A Family For The Holidays. Sherri Shackelford

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?

      She picked up her speed once more. Right or wrong, something was suspicious about Emil’s absence. She wasn’t naive orphan Lily. She certainly wasn’t taking any chances. Emil hadn’t been seen in a week, which meant he’d gone missing only days after accepting guardianship. With their grandfather absent, only one last obstacle remained between the boys and someone who might want to exploit them for their inheritance.

      She discovered the sheriff where Vic had predicted, sipping whiskey and playing cards in the saloon. Lily wrinkled her nose against the stench and forged onward. The lawman was wiry and small, barely larger than Sam, and had the bulbous pink nose of a gentleman who spent more time in the saloon than in church. He reminded her of a puppet with his exaggerated features and slim body. He was also her best option at the moment.

      The sheriff caught sight of her and winked. “What can I do for you, little lady?”

      Lily rolled her eyes. Was winking some sort of odd affliction amongst the men of Frozen Oaks?

      “I’m concerned about the disappearance of Emil Tyler.”

      “Old Emil? He’ll turn up. I don’t get paid to go looking for folks just because someone has their apron in a twist.”

      The pain in her temple throbbed once more. This day had gone entirely too long.

      “I think the gunfighter might be involved,” she said.

      “Jake?”

      Lily nodded.

      “Don’t go messing with that one. Even Vic steers clear of him.”

      “So I’ve heard.”

      “What do you think he’s done?”

      “I saw Jake watching Emil’s barbershop. Emil has disappeared. It stands to reason the two may be connected.”

      “Get me some proof, lady. Right now, all you’ve got is an old fellow who wandered off. For all we know, he ain’t right in the head. Old fellows get odd like that.”

      “Speaking from experience?”

      “Huh?”

      “Never mind.” Lily bit out the words through clenched teeth. “I’ll find the proof myself.”

      * * *

      Jake yanked open the lumber-mill door and searched the dimly lit interior. He glanced over his shoulder, then shut the door. Lily Winter had been trailing him for two days. Though his admiration was grudging, he had to concede she was rather good. She’d nearly caught up with him a couple of times.

      Clearly she thought he was involved with Emil’s disappearance. There’d been no developments on that front either. No one was talking. His entire network had gone quiet. A sense of anticipation permeated the air, as though everyone in town was waiting for something to break.

      A sound caught his attention and he spun around and met the muzzle of a quaking gun.

      A pair of familiar, pretty blue eyes peered over the barrel.

      “I was just wondering when something might happen.” Jake automatically raised his hands. “I thought I lost you at the livery.”

      “You knew I was following you?” She tossed her head. “How long have you known?”

      “I had a clue, yes. A lady in the bathhouse is bound to cause a stir.”

      A violent shade of pink suffused her cheeks. “That was an accident. I was following you and not paying attention to my surroundings. Thankfully, the bathhouse was empty.”

      The empty bathhouse had been more than fortunate. When he’d first caught wind she might be following him, he’d baited the trap. She’d followed him inside, then exited rather rapidly.

      “Since you’re here,” Jake continued, “how about you tell me why you’re following me?”

      “Vic said you had an argument with Emil. Why didn’t you mention your disagreement when we talked before?”

      “Vic is lying.” Jake held his hands in a placating gesture, stalling for time. “I’m only trying to help you, Miss Winter. You should also know that the sheriff is following you.”

      “A coincidence. I went to him for help when we first arrived.”

      “Then he’s letting you do most of the legwork. He waits until you follow me, and then he follows you.”

      “I’m inclined to believe you’re lying about that, as well. The sheriff doesn’t strike me as being much of a go-getter.”

      “You’ve