by Linda Broday
“Feeling pretty puny these days, but I ain’t one to complain.” Granny dropped into a chair and Delta took the one beside her.
“I feared you might be sick. Anything I can do?”
“Naw, I’m able to sit up and take nourishment.”
A grin curved Delta’s lips. Though she was in Texas now, that saying was pretty universal. “I’m glad to hear it. Granny, I need your help.”
The woman leaned over to pat Delta’s hand. “Jus’ tell me what you need.”
“First, I should tell you that I figured out that you and Mr. Quigley wrote the letters to me pretending to be Cooper.”
“Oh dear.” Color rose to Granny’s face. “You mad?”
“No. In fact, I should thank you. Those letters changed my life in so many ways. I owe you a debt of thanks. But that’s not exactly why I’m here. I need help with George Lexington.”
She told Granny about how stubborn he was and at cross-purposes with Delta and her vision for the hotel. “I have this idea. I want to get him married. A wife could do wonders in helping us solve our problem.”
Granny chuckled. “You, my dear, are devious. Almost as much as me an’ Quigley. A wife could be just the solution. Let her work her charms on ol’ Lexington to get him to bend.”
“Absolutely. Would you know of a likely candidate?”
“We got a handful of replies from the newspaper ad for Cooper. One of them might travel here for the chance to marry up with the owner of a hotel.”
“I’m afraid we don’t have time for a lot of letter writing. Perhaps you know of someone locally.”
“Well, the women ’round here have been picked over pretty good. But…Widow Sharp. Now there’s a possibility. Not a blessed soul knows what she looks like, though, hiding behind that black veil like she does. Wore it when she got here an’ it’s still coverin’ her face. She could have a big wart on the end of her nose, be missing her teeth, and cross-eyed for all we know.”
“She’s a mystery, all right.” Delta’s mind whirled. Could she talk the woman somehow into removing it?
“Those apple and cherry hand pies she sells to the Lily and Three Roses make your mouth water, so we know she can cook. A man likes a woman who can find her way around a kitchen.”
“When exactly did she move to town?”
“Let me see. Must’ve been about three years ago. It was along about the time I fell and busted my leg. Fact of the matter, I was laid up and missed all the excitement.”
“Oh my goodness. That sounds really painful. I’m sorry.”
Granny shrugged. “Things happen. It was an early wintry mornin’ an’ I stepped on a patch of ice. Went down like a sack of rocks.”
“Do you think that’s what happened to cause Miss Winehouse to fall and break her heel?”
“Wouldn’t be a bit surprised. Ice sure is slick.”
“Can you remember Widow Sharp’s given name?”
Granny’s forehead wrinkled in thought. “Cain’t rightly recollect. Agatha? Agnes? Shoot, plumb forgot, ain’t used it in so long. You might ask John Abercrombie. He might know.”
“Bless you, Granny.” Delta jumped up and hugged her. “I’ll go ask him right now.” She had a good feeling about this, if only she could talk the widow into giving up her veil.
John glanced up and grinned when Delta entered the store. “About time you paid me a visit. Have good news. Emmylou has agreed to work for us. She starts tomorrow.”
“I’m so glad. Do you need me to help out today?”
“Nope, I can handle it. You need something?”
“Widow Sharp’s given name. By chance, would you know it?”
“Sure do. She was my wife’s best friend. Name’s Clara.”
“How pretty. I’m just curious… Do you know why she wears that veil?”
“Nell swore me to secrecy. I promised not to breathe a word.”
Delta frowned. “It’ll stay strictly between us. The answer will help me out with a problem.”
“I’m not one to betray a trust. I’m sorry.”
Resting her hand on his arm, Delta said quietly, “I understand. Could you tell me where Clara lives?”
“That’s no secret.” He told her and she left.
The neat house had a white picket fence around it. Delicious smells wafting from inside told Delta the widow was making pies. She rapped on the door.
