Sherri Shackelford - A Family For The Holidays

People could come and go all they pleased. She didn’t need their company, only their business. She glanced at the two heads bent over their checkers game and a wave of sorrow nearly engulfed her. Love inevitably led to loss. She couldn’t endure that sort of pain again.

“I need to find someone,” Lily began. She’d grown heartily weary of the current subject. Despite the outlaw’s warning, she saw no reason to doubt Emil as a guardian. “The children’s grandfather was supposed to meet our stagecoach. He’s late.”

“Who is he? I know everyone in Frozen Oaks.” Regina flashed a spiteful grin. “And all of their secrets.”

“His name is—”

A blast of glacial air indicated the arrival of another customer. As the gentleman approached their table, Regina’s face lit up. Curious, Lily studied the newcomer. His extreme fairness caught and held her attention immediately. The gentleman’s pants were striped in shades of charcoal, his waistcoat was checked in burgundy, and he’d topped his outfit with a black suit coat. The only blemish to his neat appearance was the tail end of a blue bandanna trailing from his pocket.

Though not exactly uncomely, everything about him was slightly off. He was at least a decade older than Regina, with a wide smile that stretched his loose jowls. His light blond hair was neatly trimmed, but shot with gray, washing out the color. Despite his jovial expression, there was sharp edge to his pale blue eyes.

Regina rose to her feet, rattling the table and sloshing her coffee.

“Vic,” she exclaimed, her voice breathless. “This is my friend Lily Winter. Lily, this is Vic Skaar. Vic owns the hotel and the lumberyard. He’ll own the whole town before long.”

The man grasped Lily’s outstretched hand in a bone-crushing greeting. “A pleasure, Miss Winter.”

Lily stifled a grimace at his clammy palm. “Mr. Skaar.”

Regina scooted closer and Vic smoothly evaded her advance. Glancing between the pair, Lily frowned.

“Call me Vic,” the gentleman said. “What brings you to our quaint town, Miss Winter?”

He winked at her, a curious twitch of his left cheek that didn’t completely close his eye. His greeting was so at odds with the exchange she’d shared with the gunfighter, she paused a moment before answering.

“Are you all right, Miss Winter?” Vic hoisted an eyebrow. “I didn’t mean to ask such a confusing question.”

“I’m fine.” Lily straightened. “I’m just visiting.”

“How fortunate for us.”

The look on his face was cloying and hinted at the suggestion of something more. Lily sharpened her gaze. At the boardinghouse, she’d struck down more than one overly ardent suitor who thought the maids were providing more than fresh linens. She wasn’t completely naive.

“My visit is brief,” she replied firmly. “Just until the children are settled.”

Much to Lily’s chagrin, Regina had noted Vic’s interest. The other woman’s face took on a hard look, jarring Lily’s fragile nerves. Though Regina’s cloying affection struck Lily as contrived, the other woman was clearly warning her away.

“When are you leaving?” Regina demanded.

“The evening stagecoach,” Lily cut in quickly, seeking to ease Regina’s disquiet. “I’ve escorted Sam and Peter on the last leg of their journey. We’re waiting on their grandfather. He’s late.”

Regina was the one person in town she knew, and Lily was loath to damage the relationship until she discovered Emil’s whereabouts.

Vic followed her gaze and caught sight of the siblings in deep concentration over their checkers game.

“What’s the gentleman’s name?” he asked. “Maybe I can help.”

“Emil Tyler.”

Vic’s grin faltered. “That might be a problem, Miss Winter.”

Chapter Three

Emil has gotten tangled in some trouble.

Jake’s declaration ricocheted around Lily’s brain. Had he been implying something more sinister? The idea sent her strained nerves clamoring. What sort of trouble could an elderly man tangle with?

“Emil missed the gentlemen’s weekly poker game.” Regina chuckled, though she didn’t sound particularly amused. “Emil never misses a poker game. No one has seen him in a week. Come to think of it, I heard he had a dustup with that gunfighter, Jake, a few days back.”

Vic bestowed Lily with another of his odd half winks. “You’d best watch your back, Lily. With Emil gone, those two boys are ripe for the picking. Even I saw their luggage stacked outside the livery. One look at the brass fittings on their steamer trunks and everyone will know we have a couple of rich orphans in our midst. Folks around these parts will slit your throat for an acre of land, let alone a juicy bank account.”

“Stop.” Regina playfully slapped his arm. “Vic, you’re frightening the poor girl.”

With a gasp Lily half stood from her chair, then thumped back down. Only last week the St. Joseph Star had featured a story about gravediggers desecrating corpses in search of valuables. Greed drove people into all sorts of despicable acts. With Emil missing, how difficult would it be for someone to claim guardianship of the boys and drain their inheritance?

Vic pried Regina’s fingers loose from his coat sleeve. “A fellow like Jake is dodgy. Considering his argument with Emil, maybe you should speak with the sheriff. A pretty girl looking out for two young, helpless boys needs protection.”

Panic rose in the back of Lily’s throat. She was physically weak and shaken, and her thoughts were muddled; clearly she hadn’t yet recovered from her earlier faint. The room wavered and shimmered and she blinked her eyes back into focus.

“You’ve had a long day,” Regina said. “You’re not thinking straight. Someone has to look out for those boys.”

Hollow and bewildered, Lily gazed at the youngsters. Even if she was wrong, dare she put them at further risk? She’d made a vow to guard their safety.

Jake had claimed he was enjoying the view. What if he’d dispatched Emil and was targeting the boys? She’d best act quickly.

“Jake can be quite charming,” Regina said. “You wouldn’t be the first woman taken in by him.”

Certainly, he’d played the gentleman. But then he’d practically ordered her to leave.

Lily pressed two trembling fingers against her aching forehead. If her fears were unfounded, there was no harm in checking.

“You’re right. I’ll speak with the sheriff.” Her thoughts jumbled, Lily gathered her reticule and stood. “Do you mind if the children stay and finish their game? I’d rather not upset them.”

“Anything to help.” Vic grinned. “Since you’ll miss your stagecoach, let me extend my hospitality. We have plenty of rooms available at the hotel.”

Regina’s expression shifted. “Perhaps it’s safer for all three of them if they return to St. Joseph as soon as possible.”

“Nonsense,” Vic declared. “Sheriff Koepke will set this to rights.”

“The sheriff can sort this out with Lily and the boys safely tucked on the stagecoach.” Regina’s voice took on a prickly edge. “There’s no use staying in Frozen Oaks if Emil isn’t coming back.”

Lily hadn’t taken the gunfighter seriously, but she wasn’t making the same mistake twice. After donning her coat and assuring Sam and Peter that she’d be back soon, Lily followed Vic’s directions across the street. Trust no one, Jake had said. Frozen Oaks is a dangerous place.

He wanted the three of them on that stagecoach and away from the safety of town for a reason. All of Regina’s sly innuendos about the siblings’ inheritance came rushing back. Sam and Peter were wealthy, vulnerable. Her steps slowed. Was she overreacting? Had she read too many of Peter’s dime novels lately?