Wild West Christmas Page 14

  Lily gripped the sides of her pinafore, put one foot behind the other, and dipped into a quick, wobbly curtsy. “Hello, Grandmother Sheridan.”

  The older woman smiled, and with it her angular face lost its forbidding expression. “Hello, Lily. I…I have something for you. A present.” She held out the package.

  Lily’s eyes widened, and after a quick look at Kathleen to make sure it was all right, took the package and tore off the paper. It was a carving—no bigger than Lily’s hand—in red-toned manzanita. A horse…no…a foal lying down.

  “This is a likeness of Dixie. She was born at our ranch this past spring.”

  Of course it would have something to do with the ranch. Barbara Sheridan thought, slept and breathed the ranch that had been in her family for three generations. One more reason she’d never been able to accept that her son had chosen a “townie” like Kathleen. Kathleen knew nothing about ranching.

  Lily accepted the gift, a perplexed look on her face.

  “Perhaps a doll would have been more appropriate. I’ve had so little experience with girls.” Barbara pressed her thin lips together. “I have something for you, too.” She withdrew a small book from her satchel.

  The volume of sonnets. Kathleen’s stomach clenched. A myriad of conflicting emotions swept through her. Along with Lily, this book represented her time with Josh. She took the ribbon-tied book and held it gingerly.

  “I found it among Josh’s things last year,” Barbara said. “I hadn’t been able to look through them in all that time. Losing him…” Her voice trailed off.

  Kathleen held herself rigid, frozen to the spot. Inside, her chest ached. Of course Barbara Sheridan had grieved—just as Kathleen had. But she had also hated the idea that Josh married her. That Josh had had to marry her. Kathleen stiffened her spine. “Thank you, Mrs. Sheridan.”

  “Please, call me…”

  Kathleen braced herself. There was no way she’d call this woman mother.

  “Barbara. I hope you’ll come by the ranch. Brent and I…” Her voice trailed off for a moment. Then she took a big breath and squared her shoulders. “You’re welcome there anytime.”

  Welcome was not the feeling she’d gotten.

  “We have room for you…even to stay if you would like?”

  “Thank you for the offer. It’s…kind of you.” She stumbled over the words. “But I’m comfortable here. This arrangement suits Aunt Molly and Lily as much as it suits me.”

  Barbara Sheridan pressed her lips together. “Then I’ll be going.”

  The woman left as quickly as she’d barged in. Momentarily stunned with the turbulence the woman had stirred up in her wake, Kathleen barely noticed Lily tugging on her hand. “Read this, Mama. Is it a good story?”

  She smoothed her fingers over the embossed title. Josh’s book.

  “It’s not a story. It’s a book of poems.”

  He’d given it to her at the beginning of their courtship. At the time, it had turned her head to think he thought of her the way those poems of love professed. She’d been naive, trusting and so very foolish. Love wasn’t like that. Could never be as pure and selfless as the flowery words made it out to be. How could she have believed such ridiculous words? She took a deep breath. At least she was smarter now…wiser. She flipped through the pages to the beginning.

  For Kathleen McCrory

  With affection

  JGS

  Josh Grover Sheridan… She’d learned soon enough after the wedding that he thought the sonnets were silly. None of the words of love in that book had meant a thing to him. She’d wanted so badly to believe in them that her own romantic foolishness had clouded the truth. The knowledge was bitter to face. Lily was the only good thing to come from all that foolishness.

  “I have a better idea,” she answered her daughter, and closed the book. “How about I read from Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland?”

  Her daughter’s quick smile was the only response she needed. The thwack of blade against wood as Garrett wielded his ax outside reminded her she wanted a word with him. “Run and get the book. I need to speak with Mr. Sheridan for just a moment.”

  Kathleen peered through the window. Garrett buried the ax in a log and walked over to the water pump. Giving the handle several strong jerks, a steady stream of liquid surged into the bucket. He cupped his hands and, filling them, splashed water on his face and the back of his neck. She shivered at the thought of the ice-cold water this time of year.

