By noon, Ellie was as hungry as Bobby had claimed to be yesterday. “After lunch we can go buy paint. I put some soft drinks in the fridge. How about I order a giant pizza?”
He smiled around his cuts and bruises. “Yeah, with everything on it.”
Nancy started to reprimand him but shrugged. Ellie thought being a single mom must be extremely difficult, especially to a young man Bobby’s age. He needed a strong male influence to keep him on the right path. As weird as her own life was, Ellie was grateful not to be in Nancy’s shoes. There was that rainbow grandmother had mentioned.
Chapter Twenty One
When Ellie pulled into the parking lot the next morning and walked toward the building, Dick Jones, head of the construction crew, came out to meet her.
“Ms St. Eaves, the sheriff asked me to meet you here. He doesn’t think you should go in there right now.”
A steel cable circled her chest, cutting off her air. “What’s happened? Why shouldn’t I go in?”
He shifted from one foot to the other. “There’s been some vandalism overnight. It’ll be all right, Ma’am. Gonna take a while to get it cleaned up.”
“The sheriff’s in there now?”
Dick nodded. “He is and he’s plenty steamed. Now don’t you worry, we’ll get everything fixed up again.”
Ellie pressed her lips in a thin line. She had a proprietary interest in whatever happened to this building. Although Bart owned it, her name was on the lease.
“With all due respect, Mr. Jones, I have to see what’s happened. Thank you for warning me.”
“Figured you’d say that.” He stepped aside and let her pass.
What greeted her was graffiti on every surface. Vandals had taken her paint and used it to create vile, disgusting messages everywhere. Tears gathered in her eyes. Her goal of moving in Friday was shattered.
Bart looked up from talking with two of the workmen. He said something to them that looked as if he excused himself.
He strode quickly to her. “I might have known you couldn’t be convinced into waiting outside. I know who’s responsible and this is as much against Bobby as anything. Joe Cannon resents Bobby leaving his gang.”
Ellie sagged and her stomach hit the floor. “Is the upstairs like this?”
Bart took her arm and guided her outside. “I’m afraid it’s worse. Don’t worry I have insurance.”
She wiped her eyes with her hand but couldn’t stop her tears. “I have renter’s insurance.”
Bart shook his head. “I know you do, Ellie. The thing is you hadn’t moved in yet. Your renter’s insurance won’t pay for this. Leave it with me.”
Nancy drove into the parking lot. She and Bobby got out of the car.
Nancy hurried to Ellie. “What is it, Ellie? What’s upset you?”
Ellie couldn’t answer without sobbing out loud. All their work wasted and the apartment had looked so nice. They had been going to start painting today.
Bart shook his head. “Vandals struck and made a mess of the place with Ellie’s paint. The workers alerted me when they came in at seven-thirty.”
Bobby walked inside. He was back in a few seconds. “I know who did this. That jerk Joe Cannon and his crew. They think they’re too smart to get caught.”
“Right now they’re being interrogated by my deputies while I assess the damage here. And you’re right, they think they’re too clever to be convicted. If they hadn’t had paint on the soles of their shoes, we couldn’t have linked them.”
Ellie clutched Bart’s sleeve. “So you have enough to arrest them? I hope they go to jail for a long time.”
“Aw, Ellie, don’t get your hopes up. They’re locked up now. There’ll be a trial all right but our judge is very lenient. Those boys are likely to get off with time served and community service.”
Ellie’s despair had turned to anger. “They should have to scrub this place and repaint properly. I’d like to make them do that and watch to make sure they do it right.”
“I’m sure you would. By the time they go to trial, you’ll already be using your completed shop and it’ll be too late for them to make amends.”
Bart turned Ellie toward her car. “There must be something you can do away from here today.”
Nancy took Ellie by her arm. “Why don’t we go to my house and you can look at the clothing I mentioned?”
Bobby said, “Yeah, and I can carry stuff to the car if you want it.”
Ellie sighed. She couldn’t think of a better suggestion. “All right, I’ll follow you to your home.”
