by Candi Fox
“I do my best, Nora. You love that about me, or did you change your mind?”
“No.” She pulled out of his grasp. “It’s a lot to adjust to. I find you’ve been in bed with another woman. Now you’re going to have to marry her. Give a girl some time.”
“You’re right. I’m sorry. I’ll find a way to make it up to you. I promise.”
“Go. We’ll talk later, but first go to the mercantile and buy me a new bed.”
He stuck his hat onto his head, tipping the end of it. “Yes ma’am.”
Chapter 7
Emma
The mayor put his hand on the small of her back and led her past the teller stations and into an office. A man in a dark suit with slightly thinning dark red hair, kind brown eyes, and wire rimmed glasses stood up immediately.
“Mayor Masterson. Is something amiss?”
“This is Miss Monteith, daughter of Phillip Guy Monteith. She’s been the unfortunate victim of train robbers and scallywags.”
“Oh, you poor dear. Please have a seat, Miss Monteith.”
She took a seat digging into her reticule to withdraw the bank note she hid. It only took her a few moments. Emma handed the note to the banker. He took it from her, a red flush covering his face.
“I’m Butler Rosenbaugh, please forgive my manners. I should have introduced myself earlier.”
“Think nothing of it. We did rather march into your office.”
He motioned for her to take a seat again before he took his own. “It will just take me a moment to look over this. Mayor, how did you come to rescue our damsel in distress?”
“I didn’t. Miss Maggie did.”
“That’s right, she found her way to The Willows, Maeve is in Kansas City right now, I’m looking out after the place while she’s gone.”
A surprised look quickly crossed the bankers face followed by a pasted-on smile.
“Thank you for coming to her rescue and bringing her here. If you will give me one moment to retrieve your father’s file.”
Emma nodded, eager to get this done so she could secure the rented home and spend some time alone. She needed to decide what, if anything, to do about last night. Honestly, the best thing to do would be forget about it.
Butler returned after retrieving a file he looked through the papers quickly then the bank note. “Everything is in order. Your father deposited a tidy sum in the bank on his last visit. You have authorization to draw freely from it for the household account, and your personal needs.”
“Thank you, Mr. Rosenbaugh. I will need to get some immediate things and if someone could recommend a housekeeper.”
“I know just the person,” the mayor said. “Her name is Lila Derringer. I’ll send her round to the house this afternoon.”
“That would be wonderful thank you.”
Butler handed her a stack of coins. “If you could just sign please, Miss Monteith.”
Emma signed before putting the coins in her reticule. “Miss Monteith, before you go allow me to take you to the Sheriff’s office. You can tell him about the robbery.”
I absolutely cannot go to the sheriff’s office. She had to avoid the man at all cost. “If you don’t mind, I’m feeling a bit peaked and would like to finish my errands and rest. I hope you don’t mind?”
“Not at all. When you’re feeling up to it you can give the report. Let me escort you over to the mercantile.”
“Thank you, Mr. Masterson. I’d appreciate the escort. Would it be a bother to stop by the milliners on the way?”
“I’m sorry, Miss Monteith, we are currently short a millinery. Ilsa Frank is sure to have a few on hand.”
“Oh, thank you.”
Emma tried to hand Maggie a half eagle coin, but the woman refused. After Emma promised to visit The Willows tomorrow for tea, they parted ways. Mayor Masterson escorted her to Frank’s Mercantile.
The boards were recently whitewashed and the sign newly painted proclaiming, ‘Frank’s Mercantile’. They passed by a few people on the way. Emma’s heartbeat faster as she scanned the crowd for the sheriff. How was she going to avoid the town sheriff for the rest of her natural born life?
Chapter 8
Chandler
Present day
Chandler knew instantly that something wasn’t right. He and Emma had their first fight, and it was a colossal one. In the end she drank the potion Evanora gave her against his advice.
Something seemed a bit off about the whole thing, but Emma only saw a way to save Cord. While he understood, part of him still hurt that she seemingly gave him no consideration. Like he didn’t count. The only thing that counted to her was getting Cord back.
He wanted his friend back, too. Cord, his friend, his boss, also had two young daughters to raise. Though he hurt for him, he didn’t want to risk Emma, as least not until he had a chance to research the potion.
Evanora said the potion only had a short window then went on a five-minute dissertation of which stars and planets were aligning and it wouldn’t happen again for months.
Looking at Emma’s still form on the floor, he quickly crossed the room, checking her vitals before calling out for help. He lifted her gently and laid her on the couch in the lounge.
Multiple footsteps sounded behind him. He moved out of the medical team’s way. Watching anxiously, he felt completely useless, until Cord’s parents came in the room.
Rae Masterson’s face paled. her hand going to her mouth. “What happened?”
Chandler crossed to their side in one long stride. “She took the potion. I found her laying on the floor in a seemingly deep sleep and called the team.”
“I thought she was waiting for you to do some research?”
“After you left, Evanora came back and said they only had a short window of time to take the potion or it wouldn’t work.”
“Oh, no. I’m so sorry, Chandler I wanted this to work.”
