A Fella for Frances

by Donna K. Weaver

  Luke heaved out a breath, glancing at Abe.

  “She has a point,” the sheriff said with a shrug.

  “You have the court ruling which acknowledges your right to sign for your sisters’ marriages,” Edgar said, “and now three marriage certificates. According to the dictates of the will as described by the sisters following the funeral and verified by Charles’ father when he viewed it in the court, your uncle’s duties as trustee are completed. It’s merely a matter now of receiving an account of any expenses and then transferring the funds.”

  “Whatever happened with the photographs your father was going to have taken?” Nick asked. “Shouldn’t Frances have gotten copies in the mail by now?”

  “There were complications getting permission to take the photographs,” Charles said, looking thoroughly disgusted. “William Lancaster has some powerful friends who don’t have any compunction about putting up roadblocks. If we’re ever able to prove the man has done anything illegal so far as the will goes, I’d like to implicate anyone who knowingly helped him.”

  “But did he have any photos taken?” Frances asked, feeling just as frustrated as her brother-in-law looked. “All I want is to compare the signatures.”

  “My father was able to get a photograph of the will’s signature page, but the county staff wasn’t able to find the deed to your family home.”

  “What does that mean?” Maude asked.

  “Only that my father was told the document had been misfiled. The transaction is still on record there, so the home is part of your inheritance.” Charles gave a disgusted snort. “I wouldn’t be surprised if someone was paid to misfile it. My father’s making a stink about it and threatening to talk to the newspaper about how poorly handled the county records office is. It’s an elected position, so the county recorder isn’t going to want the story going public.”

  “I want to remind you all of something I’ve mentioned before,” Edgar said, raising his hand. “You ladies still need to be prepared to find your fortune gone. Your uncle’s had access to the funds for almost a year now, and his actions over that time have been those of a desperate man.”

  “I didn’t marry Frances for her money.” Nick said the words with such sincerity that Frances had to resist shooting him a quick sidelong glance. Dang but he was a good actor, much better than she’d ever dreamed. Maybe he should audition for the community theater some folks were wanting to start.

  Charles and Marshall had also jumped in to disclaim any interest in their wives’ inheritances.

  “Well, I’m so glad to hear you didn’t marry my sisters for their fortunes,” Frances said dryly, “but maybe we Lancaster sisters do want what our father meant for us to have and worked his whole life to earn. William Lancaster is a snake, and I don’t want to let him get away with what he’s done to our family.”

  “I’d be interested to know what’s in that other envelope,” Marshall said, turning the attention to Luke. “You did say you’d received a couple of things.”

  “This was sent to Maude, care of me.” Luke pulled the envelope from his pocket. “I was simply going to turn it over to her, when I realized it’s from your father’s sister back in New York, and there’s something in the envelope. It feels like a key.” He handed it to Maude.

  “I thought father and Aunt Hortense weren’t speaking to each other.” Frances leaned forward, watching with interest as Maude opened the envelope and removed the contents.

  “I wanted to mend the breach between our families and wrote her about our marriages,” Doris said. “I’ll have to send her another letter about yours.”

  “Well, it is a key.” Maude handed the object to Charles before unfolding the letter. She read it aloud.

  Dear Maude, Doris, and Frances,

  Thank you so much for reaching out to me. I feared when I heard about Albert’s death last year that I would lose touch with the three of you completely.

  As I’m sure you’re aware, he and William did not approve of my marriage and severed all contact with me. Just prior to receiving news of your father’s passing I received a strange letter from him which I’m including. He was quite cryptic but said he would write more later. Unfortunately, he must have died before he was able to send that communication.

  As you will know when you read his short note, he asked that I hold this key in my possession until one of you had wed. Congratulations to you, Maude and Doris. I hope you have found men as wonderful as I did. Albert did not approve of my choice because Philippe’s family owns gaming houses. Regardless of his lower social status, he and everyone in his family are better people than William.

  We are moving to Paris in a few days, and I don’t wish to risk losing your father’s note. I hope you understand what the key is for.

  I’m including my new address should you wish to write to me. Please stay in touch.

  Love,

  Hortense Boivin

  While the others were passing the small key around, Frances wanted to see her father’s note.

  “Do you think your father signed his full name on his letter?” Nick asked, as though he could read her mind.

  “That’s what I’d like to know.” Frances called to her sister, “Are you going to read Father’s letter?”

  Maude lifted the single, folded page, her hands trembling a little. At the same time Charles put his arm around her shoulders to offer her support, Marshall did the same for Doris. Nick took Frances’s hand again.

  Dearest Tennie,

  I wish I’d written years ago, but I let William persuade me to break all ties. I have three beautiful daughters I wish you could have met. I’m sorry for the lost years.

  After all this time, I know it is presumptuous of me, but I need your help. Something is not right. Along with this note, I’m entrusting you with a key. Should something happen to me, you must keep it until one of my daughters has married. Then, and only then, should you send it to her. I doubt William will try to contact you, but it is of utmost importance that you not let him know you have the key.

  All my love,

  Your idiot brother, Albert

  “He didn’t sign his full name?” Frances asked, disappointed.

