Hand her café’s control over to a stranger? Not likely. “That wouldn’t do. He’d have to sign an agreement that he wouldn’t claim any of my property. Would that work?”
Owen grinned and winked at her. “If I prepare the document, you can be sure it’ll stand up in any court.”
Hester poured the coffee. “Do you think this man would agree to a marriage of convenience?”
“I don’t know. I guess I’d better ask him. If he won’t, I’ll find someone who will. Go ahead and prepare that agreement.”
Hester smiled at each of them. “Glad that’s settled—or almost. This is exciting. So much is happening.”
Garnet did a double take. If she didn’t know better, she’d think the mayor was blushing. Hmm, perhaps she and Owen were serious about one another. Wouldn’t that be lovely?
Chapter Six
As soon as Garnet could do so politely, she thanked Hester and Owen and hurried home. She found Adam and the children at the kitchen table involved in a card game.
Before she thought, she snapped, “Gambling? You have the children playing cards now? Good heavens, Dessie’s parents would condemn me on that alone.”
Adam glanced up from the cards he held. “Those people aren’t here, we’re not gambling, and this game teaches the kids to count.”
Both her niece and nephew gaped at her.
She sat at the table, fighting to calm herself. “I apologize for being rude. I’ve . . . I’ve let that telegram upset me too much.”
Adam stared at Joey, who pondered a moment before laying down his cards. “I win.”
With a smile, Adam gathered the cards then looked at her. “What did you learn from the lawyer?”
“Just a moment.” She turned to her nephew. “Joey, would you put your sister to bed tonight? Don’t forget your prayers.”
“Aw, okay.” The boy took Hyacinth’s hand. “We’ll be praying Grandpa and Grandma don’t take us with them.”
She gave each child a hug and kiss. “Don’t worry, I have a plan to keep you both here with me. I need to talk to Adam but I’ll check on you when I come up in a little while.”
When she was certain the children were upstairs, she lowered her voice. “I need to talk to you about a . . . a complicated possibility that would involve your help.”
Adam raised his eyebrows. “Sounds intriguing. You have my full attention.”
“The lawyer pointed out that I’m not a blood relative like Dessie’s parents are. He thinks the only chance I have of keeping custody is if I’m married.”
Adam watched her with a shuttered expression.
She took a deep breath. Drat, she’d hoped he would volunteer. “Since you’re here anyway, we could enter a paper marriage and then you could get an annulment once the Millers had gone back to Wyoming.”
He leaned back in the chair, both hands gripping the table’s edge so tightly his knuckles were white. “Just like that, huh?”
She held up a hand to stay a protest. “Look, I know it’s a lot to ask. You understand how much the children mean to me and that they prefer to remain here. Their mother chose me, even if she didn’t get to finish the process. I’m sure it would only be for a little while and then you could go wherever you wish.”
“And what if I didn’t wish to go?” His voice was terse. “Have you considered that? What if I decided to stay her and continue the marriage?”
The idea left her dumbfounded. “Oh.”
Shaking her head, she waved that incredible question aside. “Well, I don’t think that’s likely. Our life is usually pretty dull considering what you’re used to.” She shrugged a shoulder. “But, you could remain in Wildcat Ridge if you wished.”
She didn’t care whether he went or stayed but certainly there would be an annulment. Surviving the Millers’ visit was why she needed his cooperation. “In any case, I’d need you to sign a document renouncing any claim on the café.”
A dangerous smile appeared. She couldn’t say why she thought it was both a smile and dangerous. Maybe because of the fire that snapped in his dark blue eyes and threatened peril. He must be a formidable person to cross and she’d insulted the bearded giant.
She leaned over and touched his arm. “Adam, please believe I meant no offense. I love these children. As tiring as running the place is alone, I even like the café. You must understand why I feel obligated to protect my livelihood and care for the children.”
