“I think the owner would understand,” Deputy Jennings broke in.
“It still wasn’t right,” Kate said with a sigh. “I don’t even know who to repay, nor do I have any money to do it. Anyway, before I was out of town, he must have realized I ran away. Shots were fired at me. I don’t know if he fired them as I didn’t look back, but I hadn’t gotten far when I heard horses catching up to me. Knowing he had the upper hand with having knowledge of the land, I dismounted as soon as I saw some tall brush and sent the horse loose.”
“But all the scratches and cuts,” he began.
Kate rolled her eyes. “I got lost a few times, had to climb a few fences, and as I hadn’t brought water with me, I am pretty sure I ended up dehydrated. I am honestly surprised I got as close as I did.”
“Just another reason we should have Doc Moore check you out. Do you feel up to travel?”
Kate performed a mental check of her body. She ached all over and felt a little dizzy, but she attributed that to lack of food. “Yes, I think I’m alright. Could we possibly eat before we go?” she asked, placing her hand on her stomach. “I can’t remember my last solid meal.”
“I’m not much of a cook,” Deputy Jennings said, holding out a hand to help her up. “But I’ll try to throw some breakfast together.”
Kate took his hand and stood, but she had moved too quickly, and the room began to sway. Her knees buckled, but the deputy’s strong arms caught her, and she fell against his chest. She looked up into his eyes, and a flicker of warmth stirred in their chocolatey depths.
“Here, I got you,” he said, averting his gaze and leading her out of the bedroom and to the kitchen. He helped her into a chair at the table before turning toward the stove.
For the first time since she met him, Kate caught a glimpse of what he must have been like before his fiancée’s death. His stiff demeanor softened as he pulled out a skillet and set in on the stove top. After lighting the stove, he cracked a few eggs into the skillet and added a few slices of bread. Moments later, he was scraping half of the contents of the skillet onto a plate and heading back her direction.
“It isn’t much, Miss Whidby,” he said, handing her the plate and a fork, “but I wasn’t expecting company.”
“Please call me Kate,” she said as she took the plate. “I feel like now that you’ve seen me at my worst, we should at least be on a first name basis.”
The deputy ducked his head but nodded. “Then you should call me Jesse. Deputy Jennings is too formal anyway.”
“Thank you, Jesse.” She took a bite of the eggs and tried not to make a face. Kate had cooked often with her mother and knew something wasn’t right with the eggs. Her hunger, however, kept her shoveling the food in.
Jesse filled his own plate and sat across from her. As he took his first bite, Kate chuckled as his face scrunched in disgust as well. His brown eyes met hers, and he smirked. “I’m sorry. I am not the best cook. I always went to Pauline’s parents for dinner.”
“What happened to her?” Kate asked, hoping she wasn’t crossing the line.
Jesse dropped his eyes to his plate and pushed the eggs around. After a deep breath, he met her gaze. “She was an innocent casualty in a bank robbery. By the same men who robbed your coach.”
Her eyes grew wide as her mouth formed a small O shape. “I’m so sorry. No wonder you want to find him so badly.”
“I promised to avenge her,” Jesse said.
Kate nodded. She could understand that. “Why didn’t they kill us, I wonder?”
“Probably because you complied with their demands. There was another deputy in the bank the day Pauline was shot, and my guess is he tried to stop them. Pauline was just an unintended casualty.”
“Perhaps it is none of my business, but it seems you really loved her.”
“I did.”
“Then why did her family appear so distant towards you?”
“Her brother blames me. They asked me to become a deputy when the robberies first started, but I was working on our homestead. I only took on the badge after she was killed, and I think her brother thinks I could have stopped it.”
Kate wished she knew the right words to help or that wouldn’t be too personal.
When they had both cleaned their plate, Jesse took the dishes and put them in the sink to wash later. “Let’s visit Doc Moore to make sure you’re alright.”
