Texas Twilight

by Caroline Fyffe

  The youngest looking girl took the center stage. She couldn’t be more than fourteen, if Lily had to guess. Her dress was worn, but she was pretty and her eyes shone as she looked around the room in anticipation.

  A heavy-set woman leaned over to Lily. “She’s an orphan. Lives on the edge of town and does washing.”

  “I did not know.”

  “Let’s start the bidding on Daisy’s dinner. Do I hear five cents?”

  The room was conspicuously quiet and the girl looked down at her feet.

  “A dollar,” a voice shouted from the back and Lily saw Charity’s head snap up.

  “Ah, oh.” John looked to the back of the room. “Maybe Charity knew what she was talking about.”

  “Dollar twenty.”

  Lily strained to see. “Tucker is bidding, too.”

  “One fifty.”

  “Two dollars!” Tucker’s youthful voice was easy to recognize.

  A moment passed. Then another. “Sold to the young man who works at the doctor’s office.

  Tucker hurried forward and whispered something to Daisy, and she smiled. He took the box in his good hand then ushered her away with his other arm on her back.

  “Well, I’ll be.” John looked at Lily in surprise. “I didn’t know. This is actually fun.”

  Madeline came forward in her reserved, beautiful way. Lily smiled at her when she looked their way and offered a small wave of encouragement. She couldn’t help but feel proud at the way the gown had turned out. It fit Madeline perfectly, and she was a vision of loveliness. Lily just wondered if there was anyone here brave enough to offer for the eldest daughter of the richest rancher in the county.

  “Who would like to start the bidding? Do I hear five—”

  “Ten dollars.”

  There was an audible gasp, then silence. Everyone looked around to see who’d made such a bold offering. Ten dollars was a lot of money. Uncle Winston’s table was all abuzz.

  Mayor Billingsworth looked around. “Any more bids? No? Sold to the unknown gentleman in the back.”

  Lily leaned close to John as the man came forward. “Who is he? I cannot see.”

  “Don’t know. And by the looks of it, neither does anyone else.”

  He was tall and well-dressed. His black hat was new, and had never hit the dirt, Lily was sure. When he stopped in front of Madeline he tipped it, as if meeting her for the first time. Madeline, always the model of propriety, let him take the box from her hands, and they moved away.

  “This is getting better by the minute,” John said, chuckling. “What else can happen tonight?”

  Two more box dinners sold in quick succession made by young women Lily had never met, to men she’d never even seen. She reminded herself there were still many wonderful discoveries to be made in her new town. She chanced a look over at John who was smiling from ear to ear, clearly enjoying the evening. It was amazing that she turned out to be the lucky young woman to marry him. She would never forget that for the rest of her life.

  “Charity’s up,” John said, nudging her. “And she doesn’t look too happy about it.” He looked around. “Now where did that Brandon go?”

  “Quiet, please.” The mayor held up his hand. “Who will offer five cents for our sharpshooter?”

  “Ouch.” John withdrew his hand from Lily’s tight grip, and gave it a shake.

  “He did not have to say that,” Lily gasped.

  “What?” John questioned. “Sharpshooter? Well, she is.”

  In the longest second of Lily’s life, she watched Charity’s face go from stark white to a painful bright crimson. “Where is Brandon?” She craned her neck, scanning the room. “John—do something. Make a bid.”

  “Three dollars,” a youthful voice offered. Theodore proudly waved his arm.

  John made a deep sound in his throat. “Uh oh. This is bad. Very, very bad. Charity will kill Brandon if he lets Theodore buy her box dinner.” John was just getting ready to put up his hand when another voice called out.

  “Five dollars.” It was a cowhand from the Rim Rock. The one who’d escorted Charity to and from town the short time she’d been the teacher.

  Theo’s face clouded. “Seven.”

  “Ten.” Again the crowd gasped, then laughed at the entertainment. Charity stared face forward, not daring to make eye contact with anyone.

  “Eleven.” Theodore’s face looked uncertain; clearly, he was getting close to his limit.

  “Twelve.”

