He raised his brows. “Because you would once again see me perhaps?”
Her laugh was like silver bells. “That, too. Come on, you flirt.”
He studied the list. “The gifts must be of equal value if possible. One item for each child must be for fun and the other for necessity.”
She leaned near and pointed at five names grouped together. “There are several that Gwen flagged as near destitute. Dad thought the Tuckers fit that designation also. He said the children were thin and their clothes near rags. The aunt who lives with them bought a pair of dungarees and shoes for the boy as well as a supply of fabric and yarn.”
“If Zach rented to them, he will know more. He is soft-hearted and may have wanted only for the children to have a warm home. That cabin is very well-built. He recently enlarged the place from one room to three and a loft over the new portion so a family could live there in comfort.”
“This is the place on Stone Mountain, right?”
“Yes, where he lived when he first came here. Now he lives in a large stone home near the river. You recall discussion at the party and how he rescued children kidnapped by the Comanche and traded to the Kiowa?”
“I find stories about each of the Stone brothers amazing. But you’re pretty amazing, too.” She tilted her head to look at him.
His heart pounded at her praise. Could she care for him a little? “Me? I am a simple rancher.”
She sent him a questioning gaze. “There is nothing simple about Eduardo Montoya. With your cousin Hope, you are great benefactors to the community. I admire you very much.”
His spirits soared, but he fought to keep his expression neutral. “Then whatever you think I have done is worthwhile. Now, where shall we begin?”
“Let’s start with the toys. They’ll be the most fun.”
She retrieved a basket of small slips of paper. “We can use these to keep track of to whom each gift should go. You choose for the boys, and I’ll choose for the girls.”
No, no. He wanted them to be together. “But you help me and I’ll help you so we each have access to the list.”
She showed him a doll. “Fortunately, Dad has enough of these small dolls in stock to give one to each girl under twelve. For the older girls, I suggest grooming accessories like a brush and comb and a length of ribbon. What do you think?”
“Great. If they are alike, no one can feel slighted. For each of the boys under twelve, how about a bag of marbles? You should know that Joel, James and I have made many things throughout the year. Stick horses and small wagons and a few small rocking chairs for toddlers like my cousin’s son, Andrew.”
“That’s wonderful. Why don’t we set aside a few bags of marbles for unexpected guests?
“Good idea. You cut the ribbon while I carry the other things to the table so we can wrap them. This will take quite a while. And do not forget to tally up the cost. Hope said she will repay her half to me, but I intend to pay the total tonight.”
“You’re both very generous. I would offer them at cost, but the store is not mine.”
Her father would never offer anything to him at cost. “He will help by passing out the presents as Saint Nicholas.”
As they worked, she stacked the labeled presents in a back corner of the storeroom. When they completed wrapping the last gift, the time was nearing ten.
She sighed. “That was so much fun.”
“But now you must tally the cost so I can pay before we leave.”
His love did as he requested, but not in a subservient manner. She was a good business woman and would make an excellent life partner on every level. As his infatuation had grown into love and admiration, he realized he wanted to spend all of his days with this amazing woman.
She stored his payment in the cash drawer beneath the counter. “Once again you have proven your generosity. You are a kind and compassionate man.”
Her praise was balm to his soul and soothed away all the slights he had endured of late. “I will walk you home, mi amorada.”
She locked the side door behind them. “The hour will be late when you get home.”
They strolled with her hand on his arm.
“Joel invited me to spend the night at his house. Since he has such a large place, I accepted. Rosalyn has assigned me my own room there and insists I am always welcome.”
“This must be helpful. She’s a gracious hostess and theirs is a lovely home. I’m pleased for Rosalyn to be happy at last.”
“Do not forget our mission to place an ad in the Times Picayune newspaper and advertise her happiness. This is something her parents deserve for deserting their daughter and saying she and Lucy had died.”
She squeezed his arm where her hand rested. “You’re incorrigible.”
“Hmmm, I do not know this word.” He smiled innocently for her.
She gave an incredulous gasp. “Only because you don’t wish to do so. Eduardo, you speak perfect English, so don’t pretend otherwise.”
“I cannot know the meaning of every Spanish word, so how can you expect me to know all English words?”
“Perhaps there are a few obscure words in each language with which you are unfamiliar, but you speak fluently.”
He grinned at her. “I do not know the meaning of this word obscure.”
She punched his arm. “I think your father did not punish you enough when you were young.”
“Undoubtedly you are right. He was very strict, but I was clever at evading detection.”
“I do not know this word detection.” She blinked in mock innocence.
Then they both burst into laughter. Her mother opened the front door. “Why, I wondered who could be on the porch. Celia, I haven’t heard you laugh like that since you were a girl.”
“Mrs. Sturdivant, would you ask your husband to step outside, please? I have a message for him.”
Celia went to the door. “Goodnight, Eduardo. I’ll see you on Sunday.”
“Sweet dreams.”
Her father waited for her to come in before he stepped onto the porch. “You wanted to speak to me?”
“Butch asked me to pass you a warning. A man is robbing stores and appears to be headed toward Radford Springs. The sheriff wanted you to know that you should not keep much cash in your store. Butch asked that you do nothing to antagonize the man if he comes. He shot and killed a storeowner in Millsap.”
