Town Social Page 21

  Wrenching her eyes away from the scandalous sight, she turned to rush toward the smell of the cooking meat. A table she swore hadn't been there just a minute ago jumped in front of her, the edge catching her in her stomach. Sunny splatted right on top of a bowl of potato salad. When she gasped and pushed herself upright, each hand squished a bowl of pickled beets on one side and a layer of deviled eggs on the other.

  Moaning in dismay, she shook her hands, flinging bits of beets and gushy egg centers around. Using the back of her hand to keep from smearing beet stain on her dress, she whisked at her bodice, succeeding only in rubbing the potato salad deeper into the material.

  Ruth hurried up to her side. "Sunny, dear. Oh, my, what happened?"

  "What the heck is someone doing with potato salad sitting out here already?" Sunny snapped. "Don't they know it will spoil?"

  "Dear, it's german potato salad. It's supposed to be kept warm. Here, come over to the pump beside the church with me. Let's get you cleaned up."

  Ruth grabbed a hand towel lying on the renegade table, and Sunny followed her to the pump. Working the pump handle, Ruth wet the towel, then wrung it out. She motioned for Sunny to hold her hands under the spigot and pumped the handle to resume the stream of water with one hand, brushing at Sunny's bodice with the towel in her other hand. All Sunny's recently-acquired pleasure at her staid composure in Jake's presence washed away with the gobs of egg centers and dropped to the ground to lay scattered in the midst of potato pieces.

  Jake strolled over to a table sitting in the shade of a piece of canvass stretched overhead. Fun. Yep, he'd go have some fun, but it sure wouldn't be the type of fun he wanted to have. That type of fun involved privacy, silk sheets and a featherbed, not a crowd of people and gangs of children racing around. The heat fit in with his idea, although he'd much rather generate that himself.

  A small boy around four crashed into his leg, and he bent to steady the little fellow. A woman rushed up to him, evidently the child's mother.

  "Oh, thank you," she gasped. "I wanted to enter him in the competition for the cutest in his age group, but he got away from me."

  Jake stared down into the grubby face, and the little boy responded with an open-mouthed smile, showing off the remnants of whatever he had recently been chewing, which still resided in his cheeks. "Uh...well, good luck," he told the woman, willingly handing the child over to her firm grasp.

  The mother led the child away, and he turned back to examine whatever was laid out on the table. No one was tending the wares, and he indifferently picked up something, running it through his fingers.

  She hadn't even reacted to his mocking peck on her mouth. It had taken every bit of control he could muster to keep that kiss friendly, especially when what he really wanted to do was carry her off somewhere and examine every inch of that satiny skin to assure himself it was still as perfect as he recalled. He'd never been as scared in his life as when he saw Sunny and Teddy facing that damned rattler. He'd even stared down the barrel of a gun aimed at his chest, and raced through a barrage of cannon fire on a battlefield, with less terror.

  "Why, Ranger Cameron," a voice simpered. "Are you looking for a pretty hanky for a lady friend?"

  Jake glanced up into Evaline's face, then finally became aware of exactly what was spread on the table. Snow-white pieces of lace were scattered about, as well as neatly folded, embroidered ladies' handkerchiefs and ribbons in a multitude of colors and widths. Evaline had donated some of the wares from her dress shop for the fundraiser, and he held a piece of delicate frothiness between his fingers. At least two inches of lace surrounded the silk square, which was embroidered with blue roses holding the lace in place.

  "It's for Teddy," he quickly said. "For her birthday."

  "Oh, and when is her birthday?" Evaline asked.

  "I'm...uh...not sure, but I'm sure she'll have one some day."

  "Well, that hanky is a little bit much for a child. Wouldn't you rather look at something else?"

  "No," Jake said firmly. "I'll take this one."

  Evaline nodded, and told him the price. He dug a coin from his pocket, handed it to her and stuffed the hanky in his back pocket.

  "Oh, Ranger Cameron, why don't you let me hold onto that for you. You're getting it all wrinkled."