Clara Sharp answered the knock, wiping her hands on her apron. “Miss Dandridge, what a surprise.”
“Mrs. Sharp, I realize we barely know each other but I have something to discuss, if you can spare a moment of your time.”
“I hear congratulations are in order. The whole gossip mill is buzzing about your sudden windfall.”
“Thank you. I’m still getting used to it. May I come in? That is, if I’m not interrupting you.”
“I just finished taking the last of my pies out of the vat of grease. Please come in. I apologize for my lack of manners. And please…the name is Clara.”
The small parlor was handsomely furnished. The rich blues, golds, and browns blended together perfectly. A painting of a country garden added to the pleasant, warm atmosphere. Clara Sharp had the eye of an artist. And frankly it surprised Delta. She’d expected darkness from a woman who wore a veil even indoors.
Delta took a seat in a comfortable chair. “I came hoping you might accept an invitation to dine with me. I’d like to get better acquainted. All I know about you is that you make mouthwatering hand pies. They’re out of this world.”
“Thank you for the compliment. You’re too kind.”
When Clara’s veil fluttered, Delta knew the woman had smiled.
“Tell me how you got started making them.”
“My mother told me about them. She got the idea to make them when President Franklin Pierce was in office. He called them fried pies and ate them very often.”
“We had something very similar in Georgia, only we called them crab lanterns. So your mother taught you to make them?”
“Yes. I’m most grateful I showed aptitude, since it’s the only talent I seem to have.”
“Oh, Clara, don’t you believe that for a second. Judging from this room, you have a most interesting gift. I’ve never felt so at home. The colors you chose are outstanding.” She gazed at Clara, trying to guess her age. Dark brown hair with hints of gold. No wrinkles or age spots on her hands. A striking voice that didn’t tremble. Putting all that together, the pie maker was probably in her early or mid forties.
“Again, I thank you. We never seem to view ourselves as others see us.”
“About that invitation… Will you take supper with me this evening?”
“I’ve never eaten away from home. The stares, you know.”
“We won’t pay them any mind. Please say yes.”
“You’re very convincing.” Clara hesitated a moment, then answered, “Yes, I suppose I will.”
“Wonderful. I’ll see you at six o’clock.”
Delta left with hope in her heart. Clara Sharp would be perfect for George Lexington. All Delta had to do was find out the reason for the veil and get Clara to trust her.
It didn’t sound so hard when she said it real fast.
Thirty-three
Cooper’s heart pounded in his chest. He scrambled over a downed tree and made a flying leap at the fleeing figure of Tolbert Early.
The men went down in a flurry of arms and legs.
“I got you now, you rotten piece of filth.” Cooper slammed a fist into Early’s jaw and enjoyed the pleasure he felt. This had been a long time coming and he meant to take his time.
He kicked Early’s gun into some thick undergrowth. Grabbing his adversary’s shirt, he yanked him to a sitting position. “It’s time for you to pay the piper.”
“Go to hell,” Tolbert spat
.
“Don’t have to go. I’m already there.” Cooper looked around for Rebel. No sign of the horse nor Early’s either. Where Rand and Brett went, he couldn’t say. They’d gotten separated when they rode upon Early and his scraggly group.
They were about fifteen miles from town. Too far to walk. Breathing hard, he sat down, keeping his gun pointed at Early. Any sudden move and he’d blast the man to kingdom come. He’d rest a bit, then see if he could locate the horses.
With a smirk on his face, Early started to reach inside the dirty jacket he wore.
“Keep your hands where I can see them,” Cooper ordered.
“Cain’t a man have a smoke?”
“Not until I get you to the jailhouse.” He didn’t trust this wily devil as far as he could throw him.
Early laughed. “Like that’ll happen.”
“You’ve always underestimated me. You did when I was fourteen, and nothing’s changed.”
“You had no call to shoot me!” Hate glittered in Early’s black eyes.
“That so? My memory isn’t that fuzzy.”
“I was just trying to teach that boy a lesson. He had it coming. He stole my gold watch.”
