by Mary Davis
Troy.
She swung the door shut.
“Olivia Bradshaw!” Mother scolded. “You open that door right this instance.” Mother had obviously known he was approaching and had called Olivia into the parlor so she would be the one to answer his knock. Mother and Gran hadn’t accepted that her courtship with Troy was over. In time they would. Just as her heart would.
Taking a deep breath and schooling her heart to not react, Olivia opened the door. Success.
Troy stood on the porch with her umbrella in hand. He held it out. “You forgot this at the bank.” Then he smiled.
Her heart danced. Traitor. She struggled to regain control and then said, “You may keep it. I won’t have need of it.”
Though his dimpled smile remained steadfast on his lips, it left his eyes. He reached around the door frame and slipped the umbrella into the stand. “Maybe you’ll have use for it later.”
She would rather drown in a downpour than have him see her using a gift from him. But she was glad to have her umbrella back where it belonged. If she didn’t stop all this back and forth, she would be swooning into his arms by the week’s end.
“Liv, I’m doing everything I can to get out of this supper.”
She hoped he succeeded. “Don’t trouble yourself on my account.”
“I know you don’t mean that.”
She didn’t and could feel herself weakening, so she straightened her shoulders. Once he’d gotten out of the meal, she would reconsider. But not before. If he didn’t leave soon, she would cave.
Gran spoke from behind her. “Troy, would you like to come in?”
Troy’s smile brightened. “That’s a very kind invitation.” He glanced at Olivia. “But I must decline. I have some business to attend to.”
Olivia understood the look in his eyes. He was going to work on getting out of the supper two nights hence.
He dipped his head, turned, and left.
She appreciated his not pushing her. She watched him go and slowly closed the door.
As she walked through the parlor on her way to the kitchen, Mother spoke. “Come sit down, dear.”
“I have the dishwater ready.”
“It’ll keep. Sit.” Mother’s voice was soft and resigned.
Olivia sensed something was wrong and sat on the settee next to her. “Are you feeling all right?”
Mother patted her hand. “Yes, I’m fine. It’s about your father.”
What about Father? He wasn’t coming back, was he? Did she want him to? Not after what he’d done. And they had told everyone he’d died. His return would be salt in wounds that refused to heal.
“We waited until after you had your fun at the Independence celebrations, but it shouldn’t be put off any longer.”
Olivia braced herself for whatever Mother had to tell her. “You’re right—things shouldn’t be put off. I’m not a child. You don’t have to hide anything from me.” It couldn’t be any worse than what he’d already done. Could it?
“We had hoped you would reconcile with Troy.”
Olivia looked from Mother to Gran and back. “What does Troy have to do with Father?”
“The money your father left us is gone. Mr. Ingers is demanding our rent by the end of the month.”
Wait. What did money or Father have to do with Troy? She played her mother’s words over in her head. Gone? Couldn’t be. She knew they were low, but how could it be gone? “That can’t be. We’ve been careful.”
“Not careful enough.”
“I still don’t understand what that has to do with Troy.”
“We had hoped you would make up with him and marry. I know it’s selfish, but I didn’t know what else to do.” Mother was practical if nothing else.
“You want me to marry Troy to keep a roof over our heads?”
“No. I wanted you to marry the boy you’ve been in love with for years. Look, dear, it would be protection and support for us all.”
The shame in Mother’s expression twisted Olivia’s heart.
“True, one benefit would be a roof. But since you are determined to push him away, we need to consider other options.” Mother believed it best to not keep secrets or a problem to herself so the whole family could work toward a resolution. “Gran and I talked about taking in wash and mending, but that still won’t be enough.”
“I’ll help, too. We’ll make it.” But she saw the doubt and concern on their faces.
Chapter 5
On Friday when Troy returned from locking the safe for the weekend and releasing the teller at the end of the day, he went back to his office.
