“Do you mind if I bring Nate in on this?” Tolley often spoke of his oldest brother’s wisdom, so Justice considered it.
“Since Evangeline is his houseguest, he has a right to know if he is harboring a lawbreaker.” He hated the sound of his own words. “Tell you what. I’ll invite myself to supper tonight and have a talk with him.”
“Sounds good. I’ll wire some folks in New Orleans and Denver to find out about these laws. Let’s pray a winter storm doesn’t bring down the telegraph wires before we get some answers.” Tolley jotted down a few notes, then patted the portfolio, to which he’d returned the documents. “If it’s all right with you, I’ll keep these.”
“Certainly.”
“By the by, I’ve been wanting to commend you for the way you’ve dealt with Evangeline’s son and his friends. They certainly did a good job keeping the streets clean as they worked off their sentence.”
“Only because either my deputy or I watched over them.”
“Still, you could have put them in jail. You know, when I was their age, I was a troublemaker myself. Probably should have been locked up for some of the things I did, but we didn’t have a jail back then.”
Justice nodded. “I’ve heard. Knowing what a stickler for the law you are now, it’s hard to believe.”
Tolley sat back and studied Justice. “Go easy on Gerard. If his father was as crooked as you remember, the boy needs strong, godly men in his life to show him a better path.”
“I’ll try.” In fact, he already had tried, everything from kindness to quiet firmness, even joking. Yet every day when he visited the boy’s classroom, Gerard’s belligerent attitude remained the same. He traded looks with Cart and Deely, and they all sneered at Justice.
Contending with this troubled—and troublesome—boy was turning out to be as difficult as learning the truth about his mother.
* * *
“Children, I’m so proud of you.” Marybeth Northam stood beside Electra Means at the front of the sanctuary, while some thirty children sat in the front four pews. “You’re all such good little actors and actresses.”
“It’s always hard to decide how to assign the parts.” Electra held up a small tablet where she and Marybeth had written notes during the tryouts.
Seated beside Evangeline, Isabelle wiggled with excitement. Beyond her, Lizzie sat still, but her eyes twinkled in anticipation. On Evangeline’s other side, Gerard sat back against the pew with his arms crossed. To her surprise, he’d actually performed his forced tryout quite well, reading several parts, if not with enthusiasm, at least without rebellion.
“Now, if you aren’t assigned the part you wanted,” Marybeth went on, “don’t be sad. Every part is important whether small or large, and we need each of you to do your best.”
“Quit yapping and tell us who gets what.” Gerard had the good sense to mutter the words quietly. Nevertheless, Evangeline nudged him with her elbow and softly shushed him.
“Our angel choir who sing to the shepherds will be Molly Starling, Lizzie Northam, Isabelle Benoit—”
While Marybeth announced several more children’s names, Isabelle emitted a soft squeal of delight and hugged Lizzie. Evangeline couldn’t be more pleased for the girls. She would happily sew their costumes, if they weren’t already made.
“Our shepherds are Jack Starling, Natty Northam, Randy Northam...” Electra named several more children Evangeline didn’t know as both shepherds and wise men. At the end of the list, only three parts remained.
Evangeline held her breath. Would Gerard be left out?
“Our innkeeper—” Marybeth sent a tight smile in her direction “—will be Gerard Benoit.”
To her surprise, he sat up and grinned. Evangeline’s heart skipped a beat. Perhaps this Christmas play would be just the thing to change her son’s life.
Finally, Mary and Joseph were announced, children whom she didn’t know. Then the directors dismissed them, and the sanctuary erupted in gaiety before the little ones dashed outside into the falling snow.
While Evangeline helped Isabelle and Lizzie into their wraps, Gerard started up the aisle toward the door.
“Wait, son—” She started after him, but stopped abruptly.
Hugo stood at the back of the room wearing a scowl. Beside him, Justice leaned against the wall, arms crossed, a lazy grin on his face that set her heart to racing. Both men now walked toward her. Would they bring her world crashing down around her right here in the church?
