Eight

Abigail had taught Em to curl her hair in the latest fashion during her slow days of recovery. Now, with the doctor’s permission, Em was ready to find a job. He’d been pleased with her progress—amazed, even, at the swiftness of it. Today was the first day Em had fixed her hair all by herself. Inspecting her work in the little mirror, she was pleased with what she saw. She was not a striking beauty like Eliza, but she did not see the same plain girl she had viewed only weeks ago. Little curls framed Em’s face under the borrowed red bonnet. Never had she felt this close to beautiful. Hopefully the difference in her appearance would help her find a job.

The prospect of venturing into town on her own had her wringing her hands together and biting her lip. Lifting the layer of cloth in the bottom of her basket to take a peek, she reassured herself that the pistol Caleb had loaned her would be going with her. How kind it had been of him to leave it.

“Abigail,” Em said, stepping into the front room, “I plan to stop at the dressmaker’s and see if she needs any help. I’ll also try at the hotel and with Mrs. Norbert. Can you think of any others who may need me?” Em fidgeted with the bonnet’s bow, tying and then retying it.

Abigail stopped braiding Mae’s hair. “Oh, look at you, Em. Your hair turned out so well.” Em had never worried about the sin of vanity until that very moment. Putting her hands to her cheeks, she felt heat rise to them. Despite the looming threat of three murderous bandits, she was happy. She fought to hide a smile.

“Abraham said there were no jobs posted on the store’s board. That would have been my first suggestion,” Abigail said. “Margaret may hire help with the meals at the boardinghouse. Her daughter just married and moved away, leaving the burden all on her. You may want to check there. I’ll keep thinking and asking around. Something will turn up for you.”

“Thank you, Abigail. Mae, you look beautiful. I think your hair has grown—soon it will be as long as Rapunzel’s.” She bent and kissed the ecstatic girl on the cheek. Mae quickly wrapped her arms around Em’s neck and hugged her tight. Those little arms had no idea the joy they were giving her.

“If you do get a job, will you still have time to tell me and Milly stories?” Mae asked, holding her tight.

“Of course I will. It’s one of my favorite parts of the day. I’ll see you later, little Mae-berry.” The arms released her, but the warmth they had brought her went with her as she headed into town.

“Oh, miss, I’m sorry to tell you, but business is slow enough that I don’t need any more help right now. You’re welcome to check back with me another time if you’d like,” the spinster dressmaker, Miss Caroline, said.

Em masked her disappointment the best she could and thanked her for her time. She admired the beautiful dresses as she made her way to the door. Abigail had told her that Miss Caroline made most of the dresses when a request came in, but she always kept a few premade dresses on hand. To think Em had owned only one ragged dress and here was a shop full of fine cloth, lace, and gowns. It would have been a joy working around so many fine things, but it was not to be.

Miss Caroline had smiled at her sweetly, but behind her eyes Em sensed sadness. In a few years, when she was Miss Caroline’s age, would her eyes be lonely and sad too? Long ago she’d accepted her fate. She knew she’d become a spinster, an independent woman. Today the thought made her feel heavy.

But right now finding a job was what mattered, so Em hurried toward the hotel. Women working in the front of a hotel was unconventional, but there was a chance. Before pushing open the heavy door, Em adjusted her dress and straightened her bonnet. She hoped she appeared confident as she stood tall and walked into the hotel.

“Hello, sir. I’ve come to see if you needed any help. I was told you were short a front office worker.” Em’s voice quivered slightly as she spoke. Imitating Eliza, she smiled at the man behind the front desk. “I’m looking for work and I know I could learn the job. You wouldn’t be sorry.”

Without speaking, the man looked her over. His eyes crept up and down her slowly. Any confidence she had mustered upon entering the hotel was leaving with haste. When he finally spoke, his deep voice seemed to bounce off the walls, carry through the building, and rumble out onto the street. “We don’t hire women, and we especially don’t hire little girls. Now get on out of here.”

Em knew she should turn and go, ignore the man’s heated words, but anger boiled in her. “I am not a little girl, sir. I am a woman, that much is true. But I can work just as hard as any man. You have no right to talk to me so or to look at me with eyes like a snake.”

“I’ll talk to you however I wish. This here is my property and I said I don’t hire no girls. Get on out of here before I pick you up like some mangy dog and throw you out.”

Just then a man walked in from the street. “Everything all right in here, Pete?”

