“You keep a knife in there?”
Trixianna nodded. Maybe it was unusual for a lady to have a knife on her person, although she’d never given it a thought until today. Both she and Georgette had always kept a hidden blade. Georgette’s knife was even bigger, and she handled it with deadly precision. Trixianna decided to keep that little bit of information to herself, however. “I was showing Burnsey how to fillet a fish.”
Chance stared at her a moment, his mouth gaping. He blinked several times, then snapped his mouth shut. He turned his head to stare at Burnsey. “Did you ask her to show you?”
Burnsey nodded. “Yes. Since coming to the West I’ve found fishing to be a delightful way to relax, but I didn’t have the foggiest notion how to make the fish edible. Trixianna actually knew how, and was in the process of showing me when you interrupted. She is a fount of information.”
The beginning of a smile tipped the corners of Chance’s mouth. Amusement flickered in his pale blue eyes. “It’s a mite hard to picture you cleaning fish, Burnsey. Will you hold the pole in one hand and your umbrella in the other? Or maybe you’ll just let your lawyer do the holding…and the filleting?”
Chance burst out laughing. Then Burnsey joined in.
Chance’s laughter, full-hearted and warmly infectious, set off a tingling in Trixianna’s stomach. She couldn’t help but smile.
Before long they were all laughing like fools.
Trixianna watched with fascination as tears of mirth rolled down Chance’s face. Shaking his head, he wiped them away with a thumb. Genuine astonishment etched his features as he said in a voice choked with humor, “You are the most unbelievable woman I have ever met.”
“I am?” What is unbelievable about me? She was as common as dandelions in July. Or did he mean that as an insult, not a compliment? Was he insinuating that she couldn’t be believed or that she was just unusual? She couldn’t tell, even by the relaxed expression on his face.
“I totally agree,” said Burnsey. He reached across the table and took her hand, brushing a kiss across the knuckles. “Although I consider it a fortunate turn, not a misfortunate one.”
“You haven’t had her living under your roof,” murmured Chance.
Burnsey winked at her. “I should be so fortuitous.”
Trixianna felt herself blushing.
“You wouldn’t feel that way if she’d shot you, poisoned you and then tried to emasculate you.”
Trixianna gave Chance her meanest look. He just grinned back. Disgruntled, she tried again with the same effect. She’d been practicing her most hateful face in front of the mirror and thought she had it down pat. Apparently not.
But the sheriff had no manners at all. It was most ungallant of him to speak such foul language in front of a lady.
She stood up. Both men followed suit, Chance at a much leisurely pace. Taking her time, she smoothed the front of her dress, straightened her cuffs and removed her apron. She hung it on a wall peg, taking down her bonnet at the same time. Deliberately turning her back on Chance, she turned to Burnsey. “Would you escort me down the street? I feel the need for some fresh air.”
“I would be honored, my dear.” He offered her his arm.
She placed her hand on his elbow and waited while he adjusted his hat and put on his gloves.
Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Chance turn his chair around and drop into it. He propped his feet on the table and grinned at her. “Don’t go far now, Mad Maggie. I wouldn’t want to have to chase you and haul your little backside back here in front of God and everybody. You know how people gossip.” His voice fairly dripped syrup.
She forced her lips to part in a stiff smile. “It’s Miss Lawless to you, Sheriff, and I won’t be gone long…just long enough to get this bad taste out of my mouth.”
A lazy chuckle chased her out the door.
Mayor Fairfax stumbled out of the doorway of Jane’s Fine Dresses for Ladies as Trixianna walked in front of it on her way home. His arms flew skyward as he sought a foothold on the uneven boardwalk. He caught hold of her sleeve and held on until he righted himself.
“I am so sorry,” he managed, gasping for breath. His face became pink as he apologized for nearly running her over. “Do forgive me.” He straightened his hat and adjusted his spectacles. Both had become askew when he lost his balance.
Trixianna pushed her bonnet out of her eyes. In the mayor’s mad rush out the door, he’d knocked the bonnet down over her face. She adjusted the brim, then replied, “No harm done, Mayor.” She patted his arm. “Is there a problem?”
