“I just thought—”
Riley touched Cassie’s hand, his smile tender. “It’s a good plan. I’ll keep it in mind as a backup, in case I can’t come up with something else.”
So he hadn’t decided on a course of action yet.
And time was running out.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Sunday morning, Cassie and Riley left a little early for church so that Cassie could drop off her baked goods at the boardinghouse and the restaurant. Then they headed for the Rose Palace Hotel, where Guy was already waiting for them in the lobby.
As they headed for the churchyard, Guy turned to Cassie. “Once the children are better and your duties are not so onerous, I would like to take you out for a meal at your fine restaurant. As a thank-you for all you’ve done for my children.”
“That is most kind,” she said noncommittally. “Does this mean you plan to stick around for a while once the children are well?”
“I do. As we discussed, it’ll take a bit of time for this skeptical brother of mine to see that I’m truly a changed man. And I’m also coming to appreciate Turnabout and all it has to offer.” He smiled at her meaningfully. “It might be the perfect place to raise my children.”
“We do take pride in being an open, welcoming town.” Could they take him at his word? If he planned to stay here, at least for the time being, that would give Riley some breathing room, might get them through until the detective was able to close his case.
They made small talk for the rest of the walk, though Cassie found the effort to continue to be pleasant trying.
She sat in the pew between Riley and Guy. When it came time to sing the opening hymn, she was surprised by the richness of Guy’s voice. It was deep, full and absolutely on key. She noticed that he had quite a number of heads turning his way with smiles of appreciation.
How could a man be gifted with so many blessings and still turn to wrongdoing?
Once the church service was over Cassie and Riley were put in the position of introducing Guy to Reverend Harper and others of the community.
Guy, with his gallant smile and boyish looks, seemed to be making a good impression. Which made Cassie feel like a bit of a fraud.
As they walked away from the churchyard, Guy invited them to have lunch with him at the hotel, but they refused, referring to the need to check in on the children. It was a relief when they left him at the hotel and continued on to Mrs. Flanagan’s place.
When they stepped inside the house, it was to discover that Pru, with Mrs. Flanagan’s help, had prepared their lunch. It was a simple meal consisting of sliced ham, boiled potatoes, some pickled squash and green beans that had been put up from last year’s garden, and the second batch of biscuits Cassie had baked before heading out this morning.
Cassie clasped her hands together. “What a pleasant surprise! I can’t believe you did all this.”
“Pru has the makings of a fine cook,” Mrs. Flanagan said proudly. “All she needs is a good teacher and a little bit of experience.”
Both of which Cassie would love to provide for her.
* * *
When Guy arrived at Mrs. Flanagan’s that afternoon, he was carrying a large brown paper bag with something inside.
“What have you got there?” Mrs. Flanagan asked archly.
“It’s a surprise, but it will have to wait until after our outing.”
“Oh, I do like surprises.”
“As do I.”
Riley didn’t care much for the smug look on Guy’s face as he made that last statement. The man was up to something.
Guy set the bag on the porch near the swing, then glanced at Riley. “Can I have your word that you won’t look inside? That would spoil the surprise.”
Yep, he was definitely up to something. But Guy had him—he knew if Riley gave his word he wouldn’t break it. He nodded assent.
After Guy had taken Mrs. Flanagan away, Riley turned to Cassie. “I need to go down to the livery for a little while. I want to check on River.” He’d finally come up with plan.
* * *
Riley was once more waiting on the porch when Guy returned with Mrs. Flanagan. Once they had the widow settled in her chair at the top of the steps, Guy straightened and gave him a direct look. “I would like to see my daughter now.”
Riley was taken aback by the unexpected request. Though in hindsight he should have seen it coming.
Mrs. Flanagan spoke up before he could marshal his thoughts. “I know the doctors say patients aren’t contagious anymore after new blisters stop forming, but she still has a few spots left and we thought it best to be safe.”
“I’ll take my chances. I haven’t seen my children in over four years now, and I think it’s high time I remedy that.”
“She’s napping right now,” Riley protested.
“Then I’ll wait.” Guy moved to the porch swing and sat.
After a long moment during which the stepbrothers stared at each other without blinking, Mrs. Flanagan spoke up again. “Bless your heart, of course you want to see your baby girl—what father wouldn’t? It does my heart good to know that you care about her so much that you’d risk exposure to the chicken pox at your age. If Riley will be so kind as to roll me inside, I’ll go check on the little lamb myself.”
Riley gritted his teeth. Mrs. Flanagan was taking this act of hers a bit too far. But he obediently pushed her chair inside the house and straight to the kitchen, where he knew Guy couldn’t overhear their conversation.
“I am not letting Guy anywhere near Pru.”
“You don’t have any choice.”
“What’s this all about?” Cassie asked, looking from one to the other.
“Guy is sitting out on the porch, demanding to see Pru now that she’s no longer contagious.”
“Oh no.”
“Listen, you two, I know this is not ideal, but she’s going to have to face her father sooner or later—”
“Not if I can help it.”
