Daniel chuckled catching his meaning.
“Of course, I’ll be working at the forge , hammering a few horseshoes while he’s at it.” Billy winked, grinning.
Daniel imagined the noise and Pete’s head pounding to begin with. “Never would have taken you for the sadistic type, Billy.”
“Not my fault I’ve got work to do. Old Pete will be swearing off liquor by the time he’s finished with them stalls.” The liveryman laughed heartily. “Of course, it won’t be the first time. Never seems to stick though.”
“Goodnight, Billy.” Chuckling, Daniel continued his rounds. If it wasn’t for a bit of entertainment like tonight’s encounter with Pete, Daniel doubted he could stand the boredom of day-to-day law work in Milestone. Patrolling streets, checking if businesses were properly locked up for the night, investigating petty thefts, and breaking up brawls in the saloons. Occasionally, some fellow would attempt to sneak out of the hotel without paying his bill and the law would be summoned. Fairly boring stuff all around.
Daniel yearned for involvement in ‘real’ law enforcement. Something exciting and challenging. Solving crimes. Big mysteries like who robbed the First National Bank last March.
“Maybe I should have a talk with the boss in the morning, Honor,” he suggested.
The horse nickered.
“Glad you agree. We can handle more than this routine nonsense. Can’t we, boy?”
The horse bobbed his head.
“That settles it then. I’ll talk with Carl. See if he can’t speed up my training. At this rate, I’ll be as old and gray as Pete before getting hired as a Pinkerton.” Daniel patted the horse�
�s neck. “My argument must be pretty convincing, though. Got any suggestions, Honor?”
The horse shook his mane.
“Well, you’re no help.” Daniel continued riding down Main Street, considering what best to say while pleading his case to his boss in the morning.
His musings ground to a halt as a fellow flew out the door of the Copper Nugget, landing in a heap at the bottom of the steps. His antagonist stumbled out behind him, grabbed him by the shirt, and slugged the cowboy again while cussing a blue streak and accusing his poker opponent of cheating.
Daniel dismounted. “All right, gentlemen. That will be enough fighting.”
And so his work for the night continued.
* * *
Daniel strode toward the jailhouse early next morning, arriving in time to see Sheriff Robertson sending the town’s overnight guest out the door. “Getting a little tired of finding you here, Pete,” Carl complained.
“Weren’t my idea. Haven’t a clue how I even got here,” Pete muttered, grasping the handrail as he stumbled down the wooden steps leading to the street.
Deputy Jim Snow exited behind him and strode toward his horse. “Snoot full of whiskey would be my guess.”
“Mine, too,” the sheriff added.
Daniel climbed the same two steps. “Gus is at the livery.”
“Figured as much. Dang horse probably caused all this.” Pete stuck a hand in his trouser pocket and rattled a few coins.
Daniel chuckled, suspecting Billy would be a tad disappointed he’d be cleaning his own stalls this morning. “Yep. Be my guess it was all Gus’s fault.” He chuckled, recalling the accurate head butt the horse delivered.
“No doubt that horse up and ordered all those drinks for you to consume,” the sheriff said.
Pete frowned and then rubbed his chest as he headed down the street in the direction of the livery, muttering to himself. Daniel figured the drunk would be wondering how he got the bruise, if it occurred to him to check under his shirt.
A Reinvented Lady (Sons Of A Gun Book 2) Page 2
