Blue Moon Promise (25 page)

Henry motioned to the chair Watson stood by. “Set that stuff on the floor and pull your chair closer. I want a report.”

Watson did as directed, scraping the chair legs along the wooden floor. “In order to find the owner of the coins, I’d like to take them back to Indiana with me for verification.”

“That won’t be possible,” Nate said at the same time his father nodded.

Henry’s brows gathered together in a stern frown. “It makes sense that he would need someone to examine the coins, Nate.”

“No. Sorry, Pa, but we don’t really know this man. I’m not giving him anything.” He stared at Watson. “If you find the owner, you can let us know and we’ll see about returning his property. Until then, the coins stay with us.”

The man shrugged. “I hope you have them safe in a vault somewhere.”

Was the guy fishing to find out where the coins were? Nate didn’t trust him. “They’re safe.”

“I’d like to at least look at them myself. Have a photograph taken.”

“No. And I’m a little concerned about your intentions regarding Fanny.”

Watson’s brows rose. “I hardly see where that’s any of your concern.”

Nate wondered himself at his prodding, but he knew Lucy was concerned. It had been all over her face. “She’s my cousin by marriage and has no father to look out for her.”

“I’m here about business, Mr. Stanton, not my private life.”

“Does she know you don’t have any serious intentions?”

Red swept up Watson’s face. “I have merely taken her to dinner on occasion. That hardly constitutes a marriage proposal.”

The guy was going to hurt Fanny. Nate wanted to throw him out on his ear, but he rose when he heard Percy whistle. “Sounds like dinner is ready.” He opened the door and let Watson exit ahead of him. Fanny would need to be warned.

His father stood from behind the desk. “Nate, what’s gotten into you?”

“Pa, you don’t even know this guy. Why would you trust him?”

“He has an excellent reputation.”

“Well, I don’t believe he’s all he says. He’s too slick. He can make general inquiries first.”

His father came around the side of the desk. “Maybe you’re right. We’ll see what he finds out first.”

SHOPPING DAY ALWAYS lifted Lucy’s spirits, and the early June weather was so fine, she was especially happy. She left Jed and Nate at the feed store and walked down the boardwalk with Eileen by the hand. A woman’s voice called her name, and she turned to see Mrs. Walker hailing her from the front porch of a neat two-story home.

“I’ve been wondering how you’ve been getting on,” Henry’s cousin said when Lucy reached the porch. “Do you have time for a visit?”

“I’d love to chat,” Lucy said, removing her bonnet. “And I wouldn’t turn down some tea. All those men drink is coffee, coffee, and more coffee.” She and Eileen followed Mrs. Walker into the kitchen. A starched linen covered the table, and there were vases of bluebells in the room. One on the windowsill and one on the table.

Mrs. Walker put the teakettle on the woodstove. “Tell me what you’ve been up to.” She fetched a tiny set of teacups and teapot for Eileen.

The little girl squealed with delight when the older woman pointed out a tiny table in the corner and set the items on top of it. Eileen took her dolly to the small set to play.

“Mostly just cleaning the cabin and putting things in their place.” Lucy hesitated. “We had Sunday dinner at Henry’s yesterday. Rolf Watson was there with Fanny and Aunt Sally.”

“I’ve seen him squiring her around.”

“You sound as though you don’t approve.”

The older woman shrugged. “It’s not my place to approve or disapprove, but I fear young Fanny is going to get her heart broken. I’ve seen his type before.”

“She seems to have seen his true nature.” Lucy watched her get out the tea strainer and cups.

Mrs. Walker sniffed. “That man could charm a honeybee from its hive. All the girls in town are after him. It’s no wonder Fanny was taken in.”

“Do you know what he’s doing in town in the first place?”

Mrs. Walker set down her teacup. “I’ve heard he was hired to track down the owner of some land O’Brien wants to buy.”

“Are all landowners so determined to own the entire state of Texas?”

“I’m afraid so, dear. Why are you so interested in Mr. Watson?”

Lucy didn’t know how to answer the question. “Curiosity for my family’s sake,” she said finally.

