by Linda Ford
“The river is out of your way.”
“So, we took the scenic route.” His food was quickly losing flavor. Was there no such thing as privacy in this town?
“You’re skirting my question. What is your intention?”
He leaned forward and grinned at Sylvie. “I’ve been in town five days. Hardly time for me to have much in the way of intentions.” He sobered. “The only thing I can tell you is I mean to always be honest about my feelings.” He returned his attention to his food. It turned the green beans bitter to know he wasn’t being entirely honest with Victoria about other things. But then, what could he say? That he thought she looked like someone he’d seen in the past…the past she had forgotten? It hardly seemed the thing to make her anxious to see him again, especially given the way she’d reacted to telling him about losing her memory.
Sylvie sniffed. “That girl is something special, and I expect you to remember it.”
“Don’t seem I’m likely to forget it with you keeping an eye on things.”
She snorted. “You can count on it. Now, you still want that pie?”
“You mean I deserve it?”
“That has yet to be seen.” She marched away and returned with a slice that was a quarter of a large pie. If this is what she gave to a person she wasn’t sure deserved it, he couldn’t imagine the size given to someone she approved of.
He glanced at the clock hanging by the kitchen door. It was about time to make his way to the church. “Thanks for the meal. And the warning.” He handed over the coins for his food and sauntered down the street toward the church. He was sure eyes peered at him from every window and little boys peeked around every corner.
By the time he reached the church, he chuckled softly.
Not seeing anyone else there, he slipped inside.
“You sound amused.”
He started at Victoria’s voice nearby and slid into the pew beside her. “I hope you know there are people in town ready to defend you from people who might hurt you.” He told her that Jimmy and Sylvie knew about their walk. “I’ve been duly warned.” He shuddered. “Miss Sylvie scares me.”
Victoria laughed, a sound that rivaled Sunday morning bells.
She stopped so suddenly he glanced about to see the cause.
“What were you warned about?” she asked.
He tried to think how to explain it without making it sound like he meant to seriously court her. He didn’t. Not after Betty, who pretended one thing while being something else entirely. Victoria? She might not be pretending, but if she turned out to be the missing rich girl, all it would take for her to be spirited away was someone contacting Mr. Hayworth. Someone like Smitty. “She was very clear that she expects you to be treated in a special fashion.”
“And what did you say to that?”
“Yes, ma’am.” He gave a smart salute that earned him a burst of laughter. “What else could I say? She serves the best restaurant meal in town.”
“She serves the only restaurant meal in town.”
“All the more reason to agree to anything she says.”
Victoria studied him unblinkingly, her blue eyes full of dark depths.
He steeled himself to return look for look. He couldn’t answer her unasked questions any more than he could say what they were. He couldn’t give Sylvie the assurance she wanted. Or explain to himself what he wanted.
Sure, he wanted to make sure Victoria was okay. That meant sticking around in case Smitty came back, because he was sure the man would return. Then Reese’s task would be to convince him not to think of Victoria as the missing Constance Hayworth. At least not until he knew if the Hayworth girl was still missing.
He knew he had to protect her from the likes of Smitty if for no other reason than he had blurted out her likeness to the missing girl. Protecting her was the right thing to do.
He’d considered all possibilities for the mystery of who she was.
One, she might truly not have any memory.
Or she might be pretending for reasons of her own.
Or the Kinsleys had somehow influenced her.
But the one that caused him the most concern was that someone wished her harm and she was hiding.
Victoria gave a triumphant smile. “Then I shall expect to be treated in a special fashion.”
He saluted. “Yes, ma’am.”
They laughed together.
Josie and Eve rushed through the door and skidded to a stop.
“What’s so funny?”
“Tell us the joke.”
Reese sighed. “’Tis the worst town ever for everyone knowing everyone else’s business.”
Victoria laughed so hard she had to wipe tears away and Reese grinned, feeling rather proud of his ability to amuse her.
Her sisters looked less pleased with him. He quickly explained. “If you must know, I was telling how Miss Sylvie threatened to refuse me a piece of pie if I didn’t treat Victoria right. I’m sure she meant all of you,” he added hastily lest they take offense.
Eve and Josie joined arms and faced him. “What have you been doing to earn Sylvie’s warning?”
“Oh, good grief.” He looked to the ceiling as if appealing for help in that direction.
“He isn’t going to help you.” Josie sounded quite certain that Reese couldn’t expect godly intervention.
Victoria chuckled at Reese’s predicament then got to her feet and pushed him from between the pews. “Come on, you two. Stop picking on him. We’re supposed to be practicing.”
Victoria laughed as she urged him onward, while the other two muttered as they followed. Reese couldn’t believe he was part of such a scene and turned to face them.
“I’m sure glad Miss Sylvie can’t see how you’re all treating me. No, wait. I think if I tell her she’ll give me a really big piece of pie.” He smacked his lips. “With a mound of whipped cream. Yummy.”
He led the laughing procession to the front of the church and swept a bow to Victoria to sit at the bench. He crowded in beside her, raising his eyebrows as he turned to the other two girls.
“According to Miss Sylvie, it is my duty to see that Victoria is treated right.”
