Caleb's Rain Lily Bride (Texas Frontier Brides Book 1) Page 8

  Caleb nodded and wiped his chin with a red checkered napkin. “I think we need to have some sort of town meeting. Get everyone together and have a plan of our own. And I mean tonight. Would that be possible?”

  Maggie glanced at Reba, unable to read her expression. “I think that can be arranged.”

  “Good,” he smiled, picking up his fork again. “Let’s finish this fine meal your grandmother worked so hard on before we tackle the problems ahead.”

  Chapter 14

  The piano was silent in Bailey’s Saloon as folks walked through the swinging doors and settled themselves at the tables arranged throughout the room. Maggie watched as they entered, bringing their children with them, too afraid to leave them at home.

  Her fingers found the perspiration below her lip and wiped it away. The last heat of the day, along with the crowd of bodies, gave the atmosphere of the room a sultry feel. Chandeliers dangled and sparkled overhead, giving a soft light to the large room.

  Instead of idle talk, most of the women seemed to be studying the unfamiliar surroundings. Maggie smiled. She could well imagine their thoughts. So this is where my husband spends his leisure hours playing cards and exchanging stories with his friends.

  She had considered using the church as the meeting place, but this building was bigger and they needed room for everyone. So far, no one had objected.

  The door opened again and Robert Meadows and Carl Stilton entered. Large landholders east of Chance, they probably felt they had a stake in what happened to the town. Winding their way among the tables, they settled near the front of the room. Both glanced toward the big bar, but Bailey had closed the sale of liquor until after the meeting.

  A crowd this size usually involved a lot of murmuring, but this group was silent, as if waiting for another round of bad news. Maggie swallowed hard. That might be what they were about to get.

  Wally Stoner pulled a large watch from his pocket and checked the time. He nodded at Maggie and Caleb, as he walked behind the bar.

  Nerves tingled up her spine as she waited. Whatever was going to be said, or discussed needed to get going. She couldn’t take much more of the waiting.

  Wally cleared his throat. “I want to thank all of you for coming this evening. I’m sure by now, most of you know that Hobart Sayer is dead.”

  “And about time,” a man in the back yelled out.

  “That’s right, yes,” several more murmured.

  Wally held up his hand to silence the crowd. “As most of you may have heard,” he pointed toward Caleb, “this man, right here, is the one that shot Hobart this morning. It was in self-defense, as Hobart swung his rifle around and pointed it toward him. I just wanted to make that clear.”

  The murmuring Maggie had expected began at once. Only snatches of sentences reached her ears. Caleb moved restlessly beside her.

  “Are you hurting?” She asked, leaning closer to him.

  He shook his head. “Not much. But I’m ready to get on with this.”

  Wally held up his hands. “Please give me your attention. I just wanted people to know that the law was fully obeyed. And now, I think Mr. Hatcher wants to speak to all of you.”

  Loud cheers and applause sounded as Caleb rounded the bar. Maggie smiled at the slight flush on his cheeks. This wasn’t exactly the kind of greeting he had wanted.

  Caleb rested his palms on the bar and cleared his throat. He waited until the clapping stopped before he spoke. “As Mr. Stoner said, my name is Caleb Hatcher. I was shot by Hobart Sayer four days ago. He confessed that to Mrs. Price before I arrived on the scene today. And as Wally told you, I only shot the man in self-defense.”

  Maggie glanced around the room. The people had settled back in their seats and seemed anxious to hear whatever it was Caleb had to say. Reba patted her arm and nodded, as if reading her thoughts.

  “I understand that you people are looking for a sheriff.” He paused as the whispering began again.

  “Are you asking for the job?”

  Robert Meadows was standing, as was Carl Stilton.

  Caleb hesitated. “Yes. I would.”

  Maggie watched as the majority of people began to stand and clap.

  “Please, please,” Caleb motioned for them to sit, and most did. “Yes. I will consider the job, if the town wants me to take it. I have some deputy experience from my time up in Kansas City. I just want everyone to know that that is all I have to offer.”

