Caleb's Rain Lily Bride (Texas Frontier Brides Book 1) Page 9

  Wally cleared his throat. “I think folks are counting on you, Hatcher. I’m glad you’re willing to stick around for a while. I hope you’ll decide to stay in town, even after this is over. Take the job permanently.”

  It wasn’t a new thought to him. And he couldn’t deny that Maggie Price might be a small part of the reason he would consider staying. The thought of leaving her alone, unprotected, was hard to contemplate. “I might be willing, Stoner. I was a sergeant in the war, demoted to private first class in the army. I did a lot of scouting, but not much else. The deputy job I had in Kansas City didn’t entail much more than routing patrols.”

  Wally laughed. “We’re willing to take about anyone that’s breathing. It will give the town conviction to go after the Sayers if they think they have a leader. You had to notice there were no objections tonight.”

  “I did,” Caleb answered in the dark. “I think it’s a good possibility that the Sayer’s are going to be coming after us. Maybe sooner than we think.”

  They rode in silence for a while, only nature’s own conversation filling the air. An owl hooted to the east and Stoner spoke. “Let’s ride up on that ridge. We’ll be able to see the Sayer ranch from there. And since they took the road, we just might be here before they pull in with that wagon.”

  ***

  A soft light twinkled from a window of the house below. Moonlight gave Caleb a good view of the white home and barn behind. Even in the low light, the shabbiness of the place was visible; fences untended with wire hanging loose, the front porch on the house sagged, and a broken wagon, turned on its side, decorated the front yard of the homestead.

  He held his breath as the door of the house opened and a shadowed figure stepped outside. They slowly urged their horses backwards, keeping out of sight in case whoever was below chose to look up. Once they were a safe distance back, they dismounted and, on their bellies, they scooted closer to the edge of the precipice.

  Caleb grit his teeth as he pulled himself along, aware of the grabbing pain in his side. Once he was near the edge, he wiped away the sweat on his upper lip and repositioned himself, brushing away the small rocks pushing into his stomach. But there was no time for dwelling on his own discomfort.

  Below, the hatless figure appeared to be a man. He had stepped off the porch and seemed to be staring down the road that led to the house. They watched as he lit a cigarette, the bright tip showing in the night.

  “That would probably be Job,” Wally guessed. “He’s the only one I’ve ever seen smoke. I guess maybe they made a faster trip than I thought they would.”

  Behind them, Wally’s horse neighed and the sound echoed in the still air. Caleb held his breath as the man below them stopped walking and looked around. Caleb and Wally slid backwards, away from the rim, hiding themselves from the outlaw’s sight.

  After a moment, they both crept forward and stared below. Job seemed to have shrugged off the sound and was now leaning against a hitching post. Finishing his smoke, he tossed it to the ground and headed back to the porch. He opened the farmhouse door and stepped inside.

  “They won’t be burying that body until tomorrow,” Wally said. “I figure they’ll do that before they decide on what to do to the town.”

  “Well. There isn’t any indication that there are more people out here than the brothers. Looks like we might as well leave,” Caleb said, pushing himself back up. The dull pain in his side had become a raw ache. He needed some rest.

  Chapter 17

  Maggie carried the mop and pail to the back porch. She slung the dirty water from the bucket and hung the wet mop on a nail protruding from one of the posts. Setting the container on the ground, she glanced around the side of the house and down the street. Nancy Rollins, her hair down and blowing in the soft wind, stepped out of the sheriff’s office, Caleb close on her heels. They were smiling and laughing.

  Immediately, a small knot began to grow in her stomach. She swallowed hard and folded her arms, as she watched. She had no claim on Caleb, so why did she resent the attention he offered to Nancy? He spent time with her and Gram every day, yet he had never mentioned Nancy’s name in a conversation. Stepping back around the house, she shook away the jealousy that threatened to consume her. He was her friend, their friend, and nothing more.

