“I was afraid of that,” John replied. “But there was no better way of dispersing all this stuff quickly. Besides, the extra money will be put to good use. It’s only for one day.”
“I never thought of that,” Lily said. “Do you think they are really upset?”
Cradle smiled. “Yes. But then Nora Grady is always upset with someone. Today and tomorrow it’s you and John, then Monday, it’ll be someone else. She’ll get over it. She always does.”
Mrs. Grady came out of the mercantile and threw a bucket of water into the street. Turning back, she eyed the sale items as if she were taking stock, and then slowly made her way back into the store.
Cradle pulled the Saturday edition of the Rio Wells Republic from his back pocket. He unscrolled the brown paper and scanned the page. “I like your advertisement. I think you’ll have a good turnout tomorrow since most people are in town for church.” He looked around. “Where’s your aunt, Lily?”
“John gave her strict orders to stay at the hotel,” Lily answered trying to sound nonchalant. “Whenever the temperature soars, she fairly withers.” Besides, Tante was weak and emotional. Lily would never forget her expression when her aunt had learned she had been discovered. But, Tante had agreed to go along with John’s suggestions for weaning herself from the morphine. She said she’d wanted to rid herself of the desire of it for years, but was always too ashamed to ask anyone for help. Her doctor in Boston had given it to her whenever she asked.
Thinking about her aunt brought to Lily’s mind the blue gem she’d found hidden away in her aunt’s sock, and her suspicions resurfaced. She knew she needed to confront her but Lily wasn’t sure she was quite ready to hear the answers. Besides she seemed so fragile. She’d give her more time to get past the worst, then insist she tell her everything.
John waved her inside. “Show me what big items you want out next, Lily. With Cradle here, they’ll be easy. May as well put him to work too.”
“This extra dresser can go.”
“Fine.” John bent down and took a firm hold. “You just find the spot where you’d like us to put it. Ready, Cradle? On three.”
With Cradle helping John and Tucker with the heavy lifting, the storage space was cleared in no time. Dr. Bixby walked around with Lily and helped suggest asking prices for each thing. The main purpose, along with raising money, was to make sure the things were gone by the end of Sunday evening, or soon after. Many prices were way below the objects’ worth.
Bystanders watched with curiosity. Some were even poking around the hodgepodge mess of eclectic goodies. Tucker planned to sleep outside, make sure nothing walked away on its own. By the time nine o’clock chimed on the town clock, Lily could hardly keep her eyes open.
“Come on, I’ll walk you to the hotel,” John said. “This has been a long day.”
“You are right about that. I’m tired.” Plus, she needed to get to the hotel and get a bath tonight while there was still someone in the hotel to warm some water. She was filthy and couldn’t go anywhere in this condition.
“I’m so excited,” Lily said as they walked along. “I think the building will be perfect. It is small, but cute.” It was a short walk from John’s office to the hotel and they were almost there. She stopped. “There is something I want to tell you.”
He’d stopped also and looked at her questioningly. “Yes?”
“Remember the day I found Tante Harriett’s drugs, the day she’d been passed out?”
“Of course.”
“Well, there was something else I found too, but I’ve been hesitant to say anything about it. I was hoping my aunt would share with me what it might be. But she has not and I am getting more worried by the day.”
The temperatures had cooled considerably and the cold desert air put a chill on the skin. Most people had gone home but there were still a few out on the street. John removed his light jacket and placed it on Lily’s shoulders. “Go on, Lily. You can tell me anything.”
“Thank you.” She ran her hand over the fabric, thinking. “I think it is a sapphire or some other expensive gem. I found it hidden in her travel satchel stuck inside one of her socks.”
John eyes opened wide. “Could it be rightfully hers?”
