Texas Lonesome (17 page)

D
ustin blinked. Sidney Calhoun! Standing at the cutting table in Lily’s shop, a pincushion strapped to her wrist, and three pins protruding from her lips like a porcupine. For as out of her element as she seemed, she looked beautiful in the soft light drifting through the windowpane and reflecting a light green tint off his mother’s old emerald curtains used on the dressing room.

Ducking her head, Sidney whisked the pins from her mouth and stuck them into the round pad on her arm.

Footsteps sounded as his cousin-in-law hurried down the stairs. “Dustin, good morning! I’m so happy you stopped by. I have fresh pastry, if you’re interested.”

He glanced at Noah waiting for him outside on his horse before he stepped inside and removed his hat. The kid had promised to mind his manners. After what had transpired with the showers, and the strained weekend since, he didn’t dare leave him alone with the ranch hands again—at least, not for a while. At this point, no one was to be trusted—neither the cowhands nor Noah.

“No, thank you, Lily,” he called, still staring at Sidney. “I’m looking for John. He around? I checked his office first, but no one’s there.”

Lily stopped short when she came into the room, glancing between him and Sidney. A tiny frown formed. “Do you two know each other? You look strange.”

He nodded. “We do. As a matter of fact, her brother works at the ranch for the time being.” He’d filled John in on the circumstances of the Calhouns, and was sure Lily would get the details sooner or later. He wouldn’t go into it now in front of Sidney.

“That’s wonderful! A family affair.” She sidled over to Sidney and whispered something into her ear, causing Sidney to glance over his head at the four-leaf clover tacked over the door frame.

The ghost of a smile pulled at Sidney’s lips.

“John ventured out around nine thirty to speak with Mr. Knutson,” Lily went on. “Just a block over at the end of Church Street. The house with several large barns. You know the place?”

“I do,” he responded nicely as if she hadn’t just tattled on him about the clover. “It’s been vacant for a good while. Needs work.”

Dustin couldn’t stop his gaze from wandering back to Sidney. She still wore Madeline’s skirt and Becky’s blouse. He realized that was all the clothing she had since the rest of her things had been lost with the horse.

What was she doing here in Lily’s shop, pinning a pattern to a length of material?

“That’s right.” Lily smiled, picking up her scissors and turning them over in her hands. “John’s being quite secretive about something.” She resumed her position behind the cutting counter.

Dustin arched an eyebrow. “Secretive, huh? That doesn’t sound like John.” He couldn’t think of anything else to say, and an uncomfortable sting of embarrassment prickled his cheeks.

Lily looked at Sidney and shrugged. “Yes, secretive. That’s exactly what I said. Do you have any idea what it’s about?”

He shook his head. “Sorry, I don’t.”

“And if you did, you wouldn’t tell me.” She tilted her head as she waited for his reply, not doing a very good job of hiding her amusement.

“Of course I would.”

“I don’t think so. You men stick together.”

Dustin decided the time was ripe to change the subject. “So, Sidney.” He gestured to the pins in her hands. Were they quivering? “You’re working for Lily now? Lily McCutcheon?”

Sidney’s head snapped up so fast, it was apparent she hadn’t known that little fact.

At the strange reaction, Lily’s eyes went wide. “Is that a problem?”

Guilt for dropping the surprise on Sidney stabbed him. He’d never do anything intentionally to hurt her. Maybe to open her eyes, but nothing more than that.

“N-not at all,” Sidney sputtered.

The color of Sidney’s face belied her words, which was not lost on Lily. His cousin-in-law had befriended her, and Sidney seemed to like Lily a lot. He could understand that since liking Lily was easy to do.

“Noah’s outside,” he said. “I’m sure he’d like to speak with you.” A small gesture to smooth things over.

Sidney nodded and set the pincushion on the counter.

At the same moment, John walked through the door. He pulled up short at the crowded room.

“My, my, my, what do we have going on in here?” He continued over to Lily and kissed her cheek. “Dustin,” he said with a wide smile. He extended his arm and they shook hands. “Are you pestering my wife?”

“Absolutely.”

“Good.” John noticed Sidney. “And who do we have here?”