He tilted his head and said in a whisper, “I shouldn’t admit this, but I’m in hot water with the missus. She’s as mad as a March hare right now.”
“Mrs. Fairfax?” Trixianna had never had the privilege of meeting the woman. She wondered what she was like. Trixianna gestured at the door of the ladies’ dress shop the mayor had spilled out of. “Is she inside?”
“Oh, yes, indeed she is.” He retrieved a kerchief from his inside vest pocket and mopped his brow. Awkwardly, he cleared his throat. “She’s about to have a conniption fit because I don’t agree with her taste in dresses.”
“Oh?”
He nodded, his misery apparent. “Mrs. Fairfax asked me to help her choose a gown for Fanny and Chance’s wedding.”
“I see.” A wave of apprehension swept through Trixianna. Just thinking about Chance marrying put a knot in her stomach. She didn’t quite understand the reaction. She would have to decipher it when she was alone.
“Eloise can’t wear green,” the mayor confided. “It makes her look downright sickly. I tried to tell her, but she went and tried on that dress anyway. Then she asked my opinion.” He rolled his eyes. “You’d think after twenty years of marriage, I’d know better, but no, I told her just what I thought.”
”And what was that?” Trixianna grimaced, waiting for his answer.
“That she looked like a wrathy bullfrog wearing feathers.”
“Oh, my stars.”
He shook his head. “As soon as the words left my mouth I knew it was a mistake.”
“Is she angry?”
“Angry?” His face paled. “She is mad enough to spit nails. Pardon me for saying so.”
“That’s quite all right, Mr. Fairfax. What are you going to do now?”
His face brightened. He took her arm and pulled her toward the door. “You’re coming with me, young lady.”
“Oh, no. I couldn’t.”
“Yup. Mrs. Fairfax needs another opinion and yours is as good as any. Besides, you’re a woman. She’ll trust your advice.”
“She doesn’t even know me,” Trixianna protested.
“She will now.”
“But everyone thinks I robbed the bank in Dena Valley. Surely Mrs. Fairfax won’t value my opinion.”
“No one believes you robbed that bank except Chance Magrane. He’s one stubborn man and is unmovable once he sets his mind to something.”
She couldn’t disagree with that statement. Chance was as stubborn as she was.
“But that’s neither here nor there,” continued the mayor. “Right now you’re gonna settle this dispute between Mrs. Fairfax and myself. An impartial party is what’s needed and you’re that party.”
Trixianna didn’t want to be a party to anything, especially the Fairfaxes’ marital disagreement. She opened her mouth to refuse. Instead she found herself being hauled over the threshold and into the ladies’ establishment. The bell over the door tinkled, announcing their presence.
Two ladies at the back of the store turned at the sound.
One was tall and dressed in the latest style, an exquisite sapphire satin and velvet gown. The bodice was square cut velvet trimmed with needlepoint lace at the neck and cuffs. Six velvet-covered buttons closed it. The skirt was pulled up high in the back with panniers and a fashionably large bustle. She smiled as Trixianna entered, and glided toward her, her skirts swishing. She extended her hand. Her eyes sparkled with a m
ischievous glint.
“Welcome to my shop, I’m Jane Knapp.” She took Trixianna’s hands in hers, then turned and winked at the mayor. “I see you’ve brought back the wayward husband.”
The other woman, of medium height with hair as black as night and a frown nearly as dark and forbidding, stepped forward. She wore what Trixianna guessed was the “frog dress”. The mayor was right. It was a dreadful chartreuse color that made the woman look like she’d eaten too many green apples. “I thought I asked you to leave, Frank,” the woman said.
“Now, Eloise,” he said. He extended his hands, palm up.
She stepped forward and slapped one of them away.
Jane snickered, then concealed her smile behind a lace mittened hand. She excused herself and disappeared behind a curtain at the back of the shop.
Trixianna wished she could follow.
She would have been disconcerted by the reaction from his wife, but the mayor recovered without batting an eye. “Eloise, dear, have you met Trixianna Lawless?”
The woman’s frown evaporated. Her brows rose in surprise. She stepped forward and peered closely at Trixianna. “Oh, so you’re the one everyone in town is talking about. Why, you’re a lovely young woman. Such beautiful red hair you have.”
