“Why, no.” Mrs. Foster’s expression lightened as she looked back and forth between them.
Laurie held out her left hand, pride and happiness shining on her beautiful face. “Tolley proposed, and I accepted.”
“Oh, my!” Mrs. Foster behaved much like the females on the camping trip. She gripped Laurie’s hand, admired the ring, shot a pleased glance Tolley’s way and gushed out all sorts of compliments and congratulations. “I just knew this was going to happen.”
Tolley grinned broadly, probably looking foolish. He didn’t care. One more important person in his life approved of what he’d done. Mrs. Foster’s unconstrained happiness for them went a long way toward soothing his worries about the plumbing, even about Reverend Thomas.
Those pipes could be fixed. First thing in the morning, he’d see if the plumbers were available. If they weren’t, he’d call in Adam. Together they’d conquer the problem, and he could tell the Colonel about everything when the time came.
“Now, you understand, don’t you?” Mrs. Foster said. “This means you two must be even more circumspect than before.”
“Ma’am?” Tolley returned his focus to the conversation.
“Yes, ma’am.” Laurie nudged his arm and giggled. “She means we still need a chaperone here at the house.”
For a moment, Tolley got lost in her smile and thoughts of wanting to kiss her, until she nudged him again. “Oh. Right. A chaperone.”
Despite his tiredness, that night he had difficulty falling asleep. Between making plans for his new life with Laurie and worrying about the plumbing, his thoughts refused to be tamed. At last exhaustion—the good kind—took over, and he woke up the next morning refreshed and ready to conquer the plumbing problem.
At the hotel, Garrick informed him the plumbers were installing fixtures in the new wing, so Tolley found Adam at the livery stable and asked him to help. Adam arrived in the afternoon just as Tolley knelt on the bathroom floor with a hammer and chisel.
“Wait!” The younger man grabbed Tolley’s shoulder with uncharacteristic firmness. “We don’t need to ruin the tiles. We can go through the crawl space.”
“Huh. Good idea. Show me what you’re thinking.”
“This way.” Adam stepped out of the room and descended halfway down the back staircase, where he knocked on the wall underneath the bathroom’s floor level. “We can make a hole right here, frame it in, put in a door, and if there’s another leak, we can reach it with no difficulty.”
“Hmm.” Of all the ways to solve the problem, Tolley hadn’t thought of getting to the pipes this way. “Good idea.”
They spent the next two hours gathering the building materials and making the doorway. Once a sixteen-by-eighteen-inch section of plaster and lath was opened up, Adam crawled inside, lantern in hand, to find the leak. Meanwhile, Tolley prepared the opening for framing. As he scraped away wood chips and excess plaster, debris fell on the canvas tarp they’d laid over the steps.
Waving away the dust floating in the air, Laurie brought cookies and lemonade. With her came that bothersome cat. It jumped from an upper step into the hole and disappeared into the darkness.
“Pepper, come here, you silly boy.” Laurie laughed, a musical sound Tolley loved to hear.
Adam crawled out through the hole. “Don’t worry, Miss Laurie. I’ll make sure he’s out before we close it up.” He sat on the top step and took a long draught of lemonade. “My, that’s tasty.”
“Did you find the problem?” Tolley ate his third cookie in less than three minutes.
“Yessir.” Adam pointed into the dark space. “It’s the best possible problem to fix because the leak is in the drainpipe joint. The sealer pitch the plumbers used didn’t take. I’ll get more from the Del Norte lumber mill. Once it’s dried, everything’ll be right as rain.”
“As long as it doesn’t rain inside the house anymore,” Tolley offered, and they all enjoyed a good laugh. “We should probably nail a piece of canvas over the hole to keep the hot air and dust from coming into the rest of the house.” He wouldn’t add that he’d seen mouse signs on the floor inside the crawl space. He could just hear Mrs. Runyan screaming if she found a mouse in her bedroom.
“Good idea.” Adam set down his glass and lifted an edge of the canvas tarp. “I’ll take this out back and give it a good shake.”
“Guess it’s time to get Pepper out of there.” Laurie stared into the opening. “Come on, Pepper. Come, kitty, kitty.”
