Rolling her eyes, Lacy sighed dramatically. “That’s all I need! I wouldn’t put it past that lunatic to create a spectacle in the middle of town.”
Walker chuckled and sat back in the chair. “I won’t tell him where to find you. Pops didn’t pay that much attention when you told him you had a job. He doesn’t know where you are, exactly, just that you’re working in town. He was worried about you, but then muttered something about your horse having more sense than you and getting you to Pendleton in one piece. Did you find somewhere to keep Star while you’re in town?”
“Yes. Tony and Ilsa were kind enough to let me board her in their barn. They told me I didn’t need to do anything to pay for it, but I plan to clean the barn on Saturdays and buy some feed as payment. They’ve been so good to me, Walker. Ilsa even let me use some clothes from her store until I can get home to get the rest of my things.”
Walker eyed the dress Lacy wore. Not only was it nicer than anything she owned, it fit her better, too. Most of her “white” clothes were castoffs from their cousins and sewing was one thing his sister didn’t do well. She’d nearly flunked sewing class at school, despite his mother and grandmother coaching her.
“Ruth packed some things she thought you might need. Although she won’t ever say it, she’s proud of you for being independent. I think she sometimes wishes she hadn’t followed Pops’ orders that she marry Tom before she had a chance to experience life.”
“Father did make her marry Tom when she was younger than you. She’s never had anything of her own. She went from being under Father’s direction to Tom’s. At least Tom is good-natured and kind. And they have such sweet babies.”
After drinking the last of his coffee, Walker handed Lacy the cup and got to his feet. “Don’t let Daniel hear you call him a baby. He thinks six is nearly grown up.”
“That’s because you encourage his delusions, Walker.” Lacy watched as her brother hurried outside then soon returned with a pair of bulging leather saddlebags. She took them when he held them out to her. “Thank you for bringing this and for checking on me. I hope to see you again, soon.”
Walker patted her shoulder. “If Pops finds out I came today, I might need that room you offered sooner rather than later. Take care, Lacy. I’ll let Grandmother know you’re well.”
“Thank you.” Lacy turned around and noticed Bertie and Millie staring at the handsome young man beside her. “Oh, I’m sorry. Millie, Bertie, this is my brother, Walker. Walker, this is Miss Matlock and Miss Hawkins.”
Walker executed a courteous bow and winked at Lacy. He settled his hat on his head then rushed out the door. All three women watched him swing into his saddle and ride down the street on his spirited horse. Bertie and Millie seemed impressed with Walker’s broad shoulders, tall height, raven-black hair, and eyes twinkling with humor.
“How old is your brother, Lacy?” Bertie asked, taking a step closer to the window.
“He just turned seventeen.” Lacy grinned at her new friend. “Walker is full of charm and sass, as my grandmother likes to say.”
Millie laughed and the three of them returned to the switchboard.
Relieved when her shift ended for the evening, Lacy wrapped her shawl around her shoulders, picked up the saddlebags and hurried to Ilsa’s shop in the waning light. The front door was locked, indicating Ilsa had already left for the evening. Lacy hurried around back and inserted the key in the lock. It turned with a loud click and she pushed the door open. A hand clamped over her mouth and another grabbed her around the waist with such force, it knocked the air out of her.
The smell of alcohol blended with the fragrance of a man’s hair pomade in scents unfamiliar to her.
Shocked and fearful, Lacy stomped down hard on the man’s foot while ramming her elbow behind her. When he turned loose of her, Lacy swung the saddlebags in her hand at his head and knocked the man to the ground where he remained unmoving.
Scrambling inside, she tossed down the bags, flicked on the lights, and glanced around for something she could use to tie his hands. Lacy grabbed a length of cording Ilsa used to edge skirt hems and hurried to secure the man’s hands behind his back. For good measure, she wrapped it around his feet then rushed back inside and placed a call, asking for the sheriff’s office.
“Deputy Rawlings. May I help you?”
“This is Lacy Williams. I’m at Ilsa’s shop and some man just tried to… he’s outside and I…”
“Hang on, Miss Williams. I’ll be right there. Stay inside and lock the door.”
