Chapter Twenty
Regan was searching through her bedroom’s chaos for her favorite hairbrush. She thought she’d left it on her vanity, but after moving aside an armful of nightgowns, three pairs of black stockings, and a pile of books to get to the surface below, the brush wasn’t there.
She was on her knees peering beneath her bed when she heard Colton ask, “Lose something?”
Still on all fours, she replied, “Yes. My best hairbrush.” She spent a few more seconds trying to spot the brush in the dimness, but spied only a shadow-shrouded boot, a handbag, and a pair of gloves she’d been searching for for the past few days. Straining to reach the gloves, it occurred to her that she was offering him a very nice look at her behind and she smiled inwardly.
“It’s a wonder you can find anything in here.”
She turned her head to view him over her shoulder. He raised his eyes smoothly from her behind and in them she saw—heat. Response coursed through her sinuously. She got to her feet.
But then, he was slowly gauging the turmoil of her bedroom and she knew the moment was gone. Regan had always kept a messy bedroom. She made sure it was picked up when he paid his house calls, but he’d been in Denver at a medical convention for the past four days and just returned last night. While he was gone, the clutter had gotten away from her.
“Regan, I love you, but if there was a fire or some other catastrophe, you’d trip and possibly kill yourself before you could get out.”
“You sound like my aunt and my sister.”
“Obviously two smart women.”
Regan knew she didn’t have a leg to stand on; never had her entire life. Her usual way of dealing with the lectures about her messiness was to promise to do better, and she would. However, as time passed, she reverted to her old ways as did her room.
“Consider this. Our daughter believes you walk on water.”
Regan smiled. “You know how much I love her.”
“I do. She’s beginning to mimic the way you walk, talk, ride. Anna is six. Suppose she begins to mimic—this?” He gestured towards the room. “At her age, if there was a fire, she’d never get out.”
Regan froze. The idea of Anna losing her life in such a horrendous manner would be heartbreaking and no doubt kill her and Colt. “You’re right.”
“I’m heading over to Odell’s. His gout’s acting up.”
“Okay.” After his departure, she cleaned her room.
When he returned a few hours later, he stuck his head in to let her know he was back and she asked, “Better?”
“Yes. I just worry about your safety.”
“I know, and you’re right about what might happen during a fire.”
“I wasn’t trying to patronize you or speak to you like a child.”
“I know but I’d keep this room much cleaner if you moved in with me. And if you say something plumb dumb about husbands and wives not sharing bedrooms, I will—not sure what I’ll do—but it will be something.”
He smiled.
“My aunt and uncle share their bedroom, so it’s not a far-fetched idea. I like waking up with you beside me, Colt.”
“I like that, too, and I’ve wanted to ask you about moving in, but it isn’t something I’m familiar with. My mother and father never shared this room. Adele and I never shared a bedroom.”
“Why didn’t Adele move in here?”
He sighed.
“I’m sorry, I don’t mean to pry.”
“The problem was Minnie. She thought Adele might catch my mother’s cancer.”
“Can you catch cancer?”
He shook his head. “No, but Minnie was convinced it was in the walls, the floors, and rather than be browbeaten about it, Adele slept in the other room.”
“I’m glad Minnie’s gone.”
“So am I. It’s curious that she didn’t leave any instructions about her house though. No one seems to know if she wants it sold or rented out or what.”
Regan didn’t care about Minnie. “Back to you sharing this room with me. Will you?”
“I’d love to.” He looked around. “Is there space for my wardrobe, or will it have to be outside on the porch? You do own enough things to start your own store.”
“Be nice. We can put it over by the fireplace or by the door to the washroom, or wherever suits you.”
He glanced around. “I’ll give it some thought.”
“I’m meeting with the ladies after supper this evening. We’ll be making our final plans for the Founders Day new school fund-raiser.” It was only a few days away.
“Okay. Anna and I have a date to go riding after supper, but we’ll be here by the time you return. She loves that pony.”
