She scanned the various bundles. “Where to begin?”
“With the easiest first,” Minnie spouted as she came from the back room.
“How did you get. . .”
She held up a key. “You gave it to me.”
Under duress. “I forgot.”
“What happened here?” Minnie looked over the various piles.
“Everyone who was in the least bit curious has come by.”
Minnie giggled. “Well, you won’t worry about what to eat this winter. Not that you ever had to. But I’m tellin’ ya, Cyrus ain’t no farmer. Pa went by the place the other day and said it was a mess.”
“Olin and his brothers have said the same. I know I won’t be leasing the land to him next year. But I’ve since given up hope of seeing any profit for this year.” Ida Mae sat down at the flax wheel.
“How can I help?”
“Start carding the wool or clean the cotton. Either one would be a tremendous help.”
Minnie sat down at the counter and opened the cotton bundle from Mrs. Perkins. “Mother’s in town. She might come over when she’s done her shoppin’.”
“Your mother hardly ever comes to town. What brought her in this time?” Ida Mae lifted some of the stringy flax fibers and rubbed them through her fingers.
“You. She’s speaking with Mr. Orr right now.”
“What?” The fine fibers fell to the floor.
“Don’t go fussin’. She’s just makin’ sure Father was right about Mr. Orr.”
When will this family let me make my own choices? She wanted to scream but bit her tongue to keep from exploding.
“She’ll find him charmin’.”
Ida Mae chuckled.
“Oh, hush now. You were right; I was wrong.”
Which explained Minnie’s offer to help. Her cousin could leap into anything once she had a mind to. “What about Percy?”
“What about him?”
“Weren’t you and he—”
“He hasn’t been around since I told him I didn’t think Bobby—Olin,” she corrected, “was the man he’s made him out to be. I thought. . .” Her words trailed off.
Ida Mae knew what she thought. Minnie had hoped for a relationship with Percy, that he might be the man to spend the rest of her life with. “I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be. If he truly is that vengeful he’d make a horrible husband. Ain’t gonna live like that. A man who can’t forgive and move on with life. . .” Minnie shook her head. “A woman would be hard pressed to enjoy marriage with a man like that.”
“Has he ever said what it was Olin did that got Percy so upset with him?”
“No.”
Ida Mae wished something would come out. It didn’t make sense that a cousin would hold a grudge for so long. Not when blood is thicker than water, as the saying was among the various Scots-Irish clans. Granted, Percy’s father wasn’t Scots-Irish, but his mother was. Ida Mae’s own family tree descended from the same heritage. But her family had come to America several generations before Olin’s father’s, and they had long since lost their accent. Olin’s accent woke something inside her. “Minnie, what if—”
“Open up, Ida Mae!” Sheriff Thatcher bellowed.
❧
Olin’s heart thumped in his chest when he saw the precious blond-haired, blue-eyed maiden he’d lost his heart to. Her eyes were as big as the end of a hammer.
“Sheriff, Olin.” She stepped aside to let them in.
“Miss Minnie.” The sheriff lifted his hat slightly and nodded. “Your mother waits in her carriage at Mr. Orr’s tin shop.”
Ida Mae hugged her cousin. “Thanks.”
“I’ll return before we leave for home,” Minnie asserted, then marched out the front door.
Olin held back a laugh, thankful he wasn’t called to be Minnie Jacobs’s spouse. He worked his way around the sheriff and sidled up beside Ida Mae, capturing her in a protective embrace. “The sheriff has some interesting news.”
“Miss McAuley, are you aware that Percy Mandrake has been arrested?”
Ida Mae relaxed in Olin’s arms. He gave her a gentle squeeze, encouraged that his cousin no longer posed a threat to him or, more importantly, to Ida Mae.
“Why?”
“Drunk and disorderly.”
“He claims he was responsible for putting the chicken blood on the entrance,” Olin supplied. She needed to know that the threat was gone.
“Did he admit to anything else?”
“No, ma’am, only the blood.”
“Why?”
