find it.”
Before Mark could respond, the telephone rang.
“Excuse me,” Ben said. “I need to answer that.”
Juliet, who held Marissa with one arm, tugged at Mark’s shirtsleeve, a habit that always amazed him. Why didn’t she just grab his hand or touch him?
“I want to show you something.” She led him to the small room with the Shady Lady display and pointed to a tall case that held a mannequin wearing a faded red satin dress with a scooped neckline and trimmed with black lace. “That dress belonged to Lily Divine, the original owner of the Shady Lady saloon.”
Several ropes of fake pearls looped around the mannequin’s neck, and a big black ostrich feather adorned the fake hair.
“I like the black fan the mannequin is holding,” Juliet added. “See the workmanship? It’s edged with chantilly lace and a purled braid.”
She sure knew her history of ladies doodads.
“And look at that.” Juliet nodded at the display case, where several colored bottles and a powder puff sat among other personal items once used by the notorious lady. “See the tortoise shell comb with a gold floral design and studded with rhinestones? Isn’t that pretty?”
“I guess so, but I think those black garters are more interesting.” Mark nodded toward the mannequin, who held up the hem of her red skirt, revealing red and black petticoats and a black silk garter with a gilt buckle and roses made out of ribbons. “The Shady Lady must have been one sexy woman.”
Juliet swatted at him, grazing his arm and making him yearn for more of her touch. When she laughed, the lilt of her voice settled over him like fingers on an angel’s harp. “You would find her undergarments intriguing.”
“You’re right about that. I don’t know why she didn’t wear those garters in the portrait that’s hanging over the bar at The Hitching Post.”
Juliet smiled impishly. “She probably knew the men would find her more appealing with that bedroom smile and only that gauzy thing draped over her.”
Mark slid her a crooked grin. “Not me. I’m a black garter man.”
Juliet arched a brow, brown eyes glimmering.
Was she making note of that tidbit of information?
He hoped so, then admonished himself for allowing his thoughts to drift in a sexual direction. For cripes sake, she’d just had a baby. And even if she hadn’t, they were just friends.
“You know,” Juliet said, “Lily Divine was an enterprising woman in her day. And I find her fascinating.”
“Me, too,” Mark said. Because she ran a whorehouse and a saloon, profiting from a man’s lust. “But why do you find her so interesting?”
“Mr. Saunders told me that she was considered a troublemaker in her day. But I think that’s probably because she was involved in the fight for women’s suffrage.”
“Well, that makes sense. I’m sure she had an interest in women’s rights, especially since she was a businesswoman. After all, she owned the hotel, as well as the saloon. And then there was that private business she ran upstairs.”
“Lily was only suspected of being a madam, since the previous owner of the saloon had run a brothel,” Juliet argued. “No one really knows for sure. But I have a feeling that, more than anything, her forward-thinking caused folks to look down on her.”
Before they could continue the conversation, Ben returned. “I’m sorry for the interruption. That call was from Matilda Matheson, an elderly lady who has a trunk full of memorabilia in her attic. She would like to make a donation, if we’re interested.”
“Is she bringing it in today?” Juliet asked.
“Oh, no. Tildy has arthritis and doesn’t venture far from her house. And even if that weren’t the case, she can’t donate anything until her niece takes time to climb into the attic and go through the trunk.”
“What’s in it?” Juliet asked, obviously interested.
“Tildy can’t remember,” Ben said, with a chuckle. “Bless her heart.”
Eager to get back to the discussion of the gold mine, Mark asked, “So who do you think is the legal owner of the Queen of Hearts?”
“Most of the rumors don’t amount to much. And even if Crazy Red ran off with the deed, the old archives ought to prove that the title wasn’t ever transferred properly. So I have to believe the mine was handed down to Caleb. And from what I understand, he’s hired a lawyer to defend his claim.”
Caleb certainly had the money to put up a legal fight for the land.
“Of course,” Ben added, “Some of the old-timers would like to see Caleb Douglas get his comeuppance. But as far as the Thunder Canyon Historical Society and the museum go, we appreciate his generosity in helping us preserve our early history.”
Mark and Juliet completed the tour, but instead of finding answers, Mark was left with more questions.
But one thing was true. Roy Canfield, the editor of the Nugget had been right. The real story revolved around the deed of the old gold mine.
And Mark planned to find out who really owned the Queen of Hearts.
“Do you mind if we stop at Super Save Mart on the way home?” Juliet asked.
“No. Not at all.” Mark pulled out of the museum parking lot onto Elk, then turned south on Pine.
Juliet planned her speech carefully, trying to maneuver the conversation in the direction she wanted it to go. “Your parents sound like nice people.”
“I suppose so.” His eyes remained focused on the road.
“Maybe we should pay them a visit. Marissa and I could go with you. I think it would be a nice outing.”
“Not today.”
She slid a glance at him, saw that same hardened expression he’d worn when Gladys discussed his parents. But Juliet wasn’t afraid to stand up to him. To push when necessary. “Maybe another day, then.”
He didn’t answer, and she realized he wouldn’t commit. And that he had no intention of discussing his family situation with her.
Juliet was trying to be sensitive to his feelings. She really was. But his stubborn side was frustrating her to no end.
“I’ve never bowled,” she said. “But it sounds like a lot of fun, especially in a league called the Gutter Busters. Maybe we could go watch some Wednesday. Or even play a game or two.”
“I used to bowl once in a while,” Mark said. “But I play golf now, whenever I get a chance. And the pro who gave me some pointers said the bowling was affecting my swing.”
She wasn’t sure if she wanted to prod him further or throw something at him. But she let it go.
For
