He stopped, when a man a block down looked right and left before darting between two buildings. There was something familiar about his build and gait. Van passed the restaurant and hurried to the spot where the man had disappeared. He walked by slowly, glancing between the buildings.
Nothing.
He hurried along the edge of the building and stopped at the corner. Voices, both familiar, were raised in an argument. Cautiously, he peeked around the corner. Judge Spencer and, he stared hard to get a look at the face under the wide Stetson. The man threw back his head and laughed.
Crane.
Why was the judge talking to Crane? A known bank robber. He couldn’t get close enough to hear what was being said. But it was clear the judge wasn’t happy. Crane shrugged his shoulders and started Van’s direction.
Van hurried back to the main street and into the restaurant. If the judge knew the bank robber now, did he know the man twelve years ago? Was that why he tossed me into the prison for so long to keep me from finding out? But what about his declaration Mr. Harrison was one of the robbers? Why was he adamant about that? Crane knew better.
Van ordered a large meal again.
“You should be as big as old Paul over there the way you eat, mister,” said the waitress who helped him the night before.
“I work hard.”
She nodded and disappeared. Within minutes she returned with his plate piled high.
“I’m going to take this with me, again. At noon I’ll return the basket and the plates.”
The waitress nodded.
Van hurried back to the shop. He’d leave the food for Tessa and head to the livery for his wagon and have a talk with Brett.
Chapter Six
“What can you tell me about Judge Spencer since he moved here?” Van asked his friend as they hitched the horses to the wagon.
“Why are you so interested in the judge? I’d think you’d want to stay out of his way.” Brett buckled the harness on his side and walked around the front of the team.
“Things Tessa told me don’t add up. And I just saw him talking to Crane. The man who should have went to prison, not me.” Van’s anger surged the more he thought about the judge sentencing him when he obviously was in cahoots with the robber.
“What’s provin’ the judge is friends with Crane goin’ to do? You’re out now and can start a new life.” Brett checked the hames on the horses.
Van stopped in front of his friend. “Vindication for Tessa and myself.”
“You been out to see your family yet?” Brett crossed his arms and watched him.
“This weekend. As soon as I get the shop set up. Then I can invite Ma and Pa to town to see what I do.”
“And your little sister.”
“What?”
“You’re ma had a baby a few years after you left. I’d reckon she’s eight, now.” Brett nodded his head.
Van fell back on his heels and stared at his friend. He had a sister? After all those years of yearning for a sibling, he finally had one and didn’t even know it. “A sister… What’s her name? I’ll have to get a gift for her and Ma.”
“Grace. I can tell you that little girl has sweetened your pa.” Brett shook his head. “It’s the darnedest thing to see how your old man smiles and talks with her.”
A pang of jealousy sliced Van’s gut. His pa only gave him the time of day to give him orders or chew him out. Now more than ever he wanted to ride out to the ranch and see this new family member and if his pa had really changed.
“Guess I’ll see for myself on Saturday.” Van climbed onto the wagon seat. “I better get this over to Tessa, she’s one woman who likes to work. She had that shop spotless in no time yesterday.”
“Beth told me you two worked well together.”
Van shot a glance at his friend. A knowing smile creased Brett’s round face.
“What does that mean?”
“Nothin’. You two work well together. Say, any idea where Tessa’s stayin’? Beth wanted to send her a note.”
“Just have her stop by the shop. Tessa will be there every day.” If Beth started asking around about Tessa, someone was bound to figure out she wasn’t staying in the hotels or the boarding houses and eventually put two and two together.
“You even work the girl on Sunday?” Brett stared at him.
“No. I don’t know what she’ll be doing on Sunday.” He decided to get out of there before he had to lie to his friend about not knowing where Tessa stayed. “See ya. Thanks for holding this for me. I’ll bring the horses and wagon back at the end of the day.”
Brett nodded, and Van snapped the reins over the horse’s backs. The animals pushed against the harness and pulled the loaded wagon out of the livery and down the frost hardened street. He stopped in front of the shop. The door opened immediately, and Tessa stepped onto the boardwalk.
“What took so long?” She stood back while he climbed down and started untying the rope holding down the tarp and the load.
“Brett and I were just catching up.” The minute he tossed the tarp back, she hurried forward and stood on her tiptoes, peeking into the back.
He nudged her aside with his shoulder. “Go inside. These are too heavy for you. I’ll bring the crates in and you can unpack them.”
Her eyes lit up. “I can’t wait to see your boots.”
Van laughed as she fairly skipped back into the store. He carried a crate in and set it by the shelves. “Unpack all the boots and place them in pairs on the shelf. Largest ones on the bottom shelf.”
Tessa’s excitement at seeing Van’s creations spun in her chest like a colorful toy top. She picked up the hammer he’d left on the shelf and pried open the crate. Nestled in wood shavings were various sizes and colors of everyday boots. She pulled one out, ran her palm over the smooth leather and her fingertip down the stitching. She’d never thought about the person who made boots and shoes before. They were just necessary. Something to make walking over sticks, thorns, and rocks easier and to keep your feet warm in the winter. Studying the way the boot was made she had a new appreciation.
