Ana Leigh Read online

  Rose and Kate exchanged a determined look, then crawled over the fence.

  “Here, piggy, piggy, piggy,” Rose cooed as she approached one of the tiny pigs. The little pig’s round black eyes regarded her with curiosity. She made a grab for it. Squealing and wiggling, the greasy animal slipped right through her hands.

  Kate succeeded in holding on to one of the tiny pigs and headed for the fence, but Flora gave Kate a shove, and Kate landed on her backside. The squealing pig wiggled out of her grasp. Flora raised her arms above her head in a gesture of victory.

  Kate stood up and put her hands on her hips. “Reverend Downing, she should be disqualified.”

  “For what? Nobody said anything about rules,” Rita shouted. Screeching like a banshee, Rita dived at Rose, but she stepped aside adroitly, and the prostitute flopped to the ground amidst the pigs, sending the four frightened animals scurrying in all directions.

  Amused, Kate looked down at the two women in the dirt. “Have you ladies had enough?” she asked.

  “Not on your life, ya skinny-ass biscuit pusher,” Rita yelled.

  “Oh, my,” the Reverend said, shocked. “Dear ladies, we must not get profane.”

  The spectators were hooting and hollering. Some had begun making bets as to the outcome.

  A gaping Everett Billings said, “Miss Dubois, Miss McDermott. This is no way for a lady to act.”

  “You’re telling me,” Rose declared. She glared at Zach. “I’ve had just about enough of making a spectacle of myself. If you want to win those stupid tickets, you can very well climb in here and catch one of these pigs yourself!”

  “But that’s not in the rules, Miss Dubois,” the Reverend said.

  “Didn’t you hear, Reverend Downing, there aren’t any rules,” Rose declared.

  Kate went over to the fence. “Souee-e-e-e,” she called.

  Grunting, the four piglets scurried over to her. Kate bent down, picked up one of them, and handed it to Rose. “Be my guest.”

  “How did you do that?”

  “That’s a pig’s feeding call.” Kate picked up another pig. “After you, my dear.”

  Rose crawled through the fence, and Kate followed. The other two pigs scattered when Rita and Flora made a grab for them.

  The crowd broke into laughter as the two women continued to pursue the pigs, sputtering expletives as they crawled on their hands and knees in the dirt. Disgusted, they finally stood up and trudged over to the fence.

  Zach gallantly stepped forward and put out his hands. “May I offer you ladies some assistance?”

  “Ya sure can,” Rita said.

  They each took one of his hands, and he helped them over the fence. Then they turned around, gave him a shove, and sent him sprawling on his backside. Shaking their fists at the crowd, they stormed away.

  Rose looked at Zach, then at the the two women striding away.

  “You know, Kate, there might be some truth in that old adage that no good deed goes unpunished.”

  Chapter 11

  Rose and Kate went back to the boardinghouse to wash up. It was nearing sunset by the time they returned to the site of the celebration.

  “I don’t remember seeing that before,” Rose said, pointing to a brightly painted wagon set in the shade of a tree. “Let’s take a closer look.”

  A gypsy woman with a gold loop dangling from one ear and a bright red scarf tied around her long, dark hair leaned against the wagon smoking a cigarette.

  She called out to them. “Hey, young beauties, you vant Celina to predict zour futures?”

  “Let’s do it,” Rose said.

  Kate hung back. “I’m not so sure I want to know my future.”

  “It’ll be fun, Kate. Besides, she’ll probably just tell us we’ll marry, have a dozen children, and live long lives.”

  “But Rose, take a good look at her; I don’t think she’s bathed in months.”

  Rose grabbed Kate’s hand and tugged her toward the wagon. “Oh, don’t be such a spoilsport.”

  “All right, but I’ll make a prediction right now: we’ll probably catch her fleas.”

  “How much do you charge, Celina?” Rose asked.

  “Celina vill read both of zour palms for vun dollar,” she said in a thick accent. She motioned for them to follow her into the wagon.

  “Za cards for anozher fifty centz.”

  “Why would our futures be different if we pay more for the reading?” Kate asked as Rose dug out the necessary coins.