Em turned toward the stranger. “Your friend Pete needs help in the front of his hotel. But not from me or any other girl.” Face hot with frustration, she turned to leave.

“Wait.” The strange man grabbed her arm. “You looking for work? It might be your lucky day.” He flashed a dashing smile at her, his perfect teeth twinkling. “Come with me. I might know of just the job for you.”

Em let the man take her arm in his and lead her out, away from Pete and his temper. Her curiosity grew with each step. Who was this man? Pete’s wicked laughter boomed behind them as they walked. Was he laughing at her? The nerve. Safely out of range of the laughter, she realized how close she was to her rescuer. She pulled away, putting space between them.

When the pair had rounded a corner, the stranger gently turned Em to face him. “I’m Silas. I’ve been looking all over for a beautiful woman just like you. I’m desperate for some help. A beautiful, hard worker. That’s what I’m after. You interested? I think you’d be mighty good at it.”

Something deep inside her stomach twisted and turned. She had always longed to have a man call her beautiful. Hearing it now was nothing like she had expected. Why did she feel uneasy? Alarms sounded within her, but she wanted a job. She needed a job. Money meant Beckford. Money meant Lucy. Learning more couldn’t hurt. After all, it wasn’t every day that a job came so easily—she needed to at least see what this perfect job was.

“I’m interested. I’d like to know more about the job first before I give you an answer.” Em inched a bit farther from the man.

He took a step toward her, closing the gap. “It’s a job that takes the kind of spirit I saw back there with Pete. That was really something—you had fire in your eyes. No one does well working for me if they don’t have a little spunk. The job’s next door at the saloon.” She jumped back, ready to reject him. Ready to turn and go. Again he stepped toward her. “Wait a second. I know what you’re thinking. Saloons aren’t all bad though. Lots of nice folks come in. All they want is a drink to cool themselves off. Most people aren’t looking for any trouble. Someone has to serve them. Why not you?”

Why not me? Why not me? Because my mama would be heartbroken if she were alive and knew I was working at a saloon.

The dreaded saloon, with its dark exterior, was mere feet from them. Silas took her arm again and nudged her toward the swinging doors. Into the dim interior she stepped—cigar smoke filling her lungs, laughter accosting her ears. Not the joyful laughter she treasured from Mae and Millicent, but a different kind. A low, crude laughter.

Silas’s hand was tight around her arm. “We pay well, and should you ever choose to, we offer more for working upstairs. But we don’t need to worry about that now. Let me show you around.”

As they walked farther into the dark saloon, she was able to make out the faces of a few of the morning customers. Silas’s buttery voice sent a shiver down her spine. “It gets busier in the evenings and at night. You’ll work then.”

One of the men stood on wobbly legs. “Where you get that girl from? I ain’t seen her before.” He stepped near her. His eyes crept over her, inspecting her, leering at her. “Have I been drinking too much or is she the ugliest one you ever brought in here?” The man chuckled. “Where’d you find that one?”

“You been here all night, Bert. Sit down,” Silas said in a friendly voice.

Bert ignored the suggestion. Instead, he reached out and put a hand on Em’s shoulder and moved his thumb back and forth along her collarbone. His mouth inches from hers, he laughed in her face. Nauseous from the smell of the man or perhaps the terrible circumstances, Em yearned for fresh air.

“I’m sorry, Silas. This isn’t the job for me.” She pushed the man’s hand from her and stepped away.

Silas reached again and wrapped his hand tightly around her wrist. “Ignore him. You are perfect for the job. We’ll get you a fancy dress and the girls upstairs will show you how to paint your face so the men won’t think you’re so plain. In fact, it won’t be long before they are begging for your attention. You’ll love it. The men always get excited about a new girl. You’ll have more men after you than ever before.” He ran his hand up and down her arm. The touch of his fingers only made her desire to leave grow stronger. “We get all kinds of men through here. There’ll be plenty that’ll like you when you’re all dolled up.”

Em had lived on the streets for months. She’d seen horrors she’d never wanted to see. All too clearly she knew what Silas was insinuating. Her ma had taught her better than that, and she would not choose this life. She’d find another way. Somehow she would.

She swatted Silas’s hand from her wrist like it was an unwanted pest. Then, planting both palms on his chest, she shoved him as hard as she could. Because she was so small, she could tell he hadn’t expected the force. He took a few steps backward before crashing into a chair and toppling over it. The men at the bar roared with laughter as Em dashed for the door.