Eduardo paused. “No need to frighten the ladies. Perhaps when you are questioned inside, you can say I arranged to pick up the children’s gifts on Saturday afternoon and take them to the church. I will be by about two if that is convenient.”
“It is. And thank you for the warning about the robberies. I’ll ask Vergie to help and keep Celia out of the store until this man is caught.”
He clamped his hat on his head. “You can try, señor, but I think that will prove impossible whether you tell her the reason or not. She is determined to help you.”
Her father offered a half-smile. “She’s always been a good daughter. We’re glad to have her back with us.”
“I bid you good night, sir.” He wanted to say enjoy having her in your home while you can, because she will soon be living in mine. No point causing more animosity, but he was determined to wed sweet Celia, his corazon.
***
Celia worked at top speed all Saturday. Other than a couple of soda crackers, she had no time to eat, and only one hurried trip to the privy. By a quarter to two, the store was still busy. She hoped she’d be able to visit with Eduardo when he arrived.
The bell over the door rang and a man she didn’t recognize entered carrying his saddlebag over one shoulder. Perhaps it was his unkempt appearance or the smirking leer he sent her, but she hoped her father would wait on the newcomer while she finished with Mrs. Cox. Who would have dreamed she’d be grateful to spend time with the mayor’s waspish wife?
She carried Mrs. Cox’s purchases toward the front when Mrs. Ortega screamed. “He pulled a gun.”
The grimy ma
n motioned with a revolver. “That’s right, lady.”
With one hand, he spread a dirty bandana on the counter, “Now empty your pocketbook on that there hanky. The rest of you come up here and do the same.” He swung the gun toward her father.”Reach for your gun and you’re dead. You add what’s in the cash drawer to the pile.”
Moving as slowly as possible, Celia fought for an idea to thwart the robber but none came. Vergie was making deliveries and shouldn’t return for another half hour. She and Dad and their customers were on their own.
Mrs. Cox crept behind her.
Mrs. Larsen, wife of the fire chief, appeared angry, but she approached the counter.
“Faster, come on, move those feet. I don’t have all day.”
The other women complied, as did her father. Celia tried to appear cooperative while she searched for any opportunity to obstruct the man’s plans.
The gunman gestured to her with his free hand. “What about you, girly?”
“I work here. I don’t bring a purse to work.”
He looked back at her father. “Where’s the rest of the cash?”
“That’s all we have. I made a daily deposit at the bank.”
“Ha, I’ll bet you have a safe. Where is it, mister?” He stood between her and her father so he could watch the front door.
“I tell you, I don’t have a safe. There’s a good bank here so there’s no need for one.”
The man gathered his take and shoved his ill-gotten gains into his saddlebag. “This is hardly enough to make the day worthwhile. Guess I’ll take the young miss with me. Allus did like redheads.”
She gasped. “I’m not going with you.”
“You will unless you want me to shoot these folks. I’ll start with the old man. Bet he’s your pa.”
Eduardo suddenly appeared from the stockroom and held a gun to the man’s back. “You heard her—she is not going with you. Why would she want to go to jail? And that’s where you are headed.”
The man twitched.
Eduardo pressed the gun more forcefully against the robber. “No, no, señor. You will lower your hand and carefully drop your gun and then let the saddlebag slide slowly from your open hand. I would hate to shoot you here in the mercantile, but I will not hesitate to do so. Wouldn’t it be a shame to splatter your blood and gore over this nice store?”
The man dropped his revolver then the saddlebag. “Don’t get nervous, mister.”
“Oh, I am not one to tremble in times of trouble. If I shoot you, it will be because scum like you deserves to die.”
Sheriff Butch Parrish and his deputy rushed in the front door. “Ladies, please move slowly to the other side of the store. Montoya, nice of you to do our job. Clever move to stop Fred McGinnis on the street and send him to fetch us.”
“I am grateful you were available. And I gladly relinquish to you this worthless excuse for a man. He had the bad fortune to threaten Mrs. Dubois and steal from these other ladies and Mr. Sturdivant. I believe he is the one you warned about, is he not?”
The deputy handcuffed the robber and shoved him toward the door. Sheriff Parish grabbed the dropped pistol and saddlebag. “Matches the description. Each of you come by the jail later and claim your funds. I’ll need you to write out what happened.”
When the sheriff, deputy, and their prisoner had left, Mrs. Ortega rushed for the door. “Excuse me, but I’ll come back next week.”
Mrs. Cox sobbed into her handkerchief. “I need to lie down. I’ve never been so frightened in my life.”
Mrs. Larsen put an arm around her shoulders. “I’ll walk you home.”
As soon as the door closed, Celia threw her arms around Eduardo. “Thank you so much for saving us.”
Over his wide shoulders, she saw her father slide slowly to sit on the floor and rest his head on his knees. She pulled away from Eduardo and rushed toward her father.
“Dad? Are you all right?” She knelt beside him.
He embraced her and sobbed against her hair. “I almost lost you. Worse, your last hours would have been unbearable.”
“But I’m fine. We both are, thanks to Eduardo.” She stood and offered her hand to help her father.