“Maybe. That is why I did not want to say anything. I do not want to think she has done anything wrong, if she has not. Maybe she bought it with her life savings. Or perhaps it was a gift from someone, a rich someone she has never mentioned to me—it is possible, I guess. But I thought it strange when we left Boston in the darkness of night without telling a soul. Plus, she has made it clear that the money she sent Mr. Bartlett was, more or less, all she had in the world. I am just really confused. I think she may be in some kind of trouble.”
She could tell he was considering her words carefully. “I didn’t know you two fled Boston. You’ve never said anything like that before.”
“I know. I have not wanted to think the worst, but now…”
“We’ll ask your aunt about the stone you found. Maybe it’s fake.”
“No. I don’t want to make her any more upset than she already is. She seems fragile to me.”
“Well, I don’t like to think of the both of you living in the same room with a priceless jewel, especially in this unruly town. Perhaps someone is out there looking for it. Let me lock it up in my safe.”
Just the words she was hoping to hear. She smiled. “I am sure she will not notice if I sneak it out to you tomorrow.”
“Fine, then. The sooner you can bring it over, the better I’ll feel. And, no worries. We’ll get to the bottom of it.” He laughed, a low rumble from deep in his chest, making Lily’s smile grow. “Life can be surprising sometimes, that’s for sure.”
It felt wonderful to finally tell John about the gem. She trusted him with her life. She reminded herself again that he was engaged to be married. His was just a friend. But, he was the best kind of friend. One, with whom she could share her fears and joys. One who wanted to help her and protect her. John McCutcheon was a remarkable man, and Emmeline was a lucky woman. Lily hoped the young woman knew just how lucky she was.
Settling Lily at the hotel, John headed back to the office. As he approached, he saw Tucker wrapped in a blanket and lounging on a cot. John wasn’t sure if this was the wisest thing to do, but the boy wanted to make sure no one made off with their items. There had been no talking him out of it.
“You set for the night, Tuck? Need anything?”
“Nope. I’m fine right here.”
John nodded and made his way inside the cleaned-out building. With much of the excess accumulation removed, the rooms appeared bigger.
“Lily home safely?” Bixby asked from his seat at the kitchen table.
“Yeah.” John went over to the sink and leaned forward, peering into the plate-sized mirror hanging on the wall. He tested his sutures gently. “These are ready; I’m going to take them out.”
“I was thinking the same thing today. Would you like me to do it?”
That thought hadn’t even crossed John’s mind. He could see the old man in the reflection, looking at him in eagerness. “Sure.”
Bixby’s chair scraped back nosily, causing the kitten to race out of the room. Bixby laughed. “Come on into the examination room where there’s more light.”
The senior doctor pulled out a stool for John, who sat down submissively. Bixby moved around the office with ease, gathering cotton, antiseptic and tweezers. Pawing through a drawer, he extracted a tiny pair of scissors. He washed his hands, pulled a stool up close to John, then picked up a magnifying glass. Leaning in close, he examined the wound.
“I’m still impressed,” Bixby said softly. “Who done the stitching?”
John couldn’t suppress a smile. “It was Lily. I don’t know if I could’ve done better myself.”
Bixby set the heavy glass magnifier down and picked up the scissors, pushing his spectacles up the bridge of his nose. “I have to agree with you on that. You using the salve
I gave you?”
“Every day. As a matter of fact I’m almost out.”
“I’ll mix up some more tomorrow.”
There was a little stinging when Bixby pulled the first suture, but John ignored it with effort. “What happened to Tucker’s hand?” he asked through clenched teeth.
“Comancheros cut it off. For fun. His parents and some other folks were traveling somewhere, to California I think, from what I could get out of the boy. They were attacked and robbed. Everyone was tortured and killed. They left the boy for dead, but a miner stumbled upon the grisly site and brought him here to Rio Wells. He was just a little pup, about five years old. Cute as a bug’s ear.” Bixby pulled out the last stitch and leaned back. “He’s been with me ever since.”
John thought about the energetic youth so eager to help and a thought crossed his mind. Perhaps some of the savages who mutilated Tucker were the same ones who attacked his coach. The ones he’d killed. He hoped so.