Justice reached her first. “Afternoon, Evangeline. Nate asked me to make sure you and the children got home safely. I brought a sleigh so we won’t get stuck in the snow.”
“No need, Sheriff.” Hugo elbowed his way to Justice’s side, blocking the aisle. “I can manage to get them safely home, wherever home might be.”
Evangeline scrambled mentally to sort things out, as she’d often done with Lucius. Turning to the four children, hers and Susanna’s, she forced a laugh. “My, my, imagine that. Two fine gentlemen both want to take us through the falling snow.” She gave Hugo a little smirk. “Of course you realize, if Nate sent the sheriff to fetch us home, I must do as my cousin advised. You may follow along, if you wish.” She choked on the idea of repeating Susanna’s supper invitation.
“I’m going to ride with Cousin Hugo.” Gerard stepped over to him as though taking sides in a baseball game.
“I don’t know—” Evangeline looked to Justice, not really expecting him to help her.
“Cousin Susanna said to invite you to supper.” Gerard gazed up at Hugo as if he were his hero.
“Did she? Excellent. It’s settled then.” Hugo put an arm around Gerard. “I shall rent a horse for the two of us, and we can follow the sleigh.”
Gerard beamed at the mention of riding a horse. Evangeline regretted that Nate hadn’t had time to let him ride one of the Northam horses. Now he admired Hugo all the more.
“Shall we go?” Justice spoke to Hugo, taking the situation out of Evangeline’s hands.
If not for their earlier moment of apparent rancor, she would think the two men planned this.
While Hugo and Gerard went to the livery stable, Evangeline and the children, including the Starlings, were tucked under the blanket in the sleigh. Justice took the driver’s seat and drove across town to deliver Molly and Jack Starling to their mother.
They met the others at the corner. Gerard rode proudly behind Hugo on a brown horse whose coat had grown long and shaggy for the winter. Natty and the girls sat between Justice and Evangeline, giggling and wiggling underneath the blanket as Justice urged the two sleigh horses forward. His own dappled gray mount was tied to the sleigh for his ride home. They made their way along the darkening streets of Esperanza to the highway leading south.
“Did you ever ride in a sleigh before?” Justice’s question, asked over the heads of the still-giggling children, surprised Evangeline because of his jolly tone.
“No.” She couldn’t permit herself to imagine he truly meant to be her friend. She felt a shiver shake her body, not knowing whether it was the temperature or the fact that she was sharing a sleigh with Justice. “How long did it take for you to adjust to this cold climate?” The breeze nipped at her nose and froze her lips, making it difficult to form words properly.
“A few years.” He gave her an open smile, which did nothing to soften her trepidation about heading toward an evening with evil Hugo Giles and the sheriff. She felt as if she were headed toward her doom. “Even in the worst blizzards, I never consider going South again.”
“Why not?” And why, oh, why, was she making inane conversation about the weather with the man who would soon arrest her?
“I’ve found it’s not where I live but who my neighbors are that makes a place home.”
She could only nod in agreement. The people of Esperanza
were good, decent folk who had welcomed and accepted her and her children. If not for her coming doom, she could be so happy here.
She knew that no matter how much it would sicken her to speak of such things, she must tell Nate and Susanna of Hugo’s plans. Surely they wouldn’t permit Gerard and Isabelle to face such a dreadful future.
They arrived at the ranch in about a half hour. As always, Wes met them in the barnyard and helped Justice tend the horses. Obviously regarding himself above such labors, Hugo followed Evangeline and the children into the toasty warm house.
“Entering through the back door, Evangeline? How quaint.” His sneer hadn’t left his face by the time Susanna and Nate met them in the kitchen.
She could see Nate assessing Hugo and not liking what he saw. Susanna, though, bubbled over with hospitality, welcoming her own children first and then her guests.
“Come on in and get warm.” Amidst all the hubbub, she took a moment to accept Hugo’s overdone kiss on her hand. “My, such a gentleman. Now, you and Nate go on into the parlor. I’ll have hot coffee for you in no time.”