  Theo shook his head and backed down into the men, and Charity’s eyes went wide.

  “Do I hear any other bids? No?—”

  “Twenty,” a deep voice boomed out.

  Brandon stood in the back of the room, in the doorway, having just come inside.

  “Twenty-five,” the cowpoke said with a look of surprise that someone had joined in the bidding so late.

  Brandon took long, slow strides into the room and proceeded to the front. “Thirty-five.” The room was deadly silent now and the faces bounced back and forth between the two men.

  “Forty.” The cowboy’s buddies were handing him bills, encouraging him not to lose out to Brandon.

  “Fifty.”

  “Mm, mm, mm,” John whispered, shaking his head. “They’re both going to be fit to be tied when this is over.

  “Sixty.” The cowhands surrounding the bidder let out a round of laughter.

  Brandon was within ten feet of Charity and still she wouldn’t look at him. His nostrils flared in anger. “One hundred dollars,” he said barely over a whisper. The onlookers whispered behind their hands, wondering if they’d heard him correctly. Brandon drilled the mayor with a look that said if he didn’t close this down right now he’d never close anything down again.

  “Sold,” Mayor Billingsworth shouted. “To the other sharpshooter.”

  Thunderous applause broke out as Brandon stepped forward and withdrew his money clip. Slowly he counted out the bills and handed them to the mayor. Without a word between them he and Charity walked away.

  Becky was the only box dinner left and she looked defeated after what had just taken place. Lily remembered how excited she’d been over tonight and how she hung on every word Theodore uttered. She whispered into John’s ear and he hurried to the back of the room.

  “Only one more to go, fellas. This is your last chance for a delicious home-cooked meal tonight. Who will offer five cents for Becky’s box dinner?”

  “Two dollars,” an older cowhand Lily had seen at the ranch called out. Becky’s smile faded.

  “I bid three,” said another, standing close by his side.

  John hurried back to Lily.

  “Well?”

  He shrugged.

  “Who are those men bidding?”

  “Cowhands that work for Uncle Winston. They bought Becky’s dinner last year.”

  There was a lull. “Any other bids? Going once —”

  “Five dollars.” Theodore had stepped forward and bore an unsure expression on his face. When a smile lit up Becky’s like a ray of sunshine, he ducked his head in pleasure.

  “Anymore bids?” The mayor looked around. “Going, going…”

  Lily stomped her foot. “What is he waiting for?”

  “Sold. Thank you, ladies and gentlemen. That concludes the auction for another year. I must say this was better than all our other years combined. Thank you to the generous bidders. Go have a nice dinner. The band will commence in half an hour.”

  Chapter Fifty-Nine

  Under a starry canopy the band tuned up as folks materialized out of nowhere, finished with their dinners and ready for some much-anticipated entertainment. Men’s eyes searched the crowds for a possible partner, and girls ducked their heads shyly when gentlemen looked their way. The evening had cooled, bringing with it a soft breeze and the earthy aroma of springtime in Texas.

  John glanced around, noticing that Brandon and Charity were nowhere to be seen. Were they off somewhere arguing again, or had they made up?
He pulled Lily close. “May I have this dance, Mrs. McCutcheon?” he crooned, as the trio, comprised of a guitar and two fiddles, began a waltz. “I’m tired of worrying over everyone but you. Tonight belongs to us.”

  “You may.” Smiling, Lily slipped gracefully into his arms and they began to move around the large dance floor the men had built. The floor, constructed especially for this occasion, gave gently with each step, and was illuminated by sparkling lanterns draped gracefully between poles. Soon there were other couples gliding with the music and John couldn’t see from one side to the other. When Theodore and Becky twirled by, her face brighter than any of the lanterns, John grinned at Lily and winked.

  Prompted by the feel of his wife in his arms, the beauty of the night, and how grateful he was for the turn his life had taken, he nuzzled Lily’s ear. “I love you,” he whispered, hoping she realized just how much he meant it. She held him closer, and he memorized the feel of the moment. “You’re everything to me.”