“What will I do after?” Kate asked quietly. “I have no money, and what remains of my clothes are in Bill Easterly’s wagon if he didn’t get rid of them.” She clasped her arms in front of her chest.
“Don’t worry,” he said, approaching her side. “We will figure something out. I’m sure the hotel will have a room you can stay in for a few days. As soon as we get you checked out, the sheriff and the other deputies and I will create a plan to round up Bill Easterly and return your things.”
Jesse sat outside the clinic while Doc Moore examined Kate. He shouldn’t feel nervous. After all, he barely knew the woman, but she had been through so much already. The bravery she displayed was admirable.
The door opened, and Kate stepped out. “Thank you, Doctor,” she said, before closing the door behind her.
Jesse stood, his hat in his hand. He wanted to ask her how it went, but that was far too personal.
“Just cuts and bruises,” Kate said, reading his mind.
“That’s wonderful news,” Jesse said. “Shall we see about getting you a room at the inn?”
“Yes, thank you, and then I would really like to help you catch Mr. Easterly.”
As Martha showed Kate her room, her husband, Clark, took Jesse aside. “We can only give her two days, Jesse. Money is tight, and we have to leave the room open for paying customers.”
“She has nowhere else to go,” Jesse said.
“I know,” Clark said with a nod. “And that’s why we’re allowing two days, but then she’ll have to find a job or a husband.”
Jesse sighed. They both knew the only job for women in the West right now was at the saloons. “I understand. Thank you for the two days. We’ll figure something else out for the rest.”
Footsteps on the stairs halted any further conversing, and Jesse looked up to see Kate descending with Martha at her side. Kate’s tattered dress was gone, and she was now wearing a dark blue cotton dress that, while a little big, accentuated her beautiful blue eyes.
“Does it look alright?” she asked, smoothing the skirt with a self-conscious gesture. “Martha was kind enough to loan it to me.”
Jesse shook his head. “You look fine and definitely more suited to riding than with what you came in wearing.”
“Right, yes,” Kate said. “Well, shall we go get the sheriff and see about finding a robber?”
Jesse led the way out of the inn and back towards the sheriff’s office. Sheriff Johnson looked up from the desk as they entered.
“Afternoon, Jesse. Who’s this you got with you?”
“This is Kate Whidby. She was robbed outside Belleville by the same gang that robbed our bank and killed Pauline and Josiah.”
“I’m sorry to hear that, ma’am,” Sheriff Johnson said, nodding his head at Kate.
“She knows where one of them lives,” Jesse finished.
The sheriff nearly knocked his chair over as he stood and slammed his palms on the desk. “Well, what are we waiting for? Let’s go get the sucker.”
“Can you draw us a map?” Jesse asked, turning to Kate.
“No, I’m coming with you.”
“There’s no way you are coming with us,” Jesse said. “It’s too dangerous. What if Mr. Easterly is still there?”
“Give me a gun, then. I shot with my father and brother. I can protect myself. I’m no good at directions, but I could probably remember the route if I rode it again.”
Jesse looked to the sheriff, expecting him to refuse, but the elder man shrugged his shoulders and said, “If she knows the way, then I guess she rides with us.”
“Fine
, but you don’t approach the house with us. We have no idea what we might encounter, so you can take us as far as the homestead, but then you let us go in without you, understood?”
Kate opened her mouth as if to argue more, but then sighed and nodded.
Chapter Nine
“Which way now?” Jesse asked, his patience wearing thin.
Kate scrunched her face in thought. “Um, left, I think. Yes, left.”
“Are you sure this time?” Once outside of Lisbon, Jesse had allowed Kate to ride alongside him to determine the direction, but so far, she’d made two wrong turns and cost them at least an hour.
“I’m doing my best,” she excused. “I was only there once.”
Jesse sighed and ran a hand across his chin. “You’re right. I’m sorry. So, left?”
She looked around them again and then nodded with force. “Yes, left. I’m sure.”
