Birdie's Nest (34 page)

Birdie shook her head. What could she say? She suspected many men in modern time would have done the same thing. It was a first for her. She’d never dated that much and there had been few opportunities for insults. Of course, on the job, men she had to arrest talked ugly to her but since she couldn’t knock them out, she ignored them. When another Ranger worked with her, he might step on the guy’s hand or something and tell him to shut up. If a man insulted her on the street today, she’d probably deck him. Well, not now that she was pregnant. She wouldn’t take a chance on hurting the baby. It felt rather nice to have her husband standing up for her though. Warmth blossomed in her stomach and eased up to her chest. She scooted closer and wrapped her arm around his. He smiled down at her.

As they neared the suspension bridge, she turned around on the seat. “Do you all mind stopping by the house to see how much they’ve gotten done?”

“Not at all, dear. I must admit I’ve been curious.”

For the first time Birdie wondered if her plan to move once the house was built bothered her mother-in-law. She’d not thought of the older woman’s feelings, just her own. “Olivia, do you mind us moving into town?”

“No, dear. Every woman needs to have her own home.” She patted Birdie’s shoulder. “We’ll miss having you at the ranch, but expect we’ll all be visiting back and forth.”

“That’s true. Now you’ll have a place to stay in town for social activities.” It would be good for Bethany to be able to attend more socials with Tad close by to supervise her activities. She grinned. No doubt he’ll love that, but in truth, he’d have done the same if they were still in the country.

Tad stopped the buggy and helped them down. Sarah stayed with a sleeping Nathan. Birdie talked as she walked them through the house and described where bedrooms would be located on the second floor.

Olivia was amazed. “You’re going to have
four
bathrooms?”

“Yes, one downstairs, two upstairs by the bedrooms and a large one with both a tub and a shower connected to the master suite.”

“My goodness. That sounds mighty extravagant.” Olivia turned to Tad. “Are sure you can afford all this?” Her eyes narrowed. “You’re not selling land, are you?”

“Mother, you know I’d never do that. Building this house will not take away from the ranch, plus, Birdie has contributed all the money she’s made from her self-defense school and from working with Detective Ethan.”

“Forgive me, son. I should have known you’d never do anything to endanger our means of livelihood.” She slipped an arm around Birdie’s waist. “I hope I didn’t insult you with my questions.”

“Of course not. You’re the matriarch. It’s your job to keep up with things.”

Olivia beamed at the title. “Well…I never considered myself such, as Tad’s the boss.”

“Birdie’s right, Mother. We couldn’t function without you.”

Bethany blurted, “Yeah, he’s the boss of me, that’s for sure. Mama always takes his side when it’s about me.”

“He
is
the man of the house and has your best interests at heart, dear.”

“Yes, but I’ll soon be seventeen years old. I think I deserve to be allowed a little more freedom. I don’t need an escort everywhere I go.”

“We’ll talk about it later.” Olivia patted her daughter’s cheek. “Now, let’s get back to the surrey and go home. We forgot our parasols and will be as brown as field hands if we stay out here much longer.”

Bethany walked ahead with her mother while Birdie and Tad followed a little way back. Olivia’s earlier comment worried her. “Tad, you’re not strapping your budget to build this house are you? I mean…you know I want it, but I don’t want to take away from your family’s security.”

“No, sweetheart, the ranch is fine financially. Now, we may not be able to furnish the house right away.”

“That’s not a problem. We can make do with very little—use crates for seating and put mattresses on the floor to sleep on.”

“Whoa! I draw the line at sleeping on the floor. I think we can afford a bed and some chairs. For that matter, I bet there’s furniture in the attic we can use until we can afford to buy.”

Two days later, Birdie rode out and found the construction site deserted.
Where on earth is everyone?
From atop Strawberry Birdie could see no work had been done since the previous week.

Fifteen minutes later she dismounted in front of Mr. Teague’s office and tied the mare’s reins to the hitching post. The bell above the door jangled as she entered, and the delicious smell of aromatic pipe tobacco welcomed her.

“I’ll be right there.” Mr. Teague called from his inner office. Birdie heard papers rustle and then a light tapping. She assumed he was emptying his pipe. Footsteps sounded against the wooden floor as Mr. Teague entered the outer office. When he saw Birdie, he stopped. “Ah, Mrs. Lockhart, I assume you’re here about no one being on the work site.” He stepped aside to allow her to enter and motioned toward a chair. “Have a seat.” Rather than sit, he leaned against his desk, arms folded across his chest. “I’d planned to ride out this afternoon and update you on the situation.”

