“They do offer a nice variety, but I’m going to have my usual. A big steak, potatoes and maybe green beans on the side.” He looked at her. “What strikes your fancy?”
“I was thinking about the chicken fricassee. I used to eat it in Philadelphia.”
“Then by all means, you must try it here. You can compare it to what you had in Philadelphia.” He grinned at her. “Would you like a glass of wine?”
“Maybe a small one.”
Cal nodded and laid his menu down. The waiter showed up immediately and Cal ordered for both of them.
It wasn’t long until Deborah was sipping the white wine and Cal was drinking a beer.
She smiled at him and said, “Please tell me more about your family, Cal. You already know all about mine.”
“All I know is there are three beautiful sisters and it was my good fortune they happened to land in the town where I was working. I think there’s more to your family than that.”
“Then finish telling me about yours and I’ll fill in the details about the Stocktons.” She smiled at him. This time a full smile and one she meant with all her heart.
“Well, let’s see. You know us as Ashe, Beck and Cal and I’m about to tell you something they’d kill me if they knew I told.”
Deborah frowned. “What in the world?”
“Our full names.” He gave her a mischievous grin. “They’re Asher, Beckton and Calvin.” When she smiled, he went on, “We agreed never to use those names or talk about them.”
“I feel honored you trust me enough to let me in on the secret.” She wrinkled her forehead. “I just realized something. I see a pattern. You’re named in alphabetical order. A, B and C.”
He laughed out loud. “You’re a smart woman. And you’re absolutely right. My folks swore they were going to have children until they could name one Montgomery Montgomery. Of course, after the three of us, they decided they might have all boys and stopped with me.”
“I’ve never heard of such, but it’s a good idea.” Her eyes sparkled. “If I ever get married, I might start going up the alphabet from Z just for the fun of it.”
“So you plan on twenty-six children?”
Deborah blushed. “Of course not. I was—”
Cal reached over and touched her hand. “I was only kidding. It’ll be a lucky man who you give children.”
Deborah turned redder and wondered how to change the subject before she blurted out she wanted him to be that man. In the end she didn’t have to answer because their food arrived.
Before she realized it, Deborah was so relaxed with Cal she told him about the Stockton fall from grace in Philadelphia society. She also told him about Quinn’s promise to her father and how she and Marlene had resisted. She ended by saying she was now glad they came west.
“I’m glad, too, Deborah.” He pushed back his plate. “The last thing I thought would happen when I came to Tornado was to find a woman like you. I’m more than glad I got this assignment.”
“You work for some kind of law enforcement, don’t you, Cal?”
“I’m supposed to let people think I’m a rancher, but I think word has gotten around that I’m a US Marshall.”
“I’m impressed.”
“Don’t be. I have to travel a lot and I don’t seem to put down roots anywhere.” He gave her a serious look. “That never bothered me until now.”
“Why now?”
She felt his eyes bore into hers. Finally he whispered, “Now I’ve met you and everything’s changed.”
Deborah’s heart began to pound. She hoped he couldn’t see it through the dress, but she was afraid he could. Did she hear him right? Was he saying he would settle down with her if he could?
Oh dear, God, please let me be interpreting it right. Let him start to care for me because I think I’m already in love with him.
They followed the meal with cherry cobbler, which they both agreed was one of their favorites. After their second cup of coffee, they left the restaurant.
Strolling down the sidewalk arm in arm they paused in front of the dress shop. “It looks wonderful.” He said. “The dress in the window would look pretty on you.”
“It’s my dress. If we hadn’t put it in the window and I would’ve worn it tonight.”
“What you have on is pretty, too.” He grinned down at her. “I don’t know anything that wouldn’t look beautiful on you.”
“Thank you, Cal.” She blushed.
They ambled on and were in sight of the boarding house when he paused and glanced at the big oak tree with a bench beneath it. “Let’s sit here for a little while.”
She nodded.
When they were seated, Cal slipped his arm around her shoulder. When she didn’t pull away, he drew her closer to him. He took his hand and turned her face toward his. Without a word he lowered his head and his lips covered hers.
Deborah thought she was going to melt. His lips were soft and when he eased his tongue into her mouth, he tasted of cherries and coffee. Soon she felt him pull her tighter against him and her breast pushed against his rock hard chest. His hands were moving up and down her back and she had put her arms around his neck. She was pulling him even closer, but she couldn’t stop herself. She knew if she didn’t hold on tightly to him she’d melt and seep into a puddle at his feet right here under this tree.
Cal broke the kiss. He gently pushed her away. “If I don’t stop now, I’ll not be able to stop.”
She lowered her head and looked into her lap wondering if she was causing him to pull away. Maybe she’d done something wrong. After all, she’d never been kissed this way. The men back in Philadelphia had either kissed her cheek or lips quickly or simply brushed their lips across the top of her hand. This kiss with Cal had been different. Very different. Maybe she was a wanton woman, but she liked this kiss. She liked it very much.
His next words calmed her fear. “I didn’t mean to rush you, Deborah, but I’ve wanted to kiss you ever since you sat in my lap coming back from that stage holdup.” She didn’t say anything. She couldn’t. He reached down and took her chin. He pulled her face up where their eyes were staring into each others. “I’m sorry if I went too fast.”
