January 8

6:30 p.m.

"Lee, suppertime." Rosemary held up the spoon dabbed with spaghetti sauce, swiped a finger over it, and lifted it to her tongue for a taste. A little salty, but it would do. It was the best she could do in a pinch, and after a day like today, good enough was well… good enough. If not for the adrenaline coursing through her from earlier she would have insisted on supper at Abigail's cafe or the saloon, but both her and Lee were weary after such a big day and nothing beat coming home to a quiet dinner, just the two… well, three of them.

The good news was that Bill and Jack rode out north to investigate and found Kirill red handed, with the business license, Dottie's house deed folded into his billfold, and a suspicious amount of cash. That was evidence enough for them and they carted the scumbag, Kirill, to the jail. Bill decided if there was past history between Gowen and Kirill he might not want them sharing a jail cell, so Gowen was released for "good behavior" with the promise to not leave town until testifying against Kirill's character. Hopefully they could trust him. The last thing they needed was their witness skipping town. But the way Gowen's eyes reflected past affection for Dottie- he wouldn't be going anywhere, at least not until the threatening Kirill was gone for good. Surely the Judge would be able to ride in the beginning of next week and Kirill would be sentenced for his criminal deeds. Only what would happen to Dottie? Did a wife bear the responsibility of a debt created by her now deceased husband? Only the Judge would decide. But for now, she must put those thoughts aside, for supper was ready.

"Lee? Did you hear me call you—" she stopped mid-sentence. Even from here she could see his eyes- blue as the sky on the summer day she met him. But something else, very serious, lurked there. Concern? He caught her eye and motioned her to join him by patting the cushion of the settee next to him. She returned the spoon to the pot and turned the burner down low. Whatever could be on his mind? Well, whatever it was, she had a feeling she would soon know. She walked across the kitchen and settled next to him on the settee. He wrapped his warm arm around her, his other hand rubbing hers in a gentle, comforting fashion.

"You know you scared me today." His voice came in a warm whisper, his eyes deep pools of concern. "I can't even imagine that rascal coming into the store thinking you were Dottie. It makes me want to punch a wall every time I think of it. He could have hurt you, kidnapped you—"

"Shhh… I am okay. And our baby is okay."

She pulled his hand to her belly where his hand paused for a moment, then began to rub soft circles on the little bump hidden in her printed wool maternity dress. The concern still brimmed over in his eyes.

"Rosie, it scared me I couldn't protect you today. I couldn't protect our baby. Something could have happened today and I wasn't there."

"I know. It was plenty scary at the moment, but I'm okay."

He kissed her knuckles with his soft lips.

"I just want you to know I want to keep you safe. You, and our baby, you mean the world to me. I don't know what I would ever do without you."

"Hush now. Let's not talk like that. Where's that new faith you have found? Won't God watch over me the times you can't?"

Lee bit his lip. Then he gave her a sheepish smile. "There I go again- trying to solve everything on my own. You are right. He is watching over you. I got to trust He is going to keep all three of us safe."

"That sounds more like it." She snuggled into his side.

"I love you, Rosie. And I already love our baby more than I thought possible. It scares me to think I can't be there all the time to watch over you, protect you, and that little baby. But you are right, I just got to trust that God is watching over you when I can't."

"I love you too, Lee. And you are going to be a wonderful father."

"And you, Rosemary, the world's most beautiful, loving, and caring mother."

"Go on." She teased him.

"Did I mention mischievous?"

"Humph."

"I didn't tell you earlier today, but the reason I went to the Dress Shop is because I found something that belongs to you."

He shifted and pulled something from inside his vest.

"There. Take a look at that." He passed a familiar looking paper into her hands. Why, it was her telegram from the other day! She checked her shirtwaist then realized it was a different day's clothing.

"That looks like a telegram addressed to you, Rosemary."

She nodded.

"So any idea how it ended up in my office closet, Honey Pie?"

At this her eyes widened. Oh fiddlesticks, it must have dropped out the day she was sneaking around Lee's office looking for clues to her surprise.

"Would you by chance have been in my office snooping while I was away on business?"

Her instinct of defending herself rose to the surface. But in the next instant, she realized there wasn't much she could say to defend herself.

"Well, what is a wife supposed to do?" She stuttered.

Lee leaned forward until his forehead touched hers.

"I guess it doesn't matter much now." His voice sounded dejected.

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"Now that Kirill is behind bars…"

She reached out and patted him on the hand. "Oh, Lee, I'm sorry about Kirill. What's going to happen to your project?"

"Honestly, I don't know, Rosemary. I should have known better than to hire a man without a background check." Lee rubbed his hand against his taunt jaw.

"There goes your practical side again. Good thing I'm here to remind you that you hired him because you needed help with my project. You were too busy thinking about surprising me to be much into the details."

"Yeah well, it looks like all that is going up in smoke for the time being. I was just so hopeful to finish it for you."

"Finish what?"

"You mean you don't know? I thought your snooping had led you to… My surprise for you."

"Well perhaps if I had another hour or two I'd have solved it completely, but that Jesse and Hickam —they came and spoiled my snooping spree. I did figure out a few things though." She pouted.

"Okay, have at it." Lee's ocean blue eyes sparkled back at her. Challenging her.

"I met Kirill at the mercantile—land sakes, was it only two days ago? Yes, I do believe it was just Wednesday. My how the week slows down with a predicament such as this…"

"Go on." Lee motioned to her, bringing her back to her present thought.

"Oh, so on Wednesday I saw Kirill at the mercantile and noticed he was working for you. He bought a bucket of nails and some jerky and that god- awful tobacco. I also watched to see where he rode out. Where he rode out to matches exactly the spot circled on your map above your fireplace in your office, which is where I just happened to gather my next information. Your office, not the location."

Lee nodded and motioned for her to get on with the story.

"Anyway, I saw in your ledgers that you are paying Jesse and Hickam a double salary which means they are your helpers not only in your business but also for your project. And in other news, I saw the business card for the man who is going to put in a privy at your business. Can you imagine? A privy out at the mill? Ridiculous!"

She sat back. Her story was complete.

Lee grinned in relief. "What can I say? You are quite the sleuther."

"Yes, but can't you understand it is driving me absolutely batty? I feel as if I am this" she put her thumb and index finger only a millimeter apart "close but I just can't solve the last little bit."

This time Lee tweaked her on the nose, his mood lighter now that he knew she did not know his secret.

"So when will you tell me?"

"Soon enough dear, soon enough."