Garnet

by Caroline Clemmons

  Eunice shook her head. “No, we want to see just how the children have been spending their time.”

  Joey looked at Adam. “Can we play cards?”

  Garnet froze. A poor choice.

  Adam put his hand at her waist. “If Garnet approves.”

  “Of course.” She sat beside her niece. “The children have been learning to match numbers and shapes and count using cards in a simple game.”

  Clearly from their facial expressions, Eunice and Harold were outraged, but they were silent. Garnet figured they were logging instances to prove her unfit. Well, she had to be honest about how she was raising Joey and Hyacinth.

  Adam shuffled the deck. “You’ll join us, won’t you, Harold, Eunice?”

  Harold frowned and crossed his arms. “We don’t hold with playing cards, young man. We’ll watch.”

  Adam dealt. The game lasted far longer than it would have with all adults playing.

  Joey laid down his last card. “I win.”

  Hyacinth put down her cards. “I like checkers more because I win sometimes.”

  Joey smiled at his sister. “Okay, next time we can play checkers.”

  Hyacinth clapped and spoke to the doll she’d left on the table. “Yay, did you hear that Molly?”

  Garnet pushed the cards toward Adam. She lighted another lamp and handed it to Joey. “Time for bed, children. I’ll be up in just a moment to tuck you in and read a story.”

  Joey hopped up and then carried the lamp carefully. “Will we finish Robinson Crusoe?”

  “We’ll see. Don’t forget to wash your face and hands.” She turned to her unwanted guests. “Shall we all go up?”

  Eunice struggled to her feet. “I am awfully tired. I won’t mind turning in early.”

  “Joey will sleep on the couch. Hyacinth is a kicker and he wouldn’t get much sleep sharing with her.”

  Eunice appeared surprised. “Oh, Dessie was a kicker, too. I couldn’t keep her covered.”

  “Hyacinth stays covered but kicks under the cover. After the disaster, she slept with me sometimes. I’m sure I had bruises.”

  “What about Joey?”

  Garnet chuckled. “He asked me to sleep in the middle so she wouldn’t kick him. I didn’t mind. We were all so lost it was comforting to be together.”

  Eunice grew misty-eyed. “I still can’t believe our baby is gone. Life just isn’t fair.”

  Garnet couldn’t help feeling sympathy for the woman even though she didn’t like her. Losing a child would be horrific. “No, it isn’t but we’re doing the best we can to recover.”

  She thought she should change the subject. “You saw where the bathing room is. Do you need anything else?”

  Adam said, “I put a pitcher of water and a glass in your room in case you’re thirsty during the night or have medicine to take.” To Garnet, he said, “I’ll make up Joey’s bed while you hear their prayers and read to them.”

  Later in hers and Adam’s room, Garnet crawled into bed and heaved a huge sigh of relief. “So far, I haven’t lost my temper and yelled at the grandparents. You’ve been so much help, Adam. I don’t know what I would have done without you.”

  “You don’t need to wonder because I’m here and at your service.” He gave a deep bow before lowering the lamp and then stripping before he joined her.

  Without anyone knocking, the door opened and Eunice stuck her head in. Light from the lantern she held spilled through the open doorway and highlighted Adam’s bare chest.

  She gasped. “Oh, I beg your pardon.”

  Adam sat up. “May I help you, Eunice?”

  “I was looking for the bathing room but I must have gotten turned around.”

  Joey called, “I’ll show you, Grandma.”

  She backed up and closed the door.

  Adam whispered, “You buy that?”

  “She’s been here too long to get lost. Obviously, she was checking to see if we’re sharing a bed.”

  “And, we are. She doesn’t need to know more than that.”

  Joey’s voice carried from the parlor next door. “Grandma, you should never open the bedroom door of married people. Mama said you knock and wait to be invited inside. They might be having a private husband and wife discussion.”

  Eunice snapped, “I said I got turned around.”

  Garnet clapped her hands over her mouth to stifle her giggles. Beside her Adam shook with silent laughter.

  When they’d composed themselves, Adam said, “What a great boy.”

