by Barbara Goss
Thankfully, the building was a large one, with the office space taking up the front of the building, and the prison cells located at the back, along with a back door that led to an outhouse. Dan had set up his desk on the right side of the room, and Boggs on the left but closer to the front door, since the townspeople would most likely be coming in to see him and not the marshal.
Boggs was an older man but seemed to be handling his job well. He had a limp and his deputy had told Dan he’d been shot in the leg years ago.
Dan paced in front of his desk as he waited for orders from headquarters about his next job. So far, he hadn’t received the wire containing his instructions. He never knew what type of job would be next, but he hoped the next one would take him far away from Hays, or maybe even back to Salina.
Jack came in to report, “Still no telegram.”
“Aw, this is boring,” Dan groaned. “Let’s go eat dinner and call it a day.”
Dan began to lock up his desk when a man walked in and strode straight to Boggs’ desk.
“I’m missing cattle again,” the older man said, leaning on the sheriff’s desk so he was right in Boggs’ face. “What’re you gonna do about it?”
“Did you brand them?” Boggs asked.
“No, I didn’t brand them. The nearest ranch ta me is two miles away, so why would I need ta brand my cattle?” the man ranted. “’Sides, I keep ’em all fenced.”
“If you have the property fenced, how could someone steal your cattle?” Boggs’ face reddened as he stood and stepped away from the man’s closeness.
“Easy: they broke down the fence in one place,” the man said. “Last week, it was Matt Jenner who was missin' cattle. We want action, Sheriff.”
“What do you expect me to do—sit in your field all night and wait for the thieves?” Boggs asked.
The man walked to the door. “No, I ain’t expect’n nuthin’. I’m goin’ to the town council with this.”
The man left, slamming the door behind him. Dan and Jack exchanged looks.
“Rosie’s for stew again?” Jack asked.
“Yep, let’s go.” Dan opened the door and the two of them walked down to Rosie’s.
Dan sopped up the juice of his stew with his biscuit as Jack finished telling him the story of how his family had died. Dan said nothing until he was done.
“Thank you for telling me, Jack. I know it wasn’t easy. Is that why you became a lawman?”
Jack nodded.
“What do you think about the alleged cattle rustling going on?” Dan asked. “Do you think we should stick our noses into it?”
“No, I don’t, Dan. I think we should just wait for our orders from the home office.”
“Yes, and I hope they come soon. I get bored easily.”
Just then, he looked up to see Joe Austin walk in with two of his friends. Dan nodded toward them. “Our honest Joe looks to be hanging out with some rugged-looking characters.”
“Do you think he was in on the train robberies, too?” Jack whispered.
“I’m beginning to wonder, but I might be letting my personal feelings enter into it. What do you think, Jack?”
“I think,” Jack paused as he gazed the men at the table in the far corner, “we keep an eye on him.”
Dan and Jack left Rosie’s and passed the man who had complained to Boggs earlier, about the cattle rustling.
“Excuse me,” Dan called after him.
The man stopped and turned around. He looked Dan and Jack over carefully before walking back to where they were standing.
“You guys the law, too?” he asked.
“We’re federal marshals. Can you tell me more about the cattle thieving?”
“I lost eight last night, Matt Jenner lost seven a few nights ago, and Victor Albright lost ten last week.”
“Were they all unbranded cattle?” Jack asked.
“No. Jenner and Albright’s pastures are pretty close, so they brand in case some get through the fence though it doesn’t happen much, they say.” The man shook his head. “Someone has to stop this. I’ve gone to the head of the town council and they promised me they’d get me some action.”
“I’m Dan McCall and this is my deputy, Jack Garner.”
“My name's Fred Haskell,” the man told them.
“Well, Fred, my deputy and I will try and look into this for you. Unless we get orders taking us somewhere else, we’ll nose around and see what we can discover.” Dan slapped him on the back. “I know how frustrating it can be when you think no one cares.”
The man thanked them and went along his way.
“How can we possibly find out who’s been rustling cattle?” Jack asked.
Dan pointed to his ears. “We listen. Let’s start talking to people. We’ll start tomorrow, at the barbershop. I could use a trim, anyway.”
“Suppose I could, too,” Jack murmured as he ran to keep up with Dan who’d already reached the hotel.
Dan and Jack picked up tidbits of gossip from the barbershop, the blacksmith’s, and the livery.
As they walked to Rosie’s for lunch, Jack asked, “So what do y’all make of what we’ve heard?”
“Well,” Dan began, “we heard at the barbershop that a man named Leo's spreading around a lot of money and he has no job.
“At the blacksmith's, we didn’t find out anything, but Sam the butcher said Joe Austin’s herd of cattle seems to be growing quickly. Now, he could be buying them somewhere, but if you put it all together, we have two likely suspects, and it makes me sick to think Joe's a part of it after I practically threw Leila at him. “
As they walked into Rosie's, Dan said to Jack, “If I never see another bowl of stew, I’ll be a happy man.”
There was just one table left unoccupied, so Dan and Jack sat down and looked at the stained menu.
Dan sighed. “Maybe I’ll try the soup.”
