by Kari Trumbo
The sun warmed her black cloak as she strode down the street. It had brought others out to enjoy the day. Ruby nodded or waved to a few people she knew, hoping none of them would notice her going to the Williams’s back door. She dashed a glance behind her as she turned down the street and all the way to the end. No one followed her and there was no one in the street to see.
She knocked lightly. The door opened a crack and a dark blue eye appeared.
“Oh, Ruby. Come on in out of the cold.” Ivy opened the door and stepped back.
Ruby came in and embraced Ivy before hanging her cape on the hook by the door.
“I had to come as soon as I could. I’m not sure if you heard, but Christmas night I went to the chapel for a word with the reverend. When I came out, three men took me, thinking I was you.”
“Oh no! Not here! They couldn’t be here already.” Ivy covered her mouth with her fingertips.
“They were caught when I was found. But, when May Rockford came over to find out about it, she told me that your husband—” she looked toward the kitchen door and lowered her voice—, “isn’t searching for you anymore. And, should you want it, there is a large sum that you’d get by way of inheritance.”
Ivy’s face twisted in anger. “I don’t want a single cent from that family. Not a one. All I want is for them to leave me alone for the remainder of my days.”
“I think you should visit that lawyer, Caruso. Maybe he could write something up that says you won’t take the inheritance if they leave you be?”
Carol walked in, smiled, and pulled out a chair next to Ruby. “I had no idea you two were acquainted! Ruby, how are you? I haven’t seen you since the Christmas social.”
Ivy set down a cup in front of each of them and turned back to her work, her movements harsh and angry.
“I was just talking to Ivy for a bit. How are you? I hear there is to be another wedding in Cutter’s Creek next week.”
Carol clasped her hands in front of her and sucked in her breath. “Yes! Manning proposed Christmas day and he doesn’t want to wait. It’ll be a small ceremony at the chapel. You’re welcome to come.”
Ivy set the tea service down on the table; she seemed unruffled except for the shallow crease across her forehead. “Ruby brings me news that may or may not allow me to go to your wedding, Carol.”
Carol squealed and bounced in her seat. “Really? That’d be wonderful! You won’t have to hide anymore?”
“Perhaps, though with what I’ve been through it’s difficult to believe it isn’t a trick to make me reveal myself.”
Ruby laid her hand on Ivy’s. “You once told me that Caruso was honest enough. May works for him and she is Beau’s sister. I don’t think she’d steer you wrong.”
“Be that as it may, after hiding and running for so long, it’s difficult to believe that it could be over…just like that.”
“I don’t think you have anything to lose by talking to Mr. Caruso, in fact, I’ll take you over there if you wish, so you don’t have to go alone.”
“Thank you, Ruby.” A subtle smile lightened Ivy’s eyes.
Ruby turned to Carol. “Carol, I need to ask something of you. Normally, I would never, but the situation is dire. I couldn’t help but notice that you have a large house and only the few of you. Will you and Dr. Gentry remain here or will you want a place of your own?”
Carol smiled and reached for her tea. “It is a beautiful house. Our plan is to stay here. Though, the house is much too large for Father to maintain alone and Manning intends to take over Dr. Peirce’s practice in the coming year. He’ll begin working with Dr. Peirce in February.”
Ruby drummed her fingers on the table. “I’m about bursting with something I need to tell. I want to take the stage to Yellow Medicine and get my sisters, but they need a place to stay once they get here. Carol, do you think you’d have room here if I were to pay for room and board? They’re used to work and could help with cleaning and even starting a garden in the spring.”
Carol raised a dark eyebrow. “I’d have to talk to my father, but I can’t see him turning homeless girls out in the cold. There is nowhere else big enough in Cutter’s Creek, except for the inn, and that’d be expensive.”
Ivy sat next to them. “Aunt Amelia’s would be big enough, but she’d never accept strangers in her house.”
Carol nodded her agreement. “Ruby, when do you think you’ll go?”