  Chapter Thirteen

  The next day, Thursday, time crawled for Garnet. She wondered what Eunice and Harold were up to but was too busy to keep tabs on them. Not that she had anything to hide—at least not something they could discover—she simply didn’t like snoops.

  That evening, Harold looked at Joey and Hyacinth. “We’ll be taking the children home with us on the Saturday stage.”

  Garnet stiffened. Hyacinth started crying so Garnet pulled her niece into her lap.

  Joey appeared frightened. “We want to stay here, Grandpa. We want to live with Garnet and Adam.”

  Garnet looked from Eunice to Harold. “The children will remain here with me. Dessie chose me to look after them in the event of her death. Your objection was that I’m single, but you can see I’m now married.”

  Eunice sniffed. “Barely, and you should still be in mourning. I’ll bet you only married to try and keep the children.”

  Adam stared at Eunice. “For your information, Eunice, the minute I saw Garnet I knew she was the one for me. You can see how attractive she is. Even better is that she’s kind and compassionate and caring. How could I not ask her to marry me?”

  “Then, who sleeps on the little bed in the storeroom?”

  Joey stood. “That’s where Tessa sleeps.”

  Eunice frowned. “Who is Tessa?”

  Hyacinth clapped her hands. “She’s my friend even though she’s little. She has to take naps.”

  Garnet smoothed hair from the little girl’s face. “Eleanora is one of the widows who’s just remarried and Tessa is her daughter. I look after the child at times, especially before her mother remarried. She’s a sweet little girl.”

  Harold slapped a hand on the table. “That has nothing to do with this situation. Dessie was our daughter and we intend to raise her children.”

  Garnet set her niece on the girl’s feet. “Joey, you and Hyacinth go upstairs and play while I speak with your grandparents.”

  Sobbing, Hyacinth clung to Garnet. “Don’t make me go with them. I wanta stay with you.”

  Garnet whispered to her niece, “Remember what I told you earlier, you and Joey are staying here with me.” Aloud, she said, “Go upstairs with Joey.”

  Her nephew took a still sniffling Hyacinth by the hand. His eyes were sad when he looked over his shoulder at the adults. “Come on, sister. We can play in your room.”

  Her poor children were so frightened. So was she. She prayed hard that she could keep the children. Probably Eunice and Harold prayed they could.

  When the children had climbed the stairs, Garnet turned to Eunice and Harold. “Dessie left me written instructions to raise Joey and Hyacinth. She also made me verbally promise several times that if anything happened to her then I would raise her children.”

  Eunice looked askance. “Why, that’s ridiculous. You only knew her a few months. We’re blood kin.”

  “Dessie and I bonded instantly and were like sisters. She spoke often of growing up and said that was not how she wanted her children raised.”

  Eunice shook her head. “I find that hard to believe. She’s not here to speak for herself so you could say anything.”

  Harold pointed at her. “If you have written permission from our daughter, let’s see it.”

  Garnet rose and opened a drawer and took out a sheet of paper. “This is a copy I made before I gave our lawyer the original.”

  Eunice snatched it from her hand and she and Harold put their heads together to
read what amounted to a will.

  To Whom It May Concern:

  I, Dessie Chandler, am the mother of Josiah Chandler, Jr. and Hyacinth Chandler. If I die before they’re grown, I want Garnet Chandler to raise my children. She understands how I want them brought up and the values I find important. The children already love her and she loves them.

  Signed by my hand,

  Dessie Miller Chandler January 15, 1884

  Eunice laid the paper on the table. “I don’t believe she wrote this. You’re making it up to steal our grandchildren.”

  Garnet’s heart pounded. “You can speak to the lawyer tomorrow.”

  Harold harrumphed. “Some crooked backwoods lawyer won’t make a bit of difference to my opinion.”

  “He’s not just a lawyer. He’s also a Judge of the Supreme Court of Utah Territory. His name is Cornelius Owen Vaile but he doesn’t use Cornelius.”

  Both Millers appeared as if cold water had been thrown on them. Eunice opened her mouth but spoke no words.