They moved further along the road until they crested a small hill. A house at the base came into view.
“This is it,” Kate proclaimed triumphantly.
“That’s far enough,” Jesse said. “You sure this is the place?”
Kate frowned at him. “I’m sure.”
“Okay, Jeb, you stay here with Miss Whidby. Jesse and I will go scout it out,” Sheriff Johnson said.
Jeb nodded, and Jesse led the way down the hill, keeping his eyes open for any signs of the masked men. They tried to keep the horses quiet to aid in the surprise factor.
When they reached the front porch of the ranch house, Jesse pulled Molly up short. The cabin door was ajar. With one finger to his lips, he used the other hand to point the issue out to the sheriff who nodded.
The two men dismounted quietly and drew their guns. Sheriff Johnson led the way, pushing the door fully open with the muzzle of his gun.
As they stepped into the room, it was clear it had been torn apart. Chairs were upended, and clothes lay strewn about the room. The main room had a kitchen to the side, which was empty, but a doorway at the end of the room was closed. Again, Jesse took a cover position as Sheriff Johnson pushed open the door. A large bed filled most of the room. A silent, unmoving figure lay sprawled on the bed, a pool of red surrounding him.
“Kate said Bill Easterly had a scar on his hand,” Jesse whispered. “We should see if it’s him.”
The sheriff nodded, and the two men stepped closer, still remaining alert for anyone else present. Jesse glanced down at the man on the bed. A gunshot to the chest had been his end, but neither of his hands displayed a scar. His ice blue eyes stared into nothingness.
“It’s not him,” Jesse said. “Let’s get out of here.” He took a step back and something crunched under his feet. Stooping down, he picked up the shattered pieces of what might have been a broach or a locket. He dropped the pieces in his pocket to show to Kate. Perhaps the item had belonged to either her or Ellen.
Jesse followed the sheriff out of the house and back up the hill where Kate and Jeb were waiting.
“It wasn’t Easterly,” Jesse said. “No scar. This man had blue eyes, and it looked like there had been a fight.”
Kate nodded. “One of the other robbers had blue eyes, the one who opened the coach door. Did you find any of my things?”
“We need to speak with their sheriff to search the house more, but I did find this. Does it mean anything to you?”
He dropped the pieces in Kate’s hand. For a moment, her brow furrowed as she tried to make sense of the shattered item, and then tears fell freely from her eyes. “This was mine. My mother’s broach. The last thing I had of hers.”
Jesse’s heart ached at her tears. He knew that emotion all too well. The only thing he had left of Pauline was a handkerchief she had once given him. When he wanted a piece of her near, Jesse would pull it to his face, inhaling her fresh scent of sage which still lingered on it.
Shaking Jesse from his memories of Pauline, Sheriff Johnson said, “Jesse, why don’t you take her back to Sage Creek. Jeb and I will work with the men here to see if we can’t find any more items,” the sheriff suggested.
Jesse nodded and looked to Kate. “Can you ride?”
“I’ll be fine,” she sniffed. “Let’s go.”
Jesse couldn’t stop thinking about Kate after he dropped her off at the inn. Clark Davis had said they could grant her two nights, which meant she only had more night after tonight. Unless Sheriff Johnson found some of her jewelry or money, she would have no way to continue paying for her room nor would she have the money to return home. And he needed her to stay. She was the one person who could identify Bill Easterly and help him avenge Pauline’s death.
But to stay, she would need to marry or find employment, and Jesse knew the only place hiring women right now was the saloon. His Christian duty and desire for justice conflicted with his heart, and he pointed Molly toward the cemetery. Though she wouldn’t be able to answer, he needed to discuss this idea with the one woman it would matter to.
Kate made sure Jesse had left before she slipped out of the inn. With no money, her option now was to find employment. She set out first for what she thought was the school house. After all, she had taught back in Boston. It couldn’t be too different here.
