by Joyce Armor
“I have just the boots, too,” Nellie exclaimed when they could not do any more damage to the dress.
She walked to the back room and came out with black button-up boots with fairly high heels. Libby tried them on and wobbled until she got used to them. They were a little big, so the women stuffed cotton in the toes. Libby took the shoes off, replaced them in the box and stood up and hugged Nellie.
“You are such a dear friend.”
“This has been the best day so far,” the dressmaker replied.
She boxed up the dress and they sat again to munch on tea cookies. They talked about the town and its occupied before the subject returned to Cindy Lou again.
“I know she has been horrible and vicious, but I somehow feel sorry for her,” Libby said.
“She tried to kill you. Three times, if you count the burr.”
“I know, I know. Her motivation, though, was love, or at least her sick version of love. I just don’t know that prison will help her.”
“No, but it could help you stay alive and healthy.”
Libby took a bite of her cookie and chewed it thoughtfully. “I was thinking about your cousin, the earl.”
* * *
When Clem came for her, Libby told him she needed to send a cable, so he waited while she hurried to the telegraph office next to the mercantile. Once that was accomplished, they headed back to the ranch, chatting amiably during the journey about Clem’s purchases and her visit with Nellie. Clem was relieved to see the young woman so cheerful. When she was down, it seemed as if the whole ranch was under a big, black cloud. Now if Garrett would only stop being so morose and surly.
Back at the ranch, Clem helped Libby down from the buckboard and she retrieved her packages from the bed. She smiled brightly and thanked him, and he clucked the horses, urging them toward the barn. Libby watched for a minute and then turned toward the ranch house. Once she had deposited her packages in her bedroom, she made her way down to the kitchen, where Carmen was preparing the noonday meal. Libby lifted a lid and took in the aroma of chili.
“Mmm,” she smiled.
Carmen slapped her hand lightly. “It needs another hour. No cheating, querida.”
Libby set the lid down carefully. “Carmen, I need a favor.”
Carmen eyed her thoughtfully.
“I need you to make sure that Garrett comes to the table for supper tonight.”
Carmen noticed the sparkle in her eyes and could not have been more pleased. The señora was finally going to fight back. Dios mío. It was about time. “He will be there if I have to drag him into the house,” Carmen said and Libby impulsively threw herself in her arms.
“Thank you. Make sure Hector is there also. I don’t think he would want to miss this. And Carmen, do you think you would have time to help me with my hair? I have something special in mind. I can come down earlier and help you with dinner.”
“That will not be a problem, señora. I will cook a stew that will simmer for hours and make the biscuits and cobbler this afternoon. I will see you in your room at 5 o’clock.”
Libby thanked her and left, nearly skipping back to her bedroom. Well, her and Garrett’s bedroom, in theory at least. She had an hour to kill before the noontime meal and would have liked to take a walk or a ride but did not want to run into Garrett before suppertime. He had not eaten in the big house for days, unless he had breakfast before she got up. He was sleeping in the bunkhouse, she assumed, not even caring, apparently, what anyone else thought about their marriage. Or lack thereof.
She laid down on the bed, thinking about all they had been through. Their first abrasive meeting, the trip to town with the bucking horse, the picnic on the knoll and the first kiss. And all the attacks and problems with her stepfather and Edward DeJulius. And Cindy Lou. She couldn’t help but chuckle. She and Garrett had been through so much in so short a time, and she would not let him go. Lord, was she turning into Cindy Lou? She had to laugh at that.
She would not let Garrett drive her away, either. It was up to her to save him from himself, she decided. She realized how arrogant that sounded even as she had the thought. If she had to camp out on the porch of that new house on the knoll because he would not let her in, though, she would do it. She was Lionhearted Libby.
* * *
It was nearly 5 o’clock when Garrett finally showed up. He dismounted outside the barn and led his horse inside. By the time he had removed the saddle and bridle, Carmen appeared at his side. “I hope you had a productive day, señor.”