  ***

  Maggie finished her coffee and put the cup in the wash basin on the counter. She had promised Caleb that she’d put up some of the wanted posters sitting on his desk the state had sent to the office last week. It was a large stack with many duplicates in them for such a small town, but there was no need to let them go to waste. An outback place like Chance was a likely hidey hole for someone on the run. If their picture was plastered on the buildings all over town, they might be less likely to stay.

  He had promised to take another ride out to her ranch today and check on things. Insisted it was safer for her to stay in town. And, she would be there to stand in for him if anything happened, she told herself. Even though it had only been a couple of weeks, and folks were proud to have Caleb as their new sheriff, they still brought their problems to her.

  “Old habits are hard to break,” Gram had declared, but Maggie knew that the people had a true affection for her. She hadn’t run back to Georgia when things got rough, she had stayed in the town and done her best to help. And with Caleb taking over for a while, things were bound to get better. He was smart and had the courage it took for the job of sheriff. He would make a difference for them.

  There was talk in town that the Sayers had turned out to be more cowardly than everyone had thought. It had been two weeks since the brothers had come into town and taken the coffin with Hobart’s body back to the ranch. And that was the last anyone had seen of them. Folks were thinking that maybe what had happened to Hobart had put the fear of God into the Sayers.

  She disagreed. The Sayers were a proud family, and it would be unthinkable for them to let this incident go. They still had something planned. Somehow, the Sayers would do their best to make all of them pay for Hobart’s death.

  “Don’t forget Caleb’s shirt, Maggie!” Reba called from the other room.

  “Got it!” Maggie pulled the mended shirt from the hook where Reba had hung the garment. Her fingers smoothed the collar and sleeves. Gram was right. It was nice having a man in their life again, even if it was only business. And business was all she was to Caleb Hatcher. This morning wasn’t the first time she’d witnessed him stopping on the sidewalks and having more than one conversation with pretty Nancy Rollins. When the woman had come out of mourning, she came out with her eye on a new man. And Caleb more than fit the bill.

  And what did it matter? She had made it fine on her own for two years. Lord willing, she could get by on her own for many more. And Gram needed her. She had her to care for. There was no time for a husband. Besides, a plain woman like herself had no chance when there was a single, beautiful woman like Nancy Rollins available.

  ***

  The warmth of the morning left the air in the office stuffy and smelling of old coffee and sweat. Maggie opened the windows and noted to herself that they needed a good washing. If nothing else, she could keep the office clean and comfortable for Caleb.

  She opened the door situated behind the desk and stepped inside, feeling like an intruder in Caleb’s private space. He had moved into the small room of the building the day after the fire in Candlelight, apparently coming to some sort of deal with the town council. She hung the clean, mended shirt on a hook beside the door. Hesitating a moment, she stepped to the bed and pulled the blankets up, smoothing them down and tucking the bottom. Picking up the pillow to give it a good fluffing, a small green frog leaped through the air and underneath the bed.

  Her laughter filled the silence as she remembered the two little scoundrels that had let the lunch pail full of green jumping creatures loose in the office. She should remember to mention it to Caleb. He’d probably been sweeping them up, wondering why there were so many in his accommodations.<
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  She sighed and finished arranging the pillow and extra blanket. It had seemed a bit lonely right after he moved, but Gram had insisted on providing his meals, so he was at their house for breakfast and supper every day. She knew his presence was something she looked forward to, but it was best not to dwell on it. There was a good chance he would have his own woman to cook for him again, soon.

  A small table stood beside the bed and on it was the picture she had pulled from his saddle bag the day he was wounded. She picked up the carved wooden frame and stared into the eyes of Amanda. She had been a beautiful woman. Prettier than Nancy Rollins.

  Caleb hadn’t spoken of her much, but when he did, there was a sadness in his voice. He still missed her. Maggie blinked back a tear and set the picture back on the table. He would be putting Amanda’s photograph away, once he was married to Nancy.

  In the office, she rinsed the coffee pot and filled it with fresh water from the bucket on the table. She swept the floor and gave a last swipe at the dust on the desk.

