Texas Twilight

by Caroline Fyffe

  Dustin took a step forward and the sheriff fired off a shot that landed in front of his boots. “I meant what I said, Dustin. Go back inside until you cool down.”

  Winston came forward and grasped Dustin’s arm at the same time Lily came

  up behind John. He felt her presence before she even spoke. “Do you think Harland Shellston could do it?” Her voice held a certain amount of surprise and sadness rolled up together. “He is not much more than a boy.”

  John turned. Fatigue lined her face, but still she managed a smile for him. Everyone else’s attention was on the commotion outside, so John took the opportunity to take Lily by the hand and lead her back toward the table. He’d done his part for Chaim. Now Sheriff Dane could do his part controlling Dustin. John didn’t have the strength, or volition, to try to do it himself. “Don’t know about Harland. I guess anyone is capable of anything they allow themselves to justify in their mind. From what Charity says he’s pretty used to getting his own way.”

  She nodded but didn’t move away from him.

  “You were amazing, Lily.” Her face blushed in pleasure and she glanced away. “I mean it. I was shaken to the core when I saw Chaim so close to death. I don’t know if I’d been able to do what I did without your support.”

  Their moment was gone as everyone filed back around the table, taking seats. Dustin leaned against the drain board, his expression one of great distress as his gaze sought out Lily’s.

  Charity watched John excuse himself from Lily’s side and go into the other room to be with Chaim, closing the door behind him. Trouble was brewing. She’d seen it coming for weeks. Even without John saying anything, she could tell he had feelings for Lily. The way he watched out for her wellbeing, the many visits he made to her shop, and mostly, the way his gaze always sought out Lily’s first. Charity was actually a little shocked that he hadn’t figured it out sooner.

  To confuse the matter even more, Emmeline and Chaim seemed to be warming up to each other. Then there was Dustin and Lily…. With all this craziness going on, Charity sort of wished she was back at The Heart of the Mountains. At least there she was certain of who loved who. With a deep sigh, she realized the only rollercoaster relationship back in Montana was Brandon and her. The thought of Brandon made her heart sick and she glanced out the window longingly. When was he coming back? Perhaps he’d changed his mind and had gone back to Y Knot already, happy to be rid of her? After the stunt she’d pulled, she wouldn’t blame him in the least.

  “You really need to get out of those wet clothes before you get sick.” Deep in thought, Charity hadn’t heard Lily’s approach. “Emmeline, too. Come over to my place and you can borrow something.”

  “I’d appreciate that.” They both looked over to where Emmeline sat next to Aunt Winnie and Becky. Her eyes were red from crying and she was in a daze. “I’ll go with you and then bring something back over here for Emmeline. She doesn’t look like she’s going to go anywhere.”

  They turned to go but Dustin met them at the door. “Going to your shop?”

  “Yes. I have to check on my aunt and also get Charity and Emmeline some dry clothes.”

  He nodded. “With everything that’s happened I’m not going to be taking the livestock to Sweetwater after all. I’ll come by later. After Chaim—” His voice broke and he had to look away.

  Lily reached out and touched his arm. “Chaim is going to be fine. He just needs a little time.”

  Upstairs, Lily peeked in at her aunt, who was still asleep. Tonight, after she’d made Tante Harriett a light supper, she was going to get to the bottom of this mystery. Have the whole thing out. Maybe it was her aunt’s fears, warranted or not, that were keeping her from getting better, even more so than her dependence on drugs. Lily had been trying to be careful of her feelings, trying to protect her, not upset her. Tonight she’d set everything aside except getting some answers. This had drawn on long enough.

  Getting back to the task at hand, she chose a corn-yellow dress for Charity, and a light blue, skirt and blouse for Emmeline. She found Charity in the kitchen, huddled next to her woodstove.

  Charity took the garment from her hands. “You’re not going back over?”

  “No. If Tante Harriett was feeling better I would, but all the thunder and lightning really rattled her nerves. I think I will stay here so she will not wake up alone.” And, Lily thought, I’ll have some answers tonight, whether the questions upset my aunt or not.

