A Family for the Holidays (11 page)

Their charade wasn't foolproof. If they were spotted, he'd simply give himself up and claim he'd threatened Lily. There was no reason for anyone to believe anything different. Until then, he'd play along. If they reached St. Joseph without incident, he'd wire his boss in Washington. His commander was one of the few people who knew the dual role Jake was playing. All he had to do was stay out of Sheriff Koepke's clutches for another day.

Shrugging into the jacket Lily had left draped over a chair, he tugged on the sleeves and tied his neck cloth without looking in the mirror. She'd done an admirable job on the sizing. The sleeves and the shoulders on the jacket fit well. The waist on the trousers simply needed a belt, though the length was a touch too short.

Throughout dressing, he avoided looking at his face. He knew what he'd see: a boyish man barely past his twenty-fifth birthday. He crossed the room and knocked on the adjoining door. She'd probably laugh at him.

He slicked his hair back and straightened his tie, then smoothed his hands down his cheeks. There was no turning back now.

The door swung open. He stepped into the room and Lily faced him.

Her cheeks flushed and her hand flew to her mouth.

He braced for her next comment. “I know I look too young.”

“That wasn't what I was going to say at all. You look, well, you look positively handsome.”

His heartbeat kicked into a canter and he feared his foolish grin had her wishing he was a bearded, long-haired outlaw once more.

Chapter Ten

L
ily couldn't stop staring at the gunfighter. He didn't look like an outlaw at all anymore. He looked exactly as she'd hoped. No, that wasn't right. He looked far better than anything she could have hoped for or even imagined.

His dark hair swept across his forehead and brought out the deep, bronzed hue of his eyes. His chin was strong with a slight cleft. His cheeks were works of art, with strong bones over a slight hollow. Removing the layer of whiskers had removed at least a decade from his age. She'd have thought him in his midthirties before. Now she'd guess his age at midtwenties. He was definitely a grown man, and yet there was a handsome, boyish quality in his full lips and strong jawbone.

Gracious. She waved her hand before her face. The fire sure heated the room quickly.

Flustered and out of breath, she ushered him forward. “Let's take a look at that suit.”

She circled around him. The shoulders fit snug and the length of the sleeves was almost perfect. The hem of the charcoal-gray jacket was an inch longer than she might have liked, touching just below his lean hipbones, but that was a small concession considering the suit coat had been ready-made. She'd spent a little more than her budget, hoping the costly materials might further disguise them. The expense and elegance of the cut leant an air of sophistication to him.

She needn't have bothered with spending the extra money. The suit was merely an afterthought compared to the other changes. Even having spent time with Jake, if he'd walked past her on the boardwalk with his trimmed hair and shaved beard, she'd have drifted right past him. She definitely didn't recognize this man.

Her jaw hung slack and she snapped shut her mouth. “You look very nice.”

Stepping back, she noted the one flaw. The matching charcoal-gray pants were too short. For that she was almost grateful, otherwise she might have stood there staring at him like a fool for ages. She knelt and flipped up the cuff. The tailor had assured her there was plenty of material in the hem if the slacks needed letting out.

She sat back on her heels. “I can let those out in a tick. We'll hang them over a pot of boiling water and let the steam pull out the wrinkles from the previous hem. You'll be wonderfully respectable in no time.”

“My tie is too tight.” He stuck a finger in his collar and tugged. “I look like a twelve-year-old boy on his way to church.”

“I can assure you, you do not look like a boy.”

Her heartbeat fluttered and she snuck a glance at him once more. The difference was astonishing.

She'd donned the dress the tailor had provided for her, part of an order that a patron hadn't been able to pay for. The hem was too long, and she'd folded over the waistline. Cut from indigo velvet fabric, the design was simple but elegant. The sleeves were fitted, and the bodice featured a row of buttons that began at the stand-up collar near her throat, and ended at the V of the waist. The middle was a touch large, so she'd tightened the waist tapes. The skirts were full and modestly bustled. Even Peter had commented that the indigo blue brought out the color of her eyes.

Since she'd remarked on Jake's appearance, she waited to see if he would remark on hers. She'd taken a bit of time with her hair, as well. Since visiting the milliner had been an added expense she couldn't afford, she'd arranged her hair at the back of her neck and pinned a lacey handkerchief over the top, anchoring the corners behind her ears beneath a loop of braid.

Except Jake hadn't noticed.

