Before the Larkspur Blooms (29 page)

He needed to act swiftly. If Win caught him in the act, he’d think he’d gone completely off his rocker. Using a trowel, he spread out a thin layer of the mixture on a board he’d found leaning against the wall of the toolshed. A glob fell off the edge of the trowel and plopped onto his pants.

It was fortunate Rome’s gelding was gentle. The horse didn’t resist as he lifted each hoof and placed it on the board, making a nice, distinct print of each. Thom made sure to take extra time with his front right, to get the outside crack in the print.

Whamp, whamp, whamp.

Someone was outside. Grasping the long board, Thom climbed quickly to the loft and laid it atop the hay to dry. He stashed the bucket in the gelding’s stall and swung the gate closed. Hustling for the front doors, he prayed it wasn’t Rome, here to collect his gooey-hoofed horse.

One door slid open. “Anyone here?” Street sounds filtered in, people talking, horses trotting past.

Frank Lloyd stepped inside, blinking and looking around just as Thom arrived up front.

“Mr. Lloyd.” Thom wiped his hands down the front of his pant legs, then offered one to the banker. They shook. The poor man was trying to ignore his untidy appearance.

“I’ve been meaning to stop by sooner, Thom, but everybody and his mother has been keeping me busy. Welcome back to Logan Meadows.”

“Thank you. I’m glad to be home.”

A moment of awkward silence passed. “I’m sure you are. I’m sorry about your parents and brother. It must be very difficult for you. Let me know if there is anything I can do to help you settle in.”

“I appreciate that,” Thom responded. “I remember coming over to your place with Pa and Roland to clear your pasture when I was just a kid.”

Frank’s eyes crinkled. “Yes. That was before I moved into town.” The banker looked around expectantly.

“Win isn’t here right now,” Thom said. “Lunchtime. Is there something I can do for you?”

“It’s sort of personal, but I guess you can pass on the message to Win. Then if he has any questions, he can come over to the bank and talk with me.”

Thom waited. Hoped it wasn’t what he was thinking.

“There’s been a complaint about Win moving the two buffalo out toward the street.”

Roberta. She didn’t waste any time.

Maximus took that moment to let out a loud, bellowing complaint from the rear of the property.

“I see,” Thom said. “We started on the enclosure a few days ago but haven’t had a chance to finish it yet. Does this mean Win can’t go ahead with his plan?”

“Not exactly. It’s only one person. One person can’t dictate to the other business owners and such. Nevertheless, if
said person
got angry enough and decided to force their hand, they could get a petition going and the city council would have to address the situation.”

Roberta would definitely do that.

“My advice would be to hold off building for a while and let it blow over. Perhaps
said person
would be more receptive to the idea later. Personally, I really like the idea. A tourist attraction of sorts.”

Thom nodded. Darn that stubborn-headed woman. It amazed him how cantankerous she was.

Frank turned. “That’s all. I’ll let you get back to what you were doing.” His eyebrow crooked up. “Whatever
that
is. Oh, did Chase Logan relay the message I asked him to? I’m serious about your coming to me for anything, young man. You understand? This town needs good, strong men like yourself.”

“Yes, he did,” Thom replied, touched by the kindness of Hannah’s uncle. “Thank you. I may take you up on that at some point.”
About Roberta, your sister.

The chill of May’s early mornings gave way to warmer temperatures and anticipation of Sarah’s approaching birthday. When
June fourteenth finally arrived, Jessie could hardly contain her excitement. She gathered the children together, and Chase helped them all into the wagon as they prepared for the celebration of the noontime arrival of Logan Meadow’s first train
and
Sarah’s birthday. It would be a day of festivity, food, and fun. Maude had sent a message via Gabe that Sarah’s present had arrived in one piece and was everything they’d hoped it would be. The shopkeeper had wrapped it for Jessie and said it was ready whenever she’d like to pick it up.

“Excited?” Chase slapped the long reins over the team’s back, and the wagon lurched ahead.

“Yes,” Jessie replied. She held Shane in her lap, and Sarah sat between them. “It’s going to be a delightful day. I can feel it in my bones.”

“What’s delightful feel like, Mommy?” Sarah’s brows scrunched as she tried to figure out what that meant.

Chase laughed. “Yes, Jessie. I’ve wondered that myself.”

Shane was on the move and crawling, with help, over Sarah and onto Chase’s lap, where his father squashed him between his thighs and let him grasp the end of the reins. “Gooo horses,” he cried, a big smile splitting his freshly washed face.

“It means,” Jessie began, “that since I have such a beautiful family, and a nice day planned, that a warm, sort of fuzzy feeling is cuddled inside my heart.”

Sarah tipped her head. “But you said bones.”

“And bones,” Jessie added quickly. “Absolutely.”

Sarah nodded approvingly as if that made total sense to her. Chase just smiled as he drove the wagon, concentrating on the road ahead. “I couldn’t have said it better myself.”

With her arms now free, Jessie encircled her daughter and gave a hug, knowing that Sarah was going to love the pretty tea set that waited for her at the mercantile. She was all girl. A lovely, sweet girl, too. Jessie’s eyes prickled, but she blinked her emotion away. Sarah was seven today, or as close to that
as they could figure. Three years had disappeared like melting snowflakes.

