by West, Everly
And froze. Footsteps coming her way.
A prickle of panic ripped down her spine. Time to go!
Struggling with the weight of the gold, she moved to the window and drop the bag over to the other side. She then followed close behind, wriggling her exaggerated padded girth, through the narrow opening. She hefted the bag over her shoulder and darted toward the darkened cover of the tree line.
Hopefully, the guard wouldn’t notice the half-empty bag of the gold or the missing hat until she was long gone. Five minutes later, she was on her way to deliver her bounty to the orphanage.
* * *
All was quiet when Hannah slipped into the shadows of the orphanage’s front porch. She watched Henrietta Bland rock back and forth through a patch of light coming from a window beside her. Worry lines etched across the woman’s brow.
But things were about to get better for the headmistress of the Laramie Orphanage.
Hannah lower her voice an octave and ordered, “Stay where you are.”
Henrietta gasped. “What do you want?”
“I want to help—anomalously.” Hannah slipped deeper into the shadows. “When I leave, there will be a bag of gold ore on the porch railing.”
“Oh, my stars! Really?”
“Really.”
“How can I thank you?”
“By promising me you won’t tell anyone how or when you received the gold. I will come back from time to time with more help, but I have to stay anomalous. You if tell anyone I was here, I won’t ever return.”
“On my word of honor, I will never speak of this.” Henrietta promised.
“Take the ore to the assayers office and he’ll exchange it for cash. If he asked where you got the gold, tell him it’s from the orphanage’s newest benefactor.”
“Thank you. Thank you.”
“I’ll be watching,” Hannah said, as she slipped off the porch and headed to where she’d left Ginger tied.
Five minutes later, she’d doubled back to the abandon cabin to change from her Shadow clothes back into her dark brown dress. Twenty minutes after that, Ginger had been put back in the stable, feed, watered and groomed.
Hannah slipped into her bed, exhausted yet elated that Leachman’s first lesson went off without a hitch.
* * *
Nate slid his empty breakfast plate to the side and smiled up at Hannah as she filled his cup. “What are you grinning about this morning?”
“Is there a law against smiling in this town, lawman?”
“No, but that mischievous glint in your eyes makes me nervous.”
Hannah patted him on the shoulder. “That’s your problem, not mine.”
Before Nathan could reply, the Café door banged open.
“Sheriff!” Leachman’s right hand man Leo Jackson hollered. “The mine’s been robbed.”
Nathan sprung to his feet, slapped his hat on his head and hollered back, “Let’s go.”
Racing full out, he and Jackson made it back to the mine in record time.
Leachman met them at the hitching post outside of the main shack. “You’re not going to believe this, Sheriff. Come inside.”
Nathan and Jackson followed Leachman into the shack. The mine owner waved his arm in the direction of the weigh in counter.
“Some snake in the grass thief took half of this week’s gold.”
“Half?” Nathan echoed.
“We weighed it yesterday around six, after the assayer’s office had already closed. I came to take it into town this morning and realized almost half of it was gone.”
“Why would someone only take half?” Nathan questioned.
“Maybe that’s all they could carry?” Jackson put in.
Leachman dragged his hand over his face. “My thirteen-year old grandson could tote that whole bag of ore.”
Nathan doubted that, but keep his opinion to himself. He didn’t think lack of strength had anything to do with the amount of gold stolen.
“Was there a guard on duty?”
“I was,” Jackson answered. “Jeb, the regular guy, took off last night. His wife went into labor, so I took his shift.”
Nathan cocked a speculative eyebrow at Jackson.
Leachman huffed. “I’d trust this whole operation with Jackson. He’s been my friend and foreman for years. And has had ample opportunities to take a heck of a lot more than was stolen last night if he was a thieving man.”
“Understood.” Nathan nodded. “Run me your routine for last night, Jackson.”
“The first two hours of the shift, I filled out the payroll book. After that I made a pot of coffee. My wife brought me some supper around seven o’clock. Around midnight, I had to go to the outhouse. But I was only out of the shack for a short time.”
“Did you lock the door or have someone else stand watch while you were gone?” Nathan asked.
“No, I didn’t think about doing that.” Jackson looked abashed. “Sorry, Bart, we hadn’t ever had any trouble and I was only gone a few minutes.”
Leachman nodded his acceptance of the apology. “Not your fault. You’d probably been knocked out or, worse, killed if you’d been here.”
Nathan took one more look around the room before asking, “Was there anything else missing or disturbed?”
“Other than almost five hundred dollars’ worth of gold, I hadn’t noticed anything else.” Bart Leachman sneered.
“Huh,” grunted Jackson. “Jeb’s hat is gone. I remember seeing it and thinking the man had to be in an all fire hurry to run out without his hat.”
“What’d it look like?”
Jackson shrugged. “Just a plain ole black hat. Nothing special.”
“My gold is stolen and you’re worried about a missing hat!” Leachman bellowed.
Nathan knew the man had reason enough to be sarcastic, but it still rubbed him the wrong way. “I’ll look around outside for tracks, but because of this morning’s rain I doubt I’ll find any.”
“Yeah, we figured as much,” Jackson grumbled.
