Deborah Camp (16 page)

“I don’t!”

Lu arched her brows and stared pointedly at her.

Regina averted her gaze, feeling exposed. “Very well. I think of him sometimes. But I don’t approve of him and I hope he isn’t at the picnic.”
Oh, what a black lie! a voice inside scolded. It’s a wonder your tongue doesn’t fall off!

The singing stopped and Bitsy let out a squeal of excitement.

“It’s the lake,” Joy said over her shoulder. “Up ahead. It’s as blue as a robin’s egg. Look at all the people!”

“The whole town’s here,” Bitsy said, bobbing in the seat. “Oh, I’m glad we came. It’s been so long since I had a whole day of nothing but fun.”

“Me, too,” Joy agreed. “I guess I was a child the last time I had me a day when I didn’t have a ton of chores to do.”

Joy guided the wagon to a clearing where many others had been unhitched. Regina, Lu, and Annie unloaded the vehicle while Bitsy and Joy saw to Gardenia, giving her a long lead so that she could munch on the tender grass and reach the edge of the lake for a drink.

“Hello, Miss Regina,” Stu said, approaching her. He wore pants and shirt; no tie, no weapon.

“Good morning, Sheriff. Is it still morning?”

“Just.” He nodded to her companions in silent greeting. “It’s shy of noon by a few minutes. I’m glad you ladies decided to come out today. It sure makes this picnic more interesting.”

“Listen to that man, will you?” Bitsy sidled closer. “I do believe he’s trying to turn our heads.”

“Who’s minding the store while you’re away?” Joy asked.

“I got a deputy. He used to ride with Pinkerton. He’s an older man. Forty, I guess. His name is—”

“Not Howard Ash!” Joy said.

Stu looked surprised. “Yeah, that’s right. You know him?”

“I sure do. He worked on my pappy’s farm when he was a sprout. He always said he was going to be a lawman. I heard later that he’d joined
the Pinkerton detectives. I’ll have to pay him a visit and surprise him. How’s his wife? Do they have any kids?”

“His wife took the fever and died a few years ago. They weren’t blessed with children.”

“Oh.” Joy’s long face sobered. “That’s a shame.” She brightened. “It’ll be good to see him again.” Leaning closer to the sheriff, she lowered her voice. “Just between you and me, he was the first man I ever had a pining for. I was a girl, mind you, still in pigtails, but his talk of adventure stirred something in me.”

Stu laughed. “He’s a big talker, all right. To hear him tell it, he’s responsible for putting most of the nation’s worst criminals behind bars.” Stu’s attention strayed to Bitsy, who was beholding him as if he were a Greek god. “Mrs. Frederick—”

“Bitsy,” she said quickly.

“Miss Bitsy, I heard that your husband died. I want to extend my sympathy.”

“Why, thank you, Sheriff Stu. He was a no-good ’possum and I’m glad to be shed of him, but I do think it’s sweet of you to offer me your shoulder to cry on.”

Stu blushed and Regina looked from Bitsy and Stu and back again. Was there
any
man Bitsy Frederick didn’t flirt with?

“Where do we put our baskets, Sheriff?” Lu asked, breaking through the charged posturing.

“Over there on that flatbed. Here, I’ll show y’all.”

They trailed him across the soft grass, and Regina figured they looked like ducks in a row ambling behind a strutting drake. Councilman Bunt stood on the flatbed wagon and reached for their baskets. His smile was a bit more sincere when he took Regina’s.

“Glad to see you again, Miss Rose.”

“Hello, Councilman Bunt,” she said. “When will the auction begin?”

“Oh, in about a half hour. I do hope you ladies will stay after the lunch for the games.”

“Games?”

“Yes, Miss Rose. We have games … sack races, footraces, horse races, log rolling.” He looked out to the lake. “They’re fixing the logs now. Wagers are made and the winners of the games pledge their prize money to various community needs. Churches, schools, and the like.” His eyes sparkled. “Even boardinghouses for those down on their luck.”

Regina smiled back at him. “Then we’ll most certainly stay for the games, Councilman. Thank you.”

“You’re welcome. I hope your basket brings a better than fair price.”

“Let’s go closer to the lake,” Lu suggested. “Annie wants to skip some pebbles across it.”

“Okay.” Regina fell into step with Lu, while Annie scampered ahead and joined a group of children at the water’s edge. After a minute, Regina thought to look around for the others. She spotted Joy admiring the other baskets on the flatbed. Bitsy was more difficult to locate, but Regina finally spied her leaning against an oak, laughing at something Stu was telling her. The sheriff braced a hand against the trunk, inches above Bitsy’s head, and bent his elbow to inch ever closer to her upturned face. Regina shook her head, smiling ruefully.