Lacy heard the line disconnect. She hung up the telephone and ran over to the door. The man remained unconscious. Afraid he’d get away before Kade arrived, she took a length of ribbon and looped it around his hands then tied it to an iron ring Tony had set behind the shop to tie a horse to when he stopped by during the day.
Confident the man wouldn’t run off, Lacy hastened inside the store and locked the back door. Upset, she leaned against the worktable and took a calming breath. Although frightened, the man hadn’t really caused her any harm.
A sharp rap on the back door made her bite back a scream. She took another deep breath, stepped over to the door, and opened it.
Kade Rawlings and Lars Thorsen both stood outside with grins creasing their handsome faces. Despite how much the two of them looked alike, their only claim to relation was that Lars’ sister, Ilsa, was married to Kade’s brother-in-law, Tony.
Both deputies were brawny and tall with a commanding presence. They made a formidable duo when they walked through town together.
“I take it the fella trussed up like a turkey over there is the one giving you trouble?” Kade smirked as he pointed over his shoulder toward the alley. Awake, the man spluttered and fussed, shouting accusations about an unseen foe attacking him on his way home from work.
Tired of listening to him whine, Lars stuffed a handkerchief into his mouth and unknotted the ribbon from where Lacy tied it to the hitching ring.
After forcing the man to his feet, Lars dragged him into the shop. Kade settled handcuffs on his wrists while Lars removed the cording and handed it, with the ribbon, to Lacy.
“Did this man try to attack you, Miss Williams?”
Lacy nodded her head. With the two deputies there to keep the man in line, Lacy allowed herself to look at him. She’d noticed him walk past the telephone office a few times. Slight of build with a protruding overbite and small, beady eyes, he brought to mind images of a weasel. A red welt stood out on his forehead where she’d hit him with the saddlebags.
“Do you know that man, Miss Williams?”
“No, sir. However, I have seen him walk past the telephone office.”
The man glared at her and Lacy took a step back. Kade moved to her side, giving her unspoken assurance he would protect her.
“Would you mind telling us what happened, Miss Williams?” Lars asked. The man squirmed against him so Lars tightened his grip around the assailant’s arm, making him wince.
“When I arrived home from work, the front door to the shop was locked, meaning Ilsa already left for the evening. I walked around to the back door and unlocked it. Before I could step inside, a hand covered my mouth. He grabbed my waist and knocked the air out of me for a moment. I stomped on his foot and elbowed him in the stomach. When he let go of me, I clobbered him with my bags. My brother brought some of my things into town today, otherwise I wouldn’t have had them in my hand.” Lacy’s knees and hands trembled as she thought about what might have happened if the heavy saddlebags hadn’t been readily available and at her disposal. Thank you, Lord, for Walker.
“Then what happened?” Kade gripped her elbow when he noticed her hands begin to shake, offering her support. Without saying anything, he guided her over to a stool at Ilsa’s worktable.
“While he appeared to be unconscious, I thought it best to tie his hands and feet so he wouldn’t try to attack me again. I used some of Ilsa’s dress cording then called you. I worried he might get away before
you arrived, so I took a length of ribbon out and tied him to Tony’s hitching ring. Will Ilsa be upset at the ruined ribbon and cord?”
Lars grinned. “Ilsa won’t care in the least about a few yards of ribbon.” He removed the handkerchief from the man’s mouth. “What have you got to say for yourself, Mr. Kent?”
Kade and Lars both knew the man from problems they’d had with him in the past. He worked for a surveying firm down the street from the telephone office and a few of the girls had reported him watching them, making them feel uncomfortable. All it took was a little alcohol to embolden him to do something he wouldn’t otherwise do. From the smell of him, he’d had more than one drink.
“I’m not saying a word.” Mr. Kent continued to glare at Lacy. “Why do you care about a no-good injun squaw, anyway? Ain’t gonna do nuthin’ to her she ain’t already had done by one of them heathens on the reservation.”
Lars returned the handkerchief to the man’s mouth and shoved him out the door, marching him off to the jailhouse.
