Lanterns and Lace by DiAnn Mills

dining area. Instead of meeting Aubrey, she spotted Morgan sipping coffee and reading through a stack of papers.
    I surely hope those aren’t Grant’s adoption papers.
    But her stomach rumbled louder than the alarm sounding in her head.
    She seated herself at the only table available, which happened to be to Morgan’s right. She requested scrambled eggs, bacon, a biscuit, and tea from Mrs. Snyder, and the moment she finished ordering breakfast, Morgan turned her way.
    “Morning, Miss Martin. How are you doing this fine day?”
    “Very well, thank you.”
    “We all enjoyed your visit on Sunday. I hope you plan to join us in the near future.”
    She smiled. What a perfect gentleman when he and the rest of the Andrews family were most likely scheming how to run her out of town. “I’m considering the invitation.” She turned her attention to a table of rowdy cowboy types and frowned.
    “This is not Cleveland, Ohio,” Morgan said.
    “I’m becoming more and more convinced of that, Mr. Andrews.”
    He gathered up the papers before him. “I was just rereading the adoption papers for Rebecca.” Morgan smiled. “Everything is in order.”
    She maintained her composure. “Sometimes the best environment for a child is a moral decision, not a legal one.”
    He stood. “I agree with you wholeheartedly, but in this instance the two are the same.”
    Jenny watched him walk away. She would not let a single Andrews spoil her day, her plans, or her future.
    At the general store, Mr. Kahler was not in sight. Disappointment settled in at the possibility of not having anyone show her how to use the revolver. A young woman with strawberry blond hair arranged the shelves behind the register.
    “Is Mr. Kahler available?” Jenny said.
    “No, ma’am. He’ll be here in about an hour. Would you like to leave a message for him?” The young woman gasped and took a step back.
    “Is something wrong? Are you ill?”
    The woman shook her head. “No. I’m fine. You look like someone I used to know. A good friend who died.”
    Could this be Ellen, Jessica’s friend? Jenny’s heart pounded faster. “Do you mean Jessica Martin?”
    “Yes. Are you by any chance Jenny?”
    “I am. Are you Ellen?”
    The woman’s eyes grew larger, and it was then Jenny noticed a splash of peach-colored freckles across her nose. Surely this adorable young woman had not been a . . .
    The woman responded by moving closer and hugging Jenny. “I thought I’d seen a ghost. The resemblance is remarkable.”
    “I’ve been told that.”
    “I know you came by to see Mr. Kahler, but is there anything I can do for you?”
    “I don’t think so.” She tilted her head. “Is there a time when you and I can talk about Jessica?”
    “I’d love to.” Ellen paused. “Let me think a moment. I’m getting married in a little over a week, and there are many preparations yet to be completed.”
    “Congratulations. We can meet after your wedding.”
    Ellen shook her head. “I don’t want to wait that long. I’m free on Thursday afternoon after one o’clock when I finish here.”
    “I’m at the boardinghouse. Shall we meet there?”
    “Perfect. If you like, we can walk to where I live.”
    Jenny thought her blood must surely have frozen in her veins. Did Ellen still live in the—
    “I live with a widow near the outskirts of town.”
    Jenny hoped she’d disguised her initial reaction. “Sounds lovely.” She bid the young woman good-bye and walked back into the sunshine.
    Convinced her day had taken a definite turn for the better, Jenny decided to forgo asking Mr. Kahler about how to use the Smith & Wesson Pocket .32. She smiled. She actually remembered what it was called, even though she had no idea what the .32 meant. But the revolver fit nicely inside her reticule. In any event, Jenny feared Ellen might inform Grant she’d purchased the weapon, since they were apparently friends. For now she’d go on back to the boardinghouse and look at the