“Well, well. Diamond,” Lavinia called, preventing her from bolting. Her words flowed like syrup. “Gladys and I have been wondering how you’re getting along since the death of your father.”
“Fine. Just fine,” Diamond replied through gritted teeth.
The two women smiled and batted their lashes at the handsome marshal, then at Adam. But when they caught sight of Adam’s face and Cal’s matching bruises, their eyes widened. “Mercy. It must have been quite a fight. I hope it was worth it.”
“It was,” Cal muttered.
Realizing they weren’t going to be offered an explanation, Gladys stared pointedly at the two young women. “I’m afraid we haven’t been properly introduced. Diamond, will you do the honors?”
“I’d...be happy to.” Happy? Diamond’s scowl said it all. She was practically choking on every word. Ordinarily she wouldn’t even suffer these two fools. But there were too many people around. She didn’t dare tell them what was on her mind.
“Gladys Witherspoon, Lavinia Thurlong, Marshal Quent Regan, these are my...” Diamond realized that everyone was hanging on her every word, waiting to see how she would handle this. “This is Pearl Jewel and Jade Jewel.”
“Jewel. Why, you two young women have the same last name as Diamond,” Lavinia purred. “How did that happen?”
“We had the same father,” Pearl said in her most proper Boston tones. She had met such women before in her young life. And had been the object of their scorn. But this time, she didn’t mind for herself, since these people were strangers. But it hurt to know that Diamond was being mocked by members of her own town.
Marshal Regan removed his hat from his head in a courtly gesture. “Miss Pearl. Miss Jade. Nice to make your acquaintance.”
“And yours, Marshal Regan,” said Jade. “Thank you for the directions to Diamond’s ranch. I would have been lost without them.”
“I was happy to be of assistance, ma’am. After I gave you directions, I worried that I should have gone along with you to see that you made it all right. It isn’t often,” he added, “that the town of Hanging Tree is graced by such lovely ladies.”
Pearl and Jade merely smiled. But Gladys and Lavinia, like dogs with a bone, would not give up yet.
“Do you two...ladies intend to make your home in Hanging Tree?” Lavinia asked.
“Oh, Lavinia,” Gladys said, patting her arm. “Don’t be impertinent. You know Diamond barely knows her own... sisters.”
The two women covered their mouths and cackled at their clever remarks.
“I hope you were generously provided for in your father’s will,” Gladys said, assuming a sympathetic pose. “After all, Onyx Jewel was one of the richest men in Texas. It would be perfectly scandalous if all he left you was his... name.”
Adam had been watching Diamond, and realized that she had reached the limit. Another word and these two gossips would be treated to the same sort of brawl that he and Cal had engaged in the previous night. Only this time, it would be witnessed by the whole town.
“If you don’t mind.” He maneuvered himself between Diamond and the two women. “I’ll say goodbye now. I have chores to see to. Would you folks care to ride along?”
Diamond shot him a look of gratitude, and pulled herself into her saddle in one fluid motion. “That suits me just fine. I think our business here in town is concluded. Come on, Cal.”
As the foreman started to mount, a crowd of men and boys approached, milling about a figure on horseback. The horse and rider drew near, and the crowd parted for a moment, revealing a stunningly beautiful young woman, seated sidesaddle on a strawberry roan. The woman was dressed all in red. The skirts of her red satin gown cascaded down the side of her mount in a riot of color. The neckline was daringly low, revealing an expanse of creamy flesh. A red satin hat with matching plumes adorned thick dark curls spilling around a face that would make men forget to breathe. Dark brows arched over liquid brown eyes fringed by long lashes.
The woman handed the reins to a young lad. Before she could alight, several men were jostling for the honor of helping her from the saddle.
“Mon Dieu,” she said, sighing as her feet touched the ground. “It has been a long, tedious journey. But I have arrived at last.”
The gown was molded to every lush curve of her body. When she walked, the narrow skirt was stretched tightly across her rounded bottom, causing the women in the crowd to gasp. The men couldn’t hear over the pounding of their heartbeats and their involuntary sighs.
