“Anything interesting happen while we were gone?” Tully asked, looking around Brianna to Dugan.
He glanced at the sheriff then back at the road. “The new meteorologist arrived in town on Monday.”
“Is he gonna be any better than the last three?”
“Definitely. His name is Captain Ross Robbins, although he prefers not to be addressed as Captain because he retired from the military last year. He’s spent the last twenty years working with the Signal Corps in one form or another, and is quite knowledgeable. He’s a likeable fellow and he has a daughter.”
“A daughter?” Brianna asked, studying Dugan. “Is she close to Sammy’s age?”
Dugan shook his head. “No, she’s closer to mine.”
Tully chuckled. “Let me guess — she’s a homely, addle-brained thing.”
“Sure, boss. That’s what she is.”
Brianna smacked Tully’s leg with her reticule. “That’s enough out of you, mister. I want to hear about Miss Robbins.” She looked back at Dugan. “Where are they from? Is Mr. Robbins a widower? What’s Miss Robbins like?”
“They moved here from Washington, D.C. Mr. Robbins is a widower and Miss Robbins is unlike anyone I’ve ever met.”
Brianna and Tully both stared at him.
Disturbed by their observant glances, he focused on driving the wagon through the afternoon traffic. “I just meant that even though you can tell she was raised in high society, she’s willing to get her hands dirty. I found her stuck in the attic at the house with a wild raccoon. She didn’t even faint when she realized she wasn’t up there alone.”
“Well, that’s something, I guess,” Tully said, ignoring the look his wife gave him.
“What does she look like?” Sammy asked, leaning over the seat between Dugan and Brianna.
“She has gleaming dark brown hair and eyes the color of melted chocolate, and a smile that looks like she captured a little bit of sunshine. And a long, long neck, like a graceful swan.”
Sammy gave him a look nearly identical to the studying glances of her parents. “Is she tall or short?”
“Neither. She’s not tall like Allie Amick, but she’s taller than your mama.” Dugan wished he could change the subject. Why did the Barrett family seem intent on pestering him with questions about Miss Robbins?
“I bet she’s just right,” Sammy said with a grin. “What’s her name?”
“Delilah. Delilah Robbins.”
“Oh, that’s a pretty name.” Sammy moved back and sighed. “Delilah. Sounds fancy to me.”
“Well, wait until you see her,” Dugan said, giving the child a teasing wink. “Maybe you’ll think she’s a dilly.”
“You and Seth have any problems while I was gone?” Tully asked, abruptly changing the subject.
Grateful, Dugan shook his head. “Nary a problem at all. Other than a few drunken miners and one attempted robbery with a thief too dumb to figure out how to get out of the store after he broke in through an upstairs window, it’s been quiet.”
“That’s great to hear.” Tully leaned back against the seat and slipped his arm around Brianna. “I’m glad everyone behaved, at least for the most part. How are Thane and Jemma getting along?”
“If you’re asking if the baby arrived yet, the answer is no. Ben and Allie were in town this morning and said Jemma’s doing well, but Thane may require a stay in an institution for the insane before long.”
Tully chuckled. “I can believe it. We probably better head out that way tomorrow and check on them.”
Sammy released a whoop from behind them. “Maybe I could spend the night and come home after church on Sunday.”
“Now, Sammy, Jemma might not feel like having an extra youngster underfoot right now,” Brianna cautioned, looking over her shoulder at her rambunctious daughter.
“It won’t hurt to ask, will it?” Sammy pressed. “Allie and Ben would let me stay with them in the cabin if Jemma doesn’t want extra company.”
“I see you’ve already planned this all out, haven’t you?” Brianna tried to give Sammy a stern look, but the child tossed her an impish grin.
“Not all the particulars, but the important details.” Sammy kissed Brianna’s cheek with a noisy smack. “Please, Mama?”
“You may take a bag of your things in case you get to stay, but we won’t ask until we see how well Jemma feels. Deal?”
“Deal,” Sammy said, hugging Brianna around the neck, and then giving one to Tully, too.