For all the grief he’d received over the last few days he’d known her, Dustin couldn’t help but feel compassion at the situation Sidney found herself. Surrounded by McCutcheons. The same McCutcheons she’d been taught to hate for as long as she could remember.

“This is Sidney, my new assistant.” Lily waved an open hand. “And I just learned her brother is working out at the Rim Rock. Sidney, I’d like you to meet my husband, John McCutcheon.”

“Mr. McCutcheon,” she said, her face pulled tight with strain.

John nodded with a smile. “My pleasure.”

Dustin was sure she’d like to box John’s ears just for the name alone.

Lily looked between them. “Am I missing something here? Dustin, go bring in Sidney’s brother. I’d like to meet him.”

He sent Sidney a stern look. “He may not want to come in.”

“Nonsense,” Lily argued.

When had she gotten so bossy? She wasn’t letting this go. “Why wouldn’t he want to come inside and see his sister? Sidney, what do you think?”

“I’ll go speak with him,” she said, casting a glimpse at Dustin. She passed by John without a second look and was out the door.

John glanced his way. “Is she . . . ?”

Dustin nodded.

Lily came around the counter and peered out the window. “My gosh, you two have me intrigued. What in land’s sake is going on? Oh, there he is. He’s dismounting, and they’re talking.”

Noah practically fell out of the saddle when the door to the funny little dress shop Dustin had entered opened again and Sidney walked out. She was garbed in a rumpled maroon skirt and a white blouse he’d never seen before. But he knew that flushed face and frown all too well.

Shame filled him.
I’ve done this to her, brought on this whole worrisome mess.
If I hadn’t run off, she’d be home in Santa Fe, and possibly even married to Gibson Harp by now.
The man was rich and would make her a good husband. The courting had started, even if Sidney claimed she wasn’t interested.

When she spotted Jackson sitting obediently by his horse, she smiled, and he dismounted as she approached. They hugged. Then she crouched and wrapped her arms around her dog. He heard her murmur to the animal and stroke his head.

“How are you holding up?” he asked. “Where’re you staying?”

“At the hotel. They’re extending credit until Pa sends money.”

When she pulled back, a frown had replaced her smile. The frown turned to dismay when she noted the bruising on his face.

“What happened? Did you and Dustin get into a fight?” She reached up and touched his cheek, her eyes assessing the damage.

“Just a bit of a scuffle with a couple of cowhands. Nothing important,” he replied. “Something was bound to happen sooner or later, so I opted for sooner.”

“Noah, you promised to behave.”

“I am.”

“Are the McCutcheons treating you fairly?”

“Fair enough,” he said, keeping the embarrassing shower ordeal to himself. “What’re you doing here dressed like that? Where’re your riding clothes?”

“I don’t have time to answer all your questions right now. I’m working here. I just found out my boss is a McCutcheon.” She shrugged and shook her head. “Seems they’re everywhere. I’m to bring you inside.”

“Working? Doing what? Sewing?”

“Yes. Jobs aren’t a dime a dozen.” She glanced up the street when several women stepped out of the mercantile on the far side of the doctor’s office. “This one was the only thing I could find. I didn’t want to take anything more from the McCutcheons. We’re already indebted up to our eyeballs. Little did I know . . .” Her voice died away.

He glanced across the street to the bank kitty-corner to the shop where a handful of men went about business. One caught Noah’s eye, but before Noah could get a good look, the bulky fellow pulled back into the alley out of sight. Noah wondered what had grabbed his attention.

“Stay,” she said to Jackson, and then took Noah by the arm and propelled him toward the door.

There were still many things he wanted to ask. Had she sent a telegram home? What kind of a response had she received? This was the most trouble he’d brought down on himself, and now Sidney. He didn’t feel good about what he’d done.

“Miss Calhoun? Noah?”

The doctor they’d met the night they arrived ambled out of the building next door. His well-worn sweater was haphazardly buttoned over his middle, leaving one end longer than the other. With his wrinkled face and bent shoulders, he looked about as ancient as the few craggy hilltops around this hellhole they called Rio Wells.

“I hope you both got settled.”

Noah exchanged a quick glance with Sidney. If the timeworn codger only knew.

“Dr. Bixby,” Sidney said. “Hello.” Worry melted off her face and was replaced with a smile. “We’ve settled in, of sorts. As best we can, anyway.” She gestured to the building. “And I’m working here for the time being.”