Ignoring her extended fingers, he rose then circled his arm around her shoulders. “How can I ever thank you, Montoya? There aren’t enough words to express how I feel.”
“My good fortune to arrive for the children’s gifts when I did. I am glad I came to the side door to make loading the presents easier.”
“I’ll help you load them now.” Her father started for the back but stopped to grab the counter as if he couldn’t stand on his own.
She grabbed her father’s arm. “Dad? I insist you go home and rest. Eduardo, would you please escort him?”
“And then I will return and assist you here. Señor, my wagon is beside your store. Come, I will help you.” He took hold of her father’s arm and guided him toward the side door.
“I can’t leave Celia alone on our busiest day of the week.” He turned to look at her.
“Dad, you go home and recover. Any minute Vergie will be back.” She made a shooing motion.
Vergie popped through the door. “Someone call me?”
Eduardo’s slowed pace gave her father time to shuffle toward the back. “Help me get your employer into my wagon and then Mrs. Dubois will tell you a very interesting tale while you help her.”
Customers and curiosity seekers gathered inside the store, preventing her watching her father and Eduardo.
Chapter Eight
When he was certain the man he hoped would one-day be his father-in-law could sit up, Eduardo clicked to the horses. “Though I drive slowly, we will soon have you home.”
Mr. Sturdivant wiped a hand across his face. “Listen, Montoya, my reaction wasn’t just the gunman trying to take Celia. I-I already realized I’d made a big mistake where you’re concerned.”
“Does this mean you no longer hate me and my family?”
The store owner waved away his question. “I never hated you. I just thought you were wrong for my daughter. I owe you an apology.”
“Because I walked in on a robbery?” His anger bubbled up. Did this man believe being a rescuer made him a different man?
“No, though I can’t tell you how relieved I was to see you. Each time I learned something new about you, I was reminded how much I’d misjudged you. I hope you can forgive me.”
How could he not after such an admission? “There is nothing to forgive. If I had a daughter like Celia, I would protect her fiercely.”
“We thought we had. I’ll tell you frankly, we made a huge mistake encouraging her to marry Jean-Claud Dubois. Since her engagement to him, she never laughed. There were smiles and chuckles, but her mother and I don’t remember hearing genuine laughter. In contrast, when she’s around you, she appears happy.”
“As am I. She is a wonderful woman and you have a right to be proud of her. Well, here we are at your home. Wait, please, while I come around and help in case your legs are still not obedient.” He set the brake and hopped off the wagon.
At his rap, Mrs. Sturdivant opened the door. “George? What’s happened?”
“I’ll be all right in a few minutes, Harriett. We had some trouble at the store and it knocked the wind out of my sails. Montoya was good enough to help me home.”
He pointed to a large chair by the fireplace. “I’ll park there for a while.”
When Eduardo had the man settled, he turned to go.
Mr. Sturdivant called, “Hope you can join us for lunch tomorrow after church. Your parents, too, if they’ll be in town.”
“With pleasure.” Concealing his surprise, Eduardo gave a slight bow. “Until tomorrow.”
Mrs. Sturdivant sent her husband a puzzled frown. “George, you tell me right now what’s gone on?”
***
Celia dressed in her forest green silk faille and velvet ensemble for the day. Yesterday, Eduardo had returned to the store looking as if he we
re unusually pleased. Learning of her dad’s invitation to Eduardo and his family came as a surprise.
By the time she’d come home from work yesterday, her dad appeared recovered. After tearfully greeting Celia, her mother fussed over both of them all evening. Celia was pleased there would be people around most of today to keep her mother distracted.
But once they reached church, Celia and her father were the center of attention. That is, until Eduardo and his parents arrived. James’ opening prayer included thanks for Eduardo’s quick thinking and bravery and that Celia, her father, and their customers were spared harm. The message was on brotherly love, not just at Christmas but all year. He concluded with the Scripture, “Whatever you do for the least of these, you do for me also.”
After the service, they cut short the barrage of accolades directed at Eduardo to hurry home. The party was set to begin at three so people could get home before too late. The two sets of parents rode in the Montoya buggy while Eduardo and she walked the three short blocks.
She kept her hand on his arm. “I’m sorry we rushed you away from all the recognition you deserve for saving us.”
“Mi amor, I am grateful. My shoulder has been slapped so many times I feared becoming a stooped old man before the day was over.”
“You’re neither bent nor elderly. You’re a younger version of your father and he’s still a very handsome man.”
“He will be happy to learn you think so.”
“Or maybe he’ll think me disrespectful. Nevertheless, I suspect when either of you is eighty, you and he will still look very distinguished.”
“Tell me how your father came to live in New Orleans where so much is French influence. I believe Sturdivant is a Germanic name, is it not?”
“Dutch, and my grandfather was in the import-export business. Dad worked in the business part time starting when he was ten. After that, he was either at school or at work.”
“This is the way of many families, but children need time to play and have friends.”
“About a year after I left home, several warehouses including theirs caught fire and were destroyed. My grandfather died in the fire and Dad was injured. He still limps when he’s tired.”
Silver Belles and Stetsons Page 12