  Jake waved a negligent hand at her and sauntered on. Fun. He was supposed to have some fun. She had tapped him right there on the spot on his arm — those dainty, slender fingers dancing against his skin — and told him go to have fun. Just what you'd tell a friend to do. She'd patted that bow on his tie, with the tip of her tongue peeping through those strawberry lips to tantalize him, making him think of plenty of other things she could use that tongue and lips for. Then she'd walked away, unconcerned and unaware he was following her on wooden legs.

  Hell, yes, she was unconcerned and unaware. He'd made damned sure she couldn't see the effect on him — at least as long as she didn't look below his belt! And he'd managed to control himself before he had to remove his hat and hold it in front of his belt buckle. He'd acted definitely friendly, and now he was supposed to go have some fun, even though his subconscious clamored at him to find a private place and soothe his wounded ego over how badly his friendly kiss had backfired right into his own face and shattered straight through to his senses.

  He stopped and pushed his fingers into his back pockets, staring around to see which fun he should join. Over there, a crowd of men had set up a horseshoe game. The horseshoes clanged against the metal posts, ringing in the air. On past them, a gaggle of children pushed and jostled while they waited their turn on Suzie's pony. Teddy importantly led the pony around in a circle, while Suzie held a cigar box to collect the pennies.

  On his left, Mary Lassiter stood behind another table, covered with sparkling jars of jams, jellies, pickles and crusty loaves of bread prepared by the women. He chuckled a little when he looked over beside the roasting pit and saw another fire going, with a huge kettle of boiling water hanging over it. Half a dozen cowboys were husking baskets of corn and dropping the ears into the kettle. He'd have been willing to bet that could never happen. It took some tall talking to get a cowboy to do any work he couldn't perform from the back of his horse.

  'Course he knew one woman who could talk just about anyone into doing just about anything, and she wasn't even that tall. She could bat those bluebonnet eyes and curve those luscious lips, and a man would fall all over himself doing her bidding. Hadn't she organized an entire town into building a Cultural Center they didn't even realize they needed? And hadn't he obeyed her order to go have some fun?

  He noticed his fingertips smoothing the silky handkerchief in his back pocket and pulled his hands free. His palms brushed his holsters, reminding him that he had another obligation today other than having fun. He needed to make his presence known, to forestall any high spirited revelry turning into rowdiness and getting out of hand.

  For the first time in his life, though, he resented his obligation as the peacekeeper, and not just because it tied him down in one place. Today, he admitted he would be perfectly happy to join in with the families and leave the obligation of keeping order to someone else.

  "Jake!"

  Recognizing Ginny's voice, he turned to see her at yet another table. He strolled over, frowning at the contraption she had in front of her. It sure as heck looked like an ice cream churn, although he'd only seen one of those once before — up around Denver, where Charlie had his mine.

  "If you want a bowl of ice cream when it's ready," Ginny said with a smile, "you have to sign up here and pay your five cents. Then you have to take your turn cranking for at least ten minutes. You can also sign up for a bowl for a lady friend, if you want. How about it?"

  "Sure," Jake said with a shrug. "Only guess I'll just sign up for me."

  "Well, move over then," Charlie said from behind him. He nudged Jake aside and led Cassie up to the table. "I've got a lady friend here who I'm willing to be sure gets two bowls of ice cream for h
erself."

  Jake's jaw fell as Cassie smiled at Charlie and dropped his arm. Charlie took off his suit jacket and handed it to her, then rolled up his sleeves. While Ginny wrote his name down, Charlie started cranking away, playing into the admiration on Cassie's face.

  What the hell was happening to this town? Everyone in it seemed to be doing a complete about face from what he had come to expect from them. Ginny McAllister fit right in with the other ladies in town, even to the point where she had designated three of the tables in her saloon as what she termed her "lady's corner," covering them with bright pink tablecloths and setting vases of flowers in the center. She'd even ordered some screens from a catalog at Fred's store, to parcel off that corner of the room. As he watched, he noticed several of the passing ladies call a greeting to Ginny and promise to bring their own men over to earn them a bowl of ice cream.

  Cassie Foster, who he would have sworn would never alter her reclusive lifestyle, stood here amid the boisterous crowd of people. She looked twenty years younger, and the blue dress she wore made her look more slender than bony, as her dark clothing always did. She watched Charlie cranking the ice cream churn with a look in her eyes that made Jake suspicious she was eyeing Charlie's bulging forearm.

