Lacy: (Sweet Historical Western Romance) (Pendleton Petticoats Book 5) Read online

  Lacy giggled. “If the noise on the phone lines today was any indication, there are many, many people who do the same thing.”

  “It was probably worse today with so many people stuck at home because of the snow,” Grant observed as they neared Ilsa’s shop. “Are you interested in inventions?”

  “Yes, I suppose I am. We learned of some when I was in school and my grandmother likes me to read about them to her when I find one in the newspaper.” Lacy grinned, thinking of the many lively discussions she and her grandmother had engaged in revolving around some new invention. Tony was always good to share information if any new wonders came to his attention.

  “Have you heard of a Nickelodeon?”

  “Isn’t that a theater of some sort?” Lacy asked, trying to recall what she’d read about one opening the previous summer back East.

  “It is. One of my sisters lives in Pittsburgh, where the first one opened in June. She and her family went. You pay a nickel admission and the theater offers short films or vaudeville performances.”

  Lacy looked at Grant, too curious to be shy. “What is a vaudeville performance?”

  Grant took a moment to find a way to describe the experience. “A typical vaudeville performance is a series of separate, unrelated acts, one followed by another. A show might include a musician, a comedian, a dancer, a magical act, trained animals, acrobats and the like.”

  Lacy’s eyes widened as she imagined seeing such a performance. “It sounds wonderful. Do you think we’ll ever have something like that here in Pendleton?” Even if a Nickelodeon opened in Pendleton, Lacy doubted she’d ever see a performance.

  “I’m sure we will.” Grant smiled at her.

  Intently studying the fullness of his bottom lip and wondering what it would feel like if he kissed her, Lacy’s feet slid on a patch of ice.

  Grant reached out to steady her. She ended up pulled tight against his chest with his arms wrapped securely around her. His spicy, masculine scent filled her nose and made a delicious tremor race through her.

  Disinclined to let her go, Grant kept a hand on her waist and guided her to Ilsa’s shop door.

  “Thank you, Mr. Hill, for all you did for me today. I am most grateful for your assistance.” Lacy lifted her eyes to his. The man’s entrancing gaze pulled her into a place of warmth and security she never wanted to leave.

  The nearly overwhelming urge to discover if Lacy’s lips tasted as ripe and sweet as they looked created an internal struggle for Grant. He’d never been so attracted to a woman and couldn’t dignify what caused such a strong reaction now. It was ridiculous and unreasonable to be so completely captivated by someone he’d just met.

  Despite his head telling him to walk away, Grant took her hand and brought it to his lips. The feel of her fingers against his glove-covered palm made his skin tingle. He lifted his gaze to hers as he bent over her hand, holding her captive and losing himself in those dark eyes. “It was my pleasure, Miss Williams. Have a pleasant evening.”

  By sheer force of will, Grant turned and strode away.

  Lacy gaped after him. She had no idea how long she would have stood on the sidewalk watching his departing form if Ilsa hadn’t opened the shop door and tugged her inside.

  “Lacy! Did you have a good day? I want to hear all about your new job.” Ilsa herded her into the workroom. Laila sat on a rug playing with a rag doll while Ilsa’s cat, Peaches, slept beside the child.

  In what seemed like a whirlwind, Ilsa divested Lacy of the coat, poured a cup of hot tea, and settled her on a stool at the tall worktable. Laila continued to chatter with her doll and the cat, oblivious to the adults nearby.

  “It was an interesting day, for certain.” Lacy took a sip of the tea.

  “Is it as hectic and harried as I imagine?”

  Lacy giggled. “Worse, I think.”

  Ilsa smiled and slid a key toward Lacy. “There’s a key to the door. It works on both the front and back lock. Tony had the locksmith change it after our last tenant left, so only a few family members have access.”

  “I can’t thank you and Tony enough for allowing me to use the apartment. I really don’t think cleaning your store and his studio is fair trade for rent. Are you sure I can’t do something more?”

  “No. You’ll find Tony is quite a slob at the studio and you’ll more than make up for it by cleaning it for him. You don’t need to go tonight, by the way. He spent the day shoveling sidewalks around town and helping Lars and Kade with a few problems.”

