Ilene’s head was spinning. It had been two days since the quilting bee, and things seemed strained between her and Tramp. He spent less time with her, but then again, she was getting better. She hadn’t been sure what to make of it until now.
She sat on the settee wishing she could curl up into a small ball and roll away. It seemed Tramp was telling people what they wanted to hear. Pastor Plunkett sat in a chair across from her, looking very apologetic.
“We’ll gladly allow you the use of our wagon. We, the missus and I, plan to move into this house as soon as they are wed.”
“The use of your wagon? I guess I don’t understand.” Her heart dropped. Unfortunately, she understood completely. She’d been played for the fool once again.
Pastor Plunkett leaned forward and gave her a nod. “Yes, our wagon. It would be perfect for you, and you’ll be right near our other daughters who are also unmarried. I’ll be looking to you to chaperone them on any outings. I need them to find husbands.”
“Yes, well I’ll give it some consideration,” she said politely as she fumed.
Pastor Plunkett stood and nodded to her. “It’ll all work out. There is a plan for each of us.” He walked out the front door and as she watched him from the window she saw his wife hurry to him. They talked with their heads bowed.
It must have been nice to have such faith and to have someone to confide in. The wedding was still going to happen, and she’d done the unthinkable. She’d fallen in love with Tramp. Her heart shattered as she gazed at the wagons outside. Of course she’d be the perfect chaperone. She didn’t have responsibilities to keep her home and she wasn’t competition for the would be husbands.
All she wanted to do was ride a horse and feel the wind in her face. She’d settle for being able to mix batters and knead dough. Time was wasting away, and she needed to come up with more money. Carefully, she stood and limped into the kitchen, pausing to catch her breath before she continued on to her bedroom. Sitting on the bed, she reached over to the bedside table and opened the drawer. She felt around but didn’t feel the old stocking she kept her money in. After telling herself not to panic, she stood and opened the drawer wider. It was gone. Her money was gone!
Ilene slumped down onto the bed. Had she put it elsewhere? She tried to think but in her panic she had a hard time concentrating. When had she seen it last? Tears of frustration filled her eyes. Was it before or after her accident? Taking deep slow breaths, she was able to calm herself enough to logically think things through. She had it before the accident after Cookie had come back from taking her pies to town.
It had to be around somewhere. She leaned over the table and peered behind it hoping it had been dropped there. Nothing was there. Perhaps under the bed? The thought of getting on the floor almost discouraged her but she didn’t have a choice. She needed to find her money.
Slowly she knelt down on the wood floor and then lay so she could see under the bed. Besides a bit of dust, there was nothing. Every muscle in her body screamed at her. She shouldn’t have gotten on the floor. How was she supposed to get back up with only one hand in her weakened condition? She sat up and was able to get to her knees and using her elbows on the bed she lifted herself up. Lying in bed had made her weak.
She needed to accomplish two things: getting stronger and finding her money. It made no sense. Who would bother to take what little she had? Her heart dropped. How was she supposed to move out of the house? The pastor’s offer was looking better and better. Pressing her lips together, she vowed not to cry. It wouldn’t help. Despite her best efforts a lone tear trailed down her face.
If only she could confide in Tramp but he was part of the problem. He kept insisting she could stay. He probably didn’t want to hamper her recovery. Whether she wanted to or not, she’d have to talk to Judge— Burt. Ugh, thinking of him as Burt was hard. He’d always be Judge Gleason to her. Beggars as they say. She didn’t have a choice. Living at Addy’s was out. She didn’t have a dime to feed herself let alone to set up for baking. It was time to admit the truth and let go. Tramp had been her best friend but not anymore. Not ever again.
She felt steady enough to get to her feet. Slowly she limped outside and headed for the Plunkett wagon. Mrs. Plunkett looked overjoyed to see her.
“My dear, you’ve made the right decision. You’ll be such a help to my girls. I’ll have to find out when the wedding will be. I’m sure it’ll be soon. I knew you had a good head on your shoulders. Hanging on to a man who is promised to another only leads to heartbreak.” Mrs. Plunkett gave her an understanding smile.
