Restless Wind, page 4
An impish grin split her face, eyes sparkling. Remembering her mother’s hot toddy recipe using tea instead of hot water, she opened a cupboard, taking out a small container of honey and tin of cinnamon. A second cupboard held whiskey, brandy, and rum. Pulling down the bottles, she set everything on a tray, then returned to the dining room.
Dom slid from the saddle, rolling his head and stretching to relieve his stiff shoulders. He’d ridden hard, doing his best to outrun a storm approaching from the north. Entering Splendor, he reined Blue, his roan stallion, to a stop in front of Noah Brandt’s livery. He walked around his mount. As always, Dom appreciated the silvering effect of white hairs turning the animal’s coat into a dark bluish hue. It was a rare combination, drawing his attention immediately when he’d spotted the colt on a neighbor’s ranch outside of Whiplash.
“Afternoon, Dom. You just get back?” Noah wiped his hands on a rag, slipping it into a pocket before extending his hand.
Not hesitating to accept it, Dom nodded. “Came right here. Do you have time to take care of Blue for me? I need to get over to Nick’s house.”
Snickering, Noah didn’t try to hide a grin as he took the horse’s reins. “The ladies are there working on the quilt for the church. Are you sure you want to venture into that gaggle of women?”
Wincing, his mouth twisted. “Do you know if Josie and Olivia are there?”
“They’re there, all right. Josie’s the one who drew the design for the quilt. Abby says it’s…” He scratched the stubble on his jaw, “gorgeous.”
“If Abby’s with them, it can’t be too much of a hen party. She’s got the most level head of any woman I know.”
Noah lifted a brow, shaking his head. “You’ve been warned.”
Taking the trail to Nick’s house, Dom bounded up the steps, hearing laughter coming from inside. Knocking, he waited. After a couple minutes, he knocked again. When no one answered, he gripped the knob and pushed the door open.
Walking in the direction of female voices peppered with giggles, he slowed his pace, body tensing at Josie’s voice.
“Yes, he is quite handsome.” She giggled, then hiccupped, causing him to smile.
“I think he is one of the most attractive single men in Splendor.” He recognized May Covington’s voice. “But don’t any of you tell Caleb I said that.”
Another round of snickers ensued before Dom’s sister, Sylvia, spoke. “He’s never lacked for female attention.” A bark of laughter burst from her. “From the time he was thirteen, he complained of girls not leaving him alone.”
Dom winced.
“I thought he held an interest in Tabitha Beekman.” He recognized Abby’s voice.
“Who is she?” Josie’s surprised reply held a hint of jealousy.
Good, Dom thought, a smug expression crossing his face.
“One of the mail order brides,” Olivia answered, a little louder than normal. “She left town the day you arrived. A previous suitor contacted her, asking for her hand in marriage.” She giggled. “He sent a picture. If it had been me…” Olivia’s voice transformed as another round of laughter had her face flushing. Several of the women added their own giggles. “I’m certain he’s a very nice man, and Tabitha said he has a successful business. But…”
“Bu…but…what, Livia?” Ruth prodded, her voice slurred.
“What she’s trying to say is Tabitha’s betrothed is quite short and, well…rotund. His mustache drops well past the bottom of his chin, and his ears are,” Sylvia lowered her voice, “rather large.”
“Sylvia!” Ruth’s admonishment was spoiled when she laughed.
Olivia looked at Josie, her voice thick with merriment. “Tabitha is a few inches taller than him, slender, with beautiful brown hair and caramel eyes. The truth is she’s quite pretty. I do hope she’s happy, but …”
“Your brother would’ve been a much better match, Sylvia,” Abby said. “It’s a shame he didn’t make his interest known sooner. Is there more tea, Josie?”
For no apparent reason, the women burst out laughing. Deciding he’d return another time to see Josie, he turned to leave before they spotted him.
“I don’t know how I could’ve let you talk me into trying your family recipe for hot toddy, Josie.”
Dom halted at Ruth’s words. Hot toddy?
Understanding came to him in a gust of clarity, a smile tilting the corners of his mouth. Chuckling, he shook his head.
