Authors: Noelle Marchand
“You did.” Ellie nodded and continued to stare at him as if concentrating on a puzzle. “Oh, and you were really depressed once she and Lawson starting courting. You tried to hide it, of course, but you were still living with us so I noticed. Right now, your face is turning red. The only reason you’d be embarrassed was if it were true—”
Nathan tried to hide his chuckle as Sean held up a desperate hand. “Ellie, please stop talking. I get it. Thank you.”
She sidled closer to him. “I could help you, you know. I’m a very experienced matchmaker.”
“Ellie,” Kate groaned. “I don’t think this family can survive another round of your matchmaking.”
“Nonsense! It’s because of my matchmaking this family has survived. Need I remind you of how you met Nathan?”
A general groan filled the air.
Ellie took that as a yes. “If I hadn’t convinced Sean we needed to mail order a husband for Kate—”
“—and then proceeded to marry us by proxy without my knowledge,” Kate reminded with the lift of her chin.
“Y’all never would have had the chance to meet,” Ellie continued as if Kate hadn’t spoken.
Nathan gazed down at his wife with a smile. “Or fall in love or really get married or have three beautiful children.”
Kate grimaced as her shoulders gave a little shiver. “Now, that’s a scary thought.”
“See?” Ellie poked Sean in the side, causing him to jump. “Don’t worry, big brother. I can help you, too.”
“Please, don’t.” He ignored her calculating smile to ask Nathan, “So I have your approval if I decide to court her?”
“I’m not sure you need it, but you have it.” Nathan smiled. “You have always been a responsible person. We trust you.”
Maybe you shouldn’t,
he immediately thought. He looked at Ellie, Kate and Nathan. They looked so cautiously hopeful and so unsuspecting of what was really going on. He could tell them now. He
should
tell them now, but he didn’t want to utter the words that would shatter their perception of him. He’d spent most of his life convincing everyone that he was the strong, dependable one who had everything figured out. Now he was the one who’d messed up, and there was no way to fix it. Finally, Kate left to round up her children and the moment was lost.
* * *
Sean had almost forgotten his offer to help out the telegrapher with his problematic customer when Peter stepped into his office the next afternoon. Sean motioned to the chair across the desk from him. “That fellow giving you trouble again?”
Peter nodded, then shook his head. “Not exactly. I just thought you should know I found out the reason the other fellow hasn’t responded to any of Calhoun’s telegrams. He was a wanted criminal who was caught and placed in jail. He’s been accused of murder and robbery.”
Jeff rose from the deputy’s desk to join them. “That sounds like your customer is keeping some pretty bad company.”
“It sure does. I found out today that the man escaped from jail. That marauder, murderer and outlaw is on the loose, and he already has a contact here. He may be headed this way. You’ve got to protect the citizens of Peppin.”
Sean was quiet for a moment, then he nodded. “That’s my priority, Peter. I don’t have any jurisdiction outside of this town, so I can’t keep that man from traveling toward us on the rail line. Should he come here, I promise I’ll arrest him. Unless that happens, the only thing I can do is keep my eyes open.”
The man nodded. “I guess that’s all I can ask.”
“I’d like to see a wanted poster of the outlaw. Can you ask them to send one to me?”
“Certainly.”
“Let me know if you come across any other evidence, and I’d be happy to take a look at it.”
“Oh, don’t you worry.” The man grabbed his hat to leave. “I’ll let you know the minute I hear anything slightly suspicious.”
“Do you think this is serious?” Jeff asked as he took the seat Peter had just vacated.
“I don’t know, but we need to treat it as such.” Sean went over the notes he’d taken while talking to Peter. “We need to find out more about this Alfred Calhoun fellow. If they were communicating, they might have been trying to coordinate something other than just an escape—especially since Calhoun clearly wasn’t expecting his friend to be arrested. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have been so angry that his messages had gone unanswered.”
Jeff seemed to catch the direction of his thoughts. “I wonder if Calhoun has any other contacts already in town that might be of interest. If he does…”
“Then we may be dealing with a gang.” Sean nodded, having already realized the danger. “In that case, there’s only one target in town that’s big enough to attract an entire band of outlaws.”
“The bank,” Jeff murmured.
A sober silence permeated the room. Sean leaned back in his chair to think. It made sense. The First Bank of Peppin was also the only bank in Peppin. Even people from the surrounding counties used the bank because Mr. Wilkins had a reputation for fair business practices. A lot of money went in and out of his doors which made it the perfect draw for undesirables. Now that he thought about it, Sean was surprised there hadn’t been a threat on it before.
