Lawfully Played

by Annie Boone

  “Knew what?” Bill strode into the kitchen and stood next to David.

  “Just word on another part of the case. Nothing to do with what’s going to happen here right soon, though.” Zachery stuffed the letter into his pocket.

  “The newcomer’s just lost two hundred dollars, Roper a further hundred and fifty. I think they’re nearly there. Roper’s pulled out what looks like deeds to a farm or something to add to the pot.”

  Bill went back to the bar room, leaving Zach and David Wingate alone. “David, go fetch your father. Tell him it’s urgent.” David ran out the kitchen door, never looking back or questioning the sheriff’s directive.

  Zach crept into the bar, keeping to the shadows. He watched as Givens grinned, putting down what he claimed was the deed to a house in Fort Worth.

  Bix Gunter was sitting opposite Roper and looked completely potted with drink. He seemed quite amused that his companions were so desperate to keep playing they’d bet their homes and had come prepared to do just that. His friend Wilson Peters sat beside him and seemed to have the same point of view.

  “Sure, I’ll wager my ranch.” Gunter chuckled with a silly grin on his face. He’d won a fortune from Roper over the past few weeks, as had Peters.

  “You got the deed, Gunter?” Tommy looked at him with a smirk.

  “Nope. I’ll sign something, though.”

  “Anybody got any paper? I want that wager in writing.” Roper looked around the table then felt inside his own coat pocket. “I’ve got some. Here, Bix, write it out here.”

  Bix tore the scrap of paper in half and handed the other part to his friend. They both hastily scratched their intent to wager their property, signed the paper, and tossed it on the pile in the middle of the table.

  Roper picked up the deck and began to shuffle the cards. Zachery looked to see if he had stacked the deck, but from that far away it was impossible to tell. Roper dealt each man a hand and leaned back in his chair, his eyes moving to each person around the table.

  Givens looked at his cards anxiously. They were both sweating. Zachery let the game continue. He kept his eyes on the two men, looking for signals. He was also trying to see if either of them was attempting to slip cards out of their sleeve or from under the table.

  Suddenly Roper threw his cards down on the table. “Darn it, I’ve bet my entire life on this hand, and it couldn’t be any worse.” His actions had drawn the attention of his fellow players, but Zach saw that Givens took the opportunity to slip a new hand from his jacket sleeve and hide the one dealt to him.

  And he knew he had them. Zach sprang forward without hesitation. “Abel Givens, Tommy Roper, you’re under arrest.” Though he wanted to be professional, he couldn’t hide the smile on his face as he carried out his job. “We don’t appreciate cheaters in this town.”

  “You can’t throw us in jail for cheating.” Roper stood up as if he intended to face Zachery down.

  “No, but I can throw you in jail for murder, highway robbery, and conspiracy to defraud a young woman of her rightful inheritance.” Zachery didn’t back away. The arrogant smile on Roper’s face faded, and Givens made a bolt for the door.

  “Not so fast.” Harold Wingate blocked Givens’s way, stepping through the swinging door. He grabbed Abel’s arm and held him tightly.

  “Thank you, Harold. Your timing couldn’t be more perfect.” Zachery pulled out a set of handcuffs from his pocket and threw them to the burly blacksmith.

  Roper lashed out with a fist. Zachery ducked. The gambler lost his balance, staggered, and fell. “If you intend to be successful at anything, I’d recommend staying away from the drink.” Bending down, Zachery cuffed Tommy and hauled him up onto his feet.

  “You can’t prove anything.” Roper looked worried and struggled to get free from the sheriff’s grasp. Zachery held tight.

  “Oh, I don’t need to prove anything. Your friends have already told the Fort Worth sheriff’s office everything. They spilled it all. I think you’ll find it hard to convince anyone your motives were pure with so much testimony against you.”

  “I knew we shouldn’t have taken that girl.” Givens shot a look to Tommy. “But, no, you were so sure she’d be so grateful for a roof over her head she’d never question a thing.”

  “Her inheritance would have been worth it,” Roper spat back.