“He didn’t say. He succumbed to the liquor and fell asleep.”
“Does this mean I’m safe?”
“I’d wager to say it is a safe bet. Percy’s been after Olin since he came back to town. He even came to my office to report Olin’s past crimes.”
“So all of this was about you and not me?”
Olin turned and faced her. “This is where the sheriff and I disagree. The notes were personal to you. Sheriff feels—”
“I can speak for myself,” Sheriff Thatcher chided Olin. “The first note said to get rid of your tenant, that would be Olin, and we know how Percy felt about him. The second note revealed someone had been watching your place in the middle of the night. Again, it was an indirect reference to Olin.”
“But what about the stolen items?”
“They were hidden in Olin’s area of the shop.”
Olin had to admit it made sense, but something in the pit of his gut told him there was something else going on here. Someone else was still after Ida Mae, but he couldn’t understand who or why.
“So, I am safe.” Ida Mae breathed a sigh of relief.
Olin’s spine stiffened. A tiny muscle in his jaw started to twitch.
“Thank you, Sheriff Thatcher, for all your hard work on my behalf.”
“Just doin’ my job, Ida Mae. Olin, don’t forget that special project. The customer is hoping to get a look at the design next week.”
“Tell him it will be ready.”
Ida Mae furrowed her brows. Olin reached for his collar and pulled. How long could he keep this a secret? If she were his wife, it wouldn’t be a problem. His mind spun off in various directions. It’s not that he didn’t want to share the information with Ida Mae. Actually, he was longing to tell her. But the reality was, if he didn’t keep the secret it would affect Mr. Bechtler and his plans to make the first gold coin in the area. A mint near the mines seemed like a brilliant plan. Presently, the gold was shipped up to Washington to be minted there. As much as he wanted to tell Ida Mae, he couldn’t.
“Sheriff Thatcher”—Ida Mae turned her attention from Olin back to the sheriff—“am I really safe now?”
“It appears that way. I’d like you to continue to be cautious. Also, be aware that everyone in town is watching you now.”
And me. Olin’s mind drifted back over his day and the many curiosity seekers. “We’ll be careful.”
The sheriff paused for a moment, then gave a lift of his hat and departed.
“How was your day?” Olin asked before stepping aside and giving Ida Mae some room.
“Busy. And yours? I heard my aunt came by to see you.”
Olin smiled. “She needed her heart settled—like your uncle.”
“Do you think Percy was our problem?”
“If the sheriff believes that to be the case, I guess I do, too, although I’m still uncomfortable. Mayhap it could be we’ve lived in fear for so long our minds need time to adjust.”
“Will you be moving back into the shop?”
I’d love to. “No. For now I believe I should stay where I am. Are ye hungry?”
“Starving.”
“Mum came into town to invite you to dinner.”
“Olin, tell your mother thank you, but I have to spend most of the night working. I need to get caught up on this rash of orders. I know most of them are from folks who didn’t really need the work done, but some are legitimate requests. All these
little orders will stop me from completing the bigger orders.”
“Aye, I understand. I’ll be working late tonight as well.” He didn’t want to tell her the gossip was so bad that when he closed his shop door with Ida Mae’s aunt inside someone had gone running to the sheriff to report his illicit behavior. “I miss you.”
She turned in his embrace and nuzzled her head under his chin. “I’ve missed you, too.”
He kissed the top of her head. “I better go back to my shop or my parents will wonder what happened to me.”
She stepped out of his embrace, and the cool wind of separation washed over him. He wanted her in his arms. Olin dropped them to his sides. I can’t give in to my emotions. Not now.
“I’ll see you tomorrow.” The gentle whoosh of her skirt followed her back to the spinning wheel.
Olin stepped out the front door. “Don’t forget to lock it.” The bright setting sun caused him to blink. Could their troubles be truly over? Was Percy responsible for everything? And why the blood?
❧
Ida Mae worked until midnight. She finished a large order and several of the smaller ones. Tomorrow she’d work on John Alexander’s newest order. He had pressed to have this one filled as soon as possible. She supposed it had something to do with the amount of people who had come through her door the previous two days.
