Chapter Thirteen
Logan came out of the house and headed straight for the loaded wagon. “Get a wiggle on, you two. I’m ready to go.”
Ella and Josephine exchanged knowing looks. “Charming… not,” they said in unison and burst out laughing.
Logan narrowed his eyes as they approached the wagon. “What are the two of you laughing about?”
They both shrugged. He simply wagged his head and, without another word scooped Josephine off the ground and set her on the front seat. After Ella was settled next to her, he took the reins and they were on their way. Their first stop was to Billy and Kittie’s place to deliver a cradle.
Kittie waddled out the door with Billy’s arms around her, guiding her steps.
“I can’t see my feet anymore.” She joked. Her eyes lit up when she saw the cradle. “Oh, my, it’s absolutely beautiful, Logan.” Kittie beamed at her husband and he hugged her close. “Are you sure on the price?”
Logan nodded. Billy shook his hand and tipped his hat to Ella and Josephine. The next delivery was made to an elderly couple who were very delighted when they saw the two rocking chairs. Logan carried both chairs onto the porch and made sure they were happy and comfortable.
The last stop was to another young couple. Josephine watched the expression on Logan’s face change from brooding to cheery when a small boy sporting a head of carrot-colored hair raced from the house.
“Mr. West, Mr. West, did you brung my swing?”
“Bring,” Logan corrected, smiling as he tousled the boy’s hair. “I sure did, Danny. Want to see it?”
Danny jumped up and down. “Lemme see. Lemme see.”
“Danny, you will mind your manners,” a young woman scolded from the open doorway.
“Yes, Ma.”
Logan crouched to the child’s level and the boy leaped into his arms. He hitched Danny on his hip and went to the back of the wagon. An excited squeal split the air and both Josephine and Ella smiled at the excited child.
“Mommy, Mommy, come look-see.”
Ella waved. “Hi Amy, this is Josephine.”
Josephine smiled and said, “Pleased to meet you, Amy.”
“Likewise.” Amy stepped off the porch and approached the wagon. “Ella, I have a feeling once this swing is up I’ll never get him off of it.” All three ladies laughed.
Logan lifted the swing from the back of the wagon and set it on the ground. Before anyone could say a word Danny plopped himself in the seat.
“It fits,” Danny exclaimed with delight.
Logan took off his hat and whacked it against his thigh. “Amy, your husband mentioned that he had enough rope.”
Amy nodded. “Yes, thank you so much. Danny has the tree all picked out. I’m sure my Ed won’t be able to eat supper tonight until he sets it up.”
Logan looked down at Danny. “You be sure to mind your pa and don’t badger him about the swing until he finishes his supper, okay?”
“Okay, Mr. West.”
“And make sure you take care of your baby sister. We men have to protect our womenfolk.”
Josephine’s heart melted when Danny scrunched his nose. He looked so cute. “Like you protect your sister?”
“Yep.” Logan put his hat back on his head. “Soon my sister will be married to the sheriff, then he can take care of her and I’ll be here if she needs me.”
Danny pointed a stubby finger at Josephine. “Will you protect that lady then?”
Josephine flushed from head to toe.
Logan sauntered over to the front of the wagon, grinning like an idiot. “This lady is Josephine. She’s all alone in the world so I guess I’ll be a nice guy and take care of her.”
“Are ya gonna marry her and have lotsa babies?”
“Danny!” Amy grabbed her son’s hand and pulled him up from the wooden seat. “That is quite enough with the questions, young man. I’m really sorry, Logan, Josephine.”
Josephine waved away the apology. “That’s quite all right, Amy. Danny is a sweet little boy.”
Ella chatted nonstop on the way to town while Josephine focused on not bumping into Logan. Every dip in the road sent her flying into him. The lout still wore that shit-eating grin on his face, making Josephine suspect he hit every bump on purpose. The seat was wide enough to hold three people, but Logan’s size took up most of the room.
He slowed the wagon to a stop in front of the mercantile. Once he set the brake he jumped to the ground. Despite the warm afternoon, Josephine felt chilled.
Logan rounded the wagon and reached for Ella. When her turn came next, Josephine immediately caught hold of his shoulders, marveling at how his muscles flexed beneath her fingers. They made eye contact and she immediately thought about the dirty things he said he wanted to do to her.
“Why, Logan West, I haven’t seen you in a month of Sundays. Have you been avoiding me?”
The screechy voice made her wince. The spell between them was broken.
Logan set Josephine on her feet. All three of them turned just in time to see a woman with enormous breasts running toward Logan with her arms outstretched. She rushed past Josephine and Ella and practically threw herself into his arms.
“I thought Lily was still in New York with her mother,” Ella grumbled.
Josephine could only nod. She was way too interested watching Logan’s reaction. He didn’t appear happy at the way Lily behaved, but then again he made no effort to untangle himself from the voluptuous woman.