  Mr. Meadows stood and cleared his throat. “Stilton and I talked about it on the way over and, if you decide to take the job, both of us are willing to let any of our hands help you out in a posse, if need be. Of course, it would be strictly voluntary on their part.”

  Caleb nodded as the man sat back in his chair. “I appreciate that, sir. For now, a posse isn’t necessary. I think we’re just going to have to wait things out and see how the Sayers react. I mostly wanted to tell folks to stay vigilant. Keep your eyes open and report anything suspicious to me.”

  “Like what?” A man in the back asked.

  “I don’t have anything specific, sir. Just everyone please keep a look out. Not just for the Sayers, but also for strangers.”

  Caleb walked back and took a seat next to Maggie as Wally stepped back to the bar. “Thank you folks for coming. I think the men should see their families home before it gets dark.”

  The doors burst open and Hank Rankin ran inside. “Candlelight’s on fire! You can see the blazes from Chance Hill!”

  Chairs spilled on the floor as people leaped from their seats and headed outside.

  “I believe it’s started,” Caleb’s soft voice growled next to her ear. “I’ll leave some men here to guard the town and then we’ll be on our way.”

  Maggie was up at once, Reba’s hand on her arm.

  “We have to go, Maggie! Please, take me with you!”

  Maggie’s mind stirred in confusion. She needed to go. Wanted to go. But were the Sayers just getting everyone out of Chance so they could burn it, too? The faces of Tilly and Rafe floated in front of her eyes. She turned to her grandmother. “I’m going to hitch up the wagon. You go home and start gathering blankets, bandages, food, and coffee. It’s going to be a long night if the whole town burns.”

  ***

  Maggie passed the bucket of water on to the next person. Streaks of pain rushed down her shoulders, and her fingers were beginning to stiffen. How much longer could she do this? She blinked hard as tears ran down her face. Her eyes stung from the ashes that floated through the air. She shook her head and took hold of another bucket. She shouldn’t grumble when so many were closer to the blaze than herself.

  Maggie reached for another pail when strong hands gripped her arms and took the water from her. Caleb passed the water on and leaned his head close to hers and spoke. “Go on over to Tilley’s house. There’s a couple of people that have burns and they need some attention.”

  She pulled her arms from his grip and hurried to her destination. What if Tilley was hurt? Or Rafe? Tilley could never get by without him. She coughed and slowed her pace. No need to make herself sick when others needed her help. She could see the house from where she stood, hazy in the smoke.

  ***

  Maggie bandaged the last patient’s hands and tied the strip of cotton securely. “Now you be sure and keep it clean, alright? Make sure your mother checks it every day.”

  The young man nodded. “She will. And, thank you Miz Price.”

  “Maggie,” she told him. She smiled and glanced around. No one else had come for treatment and, from Tilley’s porch, she could see that most of the fire was out.

  “Looks like they’re about done,” Tilley said, walking to her side.

  Maggie nodded and watched as Caleb and Wally Stoner stood near the town well, talking to Jeb King, the mayor. It was sad for him that he’d lost his home, but at least he still had his wife and two children. The little boys were both safe asleep in one of Tilley’s beds.

  Beside her, Tilley sniffed and pu
lled a kerchief from her apron, wiping her eyes.

  Maggie put her arms around her friend’s shoulder and stared at the site where the mayor’s house, the livery, and blacksmith shop had stood. “Let‘s just be thankful that the rest of Candlelight is safe. You know how you’re always reminding me to count my blessings.”

  Tilley smiled and nodded. “My own words always come back on me,” she laughed. “But you speak the truth.”

  Maggie gave her another hug. “I’m so glad you’re alright. I was worried.” Tilley and her husband, Rafe, were expecting their first child and Maggie had found herself worrying about the woman off and on. The two of them had been best friends since childhood. Old Mr. King had allowed the girl the freedom to come and go to Reba’s little cabin, just off the plantation. And he had hired Maggie to help in the weaving house during the war, knowing how desperate she and Reba were for food.