Once freed from the saloon, Em allowed the fresh air to fill her lungs. Leaning against the outer wall, she waited as her racing heartbeat slowed. All the while her mind was reeling. How dare they? And then the depressing thought, Why did I think it would be any different?

With a heavy heart, she walked away from the filthy establishment. The man’s words replayed over and over in her head. “The ugliest one,” he’d called her. Had it been the liquor talking? She wanted to believe so, but she found herself wondering if he had been right. It was one thing to never have a man love her, but what if no one would even want to give her a job? Would the saloon be her only option? Feeling as though she was at a crossroads, she stopped walking. Should she quit or fight on?

Quitting was not an option. She would persevere—she had to. A job was what she was after, and somehow she would find one. For Lucy she would press on. Standing ever taller, she held her head high as she walked down the main street of the small town.

Mrs. Norbert and the boardinghouse were the only two remaining job prospects. Earlier in the week, Doc Jones had suggested she talk to Mrs. Norbert because of the woman’s poor health and horrible children. Em hadn’t met her children, but Abigail had politely told her they were unruly, while Eliza had classified them as horrible. In fact, she had called them “detestable” and “undeniably the worst children in town.”

Which should she try first? Having little experience with unruly children, she decided to go to the boardinghouse.

Standing two stories tall, it was easy to locate. A widow named Margaret Anders owned the building.

Em had never met her, but she’d heard of the woman. Eliza called her eccentric. “Who else would paint a building on Main Street such a horrid shade of yellow?” Eliza had said. “Honestly, the building is brighter than a sunflower. She’s so peculiar.”

The more Eliza had said about Margaret, the more Em had wanted to meet her. The door of the boardinghouse was red. Bright red. Em walked to the door and offered one last silent prayer heavenward before knocking. Let this be my route to Beckford, she prayed.

Knock. Wait. Knock again. At last the door groaned open. Standing before Em was a woman who had to be the notorious Margaret Anders. Her dress was as outrageous as her house—bright pink trimmed in deep purple. Her hair was wildly curly. At some point in the morning she must have pinned it up, but now at least half of it was outside the pins. Tight brown curls soared in all directions.

“Don’t tell me who you are. I believe I know. You must be the local stray! I’ve been wanting to meet you.” Mischief or something similar to that twinkled in her eyes. “Come in. Come in.”

The saloon had made Em feel sick inside, but walking into Margaret’s boardinghouse felt welcoming. Both were just buildings, yet there was a unique spirit about each. One dark and foreboding, the other bright and inviting. The boardinghouse was much less ostentatious on the inside. Simple, modern furnishings filled the front room. Ordinary paper—soft green with a floral pattern—covered the walls. Nothing garish or gaudy.

Margaret laughed. “Did you expect the inside to be bright yellow too? I wasn’t sure my guests would like it. My room is much more fun than these stale ones.” She gestured to a closed door down the hall. “What brings you here? Have you decided to leave the Howells? You looking for a room?”

“Oh, no. I’m very happy there. It’s just I heard your daughter had married, and I thought perhaps you could use my help. I’m looking for work.” Em held her breath as she waited for a response.

“Of course you’re looking for a job. I’m surprised I didn’t think of that when I opened the door. Have you had any luck yet?”

“None. Pete at the hotel practically threw me out. Miss Caroline is not busy enough to need help. The only offer I’ve had is from a scoundrel named Silas who tried to coax me into a job at the saloon. I am not nor will I ever be working there.” The memory fresh, she bit her lip as she tried to control a laugh. “I am fairly certain he knew how I felt by the time I left.”

Margaret twisted one of her wild curls in her hand. “A girl who can take care of herself—I like that. Anyone who can put her foot down to Silas is a friend of mine. That man is a close relative of the devil. All slick and handsome. Nothing but flattering words come out of his mouth. But don’t let him fool you.” Margaret’s eyes were large as she spoke. “He tried getting my Scarlett to work upstairs in the saloon after her papa died. He tried awful hard. She didn’t have your backbone. I had to step in.” Her big eyes lit up like a cat’s in the night, as though they were laughing at the memory. “Remind me to tell you that story sometime. Silas never knew what was coming and hasn’t bothered me since.” Tossing her head back, she let out a whoop. “Not once has he bothered me since. My guess is he will leave you alone now too. But be careful. Always be careful around that serpent.”