The only response was a soft “mernt” coming from a dark corner near the front of the house and then a rustling sound.
“Must be after a mouse. I’ll get him, Miss Laurie.” Adam set down the tarp and reentered the space to belly-crawl across the beams toward the sound. “Well, I’ll be.” When his muted words reached them, Laurie and Tolley shared a puzzled look.
“What is it?” Tolley would crawl in after him, but his broad shoulders might get him stuck among the joists and beams.
Instead of answering, Adam returned, shoving a canvas bag in front of him. “Look what the cat found, probably drawn by mice chewing on this.” Although not eaten clear through, the bag bore numerous bite marks. “Good Pepper.”
As if happy to hear its name, the furry rascal scampered over Adam’s back and head and down the staircase.
“Yeah, good kitty.” First time he’d seen any value in having the cat indoors. He took the heavy, dusty bag, upon which the words “Denver and Rio Grande Railroad” were imprinted. “It must be the stolen payroll.”
“But how did it get into Mrs. Foster’s house?” Laurie asked. “Much less into a remote corner between the floors.”
“That’s what I’d like to know.” Standing in the hallway above them, a very worried Mrs. Foster rubbed her injured arm.
* * *
“Why, that must be what the prowler was after.” Laurie jumped up from her seat on the steps and put an arm around Mrs. Foster. “I’m sure there’s nothing to worry about. The outlaws are either dead or in prison. They won’t come back for the money.”
“We’d better report this to the sheriff right away.” Tolley helped Adam out of the hole.
“I’ll go.” Before leaving on his errand, Adam brushed at his hair and clothing, sending up another cloud of dust.
As she had before, Laurie waved away the powdery gray substance so she wouldn’t breathe it into her lungs. This would be a big mess to clean up.
“I don’t understand.” Mrs. Foster continued to stare at the bag. “No outlaws ever entered my home. When that horrid Dathan Hardison came to town in ’81, back when Marybeth lived here before she married Rand, I wouldn’t let him into the house. Didn’t trust him from the moment I laid eyes on him.”
“Hmm.” Tolley appeared thoughtful. “Did you ever see Deke Smith?”
“Hardison’s partner, the one who died in the cabin last winter?” At Tolley’s nod, Mrs. Foster’s forehead furrowed. “Not that I recall.”
Tolley looked like he had an idea, but he didn’t say anything, maybe because tears filled the elderly lady’s eyes.
“I feel so foolish. So vulnerable.”
Laurie tightened her embrace. “We needn’t solve this now. The sheriff will help us figure it out.” She viewed the mess on the floor. “Why don’t you rest? Tolley and I have some work to do before fixing supper.” She gave him a meaningful look, hoping he planned to help clean up the mess he and Adam had made.
“All right, dear.” Mrs. Foster stepped toward her bedroom door. “Thank you.”
“I’ll shake this out.” Tolley gathered the canvas, folding over the edges to contain the debris. “Then I’d better take this bag over to the bank so Nolan can put it in his safe.”
Laurie understood his errand’s importance, but she couldn’t stop a thread of annoyance winding through her. He’d made the
mess and now expected her to clean it up. Not the best way for her fiancé to endear himself to her. Maybe she should consult with Maisie and Grace. She’d heard them both talk about their husbands helping around the house.
* * *
“These banknotes are genuine.” Nolan Means held each one up to the light of his kerosene desk lamp. “Of course the gold is, too.” He nodded toward the pile of five-and ten-dollar coins spread out across his blotter. More gold coins remained inside the canvas bag.
“Adam, you found buried treasure.” Tolley clapped his young friend on the shoulder. “You deserve the reward the railroad promised.”
“I don’t know about that.” Adam’s bemused countenance held no expectation.
“I do.” Lawson chuckled. “I’ll wire the railroad about it as soon as we get this money into the safe. Nolan, how much do you think is here?”
“If memory serves me, the payroll was about five thousand dollars.” Nolan thought for a moment. “That amount includes what the Purvis brothers and Skinner took before parting company with Hardison and Smith, so this is likely considerably less. I’d guess the money in Hardison’s bank account came from this payroll. No one has come to claim it, so I suppose I should close it out and include it with the rest. Do you agree, Sheriff?”
