She wanted to lash out, but she wasn’t entirely certain of the target.
“I’m the same man I was a minute ago, Lily. You trusted the outlaw. Why can’t you trust the lawman?”
She made a sound of frustration in her throat. Why did he have to be so logical? She had counted on him when she’d thought he was a gunfighter. There was no reason she shouldn’t continue to do so now. Neither her heart nor her head recognized the difference.
When she’d started falling for the outlaw, she’d known that nothing could ever come of her affection. Falling for a lawman was far riskier. There were far fewer barriers between them, and she had far fewer excuses.
“The judge is right,” Lily said. Jake must never know she’d harbored feelings for him, especially if he was proposing a marriage of convenience. She could bear his deception, but she couldn’t bear his pity “What happens if we can’t locate Emil? What then?”
“That’s up to you. Are you willing to care for Sam and Peter indefinitely?”
“Of course I am.”
“You’ve been through an ordeal. Think carefully about your answer. You can find other work in St. Joseph. If you marry me, if you agree to care for the Tyler children, you’ll be leaving everything you’ve ever known behind.”
“Everything I’ve ever known has gone up in a blaze.”
She’d counted on a place, not people. She had friends, but no one close. She had people she spoke with, regulars at the boardinghouse and acquaintances she chatted with at the market. Nothing that tied her here. All this time she’d been pinning her hopes on the house for a future, and one candle had destroyed everything. One vengeful act had shattered that future. She’d built her hopes on dry tinder, and not on a solid foundation.
“You saw the boardinghouse,” Lily said. “There’s nothing left. Everything I had, all my possessions—everything was wrapped up in that house.”
“Then there’s nothing keeping you here?”
“Nothing.”
“This isn’t the best solution,” Jake said. “I know that. But I don’t have any other ideas. You can take care of Sam and Peter. I’ll search for their grandfather. If we can’t find him, if—if something has happened to him, at least they’ll have a home.”
“True. And this is just a temporary marriage. Until we find Emil. If we don’t find him, what then?”
“We’ll find him.”
If only she had his optimism. There was no reason she couldn’t care for the children if they had the marriage annulled down the road. The judge had other cases. Once he’d assigned the guardianship, she doubted he’d give them a second thought.
She steeled herself for the next question. “Do you have a sweetheart?”
“No.” He shrugged. “My work doesn’t give me much time for that sort of thing. What about you?”
An unexpected rush of relief surged through her. “No.”
“Then we don’t have to worry about jealous suitors.”
“Nope.”
She had plenty of choices. She could walk away now and never look back. She’d taken care of herself before, she could do it again. There was no reason to stay. No reason but a couple of children who were all alone in the world. Two children she’d grown to care for. She couldn’t imagine them alone, fending for themselves.
“Yes. Let’s do this. Let’s get married.” She assumed a cheerful smile. “We should speak with Sam and Peter first. We’re making decisions about their future. They should be included.”
“You’re right. Of course you’re right.” She turned but he held her back. “You have a choice, Lily. Don’t feel like you have to do this. I’m not going to pressure you into anything.”
Oh, dear. She was definitely falling for the lawman. A cold fear settled in her heart. If loving an outlaw was a poor choice, falling in love with a lawman wasn’t much better. For him, this marriage was another case, another identity he assumed. She didn’t know how to act. She only knew how to be genuine. All she could think about was him leaving, about never seeing him again. If she hadn’t inspired her father to stay, what hope did she have?
“This is the right thing, Lily,” Jake said. “I feel it.”
His gaze became solemn and piercing, and her objections crumbled.
“I do, too.”
They returned to the judge’s chambers and he politely excused himself while they spoke with the children.
Lily knelt before them. “You two have been through a lot lately. Too much. You’ve lost your parents, you’ve been dragged halfway around the world, you’ve traveled across America and back. I don’t know what happened to your grandfather, but it’s apparent he loved you very much. Jake and I are going to do everything we can to find him, but I won’t lie to you, we can’t guarantee anything.”
Sam’s eyes shimmered with unshed tears. “You’ve been through a lot, too. I’m sorry you lost your house and all your stuff.”
Lily blinked rapidly. “You’re very kind, Sam. Everything I’ve lost can be replaced. Finding a safe and happy home for the two of you is what’s important now. Mr. Elder and I have an idea.”
“His name is Jake Elder for real?”
“Yes. And there’s something else. He’s not really an outlaw. He’s a marshal with the United States government.”
Sam and Peter gawked at Jake.
“A marshal?” Peter’s lips twisted and his voice was tinged with disappointment. “He’s not a gunfighter?”
“No.”
“Then he was only pretending?”
“Yes.”
“Then we weren’t really on the run?” Peter demanded. “I thought we were on the run.”
“We were,” Lily assured him. “Sort of.”
She ruffled his hair. Poor Peter might never recover from the disappointment.
“That’s kind of neat,” Sam said, appearing thoughtful. “He was fooling all those people. He fooled us.”
“I certainly believed him.” Lily smiled at Jake. “Although not entirely. I thought he was awfully concerned about following the law for a gunfighter.”
