Dangerous Illusions (Hearts of Hays Series #1)

by Barbara Goss

  Kate closed the window drapes and helped Lydia to the large double bed. “Lie down and be still for a while. I’ll get a wet cloth for your head.”

  Skirting a mountain of luggage, Kate went to the pitcher on the dresser, poured cold water onto a washcloth, and placed it on the woman’s forehead.

  Lydia took Kate’s hand. “You’re so kind. Thank you, too, for getting me out of that embarrassing situation. The moment I saw you, I knew we’d be friends, because I felt you were a kindred spirit.”

  Kate could hardly understand why she felt sympathy for this strange woman and her predicament, but she responded, “Glad I was on hand. Just close your eyes and rest. I’ll sit in the rocking chair and read, if the lamp light won’t bother you.”

  “Surely it won’t,” she said. “And thank you again.”

  Kate made herself comfortable in the old rocker and flipped to her marked place in the romantic novel she was reading: Martha’s Secret Tryst.

  After a while, “Kate… Lydia’s voice called weakly.

  “Yes.”

  “I don’t know what I’d have done without you.”

  “Oh, I’m sure in a few days you’ll wish I’d hurry and leave. I’ll get on your nerves that fast!”

  Lydia seemed silent awfully long, then Kate heard her murmur before falling fast asleep, “No, I don’t think you will.”

  At lunch and later at dinner, Lydia was her old happy- go-lucky self. She laughed, held hands with Geoffrey, and chattered at Kate. Cringing within herself, Kate’s saving thoughts were Lydia’s words of truth about the West that morning: “Oh! It’s horrid here!” Would Lydia decide to go back East, leaving Geoffrey free? Kate’s conscience squirmed.

  After dinner she studied the couple as they enjoyed dessert. Geoffrey spooned mincemeat pie into Lydia’s mouth, while she protested that he gave her too much. They giggled and shared intimate gazes.

  Why does she have to be so nice? Does Geoffrey see something in Lydia that I don’t?

  However, Kate’s better nature admitted Lydia’s large brown eyes and sparkling smile had their attractions.

  Lydia has such expensive clothes! A little voice insisted. But she doesn’t have much sense of color. When she arrived, Kate remembered, Lydia had worn a dark-blue skirt with a black blouse; tonight’s outfit, an orange skirt and a light pink blouse, made Kate flinch.

  After the fine ways of the English gentry, how could such things fail to matter to Geoffrey?

  It’s not that Kate didn’t like Lydia. Of course she did, but she didn’t want her and Geoffrey to be unhappy. Can they be meant for each other, when they have such different attitudes? Could she live with herself if she never warned them? But at the thought of confronting either party, Kate’s courage failed. Maybe she could simply help them find out for themselves. As she turned away, Kate felt uncomfortable. What had come over her, thinking that way?

  Before climbing into bed for the night, Kate, Margo, and Lydia shared hot cocoa. The three, dressed in nightgowns, sat upon the bed, like young schoolgirls.

  Margo and Lydia chatted excitedly about her upcoming wedding, while Kate tried to imagine what it would be like to marry Geoffrey.

  During a lull in the conversation, Lydia surprised Kate by asking, “What about you, Kate? Is there anyone special in your life?”

  Kate froze, stunned by the question. “M-me? No. No one special yet.” She recovered herself and continued, “There were a few men back east I liked, but never anyone I loved or wanted to marry.”

  “What about Geoffrey’s friends?” Lydia suggested.

  “His friends?” Kate blinked blankly.

  “Why, yes. Reginald Safford and Mitchell whatever-his- name-is. Both are extremely handsome, don’t you think?”

  If Lydia thought Reginald and Mitchell were attractive, perhaps she would be happier with one of them. Kate answered with this thought in mind. “They are, aren’t they? I’ll keep them both in mind.” Kate winked. “But just now I’m concentrating on my school and pupils, and that keeps me busy.”

  Margo stood up, hands on hips. “Kate, you’re constantly buried in romantic books. Are you saying you aren’t at all interested in finding your Prince Charming?”

  “Sure, but I’m in no rush.”

