Caterina: A Sweet Western Historical Romance Pendleton Petyticoats Book 2 Read online

  She poked her head around the edge of the bedroom doorway. “What on earth is the matter?”

  “Nothing,” he said, holding out the box. “Are you still wearing your pendant?”

  “Yes, I am.” She pulled it from beneath her dress and held it in her hand. Confused, she studied the box. “Where did you find that?”

  “At the bottom of the trunk you had me take to the kitchen. If I were a betting man, I’d wager the key in your locket will open this.”

  “Let’s see.” Caterina opened the locket and removed the key. Aundy and Garrett joined them as Kade held the box and Caterina inserted the key.

  A soft click let them know it turned the lock and Caterina opened the lid. The box was filled with old handkerchiefs. Something rattled when she lifted one. She was surprised to see the glint of gold through the thin material. Excited, she pulled out all the thin pieces of fabric. The case appeared to contain gold coins. Her grandmother’s old handkerchiefs kept the money from rattling in the box.

  “My gracious!” Dumbfounded, Caterina stared at the money.

  “That’s a lot of money.” Garrett studied the box full of gold double eagle coins.

  Kade set the box down on a table in Caterina’s sitting room and took her elbow, guiding her to a chair.

  “Cat, are you okay?” Kade asked, hunkering down beside her. Her face had gone white and her eyes looked glazed. When she didn’t answer, he glanced at Aundy, wondering what to do.

  “Oh, look, there’s a note.” Aundy pulled a creamy envelope from the case and handed it to Caterina.

  Warily opening the envelope, Caterina removed a letter and read it. Clutching the missive to her breast, she squeezed her eyes shut. Tears leaked out the corners of her eyes and down her cheeks.

  Kade fished his handkerchief from his pocket, wiped Caterina’s tears, and placed a hand on her knee. At his touch, she opened her eyes and he looked at her for confirmation she would be okay.

  “What is it, darlin’?”

  “My mamma.” Caterina’s voice wavered as she tried to swallow back more tears. “My mamma sent me this. Read it.”

  Kade took the piece of thin paper and read the letter penned in a decidedly feminine hand:

  My dearest bambina,

  When your Papa and I left Italy and journeyed across the ocean to a new life, my mamma gave me her pendant and this trunk, since I was her youngest child. It was months later before we found the key in the locket. We were working for your uncle, before the arrival of the twins, when we discovered the money locked away in the bottom of this trunk.

  We used it to buy the property and build our store. Saving a little at a time, we slowly replenished what we used, hiding the money for a rainy day, only we never had one that stormy. Not until today – the day I have to say goodbye to my beautiful and beloved daughter.

  Take this money and use it, my sweet girl, to make a new life for yourself. It will become a tradition in our family. Make a good life and then pass the pendant and this trunk along to your own baby daughter, as I do for you, and your grandmother did for me.

  You remind me so much of my mamma. I’ll always be grateful she came to live with us those last few years of her life so you two could become acquainted.

  You have not only her beauty, but also her strength of spirit, her temper, and her zest for life. Don’t ever lose that, Caterina. Savor each and every day with a grateful heart.

  Remember how much you are loved by us all, today and always.

  Your loving Mamma

  Kade swallowed the lump in his throat, mindful of how profoundly Caterina had to miss her mother, her entire family. When he handed the paper back to her, she held it to her face, breathed deeply then began crying again.

  “I... um…” Garrett backed toward the door, pulling Aundy with him. “We’ll just be downstairs.”

  Tenderly picking up Caterina, Kade perched on the chair with her on his lap. She buried her head against his chest while her shoulders shook with the intensity of her sobs. He let her cry until she sniffled and drew in a deep breath. She used his handkerchief to wipe her face then sat up, giving Kade a weak smile.

  “Thank you,” she said, grateful to Kade for understanding her loss and pain, even if he didn’t know the reasons behind it.

  “You’re welcome.” He braced an arm around her back so she could lean against it. “That letter is from your mother?”

  “Yes.” Caterina sniffled again, trying to stem her tears.

  “And it made you sad to read her letter and think about her?”