Catching sight of the marshal’s badge, she made her way toward him. With every step, the hem of her gown swished around red satin slippers. Even the dust, which usually rose up to choke anyone who dared to walk the streets, seemed tamed by her presence.
“Marshal,” she said in her heavy French accent. “I am hoping you can give me directions.”
It took Quent Regan several moments to adjust his mouth and make it work. At last he managed to say, “I’d be happy to, ma’am. Where would you like to go?”
“I am looking for the Jewel Ranch.”
Diamond felt a peculiar buzzing in her brain, and wondered idly if the earth might open up and swallow her. It would be far simpler than having to remain here and endure the looks from the crowd that had gathered. For even though the young woman hadn’t yet finished her sentence, Diamond had the peculiar sense that it had all been said before.
Clearly visible around the woman’s throat was a rope of gold on which were set two stones, one onyx, the other bloodred.
“My name is Ruby,” the young woman said with a sultry smile. She offered her red-gloved hand like a precious gift to the marshal, who accepted it as though he’d never been given such a treasure before in his life.
“Ruby Jewel,” she said, to the delight of the entire town of Hanging Tree, who hung on her every word. “I left my home in New Orleans as soon as I heard about the mort tragique of Onyx Jewel. You see, he was mon père. My papa.”
The crowd erupted into chaos. Those in back jostled for a better view of the expected fireworks between Diamond and this latest surprise. The women of the town, shocked and scandalized by the stranger’s earthiness, were struggling to subdue their husbands and sons. A few even managed to drag their errant men home. But most, intrigued by the scene unfolding, held their ground and watched in frank curiosity.
Lavinia and Gladys had the best spot of all from which to view the confrontation. They watched in openmouthed delight, their heads swiveling from Diamond, seated on her horse, to the woman in red, who seemed to be basking in the commotion she’d caused.
“Well now, ma’am,” Marshal Regan began. “I guess the best one to ask would be—”
“Me.” Diamond spoke the word without a hint of the inner turmoil she was feeling. “My name is Diamond Jewel. And I was just heading home. Would you care to ride along?”
Ruby’s smile widened, revealing a most becoming dimple in her cheek. “It would be a pleasure. You do not mind, chérie?”
“Of course not.” If the words stuck in her throat, Diamond gave no indication. “I would like you to meet Pearl Jewel and Jade Jewel.”
As she indicated the two young women in the carriage, they nodded in acknowledgment.
“Pearl. Jade. Enchantée. This is more than I’d hoped for.”
Adam watched from the back of his mount, marveling at the fresh new poise Diamond had acquired. Just days ago she had threatened to shoot Pearl if she set foot on her land. Now, in front of the entire town, she was acknowledging her, as well as Jade. And from the looks of things, she intended to welcome this latest stranger into her home, as well.
He could tell by the white-knuckled way her hands gripped the reins that she was seething inside. But to her credit, she gave away none of her feelings.
Ruby was helped into the saddle by half a dozen willing hands, all of whom were rewarded by her sultry smile and purr of thanks.
Then, with Diamond in the lead, and Cal and Adam on either side of her, the
little party set off down the street, with most of the townspeople watching in awestruck silence.
Chapter Fourteen
“I guess you’d like to visit Pa’s grave.”
Diamond saw Cal and Adam glance at her in astonishment, but she kept her gaze firmly on the trail ahead. Right now she was weary of the fight. And wondering how many more surprises were in store for her. The best thing for all involved would be to get this over with as quickly as possible, and then send all Pa’s... daughters packing.
“Qui. It is the sole reason for this arduous journey.” Ruby touched a hand to her bosom. Her fingers closed around the band of gold that nestled in the cleft between her breasts. “My heart has been so heavy since I read about Papa.”
With her attention drawn to the necklace, Diamond said, “I suppose that was a gift from Pa?”
“Oui. For my sixteenth birthday. Papa said that it would remind me that he would always be with me.”
