Chapter Twenty-Five

The next few days were busy ones. Luke and Patricia's home was being built, which kept everyone pretty busy. Ace had taken Penny into town, and it came as no surprise to anyone, that he had convinced the landowner to sell them the lot for Penny's sewing shop—he had ordered all the lumber needed the same day though it would be a few weeks before it arrived.

While Ace spent much of his time working on Patricia and Luke's house, Penny spent hers working on the dress order for Mrs. Meyers. She was using her old room at the ranch house as her sewing room since there was simply no room to spread everything out at the cabin.

Sitting back in her chair, Penny laid down the fabric she'd been joining and stretched out her aching fingers. Glancing at the clock told Penny it was nearing six in the evening. That meant everyone would be finishing up work for the day within the next hour or so and heading to the ranch house for dinner.

She couldn't wait to see Ace. It was pathetic really, how attached she'd grown to the man, but Penny missed him every second they were apart. She lived for his smiles, his glances, his touches.... Ace Anderson was her world.

A knock on the door, startled Penny out of her thoughts. "Penny, dear, are you busy? Could I come in?"

"Of course, Carol," Penny replied.

Carol stepped into the room with a dress bag draped over her arm. "What do you have there?" Penny asked.

Carol laid the dress bag down on the bed and came to Penny, sitting down in the chair beside her. "I was hoping I could talk to you about something."

Penny frowned. Carol seemed emotional—was something wrong? "What do you want to talk about?"

Carol reached out and took her hand. "Your wedding. When Patricia joined our family, she and Luke were married without a big ceremony. They rushed things and broke my heart—though I suppose it worked out for them."

Penny smiled. "I'm certain they didn't break your heart on purpose."

Laughing lightly, Carol waved her hand. "Children are good at breaking their parent's hearts, it makes us quite resilient. Now that you and Ace are getting married in a few days, I want to make an offer to you."

"What kind of offer?" Penny was still just as confused as she'd been when Carol had come in the room.

Carol's dark hair shimmered in the sunlight streaming through the window as she tilted her head. "Have you thought much about what you're going to wear?"

Penny sighed. "In a perfect world, I would have made a gown, but I simply didn't have time. I will probably wear my yellow dress....."

Carol held up her hand and jumped to her feet. She seemed childlike in her excitement as she grabbed up the bag. "What would you say to wearing this?"

Carol opened the bag and pulled out one of the most beautiful lace dresses that Penny had ever seen. The skirt consisted of four billowing tiers of white lace. The bodice would fit tightly with a delicate neckline and lace trimmed sleeves that would hang off the shoulder.

"Carol... that's beautiful..." Penny gasped. She stood and walked to the dress, running her fingers over it with reverence. This dress was a piece of art. Penny could only imagine the time and work involved in tatting every inch of perfect, delicate lace.

"It has been in my family for several generations," Carol admitted, tears in her brown eyes. "My great grandmother made this dress. She wore it in her wedding, as did my grandmother, my mother, and me. Now, I'm passing it on to you—if you'd like it. There's no pressure...."

Penny nearly choked on the amount of emotion that suddenly rose in her throat. "You want me to wear this...? But, Carol, it's... it's your family's..."

Carol clicked her tongue. "And so are you. You are my family. You are marrying my son—bless your heart—and I feel as if this dress was simply made for you to wear."

A tear slid down Penny's cheek and she quickly swiped it away. "But.. but what about Maggie? She's your daughter.. won't she want to wear it?" Even as Penny asked the question she knew how ridiculous it sounded. Maggie would never be caught dead in so much lace.

The motherly love Carol felt for Penny was plain to see in the smile on her face. "I've spoken to Maggie. She said she's never getting married and, if one day she goes completely brain addled and does decide to marry, she won't be caught dead doing it in this monstrosity of lace."

Laughter bubbled out of Penny's chest. That sounded exactly like what Maggie would say. "Will you wear my dress, Penny? And then one day pass it on to your daughter if you are blessed enough to have one?"

Penny found speech difficult. Never in her life had Penny known a mother's love but Carol had given it to her. "Of course I will," she managed to whisper, several more tears slipping down her cheeks.

"Penny, dear, don't cry!" Carol exclaimed, laying the dress down on the bed. She rushed to Penny but those words, plus the hug that followed causing the flood gates to unleash behind Penny's eyes and she broke down in sobs in Carol's arms.

Carol held her gently, running her hand tenderly up and down Penny's back and whispering soothingly. "Are you going to be okay, sweetheart?"

Penny wasn't ready to pull away just yet but she nodded against Carol's shoulder. "I've never.. I've never had a mother, not a real mother... This is.. what you've done..." Penny hated that she couldn't find the words she so badly wanted to say.

Carol seemed to understand anyhow. "Thank you for letting me be that for you, Penny. I am proud to be your mother." Carol pulled away and dried up Penny's cheeks. "Now, let's get this dress tried on! Do you know a good seamstress that could do some tailoring?"

Penny smiled. "I just might."

***

"Just wait until you see your bride in her dress, Ace. You'll be blown away," Carol stated, as the family sat to eat dinner that night.

"That bad, huh?" Ace teased. When his mother scolded him, Ace grinned. "Hell, mama, I'll just be happy if she shows up."

Penny nudged him gently with her elbow. "Behave or I might not."

"Oh you'll show up," Ace promised, his brows wagging.

He loved the sight of Penny flushing but he also loved that she didn't miss a beat before saying. "You're right, I'll be there. Might have to work on the groom though. Gregory would you still be available?

Gregory chuckled. "To marry you? I just might be."

Ace glared at his brother. "Don't insult my woman again."