She clenched her fists at her sides. Why didn’t he push her away? Why did seeing them in such a tight embrace bother her so much?
Disgusted in the direction her thoughts were going, Josephine said, “I’m going inside.” She stomped up the steps, not bothering to see if Ella followed. So what if he appeared to appreciate Lily hugging the stuffing out of him. She didn’t care one wit.
“May I be of any assistance?”
Josephine stopped dead in her tracks. She hadn’t given Mr. Snodgrass so much as a fleeting thought since the day she had ransacked his store.
She slowly turned around. His ready smile turned into a frown as he drew closer and recognized her. “Oh, it’s you. I heard the talk in town about you being a female under all that getup. What do you have to say for yourself, young lady?”
Josephine stiffened at his high and mighty attitude. “I apologized. You got the coins back that I took plus more than was needed for the damage to the store. What more do you want?”
“Well, that’s gratitude for you. I could’ve demanded you spend some time in prison, you ungrateful thief…” He continued to glare at her with suspicion.
Josephine knew the exact minute when he finally put two and two together and remembered her as a child.
His eyes widened in disbelief. “Wait a minute. I know you. You used to come by with your aunt and uncle when you were much younger. I wonder what they would say about your criminal shenanigans.”
“I wouldn’t know, Mr. Snodgrass. Now, if you’ll please excuse me, I’d like to do some shopping.” She escaped down the aisle where the hair ribbons were and began searching for something in yellow. The bell on the door handle jingled and she glanced up to see Ella and Logan entering the store. Ella spotted her and stomped over while Logan lagged behind.
The young woman was fairly seething.
“Ella, look, there’s a variety of ribbons in this box,” Josephine said in a cheery voice. “Maybe we can find that shade of yellow you wanted.” Her attempt to change the subject and take Ella’s mind off whatever had happened outside failed miserably.
“You should have waited around outside to watch the performance,” Ella muttered, twin flags of red staining her cheeks. “That doxy still has her cap set for him. She had the nerve to invite Logan to her house for supper tonight. After all she put him through with her lying.”
Don’t ask. Whatever happened between Logan and Lily is none of my business.
Josephine tried to keep her focus on the box of hair ribbons, but it was no use. So much for pretending that Logan’s past dalliances didn’t bother her. She wanted to know everything about the irritating man and his relationship with Lily. What had Lily lied about? Did Logan punish Lily the same way he had punished her?
The thought of the voluptuous woman over his knee nearly choked her, but darn it, she had to know.
“What did Lily lie to Logan about?” she asked casually.
“Mr. and Mrs. Snodgrass went to New York for a couple of days and left Lily in charge of the store. Word got around that she was spending too much time in the backroom keeping company with male customers instead of behind the counter. Logan got wind of it and showed up at the store unannounced. Sure enough, he caught her red-handed.”
Josephine gasped. “What did he do?”
“She begged for his forgiveness, but he wanted nothing to do with her anymore. Then when her mother and father came home he told them everything.”
Josephine’s heart went out to Logan. No matter how much he annoyed her, no one should have to go through such betrayal. “That must have been painful. I’m surprised he didn’t take the time to, er, scold her.”
“Oh, no, he only scolds people he truly cares for.”
“What about supper tonight? Did he accept her invitation?”
“Ha, that’s the best part. He told her no and she stomped off in a huff. Probably went crying to Mommy. Besides, he knows darn well that Brody is coming over for supper tonight.”
Josephine felt like jumping up and down with glee. “Then why are you still upset?”
“I’m upset because she thinks she can make sheep’s eyes at him and he’d give in just like that. I mean, how long will it take for her to get the message?” Ella dug through the box of ribbons. “Gee, how am I supposed to find the color I want in this menagerie?”
“Ella, you really need to pull yourself together. I’ve never seen you in such a state before.”
“I’m sorry, but that woman makes my blood boil. She nearly destroyed Logan with her lies. He walked around with a long face and growled for months.”
“He’s like that now,” Josephine mumbled.
“Yes, but not as much.”
Josephine peeped over at Logan. He stood with arms crossed over his chest and feet planted firmly apart. He acknowledged her with a curt nod. She turned back to Ella, who was flinging ribbons all over the place.
“I only saw Lily once or twice when I used to come to town with my aunt, but that was years ago,” she whispered. “She’s older than me so we never exchanged words. Her mother always wore an expression of someone who had a lemon stuck in her mouth. Like this.” She puckered her lips.
“Sad to say she still does,” Ella grinned. “Good likeness.”
“Thanks a lot.”
Both girls surveyed the mess of ribbons scattered about. “We better put these ribbons back before Mr. Snodgrass throws a fit.” Josephine picked up the ones that were on the floor. She wrapped her arm around Ella’s shoulders. “I’m ready to leave if you are.”
