The Marshal's Promise

by Rhonda Gibson

  “Dinner was delicious.” The reverend smiled at her as she passed his chair.

  “Thank you, but don’t forget Ruthann lives here, too, and tonight she cooked the meal.”

  He smiled. “I know.”

  Rebecca shook her head. “Oh, I’m sorry. I thought you were complimenting me. I guess I wasn’t paying very good attention.”

  “That’s all right, dear,” he assured her.

  Ruthann joined the conversation. “I’ve noticed you’ve been distracted over the past two or three days. Is there anything I can do to help?” She motioned for Rebecca to sit in the vacant chair at the table.

  “Or, any counsel I might give?” the reverend asked as he handed Ruthann the red checkers.

  Rebecca smiled. She would miss both of them when she left. Then the thought came to her: Had the reverend been keeping an eye on her, too? She’d almost confided in him. Rebecca stood. “No, I’m fine. Thank you both.”

  As the reverend laid out his game pieces, he said, “On my way over here, I saw the marshal heading for his house.”

  So he was home. “Maybe I should take him a plate, in case he hasn’t had dinner yet.” Rebecca started to leave the room.

  “Oh, that won’t be necessary. When I saw him, he’d just left the diner.”

  Rebecca eased back into her chair.

  “Did he have a new prisoner with him?” Ruthann made the first move.

  The reverend looked across at her and grinned. “No, normally they drop prisoners off at the jailhouse and then go eat.”

  Ruthann nibbled on the inside of her bottom lip as she studied the board. “I wonder if he got his man this time, then.” She didn’t notice the teasing glint in Reverend Griffin’s eyes.

  Rebecca wondered the same thing. It was no secret Seth had been gathering up the Evans gang. Most of them he took straight to Durango, but some he brought with him here and then in the morning they’d head on out.

  “Yep, he got him. He’s all locked up in the jail.”

  He’d be leaving at first light to get him to Durango. Rebecca stood. “If you will excuse me, I think I’ll turn in.”

  “Good night, Rebecca. I hope you sleep well tonight.” Ruthann jumped two of the reverend’s game pieces.

  “Good night.” Rebecca hurried to Janie’s room and checked on the baby. Janie looked up at her and grinned.

  Rebecca groaned. She’d hoped the baby would be sleeping so she could sneak out and see if Seth had caught another member of the Evans gang. Since Janie was awake, Rebecca changed her diaper and then picked her up. She carried the baby to the rocker and sat down.

  If she left Cottonwood Springs, would she have to leave the baby with Ruthann? She ran her finger over the baby’s forehead. Janie’s eyes drifted closed. Rebecca had learned early that rubbing Janie’s forehead put the baby right to sleep.

  She laid her head back and closed her eyes. With a will of their own, her feet continued rocking them back and forth. No, if she left it would be in the still of the night. She couldn’t leave Janie. The baby was hers and she was taking her.

  The next morning, Rebecca woke with a crick in her neck and a headache. She groaned as she sat up in the rocker. Moisture coated her arm and she looked down at a smiling Janie. “I see we’ve spent the night in this rocker again.”

  Janie tugged at a strand of Rebecca’s blond hair.

  Ruthann called as she passed the bedroom, “Good morning. Coffee’s already made, if you’d like a cup.”

  Rebecca grinned at the baby. “Grandma is very chipper this morning. Do you think you’ll soon have a grandpa with the last name Griffin?” She tickled the baby’s tummy and then stood to change her and get ready for the day.

  Today was the day she was going to quit her job. She’d saved up enough money to keep her and Janie fed for a while. She carried the baby in to Ruthann. “Would you mind watching Janie for a few hours this morning?”

  Ruthann took the squirming baby. “Of course not. She and I can bake cookies today. How does that sound, Miss Janie?”

  “Thank you.” Rebecca poured a cup of coffee. “I’m going to get dressed for work.”

  “That’s fine.” Ruthann set the baby in a chair and strapped her in with an old belt. “That should hold you.”

  Rebecca hurried to her room and changed her dress. She pinned her hair up and then worked the buttons on her shoes. A quick glance at the clock told her she needed to hurry if she were going to make it to Seth’s house before he left with the prisoner. Rebecca grabbed her apron from its hook and tied it about her waist.