“Yes, she does and to quote her: she hasn’t fell off and broke her neck not even once. Take that, Minnie—wherever you are.”
Colt’s face turned serious. “Please be careful.”
“I will and I’ll keep my eyes open. Promise.”
Her shooter still hadn’t been unearthed, and although he never expressed it, she knew he worried each time she left the house, particularly alone. She did, too, but she refused to quake in fear, afraid of venturing out.
The meeting went well. They met again at Glenda’s home. Everyone knew what they were bringing for the bake sale, and Glenda roped Odell and Porter James into being judges for the ladies’ horseshoe tournament.
Lucretia asked Regan, “Are you going to enter?”
“Of course. How about you?”
“Of course. May the best woman win.”
Colleen Enright looked disgusted but she was ignored.
Lacy said, “I’m entering, too, and plan on beating the drawers off both of you.”
The meeting broke up soon after, and as Regan went to the door to mount Star and ride home, she was waylaid by Glenda’s husband and banker mayor. “Uh, Mrs. Lee, may I speak with you? Privately in my study, please.”
“Sure.”
He led her into his study that was filled with furniture that reminded her of the old pieces she’d recently discarded.
“Have a seat, please.”
Once she did, he said, “I received a deposit from your Uncle Rhine Fontaine for you, and I just wanted to let you know it arrived.”
“Thank you.”
“It’s a substantial amount.”
She didn’t respond.
He looked uncomfortable, then said, “Well, I’m wondering if he might be amenable to some investments I’m considering.”
“I’m told you wired my Uncle Andrew in San Francisco.”
His face reddened. “Uh, yes, I did. And he responded, immediately.”
“And very succinctly, too, from what I gathered.”
He cleared his throat. “Yes.”
“My Uncle Rhine won’t be interested in your investments.”
“But you haven’t even asked him.”
“And I won’t be because the money he transferred to you under his name is mine, solely.”
He stared. “Yours?”
She nodded. “Yes, and I’m a stickler about accounting. If I learn that even one penny has been diverted or gone astray, I’ll be alerting them both to have your institution investigated.” Regan trusted him about as far as she could toss him.
“Well, I—I, it’s been nice speaking with you.”
She stood. “Same here.”
After breakfast, the Lees loaded up their wagon with Regan’s contributions for the bake sale and headed into town for the Founders Day celebration. Main Street was as crowded with vehicles and people as Regan had ever seen. Red, white, and blue bunting decorated the buildings along with small American flags. Paradise was celebrating Founders Day in a big way. The popping sound of firecrackers punctuated the air and drivers held on to the reins of their horses and teams to keep the animals steady. Anna said, “I’m glad we left Shadow at home. I don’t think he’d like the firecrackers.”
“I don’t think so either.”
“I hope he doe
sn’t get too lonely while I’m gone.”
Regan gave her a hug. “I think he’ll be okay.”
Colt drove the wagon to the field behind Miller’s store. Because of the parade, people were being encouraged to use the field for parking instead of lining the street. After finding a spot, they walked the short distance back to Main Street. Regan asked Anna, “Where’s your favorite place to watch the parade?”
“In front of Papa’s office.”
“Then look for us there.”
She nodded.
The schoolchildren would be marching in the parade, too, so Anna was left at the bank with their teacher, Mr. Dunbar, and the children who’d already arrived. Regan and Colt walked to claim a spot in front of his office.
“How long is the parade usually?”
“Ten minutes.”
She laughed. “Ten minutes?”
“Small town. Small parade.”
And to her amusement, he was correct. Marching first was Odell and his trapper friends decked out in snarling bear hides, complete with heads, teeth, and claws. She’d never seen anything like it, but she joined the bystanders in applauding and cheering. Next came buggies driven by the Paradise business owners: banker Arnold Cale and Glenda; store owners Chauncey and Lacy Miller; undertaker Mr. Beck, Heath Leary, and smaller establishment owners like Dovie. Regan wondered if her friend and the gambler would ever work things out between them.
