Her words tumbled out quickly then, like she was trying to get them over with. “After that day, when I pictured my imaginary papa, I pictured you. And now that you’re with me, I don’t imagine him at all because I kind of think of you that way.” Her face flamed and she threw her hands over her eyes after her admission.
“Oh, honey,” he sighed. He observed her for a moment. Her hands remained over her face, and her shoulders began to shake. “Look at me, Lily,” he said, using his stern voice, which he knew she would obey.
She removed her hands slowly and looked dolefully into his eyes.
“I’m very proud of you for telling me that. Come sit on my lap.”
She made a move to obey and he helped with the rest, pulling her from her spot at his feet and settling her on his legs. Enclosing her in his arms, he said, “Thank you for sharing that with me, honey. I can tell it wasn’t easy for you, and I’m honored that you trusted me enough to say it. I’m also honored to be the person to give you the love you need now.”
Upon hearing his words, she relaxed against his chest.
“You know something else? I’ve already noticed that little girl side of you, the side of you who wants to be guided and protected. You’re certainly a woman, and I love everything womanly about you, but I also love your little girl side. I know you need me to take care of you like a papa does his daughter, and I’m more than happy to do so.”
“I’m so glad,” she said softly.
“And anyone who does my little girl wrong will have to answer to me.”
Lily wrapped her arms around him and buried her face in his neck. “Thank you, papa.”
Jesse smiled and gave her a squeeze. “Papa will be firm with you when you are naughty, but I think you know that already.”
“Yes, I do,” she said with a small smile.
Lily’s admission about growing up feeling unloved and unnoticed helped Jesse understand her better. It explained why she had felt unimportant at the age of fifteen. It also explained why she wanted to sing and dance in his saloon. In doing so, she would receive the attention and adoration of many people, shallow though it would be.
He thought that by showering her with love and attention, her desire to entertain would fade, but he soon realized that wasn’t the case. It was still on her mind, though she wouldn’t say it outright. “Just like a woman,” he would mutter to himself after one of her not-so-subtle hints that she wanted to work in the saloon.
On one of his visits to the farm, he sought Lily out and found her by the chicken coop. When she heard his steps, she spun around, ran to him, and threw her arms around his neck. He kissed her through his smile. She might be coy in her hints to work in the saloon, but she didn’t seem able to contain her spontaneous displays of affection for him. It was one of many things he adored about her.
She pulled away after she kissed him and took a step back. “I’m dirty. I probably smell like a horse.”
He grabbed her and pulled her back to his chest, enclosing her in a tight hug. “Don’t deny me the feel of you.” He loosened his grip after squeezing her. He brushed some dirt off her face with his thumb. “Besides,” he said in a teasing voice. “I like the smell of horses.”
Lily let out an unladylike grunt. “I hate being a farm girl. I want to wear pretty dresses every day and not be dirty all the time.”
Jesse groaned. Here we go again. He placed his hands on his hips and frowned at her. She stared into his eyes in a pleading way.
“Lily, why do you want to wear pretty dresses every day? It’s impractical for you.”
“I know, and that’s the problem. I want a different life—a life in town away from dirt and pigs.”
Jesse knew she referred to the saloon life, where all the girls wore satin or silk. “Didn’t we already discuss this, young lady?”
She blinked and gave him a vacant look. “I didn’t ask to work in the saloon again. I’m just saying I wish I could wear pretty dresses.”
He narrowed his eyes at her. “You sure you weren’t hinting at working at the saloon? Be honest.”
She looked down. “I guess I was a little. Sorry. I sure would love it if you’d let me work there, but I know you won’t. Mostly I look forward to when you marry me so I don’t have to live on the farm anymore.”
He groaned again. “You’re a heap and a half of trouble, Lily. It’s a good thing you’re cute.”
Her lips quirked up in a smug smile.
“How about this? I’ll help you finish your chores, and after that I’ll take you to town. We can go to the seamstress’s shop and I’ll buy you a dress you think is pretty. Then you can wear it to the next barn dance.”