  Her heart pounded in her chest. “Ruthann, I’m leaving now.”

  “Wait for me!” Grace raced from the kitchen with two apples in her hands.

  How had Grace known she’d be walking to the marshal’s house today? “Good morning, Grace. I didn’t expect to see you this morning.”

  The little girl stopped. “Why not? I’ve been walking with you to the marshal’s house ever since you started working for him.” She handed Rebecca one of the red apples.

  Rebecca took the fruit. “Thank you. How did you know that I’d be going to the marshal’s house today?” She opened the door and Grace went out in front of her.

  “Oh, that’s easy. Ma told me that he was home and to get over here so I could walk with you.” Grace took a big bite from her apple.

  “I thought school was out right now. Doesn’t your Ma need you at the store?” Rebecca looked at the fruit in her hand. She wasn’t hungry so slipped it into her apron pocket.

  Grace giggled. “Nope, I’m lucky my new job is to walk you to the marshal’s house every morning.”

  Rebecca stopped walking. “What do you mean your new job?”

  “My old job was to sweep the store before it opened, but now I get to walk to the marshal’s with you.” Grace skipped a few feet ahead then stopped. “Aren’t you coming?” The little girl waited for her to catch up.

  She felt a headache coming on. “I don’t understand, Grace. Why is it your job?” Maybe this was just Mrs. Miller’s way of getting her daughter out of the house for a little while.

  Grace shook her head. “I don’t know, but I heard Pa tell Ma that nothing would happen to me. All the marshal wants is for someone to keep an eye on you at all times. Isn’t that sweet, Miss Rebecca?”

  Sweet, her Aunt Annie! Not only was he telling everyone that she stole money, but now he had little children watching her every move. Was the whole town watching her? Rebecca turned and looked toward downtown.

  Mr. Tucker waved from the blacksmith shop. Come to think of it, he stood in the doorway of the smithy a lot. Was he watching her? Had he been watching her all along? She felt both angry and sick at the same time. Did the town hate her so much, just because she’d arrived as a mail-order bride?

  “Wait for me!” Grace called, running to keep up. “Are you mad, Miss Rebecca?” she panted.

  “No, Grace, dogs get mad. I’m angrier than a big bull.”

  “But why?”

  Rebecca stopped in front of Seth’s house. She turned to Grace. “Go home, Grace. As you can see, you’ve done your job because I’m here.”

  “Yes, Miss Rebecca.” She turned to go, her shoulders slumped and head down.

  She couldn’t let the little girl go like this. “Grace. Wait.” Rebecca walked to her and knelt to her level. “Sweetheart, I’m not angry with you. I’m sorry that I sounded so harsh. I just need to talk to the marshal alone. All right?”

  Grace nodded.

  “Good.” She gently tugged the little girl’s braid. “Thank you for walking with me this morning.” Rebecca offered her a smile. The last thing she wanted was for Grace to go home upset. If that happened, the town would start to call her a child hater on top of all the other things they were calling her and saying behind her back.

  “You’re welcome.” Grace hugged her and then skipped away.

  Rebecca started up the stairs just as the front door opened. Seth stepped out onto the porch. “G
ood morning, Rebecca.”

  His face was freshly shaven and he smelled of soap. An easy smile brought out the winking dimple in his cheek. Why did he have to be so handsome? Why couldn’t he have just trusted her? Asked about the money instead of having her watched like a common criminal?

  She needed courage and her anger to help her stand up to this man. “Marshal, I quit. You have told everyone in town that I know where Jesse kept the stolen money. You’ve had the whole town watching me like a common thief. I can no longer be in your employment.” Rebecca spun on her heel and headed back down the stairs.

  “Rebecca, wait!” He grabbed her arm and spun her around to face him. “I never said you knew where the stolen money was.”

  “Then why is the whole town talking about me and saying you did?” She glared at him trying to ignore the warm sensation of his hand on her arm.

  Seth dropped her arm and ran a hand through his hair. “I don’t know.”

  “Did you know that I am being watched? By everybody?” Rebecca looked into his warm brown eyes. She had missed him while he was gone.

