Page 24

A few days later, Tresia noticed the change in Devlin. He seemed different since he’d told her about Hannah. Lighter, if that were possible. Perhaps, he’d forgiven himself…or at least, seemed to have come to terms with the fact he hadn’t been there when Hannah needed him.

Tresia hoped she’d never meet Frances Emerson Comstock.

If she did, she’d give the woman a piece of her mind.

No one had the right to treat a child the way the woman had treated her own granddaughter, especially not a sweet little girl like Avery Goodrich.

It didn’t matter how tough one had to be.

There was always room for kindness, no matter the circumstances, but some people had no kindness in them.

She certainly had no right to blame Devlin for what happened to Hannah and his son.

Whether Devlin had been there when Hannah went into labor or not, the outcome might have been the same.

Avery was healing, too. The child was coming out of her shell, talking much more, smiling much more, and there were times when the conversation at breakfast or dinner was lively.

When that happened, she could see Devlin’s satisfied reaction.

His daughter was becoming what he called his chatterbox once again.

Tresia picked up the cake platter from the table, her contribution to today’s luncheon, and walked into the parlor. She called upstairs. “Are you ready, Avery?”

The chatterbox ran down the stairs, the curls surrounding her head bouncing, the bow of the pink ribbon Tresia had tied in her hair that morning slightly askew. Cecily, wearing a matching ribbon, was in her arms. “Yes, ma’am.”

“There’re going to be a lot of people there today.”

Avery listened, but there was no fear in her eyes, no anxiety showing in her smile. She took Avery’s hand and they left the house.

Carriages and buggies were lined up along the street in front of Lucy’s house, which wasn’t unusual.

The bi-monthly meeting of the Serenity Ladies’ Society was a raucous affair and those asked to join the ‘Ladies’ seldom missed a meeting.

They did a lot for the people of the town as well as for the ranchers and farmers who lived on the outskirts.

Started by Lucy, her aunt, Everleigh Miller Hannigan, and Senora Marisol Zepeda just two years ago, the society now had fifteen members.

These women, from so many diverse backgrounds, were the heart and soul of the town.

As Avery and she stepped up to the porch, the sound of women and children chatting and laughing sounded from the open windows. She glanced at Avery, hoping the sounds didn’t frighten her and undo all the progress they’d made. “Ready?”

Avery nodded and clutched Cecily a little tighter, but that was all.

Tresia reached up and grabbed the brass knocker, gave three quick raps and let herself into the house.

Everleigh Hannigan— Tia Evie to anyone who was close to Lucy—opened her arms and embraced her as soon as she stepped through the door. “Tresia, so lovely to see you!”

It was an awkward hug since she was carrying a cake, but they managed. She’d never forgo a hug from this woman, no matter how full her hands were. “You as well.”

Tia Evie released her from the hug and took a step back, her gaze sweeping over Avery. “Is this who I think it is?”

“It is.” Tresia placed her hand on the girl’s shoulder. “This is Avery Goodrich, the marshal’s daughter.” She squeezed a little in a reassuring way. “Avery, meet Mrs. Hannigan.”

Tia Evie bent down and cupped the girl’s chin. Avery didn’t flinch, nor did she pull away, perhaps recognizing the goodness in the woman, which was evident to everyone, even strangers. “You can call me Tia Evie. It’s so very nice to meet you.”

Avery gave her a perfect curtsy.

Tia Evie rose as a group of children ran past her then she addressed Avery directly. “I heard you’ve met Savannah, my grandniece.”

Avery’s eyes widened and a big smile lit her face. “Savannah is here?”

“She is. She’s in the backyard with the other children. They’re going to play a game of Blind Man’s Bluff before lunch is served.” She smiled in that reassuring way she had, the one that seemed to put everyone at ease. “Why don’t you join them?”

Avery looked up at her, anticipation making her eyes sparkle. “Can I, Miss Tresia?”

Tresia laughed. “Of course.”

Avery needed no further urging as she ran after the other children, clutching Cecily tightly in her arms. The kitchen screen door slammed a moment later.

“She seems like a lovely little girl,” Tia Evie said as Tresia followed her into the dining room.

“She is.” Tresia placed the cake on the sideboard, adding to the other desserts and hors d’oeuvres already there.

“And the marshal?” Tia Evie smiled at her, knowing all too well Lucy’s penchant for matching people.

