“I truly did come to check on my father’s holdings with Mr. Fisher’s mine. Honestly, I had a much different vision of what his share of the business would be.” If it wasn’t for the newspaper job, Brianna didn’t know what she would have done. Her funds were quickly dwindling and she wouldn’t return to Rhode Island if at all possible.
“Why didn’t your father come with you?”
Brianna avoided his probing gaze. Her fingers nervously traced a pattern on the cloth covering the table. “That would have been impossible.”
“Why?”
“Because my father is dead.” Tears burned her eyes and she swallowed hard to keep the emotion from overwhelming her. Everything had happened so quickly, including her unplanned trip to Baker City, there had been no time to mourn her father. As long as she kept busy, kept from thinking about his death, she could almost convince herself he was still alive and waiting for her at home.
“I’m sorry.” Tully reached across the table and placed his warm hand over hers, giving it a gentle squeeze.
The comforting touch unsettled her, but she didn’t pull her hand away. It had been too long since she’d enjoyed another human’s touch offered for no reason but to make her feel better.
With a sigh, she raised a watery gaze to Tully. “My father died a few weeks ago.” Her voice broke.
“I’m sorry, darlin’. That’s a hard thing for anyone to handle. What about your mother?”
Brianna shook her head. “She died when I was a little girl. It’s just been Father and me for the last twenty-one years.” She took a handkerchief from inside her sleeve and dabbed at her eyes. “A large sum of money is required to keep his business enterprises afloat. I found the letters from Mr. Fisher in some of Father’s papers and thought if I could convince the miner to buy back Father’s shares, I could keep our cotton mill operating.”
“You plan to run the business yourself?” Tully asked, not surprised that Brianna would attempt it.
“There is a plant manager, but yes, I would have taken over the business decisions. I often worked with Father, albeit from home.”
“So what are you going to do now?” Some primitive part of Tully wanted to protect and shelter Brianna. The fact he felt anything for the woman, beyond annoyance, left him ill at ease.
“I don’t know. Mr. Fisher encouraged me to stay in town a few weeks and I’m in no hurry to return to Rhode Island.”
Tully released her hand and sat back again. “I could make a few inquiries, find out…”
“No!” Brianna’s eyes held fear and pleading when she looked at him. “Please don’t, Sheriff. I’d prefer to just leave things as they are.”
Convinced there was much more to the story than she shared, Tully decided to go along with her request, for now. “Whatever you say. It looks like the rain let up. May I walk you back to the hotel?” Fascinated, Tully watched as Brianna pulled on her gloves, smoothing down each finger of the creamy yellow covering.
The pale green walking suit she wore fit her perfectly and brought out rosy blossoms in her cheeks. A buttery yellow lace blouse provided a hint of contrast that highlighted the streaks of gold in her brown hair.
Hair that Tully hadn’t been able to stop thinking about since he’d run his fingers through it earlier. It had been a colossal mistake to kiss her, but danged if he didn’t want to do it again and again.
Mindful of the disastrous road his thoughts tried to travel, he tugged them back under control. He took Brianna’s elbow in his hand, guiding her outside.
“How could it be so sweltering this afternoon and so nippy this evening?” she asked, concerned her teeth might start to chatter in the cool evening air.
For once, she was grateful for the presence of the sheriff at her side. The warmth of his big body permeated the air around her and blocked most of the chilly breeze. With effort, she forced herself to ignore how handsome he looked in the stormy evening light. She wondered what it would be like to be held in those strong arms against his solid chest.
When he’d buried his hands in her hair that afternoon, she’d never known such knee-weakening sensations existed. The feel of his hands sliding down her arms and resting on her waist made her so languid she could have slid off the horse to the ground in a boneless heap.
Then she’d come to her senses.
No matter how charming and good-looking the sheriff might be, he’d been little more than a thorn in her side since she arrived in town. Although he’d been moderately well behaved throughout their shared meal, she knew it wouldn’t last.
Tully proved her right when she stopped outside the hotel.