Peter squinted. “It’s not as exciting as being a gunfighter, but I suppose it’s all right. I could still write a story about our adventures.”
“A very exciting story,” Lily said. “And the tale isn’t over. Mr. Elder and I have an idea. If we get married, we can become your guardians. Just until we locate your grandfather,” she quickly added. “Jake knows a place where we can stay for a while. I’m afraid it’s another train ride.”
“Ugh.” Sam slumped. “I’m sick of riding on trains. Where would we stay?”
“Cimarron Springs, Kansas,” Jake said. “It’s southwest of here.”
“Is it a town like Frozen Oaks? Are there gunfighters there?”
“I’m afraid not.”
“I was hoping for gunfighters.” Peter braced his hands on his knees and lifted his shoulders in a shrug. “Can I have my own horse?”
“We shouldn’t make any permanent decisions until we’ve located your grandfather.”
“All right,” Peter said. “I’d rather go with you than stay here. Before Miss Lily became our chaperone, they made us stay in separate houses. One for girls, and one for boys. I’d rather stay together.”
“Then that’s what we’ll do,” Lily said. “We’ll stay together.”
“How will you get married?” Sam asked. “Do you have to find a church or something? Will you buy a dress?”
“Well, uh.” Lily blushed. “We’re in a bit of a hurry. I suppose the judge will marry us.”
“Will you buy a new dress? We attended a wedding in Africa where the bride changed her dress three times.”
“There’s no time for a new dress. I’ll just wear this.”
“Jake looks all right
.” Peter rubbed his chin with a thumb and forefinger. “He looks better since he cut his hair.”
Lily smoothed her hands over the coiled braid at the base of her neck. “Well, if that’s settled.”
At least she’d spent a few extra minutes on her hair this morning, and this dress was prettier than her others.
A mere fifteen minutes later, Lily stood before the judge, her hands shaking. Barely cognizant of her surroundings, she concentrated on taking steady breaths. This wasn’t forever. This was simply a temporary solution. They’d find the children’s grandfather, and then annul the marriage.
She was homeless and marrying a virtual stranger. A man who, until a few minutes ago, she had assumed was a gun for hire. The majority of her possessions were in cinders. Her lips twitched. Just another ordinary day. If she’d read something like this in one of Peter’s books, she’d have scoffed.
Sam and Peter flanked them. Sam took her hand and squeezed, and the last of Lily’s doubts faded.
She smiled down at the girl, who returned the gesture.
Lily reached for Jake’s hand. His palm was warm, rough and calloused. Her heart filled with unexpected joy. At once her decision came into focus. This was real. This marriage was happening. The judge pronounced them man and wife, and Jake leaned over and kissed her cheek. Peter pressed a hand over his giggle.
* * *
After the excitement of the past several days, the train ride to Cimarron Springs was startlingly uneventful. Lily ate her ginger cookies and tolerated the trip with only a mild bout of sickness. Showing remarkable fortitude, Sam and Peter had taken the change of plans in stride. The frantic pace of the past days had caught up with them, and they were more subdued than usual, though not melancholic.
Jake had visited the marshal’s office in St. Joseph and discovered that his jailbreak hadn’t been pursued beyond the surrounding towns.
The news had left him more confused than relieved. If the sheriff hadn’t contacted the law, what were he and Vic planning?
Jake had also wired his uncle in Cimarron Springs. Since Jake’s parents had married young, the difference in their ages was less than a decade, and they treated one another more like cousins than uncle and nephew. John had settled in Cimarron Springs eight or nine years back. The youngest of seven brothers, John had left Paris, Texas, to find his own way. Jake couldn’t blame him. The Elders were a loving but overpowering bunch.
The train pulled into the station and his stomach churned. For reasons he didn’t want to examine, he was nervous about how Lily would view the town. Though he loved Texas and his birthplace, he’d returned to this part of Kansas more than once over the years, and Cimarron Springs was starting to feel more like home than Texas.
Passengers filed past them but the four remained seated. Lily glanced at him expectantly and he offered her a reassuring smile.
They stood and followed the crowd. He exited last, pausing on the stair as he searched the crowd. He caught sight of his Uncle John waving his hat and grinning.
John maneuvered through the crowd and paused before them. “Welcome to Cimarron Springs, Mrs. Elder.”
Lily glanced over her shoulder before realizing that she was Mrs. Elder.
“Mr. Elder.” She took his hand in greeting. “Thank you for meeting us.”
Uncle and nephew resembled each other, though there were more gray strands glinting in John’s hair.
His smile was warm. “Jake has helped me out more than once over the years, and I’m happy to return the favor.”
Jake and his uncle shared a quick handshake and pat on the shoulder.
“This must be Samantha,” John said. “And you must be Peter.”
Peter gestured at the wagon John had been leaning against. “Jake says you raise horses. Are those your horses?”
“Those horses were raised by our neighbor, Shane McCoy. They’re draft horses, or working horses. I raise riding horses.”
“Can I see your horses sometime?”
“Absolutely.” John replaced his hat. “I’m sure you folks are famished. I didn’t want to overwhelm you by bringing the whole clan. The children can be a handful. The wife says you’re invited to dinner as soon as you like.”