Justice came through the kitchen and joined the men in the other room. While Evangeline helped Susanna finish supper preparations, she ached to listen to their conversation. Surely they wouldn’t confront her with the children present. Perhaps after supper. She trembled as she removed biscuits from the baking pan, a simple kitchen task she’d managed to master without breakage.
Soon everyone gathered around the dining table for Susanna’s rich beef stew, the perfect meal to warm a body on a cold, snowy day.
Despite Susanna’s flawless hostess skill at including everyone in the conversation, the adults all appeared to be watching each other. Nate kept an eye on Hugo, who answered polite questions vaguely. Justice reported on Esperanza’s continuing peacefulness, emphasizing how folks looked out for one another. As she listened and observed, Evangeline’s throat tightened and, though hungry, she couldn’t seem to swallow. Finally, Susanna addressed the children one by one.
“We haven’t heard from you, Gerard. How was your day?”
Grinning, Gerard glanced around the table, with a brief, requisite scowl at Justice. “I got the best part in the whole Christmas play.”
Evangeline smiled with maternal pride.
“What part is it, dear?” Susanna asked.
“I’m the innkeeper.”
“The innkeeper?” Nate played along, asking with artificial shock, “Why is that the best part?”
Gerard smirked. “I get to be mean to Mary and Joseph.”
The room fell silent. The adults exchanged looks of shock. All except Hugo, who mirrored Gerard’s smirk. He opened his mouth to speak, but Evangeline rushed to speak first.
“Why, yes, it’s an important part of the story. When Mary and Joseph came to Bethlehem, there was no room at the inn, so the innkeeper sent them to the stable. But he wasn’t mean to them, my darling.”
Before any further comments could be made, Lizzie piped up. “Izzy and I get to be in the angel choir to sing to the shepherds.”
“I get to be a shepherd,” Natty added. “Dad, can I take a lamb to give to Baby Jesus?”
The innocent, round-eyed question caused everyone to laugh. Again, everyone except Hugo, who rolled his eyes and sneered...again.
“I don’t know about that, son.” Nate continued to laugh. “We’ll see.”
“Well, one thing’s for sure,” Susanna said. “Evie and I will need to purchase material and begin sewing the costumes as soon as possible.”
“You like to sew?” Justice stared at Evangeline with apparent surprise.
“What a question, Sheriff.” Susanna clicked her tongue. “Haven’t you noticed her lovely clothes? No, of course not. You’re a man, so why would you? Evie makes all of her clothes and those of the children. She always has. And her hats, as well. Why pay other people to do what she does so well? And she enjoys it, too, don’t you, Evie?”
“Yes, very much so.” With every eye on her, Evangeline’s face warmed with embarrassment. Hugo seemed more annoyed than impressed by her cousin’s revelation. Yet it was the probing expression on Justice’s face that caused her the most chagrin. Why should he be surprised to learn of her sewing skill? Why should he even care about such a mundane thing?
After supper, Evangeline and Susanna put the children to bed. When they returned to the kitchen, they found Nate and Justice cleaning up the kitchen. Hugo sat at the kitchen table nursing a cup of coffee and a sour disposition.
“I must say, Mrs. Northam—” he gave Susanna a puzzled look “—you certainly have your husband well trained.” He waved a hand toward the sink, where Nate was scrubbing the cast-iron Dutch oven. “Thank you for your charming hospitality, but I must be going.” He stood and shuddered slightly. “Sheriff, are you returning to town now? I’m not entirely certain I can find my way back to the hotel.” His remark seemed aimed more at getting Justice out of the house than possibly needing a guide through the snow.
“As soon as I finish drying these dishes.” Justice didn’t appear to be in any hurry. “Evangeline, in case the snow keeps you from coming to town tomorrow, why don’t you make a list of what you need from Mrs. Winsted’s, and I’ll bring it out so you ladies can get started on those costumes.”
An emotion she couldn’t name wound through her. If he planned to arrest her, surely he wouldn’t offer this help. Nor would he speak of her making the costumes...unless he planned to trick her, as Lucius often had.
“Of course. I’ll get some paper.” She fetched scrap paper and a pencil from the parlor desk and returned to the kitchen. With Susanna’s help, she composed a list of supplies.