“Thank you for dinner and seeing me back safely.” Brianna backed toward the door, baffled by the odd light shining in Tully’s hazel eyes that appeared almost golden in color.
“Anytime, Fred. Have a pleasant evening.” He turned and sauntered off in the direction of the jail. Before he’d taken more than half a dozen steps, he looked back at her. “As soon as I find that bag of corsets you lost, I hope you’ll plan on modeling them for me.”
The wink he sent her confirmed he was nothing more than a roguish reprobate.
Mortified, heat seared Brianna’s cheeks as she looked around, hoping no one heard Tully’s comment. An older couple peered at her in shock while a young cowboy surveyed her with interest.
Brianna turned and rushed inside the hotel, plotting revenge on the sheriff.
Chapter Seven
“Miss Dumont, we’re so pleased you could join us this morning.” The pastor and his wife greeted Brianna with genuine warmth as she made her way out the door of the church after the Sunday morning service.
“It was a lovely service, Pastor Eagan. I thought your…”
“The sinner has come to repent, is that it?” Tully’s baritone interrupted her words and train of thought as he spoke behind her.
The pastor and his wife smiled at the sheriff as he grinned at Brianna.
Incensed, she ignored him and walked down the church steps. He followed close behind her. “I was surprised to see you here this morning.”
She continued to pretend she couldn’t hear him. Thane waved and motioned her over to their buckboard. “Miss Dumont, will you still be able to join us for lunch today?”
“I’d love to,” Brianna said, smiling at a beautiful auburn-haired woman standing at his side. “This must be your lovely wife I’ve heard so much about.”
“Please, call me Jemma, Miss Dumont.” The woman held out a gloved hand that Brianna took in hers. “I absolutely love your gown. Is it a Worth?”
Brianna glanced down at the raspberry pink fabric, highlighted with accents of black lace. “Yes, it is, but your gown is splendid. That’s not a Madame Beauchene, is it? They’re impossible to acquire.”
Jemma rubbed a hand along the front of her coral-toned skirt. “It is. If you ever want to order one from her, I can send a letter of recommendation. However, we have an incredibly talented dressmaker right here in town. Maggie’s designs could rival any house of fashion.”
“Speaking of Maggie, she and Ian will be back this afternoon,” Thane said, looking at Tully. “Will you still be able to meet them at the train?”
Tully nodded. “I planned on it, although Ian’s dad said he’d take the wagon and meet them. Most likely, Mags will have filled at least one new trunk with purchases on their trip.”
“You two leave Maggie alone,” Jemma chided. “A woman should not be limited on the number of trunks she needs when she travels.”
Thane chuckled. “So declares the woman who packed thirty-two trunks to bring to America.”
“Thirty-two? I only hauled fourteen out to the ranch,” Tully said, surprised.
“That’s because Mr. Jordan ordered half of them to stay at the cottage.” Jemma grinned, recalling how she’d tricked Thane by only packing fourteen trunks but allowing him to think she wanted to take all thirty-two. She turned to Brianna. “Forgive us for going on and on. Shall we venture to the hotel?”
“Certainly.” Brianna looked around. “Where are your youngsters today? I haven’t had the pleasure of meeting your son, but I did make the acquaintance of Miss Lily.”
Jemma smiled and looped her arm around Brianna’s as they strolled toward the hotel. Thane and Tully fell into step behind them. “Jack and Lily took Mr. and Mrs. Greenfield to the hotel to save us a table.”
Brianna vaguely remembered Thane introducing a British couple to Tully the day she’d first arrived in town. She thought their name was Greenfield.
“Are they settled in at your place?” Tully asked as they waited to cross the street.
“They are, for the most part. We’ve tried to talk them into coming to work for us, but they are adamant they’re just here for a visit.” Thane glanced at his wife and then at Tully. “I wish we could convince them to stay. Lily will be heartbroken if they leave.”
“She won’t be the only one,” Jemma said, looking back at Thane. “I can’t bear the thought of them leaving, even if they have agreed to stay for the summer.”
“Well, that gives you a few months to figure out a way to keep them here.” Tully waved to a deputy as he walked on the opposite side of the street. “What do they plan to do when they return to England?”