Without another word, Margaret started walking from the room and turned down a side hall. Unsure if she should follow, Em stood waiting. Margaret’s head poked back around the corner. “Are you coming? I’ll show you around, let you know what I expect.”

“I can work here?” Em could have thrown herself into the woman’s arms. Making it to Beckford did not seem so far off anymore—not now that she had a job. For the first time in years she felt like she would actually get there.

Oh, Lucy, I am coming! I am coming!

“You can work here, but you’ll have to work hard. Not too hard—nothing more than you can manage until you’re all healed up. I treat my employees fairly, but I won’t be paying you a penny if you don’t earn it. I don’t say that to scare you, but I believe a life is better lived when you know you’ve earned the things you have.”

“The doctor is happy with my recovery. Don’t worry on that account. I haven’t felt this good in years. I’ll work hard,” Em said in her most confident voice. Hard work was all she had ever known. “I’ll work so hard. Thank you for the job.”

“We serve breakfast for those staying here. I can handle that myself—there aren’t that many. I spend my afternoons cleaning and getting the big meal ready. In the evening, I open the front dining hall and we get all sorts in from the streets. It gets real busy some nights, and it’s more than I can handle. You could begin at noon and work until six. When you first come, you’ll be helping me clean. Then we’ll prepare and serve the evening meal. After that it’s a mountain of dishes. We serve the meal from four until five thirty. You’re welcome to eat your evening meal here. My wages are fair. How does that all sound?”

“Mrs. Anders, it sounds like you are the answer to my prayers.” Em blinked quickly, once again holding back unexpected tears. She wished she could start that very moment.

“Tomorrow then?”

“I’ll be here at noon!” she said as she headed out the door.

Feeling ever so much lighter, Em glided down the street to the Howells’.

Mae and Milly met her at the door. “You’ve been gone forever. We missed you so much. Mama says we can’t beg you for a story because you’re probably tired. We aren’t begging, but if you want to tell us one we would love it. Please.” Mae was speaking, but Milly was there nodding along with every word she spoke. Em was fairly certain she would never be able to resist these two sweet girls.

“There is nothing I would like better. Come with me,” Em said, heading for the back door.

“Where are we going?” the girls asked.

Rather than answer, she motioned for them to follow.

Em led the girls to the big tree behind the house. Feeling carefree, she helped the girls up onto the first branch and then hoisted herself up. They each climbed around until they found a branch that suited them. Once in her perch, she reclined back, resting her head against the tree’s large trunk. “I’ll tell you a story of a princess who started out as a very ordinary girl. When this girl was young, she lived with her mother and father. Sadly, her mother died, leaving her with only her kind father.”

Milly stopped swinging her legs and said, “I think I know this one. It’s the story of the cinder girl. Mama told it to us. But tell it anyway.”

Mae nodded in agreement. “Please tell us. You tell the stories different than Mama. It will be like a new story. Plus, I love this story.”

Em agreed to tell it, adding details to the magical story like garnish on a fine dish. She conjured up new scenes, wishing the moment could never end. She finished her tale with, “They all lived happily ever after.”

No one moved. All three were lost to their own worlds of imaginary princesses and princes. From their lofty perch so high above the world, they could almost believe that fairy tales were real.

“Mama sent me to check on you girls,” Eliza called from below, pulling them from their daze.

“Eliza, come up. It’s like being a bird,” Mae said.

“I will not. I am far too much of a lady to be climbing trees. Honestly, the two of you are likely to grow up and become wild animals. Then who will want to marry you?”

“Have no fear. Two dashing young men will come along and marry Miss Mae and Miss Milly. They are—”

Eliza gasped. “What are you doing back?”

Caleb sauntered toward them.

“What a surprise!” Eliza squealed and nearly jumped into his arms.

“I know. I thought we might be gone longer. The whole ride back I was sure I would come home to find you wringing your hands with worry.” He looked at the tree a moment before heaving his body up onto the first branch. “Hello, Em. I should’ve known you’d be up here.”

“What is that supposed to mean?” Eliza asked from below.

Caleb ducked under a branch so he could see down to Eliza. “It means she seems spry enough to climb the tree with the girls.” Then, addressing everyone, he said, “How are all you ladies doing?”