  The posters were stacked neatly where he had put them the day before. Rummaging through a desk drawer, she found a small hammer and a sack of nails. Picking up the papers, she headed out the door.

  She dropped the stack of papers into a chair in front of the office and picked up one of the posters. Bill Glossom. Horse Thief. Reward $50. He didn’t look a bit familiar, but she tacked his picture and description to the wall and moved on down to the end of the building.

  The sound of hooves on the road distracted her and she turned to see three mounted horsemen coming from the west at a brisk pace. A cloud of dust stirred in their wake as they rode down Main Street. Her heart began to race, as shop owners stepped from their businesses to stare at the trio as they entered the town. Stetson’s cast shadows on the men’s faces, making it hard to guess their ages. The three were dressed in black suits that fit them well, obviously tailored for them. The same for their boots, new and expensive. What were men like that doing here? And, more important, when would Caleb be back?

  She stepped to the edge of the shaded sidewalk and brushed a wayward strand of hair from her face. One of the men caught a glimpse of her and nodded his black hat in her direction. The six-shooters on their hips and rifles mounted on their saddles gave the impression they were more than struggling cow hands looking for a job. Their mounts were a good sight better than cow ponies, too.

  One man rode a pace or two ahead of the others, seated on a large white horse. The other two were mounted on a pair of reds. Probably fast horses, she guessed. They waved to a couple of curious citizens, most of whom returned a cursory acknowledgment and hurried on their way. Nerves were still on edge, everyone waiting for what might happen.

  The trio stopped in front of Bailey’s and dismounted, throwing their reins over the hitching post. She strained her neck to watch them more closely. If they were gamblers, they were wasting their time. From the looks of them, there wasn’t enough money in Chance to satisfy their expensive tastes, or buy even a pair of their fancy boots. No doubt they’d be moving on soon.

  Maggie picked up the stack of posters and continued down the street. She stopped in front of the livery to nail up a wanted poster for a bank robber out of Denver. No one would ever spy such a man here in town, but she would do her duty and put them up. Besides, it gave her a chance to report to Caleb. Small talk, besides the conversations at the supper table every night, meant a lot to her.

  It was foolish to hope for more from him. Lately, he had seemed all business, even at meals. Probably his mind was on Nancy and their future plans. Grabbing her stack of paper and bag of nails, she headed on down the street. Stopping between businesses to nail up a poster.

  The stack had finally dwindled to the last piece. And the nail was going to go in if it was the last sign she ever posted. Why they sent so many copies, she couldn’t comprehend. If John Wesley Hardin rode into Chance, along with the whole of Jessie James’s gang, no one would dare send a telegram. The town was too paralyzed with fear over the Sayer brothers. A group without a warrant for their arrest, much less a wanted poster.

  Both hands wrapped around the handle, Maggie drove it to the small spike with all her might. Smash! The board split and pieces flew in every direction. Including a few splinters straight to her cheek.

  “Ouch!” She took a step back as the hammer fell from her hands, bouncing on the wooden deck and kicking against her heavy boot. Gingerly, she pulled the sliver from her cheek and winced at the pain. The trickle of blood tickled her face and she swiped it away. “Of all the stupid–”

  “Maggie! Maggie!” A child’s voice screamed, the second call closer than the first

  She turned to see Susie Brenner running toward her, skirt bouncing high, shoes pounding on the wooden sidewalk. The expression on the little girl’s face gave a clue that whatever the problem, it wasn’t good.

  “Maggie. . .” The girl was so out of breath she could barely speak.

  “What is it? Is someone hurt?”

  Susie managed to shake her head. “Not. . .yet. . . but Mrs. Sullivan and Miss Flynn are in the store, arguing over–” she stopped to catch another breath. “Arguing over a dress. Mr. Stoner is trying…but–”

  Maggie let out a sigh. Those two were always at it. As if she didn’t already have enough to do. “I understand, Susie. I’ll come. Just let me–”

  “Let‘s go!” The child grabbed her hand and took off at a sprint, dragging Maggie close behind.