Changing the emotion-filled subject, Jessie said, “I thought Gabe and Jake were coming with us. Did they ride in earlier?”

“Yeah, they’re meeting us in town later, in time for supper and other things.” Chase tipped his head toward Sarah. “Since they both helped on the depot’s construction, they’re in celebrating with the other men. I have to say, it really turned out nice.”

Jessie’s excitement grew. “I can’t wait to see it.”

“Am I going on the eggnog ride, Pa?”

Chase chuckled. “Not today, sugar.” He patted Sarah’s leg. “But soon. I promise. That just didn’t work out.”

Sarah shrugged happily. “That’s OK. I forgot to bring Dolly McFolly anyway. I wouldn’t want to go without her.”

Hannah stood at the window of the Silky Hen and saw the Logans’ wagon navigating slowly through the crowded street. She stuffed her order pad and pencil into the pocket of her apron. “I’m sorry,” she said to the man and woman who had been waiting patiently for service. “I’ll be right back. I’ll only be a second.”

Running out the door, she looked both ways before venturing out to meet the tall, wooden-planked vehicle. “Good morning,” she called, taking in Sarah’s excitement and Shane’s little-boy energy. Chase pulled the horses to a stop.

“Good morning,” Jessie replied, her face beaming with happiness. “Just look at your restaurant. I can’t believe how it’s taken off these last two weeks.”

Hannah laughed. “Yes. I’ve had a deluge of customers for days. I feel like Noah after the flood. I’m tired, but it’s well worth
the effort.” She lifted her skirt a few inches so Jessie could see the boots she was wearing. “But these help enormously.”

“New?”

Hannah nodded. She could feel her face turning red. “Yes. A mysterious someone left them for me in the broom closet.” She gave Jessie a knowing smile.

“Ahhh, how romantic,” she whispered. Jessie lifted her eyebrows in question, and Hannah nodded again.

“That’s wonderful, but do you have enough help?”

Dwight, atop his leggy roan horse, rode through the townspeople from the opposite direction, having already seen her in the street. The animal tossed his head and pulled on his reins, reacting to the excitement in the air. Dwight didn’t stop, but tipped his hat and smiled.

Hannah smiled back stiffly. “For now. Brenna is baking every night, and I have Lorna Brinkley, my mother’s friend, coming in four days a week to prepare a few extra dishes for the next day, and she helps clean up. We’re getting by and learning, too.” She laughed, still overjoyed at the sudden explosion of business. She was not only paying the bills, but had opened up a savings account that was building nicely, all thanks to the railroad and construction people. What would it be like when the train actually deposited travelers? “It’s all about thoughtful preparation the day before. If we have plenty of side dishes already prepared and ready to go, it’s doable for Susanna and me.”

“Well, you seem to have it all figured out. I’m glad. Are you going to be able to join us in the park for supper? We have plenty, and you’ve most certainly earned a break.”

“I don’t think so, Jessie. That’s the busiest part of the day.” Both Jessie’s and Sarah’s faces fell in disappointment. “But I’ll try,” she added quickly. Sarah’s birthday party was all Markus had talked about the entire week. “If there’s any way at all, I’ll be there.”

A gunshot rang out from three buildings down, startling Chase’s horses and sending Hannah’s heart careening in her chest. Shouting came from inside the saloon. Chase pulled back, settling the team in their traces, a scowl on his face. “Albert needs to hire another deputy. You had better get out of the street, Hannah. Today is busier than most.”

She waved. “Be sure to have some of Maude’s walnut fudge. She made up a triple batch and has a table set up in the park. If I can sneak away at lunchtime, I will. Mother will meet you in the festival grounds at noon with Markus.”

Hannah hurried back inside. Every table was filled, and people still waited for a seat. “I’m so sorry to keep you waiting,” she said to the older man and woman at the table. They looked prosperous.

“That’s no problem,” the man said. “We’re in no hurry.” He wore a suit, and a cane rested against his knee. His hair was white, and round silver spectacles rested on the bridge of his nose.

“You’re new to town?”

“Yes, came in on the stage yesterday and have a room here in the hotel. We had no idea today was a day of celebration. If we’d known there was going to be a train line coming to Logan Meadows, Bridget and I would have opted for that. Six weeks on the stage is a bit too long for our aging bones.”

“And a bit too dusty,” the woman added softly. She had an elegant beauty about her that had nothing to do with her tailored green-and-white chiffon dress and stylish little hat. Her eyes all but glowed with gentle kindness.

“Six weeks.” Hannah sucked in a deep breath. “That’s a long trip. Where were you traveling from?”

The woman smiled over to her husband, and his head tipped slightly as if they had a wonderful secret. “Santa Fe, New Mexico.”

J
ake followed along behind Gabe, feeling tense. Noon had arrived, and the crowd gathered in the festival grounds now spilled down the narrow road toward the depot, waiting anxiously for the arrival of the Union Pacific. The train, overdue by ten minutes, had a four-hour stop planned, giving everyone a chance to tour the train and enjoy the celebration in Logan Meadows.