Wyoming Lawman (8 page)

“A wild card,” Dan added.

“Exactly.” Only one man fit that bill. Matt didn't care for ministers, but he liked Pearl's father. “What do you know about Tobias Oliver?”

“Carrie's uncle?”

“That's right.”

“I haven't met him, but I expect I'll see him at church tomorrow.”

“Good.” Matt saw the pieces coming together. “See if you can get a feel for what he thinks of what's happening.”

With their boots tapping on the wood, Dan chuckled. “I have a better idea. Come with me. You can talk to him yourself.”

Matt answered with a laugh of his own. “Not a chance.” He hadn't prayed since Virginia and he wasn't going to start now.

The men parted at the corner. Dan left whistling a nameless tune. Matt walked alone in the dark with only his thoughts for company. As he neared the edge of town, coyotes joined in a song that would haunt his dreams. Would he ever sleep well again? Maybe, if he could stop the Golden Order. With the wind pushing him, he hoped he'd found the answer in Tobias Oliver. A minister…. The irony nearly choked him. Matt had no faith in God and even less in men who claimed to know Him, but what else could he do? The G.O. had to be stopped, and Tobias Oliver offered his only hope. With a little luck, the man would be on their side, and soon Matt would sleep without dreams.

 

Pearl woke up in the middle of the night to the call of howling coyotes. As the endless wind stirred the cottonwood outside her window, she felt the restlessness in her gut. She'd been working for Jasper—that's how she thought of him now—for two days and she'd grown weary of his persnickety ways. Neither did she care for how he treated people. Wealthy patrons received the utmost respect. Customers of lesser means were made to feel uncomfortable until they left. Pearl would have quit, but she needed the money.

Unable to get back to sleep, she padded downstairs for a glass of water. To her surprise, she found Carrie sitting at a desk in the parlor with a pen in hand.

“You're up late,” Pearl remarked.

Carrie smiled. “I'm writing the invitations to the dinner party.”

Pearl's belly lurched, but she'd made up her mind to go through with the party for her cousin's sake. “Do you need any help?”

“I'm almost finished.” She signed a note and set it aside. “That's the last one. I'll deliver them at church, or early in the week for anyone who's not there.”

In spite of her good intentions, Pearl sighed.

Carrie looked up from the pot of sealing wax, saw Pearl's expression and spoke in a tone as gentle as cotton. “What's wrong, cousin?”

“Everything,” Pearl admitted. “I don't like Jasper, and I hate being away from Toby so much. Teaching would have taken me away from him, too. But it's a noble occupation. In Jasper's shop, I'm dusting trinkets and kowtowing to people like Lady Eugenia. It feels all wrong.”

“You could quit,” Carrie said. “We don't need the money.”

“
I
need it,” Pearl insisted.

“That's pride talking.” Carrie came to sit on the divan. “I've got more than enough for our needs. We're family, Pearl. Please don't feel beholden.”

“But I do.”

“You shouldn't.” Carrie sounded brusque but in a good way. “Do you know how lonely I'd be without you and Toby? Do you have any idea how wonderful it is to have Uncle Tobias telling stories at supper?”

Pearl said nothing, but she knew what Carrie meant. Meals were a joy. The three of them traded stories and they all loved Toby. Pearl missed her friends at Swan's Nest, but she'd found a connection just as true with Carrie. “We
do
get along, don't we?”

Carrie gripped her hand. “We're sisters now. Don't ever forget it.”

“I won't.”

With a gleam in her eye, Carrie tightened her grip. “Since we're sisters, I'm going to say something you probably don't want to hear.”

Pearl hesitated. “What is it?”

“There's more than one way for you to solve your money problem. I know you've been hurt, but a husband—”

“Carrie, no.”

“Why not?” she said gently.

Pearl didn't know what to say. How could she explain the helplessness of being attacked, the fear that shook her bones? It was like describing a toothache to someone who'd never had one. Knowing Carrie couldn't understand—and being glad for that innocence—Pearl skipped over the most primal reason for her doubts and focused on a lesser one. “I have an illegitimate son. What man would want us?”

“A good one,” Carrie insisted.

“I don't know.”

“I do.” Her cousin's face lit up. “I can't wait for you to meet Dan Cobb. He's funny and sweet, and he loves children. He'll—”

“Carrie, no.”

“Why not?”

“I'm not ready.” Except her mind had conjured up a picture of Matt. She'd tasted cherry pie and remembered his hands on her arms, steadying her as he gazed into her eyes. If it hadn't been for Carrie, she'd have worn the blue ribbons every day. Matt made her feel brave, but thoughts of other men sent tremors down her spine. She had to stop Carrie from getting ideas. “I want you to promise me something.”