“Thank you,” Lily said. “That’s very kind of you. I can certainly tell the two of you are related. You look more like brothers than uncle and nephew.”
“We hear that a lot,” John said. “Jake’s parents married young. How’s my brother? I haven’t spoken with him since he bought a couple of horses last spring.”
“Fine,” Jake said.
He hadn’t talked with his father in months, but he planned on rectifying the oversight.
“There’s a new tearoom in town,” John said. “And they serve an excellent meat loaf lunch. At least that’s what the wife says. I don’t go in for tearooms much myself. The marshal would like to talk with Jake sooner rather than later.”
“He’s in town?” Jake raised an eyebrow. “I thought he was traveling this week.”
“Garrett is here, for once. He’s been traveling nearly every week. JoBeth is not happy about his schedule, I can tell you that. And when JoBeth is annoyed, we’re all aware.” John faced Lily. “JoBeth is Garrett’s wife. She also works part-time at the telegraph office. She’s another McCoy. The whole town is full of McCoys. Now that you’re here, Jake, the Elders can give them a run for their money.”
Though anxious to speak with his fellow marshal, Jake hesitated. “I can meet with Garrett later. I shouldn’t leave Lily and the children alone when we’ve only just arrived.”
They hadn’t been separated for the past few days, and he’d become accustomed to keeping them in sight. Though he was confident no one had followed them to Cimarron Springs, he was torn between wanting to ensure Lily was settled, and needing to hear the marshal’s news.
“Don’t worry about us,” Lily said smoothly. “We’re used to taking care of ourselves.”
“I can help,” John added. “I’ll show you around town, introduce you to some people.”
“Thank you,” Lily said. “I’d enjoy that.”
“That settles it, then,” John declared. “You head on over to the marshal’s office, and I’ll finally try this meat loaf and potatoes my wife has been raving about.” He faced Sam and Peter. “I have four children, and they know all the best places for ice fishing, the best hills for sledding and the best trails for horseback riding. I can’t wait for you to meet them.”
Peter had perked up at the mention of horseback riding. “That’s a lot of kids.”
John rolled his eyes. “You don’t have to tell me that.”
Jake followed their progress with mixed emotions. He didn’t like losing sight of them, even though he knew there was little chance of trouble anytime soon. They were safe enough with John. Though expensive telegrams hadn’t allowed him to reveal the full extent of the problem, he’d given Garrett an outline, and he was confident his fellow marshal would fill in the blanks.
His protective feelings for Lily and the children were natural. Plans for the future dominated his thoughts. He’d see that she replaced her ruined wardrobe as soon as they were settled. He enjoyed seeing her dressed in the bright colors she favored. He was looking forward to seeing her in a jaunty hat that showed off her hair instead of the enveloping bonnet.
Perhaps if he bought some land...
Jake shook off the thought. Even Garrett, who was posted permanently to Cimarron Springs, was forced to travel. His absence was obviously causing friction between him and his wife. Besides, there was nothing in this town for Jake. He’d be gone and focused on another case as soon as they found Emil. There was no use thinking about a future that would never be.
Lily glanced over her shoulder and caught him staring at her.
Even from a distance, he admired t
he striking blue of her expressive eyes. She smiled and his heartbeat quickened. She turned away once more, but he didn’t move. He carefully committed the moment to memory. He never wanted to forget the way the sunlight sparkled off the fresh layer of snow, the pink of Lily’s cheeks in the chill cold, the way her lips parted in a smile. After a long moment, he made his way to the marshal’s office.
Marshal Garrett Cain was much as Jake remembered him. A little grayer around the temples, but tall and commanding. There was an inherent air of authority about the man.
Jake relayed his story with as much detail as he could muster, filling in all the facts he’d neglected in their brief correspondence. When he finished, the marshal steepled his fingers.
“I received this from the authorities in St. Joseph.” He pushed a paper across his desk. “They believe the fire at the boardinghouse was arson.”
“I had my suspicions.” Jake slumped back in his seat. “I don’t believe in coincidences.”
“Neither do I. There’s more. The fire started in a second-floor room.”
“Let me guess. Lily’s room.”
“Yes. The person who started the fire doused the place with kerosene. That part of the building was incinerated. Someone was sending your wife a message.”
“That’s the part I don’t understand. Why force her from her home? What was he hoping to accomplish?”
“Both good questions,” Garrett said. “I checked the information the landlady provided against what was reported in the newspaper. All the boarders were questioned. All of them were cleared.”
“Somebody is missing something.” Jake didn’t trust the law in St. Joseph to check all the possibilities. “The blaze was set in broad daylight. I can’t believe there’s no evidence of the trespasser.”
“The house had eight bedrooms including the two Lily and the landlady claimed. Three of the rooms were occupied, and two of the tenants were in residence. Apparently one of the boarders heard noises in the kitchen. Thought it was just the landlady. Lily’s room was on the top floor. No one heard anything from up there, but the tenants’ rooms were on the north side and Lily’s was on the south side. Probably fortunate for those fellows. The fire spread quickly.”
A Family for the Holidays Page 18