Kade placed his hand on Lacy’s shoulder and gave it a gentle squeeze. He’d seen the hurt in her eyes caused by Richard Kent’s words. The man was lower than a snake, in his opinion. It galled him that he couldn’t string Kent up for the way he talked about and treated women. “Don’t take a word he said to heart, Lacy. We all know you’re a fine lady. It isn’t the first time I’ve had to haul him off to jail after he’s had too much to drink.”
“What happens if he tries something again?”
Kade grinned. “You shouldn’t need to worry about him bothering you. He prefers women who don’t fight back.”
Lacy forced herself to smile. The entire experience left her unsettled. She wanted to run home to her family and rest in the comfort of their chaotic noise and chatter. Dread filled her at the prospect of spending the evening alone with her thoughts.
“Get your coat and come with me.” Kade stepped over to the door and waited for her.
Lacy picked up the shawl she’d dropped on the floor and wrapped it around her shoulders then tucked the key to the door in her pocket. Kade held her elbow as he walked her down the back side of the buildings and inside his wife’s restaurant.
Before Lacy could protest, the deputy hung her shawl on a peg by the door and motioned for her to take a seat at a table by the stairs. Caterina stood on tiptoe and kissed her husband’s cheek then smiled at Lacy.
“Welcome to my restaurant.”
Kade grinned at their guest. “Lacy had a bit of a rough start to her evening. Can you make sure she gets dinner? I’ll be back in a while and walk her home.”
After a handful of years of marriage to Kade, Caterina knew he’d fill her in on the details later. “I’d be happy to have her company this evening, especially since I’m short-handed. She can help me keep an eye on your rambunctious boys for a while.”
Kade looked around the kitchen and didn’t see his twin hooligans anywhere. Generally, they were terrorizing Rufus, Caterina’s cat, or underfoot of the staff as they hurried to plate food and wash dishes.
“There are only a few diners left this evening, so I let them sit at a table out front to eat with Grant.” Caterina tipped her head in the direction of the doorway leading to the front of the restaurant.
“I’ll check on them on my way out the door.” Kade glanced at Lacy again. “Are you sure you’ll be okay?”
“Yes, Kade. Thank you so much. And Lars, too. Please let him know I appreciate his assistance.” Everything that happened still felt surreal to Lacy. She struggled to keep her mind focused long enough to answer Kade’s questions.
The deputy nodded then walked through the doorway to the restaurant. Lacy smiled when Ben and Brett both greeted him with an excited, “Hi, Daddy!”
“Those boys think their father is a Wild West hero.” Caterina grinned and winked. “I might even agree with them, but don’t tell Kade I said that.”
After Caterina set a steaming bowl of soup and a basket of bread on the table, Lacy gave in to her hunger and ate the filling meal. Fascinated by how smoothly Caterina ran the kitchen, she observed the activity taking place around her. Although she’d partaken of Caterina’s delicious food, Lacy had never eaten in the restaurant. Her family couldn’t afford such an extravagance.
She imagined what it would be like to sit at one of the tables covered by a pristine white cloth with the soft glow of candlelight flickering around her. Lost in her thoughts, Lacy didn’t notice Grant nearby until Brett and Ben bumped into her, clamoring for her attention.
“How are you boys?” Lacy did her best to ignore the handsome banker and focus on the children. She leaned back in her chair as the twins tried to climb onto her lap. She lifted Ben and settled him on one leg then picked up Brett and set him on the other. Nearly four, the boys were a mixture of their parents and full of boisterous energy. Identical in appearance, the twins had dark brown hair and eyelashes, olive skin, and tiny dimples in their chins. The only way she could tell them apart was by their eye color. Ben had snapping brown eyes, just like his mother, while Brett had Kade’s bright green orbs.
“We’re great, Lacy!” Brett said looking up at her with a playful grin. “Did you ride Star into town?”
“Yes, I did. She’s at your Uncle Tony’s barn.”
“She is?” Brett looked to his mother as she removed bread from the oven. “Can we go to Uncle Tony’s, Momma? I want to ride Lacy’s horse.”
Caterina set down the bread then hurried over to her boys. She lifted Brett and kissed his cheek. “It’s far too late to venture over to Uncle Tony’s house. Daddy will be here soon and we’ll go home. It’s time for you two little men to be in bed.”
