Lawless jh-3

by Nora Roberts

  For the next twenty minutes Liza oohed and aahed over ruffles and lace. Her reaction caused Sarah to appreciate what she had always taken for granted. Crouched on the cabin floor, they discussed important matters such as ribbons and sashes and the proper tilt of a bonnet while Johnny was kept occupied with a hunk of bread and the puppy.

  “Oh, look at this one.” Delighted, Liza rose, sweeping a dress in front of her. “I wish you had a looking glass.”

  It was the white muslin with the rosebuds on the skirt. The dress she’d planned to wear for her first dinner with her father. He’d never see it now. She glanced at the trunks. Or any of the other lovely things he’d made certain she had in her life.

  “What’s wrong?” With the dress still crushed against her, Liza stepped forward. “You look so sad.”

  “I was thinking of my father, of how hard he worked for me.”

  Liza’s fascination with the clothes was immediately outweighed by her sympathy. “He loved you. Often when he came in the store he’d talk about you, about what you’d written in one of your letters. I remember how he brought in this picture of you, a drawing in a little frame. He wanted everyone to see how pretty you were. He was so proud of you, Sarah.”

  “I miss him.” With a shake of her head, Sarah blinked back tears. “It’s strange, all those years we were separated. Sometimes I could barely remember him. But since I’ve been here I seem to know him better, and miss him more.”

  Gently Liza laid a hand on her shoulder. “My pa sure riles me sometimes, but I guess I’d about die if anything happened to him.”

  “Well, at least I have this.” She looked around the small cabin. “I feel closer to him here. I like to think about him sitting at that table and writing to me.” After a long breath she managed to smile. “I’m glad I came.”

  Liza held out a hand. “So am I.”

  Rising, Sarah fluffed out the sleeves of the dress Liza was holding. “Now, let me be your looking glass. You’re taller and curvier than I…” With her lips pursed, she walked in a circle around Liza. “The neckline would flatter you, but I think I’d do away with some of the ruffles in the bodice. A nice pink would be your color. It would show off your hair and eyes.” “Can you imagine me wearing a dress like that?” Closing her eyes, Liza turned in slow circles. “It would have to be at a dance. I’d have my hair curled over my shoulder and wear a velvet ribbon around my throat. Will Metcalf’s eyes would fall right out.” “Who’s Will Metcalf?”

  Liza opened her eyes and giggled. “Just a man.

  He’s a deputy in town. He’d like to be my beau.” Mischief flashed across her face. “I might decide to let him.”

  “Liza loves Will,” Johnny sang through the window. “You hush up, John Cody.” Rushing to the window, Liza leaned out. “If you don’t, I’ll tell Ma who broke Grandma’s china plate.”

  “Liza loves Will,” he repeated, unconcerned, then raced off with the puppy.

  “Nothing more irritating than little brothers,” she muttered. With a sigh of regret, she replaced the dress in the trunk.

  Tapping a finger on her lips, Sarah came to a quick decision. She should have thought of it before, she reflected. Or perhaps it had been milling around in her mind all along. “Liza, would you like a dress like that…in pink, like that pretty muslin I saw in your store yesterday?”

  “I guess I’d think I’d gone to heaven.”

  “What if I made it for you?”

  “Made it for me?” Wide-eyed, Liza looked at the trunk, then back at Sarah. “Could you?”

  “I’m very handy with a needle.” Caught up in the idea, Sarah pushed through her trunks to find her measuring tape. “If you can get the material, I’ll make the dress. If you like it, you can tell the other women who come in your store.”

  “Of course.” Obediently Liza lifted her arms so that Sarah could measure her. “I’ll tell everyone.” “Then some of those women might want new dresses, fashionable new dresses.” Looking up, she caught the gleam of understanding in Liza’s eyes. “You bet they would.”

  “You get me that material and I’ll make you a dress that will have Will Metcalf standing on his head.”

  Two hours later Sarah was pouring water over her vegetable garden. In the heat of the afternoon, with her back smarting from the chores and sun baking the dirt almost as fast as she could dampen it, she wondered if it was worth it. A garden out here would require little less than a miracle. And she would much prefer flowers.