Ruby sighed. “I’d thought to go as soon as the next stage heads for Yellow Medicine. No one will miss me because they will think I’m still in my apartment, getting better. I don’t know how I’ll do it, or even how I’ll face my pa, but I know my sisters can’t stay there any longer. I just have this feeling they need to get away, and fast. Jennie is eighteen now, older than I was when Pa married me off to Arnold. If he does the same with Jennie, I may never see her again.”
“Well, that won’t do.” Carol shook her head. “Just how are you going to get them away?”
“Well, fact is, he don’t want them. I was hoping he’d just let me come get them.”
Ivy reached over and squeezed Ruby’s arm. “We’ll pray they’ll be easily delivered from him.”
“I’ll wait to go until I hear from you, Carol.” Ruby glanced at her.
“Well, since it hasn’t snowed in some time, the next stage could go out any day. I’ll go talk to him right now. He’s been doing much better since his fall.”
Ivy nodded. “It’s true. His appetite is better and he talks more now than he did when I started. He reminds me a lot of my own father, before he passed.”
“I’ll return shortly.” Carol stood and left the room.
Ivy poured more steaming water in Ruby’s cup and pushed the crock of honey toward her. “Do you really think I should go see the lawyer?”
Ruby dunked the infuser into her cup thoughtfully. “I do. I think if you have the chance to be free, you should take it.”
“And if it’s just a ruse to flush me out?”
“I know you’re scared, but I don’t think there’s anything to be afraid of.”
Ivy frowned, then nodded. “All right. I’ll go, as long as you go with me. I’ve not faced Mr. Caruso alone before. My husband had always been present.”
Carol burst back into the room. “Ruby! Father says he’d love to fill the house! You can bring them whenever you wish!”
Relief, bright and hot, rushed through Ruby. “Finally, some good news.” She smiled. “If it’s agreeable to you, I’ll take Ivy over to see Mr. Caruso. I’d like to help her before I head out. I’ve heard the ride to Yellow Medicine in the winter is treacherous and I’d feel better about setting out if this was done first. I also need to talk to Maddie and make sure she’s all right.”
“By all means! It’s early so Ivy will have plenty of time to finish dinner, and I can work on it while she’s away.”
Ivy’s eyes widened. “Please, don’t. I want your father to get better, not worse.” She laughed.
Carol rolled her eyes and flounced from the kitchen.
19
Beau strode into Mr. Caruso’s office. He’d been inside the building before but had never ventured into the office itself, only staying in the hallway to wait for May. The office was wood-paneled, with book shelves along one wall. May’s small desk was attached to Mr. Caruso’s on the right. She sat straight-backed in her seat taking dictation from Mr. Caruso.
Both stopped working as he strode in. “Beau, welcome.” May stood and led him to the client seat in front of Mr. Caruso’s desk. “What brings you by?”
“I was wondering what it’d cost to have a contract drawn up?” He tried to avoid eye contact with May.
Mr. Caruso pulled a sheet of paper from his desk. “What kind of contract?”
Beau felt the heat rush up his neck. He’d hoped May wouldn’t be at the office, but he should have known she would be, since she hadn’t been at home. “A…marriage contract.”
May squealed and jumped in her seat. Mr
. Caruso shot her a scathing glance then set his pen down. “Beau, that isn’t how it works. We have a form that we fill in when a marriage takes place. You can have the reverend do your wedding or wait for the circuit judge.”
“No, I’m not looking for a wedding contract. I want a marriage contract, saying I agree to stand by her and provide for her, that I’ll never take advantage of her. That I…think the world of her.”
May wrote furiously, the scratching of her pen disrupting his thoughts. He glanced over at her, then back at Caruso. “So, what would that cost?”
Mr. Caruso leaned back in his seat. “Well, that isn’t something I’ve seen. Would she then hold the agreement, and what would her recourse be if you do not follow through? A contract is a serious thing, Beau.”
“I know it is. Binding. I want her to know that she doesn’t ever have to fear anything from me. As far as what she could do if I break it…” His blood ran cold in his veins and he suppressed a shiver. “I’d say she could leave me and … I’d let her go.”
