“I bet it’s the guys who tried to rob Miss Purdy’s shop,” Wilma said.
Amelia looked shocked. “Miss Purdy was robbed?”
“Last night. Kemp Newton’s friend decided they needed more drinking money and he pushed Kemp into robbing her. Miss Purdy said she knew Kemp didn’t want to take part, but was too drunk to resist,” Grace explained.
“I’m sorry that happened to her and I hope nobody decides to rob the mercantile, especially when I’m here alone.”
“I’m sure they won’t, Wilma, but isn’t Stanley usually in here with you?”
“Most of the time, but he sometimes has to make a delivery. Especially since his father got sick.”
“What’s wrong with Mr. Brown?”
“I’m not sure. Stanley said they had to send for the doctor last night.”
“I hope it’s not the measles.”
“I don’t think it is, Grace. Stanley told me this morning that the doctor said it was his heart.”
“I’m sorry about that, but I’m glad he didn’t have the measles. They’re awful. Sophie had a terrible time getting over them.”
“Is she really all right now?” Amelia asked.
“She’s weak, but she’s actually able to help out a little at the hotel.”
“We’re all glad about that.” Wilma grinned. “I bet you’d never guess we were talking about you before you came in, Grace.”
“Why in the world were you talking about me?”
Amelia laughed and took her arm. “We were discussing you and Lance. We want to know what’s going on with you two, because we think you make a wonderful couple. So, give us the details.”
Grace couldn’t help blushing. “There’s nothing going on with Lance and me. We’re just friends.”
Wilma shook her head. “Don’t hand me that line, Grace Hunter. When I’m sweeping the store or putting stock in the window I see you going by here almost every day and sometimes twice a day. You always end up in the sheriff’s office on those trips.”
“There’s nothing unusual about that. Since Sophie has been sick and her mama is looking after her, I’ve been taking food to the prisoners. Sometimes breakfast, dinner and supper, too, and if Teddy isn’t there, I have to go back and get the dirty dishes so Effie can wash and fill them up again.”
Amelia raised an eyebrow. “Couldn’t Teddy do that?”
“Henrietta nor Effie trust Teddy to carry hot food to the jail, so the job fell to me.”
“But Sophie is much better now. She could take her job of taking the food back from you, couldn’t she?” Wilma teased.
“I’m sure she’ll take over again, but as I said, she’s still weak.” Grace was beginning to think her friends were getting a little too nosy. She wanted to change the subject.
Amelia chuckled. “I bet by then you won’t let her have the job back.”
Grace didn’t want to admit to her friends that she looked forward to taking food to the jail, and deep down she hoped neither Sophie nor Henrietta would want the job again. “Look, girls, like I said, Lance and I have been friends for years, just like the two of you have been with him. Don’t go making something out of nothing.”
“Oh, darn.” Wilma’s voice grew irritated when the bell over the front door rang. “Look who’s coming in the door.”
They turned and Amelia said, “I guess our conversation is over for now.”
Grace bit her lip. At least until Juliette Cramer entered the mercantile she wasn’t sure her friends would stop talking about a situation between her and Lance, but she knew they would now. For the time being anyway. “Listen, my friends. I’ve got to get back to the hotel. There is actually a guest and we’re busy. I’ll see you there later, Wilma, and I’ll see you and Jed at the hotel, Amelia.”
Heading out the door, Grace paused when Juliette reached out and put her hand on Grace’s arm. “Are you going somewhere because I came in, Grace?”
“Of course, not,” Grace lied. “I have to get back to work.”
“As if I believe that.” Juliette slung her head backward letting her long blond hair flow down her back. “You’re afraid I’ll ask you if you’ve seen my friend, Lance.”
“I’m not interested in you and your friend.”
“Another lie.” Juliette let Grace’s arm go. “Go on. Run away. It won’t do you any good to nose into my business anyway. I don’t think Lance would appreciate it either.”
Grace didn’t answer. She simply held her head high and went out the door.”