“Don’t do it right away.” Lawson scratched his chin. “Could be he came by it honestly and it belongs to his kin, if he has any.”
Once they’d concluded their business and stored the money in the large safe, Tolley, Adam and Lawson left the bank. Adam headed home, but before Lawson could step off the boardwalk toward the telegraph office, Tolley stopped him.
“Mrs. Foster is pretty upset by this whole thing.” He couldn’t forget the stricken look on the dear lady’s face and longed to reassure her. “She’s positive Hardison never set foot in her house. But I’m wondering whether Deke Smith might’ve gotten inside somehow. Do you have a wanted poster with Smith’s picture on it?”
“I do.” Lawson beckoned to him, and they walked next door to his office. Inside, he rummaged through a messy lower cabinet drawer labeled Dead.
Having never noticed it before, Tolley shuddered. How horrible to have one’s picture stored in a bottom drawer under such a stark label. If the Lord hadn’t sent Reverend Harris to show Tolley a righteous path, he might have left that same legacy.
“Here you go.” Lawson retrieved a wrinkled paper poster. “Look familiar?”
“Yep, that’s him, all right. It’s been four years since they tried to rob the bank, but maybe Mrs. Foster will recognize him.”
“Be my guest. I’m not worried about it, but if she is, we need to set her mind to rest about whoever hid the money.” Lawson scratched his chin, as he did when thinking over a matter. “I’m guessing the prowler at her house was either Jed Purvis or Heep Skinner trying to find it.”
“I figured that, too.”
The matter settled, Tolley took his leave of the sheriff and hurried back to the boardinghouse, entering on Mrs. Runyan’s heels. The milliner gave him an indifferent glance before going upstairs.
No longer caring what the other boarders thought or said, Tolley continued down the center hallway to the kitchen, where Laurie bustled around preparing supper. “Smells good, sweetheart.” He’d never called her sweetheart before, but now the endearment seemed to pop out of his mouth. “What are we having tonight?”
“No help, that’s for sure.”
He hadn’t noticed the hunch of her shoulders, a sure sign she wasn’t happy about something. “I need to talk to Mrs. Foster.” He showed her the wanted poster and repeated his discussion with the sheriff.
“Yes, of course.” Her demeanor quickly changed. “Please reassure her.”
“I will.” Pleased that she’d gotten past her mysterious upset, he hurried up the back stairs. As he passed the hole into the crawl space, he remembered it needed to be covered before he went to bed. But first things first. He knocked on Mrs. Foster’s door.
“Come in.” The poor dear sounded weary. He found her in her rocking chair struggling to knit in spite of her splinted arm. “Tolley, what did you find out?”
The room felt stuffy, so he left the door open and raised a window to bring in a breeze. As he had with Laurie, he explained his trip to the bank and sheriff’s office. “Do you recognize this man?” He unfolded the poster and set it before her.
She gasped. “Why, yes, I do. Must have been three or four years ago. He was a tramp with all his belongings in a tattered knapsack. Came to the back door asking for food, so I gave him a sandwich. In gratitude, he made a few repairs around the house. I haven’t thought about him since then. Why do you ask?”
“I think he used his access to the house to hide the money.” With the mystery solved, Tolley had only to discover how Smith had accomplished it. If he figured things right, the bag had sat under Mr. Parsley’s room. He’d wait until the watchmaker went to work before he investigated.
“Tolley, my dear boy, sit down a minute.” Mrs. Foster waved him to the straight-back chair near the door. “I’m so pleased you and Laurie will be getting married. I know this is something your father wanted for at least one of his boys.” Her faded cheeks turned pink. “I suppose it isn’t proper to discuss this because your brothers and the older Eberly girls found other loves and are happily married. But I believe the Colonel will be delighted for you and Laurie. Don’t you think?”
“Yes, ma’am.” Tolley chuckled. “My father’s approval is a pretty strong reason for marrying her.” Of course he did love her more than words could say.
“I don’t suppose you’ve managed to fix the bathroom yet.” Mrs. Runyan stood in the bedroom doorway. “Seems a pretty shoddy way to run a boardinghouse.”
