Texas Rainbow Read online

  Texas Rainbow

  Texas Time Travel Series 2

  By

  Caroline Clemmons

  Copyright © 2018 by Caroline Clemmons

  All rights reserved. Without limiting the rights under copyright reserved above, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without the prior written permission of both the copyright owner and the above publisher of this book.

  Names, characters, places, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead, businesses, events, or locales is purely coincidental.

  Glossary of Ellie’s 1920s Slang

  Ankle – Walk

  Applesauce – Nonsense

  Bank’s Closed – I’m not making out with you

  Bee’s Knees – pleasing, term of affection

  Berries – something good

  Bunkum – ridiculous

  Caterpillar’s Kimono – see bee’s knees

  Cat’s Meow – something/someone pleasing

  Clams – money

  Copacetic – swell

  Darb – something wonderful

  Dogs – feet

  Egg – person, He’s a good egg

  Four-flusher – someone who mooches off others

  Gams – legs

  Gasper – cigarette

  Giggle Water – alcoholic drink

  Gnat’s Elbows – see bee’s knees

  Heebie-Jeebies – get scared and shake, be uncomfortable

  Horsefeathers – nonsense

  Hotsy-Totsy – something good

  Iron one’s shoelaces – excuse oneself for the restroom

  Mazuma – money

  Nerts – disgust

  Ossified – drunk

  Phonus Balonus – I don’t believe it

  Rhatz – disappointing

  Ritzy – elegant, like the Ritz

  Sheik – sexy man

  Sockdollager – great

  Spifflicated – drunk

  Struggle-Buggy – car available for petting

  Swanky – ritzy

  Tell it to Sweeney – tell someone who’ll believe you, I don’t

  Upchuck – vomit

  Whoopee – fun, petting, sex

  Zozzled – drunk

  Chapter One

  San Antonio, Texas, April 18, 1921

  Eleanore St. Eaves—known to her friends as Ellie—scanned the wedding reception and let the music float around her. Humming the band’s version of “Whispering”, she watched others dance or take advantage of the champagne. She was weary from partying with the bride and bridesmaids the night before but, as Maid of Honor, she couldn’t leave until after the bride and groom departed.

  Mattie Lou, newly married bride of Freddie Colgate, hugged Ellie’s shoulders. “Oh, Ellie, please don’t look so sad. I know you should have been wed to Bobby by now. I can’t bear the thought of him dying in that awful war.”

  Horrified she might have put a damper on her best friend’s special day, Ellie pasted on a bright smile and returned Mattie’s hug. “Horsefeathers, I was just resting my barking dogs a moment. This music is the bee’s knees. Don’t you adore this new jazz?”

  She turned and grabbed the hand of the nearest male. “Let’s dance, Lester.”

  Shy Lester Banks was ossified enough from the free flowing alcohol that he’d lost his usual inhibitions. The two were soon amid the throng of dancers.

  After a few minutes, Lester stopped and his eyes widened. “Sorry, I’m too zozzled. Going to upchuck.” He left the floor at a wobbly run.

  “Partner desert you?”

  Ellie glanced to her right where Dennis Montford stood. “Had to go iron his shoelaces.” She wasn’t a fan of Dennis and suspected he was a gate-crasher.

  “You need a real partner.” He held out his hand. “Shall we?” He leaned in too close and leered. “Or we could blow this joint and go make some whoopee. My struggle-buggy is right outside.”

  “Bank’s closed, Dennis.” She pretended to pout. “Awww, and now the song has ended.” Mentally, she added four-flusher.

  She wasn’t contributing to that drugstore cowboy’s lifestyle much less go petting with him. “Oh, excuse me. Mattie is signaling.”

  She hurried to her friend. “Thanks for rescuing me from Dreadful Dennis. Did you really invite him?”

  “Phfft, of course not. You know how he weasels his way in whether or not he has an invitation.”

  “I avoid him.” Ellie gave a slight shiver. “He gives me the heebie jeebies.”

