“I’ll try not to maim him.” Grace couldn’t help saying it though she wanted to disappear though the hard ground she was so embarrassed.
“You know he’d rather dance with me,” Juliette persisted. “In fact, I heard he’s embarrassed when he’s seen with you and laughs at you behind your back.”
Lance frowned. “That’s a lie, Juliette. I much prefer dancing with Grace. After all, she’s not trying to rope me into anything more than a simple dance.” He then led Grace to the dance floor leaving Juliette standing there with her mouth open.
“Lance, you know I didn’t ask you to dance. You can dance with anyone you want to.”
The music began and Lance pulled her close to him. “I didn’t want you to push me off on Juliette so I had to say you’d already asked.”
“I thought you might want to dance with her.”
“Well, you thought wrong. Now, relax and enjoy this dance you were supposed to ask me to do, but didn’t.” He pulled her a little closer and kissed the top of her head.
Grace was so shocked, she stumbled. He caught her and continued as if there hadn’t been a mistake. She was sure he chuckled, but she didn’t know what he meant by it.
After dancing three more dances, they walked over to join Jed and Amelia at the table.
“That looks good,” Lance said eying the peach pie Jed was eating.
“Dancing works up his appetite and my thirst,” Amelia explained as she sipped lemonade.
“I think it has done something for mine, too. I’m going to get some of that pie.” Lance glanced at Grace. “Would you like some?”
“No, but that lemonade Amelia is drinking sure looks good.”
He pulled out her chair and she sat. “Don’t go away. I’ll be right back.”
“Where are Wilma and Stanley?” Grace asked.
“Stanley said he needed to check on his mama and Wilma is dancing with somebody I don’t know.”
Grace looked at the dance floor. “That’s Virgil Danforth. I wonder if his brother is here. Sophie will be thrilled if he asks her to dance.”
A sharp voice interrupted their conversation. “I guess you think you’ve won, don’t you, Grace?”
“What are you talking about, Juliette?”
“Don’t play innocent with me, Grace Hunter. I know you think you’re going to keep Lance away from me, but you’re dead wrong. I know he’s only being nice to you because he feels sorry for you with your crippled foot.”
Jed lifted an eyebrow, but didn’t say anything. Neither did Amelia.
“I don’t understand.” Grace frowned at her.
Juliette frowned back. “Oh yes you do. You knew I was going to ask Lance to dance, but when you saw me coming, you asked him before I got here. Then you kept him on the floor for two more dances.”
“Juliette, Lance is free to dance with whoever he wants to.”
“Then why did you bother him. As I said, you know he’d rather dance with me than you.”
Amelia butted in. “If that were so, why did he continue to dance with Grace after the ladies’ dance was over?”
“You stay out of this, Amelia. This is between Grace and me.” Flipping back her head and grinning, Juliette said, “Grace, I know you want him, but he’ll never be with you. A man like him needs a whole woman, not a cripple.”
Grace shook her head and didn’t answer. After all, what could she say? Juliette was right. Lance, like any normal man, would prefer a whole woman. Not a cripple like her.
“Miss Cramer, I think you’ve said enough.” Jed’s voice was calm, but firm. “Please leave our table now.”
“How dare you say that to me? Do you know who I am?”
“Of course, he knows. Everyone knows that you’re Hal Cramer’s spoiled daughter. The one who throws fits like a little girl when she doesn’t get her way.” Amelia started to stand, but Jed placed his hand on her arm. She remained seated, but continued speaking, “Because your father is the only lawyer in town doesn’t make you special.”
“You’re a fine one to talk, Amelia Donahue. You were the biggest hellcat around before you got married and everybody knows that.”
“Marriage may have settled her a little, but don’t think she isn’t still a hellcat. You’d be wise not to tangle with her.” Jed winked at Amelia.
Juliette twisted her head to the side. “You’re making fun of me.”
Amelia said, “Nobody is making fun of you, Juliette, but I think you’re out of line to cause a scene at a nice party like this.”