Tolley glanced at Mrs. Foster before standing so he could tower over the grumpy boarder. As he’d hoped, she backed away. “If I recall, ma’am,” he growled, “you said bathrooms are indecent. Nevertheless, be assured the problem with the plumbing will be fixed in a few days.”
“Humph.” Mrs. Runyan spun around and returned to her room.
As mean as it sounded, Tolley couldn’t wait to inform her about the rent being raised.
* * *
“Why, I’ve never heard of such a thing.” Mr. Parsley stood and threw his napkin down on the dining room table. “Mrs. Foster, you simply cannot raise the rent on a whim.”
“Well...” Mrs. Foster cast a doubtful look around the table.
Before the landlady could change her mind, Laurie spoke up. “Of course she can. And it’s far from a whim. As we’ve shown you, she’s supporting the two of you in high style, while you’re both making plenty of money in your businesses. Do you give away your hats and watches without being paid? I think not.”
Tolley gave her an approving glance. She’d warned him to keep quiet for fear he’d lose his temper. No need to insult the boarders.
“The very idea.” In spite of her indignant tone, Mrs. Runyan kept on eating her raspberry pie. “I shall look into other accommodations first thing in the morning.”
“As shall I.” Mr. Parsley, apparently tempted by the dessert, sat down again and resumed his eating. “Don’t think I haven’t noticed what you two have been up to.” He glared at Laurie and Tolley.
“Do you mean getting engaged in front of Reverend Thomas?” Tolley winked at Laurie. “Nothing questionable about that.”
She smothered a smile. No need to gloat over their happiness when these two never seemed happy about anything.
After supper, Mrs. Foster helped her clear the table and then retired for the night. Tolley still needed to nail a piece of canvas over the crawl space hole, so Laurie busied herself washing the dishes. She hoped for some time alone with him in the parlor this evening. If the boarders complained, she’d play the piano, or at least sit on the piano stool instead of b
eside Tolley on the settee.
“Haven’t you finished washing the dishes yet?” Mrs. Runyan entered the kitchen from the center hallway. To Laurie’s knowledge, she’d never before set foot in this room.
“Why, no, ma’am.” Laurie smiled over her shoulder. “Would you like to help me dry them?”
Mrs. Runyan gasped. “Of course not. I’m a paying boarder, not a serving girl.”
Laurie sighed to herself. What made this unpleasant woman so arrogant?
Suddenly solicitous, Mrs. Runyan stood by the sink. “I only came in here because I’m concerned about you.”
“Concerned?” Laurie viewed her with suspicion. “About me?”
“Why, yes, dear.” Mrs. Runyan glanced around the room as if searching for listeners, then spoke in a soft voice like a hissing serpent. “From the moment I saw that young man, I didn’t trust him.”
Heat filled Laurie’s face. She refused to hear this unpleasant woman, who nonetheless kept talking.
“And now I have proof he doesn’t care the least bit for you. He’s only marrying you to please his father. I heard him say so to Mrs. Foster this evening before supper.” Despite her declaration of concern, she gave Laurie a triumphant smile. “If you have a lick of sense, you’ll hand back that cheap ring and never speak to him again.” She marched from the kitchen.
Not true. Not true. Laurie repeated the words over and over in her mind as hot tears began to splash into the dishpan. Why should she believe a horrid woman like Mrs. Runyan? And yet, for all of her hauteur, Laurie had never known her to lie. Further, Mrs. Runyan couldn’t have made this up. Laurie doubted the woman had ever heard the Eberly and Northam discussions about uniting their families. Jokes, actually. No one took the idea seriously, never put pressure on any of them to make such a marriage.
And yet...
With Tolley so desperate for the Colonel’s approval, did he plan to marry her to gain it? After all, he’d never said he loved her. Had only said they were good friends, made a good team. Yet never once lifted a hand to help her with what he considered “women’s work” the way her two brothers-in-law did for her sisters, while she’d done all she could to make his work on the bathroom easier. Shouldn’t love make him more generous toward her?
Cowboy Homecoming Page 21
