The Bounty Hunter's Redemption (12 page)

Mrs. Schwartz snorted. “Nothing would make you look plump, dear. Why, you’re practically skin and bones. You really should eat more.”

“Mother, stop treating me like a child.” Vivian swept a hand toward Carly. “I know what I like and that’s what I want! Whether I look like a beanpole or an elephant.”

Anna stepped between Carly and the bride. “Vivian, would you like to try on your wedding dress once more? The veil is hemmed. The white kid pumps arrived yesterday. Once you see the entire ensemble, I’m sure you’ll know if the gown needs lace.”

A smile brightened Vivian’s stormy face. “That might help.”

“We have the prettiest silk stockings embroidered with flowers at the ankle.” Anna waggled her brows. “Very chic.”

“I must have a pair.”

As Mrs. Schwartz paced the room, Vivian and Anna disappeared behind the screen and Carly went in search of the hosiery. She found the correct size and handed them to Anna.

Thanks to Nate’s sister, they’d warded off Vivian’s impending temper tantrum. Anna’s skill with a needle and her calm manner made her an asset in the shop. Carly had liked the woman from that very first day, but each day since, her respect and admiration for Anna had grown.

Carly refolded a stack of lace-edged handkerchiefs Vivian had been perusing into perfect alignment. How could a gentle, soft-spoken widow be kin to Nate, a tough, hardheaded bounty hunter bent on vengeance and stirring up trouble?

Her hands stilled. If someone had killed her mother or, worse, her precious son, would she seek revenge? She swallowed hard as a heavy weight of uncertainty pressed against her lungs. Truth was, she didn’t know.

She’d seen a soft side of Nate, too. With his sister, with Henry, even with her. Had the conflict over the shop distorted her judgment? Or had years with Max made her suspicious of the man? Still, she knew very little about Nate.

Who had Nate been referring to in the obscure remark that Stogsdill had killed someone else he’d cared about? Had there been a woman in his life?

Across the way, Mrs. Schwartz wilted into an armchair. “Vivian is going to turn my hair gray.”

Mine, too
.

“We want the bride to be happy,” Carly murmured. As if the perfect wedding dress could ensure anyone’s happiness.

When she’d agreed to marry Max, Carly had spent hours creating the dress of her dreams. Her dreams had wilted faster than the sprig of roses she’d carried.

“Are you feeling all right, Carly?” Mrs. Schwartz asked.

“I’m fine. Would you like to try on your gown?”

Mrs. Schwartz laughed. “I almost forgot that’s why we came.”

Behind the screen in the opposite corner, Carly helped the matron into the dress she’d wear to her daughter’s wedding. The satin skimmed her generous figure, giving the older woman an attractive silhouette.

“The lovely shade of blue complements your eyes,” Carly said, adjusting the wide-brimmed hat topped with white-silk roses and a smattering of violets and ribbon matching the gown. She stood back. “You look stunning.”

Mrs. Schwartz faced the mirror and inspected her reflection, the tick of the clock the only sound in the room. As she waited for her customer’s reaction, Carly held her breath, her heart beating in rhythm with each swing of the pendulum.

The matron pivoted and swept Carly into an embrace. “I’m very pleased. Your creations always make me feel pretty.”

Murmuring her thanks, Carly’s eyes stung.
Thank You, God, for giving me talent to help women appreciate the body You gave them
.

With Anna in the lead, Vivian stepped from behind the screen. Head high, the veil sweeping the floor and trailing behind her, the white confection nipped in at her waist and scalloped at her shoulders, Vivian looked every inch the beautiful bride.

One look at her daughter and Mrs. Schwartz burst into tears. “My little girl’s all grown up.” She grabbed a tatted hanky from her purse and dabbed at her eyes. “And so lovely she takes my breath away.”

“Mama, do you think Anthony will think I’m beautiful?”

“He’s not made of stone, dear. Of course he will!”

“The gown is perfect for you, Vivian,” Anna said. “I’ve never seen a lovelier bride.”

A flush bloomed in Vivian’s cheeks. “I feel like I’ve stepped into the pages of a fairy tale and I’m the princess.”

“Anna’s right,” Mrs. Schwartz said. “The gown is most becoming, as gorgeous as the French design. You
are
a princess.”

Vivian’s gaze swept over her mother’s attire. “Oh, Mama, if I’m a princess, you’re a queen.”