“What’s the plan, Sheriff?” Jeff asked.
Sean smiled because Jeff knew he’d already have one. “I’ll talk to Mr. Wilkins to find out how we can shore up any of the bank’s vulnerabilities. We’ll study that wanted poster when it comes in. We’ll also keep an eye on Calhoun to see what he’s up to.”
If someone succeeded in robbing the bank, the community would be devastated and so would the Wilkins family. Oddly enough, the Wilkins family now included him. That made the threat personal. He might not always get along with Lorelei, and he didn’t agree with her rather impulsive approach to life, but she was soon to be his wife. He wasn’t about to allow anything to happen to her or her parents.
Chapter Eight
L
orelei caught in a short gasp, then let out a loud sneeze that exploded into the silence of the millinery shop. It sent scads of feather particles floating into the air, compounding her problem. She held her breath until the feathers settled back onto the worktable, then cautiously pulled in a small breath. When her nose didn’t begin to itch, she turned back to the bonnet in her hands.
She eyed it carefully. Selecting a large peacock feather, she trimmed it down and attached it to the bonnet. A smile lifted her lips.
Perfect.
She turned the bonnet around in her hands, then frowned.
Or not.
The hat was definitely missing something. As she glanced around the worktable for something to add, she heard the little bell above the door give its cheerful jingle to signal the arrival of a customer. Mrs. Cummings had gone upstairs for lunch, leaving Lorelei to face her first costumer alone.
She set the bonnet aside and dusted away the feathers clinging to her fingertips before hurrying out of the workroom. A cheerful greeting stalled at her lips, and she paused in surprise as she realized the customer was Sean’s youngest sister. Ellie lifted one of the store’s most elaborate hats from the shelf for a closer look. Lorelei allowed an amused smile to pull at her lips. She could hardly imagine Ellie wearing such an ornate creation.
Lorelei cleared her throat delicately. “Would you like to try it on?”
Ellie abruptly spun to meet her gaze with wide green eyes. “Oh, no. I wouldn’t wear it. I’d like to think I am not as complicated as all that.”
Lorelei met Ellie’s self-deprecating grin with a smile of her own, then glanced around the shop searchingly. “I can find you something simpler. We have a straw bonnet that I think would suit you perfectly.”
Ellie carefully placed the hat back on the shelf. “That’s quite all right. You don’t have to bother. I heard you started working here, so I just wanted to come in and say hello.”
“Oh,” she said, then wished she hadn’t sounded so surprised when Ellie began to blush.
Honestly, though. What an odd thing for her to do. She’s never sought me out before.
After an awkward moment of silence, Ellie smiled. “You played so well on Sunday. Did it take you very long to learn the music?”
“I already knew most of the hymns from when I practiced as a child.”
“I can’t imagine.” Ellie laughed. “When I was a little girl I never had the patience for anything like that. I was much more likely to be out with the boys finding some way or another to skin my knee.”
She gave a cautious smile. “I remember seeing you climb a tree or two now and again.”
“I haven’t climbed a tree in years! It would hardly be proper now. I’m sure it would be much harder to manage in long skirts.” Even as she said it, Ellie’s gaze turned a bit wistful as if she was imagining herself doing that very thing.
Lorelei surveyed the young woman before her in knowing amusement. “I’m sure.”
“Well, I’m much less rambunctious now,” Ellie proclaimed, but the capricious look in her eye didn’t lend her much credibility.
“I can tell.”
Ellie laughed. “You aren’t the least bit convinced, but never mind that.”
The conversation lagged again, and Lorelei began to wonder if she should try to find some way to end it. She was sure Ellie had never said so much to her before. Ellie, Sean and Lawson had been the best of friends, and even when she’d been Lawson’s fiancée, Lorelei had never tried to penetrate that bond. As a result, she’d never expected more than a slight acquaintance with Ellie, which was really too bad because she’d always admired the girl’s exuberance.
Resolved to end the conversation, Lorelei smiled. “Well, thank you for the compliment about my playing. Are you sure I can’t interest you in one of our bonnets?”
“Not this time, I’m afraid,” Ellie said, then glanced around the shop for a moment before meeting Lorelei’s gaze. “Actually, I did have another purpose for coming here. I’ve been thinking about having a get-together next Saturday. I was hoping you’d like to come.”
