Love Inspired Historical July 2015 Box Set: The Marriage Agreement\Cowgirl for Keeps\The Lawman's Redemption\Captive on the High Seas (43 page)

As soon as the last of the debris and soot had been swept from the building, Mr. Schmidt, the carpenter, inspected the wooden studs and beams to determine which were sound and which must be replaced. He reported that, despite what appeared to be a devastating conflagration, the majority of damage was somewhat superficial. Tarpaulins and canvases had burned, along with sawdust and wood shavings, but only a few areas required studs to be replaced. To accomplish it all quickly, Garrick ordered meals from Williams's Café for the entire crew so they could work through the day. He was rewarded with their continued enthusiasm, as though they were taking pride in the hotel, not merely earning a wage.

As he worked, thoughts of Rosamond filled Garrick's mind. He longed to see her but reminded himself to be patient. Last night after retiring, he'd lain awake and considered his suspicions about Tolley. If he'd started the fire as a prank, he surely was appalled when it got out of hand. Perhaps he'd been too ashamed to return and fight the blaze. Garrick would choose to forgive him and move beyond the incident. After all, no one had been injured.

Further, he decided that once he completed the hotel, he would ask Colonel Northam's permission to court Rosamond. Upon waking, he changed his mind. He would speak to her first. Once the hotel was completed, he'd invite her to inspect it and, in the process, pour out his heart to her, explaining that while the hotel had been growing into a fine establishment, so had his love for her grown into something grand. Then, if she didn't actually reciprocate his affections, he wouldn't have the embarrassment of facing Colonel Northam in failure. But the emotion in Rosamond's eyes last night couldn't be denied. She loved him just as much as he loved her. These thoughts pleased him so thoroughly that he didn't mind getting covered in soot from head to toe for a second time in as many days. Surely Rosamond could only admire his hard work, just as these men did.

In midafternoon Garrick glanced down Main Street and saw a welcome sight. Percy and his two companions were riding into town. As they drew nearer to the hotel, Percy's cheerful expression became visible, a good sign of a fruitful quest. Garrick left Mr. Schmidt in charge of the cleanup and hurried to meet the travelers. While Percy dismounted, Garrick brushed soot from his hand and reached out to him.

“Percy, good to see you.”

Percy pumped his hand. “And you, cousin.” He studied Garrick from head to toe, shaking his head in dismay, then waved a hand at the piles of burned rubble being carted away by the workmen. “I say, old boy, what happened here?”

Garrick related the events of the night before, careful not to mention Tolley. He'd tell Percy everything when no one else could hear him. In the meantime, he did his best to make light of the blaze.

“You must have been devastated.” Understanding filled his cousin's eyes. “A true trial by fire, so to speak.”

“The Almighty was merciful. Very little damage was structural.” Garrick shrugged. “It's all over now. Time to move forward and rebuild.” He noticed Percy's valet and Pete, the cowboy, standing patiently beside their horses. “Enough about my little incident. How did you fare in your quest?”

“Oh, jolly good.” Percy lit up with excitement. “We found our Mr. Starling.”

Both stunned and delighted, Garrick stepped back and stared down Main Street. “Well, where is he?” He itched to give the man a dressing down for abandoning his wife and children.

Percy chuckled. “With his family, of course. We couldn't simply ride past Chen's laundry and not deliver him to the missus at once. We also stopped by the livery stable to tell Adam. He was beside himself with happiness and ran home straightaway.”

“Ah. Of course.” Happy for the lad he'd befriended, Garrick still wanted answers. He leveled a scowl on his cousin. “And just exactly what has our elusive railroad worker been doing all these months?” He tried not to imagine something too terrible, but even among his hotel workers, he'd noticed a few who didn't live exemplary lives, especially the four who'd eyed Rosamond so rudely all those weeks ago until he'd set them straight.

“The poor chap had quite a go of it. Just as we learned, he was working on the south leg of the Denver and Rio Grande Railroad. As a trusted foreman, he rode to Santa Fe to fetch the payroll, but on the way back was robbed and left for dead.” Percy shuddered at the horror of his own words. “An elderly Mexican couple found him and nursed him back to health in their home. However, they don't speak English, and he doesn't speak Spanish, so they couldn't communicate. He also told us he couldn't remember his name for some time. That delayed things considerably, but eventually they brought him to the small settlement where we found him.”