The quilting circle sat in the next room, indulging in hot tea with alcohol. And the reverend’s wife had been hooked into it by Josie, the apparent ringleader. As he’d thought when first meeting her, the woman was trouble.
Turning around, he headed to the dining room, making certain his boots could be heard on the wood floor.
“Good afternoon, ladies.” His gaze lit on the quilt draped over the dining table before nodding at each of them.
“Dom?” Sylvia set down her cup of tea before standing, a giggle bursting from her lips. “We weren’t expecting you.” She slapped a hand over her mouth to stifle a hiccup.
“I can see that.”
Walking around the table, he held out his hand, drawing his sister into a hug. Gripping her shoulders, he studied her face, smelling the faint scent of alcohol. His eyes lit in amusement.
“Are you going to tell me what’s got you flushed and your eyes glassy?”
Stepping out of his grasp, she stifled a hiccup with her hand before sitting back down. “My eyes are not glassy.”
May stood, moving close enough to study Sylvia’s eyes. “She looks fine to me.” Narrowing her eyes, she shrugged. “Well, perhaps a little, um…” She chortled, quickly sitting back down.
Crossing his arms, he glanced around the room. “Uh-huh.” Leaning down, he picked up his sister’s cup, taking a sip. Wincing, he set it down, quirking a brow. “Tea, honey, and…whiskey?”
Biting her lower lip, Sylvia slumped in her chair, refusing to meet his gaze. “A tiny bit. Right, Josie?”
His focus turned to Josie. “This is your doing?”
Glancing at the tray holding a teapot, honey, and bottles of whiskey, rum, and brandy, she grimaced. Lifting her chin, Josie nodded.
“Yes, it’s my doing, Mr. Lucero. As Sylvia said, we added a tiny bit of alcohol to our cups. Very little, really. Miniscule, in fact.” She bit her lip so as not to laugh, but the amused look in her eyes gave her away.
He cocked his head. “And how many cups have you had?”
Clearing her throat, Josie glanced around the table at the other ladies, noting their flushed faces and glazed eyes. Frowning, she looked up at him and grimaced. “A few?”
Deciding to get to the bottom of the mystery, he turned to the reverend’s wife. “Mrs. Paige?”
Straightening her back, she clasped her hands together, attempting to sober her features. “Well now, that is a very good question, Marshal Lucero. An excellent question, in fact.” Drawing in a breath, she touched a finger to her temple, frowning. “Perhaps five or six cups.”
Eyes flashing in disbelief, he shifted his hard stare to Josie. “How much alcohol did you add to each cup?”
A wicked smile slid the corners of her mouth upward. Holding up an oversized serving spoon, her lips twitched. “Three of these per cup.” When his eyes widened, she clarified. “The alcohol was mixed with strong tea, honey, and cinnamon.”
“Oh, that does make it so much better.” Placing fisted hands on his waist, he stared at the ceiling. “Good Lord.” Taking several deep breaths, he returned his attention to the women. “Josie, would you mind standing?”
She shook her head, wincing. “I don’t—”
“Stand up, Josie.” His hard voice broke through the haze in her brain.
“Fine,” she spit back, skewering him with a haughty glare. Bracing her hands on the arms of the chair, she stood. Instantly, her head spun, forcing her to grip the back of the chair so as not to topple over.
“Sit back down, Josie.” He turned his gaze to Sylvia. “Stand up, please.”
Swallowing, she did the same with identical results, except she also slapped a hand over her stomach. “Oh. I do believe I may be sick, Dom.”
“Oh, dear.” May slapped both hands over her mouth, her face turning an odd shade of gray-green.
Mumbling curses under his breath, Dom dashed to the kitchen. Grabbing two buckets from under the sink, he hurried back, hearing uncontrolled retching through the closed door.
“Ah hell.”
Shoving open the door, his eyes widened at the sight before him. All but Abby and Ruth were hunched over the table, chests heaving, throats constricting in an attempt to contain the contents of their stomachs.
Dropping the buckets, he tore the quilt from the table, tossing it aside. Retrieving the buckets, he handed one to Ruth, the other to Abby. He didn’t have to explain. Without a word, Ruth rushed to Olivia, Abby to May, while Dom gripped Sylvia’s arm, then Josie’s. He hadn’t yet reached the kitchen before the front door opened.