Mae was first to reply. “We are quite well. Em was just telling us a story. She tells the best stories, but don’t tell Mama that. She learned them on a very long train ride that she took with all of her friends. Doesn’t that sound delightful?”

“I’ve heard of Miss Em’s train ride.” Caleb’s eyes found hers. “But I had no idea she learned stories along the way. She will have to tell us all one now. It’s been a long time since I heard a good story.” Caleb sat back against the trunk, then gave her an expectant look. “I’m listening.”

“I don’t want to tell all my stories or there will be none left for another day. And since I told the girls one already, I will have to decline. No more stories today.” Em smiled. “But it is good to have you back.”

“Very well, no story today, but soon. I’d prefer a good adventure story.” Caleb’s brows came together. “Do you know any of those?”

Mae looked at Em. “Do you know adventure stories?”

Sounding shocked, Caleb asked, “What has she been filling your heads with if not adventure?”

“With princess stories. They are all so romantic. They are full of dancing and love and happily ever after. Sometimes there is even kissing. They’re our favorite type of stories,” Milly said, looking at him with dreamy eyes. “We’ve decided you are the Prince of Azure Springs.”

Em had to grab hold of the nearest branch to keep herself from falling out of the tree.

“Is that so? Why, Em, I didn’t know you thought I was a prince.” He took off his hat and gave a partial bow that caused the girls to giggle. “I believe that is the nicest compliment I’ve ever received. What does that make you?”

His eyes were full of playfulness, his lip pulled up in a familiar half smile. Her heart leapt at the sight. In that moment she realized just how much she’d missed him.

Eliza had been stomping around beneath the tree. “It makes her the same ordinary Em she was before. Stop this nonsense and come down.”

“Give us a moment, Eliza. I just returned and am enjoying the view from this tree. Come and see it yourself.” Caleb looked down at her.

“Of course I’d love to sit beside you and see the view, but climbing hardly seems appropriate. I do try to be ladylike, unlike some people around here.”

“Suit yourself,” he said and turned his attention back to the girls. “Why don’t you all tell me what I’ve missed? Has anything happened in Azure Springs while I was away?”

Milly stood up on her branch and looked around the trunk so she could see his face. “Em has a job. She starts tomorrow.”

“I heard you were in the saloon with Silas this morning, Em. Is that where you’ll be working? I hear he’s not at all particular about who works there,” Eliza said, her voice all sweet and innocent.

“You wouldn’t work at the saloon, would you, Em?” Caleb’s eyes were searching hers. “I know it’s not my choice, but I don’t think it’s a good idea.”

“I was in the saloon this morning, but not of my own doing. Silas cornered me and pulled me in. Whoever saw me must have missed my leaving. Had they seen it, they would know how I feel about working there. It’s a shame—seeing Silas toppled over a chair, feet up, was quite a sight.”

“This is a story we must hear. It sounds more like an adventure than a romance,” Caleb said.

“I suppose it was an adventure.” Em told her audience about her morning, sparing no details. “He never saw it coming. I don’t think he expected a blow from a stick like me. And with him down, I left the saloon, walked away, and lived happily ever after.” The little girls giggled.

Eliza let out a huff. “Well, I don’t know why you even went in there at all. It was wrong, and I’m sure Mother will be terribly disappointed. Never would I set foot in that place, full of its cigar smoke and tainted women.” Brushing a tendril of strawberry-blonde hair from her forehead, she said, “But you’ve done many things I wouldn’t. I’m sure it’s just your lack of breeding that puts you in such situations. With time I do hope you will learn.”

Caleb shook his head. Em, mindful of the girls, bit back the snide remarks she so desperately wanted to zing back at Eliza. “I’ve had a different life. No denying that.”

Eliza murmured something Em couldn’t decipher.

“I think that’s enough talk of saloons and Silas. Tell us about the job you did find,” Caleb said, diffusing the tension.

“Margaret Anders hired me. I’ll be helping at the boardinghouse by cleaning and putting on the evening meal.” Already forgetting the sting from Eliza’s words, she smiled wide, grateful for her good fortune. “She said it’s hard work, but it’s a real job.”

Eliza let out a gasp. “Mrs. Anders is an eccentric. She does what she pleases. Her food I’ve heard is decent enough, but why would you work there?”

“I need money, Eliza. She’s given me a job, and even if she is different, she’s willing to hire me. There is nothing morally wrong with the place. It’s respectable work.”

