Letter Perfect ( Book #1) (46 page)
Laney folded her hands in her lap. “After church today, Mrs. O’Sullivan invited us to come quilt.”
“There. Now wasn’t that nice? It proves you’re meant to go over there. Son, you’d better write down the name of that ship so I can book your wedding trip.”
Ruth reached up her sleeve and pulled out a knotted hanky. Carefully working the knot free, she said, “Laney and I have been discussing the wedding. She tells me the tailor you and Josh use is still in Sacramento. I’d love for Josh to have a new suit. Could you please order one for me?”
Dad accepted the double eagle and nodded. “Of course I will.”
Josh noted he didn’t say a word about the fact that twenty dollars would easily buy three of the finest suits, a dozen custommade shirts, and a handful of ties.
“Ruth, dear,” Dad said as he pocketed the gleaming coin, “it’s not safe for you to have this kind of money just sitting around.”
“Oh, I’m not worried about that at all. As you’ve said, we’re all family. No one else has access to my things. Besides, even if they did, they wouldn’t know where to look.” She looked at Laney, covered her mouth, and giggled.
Laney giggled, too. Her eyes sparkled. “Should we tell them?”
“You’ve never been able to keep a secret,” Dad said to Laney.
“Oh, well.” Ruth reached for her teacup. “If you must know, I slipped a few of those pretty coins in the middle of my button jar.”
“Ruth,” Josh said in a warning tone.
“Oh, there weren’t many, Josh.” She waved her hand back and forth. “Four or seven or eight. I thought it would be too big of a bother to stop by the bank whenever I wanted to buy something.”
“You and I are going to have to work on keeping secrets,” Josh said to Ruth. He rose from the table. “Why don’t we go for a stroll?”
“That’s so romantic,” Laney sighed.
Ruth frowned at Laney. “You’ve had too much excitement for today. Maybe you ought to take a little nap.”
“That’s a good idea,” Josh said. He didn’t want Laney alone with Dad. “You still haven’t fully recovered from that concussion.”
“I was going to have Laney help me pack for my trip,” Dad said. “She always tells me I’m atrocious at matching things.”
Hilda started clearing away the dishes. “I can toss things into a valise for you. Don’t know why you suddenly gotta be fancified. Most often, you pop on over to Sacramento and just buy whatever you need.”
“I’m trying to economize,” Dad said. “I know the bride’s family pays for the wedding, but there might be some added expenses.”
“Humpf.” Hilda took Laney’s plate. “Why don’t you scamper over and nap in my bedroom over at the cabin? It’s a far sight cooler than yours. Since the window faces east, my chamber gets shady in the afternoon.”
“That’s a good plan.” Dad nodded emphatically.
“I’ll tuck her in,” Ruth pledged. She was as good as her word. Josh stayed in the main room of the cabin and heard Ruth’s voice as she soothed his sister into bed. Odd, how Ruth was the most vibrant, earthy woman he knew, yet she could focus her attention on someone and let them benefit from the calm in the middle of her storm.
She exited Hilda’s chamber, shut the door, and took his hand. They set out on a stroll.
“Everything’s arranged,” Josh told her as they wandered down a grassy path. “We’ll take the train tomorrow to Sacramento. Farnsworth will meet us there. He’s reserved rooms for us at the Orleans Hotel. He’ll use the afternoon to go over the case with us and brief you on what to expect when we go before the judge.”
“I have the letter. I carry it everywhere with me.”
Josh regretted that she needed to do so, but it showed prudence. Dad couldn’t be trusted.
“Thank you for having Mr. Farnsworth do all of this. I’m afraid I would have just burst into court and made a scene.”
“Rick Maltby is to get the results on the cigarette case tomorrow. Galen’s going to stop by the Broken P just before midday to pick up Hilda and Laney. He’ll take them to town, where Maltby will have a carriage. They’ll meet us tomorrow evening.”