“I don’t know,” Lorelei said in surprise.
Ellie’s slim fingers touched her arm. “Please, say yes. I mean, I will understand if you had something else planned.”
Lorelei shook her head. “I was just a little surprised you asked, that’s all.”
Ellie’s lashes dropped toward her cheek. “Oh, don’t say that.”
Lorelei lifted her shoulder in a shrug. “I didn’t mean anything by it.”
Ellie met her gaze with sincerity. “I know you didn’t. It’s my own fault, you know. I never went out of my way to be friendly to you before. I’m sorry for that. I hope that we can leave that behind and be friends now.”
Why?
The question hovered on Lorelei’s lips, but she couldn’t quite bring herself to ask it. Her eyes widened as she suddenly realized what this must be about.
“I really do appreciate you telling me that, Ellie. I’d like for us to be friends, too.” She glanced around the shop. Though it was empty, she leaned forward to slightly lower her voice. “I just don’t want you to think that you have to be my friend or invite me places because of how things stand between your brother and I.”
“You and my brother,” Ellie repeated softly before her eyes widened, and she grinned. “You mean that you’re going to let Sean court you?”
“Well, yes,” she said slowly. “But—”
Ellie pulled her into a quick hug, then stepped back to meet her gaze. “That’s wonderful. Of course we will be friends. There’s no reason for us not to be.”
Lorelei tilted her head to survey Ellie. She pulled in a slow breath as realization pulled at her mind. “He didn’t tell you.”
“Well, no. He hadn’t told me yet, but he didn’t really have to. I knew he was going to ask to court you. Now I really hope you’ll come on Saturday. Please, say you will.”
“I’ll be there. What time?”
“Four o’clock. I’m so glad you’re coming,” Ellie exclaimed and honored Lorelei with a resplendent smile.
Lorelei returned it with a weak one of her own.
I can’t believe he didn’t tell them.
* * *
Sean could hardly believe he’d convinced Lorelei to eat lunch with him at the café. Despite her earlier compliance, it was obvious from her cold glare that she had her own agenda for this outing, and it had nothing to do with furthering their pretend courtship. He could tell from the pitying glances he was receiving from those around him that they weren’t fooling anyone. Everyone knew he was about to get raked over the coals. He might as well get it over with. “What has your bonnet all in a twist?”
“My bonnet is not in a twist,” she said. Her hand lifted toward her pert little hat as though to make sure.
“Then why are you upset?” He lifted a hand to stop her protest. “Oh, I forgot. You normally glare at me like that.”
She set her lips into a straight line, then leaned forward with a furious whisper. “You haven’t told your family what’s really going on. How do you explain that?”
He leaned toward her and tilted his head inquiringly. “How would you know what I have or have not told my family?”
She straightened in her chair. “Ellie visited me at the shop yesterday. It was obvious from our conversation that she didn’t know. Why haven’t you told them?”
“I plan to.”
“When?”
When he found the courage to stomach the disappointment he’d inevitably see in their eyes. He wanted to spare them that. Who was he kidding? He wanted to spare himself. He’d grown up watching first his parents’ marriage, then his sister’s. Both had been love matches. Both had been filled with incredible tenderness. In short, they were nothing like the distant marriage that beckoned him into a future with the beautiful but almost hostile Lorelei Wilkins.
Even as those thoughts tripped through his mind, Lorelei’s hand came to rest gently over his. Instinctively, he turned his hand over to hold it. Her gaze met his as she whispered, “Sean, you need to tell them before they find out like my father did.”
Just like that, he read caring in her eyes—but not for him. Her concern was for his family, and he couldn’t help but bristle at the accusation, from Lorelei of all people, that he was failing in his responsibility to the people in his life. He sternly lowered his voice. “Leave it alone, Lorelei. I’ll tell them when I’m ready.”
Her gaze dropped from his eyes to where her hand rested in his. Her face seemed to pale incrementally. He heard her catch her breath. She casually tugged her hand away. “I should go. I’m finished anyway.”
“I’ll walk you home,” he offered.
“There’s no need.” She tossed him a smile he didn’t believe and strode away. The door clanged shut behind her. Ignoring the curious gazes of the busy café, he stared thoughtfully at the vacant chair across from him. What was going on with that woman? She just plain didn’t make sense. The way she acted…well, she either loved him or hated him.