"Insult me?" Penny frowned. "Sounds like he offered to marry me."

Ace nodded. "Yeah and the only damn woman Gregory would ever marry would be one that walks on all fours, has a nice set of hooves and moos real pretty."

"Kiss my ass, Ace," Gregory grumbled.

"Yeah, mine too," Penny snapped.

Ace leaned down low and let his lips dance near her ear. "I'd be more than happy to kiss yours, princess."

"Why don't we stop talking about kissing asses at the dinner table?" Ed offered.

"Why don't we all watch our language at the dinner table?" Carol added.

Ace sighed and went back to eating. His mama and daddy sure were a bunch of killjoys. "Do you like the dress, Penny? Mama said she was asked you to wear hers."

"I love it, Ace. It's beautiful," Penny replied, those green/gray eyes glowing. "The lace is so delicate. I can only imagine how much time and work your great great grandmother put into making a piece so beautiful."

"She was a wonderful seamstress," Carol spoke up. "You remind me so much of her with your talent."

"Thank you," Penny tipped her head, clearly uncomfortable with the compliment.

Ed turned his attention to his youngest son. "Ace, did you get what you were working on done today?"

Ace nodded. "Yes sir."

Penny tilted her head. "I thought you were working on Patricia and Luke's house today. I know it isn't done already..."

"Almost though," Patricia replied, bouncing with excitement in her chair.

Luke's arm snaked around her waist as he smiled proudly. "Only another week or so of work and we'll be ready to start moving in."

"That's great, Patricia." Penny smiled at her sister. "I really am happy for both of you."

"Penny?" Ed called. Penny turned her attention to him. "Since you and Ace will be married soon, I have been trying to decide on a wedding gift."

"A gift?" Penny shook her head. "Ed, your family has already given me so much... I don't need a gift."

"Nonsense." Ed waved his hand. "Ace has been working hard today to ready a spot at your home for my gift."

Penny gazed over at Ace. "What have you been doing?"

"Making sure Blackey won't be too crowded in that barn."

Penny only seemed more confused and Ace fought the urge to pull her into his arms and kiss her senseless. He didn't figure his mama would appreciate him doing that at the supper table.

Ed cleared his throat. "It has been brought to my attention that you have developed a special bond with Quincey—or should I say he has developed a special bond with you. As your wedding gift, I'd like to give you a horse of your own. Quincy is now yours."

Penny's jaw dropped. "Mine?"

"Don't be too awed, Princess," Ace teased. "Hell, he hates that horse."

"Ace!"

"Montgomery!"

Carol and Ed scolded in unison. Laughter filled the dining room. "Ed, thank you. Quincy is a good horse."

Ed chuckled. "I'm glad you think so."

***

Gavin's knees shook as he stood in the corner of the dark, storeroom he was currently in. Standing in the dim light, looming like the devil himself, was Franklyn Rutledge. At nearly even feet tall and all muscles wrapped in dark skin, Franklyn was terrifying.

"Where's my money, Mr. Hendershot?"

Gavin swallowed hard, his jaw trembling. "I don't have it.... I need more time...."

Franklyn's fist shot out and caught Gavin in the gut, silencing him and sending him doubling over while struggling to catch his breath.

"I have given you plenty of time. Me and my men will be moving on soon and you have yet to pay up."

A tear streaked down Gavin's cheek. He never should have done business with the rustlers terrorizing everyone but he'd been desperate for money—and he had thought he'd have Anderson money to pay them back with.

"So what are we going to do?" Franklyn asked, grabbing Gavin's shoulder and shoving him against the wall. "How am I gonna get my payment from you?"

Gavin sobbed. "I can't pay you.. I'm sorry... please... please don't kill me..."

"Kill you?" Franklyn smiled. He patted Gavin's cheek roughly. "I'd never get my money then."

Damn Penny! Damn Ace! It was their fault that Gavin was stuck in this situation. If Penny had simply married him and Ace hadn't gotten in the way, Franklyn would have been paid off long ago and Gavin wouldn't be covered in bruises, beat half to death, and certain he was going to die.

"I have no money...."

"No money. We've already covered that," Franklyn snapped. "I could take my payment in something else. You got property worth anything? Horses?"

Gavin trembled, nearly vomiting on Franklyn's shoes. "No...." Everything was in his father's name—that man was far to smart to put anything in Gavin's name.

"I need something, Gavin. Something or I will have to kill you just to make a statement. No one borrows money off the Rutledge Boys and fails to pay us back."

His sobs increased. "P..Please...."

"You really are pathetic, Gavin," Franklyn grumbled, taking a few steps back. "I know you have something. You got any more of those fancy suits you like to wear?"

"Yes.. yes I do," Gavin nodded heartily, eager to please.

"I'll take those. Some of my men got fancy tastes, they'd like to wear 'em. You got a horse?"

"Just one... I need him..."

"Wrong. I need him. Pocket watches? Weapons? Rings?"

Gavin swallowed hard. "No weapons but I have a pocket watch. Old. It was my grandfathers and it's worth money..." He didn't add that it was the only family heirloom his father had trusted him with that he hadn't already pawned off.

Franklyn grinned, his white teeth glowing in the darkness. "Great! See we're getting closer. I just need one more thing. One more thing I can sell for some money. See I'm gonna be meeting up with a man who likes to buy things. He likes horses, weapons, jewelry, watches, women...."

"Women?" Gavin's head perked up. "He buys women?"

"Yep. He sells them into work in Mexico depending on their skills. A good woman can go for quite a bit of money."

A plan formed in Gavin's mind. He wasn't going to die. He was going to pay Franklyn back—and he was going to have his revenge when he did so.