  Out of breath when they reached the door, Maggie tore her hand from the girl’s and leaned against the door jam. “Just give me a minute, Susie.” No need to step inside and not be able to speak.

  Her eyes met Wally’s as she walked into the store. Poor man. He had no concept as to how to handle the two women. By now, he should be a seasoned manager in settling this pair’s disputes. Sisters, Maggie guessed they had been at each other’s throats since they were small. Whatever their dispute it needed to be worked out. And not in public.

  “I saw it first!” Lila Flynn declared, trying to snatch the cloth article from Wally Stoner’s hand.

  “You only want it because I do,” Lola Sullivan accused.

  Lila‘s cheeks burned hot as her red hair. “Oh, that’s just like you. Always accusing me of being Mother’s favorite, getting everything I want!”

  “And dare you deny it?” Her sister shouted, red splotches popping over her sunburned neck. “You have no idea how many things I went without, just because you–”

  “Ladies!” Maggie interrupted, trying to push herself between the quarreling women. All she needed was for them to start actually hitting each another. And they’d done it before one afternoon out there on Main Street. Lila had pushed Lola in a rain puddle and by the time it was over, both were covered in mud. If they got started right now, Wally’s store would be a wreck.

  Lila was first to drag her eyes from the dress in Wally’s hand. She turned to Maggie, a sheepish look on her face, her cheeks beginning to pale with embarrassment. “Maggie. . .I. . .my sister and I. . .” she turned her gaze back to Lola Sullivan. “This is all your fault.”

  “Isn’t it always?” Lola answered in a sarcastic tone.

  Before Maggie could say a word, Wally Stoner spoke. “How about I just put this dress in the back room? That way, no one else will buy it, and once you two get your differences settled, it will be here.”

  Silence filled the store. Maggie watched both sisters’ faces.

  Lola stood taller, braced her shoulders and let a slight smile form on her lips before she spoke. “I don’t really want it, anyway!” she turned and headed to the doorway.

  Maggie breathed a sigh of relief and Wally rolled his eyes.

  Lila huffed and tried to explain. “She’s just trying to make it look like I’m–”

  Lola was almost to the door when the first bullet whizzed through the glass front window.

  “Everybody get DOWN!” Wally bellowed.

  Maggie grabbed Susie and
pushed her to the floor, positioning herself on top of the child.

  Another pop sounded as the store window shattered, showering all of them with bits of glass. Gunshots echoed up and down the street, followed closely by the sound of windows bursting.

  The Sayer’s had finally come.

  Chapter 18

  On the floor, shielding Susie, Maggie looked to see Wally crawling toward the back of the counter. He stopped and looked at her.

  “I’ve got a couple of rifles back here and–”

  Everyone covered their heads as another round of shots came through what used to be the window of the store. Jars of vinegar on the side wall shelf, along with a row of whiskey, shattered, and the strong odor permeated the room.

  “Get back here, NOW!” Wally shouted to all of them.

  Hallie Bolton, the new schoolteacher, was huddled near the counter and she began to whimper.

  “Just stay low, Hallie, and follow me. It will be all right.” Maggie encouraged, hoping her words were true. “They’ll know that people are getting ready to fight back.” Her last words were drowned in another volley of shots.

  Maggie eased herself off of little Susie and grabbed her hand. Giving a slight tug, the girl began to crawl after her, followed by Lila, Lola, and Hallie.

  Behind the oak counter they came to a sitting position and watched as Wally began loading another Winchester, one already loaded to shoot. He nodded to Maggie to take it.

  The rifle in her hands, she half-stood with the barrel over the top of the counter. Another round of pistol pops sounded outside and she fired twice through the gaping window into the street.

  “Do you see anyone?” Hallie asked, her voice trembling with fear.

  Maggie ducked back down and shook her head. “I mostly fired them high, as warning shots. Maybe they won’t come back down here.” If only she could see Gram’s shop from here. If Gram was OK, by now, she’d be upstairs with her own rifle, ready for a fight. Please take care of her, Lord.