Her eyes came to life. “I would really like that. Can I get a red silk dress like the madam wears?”
Jesse’s knee-jerk response was to say no, but he forced himself to consider it before speaking. He ran his hand over his face and determined it wouldn’t hurt anything. “I suppose, if that’s what you really want.”
“It is,” she exclaimed, and threw herself into his arms. “Thank you, Jesse.”
He wrapped his arms around her in a loose embrace. “You’re welcome. I don’t understand it, though. You look pretty enough in your homemade dresses.”
“No, I don’t,” she asserted, pulling away. “I look boring and plain. You just think I look nice because you like me.”
He scoffed and walked toward the bucket to get started on the chores. “Love you, not like you,” he muttered.
“What was that?” she called out after him.
He turned and fixed her with a hard look. “I said I love you. You know that.”
Her face broke into the happiest smile he’d ever seen. “I do know, Jesse, and I love you too.”
* * *
After they arrived at the seamstress’s shop, Lily made a beeline to the rack that held the readymade dresses. She’d never owned a premade dress, and she felt nearly faint with excitement. She didn’t even look at the fabric that she usually rummaged through when she needed sewing material.
Jesse cleared his throat, bringing Lily out of her single-minded focus. She looked at him. He was leaning against the frame of the door, his eyes twinkling. “I’ll leave you to decide what you want, darlin’. I’ll be back in about an hour.”
She nodded and returned to browsing through the rack of dresses. She heard him murmur some words to the seamstress before he left.
The bell on the door jangled a few minutes later, and a beautiful woman floated into the room. She wore a pink taffeta skirt with a bodice made of velvet and lace. Black ribbon housing a pink cameo circled her delicate neckline. Lily knew she was the schoolmarm, a lady from Boston who brought her fine things with her to their small town in Arizona.
“Hi, Marta,” she said to the seamstress in her thick eastern accent. “I’m looking to buy some calico material. Max says I should start wearing more practical things in the summer, and I suppose he’s right. It’s dreadfully hot.”
“Yes, I agree he’s right, dear. Besides, you’d look pretty in just about anything. No need for you to be uncomfortable.”
Marta led her to the material Lily normally looked through. When the seamstress returned to her sewing machine in the back, Lily approached the lady. “You’re the schoolmarm, aren’t you?” she asked shyly. “You’re married to the blacksmith. I’ve known Max my whole life and he’s a friend of my beau, Jesse. My name is Lily.”
She smiled. “How do you do, Lily? I’m Charlotte. You here looking for material too?”
Lily shook her head. “No. Usually I look through the calico there, but Jesse said he would buy me a readymade dress. To be honest, I want to look fancy, like you.”
Charlotte lifted her head and fanned her neck. Perspiration dotted her forehead. “I have to say, being fancy sure is uncomfortable here. I could help you look for a nice dress, though, if you want. I’d like to live vicariously through you.”
Lily didn’t bother asking the book-learned woman what
she meant by vicariously, fearing she’d sound ignorant. “I’d love it if you helped me.”
“All right,” Charlotte said, smiling. “Maybe we can help each other. You can show me which material is best for summer.”
Lily nodded, and they walked to the rack. “I like red dresses. What do you think of this one?” Lily showed Charlotte the dress in question. It was made of shimmering silk, like Charlotte’s skirt. The material that covered the shoulders and arms was black netting.
“My,” Charlotte said, continuing to flap the fan in front of her face. “That’s quite the dress. It’s pretty, but to be honest, it looks like something a lady of the line would wear.”
Lily grinned. “Well, I am being courted by a saloon owner. I think he might find me fetching in it.”
“Without a doubt,” Charlotte agreed. She observed Lily for a moment, and then added, “Although I have a feeling he likes the wholesome look. You look as wholesome as a newborn calf, my dear.”