“That’s just it… they haven’t any plans,” Jemma said with a sigh. “Perhaps some miracle will occur between now and the end of August and they’ll change their minds.”
“If I hear of anything, I’ll be sure to let you know,” Brianna said. Her work at the newspaper should provide access to information that might be helpful.
Tully snorted. “And what information will you be privy to, Fred?”
Jemma glared at him while Brianna feigned indifference to his comment. Thane jabbed him in the side with his elbow as they walked up the hotel steps, shooting a look of warning his direction.
As they entered the hotel’s dining room, Lily ran to them with her wild curls bouncing every direction. “Mama! We saved you a seat. Oh, hello, Miss Dumont. Will you sit by me?”
“I’d love to Lily. Thank you for asking.” Brianna took the child’s hand, following her to a table where an older couple sat with a handsome boy who greatly resembled Thane, except for his copper-colored eyes and straight brown hair.
“Miss Dumont, it is our pleasure to introduce you to Edwin and Hattie Greenfield.” Jemma smiled at the couple.
Once they exchanged words of greeting, Jemma placed her hands on the boy’s shoulders. “And this is our son, Jack. Lovey, this is Miss Dumont.”
Jack bowed then held out a chair for her as she took a seat.
Impressed with his manners, Brianna beamed at him. “What a fine gentleman you are, Jack.”
“Thank you. Mama tries hard, although Dad and the fellas at the ranch don’t think it’s that important.” A western twang intertwined with Jack’s British accent, causing Brianna to hide a grin.
Lily climbed onto the chair next to Brianna. As she watched the little girl wiggle and squirm on the seat, the familiar scent of the sheriff enveloped her. She glared at him as he settled onto the seat on her other side.
With a disdainful sniff, she shifted slightly so her back was nearly to him and focused all her attention on Lily.
The child chattered about an enchanted bird that belonged to a fairy princess living in the juniper tree behind the barn.
Jack leaned forward from his seat across the table and tipped his head toward his sister. “She likes to make up stories.”
Tully chuckled. “So does Miss Dumont. Lily and Fred ought to get along like two peas in a pod.”
Jack’s eyes widened and he gaped at Brianna. “Is your name really Fred?”
Brianna narrowed her gaze and scowled at Tully. “It most certainly is not. My name is Brianna. For reasons beyond my ability to comprehend, Sheriff Barrett has decided to call me Fred.”
“Fred, Fred, with a pretty hat on her head,” Lily chanted in a singsong voice, grinning at Brianna. “Beautiful lady, that’s Miss Fred.”
“On that note, let’s order our lunch,” Thane said, motioning the waiter over to their table.
Despite Brianna’s trepidation about sitting next to Tully, he kept up an interesting and engaging conversation. He managed not to tease her once during the meal.
Brianna learned Mr. and Mrs. Greenfield had served Jemma’s family as butler and cook for more than thirty years. No wonder the woman was so determined to keep them close. They seemed more like a beloved set of grandparents than former hired help.
For a moment, Brianna considered the servants her father had employed over the years. Most had been loyal to the family. She would greatly miss their cook and head housekeeper. The two women had done their best to mother her and she’d turned to them with girlish tears more times than she could count.
Lost in her maudlin thoughts, a touch on her arm made her glance down as Lily leaned against her. “Do you like to sing, Miss Dumont?”
“I’m afraid singing is not among my particular talents.” Brianna smoothed a hand over Lily’s curls, amused by the impish child. “However, I would warrant a guess that you like to sing.”
“Oh, I do! I love to sing and dance.” Lily started to jump out of her chair to demonstrate, but Thane grabbed her and swung her onto his lap. Distracted by the tickles he delivered to her sides, she leaned against her father and sighed contentedly.
Brianna admired the way the tough cowboy appeared to melt around his wife and children. His face visibly softened as he looked at them with undeniable, unconditional love. Brianna wondered if she’d ever experience similar devotion from anyone in her lifetime.