  Chapter Forty-Four

  John sat at the desk in the examination room with an open book in front of him. He’d started reading about infection, and the newest treatments, but he couldn’t seem to keep his thoughts focused. The whole family, with the exception of Dustin, had gone to the hotel and secured rooms for the night to allow them to be closer if there was any change in Chaim’s condition. Worn out, all but Dustin had left an hour ago and checked in. John promised he’d let them know the moment there was any change. Dustin sat now close to Chaim, feet and arms crossed, in a deep sleep.

  The door squeaked open. “You want any supper?” Bixby asked.

  John stood and stretched. “No. I’m not hungry. I’ll fix something later.” He glanced at Dustin and Chaim and followed the old doctor into the kitchen, closing the door behind him. Tucker sat at the table eating a bowl of soup.

  John went over to the stove and took the lid off the pot and sniffed. “What is it?”

  “Beef barley. Sure you don’t want any?”

  He shook his head. That sounded about as appealing to him as week-old catfish. Too many things on his mind. Like, where was Brandon? Or, more to the point, where he wasn’t. He’d been gone much longer than John thought he should be, and now with Chaim getting shot…no, he wouldn’t go there. That wasn’t a possibility.

  Then there was the jewel, or whatever it was. It still sat in his safe and he knew nothing more about it than when he’d put it there. Was it Harriett’s? That was a possibility.

  Now today, Harland Shellston had tried to kill Chaim? Would he do such a thing because Charity had shamed him in front of the other students?

  And then there was Lily. Lily and Dustin. He couldn’t forget about them even if he tried.

  If he were honest, that was what was torturing him the most. It had been a hard day with Emmeline, but from what he could see, things had worked out and it looked as if there was a future for her with Chaim. Now that he thought about it, they did make an extremely compatible couple. Chaim being lighthearted and fun and Emmeline being immature, in her incredibly sweet way. Seriously, he couldn’t have found a better match for either of them. But where did that leave him and Lily?

  If it would have been unforgivable for him to go forward with Emmeline, knowing his feelings for her were not what they’d once been, was it unforgivable to never tell Lily how he was feeling about her now? Especially knowing how Dustin felt?

  “You want to talk about it?”

  Bixby stood before him. “Nothing to talk about.”

  “Suit yourself. I’m going to bed. Come get me if there’s any significant change.”

  “Will do.”

  Several minutes passed before John heard loud voices in the alley. Going to the back door and looking out the window, he saw Norman Shellston in a heated argument with the sheriff. Deputy Pete Miller looked on. John opened the door.

  “My son said he didn’t shoot McCutcheon. That should be proof enough for you to release him.”

  “Can’t do that and you know it. He’d take off, never to be seen again. If McCutcheon dies he’ll be tried for murder.”

  “I told you I’ve signed this paper promising to keep him in Rio Wells, in our home.” He waved a paper in front of the sheriff’s face.

  Shellston looked over at John, refusing to go on in front of him. “This isn’t any of your business, doctor.”

  Sheriff Dane took Shellston by the arm and was able to propel him a few feet away before Shellston violently shook him off. They stood staring at each other for
several long moments.

  “Come back tomorrow,” Sheriff Dane finally said. “After you’ve had some time to think. Maybe then you’ll be making a little more sense.”

  “Pa. Pa, don’t leave me here.” Harland’s voice came from within the building, hoarse from shouting and crying.

  “Go on now, Norman. He’ll be okay. If he’s going to act like a man he better be ready to accept the consequences.”

  John closed the door and headed back to the examination room. Something about what Shellston had just said was rolling around in his head in a way that made him think it had some significance. He had signed a paper for Harland? He’d signed. No, maybe it was something about his signature…”

  Dustin was now awake, standing over Chaim.

  John put his hand on Chaim’s forehead, pleased to find that his cousin’s temperature still felt normal. “Good. He needs to rest. It’s the best way for him to recover.”