Lily snorted. “Yes, wholesome would be one word for it. And he’d be just as happy if I wore a burlap sack every day. He said as much yesterday when he told me I looked pretty with pig slop stains on my apron and mud caked on my skirt.”
Charlotte laughed. “That’s kind of romantic and sweet, actually. I suppose what’s important is that you pick out something that you like. If you like the red dress, I say you should get it. Come to think of it, I have a hat that would match it. It’s black with red ribbon and a brilliant red and white plume. I could give to you. I don’t wear it anymore.”
“Oh, I couldn’t accept that,” Lily protested.
“I insist,” she replied. “Besides, you’re going to earn it helping me find the right material for a practical dress. I don’t know where to begin.”
Lily felt happy to help her new friend, who was as nice as she was beautiful. Charlotte decided on a light blue calico material with paisley print. “I’m so glad to have met you, Lily. You’ll come by my house soon and pick up the hat, won’t you? I’ll brew us some tea and we’ll have a long yammer.”
“That sounds real nice, Charlotte,” Lily said, beaming. She walked to the counter and asked Marta to package her new red dress. Marta enclosed it in brown paper and wrapped it with twine.
“Don’t you want to show Jesse what you chose before getting it wrapped up?” Charlotte asked.
Lily grinned and shook her head. “I thought it might be fun to surprise him. I want to get all slicked up in my new dress and then have him try to find me out of all the ladies at the barn dance. With your hat, it’ll be even more difficult for him.”
Charlotte laughed. “Jesse’s going to have his hands full with you, isn’t he?”
Lily joined her in laughing. “Yeah, I reckon so.”
The bell on the door jangled and Charlotte’s husband strode in, removing his Stetson as he did.
Charlotte continued speaking to Lily. “That’s good. It’s best to keep the menfolk on their toes. Otherwise they get lazy and terribly dull, not to mention—Oh! Hi, Max,” she said, pretending like she’d just seen him. She flashed an innocent smile at him.
“Very funny, Charlie.” His tone was serious, but his eyes twinkled. “You about done, or should I come back?”
“I just need a few more minutes.” She glided to the display of ribbons.
Max rolled his eyes behind her. “Is that a few more minutes real time or a few more minutes Charlotte time?”
Lily giggled, and Max looked over and winked at her.
Charlotte turned and glared at him. “The definition of a few minutes is anywhere from three minutes to ten, not, as you seem to think, thirty seconds.”
Max groaned. “I’ll be back.” He clapped his hat back on his head and walked out the door.
Jesse arrived a short time later and repeated the same question to Lily regarding whether she was finished. She said she was and bade Charlotte goodbye. When Jesse and Lily walked outside, Lily told him that she wanted to surprise him and not show him the dress until the barn dance.
Jesse adjusted the parcel in his arm. He seemed distracted when he answered, “Sure honey, that sounds fine.”
They walked in the direction of the farm. Lily glanced over to find him frowning. She laced her fingers through his. “Are you all right, Jesse? You look worried about something.”
He squeezed her hand in a reassuring way. “I’m sure it’s nothing.”
“Most people don’t frown about nothing,” she said, mimicking something he’d told her the first time they met. “What are you thinking?”
After a few paces he answered. “I saw something strange, and I don’t know quite what to think about it. While you were dress shopping, I went to the saloon. When I got there, I noticed Elijah coming out the front doors. His hat was bent forward and he wore a bandana that covered his mouth and nose. His clothes were different too, so it seemed like he was trying to disguise himself. I only recognized him because of his shoes and the way he walked.”
“That is strange,” Lily agreed.
“When I asked Daniel what the man wanted, Daniel told me that he asked for a book of matches. He didn’t order a drink. Daniel didn’t recognize him, and I guess no one else did either, except for me of course. Now what would that man want with matches from my saloon?”
Lily thought for a moment. “I don’t know. Maybe he just needed to light a fire?”
“But he could have gotten matches anywhere. Why would he disguise himself to get matches from the saloon? Something seems wrong.”