Involuntarily, her gaze drifted to Tully as he sat beside her, finishing the last few bites of a piece of berry pie. Why the infuriating lawman would come to mind when she was contemplating true love, she had no idea. The very notion of him being anything beyond a tease who took great pleasure in her discomfiture left her agitated.
“I reckon we better head back to the ranch. That rain we had sure settled the dust, but it looks like another storm is brewing and I don’t want to get caught in it.” Thane shifted Lily in his arms and pulled cash out of his pocket to pay for their meals.
Lily stretched a hand out to Brianna. “Will you come to my birthday party? Please? We’ll have cake and ice cream and all sorts of wonderful things to eat. Mrs. Greenfield promised to make marmalade and crumpets.”
Brianna smiled. “Oh, that sounds lovely, Miss Lily, but perhaps…”
“You can ride out with me.” Tully wondered when his mouth had completely detached from his brain, because the last thing he wanted to do was spend time around Miss Dumont. If she went with him, that meant he’d have to take a buggy and the trip would last twice as long. He’d be stuck with her for two hours of travel time, not to mention the hour or two they’d spend at the party.
Thoughts of her jostling beside him on a buggy seat, with her floral perfume assaulting his senses and her enticing appearance tempting him, made the collar of his shirt uncomfortably tight.
All eyes looked to him as he swallowed hard. “I could drive you out since I’m going anyway. Ian and Maggie would welcome you if you wanted to ride out with them.”
“They’ll be bringing his parents, so I’m sure there won’t be room in Ian’s buggy,” Jemma said, smiling at the sheriff. “It’s so kind of you to offer to bring Miss Dumont, Tully. We’ll plan to see you both at the party.”
Brianna glanced at Tully, wondering how she’d endure his presence for the duration of the trip to the Jordan Ranch. For the sake of her new friends, she would make a concentrated effort to remain civil to the sheriff.
Chapter Eight
Monday morning, Brianna rose early and dressed in a summer-weight walking suit. After eating breakfast at the hotel’s dining room, she hurried to the newspaper office.
Bowen Packwood happened to see her walk inside and motioned for her to follow him to his office.
“It’s nice to see you’re punctual, Miss
Dumont,” he remarked as they walked down the short hallway.
“Yes, sir.” Brianna took a seat in front of his desk as he settled into his chair amidst creaks and groans from both him and the piece of furniture. She ducked her head to hide her smile and opened a new notebook, taking a pencil from her reticule.
“Have you come up with any story ideas?” Bowen leaned forward until his arms rested on the desk in front of him.
“What do you think about an article detailing the hazards of mining?”
Bowen shook his head. “That’s been done and done again. Unless someone is stealing gold, trying to stake a claim that isn’t theirs or something along those lines, I’m not interested. What else have you considered?”
“Perhaps an article about the soap factory, it could have a humorous spin about cleaning up the county with their manufacturing facility.”
The editor stared at her for a full minute before slowly nodding his head. “You may write that article, but I don’t promise to publish it. Don’t put it at the top of your list, but plan to get to it in the next week or two.”
“I could write an article about the meteorological station, something about the changes they’ve seen in the weather since the office opened here in town.” Brianna found it fascinating a report on the weather conditions was sent to the chief office twice a day, every single day, at five in the morning and again at five in the evening.
“That wouldn’t be a bad story to have on hand to run on a slow news day. Add it to your list, but put it right below the soap factory.” Bowen narrowed his gaze. “I want some hard-hitting news from you Miss Dumont. Something that will sell papers. Something that will get people talking.”
Brianna held back a sigh. She hadn’t been in town long enough to know what issues concerned the citizenry and Mr. Packwood hadn’t been terribly helpful in providing her with any direction. “I did hear some gentlemen discussing a horse rustler after church yesterday. Apparently, he’s stolen more than a dozen horses so far.”
The loud smack of Bowen’s palm hitting his desk made Brianna jump and drop the pencil she held in her hand. She retrieved it then stared at her employer with wide eyes.
Corsets and Cuffs: (Sweet Historical Western Romance) (Baker City Brides Book 3) Page 8