Mrs. Walker smiled. “Your cousin has to make her own mistakes. You can’t control her love life.”

“I merely wanted to ensure she wasn’t getting involved with some kind of shyster.” Lucy’s cheeks burned. She remembered the woman’s comment on the train about Lucy’s need for control. That wasn’t it at all. She merely wanted Fanny to be happy.

The older woman patted her hand. “Honey, I’d hoped you were learning to let go of that desire to make things right for everyone.”

Lucy’s face burned even more when Mrs. Walker shook her head, then picked up a cookie and nibbled on it. “It’s no sin to want the best for the people I love.”

“No, it’s not. But the best you can do is pray for them. Let God lead them. Do you feel you have the wisdom necessary to advise your cousin about a matter in which you yourself are woefully inexperienced?”

“I have prayed for Fanny.” Every night and with great fervency.

“And I expect the prayer has been for her to see through the scoundrel.”

Lucy wanted to deny the charge, but they both knew it was true. She clearly remembered praying exactly the way Mrs. Walker had said. How did she know when they were virtually strangers? “I
do
want her to see the truth.”

“And what if God has other plans? You don’t know that man’s heart. Perhaps he’s not the womanizer you think.”

“
You
thought so too!”

Mrs. Walker laughed. “I’m an old woman. I might be wrong about him myself. I’ve judged people in the past and been wrong. We can pray we are both wrong this time.”

“Then what should I be praying?”

Mrs. Walker picked up her tea. “For God to keep your heart pure and for him to mold you as he would. Anything else is out of your control. We can only change ourselves with God’s help. Changing other people is not our job.”

“I don’t want to change Fanny.”

“Don’t you?”

Lucy couldn’t hold to her original declaration with the woman’s gray eyes seeing into her soul. “Perhaps I do feel Fanny is a little too giddy and easily swayed by a persuasive smile.”

“And perhaps she is. But your responsibility is to love her with God’s love and let her make her own decisions. I would imagine she has not asked you for advice but you have been quick to give it anyway.”

Lucy ducked her head and nodded. “If you saw a friend about to fall off a cliff, wouldn’t you step in front to save her?”

“That’s a little different. The danger is clear. This is not. It’s Fanny’s decision to make, not yours.” She nodded to the tea. “Enough of this. Let God show you how to pray for Fanny.”

Lucy took the cue. “Have you seen Henry lately?”

“He usually stops by when he’s in town. I checked on him after his spasm, but he does so hate to be coddled. He told me not to come back unless I could promise not to hover. Since I couldn’t promise, I stayed away.”

Lucy smiled at the woman’s practical tone. She knew Henry well. Lucy accepted the tea Mrs. Walker offered. “You’ve known Nate all his life.”

“Oh my, yes. He and his brother are like my own. My William and I never had children. He was killed by a robber when we’d been married just six months.”

“Oh, I’m so sorry!”

“It was a long time ago. Nate and Roger helped ease the pain. That young scamp Roger came to see me. I fear he will never grow up.”

“He warned me about Henry,” Lucy said. “It’s clear the two of them don’t get along.”

“He and his father have been at loggerheads since Roger was a child. Henry has always had dreams and goals for his boys. Roger wasn’t one to fall in with those plans.”

“I’m still getting to know Nate. And marriage is an adjustment.”

The older woman gave her a sharp glance. “You indicated when we spoke last that you found Nate handsome and he was treating you well. You’re not sorry you married him?”

“Oh no, not at all. H-He’s quite suitable.”

Suitable didn’t begin to explain how he made her feel when he looked at her.

LUCY LEANED BACK in the swing on her aunt’s porch and gave it a push with one foot. “Dinner was amazing, Aunt Sally.”

Her aunt beamed. “Your pies were the real hit. I must have your recipe.”

Lucy glanced at Nate beside her. The meal had gone very well. The small talk had stayed on ranching and things that had been happening in town. Henry had been polite and courteous to her family. And thankfully, Rolf had not been in evidence. Maybe he’d gone to Indiana on his assignment. She could only hope he’d stay gone.