“Thank you, Mrs. Fairfax.”
“I simply can’t imagine why Chance thinks you’re that bank robber.”
“Neither can I,” agreed Trixianna. “We look nothing alike.”
“Men.” She glared at her husband. “They can be so vexing sometimes.”
Trixianna nodded.
“Tell me, my dear. What do you think of this gown?” She twirled around so Trixianna could get the full effect. It looked frightful from any angle. The high neck grazed her chin, the color reflecting onto her face. Her features bore the color of pea soup.
Without a doubt, it was the ugliest ensemble Trixianna had ever laid eyes on. “It is an unusual color,” Trixianna finally said.
The mayor cleared his throat. He gave Trixianna a look of pained tolerance. When she stood in silence and waited for Eloise’s reply, he nudged her arm none too gently.
“Well, of course, I’m no expert on fashion, Mrs. Fairfax,” Trixianna went on. “But it seems to me that on your daughter’s wedding day you’d want to let her be the one to shine. I’m afraid that in that dress everyone’s eyes will be on you.”
“You think so?”
“Yes, I certainly do.”
“Jane,” called Eloise.
On cat-like feet the woman glided out of the back room. “What is it, Mrs. Fairfax?”
“Do you have anything else?”
“I’ve the perfect thing.” She curled her arm around Eloise’s and escorted her to the back. Over her shoulder she grinned, then gave Trixianna and the mayor a wink. “This is all the rage out East, Mrs. Fairfax. Sedate yet elegant and cut with exquisite lines. It’s a lovely shade of nutmeg. I believe it’s the only frock that will do for Fanny’s wedding.”
They disappeared behind the curtain. Trixianna could hear the two of them chatting like old friends.
Beside her, the mayor heaved a heartfelt sigh. “My dear, you have saved my hide today. If there’s anything I can do, just let me know.”
“Mayor, the only thing I want is my freedom. I’m not Mad Maggie West, you know.”
He took her arm and escorted her to the door. “I’ll see what I can do. If I hear anything, I’ll let you know.” He brushed a kiss on her cheek as she reached for the door handle.
“Thank you, Mayor.”
“Thank you, Miss Lawless.”
She stepped outside and stopped a moment to allow her eyes to adjust to the bright sunshine.
Behind her the mayor threw open the door and called out, “Of course, you’re invited to the wedding. It’s just three days away.” The door banged shut with a thud, leaving Trixianna reeling.
She walked a block or two before the shock sank in, and she dropped onto a bench in front of the livery. Her heart thundered inside her chest.
Chance and Fanny?
In less than a week they would be husband and wife. The thought left a sour feeling in her stomach. Her head pounded. And what was worse, she wanted to cry.
Chance figured he’d given the woman long enough to cool off. What she didn’t need was enough time to make her escape from Grand Fork. Damn her. She should be back by now. He shoved his Stetson on his head and stomped out of the house, slamming the door behind him.
He came across the mayor and his wife coming out of Jane’s, the ladies’ shop. The mayor held a brown-wrapped package and his wife wore a big smile.
Chance tipped his hat and tried to skirt the pair, stepping aside to allow Mrs. Fairfax room to pass on the boardwalk.
The mayor grabbed his arm before he had the chance to get by. “Sheriff, I just want you to know you’ve got quite the diplomat living under your roof. She’ll make a splendid politician one day.”
“What?”
“Trixianna Lawless.”
“What’d she do now?”
“Why, Sheriff, she’s a treasure, an absolute treasure,” gushed Eloise Fairfax. She took Chance’s arm and pulled him close. The scent of lemon verbena assailed his nose.
He inclined his head to listen. He liked the woman, but she could be a bit long-winded. He took a deep breath, waiting for what was sure to be a detailed story.
“I believe that woman saved my marriage.”
“Oh?”
“Yes, indeed. The mayor and I were trying to pick out a dress for your wedding, and we were having a somewhat quarrelsome disagreement.”
“Somewhat?” the mayor said, astonishment obvious in his voice. “You were ready to murder me.”
“Don’t be silly, dear. It was just that I had my heart set on this lovely green gown, but Mr. Fairfax made it plain that he didn’t like it.”