“You can’t. Do you want to test the legalities of your guardianship right here and now? Because all Guy has to do is go talk to Sheriff Gleason, and then you’d have to face that showdown you’ve been dreading.”
Riley raked his hand through his hair. “But Pru doesn’t want to see him.”
“I’m well aware of that. But she’ll have us close by.”
“Absolutely. I’m going to be right by her side, and if Guy so much as—”
“You will do no such thing. You’ll be in the children’s room, making sure Noah is not upset by what’s going on around him. Cassie Lynn, pull out your sewing box. You’re going to sit on the other end of the porch, doing your mending, while Pru and her daddy get reacquainted.”
Riley didn’t move. “I don’t like this.”
“Neither do I. But the sooner we get to it, the sooner it will be over. Now, who should tell Pru?” The widow held up a hand. “I don’t mean who wants to do it. I mean who can best explain this without frightening the girl or unduly upsetting her.”
Riley looked to Cassie and saw her staring back at him. Finally he turned to Mrs. Flanagan. “I think perhaps Cassie and I should do it together.”
The woman nodded. “Now you’re thinking and not just reacting.”
Five minutes later, when Cassie led a pale and frightened-looking Pru from her room, Mrs. Flanagan stopped them. “I just wanted you to know that I told Pru’s daddy that she shouldn’t stay out very long because she’s still weak from her illness. I also told him you would be on the bench nearby in case Pru shows signs of needing to retreat.”
The widow patted Pru’s arm. “Don’t be frightened. We’re all right here and we won’t let anything happen to you.”
Pru nodded, then looked up at Cassie.
Cassie ha
d one hand on Pru’s shoulder and her sewing basket handle in the other. “It’ll be all right.” She tried to infuse as much assurance in her tone as she could. “I’ll be sitting a few feet away the whole time. I promise I won’t leave you alone.”
As soon as they stepped out on the porch, Guy stood. “Prudence, what a beautiful young lady you’ve become. You look so much like your mother.”
“Thank you.” The little girl’s words were barely above a whisper and she moved closer to Cassie’s side, practically gluing herself to her leg.
Guy retook his seat on the swing and patted the spot next to him. “Come here and sit beside me. I have something I want to show you.”
Pru glanced up at Cassie as if asking what she should do. The girl’s terrified eyes tore into Cassie’s heart and fueled her anger against the man. What had the child’s father done to her all those years ago that she should still fear him so much?
She gave Pru’s shoulder a little squeeze. “Go on, sweetie, sit with your pa. And just remember, I’m right here.”
Pru nodded resignedly, then turned and slowly plodded across the porch. The poor girl had the air of a prisoner going to meet her executioner. It would be a blessing if this little family reunion didn’t last too long.
Cassie moved to the bench on the other end of the porch, though she turned it to face the swing before sitting down. As she opened her sewing basket, she saw Guy reach for the brown paper bag that had been placed nearby. Did he refrain from hugging his daughter out of deference for her feelings or because he himself had no real interest?
He drew a large box out of the bag, one tied with a wide pink satin ribbon that formed a bow on top.
“This is for you,” he said, laying it in Pru’s lap. “A present to make up for all those birthdays and Christmases I missed.”
For a moment Pru just sat staring at the package, as if uncertain what to do with it.
“Aren’t you going to open it?” her father finally asked.
With a nod, she began delicately tackling the ribbon. After several minutes, when she’d made very little progress, Guy reached down. “Here, let me help you with that.”
He quickly removed the ribbon, then sat back, allowing her to open the lid on her own.
Curious, Cassie ignored her mending to see just what it was he’d brought Pru.
Setting the lid aside, the little girl reached in and drew out a doll. From what Cassie could see, it was breathtaking. The doll had a porcelain face and hands. The head was covered in springy golden curls and the dress was a frothy cascade of ivory lace and pink fabric.
For a long time Pru just stared at the doll, not saying anything, and then she gently laid it back in its box. “Thank you,” she said politely. Then she reached for the lid.
This restrained politeness was obviously not the reaction Guy had been hoping for. “Don’t you like the doll? The shopkeeper assured me this was the best one on the market.”
“She’s very pretty.” Pru’s toned remained unenthusiastically polite.
“It’s okay to play with it, you know. That’s why I bought it for you.”
“I already have a doll to play with—Bitsy. Momma made her for me.”
This drew a frown from him. “A rag doll? You’d prefer a rag doll to this beautiful little lady?”
Pru’s chin went up stubbornly. “Bitsy’s my friend, even if she doesn’t have fancy hair or fancy clothes. And Momma made her for me.” She repeated that last as if he hadn’t heard it the first time and it should explain everything.
And to Cassie, it did.
But apparently not to Guy. It was obvious he didn’t like the way his grand gesture had been received. But then he cut a quick glance her way, as if just remembering her presence, and his whole demeanor changed.