  You couldn’t eat flowers, she reminded herself, and poured the last of the water out. Now she would have to walk back to the stream and fill the pail again to have water for cooking and washing.

  A bath, she thought as she wiped the back of her hand over her brow. What she wouldn’t give for a long bath in a real tub.

  She heard the horses. It pleased her to realize that she was becoming accustomed to the sound-or lack of sound-that surrounded her new home. With her hand shading her eyes, she watched two riders come into view. It wasn’t until she recognized one as Lucius that she realized she’d been holding her breath. “Lafitte!” she called, but the dog continued to race around the yard, barking.

  “Miss Conway.” Sheriff Barker tipped his hat and chuckled at the snarling pup. “Got yourself a fierce-looking guard dog there.”

  “Makes a ruckus, anyhow,” Lucius said, swinging down from his horse. Lafitte sprang at him, gripping the bottom of his pant leg with sharp puppy teeth. Bending, Lucius snatched him up by the cuff of the neck. “You mind your manners, young fella.” The second he was on the ground again, Lafitte ran to hide behind Sarah’s skirts.

  “Heard you had some trouble out here.” Barker nodded toward the remains of the shed. “This happen last night?”

  “That’s right. If you’d like to come inside, I was just about to get some water. I’m sure you’d like some coffee after your ride.”

  “I’ll fetch you some water, miss,” Lucius said, taking the pail from her. “Hey, boy.” He grinned down at the pup. “Why don’t you come along with me? I’ll keep you out of trouble.” After a moment’s hesitation, Lafitte trotted along after him.

  “Are you thinking about hiring him on?”

  With her lip caught between her teeth, Sarah watched Lucius stroll off. “I was considering it.” “You’d be smart to do it.” Barker took out a bandanna and wiped his neck. “Lucius has a powerful affection for the bottle, but it doesn’t seem to bother him. He’s honest. Did some soldiering a while back. He’s amiable enough, drunk or sober.”

  Sarah managed a smile. “I’ll take that as a recommendation, Sheriff Barker.”

  “Well, now.” The sheriff looked back at the shed.

  “Why don’t you tell me what happened here?”

  As clearly as she could, Sarah told him everything she knew. He listened, grunting and nodding occasionally. Everything she said jibed with the story Jake had given him. But she didn’t add, because she didn’t know, that Jake had followed the trail of two riders into the rocks, where he’d discovered the ashes of a campfire.

  “Any reason you can think of why somebody’d want to do this?”

  “None at all. There’s nothing here that could mean anything to anyone other than myself. Did my father have any enemies?” Barker spit tobacco juice in the dirt. “I wouldn’t think so right off. I got to tell you, Miss Conway, there ain’t much I can do. I’ll ask some questions and poke around some. Could be some drifters passed through and wanted to raise some hell. Begging your pardon.” But he didn’t think so. “I’d wondered the same myself.”

  “You’ll feel safer having old Lucius around.”

  She glanced over to see him coming back with the pail and the puppy. “I suppose you’re right.” But he didn’t look like her idea of a protector. It was unfortunate for her that her idea of one had taken the form of Jake Redman. “I’m sure we’ll do nicely,” she said with more confidence than she felt.

  “I’ll ride out now and again and see how you’re gett
ing on.” Barker pulled himself onto his horse. “You know, Miss Conway, Matt tried to grow something in that patch of dirt for as long as I can recollect.” He spit again. “Never had any luck.”

  “Perhaps I’ll have better. Good afternoon, Sheriff.” “Good day, ma’am.” He lifted a hand to Lucius as he turned for home.

  Chapter Six

  Within a week Sarah had orders for six dresses. It took all her creativity and skill to fashion them, using her wardrobe and her imagination instead of patterns. She set aside three hours each day and three each evening for sewing. Each night when she climbed up to bed her eyes and fingers ached. Once or twice, when the exhaustion overwhelmed her, she wept herself to sleep. The grief for her father was still too raw, the country surrounding her still too rugged.