  Ilsa lifted Laila when she toddled over and held up her arms. She kissed her daughter’s cheek then stood. “Would you like to go upstairs and see the apartment?”

  “I’d love to.” Lacy took a final sip of her tea while it was still hot then followed Ilsa up the stairs to the apartment.

  At the top of the stairs, Ilsa opened the door and flicked a switch, turning on the electric lights she’d had installed. A small sitting room, fully furnished, looked like a bit of heaven to Lacy. Warm air flowed from the radiator on the wall.

  Ilsa closed the door then set Laila on her feet. The child ran down the hall while the women followed.

  “It looks like we’ll start the tour in the bedroom,” Ilsa said as they walked to an open door and found Laila trying to climb onto a bed.

  Lacy took in a rocking chair, a chest of drawers, and a dresser with a mirror. It was nicer than anything she’d ever hoped to have. “It’s lovely.” She stepped into the room and ran her hand over the colorful quilt on the bed.

  Ilsa pushed open a door at the end of the hall and Lacy peeked inside the room. A narrow bed and a simple chest of drawers filled the small space. “It used to be a storage room until Marnie moved in here with the children. We converted it to a second bedroom then.”

  After closing the bedroom door, Ilsa opened another door and stood back.

  Lacy’s jaw dropped as she stared at the bathroom, complete with a deep tub and running water. Thoughts of taking a hot bath anytime she liked made her giddy with excitement.

  When she boarded at the school on the reservation, the superintendent drilled “cleanliness is next to godliness” into the heads of her students, particularly the girls. Since then, Lacy had been fastidious about keeping a neat and clean appearance. It was one more thing that made her father irritated with her.

  Snapping her mouth closed, she grinned as Laila attempted to climb into the tub.

  “Spwash, Mama! Go spwash!” Laila giggled when Ilsa picked her up and blew on her neck.

  Ilsa smiled at Lacy. “This is one little girl who loves bath time. I think she could happily be a fish.”

  “Me a fishy!” Laila stuck out her lips and sucked in her cheeks, creating a funny face that made Lacy laugh.

  All three of them giggled as they walked into the kitchen. Lacy stared at the shiny cook stove, sink with running water, and icebox. She’d never dreamed of living somewhere with such wonderful, modern conveniences. From the look of things, Ilsa made sure the cupboards and icebox were stocked with food.

  “There’s a telephone in my workroom you are welcome to use if you need to call anyone,” Ilsa walked back to the sitting room. “Will you be comfortable here?”

  “Oh, Ilsa, it’s wonderful!” Lacy gave her a squeeze around her shoulders and kissed Laila’s cheek. “I can’t thank you and Tony enough for allowing me to stay here.”

  “It’s our pleasure. Like Tony said, we prefer the space not sit empty and I know you’ll take good care of everything. The offer still stands to stay at our house if you’d rather. There is plenty of room.”

  “No, this is perfect.” Lacy glanced around the sitting room, excited at the prospect of reading a book in perfect solitude. “Will you show me what you’d like me to clean downstairs? I should probably walk home with you and take care of Star, too. I need to find out if I can board her at the livery while I’m in town.”

  “Tony said he’d take care of her and she’s fine in our barn. There are several empty stalls and
it isn’t any bother to have her there. She’s such a beautiful paint horse, especially with that star on her neck. You’ll have to watch out or my husband might try to buy her from you.” Ilsa grinned at Lacy as they walked down the stairs.

  Aware Ilsa teased her, Lacy shook her head. “I’d sell my hair or my younger brother before I parted with Star.”

  Ilsa laughed. “Thank goodness you won’t have to make that choice. As for cleaning the shop, here’s what I’d like you to do…” Ilsa set Laila back on the rug with the cat then walked around the store. She showed Lacy what she’d like dusted, where she kept the broom and cleaning supplies, and where to dump the garbage in the big receptacle she shared with two other stores in the back alley.

  The two women examined a new design Ilsa had worked on that afternoon when the back door opened and Tony strolled inside carrying a towel-covered box.