  “Here,” Molly said, slapping a towel in her hand. “Give him that and ask him to dinner. It’s only proper after all the work he’s done around here. I’ve got to get more carrots from the root cellar.” She trundled off to do just that.

  First Barbara Sheridan and now Garrett. Kathleen was beginning to wonder if Molly was maneuvering all of them. She threw on her shawl, her motions tight with frustration, and opened the door.

  He stood ready to knock. His look of surprise mirrored hers, no doubt. Quickly he lowered his fist. He’d unbuttoned the top of his collar. Water glistened in the tanned V of his neck, drawing her gaze. A whisper of interest skittered through her and centered in her abdomen. Ignoring it, she met his eyes. “Do you always help Molly with these things?”

  “No.” He took the towel from her and wiped his neck and face.

  He’d shaved that morning—likely for church. The usual day’s growth of beard that darkened his jaw and made him look older, tougher than his twenty-eight years was gone, and smooth skin begged her touch. The urge took her by surprise. Perturbed by her wayward thoughts, she looped her fingers behind her back.

  “Then does this have something to do with getting on my good side?”

  He raised a brow. “Your good side?”

  Was he being sarcastic, or did he not even realize his helping around the place put a debt on her she didn’t want? “What is it about you Sheridans? First you, then your mother.”

  “Ma’s here?” He stepped close and glanced over her shoulder into the kitchen. His expression froze when his gaze landed on the book of sonnets on the table. Something flashed across his face. Did he recognize it? Had Josh mentioned it to him? Could he have laughed about her naïveté right along with Josh? Brothers did that sort of thing. Yet she couldn’t picture Garrett being that cynical. She picked it up and pressed it against her breast. Despite her feelings regarding the small volume, it was tangible evidence that Josh had, at one time, desired her. And for that, the book was special.

  “Your mother just left.”

  “I figured she might stop by. She’s been pacing around the ranch ever since she learned you were in town.” He stepped back, looked her up and down. “You okay?”

  Startled, she glanced up at him. She hadn’t expected his concern. “Yes. Yes, I am. She was…cordial.”

  “She only wants to be a part of Lily’s life. A part of yours.”

  “She wasn’t interested before.” Long ago the bitterness inside had hardened into a tight knot. “She didn’t even acknowledge Lily’s birth. Not that I expected presents or a visit.”

  “But you did expect something.”

  She nodded, for a moment too upset to speak. “A note, perhaps? I sent an announcement. I thought…”

  “She never received it.”

  Through her anger, his words registered. “What?”

  “She never received it,” Garrett repeated, slowly, deliberately.

  Kathleen hadn’t considered that. “I gave it to Franklin, my brother-in-law. He posted it.”

  “Maybe he did, but it never arrived.” Garrett shrugged into his leather jacket. “When we didn’t hear any word, I rode out to check on you and Lily.”

  “You came by?”

  “Ma figured you had the baby in June. I stopped by your father’s new store. He wasn’t pleased to see me. Said you’d moved on from that part of your life. It was your sister, working that day, who told me where to find you. You had Lily on a blanket in the shade next to the house. You were weeding in the
side garden.”

  Her world spun with his revelation. “Why didn’t you say anything?”

  “What was there to say? You were where you wanted to be. You hadn’t contacted my side of the family. I figured you wanted it that way.”

  He didn’t look at her while he spoke, and that was how she knew she had hurt him—or if not Garrett, then his mother. She felt sick inside. Here she’d been holding a grudge against the Sheridans for years.

  “I take it your father didn’t tell you.”

  “No.” Father had always been envious of the Sheridans and their ranch. Her connection, and Lily’s, to the family had been one of the reasons for his move to the coast. It was one way he could hold power over them. “I didn’t know.”

  He shrugged lightly. “Doesn’t matter now.”

  But it did. It explained so much more than he realized. She stepped toward him and placed her hand on his bare forearm. He had to know it wasn’t her doing. “I’m so sorry, Garrett. It shouldn’t have happened like that.”