Her cousin jumped to her feet. Fanny looked very fetching today in a sky blue dress. She stood at the top of the porch steps and watched a figure walking across the street toward town.

“What’s wrong?” Lucy asked.

“I-I’m not sure,” Fanny said. “It almost looks like . . .”

Her mother joined her. “Honey, you’re always seeing Andy around every corner.”

Fanny wilted. “You don’t think it’s him?” She stared after the figure.

“No.” Her mother guided her back to the guests. “How about some tea and coffee? You and Lucy could prepare it if Lucy doesn’t mind assisting.”

Lucy stood. “I’d be glad to help.” She followed Fanny into the kitchen. “You thought that man was your former fiancé?”

Tears hung on Fanny’s lashes. “The walk was just like his.”

“Have you never tried to find out what happened to him?”

“Oh, I talked to his family. They say he’s well and living in Arizona.”

Lucy got out the tea caddy. “You’ve never written?”

“Oh yes. I never heard from him.”

“Fanny, you have not gotten over Andy.”

Fanny turned to face her. “You’re thinking of Rolf, and I admit I was trying to see if I could care for another man the way I did Andy. I tried. Really, I did. My heart is taken. I must face the fact it always might be.”

“What about Rolf?”

Fanny frowned and put down the cup in her hand. “I saw him with another woman the other day. He kissed her. I don’t believe he will ever settle down with one woman.”

“I’m sorry if he hurt you.”

Fanny waved her hand. “When I realized I really didn’t care, I knew I was wasting my time and his. Not that he cared.” She shrugged. “I overheard something though, Lucy. I’m glad we’re alone. I heard him talking to a man. He said he was going to search the Stanton homestead. I assumed that meant your cabin. What could he be searching for?”

Lucy’s stomach plunged. “I haven’t trusted him from the first time we met. Thank you for telling me. I’ll let Nate know we need to be careful.” She picked up the tray. “We’d better get back. Your mother will be looking for us.”

THE TASTE OF dirt clung to Jed’s tongue. His muscles were getting used to riding after spending so much time in the saddle. Was he taller? He glanced at his new brother. Maybe someday Jed would be able to do everything Nate could.

“Circle around that way.” Nate pointed toward the north where a stand of trees split the milling cattle in two. “I saw several strays trying to get across the river. And hurry. There’s a storm coming.”

Jed nodded and guided his horse toward the trees. His new hat fit just right, and his own rope hung from the saddle horn. He was a real cowboy. He urged his horse into a trot. “Yeehaw!”

The steer nearest him lifted a lazy head and stared at Jed as if to question his right to make him move. The beast’s tail swished and he swung his horns at the horse, then lumbered past the stand of trees toward the river. Jed managed to get the small group of strays over to the main herd. He sat back in the saddle and glanced around to make sure he hadn’t missed any.

Nothing moved but the grass. His stomach grumbled when Nate joined him.

Nate grinned. “I heard that. Good job, Jed. You’re a natural.”

Jed sat taller. “Thanks.”

Thunder rumbled overhead. Nate glanced at the sky and frowned. “Looks like a real bad one.”

Jed stared at the black, churning clouds. Lightning flickered before the thunder came again. It was going to take half an hour to get home. Good thing he’d brought an oilcloth slicker.

The lightning bolt seemed to come from nowhere. It arced across the sky, followed by the loudest thunder he’d ever heard. The horse reared at the sound, and Jed wasn’t expecting it. He found himself flat on his back and spitting sand out of his mouth.

Nate dismounted and grabbed Jed’s hand. “You okay?”

Jed let Nate haul him up. “Yeah.” The ground rumbled under his feet. “That’s some thunder.”

Nate glanced around, then grabbed Jed’s hand. “That’s not thunder. Run!”

Jed leaped toward the trees with Nate, though he had no idea why he was running. If there was lightning, weren’t you supposed to stay away from trees? It wasn’t until he glanced over his shoulder that he saw wild-eyed cattle pelting headlong toward them. The sight galvanized him into a faster run, and he reached the first tree in seconds.