Texas Twilight

by Caroline Fyffe

  “In that case, I believe I passed your place the other evening. It was on the right-hand side with a big brown barn right off the road. Is that right?”

  “Yes, ma’am.”

  “How many children usually come to class?”

  Both shrugged in unison and Charity saw more of a resemblance between them.

  “Five or more?”

  “It depends,” the boy said. “Sometimes it’s just me and Jane, because my ma sets the sun by book learning. Sometimes there can be ten students, though, too.”

  Charity walked to the chalkboard and wrote her name in big letters. As she was writing the twins’ names below hers she heard footsteps, then someone taking a seat. When she turned there was an older boy sitting in the last chair of the last row, closest to the door. It was as apparent as a colicky calf that he wasn’t happy about being here.

  “Good morning,” she greeted. She waited a moment for a reply, and when there wasn’t one she asked, “Your name, please.”

  “Harland Shellston.”

  “The banker’s son?”

  “Yeah,” he shot back disrespectfully. “The famous First Bank of Texas. You’re pretty smart.”

  So, here was the problem Mr. Billingsworth had been talking about. Harland Shellston’s very own son. His gaze challenged her even now. What would he be like once they were more familiar? Charity smiled, looking forward to the test. He had no way of knowing she had three nephews, all around his age. If Harland wanted to give it a go with her, she’d be happy to take him on.

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  Lily stood safely away from the wood-burning stove as she stirred a pot of oatmeal. It was almost time to open and she wanted to make sure her aunt had something in her stomach before opening to the public for the very first time. Excitement rippled through at all the possibilities that lay ahead. She dearly wanted her aunt to be a part of this day. Lily had high hopes that Tante would agree to be helped down the stairs and sit in the rocker by the front window. There was a beautiful spot of sunshine just waiting for her.

  Lily scooped a ladleful of the creamy oats, already doctored with milk and sugar, into a bowl and placed it on a wooden tray. She added a napkin, spoon and cup of lukewarm tea and proceeded up the stairs, peeking into the bedroom. “Tante, are you awake?” She was lying on her side, and Lily couldn’t see if she was still asleep.

  “Yes, my dear.” She reached for her spectacles and rolled over. Lily came in and set the tray carefully on the highboy and assisted her as she sat up.

  “Would you like to get up and sit in the chair for your breakfast, or remain in bed?”

  Lily noted the violent shaking of her aunt’s hands as the old woman straightened the sheet on her lap and smoothed down the lace trim. She should be getting better every day and it looked to Lily as if she were getting worse. She was shrinking away right before her eyes.

  “I think I’ll take it here,” she said, as she patted the sea-green eyelet comforter. “If that’s okay.” Her voice was soft, uncertain.

  Sitting on the side of the bed, Lily took her hands into her own. “Yes, anywhere you would like.” She paused, thinking. “You will be better soon, Tante. I’m sure of it.”

  Harriett’s eyes, clouded with desperation, looked into her own. “A day never goes by without me thinking about…it.” Her voice trailed off on the last word as if speaking about the drugs would make them materialize right before their eyes like a raging demon. “I’m so sorry you have to take care of me as if I were a baby. I—”

  “Stop now,” Lily said softly. She gave her aunt’s hands a little shake. “You have nothing to be sorry for. You did not know that morphine was addictive when your doctor gave it to you. You trusted him. He is to blame. I love you.”

  Lily got up and placed the tray onto her aunt’s lap. She unfolded the napkin, positioning it on her nightgown, over her chest. Resuming her seat, Lily stirred the cereal to make sure it was cool enough to be eaten, then handed the utensil over. “After you eat I want you to come down into the shop. Do you know what today is? It is our grand opening. And it is less than an hour before we open our doors for business for the first time.”

  Harriett’s face darkened and the spoon slipped from her fingers, clattering onto the tray. “Oh, I’m sorry.” Her voice was tiny, like a child’s.

  Lily straightened the things on her tray.