  But there were other times, and they were becoming more common, when she fell asleep with a sense of satisfaction. In addition to the dresses, she’d made pretty yellow curtains for the windows and a matching cloth for the table. It was her dream, when she’d saved enough from her sewing, to buy planks for a real floor. In the meantime, she made do with what she had and was more grateful than she’d ever imagined she could be for Lucius.

  He’d finished building a new shed and he was busy repairing the other outbuildings. Though he’d muttered about it, he’d agreed to build Sarah the chicken coop she wanted. At night he was content to sleep with the horses.

  Sometimes he watched, tickling Lafitte’s belly, as she took her daily rifle practice.

  She hadn’t seen Jake Redman since the day he’d given her a shooting lesson. Just as well, Sarah told herself as she pulled on her gloves. There was no one she wanted to see less. If she thought about him at all-and she hated to admit she had-it was with disdain. A hired gun. A man with no loyalty or morals. A drifter, moving from place to place, always ready to draw his weapon and kill. To think she’d almost begun to believe there was something special about him, something good and admirable. He’d helped her, there was no denying that. But he’d probably done so out of sheer boredom. Or perhaps, she thought, remembering the kiss, because he wanted something from her. Something, she was ashamed to admit, she had nearly been willing to give.

  How? Sarah picked up her hand mirror and studied her face, not out of vanity but because she hoped to see some answers there. How had he managed to make her feel that way in just a few short days, with just one embrace? Now, time after time, in the deepest part of the night, she brought herself awake because she was dreaming of him. Remembering, she thought, experiencing once again that stunning moment in the sun when his mouth had been on hers and there had been no doubt in her mind that she belonged there.

  A momentary madness, she told herself, placing the mirror face down on the table. Sunstroke, perhaps. She would never, could never, be attracted to a man who lived his life the way Jake Redman lived his.

  It was time to forget him. Perhaps he had already moved on and she would never see him again. Well, it didn’t matter one way or the other. She had her own life to see to now, and with a little help from Li/a it appeared she had her own business. Picking up the three bundles wrapped in brown paper, Sarah went outside.

  “You real sure you don’t want me to drive you to town, Miss Conway?”

  Sarah put the wrapped dresses in the back of the wagon while Lucius stood at the horses’ heads. “No, thank you, Lucius.”

  She was well aware that her driving skills were poor at best, but she’d bartered for the wagon with the owner of the livery stable. He had two daughters that she’d designed gingham frocks for, and she intended to deliver them herself. For Lucius she had a big, sunny smile.

  “I was hoping you’d start on the chicken coop today. I’m going to see if Mrs. Miller will sell me a dozen young chicks.”

  “Yes’m.” Lucius shuffled his feet and cleared his throat. “Going to be a hot, dry day.”

  “Yes.” What day wasn’t? “I have a canteen, thank you.”

  He waited until Sarah had gained the seat and smoothed out her skirts. “There’s just one thing, Miss Conway.”

  Anxious to be on her way, Sarah took the reins.

  “Yes, Lucius, what is it?”

  “I’m plumb out of whiskey.”

  Her brow rose, all but disappearing under the wispy bangs she wore. “And?”

  “Well, seeing as you’re going into town and all, I thought you could pick some up for me.”

  “I? You can hardly expect me to purchase whiskey.”

  He’d figured on her saying something of the kind. “Maybe you could get somebody to buy a bottle for you.” He gave her a gap-toothed smile and was careful not to spit. “I’d be obliged.”

  She opened her mouth, ready to lecture him on the evils of drink. With a sigh, she shut it again. The man worked very hard for very little. It wasn’t her place to deny him his comforts, whatever they might be.

  “I’ll see what can be done.”

  His grizzled face brightened immediately. “That’s right kind of you, miss. And I sure will get started on that coop.” Relieved, he spit in the dirt. “You look real pretty today, miss. Just like a picture.”

  Her lips curved. If anyone had told her a week ago that she would grow fond of a smelly, whiskey-drinking creature like Lucius, she’d have thought them mad. “Thank you. There’s chicken and fresh bread in the cabin.” She held her breath and snapped the reins.