“Yeah, I see what you mean. If you’re worried about it, maybe you should report it to the marshal or something,” Lily suggested.
Jesse considered that. “I think you’re right. The marshal might laugh me out of his office for reporting something so minor, but at least I’ll have gotten it out in the open in case there’s something underhanded going on. Thanks, Lily girl.” He brought her hand to his lips and gave it a quick kiss.
Chapter Nine: A Woman Like No Other
Reporting the preacher’s suspicious behavior to the marshal turned out to be the best advice Lily had ever given and the best advice Jesse had ever acted upon. A day later, a fire broke out at the church, and despite the townsfolk’s best efforts to snuff it out, the building burned to the ground. A few yards away from the smoking embers, the marshal found a half-used book of matches with the saloon’s logo printed on it, clear as day. Near it was something Jesse hadn’t even noticed was missing—his two-pronged piano tuning fork.
Because of Jesse’s report, which Daniel corroborated, the marshal attributed the crime to the preacher. He arrested Elijah and charged him with both starting the fire and trying to frame Jesse. When the same four witnesses from before came forward to provide a false alibi for Elijah, the marshal threatened to charge them with obstruction of justice and perjury. The witnesses quickly decided to save their own skin and recanted their lies.
Jesse sat across from the marshal’s desk after Elijah’s arrest. “That’s the most dangerous kind of man,” the marshal said, with a head jerk to the cell in the back of the jailhouse. “He’s got half the town fooled and the other half flummoxed. No one suspects this kind of behavior from a preacher.”
Jesse nodded. “The whole town is learning a lesson about judging a man based on his occupation. One thing I’m glad about is that Maria will get some sort of justice, although Elijah still won’t be prosecuted for the crime against her. Is that true?”
The marshal nodded. “Yes, true, but the crimes we can prove should keep him locked up for some time.”
“Why would he do such a thing to his own church? It doesn’t make much sense. He’s willing to give up his livelihood just to frame me?”
The marshal rubbed his beard. “Likely his supporters would have banded together and erected a new church before winter. Before that, he could’ve used another location or simply preached outside. It’s warm enough. He’d have gotten a new church and his revenge against you. Makes perfect sense to me.”<
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Jesse lifted an eyebrow. “Well, when you put it like that, marshal…”
“I’m glad it sounds outrageous to you, Jesse. Unfortunately, I know all the usual tricks. Now, since I don’t see the preacher taking any sort of plea deal, I imagine this’ll go to trial. You’ll need to testify in Tucson.”
“Of course,” Jesse said immediately. “I want to see that man locked up for as long as the law allows. I’m willing to travel.”
“Good. Hopefully it won’t disrupt your life too much. I hear you and Lily are getting real close. That’s one thing Elijah told the truth about, eh?”
Jesse smiled and agreed. “Yeah, you’re right about that.”
He left the marshal’s office feeling vindicated. Finally, there was proof and the backing of the law as to Elijah’s character. It seemed that all would work out for Jesse in his plan to continue the successful enterprise of running the saloon and his plan to marry Lily.
He found a little house a half-mile east of town and made plans to buy it using his savings and a loan from the bank. He could already picture their life together, and he hoped they would be blessed with children to fill and liven the empty rooms in the house.
The barn dance was in two weeks, and Lily’s eyes sparkled when she spoke of it. She couldn’t wait to show Jesse her new dress, and he felt glad that he’d been able to buy her something that made her so happy. He wanted to spend the rest of his life putting the smile on her face and the light in her eyes.
He himself felt happier than he had for years, so when sudden misfortune struck, it came as a hard blow. The day before the barn dance, Lily fell ill with a high fever and took to her bed. All of Jesse’s future plans suddenly became less certain and less important, and he was overcome with fear and worry over the present state of the woman he loved. His first wife’s illness and ultimate death had started with a fever, and he implored the heavens not to be so cruel as to take Lily away from him too.
His Little Red Lily Page 8