Jack grimaced. “I’ll have the stew again, since it’s pretty good.”
Dan looked across the room and frowned.
“What?” Jack asked.
“Joe’s here…with Leila!”
Chapter 10
Leila sat across from Joe, trying to think of a gentle way to tell him she was no longer interested in marrying him. Joe had ordered their dinners and was telling her about his childhood when she saw Dan and Jack come in and sit down. Though she was on the other side of the room, she was facing in their direction, and she couldn’t control the look of surprise on her face when she saw them. Joe turned to see what had shocked her.
She felt Joe glaring at her, and she quickly looked down at her lap.
Joe said casually, “I hear it was McCall that rescued you. I’ll have to thank him.”
Leila and Joe’s food arrived, and she tried to keep her eyes from glancing at Dan, but it was impossible. She missed him so much. At one point their eyes met, and she saw him frowning.
Noticing that Joe was watching her again, she quickly looked in another direction.
“Now, what did you want to discuss?” Joe asked.
“I need to explain to you that while I wanted to get married before, I no longer feel as if I want to get married anymore. I’m happy just as I am. I hope you’ll understand, Joe.”
Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Dan and Jack get up and walk to the door. They were leaving without eating. Had seeing her with Joe upset Dan? How could it have been when he had been the one who suggested she turn to Joe in the first place?
Joe turned to see what was holding her attention. For the first time since Dan and Jack had sat down, Joe frowned, and his eyes looked ominous. She was right: he wasn’t as handsome without the charismatic smile. The look he gave her sent chills up her spine.
“So, is it McCall or his deputy?” Joe asked, still frowning.
Leila tried to think of an answer to throw him off, but nothing came to her. She tried to smile and said, “Don’t be silly.”
“It’s McCall, isn’t it?” Joe demanded in a less than gentle tone.
His whole demeanor had changed. His dark eyes seemed to bear down on her, demanding an answer. “Well? Is it?”
“Mr. McCall rescued me and because of that, I feel sort of indebted to him,” she said, finally. “He’s a friend. He's not the marrying kind. He’s one hundred percent devoted to his job.”
“So is it the deputy, then?”
“It’s no one—why won’t you believe me?”
“The way you looked at them and the expression on your face told me there’s something going on.” Joe pushed his plate away. “You and I expressed a desire to marry in our letters. I sent you train tickets, and now, all of a sudden, you’ve changed your mind?”
“I’ll pay you back for the train tickets—”
“I’m not worried about that. I want a wife, but every time I try to get one, something prevents it. Well, not this time. I’ll let you think it over, and when you change your mind, let me know.”
“I’m not going to change my mind,” she said firmly.
“We’ll see.” Joe stood and held out his hand to help her up. He escorted her out of the eating house and onto his wagon, which he turned toward the Walkers’. When they were about a half-mile away, he pulled the wagon off the road and turned to her.
“I want you to know,” Joe said, “that I have the ability to cause a tragic accident involving Big Dan McCall, his partner, or the both of them together.”
Leila shivered. Joe’s eyes no longer sparkled with gaiety, and his smile had long faded. His eyes seemed to pierce through her and she knew he was serious.
“Why?" she asked. "I told you Dan is just a friend.” Leila felt ill. She couldn’t marry Joe and she couldn’t let him hurt Dan, but she couldn’t show alarm or he’d know Dan meant more to her than just a friend.
“Aha! So it is Dan! I think you care for him, whether it’s out of friendship or more. You wouldn't want to see him hurt now, would you?”
“That’s ridiculous. Of course I wouldn’t want to see him hurt after he saved my life. Your brother and his friends threw me to the ground, and left me there to die. Had it not been for Dan—”
“So you owe him your life…perfect. Now it’s time to repay him. Marry me and he’ll be safe.”
Leila slumped in her seat. She didn’t know what to say. In order to save Dan, she’d have to marry this duplicitous man. At first he couldn’t smile enough when he was pouring on the charm, but now that his real self was no longer hidden…
Had it not for the train incident, she’d have already been married to him. What choice did she really have? “Can I give you an answer tomorrow?” she asked.
He shook his head and said emphatically, “I think we need to settle this here and now.”
Leila felt trapped. The feeling was suffocating. What else could she do?
“I’ll marry you," she said, "but it will be in name only.” She'd spoken with as much force as she could muster. She didn’t like feeling caged in, and she didn’t like him either.
Joe threw his head back and laughed. “I’ll let that demand go for the time being. Let’s just get the vows said. Saturday, then?”
“No!” Leila exclaimed. “Thanks to your brother and his friends I don’t have a wedding dress, since it was in the valise they stole. I'll have to buy or make another. I need to have a trousseau and –”
“I’ll give you ten days. On Saturday, next, we will marry. I’ll get the license,” he said as he started the horse moving again. His voice softened somewhat. “It won’t be so bad, Leila. I have a beautiful home, land, and cattle, which will give us a good income.”
Leila didn’t answer. She’d rather live in a tent or lean-to with Dan than in his beautiful home.
“We can make a good marriage of it, I’m sure,” he said with a wink. “Cheer up. You just evened the score with Dan McCall. He saved your life, and now you’ve saved his.”