  Sarah had dressed very carefully for town. If she was going to interest the ladies in ordering fashionable clothes from her, then it was wise to advertise. Her dress was a particularly flattering shade of moss green with a high neckline she’d graced with her cameo. The trim of rose-colored ribbon and the rows of flounces at the skirt made it a bit flirtatious. She’d added a matching bonnet, tilted low as much for dash as for added shade. She felt doubly pleased with her choice when her two young customers came running out of the livery and goggled at it.

  Sarah left them to race home and try on their new dresses while she completed her errands.

  “Sarah.” Liza danced around the counter of the dry goods store to take both of her hands. “Oh, what a wonderful dress. Every woman in town’s going to want one like it.”

  “I was hoping to tempt them.” Laughing, Sarah turned in a circle. “It’s one of my favorites.” “I can see why. Is everything all right with you? I haven’t been able to get away for days.”

  “Everything’s fine. There’s been no more trouble.”

  She wandered over to take a look at the bolts of fabric. “I’m certain it was just an isolated incident. As the sheriff said, it must have been drifters.” Glancing over, she smiled. “Hello, Mrs. Cody,” she said as Liza’s mother came in from the stockroom.

  “Sarah, it’s nice to see you, and looking so pretty, too.”

  “Thank you. I’ve brought your dress.”

  “Well, that was quick work.” Anne Cody took the package in her wide, capable hands and went immediately to the cash drawer.

  “Oh, I don’t want you to pay for it until you look and make sure it’s what you wanted.”

  Anne smiled, showing dimples like her daughter’s. “That’s good business. My Ed would say you’ve got a head on your shoulders. Let’s just take a look, then.” As she unwrapped the package, two of her customers moved closer to watch.

  “Why, Sarah, it’s lovely.” Clearly pleased, Anne held it up. The dress was dove gray, simple enough to wear for work behind the counter, yet flatteringly feminine, with touches of lace at the throat and sleeves. “My goodness, honey, you’ve a fine hand with a needle.” Deliberately she moved from behind the counter so that the rest of her customers could get the full effect. “Look at this work, Mrs. Miller. I’ll swear you won’t see better.”

  Grinning, Liza leaned over to whisper in Sarah’s ear. “She’ll have a dozen orders for you in no time.

  Pa always says Ma could sell a legless man new boots.”

  “Here you are, Sarah.” Anne passed her the money.

  “It’s
more than worth every penny.”

  “Young lady.” Mrs. Miller peered through her spectacles at the stitches in Anne’s new dress. “I’m going to visit my sister in Kansas City next month. I think a traveling suit of this same fabric would be flattering to me.”

  “Oh, yes, ma’am.” Sarah beamed, ignoring the fact that very little would be flattering to Mrs. Miller’s bulky figure. “You have a good eye for color. This fabric trimmed in purple would be stunning on you.” By the time she was finished, Sarah had three more orders and an armful of fabric. With one hand muffling her giggles, Liza walked out with her. “Imagine you talking that old fuddy-duddy Mrs. Miller into two dresses.”

  “She wants to outshine her sister. I’ll have to make sure she does.”

  “It won’t be easy, considering what you have to work with. And she’s overcharging you for those chicks.”

  “That’s all right.” Sarah turned with a grin. “I’m going to overcharge her for the dresses. Do you have time to walk with me? I’d like to go down and see if this blue-and-white stripe takes Mrs. O’Rourke’s fancy.”

  They started down the walkway. After only a few steps, Liza stopped and swept her skirts aside. Sarah watched the statuesque woman approach. In all her life she’d never seen hair that color. It gleamed like the brass knob on Mother Superior’s office door. The vivid blue silk dress she wore was too snug at the bodice and entirely too low for day wear. Smooth white breasts rose out of it, the left one adorned with a small beauty mark that matched another at the corner of her -red lips. She carried an unfurled parasol and strolled, her hips swaying shamelessly.

  As she came shoulder-to-shoulder with Sarah, the woman stopped and looked her up and down. The tiny smile she wore became a smirk as she walked oh, rolling her hips.

  “My goodness.” Sarah could think of little else to say as she rubbed her nose. The woman’s perfume remained stubbornly behind.

  “That was Carlotta. She runs the Silver Star.”

  “She looks…extraordinary.”

  “Well, she’s a-you know.”