  He nodded.

  “So you do think I know where the money is hidden.” Rebecca’s emotions were all over the place. One moment she wanted to slap him, the next she wanted to melt in his arms. Then he admitted the truth of her suspicions and she was back to wanting to slap him again.

  “When I first met you, I thought there was a chance Jesse might have told you where the money is hidden. But not anymore.”

  Rebecca fought the allure of his eyes. He didn’t trust her, not then and not now. “You’ve never trusted me. I’m Jesse’s girl, remember? He had a bad past so I must have been just as bad.”

  Hurt filled his eyes. “I’m a lawman, Rebecca. I had to follow my hunch.”

  “Well, I hope you are happy with yourself, Marshal. No one in this town trusts me.”

  Seth took a deep breath and stood to his full height. “I am sorry about that.”

  “So am I.” A tear slipped from her stinging eyes.

  He turned away. “I have a prisoner to take to Durango. When I get back, we’ll talk.”

  Her voice broke. “Goodbye, Seth.” And then Rebecca turned toward home. She noticed that Eliza stood on her front porch sweeping. Or was her friend watching her, too? Tears streaming down her face, Rebecca ran.

  I may not be here, Seth Billings, when you get back.

  Chapter Twenty-Eight

  Seth swayed in the saddle. Why hadn’t he pulled Rebecca inside and explained everything? Instead he’d walked away like a coward. No, pulling her inside the house and closing the door would have only added fuel to the gossipers. Thanks to him, everyone in town watched her every move.

  “What’s the matter, Marshal? Afraid ol’ Maxwell is gunning for you?” Horace called from his horse.

  Seth ignored him.

  Horace waited a few moments more. “He’s not going to jump you on the trail.”

  “No?” Seth’s senses came to full alert. It had been his experience that outlaws were liars, most of the time.

  “Why don’t you gag him, Marshal?” Jason Cook, a young man who had approached Seth about learning the ropes as a sheriff and about helping to find the Evans gang, trailed behind Horace.

  “You wanted to learn how to be a Sheriff. Well, this is part of it.” He glanced over his shoulder at both men. “If you let them talk, they’ll eventually tell you what you want to hear. Isn’t that right, Horace?”

  Horace snarled an ugly grin and spit on the ground. “Yep, just what you want to hear. Told ya what ya wanted to hear yesterday, didn’t I?”

  The gleam in Horace’s eyes set Seth on edge. “And why won’t Maxwell be gunning for us on the trail?”

  “That’s for me to know and you to find out.” Horace sounded like a schoolboy taunting his friends. But they weren’t friends and never would be.

  Seth looked to Jason.

  Jason gave a slight nod of his head. “Aw, don’t listen to him. Maxwell is the big boss. This one’s just his crony. He’ll do and say anything to be able to lick old Maxwell’s boots, won’t ya, Horace? He has no idea what’s really going on.”

  Seth faced forward once more. He’d let the boys behind him argue for a few minutes. Maybe Jason could get something useful out of Horace. The young man seemed to instinctively know how to get Horace riled up.

  His thoughts returned to Rebecca. It seemed they never strayed far from her. Her voice had cracked when she’d said goodbye and then she’d run. His heart broke. He’d make it up to her once he captured Maxwell.

  “I may not be as bright as Maxwell, but I can tell you this. He didn’t come up with his latest plan on his own. Nope, I helped,” Horace bragged.

  Seth shook his head and brought his thoughts back to Rebecca. She’d sounded so hurt, and the way she’d said the whole town didn’t trust her had broken his heart. He sat straighter in the saddle. If she thought no one cared about her in Cottonwood Springs, would she leave?

  No, she’d never leave Janie. But what was stopping her from taking the baby with her? He wasn’t there to stop her. Ruthann would try, but only if she knew of Rebecca’s plans. His only comfort was knowing that if she did leave, Maxwell was nowhere near Cottonwood Springs.

  “You think you are so smart. I can lie, too, you know?” Horace said.

  “Well, sure you can lie, Horace. That’s what bad guys do.” Jason continued to taunt the prisoner.