“And what is the situation?” Birdie knew, but she had to hear it from him.

He cleared his throat. “The men refuse to work on your house because of…of the Detective Jenkins situation.”

* * *

“Birdie, the men will forget, or they’ll need the work in a few days, a week or two at the most. Then they’ll be back on the job.”

In Detective Ethan’s office, Birdie faced him across his desk. “You really think so?”

“Yes, I do. Those men have families to feed and winter is coming. They may not like working for you, but they’ll do it.”

And idea struck her. Would they purposely do a lousy job? She opened her mouth to ask, but he held up a hand. “Those men have a reputation to uphold. They won’t do something to sever their chances of more work.”

She allowed her shoulders to relax. “Is there anything I can do around here?” She reached for some of the paperwork on his desk. His hand stilled hers and she sat back. “So, it’s like that?”

“Until things die down, yes.”

Birdie stood. “All right. Come out for dinner on your day off. I’m sure Olivia would enjoy your company as much as Tad and I.”

He pushed back from the desk, stood and walked to hold the door for her. “I’ll do it. Wouldn’t want to miss one of those fine meals.”

“Are you busy this coming Saturday?”

“Sure not.”

“All right. We’ll see you then.” Birdie strode from the building to where Strawberry was tethered in the front of the building. No need for her to hide any longer since her cover was blown. Disguises. If only the people of this century could’ve seen her when she served the subpoena. She couldn’t restrain a giggle. The men would have had a heart attack, the women the vapors. Her giggle burst into a loud guffaw and people passing by looked at her oddly. No, what am I thinking? Men didn’t have heart attacks these days—they have apoplexy. She mounted her horse and the mare plodded toward Mattie’s house, Birdie grinning the entire way. The town would have something to add to her earlier misbehavior. She could hear them now.
That Birdie Lockhart is peculiar.

Nehemiah met her at the back drive and took Strawberry’s reins. He ran an appreciative hand down the mare’s neck. “It be good to see this fine looking animal again, Mrs. Lockhart.”

Birdie stroked the horse’s forelock. “She’s a sweetheart too, Nehemiah. Gentle and smart.”

“I can see that by looking at her eyes. Now, you go on in and visit with Ms. Mattie. I ‘spect she’ll be happy to see you.”

He turned his attention to Strawberry. Birdie smiled at the sound of his gentle voice fading as she walked away. “Come on, pretty girl. I’s gonna make you comfortable.”

Birdie tapped on the back door. She didn’t want to startle Sadie again and have her throw flour all over the kitchen. She called out. “Sadie, it’s me, Birdie Lockhart.”

Sadie opened the door. “Come in this house, sweet lady. Ms. Mattie will be mighty happy to see you.” The colored lady narrowed her eyes at Birdie. “Now, don’t you be paying any mind to what the mens in this town are sayin’ about your costume.” She chuckled. “Why the womens are right proud of you.”

Birdie grabbed the woman in a big hug. Sadie hugged her back. “You a mighty fine woman and don’t be forgettin’ it.” In the next breathe, she yelled, “Ms. Mattie, you gots a celebrity out here come to visit.”

“A celebrity? Who on earth?” Mattie appeared in the kitchen door. “Birdie! Come in here. I have so much to tell you.” She glared at Sadie. “You didn’t tell her, did you?”

Sadie rose up to her considerable height and propped her hands on her ample hips. “Ms. Mattie, you know I don’t gossip ’bout this family.”

“Sorry, Sadie. Will you fix us a pot of tea and lay out some of those delicious tea cakes you made yesterday?”

Furrow lines appeared in Sadie’s forehead. “For both of you? I remember Ms. Birdie preferring coffee.”

Mattie winked. “Yes, tea for us both.”

Sadie beamed. “Be happy to.”

Mattie pulled Birdie into the front parlor. “Sit, sit.”

“What’s going on, Mattie?” Mattie sat down beside her.

“I did like you said and went to see the Doctor—Dr. Floyd.” Her chin quivered.

Oh, Lordy I hope everything is all right.
“You’re healthy aren’t you?”

“Oh yes, healthy as a horse.” She leaned closer. “He said I’m almost five months along. Our baby should arrive in late December or early January.” Mattie burst into tears and threw her arms around Birdie. “I’m just so happy.”

