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“Did Lacy say anything about my stove?” she asked.
He shook his head.
“It would be nice if it arrived soon. I’m tired of wrestling with this one. I did a pot roast and potatoes for dinner but it took lots of prayer. We can eat whenever you’re ready.”
Even though she and the old stove fought daily, Colt had to admit her food was outstanding. Ben’s stew couldn’t hold a candle to what she’d been feeding him and Anna.
“Oh, and this is going to be the last day the carpenters are here until Mr. James returns from Cheyenne. His sister’s ill and he’s going to go see about her. I’m disappointed he can’t finish, but his family is more important.”
After dinner, Regan changed into a skirt and blouse ahead of the meeting. When Colleen arrived, Regan gave Anna and Colt her good-byes and walked out to Colleen’s wagon.
Colleen looked at the rifle Regan carried. “Why on earth do you need that?”
“In case someone tries to take a shot at me again.” She wondered about Spring’s claim that Colleen was in love with Colton, and if he was aware.
“I heard about that. Probably someone shooting at something else. Not you.”
Refusing to argue, she climbed up and placed the Winchester within easy reach by her feet. “I’m ready now.”
Colleen drove off. “At least you aren’t wearing those horrid denims. We wouldn’t want the mayor’s wife to have to turn you away. She’s very influential here, you know.”
Regan supposed she’d been wrong about the olive branch and should’ve thrown herself off a ladder. “I know how to dress appropriately.” Back home, their hotel regularly hosted wealthy Americans and European royalty but she didn’t tell that to Colleen. She said instead, “Tell me about the other ladies in the group.”
“There’s the mayor’s wife, Glenda. She’s from Boston. Her family was at Plymouth Rock. Her husband also owns the bank.” She glanced over to see if she’d impressed Regan. She hadn’t.
“And the others?” Regan asked.
Colleen rattled off unkind descriptions of some of the other women, making Regan wonder how someone living in a territorial backwater could consider herself so superior. Regan decided to form her own opinions after meeting everyone.
“I hear you bought up half of Miller’s store,” Colleen said.
“Almost.”
“That’s very unconscionable of you. Dr. Lee doesn’t have that kind of money.”
“Then it’s a good thing I do.”
She stared. “Your family’s wealthy?”
“Where I was raised, it’s considered very gauche to quiz someone about their financial state.”
Colleen startled at her brusque reply. Regan guessed no one ever put her in her place. Regan didn’t plan on being one of them.
After that, Colleen had no more questions, gauche or otherwise, so Regan turned her attention to the beauty of the mountains.
The Cales lived in one of the large homes Regan had seen on her first day in Paradise. With its turrets and gingerbread trim, it seemed to look down on its more modest neighbors. She hoped it wasn’t indicative of the owners.
Glenda Cale with her red hair and green eyes was lovely. She met Regan warmly and took her hands. “Welcome to my home.”
Regan estimated them to be about the same age. “Thank you for the invitation.”
“So sorry I missed your wedding. My husband and I were in Denver on business. Come in. The ladies are all here.”
Colleen spoke up, “I thought I’d offer her a ride with me.”
Glenda’s bright smile faded to one that appeared pasted on. “Thank you, Colleen. What a good neighbor you are.”
That exchange gave Regan the impression that Glenda was not as impressed with the Widow Enright as the widow was with her.