She lifted one shoulder in a shrug. Oh, well. It wasn't as though she was desperate for the attention of a hired gun. He wasn't a suitor accompanying her to a country dance. They were on the lam from a corrupt law official.

The final player in the charade, Sam, was taking her sweet time in changing.

Lily rapped on the adjoining door. “Are you ready yet?”

“Almost,” came the grumbling reply.

Waiting for Sam, the three of them milled around the suite, gathering the supplies and cleaning up the mess they'd made in their preparations. A short while later, stomping feet sounded from the other room.

The door slammed open and Sam flounced in.

She wore a pink gingham dress with a square collar and mother-of-pearl buttons. Her dark hair had been released from her usual braids and rolled into sausage curls that hung loosely over each ear.

Sam's fierce look dared anyone to say anything disparaging. Lily shot a warning look in Peter's direction. He shrugged his shoulders.

Lily approached Sam and straightened her collar, then smoothed one hand over her hair. “You look positively lovely.”

“I figured once our parents were gone, I'd never have to dress like a girl again.” She crossed her arms and huffed. “I'm only doing this because we're on the run.”

“What's wrong with being a girl?” Lily asked.

“Girls only get to do stupid stuff. They have to get married and have children, and they can't go to college, and they can't even vote.”

“That's not true. There's no law that says a woman has to get married and have children. There's a women's college in St. Joseph, and more all over the country. Women can't vote, that's true, but there are plenty of people fighting for the cause.”

Sam snorted. “I'd still rather be a boy. They don't have as many rules, and their clothes are more comfortable.”

“This sounds like a lengthy discussion for another time. If it makes you feel any better, we're all making sacrifices. Your brother has traded his canvas pants for wool trousers, and poor Mr. Jake had to cut his hair and shave his beard.”

Only just noticing the gunfighter, Sam gaped. “He looks good. He looks like our dad. But skinnier. You're real handsome, mister. You ought to cut your hair more often.”

Jake flushed. “I'll take that as a compliment. You look very nice as well, Sam.”

“What about Lily?” Peter puffed up. “Lily looks beautiful, too, and you haven't said anything nice to her. A gentleman should complement a lady on her appearance.”

“Peter!” Lily admonished.

“You're quite right, Peter,” Jake said. “That was very rude of me. Miss Lily, you look lovely. That color blue looks delightful on you.”

Though she recognized his flattery was forced, she appreciated the compliment. “Thank you.”

As though he sensed his failure, Jake opened his mouth to speak, then appeared to think better, and remained silent.

Lily donned her coat and ordered the children into theirs. Peter wore his same wool coat but they'd purchased a more feminine cut for Sam.

Their trunks were still sitting at the livery in Frozen Oaks, a problem she'd address at a later date. She'd procured a single satchel and packed the bare necessities. Together they were a mother, father and two children traveling to St. Joseph. Not noteworthy in the slightest.

All in all they gave the appearance of a very ordinary family of modest means.

She lifted the shades and peered outside. A light snow fell from the overcast sky, the flakes large and puffy.

“At this rate,” she said, “we'll most certainly have a white Christmas.”

“I can't wait for Christmas.” Peter sighed. “Christmas in Africa is hot. I want to build a snowman and sit by the fire.”

“That sounds delightful,” Lily replied.

She stuck out her elbow and Jake stared at her for a long moment. She flapped her arm.

“We're a family,” she said. “I believe it's customary for a gentleman to hold his wife's arm.”

The outlaw's face flushed and he hooked his hand through her arm. He was wearing a supple pair of brown leather gloves she'd discovered at the mercantile. They'd been another expense, but gentlemen wore gloves and this pair was more in tune with his suit than his thick sheepskin ones.

She checked her watch and her nerves jangled. The train had been delayed a full four hours. By now, Vic had discovered the sheriff and knew that Jake was missing. The next few minutes may very well decide their fate.

With her heart thumping against her ribs, they made their way along the boardwalk unimpeded. Sam and Peter trailed behind them. The weather was keeping folks inside once more. The few gentlemen braving the snow tipped their hats. One or two ladies bestowed an admiring glance on Jake, but Lily quickly scowled them away. He was supposed to be her husband. What sort of brazen woman smiled at another woman's pretend husband?

They arrived at the depot and Lily's stomach sank. The train hadn't arrived.

Jake approached the ticket booth, and the clerk flicked his glance up before returning his attention to the ledger. “No train until tomorrow.”

“Are you certain?” Lily quelled her rising panic. “I thought the train was merely delayed.”