  Horace laughed. “Yeah, well, while you and the marshal are planning on capturing Maxwell in Durango, he’s back there in Cottonwood Springs taking care of Jesse’s girl.”

  Seth turned to look at the outlaw. His blood ran cold. Please, Lord, let him be lying. He pulled his horse to a stop and jumped down. His legs felt stiff as he walked back to Horace. “Why should we believe you now?”

  Happy to have upset the marshal, Horace laughed. “I might be telling the truth and then again, maybe I’m not.”

  Jason rode his horse up beside Horace and smashed his fist into the outlaw’s cheekbone. “Are you?” he demanded.

  Horace spit blood in Seth’s direction. Seth jumped back, avoiding the splatter. The outlaw turned to face Jason. “Wouldn’t you like to know?” He smiled, revealing bloodstained teeth.

  Jason pulled his gun. His words came out sounding as cold as the steel that now rested between Horace’s eyes. “I’ll shoot you where you sit.”

  “You can’t shoot me, can he, Marshal?”

  Seth shook his head at Jason but answered Horace. “He’s not a real sheriff or marshal yet, Horace, so I guess he hasn’t learned that rule yet.”

  Fear filled Horace’s voice now. “You won’t let him shoot me, will you, Marshal?”

  “As I’m standing over here and he’s sitting over there on a horse, I’m not sure I can stop him.” Seth hated using tactics such as this, but he needed to know Maxwell’s whereabouts. If the outlaw really was in Cottonwood Springs, then Rebecca was in real danger.

  * * *

  Rebecca sipped her tea. She hated feeling as if her friends were no longer her friends. Eliza had invited her to dinner, but the meal had felt strained, as if everyone had something to say, but no one knew how to say it. She set her cup down.

  Eliza sighed. “You know, don’t you?”

  Hannah gasped. “Eliza, don’t.”

  “Don’t what, Hannah?” Rebecca asked. “Tell me that the marshal suspects I know where Jesse stashed his money or that you all have been watching me for weeks to make sure I lead you or him to said money?” All Rebecca’s pent-up hurt and anger came through loud and clear. As soon as the words were out, she wished she could take them back.

  “Oh, you don’t know anything.” Eliza laughed. “That wasn’t what I was talking about.”

  Hannah frowned. “It wasn’t?”

  “No, silly. I thought she knew we’d been watching her because the marshal wanted her protected from the Evans gang. Remember, he told us all that he didn’t believe she had the money or tha
t she knew where it was but that the Evans gang did believe that and that since he couldn’t watch over her, he needed our help.” Eliza smiled and poured them all fresh tea. “So you see, she had it all wrong.”

  Hannah and Rebecca shared glances. Hannah was the first to laugh. “She’s right, you know. You did say it all wrong.”

  Rebecca felt instant relief and couldn’t stop laughing. She’d been so afraid that her friends didn’t trust or care about her, and the man she loved thought she was a thief and had turned the others against her, that her insides had been turned into knots. She sobered. Maybe Eliza was wrong. “He doesn’t still believe I know where the money is?”

  Eliza patted her hand. “Honestly, I don’t think he ever did, but he had to follow that lead. He is a lawman, after all.”

  She should have listened to him. “That’s what he said.” The look in Seth’s eyes should have caused her to believe him, but her anger had prevented her from seeing that he was telling the truth.

  Hannah sighed. “You love him, don’t you?”

  “With all my heart, but it’s complicated.”

  Eliza stared at her. “When is love not complicated?”

  Rebecca shook her head. “I mean we have trust issues.”

  “You don’t trust him? Or he doesn’t trust you?” Hannah asked.

  “Both, I think. I know he doesn’t trust me fully or he would have told me what was going on. Instead, he told the whole town.” Rebecca tried to smile.

  Eliza threw her hands in the air. “Rebecca, he is trying to protect you! Men don’t think like women do. If they did the world would be a much happier place.”

  Once more they all broke into laughter. Rebecca’s laugh wasn’t as full and sweet as the other two women’s, but she could see the humor in Eliza’s words.

  The sound of shattering glass interrupted the women’s laughter.

  Hannah was the first to speak. “What was that?”

  “It sounded like glass breaking.” Eliza pushed out of her chair.