He smiled down at his daughter, and when he spoke, his tone had softened once more. “I can see as how you are very loyal to your old friend Bitsy, and loyalty is a very fine quality.” He tapped the box, which still sat in her lap. “But this little lady needs a home and someone to love her, as well. Do you think you and Bitsy can find it in your hearts to take care of her?”
It was exactly the right thing to say to get Pru to accept the doll. She glanced down at the box, her expression changing from rejection to uncertainty to tentative acceptance. Then she nodded. “We can do that.”
“That’s my girl.”
A look of panic crossed Pru’s face and she cast a quick glance toward Cassie.
The look wasn’t lost on Guy. But instead of showing irritation, he smiled fondly at the little girl. “I imagine you want to show your new friend to Bitsy and your brother, so I won’t keep you sitting here much longer. But I do have one more thing.” He drew another, much smaller box from the bag. “This one is for your brother. Since I can’t visit him just yet, would you give it to him for me?”
Pru nodded and accepted the second box.
“Before you go,” he added, touching a finger to his cheek, “it would please me to no end if you would give me a goodbye kiss right here.” And he leaned closer to her.
Pru hesitated a heartbeat, then gave him a quick peck and scrambled off the swing and moved toward the door, as if afraid he would try to pull her back.
Cassie hastily put her mending away and stood.
Guy stood, as well, and gave her a chagrined smile. “It appears my first attempt to make friends met with mixed success.”
“She’ll need some time to adjust to the idea.”
He nodded. “I know. I guess it was unrealistic of me to expect her to love me right away, the way I do her.”
He was the picture of a forlorn but hopeful parent. “But as you say, time will mend those broken fences. And I aim to give her and Noah all the time they need.” He twisted his hat in his hands. “I just hope Riley doesn’t try to keep poisoning them against me.”
“He wouldn’t do that.”
Gut’s look said he believed differently. But he set his bowler hat back on his head and then moved to open the door for her. “I will bid you good day and hope to see you when I return again tomorrow.”
Cassie nodded and then walked past him to enter the house. He stood in such a way that it forced her into closer proximity than she liked. It gave her an unpleasant, queasy kind of feeling that lasted for a moment even after she closed the door. How could it be that so many women apparently found him charming?
Then Riley appeared in front of her. “I take it he’s gone?”
Cassie nodded and pulled herself together. “Your stepbrother behaved with decorum.” Mostly. “How is Pru?”
“A little quieter than usual, but otherwise okay. She and Noah are playing with their gifts—Guy’s way of trying to win their affection.”
“What did he give Noah?”
“A whole bag of marbles, including a few aggies and a shooter.” Riley grimaced. “Noah’s thrilled with his present.”
“Any boy would be.” She remembered how much her brothers prized their marbles, all the more because they didn’t have many.
“And Pru is busy introducing her new doll to Bitsy. Seeing how delighted they are made me realize I haven’t been much for gift giving since they’ve been in my care. I’m not even sure when their birthdays are.” Riley gave Cassie a troubled look. “Little kids should get to celebrate their birthdays—especially kids who don’t have much else to celebrate.”
She placed her hand on his arm. “You’ve given them so much more than mere things. You’ve given them your love, and have put them first over your own needs, and have done everything in your power to keep them safe. Believe me, those things are much more important than a doll and a bag of marbles.”
He placed his hand over hers and gave it a squeeze. “Thanks.”
With a nod, she turned and headed down the hall to check on th
e children, wanting to reassure herself that Pru was okay.
She smiled when she saw them playing with their gifts, just as Riley had said. Cassie sat on the edge of Pru’s bed. “Have you given your new doll a name yet?”
Pru nodded. “Cindy.”
“That’s a pretty name.”
“I named her after Cinderella, because she was mostly alone and looking for someone to love her. And now she’s a princess.”
“I see. That is quite fitting.” Apparently both children had been taken with the Cinderella story. Mrs. Flanagan must have done an extraordinary job reading it to them.
Pru looked at her other doll. “I’m worried about Bitsy. She doesn’t have beautiful clothes like Cindy and she’s not a princess. Do you think that will make her sad?”
“Not if you continue to love her. That’s the greatest thing for any doll, to be loved by the little girl who owns her.”
Pru hugged the rag doll tightly against her chest. “I do love her a whole bunch.”
Cassie had an idea. “Wait here just a minute. I’ll be right back.”
She went to her room, opened the top drawer of the dresser and lifted out a small, somewhat battered cardboard box nestled there. Opening it, she stared at the contents. Inside was a bracelet, a delicate gold chain barely long enough to fit around her wrist, with a single red stone. Her mother had given it to her on her thirteenth birthday and it was the only piece of jewelry she owned.
Cassie stared at it a moment, then closed her fist around it and headed out of the room.
She sat down next to Pru. “I believe that even though Cindy is a princess, Bitsy is secretly a queen. She just doesn’t make a lot of fuss about it because she’s a very practical queen who likes to wear sensible clothes that she can play in and not have to worry about getting dirty.”
Pru cocked her head, studying her doll thoughtfully. “She is?”
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