Corduroy Road To Love

by Coleman, Lynn A.

  “Nothing now. I was worried when you didn’t answer the door and I saw my horse in the stable.”

  “Come, come inside.”

  “Do you think it is wise?”

  “Come, I need to speak with you privately.”

  Olin looked over his shoulder and walked into the shop, leaving the door open to the street.

  “Olin, my reputation is already ruined.”

  “Not beyond repair. Besides, I’d want to sweep you in my arms and kiss you, if it were allowed.”

  Heat flickered across her cheeks. “And I you. Do you know what happened last night?”

  “Yes, my brothers and I,” he said, dropping his voice to a whisper, “came out after a couple hours’ sleep to check on the shop and the sheriff. Someone came inside. There was a low light moving in your room.”

  “Did you catch him?”

  “No. Kyle got knocked from behind and twisted his ankle. The yell sent John and me to his side, as well as Sheriff Thatcher.”

  “Oh dear. Is he all right?”

  “Doc says he’ll be fine in a week or more, just has to keep off his leg for a while.”

  Ida Mae stepped toward him. Olin stepped back. “Please stay there, Ida Mae. I want to hold ye so bad I ache.

  “The sheriff has a plan,” he continued. “As you recall, the sheriff wants ye to stay here tonight, but he’ll be here, as well. He’s ordered the locks changed on your door, and that will be taken care of later today. Whoever it is has a key—or knows how to pick a lock like me. Either way, the sheriff will be staying with you, as will his wife. He wants everyone to know he’s looking after you. He’s hoping that will be enough to scare this man off.”

  “I’m scared, Olin.”

  ❧

  Olin couldn’t take it any longer. He closed the door with the heel of his boot and wrapped her in his arms. “I know, sweetheart, but it will be all right. We figure whoever it is, is coming late at night. That gives me time to go home and sneak back into town unnoticed. I’ll be in the shop tonight, too, but we don’t want anyone knowing that.”

  She trembled in his arms.

  “This will be over soon, Ida Mae. It has to be.”

  He didn’t have the heart to tell her they now suspected more than one person. Whoever was inside couldn’t have knocked Kyle down.

  “Ida Mae?” Minnie rushed through the door. “What are you doing? Get your hands off of her this minute.” Minnie swatted Olin with her purse.

  Olin blocked her blows with his arm.

  “Minnie, stop.” Ida Mae wiped the tears from her eyes. “Olin was just giving me some comfort.”

  “I bet.”

  “I’ll be back, Ida Mae. Good day, Miss Jacobs.”

  Olin heard Minnie rush up to Ida Mae, asking her what happened.

  The rest of the day went well. He worked on the few orders he had and on Mr. Bechtler’s request. He’d formed other molds before, but this one would be the first he’d ever made for a gold coin. And it was still a secret. He tapped the mold into a piece of tin. He still had work to do, but it was coming. He flattened the impression in the tin so no one would know what he had been working on. His privacy in this small shop was limited. Carrying Mr. Bechtler’s design back and forth with him each night gave him some security that it would not fall into the wrong hands.

  Each evening nothing happened. The sheriff felt fairly confident Ida Mae was now safe.

  ❧

  Five days later everything seemed back to normal, except for Olin’s growing attraction to Ida Mae. They were deliberately meeting one another in public places, being kind and cordial with one another, denying their true feelings, and otherwise keeping their distance. If Ida Mae was as half torn up about it as he was, she was hurting, too. He’d sent his mother in to invite her to dinner so they could have some alone time. John met them at the end of the day and escorted them back to the farm.

  “Ye are causing a heap of trouble, little brother.”

  “Thanks for coming out, John.”

  “Ye are welcome. How are ye, Ida Mae?”

  “Fine. The gossip is winding down about me so the shop is starting to pick up a bit.”

  “I’m glad to hear it.”

  As they left the outskirts of town John pulled his horse away from them. “How are ye really?” Olin asked.

  “Better. I’m sleeping again.”

  “Good.”

  “How are you?”

  “About ready to climb the walls if I can’t be with you real soon. I miss ye so much.”

  Ida Mae giggled. “I miss you, too. How can that be?”