“Aw, Momma. Don’t wanna go home or bed,” Ben groused. The boy slid off Lacy’s lap and frowned at his mother. He turned around and grabbed Lacy’s hand. “Can I stay with Lacy? Can we ride out to Grandma Rebecca’s house? Can Walker teach us to shoot his bow?”
Lacy worked to hide her smile at the boys’ eager questions. She rose to her feet and patted Ben’s little hand. “Maybe another time, Ben. Your daddy’s coming.”
Although no one else had heard Kade’s approach, he opened the back door and stepped inside. The boys ran to him, wrapping their arms around his legs and standing on his feet. He walked across the floor with them hanging onto his legs and kissed Caterina. “Let’s get you all home before it gets any colder out there. While you bundle up the boys, Cat, I’ll see Lacy home.”
“I’d be happy to escort Miss Williams, Kade. I’m heading home anyway.” Grant smiled at Lacy, hoping she’d accept his offer.
“I couldn’t put you out, Mr. Hill. I assure you all, I’ll be fine.” Lacy grabbed her shawl and wrapped it around her shoulders. She turned to Caterina and squeezed her hand. “Thank you for the delicious meal. If you let me know how much I owe you, I’ll be sure to stop by tomorrow with payment.”
Caterina fluttered her hand dismissively. “You were my guest this evening. I’m sure my husband practically forced you to come. How could I charge you when you had to eat my food under duress?”
Lacy laughed. “Indeed.”
“I hope you’ll come another evening just for fun. You are most welcome anytime.”
“Thank you, Caterina. I don’t think it would be a good idea, but I appreciate your invitation.” Lacy started to open the door, but Kade blocked it.
“You are always, always welcome here, Lacy. Front door or back.” He gave her an encouraging look and Caterina nodded in agreement. “As for your, um… visitor, you shouldn’t have any more trouble with him. If you do, be sure to tell me or Lars right away.”
“Thank you, again, for your help.” Lacy bustled outside and started toward Ilsa’s shop when she remembered she was supposed to clean Tony’s studio. Abruptly changing direction, she ran into Grant. He caught her arms to keep her from falling.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t realize you were right behind me.”
Even in the muted light from the surrounding bus
inesses, she could see the gleam of his smile.
“I said I’d walk you home and I will. Truly, Miss Williams, it’s no trouble at all.”
“I appreciate your kind offer, but I need to go to Tony’s studio. I forgot he asked me to clean it this evening.” Lacy started across the empty lot behind Caterina’s establishment. Grant kept step with her through the snow. They exited an alley and crossed the street, coming out near Tony’s photography studio. Lacy took the key from the pouch she wore around her neck beneath her dress and unlocked the door. Grant stepped inside with her and flicked on the lights.
“I’m sure Tony would understand if you didn’t get around to cleaning it.”
Lacy shook her head and walked into Tony’s workroom. She took the cleaning supplies out of a cupboard and returned to the front entrance where she wiped down the counter and windows.
“As you are aware, Tony and Ilsa have generously allowed me to use the apartment above her store. In trade for rent, I clean the studio and Ilsa’s shop. They aren’t getting a very good trade, especially since Tony is keeping my horse at his barn.”
“I think they’re getting a good deal out of the bargain. Tony hates cleaning up after himself and he doesn’t trust too many people to come in because of the chemicals he uses to develop his photographs and make the ice.” Grant gathered the pails of trash and dumped them into a container located outside the back door.
Lacy looked over her shoulder at him as she straightened a shelf of props Tony used in his studio portraits. “He’s warned me about the chemicals, repeatedly.”
Grant chuckled. She picked up a dust rag and returned to the front of the studio, carefully wiping down the photographs hanging on the walls. She stopped and studied the photo of Ruth holding Mary in a traditional cradleboard. Although the brilliant colors of the beading were lost in the black and white photograph, Lacy remembered the hours of labor she and her mother put into the design of the beadwork on the cradleboard. Ruth and Tom had both been so proud of the gift when they’d given it to them before Daniel was born. They’d used it with him and Mary, and now baby Anna.
Lacy: (Sweet Historical Western Romance) (Pendleton Petticoats Book 5) Page 5