  “Caterina sent dinner. She made too much lasagna for the small crowd that’s braving the cold weather tonight.” Tony set the box on the worktable then swung Laila into his arms, giving her a noisy kiss. “How’s my girl?”

  “I hungwy. Wanna eat!” Laila wiggled for her father to set her down.

  Tony handed his daughter to Ilsa and carried over a highchair from the corner. While he settled Laila in the chair, Ilsa set out a pan of lasagna, still steaming from the oven, along with a basket of bread. From a shelf where Ilsa kept a few dishes, Tony carried over plates and cutlery while Ilsa filled glasses with milk from a bottle Caterina had sent.

  “Are you sure you wouldn’t rather take this home?” Lacy asked as Ilsa motioned for her to have a seat and handed her a napkin.

  “Nope. I’m starved and I want to eat this while it’s hot.” Tony waited for Ilsa to take a seat before he plopped down on a stool and asked a blessing on the meal.

  Ilsa dished the lasagna and Tony passed the bread while Laila banged her spoon on her tray and sipped her milk.

  A few times, Tony had brought some of Caterina’s Italian food out to Rebecca’s place. The blending of rich, spicy flavors always made Lacy’s mouth water. Of course, her father turned up his nose at the dishes so different from their traditional meals, but Lacy and Walker both enjoyed the variety. Rebecca seemed to like the food, too.

  Flavors exploded on her tongue with the first bite. Lacy realized how hungry she was. She forced herself to use her best manners and took small bites. Nearly starved, she wanted to stuff the food in her mouth and start on a second serving.

  Fresh bread filled the air with a delicious yeasty scent. Lacy took a bite and sighed in pleasure.

  Tony asked about her first day at work. She gave him the highlights of learning to use the switchboard.

  “Millie asked me to come back tomorrow, so I guess I did okay for my first day.” Lacy grinned as Ilsa gave her another serving of lasagna.

  “Of course she asked you to come back. Good, dependable help is hard to find. She’s probably elated you applied for the position. Bertie and Susan are good workers, but a few of the other girls that work the evening shift aren’t quite as dedicated to their jobs,” Ilsa said, then grabbed Laila’s cup before she spilled milk on the floor.

  After they finished eating, Tony took a packet of cookies from the box and handed it to Lacy. “From Caterina. She said to tell you if you need anything, to stop by her restaurant anytime. Well, except Sunday or Monday when she’s closed.”

  Lacy grinned and accepted the cookies. Tony, Ilsa, and their friends were generous and kind, but she never expected them to make her feel so welcome. Tears stung the backs of her eyes, but she blinked them away.

  Instead, she hugged Ilsa, kissed Laila’s chubby fingers, and nodded to Tony. “Thank you, so much, for making this possible.”

  “You’re welcome, Lacy.” Tony picked up Laila and held her with one arm while helping Ilsa on with her coat. “If you need anything, let us know. If it doesn’t snow tomorrow, I’ll try to go out to check on your grandmother. I can take her a message, if you like.”

  “Just let her know I’m well.” Lacy watched as Tony wrapped a blanket around his daughter and escorted Ilsa out the door. Once they left, she locked the door and carried the dirty dishes upstairs to wash. There was still lasagna left in the pan, so she stored it in the icebox, amazed at having such a wondrous invention at her disposal. After she’d dried the dishes and returned them to the shelf in the workroom, she cleaned Ilsa’s shop. Extra care went into polishing the window glass and wiping the counters before turning off the lights downstairs and retiring upstairs to her apartment.

  Curled up in a chair near the radiator, she opened a book and tried to lose herself in the adventure, but it was so quiet.

  Ruth and Tom’s voices didn’t rumble through the wall as they settled the babies down for the night. There was no muffled teasing from Walker and Daniel or the soft snores of her father as he slumbered. No wind howled around the cracks at the door or in the stovepipe. The gurgling sound of water flowing over the rocks in the river didn’t lull her to sleep.

  Instead, the clock ticked on the wall with increasing volume while the building creaked, settling for the night.

  Never in her life had she been surrounded by so much quiet. She wondered how long it would take to grow accustomed to the roar of silence.