“What in the world…” Suzanne’s startled voice trailed off.
Ruth glanced up from her task of holding the bucket before Olivia. “I’m so sorry, Suzanne.”
Waving off the apology, she rushed to take hold of Sylvia’s elbow, sending Dom a sharp look. “I’ll take care of her. You help Josie.”
Jaw clenching, he nodded, continuing into the kitchen. Within seconds, the two had Sylvia and Josie bending over the large sink. A full minute passed before the young ladies raised their heads, their features grim, coloring pale.
Grabbing towels, Suzanne handed one to Dom. “Do what you can for Josie.” She dampened hers with cool water, blotting Sylvia’s face. Placing a reassuring hand on her back, Suzanne stroked lightly. “Are you feeling better?”
An unintelligible groan trailed from Sylvia’s lips.
“It may be best for you to lie down for a bit. Come along, dear.” Suzanne put a reassuring arm around Sylvia’s shoulders, guiding her to a door leading to the hall. “There are two beds in the room, Dom. Perhaps Josie would feel better if she took a brief nap.”
“No,” Josie ground out, holding the cool cloth to her face. “I must see to Olivia.”
“Ruth and Abby will make sure she’s all right.” Dom cast a quick look at the door to the dining room, wrapping an arm around her waist. “I’ll check on her and May once you’re settled in the guest room, Josie.”
“But—”
“No arguing. After what you’ve done, I’d think you’d want to spend some quiet time contemplating how you’re going to explain your actions to Caleb, Noah, Clay, Mack, and Reverend Paige.”
Tugging out of his hold, Josie glared up at him. “I’ve done nothing.”
Lifting a brow, he crossed his arms, getting a bit of satisfaction at the uncertain glint in her eyes. “Plying innocent women with whiskey, rum, and God knows what else isn’t inappropriate?”
“Well, I…” Tearing her gaze from his, her lips twisted. “I suppose it wasn’t my best idea.”
“Indeed. It may have been your worst.” Gripping her elbow, he continued down the hall, depositing her in the room where Suzanne tucked Sylvia into one of the two beds. “I’m going to check on May and Olivia.”
Suzanne nodded. “I’ll be out in a moment.”
Casting Josie a look of utter disappointment, he shut the door behind him, missing the way her shoulders slumped at his dismissal. Letting out a breath, she sat on the edge of the bed, burying her face in both hands.
“Am I to assume all this is your doing, Josie?”
Dropping her hands, her face fell at the displeasure in Suzanne’s features. Olivia’s stepmother had done everything to make Josie feel welcome. A member of their family. In return, she’d convinced Olivia and the others to try a slight amount of alcohol in their tea, not expecting the ladies to enjoy it enough to drink several cups apiece.
Groaning, Josie nodded. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean for the ladies to get sick.” Misery flooded her voice.
Suzanne studied Josie at the same time her thoughts turned to Nick. Her husband wouldn’t be happy once he learned what happened, but she doubted he’d show real anger. No matter her belief in how Nick might react, she wouldn’t allow Josie to shirk the responsibility for her friends’ misery.
“Try to take a nap, Josie. You’ll want to be rested when Nick arrives and learns what you’ve done.”
Chapter Five
“It truly wasn’t Josie’s fault, Father.” Olivia’s stomach still roiled, her head pounding from the effects of the fortified tea, but she refused to miss supper. Doing so would show cowardice regarding her part in today’s quilting party debacle. “She didn’t force any of the ladies to accept spirits in their tea.”
Nick studied his daughter’s face before switching his attention to Josie, gratified at the mortification in the young women’s features. They’d been at the table for close to a quarter of an hour, and as yet, Josie hadn’t met his gaze. Neither had she met Suzanne’s. Instead, she’d sent furtive, apologetic glances to Olivia.
Cutting a piece of meat, he slipped it into his mouth, chewing slowly. When finished, he washed it down with a large swallow of wine.
“Do you partake of spirited tea often?”
Josie’s gaze shot up to meet his, giving a slight shake of her head. “No.”
“Have you ever consumed it before today?”