A man he’d never seen before sat in the chair opposite his desk. He wore an expensive tailored suit. Not the usual attire for a bank robber. The man stood, rising to Troy’s height of six foot two, and held out his hand. “Troy Morrison?”
This could be bad. Troy was alone in the bank. If this man had nefarious plans, no one would find his body until Monday.
Mr. Jones had insisted on putting a gun in Troy’s desk in the event of the unthinkable. Troy had shoved it to the far back of the drawer. Could he retrieve it without arousing suspicion in the man? He gripped the man’s hand. “Yes, and you are?”
“Hewitt Raines.” His suit fit too well to be concealing a gun.
A name helped Troy feel better about the situation. He rounded his desk. “What can I do for you, Mr. Raines?” He sat and glanced at the drawer that held the gun.
“Please call me Hewitt.” The man chuckled. “You won’t be needing that gun.” He poured the bullets from his hand, dropping them onto Troy’s desk one at a time. “I took them out as a precaution. I’m not here to rob the bank or cause you any trouble. But I had to wait until we could be alone.”
Troy bristled at the man’s brazenness. “You’ve done yourself no favors by rifling through my desk. I’m not inclined to be receptive to anything you have to say.”
“Oh, you will.”
He wouldn’t. “What can I do for you?” The quicker he got this man out of the empty bank, the better.
“We have a mutual interest.”
How could they? He’d never met the man before. “I doubt that.”
“Violet Jones. The prettiest thing on two legs. And right pretty legs those are.”
How would he know that?
“I assure you—I have no interest in Miss Jones.”
“I know. I asked around town. Wasn’t sure if I’d need to challenge you to a duel for the lady.”
“Duel? Isn’t that a bit archaic?”
“I know it’s a nasty business, but Violet would enjoy men fighting over her. Honestly, I’m glad to avoid such measures.”
“So how do you know Miss Jones?”
“Met her in San Francisco when she was caring for her failing grandfather this past winter. I was courting her until she caught me in a bit of a situation with another lady.” He held up his hands. “A situation that wasn’t my fault. You understand.”
Troy actually did, but he didn’t want to admit to this stranger that he had anything in common with him. And he doubted Hewitt was as innocent as he was.
“Well, Violet saw me with this other woman and has been angry with me ever since. She’s just using you to make me jealous. I’m here to win her back. That’s where our mutual interest lies. I want Violet, and you want a Miss Olivia Bradshaw.”
How did Hewitt know about Liv? Probably when he asked around town.
“You help me get Vi back, and you are free to make up with Miss Bradshaw. She seemed distressed on Wednesday when she ran out of here.”
Hewitt had seen Liv that day? “You were in the bank?”
“I was outside. So will you help me get back in Violet’s good graces?”
“You’re in love with Miss Jones?”
Hewitt didn’t seem like the commitment type.
“I wouldn’t go so far as to say love. But she’s right pretty, and her family has a lot of money. Two things I’m looking for in a wife. If a man’s
going to be tied down, beauty and wealth are musts.”
Troy should be upset for Violet’s honor but found he couldn’t. He didn’t view marriage to Olivia as being “tied down.” But Violet? That would be a different story. “So what is it you want me to do?”
“The party tomorrow night at the Joneses’ was to be in honor of my arrival. I would propose to her, and it would turn into our engagement announcement party. Or at least I’d hoped. Then Violet’s temper flared. And here I am pleading with a stranger for my future comforts.”
“So you want me to let you attend the party in my stead?” He would gladly step aside. That would solve his problem and would make Liv happy.
Hewitt shook his head. “That would never do. She would be angry with both of us. Go, but be indifferent to her. Don’t care one way or the other for her. Don’t let on that she might have any control over you. If she gets you to be nice to her, she wins. If she gets you riled up at her, she wins.”
That was a very fine line, but Troy could do it, especially if Violet shifted her focus off him. He had seen how she enjoyed holding power over others.