Dan had lost his appetite after seeing Leila with Joe. He should have never suggested she turn to him. What if he was the one behind all of the cattle rustling? What if he were as ornery as his brother?
“I’m leaving,” Dan said before he’d even finished his dinner. “You can stay and eat, but I’m going back to the hotel and turn in. I’ve lost my appetite.”
Jack turned to look at Leila and Joe. “I’ll go with you. I have some biscuits tucked away in our room to nibble on.”
The two got up and walked out of the eating house.
Dan tossed and turned in bed that night. What a dilemma. He regretted his decision to push Leila at Joe just so he could free himself from entanglement. Now what was he supposed to do? How could he stay in Hays and see Leila with Joe? What if they married and he treated her badly? The truth of the matter was: he wanted her for himself.
Thoughts of quitting his job ran through his head. What else could he possibly do for a living? He supposed he could drive for the livery or be someone’s ranch foreman. With Leila as the prize, he was sure he'd be able to do it, but for how long would he be happy with one of those jobs? Where would they live? He’d made the right decision after all, he supposed. If that was the case, why did it hurt so much?
Dan wanted to warn Leila about Joe, but how could he without proof? He had to find out if Joe was involved in the cattle stealing.
Dan had come to a conclusion by the next morning. They had to solve the case of the missing cattle, or at the very least, find out if Joe was involved in any way. He couldn’t let Leila marry a cattle thief.
Dan laid out the plan for Jack as they ate breakfast at Rosie’s.
“I want you to watch this Leo fellow. Follow him, but don’t let him see you if you can help it. I want a full report of his actions,” Dan said. “I’ll do the same with Joe. Let me know if anyone else is involved as well.”
“All right, but first I need to go to the town hall to find out his last name and where he lives. I’ll check with Boggs to see if his record's clean,” Jack said.
“Excellent.”
When Leila had gotten home from her dinner date with Joe, her first impulse was to confide in Kate about her dilemma. She hesitated. What if Kate told Dan? She knew Dan would tell her to refuse to marry Joe, which would put his life at risk; he was that type of person. She couldn’t risk Dan’s life, no matter what. No, she had to carry this burden alone.
Leila walked into the sitting room to find Kate and Jeremy snuggled together on the sofa in front of the fireplace. Kate looked up and seeing Leila, stood. “You’re home. How was your dinner?”
“It was good.” Leila knew she had to act as if she were happy, but it was so hard to do. “Joe and I have decided to get married, after all. In ten days. I’ll have to hurry if I want to have a dress made by then.”
“What?” Jeremy said.
Kate held up her hand to him as if to say, “I’ll handle this.”
Kate walked over and hugged Leila. “I’m so happy you’re getting on with your life.” She took a step away to study Leila. “Do you love Joe?”
Leila smiled and gave a nervous chuckle. “Love? I’m a mail order bride, Kate. That comes later. That’s how it usually works.”
“I don’t know much about Joe, but I do know he has a ranch and isn’t poor or anything, so it’s a good match, financially.” Kate rubbed her temples. “I just can’t understand marrying someone you don’t already love.”
“Love is often stronger when it grows slowly.” Leila felt proud of her having improvised. “He’s good looking, and as you pointed out, comfortable financially. He smiles all the time, so I figure he has a good disposition. I’m sure we’ll be fine.”
“Do you want me to have Boggs or Dan check Joe out before you decide for sure?” Jeremy asked from the sofa.
“No!” Leila answered a bit too quickly and emphatically. She covered for herself by continuing on a calmer tact. “No, Jeremy. Thank you, but that’s not necessary. We’ve corresponded for months, and I think I know him well enough.”
“What about your love for Dan?” Kate whispered.
“It was just like you told me: infatuation and hero worship. I can see that now.”
“Then I guess I’m happy for you!” Kate hugged her again. “I’ll help you with the dress and whatever else you need.”
“Thank you, Kate,” Leila said with a fake yawn. “I’m off to bed now. I’ll see you both in the morning. Good night.”
Once in bed, Leila tossed and flipped from one side of the bed to another, turning her situation inside and out. If Dan knew what she was doing he’d stop her, which would only put his life in danger. She would never have thought Joe was dangerous until she saw the look in his eyes, and heard the tone of his voice after dinner. She didn’t doubt he was a dangerous man, fully capable of killing Dan McCall.
She didn't want to marry Joe, but she felt as if she didn't have a choice. She reassured herself she was doing the right thing, however, she vowed she'd never love him or make love to him. She hadn’t yet thought of how she might accomplish the latter. She felt a small bit of comfort knowing she still had ten days to change her mind.
The thought of going to Dan and telling him everything occurred to her. He was a tough federal marshal—surely he could take care of himself. Should she take the chance? What if she told him and then he was killed?
More than anything, she wanted to confess it all to Kate. They’d become close as sisters these past weeks. Would Kate tell Dan? She knew she’d feel better if she told someone else in order to get another opinion, yet the look in Joe’s eyes and the tone of his voice had scared her, and she'd felt completely intimidated.
Chapter 11