  Lydia flew to her friend’s defense. “We should mind our own business. It’s just that I’m so happy with Geoffrey that I wish I could share it with you. Of course that isn’t possible. When the time is right, you’ll have your own ‘Geoffrey.’”

  Kate smiled mischievously. “I’m sure I will.”

  The next morning Kate began training Lydia to work in the store. While she had a hard time remembering prices, Lydia excelled in making change. Business was slow that day, so in their free time the two women became better acquainted.

  “Working in the store is fun,” remarked Lydia.

  “Time goes fast, too. It’s almost lunchtime,” reminded Kate.

  Lydia sulked. “Yesterday at this time I was in tears,”

  “You certainly took me by surprise,” admitted Kate. “How you can be so cheerful one moment and a tearful wreck the next, I don’t know. What made you so upset?”

  “I couldn’t believe the stage driver when he said this was Hays City. Coming from New York, I guess the word city caused me to picture something quite different. When we drove across the plains, with nothing in sight for miles, I felt so insecure and terribly small. I’m used to buildings and neighbors all around me. The more the merrier! To me, Hays City seems the end of the world.”

  “Do you think you’ll go back to New York, then?” Kate ventured.

  “Certainly not.”

  “But why, when you seem to hate it?” Lydia now had Kate totally baffled.

  “The man I love has made his home here. He has asked me to share that life. I accepted; gave my word that I would. No matter what, I’ll have to make the best of it!”

  Secretly Kate envied the girl’s loyalty and determination.

  “You seem to have adjusted nicely,” said Lydia. “So shall I.”

  “But I didn’t come from a big city. I lived on a farm outside of Chicago. I’m used to desolation, to some extent.”

  Lydia smiled placidly. “As long as Geoffrey is here, I’ll learn to like it. Besides, I know I can count on you to help me. Right, Kate?”

  With a slight frown, Kate replied with little enthusiasm, “Sure.” She was glad a customer came in just then and interrupted the conversation. Couldn’t Lydia see there was nothing she could do to help her? A city woman would never like it here.

  Later that same day, Kate met Georgie Plumb’s mother for the first time. Just before she and Lydia closed the shop, to make deliveries, a thin, overly made-up woman entered the store and approached Lydia.

  “Are you the teacher?” she asked in a raspy voice.

  “No, Kate’s the teacher,” Lydia said, pointing to her.

  Extending one hand, Kate smiled. “I’m Kate Hunter.”

  “Nice to meet ya. I’m Fannie Plumb, Georgie’s mother. How’s he doin’, anyway?” She shook Kate’s hand heartily.

  “Well, I’m glad you asked, because I’ve had some problems with your son. He’s smart enough, but his deportment is lacking.”

  “Deport—what?” she asked.

  “His behavior in class. He’s constantly disrupting the other children and making unkind comments. Perhaps you could speak to him about this?”

  “I’ll have his pa beat his backside ‘til it’s raw,” she spat.

  “Oh, no!” exclaimed Kate. “Don’t do that! Couldn’t you simply have a talk with him?”

  “Sure, but he don’t listen. The boy is goin’ through that problem age, ya know?”

  Kate nodded. “I have a brother myself.” Straightening her apron, she asked, “What can we get for you today?”

  “I need a special dessert for dinner tonight; it’s our wedding anniversary.”

  “Wonderful! Happy Anniversary. How many years?” asked Kate.


  “Fifteen. Fifteen long years. And not all have been pleasant, either! But we stuck it out, no matter what. That’s more than I can say for some around here. My George drinks some, but he’s a good man. It’s just harder to see the good when he’s been drinkin’. I’ll never give up on him, though. Not like them Redfields. George is sure there must have been foul play there. Especially after he heard that argument between Phillip Barringer and Redfield the day before Joanna’s disappearance.”

  “Argument?” Kate asked, curious despite herself.

  “Yep. George heard them yellin’ at each other, right in front of the lumberyard. George didn’t catch what Phillip yelled at Josh, but he heard Josh’s reply as clear as yer hearin’ me. Redfield shook his fist at Phillip and said, ‘You’ll leave with her, over my dead body!’ “

  Kate’s mouth fell open. “Josh said that?”

