Jake was mounted and waiting when she came out. “The road will lead you straight into town,” he told her as she fastened her bonnet. “If you give Lucius a dollar he’ll drive back out with you, then take the wagon and team back to the livery. Matt’s got two horses of his own in the stables. Someone from town’s been keeping an eye on them.”
“A dollar.” As if it were spun glass, she set the rifle in the wagon. “You charged me five.”
He grinned at her. “I’m not Lucius.” With a tip of his hat, he rode off.
It didn’t take her long to climb up into the wagon. But she had to gather her courage before she touched the reins. Though she considered herself an excellent horsewoman, she’d never driven a team before.
You’ve ridden behind them, she reminded herself as she picked up the reins. How difficult can it be? She took the horses-or they took her-in a circle three times before she managed to head them toward the road.
Jake sat on his horse and watched her from a ridge. It was the best laugh he’d had in months.
By the time she reached Lone Bluff, Sarah was sweating profusely, her hands felt raw and cramped and her lower back was on fire. In front of the dry goods store she climbed down on legs that felt like water. After smoothing her skirts and patting her forehead dry, she spotted a young boy whittling a stick. “Young man, do you know a man named Lucius?”
“Everybody knows old Lucius.”
Satisfied, Sarah drew a coin out of her bag. “If you can find Lucius and tell him Miss Sarah Conway wishes to see him, you can have this penny.”
The boy eyed it, thinking of peppermint sticks. “Yes, ma’am.” He was off at a run.
At least children seemed about the same, east or west.
Sarah entered the store. There were several customers milling around, looking over the stock and gossiping. They all stopped to stare at Sarah before going back to their business. The young woman behind the counter came around to greet her.
“Good morning. May I help you?”
“Yes, I’m Sarah Conway.”
“I know.” When the pretty brunette smiled, dimples flashed in her cheeks. She was already envying Sarah her bonnet. “You arrived on the stage yesterday. I’m very sorry about your father. Everyone liked Matt.”
“Thank you.” Sarah found herself smiling back.
“I’m going to need a number of supplies.”
“Are you really going to stay out there, at Matt’s place? Alone?”
“Yes. At least for now.”
“I’d be scared to death.” The brunette gave her an appraising look, then offered a hand. “I’m Liza Cody. No relation.”
“I beg your pardon?”
“To Buffalo Bill. Most people ask. Welcome to Lone Bluff.”
“Thank you.”
With Liza’s help. Sarah began to gather supplies and introductions. Within twenty minutes she’d nodded to half the women in Lone Bluff, been given a recipe for biscuits and been asked her opinion of the calico fabric just arrived from St. Joe.
Her spirits rose dramatically. Perhaps the women dressed less fashionably than then-counterparts in the East, but they made her feel welcome.
“Ma’am.”
Sarah turned to see Lucius, hat in hand. Beside him, the young boy was nearly dancing in anticipation of the penny. The moment it was in his hand, he raced to the jars of hard candy and began to negotiate. “Mr…”
“Just Lucius, ma’am.”
“Lucius, I was told you might be willing to drive my supplies back for me, then return the wagon and team to the livery.”
He pushed his chaw into his cheek and considered.
“Well, now, maybe I would.”
“I’d be willing to give you a dollar for your trouble.” He grinned, showing a few yellowed-and several missing-teeth. “Glad to help, Miss Conway.”
“Perhaps you’d begin by loading my supplies.”
Leaving him to it, Sarah turned back to Liza. “Miss Cody.” “Liza, please.”
“Liza, I wonder if you might have any tea, and I would dearly love some fresh eggs.”
“Don’t get much call for tea, but we’ve got some in the back.” Liza opened the door to the rear storeroom. Three fat-bellied puppies ran out. “John Cody, you little monster. I told you to keep these pups outside.” Laughing, Sarah crouched down to greet them.
“Oh, they’re adorable.”
“One’s adorable, maybe,” Liza muttered. As usual, her young brother was nowhere in sight when she needed him. “Three’s unmanageable. Just last night they chewed through a sack of meal. Pop finds out, he’ll take a strap to Johnny.”
A brown mutt with a black circle around his left eye jumped into Sarah’s lap. And captured her heart. “You’re a charmer, aren’t you?” She laughed as he bathed her face.
“A nuisance is more like it.”
“Will you sell one?”
“Sell?” Liza stretched to reach the tea on a high shelf. “My pop’d pay you to take one.”
“Really?” With the brown pup cradled in her arms, Sarah stood again. “I’d love to have one. I could use the company.”
Liza added the tea and eggs to Sarah’s total. “You want that one, you take it right along.” She grinned when the pup licked Sarah’s face again. “He certainly seems taken with you.”
“I’ll take very good care of him.” Balancing the dog, she took out the money to pay her bill. “Thank you for everything.”
Liza counted out the coins before she placed them in the cash drawer and took out Sarah’s change. Pop would be pleased, she thought. Not only because of the pup, but because Miss Conway was a cash customer. Liza was pleased because Sarah was young and pretty and would surely know everything there was to know about the latest fashions.
“It’s been nice meeting you, Miss Conway.”
“Sarah.”
Liza smiled again and walked with Sarah to the door. “Maybe I’ll ride out and see you, if you don’t mind.”
“I’d love it. Any time at all.”
Abruptly Liza lifted a hand to pat her hair. “Good morning, Mr. Carlson.”
“Liza, you’re looking pretty as ever.” She blushed and fluttered, though Carlson’s eyes were on Sarah. “Samuel Carlson, this is Sarah Conway.”
“Delighted.” Carlson’s smile made his pale, handsome face even more attractive. It deepened the already- brilliant blue of his eyes. When he lifted Sarah’s hand to his lips in a smooth, cavalier gesture, she was doubly glad she’d come into town.
Apparently Lone Bluff had some gentlemen after all. Samuel Carlson was slim and well dressed in a beautiful black riding coat and a spotless white shirt.
His trim mustache was the same rich brown as his well-groomed hair. He had, as a gentleman swept off his hat at the introduction. It was a truly fine hat, Sarah thought, black like his coat, with a silver chain for a band.
“My deepest sympathies for your loss, Miss Conway.
Your father was a fine man and a good friend.”
“Thank you. It’s been comforting for me to learn he was well thought of.”
The daughter was certainly a pretty addition to a dust hole like Lone Bluff, he thought. “Word around town is that you’ll be staying with us for a while.” He reached over to scratch the puppy’s ears and was rewarded with a low growl.