Opening up a drawer, the older doctor handed John a small hand mirror. “What do you think?”
The wound had closed up and the tissue wasn’t quite as bright red as it’d been for the last few days. For as bad as the slash had been he was pleased with the healing progress, though there clearly was going to be a noticeable scar. “Looks good. Without the stitches it feels better, too.”
Chapter Eighteen
Now that the stage was in the homestretch and the driver said they’d reach Rio Wells in the next hour, Charity’s stomach felt queasy and her mouth was dry as straw. Her idea had sounded so clever when she’d decided to surprise John, just show up on his doorstep, but now that she was almost there, she wasn’t so sure. The trip had been a long and body-jarring experience. She’d much prefer to travel the distance on a horse. Oh, how her back and neck ached. Plus, she was worn out and grimy.
Sadly, the mother with the cute little boy who’d boarded with her in Y Knot had stayed behind in Denver, leaving her trapped with Theodore Browning smiling at her in his every waking moment. If she’d known Theodore was going to follow her all the way to Rio Wells, she would’ve told him to not bother. She didn’t need a chaperone, and while she didn’t think her brothers had put him up to it, she wasn’t sure. But she was sure of one thing. She had tired of making conversation with him days ago. Thank goodness he was nice and had an engaging way about him. And with his thick black hair and handsome face, wasn’t hard to look at either.
“Excited?” Theodore asked. “We’re almost there.”
Charity nodded. “Extremely. It’s been almost three years since I’ve seen John.” She twisted the hankie in her hands until it was as narrow as a ribbon. Would John be furious at her arrival? The last thing she wanted to do was get into a fight.
“He knows you’re headed his way then? This isn’t a surprise?”
Astonished, Charity gaped at Theodore. “Actually, it is a surprise. How did you know?”
He looked down at the white knuckled grip she had on the piece of cloth she held. “Don’t be nervous. I’m sure he’ll be awfully happy to see you.”
Charity smiled in an attempt to convince herself. “Yes, he will. We’re very close. I can’t remember a time he’s ever been upset with me.” Well, except the instance she’d opened a matchbox filled with grasshoppers in his bedroom, or when she’d told Mary Lou he wanted to marry her, or spilled the beans to Pa that he’d gone fishing when he was supposed to be minding the herd. A half dozen other times paraded through her mind and she pushed them aside.
“Well, all brothers and sisters have a tussle of some sort or another, don’t they?” Afterwards, she and John always made up and were conspirators all the same.
“Of course.”
She glanced out the window in an attempt to clear her mind of worry. Then there was the family back in Montana. Had anyone discovered yet that she wasn’t in Denver, as she’d told them she’d be? Had Brandon?
“I think I’ll drop in on him as soon as we get into town,” Theodore said, straightening his sleep-rumpled clothes.
“Why? For your sleeping sickness?”
He let out a chortle. “You’re funny, Charity.”
“I’m sorry. That wasn’t very nice of me.” She gave him a teasing smile.
He chuckled on for a few more seconds. “I never got a chance to really know you very well in Y Knot. You always had all your big brothers hanging around. Heck, I don’t think we’ve ever even spoken to each other, have we? I mean, besides this trip?” He gave her a puppy dog look of love.
Oh, brother. “Don’t think so. Why do you need to see John? Don’t you feel well?”
“I’m fine. Well, maybe he can do something about this bunion I have growing on my foot, but I was thinking about a job. Maybe he needs an assistant. Since I know you, maybe he’ll give me a try.”
She shrugged.
Theodore’s brows crumpled in disappointment.
“You’re probably right,” she corrected quickly. “Do you have any experience working with the sick or injured?” She hadn’t meant to dash his hopes.