“I didn’t negotiate. How come I get a hug?” Tully asked, as he reached back and patted Sammy on the shoulder.
“Just ‘cause I like hugging on my daddy.”
Dugan saw Tully swallow hard and glance off in the distance as he guided the horse off the road and down the lane toward the Barrett home. A year ago, it had been a modest house, like many other farm houses in the area.
Although it didn’t appear much different from the front, rooms had been added at the back, including a bathroom. Electricity wasn’t yet an option this far from town or Dugan was sure Brianna would have had it installed, too. The woman had more money than she could spend in ten lifetimes, but chose to live a fairly simple life with Tully and Sammy.
Dugan had to admire her for that when she could have built or bought the fanciest house in town. She also could have insisted if Tully loved her that he return to her home back East. Instead, she’d taken to Baker City and decided to stay there.
Thoughts of her mine partner made Dugan grin. Crusty ol’ Clive Fisher disliked women in general and bathing in particular. But after Brianna came to town and demanded her share of the mine, Clive had turned over a new leaf. He bathed with some regularity, stopped wearing filthy clothes, and occasionally even appeared at a social gathering in town.
The wagon hadn’t quite rolled to a stop when Sammy jumped out and raced over to the pasture where a dozen horses grazed. Cotton and Hoss, the horses Tully and Brianna rode, nickered and trotted toward the fence, but the rest appeared indifferent. A horse Tully had spent considerable time and money trying to gentle merely raised his head and looked around before returning to nibbling at the grass.
“Loco hasn’t had a miraculous change of personality while you were gone,” Dugan said, picking up one of the trunks while Tully hefted one and Brianna led the way to the house.
“I didn’t expect he would, but all the horses are alive and well, so that means he at least behaved himself while we were gone instead of trying to let the others know he’s the mean king of the hill.” Tully impatiently waited while Brianna took a key from her reticule and tried to unlock the door. “Fred, didn’t I tell you that thing wouldn’t open if you locked it.”
Brianna frowned at Tully over her shoulder and wiggled the key in the lock a few times. A loud click sounded then she turned the knob and swung the door open wide.
Dugan wouldn’t have been surprised in the least if she’d stuck her tongue out at Tully. The sheriff and his bride, like Thane and Jemma Jordan, didn’t always see eye to eye. In fact, more often than not, they locked horns, but he knew the couples were devoted and loving to one another even when their opinions differed.
“Just set that trunk there by the stairs,” Tully said, motioning toward the stairs that led to the upstairs bedrooms.
“I can carry it up if you want me to.” Dugan moved onto the bottom step.
“No, it’s quite alright, Dugan. I need to sort through the contents of that trunk because part of it is Sammy’s treasures and the rest will stay down here.” Brianna motioned for him to set the trunk down on the entry floor.
“Anything else I can do to help?”
“Why don’t you stay for supper, Dugan, since you brought it,” Brianna looped her arm around his and walked with him outside. He took a large basket from the back of the wagon.
“You don’t need to include me. I can rustle up some grub for dinner,” he said, handing her the basket then lifting another trunk.
“Please stay. We all enjoy yo
ur company and I’m quite interested in hearing more about delightful Delilah Robbins.”
Dugan scowled as she laughed and led the way back inside. “I never once said she was delightful.”
“But I could tell you were thinking it,” Brianna teased.
Chapter Six
“Oh, Maggie, it’s so lovely,” Delilah said as Maggie MacGregor led the way outside to an expansive backyard that stretched all the way to the bank of the river.
“It’s still coming back to life after our cold winter, but in another month, the flowers will be quite spectacular.” Maggie smiled and led her around the yard. “I can’t take a bit of credit for any of this. Charles and Martha Byron have worked for Ian since he built this place. Mr. Byron takes wonderful care of the yard and Martha is an amazing cook and housekeeper. She comes in on Tuesdays and Fridays to clean and always leaves something delicious in the oven.”
Delilah didn’t care a whit about the spotless state of Maggie and Ian’s home. It was the varied assortment of plants, bushes, hedges, trees, and flowers that drew her interest. “Is that buttonbush?” she asked, bending down to look at a row of plants closest to the river.
