“Miss Geraldine, that is a very kind offer-”
“Still, you cannot take me with you while you are conducting an official investigation,” she parroted instead of him while her whole face fell. She was not wrong. Robert wished it wasn't so.
Can I deputize her? he thought, then banished it immediately. On what grounds? No, that was not the way. “Look at it this way,” he started to think out loud, in hopes to cheer her up. “Do you believe any of these men would speak with me about their affairs, with you in our company?” He asked her.
She pouted. “I see your point,” she replied, reluctantly.
Geraldine sat on the bed, putting her elbows on the table and leaning her head toward him as if she had some secret to share with him. He mimicked her movements.
“This is all rather scandalous,” she confessed. Robert saw much worse in his line of work; he did not want to contradict her. If she was focused on the affairs and on solving the case alongside him, she wasn't thinking about her pain and how much she was missing her Aunt Elsa. There will be plenty of time for that later.
“I did not know Auntie Elsa was so rebellious.” To put it mildly.
“People can surprise you,” Robert replied, choosing to remain impartial once again. His stomach chose that moment to growl, and Geraldine heard it.
“Breakfast,” she said as if reminding herself and practically ran out of the room. Robert decided to follow her, feeling their conversation wasn't over. And he did just that after he carefully collected all the letters and put them away.
Not wanting to repeat the scene from earlier Robert made a lot of noise entering the kitchen. Geraldine narrowed her eyes at his, clearly understanding his motives. He settled at the kitchen table and watched her gathering ingredients for a vegetable omelet, by the looks of it. His stomach growled in approval. His egg aversion was short lived as it turned out.
Mrs. Laurel chose that moment to enter the kitchen. She came to a halt by the door when she spotted him, jumping ever so slightly in surprise. What's with Laurel women and their reaction to me? I bathed the previous night and this morning made sure my hair is combed, my clothes, provided by Miss Geraldine, clean. So, it isn't up to me, he joked.
Robert immediately stood up. “Good morning, Mrs. Laurel. How are you feeling?”
Mrs. Laurel looked at him and then at her daughter, Geraldine turned to look at her mother as well.
“Morning, Mother, you are up.” She said cheerfully, in one breath. They were both acting weird and out of character for some reason. As if they got caught doing something they shouldn't and were embarrassed.
“Ah, yes,” Mrs. Laurel started slowly. “I woke up rather thirsty.”
“I thought I left you some at the nightstand.”
“I spilled it.”
“Never mind.” Geraldine moved to the counter to pour a tall glass of water while Mrs. Laurel stayed at her spot, looking at him suspiciously, which made Robert feel highly uncomfortable. He racked his brain trying to find a subject for chatting, and he hated to chat.
Should I talk about the weather? Luckily, Geraldine saved him from having to utter one word. “Mother, I've been wanting to tell you something. Sheriff Bradway will be staying with us for the time being.”
“Why?” Mrs. Laurel demanded.
“Because he is in need of some boarding while he solves Elsa's case, remember?”
Should I excuse myself, offer to find another place to stay? He wondered. Robert wasn't fond of that idea, regardless he would do that to avoid such scenes in the future.
“I see,” Mrs. Laurel said, accepting water from her daughter. She drank the entire glass in one go. “That was divine, thank you, dear.”
“Would you care for another one?” Geraldine offered, and her mother shook her head. “I will be in my room if you need me. And Sheriff?”
“Yes, Mrs. Laurel?”
“Welcome to our home,” and with that, she left.
So, I guess I'll be staying.
Robert didn't even realize he was holding his breath until she left and couldn't even explain to himself why he acted in such manner in the first place. Because she is the lady of the house, and you really want to stay? A part of him taunted. He ignored that small voice completely.
“That went rather well,” Geraldine commented.
If you say so, Robert thought to himself. He almost broke into a sweat like he was a guilty schoolboy in front of the teacher. Lunacy.
Chapter Sixteen
Geraldine sighed in relief. She meant what she said to the Sheriff. That really went rather well. Her mother's reaction wasn't perfect, that was true enough. It could have been much worse. She couldn't help but shudder, remembering the “Tim incident” three years ago.
Geraldine thought it would be prudent to hire a part-time worker just during the harvesting season since there was a lot of work to be done in a short period of time. They were always struggling with money, that was true since Geraldine had to make monthly deposits to Mr. Johnson; however, her reasoning was simple. You need to spend money to make money. And with an extra set of hands, she could certainly cover more land and plant more.
Tim, a local boy that Father Mathew recommended to her who was a couple of years her junior, agreed to help. Long story short, her mother did not react well on having an unknown man on the property and chased him away with a pitchfork. Of course, he ran into town, screaming and shouting how a crazy lady tried to kill him, confirming something the whole town already knew, that Stephanie Laurel wasn't right in her mind.