  Still moving with the music, she leaned back and gazed up at him innocently. “I love you, too.” Her eyes roved lovingly around his face, as if in question and her tentative smile warmed his heart. “What has brought all this on, John? You sound sad.”

  “No, not sad. Not sad at all. I just feel so blessed that we have finally found our way to each other. I’m an incredibly happy man.” He enfolded her in his arms again, her head and soft hair smelling of flowers, fit perfectly in the hollow of his neck. He rubbed it with his cheek. “Shall I go find a plate so you can demonstrate how you can dance with it on your head?” he whispered next to her ear. Her felt her giggle.

  The music faded out and stopped. Some dancers walked back to the edge of the dance floor, while others stayed, holding hands as they waited for the music to continue. John placed his arm around Lily’s shoulder when someone behind them quite obviously cleared their throat. They turned to find Dustin, hat in hands.

  “Dustin. Hello,” John said. He tried to hide his surprise. Dustin had the shadow of a shiner on his eye.

  “John. Lily. Just wanted to offer my congratulations on your marriage since I

  didn’t get the chance the last time we spoke.”

  “Well, thank you, Dustin. It means a lot to hear you say that.” In that moment, an understanding passed between them. John saw the hurt in Dustin’s eyes, yet there was resignation and acceptance there, too. When Dustin offered his hand John grasped it quickly, in a firm hold, and a bond was sealed.

  “When did you get back?”

  “About an hour ago,” Dustin replied. “Decided I didn’t really want to miss the celebration. But, from what I hear, I already did.” His gaze strayed over to Lily, and he smiled warmly.

  John chuckled. “You’re not exaggerating. It’s been quite the day. One people will talk about for years to come, I’m sure.”

  “A hundred dollars for a box dinner?” Dustin exclaimed, shaking his head.

  John snorted. “Yeah. I’m sure it’s gonna be a while before Brandon will be able to swallow that with a smile.”

  “That is almost as much as the two of you had to pay in San Antonio, to the owner of that fine restaurant, if I am remembering correctly,” Lily said, a mischievous glint in her eyes.

  Dustin shook his head, then laughed. “Yeah, you’re right about that, Lily. That night hurt too, in more ways than one.”

  John rocked back on his heels. “Let’s not forget I had to spend my weddin’ night in jail,” he shot back, feeling his temper starting to warm. He inched forward. “That still rankles when I think about it, cousin.” He looked Dustin in the eye.

  Dustin laughed a bit too forcefully. “That pales in comparison to what you did, cousin, right under my very nose.”

  Lily stomped her foot and scooted in-between the two tall men, pushing them apart like a mouse between two hedge hogs. “There will be no fighting tonight! Do you hear? You two just made up. Let bygones be bygones.”

  She looked so small, John had to smile at the picture she made, one hand on each of their chests. No, he didn’t want to fight either. “I’m thirsty. Let’s go get some lemonade.”

  At a group around the drink stand, Cradle was talking with Martha and her sister Louise, and Tucker and Daisy were standing hand-in-hand. John made his way through, handing a cup to Lily, then Dustin, and taking one for himself.

  “Who’s the newcomer who bought Madeline’s dinner?” John asked, taking a sip. The tart juice made his cheeks pucker.

  “Don’t know. They’re still over at the picnic tables, eating. Ma and Pa are camped out a few tables away with Chaim and Emmeline, keeping an eye on them. I have to say it’s been awhile since I’ve seen them so excited over something.”

  John felt Lily’s attention wander as she looked down the street to her shop.

  “Did you want to check on Harriett?”

  He was rewarded for his astuteness with a grateful smile. “Yes. I was just thinking that. I can go and you stay and talk with Dustin.”

  “You two go,” Dustin quickly said. “We’ll catch up later.”

  John grasped his hand again. “Absolutely.”

  Walking away, John hugged Lily’s arm tightly to his chest. “Well, that was—”

  “Nice,” she finished for him. “I am so happy the two of you have come to an understanding.”

  “The three of us, you mean.”

  They were almost to the shop when Brandon walked up from between the buildings and met them. “Don’t you dare say a thing,” he said, warding off any teasing about his auction extravagance.

