Brokken Brother: Novella (Brokken Road Romance Book 5)

by Abagail Eldan

  Instead of climbing in the buggy, Deborah moved to Lydia’s side. The girls clasped hands.

  The sheriff’s stance was rigid, the muscles in her face taut. “Get inside, ladies. We’re going for a ride.”

  This was not what Lydia had expected, and her mouth was suddenly dry. She exchanged a look with Deborah before they obeyed the sheriff. Lydia settled in beside Deborah and blinked away tears when Deborah grasped her hand again. Sheriff Vic sat across from them and studied each in turn.

  They braced for the sheriff’s questions. Deborah’s nearness gave Lydia strength. If Deborah could do this, she could, too. Lydia might be losing Fritz, but Deborah was losing her brother and, perhaps, her fiancé. Lydia had to be strong for Deborah, and the thought made her tilt her chin to meet the sheriff’s gaze steadily.

  The sheriff leaned back, resting her head against the back of the buggy, although with the jolting, Lydia knew she could not be comfortable. Exhaustion on the sheriff’s face was evident. Sheriff Vic passed a hand over her eyes, and they rode in silence for a few minutes.

  The sheriff stirred, as if she’d dozed for a moment. “Let’s get this clear, ladies. Are you going to tell the truth as to why those three men and you two were at the livery this morning?”

  Lydia grasped Deborah’s hand tighter before she answered. “Mr. Caper asked for three horses, and I got them for him.”

  The sheriff sighed heavily. “So, that means no. Anything to add, Deborah?”

  “I was on my way to the bank and saw them at the livery. I stopped to speak.”

  Sheriff Vic leaned forward and rested her elbows on her knees and looked to Deborah. “As I told your brother and Chance, I’m trying to help them. I need the truth to do that.”

  Deborah shrugged. “We don’t know anything. Lydia and I have no idea where they were going or why.”

  The sheriff sighed deeply. “I’ve sent for the circuit judge. I got word this morning that your brother was never in New York, leastwise, not at the place he’d said he’d been.”

  A gasp escaped Lydia’s lips although she’d been expecting this. Deborah leaned against her, as if all the strength had deserted her.

  The sheriff’s eyes were dull. “And you did not have any contact with Fritz, either of you, all this time he was gone?”

  They both shook their heads.

  Tears hovered on the sheriff’s lashes. “I see no other outcome for this. Fritz Brokken will be found guilty of bank robbery, and Chance and Klint will be going down with him.”

  Deborah trembled beside her but did not cry. A sob tore itself from Lydia’s throat, despite her effort to suppress it, leaving behind a rawness.

  The sheriff straightened, and her spine became rigid. “Unless you ladies help me out?”

  Lydia shook her head. Nothing they said would help the three men but would only hurt them. When she spoke, her voice was hoarse. “We don’t know anything else. I’m sorry.”

  Misery engulfed Lydia, and she leaned her head against the window pane of the buggy but found no relief.

  Deborah spoke softly. “Vic, will you take me by the jail and let me speak to my brother? Please.”

  “You think your brother will give you further information?” The weariness was evident in her voice and in the slump of her shoulders. The sheriff was far from heartless. A pang pierced Lydia’s heart for thinking her so.

  Deborah nodded her head. “I believe he will. I would like to speak to him alone, please.”

  Lydia cast her friend a look of surprise. “I’ll go with you, Deb.”

  “Thank you for the offer, but I think he’d be more forthcoming if I spoke to him alone.” Deborah did not glance at her but kept her eyes on the sheriff.

  Sheriff Vic nodded at Deb. “I’m not letting him out of his cell. You’ll have to speak to him in front of Klint and Chance.”

  Deborah nodded, and the sheriff tapped on the side of the buggy and called Isaac’s name.

  Lydia leaned closer to Deborah and whispered. “Are you sure you don’t want me to go with you?”

  Deborah straightened and shook her head. “This is something I must do alone.” After another moment, she whispered in Lydia’s ear. “Keep Vic occupied while I’m in there.”

  Lydia nodded. “I’ll do my best.”

