"Very funny," Crystal snapped, snatching the card from her hand and stuffing both that and the paddle back in the box.
"At least he made it himself," Dottie offered, calling out as Crystal stomped from the ladies' parlor and down the hall to her room.
***
That evening when Jasper arrived, all the gems made a point of thanking him profusely. Crystal, dressed in red and sporting outrageously red lip rouge, ignored him as she took Whiskers up to her room.
"You'll never believe it, Miss Crystal," he exclaimed as soon as she closed the door. "I received a letter from Lorelei and was nearly able to decipher it myself. Are you all right?" he asked with concern when she eased down on the side of her bed.
"I'm fine, just not feeling my best tonight," she replied with a grimace.
"I know what happened," Whiskers said with a frown. "It's all over town."
"What's all over town?" she demanded.
"What you did to Montgomery last night. How you went out on the roof and shoved that ladder over, sending him into the water trough."
"And?"
"And how he came back here this morning and tanned your hide good. When the fellas heard about it, most of them wanted to string him up, but after discussing it, we all decided there wasn't much else he could have done. That was a terrible risk you took, young lady. It's a wonder you didn't fall off and break your neck," he said, shaking his head in disgust.
"Tell me about the letter from Lorelei," Crystal pleaded, changing the subject. There was no way she was going to discuss what Jasper had done to her, not with Whiskers or anyone else. It was bad enough to hear it was a topic of conversation among her 'students'.
"Well, I could hardly believe my eyes," Whiskers said excitedly handing the letter over to her. "She said she's often wondered what became of me too and would like to correspond. Lorelei did marry but not until she figured I wasn't ever coming back. Her husband passed on three years ago of pneumonia and she has a son who's ten."
"Yes," Crystal said, nodding as she read, "and she says here it's hard raising a boy alone and he needs a male influence in his life. Whiskers, I think she's still sweet on you."
"Oh go on," he replied, scratching his beard nervously.
"No, I mean it, I really do. You can tell a lot in a women's letter. Look here," she continued. Your old homestead is still standing and sound although it needs a lot of attention. Do you think you'll ever come back this way? Why that's almost an invitation; see how she signed it, Affectionately, Lorelei. Yes, she's definitely interested." Smiling, Crystal handed back the letter.
"What should I do?"
"What do you want to do?"
"I don't know. I'm still the same man."
"That's not true," Crystal insisted. "You've come a long way very quickly. Your handwriting's prettier than mine," she teased.
"I suppose I could go back for a visit, you know to check the property over," he said. "But I look so old."
"She's aged too you know and had a child. Don't expect her to look the same way she did nearly twenty years ago."
"I imagine that's true," he conceded. "I'll need new duds."
"And a haircut and shave," she suggested, grinning.
Whisker peered at himself in her mirror and winced. "Guess that's so too."
"Go on; write the letter and start making your plans before you change your mind. Of course, if you get all duded up maybe one of the ladies here in town will try to catch you," she teased.
"I never loved no other woman 'cept Lorelei, Miss Crystal," he said seriously as he straightened. "Wonder what her boy's like."
"Probably a rascal if he hasn't had a Pa in three years."
"Could be, but I'd set him on the right track soon enough," Whiskers said proudly. "Lord, I can't imagine having a young'un to care for. That's quite a responsibility."
"I'm sure it is," she replied softly.
"Think I'll write that letter right now. Maybe you can look it over for me and make sure I got everything spelled right."
"I'd be delighted, in fact, I am delighted. No matter what happens you must write and tell me."
"How long you planning on staying in Culpepper Cove?" he asked, taking a seat at the dressing table they used as a desk.
"As long as I have to." Handing him some paper, she picked up the book of poetry Gerald loaned her and began to read.
***