“The snow is delaying all the schedules,” the clerk said. “Nothing is getting through.”

“When do they expect another?”

“Like I said, tomorrow.” He made a sound of annoyance. “Tomorrow morning. First thing. You're fortunate. This time of year, we don't get many travelers. Plenty of seats left. Just you and the preacher have bought tickets on this stop.”

“A preacher?”

“Sure. There's a preacher on his way back to St. Joseph. Visiting some family.”

Lily fiddled with the button on her collar. Somehow playing at being married with a preacher on board seemed worse. She glanced at Sam's and Peter's upturned faces and steeled her resolve. She'd rather break the law than turn them over to Vic Skaar.

Though her insides churned, she kept a straight face as they strolled away from the ticket booth. Once out of earshot, she grabbed Jake's sleeve.

“What now?”

“We wait and catch the train tomorrow.”

“The town will be swarming with law by then.”

“That may work to our advantage. They'll assume we're two towns ahead by now, not sitting around and waiting on a train.”

“Do you really think so?”

“No. But what else are we going to do? We'll have a nice dinner, we'll stay the night in our separate rooms in the suite at the hotel, and we'll catch the train at first light.”

Lily glanced around and shivered. The longer they stayed in Steele City, the more dangerous the wait for Jake.

He tucked her fingers into his elbow and covered her gloved hands with his own. “This will give us a fine opportunity to practice being a family. And after that hasty escape and picnic, you deserve a decent meal and full night's rest.”

An evening's rest sounded good though she doubted she'd sleep. She was far too nervous. As for the food, she pressed one hand against her stomach. She wasn't feeling very hungry at all. She'd taken the time to clean and dress the wound on her leg, but the scrape had been red and blistered.

“I doubt I'll sleep a wink,” she said.

* * *

Lily nearly fell asleep in her soup.

Her head dipped and Sam and Peter giggled.

Jake steadied her shoulder and she blinked.

“What happened?” Her voice was drowsy with sleep. “Where am I?”

“You dozed off for a moment,” he said. “We're at the restaurant, remember?”

She stifled a yawn behind one hand. “I think the day has finally caught up with me.”

Their appearance in the restaurant hadn't caused even a stir of recognition. Despite his misgivings with the plan, Lily's predictions had proved true. Cleaned up, with Sam dressed as Samantha, they had disappeared into the crowd. No one paid them any mind.

He glared at the gentleman sitting a table over. Almost no one. Lily attracted all sorts of male attention.

Leaning back in his chair, he studied his make-believe family.

Though he'd never tell her, Lily was the only real impediment. Of the three of them, she looked the most recognizable. Her appearance hadn't changed, only improved. She was absolutely gorgeous. The blue in her dress brought out the many highlights in her hair and made her eyes sparkle.

He doubted Vic would remember the children; he'd barely glanced at them. For a man like Vic, all children were basically the same. The sheriff hadn't gotten a good look at them either. He'd been distracted by their jailbreak.

Lily, on the other hand, had been seen and admired by both men.

She'd also provoked the admiring gazes everywhere they went. He doubted she'd be easily forgotten. A detriment, considering they were trying to blend in.

He'd sort that problem out tomorrow, since she was also exhausted. Her eyes drooped and her head pitched forward once more.

Sam and Peter giggled again.

“Upstairs, you two,” Jake ordered. “Face and teeth washed. It's time for bed. We'll be up early in the morning. You'll need your rest.”

“Lily is resting now.”

Sam laughed and Peter socked his sister in the shoulder. “Be nice to Lily.”

“No fighting,” Jake said. “Upstairs.”

He shot the pair a good-natured scowl and they scurried from the dining room. Jake followed their progress as they thumped up the stairs. Peter had assumed a protective role with Lily.

He stood and offered her his hand. She swayed and he wrapped his arm around her waist. “Not much further.”

She leaned heavily against him on her way to the staircase. She was such a delicate little thing, he was tempted to sweep her into his arms and carry her. Such a display would only draw more attention to them, and he stifled the urge.

“My father would have liked you,” she said, her voice slurred with exhaustion. “You're smart. He liked smart people.”

She'd drifted into a half-sleep state and he doubted she even knew what she was saying.

“I'm sure I would have liked your father, as well.”

“He didn't like me.”

“Of course he did,” Jake absently replied. An ill-kept gentleman who looked as though he'd been on the trail had entered the lobby. Jake carefully turned Lily away from the man's view. “All fathers love their children.”