Regan asked Colt, “Why aren’t you marching?”
“Not much of a parade man.”
The business owners were followed by the mounted men of the Ranchers Association. A few of the earlier marchers like Odell had circled the block to be with them thus earning the opportunity to be cheered twice.
Last but not least were the children along with the proudly marching Lucky, who received a rousing cheer of his own. The smiling children waved the tiny flags they’d made in school. Regan didn’t see Felicity, but put her absence out of mind. She and Colt cheered loudly when Anna walked by and their daughter turned their way and grinned.
And that was that.
Colt looked at his pocket watch. “Twelve minutes.”
Regan laughed, put her arm in his, and they left for the field behind the store where the activities would take place.
It was a day of games, food, and fun. The ladies’ horseshoe tournament put on by the Paradise Ladies Society was a big hit. There were only four competitors, but many people bought tickets and everyone gathered around to watch Regan battle it out with Lucretia Watson as the final pair. Lacy lost in the first round to Lucretia. Bets were placed while good-natured taunts flew back and forth.
It was a tense fight. The women were tied until the final throw. Regan’s shoe stopped just short of the stake and her supporters groaned. Lucretia’s shoe hit the stake, circled it for the win, and the onlookers cheered. Regan walked over and lifted Lucretia’s hand high in the air and the adulation soared.
As the bets were paid off, Regan walked to her husband’s side.
He asked quietly, “Why’d you do that?”
She asked innocently, “Do what?”
“Shorten your throw on purpose.”
“Lucretia won fair and square.”
“And my name is Matilda.”
She laughed. “Let’s go find Anna so we can eat.”
There was grilled corn, baked beans, and lots of chicken, ribs, steaks, and Spring’s special pork link sausage. Dessert was courtesy of the Paradise Ladies Society and between the funds brought in by the horseshoe tournament and the desserts they had a good start on their dream to build a beautiful new school.
As dusk fell, everyone began settling in for the fireworks and Colt went to find Anna so she could watch with her family. For most of the day, the children had been playing on their own, and after dinner had gone back to their fun. She and Colt, like the other parents, had looked up every now and then to make sure they were okay. But Colt was gone so long Regan began to worry.
She searched the crowded field and finally saw him talking to Livy’s mother, Julia. Beside them stood her husband, Paul, her parents, and Livy. Even from her distant spot, Regan saw it was an earnest conversation and knew instinctively something was wrong. She did a frantic search of the crowd for Anna’s face but didn’t see her. She made her way through the throng as quickly as she could to find out what had happened.
“Anna left with Minnie a few minutes ago,” he said, visibly upset.
Regan was certain she’d misunderstood him. “What?”
Julia explained, “She told Anna she had a surprise for Shadow that you and Mr. Lee wanted Anna to have and they had to leave quickly.”
Regan’s knees went weak.
Julia said, “Dr. Lee just told me why I shouldn’t have allowed her to go, but I didn’t know Minnie was a threat. She’s her aunt, and Anna didn’t balk. I’m so sorry, I love Anna like my own. If anything happens to her . . .” Tears flowed down her cheeks. Her husband took her into his arms.
Regan rubbed her back. “It’s okay, Julia. We’ll find her. Don’t worry.”
“It’s going to be dark soon,” Colt said. “Regan, get the wagon. I’ll find Whit and gather a search party.”
She ran.
Everyone volunteered to help search and went out in small groups. When Julia was asked which way the buggy had gone, she said east, but it was impossible to know if they were still traveling in that direction. She also said there was a man driving but the buggy’s canopy was raised so she hadn’t gotten a clear look at his face. Whit and Odell hurried off to send a telegram to alert the sheriffs in both Laramie and Cheyenne in case Minnie tried to board the eastbound train.
