Not only that, but whatever whacked him must have jarred his head somehow. A vision of loveliness stood before him with wide, heavenly azure eyes looking down at him. The window nearby let in the orange-purple glare of sunset, making her blonde hair look almost white.
Shifting on one arm, he used the other to rub his forehead. She couldn’t be an angel since she wasn’t wearing white, but the glow around her made him look again. Land sakes she was pretty.
“Oh, my goodness!” Her face flamed. “I’m so sorry for not paying attention to where I was going.”
She crouched to his side, taking away the sun’s brightness, allowing him to see her clearly. Josie? Runt? Impossible. This couldn’t be the girl he’d talked with earlier today. What happened to her ratted hair? Where had the boy’s pants gone? Instead of seeing a soot-covered face, he noticed her smooth skin, making him want to touch her face to see if she was as soft as she looked.
“Wyatt? Talk to me.” She patted his cheeks gently. “You’re looking at me strangely, and I’m worried.”
Up this close, she even smelled different. Instead of the burning aroma from a fire, a sweet rose fragrance enveloped him. On impulse, he leaned in and took a deep breath. Nice.
She gasped and grasped his shoulders. “Wyatt? What’s wrong? You’re breathing funny.”
He pulled himself out of his stupor, reminding himself that she was the girl who had irritated him as a young man. This was Runt, for goodness sake, not some beautiful woman who was put in his path to put dreams in his head as if he walked on clouds.
Chuckling, he pulled away and rose to his feet. She followed him, keeping her gaze locked with his.
“I’m sorry about that. I... I don’t know what came over me there for a moment.” He winked. “Guess you must have knocked into me so hard it rang bells in my head.”
She rolled her eyes and swatted his arm. “Stop teasing. The impact wasn’t that hard.”
Hard enough for my thoughts to set out in a different direction. “Very true.” He grasped her arms and lifted them away from her body, running his gaze over her dress once again, this time in a slower perusal. She was absolutely beautiful! When had she blossomed into a woman? A tempting woman, at that.
“Woo-wee, Runt. You sure don’t look like I remember.”
She laughed. “Strange, because you said something entirely different to me earlier today.”
“Well, earlier you hadn’t looked different. Now you do.”
Pink dotted her cheeks again. Adorable. He shook away the thought. Perhaps he had jarred his head harder than he’d first thought.
“So, you are all right?” she asked in a sweet voice.
“I’m fine.” Yet he wasn’t fine. He couldn’t stop looking at the alluring twinkle in her baby-blue eyes. Her heart-shaped face drew his focus to her luscious mouth. No longer was she the mere girl he’d remembered.
Groaning, he rubbed his forehead. “Perhaps I do have a slight headache.”
“Oh, my goodness. Ma is going to have my hide for this, I just know it.”
Soft hands grabbed his arm and pulled him toward a table. He tried concentrating on his steps, but no matter how he tried to stop it, his attention kept returning to her. It was amazing that one woman could change so abruptly from this afternoon until now.
The rush of clicking heels made him look over his shoulder. Mrs. Allen hurried toward her, a glare aimed at Josie.
“Oh, good heavens.” Mrs. Allen yanked him away from Josie and carefully sat him on a chair. “What happened, Wyatt? Are you all right?”
Color faded from Josette’s face and she frowned. His heart dipped with sadness, seeing how much it had bothered her.
He nodded to Mrs. Allen. “I'm fine. I just had a run in with...” He glanced at Josette whose wide eyes met his gaze in a silent plea, “...with the wall.”
Lucy Allen gasped. “The wall?”
“Yeah.” He rubbed his forehead. “I wasn't watching where I was walking.”
Over Lucy’s shoulder Josie mouthed the words, thank you. Her shoulders seemed to relax.
“I’ll have Annie get a cold, wet cloth—”
“That’s not necessary, Mrs. Allen. I’m doing much better now, thank you.”
Lucy straightened and her hand fluttered to her throat. “Well, I’m glad you are better.” She glanced around the room. “Where is James?”
“I’m right here, Ma.”
