by Arch Gallen
*Colorado Gold Heist, Western Settler Saga Book III
“Morning, stranger.” she called, approaching faster than her girth suggested likely with a look more welcoming than Adam had seen in a while. “Eating or just coffee?”
“Eating, ma’am!” he exclaimed, throwing his most winning smile to her, “And hoping that’s at least half the pleasure as the greeting.”
Laughing, introducing herself as Jenny, the woman took his order for eggs, ham and potatoes, promising every bite would be better then swept away, refilling cups of every man sitting before landing back in the kitchen, bellowing out his order before half-way there.
Swallowing deep, Adam stretched his legs and stared disinterestedly out the window waiting for conversation between the men to resume, their pause when he entered a usual event, and reviewed his glimpse of the man eating alone. Banker or lawyer he guessed, judging from a white shirt, string tie and vest common to those kind and having seen no sign for a lawyer decided on banker Ambrose as the man stood. Taller than average and wide of chest and stomach, he picked up a flat crowned hat and set it on his head before clinking a coin on his empty plate, striding out with an air of importance bringing a grin to Pike that never reached his face.
As Jenny whirled back, plates of food on one arm and a coffee pot in the opposite hand, Adam heard the three men begin talking softly, the names Loftin and Lambertson drifting to him amid words too quiet to be heard. Beaming at the waitress, he attacked his meal with vigor, greatly pleased to find all cooked to his liking. Ears alert but disappointed at little arriving, he savored breakfast hoping to hear more but got nothing except a full stomach before they rose and left without a glance at him.
Shoving away his plates, he emptied his cup just as Jenny returned with fresh, motioning at the chair to his left after she filled his cup. Sitting, the woman gave him a wholesome look, asking as she did, “So passing through or looking to stay?”
Pike grinned. “Am hunting up riding work, ma’am” he answered, “but hearing much talk in only a few minutes of shooting trouble and a lot of fuss going on so am thinking it best I ride on north, find some rain and cows needful of herding.”
Frowning, Jenny shifted, looking through the window. “Been some trouble, I admit, but seeming to be most over now.” hating the prospect of another hungry mouth choosing to leave town.
Seeming to show little interest, Adam inquired politely, “Some widow woman causing all this?”
The waitress fired a hard look at him. “Rachel Loftin’s a fine women, mister, and not causing no trouble for any. Is all Lambertson’s doing, if you ask me.”
An alarmed look crossed Pike’s face. “Mean no offense, ma’am.” he objected, holding up hands to ward off her sudden heat, “Just keep hearing talk of her Pa damming rivers to block water needed.”
Jenny glared at him. “No such thing happened, mister, and best you’re not repeating lies. Rachel and her Pa, her husband, too, were best people known here abouts. Not one would have truck with such doings.”
“So talk of her Pa and man running out isn’t so right either?” he asked quietly.
Realizing abruptly Adam’s manner wasn’t that of a passing cowhand, Jenny gave a fresh look, his deep blue eyes and youthful face suddenly less innocent. With a twinge of fear, she glanced around then met Pike’s gaze. “Never happened that way. We hear much in a place like this, mister.”
Adam bobbed his head, recalling well the first and best lesson learned when arriving in Morale being what Kate and her niece Trish came to know just by bringing food and being quiet, a lesson serving well repeatedly over the years before and since becoming Marshall demonstrated as true again.
Talking quietly and fast, Jenny continued, “I can tell you from hearing her Pa and husband were killed. Don’t know who was doing but Lambertson was behind it.”
“He’d not do it himself?”
She snorted derisively. “Lambertson’s a coward. Hires his dirty work done.” she declared.
Pike pursed his lips and studied the table. “Couldn’t ride for a brand of that kind.” he observed, the woman giving him a sharp look as he added, “Likely best I head another way.”
Asking then directions, ‘So’s not to end up on the wrong range.' Adam listened as Jenny told of the road toward Lambertson’s and several others leading from town he could take. Placing a coin beside his empty dishes, Pike rose with a wide smile.
“Appreciate the grub, ma’am.” he said as she stood, looking up at him quizzically.
With an uncertain nod, Jenny replied, “Be sure when coming back this way to stop again, mister, and maybe all this fuss will have settled.” then adding hesitatingly, “Know, too, while riding by, Rachel hired up a foreman, fella’ name of Deacon Chance. What’s said by Lambertson’s men about him is sure to be lies but is certain he’s a fighting man hired by her to do that. Likely any stranger seen riding will be counted as one of Lambertson’s so ride careful.”
Waggling his head, grateful as always for new information and intrigued by it, Adam pushed his hat over unruly hair while saying, “Food so good and company better, there is no chance of forgetting.”
Pivoting as he tossed a wave, Pike crossed through the doorway, halting briefly outside while studying the street. Looking east, he pondered Jenny’s words wishful of knowing more how the land lay then chuckled to himself, recalling the first time he chased men into country unknown to him west of Santa Fe and having thought the same then.* Since, the times he hunted outlaws, thieves or killers with good knowing of the land had been few with no real trouble brought for it him so doing again seemed somehow comfortable.
*Santa Fe Bandits, Western Settler Saga Book II
Mounting and spurring his horse to a trot, Adam offered an image of carefree nonchalance to Jenny as she sat in her café watching, worried over exactly what the youngster was up to, hoping against hope it didn’t mean still more trouble for Rachel.