Mother and daughter turned toward the mirror, smiling at their images.

Carly met Anna’s gaze, hoping the expression on her face revealed Carly’s gratitude. Anna had taken a volatile situation and turned it into a victory.

With such a nice sister, surely Nate wasn’t so bad. Perhaps she’d misjudged brotherly concern for his sister as greed.

Anna slid an arm around Carly’s waist, then leaned in. “You’ve pleased them both.”

“Thanks to your tact.”

Vivian gathered the veil in her arms and sashayed to them, her skirts swishing softly. “I’ve decided against the extra lace. I love the gown, just as it is.”

The bride’s decision was the right one. If Carly had added the lace, Vivian would have seen her error. Removing each stitch would have taken hours of tedious work, time they didn’t have.

Within minutes, the Schwartz women had removed their wedding finery and left the shop with smiles on their faces and cash in Carly’s register.

Two done and...

Carly gulped. Ten more garments to finish. “I should’ve charged more. We’ll need to work day and night to get the trousseau made before the wedding.”

“Don’t worry. We’ll make the deadline. I think Vivian finally trusts your judgment as a designer and won’t be taking up the time we need to finish.”

“I couldn’t handle this order without your help, Anna. You’re a wonderful seamstress, adept with customers and wise.”

Anna smiled, joy flooding her eyes. “We make a good team.”

“We do.”

“Want to join me for a cup of tea?” Anna asked.

“I’d like to start work on Vivian’s travel suit. You go ahead.”

“I won’t be long.”

As Anna disappeared into the back, the truth of her claim slid through Carly. They did work well together, as if their personalities and traits supplied what the other needed, fitting together like pieces cut by a jigsaw.

Yet beneath their camaraderie and shared purpose lay the knowledge that only one of them would own this shop.

Carly inhaled sharply. What would happen then?

* * *

Nothing. Not a trace.

Nate had contacted every lawman he knew, looking for leads to Stogsdill’s whereabouts, and once again had come up empty. It was as if the outlaw had disappeared into thin air.

At least that meant he wasn’t robbing banks and trains, killing innocent bystanders. Was he avoiding anything that would attract attention to his whereabouts? If so, could he be planning to visit his girlfriend?

He pocketed the latest wire, the same message as all the others—no one’s seen him—and exited the telegraph office right into the path of a woman.

To avoid her, he took a quick step back, then tipped his hat. “My apologies, miss.”

She gave him a sweet smile, then averted her eyes, her demeanor as modest as her attire. “Good day.”

As she passed, a flash of red drew Nate’s gaze to a ring dangling from a thin gold chain around her neck, raising the hairs on the back of his neck.

A ruby ring.

A ruby ring like the one Nate had seen on Shifty Stogsdill’s right hand, worn like a trophy, probably stolen from one of his victims.

A ruby ring like the one that had flashed in the sun the afternoon Stogsdill had gunned down Rachel.

Could this be the same ring?

He followed her progress down the walk. She stopped in front of the mercantile, looking at a display in the window.

The young woman had a natural beauty, looked nothing like a dance hall girl with her brown hair tucked beneath a simple hat, a demure neckline on a nondescript dress. Not the kind of female he’d expect Stogsdill to squire around.

Still, Nate had met success rounding up fugitives by noticing the smallest details and pursuing every lead, no matter how insignificant.

Ruby rings weren’t rare. But the size of the gem was. And this ruby ring was worn around a woman’s neck here in Gnaw Bone, the rumored location of Stogsdill’s girlfriend.

A lead. The first he’d had. A lead he intended to pursue.

The young woman walked on, then entered Carly’s shop.

Nate clamped his Stetson low and followed.

* * *

The shop bell jingled. Debby Pence stepped inside.

Carly covered her relief with a welcoming smile. When Debby hadn’t returned for the final fitting, Carly wondered if the wedding had been canceled.

The bell jingled again. Nate ambled in, looking at ease, as if the shop belonged to him. What was he doing here? Was he checking up on her? Wasn’t the situation complicated enough without his frequent intrusions?

Carly’s breath caught. Why did she notice every detail about him? That chiseled jaw, those full lips and those dark-rimmed gray eyes that seemed to read her thoughts.

Refusing to acknowledge Nate and her pounding heart, she hurried to Debby. “I’m glad to see you.”

Debby glanced at Nate. “If you’re busy, I can come another time,” she said in an uncertain tone, as if hating to interrupt.