  The gypsy tucked the money in her pocket, then closed the door behind them. The windowless wagon was cast into darkness except for a single candle flickering on the table. A punguent mix of garlic and stale air blended with the sweet scent of incense, stinging the nostrils.

  “I think I’m going to throw up,” Kate whispered.

  “Shhh,” Rose warned. “She’ll hear you.”

  “Celina hears all and knoz all,” the gypsy said. “So vhich of you to be firzt?”

  “I do not intend to have my fortune read,” Kate said.

  “Zhen vhy you come? You vait outside.”

  “We prefer to remain together,” Rose added quickly.

  There were only two chairs in the wagon, and the gypsy pointed to one. “You zit,” she said to Rose. Nodding toward a cot in the corner, she said to Kate, “And you vait there.”

  Kate held her ground. “If you don’t mind, I’ll just stand.”

  Celina gave Kate a disgruntled look. “Iz okay. But you muzt remain quiet or vill chase avay za spirits.”

  “I understand,” Kate replied. She winked at Rose.

  Sitting down opposite her, the gypsy picked up Rose’s hand. Pulling it closer to the candle, she peered at it intently. After a series of hmmms, humphs, and uh-huhs, she released it and stared at Rose.

  “You’ve had a hard life, little vun,” she said. She picked up a deck of cards.

  “I certainly don’t need you to tell me that,” Rose said, amused.

  The woman stared unwaveringly as she slowly shuffled the cards, then pushed the deck toward Rose. “Cut zhem.”

  Celina’s ambivalent stare was making her so nervous that Rose wished she’d listened to Kate and not been so impulsive. This whole thing was a mistake.

  Celina laid out a row of cards on the table, and after several seconds glanced up with a wily smile. “Aha! You’re a sly vun, my lovely. I zee two men in your life: vun iz dark and za other iz light.”

  The dark man had to be Zach. Could the light one be Stephen Rayburn? She hoped that Celina was even half as good as she claimed to be, because Rose certainly was interested in hearing the outcome.

  Celina laid down another row of cards and studied them. Her glance shifted up to meet Rose’s inquisitive look.

  “I zee treachery and deceit by zhose you trust.” She turned over another card. “And danger. Beware, my lovely.”

  Rose glanced furtively at Kate and saw that her friend was glaring indignantly at the gypsy.

  A chilling silence engulfed the interior of the wagon as Celina dealt out another row of cards. Rose held her breath, waiting to hear the next disturbing message. Celina’s expressive face sobered into a grim line and her eyes darkened with distress. Suddenly she brushed aside the cards. “Zhat is all. Celina tires now, she can do no more.”

  A warning voice pounded in Rose’s head. Don’t ask. Don’t ask. Get out of here before it’s too late . . . before you hear something that you don’t want to know.

  But curiosity overcame caution. Swallowing the lump that had risen in her throat, Rose asked, “What is it, Celina? What did you see that you aren’t telling me?”

  The gypsy’s hands were trembling as she gathered up the cards. “Vaz nothin’.” She lowered her head. “Celina haz told you all zat she zaw.”

  “No, you’re concealing something. Look at me, Celina. What did you see in those last cards?”

  Celina slowly raised her head. “I zaw za face of death.”

  Rose felt a chilling sh
iver down her spine. “Whose death? Mine?”

  “Celina haz told you all she knozs. You go now.”

  “You have no business scaring her like this with your falsehoods,” Kate lashed out angrily. “Come on, honey.” She helped Rose to her feet. “You’ll feel better once we’re out of here.”

  Celina stared blankly at them, then spoke slowly and ominously. “Perhapz she vill feel better outzide, but vhereever she goez, zhere iz no ezcape from deztiny.”

  Too dazed to offer any resistance, Rose let Kate lead her to the door. Her mind spun with frightening visions. Once outside she took a deep breath, and her trembling began to lessen. But the warning was too haunting to ignore. The day had been ruined for her.

  “Kate, I’m not in the mood for any more fun. I think I’ll go back to my room.”