“Regina, it looks as if Bitsy is being naughty,” Lu noted.

“Yes, so I see.”

“Don’t be too upset with her, dear. She can’t help it. She’s feeling young and free again now that her husband’s gone.”

“I’m not upset.” Regina faced the lake again and watched several men bump logs together to form an unsteady raft.

“You’re not, are you?” Lu said, sounding slightly surprised.

“No, I’m not. Stu is a nice man, but …” She shrugged off the rest.

“He’s not anything like Mr. Dane,” Lu tacked on.

“Lu, please.” Regina rolled her eyes. “It’s not like that. Yes, I’m preoccupied lately with Theodore Dane, but not because of his rakehell charm or good looks. I’m preoccupied with his skills as an attorney. Those skills will most likely put Mrs. Nation in the poorhouse and us in the streets.”

“Oh, honey, I don’t think it will come to that.” Lu placed a comforting arm around her shoulders.

“And why not?”

“He’s a good man at heart. He won’t ruin Mrs. Nation.”

“Lu, he’s made it quite clear to me that he’ll do whatever is necessary to win.”

“But you’re attracted to each other.”

“No,” Regina said, shaking her head. “He’s a big flirt. Why, he’d flatter Medusa herself if he thought he could without being turned to stone.”

Lu laughed lightly, then motioned for Annie. “Not so close, Annie. You might slip in and get bit by a fish.”

“Okay, Mama!” Annie giggled, eyes alight with playfulness.

“She’s so happy to be with other children,” Lu noted, a bit sadly. “I wish I could give her a better life.”

“You will. Someday.”

“Joy should have made the boys come.”

“They wanted to stay with Jebidiah. He’s teaching Barney to play the banjo and Billy Bob the harmonica,”
Regina explained. “Joy plays the piano, and the boys have it in their heads that they’ll have a family band and perform in Basin Park on holidays.”

“It could happen. Oh, look. There’s Mr. Carmichael. He sees us. Here he comes.”

Regina tensed, but relaxed when she saw that Eric was alone. He greeted them with an attractive, boyish grin.

“Don’t you ladies look fresh as daisies,” he said, admiring Regina’s white outfit and Lu’s bright yellow one. “Did you bring baskets for the auction?”

“We did,” Lu answered him. “But mine is in Annie’s name. We did one together, but I thought the bidders might feel more comfortable vying for a child’s basket instead of a married woman’s.”

Eric touched a finger to his temple. “Smart, very smart. I believe I might bid on it myself just to be given the pleasure of your company. Annie’s, too, of course.”

“We lunch with whoever buys our baskets?” Regina asked.

“That’s right. It’s a wonderful way to meet our neighbors.”

Regina nodded, but worried about who might buy hers. She hoped it wouldn’t be someone who would bore her to tears. She wanted to have fun today, not be shackled to a stranger. Maybe the sheriff would buy her basket! Regina glanced around. Bitsy still held Stu enthralled. Hmmm. Maybe not.

“Everybody!” Council Chairman Danforth raised his voice and arms. “Everybody! We need to start this bidding! Are y’all hungry?”

A chorus of affirmation answered him.

“Good! Then gather ’round.” Danforth beckoned them with a wide sweep of his arms. “That’s
right. Don’t make me yell my throat raw. Get settled and we’ll begin the bidding with …” He reached for the basket Burt handed him. “This one was packed by Evelyn Tally of Miss Tally’s Tailoring and Dress Shop. It’s right attractive. Let’s see what she put in here … deviled eggs, chocolate cake, some kind of sandwich, oh, here’s a jar of honey. Looks delicious, gents. Who will start the bidding at two bits?”

“I will!” a man in overalls called.

“We’ve got a bid. Who will raise it?”

“A dollar!” another man shouted.

And the bidding commenced, fast and furious, with many laughs in between as neighbors tried to outbid each other and the ladies stood back and beamed proudly as their baskets added silver to their pockets.

When Joy’s basket was offered, Stu and Eric joined in a good-natured bidding war that finally went to Stu.

“I bought it for my deputy,” Stu announced. “I promised I’d bring him something back from the picnic. He’ll be right pleased.”

“Mind if I take it to him?” Joy asked.

“Why, sure, if you want.” Stu handed her the basket.

Joy faced Regina and Lu, an excited smile flickering across her lips. “The Masons have to get back to their store and they offered me a ride in their wagon. Would y’all mind if I went on and took this lunch to Howard? I’m so anxious to see him again and talk over old times.”