  Cassie caught him looking at her, and her gaze slid to the star on his shirt pocket. If he hadn't known better, he would have thought a rather guilty look crossed Cassie's face. He'd seen that look on a lot of men's faces when they first realized he was a Ranger and had sworn an oath to uphold the law, even at the risk of his own life. But Cassie Foster sure as hell didn't have anything to feel guilty about, unless it was her treatment of Sunny and Teddy. Did she?

  He nodded at her and received a stiff jerk of her head in reply. She immediately focused once again on Charlie, but Jake noticed Cassie clench her hands in front of her and worry her thumbs together.

  Jake reached into his pocket and pulled out several coins. "Here," he said, flicking them onto the table. "I'll pay for a few bowls of ice cream for young'uns like Teddy, but since I'm on duty, I can't help you crank. Gotta keep my gun hand free."

  Cassie's face grew white and she stepped nearer Charlie. Jake had little time to ponder the reclusive woman's disturbing performance, since he glanced up to see Sunny heading toward the table, a determined glint in her eyes. Surely she wouldn't confront his friend with her asinine questions right here in front of the entire town. Knowing her, she would, though.

  He cut her off before she could get close enough for Charlie to see her, sidestepping back in front of her when she attempted to swerve and avoid him.

  "Hey," he said. "I've decided what sort of fun I want to have. Let's go over and watch the cow chip tossing contest."

  "You go right ahead," she replied in a grim voice. "I've had all I want to do with cow chips today. I want to talk to...."

  "Oh, come on," he said, taking her arm in a firm grip and steering her away. "Whoever sent you that note will probably be watching to see if they pulled one over on the dumb city girl. You don't wanna give them that satisfaction, do you?"

  "Dumb city girl?" Sunny huffed indignantly, a flash of resentment in her bluebonnet eyes when she tilted her head back to peer at him from beneath her bonnet rim. "Why, this dumb city girl has created more activity and interest in this town than it's probably ever had since the first settler laid eyes on this piece of ground! I might even toss one of those chips myself!"

  Jake chuckled and she tilted her delicate nose a trifle higher.

  "Well, I just might," she repeated. "Or maybe I would, if I'd brought some gloves. Uh...people don't really throw those things with their bare hands, do they?"

  "Let's go watch and see," Jake said with a muffled guffaw.

  ***

  Chapter 17

  The parlor wall sconce sputtered, and Sunny jabbed her needle into the dress material, freeing her hand to rub her eyes. Glancing over at her aunt, she found her with her head bowed, asleep with her chin on her chest. The pretty white material of the dress Cassie was finishing up for Teddy spread over Cassie's black skirt, contrasting with the darker material in the dim light.

  She rose and quietly added some more kerosene to the glass sconce, relighting it before she crossed to the chair where Cassie sat. For a moment, she pondered the change in the other woman since the fundraiser. Still recalcitrant and abrupt, Cassie had nevertheless offered to assist with the new gowns for Teddy and Sunny to wear to opening night of the Cultural Center. At wit's end to make sure every tiny detail was handled before tomorrow night, Sunny gratefully accepted her assistance.

  Today when Sunny arrived home, Cassie had sewn the seams of Sunny's watered silk blue gown in place, leaving Sunny with only the hem to complete. After she tucked Teddy into bed, she found Cassie already in the parlor, working some embroidered pink roses into the neck of Teddy's gown. She'd commented on how beautiful the gown had turned out and how pretty it would be on Teddy, only to receive a shrug from Cassie.

  "She's living with us," Cassie had said. "We want her dressed appropriately, so she won't disgrace us."

  Yesterday, Cassie had even insisted she needed Teddy at the house instead of spending her afternoon with Ruth at the store. When Teddy had seemed agreeable to the change in plans, Sunny had left her, returning to find them baking cookies in the kitchen. Could she hope Cassie might be thawing toward the little girl? More to the point, would this change in her aunt hold firm or would she turn back into the prune-faced recluse Sunny had first met?