  “I don’t want to come down. Not yet.” She looked away.

  Lily was heartbroken at the sight of the once independent woman. She was so tiny and scared. “Do not think another moment about it, Tante. We will wait for the day that you are ready.”

  The older woman cautiously picked up the tea cup and took a small sip, then replaced it in its saucer. “Lily…”

  “Yes?”

  “You do understand that I’m eighty-five years old, don’t you? You realize what that means?”

  Lily couldn’t meet her gaze

  “Lily? You do, yes?”

  “Yes, Tante.”

  “Good. I don’t want you to be surprised if I fly away one day. I’m looking forward to it, so don’t be sad when it happens. You’ll do fine now, with all our new, caring friends around to look after you. And, you have John. He loves you. I couldn’t be happier about the match if you were my own daughter.”

  Lily looked out the window, not seeing the bustle of the town at all, but rather the inner workings of her heart and where they longed to take her. She couldn’t deny that what her aunt was saying was exactly how she was thinking about John, too. I loved him. With every fiber. He was the man with whom she longed to share her every dream, plan for the future and build a family. Her face warmed just thinking about intimate moments and what they might be like. The thought of kissing him made her shiver, but, sadly, she pushed that image away. John would never be hers.

  “Tante Harriett, you remember that John is engaged to another woman? She is coming to Rio Wells to be with him. To be married.” She needed to make her understand the truth of the matter at hand and not keep indulging in her fantasy about the two of them.

  Tante smiled and nodded. In her eyes was a great secret that Lily couldn’t decipher. “Love can’t be denied, Lily. It is inexhaustible and all-knowing. It is patient, too.”

  She hugged her aunt and then left the room. It was past ten o’clock and she heard voices outside on the boardwalk. Her biggest regret was that Tante was not well enough to enjoy it too. To see the fruits of her years of toil.

  John made his way from the post office and headed back toward his own place. He’d finally found the time to get a post off to Emmeline.

  Turning, he saw Aunt Winnie’s buggy tied out front Lily’s shop. She and his two cousins were there, apparently waiting for Lily to open. He was grateful they’d taken a liking to Lily—but then, that wasn’t hard to do—and were going to help support her endeavors. Especially today, on her grand opening, he was happy she would have some business to celebrate.

  Lector Boone approached. “McCutcheon.” The toothpick clenched between his teeth dangled precariously when his lips twisted into a smile. “Your sister teaching school today?” he asked casually.

  That put red before John’s eyes. “What’s it to you?”

  “Just wondered.” Taking the toothpick between his fingers, he rolled it a few times, then flicked it into the street. “She’s about as feisty as they come. I enjoyed seeing her in action negotiating with the mayor. She’s a smart one, all right. “

  “You’d do well to remember she’s none of your business.”

  Across the street, Lily stepped out onto the walk and opened her front door, hooking it back with the fastener he’d installed himself. A broad smile wreathed her face when she saw Aunt Winnie, along with Becky and Madeline as they descended the buggy. They talked and hugged, then went inside. Now was not the time to take on the gunfighter, John reminded himself. Reining in his irritation, he crossed the street without another word.

  Chapter Twenty-Eight

&nb
sp; “Mother, look at this one,” Madeline said, running her fingers down the bolt of lilac taffeta, her expression pure delight. “I’d adore having my gown for the Cattlemen’s Ball made from this.” She leaned forward, putting the fabric close to her face. “What do you think?”

  Mrs. McCutcheon came closer. “I think the color suits you. It brings out the color of your eyes.”

  Lily couldn’t believe her ears. A ball gown. For her first order. She clamped her hands tightly behind her back to keep them from shaking with excitement as the women made over her fabric.

  “What do you think, Lily? Is this a good color for Madeline’s darker complexion?”

  Lily thoroughly agreed with the assessment. It would be stunning on her. She thought back to how Tante used to help assist women picking fabric and patterns that would best show off their beauty—and minimize their flaws. This color would bring out the young woman’s earthy glow and add some sparkle. “I think it would be beautiful, and it is the one I would choose for her myself.”