“I’ll show up—” Hewitt thrust his arms into the air “—and declare my love for her.”
Could it really be so simple? Troy grabbed on to the hope that it could and ignored the niggling doubt.
Hewitt made a fist and punched it through the air. “I could take a swing at you. Violet would like that.”
Quite the conniver. “I prefer no violence.”
“Are you sure? Miss Bradshaw might show you a little sympathy if you were to get hurt.”
He doubted a black eye would change Liv’s opinion of him. She’d just say he’d deserved it. “I’ll pass.”
“Suit yourself. Maybe you should take a swing at me. Then Violet could nurse me back to health.” Hewitt smirked, seeming to like his idea.
Troy shook his head. “Let’s do this without anyone getting hit.”
“Are you sure? I don’t mind having a sore jaw for a few days. Winning Violet would be well worth any amount of pain.”
Sure, this plan sounded great to Hewitt. He’d have Violet’s undivided attention, while Troy would likely sit in jail because Violet would insist her father press charges. And Troy would, of course, lose his job and Liv for good. “I’m not going to punch you.”
Hewitt turned his hands palms up. “If you change your mind, you don’t have to warn me first. I’ll be ready.”
Troy wouldn’t change his mind. Though he did feel better about attending this supper. He would be free of Violet by the end.
He shook Hewitt’s hand, locked up the bank and headed straight to Liv’s to tell her the good news. He knocked on her door.
Granny Bradshaw answered with a smile. “Troy, come in.”
He stepped inside. “I came to speak to Liv.”
“She wasn’t feeling well and went to bed early.”
“She’s ill? It’s not anything serious, is it?”
Granny patted his arm. “Nothing that a little time won’t cure. She’ll come around.”
“You think so?”
“Doesn’t she always?”
He nodded. He would hold on to that hope. In three short days, he’d gone from the happiest man in Friday Harbor to the most miserable.
When he left and turned back toward the house, he thought he saw the curtain in Liv’s window move.
Yes, hope.
* * *
The next afternoon hung heavy with unspent clouds. Olivia twirled a wild daisy as she walked beside Felicity in a meadow.
Felicity kicked at a clump of tall grass. “So you have no money? It’s all gone?”
Olivia also had a hard time believing it. “We’re going to take in laundry and sewing.” She would likely be the one to do the washing while Mother and Gran put needle to cloth. She could already feel the painful cracks her hands would have from hours in hot water.
“Will that be enough?”
“It’ll have to be. I don’t know what else to do.”
“You could ask Troy to—”
“No. I won’t grovel to him. Not when he’s having supper with another woman with no regard for my feelings.” The image of Troy with Violet flashed in her mind. Deep down she knew Troy didn’t care about Violet the way he did her, but there was always that small grain of doubt wearing a blister on her hope. She pushed the image aside only to have it replaced with Father’s betrayal. If only Father hadn’t run off, she would be able to trust Troy.
Felicity remained silent for a bit before she spoke again. “I heard the cannery is hiring.”
“Really?” A job at the cannery could be the answer to Olivia’s prayers. Though she loved the taste of salmon, she loathed the idea of smelling fish all day. “I’ll go to the cannery Monday and apply.”
After another bit of silence, Felicity cleared her throat. “Please don’t be angry with me.”
“For what?” Olivia couldn’t imagine being upset at her best friend for anything.
She pointed. “Nick asked me to bring you here so he could talk to you on Troy’s behalf.”
Olivia looked to where Felicity indicated. A few yards in front of them, Nick stood next to a large maple tree. She stopped short. “And who is that with him?” She could see a man’s trouser leg and shoe not concealed by the tree trunk.
Felicity stopped, as well.
Troy stepped out from behind the tree.
Olivia’s insides flipped. She would not react to him. She would not. She had to get used to seeing him and not caring.
Planting her hands on her hips, Felicity pursed her lips. “Nicholas York, what have you done?”