“Well, if Grace would leave Lance alone I wouldn’t have to cause a scene.”
“Did I hear somebody say my name?” Lance walked up and placed his pie on the table. He handed Grace her lemonade.
“Thank you,” she muttered.
“I could use some lemonade, too.” Juliette gave him a smile and batted her eyes.
“There’s plenty left up there.” Lance sat down beside Grace.
Before Juliette could reply, Effie Vaughn came running up. She was out of breath, but managed to say through gasps, “Mr. Wainwright, I’m so glad I found you.”
Jed stood. “What’s the problem?”
“Is Aaron…” Amelia started.
“Sir, three men rushed into the hotel and one held Mr. Drake at gunpoint while the other two went upstairs. They said they was going to get the Wainwright baby and make his daddy pay to get him back.”
“Oh, no!” Amelia jumped to her feet and grabbed Jed’s arm.
“Are they still at the hotel?” Jed asked.
“I don’t know. I was headed into the lobby to take Mr. Drake some coffee and heard them talking. They didn’t know I was there so I run out the back door to get you before they could see me.”
“Is anyone else there?” Lance asked.
“I met Mr. Fielding on his way. He said he’d help Mrs. Donahue.”
“Jed…” Amelia began to cry.
“Don’t worry” He turned to Grace. “Take care of her.”
Grace nodded.
“I’m coming with you, Jed,” Amelia said.
Jed didn’t argue with her. Instead, he took her hand and they headed toward the hotel.
Lance took Grace’s hand and said, “We better go with them.”
Juliette stood at the empty table with a stunned look on her face. Had she looked back, Grace would have known Juliette couldn’t believe they’d left her there alone.
* * * *
A shot rang out and split the tranquility of the evening as Grace and Lance neared the hotel. “Go on, Lance. Don’t let me hold you back.”
He nodded, dropped her arm, and ran ahead. Her heart was pounding as she ran behind him at a slower pace. Most of the time she didn’t think about her crippled foot, but at times like these, she hated it more than ever.
She saw Lance enter the double front doors. When she reached the building, she scrambled up the steps and into the lobby. Once inside, she paused. Lance was untying Mr. Drake and Charles Fielding was holding a small gun on one of the outlaws.
Jed and another outlaw tumbled down the steps and it looked as if Jed had made a bloody mess of the man’s face. Though Grace was concerned, what made a cold chill run through her body was the sight of Amelia appearing at the top of the steps. The third man, who had blood running down his leg, was holding Amelia in front of him and had a gun pointed at her temple.
“Let Harvey go, Wainwright, or I’ll blow your wife’s head off,” the gunman shouted.
Jed scrambled to his feet and slung the man referred to as Harvey to the opposite wall then glared at the man. “Hurt a hair on my wife’s head and I’ll take you apart limb by limb.”
Harvey managed to get to his feet and stumbled toward the front door, knocking Grace aside as he went.
“You come back here, Harvey,” the man holding Amelia screamed and a wild scared look crossed his face. “Don’t you dare run out on me. You know that crazy woman shot me through the door.”
Harvey ignored his friend
and started outside. Before he could get out, Grace placed her foot in front of him and he fell on his face, half in and half out the door. In seconds, hands reached down and dragged him outside.
“Looks like your friend’s out of commission. Now you only have me to deal with.” Jed glared at the man who still held Amelia.
“Yeah, but I’ve got your wife.”
“You better listen to my husband,” Amelia said. “If you don’t let me go, he’ll show you no mercy. He’s part Indian you know, and his wild hostile side shows up when he’s provoked.”
“I ain’t lettin’ you go ’til I get to the front door.”
“Oh, yes you will.” Elizabeth’s voice rang out behind the man as she rammed a pistol in his back. “I didn’t let you hurt my grandson and you’re not going to hurt my daughter either.”
“Oh Lord, it’s the crazy woman who shot me through the door.”
“Yes, and there’s no door to protect you now. I can send a bullet right through you.”