“Is something wrong with it?” Van asked, placing another crate next to the open box.
“No! No, I was just admiring the workmanship.” She stared up his long body to the worried face watching her. Tessa stood. “I had never given my shoes that much thought, but looking at this…you do beautiful work, and I can see why people want your boots.”
His eyes glowed with pride and then flared into a gaze so intense and mesmerizing she couldn’t move. He stepped forward, his toes meeting hers, and placed his hands, hot and heavy, on her shoulders. She leaned, yes, she was leaning toward him. She wanted to feel his lips on hers. See if the tingling sensation building in her could be snuffed by his kiss.
Stomping.
She barely registered the sound before Van pushed her away and turned to the door.
“My, I didn’t believe it when Brett said you’d already be here this morning,” Beth said, stepping through the open door.
Tessa moaned inwardly. She’d been leaning into Van for a kiss and the shop door had been standing wide open. She shivered when the cold December air registered through her cotton dress.
Van slipped by Beth and out the door before she closed it.
“Brr. It’s cold in here. You really need to keep the door shut so you don’t freeze.” Beth walked next to Tessa. “Or so people don’t start talking about you two.” Beth raised a blonde eyebrow and nodded to the door.
Tessa slapped her hands on her cheeks. Beth had seen her improper behavior. “He was just helping me rise. I became stiff from all the cleaning yesterday.”
Beth stared at her with a silly smile and nodded.
Banging at the door gave her a chance to evade Beth’s speculating scrutiny. Tessa hurried to the door and opened it for Van to haul in another crate.
“You really should get someone else to help you unload that wagon. It’s going to take you all day at this rate.” Beth wav
ed her hand at the crate Van placed on the floor.
He straightened. “You’re right. Why don’t you go see if you can find a couple men who could help me?”
Beth shook like a banty hen ruffling her feathers for a fight. “I’ll do just that as long as you don’t ruin my friend’s reputation.” She spun on her heel and flounced out of the shop.
Tessa glanced at Van, and they both burst out laughing.
“I remember her being annoying when we were kids, but I never dreamed she’d grow into a spitfire.” Van shoved his hat back off his forehead and wiped a hand across his eyes, swiping at the tears of mirth glistening.
Tessa stared at his actions. Everything he did exuded maleness.
“I didn’t realize you two were such good friends.”
“Huh?” Yearning, deep and primal wound through her, eliciting thoughts she heard Marge and Vi talk about during the slow periods at the saloon.
“Beth, when did you and she become such good friends?”
Tessa shoved her thoughts away and raised her gaze to Van’s.
“Oh, we didn’t really become friends until Ma was ill. Beth’s father is a doctor, and I spent so much time over there getting medicine and asking what I could do for Ma that we started talking.” She lowered her lashes and stared at his feet. “She was the only one who would still talk to me when I had to work at the saloon.”
“I’m glad you have a friend in Beth. For all her interfering, she has a good heart.” Van placed a hand on her arm.
Her body leaned toward him. The sparkle in his eyes showed promise. Her heart raced, willing him to lean down and kiss her.
“This way men.” Beth’s voice jerked Tessa straight, and Van stepped back, again.
Beth entered the shop with two young men in tow. “Van, this is my cousin Lenny and his friend George. They would love to help you with your crates.”
The young men’s bored expressions said they would rather be doing anything but helping with crates. Tessa felt sorry for them. She knew how forceful the tiny woman next to them could be.
“Lenny, George, just start hauling in the crates in from the back of the wagon out front. If they have a mark on the top, put them by the ones Miss Harrison is unpacking. The others go by the work bench.” Van motioned to the door and the two shuffled out.
“Tessa, I wanted to invite you to Sunday supper after church,” Beth said.
Tessa turned to Beth. Church. She hadn’t set foot in church since Ma died. Not that she blamed anyone for her mother’s death. She didn’t have the strength to face the people who thought her a sinner for working in the saloon.
“It would be a good way to get back in the graces of the townsfolk.” Van’s softly spoken statement fluttered her insides.
She glanced at Van. “Only if you go.” She wouldn’t face the congregation alone. Let him take the step toward rectifying his name as well.
“You could both come to Sunday supper after. Brett would like that.” Beth said, stepping out from between them.
Tessa watched Van. He rubbed the back of his neck and stared at her. What was going through his mind? His eyes searched hers. What did he want to see?
“We’ll go together.” He turned to Beth. “And I’d be pleased to take Sunday supper with you and Brett.”
Tessa had half hoped he’d refuse. Now there was no backing out.
Lenny and George banged through the door carrying crates. Van moved to help them and the three left the building to get another load.
“You and Van seem to be getting along well,” Beth said, wandering around the shop.
Tessa returned to the open crate and pulled boots out, matching the pairs. “He’s easy to get along with and a good boss.” She placed the larger pairs on the bottom shelf and pried open another crate.
“Where are you staying? No one seems to know.”
Beth’s sudden change of conversation jerked Tessa’s concentration. “What?”
“Where are you staying? I wanted to talk to you other than here, and yet, this is always where you are.” Beth’s hands rested on her hips. Her china doll face stared point blank at Tessa.