“This is the perfect time. I’ll only be a minute.”

She crossed to Nate. “If you’re looking for your sister, she’s taking a break. I’ll tell her you came by.”

“I’m in no rush. I’ll wait,” he said, leaning against the counter and flipping through a ladies’ magazine.

Was he planning on advising his sister on what supplies to carry? Why didn’t he leave and come back later? Mercy, that warm smile on his face would melt butter. But his watchful gaze suggested he was up to something and that his purpose for being here had nothing to do with Anna.

Carly removed Debby’s wedding dress from the armoire. “I thought you’d be back before this,” she said, ushering the bride to the folding screen. “Your dress is finished, just needs the final touches. Depending on the wedding date, I should be able to finish any tucks here or there to give you a perfect fit.”

Pink flooded Debby’s cheeks. “I’m sorry. I wasn’t sure there would be a wedding.” She bit her lower lip. “I’m, uh, still not sure of the date. Things keep coming up.”

How odd. Weddings required arranging countless details. Most of those details hinged on the date of the ceremony. Of course few weddings were as grand as Vivian’s.

“Well, why not try on the dress?” Carly gave Debby an encouraging smile. “My mother used to say, once the dress is right, everything else will fall into place.”

Keeping that smile took every bit of Carly’s resolve. Nate had moved closer and was now leaning nonchalantly against the case of fine gloves, arms folded over his chest. Stetson tugged low over his eyes, as if catching a catnap.

She wasn’t fooled. The man was aware of every word. What was he up to?

Why did she let Nate’s presence disturb her? She’d focus on pleasing her customer, always her prime objective, and ignore the man’s irksome presence.

Behind the screen, Carly helped Debby into her gown, fastening the column of tiny buttons down the back, and then stepped in front of the bride. The white batiste bodice hugged her figure, encircling her slender neck and nipping in at her waist. This young woman had evolved into a lovely butterfly.

“Debby, come see how stunning you are.”

They rounded the screen and walked to the floor-length mirror. Debby faced her reflection, her shoulders hunched. “It’s beautiful. The prettiest dress I’ve ever owned,” she said, her voice falling as flat as an undercooked pancake.

“It fits perfectly. No need to alter a single dart or seam. I’ll just machine stitch the basted seams.” Carly smoothed the dress, gently nudging Debby’s shoulders back. A touch she hoped said, “Wear the dress with pride.”

“
You
look beautiful,” Carly whispered.

“It
is
a mighty fine gown, not that I’m an expert,” Nate said with a wry grin. “Any man would be proud to see his intended wearing that dress and looking so pretty.”

Debby blushed. “You really think so?”

“Yes. Yes, I do.”

Nate had called Debby pretty. While Carly stood to the side wearing her plainest dress, a blade of grass beside a slender white rose. What did it matter? Nate Sergeant was not the man for her. Now that she understood his quest, she knew he’d never settle down. Never be a man who stayed.

Carly pinned the circlet of orange blossoms to Debby’s hair, and then smoothed the gauzy veil around her shoulders. “Rory is sure to be pleased.”

“I hope you’re right. He’s been away so long this time, I’m afraid he’s forgotten me.”

Nate ambled closer. “Not sure what all goes into a wedding, but I’d think the groom should be around to help.”

Or be underfoot
. Why didn’t he leave?

“Oh, it’s okay. Rory’s a salesman with a large territory. His company pressures him for orders, so he’s on the road for long periods.” Debby licked her lips as if they were dry. “I try not to bother him. He says I distract him from his job.”

“That has to be hard for both of you,” Carly said, though she hadn’t minded Max’s absences.

Carly glanced at Nate. She’d thought more about this man when he was away from her than she ever had Max. She bit back a huff. And why not? Who knew what Nate would do to see his sister installed in her shop?

“He buys me the prettiest things to show he’s sorry,” Debby said. “Things my grandparents would never buy.” A small, pleased smile stole over Debby’s face. “He’s always leaving me gifts. Whenever I get upset he has to go away or he...well, wasn’t as nice as he could be, he does the sweetest things.” She ran a fingertip over the blood-red gem hanging around her neck. “Like this.”

“Sounds like a successful, generous man,” Nate said.

“Oh, he is. Very.” She fiddled with the folds of her veil. “I’m so lucky.” Tears welled in her eyes, belying her claim.