James staggered toward the table. Mrs. Allen rushed to help her son. Josie took her time as she moved to help her brother. Wyatt frowned as he watched his once best friend look around in a daze. Memories of Wyatt’s childhood resurfaced. He’d been embarrassed by his father when he was foxed, and Wyatt wondered what had made James like this. Both of them had high expectations once they returned from the war.
“Josette, dear,” Lucy said, her tone suddenly gritty, “go check to see when dinner will be ready... and bring back a cup of black coffee for your brother. He’s going to need it.”
“Yes, Ma.”
As Josie swished past him, he smiled up at her. Her cheeks grew red again, and her face tweaked as if she was trying to hold back a grin. He chuckled lightly and shook his head. Time had definitely changed this family.
“So, tell me,” Lucy said, her voice turned sweet, “what are you doing in Topeka?”
“I was actually assigned to work with Colonel Gordon.”
“Assigned to work with the town marshal?” Lucy arched her eyebrow. “What exactly does that mean?”
“Oh, forgive me, Mrs. Allen, but I’m a Texas Ranger, and the marshal had contacted the Rangers, asking for some assistance in one of his cases.”
“Oh, how interesting.” Lucy nodded.
Just then, Josie returned, carrying her brother’s cup of coffee. She placed it in front of James before moving to the empty chair to sit between her brother and mother.
James chuckled. “I can’t believe yer a Texas Ranger. Bein’ a sergeant in the Calvary certainly paid off.”
“Indeed, it did.”
“Are you still called Sergeant Donovan?” Josie asked.
“No. I’m called Ranger Donovan.”
She shrugged. “I think sergeant sounds more important.”
He chuckled. “Thank you, but each title came with different duties. I prefer the ranger duties over the ones I had as a sergeant.”
A large woman with dark brown hair bustled into the room, carrying a tray of food. Wyatt recognized the Allen’s cook immediately. How could one forget such an endearing woman?
She set the tray on the table and glanced at him. Her eyes widened. “Oh, my... just look at you, Mr. Donovan. You just get better looking every time I see you.”
Laughing, Wyatt stood and gave the woman a hug. As a young man, she’d always given him a hug when he came to visit. The cook giggled like a schoolgirl, and her face flamed three shades of red.
“Oh, aren’t you a scoundrel, Mr. Donovan.”
“I only give hugs to my favorite cook.” He winked.
“Thank you, Annie,” Lucy snapped. “That will be all.”
“Yes, ma’am.” Annie bustled back into the kitchen.
“Well, shall we eat?” Lucy said in a different tone of voice.
As the meal progressed, Wyatt noticed that the family he thought of as a second family was not as he remembered. Doctor Allen’s bad health had brought the family to ruins. Lucy tried to play a good hostess, but Wyatt caught a slight sneer in her voice, especially when she spoke to her daughter. Josie wasn’t the tomboy he remembered... but then again, maybe she was, and she just dressed up for company. James, however, needed to stop drinking. He was head of the family now, and he needed to step up. But because he was always drunk, Wyatt didn’t think now would be a good time to ask James to be a Texas Ranger.
Josie’s words returned to his mind in a flash. Now he knew why she’d told him that James needed Wyatt when they were in the barn. He also needed his friend just as much – as long as Wyatt could so
ber up the man and keep him that way for more than three days.
Indeed, Wyatt’s work was cut out for him. Only the Lord knew if Wyatt would be able to accomplish fixing this family. They were the only family he had left. He must help any way he could.
Once the meal was finished, James was alert enough to take a walk with Wyatt outside. His friend was quiet for several moments before he chuckled and shook his head.
“I really never expected you to come to Topeka,” James said, his voice tight with sadness.
“I never wanted to.” Wyatt removed his hat and pushed his fingers through his hair.
“Did you ever discover how Marjorie died?”
“Poison. That’s all I was told. I think because of the war your father wasn’t able to find anyone to investigate the matter any further.”
“How long has it been?” James tilted his head back and looked up into the velvet sky sprinkled with twinkling stars.