The three of them pushed him right off the bench. He dusted himself off. “I’m going to have to tell Miss Sylvie about this, you know.”
Victoria began to play, a bouncy little tune he didn’t recognize.
He stood behind her, Eve and Josie at his sides, and listened. Victoria ended that tune and sighed.
“They say music calms the savage beast. I know it soothes me when I’m upset.” She glanced over her shoulder at the three standing behind her. “I hope you have all settled down so we can get serious about practice.”
Reese saluted. “Yes, ma’am.” He succeeded in getting her to laugh again then she shook her head and began to play the song they meant to present at the talent night.
He’d always enjoyed singing but usually the cows were his only audience. Sometimes they joined in with a note or two, but they didn’t sound a tenth as good as the Kinsley sisters.
His sudden laugh broke the rehearsal, and three girls stared at him.
“I’m sorry.” He held up his hands. “I was thinking how I normally only sing around cows and am accompanied by their plaintive moos and an occasional bellow. I decided this is better.”
Victoria shook her head. “I think that is the first time I’ve been compared to a cow.”
Eve sighed. “Me too, but at least he was kind enough to say we’re better.”
Josie lifted her hands in a sign of resignation. “You can take the cowboy from the cows, but you can’t take the cow out of the cowboy.”
It was several seconds before they all sobered up enough to continue practice.
That night, Victoria had much to write in her journal. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d laughed so often or so hard. She chuckled as she wrote down the events of the day, though mostly she wrote about the evening.
“Why
do you think Sylvie felt she had to warn him?” Eve asked.
“Because she favors Victoria,” Josie said.
“She does not.” Victoria felt she had to deny it even though she knew it was true.
“Yes, she does, and has ever since you found her in her room, sick with a cold, and took over the restaurant for a week. She says you saved her life and her business.”
“I just happened to be there at the right time.”
“Vic, you deserve her praise. You did a good thing.” Eve’s tone was gentle.
“You’re not jealous?”
“Of course not.” Both of them answered as one.
Josie sat up on her elbow. “You deserve every good thing that comes your way. Including Reese.”
Victoria tossed a pillow at her. “He’s nice enough and makes me laugh but that’s as far as it goes.”
“For now,” Eve said. “Read us what you wrote.”
Victoria did so and the girls laughed again. Thanks to her careful notes, this would be one day she would enjoy over and over no matter what the future held.
The next morning the girls were busy decorating baskets for the box social and speculating as to who would buy their lunch and, along with the food, the privilege of sharing it with them.
“I think Reese will buy yours,” Josie said.
“How will he know which one is mine?” If Reese bought her lunch at least she wouldn’t be forced to share with a stranger and wonder if he knew her from her previous life.
Reese had given no indication that he knew her, so she didn’t have that concern.
“A man who is interested has his ways of finding out.” Josie and Eve grinned at each other.
“You can’t tell him.”
“Of course not.” Eve looked duly sincere.
Victoria looked from one sister to the other. “Don’t push me at him. Or him at me.” A shiver raced across her shoulders. “I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to face strangers without fearing they know me from before. And if they do, what do they know? It’s very unsettling.”
The girls relented. “I wish you didn’t have that worry,” Eve said.
Josie hugged Victoria. “I wish you could know who you are without forgetting us.” They all sniffled. Her sisters knew her concern that the return of her memory would erase any memory of being a Kinsley.
Eve returned to preparing her basket. “I don’t like the feeling that a huge anvil is hanging over you, over all of us, and none of us knows when it will fall. Can’t even run from it.”
Sobered by the thought, Victoria returned to her task though the anticipation was dulled by the continual threat of that anvil.
After they had dinner, Stella and the children retreated to their room for a nap.
Ma watched them leave. “I had hoped Stella would be getting her strength back by now. But I tend to forget she almost died.” She picked up her knitting. Ma always had socks and mittens on the go, as well as sweaters and scarves, most of which she gave to those who came to them sick, injured, or down on their luck.
“Lisa and I are planning something for the talent show. I need to go practice.” Victoria left the house and decided she was early so would take a leisurely stroll. Which just happened to take her by the livery stable.
She slowed as she approached the barn. Jimmy and his dog came into view. Jimmy waved his arms as if describing something big and wonderful.
Victoria took two more steps and saw that Jimmy talked to Reese who curried a horse.
Reese’s shoulders shook as he laughed at something Jimmy said. His hat shaded his face so she couldn’t see his eyes, but his mouth was visible. She smiled to think of the laughter they had shared.
She stayed close to the buildings ,so she wasn’t observed by Jimmy or Reese and took two more steps. She knew it was wrong to eavesdrop, but nevertheless she hoped to overhear their conversation. Her foot dislodged a stone and it rattled down the street.
Jimmy leaned back. “It’s Miss Victoria. Hi.”
“Hi yourself.” She gave up trying to be invisible. “How are you? Oh hi, Reese.” As if she was surprised to see him!