He caught Rae on one side as she sagged. Hollis caught her other side.
“It’s all my fault. I wanted so bad for Cord to come back, I believed Evanora without really knowing her, or her motives.”
“Don’t blame yourself. We all wanted it to work,” Hollis added.
“Speaking of Evanora, have either of you seen her?”
They both shook their heads. As soon as he knew how Emma fared, he would be looking for Evanora. She had some explaining to do.
Hollis turned to leave. “I’ll go look for her while you and Rae stay here with Emma.”
He nodded putting his hand on Rae’s shoulders for comfort before turning back to watch the staff work on Emma. His gut churned with what ifs with every second that passed.
A small hand slipped into his. “She’ll be all right. Call it mother’s intuition.”
“I thought I was supposed to be comforting you.”
“You did. You’re a kind, generous soul, Chandler, don’t let her haste to save my boy fool you. I can tell she loves you.”
“Thanks Rae, I needed to hear that.”
“Excuse me, I have an update on the patient.”
Chandler looked up, surprised, to meet the newcomer eye to eye. He didn’t run across many men that were his height.
Eyes as dark as the night sky, bronzed skin, his long black hair tied back, the man seemed familiar somehow, yet he was certain he just met him.
“I’m Doctor Wolf, but please call me Asa. We are going to move Emma onto a bed and set her up in Mr. Masterson’s room. With your permission of course.”
He directed the comment to Rae.
“Of course. What can you tell us?”
“Please, follow me.”
He followed the doctor out of the waiting area down the hall into a side room. An oblong oaken table surrounded by six oversized swivel chairs took up the center of the room.
A counter with a small sink and three cabinets sat off to one side of the room. A glass front mini fridge sat on the far end, filled with spring water in aluminum cans. He had the same brand at
home. Good stuff.
Guiding Rae to a seat nearest the doctor he took the one across from her. “Do you want me to find Hollis?”
Rea shook her head. “No, I’d rather he find Evanora, she has a lot to answer for.”
The doctor interrupted them. “Can either of you confirm the use of a potion before Miss Blackwell’s collapse?”
“Yes” Chandler answered him.
“This Evanora you mentioned, did she make the potion?”
“Yes.”
“Is her last name Standhope?”
“Yes. Do you know her?”
“I don’t know her directly, but I know of her. She’s been putting together a time travel potion.”
“How do you know?”
“She hired an acquaintance of mine to acquire a blood ruby.”
“What’s a blood ruby?” Rae asked.
Chandler answered. “The ruby is named for its color. The color of fresh spilled blood. It’s exceedingly rare. Mined from the deepest parts of Africa and warded with powerful magick.
“Few return from their quest.”
“Why would she want it? What does she gain?”
“I was hoping you would know,” the doctor admitted.
“I don’t know, but I damn sure intend to find out. What do you know about Emma?”
“She’s in a magickal stasis. We will have to do more tests to figure it out beyond that. If you find that spell, or Evanora, please let me know.”
He handed Chandler a business card. “That’s my direct line. I’ll be in touch as soon as I know anything else.”
“Thanks, doc.”
Chandler escorted Rae to Cord’s room, surprised to find Hollis there, and Emma already settled.
“I found Evanora in here by Cord’s bed. I asked the staff to move her into the room across the hall. It appears she drank the potion as well.”
Chapter 9
Emma 1875
She stepped into the brightly lit mercantile looking around. The shop, far from what she was used to, but well stocked compared to the other mercantiles she’d had an opportunity to visit along the way.
Rows of tins, dry goods, dishes, cooking supplies, yard goods, and even a selection of pre-made garments. Emma headed directly toward them after excusing herself.
“Thank you for your escort and your help, Mayor Masterson. If you don’t mind, I’d like to browse the ready-made.”
“Please call me Hollis, and it’s been an absolute pleasure. I’ll be close by if you need me.”
She nodded her head in thanks before moving to the section. After perusing only a few minutes she was able to find a few suitable outerwear garments and enough underthings to be able to wash, wear, and have a spare set.
Her parents would arrive in the next few weeks with more of her wardrobe. She still didn’t understand why the robbers took her luggage and no one else’s. What would a band of thieves need with women’s clothing?
She added a lace shawl for chilly evenings, two parasols, and boots before heading to the toiletries section.
“Oh dear. Let me take some of those things from you.”
An elegant older woman, her dark hair laced liberally with steely silver, her cerulean eyes sparkling with kindness, approached.
“Thank you. I should have carried these to the counter.”
“Nonsense. Mr. Frank is jabbering away at the mayor or I would have been here sooner. I’m Ilsa Frank. I heard what happened, your poor dear.”
The woman took all the clothing in Emma’s arms and headed toward the counter before she had a chance to respond. A smile curved her lips as Mrs. Frank quickly took care of the items and headed back her direction.
“Now, what else can I help you with?” Emma smiled wider at the woman’s thick German accent.
“I need everything, basically.”
“I have a lovely silver toilet set. It comes with a mirror, comb, hairbrush, nail brush, and toothbrush.”