“Yes, we need to find out the details. Let me know what you find out,” Ilene said. She could hear the quaver in her voice, and it appalled her. She didn’t want anyone to know her heart was breaking with every word. She turned, intent on going back to the house when she saw Cookie hitching the team up to the wagon. She might as well go and talk to—Burt and get it over with.
Cookie smiled at her when she approached. “You’re looking better every day.”
“No, I’m not but thank you for saying so. I have a favor to ask. Could you possibly give me a ride to town? I have some business to take care of.” She quickly glanced away, not wanting him to see how upset she was.
“I don’t see why not.” He paused. “Let me grab a hat out of the barn for you. That sun is scorching today.”
Ilene nodded. She hadn’t thought to put on a bonnet, and she was too tired to go back for it.
“Here, let me help you up into the wagon and then I’ll fetch the hat for you.”
It hurt so much getting into the wagon, and she wished she had the choice of staying home but that choice was gone. Her heart beat painfully against her chest. What was she supposed to say to Judge Gleason? What if he wasn’t interested in marrying her anymore?
“Here you go.” Cookie climbed up, took his seat on the bench, and handed her a hat. “Next stop Asherville, Texas.”
He chuckled, and she wished she had as much joy in her heart that Cookie did. Everything inside her screamed at her to go back but she had to be steadfast. The time for choices was over.
Chapter Eight
Tramp peered around the empty house in confusion. Where the heck was Ilene? He’d just come back from the big house so she wasn’t there. She must be at the barn. Quickly, he strode to the barn and stepped inside. Rollo was there brushing down a paint named Salty. He looked up at Tramp and nodded.
“Rollo, have you seen Ilene?”
“She’s with Cookie.” He went back to brushing the horse.
“Where with Cookie?”
“They went to town. You just missed them. Cookie came in to get a hat for Ilene. They’ll be back in a few hours, I expect. Is something wrong?”
Tramp shook his head. “No, I was just wondering where she got off to.” Shrugging his shoulders he turned and walked back outside. Mrs. Plunkett came hurrying toward him. He was tempted to turn and walk the other way, but it wouldn’t be polite.
“I’ve been hoping to catch up with you, Tramp. You’re a hard man to track down.” Her smile was so big it almost blinded him.
“I’ve been around. What’s this all about?”
“I like that. A man who doesn’t beat around the bush with small talk. I have most things set. I just need a date. Ilene is going to live in our wagon while we live in the house. Ilene offered to chaperone the girls when their beaus start showing up. She is such a dear. So I need the wedding date so I can start packing. I want to take measurements of the windows and such. Curtains need to be made, and that awful settee needs recovering. Don’t you worry about a thing. Ava and I will set that house to rights. It needs a woman’s touch.”
He scowled. “There has been a woman living there. I don’t know what touches you’re talking about.”
“Of course you wouldn’t know. Ava has a hope chest filled with table cloths and napkins, doilies, and stitched tapestries to hang. She even has baby clothes all ready to go. Oh, I know it’s a bit early to talk
of babies but soon. So, you see we have a lot already set up we just need to decide on a date.” Her eyes danced with excitement.
He inwardly fumed as he put a rein on his temper. No matter how many times he said he wasn’t marrying Ava, everyone still believed they were engaged. How could that be? “Ilene agreed to live in your wagon?” He cocked his right brow.
“Yes, like I said she agreed to it and to be a chaperone.”
“Who is going to chaperone her when she goes courting?”
“Tramp, you must realize she’s getting to be an old maid, and I don’t like to brag, but she’ll hardly be seen as a blossoming flower next to my girls. Even she agreed it to be the truth. Facts is facts.”
“I see.” He didn’t see. Ilene was a blossom or whatever Mrs. Plunkett said. Why hadn’t Ilene talked to him about it? He’d made his intentions clear. Hadn’t he? She must know how he’d come to care for her.