“I think it might be, but you should speak with Mr. Byron. He planted every single thing on the place. He’d be a good resource if you’re interested in finding out what grows well here and what doesn’t.”
“I’d love to speak with him sometime. Perhaps I could invite Mr. and Mrs. Byron for tea one afternoon.”
Maggie grinned. “Martha would love it, although Charles would probably rather strike up a conversation outside over a bed of daffodils or a newly potted petunia.”
Delilah laughed. “I’ll keep that in mind. Your house and gardens are just amazing, Maggie. The invitation to see them is greatly appreciated.”
Maggie linked their arms together as they made their way back toward the house. “It’s our pleasure to have you and Mr. Robbins join us. I don’t see how a man as dapper as your father has remained unmarried for long.”
“He said he had one great love in his life and when he lost my mother, he didn’t feel inclined to search for another.” Delilah tamped down the emotion that always bubbled up when she thought about the death of her mother.
“I’m sorry, Delilah. I didn’t mean to sound…”
“No, Maggie, it’s perfectly fine,” Delilah said, playfully bumping against her and changing the subject. “Your husband is kind to allow Papa to examine all the weaponry in the front room.”
Maggie shook her head and rolled her eyes. “Ian likes nothing better than showing off the tools of his family’s trade, as he calls them. Let’s head back inside. If it was up to him, your poor father would miss supper while they played with the weapons.”
Delilah followed Maggie through the back entrance and into the well-equipped kitchen.
“I hope you don’t think us completely uncivilized for eating in here instead of the dining room,” Maggie said as she washed her hands at the deep sink. “The table is so long, I feel like we’re shouting across the room unless we have a house full of guests.”
“In here is perfect. The table in front of the bay window looks so cozy and inviting. I imagine you and Mr. MacGregor enjoy many a wonderful meal there.”
“What does Mr. MacGregor enjoy?” Ian asked as he and Ross entered the kitchen.
“Meals in here, instead of at that lonely, long table in the dining room.” Maggie stirred a pot on the stove then took a pie from the oven and set it on a folded dishtowel to cool.
“Dinner smells delicious, Mrs. MacGregor,” Ross said, smiling at Maggie.
“Please, we don’t stand on much formality around here. Call us Ian and Maggie.”
Ross nodded solicitously. “But only if you call us Ross and Delilah.”
“That we can do, can’t we, me bonny lass?” Ian asked, thickening his brogue as he pecked Maggie’s cheek.
“Yes, we can.” Maggie’s hand caressed his cheek before she turned back to dishing up the meal. “I think everything is ready as soon as our other guests arrive.”
The sound of someone knocking on the front door drew a grin from Ian. “Right on time,” he said, then hurried out of the kitchen and down the hall. He soon returned with a beautiful, petite woman, a cute little girl who fairly oozed with mischief, and a broad-shouldered giant of a man with a charming smile.
“Tully!” Maggie said, wiping her hands on a dishtowel then giving the man a warm hug. She gave one equally as welcoming to the woman before tweaking the little girl’s nose. “I’m glad you’re home. I can’t wait to hear all about your trip, but before we sit down to eat, allow me to make introductions. Sheriff Tully Barrett, Brianna Barrett, and Samantha, this is Mr. Ross Robbins and his daughter, Delilah.”
Tully exchanged handshakes with Ross and tipped his head to Delilah. Sammy approached Delilah, giving her a long, studying glance before looking at her mother. “Yep, she’s delightful.”
Brianna gave the impish child a quelling look then smiled at Delilah. “I love the gown you’re wearing. The braided trim is so intricate and that shade of maroon is gorgeous.”
“Thank you, Mrs. Barrett. Your gown is lovely, too. I think I recognize a bit of Mrs. Amick’s lace on it. Is that right?”
Brianna glanced down at the lace trim on her sleeve. “Yes, Maggie made the gown and Allie made the lace.” She placed a hand on Delilah’s arm. “And please, call me Brianna. I do hope we’ll all be friends.”