  Harold didn’t give up easily. “You better believe we’ll speak to him. Where’s his office?”

  “He’s using the mayor’s office for now. I’ll show you in the morning, but I won’t be able to go with you.”

  Harold sent her a belligerent glare. “We’d just as soon go on our own. Don’t need you prompting the lawyer.”

  Adam spread his hands. “Look, I know losing your daughter was terrible and something no parent should ever have to face. Garnet still grieves for her as if they really were sisters. But, think about the children. They’ve lost their parents, their uncle, plus friends. Garnet is their one link to security. Moving them now would only deliver another blow.”

  Harold crossed his arms. “Maybe so but they’ll get over it. They need to be with kin.”

  Eunice stood. “This is so upsetting. I need to lie down, Harold. Let’s go up to bed.”

  For Garnet, the next few days felt as if she walked barefoot on glass shards. Adam helped immensely but she sensed him growing restless. That escalated her anxiety.

  What would she do if he left to chase Frank? How could she explain that to the Millers? What if Frank returned to the café?

  After talking with Owen, the Millers postponed their departure. When they’d been there a week, she couldn’t stand the strain any longer. That night after they’d gone to bed, she shared her fear.

  “Adam, I know you’re eager to capture Frank. Please, don’t leave while the Millers are here.”

  He turned and laid his arm over her, nestling his face in her hair. “I intend to catch Lawson but don’t want you to worry. Cordelia and Aubrey believe they spotted him coming out of the mercantile but he rode off before they could follow him.”

  “I hope he doesn’t come back to the café.”

  “Remember, whatever happens, I’m not running out on you. Now relax, surely the Millers will leave soon.”

  With his arm across her, she drifted into sleep.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Several days later at noon, Garnet was surprised to see Mortimer Crane and two of his cronies enter the Crystal Café. Saturday lunch was always busy. At least today Eunice was trying to help serve customers.

  Joey and Hyacinth also helped. Harold sat in a corner and read a newspaper. Why couldn’t he do that upstairs or in the kitchen and free up one of the dining room tables?

  Eunice carried a coffee pot and went around refilling cups. Joey carried a pitcher of water for those who chose that to drink. Crane gestured wildly as he spoke in a loud voice with his friends.

  Eunice barely stepped out of the way in time to prevent dousing the man with hot coffee. Joey wasn’t so lucky. Crane knocked Joey’s arm and sent the water pitcher into the man’s lap.

  Joey’s eyes rounded and he picked up the pitcher. “Gosh, I’m sorry, Mr. Crane.”

  The two men with Crane reacted by shoveling in food as fast as they could.

  Spewing curses at Joey, Crane leaped to his feet. “You careless brat, look at me, I’m drenched.” He looked at Garnet. “Well, aren’t you going to whip the boy?”

  She advanced on the group and handed a towel to Crane. “You were swinging your arm around as you talked. It was as much your fault as anyone’s.”

  From the kitchen, Adam heard the disturbance and strode into the dining room. “You can’t use that kind of language in a family establishment.”

  Crane pointed at the boy. “That useless, idiotic brat poured water on me.” He let loose another string of curses. “Boy deserves to have his rear blistered.”

  Joey was in tears. Hyacinth hid behind Garnet’s skirts.

  Adam put his hand on Joey’s shoulder. “Joey is neither useless nor a brat. He’s the finest young man you’ll ever meet. This boy is worth at least ten of you and your kind.”

  Crane responded by cursing at Adam.

  Adam stepped in front of Joey. “Get out, Crane. We don’t need your business.”

  Crane was almost a foot shorter than Adam, but he puffed up like the dandy he was. “Do you know who I am? I’m Mortimer Crane and I own this town.”

  Adam leaned into the man’s face. “You don’t own this café. If you can’t speak respectfully in front of women and children then you need to stick to your bordello and saloons. Leave now or I’ll throw you out.”

  Crane gestured to his two companions to follow. “I’m leaving but you’ll regret this.”

  One of the men stood but shoved a last bite in his mouth before following his boss and his coworker.

  When they’d gone, Adam looked at the others in the room. “Folks, I apologize for the disturbance.”

