Love on the Line - Deeanne Gist [67]
“Fritz.”
“Fritz Ottfried?”
“Yeah. He said some of them fellers is mad about the ruckus you and them other ladies have caused about shooting birds. So they’ve decided to teach you a lesson.”
Her heart began to accelerate. “Who’s ‘they’?”
“I dunno. That’s all he told me, but I think we oughter keep watch tonight. You can take the first shift. That’s the easiest one. I’ll take the second.”
“That won’t be necessary,” Luke said.
Startled, Georgie looked up. She hadn’t heard him approach.
He loomed large, his expression fierce. “I’ll see to the float. Who did that to your face?”
Bettina’s expression grew guarded. “I done said already, I fell out of a tree.”
Georgie hooked a piece of hair behind the girl’s ear. “Does it hurt?”
“Nothing like it did at first.” She leaned close. “I’m not sure we should trust him, Miss Georgie. He’s one of the ones who likes to shoot birds.”
“Not for hats,” he said. “And I’d never do anything to Miss Georgie’s float.”
Georgie nodded. “I believe him, Bettina. He may like to shoot pigeons, but he wouldn’t harm me or you or sabotage our float.”
Bettina took his measure.
He lowered onto one knee. “She’s right, but you need to tell us everything Fritz said. Word for word.”
“I already did. Fritz heard some fellers talking, then he came out to my shack and pitched a few rocks at my window. He needn’t have, though. Pa was sleeping it off. Nothing can wake him when he’s booze blind.”
“Why didn’t Fritz tell Miss Georgie?” Luke asked.
She gave Georgie a side glance before answering. “His pa’s forbidden him to come out here anymore. Not even fer our bird meetings.”
Georgie stiffened.
“I’m not surprised,” he said. “I’d expected him to put a stop to it long ago.”
“He didn’t know nothing ’bout it ’til yesterdee. Fritz got in a whole passel o’ trouble.”
Luke nodded. “Do you know where he is?”
“I could prob’ly find him.”
“Go ask him for names. I need the names of the men he overheard.”
Standing, Georgie held out her hand. “First you come inside and let me put something on your face.”
“I’m fine.”
She crooked her fingers. “Come on, it won’t sting.”
Bettina began to back up. “Sorry, Miss Georgie. If I’m gonna find Fritz, I’d best get goin’.” Spinning around, she raced out the gate and clomped down the street in her oversized boots.
Georgie followed her with her eyes. “She didn’t fall out of a tree.”
“No, ma’am.” Luke pushed himself up. “I don’t believe she did.”
“I’d like to take Mr. von Schiller and—”
“Where’s the float?” he asked.
Blinking, she turned toward him. “It’s round back.”
“Show me.” Extending a hand in front of him, he indicated she should lead the way.
He walked around the decorated carriage amazed at the ingenuity of the women. The shaft and wheels were covered with green leaves and moss simulating shrubbery. The body of the two-seater was wrapped in dried brown leaves and twigs simulating a bird’s nest. Then, attached to a pole extending high over the vehicle was a huge cardinal in flight.
Chin up, wings outstretched, tail down, the wire structure had been carpeted with red roses, their heady aroma bringing women and romance to mind. Shaking his head, he peeked inside the carriage. Even the interior had been cloaked with nesting material. “I’ve never seen anything like it. How long did it take to make?”
“The ladies have been working on it for weeks. Just wait until tomorrow. I’ve heard the floats get more elaborate with each year.” She beamed at their creation like a proud mama. “The Patricks will be driving ours.”
“It’s very impressive, Georgie.”
“Thanks.” She fingered one of the leaves on the wheel. “Do you really think someone would try to do it harm?”
He’d seen firsthand what men were capable of and nothing surprised him anymore. “If someone were mad enough, anything’s possible.”
“I probably ought to hide it, then. Can I borrow your horse?”
“Where would you take it?”
She worried her lip, considering. “I could park it behind the Campbellite church.”
He glanced at the church down the street,