  The furrow between his brows smoothed and his gaze locked on hers. For a moment something fragile and sweet pulsed between them. Warmth radiated from his skin. She let go. Blushed.

  “You ask him yet, Kathleen?” Molly entered the room.

  “Ask me what?”

  It struck her then that she’d been reluctant to do Molly’s bidding. She’d had enough of the Sheridans that week to last her a good long while. But something had changed. Now she could imagine Garrett sitting across the table from her, and it didn’t seem nearly so uncomfortable. “She wants to know if you would like to have Sunday dinner with us.”

  He contemplated the question, his sea-green eyes searching her own. Again she noticed the brief splaying of lines in the corners. Five years had done that to him. What did her face reveal about her?

  “Well,” Molly said. “What’s it going to be?”

  He looked up, breaking the spell, and tipped his hat to her aunt. “Thanks just the same, ma’am. Like you said before, I’ve got things to attend to at the ranch.”

  Kathleen had thought for sure he’d stay. It’d be his chance to visit with Lily. The confusion must have shown on her face.

  “You’re not ready.”

  “Of course we’re ready. Molly keeps a boardinghouse. She’s always ready for extra guests at her table.” Still perplexed, she followed him to his horse.

  He shrugged into his coat. “That’s not what I mean, Kathleen.”

  “Then what?”

  He mounted and looked down at her. “It’s you I want the invitation from. Not Molly. I’ll wait.”

  Chapter Five

  Garrett paced outside the bakery. Seemed Kathleen stayed longer every night. The holidays had everybody in a frenzied state. Even the animals could sense the difference. Finally the light from the kerosene lantern dimmed and then went out. When she stepped onto the boardwalk, she didn’t seem surprised to see him. Maybe she was beginning to accept his presence in her life. He hoped so…even if all it meant was he could help out with Lily. Josh would have wanted that. Garrett didn’t for one minute think she’d let him into her life if it wasn’t for her daughter. That door had closed long ago and now there were too many secrets that stood in the way.

  Her eyes drooped with fatigue. He’d offer to carry the cake she held, but with his lack of grace he’d likely ruin it. Instead he took her scarf, which was looped over her forearm, and slipped it over her head and around her neck in the way he’d seen her place it. When his fingers skimmed her throat and jaw for a second, a tingling sensation raced up his arm. He swallowed, trying to ignore it. Instead he concentrated on the fact that her acceptance of his touch was a testament to her exhaustion—and that was all.

  He took the key from her hand and locked the bakery. “You’re tired.”

  “I started early. Judge Perry is having a party tonight. I’ve already carried over two large platters.”

  “This the last?”

  She nodded, then smiled up at him. And he found he just couldn’t let her carry that load.

  “Let me.” Carefully he took the platter from her and they started down the boardwalk. “My folks will be there.”

  “The largest ranch in the area? They should have a voice in whatever plans are being hatched.” She looked over his suit. “You must be going, as well.”

  “We share equally in the decisions.” He hesitated, unsure if Kathleen was ready to hear his next thought. “You could come, too.”

  She shook her head. “I haven’t seen Lily all day.”

  Her dedication to her daughter—it warmed him from the inside out. He’d heard comments—people thinking she was crazy and not a good mother because she’d left her family and a world of support to come here and take a job. Something had happened to spur her to make that choice. He hoped someday to learn the reason. For now, he realized she’d completely missed his subtle hint. Whatever happened on the ranch would affect Lily.

  The tinny sounds of the piano spilled out of the saloon. Some raw language, too.

  “I’m glad Lily didn’t hear that,” she murmured.

  “I wish you hadn’t,” he muttered.

  The corners of her mouth tilted up. “I knew what I was coming back to, Garrett. Clear Springs has its rough edges, but all in all, it’s home—more home to me than on the coast.”

  Another expletive burst from inside the saloon.

  “I’d like to muzzle that Russell,” Garrett growled. “He shows up at quittin’ time like a lot of the miners. If he’s smart, he eats something at the restaurant for supper before stopping in the saloon. Can’t figure out how he makes it to work the next day.”

