Warning at Eagle's Watch (23 page)

"Bert's Sandwich Shoppe," as the sign over the door announced, was the only restaurant she could see as she glanced up and down the street. Hamilton was a very small town by her familiar midwest standards, she realized. She made mental notes as she traveled down the street: a grocery store, post office, general store, a barbershop, a run-down movie theater, and a few quiet shops. A handful of local people sauntered from one establishment to the next, stopping to chat whenever they could.

Robin opened the door of the sandwich shop, hearing a tinkling sound as the bell on the back of the door shouted her arrival. The red leather booths that lined the walls of the shop were deserted, the counter seats empty. The lunch hour past, she was the only customer.

"Howdy," offered the girl who appeared behind the counter. "What can I do for you?"

Robin glanced over the menu as she sat in the nearest booth and gave the girl her order. Robin judged her to be about her own age, her hair dark and curly, her body stocky and athletic looking, tanned by the sun.

"Is there a phone I can use?" Robin asked.

"Sure," the waitress replied, pointing to the corner of the room. "Right over there."

Robin deposited her coins and dialed the number of the Ridley Ranch, her mind struggling to find the words to introduce herself to her new employer. A feminine voice answered the ringing phone.

"Ridley Ranch."

"Yes, hello. May I speak to Mr. Alexander Ridley?"

A pause. "He's not here. I'm not sure when he'll be back."

Robin swallowed. She hadn't considered the fact that Mr. Ridley might not be available when she arrived unannounced.

"This is Robin North. I have just arrived in Hamilton, and I'm to take the position of housekeeper at the ranch. I wonder if there is any way for me to get out there this afternoon?"

"You're the new housekeeper? The one from Chicago? Well, what do you know! I never thought you'd really come. Where are you?"

"I'm at Bert's Sandwich Shoppe in town. I was just about to grab a sandwich."

"Good idea. I've no idea when we'll have dinner here. Just sit tight, and I'll be out in the jeep to pick you up in a few minutes. By the way, I'm Sara Ridley. See you soon."

The line went dead, and Robin felt uneasy. They didn't think I'd really come? But why not? Herman had assured her she'd be expected, and welcome.

The first shadow fell over the sunny day.

The smiling waitress arrived with her order just as Robin had reseated herself in the booth. She set the food on the table and then slid into the booth opposite Robin.

"I couldn't help overhearing you on the phone. I'm Mary Brown. I live here in town. Are you really going to be housekeeper at the ranch?"

Robin was startled at her frankness, her open curiosity. But she knew the Ridley Ranch was one of the biggest in the area, and so the comings and goings must be a major topic of gossip in a town of this size. It would do no harm to befriend Mary, for the news of her arrival would get around sooner or later.

"Yes, I'm to be the new housekeeper. I'm from Chicago."

"Amazing."

"What on earth is so amazing?"

"That anyone would come so far to be a housekeeper. Even more so that you'd want to work at Ridley Ranch."

Robin felt her temper beginning to warm up. She had wanted to be friendly, but she didn't feel she had to explain herself and her motives to this girl who was a stranger.

"I don't know what you're talking about."

"Well, no one's been expecting the Ridleys to come up with a housekeeper so quickly. Mrs. Manchester is terribly old, and when she became sickly, she had to retire. She'd stuck with the family for years and years. But no one else from town would ever take a live-in position out there at the ranch, at least, not after all that happened out there. No, you wouldn't catch me out there after dark. Not with that family!"

"But I don't understand," Robin protested. "What is the matter with the Ridleys?"

"No wonder you came. You don't even know. It's bad enough the kids are crazy, but that's beside the point. Who in their right mind would want to live in the same house with a man who's killed his wife?"

Robin sat very still, her heart hammering in her chest. Gossip? Exaggeration? Could that be true? Her mind was filled with questions. But she didn't have time to ask even one.

For the bell on the door tinkled at that instant, and the door opened to let in a teenage girl, her black hair hanging in dark braids, clothed in well-worn jeans and a gingham western shirt.

"Robin North?" she asked in a bright voice. "I'm Sara Ridley. Are you ready to head for the ranch?"

Christine Bush has been writing stories of romance and mystery since 1977. She believes in love, new beginnings and happy endings in real life as well as in her novels. When she’s not writing, she can be found enjoying life with her wonderful family in scenic Pennsylvania, teaching Psychology at a local college, and working with clients as a Marriage and Family Therapist in private practice. Christine loves hearing from readers and from aspiring writers. She can be reached at
www.ChristineBush.com
or
[email protected]