Chapter 11
The doctor did everything he could, but it was not enough. The next day, Oliver Brown died. It was understood that if the person died with measles, the infected person was usually buried in a private funeral on the day he died, but Oliver didn’t die with the disease. It was almost dark when he expired. Stanley and his mother decided the internment would have to be the following day to keep the people who didn’t know the circumstances from panicking.
At ten the next morning, Grace hurried up the hill to the church graveyard. She was surprised to see the number of people gathered there. As she joined the group around the grave, she noticed Stanley and his younger brother, Andy, standing on each side of their mother and supporting her. Wilma Lawson stood beside Stanley. The Olsens were on the opposite side of the grave with Mayor Baldwin, Hal Cramer, Doctor Wagner and Charles Fielding. Behind them were ranchers, Jed Wainwright and Curt Allison. Her friend Amelia wasn’t with Jed, but she understood that Jed probably insisted she stay home. Several folks she recognized from town were also there. It just went to show how much people thought of the Browns, who had been in Settlers Ridge ever since Mr. Brown’s father established the store when the town was young.
Intent on looking at the crowd, Grace didn’t notice the man who came to stand beside her until he reached out and touched her arm. She turned to see Lance.
“Hi,” he whispered as he removed his hat with his left hand and held it at his side. “Should you be here?”
“I felt I had to come, not only for the family, but for Wilma, too.”
He nodded. “I know what you mean.”
They couldn’t talk anymore because Reverend Eli Ellsworth moved to the head of the pine casket and began reading verses from the Bible. The only interruptions during the short ceremony were the quiet sobs of Mrs. Brown and the sighs of her sons.
Grace knew the sons were trying their best not to cry. It made her feel so sad, she instinctively reached over and took Lance’s right hand.
He glanced at her, but she knew he didn’t mind the contact when he not only continued to hold her hand, but squeezed it slightly.
Though it was a solemn occasion, she couldn’t help the slight tingle that ran down her spine. Lord, she had to get over these feelings she had when she was with him. There was no way he’d ever return them. She was sure of that.
“Let’s bow our heads for prayer.” Reverend Ellsworth’s voice cut into her thoughts. She bowed with everyone else, still conscious of the warm large hand that held hers. She didn’t want it to ever let her go.
But it did. As the preacher moved to speak to the Brown family, Lance dropped her hand and said, “Shall we go speak to Mrs. Brown and her sons?”
She nodded and moved with the crowd toward the grieving family. Grace never knew what to say in these situations, but she managed to mumble something to Stanley and Andy, then hug Mrs. Brown. As she moved away to make room for Lance to talk with them, she noticed that Wilma had backed away a little.
Going to her friend, she said, “Are you all right?”
Wilma nodded. “I’ll be fine.”
“I know this will be hard for all of you. Mr. Brown was the driving force behind Brown’s Mercantile.”
“Mrs. Brown said last night that she might just sell the store and move back to Chicago.”
“I’m sure Stanley will talk her out of that. He’s certainly capable of running the mercantile himself.”
“Of course he is, but he’s more of a mama’s boy
than I ever imagined. He’ll never defy her. If she wants to go to Chicago, he’ll see that is where she goes.” She sighed. “I guess I’ll have to take it one day at a time.”
“That’s what we all have to do, Wilma.”
“I need to talk to you, Grace, but this isn’t the time or the place.”
“Why don’t you come by the hotel later?”
Wilma nodded as Lance walked up and spoke to her. She took his hand. “Thank you for coming, Lance. I know the Browns appreciate it.”
“I wanted to be here, Wilma. The Browns are special to this town.”
Others came to speak to Wilma, and Lance put his hand on the back of Grace’s waist and eased her away from the crowd. “Come on. I’ll walk you back to the hotel.”
She knew she should probably refuse and visit her mother’s grave like planned, but she didn’t. She started down the hill beside Lance.
They hadn’t gone far when a man’s voice called, “Wait up, Gentry. I need to talk to you.”