“What is it?”

“No matchmaking.”

Carrie laughed. “I won't push, I promise. But that's not going to stop Dan and the Hudson brothers from noticing you.”

Pearl went pale. “I hope they don't.”

“Look at yourself!” Carrie chided. “You're
much
prettier than I am.”

“That's not true.”

“I'm being honest.” She lifted her chin. “I'm pretty enough, but you're like sunshine. Any man would be glad to marry you.”

Pearl didn't want
any
man. She wanted—
Stop it.
She had to stop thinking about Matt. For Carrie's sake, she'd be friendly at the dinner party, but she wouldn't wear her best dress. She'd braid her hair tight and she'd get to know Amy and Meg. As for Dan and the Hudson brothers, she hoped they'd sense her reluctance and leave her alone.

She managed a small smile for Carrie. “I'm not interested in a husband, but
you
are. If Matt has a lick of sense, he'll see that you're pretty and smart and just plain good.”

Carrie blushed. “Thank you.”

Eager to change the focus, Pearl grinned. “Now we have a party to plan.”

Together they planned the menu, including the desserts they'd make themselves. Carrie decided to buy a new gown. Pearl would wear navy blue and no ribbons in her hair. With a little luck, Matt would notice Carrie at last and Pearl could be happy for them both. Never mind her own rebellious thoughts. They belonged with the ribbons in the back of a drawer, destined to be forgotten with all of her impossible dreams.

“D
addy, this is for you,” Sarah said as she came down the steps from Miss Marlowe's School. “It's from my teacher.”

“Thank you, darlin'.” Matt tucked the small envelope in his shirt pocket, then swung Sarah into his arms. He figured the note was about his daughter's schoolwork, or maybe she'd been talking too much. He'd read it tonight in private, then remind her not to chatter like a magpie.

Sarah had other ideas about the note. She tugged the envelope out of his pocket and shoved it under his nose. “The paper's pretty. Open it now.”

“Nope,” he said.

“Yes!” She wiggled against him. “Miss Carrie asked me to give it to you special.”

“She did?”

Sarah nodded. “It's an invitation.” She stretched the unfamiliar word into a serious matter indeed.

Perhaps Carrie had planned a class event. The sooner he knew if he had to rustle up cookies, the better off he'd be. He set Sarah down and reached for the letter. “In that case, we better see what it says.”

Matt popped the wax seal, read the invitation to a supper
party on Saturday evening and grinned. Dan had received the same invitation yesterday at church, and he'd nearly busted his buttons at the prospect of socializing with Carrie. Matt's buttons were busting, too. He hadn't seen Pearl since the day of the interview. The party would give him a chance to see how she was doing. It would also give him a chance to chat with Tobias Oliver. On Sunday Dan had been impressed with the man. Not only did he have a level head, he'd already attended a meeting of the Golden Order. They'd agreed Matt would chat with the minister at the next opportunity, drop a hint about their suspicions and possibly ask for his help.

Pleased with the turn of events, especially the prospect of an evening with Pearl, Matt swung Sarah back into his arms. Giggling, she hugged him hard. He was about to set her down when he noticed Carrie watching them from the top of the steps.

“Hi, there,” he called with a stupid grin on his face. “I got the invitation.”

Carrie's eyes went wide, then she hurried toward them. The exercise must have been a bit much, because her cheeks were blazing pink. He almost asked if she was feeling all right but decided to keep his concern to himself. She'd probably had a hard day with a dozen girls as lively as Sarah.

She looked at his daughter and smiled. “You did a good job delivering the invitation. Thank you.”

Sarah hugged his neck. He squeezed her tight, set her down, then looked at Carrie. “Thanks for including me. I'll be there.”

“Oh good!”

“Dan's looking forward to it.” He hoped she'd take the hint about his partner. Dan would like nothing better than sitting next to Carrie during supper. With a little luck, Matt would end up next to Pearl.

When Carrie got tongue-tied, Matt hoped it was because of the mention of Dan. Stammering, she told him the other folks who'd be attending. He knew and liked them all.

“I best be going,” he said. “See you Saturday.”

“Wait!” Carrie called after him.

She'd sounded urgent. “What is it?”

“I was wondering…” She bit her lip. “Did you know Pearl's working for Jasper Kling?”

“She's
what?
”

“She's clerking at his shop. I was about to visit her. Would you and Sarah like to go with me?”

Sarah tugged on his hand. “Can we go, Daddy? Please?”

“Sure, darlin'.”