“Tramp?”
“What?”
“I asked about the date. It very important.”
“I’ll tell you what. Ask Ava what I said when I supposedly proposed. I’m sure we must have set a date.”
Mrs. Plunkett’s jaw dropped open. “Supposedly proposed? I heard rumors about your character, but I didn’t believe them.”
“They’re probably all true. Good day, Mrs. Plunkett. I have an errand to run.” He tipped his hat, turned and stalked to the barn. He quickly saddled Jack and headed toward town.
How on earth could Ilene believe the Plunketts over him? Hadn’t he just told her he loved her? He pulled Jack to a stop. Dang! No, he hadn’t. He’d never said any pretty words to her. What was she thinking right now? More than likely she hated him. For her to go to town was odd enough. She must have been desperate to get off the ranch.
Nothing was working out the way he had it planned in his head. He had wanted to take it slow, but he’d planned to court Ilene as soon as she was well. “Jack, we need to find that female and quick. Yaw!” They raced over the plains toward town. When they arrived, Tramp swung out of the saddle to the ground. He tied Jack to the hitching post in front of the mercantile. The wagon that Cookie drove was there too.
Taking a deep breath, he entered the mercantile but, to his dismay, she wasn’t there. The only people in the place were Cookie and Edith making eyes at each other. It was enough to make him groan. “Howdy. Where’s Ilene?”
Cookie pushed off the side of the counter he’d been leaning on. “She wanted to talk to Gleason about something. There’s something not quite right with her today.”
“Ava’s been spreading lies again. I need to talk to Ilene. I’ll make sure she gets home.” Without waiting for a reply, he was at the door in a few strides and left. More than likely, Judge Gleason was at Eats’ Place. Crossing the street Tramp hurried into the restaurant. He scanned the building until he spotted the judge. That was curious. He was alone.
Dodging tables, Tramp made his way over to the judge’s table and sat down without waiting for an invite. “Where is she?”
“She left. I offered to escort her, but she doesn’t want anything to do with me.”
“If you hurt her…” Tramp threatened.
“I think the real culprit is you. I told you that you’d end up tarnishing her reputation. I can’t marry her now. That’s what she wanted you know. She asked me to marry her. Can you imagine?”
Tramp smiled. “Yes, actually I can.” He stood and was out of the restaurant in a flash. He peered up the wooden walkway and down the other side but he didn’t see any sign of her. He was about to take a look around when Poor Boy stuck his head out the door.
“She’s at the Sheriff’s house talking with Cecily.”
“I appreciate it, Poor Boy.” Tramp gave him a nod of thanks and started walking in the direction of the O’Connor homestead. It was within walking distance from the town.
What would he find? He’d have to worry about that when he got there. No sense inviting trouble. His boot heels clicked against the hard wooden walkway with each step he took. He ran out of wooden planks and walked along the dirt road. It all looked quiet as he climbed the steps to the door. He was just about to knock when the door swung open.
Cecily didn’t seem too surprised to see him. “Come on in. Maybe between the two of us, we can figure out what to do.”
He took his hat off before he entered the house. “Figure out what?”
“Where Ilene is supposed to go when you get married. I understand your mother-in-law to be is measuring the place for curtains and the like. Shane thinks that eventually, before you know it, you’ll have the whole Plunkett clan in your house.”
He rubbed the back of his neck. “Where’s Ilene?”
Cecily grabbed her bonnet from a hook near the door. “She’s in the kitchen. I’ll leave you two alone. Meanwhile I’ll try to come up with a solution for Ilene.”
He barely heard the door close. He was focused on telling Ilene the truth and making sure she understood it. She probably hated him, and he was innocent. He slowly walked into the kitchen, and what he saw nearly broke his heart. Ilene was sitting at the table with her back toward him. Her shoulders heaved as she cried. Damn, maybe she really did want to marry Gleason. She sounded heartbroken.