Letting out an exaggerated sigh, she pursed her lips. “No. I’ve only helped our cook prepare it for my parents. She never allowed me to taste it or make my own. Today seemed the perfect opportunity.”
Suzanne quirked a brow. “There are times you’ll need to ignore the perfect opportunity.”
Touching her heated face with a cool hand, she nodded. “I’m certain you are right. I just wished I’d thought of it today.”
Nick stifled a grin. “Should I expect this will never happen again?”
Straightening her spine, Josie shook her head vigorously. “Never again.”
Taking another sip of wine, Nick’s features softened.
“Shall we discuss something else?” Suzanne asked.
“Oh, yes.” Olivia flushed at her enthusiastic response. “I mean, anything except the quilting party.”
Nick threw back his head and laughed. “If you ladies agree, we won’t speak of your activities this afternoon again.”
“The subject is quite closed.” Suzanne shot a look at the young women and grinned. “What I do want to discuss is a shopping trip to Big Pine.”
Josie’s face brightened. “When?”
“We’d leave Monday and return Wednesday.”
“That would be wonderful. Wouldn’t it, Olivia?”
Excitement fused her face. “Oh, yes.” She looked at Suzanne. “Is there something in particular you’re seeking in Big Pine?”
Features stilling, she clasped her hands together on the edge of the table. Not meeting Nick’s gaze, she shook her head. “A few trivial items. Lena is the one who suggested the trip. I believe she may have a few purchases in mind.”
Nick’s brows rose, but he said nothing. His expression, however, told Suzanne her husband didn’t quite trust the reason for the sudden trip. Excursions to Big Pine were usually planned a couple weeks out, not a few days.
“Who’s going with you?”
Suzanne’s lips thinned. She’d been afraid he’d ask, and hadn’t come up with a good answer as of yet. Women didn’t ride alone to the territorial capital, not even when there were several of them.
Raising a brow, she did her best to appear calm. “Do you truly believe anyone would attack four women?”
His face hardened, incredulity in his voice. “You don’t?”
Feeling her face heat, she nodded. “You’re right, of course. I’ll speak with Gabe. Perhaps he knows of someone going to Big Pine.”
“I’ll go.”
“No!” Suzanne glanced at Olivia, then Josie, seeing surprise on their faces. “What I mean is, you’re needed here. Especially with both Lena and I going.” Biting her lower lip, she forced herself to take a slow, calming breath. She could not have Nick riding along. It would ruin everything she and Lena had planned.
“All right, but you will not be going alone. If needed, I’ll pay someone to accompany you.”
Standing, Suzanne stepped next to him, leaning down to place a kiss on his cheek. “Thank you, Nick. I promise it will all work out.”
Nick stormed into the house the following day, stopping to calm his agitation. Olivia and Josie sat in the parlor, each focusing on the petit point in their hands.
“Olivia?”
She glanced up, setting the fabric on a table before walking to him. “Good afternoon, Father. I didn’t expect you back so soon.” Olivia hugged him, stepping away.
“I need to speak with you a minute.”
“I’ll leave you two alone.” Standing, Josie began to walk past them, stopping at Nick’s words.
“It seems I need to speak with you, too.”
Shooting a quick glance at Olivia, she nodded. “All right.”
“Please, sit back down.” Nick waited until they’d settled into chairs, taking a seat across from them. Leaning back, he stretched out his long legs, clasping his hands in his lap. His gaze locked on Olivia. “Clay came to see me this morning.” Nick didn’t miss the slight catch in her breathing. “He asked my permission to court you.”
One hand moved to her stomach, another to her chest. “What did you say?” She glanced at Josie, finding it hard to contain her excitement.
“Clay is a fine man, Olivia. Smart, loyal, and an excellent doctor.” Straightening, he leaned forward, resting his arms on his thighs.
She felt her throat constricting, fear building at what her father may have said to him. “Yes, he is.”
“He’ll never be able to support you in the manner you’ve become accustomed.”
Heart pounding, she stood, pacing toward him, clasping her hands so tight her knuckles turned white. “I don’t care about that, Father. Not how much money he has, or if I have to live behind the clinic. If he ever proposes marriage,” she bit her lip, glancing at Josie, then back at Nick, “I’ll say yes.”