“And to save my manly pride,” Justice said, “would you sign the note so Mrs. Winsted won’t think I’ve taken up sewing?”
Everyone laughed except Hugo. Again, he appeared inordinately displeased.
“I think it’s a bit late for your manly pride,” he muttered. “What real man washes dishes?”
Evangeline glared at him briefly before signing the list with a flourish. “There. I’ll humor you, Sheriff. We appreciate your consideration. But surely this light snow won’t keep us home tomorrow.”
“You never know. We could have a blizzard at any time.” He finished his work and took the paper in hand. As he read it, an odd, and perhaps happy expression crossed his face. “This will come in handy.” After that odd remark, he folded the page and stuffed it in his shirt pocket. “You ready to go, Giles?”
“Yes.” Hugo shuddered again.
“Say, Giles,” Nate said, “you want to borrow a poncho? Your coat’s more suited to the Gulf Coast weather than Colorado’s.”
Hugo stared at him, perhaps surprised by his generous offer. “Why, I...”
“You poor man, you aren’t going anyplace.” Susanna wagged a finger at him. “You’ll spend the night here. We can move the boys around so there’s a place for you to sleep in their room.”
Evangeline gasped softly. She should have warned Susanna about him. Too late now.
“Mrs. Northam, I accept your kind invitation.” Hugo’s face was pinched with embarrassment. Obviously he didn’t care to be obligated to people whom he considered his inferiors.
“It’s settled.” Justice didn’t appear at all disappointed at this turn of events. “I’ll take my leave of you fine folks. Thank you, Susanna, for a fine meal, as always. Good night, all.”
He retrieved his hat and fur-lined duster from the mudroom, donned them and strode across the barnyard, where a sprinkling of snow still fell. His silhouette against the barn’s lantern light sent an ache through Evangeline. How she wished he were the one sheltering here for the night. A foolish thought. Nothing could come from longing for what could never be, and yet she did.
Justice and Hugo might be her adversaries, but s
he was her own worst enemy.
* * *
Justice rode into the lightly falling snow with no difficulty. He and Thunder had been through more actual snowstorms than he could count. As for the freezing wind blowing through the woolen scarf covering the lower half of his face, he barely felt it. However cold it was, it couldn’t diminish the warmth flooding his chest. Evangeline made her own clothes. That surely meant she hadn’t run up large bills with New Orleans merchants. The proof would be in her signature on the list in his pocket. He would compare it to the invoices Tolley had locked in his office.
The relief he felt staggered him. Why? Why did her innocence mean more to him than that of any other falsely accused person he’d ever apprehended?
In truth, he feared he was breaking a long ago promise to himself. He was falling in love with the woman who’d destroyed his ability to love, the woman who’d refused even to face him and end their engagement in person. Nothing he’d seen since she came to his town suggested she’d changed or that she cared for him. In fact, she’d been shocked to find him living here, and sometimes she seemed almost afraid of him, even before Giles arrived in town. He didn’t understand why because he’d never done anything to hurt her, and he never would. She’d been the one to hurt him. And if he surrendered to this tugging of his emotions in her direction, she would without doubt break his heart again.
Despite his fears, he would do everything in his power to prove she hadn’t incurred those debts to the merchants. As for the money Giles claimed she owed to his bank, Justice would investigate further. But the simple fact—if it proved to be fact—that Giles was trying to extort money from her suggested this could be another lie. But what was his ultimate purpose in pursuing her if she didn’t actually owe the money?
On the way to his office, Justice turned down a side street to view his new house in the dark. Faint light from the windows of Tolley Northam’s house next door illuminated the snow-frosted scene, and his heart warmed again. Would Evangeline find this house as welcoming as he did, even with no light coming from within? Or would she think it small and simple compared to the mansions in New Orleans’ Garden District where they’d grown up? If he asked to court her so they could discover if any remnant of their youthful love remained, would she agree? Or would her fear of him forever keep them apart?
Cowboy Lawman's Christmas Reunion Page 15