Caring for the Cowboy Page 8
“Good morning,” Ariadne said. “My, but last night was a cold one. I hope you kept warm.”
Maja was frozen half to death and everything ached, but she said nothing, just smiled and went to stand by the cookstove.
“Tobias should just be opening his shop,” Regina said. “We’ll go in a few minutes. Would you like some tea first?”
“Thanks.” Maja tried not to let her teeth chatter as Regina poured her a cup. She took it and wrapped her hands around it, enjoying the warmth.
“Please tell me you remembered to bring some of the coins?” Regina said.
“Yes.” Maja patted the pocket of her coat. “One of each kind.” There were eight different kinds, including a gold one the size of a plum.
“Good. I’m curious what Tobias will say.”
“I wish I could go with you,” Ariadne said. “But someone has to keep working, and after all, I was the absent one yesterday.”
“Oh dear, that’s true, but if Maja helps us again today, then I don’t see why we can’t get caught up.” Regina turned to Maja. “Do you mind?”
She smiled in relief. “Not at all.” She liked working with them, not to mention all the tea and leftover pastries she could eat. It was wonderfully warm in the shop’s kitchen. And besides, she owed them for all they’d done for her.
“Good, then it’s settled. Finish your tea and we’ll be off.”
Maja sipped, took a pastry Ariadne offered and dreamed of every morning being like this one – minus nights and mornings in a ramshackle cabin, of course. Why couldn’t she settle in Creede? So long as she got some money for the coins, she could go anywhere, but who wanted to keep traveling through the countryside in this weather? Even cowboys wintered somewhere … hmmm, maybe that was why Mr. Hicks was in Creede. No – from the sound of yesterday’s conversation, he’d lived here for a while.
“You have a faraway look on your face,” Regina observed.
Maja straightened and smiled. “Do I?”
“Yes. Daydreaming?”
“A little.”
Regina and Ariadne smiled as Regina wrapped an arm around Maja’s shoulders. “Come along, let’s see what those coins of yours might be worth.”
They headed for the bookshop to find the owner was just opening up, as Regina had predicted. “Good morning, ladies.” He looked at Maja. “I don’t believe we’ve met.”
“Mr. Redfern,” Regina said, “May I introduce Miss Van Dyne? She’s new in town.”
He smiled pleasantly and nodded. “A pleasure to meet you – Tobias Redfern, at your service.” He motioned to the door. “Won’t you come in?”
Once inside Regina didn’t waste any time. “Mr. Redfern, Miss Van Dyne finds herself in possession of some very old coins. Tell me, do you know anything about such things?”
“Why yes, it so happens I do.” He looked at Maja. “Do you have any with you?”
She reached into her coat pocket, pulled two out – a silver coin and the Spanish doubloon –and handed them to the man.
Mr. Redfern took one look at them and smiled. “I know these coins. This one is fairly rare – a 1711 British shilling.” He held it up for them to see. “That’s Queen Anne there. And it’s in good condition.”
“Is it worth anything?” Regina asked.
“Oh yes, though I’m not sure how much exactly.” He smiled at Maja, then at the other coin. “Is this a Spanish doubloon? An honest to goodness piece of eight?”
“We believe so,” Regina said.
“Is that one worth anything?” Maja asked.
“Well, yes. Not an exorbitant amount, mind.” Mr. Redfern looked it over. “But twenty dollars or so. How many do you have?”
Maja glanced at Regina, who gently nodded, before she replied. “About two dozen.”
His eyes widened. “That’s a tidy sum, Miss Van Dyne. Were you going to try to sell them to the bank?”
“Yes, if I can.”
“Then I would start with those until you’re sure of the value of the others. What else do you have?”
Maya wasn’t ready to bring out the big gold one yet. Instead she chose the Roman coin and handed it over.
Mr. Redfern took one look at it and almost choked. “That’s a … a … a …” He squinted at it, unable to continue.
“Stop stammering, man!” Regina scolded. “Out with it!”