When it became too dark to see well, the search was called off. After receiving reassurances and prayers from their neighbors, Regan and Colt reluctantly headed home. With any luck Minnie and the mystery would be foiled by the darkness, too, and be forced to hole up somewhere until dawn.
As they entered the house, they worried that Minnie might somehow succeed in escaping with Anna and they’d never see their daughter again. Guilt ate at them, too.
“If I hadn’t been distracted by the bake sale cleanup, maybe I could’ve stopped her.”
“And if I hadn’t been tending to Chauncey Miller’s sprained ankle, I might have been able to step in, too.” Miller injured himself during one of the sack races.
“Poor Julia. If we’re wrestling with guilt I can only imagine how she feels.”
He nodded and eased her into his arms. “We’ll find her.” He kissed her brow. “Go on to bed.”
She left and went to their room. He doused the lamps and joined her.
Neither of them slept.
At dawn, they wearily drank their coffee and were outside walking to their mounts when they stopped at the sight of the wagon rolling slowly in their direction. It was Ben and on the seat beside him wrapped in what looked like a bearskin was Anna! Paying little attention to the buggy and team trailing the wagon, they took off at a run. Regan could barely see through her grateful tears. Colt got there first and swung her off the seat and into his arms. Anna held on tight and Colt rocked her with joy. He then eyed her like a doctor. “Are you all right? Are you hurt anyplace?”
“No, Papa. Vermin choked Minnie and then he got eaten by One Eye!”
They froze. Vermin? Regan instantly thought of Dun Bailey. Had he been involved?
Ben said, “Minnie’s body’s in the buggy. Regan, take Anna inside.”
Colt put Anna down and rounded the wagon to the buggy. Regan turned to the familiar-looking vehicle. “Isn’t that Colleen’s?”
Ben said quietly, “Go on, Regan. You take care of Anna. Colt and I will be in shortly.”
Setting aside her many questions, Regan picked Anna up and carried her towards the porch. “I’m so glad to see you,” she said, hugging her child tightly. She was so grateful Anna was safe. “Are you hungry?”
“No. But can I see Shadow and then go to bed? I’m sleepy.”
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“You sure can.”
After a short visit with the pony, Regan took her inside, washed her up, helped her into her nightclothes, and was tucking her in when Colt joined them. “Are you certain you’re not hurt, Anna?”
“I’m sure. I was real scared though, Papa.”
He sat beside Regan on the edge of the bed and ran a fatherly caress over her hair, currently pulled into twin pigtails. “We were scared, too, but you’re home now and safe.”
“Aunt Minnie tricked me, didn’t she?”
Regan responded, “Yes, she did.”
“I kept asking her about Shadow’s surprise, but she wouldn’t tell me what it was. Am I in trouble for going with her?”
Her father said, “Of course not. We’re glad you’re home and want you to get some rest. That’s all. Okay?”
She nodded and went silent for a moment before asking, “Is Aunt Minnie in heaven now with my other mama?”
Not wanting to speak ill of the dead, not even Minnie, Regan nodded.
“I’ve never seen a dead person before.”
She went silent again and Regan wondered if the terrible incident would give Anna nightmares.
Colt asked, “Do you want to talk about it?”
She shook her head and said softly, “No.”
“If you think you might later on, just let me and your mama know.”
“I will. I want to go to sleep now.”
“Okay, honey.”
They gave her one last hug and a kiss, then left her to sleep off the ordeal.
“I hope she doesn’t have nightmares,” Colt said with concern.
“Me either.”
They joined Ben at the dining room table and because she assumed he and Colt had already discussed some of the details she asked, “So Dun Bailey killed her?”
“Yes. From what Anna said, Dun and Minnie got into an argument because Minnie didn’t have the money she owed him.”
“Money for what?” Regan asked.
“For shooting you.”
Colt slapped the table. “I knew it!”
Regan was glad the mystery was finally solved.
“Anna said he put his hands around Minnie’s throat and choked her until she fell over.”