Garnet Read online

  Joey was by her side. “He isn’t the one from last night.” All the same, her nephew kept his pick handle in his hand.

  “We’re the Chandlers. Come in and sit down. Wait, wash your hands and face at the sink first. You can’t handle food while you’re that filthy.”

  While the man washed his hands, she filled a plate from leftovers and poured a cup of coffee. “Joey, please get my medicine box from upstairs.”

  He leaned close. “I don’t think I should leave you alone while he’s here.”

  Joey took being man of the family seriously. She humored him. “Oh, all right. Hyacinth, would you get the medicine box for me?”

  “How come he doesn’t have to and I do?” Usually sweet, Hyacinth was a bit spoiled and definitely jealous of her brother.”

  “Because Mr. Bennett is injured and needs our help. Please hurry.”

  Her niece stomped up the stairs while muttering under her breath, her golden curls bouncing with each step.

  When Garnet glanced at the man, she saw he’d wolfed down his food. “I’ll get you more. How long since you’ve eaten?”

  “Not sure how long I was in and out of consciousness up there. They attacked me on Saturday morning. Is this still Saturday?”

  “Monday. No wonder you’re hungry.” She set another plate of food in front of him and refilled his cup.

  Hyacinth returned with Garnet’s medicines. “This is awful heavy. I should get a treat for carrying this big, heavy box down the stairs all by myself.”

  Garnet opened the container and extracted several jars. She stopped long enough to plant a kiss on her niece’s cheek. “You’ve had enough treats for today. Help your brother put away the checkers and your school work so you can get ready for bed.”

  After examining the man’s face, she soaked a piece of cotton wool in weak carbolic acid solution and gently cleaned the scrapes and bruises. “That’s quite a knot on your forehead. You probably have a concussion. Perhaps I should send for the doctor.”

  He grinned around a split lip. “Naw, impossible to dent this hard head. I’ll be fine now that I’ve had some food. What can I do to repay you?”

  A ridiculous plan circled in Garnet’s mind. She agreed with Joey that this was not last night’s prowler. He could be a partner of the man who’d broken in but she didn’t sense that he was. If Mr. Bennett were here, perhaps the thief wouldn’t return.

  Had she lost her mind?

  She filled a pan with warm, soapy water and set it for him to soak his hands. “I need help here. If you’re going to be in town for a while, would you be able to help me in the kitchen? That would give you time to heal from the beating.”

  Surprise registered on his face. “Reckon I can. What did your boy mean when he said I wasn’t the one from last night?”

  She glanced at Hyacinth. In case Miss Priss was listening, she lowered her voice. “Someone ruined the door’s lock last night and came upstairs. I woke with him in my room, going through my things. When I challenged him to stop or I’d shoot, he threw a drawer at me and ran. By the time I donned my robe and slippers he’d run out the door.”

  “Any damage except the lock?”

  “Other than frightening my nephew and me, he cracked the drawer of a nice piece of furniture.” The thought of what might have happened sent dread through her. “Considering all the other possibilities, I suppose that’s minor.”

  He nodded toward her niece and nephew. “So these children aren’t yours?”

  “No, my husband and their parents were killed when the mine exploded a few months ago. Dessie, the children’s mother, helped me here during busy times. Josiah…Joe, their father, was a miner. My husband helped in the café, especially with the heavy lifting. I’m having difficulty stretching to sole café employee and new mother while still grieving.”

  Joey tugged at her sleeve. “You ’member our plan?”

  “I have things ready to set out. Don’t worry, I’ll do as we discussed.” She kissed the top of his head. “Now, put your sister to bed, will you? I’ll be busy here for a while longer.”

  Looking embarrassed, he glanced at Adam before he turned back to her and whispered, “Can I leave the lamp burning bright?”

  “Yes, I think that will be best.” She kissed Hyacinth’s cheek. “Let Joey tuck you in tonight.”

  Hyacinth leaned into Garnet. “I s’pose it’s okay. I like it better when you read to us before you hear our prayers.”