Birdie patted her friend’s back and let her cry. Sadie appeared with the tea tray, large grin stretching her face as she set the refreshments on the table. “She’s been that way since she got the news. ‘Spec she’s about the happiest person in the world…except for Mr. Hellman, that is. You should see him, Miss Birdie.” She sniffed and wiped at a tear in the corner of her eye. “He’s ’bout to bust his vest, so proud he is. Course, I guess Mr. Lockhart is pleased hisself.”

“Yes, indeed he is, Sadie.”

“Now you’ll have two babies. You a mighty fine woman to be a mama to that child.” She shook her head. “Nothing like a house full of babies.” She left the room mumbling. “About time this house had some little darlins’.”

Mattie pulled back. “Isn’t she a mess? Don’t know what I’d do without her.”

“She is indeed and you’re lucky she’ll be with you.”

“Now, let’s eat and you tell me what brings you here today.” Mattie set about pouring tea. It wasn’t Birdie’s favorite beverage but it didn’t upset her stomach as coffee did. She picked up one of Sadie’s teacakes and took a bite letting the crumbs drop into her tea.

“Mmm, these are delicious. I believe they’re better than the ones my Aunt Patty makes.” At the thought of her aunt not being around at the birth of her child, tears welled in her eyes. She missed the woman so much.

Mattie set her teacup on the table and put an arm around Birdie’s shoulders and squeezed.

“Did you hear that the construction crew quit because of me pretending to be Detective Jenkins?”

“No, you don’t mean it.”

“Yeah, I do.” Her cup and saucer rattled as she talked. “I’m afraid we won’t be able to get the house built in time and I don’t know how that will affect my future and Aunt Pattie’s past.”

Chapter Thirty

Birdie continued her trips to the construction site, each day hoping workers would be busy at work. The lack of progress week after week depressed her and with no job, she struggled to stay busy. She enjoyed taking care of Nathan and helping around the house, but she needed more, something to occupy her mind.

Today, in late October, she’d dressed in a suit rather than a riding skirt and blouse, as she would visit the bank—the bank owned by Raymond Smith. After the incident at church a couple of months before, she and Tad had discussed changing banks, but Mr. Smith did apologize. It was obvious he’d not been happy about doing so. Most likely his wife had pushed him. The businessman had ridden out the Monday following the insulting episode. Since he’d made the effort, they decided to stay with his bank.

The ranch hands would expect to be paid this afternoon so she’d withdraw the cash. Tad didn’t like her going alone, but she had her revolver and her Winchester under the seat of the surrey. If Tad sent a guard along, they’d draw attention. First she planned to visit the store to buy a few clothes to accommodate her pregnancy. Fastening her skirt this morning had been difficult. It had been altered twice already. Sarah enjoyed sewing, so Birdie gave in to her plea to help, but she needed to be doing it herself. Ha, like she knew how to sew. Olivia or Sarah would teach her. Birdie doubted she’d prove to be a good pupil but she’d try.

Birdie pulled her cape around her against the cool wind. Tad said this winter would be colder than the last. Today she’d also purchase a warm coat. She flicked the reins and the horses broke into a slow walk. Tad had insisted she learn to drive the surrey. She wasn’t a quick study but had eventually gotten the hang of maneuvering the horses. On occasion, she rode Strawberry, but not often and not to town. She moved her left hand down and caressed her expanding belly. The baby kicked, reaffirming its existence. Birdie’s heart warmed and she patted the protruding appendage. “Mama knows you’re there sweet thing. I’m going to take good care of you.”

They turned from River Road onto Bridge Street to cross the suspension bridge. The narrowness and the slight movement of the wooden planks under the horse’s iron shoes made her nervous, and she remained tense until she turned left on Second Street to maneuver around the square before turning right to continue up Austin Avenue. She had to admit, the clip clop of the horse’s hooves, on the hard packed earth, combined with those of the other horses was rather soothing. Folks called greetings to people they knew, but it was nothing like the blare of horns in the future. It was odd not to see the red lights and the city offices where the courthouse now stood. Sometime in the future it would burn and a new courthouse would be built on Washington Avenue.

She pulled the horses to a stop in front of Goldstein & Migel Co. She remembered to set the brake before she left the carriage. Once she’d forgotten and the horses ended up on the boardwalk. Several men were kind enough to back them up for her. Evidently they didn’t know of her notorious stint as Detective Jenkins.