No amount of coaxing on either side worked, Tim didn't want to return to the farm, and her mother insisted he was a bandit in disguise that would rob them senseless. Eventually, Geraldine gave up and did most of the job herself. For the hardest parts, she called Jeremy for help and only had to cook him dinner and call him Supreme Highness in return. It was a fair trade as far as she was concerned.
So, this reaction to the Sheriff staying with them was preferable. Besides, her mother was grieving and was allowed a little moodiness. The Sheriff did not share her enthusiasm, that was plain to see on his face. “I apologize,” she started to say. The Sheriff stopped her with a wave of his hand. “There is no need for that. I understand completely.”
Does he really or is he just saying that? He must have read her mind because he continued. Only then did she realize she voiced her concerns out loud. Geraldine did not have time to feel embarrassed since he completely stunned her with his words.
“Your mother is accustomed to a certain way of life and can react poorly if that life is disturbed in any way. I will do my best to not cause her any grievances during my stay on your farm for which I am eternally grateful.”
Geraldine could only gawk at him for a heartbeat or two while her brain tried to process his words. “Thank you?” She managed to stammer. She did not plan to phrase it as a question. It came out that way regardless.
He simply smiled at her in return, which caused an unknown feeling inside her stomach to appear, it was a kind of warmness and not completely unpleasant.
He did understand. Well, of course, he does. The more Geraldine learned about him the more she discovered he was a rather kind and compassionate man. With a unique sense of humor; she was particularly fond of that trait of his.
Stop daydreaming, Geraldine, and focus. “I do wish there was some way for me to assist you,” she said, returning them to their previous conversation. The one her mother interrupted.
Robert thought about that for a moment. Geraldine took it as a good sign. He did not dismiss her offer outright, so there was still hope. Or maybe she was being silly again. How could she possibly assist him? I know nothing about his job.“Maybe there is a way.”
It was her time to waver. “No, you were right before. What man would speak about such indiscretions in front of a lady?”
“Or his wife,” the Sheriff added almost conversationally. Geraldine caught his meaning immediately, though.
“
I see,” she replied as her mind worked from that angle.
“What if his wife is not there during the conversation?”
“Well, if she was someplace else, with a very chatty young lady perhaps, then men would be more willing to cooperate,” he winked for good measure and Geraldine smiled, liking this plan of his more and more with each passing second.
“And completely hypothetically speaking of course-”
“Of course,” he interjected, clearly enjoying this game as much as she did.
“Maybe that wife could say something to the young lady who would simply chat with her so the wife wouldn't suspect anything and reveal information about her husband, being none the wiser.”
Robert smiled. “Exactly.”
Geraldine felt giddy and excited all of a sudden. Sheriff Bradway will let me help. She was going to help Auntie Elsa, and nothing meant more to her at the moment.
“Then we are in agreement,” he added after a short pause.
“I guess we are.”
“Just tell me when will it be of convenience for you to visit our suspects with me?”
Geraldine marveled by his usage of “our”. “Do you know with whom you want to start your investigation?” Geraldine asked in return.
“I thought we should start with the most recent entanglement then work our way backward.”
Geraldine nodded. “Show me the list again, if you would be so kind.”
The Sheriff gave her the paper on which he wrote four names of the men Elsa had amorous connections. Geraldine took a pen and wrote down the names of the wives alongside their husbands, completing the list. Then she read them out loud.
“Cole and Agatha Kline, William and Martha Taylor, Fergus and Dorothy Johnson and Nathan and Betty Hobbs.”
She couldn't believe one of them could prove to be Aunt Elsa's killer. Geraldine felt slightly guilty for feeling in such manner because a part of her was rather excited she would be a part of the investigation.
“Today, after I finish selling eggs on the market I have to go and visit Mr. Rose regarding Aunt's Elsa funeral.
She and her mother were Elsa's kin as far as she was concerned, so it was up to her to arrange the funeral. “And then we can visit Mr. and Mrs. Taylor,” Geraldine announced.
“You know Father Mathew offered to arrange Elsa's funeral.”
“That is mighty kind of him, but I wish to do it.”
“I could accompany you,” he offered. “Perfect.”
With that settled, Geraldine felt much better. “How about some breakfast then?” She said with a broad smile since she was trying to make some from the moment she stepped into the kitchen.
He understood her meaning. “It was about time you suggest something like that, I was just about to complain about the service in this establishment,” he delivered all haughtily. Geraldine knew it was all for show.
“The quality of service matches the quality of the guest.” They continued to banter as she chopped, diced and cooked. It felt nice.
* * *
Geraldine was feeling rather energetic while she waited for the Sheriff to come to the Square and pick her up, so they could go and visit the Taylors. Her table was already packed, the money she earned safely tucked inside her inner skirt pocket. She was ready for departure.