  Garnet hugged the girl. “I like that best, too, dear, but I have things to do in the kitchen after I get Mr. Bennett settled. Perhaps Joey will tell you a story if you’re good.”

  When the children had gone upstairs, Garnet gestured to the pie safe. “I moved this against the door last night then put the cot up against it.”

  He rose from his chair. “The lock’s mended?”

  “Yes, the marshal sent someone.”

  “I’d like to talk to your marshal.”

  “If you don’t mind waiting until morning, she’ll be one of the first to arrive for breakfast.”

  Surprise spread across his face. “Your marshal is a woman?”

  “Surely you’ve heard about our mine disaster. We had many widows left here.” She rested a hand at her throat, the memories creating sadness.

  She pulled herself from her reverie with a deep breath. “The remaining miners moved to another mine. A lot of people moved on west or returned to their former homes. Most of the town offices are now held by women.”

  A frown creased his brow. “You think the town will survive after losing so many?”

  “Yes, in fact new people have moved in already. A few of the widows have remarried. Others—like me—have discovered ways to keep their businesses going.”

  “I’m mighty grateful for the grub. You serious about me staying here?”

  “There’s a cot in the storeroom. There’s only a tiny window near the ceiling for fresh air but if you leave the door open perhaps you won’t mind. A cot’s not comfortable for as large a man as yourself but you’ll have privacy.”

  “Ma’am, as tired as I am I could fall asleep on a bed of rocks. I barely made it to your door.”

  “I’m sorry for you trouble. If staying here is agreeable to you, you can go ahead and turn in. I haven’t had a good night’s sleep since my husband was killed on March 28th. With you asleep in there to keep anyone from breaking in, then I can finally relax and get a decent night’s rest.” She carried a stack of tin cans to the stairs and lined them up on the steps.

  He watched her but didn’t offer his help. “I’m not the nicest person you’ll ever meet but I’m an honorable man. All the same, I think your friends would tell you not to trust someone you don’t know—especially in my current filthy state.”

  When she’d added another load of cans, she stood back to admire her work. “They probably would, but they have their own problems and I’ll take care of mine. I’ll warn you I sleep with a Colt .45 and I know how to use it. I imagine you have a boot gun or knife or both.”

  His blue eyes sparkled with humor. “How did you guess?”

  She shrugged. “I can’t explain why, I just thought you would.” She nodded at the steps. “This is Joey’s and my idea to prevent the prowler from getting upstairs without us hearing. Even though you’re here, I promised him I’d remember our plan.”

  “Good idea in case I sleep too sound. Those are sure to raise a ruckus if someone goes up in the dark.”

  When he stood and removed his coat, his shirt was almost as muddy as the outer garment. He draped the coat over the back of a chair and stood then shifted from one foot to the other. Something bothered him but he hesitated to mention it.

  Realization hit her. “Since you don’t want those who attacked you to know you’re here, you should use the chamber pot that’s in the store room instead of going out back to the privy.” She wasn’t crazy enough to invite him to use the bathing room upstairs.

  She lit another lamp and gave it to him. �
�You’ll need this.”

  “Thank you. I don’t want the three who beat me to know I’m alive until I’ve recovered. As you suggested, I’ll stay here in the kitchen and storeroom so no one will see me.”

  “I’ll tell the marshal but no one else needs to know about your presence until you’re ready.”

  Chapter Three

  A din as loud as a brass band woke Garnet. She shoved her feet into her slippers and pulled on her robe as she sped from her room. Hyacinth and Joey stood in the hallway. Her niece was cowed behind Joey and crying.

  Garnet hugged Hyacinth. “Everything is all right, dear. Stay up here with your brother.”

  Joey hefted his pick handle. “He came back but the cans worked.”

  “You wait here while I investigate.” She hoped Adam Bennett was all right.

  When she rounded the corner so she could see the kitchen, he’d lighted the lamp. Holding it aloft, he stood at the open back door. She rushed down the stairs, avoiding the tin cans still on the steps and those scattered across the floor.