Mr. Redfern took a deep breath. “Mrs. Honeycutt … this is a Roman silver denarius of Julius Caesar as Dictator. This … do you know the Bible story where Jesus asks for a coin and says ‘Render unto Caesar that which is Caesar’s’? This could’ve been that coin – that’s how old it is.”
Maja watched the color drain from Regina’s face “Ohhhh …”
Mr. Redfern turned to Maja. “Tell me, young woman – do you have an account at the bank?”
Maja gulped. “No.”
“Then I strongly suggest you get one. Immediately.”
Chapter 9
“Oh, Maja, this is wonderful,” Regina said back at the tea shop.
Maja fell into the nearest chair, stunned. “I don’t believe it.”
“Believe it!” Ariadne said, having just been filled in by her sister. “My goodness, this is so exciting.”
Maja looked blank. “I don’t believe it.”
“Of course you shouldn’t speculate until Tobias is certain. And be sure you have him accompany you to the bank.”
Maja looked up at them. “Does this mean I have to stay in Creede?”
“What do you mean?” Regina asked.
“Are you leaving?” her sister added.
Maja stood. “Let’s … leave it for now. Please.”
The sisters exchanged a look. “We know how overwhelming this must be for you,” Regina said. “We’ll talk later. But do consider everything Tobias told you. For one, you’ll want to keep those coins in a safe place.”
She nodded. Hadn’t they already been in a safe place when Myrtle found them? Maybe she ought to bury them again.
“Let’s get to work,” Regina suggested. “We’ll be opening soon enough.”
Maja nodded again, still numbed by the news that the coins Myrtle gave her could be worth a fortune. Certainly they were worth something. She’d be happy with enough to pay Mr. Hicks back what was stolen from him by her father, then create a life for herself. She didn’t mind working, or perhaps open a small shop like Regina and Ariadne had done, but she had no idea what to do. She could find a husband, she supposed, be a wife and mother, but would anyone want her?
She watched the sisters bustle around the kitchen, preparing for the day. They’d clothed her, fed her, cleaned her up – she felt like a new person thanks to their generosity. She needed to pay them back too. But then she had no choice but to leave Creede. She couldn’t risk anyone finding out her Pa robbed poor Mr. Hicks. What good would the money from the coins do her in jail?
But could they arrest her, even though she had nothing to do with it? She took care of Mr. Hicks, helped him. But she was at the scene of the crime, and it was her pa that did the dirty deed. Did that make her an accomplice? She stood and tried to concentrate on working, but her mind kept going over scenarios where some sheriff burst into the tea shop or the cabin to arrest her.
The cabin … how long would it be before someone investigated it? But all she had there were the few things Regina and Ariadne had supplied her with, plus a pot and a bucket – Pa had taken everything else. Regardless, she’d soon have to find a place to stay in town and figure out what to do and where to go from there.
When the shop opened, she helped serve as she had the previous day. She enjoyed the work and liked to pretend she’d been doing it for years, instead of traipsing around the countryside dressed as a boy, cold, dirty, hungry, belittled by her father day in and day out. It was a nice dream, but didn’t erase all she’d been through for so long. But no more. She had the chance at a fresh start, and …
“Maja, I think you have a customer,” Ariadne sang.
/> “What?” She glanced at the kitchen door. “What are you talking about?”
“Look who’s sitting at the corner table by the window.”
Maja went to the door, pushed it open a crack and … “Oh my.” … quickly closed it again.
“He’s by himself today,” Ariadne pointed out. “He never comes in alone.”
“Never?” Maja squeaked. What was Baxter Hicks doing? None of the men she’d seen in the tea shop yesterday came in by themselves. They were either with a party, as Mr. Hicks was yesterday, or with a spouse or friend. Part of her hoped he was there to see her, but that was ridiculous. Why would he? Unless … “Oh no.”
“What’s wrong?” Ariadne asked.
“I, um … the oven.” She headed for the stove.
“There’s nothing in the oven.”
Maja looked at it in horror, then at Ariadne. “Er … we need more cookies.”
“I’ll help you.” She joined her at the stove. “But unless it’s as busy as yesterday, there’s no need.”