  Zachery couldn’t help but laugh. Lawbreakers were all the same. Greedy with every breath, but once they were backed into a corner, they always turned on each other.

  “But we couldn’t get her inheritance,” Givens whined.

  “Ah, so your friend lied to you? Imagine that.” Zachery shook his head and laughed at the look on Tommy’s face. “So, tell us. When were you going to come clean with Abel?”

  “Don’t know what you’re talking about.” Tommy stuck out his chin and looked away.

  “Oh, I think you do, but let me help you.” He turned to Abel Givens with an evil smile. “You see, Abel, your friend here had a secret. He had a Mr. Hubert Hornsley in his pocket. If you don’t know Hornsley, let me make it easy for you. Hornsley’s the man who told Tess Bonner her father hadn’t taken care of her in his will.”

  “Don’t listen to him, Abel. He ain’t telling the truth.” Tommy leaned in to look at Givens, who remained silent with an explosive look on his face.

  “So, the story goes that this Hornsley was prepared to suddenly announce the finding of a second will once he’d found a way to get Miss Bonner to agree to marry him.” Zach looked back and forth between the two men as he waited to see what effect the news would have on them both.

  “You…” A vein throbbed prominently in Givens’s forehead, his face almost purple with rage.

  “I done the work, I deserved the prize,” Roper said, unrepentant. “If you’d had to put up with that woman’s whining and griping, you’d know just what I mean. And don’t you think I’m lying, Sheriff. She’s a mean and spiteful one. I know you’ve got eyes for her, but she ain’t what she seems. Wild as a hellcat.”

  “You watch your mouth when you talk about a lady,” Zachery warned Roper, giving him a slap around the ear.

  “Or else? What else can you do to me?” Roper said, his face almost maniacal as he grinned at Zachery. “I’m gonna hang, so what more can you do to mess up my life?”

  “You messed up your own life, Roper,” Zachery said firmly. “I only watched the end of it play out.”

  Nine

  It felt as though months had passed. Tess knew Zachery had apprehended Givens and Roper, but she hadn’t seen him since he’d told her to come and stay with Mrs. Ellison at the farm.

  Zach had taken the two men to Fort Worth and had stayed there for the trial. Every day both women waited to hear the sound of Harry’s hoof beats on the path or Zachery’s boots upon the decking of the porch. But he didn’t come.

  They went about doing their chores, and Tess went to work each day in the saloon. Every day, she lingered as she passed the sheriff’s office, hoping to see his Stetson sitting on the side of his desk.

  She wanted to thank him for giving her the courage to take her freedom. For helping her to realize that she was strong and that she didn’t need to rely on the protection of a man.

  She brought Bill a cup of tea and set it beside him as he read the paper. “Are you sure it all went like it was supposed to? It’s been so long…”

  Bill looked up and smiled. His gruff face looked kind and caring. “I promise it all went like we planned it. In fact, the case ended up being stronger than we expected. Roper and Givens were so mad at each other, they bickered all night in their cells. They thought they were alone, but Zach was there and heard every word. They incriminated themselves entirely with every word they spoke.”

  “So, there’s no chance Tommy’ll get out and come back?”

  “Not a chance. Now, Tess, could you fetch another case of whiskey?”

  “I’ll do it when I’ve done the floors.”

  As always, she went through h
er morning ritual. She drank her tea and filled her pail with steaming hot water. She cleaned the bar and went outside to throw the dirty water on the garden. But she stopped in her tracks as she stepped down from the back stoop. “What are you doing out here?”

  Zachery grinned. “You can throw it over me if you like. I’m filthy with road dust. The ride from Fort Worth is far too long in this heat.”

  “I’m tempted to do just that.” Tess frowned, her annoyance evident. “You’ve been gone for weeks without a word to anyone—not even to Mae. She’s been worried sick. It’s more than unkind.”

  “She knew where I was,” Zachery said calmly. “I suspect it was you who was worried, not Mae.”

  “I was not worried. You’re a grown man. A sheriff, to boot.” She protested but knew that her face had flared as red as a beet to give her true feelings away.