  They looked at each other for a long moment across Chaim’s body.

  Dustin’s voice was gravelly, low when he said, “Emmeline told me what you did to save his life.”

  “I was glad to be able to do it.”

  “I suppose Chaim was lucky that you’d come to town.” He raked his fingers through his hair, then massaged the muscles in the back of his neck. He rotated his shoulders and rolled them several times. “What are his chances?”

  “That’s impossible to say. We just have to hope infection doesn’t set in, and that his heart wasn’t damaged by the bullet. As much as I hate to say it, it could go either way.”

  Dustin just stared. “Thanks for being honest.”

  Lily paced the floor, waiting impatiently for her aunt to wake up. The white cat followed her back and forth across the upstairs rug, mewing hopefully as if wishing her adopted mistress would sit down so she could jump into her warm lap. It wasn’t but a moment when Lily heard a small sound on the front porch, and then a whisper. Gathering her courage, she blew out her lantern and carefully sneaked down the stairs to the front door. Even with her ear pressed up tight, it took a moment before her heart stilled enough to be able to make out what was being said.

  “You’re sure?” the sheriff said quietly.

  “Without a doubt.”

  Lily would recognize Lector Boone’s voice anywhere. It was as black and foreboding as what he wore. “I’ve done my due diligence. It’s in the safe.”

  “And if he resists?”

  “I’ll have the jewel, Sheriff. One way or the other.”

  “There will be no killing, Boone.”

  Lily almost gasped. Did he mean he’d shoot John, without even trying to find the truth, just to get the reward? A tremor begotten of trepidation began in her hands and traveled all the way down to her feet. She must get the jewel out of John’s safe. John was everything. She loved him with the depths of her being. It didn’t matter if he didn’t feel the same about her. She’d do anything for him. Anything to keep him safe. She had brought this trouble down on his head, and she would fix it.

  The men walked away, their heavy footsteps fadding into the night. She had to think of some way to help. Could she tell the sheriff about Tante Harriett? What if they wanted to lock her up in the penitentiary? As Lily hurried to the stairs she could hear her aunt talking to the cat. Tante Harriett had finally woken up.

  Chapter Forty-Five

  Lily knocked on the door jam. “May I come in?”

  Tante Harriett looked up. “Of course, dear.” She patted the quilt.

  “How are you feeling?” Lily asked, sitting on the bed.

  “So much better.” Tante Harriett paused to listen. “I’m glad that horrible storm is over. I don’t think I’ve ever seen it rain so hard.”

  The last thing Lily wanted to do was bring up the jewel, and what it was all about, but there was no other way around it. Time was running out. Come what may, she needed answers tonight.

  “Tante?”

  “I can see the dark clouds in your eyes. Something is troubling you, my dear. Tell me what it is.”

  Lily nodded. Her aunt gazed back. Perhaps the old woman was stronger than she thought. “It’s about something I found in your belongings. Something incredible.”

  The color drained from Harriett’s face.

  “A jewel. I didn’t mean to go through your things, but it was when I found you passed out and went for John. Remember?”

  “Of course.”

  Lily waited for her to continue.

  “As you must have guessed,” the old woman said in a shaky voice, “the gem does not belong to me.” Harriett reached out and took Lily’s hand. “I never wanted you to find out. I’d hoped coming to Rio Wells had settled that problem. But after seeing that man tonight I know there’s nothing left for me to do but tell you the whole truth. Actually, I think I’m relieved the time has finally come.”

  Harriett sat up in the bed and gazed out into the darkness of the night for a few moments, thinking. “When I sent for you in Germany,” she said in a small voice, “I didn’t have enough funds. I thought I had, when I first wrote to your mother and father, but it turned out to be double what the shipping company had first quoted me. Since the plans had already been made, and you were getting ready to set sail, I decided to take out a loan rather than disappoint you or the family.”