She withdrew her hand, conscious of the warmth of his skin beneath the shirt. “I know you’re in the business of capturing wanted men and that you’d be losing money by taking out time for my plan. You’d have time to heal plus room and board, though. Um, I-I don’t really have much cash to spare, but I can give you a garnet brooch and bracelet.”
He’d leaned forward slightly but still sat staring at her.
She heaved a sigh. “Adam? Would you please say something?”
He eased back in the chair but his expression remained inscrutable. “So, just to recap, you want me to play your husband but without the marital rights. Then, when you dismiss me, I’d just ride off as if we’d never met. Is that right?” His voice carried a sting.
“You make me sound . . . um, cold and unfeeling. Surely you know very well I’m thinking of the children. Neither has recovered from losing their parents. In addition to being uprooted they’d have a horrible life with their Miller grandparents.”
She stretched out her hands toward him. “While their material needs might be met, they’d receive no nurturing or expressions of love.” She hated that her voice sounded whining and pleading.
Trying for a more professional tone, she said, “You’d have the jewelry to sell when you got to a city.”
“How do you plan to convince the Millers that we’re a couple? Aren’t they likely to spend their visit living here with you?”
She brushed a hand across her forehead, wishing she could as easily whisk away the pounding inside her head. “I haven’t thought ahead that far. Their wire sent me into a panic.”
Hope seeping into her heart, she looked at him. “Does your question mean you’re at least considering my proposal?”
“I’m considering all the facts.” He leaned forward and tapped the table. “Have you forgotten about Lawson?”
“Since you told me he’s out of prison I can’t stop thinking about him. As if he isn’t enough trouble, now I have the Millers to deal with.”
“Lawson isn’t going to leave you alone, you know, not until he’s captured or dead.”
“Do you think I don’t know that? As long as I can remember, he terrorized me whenever I saw him.”
“How am I going to keep my presence a secret if I’m married to you and parading around town? Have you forgotten I intend to bring Lawson and his two buddies to justice and collect the reward? That reward is my stake for my future.” He tapped the table with each question.
She assessed his appearance. He’d need new clothes and a haircut. Most of all, he needed a trip to the bath house. “Has Frank seen you without a beard?”
His eyes narrowed and his right hand stroked his whiskers. “Hey, I like this beard. Have it shaped just the way I want it.”
“I like it, too, but beards can grow back. You didn’t answer my question.”
Adam crossed his arms on his broad chest. “No, Lawson hasn’t seen me clean shaven.”
“If you shaved off the beard, he wouldn’t recognize you, would he? I’ll furnish you new clothes from the mercantile.”
He slapped the table with both hands. “I can see how this is going.” He muttered a curse word under his breath. “I might as well give in and agree with your plan.”
Garnet leaped up. She caught herself before she hugged him. “Oh, thank you, thank you, thank you. You’re doing a wonderful thing, Adam.”
With an air of defeat, Adam conceded, “Guess I owe you this much. You rescued me when I was weak and badly injured. Must have been a scary sight when I came to your door.”
He held up his hand. “But, I reserve the right to have my say in what goes on here. I’m not willing to be a puppet with you pulling the strings.”
Oh, dear, what sort of say would he want? Her life was getting more and more complicated. But, then so was Adam’s.
“I don’t expect you to be a puppet. Having you here has helped me a great deal. Knowing you were down here at night gave me peace of mind so I could sleep. I can’t explain why, but I feel this arrangement will work.”
Chapter Seven
Lying on the storeroom cot later, Adam couldn’t believe he’d agreed to Garnet’s crazy plan. Her pleading had torn at his insides. In the few days he’d been here he’d developed admiration for her and fondness for the children.
He understood her panic at the thought of losing Joey and Hyacinth. The prospect would be worse so soon after losing her husband, his kin, and countless friends. And, in Adam’s opinion, the children didn’t need to be distressed by removing them from their home. They obviously adored Garnet.
In spite of that, he couldn’t forget about Lawson and his friends. By now, there might be more than two with the killer. Adam still hadn’t discovered why Lawson had come here. Was stealing Garnet’s gems the only motive?