He shook his head. “Not really. But I’ve helped my father for years in his office. I file and take notes. I also have a good head for doing sums. And I’m a fast learner. “
“In that case, he might well need you. I don’t know. I think he’s all alone in his practice. And he’s just gotten to town so maybe he hasn’t hired anyone yet. But, understand, I’m just guessing at all this. We’ll just have to wait to see what the future brings.”
***
Lily and Harriett hastened over to the sale area, where a crowd of people were eagerly waiting. John was there, with Tucker and the old doctor. Dr. Bixby lifted up the long rope that circled the items and men and women rushed in. Lilly hurried to John’s side.
“Good morning. I saw you at church but didn’t get a chance afterwards to say hello. How are you?” he asked when he saw her.
“Excited.”
“You should be. Look at this turnout.” He gestured to the many people milling through the sale items. “All your hard work is going to pay off.”
“Your hard work,” she corrected, and then laughed when he gave her a stern look. “All right, our hard work. This really is beyond my wildest expectations.” She sucked in a deep breath as her eyes wandered over his face. “Your stitches. You took them out.” She couldn’t stop a murmur of approval that slipped from her throat, but suppressed her impulse to reach up and caress the punished spot. “It looks so much better.”
“Last night. And yes, I’m happy with the way it’s healing up. Not even a hint of infection.”
Tante Harriet, who stood patiently by Lily’s side, sighed wearily.
“Come inside, Harriett. You can relax in the waiting area while we work the sale,” John said, taking her by the arm.
“Thank you.”
Lily noticed the edginess of her aunt’s voice. She had snapped at Lily this morning, but then apologized profusely afterwards, all but heartbroken. When Lily suggested that she might be more comfortable staying home today Harriett was adamant that she was ready to venture out. Now Lily wasn’t so sure. Her aunt’s wrinkled hands shook as she clutched her handbag to her chest and clung to John’s arm.
“I’ll be right back,” John said over his shoulder. “Tuck and Bixby are over there taking the money, in case you’re looking for them.”
Quickly Lily reached into her handbag and surreptitiously handed the carefully wrapped stone to John. He nodded his understanding, folding his hand securely around it, and then proceeded to take Harriett into the office.
Lily turned a half circle, trying to take it all in. She’d worn her best blue dress today with her matching suede shoes. This was the first time she would meet most of the town’s people and she wanted to make a good impression. In church there had been more women than she had been expecting from her experiences here the last week. Dustin was seated a few pews in front of her, with four other to his left before John had joined them. It was impossibl
e not to notice the quality of the dresses of the three women she assumed were John’s aunt and female cousins. Surely they had traveled to a city to purchase such well made fashions.
“Lily,” a male voice called out. She turned to find Dustin and the others coming her way. “I’d like you to meet my family. My mother and father. My brother, Chaim. My sisters, Becky and Madeline.”
“I am pleased to meet you,” she replied. Their keen interest made her feel special.
“I’ve told them all about you and your aunt and the shop you’re starting in Rio Wells. This is the building, then?” His eyes glanced over the tiny structure, then landed on the doctor’s office.
“It is. After everything out here is sold I’ll clean it and paint it.”
Winston took a small step forward. “That’s a fair amount of work, young lady. How ‘bout I give my boys the day off tomorrow to come and help.”
Lily’s mouth opened to object but he’d rendered her speechless.
“We want to help too,” Madeline said. “With all of us working it’ll be easy.”
“That’s a wonderful idea,” his mother added. “And I’ll stay home and help Maria with a big dinner. You’ll be hungry when you’re all done. We never did have the welcome party for John. We’ll incorporate the two.” She clapped her hands together in excitement. “I can hardly wait.”
“What’s all this I hear?” John was back with a wide grin on his face. “Lily, I see you’ve met my extended family. What are all you cooking up without me?”
Madeline batted her long dark lashes. “We’re all coming to town tomorrow for a work party. We’re going to help Lily get her shop in tip-top shape.”
“And then we’re having the welcome party we never got to have the night you arrived in town,” Becky added.
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