  “As sure as I’m standin’ here! And I see Josh is still alive, so I’m wonderin’ how Barringer managed to escape with Joanna. Could it have been over their dead bodies?”

  Kate shivered. “Mrs. Plumb, you mustn’t say such things.”

  The woman frowned. “I’m sick of holdin’ my tongue. Why should men like Josh Redfield get away with anything? If one of us did something illegal, we’d hang; yet the sheriff doesn’t do anything to him”.

  “Perhaps he needs more evidence,” Kate offered lamely.

  “How much more does he need? They found Joanna’s wedding ring, which she never removed. She left her most precious possession behind: her daughter. This argument proves there was friction between them. What’s the law waiting for?” She shook her head. “Poor little Anna.”

  “Yes,” murmured Kate. “Poor little Anna.”

  “Who is Redfield?” Lydia asked when Fannie Plumb had left.

  “Josh Redfield is the father of one of my pupils,” Kate replied from her deep thoughtfulness.

  “Sounds like he did something dreadful.”

  “Everyone thinks he did.”

  “Do you?”

  Kate shook her head. “I don’t know what to think. Better not mention it to Margo, she detests gossip.”

  “I won’t,” Lydia said obediently.

  “C’mon.” Kate changed the subject. “Let’s pack up all the orders and leftovers and make our afternoon rounds.”

  “Afternoon rounds?”

  “The restaurants and a few other establishments here in Hays order fresh bread and baked goods at regular price and buy our leftovers for half price. We always save something for the Mullins family, too.”

  “I wouldn’t have thought a bakery could do so well in a town where many don’t have much money. Don’t most of the women do their own baking?” Lydia asked, wrapping the baked goods as Kate showed her.

  “I didn’t think so, either, but actually they do quite well. If they had to depend solely on the individual families, I suppose they wouldn’t show much profit. The restaurants, hotels, and the few rich families make this business thrive. The families from Victoria buy almost all their goods from the bake shop.”

  “Victoria? Isn’t that where Geoffrey and I will live?”

  “I believe so.”

  “The women don’t bake? But why?” Lydia asked.

  “They don’t have time, I suppose.”

  “What do they do?”

  “Play tennis, polo, and have fox hunts,” Kate replied with a touch of sarcasm.

  “What about the farming and chores?”

  “They claim that if they all pitch in and do the work together, they can get it done in less time. Most of the other settlers around here just shake their heads at them. Many say they’ll only last a year. According to Mr. Kessler, it’s impossible for them to survive on the small, neglected gardens they plant. A local came in one day and asked Margo how long the Victorians’ money would last! They buy everything. The Victorian women keep the general store in business, too, because they buy all their clothes and other essentials.”

  Lydia laughed. “Why don’t they just live in the city, then?”

  “Because the land agent made this Kansas property sound so good, they invested. Now they’re trying to show they can succeed where regular people cannot, using money instead of hard work.”

  Kate added, “I must say one thing in defense of the Victorians. They are sure making the businesses in Hays profitable. Without them and their money…you see, the other pioneers buy only bare necessities. They grow all their own food and make their clothing, except for an occasional treat or special occasion.”

  “Yet the Victorians are not failing as pioneers?” Lydia asked.

  “While other pioneers packed their wagons with old clothes, tin utensils, and wooden tools, the Victorians filled their trunks with sterling and gold, silk and satin, porcelain and crystal. Instead of struggling to earn a living from our good earth, these people enjoy cricket games, banquets, and soirees. Leisure takes precedence over work. So far they’ve held their own, but they certainly have not thrived—off the land, I mean. They still have money and spend it freely.”

  “Surely their money cannot last forever? How did you learn all this about them?”

  Kate shrugged. “Geoffrey and Margo mostly. Customers sometimes too.”

  Lydia perked up. “Geoffrey told me that Sir George Grant, a wealthy silk merchant, was the driving force behind the settlement. He bought fifty thousand acres of land and organized the Victorian colony.”

  “I heard that, too,” said Kate. “Margo also told me many of the relatives of Victorians are sending them money and things such as sheep, horses, and cattle!” Kate shook her head. “If only they were willing to give up some of their social customs, they would have had the best beginning in this new world.”

