“A’course not. And we’s gone over the plan a dozen times. Just gotta wait until the town opens the dang bank again. Can’t rob it if’n the doors are always locked and we’s got no way inside.”
“And David said the vault’s only open in the daytime during banking hours.” Shorty reminded him of the flaw in their last plan.
“Just frosts my pickles that we never demanded the money in the vault when we was there the first time.” Fred cussed a blue streak. “That damn bank manager just handed over the cash in the drawer.”
“Do you recall you shot the feller? Maybe he planned on telling us but he was too busy dying.”
“Suppose’n that could be.”
Shorty leaned back on the rock he’d parked himself on. “Or perhaps Eric’s theory that the manager figured on taking the money in the vault for himself and then blaming us for it when we was caught could be true.”
“Ya suppose?”
“Why else was he so eager to have us help rob his own bank?”
“But we wasn’t caught. And with the manager being dead, the money is most likely still in that vault. And we’s going to have it. And we’s not going to get caught,” Fred stated. “We’s just going to bide our time, is all.”
“Unless we freeze to death out here first.” Shorty clambered to his feet and limped farther inside the cave. His leg throbbed with the cold and he stumbled, landing hard on the dirt floor. Sleep provided the greatest relief from his constant pain, and the whiskey he’d consumed helped also. “I’m turning in for the night.”
Fred staggered into the cave. “Me, too. Then I’m goin’ to my lookout tomorrow mornin’, and see if’n the doors to that bank are open yet.”
“Can’t be too blame soon for me.”
“If’n we rob the bank on the first day it opens, ain’t nobody going to suspect a thing,” Fred whispered into the darkness, then he laughed like a maniac.
Shorty shook his head, settling into his bedroll on the hard ground inside the damp cave, wishing they’d bought more blankets. If the old fool wasn’t his uncle, he would have lit out and taken his chances on his own ages ago. But Shorty had promised his pa he’d look out for the old fellow. Who knew longevity ran in the family? His pa had lived to seventy. As to his uncle, only five years to go!
Shorty shivered in the cold.
Providing he lived that long himself.
Chapter 17
Daniel left Milestone’s First National Bank, assured that Harold Watson had everything under control for the reopening tomorrow. The bank owners in Butte provided Harold the go-ahead by telegraph to resume business, and when word got out, the townsfolk couldn’t have been happier.
If only Daniel could be as pleased about the direction his own life was taking. He unwound Honor’s reins and climbed into the saddle. “Let’s head back to the jailhouse, boy.”
Unsettling thoughts about his future rode along with him. He’d spilled the information about Iris and her past to his boss in hopes of helping solve the bank robbery. But despite their best efforts the past couple weeks, they hadn’t found hide nor hair of anyone resembling the two drifters, Fred and Shorty, who Eric described and claimed had probably robbed a bank. Daniel still didn’t discount the possibility Eric had invented the entire story to test his and Sawyer’s gullibility. Regardless, no one would be granting Eric any reduction in his sentence unless his allegations were verified and the robbery was solved.
Daniel tied Honor’s reins to the hitching rail and headed into the jailhouse. He couldn’t dispel the troubling thoughts that his career might suffer due to his association with Iris. Would the local law consider her a negative influence on him? On a future Pinkerton? The very thought of ending their courtship pierced his heart. If forced to, could he choose between Iris and his career?
He’d taken Iris to the ranch to visit with his family two nights ago. She’d fit in well with his sister-in-law and even his father had taken a shine to her warm smile and infectious laugh. His brothers had told stories about his childhood antics and she’d chuckled at all of them. He’d wondered if she had any pleasant memories of her own upbringing or if her youth had proven one long nightmare. He’d hoped Iris and her mother had shared a few happy times together.
Since it appeared the other lawmen weren’t around, he poured himself a cup of coffee which tasted palatable and probably had been brewed by Sawyer, not Carl. He settled on the wheeled chair behind the sheriff’s desk and returned to his musings. Iris’s crimes involved nothing more than petty thefts and taking orders from her demanding father. And having met David Lake in Butte, Daniel figured Iris could have placed herself in jeopardy if she’d refused to obey the controlling, dangerous man. With her safety possibly in question, Iris had made the right choice cooperating with her father.