Mr. Caruso nodded. “Being as that you’re a friend, Beau, I’d write up such a contract for you for one dollar, not a cent more. I’m not even sure the contract will be worth more than the paper it’s written on, since it isn’t like Ruby has the power to contest it.”
“That ain’t the point. I want her to know I’d be willing to sign a contract saying she could leave if she wants to. She won’t ever be trapped, again.”
“I understand. It’ll take me a day to make sure I get the wording just right.” He glanced at May. “You took down notes of what he wanted, I presume?”
May nodded and handed him the sheet of paper.
“Thank you, May.” He folded his hands over the note. “You can come back tomorrow and make sure everything is just as you want it.”
Beau stood. “Thank you.” He shook Mr. Caruso’s hand as the door opened and Ruby and another young woman he’d never seen before came in.
Mr. Caruso dropped his hand and gasped. “Ivy Masters….”
***
Ruby’s eyes widened as Beau leapt toward Mr. Caruso’s desk and flipped over a sheet of paper. She cocked her head at him as he stood up straight, raking the back of his neck with his hand and peering at the floor.
“Ruby, didn’t expect to see you here. I was just going…” He glanced at Mr. Caruso. “I’ll be back tomorrow.”
Mr. Caruso nodded and Beau wove his way through the small office, brushing her arm as he walked by. His scent wrapped around her and she closed her eyes, savoring it. He was gone before she opened her eyes again.
Ivy stepped forward and pulled her hood down. “Emerson Caruso, I hope it’s good to see you.” She hesitated then held out her hand.
He accepted it and bent, brushing her knuckles with his lips. “Mrs. Masters, you have my deepest condolences on the loss of your husband.”
Her blue eyes widened. “So it’s true,” she whispered. “I’m free.”
“You are, indeed.” He dug through a few papers on his desk and handed her a letter.
She skimmed it briefly and handed it back, Ruby stayed near the door, waiting to see what she should do.
“So, why haven’t you left? The letter said you are required to execute the will. The Masters don’t take kindly to being ignored.”
“No one knows that better than you and I.” He sat in his chair and indicated that she should sit as well. “May, why don’t you take Miss Arnsby into the hallway for a bit. Mrs. Masters and I have a bit of private business to discuss.”
May nodded and stood. Ruby didn’t know what to do, she’d agreed to stay with Ivy, and how did Caruso know her name?
Ivy nodded her agreement, and Ruby followed May out of the room.
May closed the door behind them and stood in front of it like a guard on duty.
Ruby walked to the chair beside the hall door and sat. “I don’t suppose Beau was just visiting you before I came? He looked mighty nervous.”
May strode past her to the base of the stairs. “You mean as nervous as you do now? I’d love to tell you why he was there, Ruby, but I’d lose my job. What he’s doing is a good thing, that’s all I’ll say. Come with me.” She started up the stairs.
“Up there?” Ruby squeaked. “We can’t go up to Mr. Caruso’s apartment!”
“And why not? Believe it or not, I go up there all the time.”
“May Rockford, are you…?”
May frowned, rolling her eyes. “No, Mr. Caruso and I are not acquainted in that way. Like you and your former husband, or whatever he was, we’ve been alone for some time and nothing has happened. As much as I sometimes wish otherwise.”
“May!”
“Oh, don’t sound so shocked. The good Lord made desires for a reason; I desire the man. Didn’t say I’d actually do anything about it.”
She strode up the remainder of the stairs and opened the door. “Are you coming? Surely it’s fine if it’s just the two of us up here.”
Ruby waited and rubbed her brow. “It don’t seem right to go in a man’s space.”
May strode down the stairs and yanked Ruby up behind her. “Come on, there’s something you have to see.”
Ruby lost the fight and followed May. She stopped just after the threshold and waited as May dashed to a back room and returned with a book. She opened it and pulled out another, smaller book from the hollowed out inside.
“Ruby, do you believe my brother loves you?”