Maja looked for a clean mixing bowl. “I could clean the pans …”
Ariadne folded her arms. “You should go out there and take the gentleman’s order.”
“What? But Regina’s taking orders.”
Ariadne smiled. “I think he came to see you.”
“Me? Don’t be silly!” She grabbed the huge kettle to heat some water.
“Why don’t you at least say hello to the gentleman?”
“I couldn’t.”
“Why not? He never comes in by himself. That can only mean …”
She spun to her. “No! I mean, uh … no. He wouldn’t.”
Regina entered the kitchen. “Oh, Maja – Mr. Hicks is here to see you.” She breezed to the worktable and began to prepare pots of tea.
Ariadne looked at Maja in triumph. “He would.”
Maja shut her eyes tight. So now she had to see what he wanted. If he was there to question her about his recent time at the cabin, she’d have to either lie fast or hope he was merciful. But maybe he wasn’t. She looked so different now. Perhaps he hadn’t seen or heard the resemblance between the new tea girl and the filthy boy who’d cared for him … but if he had, she was in deep trouble. And if Myrtle had told him – after all, who knew about Myrtle …
Before she could talk herself out of it, she stepped into the front of the shop and headed to his table. He smiled as she approached. “Miss Van Dyne, how lovely to see you.”
“Mr. Hicks,” she said when she reached him. “What can I get for you?”
“Mrs. Honeycutt already took my order. But I wanted to ask you a question.”
She stiffened, eyeballing the distance to the shop door – could she make a run for it? “Yes?”
He watched her a moment, then smiled. “Have you been to the bookshop in town?”
She took a breath. Had he been following her? After all, after leaving him some of her coins, he knew there were some interesting ones floating around – had he figured out she was the source? She fought the urge to wring her hands or brush at her skirt. “W-why do you ask?”
“They have poetry meetings there every week. And I was wondering, um, if you’re not busy … would you like to attend one with me?”
Her jaw dropped like an anvil. “You … you want to what?”
“Don’t sound so shocked. They’re not bad, and Tobias – he owns the shop – is mighty good at reciting the stuff.” He leaned toward her. “You can read, can’t you?”
She blinked a few times, trying to process what he was saying. “Yes. I can read.” So he hadn’t followed her? What was he doing … oh! Maja’s eyebrows shot up. “You … want to escort me … to a poetry reading?”
“Yes, and we could maybe have some supper at Hearth and Home or the Iron Skillet beforehand.”
She stared at him, dumbstruck. He was asking her on an outing?! A chill went up her spine as she locked gazes with him. “Yes.”
He smiled. “So … you’ll go with me?”
“Yes.”
His smile broadened. “There’s a meeting tomorrow night. Will that do?”
She nodded, her eyes still glued to his. By this time her stomach was flipping around like a fish. She’d never felt this way before.
“Good.” He nodded back. “Shall I call for you at home? Do you live with your folks?”
She froze. Uh-oh.
“You can pick her up after work here,” Ariadne said somewhere behind her.
Maja turned. “What?”
“Yes, it’s perfect, don’t you think?” Ariadne smiled at Mr. Hicks.
“Very convenient,” he agreed.
“Then it’s settled.” Ariadne returned to the kitchen.
Maja turned back to Mr. Hicks and forced a smile. What had she done? What was she thinking?! Idiot!
“Tomorrow it is, then,” he said, oblivious to her fears. “I’ll be looking forward to it.”
“See you then.” Maja did her best to walk, not flee, back to the kitchen.
After another freezing night in the little cabin and warm day in the tea shop, Maja prepared for her outing with Mr. Hicks, much to her employers’ delight. “I can’t wait for the look on his face when he sees you in this dress,” Regina said as she adjusted the sleeves of the dark blue velvet frock with the white lace down the bodice and pearl buttons. “Now be sure to wear the coat I gave you – it’s frightfully cold out.”
“And don’t forget to ask Tobias if he’s found anything more about your coins,” Ariadne put in. “I’m dying to see what they’re worth. Think of all the wonderful things you could do – open your own shop, travel …”
“Traveling down the street with Mr. Hicks is enough for now,” Maja chuckled nervously.