  Mattie grabbed her hand. “Come help me change into my going-away suit so Freddie and I can leave. I’m so excited about our honeymoon trip.”

  Ellie accompanied Mattie to the room where her friend had donned her wedding dress. “Has he told you yet where he’s booked?”

  Mattie glanced around conspiratorially but the door was firmly closed. “We’re taking the train to New York and then going by ship to England. From there we’ll travel to France and several Mediterranean countries. Isn’t that keen?”

  Genuinely pleased for her friend, she squeezed Mattie’s hands. “Sockdollager. You’ll be away a long time, though. Promise me you won’t even think about this place or these people while you’re gone.”

  Mattie’s family members were too demanding, especially her mother, Eunice Dockeridge. The controlling woman manipulated Mattie by applying guilt when Mattie had done or said nothing for which she should feel bad.

  Mattie wrung her hands. “Well—”

  “Promise me.” Ellie pointed her forefinger at Mattie. “You deserve to spend time alone with Freddie. Mattie, you know the man you love deserves to have your full attention without any intrusions. I’m sure that’s one reason he hasn’t told anyone where you’re going.”

  Mattie blushed. “I know you’re right. Although, I imagine his dad knows, don’t you?”

  “Likely true, but pretend he doesn’t when you say goodbye to your family. I won’t tell a soul.”

  A few minutes later, Ellie waved goodbye to the happy couple.

  Mattie’s mother appeared at her side. “Isn’t their trip exciting?”

  She’d known this woman far too long to fall for her attempt. “Where is it, can you say?”

  Eunice Dockeridge frowned. “I-I thought you’d already know.”

  Ellie shook her head and held up a hand palm outward. “No, don’t tell me or I might be tempted to send them a wire or flowers or phone them. They certainly don’t need to be bothered on their honeymoon. This is their time to bond as man and wife without annoying outside distractions.” She emphasized the last four words.

  “Hmph.” Mattie’s mom walked away, probably to ask someone else.

  Let her try. Freddie’s dad would never tell.

  The party showed no sign of diminishing, but Ellie called a cab for the ride to her hotel. Getting home to Kerrville tomorrow would mean a long day. She looked forward, however, to the drive in her new 1921 Kissel Gold Bug she’d ordered a month ago and picked up from the dealer yesterday.

  The next morning, Ellie breakfasted in her hotel room. Normally outgoing, she had no wish to chance running into other wedding guests who might delay her departure. However, she was a frequent traveler who knew better than to skip breakfast before a trip. Who knew when the next opportunity for a meal would occur?

  Ellie dressed in her new navy silk pongee dress with the white collar and the pleated white flounce at the hem. Her cloche hat matched the dress and her gloves were white. After checking her appearance one last time, she closed her suitcases and called for the porter.
>
  She was ready when he arrived to carry her bags to her car. By nine she was on the highway and headed for home. She planned a slight detour off her main route to look over Terry Springs, which is where Mattie and Freddie were going to live when they returned from their honeymoon.

  Puzzled several hours later, Ellie consulted her map again at a crossroads. According to her atlas, she was going the correct way, but the road appeared to be no more than a ranch road. She had seen no signs warning against trespass, so she continued.

  A few miles later, a loud bang alerted her as her car swerved. She stopped and climbed out to assess the damage.

  “Of all the hokum, a blowout on a brand new tire of my brand new car.”

  In theory, she knew the basics of changing a tire but she had never done so. She looked down at her clothes and discarded the idea of even trying. With no help at hand, she climbed back into her car to wait for another driver to come by and offer assistance.

  An hour later, she hadn’t seen anyone. The only living things in view were cattle, birds, and the annoying insects buzzing around her. Ellie climbed out of her precious Gold Bug and retrieved her luggage. She’d have to ankle it, but no way was she leaving her favorite clothing and jewels in a speedster to tempt anyone set on stealing them.

  Grumbling to herself, she set out walking. Rhatz, the luggage was heavy and getting more so by the step. Her pumps were designed to look nice but not suitable for hiking a country road. After half an hour, she wished she’d stayed on a main highway. At least in her car she’d been able to sit down.