  Chapter Four

  The telephone office door opened and Walker stepped inside as Lacy swallowed the last bite of her sandwich.

  Surprised to see her brother, she yanked off her headset, jumped to her feet, and hurried over to him. Although they weren’t prone to demonstrations of affection, she threw her arms around him and gave him a hug.

  “What are you doing here?” she asked as Walker held his hat in his hands and glanced behind her at Bertie and Millie.

  Like so much of the county, Susan remained snowed in at home. It was the fourth day snow had fallen and the temperatures hovered well below the point of freezing. Tony had planned to make it out to check on Rebecca, but had deemed it too hazardous to make the trip.

  Lacy called the agency office on the reservation the previous afternoon. She asked them to deliver a message to her family that she was safe in town if anyone happened to head out in the direction of their cabin.

  By the disapproving look on Walker’s face, she assumed the message failed to reach them.

  “Here, sit down and I’ll get you a hot drink.” Lacy motioned for Walker to take a seat in one of the two chairs Millie kept available for people waiting for a reply to a message. Not only did they operate the town’s switchboard, they also sent telegraph messages. She hurried to the stove and poured him a cup of hot coffee then handed it to him before taking the seat beside him.

  Walker took a long sip of the hot brew before he released a sigh and stared at his sister. “Pops is plenty mad at you. In fact, based on the fit he had the morning we discovered your note, you might not want to get in a hurry about coming home.”

  Lacy studied a speck of lint on the skirt of her dress and plucked at it. “What did he say?”

  “He ranted on and on about how no daughter of his would work in town and turn ‘white.’ He said you made your choice and he didn’t care if you ever came home again.” Walker took another sip of the coffee as he watched hurt and fear fill Lacy’s eyes. “You know how Pops can be. He’ll calm down, eventually. Just give him time. In fact, I’d say you timed your escape well since today is the first day the snow lightened enough we could go anywhere. Pops headed over to Uncle Charlie’s this morning. I rode over to check on Grandmother and she asked me to make sure you’re well before I return home.”

  Lacy reached out and squeezed her brother’s hand. Of their siblings, she and Walker were the most alike. Her brother dreamed of becoming an architect. He was fascinated with buildings, what made them stand upright, materials used in their construction, and the variety of styles.

  Of course, Lacy was the only one aware of his interest. Walker’s desire to go to college would have been ten times worse than her taking a job in town
as far as their father was concerned.

  After learning everything he could at the boarding school, Walker passed all his final exams at the head of his class. With no other prospects, he did odd jobs on the reservation and surrounding farms. Their older brother, John, worked on one of the ranches and sometimes contacted Walker when his boss needed an extra hand.

  Lacy wanted so much more for her younger brother. He was bright and driven. She hated to see his future laid out before him, mired in the tradition of a way of life that would never be again. If only her father would come to his senses and allow them to embrace their dreams instead of fighting them every step of the way. Out of respect to him, both Lacy and Walker had tried to defer to his wishes. Now, the time had come when they needed to make their own choices.

  “How is Grandmother?” Lacy hoped Rebecca fared well during the storm.

  “Spunky as always.” Walker grinned and took another sip of coffee. “She had plenty of firewood and food. It’s too bad Pops wouldn’t let you live with her. It would have been good for both of you.”

  Lacy nodded her head in agreement. Many times, her grandmother had tried to convince Joe to allow Lacy to live with her. He unwaveringly refused.

  “Grandmother said to tell you she’s very proud of you and to come for a visit as soon as you can get away.” Walker glanced at Lacy. “I’m proud of you, too. You can’t be a slave to father’s wishes your whole life. If you strike out and make your own way, it will make it easier when I do the same.”

  Lacy smiled at her brother. “I’ll help you all I can, Walker. Tony and Ilsa let me rent the apartment above her store. I’m doing some work for them in the evenings in trade for rent, but the apartment has two bedrooms. If you ever need somewhere to go, stay with me.”

  “Thanks. I appreciate the offer.” Walker leaned forward and braced his elbows on his knees. “Just so you know, Phillip came by early this morning. He’s nearly as mad as father that you’ve come to town. Don’t be surprised if he shows up in a courting mood one day.”