  “Yes.”

  “You miss her a lot, don’t you?”

  “Yes.” Caterina’s voice cracked, but she continued. “Mamma and I were so close. Although she can control her tongue and temper, she never judged me for my lack of ability. She loved me and pampered me, and made me feel like a princess. She always smelled just like this.”

  Caterina held out the note and Kade took a whiff. He could smell lemon verbena and something spicy, like cinnamon.

  “So it’s a good thing you have that note from your mamma. Whenever you miss her, you can take it out and read it, right?”

  “I can. It is a beautiful gift.” Suddenly, Caterina felt the need to say a prayer of thanksgiving for this unexpected blessing. It wasn't just the money, but also the connection to her mother that left her filled with gratitude.

  “You could always tell me what happened and we could see about reuniting you with your mother.”

  “If it was only that simple, but it’s not. I can’t put you at risk any more than I can them. No, but thank you for the offer.” Caterina rose to her feet and straightened her spine. She walked to the table where Kade set the money and stared at the shiny gold coins.

  “How much do you think is here?”

  “More than enough to pay off your loan and still have plenty to live on for a good long while. You sure you want to open your restaurant? It’s not too late to move your stuff back out to Nash’s Folly. Garrett and Aundy enjoy having you there.”

  Kade didn’t like the idea of Caterina living in town on her own. Able to keep an eye on her most of the time, he could foresee a future of restless nights, staying awake worrying about her safety when he was off duty.

  “Of course I’m going to open my restaurant. It’s what I always dreamed of doing and now I don’t have to worry about how I’m going to pay for supplies. Mamma and the Lord have provided!”

  “Before anything happens to your unexpected provision, why don’t we take it to the bank and deposit it where it will be safe?” Kade suggested.

  If anyone got wind of the case of gold coins Caterina had in her possession, there wasn’t a lock strong enough to keep some of Pendleton’s less than upright citizens from taking it. “You can have Grant take out what you owe for your loan, if you like, and begin your business enterprise debt-free.”

  “I’d like that very much.” Caterina rolled down the sleeves of her dress and stepped into the bedroom to pin on a hat.

  She returned with a small carved box and removed ten coins from the case, dropping them inside. “I thought it might be a good idea to keep a little back for an emergency.”

  “You could leave some in the original case and lock it back in your trunk. We could put the trunk somewhere up here, make it look like a piece of furniture or hide it under the bed.”

  “That’s a good idea.” Caterina ran downstairs and returned with a shiny pail. Kade helped her count out the amount for her loan and enough extra to purchase supplies for the next few months. The rest of the coins they left in the case. Kade carried the trunk that smelled of a mouth-watering blend of spices upstairs and placed the case back in the bottom. He replaced the false cover while Caterina returned the key to her pendant. They decided to put the trunk in the bedroom she was converting to an office and storage area. After sliding it to the back of the closet, Kade promised to pile other empty trunks on top of it, so no one would notice it.

  Garrett and Aundy waite
d in the dining area of the restaurant, wiping down the already clean windows when Kade escorted Caterina down the stairs.

  “I’m going to take Caterina to the bank. Why don’t we meet you at the depot? The last of her supplies should have come in on the train today,” Kade said, sticking his head around the wide doorway.

  “Sure.” Garrett looked at Kade in hopes all was well. When he offered a brief nod, Garrett breathed a sigh of relief. “We’ll meet you there.”

  Caterina carefully placed the pail in a basket, added a napkin wrapped bundle of cookies and covered the top with a clean cloth.

  Kade carried it as they walked the few blocks to the bank, trying to keep from jostling the coins too much. He held the door for her as she breezed inside and smiled at Grant.

  The banker got to his feet and greeted them both with a welcoming handshake. “What can I do for you today, Miss Campanelli?”

  “I brought you some cookies.” Caterina took the packet from inside the basket Kade held.

  Grant accepted them with a grateful smile. “That’s very kind and much appreciated. Thank you.”

  “You’re welcome.” She sat at Grant’s desk while Kade carefully placed the basket in the center of the desk and motioned for Grant to resume his seat.