“Sounds lovely.”
Emma followed a few steps behind the older woman who led her to the counter. She pulled the set out from under the counter. The back of the brush and mirror had lilies etched into them. They lay in a polished wooden case lined with black satin.
“Please add them to my till, Mrs. Frank. They truly are lovely.”
“Wonderful. Will you need anything for the house? We have a fresh shipment of coffee and the latest in tins.”
“I’d love some coffee. Do you have any chicory?”
“Yes, I think we do. Let me see.”
Mr. Frank and the Mayor were still deep in conversation when the door opened. Emma turned around to look and nearly gasped aloud. She turned, quickly putting her back to the door. The sheriff walked in. It may have been dark, but she’d recognize him anywhere.
His full lips and square jaw. Those impossibly broad shoulders. Quietly, she made her way from the counter behind a row of shelves pretending to intently study the contents while trying to hear the conversation.
She hoped Mrs. Frank didn’t find the chicory anytime soon.
Chapter 10
Cord
He felt like a pile of dog crap, instead of heading directly to his office, he turned the other direction and headed toward Frank’s Mercantile.
They’d have the best chance of having a feather bed in stock. If he had to order one, he’d need to go to the jeweler and pick her out something nice. He winced, that would put a helluva ding in his pocket.
The bell above the door jingled, announcing his arrival. He stopped short when he saw his father talking to Jacob Frank.
Fuck, not what I need. His father wanted him to find a more suitable partner. Oh, he didn’t care what Evanora did for a living, he knew Cord wanted children, and he wanted his son to be happy. While he appreciated his father caring, he didn’t need hassle this morning.
He pasted a smile on his face and headed toward the counter. “Mornin’ Pa, Jacob nice to see you.”
His father turned, giving him a quick hug. “I was going to head to your office after this, you saved me the visit.”
“Everything all right?”
Hollis smiled at him, understanding the question’s intent. “Your mother and I are fine. I wanted to introduce you to the town’s newest resident, as well as have her tell you about the train robbery.”
“The train was robbed?” His eyes widened. Why the hell didn’t Festus mention that?
“No son, not our train. At least not here. Miss Monteith arrived last night. The train she arrived on was robbed three days prior. Odd thing though is they took everything that belonged to her. All her trunks.
“Even made her get out of the train and go to the baggage car to identify them all.”
“Her parents let her travel alone?”
“No, she started the travel with Zeke as hired guard and a female traveling companion. The girl got sick a week into the trip.”
“Where is Zeke? Did the robbers kill him?”
“He left with the posse to find the robbers.”
Cord let out an exasperated breath. What’s the world coming to when a lady is left defenseless after being robbed in a strange country? The Monteiths, as he understood, were from England.
“Where is she? I’d like to talk to her.”
The bed would have to wait. His job would always be his number one priority. Nora understood that, it’s one of the things he loved about her. She’d make him pay for it of course. Most likely a new frock or piece of jewelry she’d been eyeing.
Cord followed his father’s gaze, catching the look of surprise when the woman in question wasn’t immediately spotted.
“She was at the counter a moment ago with Ilsa.”
“Ilsa.” Jacob’s big voice boomed through the store. The tone urgent not angry had Ilsa Frank scurrying out of the storeroom, a jar in her hand.
“What’s wrong, Jacob?”
“We are looking for the hübsches Fräulein.”
“She should be right here. Miss Emma?”
He watched Ilsa cross the room and head behind the tall shelves toward the back. When she didn’t immediately return, Cord followed her path around the shelves. He continued down the aisle to the end of the shelves finding a small path between the end of the shelves and the wall.
Turning the corner, he followed the new aisle coming back out into the store.
“Jacob, is there another way out?”
He watched the big man look around for other customers. Finding none, he nodded his head in assent before coming out from behind the counter.
Jacob led him to the back corner sliding his hand down and finding an unseen latch in the wall. It was hidden in the natural swirl of the wood. If you didn’t know its location, it would take time to find.
Time is a valuable commodity that a sheriff didn’t have the luxury of possessing. As soon as the door slid open, he stepped quietly into the alley, looking both directions. He spotted Ilsa making her way back to the front of the mercantile.
“I’m going to go up the alley and come in through the storeroom just to make sure our new Miss Monteith didn’t somehow get lost.”
Consarn it, the last thing he needed was another female problem. A noise had him drawing his Colt Peacemaker and making his way to the storeroom.
He paused at the door, listening; upon hearing heavy footsteps he eased inside the door taking care to remain silent. Easing to the corner, he peered around it, coming nose to barrel with another pistol.
“Dadgummit Sheriff, I almost cleaned your plow.”
Recognizing the voice, Cord eased his finger off the trigger.
“When did you get home, Nik?”
“Just arrived, headed to say hi to mama when I heard someone come in?”
“You heard me?”
The big man chuckled. “You should have let Wolf teach you.”
“I guess so, now there’s two deadbeats who can hear me.”
“Deadbeat huh?”
His friend chuckled.