  Maude, tears streaming from her eyes, flipped the paper. She shook her head.

  “May I see it?” Edgar asked, reaching for the letter.

  Charles passed it to him.

  Rising and still holding Nick’s hand, Frances went over to the chair. She sat on the arm and stared at the earlier handwriting. He stood close, his clasp tightening.

  “It confirms Father was suspicious of William,” Frances said, pulling the attention of the others from their individual conversations.

  “He must not have expected William to try to marry you three girls to his cronies, though,” Abe said. “It’s a dang good thing the three of you decided to leave. Kind of makes me wonder if you girls would have met with foul play eventually too.” He shot Frances a meaningful look. “Especially those of you who don’t like to be told what to do.”

  She wished she could say he wouldn’t have succeeded, but the train trip to Wyoming last year had been an eye-opening experience for Frances. She hadn’t been as prepared to take care of herself as she’d thought. Things were different now, though. She’d learned a lot since working for her brother at the Lucky L Ranch and taking lessons from Mr. Ito.

  “It was because of Frances that we came to Luke,” Doris said, her eyes glistening.

  “Yes,” Maude agreed. “You would have made the trip by yourself even if we hadn’t joined you. And I’ve never thanked you for insisting. I’m sorry.”

  “Don’t you two go all sappy,” Frances growled, willing her eyes not to fill with tears herself. Ever since they’d come to Wyoming, she’d struggled with crying. It’d been even worse since Christmas when she’d blubbered like a baby on Luke’s shoulder just because he’d given her a piano. At least then it’d only been her brother and Nick who’d seen the terrible display.

  “A
be,” Nick asked, a furrow between his brows, “are you saying William Lancaster would have killed Frances if the girls hadn’t come here?”

  Everyone looked at the older man, and he shrugged.

  “It’s already looking like he poisoned his brother. I’ll bet he thought these two would be easier to control than Frances. No offense, ladies.”

  “And they surprised him.” Frances nodded at her sisters with pride.

  “About the key...” Edgar said, breaking into the conversation. He held it up. “It looks like it could be for a safe deposit box.”

  Frances shifted and stared at Nick who looked thoughtful.

  “Well, whatever William Lancaster’s trying to get hold of must be in that box,” Marshall said. “We have to go with Frances and Nick to find out what it is.”

  “Yes,” Maude and Doris said at the same time.

  Luke groaned. “I knew I should have invited Judith to this meeting.”

  “You don’t have to come, Luke,” Frances said. “We’ll understand.”

  “But I need to be there with you when you face him.”

  “Only for the damage he did to your herd,” Maude said. “If it’s going to cause problems between you and Judith, I think you should stay here.”

  “No,” Luke said emphatically. “Ten years ago, I let your father keep me away from my family. I won’t let William Lancaster do the same now. We’re in this together.”

  Frances surprised everybody by being the first to jump to her feet and throw her arms around her brother. Then her sisters joined, and the four of them clung to each other.

  “Well,” Luke said, his voice rough, “I need to have a talk with Judith before she hears about this from someone else. She’s not going to be happy.”

  “She might surprise you,” Marshall said. “I’ll telegraph my friend to arrange for a private car for our journey. How long did you girls take to travel here by train?”

  “Five days,” Doris said. “Considering Uncle William, I don’t believe we should bring Florence and Lydia.”

  Frances agreed. Marshall’s two young daughters from his first marriage would be disappointed in missing out on the trip, but it would be safer to leave them in Lilac City.

  “Will it be a problem if I’m gone for this and then Maude and I leave for our wedding trip in April?” Charles asked the sheriff.

  “Nothing big is planned around town, so don’t worry about it.” Abe grinned, his expression turning gleeful. “I kind of wish I could go along. I’d enjoy seeing this Lancaster fellow get his comeuppance.”

  “I, for one, have no wish to be in the vicinity when that happens,” Edgar said. “As I know far too well, William Lancaster has some unsavory connections. However, I shall put pressure on my friend to get us the results of the autopsy.”

  Everyone departed, leaving Frances and Nick alone in the parlor.

  “It seems everyone has assignments except us,” he said.

  “Well, we did just get married yesterday. They probably assume we’ll be preoccupied with other things.” Frances didn’t quite look at him but could tell his cheeks were flushing as bad as hers. “I want to go to town and get some pajamas like you have.” When Nick made a choking sound, she realized he’d been thinking she meant to go shirtless like he had. Chuckling, she did look at him then and slugged his arm. “And we’ll both need comfortable shirts to wear with them. Probably a matching flannel will do nicely. Let’s go hitch up the sleigh.”

  12

  As Nick sat beside Frances in the back of the sleigh on the way to the station and the special train car, he could hardly believe he’d been married a week. Preparations for the trip had kept them all extra busy. Marshall had been correct that Judith would insist both she and Luke should accompany his sisters.

  Nick had his arm around Frances’s shoulders, something he’d made a habit of doing whenever they were in the company of others. He thought she was getting used to the casual touching and often now initiated holding his hand. It was something he thought he could get used to but had to warn himself not to like it too much.