“That boy is my brother, and he didn’t steal a damn thing.” A lad Brett had developed a friendship with had lifted the watch, intending to trade it for food. Brett had taken the boy’s beating rather than snitch on him. “You’re a sorry piece of scum that’s not fit to live. So why did you come back now, anyway?”
“To kill you. All three of you. You put me in a living hell. I got this crazy itch and cain’t scratch it. I aim to make you know what it’s like ’fore I put a bullet in you.”
“That a fact? Seems things are working out better than I thought. You’d have gotten off too easy, had you died back then.”
“I hope you’re keeping an eye on your lady friend,” Early said softly.
Ice filled Cooper’s veins. Though it was a struggle, he kept calm. “I don’t know where you get your information, but I don’t have a lady friend.”
“I watched you climb into her window. Are you right sure pretty Miss Dandridge is safe?”
Cooper jumped to his feet. Towering over Tolbert Early, he held his Colt to the man’s forehead. “One hair gets out of place and there won’t be a hole deep enough for your men to hide in.”
“You might want to rethink that.”
Early’s words echoed in Cooper’s brain before pain exploded in the back of his head and everything went black.
***
“What kept you?” Early snapped, jumping to his feet.
“We was busy tryin’ to outrun Thorne’s brothers. Finally shook ’em,” a man who answered by the name of Too Tall said.
“What happened to the other four of our band?”
“Don’t know. Maybe those fellers captured ’em. What are we gonna do with this one?” He waved his gun toward the man on the ground.
“Well, don’t just stand there, shoot him.”
Too Tall backed away. “I don’t mind shootin’ a man in a fair fight. But in cold blood goes against my principles. You can’t pay me enough to hang for you.”
“You little coward. Hand me your gun and I’ll kill him.”
“Use your own. You ain’t gettin’ mine.”
Livid, Tolbert knelt in the brush where Thorne had kicked his weapon and began pawing the ground.
Pounding horses’ hooves interrupted the search. He stood as Thorne’s two brothers galloped into the clearing. Leaping onto the back of Too Tall’s horse, Early and his cohort lit out.
***
Six o’clock found Delta sitting across the table from Clara Sharp. She’d half expected the widow to have second thoughts. But she hadn’t, and that thrilled Delta.
“Thank you for coming, Clara. This is wonderful.”
Clara placed her napkin in her lap. Her fingers were long and elegant. “I confess, I almost changed my mind. But you’re a very intriguing woman, and I wanted to get to know you.”
“There’s nothing unusual about me. I’m boring.”
“I beg to differ. You’re very lovely and you’ve managed to light a fire under this town. How you did it I’ll never know.”
The waiter came and took their orders.
“I simply fell in love with Battle Creek, and it broke my heart to see the disrepair of the buildings.” Delta thought she glimpsed a smile through the widow’s black veil.
“But you won the citizens over and made them see your vision. That’s quite a feat. You’ve made a difference in so many lives, my dear.”
“It makes me happy to help.” Delta’s gaze swept the small café. She smiled and nodded to George Lexington, sulking at a corner table. If anyone could get the unhappy man smiling, it would be Clara Sharp. “Do you by chance know Mr. Lexington?”
“We’ve met. He complimented me on my baking skills. What a lonely, lonely man. I feel sorry for him.”
“Me too. But he frustrates me to no end with his refusal to do anything to the hotel. I simply don’t know what to do next. I’ve tried everything.”
“Don’t be too impatient. Sometimes it takes a while for men to come around.” Clara had a beautiful, melodious voice.
“I sure hope so.” But Delta was no longer thinking about George Lexington. As usual she found herself wondering where Cooper was and what he was doing. She yearned to see him. Maybe he’d climb up to her bedroom tonight. Her breath quickened. “How long has it been, Clara?”
“Been?”
“Since you’ve been widowed. Isn’t that why you wear the veil?”