She was still breathing heavy, but she whispered, “You didn’t, Cal. I wanted you to kiss me.”
“Then I want to kiss you again before I take you to the door.”
She nodded and his lips hungrily covered hers. This time stars exploded in her mind. She could almost hear the ringing of bells and the beating of drums, but she guessed it was her heart pounding almost out of her chest. Her body grew limp and her blood ran hot. For the first time in her life, Deborah knew if he continued kissing her, she’d die right here in his arms. She also knew if he stopped the kiss, she wouldn’t want to continue to live. Either way, she was helpless. This man was all she ever wanted or all she’d ever want.
Eventually, Cal again broke the kiss and stood, reaching for her hand. “I’d better walk you to the door now.”
Her mind was screaming “no,” but she followed him. At the door he smiled down at her. “We’ll see each other soon if you’ll agree to go out with me again.”
“Yes.”
“Good.” He brushed her lips quickly. “Good night, Deborah.”
“Good night.” She managed to open the door and step inside while he was still on the porch. She pulled back the curtain and watched him leave the yard. She watched until he was out of sight.
A voice startled her. “It’s about time you got back.”
She whirled to face Winnie Goodspell. “It’s not late.”
“It’s too late for a respectable woman to be trouncing around town with a man. Now, tell me about it and don’t leave anything out.”
Deborah stared at her. She had no intention of telling Winnie anything about her time with Cal.
When she said nothing, Winnie went on, “A girl needs to confide in someone when a man’s been manhandling her.”
“What do you mean?”
Deborah almost laughed. What if Winnie had seen what went on under the oak tree? Deborah squared her shoulders. “Miss Winnie Goodspell, I’m not talking about my date with Cal to you. Whatever happened between us is none of your business.” Deborah flipped her skirt around and headed up the stairs to her room, leaving a flabbergasted Winnie standing in the hallway.
Chapter 15
Next morning Quinn sucked in a breath when the door to the store opened and their first customer walked in. It was Lola Norwood. Where was Deborah? Her oldest sister hadn’t been worth a penny this morning. All she’d done was walk around with a big smile on her face. Now she was hidden in the backroom with Marlene.
Quinn plastered on a smile. “Good morning.”
Lola didn’t return the greeting. “I saw the dress in the window and decided to come in. I think it’s time this town got a dressmaker, but you really should put up a sign.”
“We have a sign ordered. It should be up this week.” Quinn bit her lip to keep her voice calm. “Please look around.”
Lola walked to the counter where Quinn stood. “You do have some pretty lingerie.”
“Thank you.”
She picked up a pink silk nightgown which was cut low and trimmed in lace around the breast and down the front. “Ashe would probably like this.”
Quinn felt her stomach flip over, but she managed not to let her feelings show on her face. When she made no comment, Lola held the gown up to her chest.
“Don’t you think this would excite my man?”
“I’m sure it would excite most any man.” Quinn’s voice was lower than she wanted it to be.
Lola laughed. “Embarrassed you, didn’t I?”
“Maybe, a little.”
Lola shook her head. “If you ever want to catch a real man like my Ashe you’re going to have to loosen up. Women are so tight around here it’s a wonder any of them ever get married.”
“I’m not out to catch a man, Mrs. Norwood.” Quinn’s voice was a little sharper than she intended.
“Somebody told me they saw you walking in town with Ashe yesterday.” She looked directly at Quinn.
“Sheriff Montgomery has been kind to my sisters and me. So have his brothers.”
“I don’t care about his brothers. It’s him I’m talking about. You better not get your hat set for him. Ashe Montgomery belongs to me and I don’t intend to let some little Philadelphia skirt take him away from me.” Her voice was not only harsh, it was threatening.
Quinn snapped, “Let me assure you, I have no intention of taking Ashe Montgomery from you.”
Lola laughed. “Not that you could. A woman as uptight as you could never satisfy a man like Ashe. It takes a real woman to please him, not a little girl.”
Before she could stop herself, Quinn snapped, “There’s no accounting for the taste of some men.”
“What do you mean?”
“I simply mean if Ashe is satisfied with a woman from a brothel or a needy widow like you, I wouldn’t lower myself to go after him.” Quinn snapped, then with a smile she asked, “Are you going to buy that nightgown or do you want me to refold it?”
Lola looked at Quinn as if she wanted to hit her. Instead, she threw the gown on the counter, flipped her head and stomped out the door.
“Well, little sister, looks like your ran off our first customer.” Deborah came into the front.
Marlene followed her. “Keep this up and we’ll be out of business in the first week.”
“I’m sorry. She made me mad and I couldn’t help it.”
Deborah walked over to her and put her arm around her shoulders. “I don’t blame you. Marlene and I heard every word. I’m surprised you didn’t slap her face.”
“I probably would have if she’d been talking about Beck.”
They both looked at Marlene.
“All right. I admit I’m interested in Beck, but I’m not the only one who likes a Montgomery brother. You haven’t quit smiling since Cal brought you home last night. You said you had a good time, but I’m wondering just how good that time was.”