  Ellie stacked her suitcases and sat on them. Maybe she’d rest a little while before she walked further. Why hadn’t she seen anyone? Surely someone lived nearby or there wouldn’t be a road.

  A large mosquito lit on her arm. “Nerts.” She slapped at the pest. In doing so, she dislodged her cases.

  “Oh-h-h-h!” The suitcases went plunging down the side of a ravine with her riding them like a sled. She landed with a splat that left her sprawled on her stomach across her luggage. Her head hit a rock at the ravine’s base.

  Chapter Two

  Ellie woke feeling like a pretzel. She was at the bottom of a shallow ravine with her dress up around her knickers. Her luggage hadn’t made a comfortable place to rest. Everywhere ached, especially her head. How long had she been unconscious?

  Righting herself, she almost cheered when she heard a car stop then a door slam. She was able to see the black and white vehicle clearly, but couldn’t identify the car’s maker.

  A man wearing a tan uniform with a star pinned on the left pocket of his broad chest stared down at her. “You all right, Miss?”

  He was the cat’s meow, but she resented his stupid question. She shaded her face with her hand to peer at him. “Do I look all right?”

  He grinned. “Yes, Ma’am, from where I’m standing, you look more than simply right. I doubt you intend to stay there, though.” He climbed down the ravine’s side as if he’d done so a hundred times.

  When he was at her level, he towered over her five-feet-eight by a good six inches. She noted he had dark blue eyes that sparkled with mischief. Beneath his gray Stetson, dark hair showed.

  He touched the brim of his hat in greeting. “I’m Sheriff Bart Knight. Let me help you to the top then I’ll return for your luggage.”

  She straightened her skirt even though she had already done so. “I’m Eleanore St. Eaves.”

  With her purse on her arm, she took the hand he offered. Wow, he had a strong grip.

  “This soil is a bit loose, Miss St. Eaves, so hold on.” He started up and tugged her with him.

  When they were on the road, she stared again at his odd vehicle. “Is that your car?”

  He opened the passenger door for her. “Says ‘Sheriff’ on the side, doesn’t it? You climb in and I’ll fetch your belongings.”

  He left the door open and retraced his steps to the ravine’s bed then retrieved her luggage. He tossed up the smaller one and carried the other.

  She got out and yelled, “Hey, what are you doing? Those are valuable.”

  “Not if they stay at the bottom of the ditch.” He gestured behind them. “In case you hadn’t noticed, a storm is on the way.” He climbed up to the road and moved her luggage to the back seat.

  That’s when she saw the dark clouds heading their way and saw a bright bolt of lightning. Thunder rumbled ominously. The breeze increased to gusts that swirled around her.

  She scrambled back onto the seat, grateful to be rescued before the advancing downpour.

  “Fasten your seat belt.”

  “What?”

  He stared at her a few seconds with an odd expression on his handsome face then leaned in and fastened a belt around her. “Wearing a seat belt is the law. Protects passengers in case of a wreck.”

  He closed her door, walked around the car, and climbed inside.

  She watched while he fastened the thing he’d called a seat belt. “Good thing you showed up when you did or I’d have been soaked.”

  “If that storm delivers the amount of rain predicted, you’d have been swimming.”

  “That’s a frightening thought. My clothes would have been ruined. Say, what kind of car is this?”

  “Standard lawman’s model Ford. All my sheriff’s department cars are the same unless they’re from seized drug raids. Don’t have many of those now but we did when I first took office.”

  Her pounding headache must be why she couldn’t make sense of his words. “I had a blowout. You must have passed my bright yellow car. Oh no, I didn’t raise the roof and now the new seats will get soaked.”

  He frowned slightly. “Haven’t seen a car for miles. How far back did you leave it?”

  She tried to figure her distance. “Can’t be sure. I walked about half an hour, so not very far.” She motioned to the back seat. “Carrying those, I couldn’t ankle it very fast.”