  Tilley smiled. “Now you just stop worrying about me. I’ve got Rafe to take care of me, now.” She turned her head in Caleb’s direction. “Looks like you might have a fellow looking after you, too,” she teased.

  Maggie shushed her quickly and lowered her voice. “He’s just passing through. He’s going to be sheriff for a while, but I don’t figure he’ll be staying. So don’t go starting about me getting married again. We’ve discussed this before,” she warned.

  Tilley’s smile widened. “Whatever you say, Maggie Price.”

  Maggie opened her mouth to argue, but saw Caleb headed their direction and thought better of it.

  He nodded to Tilley as he approached. “Hello Mrs. King.” His eyes then turned to Maggie. “I think everyone had better be getting back to town.”

  Maggie gave Tilley one last hug and headed to the wagon. She could see that Reba was already onboard, reins in her hands. She waved toward Maggie, motioning her to hurry.

  “Maggie!” Caleb called behind her. She stopped and waited as he approached.

  He pushed his hat back, revealing streaks of soot on his forehead. He glanced around them. “I think after we get all of you home, and get everything in town checked out, Wally and I are going to ride up on Chance Hill and watch for a while, just to make sure we don’t see any riders coming.” He glanced up. “The moon will be up soon and it will be full. No one will have much trouble traveling in the dark.”

  Maggie glanced at her grandmother, impatiently waiting in the wagon. “Alright. Did anyone see anything?”

  Caleb chewed his lip and looked away for a moment. “Jeb King said he saw a man riding away on a big roan. And the horse had a long white scar on its neck.”

  Maggie shook away the prickles of fear that ran down her arms. Job Sayer. “Caleb, are you sure that the two of you should leave town?”

  He nodded. “We’ll check everything out before we leave. And we’ll leave the men on guard that we already have in place.”

  She sighed. “Be careful. I’ll go on over to the sheriff’s office and wait.”

  He shook his head. “You go home with Reba. I need to know the two of you are together.” He seemed to hesitate for a moment.

  Maggie considered disagreeing, but knew the longer she stood there arguing, the later it would be before he returned. “Alright. I’ll stay with Gram. As soon as I light a lamp for you in the office.”

  In the wagon, she explained the plan to Reba, but felt it was best to leave out the knowledge about Job Sayer. At least for now.

  Maggie took the reins from Reba and urged the horses to pull the wagon in behind Wally Stoner, as he and Caleb led the way back to town. The rest of the volunteers fell in line behind them. The fate of Chance wasn’t in Caleb’s hands, but she was beginning to depend on him. Fingers touched her arm and she turned to look at Gram.

  “Don’t worry. The Lord will keep them.”

  Maggie sighed and snapped the reins across the horse’s backs. Gram had more faith than she did, that was certain. Help me to remember to trust you, Lord.

  Chapter 15

  Chance was dark and deserted as they approached. The only light visible came from the saloon, where they had all been gathered before they rushed to Candlelight. Maggie shivered in the silence as they approached the town.

  Following close behind their wagon came Martha Jones, driving a cart full of blankets and food. Nancy Rollins had ridden with her and they had handed out cups of coffee and water to all the firefighters.

  Maggie glanced up to see a man on the roof of the livery. Most of the old soldiers had stayed behind to guard the town. Ahead, she could see Major Jenkins as he stepped out of the saloon and began to wave at Caleb.

  She was tempted to stop the wagon and rush ahead to hear what the man had to report, but she wasn’t sheriff anymore. It was Caleb’s job. And he would tell them anything they needed to know.

  Several men came down from the rooftops and began to gather near Caleb. After a moment, they all turned and walked toward the livery.

  “What do you reckon that’s all about?” Reba asked her.

  “I don’t know. Maybe Caleb will come to the house before they leave.”

  “Well, let’s get this wagon in the back and get things unloaded,” Reba ordered. “I’ll get some coffee going on the stove. Caleb must be plum wore out by now. The last thing that boy needs is to take another ride tonight.”