He held out a hand. “Come on, Felicity. Let’s leave these two to talk.”
Felicity wrapped her arms around one of Olivia’s. “I will not. Livia, I had no idea Troy would be here. Nick said he wanted to talk to you.”
Olivia wanted both to run away and to hear what Troy had to say. Would it make a difference? Marrying Troy would keep a roof over her head as well as keep her out of the cannery.
Nick stepped closer and reached for Felicity. “Felicity.”
Olivia gripped her friend’s hands to keep her in place. She didn’t trust herself to be alone with Troy and not fall into his arms for comfort as she had done many times in the months following her father’s desertion.
Troy held a hand up to Nick. “That’s all right. She can stay.” He stepped closer.
Olivia forgot to breathe for a moment.
“Liv, you know I love you and wouldn’t purposefully do anything to hurt you.”
She spoke in a soft voice. “And yet you manage to time and again.”
“I’m sorry for that. I suppose Felicity told you about yesterday.”
Olivia glanced at her friend, whose eyes were wide, and then back to Troy.
“Apparently not. Then I will. I went to speak to Violet to talk her out of having me at the supper tonight. Felicity saw me coming out of the Joneses’ home.” He rushed on, “But don’t blame her. It’s my fault. I begged her not to tell you.”
Olivia didn’t care about that. All she wanted to know was if he’d succeeded at getting out of the supper.
“I asked Nick to have Felicity bring you here because I didn’t know how else I could get you to see me before tonight.”
Was he going to tell her or not? “I’m growing weary. What do you want to say?” She was pleased her voice didn’t shake.
“Very well. A man named Hewitt Raines came to my office yesterday.”
“So?”
“He wants to marry Violet.”
Olivia’s heart rose. Violet had another man?
“But she’s angry with him. She’s just using me at this party to get back at him.”
Her heart and hope dipped.
“He’s going to show up tonight and make his declaration to her. Then I’ll be off the hook.”
Olivia stared at him. He hadn’t said it. “Do I understand correctly? You are still goi
ng to attend tonight?”
He held out his hands. “I have no choice. I tried everything to get out of it.”
Her heart plummeted. “You are going to be there? With her?”
“Only until Hewitt arrives. Then I can leave.”
“And what if your little plan doesn’t work?”
“It will.”
“What if this Hewitt Raines doesn’t show up?”
“He will.”
“What if Violet decides she wants to marry you instead of him?”
“She won’t.”
But what if she did? Olivia shook her head. “That’s not good enough. I need to know that I’m more important to you than her or anything else.”
“You are.”
“And yet you are still attending this party.”
“I’m doing this for you.”
For her? “Just what every girl wants. Her beau with another woman on his arm.” Her voice did shake now.
“I’m doing this to keep my job. Why can’t you understand that? I love you. Why are you always so stubborn?”
“Why are you always so gullible? Do you really believe Violet is going to just turn you loose? Why should she when she can have two men under her control? She will use you over and over to make this other man jealous. I am not going to stand around waiting and watching that. Hoping that one day Violet might set you free.” Tears burned her eyes.
“It’s not going to be like that, Liv. I promise.”
“I’m tired of promises you apparently can’t keep.” She pulled free of Felicity and left. She was just plain tired.
* * *
Troy watched Liv retreat with long purposeful strides.
Felicity shook her finger at Nick. “I can’t believe you did this. You lied to me.”
“It wasn’t a lie,” Nick said. “I just didn’t tell you Troy would be here.”
Felicity held up her hand. “I can’t speak to you right now.” She turned and hurried after Liv.
Troy was glad for that. He didn’t want Liv to be alone. “Sorry for getting you in trouble with Felicity.”
“I knew what I was doing.” After a moment of silence, Nick asked, “Why?”
“Why am I going to this supper at my boss’s?”
Nick shook his head. “I know why you’re going, and I agree you should. You have to. Women just don’t understand.”