  “Ankle it? Oh, you mean walk. I don’t suppose so. Those suitcases are heavy. What kind of car is it?”

  She couldn’t prevent her smile. Even though the tire had failed her and the interior might get a soaking, she loved her new vehicle. “A Kissel Gold Bug Speedster. Can you believe the bad luck to have a blowout in a new tire?”

  He sent her another odd gaze. “Um, Kissel Speedster, huh? What year?

  “Brand new 1921. I only picked it up the day before yesterday from the dealer in San Antonio.”

  “Just as I suspected.” He hit his hand against the steering wheel for no reason she could see. “Miss St. Eaves, would you tell me what date it is, complete with the year?”

  She sent him a disdainful glare. “Some sheriff you are if you don’t know that. Today is June 20, 1921, of course.”

  Right away, she regretted her sharp words. “Oh, I get it. You’re wondering if I have a concussion or something. Don’t think so even though I did get a hard bump on the noggin. My hat protected me. Still, I ache everywhere, especially my head.”

  He exhaled heavily. “My brother, his wife, and I live just up here a bit. Let’s stop there and get you something cool to drink. You might want to rest or refresh yourself while we’re there.”

  A chance to revive from her experience sounded welcome. As they drove, she saw a large house and outbuildings take shape in the distance. He turned down a tree-lined drive and slowed at a pair of decorative iron gates.

  The sheriff stopped and lowered his window then pressed numbers into a box on a post. “We have automatic openers in our personal vehicles, but I don’t feel at liberty to modify county cars.”

  After the gates opened, he drove to the home’s side. She glanced behind them and the gates were already closed. Butterflies played kickball in her stomach.

  He hopped out of the car and came around to open her door. “I’ll get your cases in the event you need anything from them.”

  She hesitated to get out of the car with this sheik. “Are you really the sheriff? Is this a trick? I’ll have you know I’m no p
ushover.”

  “Do you think I rented this uniform on the off chance I’d meet a damsel in distress today? Oh, and stole the sheriff’s car.”

  Mischief sparkled in his eyes again, but he put his hand over his heart. “I give you my word, Miss St. Eaves, I’m the Harmon County Sheriff and this is no trick.”

  An older woman opened the door. “Bart, glad you’re back from Bandera before the storm hits. Everything go all right?”

  Eleanore sighed in relief. She supposed her fears were uncalled-for. Maybe this man could be trusted if this smiling woman welcomed him. But what odd clothes the woman wore. Not the full-legged slacks she had but more like a man’s clothing.

  “Found Miss St. Eaves in the ravine a couple of miles back.” Why was the sheriff’s voice strained and why was he emphasizing where he’d found her?

  The woman’s eyes widened. “For heaven’s sake.” She appeared to recover and gestured her inside. “Miss St. Eaves, I’m Sally Rogers, the housekeeper. Come right in and let me get you some tea.”

  “I am thirsty and tea sounds the berries.” She allowed Sally to lead her inside to a lovely kitchen with a round table. Looking around, she didn’t know what some things were, like the tall, silver box beside the cupboards.

  When Sally opened the box’s door, Ellie saw its insides resembled a ritzy refrigerator. Sally removed a pitcher. “Sugar or lemon?”

  “Just the tea.” Eleanore stared as ice popped out of the box’s door and into the glass Sally held.

  Not a cup of hot tea then. The housekeeper added tea to the glass and set it in front of Eleanore. She couldn’t believe her eyes but was terribly thirsty. She picked up the glass and immediately drank half the liquid. There was no doubt that was genuine ice in the glass and tasty tea.

  A loud peal of thunder shook the windows, underlining her good luck that Bart had rescued her.

  Sally craned her neck to peer out the window. “I know you hated to be inconvenienced by car trouble and your fall but I’m glad Bart came by. By now, I imagine that ravine has water running in it.”

  Ellie looked at the housekeeper. “My grandmother used to say you can’t have a rainbow without the rain. In this instance, Bart must be the rainbow.”