He strode until he was close enough to scoop her up into his arms and then he sat down placing her on his lap. He tucked her head under his chin and held against her his chest as he wrapped his arms around her. Rocking her back and forth he tried to give her comfort. She was heartbroken all right, and it was Judge Gleason’s fault. Well, he admitted, he had tried to push them together, so maybe he did have a kernel of guilt.
“You’re too good for Gleason,” he murmured.
She brought her head out from under his chin and stared at him. “The whole town knows?”
“No, of course not.”
Her eyes narrowed. “What are you doing in town?”
“I could ask you the same thing. I came to make sure you were all right.”
“I never asked for your protection. You were just following me, trying to find out when I’d leave so you can set a wedding date. I do have one option left to me, and I’m going to take it. How hard can it be to chaperone a few girls?”
“I don’t know why Mrs. Plunkett asked that of you. You’ll end up stealing their beaus.”
Her smile was sad. “Thank you for saying that, but we both know I’m an old maid. I never realized how little time a woman had to get married.”
“You’re not an old maid. I’m sorry you’re not marrying Judge Gleason.” He wasn’t really sorry, but she looked so sad. “I’m not marrying Ava. I told you before how she keeps announcing our engagement.”
“That was before her mother came to visit. It’s been brought to my attention that I’m selfish staying in your house, when Ava and her parents could be living there.” She peered up at him as though searching his eyes for the truth. “I just don’t know what’s going on. Somehow you and Ava are not of the same mind. She really and truly believes you two are to be married, and her whole family believes it too. I wish I could just say I believe you, but if you had told Ava that you weren’t getting married, why she going ahead with making plans for a new life with you?”
She shifted on his lap as though she wanted to get up, but Tramp held her firm. “I have no idea. I’ve talked to her a couple times and told her we are not getting married. I never proposed, but she has it in her mind that we’re marrying. Quite frankly, I don’t know what to do.”
Ilene hung her head and whispered, “I made a fool of myself by proposing to Judge Gleason. I don’t know. For some reason, I thought, well actually, I don’t know what I thought. I’ve never felt more mortified in my whole life. He told me my name was sullied. Can you believe that?”
Tramp put his finger under her chin and lifted it slightly until his gaze met hers. “He’s a damn fool. I mean, it is a bit unconventional for a woman to ask a man, but he should never have called you sullied. I thought the man had more
class than that. You’d think the man would’ve been flattered. Someday, he’ll realize what a mistake he made.”
He liked the look of wonder in her eyes as she stared up into his. Perhaps he was making strides after all.
“I seem to be back to where I started,” she murmured. “I have nowhere to go, and I can’t tell you how awful that feels. When my parents died, I felt the exact same way. It took the three of us working for the small part of the room we called home, and as soon as the money wasn’t enough the landlord threatened to put me out on the street. Since then, my life has been utter chaos. I have days when I feel safe and secure and then days like now, where I feel the ground eroding all around me. Cecily said I could stay here for a while, but that’s only temporary, and I need a permanent solution. Right now, I think living in the Plunkett’s’ wagon would be for the best. I’ll still be close to the horses, and as soon as I’m 100% better I plan to work with them. I need the money. Somehow mine is all gone.” She gave him a slight smile before she pushed herself into a standing position. Then she began to pace. She winced with each step, but she kept going.
“What do you mean your money’s gone? Did something happen to it, or did you spend it all?”
“No I was saving so I could maybe open a bakery. I realize I’ll never be able to afford to do that now. There are always obstacles in life to overcome, and this is one of them. Cinders will pay me for the work I do with the horses. Eventually, I’ll be able to save up enough to go out on my own.”
Tramp saw right through her brave front, and his heart squeezed. “Are you in love with Judge Gleason?” His hands balled into fists as he waited for an answer.
Her eyes widened as she shook her head. “No, I’m not. He seems like a stable man, and I thought he was interested in me. I made a big mistake.”
Tramp started to relax. It made him smile on the inside that she didn’t love Judge Gleason. “I do have an idea about how you can stay in the house.”
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