  “Ah, me sweetheart, ’tis love.” He wiggled his eyebrows for her.

  “How’s Kyle?”

  “Grumpier than a bear woken from his winter slumber. But he’s walking around a bit. Thankfully, the work is lighter around the farm right now.

  “Have you heard anything from Cyrus? How the farm is doing?”

  “No, and I’m not asking, either. Every time I go to deal with him the situation looks bleaker. I reckon this will not be an income-producing year. Any profits will go to my brothers.”

  “I thought the will was settled.”

  “It is, and the property is mine. But I want to give them a share of the profits for the next five years if I keep the farm. If not, I’ll sell and divide the monies between us.”

  “You don’t have to according to the will, right?”

  “True, but I want to.”

  Olin smiled. This was the woman he loved. “I love your generous heart, Ida Mae.”

  When they arrived at the farm Olin helped Ida Mae off the horse. She went inside while he and John put the horses in the barn.

  “Is she spending the night?” John asked.

  “I’d feel better if she did. But I don’t think it would be wise for her reputation.”

  “Aye, ye are probably correct. Can ye give me a hand after dinner? It won’t take but a half hour. It needs two sets of strong hands, and Dad’s been workin’ hard, covering for Kyle’s share.”

  “Be happy to.”

  “Oh, bring a rifle with you tonight. I saw bear tracks today.”

  With all the things Olin had to worry about he didn’t want to add one more. He knew it seemed that the danger was past for Ida Mae, but something he couldn’t quite figure out was still nagging him about the night Kyle got hurt.

  A shiver sliced down his spine. If a man would hurt Kyle for no reason, what would he do to Ida Mae?

  Eleven

  Ida Mae’s heart warmed at Olin’s touch as he wrapped his fingers around hers. “Come with me.”

  She couldn’t remember a more pleasant evening. For the past thirty minutes she’d sat and read while Mrs. Orr played her piano and Mr. Orr read a book. Olin had been gone for nearly a half hour. She’d forgotten what it was like to be a part of a real family, and she ached to have it once again.

  “Olin, I don’t want to leave.”

  Olin wrapped his arms around her. “I’m just taking ye to the backyard to sit on the swing. The stars are beautiful tonight.”

  “I don’t want to go home tonight. Can I stay in the spare room?”

  “Ye need to go home, and soon. John and Father will be riding with us tonight. We’re not takin’ any chances.”

  “Then we should leave now. I don’t want to keep your family up late.”

  “We can have a few minutes,” he whispered. “Alone.”

  Gooseflesh tingled all over. “Kiss me, before I faint.”

  Olin chuckled. “Remember, I said I wouldn’t kiss ye until ye asked. Thankfully, ye finally asked.”

  He captured her lips with a hunger that met her own. It had been nearly a full week since their first kiss and, oh, did she love kissing this man. She threaded her fingers through his silky hair. “I’ve missed you.”

  “I’ve missed ye as well. Will ye marry me now?”

  “Olin, we can’t.”

  “Why not?”

  Why not? she wondered. �
��Because we have so much to learn about each other first.”

  “We can learn it married.”

  “Olin, you’re impossible.”

  “I believe ye said incorrigible before.”

  She wrapped him in her arms and held on to him. She didn’t want to leave. She didn’t want to return to a life alone in her shop. She wanted what he had, wanted what his family had. “Where would we live?”

  “Is that a yes?”

  “No, it’s a curious question. My room isn’t big enough for two.”

  “My room isn’t big enough for two here.” He stepped away from her. “Before all these strange events I was determined to have a certain income, and a house, before I asked a woman to marry me. Now, all I can think about is you, and being by your side without fear of shaming ye.”

  “Olin, I do love you. But the time isn’t right for us to marry.”

  “Aye, ye speak the truth, lass. But mark my words, we will marry.”

  “Aye,” she agreed, mimicking his brogue.

  Olin roared. “I love ye more than words can say, Ida Mae. Come, let’s sit for a spell before we have to bring you home.”