Of course, she was no fool. Geraldine knew this could turn out to be a quite painful experience, if not dangerous. Robert wished to speak with William Taylor because he suspected him for the murder of her Aunt. Geraldine couldn't quite say how she felt about that. That one of the four men from her own town, men she knew from childhood, would do such a thing.
On one hand, she wanted the person responsible to be caught and brought to justice, on the other, as she stated before, those were her neighbors she knew all her life. The notion that one of them could be a killer was rather chilling. She decided to shoulder on for Aunt Elsa and do what needed to be done.
“Oh, shoot, I'm too late, aren't I?” Martha Taylor's voice snapped Geraldine from her thoughts. “Well, of course, I am, there is nothing here,” she answered her own question.
“I beg your pardon?” Geraldine could not believe the person she was just thinking about appeared in front of her. Of course, this was a small town, so it was bound to happen at least once a day, still, the coincidence felt eerie to Geraldine.
“You already sold everything, dear.”
“Ah, yes.”
Martha Taylor sighed, loudly. “That is quite unfortunate. I am in desperate need of some eggs.”
“I'm sorry,” Geraldine replied honestly seeing the other woman in such distress.
“I do hate to buy them from old Mr. Knite,” she glanced toward the other vendor, and Geraldine couldn't help but do the same. He had a dozen or so on his table.
“For the price he charges, you would expect them to be made out of gold. And they are not as tasty as yours,” she continued to chat, patting Geraldine on the cheek. Geraldine wouldn't dare speak ill of the competition, yet she was pleased to hear this.
“I could leave you a dozen or so first thing in the morning?” Geraldine offered as a compromise.
Mrs. Taylor thought about that for a moment then sighed. “I think that would be rather late. Oh, never mind, I will make it work,” she continued to think out loud. “You are such a dear, thank you.”
“I'm sorry there's nothing I can do for you now.”
“Oh, I'm just being silly. My William's sister Clarissa is coming to visit us. He went to Fort Mohave to bring her here actually.”
“Really?” So William Taylor is not home.
“Clarissa lost her husband, you see, a great tragedy really…”
“My condolences.”
“Thank you, so after the funeral, she and the kids will come to stay with us for a while.”
“That is mighty kind of you.”
“They are family. So, I wanted to bake a cake for the children, to cheer them up, even for just a little while.” Martha Taylor was by far the chattiest person in Oatman, and the most good-natured as well. “Do you think they would like that? Or perhaps something else? Some meat pie?” Mrs. Taylor inquired. “You were a child not so long ago, what would cheer you up?”
It wasn't that strange she asked about such things. Mr. and Mrs. Taylor did not have children of their own. They had been trying for years. The good Lord still did not grant them that favor. Mr. Taylor expressed his sadness he was childless in one of his letters to Elsa. Geraldine felt sorry for them both.
Since Mrs. Taylor looked at her expectantly, she refocused on her question. What would cheer me up if my father died? Nothing.
On the other hand, she did get a horse from Aunt Elsa, and that helped a little with her father's disappearance. Of course, she did not say what was on her mind. “I think you were in the right the first time around, Mrs. Taylor. The cake would be best.”
Geraldine's words brightened her mood and she smiled. “That was what I thought. All problems seem more manageable with a nice slice of Aunt Martha's cake. Oh, look at the time, I have to dash. I have so much work to do before they arrive tomorrow afternoon,” she said in one breath.
“I will make a delivery to you first thing in the morning,” Geraldine promised.
“You are an angel.”
Robert arrived just as Mrs. Taylor departed, practically running away. That was her usual walk, though, she was always in a hurry and always running late at the same time. The Sheriff looked after her then at Geraldine and there was an obvious question on his mind.
“That was Mrs. Taylor.”
“Our Mrs. Taylor?” He inquired, as if there was another one.
“Indeed.”
He looked at her accusatory; there was humor in those eyes as well. “What did you say to that woman to make her run away? Did you solve the case without me? Is she or her husband responsible? Should I run after her?”
Geraldine let him rant and waited for him to catch his breath so she could reply. “No, nothing of the
sort,” she finally said. “That is Mrs. Taylor's usual behavior.”
“I see. You let me rant for no purpose, then.”
“It had a purpose, it was highly entertaining for me.”
The Sheriff narrowed his eyes and said nothing to that. “Shall we go then, or do you think she did not have enough of a head-start?”
“Actually, change of plans,” Geraldine said, surprising him. Geraldine shared with him what she learned during her short chat with Mrs. Taylor. If William Taylor was away, there was no point in visiting their household today.
The Sheriff's Rebellious Bride (Historical Western Romance) Page 16