  “It’s hard to believe the change in him since school. He barely acknowledges me now.”

  “He changed a lot after—” he stopped talking, suddenly aware they were getting mighty close to talking about Josh. Too close. Russell had been the last man with his brother. He had tried to stop Josh, who’d still been drunk and angry from the night before, from setting off the dynamite.

  They walked the rest of the way in silence.

  Through the windows of Judge Perry’s house, a kaleidoscope of colors dazzled and tantalized those passing by. Wreaths of holly hung on both sides of the entry door, and candles, their flames dancing, lit each front window. Garrett knocked on the door, and it wasn’t a minute before Lucy ushered them into the dining room. Carefully, Kathleen took the large tray from his arms and set it on the table under the chandelier.

  “Thank you, Mrs. Sheridan.”

  “Now, Lucy. Judge Perry’s maid or not, you’ve known me since Miss Alport’s class. Just Kathleen is fine. The house looks lovely for the party. So festive.”

  Lucy grinned and relaxed. “I gave it my best, whether the mine owners will notice or not. It’s a regular forest fire in here when they all get to smokin’ those big cigars. Don’t know why they like the smelly things.”

  Garrett cleared his throat.

  “Course, Garrett, you and your parents ain’t like the rest of them.” She leaned toward Kathleen and lowered her voice. “Besides, Saturday will be much more fun with the dance and all. Alan is playing his fiddle. Are you going?”

  She asked innocently—a bit too innocently.

  “I’m not sure. I’ll have to see about Lily.”

  “Oh, there’s plenty of folks who’ll keep an eye out for her. Lots of families bring their young’uns.” She cocked her head slightly. “Has Garrett asked you?”

  “Lucy…” His warning fell on deaf ears.

  “Just to let you know,” Lucy continued, “he asked me last year and then gave some flibbertigibbet excuse as to why he couldn’t make it at the last minute. Sick cow or some such thing—as if that doesn’t happen all the time on a ranch.”

  “It wasn’t like that, Lucy.”

  “Sure it was. Just wanted to warn Kathleen about your character. For me, I wouldn’t go with you if you asked me three times whilst you stood on your head.”

 
Kathleen pressed her lips tight, but still a small smile wiggled through. “Your warning is duly noted, although there is no need for worry on my account. If I go at all, it will be with Molly and Lily.”

  Being a punching bag between these two women was about as uncomfortable as Garrett cared to get. When a knock sounded at the front door, he breathed a sigh of relief. The first of the company had arrived.

  “I need to get that….” Lucy moved toward the parlor.

  “Garrett’s staying, but I’ll let myself out the back,” Kathleen said. “Don’t worry about me.”

  Garrett opened the swinging door between the kitchen and the dining room for her. “I’ll see you home first.”

  “I thought I heard a familiar voice! Miss Kathleen? A nice surprise, indeed!” A tall man dressed in a dark gray suit and silver sateen vest strode in from the parlor.

  She turned around. “Mr. Spencer! What brings you to town?”

  Garrett’s gut tightened. The familiarity Kathleen used in addressing the man… How did they know each other? Mr. Spencer was a few years older than him—a good ten years older than Kathleen—and well-known for the progressive improvements he’d put into his mining operation.

  “The judge’s party, of course. And I certainly didn’t expect to find you so far from home.” He looked from her to Garrett.

  “Oh. Excuse me. May I present Garrett Sheridan. Mr. Sheridan, this is Mr. Andrew Spencer…a friend of my father’s.”

  They shook hands and Andrew said, “Just the man I hoped to see tonight. I want to discuss the boundary lines between your ranch and my property.”

  “We’ll talk as soon as I return from escorting Mrs. Sheridan home.”

  “Mrs. Sheridan?” Mr. Spencer glanced about the room. “My sources didn’t mention that you were married.”

  Kathleen’s face flushed. “He means me, Andrew. Garrett is Lily’s uncle.”