  Ida Mae snuggled beside him on the swing. They rocked back and forth without saying a word and just relaxed in each other’s arms. The stars sparkled against the black velvet sky. The fresh smell of cut grass seemed richer, more vibrant. Life felt better in Olin’s arms. Yes, I will marry you, Olin Robert Orr.

  “Olin, Ida Mae, it’s time to be goin’!” Mrs. Orr called out.

  ❧

  They rode with lanterns burning, giving them a clearer path in the dark. Olin knew the roads well enough that lanterns weren’t necessary, but for safety they felt it best to use them.

  Olin walked Ida Mae to her door. His heart jumped in his chest when he saw it. He pulled Ida Mae back to the horses. “John, get the sheriff.”

  “What’s wrong?”

  “I’m not sure, but there is blood all over the front door. Let’s not stir up attention. Move the animals to Ida Mae’s father’s shop and stable.”

  “I should check my place.” Ida Mae took a step forward.

  “No, honey, please. Stay with my father. I’ll check everything out.”

  “All right.”

  After he had his father and Ida Mae settled in the blacksmith shop, he slipped into Ida Mae’s shop through the secret door, still open as the sheriff had requested. As his eyes adjusted to the light of the lantern, he saw that nothing appeared out of place.

  There was a knock at the door.

  “Evenin’, Sheriff.”

  “What happened here?”

  “I don’t know. There’s blood all over the front door.”

  “Chicken or pig, I suspect. Is there a note?”

  “Not that I’ve spotted so far. Father and Ida Mae are in her father’s shop. I came in through the secret passageway.”

  The sheriff slipped his hat up his forehead. “I guess this isn’t over.”

  “No, and I don’t want Ida Mae staying here. It isn’t safe.”

  “What do you suggest?”

  “I don’t know. I could bring her back home tonight.”

  “Someone must have known you were taking her home tonight. Doesn’t this fellow usually come later in the evening?”

  “Change of pattern?”

  “More than likely. Let me look over the shop and Ida Mae’s room. I’ll meet you in McAuley’s blacksmith shop.”

  “Yes, sir.” Olin couldn’t wait to be with Ida Mae.

  “When the sheriff comes we’re going to pack up some clothes and bring ye to our house.”

  “What was in there, son?”

  “Nothing, all looks normal to me. But the sheriff knows what to look for.”

  “Aye, he’s a good man. Ida Mae, ye are welcome to our home for as long as ye wish.”

  Olin winked. Ida Mae smiled.

  The sheriff slipped through the secret doorway. “Hello, Miss McAuley. How are you?”

  “Terrified.”

  “You should be. I don’t know what’s going on, but I think you’ll be safer at the Orrs’ farm.” The sheriff started looking around to see if anything had been disturbed in the smithy.

  He opened a cabinet door toward the front of the smithy that was slightly ajar and Olin blinked. “Where did that come from?”

  “Ida Mae, please come here,” Sheriff Thatcher ordered. “Are these the items that were missing from your room and shop?”

  Even Olin recognized some of the items from the descriptions Ida Mae had given him before.

  “Yes. Olin, why are they here?”

  “I didn’t put them here.”

  “Shh, relax, everyone. I believe someone is trying to have Olin blamed for all the missing items. Let’s leave them here for now. Whoever stole the items wants them to be discovered. If Olin had taken these, he wouldn’t have left them where customers could see them when he opened the cupboard. What concerns me is that the intruder now has a new key or has learned to pick locks like Olin.”

  “You can pick a lock?” John questioned.

  Olin nodded.

  “If I’d known that I’d have had ye open a trunk I lost the key to two years ago,” John chuckled.

  “Olin, take Ida Mae home. Tonight I’ll need one of you to stay up all night or to work in shifts, but I want someone to watch over your home just in case. The blood on the front door is a more desperate warning.”

  “Sheriff, me boys and I will take care of Ida Mae and our own. Ye can count on us.”

  “Thank you, Mr. Orr.” The sheriff extended his hand. “I’ll ride out in the morning and tell you what I find.”

  Olin escorted Ida Mae to her horse. She was shaking now. The shock was setting in. “I’ll ride Ida Mae with me. We’ll leave her horse here. She’s too shaky to ride alone in the dark.”

  Ida Mae nodded.