  “Why do I get the idea the cookies aren’t the real reason for your visit?” Grant asked quietly, glancing around the bank to see if anyone else was there. Other than one lone cowboy making a withdrawal from the bank teller, the bank was empty.

  To kill time until the man left, Grant asked Kade about his uncle. The two men discussed the deputy’s efforts in tracking down the man who’d beaten two Chinese workers and left them for dead in an alley a few weeks ago.

  It was the first Caterina heard of the incident and she sucked in a gasp as Grant discussed the beating. She wondered it if had anything to do with the Underground in Pendleton. Both Nora and Aundy cautioned her never to stand on the grates in the boardwalk because they not only let in light and air to the tunnels running beneath the city connecting the town’s seedier enterprises, but also allowed the unsavory characters who frequented the establishments to look up a lady’s skirt.

  Turning to Kade with a concerned gaze, he reached over and patted her hand, quickly changing the subject to work being done at the church and the harvest festival planned at the park the following month.

  When the cowboy left the bank, Grant carefully lifted the cloth covering the basket and barely managed to hide his surprise at the pail full of coins.

  “Miss Campanelli, you didn’t, perchance, rob a bank somewhere did you?” Grant joked.

  Caterina would have been offended at his question if she hadn’t detected the teasing in both Grant’s eyes and tone.

  “Do I look like a bank robber, Mr. Hill?” Caterina asked with a cheeky grin. “Maybe I can divest this one of its funds while I’m at it.”

  “Let’s see you try. I know for a fact I’ve got the strong arm of the law right here to protect the money of our citizens.” Grant quietly set the basket on the floor beside him then removed the coins, counting them out on a tray on the side of his desk not visible from the rest of the bank.

  “Who’s to say he isn’t in on it?” Caterina looked from Grant to Kade. “Maybe he’s the brawn and I’m the brains of the operation.”

  “Heaven help us all if that’s the case,” Kade quipped, earning a slap to his leg from Caterina while Grant chuckled.

  Caterina explained the money was an unexpected gift from her mother and she wanted to use it to pay off her loan.

  “That may be the fastest payment of a loan I’ve ever seen.” Grant made notes in a ledger then handed the pen to Caterina so she could sign an acknowledgement of payment of her loan in full as well as a sizeable deposit to her account.

  “It’s been a pleasure doing business with you, Miss Campanelli. I hope you’ll reserve a table for me opening night.” Grant walked with her and Kade to the door.

  “Absolutely and your first meal will be complimentary for believing in me enough to provide the loan.” Caterina shook Grant’s hand before breezing out the door.

  “She’s something else,” Grant said, watching as she sashayed down the walk in the direction of the depot.

  “That she is.” Kade slapped Grant on the back good-naturedly and hurried after Caterina.

  Chapter Fifteen

  Impatiently tapping the toe of her shoe, Caterina waited for Aundy to answer her telephone. She was just about ready to hang up when the operator connected her and she heard Aundy’s voice.

  “Caterina?”

  “Aundy, good morning. I’m sorry to call so early, but I have a slight problem I was hoping you could perhaps help me with,” Caterina said. She was even dumber than Uncle Laz’s half-blind mutt for forgetting to hire kitchen help. Although she’d hired a waiter who had some experience and an assistant cook, she’d forgotten about all the extra people she’d need like a dishwasher, someone to clear empty tables, and someone to seat guests. And she needed the help today.

  “I’ll help any way I can, you know that.” Aundy wondered what Caterina had in mind.

  “Would you and Nik be able to help me, just for today? I need to hire a few additional people and I hope to do that right away, but just in case, can you both help just this once?”

  “I’d be happy to and I’m sure Nik would enjoy it as well. We still need to break the news to him about hiring a new shepherd, so maybe today would be a good day to have that conversation with him on the way there. What time do you need us?”

  “If you could be here by three this afternoon, I’d very much appreciate it. I plan to open the doors at five.”

  “We’ll be there. Is there anything I can bring when we come to town?”

  “Some fresh tomatoes if you can spare them.” She already missed the garden at the farm.