He should have told her he didn’t intend to accept her brooch and bracelet. No, let her think she was hiring him. Better that way than her knowing he couldn’t resist the entreaty in her deep blue eyes.
When she came downstairs the next morning, she stopped short. “Y-You shaved.”
He rubbed his fingers over his jaw. Felt strange. “Guess your husband shaved down here. Found a razor on the shelf under a small mirror in the storeroom.”
“Because of the hot water in the range reservoirs, he found shaving in the storeroom easier than upstairs.” She tilted her head and assessed him. “You look very different.”
“I hope so. I’d hate to have lost my beard for nothing.”
“I’m going to the store for your clothes as soon as the breakfast crowd is over. You’ll need to tell me your sizes and what style clothing you prefer.”
“Style?” He shrugged. “Pick out what you want. This is your show.”
She blinked, appearing wounded by his remark. This was why he was still single at twenty-eight. He never knew what to say around a woman.
“Mrs. Chandler . . . Garnet, I trust you to pick out what’s appropriate.”
She took a deep breath and tied her apron strings. “Thank you, Adam. Now I’d better get breakfast for the children.”
“Have you thought what you’re going to tell them? Whatever you say has to sound convincing when repeated to their grandparents.”
Her answer was interrupted by the two children clomping down the stairs.
Joey reached the kitchen first. “Adam, you shaved your beard. You sure look different.”
“You think I’ll pass this way?”
“Sure but you look like a different person.”
He scooped up Hyacinth. “What do you think, Princess Hyacinth?”
She put a hand on each side of his face. “Now you’re not a bear.”
“Why did you think I was a bear?” He growled and tickled her stomach.
She giggled. “When you first came, you looked like a bear.”
He set her in her chair at the table. “I guess I did, with all that mud on me. Remember, that’s a secret and you can’t tell anyone how I came here.”
She crossed her heart. “We remember. If someone asks, we just say it’s comp… complicated and they should ask you or Garnet. What will you tell people?”
“Don’t worry about that, dear.” Garnet set a bowl of oatmeal at each place. “Eat your breakfast. No school today so you can help Adam and me or play games inside.”
“Maybe Tessa will come play with us.”
“That would be nice, wouldn’t it? If I see her mother I’ll tell her to send over Tessa. Perhaps some of the McNair children might come, too. We’ll see.”
Adam quickly finished his breakfast and resumed helping Garnet prepare for customers. He was amazed she had as much business as she did. Most town residents were struggling to make ends meet.
Her prices were low and the food exceptional. In addition, there was the social aspect of seeing neighbors and chatting. Business included the stage drivers and passengers as well. He predicted the café would always be profitable.
***
During the slight lull between breakfast and lunch, Garnet made a quick trip to Tweedie’s store. She chose three changes of clothing, a new coat, and new boots. George Tweedie frowned when he totaled her purchases and added them to her bill, but didn’t question her. He was too busy with other customers today.
When she returned to the café, she removed the hand-lettered sign announcing “Back in a few minutes” and unlocked the door. A bell overhead would let her know when a customer entered so she went into the kitchen.
Adam unpacked her purchases. “I have boots, why did you get another pair?”
“You said one of the men who robbed you wanted yours. They’re quite distinctive so I figured if he saw them, they would give away your identity.”
Admiration was in his expression. “Good thinking. I’ve caught men with only that much of a clue. Glad you aren’t taking up being a bounty hunter.”
She smiled at him, pleased he appreciated her effort. “Do you have another occupation I can use when I introduce you to people? Announcing you as a bounty hunter would be sure to get to Frank.”
“I have a ranch in Colorado. My brother owns the adjoining spread and is managing mine for me.”
“That sounds nice and respectable. Eunice and Harold Miller should find that suitable. Joey, Hyacinth, did you understand what Adam said? He has a ranch in Colorado.”