  “I’m flattered you care so much,” Zachery said, moving toward her his arms outstretched. “Because, you see…”

  Tess threw the pail of water at him. “I see, what, exactly?”

  “I love you. Very much.” Zach was grinning from ear to ear as he wiped his face and pushed his wet hair back from his face.

  “You… What? You said you love me?” Tess stuttered a response, even though she couldn’t believe what he’d said.

  “I did say that, and I do love you. I’ve been warned you’re a wild woman and that I should stay away from you, but I can’t help it. I still want to make you my wife.”

  “You do?” Tess stared at him for a moment. “You want to marry me?”

  “I do.”

  “Even though I am a wild woman? Well, I think I know who may have called me that.” She couldn’t stop laughing. “Do you think I am a wild woman?” She couldn’t resist having a little fun, so she batted her eyelashes just a little as she sashayed toward him.

  “Oh, I certainly hope you are,” Zachery admitted. “I wouldn’t want to live with anything else.”

  Tess melted into his arms and turned her face up to his. He bent his head and kissed her tenderly. “I’ve wanted you to do that from the very first day we met.” She sighed contentedly and nestled deeper into his embrace.

  “I must confess, I’ve wanted much more,” he teased. She batted at his chest playfully but then let herself get lost in him as he pressed his lips to hers once more. “So, I’ve arranged for the minister to come this afternoon so we can get married straight away. I hope you don’t mind my certainty and bold decision.”

  “Oh, I think that’s a very good idea, indeed.” She reached up and touched his wet hair. “I look forward to being Mrs. Maitland, and sooner is better than later.”

  Zachery pulled away. Tess frowned at him. “What?”

  “Well, there’s one more matter we need to deal with. He looked a little sheepish, and she raised an eyebrow. “I should have told you about this first. I should never have proposed until I had. I don’t want you to think this has anything to do with why I want to marry you. You need to know that I want to marry you whether you are a penniless orphan or the wealthiest heiress that ever lived.”

  “What are you talking about? We both know that I have nothing. I am a penniless orphan, indeed.” Tess felt unsettled at where he was taking the conversation.

  “But that’s just it. You aren’t a penniless orphan. That was the final thing I found out. When I got the names of the men in cells in Fort Worth, there was a name on it I recognized from what you had told me of your past. Hubert Hornsley.”

  Hearing his name sent a chill up her spine. She gasped.

  Zach nodded, realizing she was piecing it all together now. “It turned out that he was the anonymous informant who left the note on the sheriff’s office door. He was happy to tell all when Graves promised to make sure he got an easier sentence for cooperating.”

  “My father’s lawyer was a part of this?” Tess said, stunned.

  “Yes, he was the man who told them who was worth robbing. But he got nervous and wanted to get out, especially when he found out they intended to stop your parents. Roper had convinced them that the man who ran the bank must surely be just as wealthy as the people who had money in it. Hornsley felt his only option was to tell everything, but it was already too late for your parents. Roper killed them when there ended up being nothing worth taking in the carriage that night.”

  “So, they were killed because he was annoyed? Frustrated?” Tess couldn’t believe the sadness of the situation. “I had no idea he was capable of something like this.”

  “He was worse than that, Tess. Having killed your parents, he threatened Hornsley with his life if he didn’t create a fake will. The new, falsified will showed you had inherited nothing. Roper has a history of taking naïve young women and making them useful in his schemes. I think he thought that a penniless girl used to finer life would be easy to control.”

  “He did always seem surprised when I fought back,” Tess said with a wry smile. “He always wanted me to flirt with those he was playing cards with, to keep their glasses topped up so they were drunk and easily manipulated. I wouldn’t do it the way he wanted.”

  “I think he also had plans to force you into marriage. Once everything was nice and legal, he’d have had Hornsley produce the real will.”

  “I dread to think what might have happened to me had that happened.” Tess shuddered and looked away.

  “I do, too,” Zachery whispered. “But he cannot harm you or anyone else ever again.”

  Tess looked up into Zachery’s brown eyes. “So, I’m no longer an entirely penniless orphan, and you think that perhaps that fact might change my mind about marrying you?”

  “I’ve considered that possibility.”