“Tolerable,” he said as he retrieved a brush from a shelf and began brushing down the gelding. Carmen was up to something, and he wasn’t going to make it easy for her.
“You need to come to supper tonight.”
When he turned to look at her, she had that stubborn look on her face.
“I have things…”
She interrupted him. “We all have things, señor Garrett. We are celebrating señor Jackson’s birthday tonight, and you will be there.”
The horse turned to look at Garrett, and he started brushing again while Carmen stood there boring a hole in his back with her eyes. Suddenly he stopped brushing and turned around.
“Jackson’s birthday isn’t until next week.”
Carmen had an inner moment of panic, then smiled. “Jes. He may have to be in Bozeman next week, so we are celebrating tonight.”
She started to go, but stopped and turned around. “Clem said the señora sent a telegram this afternoon. I wonder what that was all about.”
In spite of himself, Garrett’s heart sank. It had to be Libby making arrangement to leave. He tried to keep a nonchalant look on his face. Carmen had seen his moment of panic, however. She smiled almost gleefully.
I will see you at supper.”
With that, she turned around and marched out of the barn. He watched her go, shaking his head. This supper could be the last time he saw his wife until she left. He smiled grimly. The last supper. Then he went back to brushing the horse.
* * *
“Come in!” Libby called and Carmen opened her bedroom door and walked in.
“Ay, chihuahua!” she called out and then began laughing so hard, tears streamed down her cheeks.
Libby stood near her dressing table in all her red feathered glory. “Garrett told me he still has feelings for Cindy Lou. It took me awhile to figure out he just said it so I would be hurt or mad and leave. If he’s so attracted to Cindy Lou, I thought I’d give him more of what he wants.”
Carmen closed the door, wiping her tears on her apron as she returned to Libby’s side. “You must never leave, señora. I would miss you too much. You are the best thing that has ever happened here.”
Libby batted one of the red feathers on her shoulder. “It was tickling my nose.”
Carmen stood back to get a better look at the dress.
“Can you finish buttoning this?”
The older woman did and then stepped back to get a good look. “That is…that is the most awful gown I have ever seen.”
The young woman smiled brightly. “Thank you.”
Carmen laughed.
“Do you think you could help me put my hair up in one of those puffy curly-do things Cindy Lou does?”
“Do not make me cry again,” Carmen laughed. “I will make you that puta’s twin.”
Forty minutes later, when Carmen was finished, Libby was a smaller but just as gaudy and inappropriate version of Cindy Lou. They had found some lampblack left years ago by a traveling troop to use as eye shadow and also some rouge. Carmen even pulled down the neckline of the dress to make it even more revealing. Although Libby should have felt ashamed of her appearance, she felt justified. It was a means to an end. And a tiny, teensy little part of her liked looking all sexy and shiny and showy.
“I will ring the supper bell at five minutes to six. You come down at five minutes after. Everyone should be at the table by then.”
Libby got up and hugged her friend gingerly, careful
not to get any makeup on her or dislodge her fancy hairdo. “I could not have done this without you. Thank you, Carmen.”
Carmen took one last look at her, stifling a laugh, and walked out, closing the door behind her. Libby felt slightly apprehensive, though not overly so. Mostly she felt almost happy. Excited even. And somehow powerful. If she was going down, by God, she was going down fighting. She adjusted the dress a little bit and realized for the second time that her breasts seemed tender. And she had been so tired lately. Weren’t those two of the signs of…could she be…? She did not feel any nausea, though not every woman did, she had heard. When were her last courses? She thought about it and realized it had been well over a month. Well, if she was carrying Garrett’s child, it did not really change anything, did it? Because I. Am. Not. Leaving.
She heard the supper bell and crossed to the window, being careful to step to the side so no one would see her. Hector, Jody, Joss and Clem all headed for the ranch house. Where was Garrett? She watched for a couple of minutes and was just about to give up when she saw him walk out of barn, drying his hands on a towel. Even at this distance he looked so rugged and handsome. She felt like she could almost see his muscular thighs through his dungarees and his…his…well, all his better parts. She stepped back from the window. Okay, maybe she was a little more apprehensive than she thought. Buck up, Lionhearted Libby. Garrett deserves this for all he’s put you through.