  “That settles it. One gown for the Cattlemen’s Ball, please. Do you have any patterns we may look at?”

  “I do. Right over here.” Lily went to the wall and pulled out a drawer that held eight different Butterick patterns. Only three were for ball gowns; the others were of everyday clothes for men and women. Madeline and Winnie hurried over while Becky looked around the shop.

  “Three only?”

  It was Madeline and she was holding the patterns in her hands.

  “Yes. But the options of the things I can do with them are almost limitless. I just use the pattern as a start.” That brought a smile back to the girl’s face. “I have a book of sketching of the gowns and dresses we made in Boston. All you have to do is look through them and tell me what you like.”

  Madeline’s expression turned serious. “Can you have it finished in time for the ball? I know it’s a lot of work for the few weeks remaining.”

  “What is the date? I’ve never heard it mentioned.”

  “That John,” Winnie said, with exasperation, and then laughed. “Just like a man not to say anything about the most important event of the year. It’s on the 4th of July. We all thought that’s why you were hurrying to get your shop open. It’ll be such a treat to have someone who’s able to create beautiful clothing. We do have a tailor in Rio Wells, but he makes everyday clothing. The kind we can sew at home.”

  Lily did a mental counting. She could have it completed if it wasn’t too complicated and she didn’t run into any problems. “I can do it, depending on the kind of dress you want.” She smiled, then added teasingly, “I will be sure to question John the next time I see him. Perhaps he has a reason why he’s kept the celebration a secret.”

  John stepped through the open door without warning. “Did I just hear my name mentioned?” In the flutter of excited greetings Lily could not help but think about Tante Harriett’s proclamation about love just a few minutes before. She glanced up through her lashes to see him watching her as his youngest cousin wrapped him in her arms. His conspiratorial smile and wink made her face heat up unbearably. He was so handsome she feared she might swoon away right now on the floor. Her face must have given her feelings away, because he laughed in pleasure.

  “You most certainly did, young man,” Mrs. McCutcheon said, shaking her finger at him. “You’re getting more and more like Dustin and Chaim every day. How come you didn’t tell Lily about the Cattlemen’s Ball on July 4th?”

  He turned his gaze from hers and looked at his aunt. “Possibly because this is the first I’ve heard of it. I know, I know, that’s impossible. But it’s true. I’ve been busy working all this out,” he said, sweeping his arm wide.

  Adoration shown from Madeline’s eyes. “Then you’re forgiven. Look at the fabric we’ve chosen for my dress.” She took him by the arm and dragged him over to the bolts of fabric. “The first ball gown Lily will make.”

  Lily watched as John patiently took his time looking it over. “Very pretty, Madeline. I’m sure you’ll be among the belles of the ball. Which fabric did you choose for Becky’s dress?”

  Lily had to stop the gasp she felt in her throat.

  “I found a dress in Abilene on our last visit there, or I’d be commissioning one today also.”

  He looked over to Lily and shrugged, giving her an “I tried my best” look.

  “I am actually a bit relieved to hear that, because without my aunt’s help I do not believe I could finish two gowns in time. As it is, I’m going to have to get busy today. We’ll take measurements, go through sketches and I’ll need to get it pinned and ready to be cut out.” She tried to hide her excitement about her first project but knew she was failing miserably.

  “Then you best get going,” John said, moving toward the door. “I won’t hold up your progress any longer.”

  ***

  It was only a few steps from Lily’s shop to his office, and soon John was in the cool, dimly lit kitchen, looking around for something to eat. This small town doctoring wasn’t much doctoring at all. Since the operation, two weeks ago, he’d more or less had been biding his time, waiting for something to happen. He found a loaf of bread in the sideboard and sliced off the end, spreading it with peach jam Bixby had gotten from someone. He and Tucker were off somewhere now, doing something, and with a big mouthful John found himself drawn to the small safe he’d stuck in his corner of the office.