“It was wonderful.”
“Oh?” Quinn looked at her.
Deborah put her hands on her hips. “If you must know, I think I’m falling in love with him and I think he cares for me, too.”
Before anyone could say anything, the front door opened again. A tall lady with graying hair topped with a red and black bonnet came in.
“Hello ladies. I’m Naomi Coddler and I’m delighted to see a new business in town.”
The Stockton sisters introduced themselves.
“Philadelphia, huh? I have a cousin in Philadelphia, but I’m sure you wouldn’t know her. She went bad and now works in a house of ill repute.”
Quinn didn’t know what to say, but she couldn’t help smiling when she heard Naomi Coddler laugh. “I don’t suppose we did know her, Mrs. Coddler.”
“Call me Naomi and I’m sorry if my bluntness shocked you. I’ve always said what I thought.”
The sisters introduced themselves.
“Glad to meet you all. I’ll have to have you for tea. My teas are famous in this town.”
“We’d be delighted to come.” Deborah smiled at her.
“Good.” She turned around. “I saw Lola Norwood come out when I was coming down the street. Did she buy anything?”
“No, she only looked around.” Quinn gave her sisters a warning glance.
“Good. I want to be your first customer. I think it’d be better if you told everyone the banker’s wife was the first to buy something from you than to say you made your first sale to the town slut.”
Again, Quinn didn’t know what to say. So she only nodded and asked, “What can we show you, Naomi?”
“I’ll get a shawl or something before I leave, but right now I like the looks of the dress in the window. I know it wouldn’t fit me so how about showing me some material and patterns? Norman doesn’t seem to think things like new clothes are important, but you know how men are. They don’t ever understand what a woman needs.”
Marlene smiled at her. “I’d love to make you a dress, Ms—I mean Naomi. Please come with me. We have a selection of materials in the back room and I can show you some patterns.”
“Thank you, Marlene.” She went through the work room door behind Marlene.
“I like Naomi,” Deborah said. “She tells it the way it should be told”
“I agree.” Quinn chuckled. “I like people who are so honest.”
Chapter 16
The sisters met at the house after work. “When do you think we’ll be able to move in, Quinn?” Deborah was looking at the kitchen stove.
“We have to decide what we need to make this place livable. There’s probably enough furniture here, but I want to dust the mattresses and wash everything down.” She shook her head. “It’s a big job.”
“Why don’t we ask Mazie to help?” Marlene looked at her.
“I don’t mind if you both agree. Our money supply’s almost gone, but Uncle Hank has set up an account at the bank for the store. I assume what we have left is for our own use.”
Deborah nodded. “It’s fine with me. I think the woman could use the money.”
“Do either of you know how to get in touch with her?”
“She told me she lived behind the livery stable,” Marlene said.
“Then, I’ll see her tomorrow. In the meantime, let’s see what we can get done before we head for Mrs. Potter’s.” Quinn picked up the bucket and mop.
An hour and a half later they locked the door and headed to the street. Deborah stopped to pull a weed from the corner of the gate. As she did she turned toward the house below theirs. Lola Norwood was on the porch.
She took a deep breath and turned around. “Don’t look now, but I see our neighbor.”
“The Norwood woman?” Marlene asked.
“Uh-huh.”
Deborah laughed. “I doubt she’ll make a good neighbor after the little run-in you and she had this morning, Quinn.”
“I don’t care to be neighborly with the snooty Mrs. Norwood.”
“Why, Quinn! One would think you were jealous.”
“I’m not jealous, Deborah.” She wasn’t lying because she didn’t think she was jealous, but she did know a man like Ashe Montgomery could make a better match for himself than Lola Norwood. “I just don’t like people who think they’re better than everyone else.”
“Or people who might be able to catch the eye of a certain sheriff,” Marlene teased.
“Let me assure you I have no interest in the man.”
“Oh, Quinn, you can’t hide the truth from us.” Deborah touched her sister’s arm. “Maybe you haven’t admitted it to yourself, but you’re interested in the sheriff. You’ll realize it one day.”
Quinn shook her head and changed the subject. “Let’s hurry along. I’m getting hungry and I’m sure Mrs. Potter has supper ready.”
She didn’t notice the look passing between Deborah and Marlene.
* * * *
“We’re certainly going to miss you girls when you move,” Ina said as she passed the boiled potatoes.
“It’ll be less work for you.” Quinn smiled at her.
“And less money,” Winnie snapped. “I think you’re making a mistake. You work all day, then come here to a good supper and people to talk to. I don’t see why you want to live in a house where you have to do your own cooking.”
Quinn wondered why Winnie cared where they lived, but she said, “I like to cook. Of course I’m not as good at it as Mrs. Potter.”
Ina grinned. “Thank you, dear.”
A knock on the front door interrupted the conversation.
“My goodness. Don’t people realize it’s supper time? I don’t like my meal interrupted.” Winnie took a chicken leg as soon as the platter was put on the table.
“Don’t fret, Winnie. I’ll get it.” Ina left the room.
“By the way, Winnie, have you located your niece?” Quinn looked directly at the woman.
“No, but I know she’s here somewhere.”
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