  “Nonsense, Rose, we just came from there. The evening activities are just beginning. You aren’t going to let that fake clairvoyant spoil the rest of the night, are you?”

  “She appeared to be genuinely upset, Kate.”

  “So what? That just means she’s a better actress than fortune-teller, honey.”

  “Kate, do you think people can really predict the future?”

  Kate linked her arm through Rose’s. “Only God knows people’s destinies, Rose. You can’t put any stock in what that old woman said. Besides, every fortune-teller predicts life and death. It’s a safe subject, because everyone has experienced it within their own families.”

  “More of that Midwestern logic of yours, I suppose,” Rose chided.

  “But I will admit that some of what she said is true—especially the part about a dark man in your life. Here he comes now.”

  Rose looked up. Looking fresh and clean in a change of clothing, Zach MacKenzie was headed straight for them.

  “There you are; I’ve been looking for you ladies.” He took a longer look at Rose. “You don’t look too good, Rose. Aren’t you feeling well?”

  “She just had her fortune told, and that fake clairvoyant upset her,” Kate declared.

  “Told you that you wouldn’t marry a rich man, did she, Rosie?”

  Rose glared at him. “I do not intend to discuss it with you, MacKenzie. And, Kate, I’d appreciate it if you would do the same.” She spun on her heel and walked away.

  “Rosie, I was only teasing,” Zach said as he and Kate followed her. “I’m sorry that whatever she said upset you, but you ought to have more sense than to put any stock in what such people have to say.”

  Kate nodded. “That’s exactly what I’ve been trying to tell her.”

  “They’re as crooked as bank robbers,” Zach said.

  Rose stopped abruptly. “I’m sure you’d know more about that profession than I do.”

  “I think I’ll let you two battle this out alone,” Kate said. “I see the other girls over at the circus tent. ’Bye.” She left before Rose could utter a protest.

  “See what you’ve done now, MacKenzie?”

  He looked at her with utter astonishment. “Me! What did I do?”

  “You’ve chased Kate away.”

  “Kate is a discreet woman. And her sound judgment has never been more prudent than now: two’s company; three’s a crowd.”

  “Then take your own advice and leave. Good-bye.” She headed for the circle of Harvey Girls.

  Rose hadn’t taken more than two steps when he caught up with her and grabbed her hand. “Come on, Rosie. We’re here to have fun. The final event of the contest is due to start in an hour. We’ve gotten this far, so why drop out now?”

  “Don’t talk to me about any more contests, Zach.”

  “This one’s nothing like the last one. We’re given clues, and all we have to do is find the items within a specified time. Kate and Billings are the only couple besides us still in the running.”

  “Free tickets to a circus are not worth it, MacKenzie.”

  “How about a free chicken dinner?”

  “What would I have to do to get that? Wring its neck?”

  He grinned. “No, I’ll buy. We have time to eat before the contest begins.” He watched with amused anticipation as she considered.

  “Well, all right.”

  “Then let’s go, honey.” He tucked her arm in his and led her to a booth serving fried chicken and potato salad.

  As much as she hated to admit it, Zach could make everything fun, even drinking mugs of foamy root beer while eating cold chicken and warm potato salad. Too soon, it was time for the contest.

  When they reached the booth, Kate and Everett Billings were waiting. The other two couples had been disqualified as a result of Rita and Flora leaving without catching a pig. Each remaining couple was given a pink slip of paper by the Reverend Downing.

  “There are three parts to this contest,” he said. “In honor of the holiday, each clue is given on red, white, or blue paper. You have to stretch your imaginations and think of this pink as being red.” The remark brought some polite tittering. “Of course,” the pastor continued, “you’re going to have to stretch your imaginations even more to be the winner. When you solve this clue, bring the item back here and I’ll give you the next one, then the third in the same way. The contest is officially over at ten o’clock. Is that clear to everyone?”

  Amidst nods of agreement from the men, Pastor Downing said, “As you’re all aware, the circus has donated front-row tickets to the wining couple, and Mrs. Downing has graciously offered jars of her spiced apples as consolation prizes to the losers. Good luck to all of you.”

  With heads together, Rose and Zach read the pink slip.