“Something on your mind?”
Startled by Carl Robertson’s voice, Daniel whipped around so quickly coffee sloshed over the rim of his cup and soiled his vest. Dang it, a future Pinkerton should be more mindful of his surroundings. He couldn’t have someone sneaking up on him unawares. He shook the liquid from his hand, reddened by the hot beverage.
“Was changing out the blankets on the cots in the cells. Suppose you didn’t know I was here.”
Daniel shook his head and leapt out of the sheriff’s chair. He figured honesty the best policy. “Thought I was alone. Just contemplating my future.”
“How so?” Carl poured himself a cup of coffee.
Daniel dragged his hand down his face. “Well, it’s Iris.”
Carl sipped his coffee, leaning against his desk. “Something happen to her?”
“No. She’s fine. It’s just… I’m wondering if I should end our… friendship,” Daniel hedged, knowing their relationship had progressed far beyond friends. He couldn’t go an hour without thinking about her. Wondering what she was doing. Worrying if she was all right. He’d marry the girl tomorrow if she’d have him.
“Why in tarnation would you do that?” Carl rounded his desk and settled into the chair. He waved at his colleague to join him.
Daniel slumped into the armless chair in front of the desk.
“I expected to hear about a wedding on the horizon one of these days.” Carl set his coffee cup on the desk and leaned back. “Heard from AJ you brought her out to the ranch and introduced her to the family.”
“If I had my way, you would be hearing about an engagement. Even Pa likes her. But considering my career aspirations and with Iris’s past to consider…” he left the thought hanging.
“Was Iris ever arrested for anything?”
“Well, no.”
“Does Iris Lake have a record with the law?”
“I don’t believe so.”
Carl leaned forward and planted his arms on the desk. “So as far as the world is concerned, Iris Lake is nothing less than a respectable young schoolmarm who teaches school in Milestone, Montana.”
Daniel tipped his head. “I guess that’s right.”
“I know it’s right.”
“But she—”
“But nothing. You informed me and Sawyer of her past. Most of which was none of Iris’s doing. A child being controlled by a criminal parent has no reflection on the character of the minor involved.” Carl leaned back and crossed his arms. “Iris turned her back on everything illegal in her life, on every bad influence including her family. She’s a respectable young lady who’d be a credit to any lawman fancying her as a wife. She’s a wonderful girl. Heck, I’d marry her myself if I was forty years younger.”
“Over my dead body. If Iris is marrying anyone…”
Carl burst into laughter and Daniel realized he’d been had by his superior.
“If you could see your face.” Carl shook his head. “You’ve got it bad, son. Best propose to the young lady before all that worrying about her does your heart permanent damage.”
Daniel set his coffee cup down and yanked his Stetson off the desk. “I’ll give your advice serious consideratio
n.”
“You do that.” Carl chuckled. “By the way, is Harold ready to open the bank?”
“Ten o’clock tomorrow morning.” Daniel smiled. “It’s been quite the wait. The townsfolk might throw a party to celebrate.”
“I’ll organize the parade,” the sheriff quipped. “I figure we can spare you for the rest of the day. You might want to call on a certain young lady. Invite her along on a late afternoon buggy ride. Won’t be long now before the snow flies.”
“Thank you.” Daniel stuck his Stetson on his head and headed for the door. “Folks are right. Great minds do think alike.”
Carl chuckled. “Tell her I said hello.”
“Not with you thinking about marrying her yourself.” Daniel grinned and walked outside, catching himself whistling as he untied Honor’s reins.
“You’re having the night off, boy. I’m renting Hermes and a buggy for a ride. And hopefully a pretty young schoolteacher will be accompanying me.”
Honor whinnied and bobbed his head.
“I’m pleased you approve.” Daniel smiled as he headed for the livery. Iris would be finished teaching within the hour. His timing couldn’t be better. A ride along the river in autumn sounded like an excellent idea.