Cutting in ever so smoothly, Caleb said, “I eat there often. It’s first rate. It gets pretty busy some nights. I tell you what, though, I don’t envy you the dishes. I think you will do well there. Does anyone want to hear about my week?” Caleb knew how to keep the peace.

“Yes,” they all said.

“We didn’t catch them. But we will.”

“You didn’t catch them?” Milly’s face fell. “You always catch the bad people.”

“Don’t give up on me yet, Miss Milly. I’ll catch them. Just some take longer to catch, that’s all.” He shifted on the branch before going on. “We all met up like planned. There were twenty of us. Most of us lawmen. Some of the men were just sharpshooters who had a personal stake in the pursuit. We learned a lot from being all together. Seems a couple people saw the men, and their descriptions match Em’s. Another man didn’t see their faces but heard them use the name Alroy. We all sat around sharing what we knew. These three have quite the reputation. They’ve robbed stagecoaches, wealthy houses, and even a bank.”

Caleb pulled a giant leaf off the tree and twirled it around in his hand. Just twirling it, smiling all funny-like. Everyone waited. All eight eyes were locked on him. Looking up from his leaf, he chortled before saying, “Oh, did you want to hear more?”

“You shouldn’t do that to us,” Eliza said, crossing her arms.

“I was just having a bit of fun with you. After sharing all the information we had on the men, we pulled out a map and marked the places we knew they’d hit. It was a lot. They seemed to be moving steadily south and leaving a trail of crime behind them. We sent telegrams to all the law enforcement along the route. Then we spent a week tracking the criminals. We got close and then lost their trail when a storm hit. We’re meeting back up in five days.”

“Why do you sound so happy? It doesn’t sound like you had any luck to me,” Eliza said.

Em had planned to bite her tongue. She usually kept quiet when the two were talking, letting them have their privacy. She was a guest and living off borrowed hospitality. This time, though, she could not sit placidly. “He did have luck. He learned more about them, found a whole group of others interested in bringing them in, and he has a plan. I think that is a big step closer.”

“Exactly right. We’ll get them—and soon. Plus, how could I not smile? I’m in a tree with three fine women. After a week of traveling with smelly men, it feels mighty nice. It’s been a long week.” Caleb looked tired. Em hadn’t noticed when he had first climbed up.

Eliza resumed her pleasant voice. “I never doubted you would catch them. And we’re all delighted to have you back. Come along, girls. Mama wants you to set the table for her.”

Mae pouted. “Must we? It’s so nice up here.”

“Yes, you must. Em, I’m sure she could use your help as well,” Eliza said as though Em were one of the seven-year-olds. “Hurry down.”

“Of course.” Em started climbing down after the girls until a strong hand stopped her.

“Em will be in shortly. I need to ask her a couple questions.” Caleb started moving to the branch she was on. Her mouth went dry. Her heart beat faster as he neared.

Eliza pivoted away from the tree, then stomped toward the house, dragging the girls with her.

Caleb was beside her now. Not sure what to do, Em avoided his gaze and looked at the back of the house, watching the girls go through the door.

“Was everything all right while I was gone?”

She swallowed hard and hoped her voice would come out normal. “It was just fine here. I’ve taken your pistol with me wherever I’ve gone, which hasn’t been many places, except this morning when I decided to find a job. I made that trip on my own. For seven years I was nearly always alone and now I rarely am.”

“Should’ve used that pistol on Silas for dragging you in there.” Caleb rubbed his scruffy jaw. “He . . . didn’t do anything he shouldn’t, did he?”

“No. He did offer me a position upstairs. I’ve seen enough of that living on the city streets to know it’s not a path I’ll take—not ever.” Then, realizing she’d just told him she’d lived on the streets, she changed the subject. “What do you need to ask me?”

“I have big news for you. And I’ll tell you now because I’ve been eager to tell you most of the week. But first I want to hear how I became the Prince of Azure Springs.” He threw the leaf he’d been holding at her. She caught it and held it in her lap.

“Very well. I’ll tell you, but only because I’m eager to hear about your trip. The girls love stories of princes and princesses. I have told them so many. I’m surprised I can remember them all. Mae and Milly are just little girls who believe dreams come true and magical things can happen. They want their own princes. But they don’t want to move to a faraway castle because they love their mama and papa. They’ve been searching for a prince around here and have decided you are the Prince of Azure Springs.”