  FRITZ LAY ON THE COT with his hat over his eyes and must have dozed. The commotion outside his cell startled him. His feet hit the floor before he was fully awake.

  The sheriff stood outside his cell with his sister and motioned Deborah forward. “She wants to talk to you.”

  The sheriff left. Deborah cast a look at Chance and shook her head when he started to speak. She put a finger to her lips until the sheriff’s footsteps faded away.

  Fritz picked up the cue from his sister and whispered. “What are you doing here, Deb?”

  “I am going to break you out. Be ready.” Her turquoise eyes flashed.

  “How do you plan to do that?” Chance asked quietly.

  Chance and Klint moved as close to them as the bars allowed. Deborah spared Chance a quick glance before turning back to Fritz.

  A muscle twitched in her jaw. “Before I do, tell me what’s going on.”

  Fritz debated on how much to tell his sister but decided she had a right to know. “Our father was responsible for a supply cache at the end of the War, and it disappeared. He was accused of selling it to the Union and hiding the gold for his own profit.”

  Deborah frowned at him, impatience in her eyes. “Yes, I know all of that.”

  Chance and Klint were listening. Fritz shrugged. It didn’t matter. “It’s partly true. Our father did sell it, but not to the Unionists and not for profit. Everyone knew the War was over. The men were tired of the deprivation, the senseless killing.”

  He couldn’t help but shoot a glare in Chance’s direction, although his anger toward the man had abated since he’d lied for him.

  Deborah reached through the bars to poke Fritz’s hand. “We don’t have all day.”

  “Sorry,” he mumbled. “He sold the guns and ammunition but not to the Unionists. He sold the guns to a representative of Maximilian. Curt, Karl, and I went into Mexico to purchase them back, to prove our father had not betrayed the Confederacy.”

  “Wasn’t that just as bad, to sell supplies to someone trying to establish a monarchy in Mexico?”

  “No, because the War was over—it was only a matter of time. Many of the former Confederate soldiers had already joined with Maximilian and were fighting against Juárez’s soldiers. The part that matters is that our father did not side with the Unionists or have any dealings with them.” He forced himself not to glare at Chance again.

  His sister’s eyes narrowed. “It shouldn’t matter one way or the other. It’s all in the past, and we must move on, whatever side we were on during the War. We must bring our country back together, not continue to bicker.”

  “Regardless, it’s what we set out to do—to restore our family name. The truth is that grudges will be held for a very long time—atrocities from the War are not so easy to forget.”

  Klint nodded. “It makes sense to me that Fritz wanted to clear your father’s name.”

  Fritz shot him a grateful look. “To tell the whole truth, Father gave me the gold from the transaction. After the War, I gave the money to Curt who made some investments. At first, they didn’t do well, but now we’ve more than doubled our money.”

  “I don’t understand. If you had money, why did you take the town’s money?” Her mouth set in a hard line.

  “Simply as a precaution. We figured we’d meet up with Juárez’s men sooner or later and had no way of knowing how much gold we might need. We weren’t stupid enough to carry the money with us but hid it, not far from here. We carried enough to convince Juárez’s men we had more. Unfortunately, it didn’t work when we ran across his forces near Corpus Christi. We were captured, accused of being spies for Maximilian, and scheduled for execution.”

  Deborah put a hand t
o her heart. “And how did you escape? And what of Curt and Karl?”

  Fritz studied the floor. Some things did not bear repeating. He simplified it. “We overpowered the guards, stole some horses, and hightailed it out. Somehow, our brothers were recaptured. That was a week ago. If Klint, Chance, and I left now, it would still take a week to catch up with them. And that’s if Juárez’s men haven’t already executed Karl and Curt for trying to escape.”

  “Why not tell the sheriff of this? Perhaps she could help, somehow.” Deborah’s eyes searched his.

  He shook his head. “It still amounts to the same thing. We robbed the bank. And Sheriff Vic, no matter how much I admire her spunk, is no match for Juárez’s men. And the state of Texas is not going to get involved in struggle for power in Mexico. We’re on our own.”