  Aundy had never grown one before and while she was a hard worker, Li and Caterina were the two who turned the tender plants into a bounty of produce.

  “I’ll bring as many as I can find and be there by three.”

  Caterina could hear the smile in her friend’s voice. “Wonderful. I’ll see you both later, then.”

  The morning flew by as Caterina began preparing the baked goods she would offer for dessert as well as the specialty breads she planned to serve.

  She was mixing a batch of pasta dough when the back door opened and Kade stepped inside carrying a basket.

  “Are you doing okay?” Kade asked, taking in Caterina’s flour-covered apron, the springy coils of hair falling down her neck and the sheen of perspiration on her forehead. The kitchen was hot, but a quick glance assured him the windows were open “Did you sleep well last night? Anyone bother you?”

  “I did sleep very well, and I’m fine. It is completely unnecessary for you to hover outside at all hours of the night, standing guard over me. I’m a grown woman, Deputy Rawlings, and perfectly capable of taking care of myself.” Caterina got up in the middle of the night to get a drink of water and happened to see Kade standing outside, keeping watch over her place.

  “So you’ve mentioned before.” The look of mischief on his face made him appear years younger, like a rambunctious boy.

  “What’s in your basket?” Caterina asked as she draped the pasta over a rack to dry.

  She rinsed her hands at the sink and dried them on a dishtowel when a noise from the basket caused her to whirl around, her almond-shaped eyes wide in surprise.

  A fuzzy little head poked over the edge of the basket and mewled pitifully.

  “Oh, you poor baby.” Caterina picked up the scrawny kitten and cuddled it under her chin. “We’ll fatten you up on cream and have you healthy in no time.”

  “I found him at an abandoned homestead yesterday. Thought you might like to have a cat to help keep the mice out of here.”

  “This is a perfect gift, Kade.” The beguiling smile she turned on him turned his heart to syrup. “Thank you for thinking of me.”

&
nbsp; “I spend way too much time thinking of you,” Kade muttered just low enough Caterina didn’t hear him as she took out a saucer and poured in milk.

  When she set the kitten on the floor with the dish, it buried its face in the liquid. The kitten sneezed once then resumed eating.

  “Ike didn’t think too much of the little guy. He was more than happy to bid him farewell when I left a little bit ago.” The dog had sniffed the kitten, making him hiss and splutter. The two retreated to opposite corners of the kitchen and both sat pouting until Kade was ready to head into town.

  Caterina laughed. “I’m going to have to meet Ike one of these days. He sounds like quite a dog.”

  “He is. If you want to make him your friend for life, just bring him a bone.” Kade picked up the kitten and shook his head at the tiny feline’s milk-coated face. “You need some better table manners, son.”

  From a box beneath the sink, Caterina pulled out a rag and wiped the milk from the kitten’s face and front paws. He protested, but she ignored his fussing. She set him on the floor then he scampered over to a corner by the stove, walked in two circles, and curled into a ball.

  “I think Rufus has made himself at home.” Caterina grinned at the kitten, then at the man who brought her the feline.

  “Rufus?”

  “Seems like a good name for him,” she observed as she washed her hands then dug into a large lidded jar, taking out a handful of cookies. After handing them to Kade, she stood on tiptoe to kiss his cheek.

  At the last moment, he turned his head, hoping she’d hit his lips. Instead, he received a peck on his chin.

  “Thank you for the kitten. That was very sweet.” Her gaze locked on Kade’s green eyes. She wished her kiss had landed on his lips instead of his chin. She was counting on him turning his head, only he didn’t bend down quite enough for her to reach her intended target.

  “You’re welcome. If he becomes a nuisance, let me know and I’ll find someone to take him.”

  “No, he’ll fit in just fine here. I can tell.” They walked into the restaurant and looked around. The sun twinkled in bright beams through the sparkling glass windows, highlighting her grandmother’s name on the window and the door. White linens covered tables grouped in a pleasing configuration. Silverware gleamed at each place setting and a simple flower arrangement, courtesy of flowers from Aundy and Nora’s gardens, sat in the center of each table.