  And just how much did Charlie Duckworth have to do with all this? She knew he'd been by the house yesterday, because Teddy had chattered away about his visit at dinner that evening. Awestruck, Teddy had raved about the beautiful horse Charlie had led with him, insisting Cassie change into riding clothing and take a short jaunt with him. He'd taken Teddy on the front of his horse, and she'd had such a glorious time.

  But Charlie Duckworth made sure he left before Sunny arrived home, although Teddy has also imparted the important news that Charlie was taking Cassie to the opening night gala.

  Sunny nudged Cassie's shoulder, and Cassie started.

  "Oh," she said, shaking her head, "I fell asleep. What time is it?"

  "Almost midnight, Aunt," Sunny replied. She picked up the dress from Cassie's lap and shook it out, holding it up to peruse. "It's gorgeous, Aunt. The roses are the exact touch it needed."

  "Yes. Well, I'll press both the dresses tomorrow and hang them in your rooms. All you'll have to do when you get home is take your bath and get ready."

  "What are you wearing, Aunt?" Sunny asked slyly. "I haven't seen your dress yet."

  "It's nothing special," Cassie denied. "I did look at the Godey's catalog over at Ruth's the other day to see what the styles were now. I had a navy dress that I took a few tucks in and added some lace to. It will do fine, although I refuse to wear one of those dress enhancers Ruth tried to talk me into buying."

  "You mean a bustle? It's the latest, Aunt, and we do want to keep from disgracing ourselves, don't we?" Sunny teased. Instead of responding to the joshing tone of Sunny's voice, Cassie's face closed up, deepening the age lines on each side of her nose. She took the dress from Sunny.

  "I believe my nap has refreshed me somewhat, and I'll have trouble falling asleep. The dress collar needs one more rose to complete it, so I'll finish that now. You need to get your own rest, Niece, or you'll be dead on your feet tomorrow night, so go on to bed. I'll lock the house up."

  "All right, Aunt Cassie," Sunny murmured, fighting the urge to push Cassie into further conversation. Perhaps the slow and easy way would work better with her aunt. In any event, as soon as opening night was behind her, she would have lots more time to pursue her own goals. Who knew but what she might even get a chance to corner Charlie Duckworth on opening night and make him realize with a few well-planned remarks that she knew he wasn't at all what he seemed to be.

  Murmuring a good night to Cassie, she left the parlor. In her bedroom, she quickly changed into h
er nightgown, then turned back the bedspread and crisp sheets. The bed beckoned, but so did her nightly ritual of one hundred strokes to her hair. Sighing tiredly, she took her seat at the dressing table and began pulling hairpins free, laying them carefully in a glass dish, then picking up her silver-handled hairbrush. She counted up to fifty strokes before she remembered leaving the watered silk gown lying carelessly on the back of the settee. The least she could do was hang it, so Cassie would have fewer wrinkles to press out the next day.

  She hurriedly finished the remaining fifty strokes, then laid her brush down and stood. Her bare feet pattered soundlessly down the hallway, and the sight in the parlor froze her before she entered the room.

  Cassie stood with head bowed, her fingers brushing the embroidered roses on Teddy's gown. Tears streaked her cheeks, and the front of her gown shone like wet black silk with moisture. Sunny took a step toward her, but Cassie's tortured voice stopped her in mid-stride.

  "Oh, Sammy," Cassie whispered harshly. "How could you? How could he? Oh, Charlie. I just can't understand it, Duckie. After all these years, I still can't understand it."

  Sunny backed noiselessly away and returned to her room. Closing her door with a quiet click, she leaned against it. Sympathy for her aunt's obvious heartbreak stabbed her, though she couldn't keep from trying to interpret Cassie's words, given what she had already gleaned about the past.

  Ruth had been clear that Charlie had his eye set on Cassie, but Cassie rejected his suit in favor of another man's. Had Cassie then realized she had indeed loved Charlie, after Charlie's attention turned to her sister and they left town together? It made sense that way, but then things got murky. Taking into consideration the happenings of the last few days — Cassie's acceptance of Charlie's apparent courtship once again — had Charlie in turn realized he had left his own true love back in Liberty Flats? Left her mother to return there and worship Cassie from afar for all these years, with Cassie deciding to give their attraction another chance now that her sister had passed on?