His eyes lit up. “You and Lily? Working together? Why, that means I’ll be seein’ you from time to time.” He chuckled and shook his head. “That brightens my day considerably.”

“Yes. But right now we’re needed inside,” she said, taking a quick, uneasy glance at the door. “They want to meet Noah.”

“Fine then. I’ll just come along too, if you don’t mind. Gets rather lonely sittin’ in that doctor’s office day in and day out.”

Good. Reinforcements
. The doctor stood on neutral ground.

The door to the doctor’s office opened again and out came a young lad.

The old man smiled and waved him over. “Tucker, come meet my new friends, Sidney and Noah Calhoun.”

The lad’s stride faltered, and his face clouded over. Noah felt sure he’d heard the name Calhoun before, and that he was loyal to the McCutcheons.

The young man halted next to Bixby. His sleeves were rolled halfway to his elbow, and his left hand was missing.

“This is Tucker Noble, my young assist—” Bixby laughed again and put his arm around the newcomer’s shoulders. He was as tall as the old man and wiry. He looked strong. “Actually, he
used
to be my assistant for many years. Now he works for that young whippersnapper doctor who took over my practice, John McCutcheon. I’m just here along for the ride, grateful to be livin’ rent-free. Life’s good, if I do say so myself.”

John McCutcheon? I’ve never heard of him.
A glance at his sister told him Sidney didn’t seem surprised.

“Hogwash,” Noble retorted. “You do as much doctoring as John does. He’d be hard-pressed without you.”

Bixby coughed into his hand. “Chicken poo. But I thank you for saying it, Tucker boy. Now, let’s get inside before they send out a search party.”

Turning to the door, Noah reached for the handle.

So, more McCutcheons in Rio Wells beside the head honcho, Winston, and his sons, Dustin and Chaim. He’d heard about the sisters, but he’d paid them no mind.

John McCutcheon was a doctor? If he was young, he’d have gone to medical school to get a degree. That was interesting. Most places weren’t grandfathering in self-taught men any longer. Used to be just about any old Tom, Dick, or Harry could claim they had healing knowledge.

In a spurt of inspiration, Noah found he was actually looking forward to meeting this particular McCutcheon.

I
nside the shop, Sidney glanced at Lily, unable to tell if the men had filled in her boss on the situation. Would Lily’s attitude change? Why in heaven’s name hadn’t she asked for Lily’s last name before she went begging for a job? And accepting meals? Heat rose to her cheeks for the third time that day.

“Well, what do you know,” Doc Bixby said, his shrewd gaze traveling the faces. “Dustin’s here too? I didn’t expect to see him for a good long time, being he was just in town a few days ago.” His gaze lingered on her a bit before moving on to Dustin and back again.

The old doctor apparently had his own ideas about why so many people were gathered here this morning.

“Bixby, Tucker,” Dustin said. His gaze took in Noah and then slipped away. “Noah and I are riding over to Draper Bottom to make sure Deputy Miller has things under control. A Texas Ranger from San Antonio is supposed to arrive today to collect the two outlaws we left behind. I’ll sleep better knowing that small, unprotected community is rid of those vermin. Come to find out, they’re wanted in three states.” One eyebrow tented. “I stopped in to say hello to John. I had no idea Sidney was here.”

Her pride prickled.

Lily came forward. “You must be Sidney’s brother,” she said graciously, holding out her hand to Noah. “I see the resemblance.”

Noah, always a flirt, took Lily’s hand into his and smiled into her eyes, eliciting another small laugh from her boss. He actually went so far as kissing the back of her fingers. When he wanted to, her brother could charm the socks off a turtle.

“Welcome to Lily’s Lace and M-more, Mr. Calhoun,” Lily stuttered, her fair complexion showing a blush.

John cut his gaze to his wife’s face, and Dustin glowered.

“Your sister is a great help to me.”

“Pleased, Mrs. McCutcheon.” He’d yet to release her hand. “Do I hear a hint of a Bavarian accent mixed with your German? It’s lovely.”

Lily blinked. “Why, y-yes, you do. You’re the first person to pick up on that. How did you know?”