“Like it? It was just plain ugly, Eloise.”
She frowned at him before continuing. “I had to ask him to leave Jane’s before I lost my temper.”
“You didn’t ask, you ordered.”
“Well, anyway, he left but he came right back in with Trixianna Lawless.”
“Is that right? What did she do?” Chance asked.
“Why, she convinced me that the green wouldn’t do at all. And she was right! Wasn’t she, Frank?”
“She sure was and she saved my goose, too.”
“Not only that, but the wedding will be all the better because the gown I chose won’t be the one noticed. Instead, it will be Fanny’s beautiful wedding dress, as it should be.”
“You mean to tell me that you think she actually helped?”
“You sound surprised, Sheriff,” observed the mayor. He slapped him on the shoulder, chuckling. “I’ve heard you’ve had some problems with her, but she seems all right to me.”
“You mean, for a hardened criminal?”
“Why, Chance,” declared Eloise. “I’m sure you’ve got the wrong person. There is nothing hard about that woman at all. She is most kind and very generous. Why we certainly wouldn’t allow her to stay with you if we didn’t trust her, would we, dear?”
“No, siree.”
“Well, hell,” muttered Chance. He made his good-byes to the Fairfaxes, and continued his search for the kind and generous hardened criminal Mad Maggie West, who called herself Trixianna Lawless.
Still trying to sort through her disorienting feelings, Trixianna shook her head. The sight that met her eyes across the dusty street made her forget what she’d been thinking. Her heart jumped up into her throat and her pulse pounded.
Fanny Fairfax and Burnsey were strolling down the boardwalk, Fanny’s hand on Burnsey’s arm. Her head was tilted as she stared into his face. The sound of her lilting laughter and his deep chuckle resounded in Trixianna’s ears. To most observers, they looked like casual friends, but Trixianna instantly recognized the look on Fanny’s face. She’d seen Georgette gaze with big cow eyes at her beloved Jonathan in just such a
fashion.
Fanny Fairfax was in love with Alistair Burns.
Never was cat or dog drowned,
that could but see the shore.
– Italian proverb
CHAPTER NINE
TRIXIANNA WIPED her beaded brow with a crumpled cotton towel. Staring at the squares on the oilcloth-covered table, she traced the pattern with her index finger; first one red block, then one white block. On what should have been a crisp autumn afternoon, the sun battered the roof with heat, turning the house, especially the kitchen, into an enormous, stifling oven.
Her baking finished and delivered for the day, Trixianna sat in the kitchen, longing for a cool spot to relax. And wishing she could go home to see Georgette and Jonathan and Granny Lawless. Wishing that things were different between she and Chance. Wishing. Wishing. Wishing.
She recalled seeing a meandering creek not far from town. She could think of no better way to spend the rest of the afternoon—with a light lunch, Angel for company and the lovely shade of a willow tree. Maybe even a book to read so she could stop feeling sorry for herself. With a smile, she remembered a saying of Granny Lawless’s. Feeling sorry for oneself was “about as useless as feathers on a hog.”
She wrote Chance a note explaining her whereabouts so he wouldn’t call out a posse when he found her gone. She left it in the middle of the kitchen table beside a plate of molasses cookies where even he couldn’t miss it.
With Angel in one basket and lunch and a book in the other, she wandered past the few houses near the edge of town. She kicked at the gold and bronze leaves scattered on the ground, and her spirits lifted with each step.
Soon the ruts in the road were little more than a memory as she left all signs of Grand Fork behind. She climbed over a slight hill, then down through a stand of hackberry and ash trees, their foliage just starting to turn and drop from the branches. She found a spot beneath the shade of a cottonwood where the embankment of the creek gently eased down to the slow-moving water.
Trixianna set both baskets down and released Angel. He sauntered off, his tail high, his whiskers twitching. She smiled as she watched him stalk some poor unsuspecting creature near the creek’s edge.
She unfolded a blanket, shook it out and sat down. As she tried to remove her bonnet, it pulled several hair pins free and her bun fell to her shoulders. Too impatient to fix it, she yanked the remaining pins out and tossed them in one of the baskets.