Bart patted Ellie on the shoulder. “Good idea. I’ll let you know when it’s okay for you to come back in here.”
At Nancy’s home, Ellie was interested in looking around. The home had been built about the time Mattie and Freddie would have moved here. In fact, she spotted their wedding picture on the mantle. Beside it was her Bobby’s photo in his Army uniform. The room spun and she thought she’d pass out. She grabbed the mantle for support but her fingers grasped thin air.
Bobby grabbed her. “Mom?” He guided Ellie to a chair and made sure she could sit there.
Nancy leaned over her. “What was I thinking? You had an alarming morning. Ellie, you look so pale, should I call an ambulance?”
Ellie answered truthfully, “No, it’s shock. My knees gave way. Lucky for me Bobby caught me.” The surprise of seeing Mattie and Freddie’s wedding photograph beside Bobby’s after her terrible upset earlier had been too much. The room still hadn’t stopped turning.
Nancy patted her arm. “Let me get you something to drink while you sit right there.”
Ellie was grateful she’d remained conscious and leaned her head back in the chair. She rallied enough to look around the room. This was where she would have visited Mattie and Freddie had she not had her accident. The knowledge was too much to absorb and the room spun again.
Nancy rushed back with a soft drink and several cookies. “You need sugar to combat the shock.”
Bobby asked, “Can I have some too?”
“Yes, get some for yourself and bring me the same.”
Nancy saw her staring at the photograph. “That’s the couple who built the house, Frederick and Mattie Colgate. They moved here in 1921, soon after their marriage. Beside their photo is one of Freddie’s brother who died in World War I. He has the same name as my Bobby.”
Searching for inner strength, Ellie sipped her drink. “We’ve all had a shock. Why don’t you tell me about this house and the Colgate family?”
Bobby walked in with his refreshments and handed a soft drink to his mom. “You’re in for it now. Mom loves to talk about this house and about the family.”
“I love hearing about homes and families. Please share with me.” Ellie took a bite of her cookie. She wanted to know everything about her friends. She hoped they had been happy.
Nancy sent a fond glance to her son. “You know you love hearing about them too. Indirectly, Bobby is named after the young man in the Army uniform, the one who died in World War I.”
Ellie longed to tell Nancy and Bobby about her Bobby. Of course, she couldn’t. “I see. Is there a Bobby in each generation?”
“The first son of each generation is either named Frederick or Robert. Of course, the men go by Freddie or Fred and Bobby or Bob. The bride and groom you see on the mantle who built the house are Bobby’s great-great-grandparents.”
Ellie smiled at Bobby. “What a nice legacy you have, Bobby. I’m sure you’re proud of your family.”
He shrugged but she could see pleasure in his face. “I guess. Mom sure likes to talk about them. She knows stuff way back to England.”
“Lovely.” She set her drink can on the coaster. “I think I’m recovered enough to go to the attic if you’re still willing.”
Nancy leaped up. “Oh, yes. I’ll tell you about each person who wore the clothes. Some of them were interesting. Some were even scandalous.”
Ellie laughed. “Those are the most fascinating.”
; Four hours later, Ellie had clothes through each decade from 1920, mostly those for women. She’d probably paid too much for them but some were designer names like Chanel and Dior. Knowing Nancy needed the cash, she simply couldn’t help herself. Her skills as a businesswoman were not honed enough yet. She wondered how long it would be before her professionalism overrode her sentimentality.
“I’m going to get a mannequin and camera and return tomorrow. You’re sure you don’t mind helping me photograph the clothes?”
Nancy laughed. “It will be like playing dolls only with real clothes.”
At Ellie’s car, Bobby carefully settled an end table into the back seat. “You got more than clothes.”
“I fell in love with this table as soon as I saw it. I’m lucky your mom was willing to sell it.”
“I’m glad you told her to call that antique dealer in San Antonio. Mom probably never would have.”
“The dealer will be pleased. You have lovely pieces in your attic. I’ll probably be sorry I didn’t buy more of them. I don’t have room, though, and no safe place to store them until the shop opens.”