“He...” Diamond swallowed the lump in her throat. “He gave a similar gift to each of us.”
Ruby slanted a look at the two young women in the carriage, who rode in silence. “I did not know of Pearl and Jade. And I knew of you only because of the newspaper account of Papa’s death.”
Once again Diamond felt a stab of pain at the many secrets her father had kept. “And what did you think when you read that he had a daughter?” Diamond asked.
Ruby’s voice trembled with feeling. “That you were the luckiest daughter in the world. For you had Papa all the time, while I had only brief visits with him. But no matter how scarce, our time together was very precious.”
How she must hate me, Diamond thought miserably. How they all must hate me. It was a shocking, sobering thought for someone who had always been so secure in her father’s love.
And then she saw something that shocked her even more. In the pocket of Ruby’s gown was the glint of something silver. Diamond kept her gaze fastened on the spot. At the horse’s movements, the pocket opened to reveal a small silver pistol. like the one Doc had said killed her father.
Odd, she thought, that all three of these women carried such weapons. Maybe it wasn’t only strangers she ought to fear. Maybe her greatest danger lay within the circle of her family.
She studied the barren, windswept hill that loomed before them. Gathering her courage, she said, “This is where Pa is buried.”
She and Ruby dismounted, and were joined by Pearl and Jade. The four climbed the hill and paused before the mound of earth.
Adam and Cal stood to one side, holding the reins of the horses, allowing the women their privacy.
Ruby took in the simple grave, topped with earth and stones.
“I know it must seem primitive,” Diamond began, “but it was Pa’s favorite place and—”
“On the contrary.” Ruby spoke in hushed tones, as though in a house of worship. “I was afraid that Papa, being such a prominent man, would have an ornate crypt like those in my church. They are empty, impersonal slabs of granite and marble. But this...” She indicated the tokens of love. Pearl’s scroll. Jade’s earthen jar of ashes. The view of sky and mountain. Her eyes filled. “This is how I pictured Papa. The rugged, independent master of all he surveyed.” Though her voice was choked, she managed to say, “This is truly a resting place worthy of Papa.”
She dropped to her knees and folded her hands in prayer. Tears rolled down her cheeks, and she didn’t bother to wipe them away. As she wept, she looked younger, more vulnerable, less self-assured, and far less sophisticated. She cried openly, allowing all her grief to pour from her heart.
At last she removed from her pocket a gleaming gold medal, on which was carved the faces of saints. She kissed it, then pressed it into the earth.
“Though you did not believe in our faith, Papa, you were very respectful of it, out of consideration for Mama and me. I have asked these saints to guide you on your journey into that other world, where I know you will find peace, and where you will be reunited with Mama and all those you love.”
Her words sent a shiver along Diamond’s spine. She found herself looking, really looking, at this young woman. Not at the seductive gown or gaudy feathered hat. Not at the painted lips and heavily rouged cheeks. But at her eyes, brimming with tears. At her mouth, moving in solemn prayer. At the way her shoulders sagged as she gave in to her wrenching, agonizing grief.
Diamond had been prepared to dislike Ruby. In fact, she’d wanted desperately to dislike her, as she wanted to dislike Pearl and Jade. But each time one of them revealed the depth of her grief, Diamond found her heart betraying her. It wasn’t resentment she felt for these three. It was a sense of shared loss and heartache. But that didn’t mean she felt any sort of familial attachment, she reminded herself. These three were strangers, far different from her. The only thing that bound them was the Jewel name.
“Di, it’s time to go,” Cal called.
She nodded. Reluctantly, the other three turned and followed her down the hill. As she mounted, she saw Ruby’s tear-filled gaze return to the mound of earth and stones.
On a wave of sympathy she found herself asking, “Have you someplace to sleep tonight?”
“I...did not think about such things. In my desire to find Papa, I gave no thought to where I would sleep, or if I would find food or shelter at the end of my journey.”
“There’s room at the ranch if you’d like to join us.”