If it was the first, he was on shaky ground because if she ever dropped the act he’d probably like her. Liking her meant he might forget the things she’d done and the choices she’d made that had hurt other people. However, that scenario was rather improbable despite Lawson’s opinion. It was far more likely that after everything that had passed between them, Lorelei just didn’t like him. He swallowed. He really didn’t want to live the rest of his life with a woman who hated him, did he?
He needed to figure out how to have at least an amiable relationship with her. To do that, he needed to figure out Lorelei’s true feelings for him. He would have to force her hand, and he knew just how to do it. First, he would walk over to the courthouse and see what had become of the old Hilson place he had his eye on. Then he’d plan a way to let his family know the truth.
* * *
Lorelei ignored the startled glances of a few strangers as she rushed down the sidewalk away from the café. She threw a wary glance over her shoulder, then slipped into the narrow alleyway next to her father’s bank to wait for Sean to pass so she could continue undisturbed. She couldn’t bear the thought of Sean pursuing her or forcing her to explain her abrupt response to him in the café.
She leaned back against the wall to try to catch her breath. It was hopeless to believe that Sean wouldn’t have noticed her reaction to holding his hand. Even she was surprised by it. Though she knew it stemmed from nothing more than mere performance, she hadn’t known how to react. His derision, impatience and scorn she could easily face without wincing, but she hadn’t been prepared for her own weakness.
Oh, how she wished it hadn’t affected her. She calmly reminded herself that holding hands could not cause a resurgence of youthful unrequited love. She knew better now. She’d made a decision to live her life with a new perspective, and nothing was going to change her mind. She nodded, feeling her unease slipping away.
She stepped farther into the shadows of the alleyway as she heard confident steps pound closer on the sidewalk. She watched as Sean passed with a determined look on his face. She waited a few moments to be sure she’d avoided him. The sound of low voices reached her ear from deeper in the alley just as she was about to step back onto the sidewalk. They seemed to be coming from behind the bank.
“Don’t tell me there’s no back way in. Look! Not a door in sight. What kind of fool built this place?”
Another man snorted. “A fool didn’t design this bank. There is only one door in and out. It faces the sheriff’s office.”
“It’d be a pain to have to blast through these walls. We’d need more power than we have now.”
Lorelei stilled a gasp in her throat, then waited to hear the other man’s answer.
“No sense in that. Besides, it isn’t our way.”
“Mighty tempting, though. I bet the safe is right along this wall.”
“Let’s not waste time. We’ve had a look at the place. Let’s get out of here before someone gets nosy.”
Lorelei’s eyes widened. She scurried away as silently as possible. With a quick step, she was back on the sidewalk. She was preparing to hurry off when the heel of her boot caught in the seam of a loose wooden board. She tried to tug it out but it wouldn’t budge.
Biting her lip, she glanced toward the alley. She saw a figure round the corner toward her. She leaned down so her hat would momentarily block her face. She hoped beyond anything that the man would just ignore her and step past without questioning her. His pace slowed to a curious tread as he drew nearer. Realizing her skirt hid her other hand from view, she shoved her reticule carefully along the ground. It stopped slightly away from her.
“What have we here?” a deep voice asked.
“Oh.” Lorelei glanced up, affecting surprise. She slowly lifted her head to meet the dark eyes of a well-dressed, gentlemanly looking young man. He was not at all the rough drifter she would have expected from the conversation she’d heard.
She let her lips curl into a demure smile she hoped might befuddle his thoughts just enough for him to believe her. “I’m awfully sorry to be blocking your way, but I’m afraid my heel is stuck.”
He glanced down at the sidewalk. “I see.”
When he didn’t say more, she lifted her skirt just enough so that she could see her heel then, endeavored to tug it out again. “I’m sure I’ll get it out eventually.”
“If you’ll allow me?” he asked.
At her nod, he knelt beside her to pull the loose boards farther apart. She pulled her heel free and stepped to the side. “Thank you very much.”
He smiled his welcome, then met her gaze with an appraising eye. “You would need to step just so to get caught by that board. Were you in the alley, then?”
“The alley? Why would I be in the alley?” she asked in confusion, then smiled. “I dropped my reticule, that’s all.”
She stepped to the side and gestured to the ground where her reticule lay. “If you would be so kind, Mr.…”
“Smithson,” he supplied. Bending down, he picked up her reticule and offered it to her. “You are?”
She took her reticule back, and, though she hated to tell him her name, she was sure he could easily find out some other way. “Miss Wilkins.”
His eyes widened briefly. “Are you any relation to the owner of the bank?”