~~~
They did make one more addition to the household when a young girl, the daughter of a ranch hand, became orphaned at the Tri-Brand. Cindy Lou had herself suggested to Mary Barnett that she go to work for Mrs. Clark to watch Sammie and little Bobbie Oliver “so Mrs. Oliver could get some work done.”
“Little pitchers!” had commented Mary, laughing, realizing the child had overheard the ladies chatting about what a lot of work it was to keep up with toddlers. And Cindy Lou clearly adored Samantha.
Cindy Lou and Chrissy were good friends and Mary had planned to simply add the girl to her own household, but Cindy Lou had insisted and, Celeste admitted, Mrs. Oliver was grateful for the help, and so was she. And Cindy Lou was a delight to have around.
~~~
And all this time the couples were courting, going for buggy rides, enjoying picnics, attending church together—they’d agreed to split their time between the two churches, much as Mrs. Henderson, the school teacher did.
CHAPTER 9 – End of a Chapter Captured
Arresting an entire gang was big news. As always, John Grey stepped completely out of the picture to protect the secrecy of his agency, and threw Colonel William Belden to the press. William, of course, was very careful to include all of the local law enforcement agents who had been involved, pointing to them as the true heroes and putting them in front of rotogravure cameras in their splendid uniforms, hiding himself as much in the background as possible. However, he had been a war hero and thus became fine fodder for the press.
All of the rumors about Ralph Clark resurfaced, but he now emerged as a knight in shining armor who had been cut down in the prime of life trying to protect his family from the depredations of an evil band of thieves and murderers. The fact that this interpretation was entirely true was irrelevant to the press. This was the best story and the readers loved it. Celeste became the brave widow and mother who had suffered grievously, and an especially flattering photograph, of her with her husband in attendance at some event, was proudly displayed alongside florid tributes to her virtues.
Socially, her tattered reputation, that Celeste had been completely unaware was in shreds, was now resurrected, and her erstwhile friends were dismayed to find she was no longer in the city. At the time of the earlier events Celeste had been too busy helping care for her dying mother, coping with her funeral, and, finally, dealing with the death of her husband and its aftermath, to be concerned with social niceties beyond her immediate circumstances. And, being in mourning, she didn’t attend any functions.
Fortunately she had never received the cut direct and even that might not have broken through to her awareness, so focused had she been on simply trying to care for her child in the midst of all the tragedy in her life. Now those same gossips were busy trying to resurrect their own positions, claiming to have had inside knowledge and that they were in on the plot to see her safe.
An intrepid reporter had discovered William’s most recent trip had been to California at the time Ralph was killed. Speculation that his beautiful daughters were now in San Francisco enjoying high society in the Golden City became mantra, and then established fact, in the minds of those who claimed to be in the know.
William Makes Plans
The trial was over and harsh justice served. Few grieved for the villain.
Although William remained a dashing and mysterious person, he was no longer newsworthy and was allowed to fade from the limelight. He found he could stomach few but his closest friends, knowing the more casual acquaintances had cheerfully slandered his daughter, relishing the scandal of her husband’s dramatic death.
He used mourning as an excuse to avoid social engagements, and was, in fact, still very much mourning his wife who had been helpmeet and partner as well as his only confidant when involved in work for John and his Department. He continued his work although more and more he found himself turning things over to his partners and reducing his holdings in some arenas, although expanding in others.
Most of his travels sent him west.
He met John Grey at their club one evening, planning to enjoy dinner and each other’s company, and, contemplating the tip of his cigar, shared his plans.
“Celeste has asked me to sell her house and furniture, enumerating those pieces she wishes shipped out to her.” He flashed John a grin. “Most of what she gave Henry to sell is actually not wanted.”
“Nonetheless, I am glad she is able to make that decision without dire circumstances forcing her hand.”
Both men nodded their agreement and William continued.
“I’ve also decided to sell my house.”
John’s brows shot up in query.
“You know it is not a family estate, and rather than having sentimental value to me, I find it is somewhat haunted. I think Estelle is trying to encourage me to move on.
“In fact, I am selling out of my partnership and plan to move west, to Green River, Kansas, to be near my daughters. The town is well served by the railroads so I can still travel as needed for business, but not as far. I have almost no interests east of the Mississippi at this point!”
John sat back, nursing his own cigar, pondering what he’d been told. The two men had long been friends and knew