Before bed she swept the floors and checked the locks. A twinge of hunger rumbled in her stomach, reminding her she hadn’t eaten since breakfast. In the back room she cut a slice of bread, sliced a tomato, and sprinkled it with basil, salt, and pepper. She then peeled the layer of wax off a small ball of cheese she had made last week.
A flash of a memory of being in Olin’s arms wiggled past her tired senses. Lord, how can I love him so much having known him for so little time? Do I truly love him or am I caught up in the emotions and fear because of the events that have happened?
Memories of the day’s conversations swam through her mind as she sat down to eat her makeshift dinner. It bothered her that so many people had come just to satisfy their curiosity. And yet it was typical for the area. Many genuinely cared what happened to her, others were just busybodies trying to get the next tidbit they could share with someone else.
Ida Mae bit into the soft ball of cheese, a delicacy her mother had taught her to make. It melted well and was great for heating over a slice of toast. She’d love an open toasted cheese sandwich with tomato and basil right now, but her meal, such as it was, would have to do.
Closing her eyes, Ida Mae sat and enjoyed the peaceful night sounds. A distant owl hooted. Night insects hummed, building in intensity as the rest of the world’s silence deepened. “If only life could remain this calm.”
Taking in a deep sigh, she quickly finished her meal, cleaned up, and went to bed. Morning would be sneaking up on her if she didn’t get to sleep soon. As she snuggled into her pillow, thoughts of Olin and being in his arms drifted back. “Lord, I should have married him. But—I’m doing it again, always questioning, never going with my first instinct. Why? Why can’t I just make a decision and stick with it? Why do I flounder so?
“On the other hand, Father isn’t around to give his blessing to Olin. I haven’t known him all that long, and is physical attraction enough? How can a girl court when her parents are gone? How does one know if she is making the right choice?
“Then again, others seem to marry quickly and enjoy a happy marriage. Is a long courtship necessary to know if this person is to be your spouse?”
Ida Mae tossed and turned for thirty minutes, pondering these questions before falling asleep. She awoke the next morning with the same questions buzzing around in her head.
She dressed and made a large breakfast for herself, one that would hold a farmer all day if necessary, and she expected to have a similar day today as she had the day before. After breakfast she cleaned up and went out the back door to throw the dirty water away.
Fear spiraled down her legs like the wool circling the large spinner’s wheel, tying her in place.
Seventeen
Olin dug his spurs into the horse’s side to catch up to the swarm of people huddled around Ida Mae’s back door. He’d hoped to have a few minutes alone with her before they started their day. He jumped off the horse. Worming his way through the crowd, he called out, “Ida Mae?”
She stood there frozen, with tears running down her cheeks. He came up beside her. “Ida Mae.”
“Get your hands off of her.”
“Pardon?” Olin turned to see a man holding a knife.
“You heard me. Miss McAuley didn’t have any problems until you moved into town.”
“Stop!” Ida Mae cried and reached out toward Olin. “Cyrus, Olin is my friend.”
“Ida Mae, you’ve gotta see that he’s the cause of all your problems.”
“No. He isn’t. You’re the one who scared me this morning.”
A surge of anger pulsed through Olin. He opened and closed his fists. He had little patience for Cyrus Morgan, who had a wife but let rumors continue that Ida Mae was his wife. A man who claimed to be a farmer but turned her farm into a dirt farm where even weeds wouldn’t grow. What was he doing with an unsheathed knife? “Folks, you can go about your business. I’ll—good morning, Sheriff.”
Sheriff Thatcher made his way to the center of the crowd. “What seems to be the problem?”
“Cyrus Morgan startled me this morning. He came to deliver a ham but all I saw was his large knife when I opened the door.”
“I see.” The sheriff turned toward Cyrus. “Is this true?”
“Yes, sir.” Cyrus lifted the smallest smoked ham Olin had ever seen. He truly was a miserable farmer. “I came to deliver this from the farm.”