He sounded at ease, but his gut had done a somersault. He couldn't stand the thought of Pearl working for Jasper. Yesterday he'd had another run-in with the two-faced hypocrite. It must have been Pearl's day off, because he hadn't seen her when Jasper summoned him to deal with three of Scottie's girls. The problem had started when Katy visited the shop. Predictably, he'd called her a Jezebel and ordered her to leave. When she'd run back to the dance hall in tears, Lizzy and two other women had shown up in skimpy dresses.

Jasper wanted the women arrested for trespassing. Matt had told them to leave, but he'd refused to toss them in jail. Instead he'd given them a warning, and the women had left with a wink and an offer he'd definitely refuse. Jasper had been less obliging. He'd called Matt a milksop and said he'd take care of the problem himself. How, he didn't say, but Matt had his suspicions. If men in black derbies attacked Scottie or the dance hall again in the next few days, he'd have another sign of Jasper's involvement, which in turn pointed to the Golden Order.

Having Pearl in Jasper's store made Matt's hackles rise. He swung Sarah up to his hip so he could move faster. “Let's go.”

Carrie moved to his side and the three of them walked the five blocks to Jasper's shop. Carrie chattered as much as Sarah, but Matt barely heard a word. His mind was on Pearl and Jasper's nosy questions about her. He'd tried to warn her about the man, but she'd been too trusting for her own good.

When they reached the front of the shop, Matt saw new items in the display window. Yesterday it had held womanly whatnot. Today he saw men's neckwear, a walking stick and a black derby…the same hat worn by the men who'd beaten up Scottie Fife. A hat in the window… Matt couldn't think of a better way to summon the elite of the Golden Order. Men could come idly to the store, exchange information and go on their way.

His nerves burned like fire at the implication for Pearl. She'd see who visited the shop. She'd learn their names. She'd have knowledge that would make her a valuable witness and put her at risk. Matt couldn't stand the thought of Pearl being in harm's way.

He held the door for Carrie, vaguely aware of her passing but keenly aware of Pearl balanced on a ladder in the middle aisle. Unaware of them, she flicked a feather duster along the top of a cabinet while humming “Three Blind Mice.”

Sarah wiggled out of his arms. “Miss Pearl!”

Startled, she turned too quickly. She grabbed for the cabinet to steady herself, but the glass front offered no purchase. She swayed to the right, then the left. Her knees buckled, and she toppled off the ladder.

Matt charged forward to catch her. So did Carrie. Being taller and faster, he beat her by three steps. As he gripped
Pearl's waist, she twisted and grabbed his shoulders. He lifted her off the riser and guided her to the floor, setting her down with a gentle bounce. Their eyes tangled the way they had after the failed interview. If they'd been alone, he'd have risked a teasing smile. When Pearl blushed, he wondered if she'd had the same thought.

She broke the spell by mumbling “Thank you” and stepping back. Before he could reply, she turned to Carrie. “Matt just saved me from an embarrassing fall. I'm glad you stopped by.”

“Me, too,” Carrie said brightly.

Sarah plastered herself against Pearl's skirt. “I'm sorry, Miss Pearl. I made you fall.”

Matt's heart clenched at his daughter's woeful tone. Sarah had the misguided notion that bad things were her fault. She thought she had to be good to make people love her. That if she never acted up, she'd never be hurt again. He attributed the notion to Bettina's departure, which he blamed on both himself and God. How could the Almighty fail a little girl the way he'd failed Sarah?

Matt opened his mouth to correct his daughter, but Pearl had already dropped to a crouch. “You didn't make me fall, Sarah. You were happy to see me, and I'm happy to see you.”

“Really?”

“You bet.” She smiled so brightly Matt felt sunshine.

As she straightened, Sarah's head bobbed up. Her braids, more than passable in his estimation, flicked against her shoulders. “Are you
really
happy to see me?”

“Oh yes!” Pearl patted the child's head. “Your braids look pretty today.”

“My daddy bought me a special brush.” Sarah leaned closer to Pearl as if to share a secret. “He knows how to fix braids now.”

Pearl smiled. “I can see that.”

Matt's eyes flicked to another blond braid, the one circling Pearl's head like a crown. No ribbons today. Not a single comb or a fancy curl. Even without adornment, her hair was beautiful. Instead of pushing the awareness aside, he let it unfold into a simple fact. If it weren't for his flaws and their differences, he'd already be courting her. For a cynic like himself, such feelings for a godly woman weren't wise.

Smiling too brightly, Pearl looked at Carrie. “What can I do for you two?”

Two?
Matt didn't like the implication. If Pearl thought he had feelings for Carrie, he'd have to set her straight.

“Table linens,” Carrie answered. “I want new ones for the party. Matt's agreed to come. Isn't that nice?”