  Maggie shook her head. Give him strength, Lord. I know he’s not healed up enough, just yet. She ignored the guilt that gnawed at her stomach. If anything happened to him, it would be her fault.

  ***

  “Just came in and took it?” Reba’s voice was loud in the quiet kitchen.

  Caleb nodded and took another sip of the hot coffee. “The Major said Allen drove in the wagon, Job following on his horse. They went straight to the livery and loaded the coffin, then rode on out of town.”

  “And never said a word?” Reba asked.

  Caleb grunted. “I don’t guess anyone offered to go down and converse with them. They all stayed up on the tops of the buildings.”

  “Well, I can hardly blame them,” Reba said, adding more liquid to Wally’s cup.

  “They did the right thing,” Caleb said, drinking the last of his coffee and taking the cup to the wash pan. “I guess the Sayers just wanted most of us out of town when they came to get the body.”

  “It’s a shame they thought they had to burn Candlelight to do it,” Maggie fumed, breaking her silence from the corner where she sat. “They could easily have killed someone.”

  “The Sayers do whatever it takes to get what they want,” Wally ventured. “Job probably enjoyed getting the blaze going.”

  Reba shook her head. “Those boys are going to have a lot to pay for when the time comes.”

  Wally nodded in agreement as he stood. “I don’t guess there’s much need for us to ride out there tonight, now that we know they’re aware of Hobart’s death. Unless you think it’s necessary,” he said, glancing at Caleb.

  Caleb hesitated. “I don’t think it would be a bad idea, just to see if there’s much activity out there. If you’re up to it,” he added.

  “Let’s go,” Wally said, adjusting his hat and pushing his chair under the table.

  Chapter 16

  “I think maybe we ought to ride northwest for a while.” Wally’s voice cut through the night air.

  Caleb blinked. Riding was always soothing, even in times of anxiety, and he had allowed his mind to wander. “Sounds like a good idea. How far is it out to the Sayer ranch?”

  Wally seemed to ponder the question for a moment. “I’d say about eight miles, maybe a little less. It’s pretty well barricaded, hard to get to without being seen. Or shot at if you head in straight on.”

  Caleb nodded and adjusted his hat. “I figure you know best on that. I take it that’s why no one has gone out there to confront them before?” He waited, hearing only the steady rhythm of horse’s hooves on the packed ground. A night wind began to stir, and a hoot owl sounded in the distance.

  “Well, that’s one of the rea
sons,” Wally finally answered. “I know it’s hard for a stranger to understand, but folks just about had the fight whupped out of ‘em in the war. Most came out here for peace.” He gave a small laugh. “Guess the joke is on all of us.”

  Caleb thought over Stoner’s words. “I can sympathize. But what I can’t understand is how the town has put up with this for so long. These men have families, businesses to protect.”

  Somewhere near, a coyote howled, joined by several more in the hills around them, their high voices echoing through the night air. Wally Stoner patted his horse’s neck. “There, boy.” He cleared his throat. “Maggie’s husband, Ian Price, was a Major in the war. He led a lot of men in battle, had a commanding way about him that gave everyone confidence. We all looked to him as a leader. And when he was killed, well. . .it sort of jarred everyone into seeing that Ian was just a man, like the rest of us. I think it just got easier for people to give the Sayers what they wanted and then send them on their way.”

  Caleb shook his head. “It will only get worse unless they’re stopped. You have to know that.”

  Stoner was quick to answer. “We understand that. I wanted to get up a posse after they killed Price. But they all shied away from it, felt they didn’t have what it took to defeat the Sayers.”

  “Just how many are in the Sayer family?”

  Wally paused. “Well, originally, there were the three brothers and their ma. She passed on a few years back. Now, at times there seems to be some other people there. Lots of men come in on horseback. Rumors run that they serve as a hide-out for bandits and robbers. I don’t know it for a fact, but I wouldn’t be surprised.”

  “So we may have more than just the Sayer’s to deal with?” That might call for the Texas Rangers. There weren’t enough men to handle a group of trouble makers. Especially a group of men that had been unwilling to fight in the past.