“My husband has been gone for a good many years, but that’s not why I’m dressing this way. This veil shields me from pitiful stares. You see, I have a hideous scar and can’t bear to see the shock on people’s faces.”
“I’m so sorry. I apologize for prying. Maybe one day you’ll have enough confidence to lay it aside.”
“I doubt that.”
“The people here are very accepting. It wouldn’t make any difference to them.” They’d certainly accepted Delta.
“Perhaps I might try it one day. You inspire me.”
Their food came and Clara satisfied Delta’s curiosity about how she would eat. The woman simply slipped her fork under the veil and into her mouth. Same with the glass of milk. Much to Delta’s dismay, she didn’t get as much as a glimpse of Clara’s features. Scar or no scar, something told her Widow Sharp was a beautiful lady.
They finished their meal and stood outside the café. The brilliant sunset cast a purple glow. On impulse, Delta hugged her new friend. “Thank you for spending this time with me.”
“It was my pleasure. We’ll have to do it again.”
Rand rode into town just then, leading another horse with a bound man in the saddle.
“Oh my goodness.” Fear wound around Delta’s heart. There had evidently been a fight. Where was Cooper?
Clara grasped her arm tightly. “What on earth happened?”
“I don’t know, but I’m going to find out.”
Both women hurried after Rand, almost beating him to the jail. They pounced on him when he dismounted.
“Where’s Cooper?” Delta demanded. “Is he hurt?”
“Are you all right, Mr. Sinclair?” Clara’s voice trembled.
“Ladies, let me get this prisoner inside first, and then I’ll answer your questions.”
Delta gently took Clara’s arm and they moved to the side to watch Rand hustle his man into the stone jail. Why the widow trembled so seemed a bit odd, but given how closely she worked with Rand it made sense. After all, Clara made hand pies for the saloon and even did Rand’s laundry, Delta had heard. They stood there silently waiting.
At last Rand came out. “Delta, Coop is all right. Early’s man bashed him on the head with the butt
of his gun and made him see stars. But last I saw, he was his old stubborn self. It’ll take more than that to do him in.”
“Thank you for the report, Rand. I worry about him out there.”
Clara touched his shoulder. “You look tired. Are you all right? They didn’t hurt you?”
Rand shook his head. “No, Mrs. Sharp, they didn’t hurt me. Wasn’t for lack of trying, though. This time we almost had ’em. Next time we will for sure and end this mess. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to grab a bite of supper and get back out there.”
“Be safe and don’t take any chances,” Clara said softly.
They stood a second watching him head to the café, then hugged and parted ways, with Delta returning to the boardinghouse.
Though she knew most likely Cooper wouldn’t visit her room after dark, hope persisted. If only she could see those gray eyes and feel his body next to hers. She’d like to talk to him about Clara Sharp. The mysterious widow had captured her curiosity. And what was the connection with Rand?
She stared out over the town. Her heart sang. Change was already apparent. And no one had killed her over it. Truly a miracle.
Slowly she undressed and slipped into her soft cotton gown with a row of lace around the neck and bottom of the sleeves. Smoothing the folds, she marveled at such luxury. She’d spied it in the mercantile and snatched it up. That she could afford such things now had begun to sink in, though she suspected she’d always be frugal. Fear that her fortune would all go away in a heartbeat made it impossible to get too comfortable.
She’d just turned down the bedcovers when someone frantically pounded on her door. Her blood froze.
Thirty-four
“Delta, help me!” The woman’s desperate voice sent chills up Delta’s spine.
Jerking the door open, Delta gasped. Jenny clutched her stomach. Blood had soaked her clothes and the floor. So much blood. “Oh, dear Lord!”
“The baby.” Tears streamed down Jenny’s face, almost healed from the beating. “Hogue…”
“Let’s get you to bed. It’s going to be all right.” Delta helped Jenny to her room and noticed the overturned chair and the quilts on the floor. It appeared a fight of some kind had taken place. But who? Hogue was still in jail. Or was he?