“Almost thirteen years.” Wyatt moved closer to the man he loved like a brother and clapped his hand on James’ shoulder. “I also came to Topeka for another reason. I want your help.”
James’ gaze snapped to Wyatt. “Help you? With what?”
“Colonel Gordon requested me to assist him with the killings that have been happening lately. Marjorie was the first, but then nothing happened for several years. Now, in less than two years, four people have died the same way as Marjorie.”
James coughed and shook his head. “How can I possibly help?”
“Well, for starters, you can stop drinking.” Wyatt narrowed his gaze. “You’re wasting your life away in a bottle, and soon your life will pass you by and you won’t have anything to show for it.”
James frowned. “You don’t understand, Wyatt. I need to drink... It clouds my memories of the past.”
“What don’t I understand? About death? Let’s see, I lost my parents and my wife.” He shook his head. “You don’t think I understand about war? Have you forgotten that I was there with you?”
“You don’t understand failure,” James muttered.
Wyatt ambled over to the side of the barn and leaned his back against it. “Right after the war, I tried to find work. I wanted something that would take my mind off Marjorie. Everything I did, I failed at. It finally took my coming to Topeka to say goodbye at her gravesite before my life started to straighten out.”
James scrubbed his hands over his face. “I’m not as strong as you. I failed at practicing medicine, and I’m going to fail again.”
“Have you thought that the reason you’re failing is because your heart isn’t in it? You need to seriously think about what you want to do with your life. Although your parents wanted you to become a doctor, maybe that’s not what is in your heart. It’s not what you really love.”
“And what do I love?” James growled and kicked a clod of dirt. “I don’t know anymore.”
Chuckling softly, Wyatt moved away from the barn and stood next to James. “When we were in the military, what was it that you loved more than anything?”
“Riding horses and taking care of them.” He smiled.
“Exactly. I think that you’d make the perfect blacksmith. In fact, every town needs at least two blacksmiths, and this town only has one.”
James stared at Wyatt for a few unsettling moments before he straightened his shoulders, standing just a little taller. A smile stretched wide across his face.
“I believe you’re correct, my friend.”
“Splendid.” Wyatt slapped a hand on James’ shoulder. “Starting tomorrow, we’re going to find you a new profession.”
FOUR
“Josette, will you grab the coffee pot and take it to table six?”
Josie had been staring out the window in her daydreams when her cousin’s voice brought her alert. Josie snapped to attention and hurried toward the kitchen. “Of course, Elizabeth.” Josie had to remember to stay alert while at work. She didn’t want to disappoint her cousin.
She hurried into the kitchen and straight to the stove where a fresh pot of coffee was warming. She grabbed a cloth to help her hold onto the metal and carefully carried it to table six. Smiling at the hotel’s patrons sitting around the table, Josie proceeded to pour the three middle-aged women and one middle-aged man some coffee.
They all thanked her, and she turned away. Elizabeth motioned toward another table. Josie nodded and hurried to table two. As she brought up the coffee pot, the man who appeared to be around Wyatt’s age, held his hand over the rim of the cup, stopping her.
“If you don’t mind, I would like tea.”
“Uh, of course, sir.”
She hurried back into the kitchen, placed the pot of coffee back on the stove and grabbed the teapot. As she carefully stepped back to table two, she kept a smile on her face while pouring his tea.
For a few months now, Elizabeth had been trying to help Josie along toward the path of being sociably presentable. Personally, Josie thought it was boring. Wearing boys’ pants and loose shirts were more comfortable than wearing women’s day dresses. These fashionable bustles should be outlawed! Whoever had come up with this idea had obviously never tried to sit while wearing one. And the heeled lace-up boots... well, Josie knew if she didn’t walk carefully, she’d twist an ankle or fall and break her neck.
Once she was finished with table two, she moved to table four, but they wanted coffee. Inwardly, she groaned, nodding and trying to smile as she excused herself to rush back into the kitchen. In her opinion, Elizabeth should only serve one drink. That would make things so much easier on the waitresses. Especially, their feet.