  “Well, were you happy to wed me when I was penniless?”

  “I was.”

  “And you don’t mind that I’m a hard-to-control wild woman?”

  “I do not.”

  “And you know that I love you?” Tess giggled.

  “I wasn’t sure, but I was hopeful.” Zachery smiled crookedly as he admitted a fear he wasn’t proud of. “I had the most horrible thought going through my head, that you might wish to marry me so I’d protect you, now you’re on your own.”

  “Then shame on you, Zachery Maitland. Mae raised you better than that. I’m plenty capable on my own, though I confess I did forget that briefly after my parents died. I’ll never forget it again, though. I want to marry you because I love you and because you have told me that you love me.”

  The church chimes rang out, announcing it was midday. “Then we’d best hurry.” Zachery grabbed her hand and pulled her out onto the street. “The minister will be waiting.”

  Tess hurried along beside him, and they burst into the chapel. Mae and Bert, Bill, Harold and David and a whole host of townsfolk were waiting for them. They cheered as the couple entered, and Tess blushed. They moved down the aisle to where the minister was waiting for them.

  “Welcome to the family.” Mae stood up and hurried to them. She embraced Tess warmly.

  “I lost one family, and it was horrible.” Tess looked around at the faces she’d come to know and love. “But I’ve found a new one. I am so blessed to have come to this little town—no matter how peculiar the circumstances were that brought it about. Thank you, all.”

  Tess made her vows, speaking the words clearly and with feeling. Zachery smiled as he spoke his vows, never taking his eyes from her. Tess wondered if he’d felt the same spark she had that morning when she’d bumped into him as she worked. She’d known from that moment on there was no other man in the world for her. As he gazed down at her, his eyes filled with love, she suspected he had.

  “I now pronounce you man and wife,” the minister said.

  Zachery swept her up into his arms and almost ran out of the chapel. “I loved you from the very first moment I saw you, with your hands covered in soap suds and your hair a mess.”

  “I loved you before I even saw your face. Your boots were so clean,” she teased as
he pressed a kiss to the tip of her nose.

  “It took me too long to let you know. I kept getting confused by wondering why you were with Roper.”

  “But if it hadn’t been for him, we would’ve never met. So, in a strange way, he finally did some good in his life.”

  Zach nodded. “That may be true, but I’m beyond happy that he can’t do any more harm.”

  “Me, too. But let’s forget about him now. What’s done is done, and we have a life of love and happiness waiting for us. Let’s don’t miss anything.”

  Zach dipped his head to kiss her tenderly. She’d meant what she’d just said completely. She didn’t want to miss a thing with her new husband. Zachery Maitland, the youngest sheriff in all of Texas.

  It’s not quite the end!

  * * *

  Did you enjoy Lawfully Played? You won’t want to miss the others in the Texas series from Kate Cambridge, Jenna Brandt, and Lorana Hoopes.

  Turn the page for a sneak peek of all three standalone books!

  About Lawfully Charmed from Kate Cambridge

  1885, Bareglen Creek, Texas

  He shifted in the saddle, his eyes scouring the landscape as though the source of the unease in the pit of his stomach would somehow manifest in the early morning horizon. Days like this didn’t end well, and he, Sheriff Sullivan “Sully” Clarke sat up straighter in his saddle, urging his mount forward. He’d learned the hard way that it was best to meet a challenge head on, and best to keep his premonitions to himself.

  “Sheriff, what’s the rush?” Jim Hawarden, his deputy sheriff’s baritone voice boomed from behind him.

  Sully raised his hand and pulled the reins, patting Cider’s neck as he came to a sure stop but then sidestepped and whinnied, shaking his mane. Did he sense it, too? “Easy boy.”

  Jim pulled alongside, tipped his hat and wiped the sweat dripping down his face on the back of his sleeve. “Jeez, Sheriff, when are we gonna take a break?”

  Sully sighed as he glanced at his deputy. Jim was just shy of his own height at six feet, and an impressive figure with dirty blonde hair that always looked like it needed a trim, and gentle brown eyes. He was a good man, but was he really cut out for this work?