“I’d like that very much, but only if you call me Delilah.”
“Not delightful?” Sammy asked, earning a wink from her father and a scowl from her mother.
“Let’s eat, shall we?” Maggie said, guiding everyone to the table laden with food.
Between the jovial sheriff, his puckish daughter, Ian’s teasing, and Maggie and Brianna’s attempts to feign indignation at all three of them, dinner was lively and entertaining.
Delilah caught her father’s grin as Tully harangued Ian about wearing a skirt.
“I’ve explained it until I’m blue in the face, you hard-noggined eejit, it isn’t a skirt, but a kilt. And a fine one it is, too!” Ian glared at Tully. “You’re just jealous because you haven’t the legs required to look handsome and manly in one.”
Tully appeared thoroughly affronted. He pushed back from the table and lifted one leg in the air, tugging up the hem of his denims. “I’ll have you know my legs are just as handsome as yours, you blithering blowhard.”
Brianna flushed with embarrassment while Sammy giggled.
“If you two want any dessert, you’ll cease this tomfoolery and behave like respectable gentleman instead of the hooligans we know you to be,” Maggie said, staring at Ian and then Tully.
“For heaven’s sake, put your leg down!” Brianna smacked Tully’s arm from her seat next to him. “Ross and Delilah will think there isn’t a single person in town with even the slightest bit of manners or decorum.”
“What’s decorum, Mama?” Sammy asked, giving her mother an inquisitive look.
Tully dropped his leg and reached around his wife to playfully tug on Sammy’s braid. “It means sucking all the fun out of everything.”
“Tully…” Brianna’s voice held a note of warning that caused the sheriff to straighten in his chair and tip his head to Delilah and her father.
“My apologies for behaving like the ruffians we are.” The sheriff attempted to look petulant, but it only made Maggie and Sammy giggle.
“You’re no better than the boys,” Brianna said to Maggie while trying to subdue a smile.
“Don’t apologize on our behalf,” Ross said, looking to Delilah who nodded in agreement. “This is the most entertainment we’ve had for a while.”
“Speaking of entertainment, I noticed there’s a play coming to town this week. Is anyone planning to attend?” Brianna asked.
Maggie shook her head. “According to Ian, it would be ‘only and ever over my dead body,’” she said, imitating Ian’s brogue.
“I’m not, but Delilah has an invitation to attend with one of your deputies.”
“You don’t say.” Tully gave Brianna a knowing look before turning to Delilah. “Make sure Dugan takes you out for a nice meal before the play.”
“I, um… it wasn’t… Deputy Harter is the one who invited me.” Delilah toyed with the mashed potatoes on her plate. She had no idea why the sheriff assumed Deputy Durfey was the one who’d invited her. In truth, regardless of which deputy asked, she would have attended with either of them. They both were handsome, entertaining, intelligent, and amusing.
“But I thought Dugan said…” Sammy’s statement was cut off when Brianna placed a hand over her mouth.
“Eat your supper, sweetheart,” Brianna said, giving Sammy a look Delilah couldn’t decipher and wasn’t sure she wanted to.
“I heard you’ve been making repairs both at the house and weather station. Is everything in order now?” Tully asked, directing the conversation away from Delilah’s choice of suitors.
She listened to her father discuss the work he’d completed at the weather station and the return to a regular reporting schedule to the home office in Washington.
That morning, they’d retrieved the trunks and crates they’d left in storage and hauled them to the house, with the help of Edwin Greenfield. Delilah had loved staying with Hattie and Edwin, but she was ready to be in charge of her own home again. And she wanted to get started on the yard and garden.
Although the furniture they had was limited to a few rickety pieces Eugene Sutler left behind, Delilah didn’t care. She just wanted to bury her hands in the warm, rich earth and begin transforming the desolate space behind and in front of the house into a haven for the birds she so loved.
They’d just finished eating the delicious canned blackberry pie Maggie said she’d made from berries Tully and Brianna had picked the previous summer when Delilah heard a bird twittering outside.
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