They paused and Hal Cramer caught up with them. “I think you should go on, Grace. What I have to say to Lance is private.”
Lance frowned, but Grace nodded. “I think I want to visit my parents’ graves. I’ll see you later, Lance.” As she hurried away, she couldn’t help wondering what was going on. She could tell Mr. Cramer wasn’t happy at all.
Moving to the graves, she frowned. Though her father’s grave had weeds around the cross marker, her mother’s grave was cleaned. There was no grass. Instead, lying at the foot of the cross was a single daisy.
Grace gasped. Only one person ever gave her mother a lone wildflower. Her brother, Clay.
* * * *
Lance turned and looked at the man beside him. “All right, Hal. What’s so all-fired important you had to yell at me in the graveyard?”
“I came by your office earlier, but you weren’t there. I figured you were going to be hanging with that crippled waitress this afternoon, so I had to confront you here.”
“I don’t figure it’s any of your business who I spend my time with.”
“It is when my little girl says you’re the man she wants to court her.”
Lance was shocked at his bold words. “What do you mean court her? I have no intention of courting your daughter.”
“What makes you say that, Lance? Any man would be lucky to get a beautiful girl like my Juliette—you included.”
Lance looked at him and frowned. “Maybe so, but as I said, I have no intention of courting her. I hardly know Juliette and I don’t know why she has in her head that I would want to know her better.”
“Why not, Lance? She’s beautiful and she wants you. If you and Juliette spend time together, you might even end up marrying. Then there’s no limit to where you can go in your career. I’ll back you in anything you want to do with your life.”
“Like I said, I hardly know Juliette. I certainly couldn’t think about a thing like marriage with her.”
“That’s what the courting is for. I’m sure after you spend time with her, you’ll see what a wonderful beautiful young woman she is and will want her as your wife.”
Lance shook his head. “There’s more to a marriage than having a beautiful wife and a father-in-law who doesn’t know how to say no to his spoiled daughter.”
“What’s wrong with you, Gentry? Any man would be more than happy to come home to my beautiful daughter after a hard day’s work. Especially if she can help him with his career.”
“If I ever get married, it’ll be because I love the woman, not because of what she looks like or what her father can do for me.”
“Well, you’re a fool. Juliette would be perfect for you. You’re just so hung up on that silly crippled Grace you can’t…”
Lance whirled toward him. “Grace has nothing to do with this, Hal Cramer. But if you want to know the truth, she’s twice the woman your spoiled daughter is.”
“Why…I never…you can’t believe…”
“Go home, Hal, and stop trying so hard to give Juliette every little thing she thinks she wants. It’d do her good if you said no to her once in a while. She might just become a nice woman instead of the silly person she is now.”
“I can’t say no to her, Lance. She’s my only child and she’s precious to me and her mama. You may not know it, but our other baby died. I swore then if God let Juliette live, she’d never want for anything.”
“I’m sorry you lost your other child, but you’re not doing Juliette any favors by catering to her every whim. Since she’s come back to Settlers Ridge she’s done nothing but irritate people. Me included.”
“Please, Lance. She wants to spend time with you so badly. I want to go home and tell her you’re looking forward to escorting her around town.”
“You might as well give up, Hal. Juliette is not going to ever be in my life.”
“At least say you’ll think about it. I told her I’d talk some sense into you.”
“If you want to talk sense into anyone, go home and talk it into Juliette. I’ve never known anyone who needs it more than she does. Don’t you realize nobody in town wants to be around her? She’s rude and irritating, and she thinks she’s better than anyone else around.”
Before Hal could answer, Lance walked away. I can’t believe that man. Does he really think that because Juliette is a beautiful woman that I’d jump at the chance to marry her? Lord knows I’d rather be hooked up with one of the girls at Ned’s Wildcat Saloon.
As he reached the boardwalk, he looked toward the hotel. He saw Grace going in the door with the Olsens. How could anyone ever think Juliette is better than Grace in any way? Why, I’d take Grace in a minute. She’s sweet and kind and she’s darn pretty. That limp doesn’t take away from her appeal in any way.