“Poor chap, indeed.” Garrick regretted his rush to judgment about the man. “How is he now?”

“Vastly improved, although he's still healing from his injuries. We hired a wagon to bring him home.” Percy included Richards and Pete with a wave of his hand. “These chaps were quite remarkable throughout the entire adventure. Couldn't do a thing without them.”

“Well done, men.” Garrick gave them an approving nod and then asked Percy, “Did you incur any expenses along the way?” The search was his idea, so of course he must repay Percy.

“Nothing I couldn't see to.”

Garrick wouldn't press the matter now but would look for a way to repay his cousin.

Percy's blue eyes now brightened with another sort of expression. He leaned close to Garrick. “How is my Miss Eberly?”

Garrick frowned. He should have known Percy would ask about her. He stared down and chewed his lip.

“What is it?” Percy clutched Garrick's arm. “Is she well? Has anything happened to her?”

Garrick swiped a hand across his jaw. How could he discourage his good cousin from continuing his pursuit of the young lady? Yet he must if Percy was to reach his full potential and live up to his responsibilities as an Englishman.

“She is well, as far as I've seen.”

Percy relaxed. “Well, then, there's nothing else for it. I must ride out to Four Stones Ranch and propose to her straightaway.” He glanced down at his dusty trousers and chuckled. “After I bathe, of course.” He turned to mount his horse.

“Percy.” Garrick gripped his arm, scrambling to think of a reason to prevent such a disaster. “Do wait. I beg you.”

Percy laughed in his jolly way. “Whatever for?”

His obvious joy unsettled Garrick. Somehow he must stop his cousin.

“I simply cannot believe Miss Eberly is prepared to emigrate to England. I've seen nothing to convince me she'd prefer to leave family, home and community for a land that is foreign to her in every way that matters.” Nor did she appear to have a penchant for finer things, finer society.

Percy eyed him doubtfully. “Truly?”

“Have you ever spoken of taking her home, even for a visit?”

Percy shook his head. “Although I did tell her about the beauties of the English countryside.”

“Did she show interest? Say she'd like to see it?”

Again Percy shook his head. “Perhaps she thought that would be too forward, as though she were hinting for an invitation.” He snapped his fingers. “That's it! I should have told her I want to take her there.” He moved toward his horse again.

Garrick ground his teeth. “What about her school? She plans to be a teacher. She's worked as hard as Rosamond to build that lovely little building over there.” He pointed down the block on the opposite side of Main Street. He wouldn't think of Rosamond's dedication to the same institution. Somehow he'd convince her to leave the school to Beryl's care. “I simply cannot think she'd be happy leaving all that she knows and loves. She would languish in England, longing for the familiar things of home.”

Percy gave him an uncharacteristic glare. “Did something happen while I was away? Did someone else seek her company?”

A perfect opening. Garrick took care with his next words to avoid lying. “At the dance last evening, she stood up with one particular cowboy several times. They clearly enjoyed each other's company. Her smiles resembled those I've seen her cast in your direction.” Although clearly lacked the affection she felt for Percy.

Percy's wounded expression cut Garrick to the quick, yet he must forge ahead to stop this ill-advised romance. “No doubt the young man was someone with whom she grew up.”

“No doubt,” Percy echoed, yet his voice was filled with doubt.

“You needn't cry off your friendship entirely, but why not step back for a while? Take Richards and go explore those mountains to the west that you admire so much. You've wanted to since we first arrived. While you're gone, I'll try to observe whether she makes her preference for her cowboy known in other ways.” Garrick set his hand on his cousin's shoulder. “Buck up, old boy. I cannot bear to see you hurt.”

“I can always count on you to consider my welfare, cousin.” Percy's shoulders slumped as he mounted his beast and rode away.

Watching him, Garrick felt an odd mixture of satisfaction and guilt so profound that his stomach ached.

* * *

After church on Sunday, Rosamond managed to avoid Garrick by chatting with Fred Brody and then Nolan Means. She made certain neither gentleman could misunderstand and think her interest was anything other than professional. First, she asked the newspaperman to advertise the new high school. Next, she encouraged the banker to enroll his fourteen-year-old sister in her classes. Both endeavors brought her hoped-for results, although Mr. Means did ask to come calling. With all the grace she could muster, she demurred, saying she was too busy preparing the school to entertain.