  He looked up. “Reckon he picked the lock this time. It’s not broken.” He closed and secured the door.

  “Are you okay?”

  He held up a piece of cloth. “That I am but I failed to capture your visitor. Tore off this piece of his shirt as he escaped.”

  He examined the fabric near the lamp. “Well, I’ll be.”

  “Something special about the fabric?”

  “Matter of fact, this is from a shirt of mine that was in the gear they stole.”

  “How can you be sure?” She stared at the piece of material.

  He held it so she could get a closer look. “See here where I sewed a tear? I can sew on a button but I’m not much of a hand with a needle and only have white thread. This was a new shirt so I tried to repair the rip. Looks like this tore right along the mended part.” Indeed, pieces of white thread dangled from the edge of the red plaid scrap.

  “So, now you know who the prowler is.”

  He gave a slight nod. “Frank Lawson.”

  Garnet staggered backward and grasped the newel post support. “F-Frank? N-No, no, no, that can’t be. He’s in prison.”

  Adam grasped her shoulders. “Hey, steady. Obviously you know him.”

  He guided her toward the kitchen table. “Sorry to spring the news on you but I had no idea you knew the man. He killed a guard breaking out of prison. Later, he shot my friend to get two horses.”

  Without his help she would have fallen. She made it to a chair and plopped onto the seat before her knees gave way. The room spun around her. Her stomach roiled and she thought she might throw up or lose consciousness.

  He pushed her head between her knees. “Deep breaths.” Kneeling in front of her, he asked, “You gonna be all right now?”

  No, she wasn’t even close. Instead, she was terrified. “How can I be? Even your mentioning his name scared me out of my wits.”

  She considered the possibility with growing dread. “I suppose him being the prowler makes sense. He’s a second cousin and he’s always been crazy mean.” She tried to tighten her robe’s tie but her hands trembled too much.

  He knelt in front of her. “What’s he after?”

  “He thought because he’s a couple of years older than me that my grandmother’s jewelry should go to him. Granny was adamant when she gave all of it to me.”

  “Her possessions to do with as she saw fit.”

  “Frank didn’t agree. I’m named Garnet after Granny, you see, and she was named after her mother and grandmother. There’re numerous pieces including garnet necklaces, ear bobs, hair combs, brooches, and bracelets.”

  “Guess missing out on that much upset him.”

  The memory of Frank’s rage sent shivers through her. “He was so angry I thought he was going to kill Granny and me right then. My uncle arrived and calmed Frank. Less than half an hour later, he was arrested for killing a man. I suspect he’d killed others as well but didn’t get caught.”

  Adam Bennett pulled a chair facing hers and eased onto it. “Are you talking valuable jewelry?”

  She shook her head then regretted the motion. “Probably not. You see, they’re garnets, not rubies. Well, I suppose the stones around them could be real diamonds. And, of course there’s the gold used in the settings and chains.”

  “Have you had them appraised?”

  “No need. Their value to me is that they’re family heirlooms that go back five generations.”

  “Having them appraised would let you insure them.”

  “I hadn’t considered that. I love knowing that I’ll be able to pass them on—to Hyacinth and Joey if I don’t have children. I’m sure Frank would sell the jewelry—or use them as a stake at poker or faro.”

  His expression was solemn as he met her gaze. “Mrs. Chandler, if he wants those jewels, he won’t stop until he has them or he’s been captured. Can you lock the gems in the bank safe?”

  She pressed a hand to her aching forehead. “I suppose I could. What’s to stop him from robbing the bank?”

  “Reckon your marshal and I would try. Robbing the bank would be harder than stealing them from you. Regardless, you and the children wouldn’t be in danger.”

  “Why were you after Frank? Are you a lawman?”

  He shook his head then looked at his hands. “Bounty hunter. There’s a five hundred dollar price on Lawson’s head. A hundred each on his friends.”

  “That’s a lot of money.” She shook her head slowly. “Not worth dying for, though.”

  Rising to his feet, he paced the room. “I don’t intend to die.”

  Her gaze followed him. “You didn’t plan on him stealing your gear and animals.”

