Chapter 6

Sissy

Sissy worked with Millie over the next few weeks, and they became fast friends. Thanksgiving was right around the corner, and a thick blanket of snow covered the ground, the bite of winter heavy in the air. It would be Sissy's first holidays that she would spend alone, but she made a mental note to celebrate them with Millie, unless she had other plans.

To her surprise, Elmer Webster hadn't come for the sleigh and rig yet. But Sissy knew the day was coming, and she dreaded it.

True to his word, Harrison Curry had sent to Laramie for her trunk, and it was still at the train station. Obviously, Elmer Webster's brothers hadn't grabbed it as he had ordered.

Finally, Sissy was beginning to feel that she had found a home in Whiskey River.

Just before her shift one day, Sissy decided to go over to the General Store and see Mrs. Carson about fabric.

"Millie, I'm going over to the General Store. Would you like anything?" It felt nice to have a friend right next door.

Millie shook her head, a smile lighting her lips as she set two cups of hot cocoa on a tray for a customer. "No, thanks, but you have fun."

"I won't be long." Sissy slid her reticule over her arm and headed outside into the cold. She pulled her heavy coat around her as she hurried through the snow and into the General Store. Luckily, the store was open, even though it was still early.

"Good morning!" Mrs. Carson's smile lit up the room as she wrapped fabric around a bolt. "Don't tell me you've run out of material already!"

Sissy chuckled. "No, not yet. Don't tell her, but I wanted to make something special for Millie. I'm not sure what just yet, but maybe a new dress, matching gloves, and a reticule. I have plenty of time to work on it, so I thought I'd get an early start."

"That's wonderful!" She placed a finger to her lips, a mischievous look dancing in the older woman's eyes as she leaned in conspiratorially. "And don't worry. Your secret is safe with me."

"Thank you!" Sissy began perusing the material. "My shift starts soon, but I thought I'd pop in for ideas."

"Well, I'm glad you did." Mrs. Carson led her to a shelf filled with fabric. "Here is our new collection. Maybe you could find inspiration here?"

"I'm sure I will." Sissy nodded, a smile lighting her lips. "Thank you."

"By the way…." Mrs. Carson moved closer, looking both ways to make sure no one was listening. "You know I'm not one to gossip…."

A few aisles away, Mr. Carson scoffed, shaking his head as he rolled his eyes, and then headed into the store room.

Sissy giggled. Although she was new in town and she liked Mrs. Carson, she knew what she could and couldn't tell her. The elder woman was definitely one to gossip.

"Kenzie Baker, owner of The Lady's Dress Emporium, is looking to hire another seamstress." Mrs. Carson perused the fabric while she spoke. "When she mentioned it to me, I immediately thought of you." She paused, clasping Sissy's hands. "Sissy, I know you like working in the restaurant, but maybe this could be your way out."

"Or maybe I could work both jobs." Sissy shrugged. "I love sewing and if I could make some money and save, all the better." She smiled at Mrs. Carson. "In fact, I met Miss Baker on the train on my way here. I'll pop by later to talk to her. Thank you, Mrs. Carson." She pulled the woman in for a dainty hug. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I'll have to leave to go to work soon—"

"By all means!" Mrs. Carson held her hands up, stepping away.

"Thank you, Mrs. Carson." Sissy smiled as she turned her attention back to the colorful bolts of winter fabric.

But as Sissy looked it over, she saw the figure of a man just outside the window. She looked up and her heart nearly stopped, for passing by the window was Vincent, the good-looking bandit who had saved her life the day her father was killed. What were the chances of running into him here in Whiskey River?

"Thank you, Mrs. Carson! Have a good day!" Sissy waved to her, rushing toward the door.

"Well, aren't you going to buy anything?" Mrs. Carson screeched.

"Yes, but I'll be back later. Thank you!" Then, Sissy rushed outside into the snow before Mrs. Carson could stop her.

Outside, Vincent was walking along the wooden walkway headed toward the livery stables. She just hoped he didn't do anything to Dirk. Mr. Price was a nice man. But then again, Vincent may be a good man, too. After all, he didn't have to save her that day. He could have let Jim kill her along with her father.

Sissy rushed across the street and headed into the hotel. "I'll be right down," she called over to Millie as she rushed up the stairs. In her room, she hung up her coat, grabbed her apron, and rushed back down, tying it into place as she stepped up to the front where a young couple was waiting.

"Two for breakfast?" Sissy asked, taking two menus from the bar.

"Yes, please," the woman chirped.

Sissy returned the smile. "Right this way." As Sissy headed through the restaurant to a table, she couldn't help but think of how much she had learned since she first arrived in Whiskey River just a few short weeks ago, and how much she loved waitressing. She was able to meet a lot of people, and working for the restaurant, the sheriff could easily find her when Elmer Webster came to collect his sleigh.

Although she knew it was too much to hope for, Sissy just hoped that he came into town quietly and left her alone. But knowing Elmer and his brothers, that wasn't going to happen.

Her mind wandered to Vincent, her heart pounding at the thought of seeing him again. Over the past few weeks, he had never been far from her mind. She just hoped he wasn't in Whiskey River to scout out the town and report back to his gang. Since her arrival, Sissy had come to love the people of Whiskey River and wanted to do whatever she could to protect them.

A table of Millie's left and she was cleaning it off when Sissy approached.

"Millie, do you know anything about a good-looking man with shoulder length dark brown hair and brown eyes?" Sissy felt foolish asking about him, but she had to know. "I saw him heading toward the livery stable when I was on my way back from the General Store earlier today."