Joey looked up. “You have horses and cows?”
Adam nodded. “I do, but my brother takes care of them for me and we split the profits if there are any.”
Hyacinth came to tug on Adam’s sleeve. “Would you get me a pony?”
He chuckled. “Sorry, Princess Hyacinth, I don’t happen to have one handy.”
Further conversation was prevented by the lunch customers. Adam’s help made so much difference. She dreaded thinking of the time he’d leave. Perhaps by then she could hire someone part-time.
What would she do if the Millers insisted on staying with her? She and Adam would have to share the same bedroom. My goodness, how would that work?
She could sleep on a pallet on the floor and he could have the bed. Except, he was gentlemanly and probably would insist he sleep on the floor. She was borrowing trouble. When the time came, they’d work out that solution.
When they were finished for the day, she joined Adam and the children in a game of cards. She was proud of Joey and Hyacinth for being able to count and match the cards so well. Later, after she’d put the children to bed with a chapter from Aunt Louisa’s Oft Told Tales, she returned to the kitchen.
Chapter Eight
Adam looked up from the kitchen table, where he sat reading the volume of Tom Sawyer she’d loaned him. “Ah, good, I hoped you’d come back down so we could talk.”
“Yes, we need to discuss arrangements and get our stories straight.” She sat across from him. “I dislike lying, but I see no way around it.”
“Stick to the truth as much as possible. Now, tell me about yourself. What brought you and your husband here?”
“He came with his first wife and they set up this café with money inherited from her family. She and her baby died in childbirth.”
She took a deep breath and met his gaze. “I came as a mail-order bride from Georgia. When my parents died they left only debts. By the time those were paid, I had no money and nowhere to go. I was living with my grandmother when I answered Mike’s request from a matchmaker. He asked for a wife who was a good cook and would help him with the café.”
Adam was incredulous that such a beautiful woman didn’t have a long line of beaus. “I’m surp
rised you didn’t have numerous suitors.”
“You must not be from the South. Most of the good men died in the war or went West. The second crop is younger than me, but many of them left too. Frank is an example of those single men left in our village.”
He didn’t want to even contemplate her with a man like Lawson. “In that case, I’m not surprised you chose to leave. How long had you been married?”
“Only nine months. At least I had enough time to learn how to run the café. I don’t mean to sound unfeeling. Mike tried to be a good husband, but he wasn’t very practical. I gather his first wife was even more fanciful. That’s why we have glass chandeliers in the dining room and such nice dishes.”
His picture of her husband wasn’t very flattering. “Very contradictory to mining town clientele and I did wonder. Tell me about growing up.”
“I had a lovely early childhood. We lived in a small town near Savannah. My parents were loving and kind. Before the war, Papa’s family had been quite wealthy. Before I was born, of course. He still dreamed of rebuilding his fortune.”
She sighed at the memories. “Unfortunately, all he acquired after he’d paid the carpetbaggers’ fees were debts.”
Adam had heard about the stiff taxes levied on Southerners. “I grew up in Colorado near Telluride. Cold in winter but there’s good grass there. Still, don’t know whether or not if I’ll go back.”
“But, isn’t it family land? I’d think you wanted to hold on to it because of that.”
He couldn’t explain how complicated his decision was. “My brother—his name is Benjamin—wants to buy my share. He inherited the homestead so my part doesn’t have a house on it. When I’m there I stay with him and his wife, Angela.”
“Do they have children?”
He smiled recalling his brother’s children. “Joey and Hyacinth remind me of my niece and nephew named Bennie and Beth. They’re about the same age and there’s also little Bart who’s four. Beth looks like Angela with dark hair and brown eyes. Bennie and Bart look like my brother.”
He tugged at his cuffs. Garnet had laundered his muddy things but he alternated them with those she’d bought him. “That reminds me that I need a bath in the worst way. I’ve tried washing but it’s not the same. Is there a bath house here?”
Garnet Page 4