The school day was just ending when Kate arrived at the building. A flurry of children raced past her and out of the door. When she was sure they were all gone, Kate stepped into the doorway. A young brunette woman was gathering papers at the desk up front.
“Excuse me,” Kate said.
The woman stopped her shuffling and turned to look at her. “Can I help you?”
“Yes, my name is Kate Whidby. I’m new in town, and I was wondering if there might be a job here at the school?”
The woman shook her head. “I’m sorry, Miss Whidby. We don’t have enough children to need two teachers.”
“Oh, I understand,” Kate said, swallowing her disappointment. “Thank you anyway.” She turned to leave and then paused. “Do you know of any place in town that is hiring?”
“Just the saloon,” the woman said with a sad smile.
“Right, thank you.”
A feeling of despair crept in on Kate as she left the school building, but she decided to try the other establishments anyway. Unfortunately, she received a similar response in the general store, the cafe, and the post office.
Shoulders slumped, Kate returned to the inn. Perhaps the Davises would have some work she could do.
“Why the long face, Miss Kate?” Martha asked as Kate entered the parlor.
“I was out looking for a job,” Kate said, her eyes downcast. “But no one is hiring.” She glanced up. “I don’t suppose you need help here at the inn?”
Martha’s brow creased. “No, I’m sorry, dear, we don’t. It’s been a tough winter for everyone around here.”
“I understand,” Kate said with a tight smile. “I’ll figure something out, I’m sure.”
“Why don’t you sit down, and I’ll get you some tea?” Martha asked, pointing to an empty table.
“Kate? Are you alright?”
Glancing up from where she was having evening tea, Kate watched as Ellen hurried across the room towards her. She set her tea cup on the table and stood to greet her friend. “Ellen? What are you doing here?”
“James told me he saw you riding out of town with the sheriff and the deputies this morning. What happened? I thought you were getting married.”
Kate shook her head and motioned for Ellen to join her at the table. “Would you believe that the man I was supposed to marry is the same man that robbed us?”
“What?” Ellen covered her mouth as she sank into the chair.
“Yes, I suppose I have rotten luck,” Kate said and paused to take a sip of her tea. “Something seemed off about him when he picked me up, but when I saw the scar on his hand I ran. I went looking for Deputy Jennings, got disoriented along the way, and he found me near his home. We rode out there this morning, but Mr. Easterly was gone. I don’t know what I’m going to do
now, Ellen. Even if they find my clothes, the money and jewelry will be long gone. I have no money to pay for my room here, and I knocked on all the establishment doors this afternoon. The only place in need of work is the saloon which I can’t do. I came out here to get married, so I wouldn’t be a burden to my brother, and I couldn’t even do that right.”
Ellen leaned back and regarded Kate. “Perhaps you could stay with us.”
Kate shook her head. “I couldn’t do that. Your family doesn’t know me and they’re in mourning for their daughter. It would be too big of an imposition. Maybe I could telegraph my brother and ask for money. I know Abigail might object, and I hate the idea of being an even bigger burden to him than I already am, but I don’t see as I have any other option.”
“Well, there is one other option,” Ellen said.
“What’s that?” Kate inquired.
“You could still get married.”
“Didn’t you hear what I said?” Kate asked, confused. “The man I was going to marry is a thief and a murderer.”
“I didn’t mean him,” Ellen said, waving her hand. “But this is the West. In case you haven’t noticed, there are far more men than women. Maybe you could find another man looking for a bride. It would be worth at least checking the papers before you head back.”
Kate bit her lip. Could she do it? What if she chose another outlaw like Bill? Surely the odds of that happening again would be unlikely, but with her luck?? Of course, it might be better than admitting to her brother she was wrong. She could just imagine his reproachful look when he learned she had lost all the money.
“You’re right,” Kate said with a sigh. “I guess there’s no harm in at least looking.”
Jesse left the cemetery with a sense of purpose. It wasn’t how he had planned his life to go, but he felt at peace with his decision.
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