“Honestly, I just want to get out of here and see Brody before we leave town.”
Logan noticed their empty hands. “You two finished shopping already? I take it this trip didn’t cost me anything?”
“I’m not in the mood to shop anymore,” Ella remarked dryly. “If you don’t mind, I’d like to see Brody before we leave.”
Logan nodded and ushered them out the door first before following close behind. Ella cried out in surprise and hurried to meet Brody as he stepped onto the boardwalk. Brody gathered Ella into his arms and swung her around. Their love for each other showed on their expressions and for a split second Josephine couldn’t ignore a twinge of envy.
It was amazing how Ella’s bad mood had changed so dramatically upon seeing Brody. She sported a wide smile when they joined her and Logan by the wagon. The men shook hands, exchanged a few words, and then Brody dropped a kiss on Ella’s forehead.
“I must make my rounds. See you tonight, darlin’. Logan, Josephine, see you all later.”
After Brody left, they rounded the wagon only to stop when Mrs. Snodgrass hollered from across the street.
“Wait just a moment.” She hitched up her skirts and hurried toward them with Lily at her heels. “Hello, Ella, ready for your big day?”
“Yes, I am, Mrs. Snodgrass,” Ella responded politely.
“Soon you’ll be the wife of a sheriff.” Mrs. Snodgrass clapped her hands together with excitement, but Josephine got the impression it was all for show. She didn’t look pleased at all.
“Isn’t that so exciting?” Not bothering to wait for Ella to reply, she swung her gaze to Josephine. “And you, young lady, should thank your lucky stars Mr. West saved you from spending time in jail.” She clicked her tongue. “I wonder what your aunt and uncle would say about your outrageous behavior.”
Josephine pursed her lips. Yep, still a sourpuss.
The older woman continued. “It’s a good thing I wasn’t here or you’d be spending time in jail, no matter who offered to bail you out.” The hatred in her tone surprised Josephine. She hadn’t been to Marshall’s Creek in ages. What had she done to earn such apparent loathing?
Logan took hold of Josephine’s elbow. “That’s quite enough, Mrs. Snodgrass.”
Stunned by the woman’s obvious animosity, Josephine didn’t say a word and let Logan see her safely seated. He lowered his voice. “Don’t pay any attention to the old bat.” Josephine caught the humor shining in his eyes and giggled softly. He turned to Ella. “Let’s go, Ella.”
Mrs. Snodgrass planted her hands on her ample hips. “Just one minute before you all leave. I, like most of the townsfolk, am a person of faith. We don’t want any scandal in our town.”
Josephine knitted her brow. Scandal? “Mrs. Snodgrass, what in the world are you talking about?”
“I want to know where you’ll be staying after Ella gets married. You never gave that a thought, did you, young lady?”
Lily shot Josephine a self-satisfied smirk.
Mrs. Snodgrass looked at Logan. “The town pays for the sheriff’s lodging as you are well aware of, Mr. West. I’d assume that Ella will be moving in with her husband after they’re married. My word, what a scandal it would be if Josephine stayed at your house without the benefit of marriage. Her reputation would surely be in question if it isn’t already.”
The outlandish innuendo concerning her virtue angered Josephine. “How dare you question my character without knowing anything about me.”
Ella was quick to come to her defense. “Josephine can stay with Brody and me until she finds a place.”
Mrs. Snodgrass laughed sarcastically. “Oh, my dear, what a naïve little girl you are. A newly married man doesn’t want company on his wedding night if you get my meaning.” She patted her upswept hair. “Well, what would one expect of a girl who never had a womanly influence most of her life to know of such things.”
All eyes turned to Ella. Josephine’s blood boiled. That snippy remark was obviously directed at both Ella and Logan. The nasty woman was bashing his ability to care for his young sister and trying her best to embarrass Ella. For two cents she’d smack that smirk off of Mrs. Snodgrass’s face and enjoy doing it.
Josephine swung her gaze to Logan and saw the tic bouncing along his jaw. He was furious.
Logan rounded the front of the wagon and propped one booted foot on the first step leading to the store. He thumbed back his hat. “Ma’am, you’d be doing yourself a big favor if you focused on your daughter’s reputation. I have Josephine’s reputation well in hand.”
“Mr. West, you are a barbarian and to think my precious daughter almost married you.”
“Precious daughter, my ass.”
Mrs. Snodgrass gasped and dropped into the chair behind her in what looked like a dead faint. Lily tossed Logan a heated glare. Mr. Snodgrass poked his head out the door. When he saw his wife sprawled out in such an unladylike fashion, he ducked back inside.
Josephine searched Logan’s face for any sign that he understood the implication of his words. His cocky smile showed otherwise. Even Ella looked at him in surprise. Thinking she may just faint, Josephine covered her face with her hands.