“When I get back to town, I’ll check the wanted posters that came in last week and see if this matches anybody’s criminal history.”
“You don’t think you’ll come up with anything, do you?” Leachman asked.
“It a long shot at best.” Nathan admitted. “Who ever did this is probably miles away by now.”
Chapter 6
Hannah took a bracing breath and stepped into the Sheriff’s office.
Nathan sat behind his desk, pouring over a stack of wanted posters. She coughed demurely, letting him know she was there.
“Hannah.” He stood. “What brings you to my office? Anything wrong?”
“No, of course not.” She pointed to the basket dangling from her elbow. “You didn’t come in for lunch today, so I thought you might be hungry.”
“Starved, but I don’t have much time to eat right now.” He pointed to his desk. “I need to look over these posters again.”
“You’d probably focus better with a full stomach.” Hannah pouted. She’d practiced in front of a mirror between packing a lunch and freshening up after work. “It’s Gunner’s fried chicken.”
Hannah dropped the basket in a nearby chair. “What if we picnic here?”
Nathan chuckled, “You drive a hard bargain.”
“You go wash up while I clear a spot on your desk for us to eat.”
“That’s a deal.” He touched her shoulder before opening the door to the jail area of the office. “Washbasin’s in the back. I’ll be right with you.”
Midway through stacking the posters, she froze. A drawing of the Shadow looked back at her from the yellowed paper. The artist didn’t quite get the shape of her face right, but the mask, hair scarf and hat were on point. Scanning the poster, she noticed the law knew more about her than she’d realized. Although they did assume the Shadow was a man.
She should run. But she couldn’t leave the orphanage without a benefactor. Her plan for Leachman would take at least a coupl
e more weeks to play out.
Now, Nathan was more than a way to keep tabs on Bart Leachman. He was a possible threat to her freedom.
Like her Daddy used to say, “Keep your friends close and your enemies closer.”
Hannah broke out in a sweat. Looked like she and Sheriff Nathan Wiley were about to become an official couple.
The temptation to shove the wanted poster into her skirt pocket ran deep, but she knew better. If Nathan noticed it was gone, he’d know she took it and wonder why. No, it was best to bury it in the stack of other posters and hope it didn’t catch his attention.
When Nathan returned from the back, she was pulling out the platter of fried chicken and rolls. He nudged her to the side and finished emptying the basket. “Sit down, sweetness. You’ve been on your feet all day.”
He kissed her on her forehead then rounded the desk to take his place to eat. “Thank you for thinking of me. I’d probably shrivel up and blow away before suppertime.”
She laughed. “Oh, I doubt that.”
As they filled their plates with chicken and all the fixin’, Hannah said, “So, tell me about the mine,”
Nathan shrugged, “Not much to tell. Somebody stole about five hundred dollars’ worth of gold ore last night. But Leachman didn’t miss it until this morning.”
Hannah felt her eyes widen. She didn’t realize how much her haul had been worth. “That’s a lot of money.”
Nathan put the chicken leg he’d been eating on his plate and wiped his mouth with his napkin. “It could have been worse. The thief only took half of the gold available.”
“Why would he do that?”
“I’m not sure, but I’m going to find out.”
She swirled her fork through her mashed potatoes, too nervous to actually take a bite. “Do you have a suspect in mind?”
“No, not a one. But if he’s still around I’ll find him.” Nathan reached over and laid his hand on top of hers. “Don’t worry, honey. I won’t let anyone hurt you. You’re safe.”
Not from you. I’m not safe from you and your black and white notion of the law, she wanted to scream. But didn’t.
They quickly finished their lunch. Nathan helped her reload the dirty dished into the basket. Hannah wrapped the last of the chicken in a napkin and handed it to him. “Just in case a strong wind whistles through.”
He chuckled and laid the chicken on his desk. Carrying the basket to the open door for Hannah. “You want me to take this over to Gunner?”
“No, I can manage fine.”
“Hmm-umm, tomorrow is the fourth of July. Laramie always has a town Barbeque and street dance. I’d be honored to escort you.”
“And I’d be honored to be escorted by you.”
“You’re a minx, Hannah Anderson.” He leaned down and kissed her on her cheek.
Minnie O’Brian walked by just has his lips touched her. The woman tsked at them and continued on her way.
Nathan laughed. “We’ve just been outed. Mrs. O’Brian and the gossip mill will have us engaged within the next fifteen minutes.”
Hannah grinned. “You’d probably leave me at the altar.”
“More like we’d pass each other on the trail, both of us heading for the hills.”
* * *
The band struck up a waltz. Couples migrated toward the dancing area.
“Would you like to dance?” Nathan asked, feeling anxious. It had been a long time since he’d courted a woman.
“Yes, thank you.” Hannah answered as she slipped her hand into his hand.
“You know, a dance is just an excuse for a man to hold a woman in his arms,” He said, as he slipped his arm around her waist.
“I beg to differ,” she teased, “A dance is an excuse for a woman to get all gussied up and attract a man’s attention.”
Nathan laughed, enjoying her wit. “There’s not a man on this earth who wouldn’t be drawn to you even if you were wearing a tow sack.”