She crossed to the dressing table and picked up the timepiece Carmen had left her. Five minutes.
* * *
They were all seated around the table as Carmen brought in the last dish, a plate of golden biscuits, and sat.
“Where’s Libby?” Jackson asked.
Garrett thought he saw a sparkle in her eye as she said, “She will be here,” but maybe he was just being a little paranoid. He had just served himself a helping of the beef stew when his wife sashayed into the room. At least he thought it was his wife. He dropped the serving spoon with a clatter.
“Hello, everyone,” she purred. “I’m soooo sorry if I held you up.”
She plopped down in the chair across directly across from Garrett, and her breasts nearly fell out of the red dress.
“Golly,” Jody, the stable boy said in a kind of wondrous voice.
“Indeed,” added Jackson as Libby calmly served herself a helping of mixed vegetables and then took a sip of wine.
Although the cowhands did not say anything, their eyeballs were nearly falling out of their heads.
“What the hell, Libby?” Garrett was fuming.
“Watch your language, señor.”
Libby took another sip. “Is there a problem?” she asked innocently.
“What are you doing?” Garrett was not eating, just staring.
“I’m just trying to be what you want, Garrett. I thought you would be happy.”
He looked around the table. The cowboys were still ogling. Jody, who was 11, couldn’t seem to keep his jaw closed. Jackson and Carmen both looked amused, which annoyed him most of all. He stood up abruptly, pushing his chair. “Come with me,” he commanded Libby.
She crossed her arms, looking at him defiantly. “I am going to finish this delicious dinner, and dessert…thank you, Carmen for all your efforts…and then if you would like to speak to me, I shall meet you in the library.”
He stared at her, and it was all she could do to keep from backing down. Then he shook his head and stalked off, slamming the door as he left the house. Carmen watched out the window until he made it to the barn and then started laughing, as did the rest of the table, except Jody, who looked confused.
Libby looked at Jackson. “He told me he still had feelings for Cindy Lou, which is such a big fat lie. I know he was just trying to get rid of me because he has it in his head I am going to leave him. Which in his mind must make sense.”
“I think he’s concerned for your safety, too.”
“Oh, honestly, I have survived practically every disaster known to man.”
Jackson laughed and everyone began chattering about the recent events. Eventually the conversation turned to more mundane matters, including the upcoming roundup, the price of beef on the hoof, an expected storm. It was interesting, Libby mused as the group talked, that they had gotten over her dress and saw the real person beneath it. Except for Jody, of course, who was no doubt at that age that breasts made a big impression. Oh, who was she kidding? That would be all men at every age.
After enjoying a tasty apple pie for dessert, the group dispersed. Libby helped Carmen clean up the dishes. She had never seen the cook so happy, although she was always pleasant. They were just about finished when Carmen looked out the window and said, “You had better go, querida. Garrett is on his way. He looks ready to spit nails.”
Libby dried her hands and gave Carmen a quick hug. “Wish me luck.”
“Buena suerte. Remember, the war is not won in a single battle.”
“Yes, yet this is not our first battle. I need this war to be over.”
She walked off, nervous but determined to somehow get through to Garrett. She would start out, she decided, by playing the part. If Cindy Lou could do it, so could she. He was already in the library when she strutted in. His eyes narrowed. He looked at her, or rather at her breasts, then strode to the door, closing it and locking it. After that he turned and marched up to her.
“Are you happy?”
That took her aback. Of all the things he could have said, she did not expect that. Was she happy? Not at the moment.
“No.”
He had expected her to vent her frustrations and tell him she hated the West. “Why don’t you tell me all about it?”