"Oh, yes! That's Vincent." Millie paused for a moment, thinking. "I'm not sure what his last name is. Anyway…." Millie pulled Sissy to the side and lowered her voice, her eyes dancing. "He arrived in town just before you did." She shrugged. "He was looking for work so Dirk hired him at the livery stable. This morning, he was probably headed to work. Since he's been here, he's become a part of the community, just like you." She arched an eyebrow. "Why? Do you know him?"

"Not really…." Sissy shook her head. "I just saw him and was curious."

"Yes, he's quite good looking." Millie wagged her eyebrows. "But he seems to keep to himself." She grabbed a wash cloth and headed back to her table. "Well, if you have everything under control, I'm taking the rest of the day off. It's snowing outside so it'll probably be slow."

"Good for you!" Sissy chirped, glad her friend was finally taking some much-needed time off. "Have fun!"

Millie chuckled, leaning in. "Oh, I will!" Then she headed up the stairs.

As Sissy seated another couple, she couldn't help but think of what Millie had told her. As her shift wore on, Sissy wondered whether or not to tell Sheriff Clark about Vincent. But then again, maybe he had come to Whiskey River to start a new life, just as she had done.

Just then, Vincent walked in and took his hat off as he stared at Sissy, expressionless.

Sissy froze, not sure what he wanted or what to do, her heart pounding in anticipation. She didn't want to cause a scene, so Sissy thought it best just to pretend like she didn't know him.

She grabbed a menu off the counter. "One for lunch?"

"Yes, please." He replied, fiddling with his hat. "Somewhere… private."

She nodded and thought of the private room near the windows. But she made a mental note to leave the door open, just in case.

"Right this way, sir." She headed to the right of the restaurant and set his menu down at a table by the window. He took his seat and slid his hat on the seat beside him.

She stepped back, but he grabbed her arm. "Did you follow me here?" he asked, his voice low, a crease between his eyes.

"No!" She tried to pull away, but his grip was firm. Then, a sudden calm washed over her as she leaned in. "Let me go or I'll scream, and I don't think you want the attention."

He stared at her for a long moment, then he nodded once and released her. "Join me." He waved to the chair across from him. "We have a lot to talk about."

"I can't." She let out a deep breath, electricity filling the air between them. Although he was good looking, it was clear that he could be just as dangerous—a lethal combination. "What can I get for you?" She felt foolish for asking, but this was her job. Wasn't it?

One corner of his lips lifted into a smile. "So, what do you plan to do… now that you've seen me here?"

"Now, let me ask you something." A crease formed between her eyes as she leaned in conspiratorially. "Why are you here?"

He lifted one shoulder. "After… that day… I left the gang and ran. Somehow, I ended up here in Whiskey River."

"So, you left the gang?"

He nodded. "Yes." He leaned forward, keeping his voice low. "You may not believe this, but after… what happened with your father and you, I left the gang. I didn't want to be the cause of anymore violence or bloodshed."

She nodded, understanding. "May I ask, why did you save me?"

Vincent stared at her for a long moment. "I didn't want you to get hurt." He bit his lower lip and released it. "I'm sorry about your father. It was clear that he wasn't a threat, but Jim… he could get crazy. He liked killing a bit too much."

"So, my father died for… sport?"

He nodded slowly. "Unfortunately, yes. He was in the wrong place at the wrong time… you both were." Vincent looked toward the door to make sure no one was listening. "Anyway, may I see you again?"

"What do you mean?"

He shrugged. "You've promised not to tell anyone about me, and I'd like to see you."

Sissy leaned in, her eyes meeting his. "Can I trust you?"

He nodded. "Yes. I just want a new life, Sissy. I don't want to be an outlaw anymore. Look. I've done some things—"

"And it doesn't matter." Her heart went out to him. Deep down, she knew he wouldn't kill people in cold blood. He may be a lot of things, but he wasn't a cold-blooded killer. "I'd like to see you, too."

"Tonight?" His eyebrows rose. "I could cook you dinner and we can talk."

"That sounds nice, but I have to get back to work." As a single woman, she knew better than to meet a man at his house alone at night, but where else could they go to talk privately? "So, what can I get you to drink?"

"Coffee, black." A smile lit his lips as he turned his attention back to the menu. "And I'll have the fried chicken, mashed potatoes, and carrots, please." He handed her his menu.

Her hand touched his when she took it, and electricity coursed through her body. Vincent caused her to feel things that she had never felt before. It was as if she was sleeping through her life, and then suddenly awake when she was around Vincent. No other man had ever had such an effect on her.

"I'll… have that right out." Sissy darted out the door and Harrison stopped her at the bar.

"Sissy, is everything all right?" Concern filled his eyes as he lifted his chin toward the private room, indicating Vincent.

She gave him a small smile. "Yes, he's fine. He's lonely and just wants to talk."

Harrison nodded slowly. "Okay but be careful. There's something about him that I can't quite place, and I don't want any of my girls to get hurt."

"Thank you." Sissy smiled as she hurried into the kitchen. It felt nice to have someone worry about her. "Paul, an order of fried chicken, mashed potatoes, and carrots, please."

A smile lit his lips. "We're nearly out of the fried chicken, but we have enough for a few more orders."

"Good," she replied. "You'll have to start making more. You've been selling out a lot lately."

"Yeah, I'll get right on that." Paul chuckled, shaking his head. "It'll be ready in a minute."

Sissy hurried out to the floor, pocketed the tip on the empty table where the couple sat, and cleaned it off. Then she quickly poured Vincent's coffee. There was something about Vincent that attracted her to him. She didn't know what, but she never felt more alive than when she was with him.