“I doubt that.”
He drew her closer and whispered into her ear, “Trust me on this, sweetness, you’re the prettiest girl here.”
She inched away from him slightly. He held firm, unwilling to surrender the feel of her body close to his.
“People are watching,” she hissed under her breath.
“Haven’t you heard? We’re engaged.” Nathan twirled her in time with the music, pulling her yet closer when she returned to his arms. “I’ve had three people already asked me when we’re going to make our announcement.”
Giggling, she questioned, “Only three? I had that many ask before this morning’s breakfast run was over.”
The music ended. Nathan lead Hannah to a bench stationed under one of the many lanterns lighting the night. “You’re a good dancer. Who taught you?”
Before she could answer, four-year-old Susie Barrow slipped her way through the crowd and stopped in front of Nathan. She cradled a sleeping kitten wrapped in a kitchen towel in her arms.
“Sheriff Nate, my kitty wants to dance with you.”
Nathan’s heart swelled. The little stinker had squirmed her way into his heart the first time he met her. She’d been three when she marched into his office and insisted, he put her in jail for breaking her Mama’s favorite vase. It had taken an hour to figure who she was and return her home.
“I’d be honored to dance with you and your kitty, but you have to ask Miss Hannah first.”
“Why?”
“Because it’s the polite thing to do,” Nathan answered.
“Has I got to be polite?” little Susie asked.
“If you and your kitty want to dance with me, you do.”
Susie shrugged her shoulders and turned to Hannah. Cocking her head and asked, “Can he?”
Hannah beamed at the little girl. “If you promise to return him after the dance, I suppose, it’d be all right.”
Susie turned to Nathan and raised her free arm to him, “She said yes, but I gots to bring you back.”
Nathan chuckled, bent down and picked up her with her kitty still nestled in her arm. “Come on, gorgeous. I’ve been waiting all night to dance with my Susie.”
“And kitty, too.” Susie added.
“Yes, ma’am, and kitty, too.” Hannah heard the big Sheriff say as he and the brown-eyed cutie made their way to the dance area.
A lump formed in Hannah’s throat. How could a man be so perfect and be so wrong for her?
Nathan Wiley was a good man. He had a heart the size of Wyoming and a smile as bright as the mid-day sun. His quick wit and kindness were ever-present. His strength of character matched his physical strength, both were above reproach.
Any woman would be proud to have him come courting. Expect her.
He was a lawman and she was an outlaw. No matter how hard she tried her past could—and probably would—catch up with her one day.
No way could she gamble her heart on a no-win romance.
Yeah, you just keep telling yourself that, Hannah.
Chapter 7
Hannah heard the bell above the door jingle right before closing the next day. She wiped her wet hands on a kitchen towel and walked into the dining room. “Nathan? What are you doing here?”
“I’ve got to take a ride and was wondering if you’d like to come.”
“An afternoon ride sounds wonderful, but I have to help Gunner clean up.”
Gunner gently nudged her toward Nathan. “Nonsense, Girl. I can finish up here. You go riding with your beau.”
“Are you sure?” she asked already untying her apron from around her waist.
“Of course, now go.”
He didn’t have to tell her twice. She needed the fresh air, needed to feel the wind in her hair. And yes, she admitted to herself, she wanted to spent some time with Nathan.
“Give me five minutes to change into my riding skirt.”
“Take your time, sweetness.” Nathan smiled. “I’ll wait.”
Exactly five minutes later, Nathan and Hannah stepped into the
livery.
“Alton,” Nathan called.
A short, bald man popped his head up from a nearby horse stall. “Sheriff, what can I do for you?”
“We need Miss Anderson’s horse saddled, please.” Nathan moved to the first stall beside the door and lifted his saddle off of the fence.
Hannah felt ridiculous waiting for someone to saddle Ginger when she’d been saddling her own horse since she was ten.
A moment later, Alton lead Ginger, saddled and cinched, to the cheater stump at the edge of the double doorway. Just as she was about to step up on the stump, Nathan’s large hands cupped her waist and lift her into her saddle.
“Another excuse for a man to put his hands on a woman?” Hannah grinned.
Nathan shrugged playfully as he made his way to his horse. “Caught again.”
He slipped his foot into the stirrup then swung his other leg up and over his horse. “Ready?”
“Where are we going?” Hannah asked as they walked their horses into the sunshine.
“Out to the Leachman Mine.”
“Why?” Hannah hoped Nathan didn’t hear the nervous squeak in her voice.
“I want to show Bart Leachman a couple of wanted posters.”
He turned to her and winked. “And maybe show off my girl.”
Hannah huffed, “You’re worse than a snapping turtle. Once you latch on to something you never let go.”
“Only when it’s mine.”
“Am I yours?”
“Close enough.”
A rush ran over Hannah’s body. Did she want to be his ‘close enough’?
They rode in silence the rest of the way to the mine. Hannah mulling over the ramifications of their conversation. And Nathan, most likely, gloating over the fact that she hadn’t disagreed with him.
Nathan dismounted and tied his horse to the hitching post and then helped Hannah down. His hands lingered on her waist, but she didn’t mind. She should, but she didn’t.