  “And you think you three have a chance to rescue Karl and Curt?” She didn’t look skeptical, only inquisitive. She looked down and whispered, “If they are still alive, that is.”

  Fritz cast a look to Klint and Chance, and they gave a nod. He looked back to his sister. “I think so. At least, we have to try.”

  Deborah raised her head and nodded. “In that case, we have no time to waste. Be ready.”

  Chapter Ten

  Fritz felt Chance observing him with those uncanny eyes. They were downright spooky. “What are you looking at?” Fritz snapped. He had to keep reminding himself Chance was on his side.

  Chance appeared calm but reminded Fritz of a rattlesnake coiled and ready to strike. “I heard what was said, although my opinion was not asked.”

  “Nor do I want it now.” Fritz felt like punching something again, although his knuckles still ached.

  “Since I am a part of this ...”

  Fritz waved a hand. “I didn’t want your help to begin with. Stay behind if you are having second thoughts.”

  Klint moved to stand next to Chance. “Give him an opportunity to speak, Fritz. If all you say is true, we have our work cut out for us. It’s convinced me more than ever that we need Chance’s help.”

  Fritz narrowed his eyes. “Are you wanting to pull out, too?”

  “I didn’t say that. We need to have a plan in place and not jump in without knowing how deep the water is.”

  Fritz sat down on the edge of his cot and rested his elbows on his knees. “Speak up. I’m listening.”

  Chance spoke first. “I don’t like Deborah involved with this. If she’s caught, she’s going to prison with the rest of us.”

  Klint nodded in agreement. “It’ll be bad enough for us.”

  “Tell me what choice I have? Leave my brothers to their fate? Deborah doesn’t want that any more than I do.”

  “Is she going to be riding with us?” Klint asked. “If so, she’s in danger of being captured by Juárez’s men, as you and your brothers were.”

  “I guess we can figure it out later. It depends on how she plans to get us out of here.” Fritz linked his fingers together and grimaced with pain. He’d hit the wall one time too often.

  A muscle in Chance’s jaw twitched, and his eyes narrowed. “Sheriff Vic will find out she helped, however she does it. We cannot leave her behind.”

  “We’ll cross that bridge when we come to it.” Fritz stood and walked to the outer wall. The window was set high and reinforced with bars with no way out. If he could figure a way out before Deborah could, it would be one less worry for him. He walked to the door of the cell and checked the lock. Even if he knew how to pick it, he had nothing to use.

  He sat back down on his cot. There was nothing to do but wait.

  LYDIA HAD DONE HER best to keep the sheriff occupied. She’d ask Sheriff Vic if Deborah’s grandparents had been informed of the latest developments with Fritz. The sheriff agreed to take a quick trip to the Brokken Arrow Ranch, and she allowed Lydia to accompany her. They had not tarried. Deborah’s grandparents had little interest in the fate of their step-grandson and asked no questions.

  They’d returned just as Deborah descended the steps from the jail. When the sheriff asked her if Fritz had shared any new information, Deborah shook her head.

  Sheriff Vic appeared unsure what to do next, and Deborah exchanged a glance with Lydia.

  Finally, the sheriff glanced at Mr. Isaac. “I know you’re busy at the ranch, with Chance in jail, but do you think you could watch these two for me?”

  “I left the Jennings brothers in charge at the ranch, and they can handle things fine. I’m here for as long as you need me.” He spoke to the sheriff, but his eyes were on Deborah.

  “Good. Deb and Lydia, go with Isaac. I’ll check on both of y’all later. Do not leave the house.”

  “Someone needs to check on the bank,” Deborah said. “We cannot leave it closed for this long.”

  “It’s little more than half a day,” the sheriff said.

  Lydia looked to the sun and noted from its position that it was getting close to supper. “We must check to see if there are any customers who have been waiting. It will only take a few minutes,” she said to the sheriff.

  “If Mr. Isaac is willing to supervise you, it’s fine by me. I’m going to be at Abby’s for a while, if you need me. But please plan not to.” With that parting shot, she walked away.

  Deborah and Lydia got into the buggy, but before they’d gone only a few feet, Deborah called Mr. Isaac. She jumped from the buggy before it’d come to a full stop. “Take Lydia to the bank. I’m staying here.”