“You go on,” Lu urged, and Regina concurred.

Joy nearly flew across the ground to where the Masons were hitching two gray horses to a springboard wagon.

“It was thoughtful of you to buy her basket for
your deputy,” Regina told Stu, laying a hand on his arm.

“Aw, it was nothing.”

Regina raised up on tiptoe to whisper in his ear. “Be a gentleman and bid just as earnestly for Bitsy’s.”

Stu eyed her curiously. “Don’t you want me to buy yours? I might not have enough money on me to buy
three
baskets, Miss Regina.”

“Then buy Bitsy’s. She’s so afraid hers won’t fetch a good price because she’s a stranger to most people here. It would mean so much to me, Stu.”

He patted her hand on his arm. “If the bidding stays low, I’m sure I can afford all three baskets.”

“No one will bid high for Bitsy’s or mine,” she said. “No one cares much for us except you, and possibly Eric.”

His eyes crinkled at the corners. “I only want to please you, Miss Regina, so I’ll do as you ask.”

She smiled, accepting what she knew was a half-truth. “Thank you, Stu. It will mean so much to her … and to me.”

“Here’s one packed by little Annie Beck. Raise your hand, honey, so everybody can see you. Isn’t she a pretty little girl?” Councilman Danforth held up the beautifully decorated basket. “What’s the first bid on this lovely thing, packed with so many goodies I can’t count them all.” He let it weigh down his arm for a moment, then hoisted it back up. “It’s heavy, I’m telling you! Just crammed full of homemade goodness.”

“Two dollars!” Eric’s voice rang out, and Lu gasped with delighted surprise.

“Well now! That’s a sterling bid,” Danforth rejoined. “And it’s worth more than that. Come on, gents. Do I hear two and a quarter?”

“Right here!” An elderly farmer raised a crooked finger.

“Three dollars!” Eric countered, and a murmur raced through the onlookers. Lu ducked her head to hide her pink cheeks while Annie squealed with happiness.

“Three dollars?” Danforth cleared his throat. “Three dollars once—twice—it’s all yours, Mr. Carmichael.”

“And well worth it,” Eric said, taking possession of the basket, then offering his arm to Lu. “Shall we find a shady spot, Mrs. Beck, Annie?”

Watching the three stroll away, Regina’s throat tightened with tender emotion.

“Isn’t that sweet?” Bitsy whispered to her.

“Yes. Eric Carmichael is a fine young man.”

“I do believe he’s taken with Lu.”

“You might be right,” Regina agreed. “Three dollars is extravagant.”

“I hope mine brings half that much. Oh, it’s next!” Bitsy’s voice cracked and she gripped one of Regina’s hands in both of hers. “I’m nervous.”

“Don’t be,” Regina said with confidence as her gaze met Stu’s.

“You gentlemen should get a look at the fruitcake in this basket.” Danforth displayed Bitsy’s basket. “Oh, yes. This is a special one prepared by Mrs. Bitsy Frederick. I hear Mrs. Frederick is a recent widow, gentlemen. She’s the lovely lady over there in the blue-and-white-striped dress. That’s it, ma’am, wave a little to get their attention. Okay. What’s the first bid?”

“Two bits,” Stu intoned, puffing out his chest.

Bitsy sighed and lessened her grip on Regina’s hand.

“Four bits!” the town blacksmith, a widower himself, called out.

Stu’s jaw jutted out. “A dollar!”

“Dollar and a half,” the blacksmith countered.

“Two!” Stu shouted.

The blacksmith shrugged and shook his head. Stu gloated.

“We’ve got two dollars,” Danforth reminded the crowd. “Two dollars here … two dollars there … two dollars, going …”

Regina breathed a sigh of relief, glad the bidding had stayed low so that Stu might have enough money left over to purchase her basket. She’d hate to end up with a stranger who paid less than a dollar for a basket worth twice that.

“Three dollars!” The voice seemed to come from up above and everyone searched for the caller.

“Great golden gooses!” Bitsy said, pointing to a low-limbed elm. “I didn’t know he was here.”

Regina’s heart stopped for a split second, then hammered like an industrious woodpecker against her ribs. Theodore Dane sat on a limb some four feet off the ground. Dressed in wheat-colored trousers, brown suspenders, and a collarless light tan shirt, he stood out among the greens and blues of earth and sky. With sleeves rolled above his elbows and a lock of his hair curling upon his forehead, he looked disarmingly candid and deceptively unaware of the curious stares aimed at him. He sliced a green apple with his pocket knife and never looked up.

Stu met Regina’s gaze and a doomed expression tightened his features. “Uh … three and a quarter.”