Shaking his head, he couldn’t help smiling to himself. What am I thinking? Grace is no more interested in me than I am in her. Or am I more interested in her than I want to admit?
He shook his head once again and headed to the jail. It’s time I got women off my mind and getting to work is the best way I know to do it. I’ll start with those papers I’ve been shuffling around on my desk. They should’ve been filled out yesterday and now is as good a time as any to get them done. Then if I get finished in time, I’m going home and cook myself a good dinner. If I don’t finish in time to make dinner, I know I’ll be through in time to cook supper.
With these thoughts on his mind, Lance went into his office and closed the door.
He no more than opened the drawer in the desk and took out the papers when the door opened. Glancing around he saw a man he didn’t know. “Can I help you?”
“I hope so.” The man moved across the room and nodded to one of the chairs in front of the desk. “May I sit?”
“Sure.”
He sat. “My name’s Virgil Danforth. I was told my brother was in this area and I’m here to find him. I thought if my information was correct you’d know where he is.”
Lance shook his head. “I don’t recall anyone named Danforth.”
“I’m sorry. I should have said he’s my half-brother. When I was seven my father died and a year later my mother remarried. She then had another son. His name is Shawn. Shawn Parnell.”
* * * *
“Well, I think I have some good news.”
Henrietta passed the bowl of potatoes to Sophie and glanced at her husband. “What news, dear?”
“Doc whispered to me at Oliver Brown’s funeral that he thought there was a possibility the worst of the measles outbreak is finally over.”
Henrietta frowned. “How can he say that? Mr. Brown died only yesterday?”
“He said it wasn’t the measles that killed Brown. He had a heart condition the doctor had diagnosed over a year ago. Not wanting to alarm his family, Oliver hadn’t told anybody about it. Doc said his heart just gave out.”
“Are you sure?”
Frank shrugged. “I’m only telling you what he said.”
“I’m glad them
old measles are about gone.” Teddy dished out some potatoes and passed the bowl to his sister.
His mother smiled at him. “It’s ‘those old measles’ son, not ‘them.’
Teddy nodded. “Can I go get Joel so we can play or go fishing or something? We didn’t stay long the other day. We need to have more time together.”
“I’m not going anywhere until you know it’s safe to be outside, Daddy. I sure don’t want to take a chance on getting the measles again,” Sophie said. “I thought there for a while I was going to die.”
Henrietta reached out and touched her arm. “You certainly gave us a scare, sweetheart, but I’m so thankful to God that you pulled through.”
“We all are thankful.” Frank smiled at his daughter.
“I’m sure glad you didn’t give ’em to me, even if you probably wanted to, Sister.”
“I didn’t want to give them to you, Teddy, and I’m glad I didn’t.”
Teddy dropped his head, but didn’t say anything.
“I know it’s been hard dear, and we’ve been lucky that no one else living here has come down with the measles.”
“You know I wouldn’t do anything I think would endanger our family and that includes Grace and Effie.”
There was a soft knock on their apartment door.
Frank stood and opened it. “Come in, Grace.”
“I’m sorry to interrupt your family supper, but Effie made this especially for your dessert tonight. It wasn’t completely done when she sent the main meal to you.”
“What did she make?” Teddy asked.
“I think it’s one of your favorites, young man. It’s peach cobbler.”
“Yeah, I love peach cobbler. Bring it on in and I’ll take a big dish full.”
“You have to finish your supper before you have dessert, son.”
“Ah, Ma. I—”
“Listen to your mother, Teddy.” Frank took the dish from Grace. “Won’t you come in and join us?”
“Please, do, Grace.” Henrietta smiled at her. “We owe you so much.”
“Thank you, but Effie and I had our supper earlier. You all just enjoy the cobbler.” She closed the door.
Frank looked at his family. “We’re lucky to have someone like Grace working around here.”
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