Chapter 30

When Lily stepped through the front door of Wylder’s mercantile, she felt instantly at home. A cheery atmosphere made the store snug, despite the size of the building. A sweet scent wafted toward her. She couldn’t put a finger on what she smelled, but it reminded her of Charleston.

The space loomed large before them and merchandise hung from the ceiling and on the walls. Baskets overflowed with colorful items. Goods of all types and for all purposes, it seemed, were on display.

Daisy turned to her and grinned. “It reminds me of Babbitt’s Mercantile, on Charleston Street. Not as fancy, but it gives a nice feeling when you walk in, doesn’t it?”

She’d been thinking the same thing. Babbitt’s lived in her heart, almost as close as if it were a family member. Their childhoods included endless trips to the big store, with its intriguing displays and wide glass-front candy counter.

“Think they have peppermint sticks here?” She looked toward the center of the store, where a tall man stood behind the counter. There were baskets of small treats near him and she suspected the candy might be there, too.

“I sure hope so. Father’s promise of one for the walk home is the single thing that kept me from running my fingers through the pencil basket and grabbing a handful every time we went into Babbitt’s.” Her sister raised an eyebrow at her. “I know he kept me from indulging my writer’s overindulgence that way. What did he keep you from?”

She considered. What exactly had she coveted as a child? “I suppose that I’d have to say he kept me from asking to buy household items. You know, stirring spoons and thread to make doilies.” She shrugged. “I always wanted a home of my own, to choose curtains and plan meals. So the candy promise kept me from lingering in the aisles where I had no business.”

“I’ve yearned to be an author and you a wife.” Daisy put a hand on her shoulder and gave a squeeze. “Funny how two children raised in the same house could be so different.”

“No telling what will land in a small child’s heart, I guess.” She took a step forward. “I hope we both get what we want out of life.”

“Me, too.” Daisy followed her deeper into the store. “And I hope they have peppermint sticks here. It seems they have everything else, doesn’t it?”

It certainly did seem that way. She headed for the far end of the store, to see what Wylder’s mercantile offered. There weren’t any pressing needs now, but one could never tell when something might come up.

Jars of unsharpened colored pencils lined a shelf. Beside them, fabric-covered journals. She ran a finger over the small books, wondering what color to choose.

“Uh oh. Has my writing passion influenced you?” Her sister’s tone teased. They both knew better.

“Not quite.” She reached for a book with a blue floral cover, then chose a half-dozen pencils in assorted hues. “I thought Alexia might like one. She told me she’d like to write, so why not encourage that?”

“You’re kind, sister. I’m sure the girl would appreciate it. After all, her mother is gone, and she might need a little extra attention.”

This newfound closeness made Lily’s heart swell. Not being at odds or having to remind anyone of the rules of conduct gave her ease she’d never felt before.

So much had changed in such a short time.

They were about to make their way to the counter when a female voice from the next aisle caught her attention. She heard their sister’s name mentioned, so she put a hand on Daisy’s arm.

“Violet Bloom is one wise woman. Came to town, found her intended dead, and wasted no time scraping up a new man. Gotta hand it to ’er, she did good.” The voice did not ring a bell with Lily, but she had not met enough of Wylder’s citizens to get to know many people.

The woman made no effort to conceal the conversation. Her gossipy tone gave Lily the impression that she enjoyed spreading news about others. A hint of glee tinged every word.

The woman continued, her voice lifting on the mention of the man associated with Violet. “And she fell into it, she did. That Harvey fellow is one of the richest around, I hear. Runs some kind of money office that caters to mining companies, owns that fancy house, comes from big wealth back east is what I heard.”

The voice that replied sounded muffled, as if the speaker held a hand near her mouth. Still, she overheard enough but before she could walk around to the next aisle, the woman went on in an even louder tone of voice.

“I hear his brother’s got pockets filled with gold, too—and he’s not spoken for although one of the sisters, the new ones in town, looks to have her sights on ’im. Could be her sister told her he’s loaded, like ’is brother.”

The words apparently carried to her sister because Daisy whirled around, her mouth wide open. She looked like a fish on a pier and would have brought a giggle had she not been trying to conceal their presence. Lily placed a finger over her lips, urging the younger sister to remain still. The jaw snapped shut but the green eyes remained enormous.

The louder one spoke again. “Well, all I can say is, if you have any thoughts to catchin’ that Theo Harvey for yourself, you’d best move on him. Otherwise the Bloom sisters’ll swoop in and grab his wallet—ah, heart, too.”

The two women shared a laugh, she supposed over the last line, before walking toward the back of the store. They were middle-aged, dressed conservatively, and wore hats that concealed their faces.

Lily’s face burned. She nearly followed the women, to see how they’d act when they came face-to-face, but she resisted. Better to hold her head high and avoid the gossipers.

“Come on, let’s get out of here.” Daisy gave her a gentle nudge toward the front of the store, and she didn’t resist.

The man behind the counter smiled. He stood tall and thin, with light brown hair and gentle eyes.

“Nice to see the Bloom sisters made it to Wylder safely. I know your sister has been looking forward to your being here for a while. She must be happy to finally have some family out west with her.”

“Why, that’s kind of you, Mister Wylder. Yes, we’re glad to be here with our sister. She’s been missed.” She handed over her selections and opened her reticule to pay.

He wrapped the pencils in brown paper and tied the bundle with string. His fingers were long and thin, and they worked while he spoke. The book got the same care. “Can I get anything else for you ladies?”

Her sister cleared her throat, the way she would have when they were children.

She took the lead and pointed to the candy display. “We’d like five peppermint sticks, please. If you’d be kind enough to wrap one separately, I’d be grateful.” She’d tuck that one in with Alexia’s other things, to make a nice gift for the girl.