The outlaw’s gun clattered to the floor and he let Amelia go as he raised his arms in the air.
“Mother, where’s Aaron?”
“Aaron’s fine, dear. I put him on a pillow in the wardrobe. Let’s go get him.”
Grace watched as the two women disappeared down the hall, and Jed bounded up the steps. Lance followed him.
Kicking the man aside, Jed headed down the hall saying, “You see to him, Lance. I’m going to take care of my family.”
Lance took the outlaw’s arm and ordered him down the steps.
“Don’t rush me. Can’t you see I’m hurt?”
Lance laughed. “You’re lucky to be alive. You should know better than to mess with Wainwright’s family.”
“I just wanted a little money. They’ve got plenty.”
“Have you ever tried working?” Charles Fielding asked.
The man looked at Charles as if he were crazy.
“Thanks for your help, Charles, but I can get these men to jail. Why don’t you go check on Elizabeth?”
“It’s no problem, Lance. Jed was here so fast I didn’t get a chance to do much.”
“My leg hurts and it’s not fair for me to have to go to jail when Harvey got away.” The wounded man began to complain.
“We’ll see about getting your leg fixed as soon as I have you behind bars.”
“What about Harvey?”
“I don’t think anyone has to worry about Harvey,” Grace said as the door opened.
Harvey was being led in by Jed’s foreman, Ward Kyler. “We heard what was going on here and decided to lend a hand.” Ward pushed the man called Harvey forward. “Caught this fellow as he fell out the front door. We’re not about to let anybody steal the boss’s baby or upset Miz Amelia or Miz Elizabeth like this.”
“Thanks, Ward. I appreciate the help, but with Mrs. Donahue and Amelia and Grace, I’m not sure any of us were needed here.”
Ward gave Grace an appreciative look. “I’m sure they could’ve handled it alone, but I don’t mind helping out.”
Bryce came through the door. “I’ve dispersed the crowd, Lance. They didn’t want to leave, especially that Cramer girl, but I wouldn’t let her come inside.”
“Thanks, Bryce.”
“What about my leg?” The prisoner yelled.
“Let’s take them all to jail, Bryce.” He glanced at Ward. “Would you see if you can find Doc and see if he’ll come by to look them over?”
“I’d be glad to, Lance.”
Lance motioned for Grace to come closer to him. When she did, he whispered, “I’m sorry I won’t be able to go back to the dance, but I’ll see you tomorrow when you bring food to the jail.”
She nodded.
He smiled at her. “There’s one more thing.” She lifted an eyebrow and he whispered, “I’m sorry I can’t kiss you good-night, but I don’t want to embarrass you in front of all these people.”
Grace turned red in spite of all she could do. She never dreamed he’d say such a thing and right here with the hotel lobby full of people. Of course nobody heard him, but it was enough that she knew what he’d said.
Chapter 22
The dance and the attempted kidnapping were the talk of the town the next day. Grace was finishing up her mid-day meal service when Lance came ambling into the hotel dining room. He grinned at her and took his usual seat near the back.
As soon as she finished serving the plates to the two cowboys sitting near the door, she walked over to his table. “Let me guess. Nobody sent a plate for you and now you want the special.”
“You’re right. What is the special today?” He was still smiling.
“Roast beef, peas, potatoes, and sliced tomatoes.”
“Sounds good. Of course, you know I want black coffee.”
“I had no doubt.” She started to move away, but Lance put a hand on her elbow.
“Why didn’t you bring the food to the jail today?”
“Amelia was still upset this morning, and Henrietta decided I should stay here and talk to her. Of course, I wanted to make sure my friend was going to be all right.”
“How is she today?”
“I’m sure she’s fine. They left for their ranch right after they had dinner.” She didn’t mean to add, “Have you seen Juliette today?”
“No and I don’t want to either.”
“Oh?” She was surprised.
“I had a good time with you at the dance, Grace. You know we’ve been friends since you started walking home from school with Nelda. Of course, at the time I thought you were as bothersome as she was. Now I’m beginning to see you a little differently.”