  Those dining applauded him. Garnet beamed at him.

  Harold put down the newspaper he’d been reading and stood. “I’ll get the mop.” He disappeared into the kitchen.

  Joey wiped his eyes on his sleeve. “Thanks, Adam. Do you really think I’m a fine boy?”

  “You better believe it. You’re the best boy I’ve ever met. And Princess Hyacinth is the best girl. Aren’t I lucky to know both of you?”

  Joey hugged Adam. “I love you.”

  Adam was poleaxed by Joey’s declaration. What should he say? His eyes met Garnet’s tear-filled gaze.

  He lifted the boy into his arms. “Why don’t you help me in the kitchen for a while? I could sure use a good helper like you.”

  Hyacinth ran after them. “I’ll help, too.”

  What was he going to do about his almost-family? These three had become too important to him. He dreaded his coming encounter. What if Lawson won again?

  Garnet and the children were only now beginning to work through their grief. Even though he’d been here a short while, he’d sunk roots. Roots that went far deeper than he would have believed possible in this length of time.

  He had to make sure he came out ahead of Lawson this time.

  After they were in bed that night, Garnet turned toward him. “Thank you so much for defending Joey. He’d decided you don’t like him as much as you do Hyacinth because you call her princess but don’t call him prince.”

  He leaned on his elbow. “You should have told me sooner. What did you tell him?”

  “I said it’s because he was older and didn’t need to be coddled like a little girl.”

  “Poor little boy. I meant what I said. He’s a fine young man. He’ll be a responsible adult.”

  Garnet appeared to mull over something. “I told Joey and Hyacinth not to argue with their grandparents, that you and I will handle making sure they stay here.”

  “Apparently they’ve done as you requested. You should lecture me—I’ve had trouble not challenging the Millers myself.”

  She said, “Pffft, so have I. Many times I’ve almost told them to move to the Ridge Hotel next door. The only reason I haven’t is I feel sorry for their having lost their only daughter. They have two sons who were several years older than Dessie, each of whom is married with children. Losing Dessie must be horrible for them.”

 
In a few seconds, she braved a subject which had puzzled her. “Adam, I’ve wondered why you don’t want to go back to your place in Colorado. Did you and your brother have a falling out?”

  “Not exactly, but I doubt I’ll ever live there. He and Angela kept trying to match me with her sister. Angela is nice enough even though I wouldn’t enjoy being partnered with her. Her sister, though, is a shrew you couldn’t pay me enough to marry.”

  “Not even garnets?”

  He chuckled. “Not even her weight in diamonds. Every time I go there, they’re at me to court her. The sister flirts and tries to get me in a compromising situation so I’ll be obligated to marry her. I finally told her that no matter how she plots I won’t marry her. I could visualize her making up something, though. So, I stay away.”

  “No wonder. Eventually, the sister will marry someone else and it’ll be safe to go home.” She was hopeful he would stay in Wildcat Ridge but she didn’t tell him.

  “That’s not really where I think of as home any longer. I might as well tell Ben he can buy my half of the ranch. Are you shivering?”

  She pulled the cover up to her chin. “I’m getting warm now. I wish we had a fireplace or stove in here. Hyacinth’s room gets heat from the range below. Joey’s is protected by the building next door. Since this one is on the building’s corner, it’s like an iceberg. Oh, well, I’m lucky to have the café and the living quarters up here. This room gets a nice breeze in summer. Goodnight, Adam.”

  “Goodnight, Mrs. Bennett.”

  Next to her, Adam congratulated himself on his control. Calling her by her married name was a deliberate attempt to remind her they were wed. He had wanted to suggest they could both get warm by snuggling. That would have been a bad idea as he would have been sure to get too friendly.

  She seemed unaware of how attractive she was. Surely people had told her she was beautiful. If so, she hadn’t taken it to heart.

  He wondered about Garnet’s first husband. Somehow, Adam doubted the man had given her the attention she deserved. Mostly, it seemed she was a work horse and bed companion. In spite of that, she retained an air of innocence as well as determination.