“Mr. Orr, what brings you here this morning?”
“I came to check on Miss McAuley before opening my shop.”
The sheriff nodded, then turned back to the crowd. “Y’all can go on now. I’ve got the matter in hand.” Then he turned toward Ida Mae. “Are you all right?”
She nodded.
“Mr. Morgan, why don’t you give me the ham? Mr. Orr, why don’t you head on to your place of business?”
Olin stared in disbelief. Did the sheriff now consider him a suspect? Sheriff Thatcher winked.
Olin fought the desire to stay planted and ask a million questions. Instead, he abided with the sheriff’s wishes and mounted his horse. He could hear Cyrus do the same behind him. He didn’t want to leave Ida Mae, but he saw something in the sheriff’s eyes, something akin to a gentle sternness that said, “Let me do my job.”
Olin would let him for the time being. But the first opportunity he had he’d be at Ida Mae’s door. He didn’t like the look of Cyrus’s knife, and could well imagine the fear it had caused her. “Lord, please keep her safe.”
Olin arrived at his shop, dismounted, and readied his horse for the stable. I should go back. He tossed the saddle on the rail of the stall. But the sheriff said to come here. Why? He reached for the oats and filled the bin. “This is nonsense. I should be with her. I should be protecting her.”
He grabbed the water bucket to top off the trough. After a couple of stiff cranks, the pump poured water into the bucket. “But Percy is locked up, isn’t he? So where is the threat?”
❧
Ida Mae held on to the banister just a few minutes longer, hoping that her legs were no longer rubber. “What’s the matter, Sheriff?”
“You tell me. I come into work this morning and there’s a crowd gathering at your home. Doesn’t make a man content with all that’s been happening.”
“It’s as I said, I saw the knife and couldn’t move. I’m afraid I can’t tell you who gathered or when they gathered. It’s all a blank to me. The only thing I remember is Olin calling my name.”
“I see. Did Cyrus actually come to bring you a ham?”
“Apparently. It’s my portion of the pig he slaughtered last week.”
“Wasn’t very big.”
/> “No, I can see that.” Ida Mae released the railing. “Would you like to come inside?”
“No, I think we’ve given the neighbors quite enough to talk about today.”
Absolutely. “I’m fine, Sheriff.”
Sheriff Thatcher nodded with the tip of his hat. “I’ll be off. I’ll come around and check on you at noon.”
“Thank you.”
Ida Mae went into her room and collapsed on her bed. How could she have overreacted so? She’d seen large knives many times. Just about every man carried one in some form or fashion. But still, it was odd to see such a huge knife to simply cut the string he was using to hold the ham up on a nail.
Why would the sheriff send Olin away? “Time to face the day.”
Several hours later, Olin returned. Together they discussed her tired nerves and his desire to take her away from all of this. Her love for Olin deepened as she watched him be more concerned about her and her interests than his own.
The next few days passed without incident. Even the constant stream of customers had slowed down to an occasional one or two a day. All caught up on her work, Ida Mae made a picnic lunch to bring to Olin. Today they would finally have some time alone, she hoped. They’d had dinner with his parents one night, but Kyle had escorted her back to the town. Time alone was at an all-time premium. If it wasn’t the sheriff constantly separating them for some unknown reason, it was his family. Do they not want me to marry Olin? Ida Mae’s step faltered at the thought.
She had sent a note to Olin earlier in the day to let him know her intentions. The door to his shop was closed. Odd.
Olin leaned against the stable doorway. “Hello.”
She turned to the left. “Hello” His handsome face glowed. Ida Mae’s heart clenched. She did love this man. A few days of calm allowed her to trust her instincts and not question whether she loved him only because he’d come to her rescue on more than one occasion.
❧
Ida Mae quickened her pace and came up beside him. “I’ve been looking forward to this for days.”
Olin chuckled. “You only sent me an invitation this morning. Where are we going?”
Corduroy Road To Love Page 13