“You’ll get a burglar alarm when you live there, won’t you?”
Ellie smiled at the young man with the battered face. “You bet I will. I told your mom that I’d pay for her to have one installed right away. Make sure she does. I know you’re worried Joe Cannon and his buddies will harm her.”
Bobby didn’t comment. Those hoodlums must have really frightened him.
By the end of the next day, Ellie had a photo-catalog of stock for The Bee’s Knees website. Using a camera borrowed from Penny and a mannequin borrowed from Margaret, she and Nancy had moved furniture and staged a showroom in a corner of the Colgate living room.
“I guess we’ll finish this tomorrow. Do you mind if we use your home again, Nancy?”
“On the contrary. This is fun and we’re making good progress.”
“I see I have to add an iron, a steamer, and an ironing board to my supplies. This is a learn-as-you-go process. I’ve talked to Margaret Turpin and reviewed numerous online sources. Firsthand experience is what’s required.”
Nancy sat on the couch. “I’m grateful you rescued me. I hated the job at the motel. Mr. Avidi is nice and I loved talking to people, but the hours were terrible. I never got to spend time with Bobby.”
The young teen had gone to his room to play video games.
“Now we both get to spend time with him during the day and you have him to yourself in the evenings and weekends.”
“Yes, plus several of his former friends are back in touch. You can’t imagine my relief.”
“I think I can. If he were my son, I’d have been frantic seeing him with Joe Cannon. I think you have that problem licked.”
Ellie wavered whether to leave Nancy relieved or warn her that when Joe Cannon was released, he would retaliate again against Bobby and target Nancy. All Ellie could do was insist Nancy get a burglar alarm, which Ellie had already done.
Caution won. “Nancy, you will call about the burglar alarm first thing in the morning, won’t you?”
“Yes, since you insisted and offered to pay for it, how can I refuse? I think you’re overreacting because of what happened at your shop. Bobby is safe at home. It’s when he’s away from the house that he’s in danger.”
“I’m sure you’re right, but humor me, please.”
When Ellie left the Colgate home, she drove by Bart’s apartment. She sat in the parking lot until she was sure his lights were on. Giving Sally a call, she said she was stopping by to visit Bart and wouldn’t be back for supper.
Ellie almost lost her nerve but decided she desperately needed to see him. She hoped he wouldn’t tell her she’d overstepped the bounds of their friendship.
He opened the door and his face broke out in a wide smile. “Ellie, come in. I was thinking about you.”
Thank heavens he didn’t send her away. Once she was inside, she stopped and smiled. “Your things arrived. The room looks really good.”
“Thanks to you, the furniture’s so comfortable I’ll have trouble leaving home.”
“That’s a nice thing to say.” She sat on the couch and agreed it was comfortable.
He sat beside her and took her hand in his. “Not that you need a reason, but what brings you here this evening?”
“Guess I’m still upset about the vandalism. Bart, truthfully, I just needed to see you and have you reassure me.”
He put his arm around her and snuggled her to him. “That’s nice to hear. Hey, I hate like everything that your place was messed up by those troublemakers. I’ll get it sorted and back to looking good.”
She turned slightly to gaze into Bart’s eyes. “Bobby is afraid Joe Cannon and his crew will attack Nancy. I’m sure they threatened Bobby that they’d hurt his mom. I’ve convinced her to get a burglar alarm, but that won’t help when they leave home.”
He caressed her cheek. “Damn, that puts you in danger too. At least she won’t be caught unaware while she’s asleep. Those three are bad news. Their lawyer has them cleaning up to look like model citizens.”
Anger sparked in his eyes. “Judge Kirby is too lenient. He doesn’t want young people to have the blot of a bad record that would keep them from getting a good job later in life.”
“Mollycoddling them won’t help. I hate to see anyone punished unjustly, but they can’t be allowed to cause chaos.”
He pulled her back to his side. “My theory is ‘you do the crime, you serve the time’. Kirby is certain every criminal will reform given a slap on the wrist. Guys like Joe Cannon laugh about Kirby’s so-called punishment.”