Chapter 18
Daniel pulled the buggy up to the schoolhouse praying Iris’s students had struck out for home by now. Unless a miscreant pupil had been waylaid by punishment for his misbehavior, Daniel should be in the clear.
As he tied the reins to the empty hitching rail, Daniel recalled doing his share of washing blackboards, cleaning brushes, scrubbing a floor or two, and hauling in armloads of wood for the woodstove in his misspent school days. Hadn’t done him a bit of harm, learning proper behavior as comeuppance for his demonstrated lack of fondness for book learning. His brothers always told on him, and Pa also contrived a fine collection of extra chores for him once he’d returned home from school.
Several seconds had passed since his arrival and no pint-sized persons had exited the schoolhouse. Deducing Iris must be alone, Daniel strode toward the door, climbed the wooden steps, and knocked.
“Come in,” a familiar voice called.
Daniel poked his head inside and waited a moment for his eyes to adjust. “Iris,” he called.
“In here.”
He wandered from the cloakroom into the classroom and spotted her sitting at her desk up front. “I’ve come to rescue you, fair maiden,” he joked, removing his Stetson and bowing low.
Iris laughed and touched the blonde bun at the nape of her neck while a crimson tinge appeared on her fair maiden’s face.
“Thank you, kind sir. But I don’t recall a need for rescuing.”
Daniel delighted in the sound of her laughter, and she never failed to provide a quick and clever reply to his teasing. “I’ve rented a buggy and the weather is perfect for an afternoon ride before supper.”
Iris’s jaw dropped. “How thoughtful!”
“Does that mean you’ll accompany me?”
“Of course it does. I’d love some fresh air and I just finished my lesson planning.”
“I’d say my timing is perfect.”
“Impeccable.” Iris donned her cloak, then grabbed her hat and reticule. “Shall we go?”
“Definitely.” Daniel stuck his Stetson on his head and offered his arm.
Daniel almost floated out to the buggy. He couldn’t keep thoughts of Iris out of his head for trying! With a pretty lady on his arm and his boss’s permission to court and marry her, what more could a fellow ask for? He recalled his discussion with Mrs. Carter who’d claimed Fate had brought them together. Maybe Iris’s landlady was right.
“I figured we’d take the road along the river. The autumn colors will be particularly pretty now.” Daniel helped Iris onto the buggy seat.
“That sounds lovely.” She beamed and wrapped her arm around his when he climbed aboard. “Autumn is my favorite time of year when Mother Nature has dressed the trees and flowers in their prettiest clothes.”
Daniel chuckled at her fanciful observations, but he couldn’t argue with her. When he’d been ranching, fall roundup had been made somewhat bearable with the colorful change of season surrounding him. He’d always been a nature enthusiast and working outdoors his only choice in life. How shopkeepers like Ray Cochrane spent so much of their time inside their stores would forever remain a mystery to him.
They rode in silence, except for Iris’s occasional observation. The familiar call of a bird. The colorful overhead canopy as they rode under the bent branches of deciduous trees. A rabbit bounding onto the road ahead of them, pausing to twitch his nose, and then disappearing into the underbrush when he spotted the buggy coming toward him. Daniel chuckled at Iris’s shared delight in nature’s offerings. Another common interest, proving her suitability for him.
Daniel spotted something blue up ahead and craned his neck for a better view. Someone was waving their arms and calling to them. As he drew the buggy closer, he realized it was a small boy perhaps six or seven years old.
Iris gasped. “That’s Robbie Branson! My goodness, what does he want?”
“Help, mister! Help!” the child shouted, waving both arms above his head.
Daniel pulled on the reins and halted the rig. “What’s the matter?”
“My brother’s dying!”
Daniel’s heart leapt into his throat. What the heck? “Where is he? What happened?”
The youngster took off like a shot toward the river, small legs racing along the path down to the riverbank. Daniel handed Iris the reins. “Hold these and wait here. I’ll be right back.”
“Not on your life. I’m coming with you,” Iris argued. “Robbie’s one of my students.”
Daniel directed Hermes to a large cottonwood and secured the reins to a sturdy branch. He clasped Iris’s hand in his. “Come on then.”