  He paused and shrugged. “You’re right, I didn’t intend to let him to get the drop on me. Believe me, I won’t let that happen again.”

  To her, his plan was foolhardy. “The odds are still three to one.”

  “I’ll have to even the odds. I need to talk to your marshal. You said she’d be here in the morning.”

  “She usually comes for breakfast. If she doesn’t, I’ll send Joey for her.”

  He shrugged again. “We might as well go back to sleep. He won’t be back tonight.”

  She headed for the stairs. “Goodnight, Mr. Bennett. Thank you for your help.”

  ***

  After the beautiful Mrs. Chandler had gone upstairs, Adam used a lantern to look at the downstairs. The kitchen was large with the fanciest range he’d ever seen. It had two water reservoirs to keep hot water available. Handy in a kitchen.

  On closer look, pipes from one reservoir went into the wall. He figured it went upstairs to a bathing room. A tub of hot water would sure feel good about now.

  Cupboards on two sides held more dishes than a fancy hotel would use. The stairs took up part of one wall and the storeroom opened under those. The table and chairs looked as if they were used only for the family. The usual pie safes and cabinets must be handy.

  He carried a lantern through the swinging door to the dining room. Man, he couldn’t believe his eyes. Two fancy glass chandeliers hung from the ceiling. The tables in here were covered by oiled cloth instead of the white linen that would have gone better with the fancy light fixtures.

  Someone sure spent a lot decorating this place. Better suited to Denver or St. Louis. Shaking his head slightly, he went back to the storeroom.

  ***

  The next morning, Garnet gathered articles of her husband’s clothing to take to Mr. Bennett, who she thought of as Adam. She found him sweeping the kitchen.

  “My husband was a little shorter than you and not quite as muscular, but these clothes are clean.”

  Adam leaned the broom against the wall to take the clothing. “I’ll be happy to have less mud on me. I’ve slapped at the grime, but still I leave a gritty trail wherever I walk.”

  She chuckled. “I’d noticed, but it’s not your fault, Mr. Bennett.”

  “Please, call me Adam or Ben
nett, no mister involved.”

  “Thank you. As I mentioned, my name is Garnet.”

  He shook his head. “I’ll call you Mrs. Chandler. Don’t want any talk arising.”

  “That’s considerate and gentlemanly but there’s no danger of gossip. At least, not from anyone who matters. I’m afraid we widows have had to make so many concessions to our circumstances that many forms of propriety have been discarded. While we’re all honorable women, we simply can’t dwell on the way we used to live. Each of us is trying our best simply to survive.”

  He dropped the bundle of clothing she’d given him and failed to catch it. “But you said there are new people in town and that the town won’t die.”

  “That’s true, but that doesn’t mean each of us will be successful in holding on to our business. I believe I can keep the café going if things continue as they have the past couple of months. Another disaster could change that.”

  He bent to gather up the clean duds. “Reckon we’d better do our best to make sure Lawson isn’t that disaster. He came here for a reason. Other than your family jewelry, what else would bring him to this town?”

  “There’s the new gold mine. The assay office is back in business and so is Wells Fargo, complete with a bank. In fact, my friend Grace and her husband Ben operate the Wells Fargo office.”

  “Then that’s where you should take your heirlooms.” His baritone voice was firm, as if he was used to giving orders and having them obeyed.

  His bossiness irritated her. She didn’t intend to take orders from a stranger down on his luck. “I don’t know, Adam. I don’t want my friends to be endangered or robbed either.”

  “That’s their job, not yours. I’m sure they have a sturdy safe. Besides, you have two children to consider.”

  He’d brought up her weakness—the children. With a sigh, she acquiesced. “Of course you’re right, I’m responsible for their welfare.” She clasped her hands at her breast. “I’d die if anything happened to Hyacinth or Joey. They’re wonderful children I love and my only family.”

  “So, tomorrow, you’ll take that jewelry to the bank?”

  Why did she feel defeated? “Yes, I will as soon as the noon rush is over.”