Ruby backed out the door. She couldn’t answer that question, didn’t want to examine it too closely.
May rushed over and yanked Ruby back into the room, and closed the door. May pushed her down onto the plush sofa in front of the large window facing the street.
“Now, answer me. Do you believe my brother loves you? Notice I didn’t ask what you think. I already know the answer.”
Ruby shook her head. “No, I don’t.”
May handed her the small leather book. “These are the things he has said to me, just about you. I keep them here so Beau won’t know, and so I can give Emerson a few hints. My brother is more romantic than I thought possible, but only about you. You’re the only woman who could bring him out of his shell. In fact, if you look at the last page, you’ll find a note he wrote Christmas night… He was so sorry for scaring you away. Please, don’t take that lightly. He loves you. You have my word.”
“You don’t understand, May. He doesn’t trust me. You can’t love someone you don’t trust.”
“Ruby, dear. You don’t know me from Eve, that’s why I gave you the book. Read it yourself and find out from his own words.”
“But you wrote this. How do I know he said it?”
May winked. “I guess you won’t know until you read it.”
She looked at the small journal and clutched it close. Whether his words were written in the book, it didn’t matter, she loved him. She couldn’t imagine life without Beau.
Ruby rushed out of the room and down the stairs, her thoughts flying. She’d only ever ridden a horse when Josiah had brought her to Cutter’s Creek. She couldn’t control one on her own. She’d have to pray the stage would go through today and hope it hadn’t left yet.
She ran up the stairs to her apartment and flung the door open. Lily shrieked as Ruby ran in.
“What are you doing, flying in here like that?”
“I’ve no time to talk. I have to catch the stage.” She tossed her carpet bag on the bed and stuffed her few dresses inside. She reached into the pocket of her one evening dress and pulled out the few dollars she’d managed to save. It wouldn’t be enough, especially if her father wanted some type of payment. Also, she’d have to pay for eight passengers on the return stage. She didn’t have near enough.
She pulled her shotgun out from under the bed and set it down. It was the only thing of value from her former life, and though she didn’t want to hold onto it because of who’d owned it, it had kept her safe for so long it was like an old friend.
“If I can
save the money when I return, I can buy it back,” she whispered. Ruby turned to Lily. “I’m sorry. When I return, I’ll be staying with my sisters at Carol’s. Can you manage here without me?”
“Well, of course, but Ruby, I really don’t think you should go. It’ll be dangerous. You should tell the sheriff or take Beau with you. You shouldn’t even ride the stage in the winter.”
“No. I need to do this on my own.” Ruby checked the barrel of the gun out of habit, then set it back on the bed.
She swung out of her cloak and tucked it into the bag. It was the only piece of clothing she’d ever bought for herself. It was a butter-soft black wool, but she’d give it up in a heartbeat for her sisters. Grabbing Penny’s old coat with the fraying elbows, she pulled it on around her. Ruby hefted the shotgun and the now-heavy carpet bag and left before Lily succeeded in changing her mind.
20
Beau sat in front of the fire waiting for May to get home for supper. She’d gloat about his visit to Caruso. She was later than usual and he wondered what Ruby was doing at the lawyer’s office to keep her there. Why’d Ruby need a lawyer? It made no sense.
Someone banged on his door and he jumped to his feet. The pounding continued and Lily almost fell into him as he yanked it open.
“Beau! You have to hurry. Ruby’s going to get her sisters, she just left for the stage. I don’t know when it leaves.”
He grabbed his coat and rushed out, putting it on as he ran. She couldn’t leave on her own, she’d be in danger of every two-legged varmint in the area. The stage coach station was on the other end of town, down by the railroad. As he turned the corner onto the main street, he could see the driver climb up onto the stage and tap the top of the coach with the butt of the whip to let the passengers know he was about to leave.
“Stop!” Beau couldn’t catch his breath. The driver ignored him and pulled a timepiece from his coat pocket. He tucked it back in, pulled on his gloves, and cracked the whip above the draft horses heads, sending them off with a jump.