She blushed and pulled her elbow out of his hand. “I always had a good time at your house. Your mother was nice to me and you didn’t pick on Nelda and me too much. Now let me go get your food. I know you’re hungry. You’re eating late today.”
“Had to get everything in order for court next Monday. Judge Slater wants to try the cases quickly. Seems he has a fishing trip to Colorado planned.”
“How many cases do you have?”
“The three men who tried to kidnap the Wainwright baby and the assault case against the men who attacked you.”
Grace’s heart dropped. “Oh, Lance. I don’t want anyone going to court over that.”
“Why not?” He frowned at her. “I know Dade has to return to prison since he escaped, but you were assaulted. I want to charge them because I don’t want the men getting away with scaring and hurting you like that.”
“But I don’t want everyone to know about it. After all, the men were drunk. Otherwise, I’m sure they would’ve been harmless. Besides, Kemp kept trying to make him leave me alone. “
“They committed a crime, Grace. They should pay for it.” She started to say something, but he added, “Didn’t you say something about getting my food? I’m hungry.”
“Of course. I’ll be right back.” She hurried to the kitchen, but her mind wasn’t on getting the food. She wondered how she could convince Lance to change his mind about making the men who attacked her stand trial. She didn’t want people knowing what happened to her. Lance should understand that, but he was such a conscientious lawman, she figured he’d only consider that the men broke the law, not how the knowledge of the incident would cause talk about her.
When Grace returned, she intended to explain to Lance what could happen if it became public knowledge that she had been accosted, but she didn’t get a chance. Hal Cramer was sitting at the table with the sheriff and they seemed to be discussing something serious. As she moved closer she could hear some of the conversation.
Hal was saying, “As I said, I think you should seriously think about it, Gentry.”
“You have a right to your opinion, but as I said, now isn’t a good time for me to think about such things.”
The lawyer started to reply, but closed his mouth quickly when Grace approached with the tray of food. “Hello, Mr. Cramer. Would you like something to eat?”
>
“Bring me some coffee and see that the sheriff and I are not disturbed.” He glared at her and his voice sounded sarcastic.
Grace didn’t like the feeling his attitude sent though her, but she knew there was nothing she could say. She nodded and walked away, only to hurry back with an empty cup and a pot of hot coffee.
Cramer didn’t acknowledge her when she sat the cup before him and filled it, but Lance said, “This sure is good, Grace.”
“Thank you. I’ll tell Effie. It always pleases her when you compliment her food.” She reached over and refilled his almost empty cup.
Lance nodded and winked at her.
Because Hal Cramer was still glaring at her, she smiled quickly at Lance and moved to the table where a couple of men sat. “How is everything today?”
“It’s good,” a cowboy said with his mouth full.
“It’s always good here,” the other one said and smiled at Grace. “Of course having pretty Grace here serve us would make anything taste good.”
Grace shook her head and asked, “Are you ready for more coffee?”
They both held up their cups.
* * * *
Lance took a drink of his coffee then began to cut the meat on his plate. “All right, Hal. What did you want to talk about?”
“I want to know why you were rude to Juliette at the dance last night.”
Lance shrugged. “I wasn’t rude.”
“She said you refused to dance with her when it was the ladies’ choice.”
“I danced with her when they played the first one, but Grace asked me to dance the second one with her.”
“Juliette said Grace only did it to upset her. Why didn’t you tell Grace you’d rather dance with Juliette?”
“Because that would be a lie. I much preferred to dance with Grace.”
Hal stared at him. “How could you prefer her? She’s a simple person with a crippled foot, while Juliette is cultured and stunningly beautiful.”
“You’re blind, Hal. I’ll give you the fact that Juliette has the outer beauty, but she’s about as cultured as one of those ladies who works at the Wildcat.”
“Lance Gentry, how can you say such a thing? Why the school we sent her to cost a lot of money and many fancy young ladies go there.”
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