The Brody Hotel was across the street from the train station, and when the train made its stop at regular intervals, the passengers would come to the hotel for something to eat and drink. The waitresses busily rushed around the dining room, trying to serve them. Elizabeth and her husband, Adam, went out of their way to make certain the train’s passengers left satisfied and smiling.
Right now, the only thing that would satisfy Josie would be to take off her heeled boots and walk on bare feet. Oh, and to get rid of this ridiculous bustle.
Finally, the rush of the morning had diminished and Josie took a relaxing breath. The other waitresses – Harriet, Abigail, and Jeanette – chit-chatted with each other, but Josie was hesitant to be their friend. She wasn’t a fool. She knew what the town was saying behind her back. Everyone thought she’d lost her mind.
She lifted her chin. She wouldn’t let anyone’s demeaning words make a mark on her heart. Nobody understood Josie’s inquisitive mind, and she doubted they ever would. Once she became famous for some of her gadgets, then the others would want to be her friend.
Josie wandered through the kitchen, but this time, walking slower. There had to be some way to make pouring coffee and tea easier. As she looked at every piece of furniture and every rack or shelf, all her mind could put together was to use a large tray to carry both pots on. Unfortunately, she’d still be carrying them.
From the corner of her eye, she noticed a woman with dark-brown hair peek into the kitchen. When Elizabeth saw Josie, she motioned her to come in the other room. Brushing her hands against her apron, she followed her cousin into the dining area.
“I’m going to show you how to prepare the tables.” Elizabeth moved to the closest table that had a white linen cloth covering the whole area. “The stacks of tablecloths are in that cupboard right there,” she pointed to the hallway, “and I want you to first place one on every table. After that’s done, then you can add the cups and saucers, along with the utensils.”
Folding her arms across her chest, Josie ran her gaze around the room. This wasn’t a hard task at all, and she was grateful that her cousin was teaching her about working in the dining room of the hotel. Ma had always pushed Josie to learn women’s work, so this was a good opportunity for her to learn. Thankfully, Elizabeth was so understanding and patient.
“Not to worry, dear cousin. I won’t let you down.” Jos
ie smiled wide. “The tables will be covered and ready before the next train arrives.” She gave her cousin a reassuring nod.
Elizabeth lovingly patted Josie’s arm. “Of course you won’t let me down. I’ve never thought otherwise.” Elizabeth turned and left the room.
Josie had to admit the tablecloths were quite lovely. A white lace trim bordered the cloth, and as she spread it over the table, she envisioned it covering her hair like a veil... as though she was the bride standing next to her groom – the most handsome man she’d ever met – Wyatt Donovan. In her daydream, she saw herself wearing this lovely white cloth with lacy trim as her wedding gown. She’d wear ruby earrings and perhaps a ruby necklace. Her hair would be loosely wound in a bun as baby white roses circled her head...
“I’m quite certain that the tablecloth is used to cover the table.”
The man’s voice beside Josie, snapped her out of her daydream. As she came alert, she realized she’d been standing in front of the window as she draped the cloth across her bosom, staring at her reflection in the glass. Standing immediately to her left was none other than the groom in her daydream.
Gasping, she pulled the cloth off her and snapped toward Wyatt. Embarrassment washed over her, covering her from head to toe. Without having to peek at her reflection, she knew what color her face was. In fact, it would match her imaginary ruby earrings and necklace perfectly.
“Wyatt! What are you doing here?”
One corner of his mouth lifted higher than the other. “I’m a guest at the hotel, and I’m meeting someone for dinner.”
Her gaze moved away from his face to his clothes. He wore a long gray frock coat over his black trousers. Wrapped around the stiff collar of his white shirt was a black tie. His vest was a deep blue. He held a black top hat.
She held her breath. There could be only one reason that a man would dress so dashing... He was courting a woman.
“Oh, I... um, I didn’t know you were here,” she stammered nervously.
His gaze skimmed over her. “I wasn’t aware that you worked here, Runt.”
Secrets of the Past (Kansas Crossroads Book) Page 3