“Why did you need to talk to me some place other than here?” With luck she’d steer Beth clear of the living arrangements.
The men tromped back in with crates, deposited them, and left. Cold air swirled through the interior, racing shivers up her back and standing goose bumps on her arms. Tessa crossed to the stove and tossed in more wood.
“Because, you can’t talk about your feelings for a man when he’s in the room.” Beth threw her arms in the air like she’d tossed out a whole kettle of dirty dish water which was exactly how Tessa felt.
“I-I don’t have feelings for Van. We just work together.”
Beth wagged a finger in front of her nose. “You two can’t keep your eyes off one another and from what I’ve seen your bodies are migrating together, too.”
Tessa opened her mouth to protest when the door flew open with a gust of wind, and the men carried in three more crates.
“Grab the last two boxes, boys, and I’ll give you something for your trouble.” Van placed his crate on the floor and followed the men back to the door, closing it behind them. “As soon as they get those boxes in here, I’ll take the team back to the livery. You want a ride Beth? There’s a nasty storm blowing in.”
“No, I’ll stay here and help Tessa.” Beth unbuttoned her coat and placed it over the chair by the stove.
Tessa sent Van what she hoped was a plea that he not leave her alone.
“That’s thoughtful of you, but have you finished the curtains? We’ll be opening tomorrow and it sure would be nice to have the curtains up.”
Tessa wanted to throw her arms around the man and thank him. But she just sent an inquiring glance Beth’s direction.
The tiny woman grabbed her coat. “Oh, I didn’t realize you were opening so soon. I’ll hurry home and get them finished.” She slipped her arms in her coat sleeves and narrowed her gaze on Tessa. “We’ll talk tomorrow when I bring the curtains.”
Tessa nodded and walked Beth to the door. “I can’t wait to see the curtains hung.”
Beth swept out the door, and Tessa closed it firmly.
“What does she want to talk to you about?” Van asked as the screech of nails rent the air. He pried the lid off a crate by the work bench.
She walked to his side and stared into the crate. The tools of his trade were wrapped in various sizes of leather. “I can’t wait to watch you make a boot.”
He studied her. “What did Beth want?”
He sure could hold onto a thought.
“She was trying to find out where I’m staying.”
“Do you trust her?”
“What do you mean?”
Van put a hand on her arm. He touched her every time they were close this morning. Not that she minded. In fact, she liked the heat of his touch. Too much.
“It might help to let her know you are living here. She could ward off others wondering.”
She’d never had a confidante before other than her mother. Now she had two—Beth and Van. “I think once she got over the initial shock, she’d be willing to help me keep up proprieties.” She shrugged. “It’s no different than if we were in a boarding house.”
“True.” He frowned. “Except you’re sleeping on the floor.”
“I really don’t mind. I’m used to it.” His worry over her sleeping on the floor was chivalrous.
His gaze lingered on her face before his shoulders heaved a resigned shrug. “I best get the team back to the livery before the storm hits.”
“Yes, we better get to work if we plan to open tomorrow.” She drew away from him and back to the crates of boots.
Van hurried out the door, closing it snuggly behind him.
If they opened tomorrow, what about her partition in the back room? She could use another wall between them. She knew nothing of the physical attraction between a man and woman. Her mother talked of he
r love for Tessa’s father, but never anything about the way Tessa’s body heated and wanted to be near Van.
But she knew once their lips met, her mind would go blank and there was no telling what would happen after that.
Chapter Seven
The snow continued to fall all afternoon. Van noticed fewer people milling about the street as he walked back to the shop with dinner. The shop was set up. His tools ready and the inventory set out. He’d ordered lumber to be delivered to the back of the store in the morning. When the man raised an eyebrow at the amount, Van told him it was for storage shelves in the back room. He would build shelves, but first he had to make a partition. Every time he was close to Tessa, he had to touch her. If it didn’t stop, he’d be slipping down the stairs at night and watching her sleep. A partition would enable her to lock him out.
Warm air gushed around him when he opened the door. Tessa stood on an upturned crate, hanging curtains. He slammed the door shut with his foot, dropped the basket of food on the floor, and rushed to her side.
“You should have waited for me to help with this.” He held onto her waist, steadying her.
“It seemed like an easy task when I contemplated it.” She stretched, standing on tiptoe, placing the curtain pole in the wooden bracket. “Done.”
He lifted her down and kept an arm around her waist as they studied the curtains. She inched out of his arm and stood to the side.
“Very nice. Beth did a fine job sewing them. I thought she was bringing them tomorrow.” He kept the attention on the curtains. He had to slow down. His body and mind were moving faster than Tessa’s. He was ready to settle down. She was ready to go out into the world as a teacher.
“She finished them this afternoon and couldn’t wait to pry into where I’m living.” She fidgeted with a matching cloth on the display table in the window.
Van studied her. He couldn’t tell by her expression she was worrying. “Did you tell her?”
“I wanted to, but I couldn’t bring myself to.” Her worried gaze lifted to his. “I wanted to be honest with her. However, no one is going to believe you sleep upstairs and I sleep on the floor in the back room.”
Silver Belles and Stetsons Page 55