“I see. Here I was thinking it was you who decided I was a prince. But really it was two seven-year-olds. Let me guess—they are both waiting for me to sweep them off their feet and carry them away to a castle.” He rubbed the back of his neck. “I should be flattered.”

“I’ve seen them staring awfully hard at you on your big horse, Amos, stars in their eyes.” Em decided not to tell him that she too had dreamed of riding off on a horse like his.

“It looks like my parents will be disappointed. They’ve been pressing me for grandchildren. I’ll have to write them tonight and tell them the fairest maidens are only seven and still have to grow up. Looks like I’ll be disappointing them again.” Caleb shrugged.

“Don’t write them too quickly. They also think Eliza may be a princess.”

“Ah, Eliza a princess. I hadn’t thought of that. Who knew there was so much royalty right here in Azure Springs?”

Em looked around at the vast prairies and gentle hills. Perhaps no real royalty resided here, but Em had discovered a kind family and a dear friend. “There seems to be more to this little prairie town than first meets the eye.”

“Indeed there is.” He was looking at the house. The playfulness gone. Was he thinking of Eliza? She wished she knew.

The silly conversation suddenly did not seem as fun and diverting. She was ready to be out of the tree and back in the house with everyone else. Dryly, she said, “Tell me your news.”

“Don’t sound too excited.”

Em forced a smile. “I’m sorry. I do want to hear your news.”

“When they told me one of the men’s names was Alroy, I couldn’t figure out why that name meant anything to me. Then a couple days later I remembered that I’d seen the name Alroy in the metal box.”

He looked at her expectantly. Taking his lead, she smiled. “In the box? The one we found? I don’t understand.”

Caleb lowered his voice as though he were sharing a great secret. “Seems George and Gerda’s son was named Alroy. Well, he wasn’t really their son. At least not by birth. George and Gerda got him through the Aid Society. I’m not sure what it all means, but I do know that the two were connected. I wonder what type of relationship they had for Alroy to come back and kill his own guardian.” Caleb looked excited about the clues starting to come together.

Em felt none of the excitement. “The Aid Society? Do you think George and Gerda got Alroy off an orphan train? What was the date on the paper?”

“I don’t remember the exact date. I’ll pull it out and look again. We can look tonight. Are you going to move to the room by the jail?”

“I don’t know. I like it here with the Howells, but I don’t want to be a burden. And if you are just leaving again . . .”

“You’re right. Stay here—you’ll be plenty safe. The gang is south, we know that. We’ll get to them before they have a chance to head this way. But come meet me at the jail tomorrow morning before you go to work. We can dig through the papers together. Maybe something we read will help us figure out more pieces of the puzzle. Can you come at eight? I’ll fit in a bit of a lesson for you too.” Caleb jumped out of the tree. “I’ve been riding hard today and Amos needs that saddle off his back.”

Em turned to scurry down the tree, but he reached out his arms and put them carefully around her waist to help her. “You ought to slow down.”

“I’m feeling better all the time.”

The two walked toward the house together.

“I think you’ll like working with Mrs. Anders,” Caleb said. “I’ve always admired her. Seems not enough women really live. But Mrs. Anders, I believe she does. If she loves a color, she wears it. If she likes a type of food, she eats it. If she wanted to climb a tree, I think she would. You two will get along well.”

“I prayed for a way to find money. I don’t know if you are a believing man or not, but I have no worries about working there. I think the job is an answer to my prayers.”

“I’m a believing man. Although I confess I haven’t prayed as often as I should.” Caleb smiled down at her. “I will though. Tonight. Good day to you, Miss Em.”

He started walking off. Before getting too far, he turned around and asked, “Is your name just Em?”

“Are you using a question?”

“Won’t you just answer, because I’ve been wondering for over a week if it was? I thought perhaps your name was Emily or Emma.”

Em felt a knot rise in her throat. He had been thinking of her all this time. He had been thinking of her! The other voice in her head reminded her it was his job to solve the case. Perhaps he thought knowing her name would help somehow.

“My family always called me Emmy. I knew that wasn’t my real name, but I never thought to ask if Em was short for another name and then suddenly they were gone and I’ve been just plain Em ever since.”

“Hmmm,” he said as he walked away.

Plain Em walked to the house. Why had she never asked? Distraught by the reminder that she was just Em and no longer anyone’s Emmy, she entered the house.