It was she, after all, who put into motion the odd but amusing circumstances that led her to meet the man she’d married, her mail-ordered husband, and it wouldn’t surprise her a bit if Tia Evie wasn’t all in on matching her with the marshal.

After all, she’d done it before, helping her nephews to find their perfect wives.

“He’s a very nice man,” Tresia said.

Tia Evie chuckled. “And handsome. I’ve met him. He came out to the ranch with Rafael Zepeda to introduce himself.”

“Yes, he is.” Tresia admitted, but that wasn’t the reason she liked him. “He’s also kind and loves his daughter. That’s what makes him attractive.”

“And?”

“And nothing, Tia Evie. No romance there. We are becoming friends.” She repeated what she’d told Lucy just a few days ago.

Lucy rose from her chair and clapped her hands. “All right, ladies, let’s bring this meeting to order.”

The fourteen women took their seats at the table, after they’d helped themselves to some of the appetizers on the sideboard and gave Lucy their full attention.

“I have several things on the agenda today so let’s get started and then, we can have lunch.” She glanced at the sideboard groaning under the weight of all the food. “Which, from the looks of that spread, might take a while.”

Everyone laughed.

Tresia pulled a notebook from her drawstring bag and laid it open on the table. She would take notes and transcribe them later, perhaps after Avery went to bed, and she went to her quiet, lonely room at Mrs. McMurty’s after sharing a cup of coffee with Devlin.

“The first order of business. I’d like to submit Josie DuBois’ name to become a member of the Serenity Ladies’ Society.”

“Excuse me?” Samantha Graves piped up, her face beginning to color. “Did I hear that right? You want Josie Dubois to join us?”

Lucy gave a regal nod. “I do.”

“But she’s…she’s—” Samantha stammered, her mouth opening and closing as if she were having difficulty finding the words to express herself, which had never been a problem for her before.

“She’s what, Sam? A madam?”

“Well, yes,” Samantha said, clearly uncomfortable with Josie’s chosen profession.

“Does that preclude her from joining us?” Lucy asked, then simply looked at the woman.

“The purpose of this group is to do good. For the town. For the ranchers and farmers. For everyone. It doesn’t matter what a person does for a living as long as she has a good heart and a giving soul.

” She straightened, pushing her shoulders back. “Have you ever spoken to her?”

“No, why would I?”

“You should.” Lucy smiled. “She’s a fascinating woman.

Educated. Kind. Intelligent. She takes care of her girls, makes sure they are seen by Doctor Ben, my husband, at least once a month.

She’s teaching them how to handle money and save so someday they can leave that business and live a different kind of life, if they want.

” She eyed every woman around the table.

“Are any of you aware that she has been secretly donating to whatever cause we come up with? Her donations have always been anonymous, but I caught her slipping an envelope full of cash under my door just the other day for the Thromball family.” She laughed.

“She was embarrassed that I caught her, as she didn’t want anyone to know.

” She stared at everyone at the table. “All those in favor of having Josie DuBois become a member raise your hand.”

Most of the fifteen women raised their hands. Only three dissented.

“Tresia, record the vote.”

She dutifully did so, jotting down the names of the women who had voted for allowing Josie DuBois to join the Ladies’ Society, as well as those who disagreed.

Lucy looked down at the paper in front of her.

“The next item on our agenda is the Lending Library. I’ve spoken to Mayor Tisdale and he has agreed to let us use those two rooms at the town hall.

” She tapped the paper on the tabletop. “Tresia has rendered a drawing on what it could look like so now all we need is the funding. Anyone have any ideas on how we can raise money?”

“We could do a bake sale,” Polly suggested. “I’ll happily donate a few cakes and cookies.”

“We could do another cookbook. I know I use mine all the time.” Charlotte Applebaum looked across the table at Thelma Pierce. “Thelma’s recipe for pumpkin pie is absolutely wonderful.”

“Good suggestions, but we need something big, ladies! Something that will bring in a lot of money. We will need lumber to build shelves. We must purchase a desk, and some nice comfy chairs so people can sit and read, but mostly, we need books. Lots and lots of books. I have some I can donate. I’m sure some of you do as well, but that won’t be enough. ”

There was a lively discussion about all the possibilities to raise money, from charity events like a small fair to holding a dessert auction at the church common room.

Eventually they decided and voted and agreed to hold a fair later that summer, on July Fourth, with booths and games and races and a dessert auction.