  To send all our heads into a whirl,

  Bring us a picture of an All-American girl.

  “That’s easy, Rosie. You’re an All-American girl. Do you have a picture of yourself?”

  “I think that’s a little too easy, Zach. I’m sure they have something more difficult in mind.”

  “Hmmm.” He thought for a minute, as did Rose. “I bet I know what it means!” he said. “When I was in the barbershop the other day, I was paging through Life magazine. There was a picture of a woman painted by some artist named Gibson.”

  “Oh, I’ve heard of that: the Gibson Girl. He’s painted other pictures of her,” Rose said.

  “Yeah. The article said she’s considered the ‘All-American Girl,’ and that must be where the preacher got the idea. He probably read the magazine, too. Don’t suppose you or the other gals have a copy of Life?”

  Rose shook her head. “No, we pass around our magazines, and Life wasn’t among them.”

  “I know where there’s one for sure,” he said.

  “You mean the barbershop? We can’t just break into that barbershop and steal a magazine,” she said, scandalized.

  “We aren’t going to steal the magazine; we’re just going to remove a page from it.”

  “You’re splitting hairs, MacKenzie.”

  “Come on, Rosie, it’s the difference between circus tickets and spiced apples.”

  “You don’t even know if you’re right,” she argued. “Reverend Downing may have had someone else in mind.”

  “No. It’s that Gibson Girl; I’m sure of it. Let’s get to the barbershop. I’ll figure out a way to break in.”

  “That’s just what I’m afraid of, MacKenzie.”

  He took her hand and hurried down the street to the barbershop. “Dammit,” he cursed, after he tried the door and found it locked.

  “What did you expect?” Rose said. She folded her arms across her chest and leaned against the building. “What now?”

  “We’ve got to get in there.” He looked around in desperation.

  “What do you mean we, MacKenzie? Considering your profession, I’d think you’d be an expert at illegally breaking into buildings and banks.”

  He glanced askance at her. “I don’t rob banks.” Glancing above them, he suddenly smiled. “There’s an open window up there. I’ll hoist you up, and you can climb in the window and then go downstairs and
get the picture. It’s in about the middle of the magazine.”

  “Do you actually believe I’d enter someone’s house illegally just to win a silly contest?”

  “It’s all good, clean fun, Rosie. No one will think the worse of it.”

  “Has it occurred to you that someone may be sleeping in that room upstairs?”

  “You know as well as I that everyone is at that celebration waiting for the fireworks to start.”

  “They’ll start, all right, if we’re caught breaking into this house.”

  “No one will even know.”

  Rose couldn’t believe she let him hoist her to his shoulders. Before she could find a logical explanation, she found herself sitting on his shoulders and stretching her arms to reach the windowsill.

  “I’m not high enough to climb in,” she said.

  “I’ll fix that.” He pulled off her shoes.

  “What are you doing?”

  “Now you can stand on my shoulders.”

  Rose grinned. “You should have gotten one of those circus acrobats to be your partner. I’m going to end up killing myself over these darn tickets.”

  “If so, Rosie, I’ll think of you while I’m enjoying the show . . . Ouch!” he yelled, when her knee dug into his shoulder blade as she shifted her position. Unfortunately, her gown was now bunched under her knee and she couldn’t stand up. After several seconds struggling to free her foot out from beneath her gown, she managed to get her foot on his shoulder and hoist herself through the window.

  Moonlight enabled her to see a doorway opposite, and a cat eyed her curiously as she passed it on her way downstairs. “Sure glad you’re not a dog, kitty. I don’t think MacKenzie took that possibility into consideration when he planned this heist.”

  The cat hissed at her.

  After trying several doors, she finally found the one that opened into the barbershop. Rose located the magazines and carried them over to a large window to enable her to read the titles. She found the one she was looking for, flipped it open, and lo and behold, there was a picture of the Gibson Girl, just as Zach had said. She pulled out the page, folded it carefully, and put it into her pocket. Then Rose replaced the magazines on the table just as she’d found them and hurried back upstairs. The cat hadn’t budged, and its yellow eyes glowed in the dark like beacons, following her every move.