Together they followed the child to the riverbank. Daniel spotted a child a few years older than Robbie lying in the water on his back. He dropped Iris’s hand and charged into the cold river, his boots sending up a spray of water.
“We was playing along the shore. Johnnie saw a fish and rushed into the water figuring he’d catch it for supper. But he slipped on a rock and fell. I heard a thud and I reckon he hit his head.” Robbie burst into tears. “Is he dead, mister?”
Iris wrapped the child in her arms. “Now, let’s keep happy thoughts while the deputy checks on your brother.”
Daniel lifted the little boy out of the water and carried him to shore, cold water dripping from the child’s clothes and hair. He laid him on the grassy shore and felt behind his head. Sure enough, a goose-egg-sized bump had already appeared, confirming Robbie’s suspicions about him cracking his head on a rock when he slipped. Johnnie hadn’t moved at all, completely unconscious, lips blue. This didn’t look good, but he would keep that suspicion to himself. Daniel rested his head on the child’s chest. “He’s breathing at least.”
Iris heaved an audible sigh. “Thank goodness.”
“Is he… dyin’?” Robbie sobbed. “Ma’s… gonna kill me… if he’s dyin’…”
Daniel reached for the child’s arm. “Your brother isn’t dying. Calm down. Go with Miss Lake.”
Robbie stopped the wailing, sniffed, and wiped his nose on his sleeve.
Daniel hefted the unconscious child into his arms again and glanced at Iris. “Bring Robbie along. We’ll take Johnnie to Doc Bennett and he’ll fix him up.”
“Of course he will.” Iris patted Robbie’s shoulders. “Don’t worry. Johnnie will be fine.”
Daniel met her eyes, praying they both hadn’t lied to the child. Only time would tell.
“So my brother’s not dyin’?” Robbie whispered looking up trustingly into Daniel’s eyes.
“Not if I have any say in it,” Daniel muttered, hoping the words sounded like some semblance of assurance. Right now, he wasn’t so sure he’d spoken truthfully. The child’s lips remained blue and his coloring paled to the
point of frightening. Daniel wrapped the boy in one of the heavy quilts Billy supplied with the buggy.
Iris lifted Robbie onto the seat and climbed up with Daniel’s assistance. She settled Robbie on her lap and hugged him tightly. Daniel climbed up behind them, balancing Johnnie in his arms. Dang it! He’d forgotten to untie Hermes!
“Hold Johnnie still,” he instructed Iris, laying the child along the seat. “I don’t want him to roll off.”
Iris placed a hand on the child’s chest while hugging the other boy. Daniel dashed over and untied the horse. Soon, Daniel held the reins in hand while balancing the unconscious child in his lap. He flicked the reins, and Hermes charged down the road as if sensing the urgency of the matter. Within a few minutes, they reached Doc Bennett’s house.
“Stay here. I’ll drop Johnnie off with Doc and then we’ll go find his mother and let her know what happened.”
“Absolutely not!” Iris settled Robbie on the seat. “That child is not staying alone.”
Daniel didn’t argue with maternal instincts. Being a woman, Iris would judge the needs of a child better than him. He carried Johnnie into the Doc’s examination room and settled him on the metal table, Iris following on his heels while holding tightly onto Robbie’s hand. Daniel stepped back and held his breath.
He hated the smell of that clinic. Any clinic. He suspected the culprit was some disinfectant or something, but it never failed to halt him in his tracks, turning up his nose at the stench. He associated that smell with trouble, remembering the day they’d brought his ma into town and placed her in Doc’s care. She never returned home.
Daniel shook off the bad memories and explained what happened. “I’ll go fetch the child’s mother.”
“What’s his name?” Doc Bennett inquired, placing a stethoscope on the child’s chest.
“Johnnie Branson,” Iris replied. “He’s ten years old.”
Doc’s head whipped up. “Mabel Branson’s son?”
“Yes. Mable and Charlie are his parents,” Iris provided.
A Reinvented Lady (Sons Of A Gun Book 2) Page 11