As she visited with other church members, she did manage to notice that Percy gave no more than a timid wave in Beryl's direction before Garrick claimed his cousin's attention. As if causing Tolley's exile weren't enough, he still seemed determined to keep Percy and Beryl apart. In turn, Beryl wilted like a parched flower and barely spoke on the trip back to Four Stones. After dinner, she announced that she would move back home. With their lesson plans prepared and only the painting of the classrooms left to be completed, she must help her family as harvest time drew near.

Rosamond felt nothing short of bereft. After spending almost two years with Beryl, both at the academy and here at home, she felt closer to her than the other Eberly sisters, even felt as if she were her own sister. Now she was leaving, all because of Garrick.

Why had she ever found him attractive? First he had destroyed her brother's life. Now he'd ruined her dear friend's happiness. Then, that evening, when Pete mentioned Percy had borrowed horses to go exploring, it was the last straw. Garrick had sent him away so he couldn't see Beryl, and Rosamond would never speak to him again as long as she lived.

Oh, bother
. Of course she'd have to speak to him, at least when she inspected the completed hotel. She could only hope he'd go back to England as soon as the building was finished.

On Monday after the Fourth of July fire, Marybeth invited Rosamond and Susanna to her house to help sew a quilt. Four-year-old Lizzy and almost two-year-old Natty kept nine-month-old Randy busy, so he didn't seem to mind another new tooth trying to break through his gums.

“This quilt's for Randy's big bed when the time comes.” Marybeth distributed scraps according to color and pattern so each of them could begin their assigned part. “I know it's early to start it, but I always find it's better to work ahead.”

“Oh, my, yes.” Susanna gave her a dimpled smile, and her blonde curls bounced as she nodded.

“Look.” Rosamond held up a square of green plaid. “Susanna, remember when we made shirts for my brothers out of this material?”

Five years ago, Susanna and her father, Mr. MacAndrews, had been guests at Four Stones after outlaws stole their horses and left the old gentleman for dead. During their stay, Susanna had made herself useful around the house while her father healed. Her sewing skill had been a special blessing to the family when she made clothes and velvet drapes for the new ballroom.

“Indeed, I do.” Her blue eyes twinkled. “I also remember how adorable Nate looked when I tried the sleeve pattern on him. Who could have guessed that such a big strong cowboy could blush?”

“Just don't let him hear you call him adorable,” Rosamond warned. “And don't tell anyone he blushed.”

They all laughed, and Rosamond's heart warmed for the first time in many days. As she continued to chat with her kinswomen, she began to feel as if she'd found a sanctuary. As much as she missed Beryl, maybe this was the Lord's way of bringing her closer to Susanna and Marybeth. She'd have plenty of time with Beryl when they painted the classrooms over the next few weeks. At least Rosamond hoped Beryl could spare a few hours from her ranching duties.

Although Rosamond was glad to have a reason for avoiding Mr. Wakefield, whom she no longer wished to address as Garrick, she felt no little dismay over misjudging Percy. She'd been so certain he loved Beryl. Of course, with her personality changes after being shot in the bank holdup, Beryl wouldn't expect Percy to love her. The once brave cowgirl had become fearful of everything and doubtful about her own worth. Maybe Percy was just being kind to show interest in her. Either that or he truly did love her, and Mr. Wakefield had forbade the romance. What mysterious hold did he have over his cousin?

“Don't you think, Rosamond?” Marybeth asked, and Susanna looked at her expectantly.

“I'm so sorry. I was lost in thought.”

The other girls traded a look and then focused on Rosamond.

“I can't imagine why.” Marybeth's tone held only a hint of teasing sarcasm.

Rosamond just smiled. She wouldn't speak ill of Mr. Wakefield or Percy, wouldn't even discuss them at all, at least not with these two dear ones, in spite of their sisterly bond. In time, maybe she'd talk with Mother about her foolish misjudgment of Mr. Wakefield. While she'd always believed in giving people a second chance, in his case, her first impression of him in the Denver train station had been correct. Nothing would ever change her mind about that, and the sooner he left Esperanza, the better.