“If you’re going to ask Tobias about your coins,” Regina added, “best do it in private. Especially that big gold one with the lamb on it you didn’t show him before. I don’t know who attends these meetings nowadays, so better safe than sorry.”
“She’s right, you know,” Ariadne agreed. “The Good Book even says, when a man comes into money, everyone shows up to help him spend it, or something like that.”
Maja nodded. But finding out what her coins were worth was the least of her worries. What if Baxter Hicks recognized her as the boy from the cabin? He might never want to speak with her again. Instead he’d speak with the law, and she’d most likely end up in a jail cell.
“You look lovely,” Ariadne said and stepped back to admire her.
“Do I?” Maja said. The dress certainly did – it reminded her of spring. She was definitely ready for warmer weather, but it was still far off. “I wish there was a mirror.”
“Take our word for it,” Regina said. “You look wonderful.”
Maja blushed head to toe. “Thank you.” She picked at the sleeves and took a deep breath. “He’ll be here soon.”
“Then put on your coat,” Regina said. “I’ve got to get home. You can wait in the front of the shop by the door. Ariadne, do you mind waiting with her?”
“Not at all. I’ll lock up as soon as Mr. Hicks and Maja leave.”
“Shouldn’t we have a chaperone?” Maja asked.
“I dare say you’ll be fine,” Regina assured her. “You’ll have plenty of people around you that know Baxter, no matter where you go.”
“You’ll not be alone with him all evening,” Ariadne added. “Otherwise we’d see to it, wouldn’t we, sister?”
“I’d see to it, you mean,” Regina replied. “You need to get off your feet a little more.”
“Oh pish tosh.” Ariadne rubbed her growing belly. “The little one hasn’t given my feet a moment’s trouble. Such a calm child …”
Maja donned the black wool coat with the fur trim and took a deep breath to steady her nerves. “I’m ready.”
A few minutes later, Mr. Hicks entered the shop. “Good afternoon – or should I say evening?”
“Not quite yet,” Ariadne said. “Well, do have a lovely time.”
/> “I’m sure we will,” Baxter offered Maja his arm.
She stared at it wide-eyed. No man had ever offered her his arm before, especially not her father. She felt like a princess as she slowly wrapped her arm through his.
“Good night!” Ariadne said happily as they went out the door.
Maja glanced at her over her shoulder with a weak smile. She certainly hoped it would be good. She wasn’t sure which would be worse, spending another night in the cabin or spending it in jail. The jail was probably warmer …
They reached the Iron Skillet and went inside. “Oh, it’s nice and warm in here,” Mr. Hicks commented. “Here, let me help you with your coat.”
She did, but when he took it off he stopped. “Something wrong?”
“No, ma’am. It’s just … you look right pretty.”
She looked down at her dress. “Thanks.”
“Good evening,” a woman greeted them.
“Howdy, Ivy,” Mr. Hicks replied. “Or should I say Mrs. Baker?”
The woman blushed. “Hello, Baxter.” She looked at Maja. “And who do we have here?”
“Oh, this is my new friend Miss Van Dyne. She works over at the tea shop.”
“She does?”
Maja winced. “I’m new in town.”
“Oh, I understand,” the woman said. “I’m Ivy Baker. Welcome to Creede. I’ll get some menus. Sit anywhere you like.” She looked curiously at Mr. Hicks and back.
Mr. Hicks steered her toward a table in a corner and pulled out a chair. She stared at it. “Won’t you sit?” he asked.
She smiled, while praying he didn’t think she had no manners. She’d been on the road with her father so long, she knew nothing about social graces. If only she could be more like Regina and Ariadne. She supposed she could learn …
“Here you are,” Mrs. Baker said as she brought their menus. “I’ll be back shortly.”
Maja watched her go then picked up the menu. “You knew her?”
“Yes, she just got hitched to Caleb Baker. Seems to have been a lot of marrying going on around here that I’ve missed while busy working.”