Pearl smiled at him. “I'm glad.”

So was he. When he smiled back, her cheeks turned pink and she turned away. “The linens are over here.” Pearl led the way to another aisle.

Matt had no interest in napkins but he wanted a closer look at the men's hats. “Where's Jasper?”

“At the bank,” she answered.

He ambled to the corner displaying men's attire. Matt didn't care for fancy clothing. He owned a suit for funerals and a pile of store-bought shirts. As for hats, he wouldn't get caught dead in a derby. Thinking of the hat in the window, he looked for others on the shelf but didn't see them. Why would Jasper advertise an item and not put it out? He took it as another sign that the derby was a signal, not an advertisement. He wanted to share the information with Dan before the man left the office, so he crossed the store. “Ladies?”

They both turned.

“I just remembered something.” He kept his voice even. “Would you mind keeping Sarah for me?”

“Of course,” they said in unison.

Pearl sealed her lips.

Carrie grinned. “I'll take her home with me. You can stay for supper.”

Supper would give him a chance to speak with Reverend Oliver. He'd also be able to quiz Pearl about Jasper. Matt wanted to say yes, but he had a bad feeling about the black hat. If something happened tonight on Ferguson Street, he needed to be ready. “Thanks, but no to dinner. I'll get Sarah in an hour.”

Sarah scampered to him for a hug goodbye. Matt lifted her, kissed her nose and told her to be good. As he set her down, Jasper came through the door. His small eyes went to Pearl, lingered, then skittered to Matt. He blanked his expression but not before Matt caught the ogle he'd given Pearl.

The shopkeeper stared at him. “Good afternoon, Deputy.”

“Jasper.”

The man turned to Carrie. “Miss Hart, it's a pleasure. I suppose you've come to visit Pearl.”

Since when did Jasper get to use Pearl's first name? It made sense since she worked for him, but Matt didn't like it.

Carrie smiled. “I came to buy table linens.”

“They're from Boston,” Jasper said with pride. “Pearl can help you. She's learning quickly.”

Pearl thanked him for the compliment, but she sounded tense. Matt wondered if Jasper had been overly friendly with her. She'd hate that kind of attention, and he hated the thought of it on her behalf. Looking at Jasper, he made a silent vow. Every day he'd drop by Jasper's store to keep
an eye on Pearl. The black derby, too. Matt excused himself and left the store. He'd be back, though. And he'd be watching.

 

To Pearl's relief, Jasper retreated to his office and closed the door. She wrapped Carrie's napkins in brown paper and gave Sarah a piece of candy. After they left, she put a penny in the till to pay for it. She didn't want to be accused of stealing or being careless. Her duties included dusting the store twice a day, so she picked up the duster and went back to work.

Her nerves felt as twitchy as the ostrich plumes flicking the invisible dust. She'd never been good at hiding her feelings, and she feared Carrie could see her reaction to Matt. When he'd caught her from falling, he'd lifted her up and floated her to the floor. She'd felt weightless in his arms. His muscles had bunched beneath her fingers and she'd felt safe. Not frightened. Not panicky…until she'd remembered Carrie.

Pearl didn't know what to make of the unexpected visit. She figured they'd met after school, but who had suggested a visit to Jasper's store? Pearl would find out tonight, but in her heart she already knew. Matt hadn't come to the shop for Carrie's sake. He'd come to see
her.
Catching her had been an act of duty, but his hand had stayed on her waist after she'd landed. His eyes had lingered on her face and she'd seen a question in his eyes.

What if…

“Stop it,” she said out loud. What if pigs could fly? What if she could kiss a man without fear pressing into her throat? She flicked the duster over a shelf holding women's shoes. To distract herself, she admired a pair of ivory kid boots. She touched the buttery leather and wished she could
afford to buy them. She yearned for all sorts of things, all beyond her reach.

“Pearl?”

She turned and saw Jasper. He'd left his office and closed the door behind him. Maybe he'd leave for the day. She lowered the duster. “Yes, Mr. Kling?”

“Call me Jasper,” he said as he approached her. “I insist.”

“It's a habit.”

They'd had this conversation before. As an employee she didn't mind being addressed as Pearl, but she didn't have to surrender the polite distance of a man's surname. He'd approached her for a reason, so she asked, “What can I do for you?”

His lips pulled back in what might have been a smile. “I'd like to invite you to have supper with me.”

Blood drained from her face. She needed to make a polite excuse, but she couldn't think of one. She opened her mouth, closed it, then managed to say, “Hmm.”

Jasper's eyes gleamed behind his spectacles. “With your father, of course. We'd need a chaperone.”