Her chin jutted out. “I thought you would be thrilled to see me dressed like this, Garrett, since you’re so attracted to Cindy Lou. I’m trying to be what you want, and since this seems to be important to you…” She indicated the ridiculous outfit with her hands.
“You know that’s not what I want,” he said, pulling her to him.
“Then stop trying to push me away. I am not leaving. Ever.”
Her voice was muffled, as she was speaking into his chest. He heard every word, however. Perhaps it was the shock of seeing her in the red dress and feathers. He had to admit, she did look incredibly sexy in a getup that looked like it belonged in a bawdy house. He sure as tootin’ didn’t want anyone else to see her, though. And she did look better as her sweet but scrappy old self. Whatever it was, he felt the final barrier around his heart dissolving. He surrendered. He believed her. She was not going to leave him. And he couldn’t make her go. Would she be safe here? He had to admit she was not the delicate flower he once thought she was. Libby was strong and resilient and so damn beautiful. He would keep her safe or die trying.
“I just want you to be out of harm’s way,” he said, kissing the top of her head.
“If I survived Edward DeJulius, my stepfather and your vindictive girlfriend…”
“She’s not my girlfriend. She was never my girlfriend.”
“No,” she smiled. “I am.”
He gently grasped her shoulders and pushed her back from him. She gazed up at him with such a tender look he almost humiliated himself with tears. Christ! And then he had a thought that the Lord probably did have a hand in this. He smiled and lowered his lips to hers. As good as she looked in that shiny red dress, she would look a lot better out of it. He began unhooking the buttons on her back.
Epilogue
They had moved into the house on the knoll the previous week and were holding a barbecue celebration. Jackson, Carmen and Hector and most of the ranch hands were there, as well as Nellie and Bud, Doc Watkins and Lena, the sheriff, Parley Finn and his sister and a number of other folks from town. They even had convinced old-timer Woodley Bunch to bring his fiddle out of cobwebs, and he was playing up a storm.
The house was everything Libby could ever have wanted. It was warm and inviting, with a colorful tulip applique quilt made by Carmen, a store-bough
t quilt given by the ranch hands and a red and white tumbling-blocks quilt created by Nellie on the beds. Garrett had hand-crafted much of the furniture in his spare time, including the most beautiful pine dining set. Nellie had also made a charming pinwheel and blocks yellow crib quilt for the baby, which was due any day.
“Hey, you should not be lifting that,” Garrett bellowed, rushing over to grab a platter of chicken fixins from his stubborn wife.
“I am not helpless, Garrett,” she huffed but released the platter into his capable hands. He set it on the picnic table, where it joined the barbecued ham and beef and a variety of other dishes, from macaroni and dodgers to Carmen’s Mexican version of gumbo. The desserts included cheesecake, doughnuts and strawberry ice cream.
When he turned back to Libby, she was rubbing her back and scowling. “Are you all right?”
She smiled. “I will be when your son finally decides to make an appearance.”
He wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her close. “When my daughter arrives, I’ll be even happier than I am now.”
And they truly were happy. The only disagreements they had experienced in the past six months were related to Libby’s “delicate” condition, which she, of course, did not consider delicate at all.
“You just want me to be able to join you in the creek again.”
He burst out laughing. “You are one of a kind, my dear.”
Nellie joined them, offering each a glass of ginger beer. “Speaking of Cindy Lou, I received a letter from my cousin, the earl, yesterday.”
As much as Libby disliked Cindy Lou, she could not in good conscience be responsible for sending her to prison. Garrett was adamantly opposed to letting her off the hook, and that was not Libby’s intention either. She did not want to be apprehensive of the next time the woman attacked her, although she did hold fond memories of pounding her in the creek. With Nellie, they had come up with a plan that they thought might satisfy everyone, with the possible exception of the earl. Cindy Lou had been banished to his custody in Scotland for a term of 10 years. She was outraged at first until Nellie explained the peerage system to her and how wealthy and handsome her cousin was. She failed to mention he was a little crazy or perhaps just overly exuberant, a man who seemed to find trouble wherever he went.