“Several of the engineering students at the university I attend are from Europe. One sounds much like you.”

“
Used
to attend,” Dustin threw in, which garnered a glance from Noah. “Some time will pass before you return to Santa Fe.”

Sidney watched with interest as Noah remained unruffled. His calm demeanor was the true distinction between him and her other brothers. And he was a good actor.

“You’re right. I haven’t had a chance to give that much thought. I suppose I have to consider myself out of university for now, at least for this semester. I’ll make up the time when I get back.”

One of Dustin’s brows arched. “I’d think you’ve had plenty of time to contemplate the ramifications of your actions. I know I have.”

“Don’t be such a grouch, Dustin,” Lily said. “Mr. Calhoun isn’t the first young man to be sidetracked by life, I’m sure.” Addressing Noah, she said, “Your sister is wonderful. I can tell she will work out perfectly.”

“I don’t know about that,” Sidney replied, humbled by Lily’s words. “I’ve stuck my finger several times already. I feel like I’m all thumbs.”

“That’s because you’ve just started. But you’ve been company when I would normally only have Ingrid to speak with. And she is far too shy for her own good.” She glanced at the dress form in the corner and laughed. “Work is so much more enjoyable with you around.”

John McCutcheon reached out to Noah and grasped his hand. “I’m John McCutcheon. I hail from Montana, and the McCutcheons in Y Knot. You’ve probably heard about the Montana McCutcheons.” He looked between her and her brother in question.

Sidney shook her head, thankful that up until now her family hadn’t realized more McCutcheons existed than what they knew about here in Texas. “No, not a thing.”

Doc Bixby puffed out his chest. “I had the distinct honor of meeting Miss Calhoun and Noah when they rode in the other night. I’m tickled she’ll be working here. Means I’ll get to see her more often than not.”

“Only for a short time,” Sidney felt compelled to say. “Until Noah works off the debt he owes in San Antonio. As soon as that happens, we’ll be on our way back home.”

Without being rude, she needed them to know a smile and a handshake wouldn’t erase the years her pa had suffered. She kept that belief firm in her mind. But the Calhoun ranch was many miles away from Rio Wells, and the longer she stayed away and the more people she met, the harder holding on to the grievances became.

“You’re a doctor then?” Noah said to Lily’s husband.

Surprise shot through Sidney. Seemed Noah not only was trying to impress Lily, but the men as well. She wondered why.

“That’s correct. I’ve been out of school for almost a year. Been here in Rio Wells since last May. The area is hot and dusty, but I like it.” His gaze flicked over to his wife and he smiled. “I hear you’re getting a degree in engineering.”

Noah dipped his chin. “That’s right.”

He glanced at Sidney, and she saw something she’d never before seen in her brother’s eyes. Regret? Pain?

“At this rate, though,” he continued, “graduating might take me longer than I planned.”

“I’d like to hear about your studies when you have free time,” John replied. “Compare my experience with yours. I feel privileged to have had the opportunity of a higher education.”

John seemed genuinely interested, and the look of admiration on Noah’s face almost stole Sidney’s breath. He was different from her other brothers. Where they were coarse, strong, and content with doing a day’s work and nothing else, Noah was bright, clever, and inquisitive. He didn’t really fit in with the rest of the family. And he made no effort to rectify that notion.

“What free time, John? For now, he’s ranching with us,” Dustin said. “He has plenty to do.”

“That may be, but he can’t work every day.” John tented a brow. “Surely, he’ll have a day off now and then.”

Dustin grunted and gave a nod, his jaw stiff. Perhaps he hadn’t intended for her brother to have any free time at all.

“When you do, Noah, stop by my office next door so we can talk.”

“We best get moving,” Dustin said, shifting his weight to the other leg, his hat still resting in his fingers.

Dustin and Noah were riding all the way back to Draper Bottom—alone? Sidney didn’t like the sound of that. A great deal of lonely miles to tempt Noah to bolt.

When she felt a gaze on her face, she found Dustin watching her.

He lifted a shoulder. “Want to ride along, Sidney?”

I’d love to keep an eye on Noah! And you!

She waved toward the pattern. “Thank you, but I’ve work to do here.”

“Just thought you’d like a little time with Noah, nothing more.” Dustin secured his hat and headed for the door.