“Laney’s doing far better than I thought she would about your father, but I’d like to spare her from being in court. Couldn’t we just have her stay at home with Hilda?”
“I’ve been on my knees about this, Ruth. Laney’s caught somewhere between being a child and a woman. Galen’s told me she’ll never grow up until I let her. Then, there’s your experience—you would have rather known the truth about your mother. It’s been hard for you to accept, even though her motive was to lovingly shield you, that you weren’t given a voice in the decision. I’ve decided to have Laney in Sacramento, and she can make a determination for herself.”
Ruth stopped in a shady spot under a spreading oak. Tears glossed her eyes. “Josh, you said you’ve been on your knees. God answered your prayer by giving you wisdom.”
Josh cupped her cheeks. “Thank you, Ruth. I’ll let you in on a little secret.” She smiled up at him. “Laney told me you’ve said you might never get married. Especially since you received your inheritance, I’ve worried you might think I’m courting your money instead of you.”
“You’d never do such a thing.”
“I’m glad you know that. But, you see, I’m not about to take a chance on the most precious thing that’s ever happened to me. Ruthie, I’m not asking you to marry me. I’m telling you I’ll never be whole unless you do. I love you, sweetheart.”
“Your sister’s very insightful. She once told me a man would have to earn my trust before he’d ever win my love. You’ve done just that, Josh. My heart is yours. I can’t believe you’ll really have me, but I’d be happy to be your wife.”
He dipped his head and kissed her. As he straightened up, Ruth wore a bemused expression and gently lifted her fingers to touch her lips. “Oh my. Laney might have been wrong. A kiss like that would have won my heart.”
Josh chuckled as Ruth blushed. “Honey, don’t be embarrassed. Your habit of blurting out your thoughts can be quite flattering.” They continued to wander along hand-in-hand, but when they reached the cabin again, Laney sat on the settee, sobbing brokenheartedly.
“What’s wrong?” Ruth rushed to Laney’s side.
Laney burrowed into Ruth’s arms. “Daddy came to check on me. I was just drifting off, and I thought it was so sweet. He gave me a kiss on the cheek and tiptoed out.”
“Your father loves you, Laney.” Ruth petted Laney’s hair. “Never doubt that.”
“That’s not the problem,” Laney wailed. “Yesterday, when you had me try on that blue dress, you said we needed to convince Daddy that we trust him. That way, he wouldn’t suspect anything was up.”
Ruth nodded. “Telling him about the money in the button jar at lunch went well.”
“It went too well!” Laney sucked in a choppy breath and gushed, “I heard Daddy go into your bedchamber, Ruth. After he left, I went into your room and found a tiny button on the floor.”
Ruth cuddled Laney closer still. “I’m sorry, honey. I didn’t think he’d—”
“He did. Daddy robbed you. We put eight coins in the jar together. There are only three now.”
Josh knelt and gathered Ruth and his sister into his arms. Sorrow mingled with his anger.
Lord, why?
Laney let out a sigh and pulled back, leaving Josh to cradle Ruth close. Brushing away her tears, Laney said, “In my heart, I still hoped maybe the two of you were mistaken. Now I know better.”
So that’s why
. “It’s a bitter truth. But you needed to know, Laney.” Josh squeezed Ruth. “We’ll make it through this together, with God’s help.”
Monday morning, Ruth went to the main house with Hilda. As the housekeeper made breakfast, Ruth dipped a pen in the inkwell. “Being around Laney is rubbing off on me. I’m ready to make a list.”
Hilda chortled as she opened the oven to take a peek at the coffee cake.
“Well, well! Aren’t you cheery today.” McCain tromped across the kitchen toward Ruth.
Ruth promptly ducked her head and started scribbling on the paper. “Paraffin. Don’t we need more paraffin to seal jars?”
“We need it, that’s for sure.” Hilda poured a cup of coffee and shoved it at McCain. “So when do you leave?”