Ruby smiled, though her lips still trembled. “Merci. I would like to see Papa’s home. He spoke of it with much love.”
They rode some distance in silence. When they reached the boundary between Adam’s land and Diamond’s, he reined in his mount.
But before he could take his leave, Diamond surprised him by saying, “If you don’t mind, Adam, I’d like you to see us home.”
His eyes narrowed. “Why? You have Cal here.”
“I...” She shot a sideways glance at Cal, who had paused alongside the carriage to speak to Pearl and Jade. “I’d like to talk with you. Alone.”
He shrugged. “All right. I guess I can spare the time.”
The ride seemed leisurely enough, with the horses setting a slow, steady pace in order to allow the carriage to keep up. But Adam sensed a tension in Diamond, and found himself wondering just what she wanted to talk about. He prepared himself for another one of her famous tongue-lashings.
When they arrived at the ranch house, Cookie and Carmelita were just walking up the veranda together, carrying several plucked chickens. Both looked up with a smile. But the smile faded on Carmelita’s lips when she caught sight of the stranger.
“I’ll leave you now.” Cal addressed his words to Diamond, but fixed his sight on the man beside her. “I’ve got to ride over to the north range.” He paused, then said meaningfully, “You’ll stay close to the house, Di?”
“Yes. Of course.” Diamond dismissed him with a wave of her hand and turned toward the others, eager to get these last introductions over with.
“Carmelita, Cookie, I’d like you to meet Ruby—” she paused, then continued in one quick breath, hoping to get through this with as few explanations as necessary “—Ruby Jewel. Ruby came all the way from New Orleans when she read about Pa. Ruby, this is Carmelita, our housekeeper, and Cookie, our ranch cook.”
“Miss Ruby,” Cookie said over the stump of a pipe in his mouth. “Nice to make your acquaintance. Fine little town, New Orleans,” he added. “Just full of lovely ladies. Though not many of them as pretty as you.”
The young woman smiled at his attempt to put her at ease.
“I will have a meal ready soon,” Carmelita said, keeping a firm grip on the chickens’ legs with one hand while she wiped the other on her apron. “Señorita Ruby, you will want to come inside and rest after your long journey.”
“Oui. I would be grateful for a basin of water and a chance to refresh myself.”
“Ruby will be spending the night, Carmelita. You can get a room ready for her.” Diamond turned to the ne
wcomer. “Pearl and Jade can show you around the house while I unsaddle my horse and take care of some...unfinished business with Adam.”
Adam slid from the saddle and helped Ruby dismount. Then he offered a hand to Jade and Pearl before leading the horses toward the barn.
Diamond walked ahead, leading her mare. Once inside she unsaddled quickly, then began to unhitch the horses from the carriage. She worked quickly, efficiently, deep in thought.
Adam worked alongside her, respecting her need for silence.
When the chores were done she crossed her arms over her chest and began to pace.
Adam lounged against a stall, watching and waiting. Sooner or later, he knew, she’d get to their...unfinished business.
“When is this nightmare going to end?” she muttered. “How many more surprises has Pa got in store for me? It’s gotten so that I hate to ride into town.”
“You can’t let a few town gossips get you down.”
She looked up. “Do you think I care what those fools say?” She shook her head and continued pacing. “Let them laugh. Let them all laugh. What do I care? I’ve never lived my life to please the people of Hanging Tree. But I do care about Pa’s reputation. I don’t like the thought of the whole territory of Texas smirking at the mention of his name. From now on, I’ll be afraid every time the stage pulls up, or a new carriage rolls into town, wondering if it’s another of Pa’s surprises. This could go on for months. Years. And there’s nothing I can do about it. Nothing.”
She turned, her eyes glittering with repressed fury. Suddenly she focused on Adam. “But there is something I can do about you.”
“I figured that sooner or later you’d get to the reason you asked me here.”
“Jade said that the fight you and Cal had last night was over me.”
She saw the flash of surprise, followed by a sudden darkness that came into his eyes.