  Mr. Isaac shook his head. “You know I can’t do that, Miss Deborah.”

  “I’m not going anywhere until I get Fritz out of jail.”

  Lydia joined Deborah on the sidewalk. No one was nearby, and luckily, the rain had abated. After Mr. Isaac looked around, as if to be certain the sheriff had indeed left, he joined them.

  Deborah pulled them into the alley between the funeral home and jail. “Karl and Curt are being held by Juárez’s men near Corpus Christi, if they haven’t moved on. Fritz came to get Klint to help him. If my brothers are to be rescued, I’ve got to get Fritz out now.”

  “Why not tell the sheriff?” Lydia asked.

  Mr. Isaac answered her. “No lawman is going to get involved in Mexico’s political situation, not even the federal government. You have two men in Mexico vying for power. The United States will not be pulled into another war.”

  “But why ...” Lydia began.

  Deborah held up a hand. “I don’t have time to explain. I must get Fritz out now. You two do not want to be involved in this. Isaac, take Lydia to the bank. Please.”

  “Don’t tell us what to do, Deborah Brokken.” Lydia tilted her chin.

  Mr. Isaac nodded. “Those boys have been like sons to me. I’ll do what I can to help.”

  “What’s your plan?” Lydia asked.

  “I don’t have one. I figured something would present itself.” Deborah looked sheepish.

  Lydia took her hand. “I have an idea. I’ll need the mule, and we’ll need horses, for us and them.” She indicated the jail with a tilt of her head.

  “I think I can help, also,” Isaac said. “I’ll go by and see if I can get Jake and Rebecca out to the ranch with me. That way, it’ll be clear for you to get the horses and mule. I’ll tell them ... Well, I’ll think of something.”

  “Go,” Deborah said.

  He didn’t tarry but drove the buggy away. Lydia pulled Deborah around to the back of the jail. “See that window? One of us will climb up, tie a rope around the bars, and hope the mule can pull the whole wall down.”

  “I don’t think it’ll work.” Deborah frowned at the wall.

  “We won’t know until we try. Let’s find some rope. While we’re finding that, it will give Isaac enough time to get Jake and Rebecca out to the ranch. And then we’ll get the horses and mule.”

  “What if someone sees?”

  Lydia shrugged. “It doesn’t matter unless it’s the sheriff. Just smile and say howdy.”

  Deborah grinned. “And let’s change into pants. It�
�ll make it much easier during our getaway.”

  The girls giggled for a moment and then set off to look for the rope.

  DARKNESS WAS GATHERING when Fritz heard a sound outside, coming from the back. Lydia’s face appeared at the window.

  “I’m tying rope around the bars. We’ll see if the mule can pull down this wall,” she said and set to work to tie it.

  Fritz had his doubts, but in only a few minutes, a gaping hole appeared where the window had once been, large enough for him to climb through. However, it did not extend into the other cell. He grabbed the rope and tied it around the bars that separated the two cells, and it soon crumpled enough for Klint and Chance to make their way through.

  “I didn’t think that would work,” Fritz said to Deborah, once he’d climbed through.

  “You should not have doubted. Remember our original name was Brecheisen, breaker of iron. Those bars didn’t stand a chance.”

  They both chuckled until Lydia grabbed Fritz’s arm. “The horses are in the alley. Let’s go.”

  They were soon mounted and did not tarry but headed down West Street, across the bridge, before turning north.

  Fritz knew no one was better at hiding a trail than Chance Hale and asked him to take the lead. They headed north for a reason although Fritz did not tell them until they’d followed Blueberry Creek upstream for ten miles or more. They kept close to the trees, growing along the creek’s shore, close enough that the horses’ left no print in the browned fallen leaves not yet blown away by the wind. Chance made sure they were not close to the mud that would have slowed their progress and betrayed their position.

  Fritz found the spot they headed for easily and called for Chance to halt. He dismounted and let the reins fall to the ground. The flat rock looked just as he remembered it. Chance and Klint joined him but asked no questions.