“I’m good.” Jimmy rocked back and forth. “Tomorrow is the talent show. And boxed lunch. Ma is going to make a lunch. I’m thinkin’ I’ll buy it.” He stuck his hand in his trouser pocket and jingled a few coins. “I been runnin’ errands to earn a little money for that purpose.” He studied Reese. “I could brush the horse for you. I could do them all. You might think it’s worth a nickel.”
Reese chuckled and adjusted Jimmy’s crooked hat. “I’ll gladly let you brush all the horses for a quarter.” He handed Jimmy the curry comb and Jimmy took over the job.
Reese leaned back on the fence, his arms outspread on the top rail. Victoria rested her elbows on the same rail to watch Jimmy. Her elbow brushed his wrist.
A jolt of warmth raced to her heart and it was all she could do not to jerk away and draw attention to the innocent barely-there touch.
“He reminds me of myself at that age,” Reese said, forcing Victoria to shepherd her thoughts back to the boy. And the man who was speaking.
“How’s that?” She couldn’t picture him a ragged little boy.
“For one thing, I lived in town. Chicago.” He paused as if asking if she remembered.
“You’ve said you lived there.”
“I often went to the nearby barn to help with the horses. I ran up and down the streets and alleys. I suppose I saw a lot of things others didn’t, just like young Jimmy here.” He chuckled. “I have a feeling there isn’t much goes on in Glory without him knowing.”
“His ma has her hands full trying to make a living. She does laundry. A back-breaking job if ever there was one. The poor woman’s hands are sometimes raw from scrubbing.”
They watched Jimmy eagerly doing his job.
Reese tipped his hat back, letting the sun illuminate his face. “I’d like to say he needs a new pa but there’s no guarantee that wouldn’t make things worse for him.”
“And he’s too young to leave home like you did.”
“I’ll have to ask Sylvie to watch out for him.” Reese’s tone was so solemn she thought he truly meant to do exactly that. Then she realized he was joshing, and she laughed.
“I doubt that Sylvie needs to be told to do so. She likely checks out every unmarried man who comes to town. Not to mention every resident and visitor.” Victoria gave him a considering look. He turned and met her gaze.
“What?”
“My pa is measuring you for a wedding suit.” She blushed to think Reese might think she was fishing for more attention from him. She rushed on to add, “And Miss Sylvie is watching your every step. Even Jimmy has his eye on you. I’d say it was enough to keep you living very carefully.”
He laughed. “At least at my ranch I can hope for a little privacy.”
“Apart from cows who help you sing?”
His eyes warmed and a smile settled into them. “What they lack in musical talent, they make up for in total disinterest.”
Expecting him to say enthusiasm, his choice of words struck her as funny and she laughed.
“I’m done,” Jimmy called. “Guess I’ll do the next one.” He trotted away.
“Oh goodness. I’ve forgotten the time. Lisa and I are practicing for the talent show. She’ll be wondering where I am.” Victoria lifted her skirts and took three steps.
“Wait. I’ll walk you over.” Reese vaulted over the fence and fell in at her side.
They walked up the street and turned left. White’s store was at the far end of the street. A wagon rumbled past. The driver waved.
“Mr. Marsh,” she said by way of explanation. “He and his family are homesteaders.” She wondered if Reese objected to the homesteaders as many ranchers did. “Pa says what he lacks in experience he makes up for with dogged determination.”
He chuckled at her echo of his comment.
A pair of cowboys rode by and touched the brim of their hats in
greeting.
“Those two have been to dinner on Sundays.”
A couple emerged from the hotel. Strangers. Her footsteps faltered.
Reese stopped. “Something wrong?”
“I don’t know those people.” She couldn’t keep the tremor from her voice.
Reese studied her. “Is that a problem?”
Of course, he thought her reaction odd. “It’s simply that every time I see a stranger, I wonder if they know me even though I don’t know them. It’s an unsettling feeling.”
He drew her arm around his. “I expect it is, but they are showing no interest in you.” He guided her up the street to the store.
The door opened and Miss Sylvie stepped out with a basket of purchases. She looked at Victoria’s arm entwined with Reese’s then gave Reese a forbidding look. “Humph.” She tossed her head, sending the strings of her bonnet into a mad dance and hurried past them.
Victoria withdrew her arm. “She doesn’t sound impressed. I hope she isn’t going to refuse to feed you.”
Reese pressed a hand to his stomach. “I hope not too, but I can always make biscuits.” His gaze held hers.
Why did she think she saw things in his eyes that she had no business believing? Things like hope, promise, safety…
Stop. How could she hope she would ever be safe from her past?
“Lisa will be waiting for me.”
“I’ll see you later.” He waited for her to step inside. She watched through the door as he walked away. She lifted her hand in quick goodbye just as he turned and touched the brim of his hat.
“Now what are you doing?” Lisa’s voice, so close behind her, made her jump.
“You have to stop sneaking up on me. You’re going to turn my hair gray.”
Lisa leaned against her side and looked out the door. “Oh, so that’s it.”
“That’s what?” She feigned confusion.
“That handsome cowboy I’ve been hearing so much about.”
Victoria stepped back. “Not from me.”
“Jimmy gave me a detailed account of your walk by the river and singing at the church.”
Victoria rolled her eyes.