  She squeezed Lily’s hand softly. “At first, there was no problem. I made payments over the months and was close to having the loan paid off. Then, when that new shop on the East side opened, our business fell off considerably.”

  “Was that when we began to take in laundry, too?”

  Harriett nodded.

  “And you worked night and day, and wouldn’t tell me why. Your health started to deteriorate.”

  Harriett smiled sadly.

  “Why was the bank so uncompromising? Wouldn’t they help you at all?”

  “That was the problem, Lily. I didn’t go to the bank for the loan. I went to one of the local pawn shops. I knew the owner. We were friends. But when money is involved, people change.”

  Harriett reached over and rubbed the sleeping cat that’d snuck onto Lily’s lap during the conversation. It was a moment before she continued.

  “When I made the last payment I was told the interest rate had changed, that I owed almost as much as I had in the beginning. He warned me that if I said anything to anyone, something horrible would happen to you. I went along with it for a while, but could see what was happening as my money dwindled away. He was never going to stop blackmailing me. So, I began plotting an escape. Before all the money was gone, I found the shop for lease in Rio Wells, and I sent the year’s rent money to Mr. Bartlett.”

  Harriett took a deep breath, closing her eyes.

  “What happened?”

  “Before it was time for our escape, the pawnshop owner demanded my debt be paid in full. He assured me he’d sell you into white slavery, after maiming you for life making any escape for you impossible. I was frightened. Didn’t know what to do. Almost all the money I had I’d already sent to Rio Wells. Then, that day, when I was delivering the red velvet ball gown to Mrs. Lowerby, I saw the expensive looking jewel on her dressing table. All sense flew from my mind—except for the temptation of having a way of paying the loan off. Before thinking twice, I slipped it in my pocket. At first I was relieved, thinking I could just hand the jewel over for payment and no one would find out where I’d gotten it. Then, when a few hours had passed and I’d come to my senses, I knew I’d made a horrible mistake. I was sick with worry. Ashamed and horrified with what I had done. But, I couldn’t think of a way to reverse my actions. The Lowerbys had gone away for a few days and I couldn’t get back into their house. Then, the man I saw tonight came to the shop asking how I knew Mr. and Mrs. Lowerby. I knew then we had to flee.

  “I am so sorry you went through this. And all because of me.”

  Harriett scowled. “Hush now! You’re the daughter I never had. I love you and take full responsibility for my actions.�
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  Tante wouldn’t live very long if she was locked away in a prison. Someone so caring and loving should not spend their last days like that. “But, the Lowerbys love you. I remember time and again their saying it. They will forgive you when they hear why you did it. I know they will.”

  “Perhaps they would. But the law has been involved. Lawyers and judges don’t make exceptions for silly old ladies.”

  Tante Harriett was right. Just as Boone did not care if he got to the truth as long as he got the jewel and his reward. This was an awful mess.

  Lily knew what she had to do. She patted her aunt’s wrinkled hand. “Thank you for finally telling me. You rest for now. We will figure this out.”

  “But, the man in black?”

  “All will be well.”

  Tante Harriett sank back down into her bedding, exhausted, almost as if she were a little child trusting in Lily to take care of things.

  Lily kissed her forehead. “Don’t breathe a word of this to anyone.”

  Harriett nodded one last time, then her eyelids fluttered down. Meanwhile, Lily was making plans for the next couple of hours.

  John shut the door behind Dustin, thankful his cousin decided to join his family at the hotel and get some rest. It was almost midnight and John trudged up the stairs to his room, exhausted. He needed to wash up and change out of his soiled clothes. After that, he’d take his rest in the examination room with Chaim.

  John poured water into his basin and splashed his face. The cool water refreshed his flagging spirits, so he repeated the process, this time rubbing it all the way over his head and through his hair. He grasped his towel and dried vigorously, trying to chase away his fatigue. Glancing up, he spied the porcelain figurine on the shelf. It looked so much like Lily he had to smile. He remembered what she had told him about all her sisters in Germany. A dull ache in his chest almost made him wince.