  “Geoffrey says,” Lydia said excitedly, “that one woman in Victoria actually has a piano! Which according to him is quite unusual.”

  “Yes, but I’m afraid that some of the other settlers resent the Victorians and their ostentatiousness.”

  Lydia frowned. “Some women in Victoria must not buy everything and must act as true pioneers.”

  “You’ll have to ask Geoffrey,” said Kate. “I don’t know.”

  “Oh, dear!” Lydia’s eyes brightened with tears. “You don’t suppose Geoffrey wants me to become a true pioneer and work my fingers to the bone?” She added quickly. “Not that I don’t think it’s necessary, but I wouldn’t know how to start!”

  “I’m sure he only expects as much from you as the other Victorian men expect of their wives,” Kate said honestly.

  Shaking her head vehemently, Lydia disagreed, “I don’t think so. He told me to learn as much as I can from Margo. Just yesterday he said he wants me to learn domesticity!”

  “Geoffrey said that?”

  Lydia nodded. “He either wants me to be like the local pioneers or…” she hesitated and looked about cautiously. “Or he is running out of money, and he needs me to be domestic.”

  “Then maybe the rumors I hear are true. That the aristocrats in Victoria are not doing well and have plans to all return to England if things don’t get better.”

  Chapter Eight

  Odd, Josh Redfield hasn’t come for Anna yet, Kate thought, looking up from her paperwork. She watched the little girl, patiently waiting by the door in the now-empty schoolroom. Where could he be? He’d never been late before.

  “Did Josh say he’d come later today?” Kate asked, trying not to show too much concern, lest Anna worry.

  With a forlorn look, Anna shook her head.

  “I’m sure he’s gotten busy at the lumberyard. I have paperwork to do anyway, and I like your company. Why don’t you sit here beside me and begin reading your homework assignment?”

  Anna’s lower lip protruded and quivered. “Maybe Josh is gone, like my mother!” Tears filled her eyes and threatened to spill over.

  “No! He’s held up somewhere is all!” Kate came to Anna and embraced her. “What could happen to a big man like Josh?”

  “Maybe
someone kilded him…

  A tear escaped down Anna’s cheek, and Kate caught it with her hand. “That’s killed, and no one could hurt Josh. He’s a big strong man.”

  “Some people don’t like him.” Anna looked up at Kate. “Why?”

  “Why do you think they should like him?” Kate asked, trying to get Anna to think along different lines.

  “Because he’s good and kind. He truly cares about everyone,” Anna said positively. “He’s my favoritest person in the world.”

  “Most favorite, Anna,” Kate corrected.

  “Do you like him?” She asked, looking up at Kate with large, tearful eyes.

  Kate hesitated. “I suppose I do. I never gave it much thought before. I don’t dislike him,” she felt she answered honestly enough.

  “Georgie Plumb says folks think he did something bad to my mother. Do you think that, too?”

  Kate flushed and suddenly felt clammy with discomfort. “I- I -thought…” Kate straightened and held her chin high. “Anna, I’ll be honest with you. I did hear what folks are saying and have wondered if it’s true. I don’t know. Do you think Josh would hurt your mother?”

  “Never! Josh wouldn’t hurt anyone, especially my mother. He likes her.”

  “Likes?” queried Kate. “Surely you mean loves.”

  “Josh says I’m his number one girl and the only one he loves. So he must like my mommy. He talks nice to my mommy all the time. They never yell and call names, like Georgie Plumb’s mama and papa do.”

  “You saw affection between them?” asked Kate.

  “Affection? What’s that?”

  “Kissing? Hugging?”

  Anna thought for several moments. “Sometimes a hug, but on Christmas he kissed her on the cheek.” Anna grinned. “He said he saves all his kisses and hugs for me!”

  Kate wondered about the odd relationship they seemed to have had. Many couples didn’t show affection in front of their children and even referred to each other by the titles of Mr. and Mrs. The fact that Anna never saw affection proved nothing. She reminded herself to think more positively about Josh Redfield. After all Anna thinks the world of him and she is pretty smart.