  They removed her horse’s gear and set him up with some fresh oats and water.

  The sheriff stepped back through the secret door. John slipped out of the shop first, then Olin and Ida Mae, followed by his father. They kept the lanterns off until they reached the end of town.

  “We forgot to pack her clothes.”

  “Your mother will fix her up, son. Let’s get home. It’s too late to stay out here.”

  Olin couldn’t agree more.

  John lifted his rifle.

  ❧

  Ida Mae buried her head in Olin’s back. Blood! Blood on my door! Why, Lord? Ida Mae prayed for understanding. What had she done to make someone so upset with her? Or was it that someone was so upset with Olin that they would go to such extreme lengths to have him blamed for all the weird happenings at her shop? It didn’t make sense. Nothing made sense, except for her oneness with Olin. He’d been right; they should marry. They were meant for one another. He completed her in so many ways. All the unanswered questions in her life seemed to be answered, or at least calmed, by his presence. Yes, she loved Olin Orr, and she would be honored to be his wife. But would life allow it?

  She held him tighter. He patted her hands. “It’ll be all right, Ida Mae. With God’s grace we’ll get through this. I love ye, sweetheart.”

  By the time they arrived at the house and got Ida Mae set up in the spare room, everyone was exhausted. Kyle said he’d take the first watch. Olin would get up in two hours and watch until five. Then John would get up and watch for a half hour until Mr. Orr would get up, then John would get the morning chores under way. Ida Mae didn’t think she could sleep, but the moment her head hit the feather pillow she was dreaming of living the rest of her life in Olin’s arms.

  ❧

  When the cock crowed for the third time, Ida Mae pushed herself out of bed. The smell of frying bacon drew her to the kitchen. Due to the lateness of the hour the night before, she’d received only sleeping garments from Mrs. Orr. As quickly as possible, she dressed in her own clothes before entering the kitchen for breakfast.

  “Good morning, Ida Mae. Would you like so
me coffee or tea?”

  “Coffee, if you don’t mind.”

  “Coffee it is.” Mrs. Orr poured her a cup and set it down on the small kitchen table.

  “Is there anything I can do to help?”

  Mrs. Orr smiled. “No, thank you. I’ve been in a rhythm for years.”

  “I understand.” Ida Mae sipped the rich brew. Coffee would help dissolve the cobwebs in her brain.

  “We’re having eggs, bacon, grits, and blueberries this morning. Is that all right with ye?”

  “I haven’t eaten a full breakfast like that in over a year.”

  “And I daresay it shows. Ye are nothing but skin and bones.”

  “I’ve always been on the slight side. But I haven’t eaten as well since my parents died. It’s hard to cook for one.”

  “Aye, I can imagine. Ye will fill your belly this mornin’.” She went back to frying up the bacon on the woodstove. “I tend to use the summer kitchen outside during these warm months, but I didn’t want to have ye leavin’ the house this mornin’ in case anyone is watching.”

  “I appreciate that.”

  “Aye. A dip in the stream might be in order today. I could use a good scrubbin’. How about you?”

  “Yes, I could use one as well.”

  “I’ll find ye some clean clothes after breakfast. We’ll have Mr. Orr join us for the bath.”

  Ida Mae nearly dropped her cup of coffee.

  “Forgive me. He’ll join us with his shotgun and keep watch over the swimming hole. He won’t be bathing with us.”

  Ida Mae’s cheeks flamed. Of course, Mrs. Orr was thinking of their safety.

  The men came in from the morning chores, and breakfast was consumed faster than Mrs. Orr could cook it. “I’ve been thinkin’,” Kyle said, breaking off another piece of bread to scoop up his eggs. “Since ye and Ida Mae will be gettin’ married, why don’t ye do it now?”

  Ida Mae choked on her eggs.

  Mrs. Orr slapped her back.

  Mr. Orr coughed.

  “What?” John shook his head.

  Olin slipped down in his chair.

  John reached across the table and grabbed the platter of bacon. “Kyle, you don’t just get married to keep a woman safe.”

  “I know that. But I heard them talking about it last night.”

  All eyes turned to Olin and then back to Ida Mae.