  “Okay, I won’t,” John laughed. “Where’s Charity?”

  “Putting some prizes in your office that I won for her at the fishing booth.”

  Lily glanced up. “You stay,” she said to John. “I will check on my aunt and be right back. You can watch me the whole way down the street.” When he tried to protest, she waved him off.

  Lily slipped the key in the front door lock and opened the door, tinkling the little bell above. She looked up at the four-leaf clover Dustin had given her on her opening day, acknowledging that it had indeed brought her luck. She now had utter happiness she would never take for granted, plus John, the most wonderful husband in the world.

  Turning, she stopped short at the silhouette of a man leaning against the wall in her dark kitchen. He lit a match, putting the small flame to the wick in her lantern until it glowed, and she was able to see his face, hard-lined and hawk-like. She didn’t recognize him.

  “How did you get in?” she asked breathlessly.

  “I have my ways.”

  “My aunt?”

  “She’s unhurt. Asleep.”

  Lily started to back up toward the door she’d just entered. If she dashed quickly, maybe she could get out before he pulled the gun strapped to his thigh.

  “I wouldn’t try that,” he said, stopping Lily in her tracks.

  John was so close, yet so far. She wondered if he’d hear her if she screamed. And what if he came barging in? Would this man shoot him in cold blood? “What do you want?”

  “I think you know, Miss Anthony. You didn’t just think everyone would forget about it, did you?”

  From three buildings down, John watched Charity close the door to his office, pause for a few moments as if listening to something, then stride over to him and Brandon. He smiled at her nonchalance, but knew she was waiting for the teasing words they both knew were coming. “How was your dinner?” he quipped.

  “Better than yours, I bet.” She threaded her arm through Brandon’s and he smiled down into her face with adoring eyes, the earlier incident all but forgotten.

  “Oh, brother,” John said, chuckling inwardly at the sight of the lovebirds. “I don’t think I’d be able to eat a bite after dropping that kind of money. My hat’s off to you, Charity.”

  Brandon picked up her hand and kissed the back of it. “It was worth every penny, John Jake. You just need to learn priorities.”

  Charity looked around. “What a
re we waiting for?”

  “Lily. She’s in the shop checking on Harriett.”

  “Who’s with her?”

  “No one. Why?”

  “I heard her talking to someone. A man.”

  John’s heart stopped. “You sure it wasn’t Harriett?”

  They all turned, and started for the shop. “No. Definitely not her aunt.”

  John had debated about wearing his gun today, but relived now that he had. He flipped back his coattail and lifted it once. Wearing his firearm was a habit he’d never been able to break, and he’d felt it especially well-advised tonight, considering all the newcomers to town. Lily hadn’t been happy about it, but he was glad for it now. He stopped and held up a hand. “We’ll go through the front since it’s probably still unlocked. I’ll go and you cover. I’m not waiting. Charity, you stay—”

  “Don’t even think about it.”

  Sneaking up to the door, John could hear Lily’s voice but not what was being said. Adrenaline thrummed through his veins. He turned the knob, relieved when it clicked open, then dove into the room, rolling and drawing his gun at the same time. The other man also drew, jumping behind the protection of the wall partition.

  “United States Marshall, throw down your weapon,” called out the man in a firm voice.

  Brandon was now in the shop too. “What’s your name?” he shot back.

  “Talence Smith, Boston.”

  A heartbeat passed in silence, then John asked, “Lily, you okay?”

  “Yes,” she replied from where she was pressed up against the wall.

  “I’m the sheriff from Y-Knot, Montana,” Brandon said, still not holstering his gun.

  “Then you’re Brandon Crawford,” the Marshall said. “Clarence Hockmeier sent me your way. I’ve been looking for you.”

  “Let’s all just come out into the open, nice and easy,” Brandon said.

  When the two lawmen stood eye to eye, Lily came over and slipped into John’s arms. Charity, who’d been waiting outside the door, came in too, and went about lighting several lamps until the room had more than enough light to reveal everyone’s faces.