He kissed her temple. “Can’t we talk about something else? I don’t get to see you alone very often.”
His comment warmed her through and through. “I hope you don’t mind that I dropped by.”
“Never. I’m always happy to see you, especially when no one else is around and I can make calf eyes at you.”
She smiled at his expression. “Calf eyes, huh? I told Sally I was stopping by to talk to you. I didn’t want her to expect me for supper.”
He caressed a lock of hair from her face. “You want to go out?”
“If… If it’s all right, could we just sit here together for a while? The last few days have been upsetting and I feel safe when I’m with you.”
He nuzzled her ear. “Mmm, I’ve wanted to see you without an audience.”
She pulled away only enough to send him a saucy smile. “You mean I may finally get to have my way with you?”
He pretended to be ailing and put a hand to his forehead. “Not tonight, darling. I have a headache.”
She punched his arm lightly.
“Must I endure this abuse?” He grinned at her. “How about I order our supper delivered? You have your choice of Italian or Chinese or Italian or Chinese.”
“How about Chinese? I had pizza the last time I ate here and also yesterday.”
He rose and brought her a menu. “Name your dish.”
“I’ll have number seven, chicken, medium spicy with hot sour soup.”
He called the restaurant and gave their orders. “Be here in twenty minutes.” He picked up the remote. “Want to see my smart television?”
“If you let me stay beside you. Guess I’m feeling pathetically needy, but I about shattered at Nancy’s.”
He laid the remote on the coffee table. “What happened?”
She closed her eyes but the mental image remained. “When I walked into her house, there on the mantle was the wedding photo of my friends Mattie and Freddie.”
“That’s the couple whose wedding your were in the weekend before you showed up here, right?”
“Yes, and beside it was the photo of Freddie’s brother Bobby, my former fiancé before he died in France in the Army. I got the heebie jeebies, I can tell you.”
“That must have been quite a shock after you’d already been upset at the shop.” He put his arms around her
.
She wished she could stay right here forever, nestled against his side. “Turns out Freddie and Mattie built the house where Nancy lives. They were Bobby’s great-great-grandparents.”
“I remember you said the reason you came here was to see where they’d live. And this fiancé? You didn’t mention him before.”
Was that a touch of jealousy she heard in his voice? She sure hoped so. “It’s an embarrassing and sad story. When my parents died, Bobby Colgate was my best friend, really like a big brother. He and Mattie and Freddie were my main support. My parents and the Colgates were good friends so I’d known Bobby and Freddie all my life.
“When the war broke out, Bobby wasn’t old enough to enlist. The day after he turned eighteen, he enlisted. We had argued and argued about him signing up. He thought it was his duty to prove that being wealthy didn’t make him think he was better than others. Freddie was two years younger so he didn’t enlist, thank goodness.”
Bart caressed her arm and shoulder. “Admirable of your fiancé but I gather it didn’t turn out well.”
“You won’t believe the bad luck. He was exposed to mustard gas the very last week of the war but was too weak to be sent home. We were devastated. He died a horrible death three weeks later in France. We were making plans to go visit him when we got the news he’d passed.”
“I imagine that was hard, but why is it embarrassing?”
“I only told him I’d marry him because he insisted that knowing I was waiting for him would make all the difference while he was overseas. I loved him, but like a brother, not romantically. When he returned, I was going to break it off and explain again to him why we couldn’t marry.”
“But he didn’t come back. You shouldn’t feel guilty, Ellie. You made his last few months happy.”
“It was a lie and made me feel crummy. At their wedding, Mattie felt sorry for me that I was cheated out of marrying Bobby and I couldn’t tell her the truth.”
“I can understand that.”
“Seeing their photographs today brought all that back. Sensations literally attacked me. If current Bobby hadn’t caught me and guided me to a chair, I would have fallen.”
“Aw, honey, I’m sorry you were caught unaware. Although I regret he died, I have to admit I’m glad you didn’t marry your fiancé and that you showed up here.”
Texas Rainbow Page 13