  The highlight for him was waking every morning with Frances in his arms. She was never apologetic, saying she couldn’t help being a cuddler when she slept, that she’d always been one. But she’d also been quite emphatic Nick was not to do the same. So far, he’d been able to respect her wishes. He could only hope the casual day touching didn’t become sleep touching she didn’t approve of. Would she be furious with him if she were to wake one morning, and it was Nick’s head resting on her shoulder?

  “Why does the car have that window on the top. See, it’s part of a raised section.” Frances leaned forward as they pulled into the station.

  “Leave it to Marshall to know someone who has an observation lounge,” Luke said, already searching the crowd. “That little section will also provide a small single bedroom for Judith.”

  “Where will you sleep?” Nick asked.

  “In the parlor area. The car is extra-long and has accommodations for servants.” Luke shrugged. “Those are the beds she and I will use.” He and Judith had discussed getting married just for the trip and then holding another ceremony for after her family arrived but had decided against it. Someone in town was bound to say something, and she worried her mother would be crushed.

  Marshall, Doris, and Judith appeared in one of the windows of the private car and motioned for them to enter.

  “Good luck,” Mr. McDaniel said. “This is going to be quite a trip it seems.”

  “I don’t know how Maude and Charles will bear riding in a regular car to San Francisco for their wedding trip,” Frances said as she stepped into the rich interior of the car.

  Nick came up behind her and scanned the room’s mahogany paneling and green velvet curtains. He appreciated the comfort but found it all a bit ostentatious.

  “Do you like this kind of fancy life?” he whispered.

  “Not the decorations, but I won’t mind the privacy.” She pointed to the comfortably arranged sofas and chairs in the small parlor area. Beyond it were two tables with a leather-covered booth on each side to seat the eight of them. “Does this thing have its own kitchen?”

  “It does,” Marshall said, “but we thought it would be more enjoyable to take our meals in the dining car.”

  “This way,” Doris said, waving at Frances, “I’ll show you to your room.”

  Beyond the parlor area and the stairs to the observation lounge was a long hallway which ran most of the length of the car. To the right were doors that opened into small bedrooms. Once again, the decor was tasteful and expensive. The built-in cabinets must be for their clothing, but there wasn’t a great deal of maneuverability in the room. It might be a little more difficult for them to give each other their privacy while dressing.

  The corner of Doris’s mouth twitched, her expression turning expectant. Nick realized she was waiting for something, though he had no idea what. Fortunately, Frances must have understood. She turned and seemed to melt into him, her arms sliding up behind his neck as she pulled him down for a kiss. Dang, but she was getting good at this.

  The door closed quietly behind them, but Frances didn’t break the kiss. Nick wrapped his arms around her and gave himself over to the sensation of holding her, tasting her. How did she not see how perfect they were together, how they were meant to do this for the rest of their lives?

  He wanted desperately to tell her how he felt and was still mentally debating if he should do it now, when Frances broke the kiss. She turned from him, her breathing as erratic as his.

  “This will be a little tight for changing,” she said as though they hadn’t just shared an earthshaking kiss. “I hope they have more than one bathroom. Let’s go check out the other rooms.”

  Frances didn’t wait for a response but brushed past him and opened the door—not once looking at him. Maude stood in the hallway with her hand raised as though to knock on their door.

  “Oh, good,” she said. “They’re
about to attach our car to the train, and I wanted to run to the hotel to buy some of their snacks before we leave. Marshall should know better than to assume we would only want to eat in the dining car for everything. Want to come?”

  “Yes.” Frances looked over her shoulder at him then, her cheeks still flushed. “Would you like to come?”

  “I think I’d like to watch them buckle this thing to the rest of the train.”

  “All right.”

  Nick expected his wife to just go with her sister, but Frances leaned over and gave him a quick peck on the cheek instead. Considering her response just prior to opening the door, he doubted she’d have done it if she hadn’t had an audience. It was all for show.

  He waited until he couldn’t hear their voices down the hallway before slowly making his way outside again. Things between them would be less confusing if they didn’t have to put on these public demonstrations of affection.

  And sometimes not so public.

  Nick had no doubt their easy and friendly camaraderie would continue even if they had to stay married for the two-year maximum. Their alone time was normal and natural. It was only when the others expected kissing that things got complicated. At least for him. He went to stand beside the three men.

  The workers had just finished connecting the cars, when Luke pointed to the hotel. The women were making their way across the snowy road carrying boxes. “It looks like our ladies have bought out the bakery.” He strode toward them, and the other men followed.

  Nick went along too, though he knew better than to offer to carry anything for Frances unless she offered it to him. Fortunately, she was carrying a pair of awkward-sized boxes and needed some help.

  “You can take this one, if you don’t mind.” She lifted her bundle, so he could take the top one.

  “Smells good,” he said.

  “It’s making me hungry.” She grinned and sped up to catch the others.

  It seemed she had regained her composure after having a little time away from him. Was that what it would be like when their marriage was annulled? Just a little time and she’d be able to go on without him? It was a depressing thought.