  Twirling the dial, John set the numbers to the combination and listened, hearing it click open on the last spin. With a pull, he opened it.

  Looking between the few drugs and possessions he had locked away, he spotted the fabric that held the mysterious stone. Unwrapping it, he held it up to get his first real look. It wasn’t costume, he was sure, and from the weight he figured must be worth a small fortune.

  “You Doc McCutcheon?”

  John spun, closing his hand around the jewel to find a boy about thirteen standing before him with a disgruntled expression on his face. “Who’re you?” John asked, a bit defensively. He couldn’t tell if the kid had seen what he’d been looking at.

  “Harland Shellston. Miss McCutcheon wanted me to tell you there’s a rattler trapped in the outhouse, and would you come get it out. I told her I could kill it myself, but she said no.”

  “Go tell her I’ll be right there.”

  The boy went out the door as if in no particular hurry. John re-wrapped the stone and put it back into its hiding place. He retrieved his pistol from upstairs and started toward the school.

  Charity was on the porch, watching his approach. As he got closer he saw two children and Harland Shellston, sitting on a log a safe distance from the outhouse, probably forbidden to get up until the threat was taken care of.

  She ran down the steps to his side. “I didn’t have a gun or I would have handled it myself.”

  That sounded funny to John and he laughed, realizing how much he was enjoying having Charity’s company again. He pulled her into his arms and gave her a hug. “Sorry about yesterday,” he whispered into her ear.

  “Me too.”

  A small quiver ran through her body and he looked at her questioningly. “It must be a big snake?”

  “Huge. From the sound of its rattle I’ll bet it’s almost eight feet long.” He saw her try to hide another shiver. “I can’t imagine how it got in there with the door closed.

  “Let’s go have a look.” Before he got within ten feet of the tiny structure a buzzing sounded that was almost demonic. He’d never heard anything like it. He looked at her astonished expression and felt his mouth go dry. “A real doozie.”

  “So?” She glanced over her shoulder to check on the children. “What do you think?” She had to raise her voice to be heard.

  “Well, I could just shoot through the wood and hope to hit it, but I’d have to fire several times and the whole town would come running.” He removed his Stetson and swiped his arm across his wet brow, then settled it firmly back on his head. “I’d rather not d
o that.”

  “How about I get you a stool and you shoot through the moon.” She looked doubtful. “Can snakes climb up wood?”

  “I’d rather not find out.” The rattling stopped as if the snake was preparing some sort of counterattack on them. “Any rope in the school house?”

  She shook her head.

  “Harland,” John called. “Go over to the livery and get a length of rope from Cradle. If he’s not there just find something that will work.”

  “Why can’t you?”

  “Because I asked you to do it.”

  Harland looked at John for a long moment, then got up.

  “What’s the rope for?” Charity asked.

  “I’m going to tie it around the latch, back up a few feet and pull it open. I’ll have a clear shot and be out of striking range.”

  She nodded. “He’s being awful quiet in there.”

  “We haven’t moved. He can feel our vibrations in the ground.” John took a step and the hellish buzzing started up instantly.

  Charity stepped away. “I’m really glad you’re here. I don’t ever remember a rattler sounding so deep before. Our Rocky Mountain rattlers get big, but I’m debating if I even want to see this one. It’ll haunt my dreams for months.”

  “Yeah, and I remember how much you love snakes.”

  Charity nodded, her face a pasty white.

  “Who found him?” John asked to change the subject.

  “Poor little Jane. She came running back into class like the wind. I shudder to think about if she’d opened the door.”

  Harland returned with a ten-foot rope and John wondered if he’d chosen the shortest one he could find. “Cradle there?”

  “Nope.” The boy ambled back over to where Jedediah and Jane watched.

  John fastened it to the piece of wood that served as a door handle. Surprisingly, the snake remained quiet during the process. “Go on, Charity. Get back. I’d feel better if you go sit with the children, too.”