“It’s only been a day, but already the three of you look like a family. More the glory to God.”
Matt hadn’t noticed Mrs. Sizeloff come into the store. He’d been so involved in watching the ribbon picking that the world had gone on without his notice.
“Thank you, ma’am.” Matt took off his hat and twisted it in his hand. Mrs. Sizeloff cradled a newborn in the crook of her arm while her son, Charlie, tugged on her skirt urging her toward the counter displaying hard candies.
“I was telling my Josie just last night that you and Mrs. Suede looked near as happy as we did on our wedding day. Oh, my, weren’t those happy times?” The preacher looked dreamy for a moment, then seemed to notice the tugging on her skirt. “You’ll call on me when it’s time for a christening, won’t you?”
“Yes, ma’am.” How big of a sin was it to lie to a preacher? He needed to remember that Emma’s display of affection for him was no more than a show. Even if it weren’t, that christening would never happen. He and his wife were traveling the same trail only until fall.
Mrs. Sizeloff followed Charlie to the candy counter and listened to him recite the many sweets that he wanted to take home.
Emma and Lucy had finished with ribbons and moved on to the bolts of fabric stacked near the window. After some discussion, Emma picked out a bolt. She carried it to the counter with Lucy trailing behind, toting a pair of ribbons and a smile.
Mr. Wright took the bolt from Emma’s arms and set it on the counter. She greeted Mrs. Sizeloff, then handed her list to the store owner. He looked it over two or three times.
“I’ve got most of the things you need. Let me just tally up the price for your husband.” He put on a pair of spectacles and reached for a pencil.
Matt approached the counter. He wasn’t concerned about the cost. He owed Emma more than a house, and he’d been able to put a fair amount away working the roundups. He could take care of Emma without touching what he had put away for Lucy.
“Before you add that up,” Emma said, “I wonder if we might do a little bartering, Mr. Wright?”
What was she up to now? Matt took a step back, curious to see what this sweet as a flower, clever as a whip woman was up to.
“What did you have in mind?” Mr. Wright slid his glasses down his nose and set the pencil on the counter.
“Dr. Coonley’s Patent Medicine. I have a full case of it. I’ll give you a bottle for every two dollars you take off that bill.”
She wanted to trade snake oil for durable goods? Who was this woman he had married? She looked like nothing less than an angel, standing there holding Lucy’s hand, smiling like sunshine and all the while selling sin in a bottle.
“No offense intended, but folks can get all the spirits they want next door at the Long Branch,” Mr. Wright said.
Emma gasped and pressed her fluttering hand against her breast.
“Mr. Wright! I’m offering you pure Orange Lilly. Why, there’s not a single harmful ingredient in it. Lands, I take it myself on a monthly basis.” Emma leaned across the counter and did that whisper of hers that carried far and wide. “Orange Lilly is for female complaints.”
“I’ll give you two dollars for it,” Mrs. Sizeloff said. “I’ve been feeling out of sorts since little Maudie was born.”
“I’ve seen that happen to some of the ladies I’ve worked for over the years. Why, they’d cry and take on for no reason at all after a birthing.” Emma touched Mrs. Sizeloff’s elbow where it cradled little Maudie. “We’re staying at Mrs. Conner’s boardinghouse tonight and we’ll be here a good part of the day tomorrow. I’ll bring a bottle by the church if you’ll be there.”
“Bless you, Mrs. Suede, that would be kind.”
“It’s not kind, really. It’s business. Orange Lilly will have you feeling better in no time and then you’ll tell your friends.”
If Emma won over Mrs. Sizeloff, the ladies in town would wear a trail to the homestead looking for healing in a bottle.
He paid Mr. Wright for the goods, then escorted Emma and Lucy out into the afternoon sunshine. It beat down on the sidewalk like a son of a gun.
“You just sold snake oil to the preacher, darlin’.” He touched a golden curl