“After breakfast.” He took a loud slurp of coffee. “Ruthie, is there anything you’d like me to bring back from Sacramento for you?”
“The suit for Josh is all I can think of.”
“Did I hear my name?” Josh pushed through the door from the dining room. He promptly inserted himself between Ruth and his father. “Good morning, dearest.” Suave as could be, he lifted her hand and pressed a kiss on the back of it.
Ruth still held her pen, and as a result, she ended up with splotches of ink on her thumb and forefinger.
Josh gave her a warm smile. “Better a blot on your hand than on your soul.”
McCain snorted. “That’s no way to talk to a woman.”
“I think it was charming,” Ruth said. “So what are your plans for today, Josh?”
“He’s going south to purchase the bull,” his father said at once. “In fact, you ought to be leaving now. It’ll be a lengthy trip.”
“Let the cowboy eat before he leaves.” Hilda emphatically cracked an egg on the edge of a sizzling skillet. “There isn’t a man alive who doesn’t do better with a full belly.” She turned and leveled a gaze at Ruth. “Remember that. Men are cranky unless they eat well.”
Ruth smiled. “I’m glad you’re here, then. Your good cooking will soothe him when my schemes give him fits.”
Hilda pulled the fragrant coffee cake out of the oven and flipped three eggs onto a plate. “Okay, cowboy. Wolf this down and hit the road. The sooner you leave, the sooner you’ll get back. I’ll keep Ruth busy so she doesn’t mope too much while you’re away.”
“Between helping the O’Sullivans, planning the wedding, and figuring out what she needs for the library, our Ruth is going to be fully occupied.” McCain nodded to himself. “Everything’s working out well.”
As soon as Josh finished eating, Ruth popped up. “I’ll walk you out to the stable.”
Hand in hand, they went toward the stable. Josh looked around and murmured, “I’ll be scarce this morning, but I’ll be back. Be ready to go.”
Ruth bobbed her head. “I’ve already packed a little valise for myself and another for Laney. They’re hiding beneath my bed.”
“Did you include your mother’s Bible? We need it for the marriage and birth record.”
“I left my Bible on the bedside table so I could have devotions this morning. After you leave, I’ll go put it in my valise.”
Josh tilted her face to his. “Be careful.”
“I will. You too.”
As Felipe brought out Josh’s mount, Josh pressed a soft kiss on her lips. “I’m going to be glad when this is all over.”
“Me too.”
Felipe cleared his throat. “All set?”
“Yep.” Josh swung up into the saddle and winked audaciously at Ruth. “Don’t miss me too much. I’ll be back sooner than you think.”
He rode out of sight, and Ruth went back to her cottage. If she failed to pack the Bible, it would be impossible to prove her identity. Mentally reviewing all of the details of her case, she opened the door and walked inside. Immediately an arm cinched around her waist and another slapped over her mouth.
Toledo rasped, “Stay quiet, and you’ll stay alive.”
T
oledo managed to whisk her away to a ramshackle shed she’d never seen. Ruth fought him every last inch of the way, but his strength proved to be far greater than hers. Finally going limp, Ruth hoped he’d ease his hold.
Then I’ll grab the knife from my sleeve
.
“You didn’t forget her knife, did you?” McCain’s voice came from the farthest corner of the shed.
Ruth’s blood ran cold.
Josh’s dad sauntered closer. His mouth bowed in an obscene parody of a smile. “I haven’t forgotten a single thing about you. Laney thought it was scandalously wondrous that you carry a knife. She relished telling me all about it.”
Deftly, Toledo pulled the knife from her sleeve, but he still held her tightly around the middle.
“I don’t understand what this is all about.”
“Really, Ruth. Don’t play dumb this late in the game. You almost got me with that little tale about the coins in your button jar. Then I reconsidered. It was a test.” His laugh was nothing more than an ugly bark. “Too bad I only figured it out after I’d helped myself.”
