"Good morning, Sheriff Grayson. To what do I owe this unexpected visit? Is someone in trouble?" Liam asked and lead the way back to his office.
"I was hoping to talk to Hiram this morning. Is he in?" Miles listened for the booming voice of the larger-than-life attorney, but the office was unusually quiet.
"I'm sorry, sheriff. Hiram took the day off today. He and Aggie are off on some adventure. I think a picnic up in the mountains if memory serves me right." Liam reached for the coffee pot in the corner and raised it to him in question.
"No, thanks. I've had my share already. Makes me jittery if I drink too much."
Liam nodded his understanding. "Is there something I can help you with then? Hiram and I usually know everything about each other's cases." Liam raised his eyebrows in question and took his seat behind his massive desk.
Miles thought about Doc Howard's insight into his feelings for Charity. And Liam was married to Charity's sister, so he wasn't sure how to proceed.
"I get the feeling you've got something on your mind. You know anything we speak about is confidential. I'm not even allowed to tell my wife. It would get me disbarred, you know." Liam offered the information and Miles studied him a little closer. That was a pretty specific comment about Charity's sister. Did Liam suspect his feelings for Charity too? Hell, did the whole damn town suspect? He hoped not because he couldn't have feelings for her. Or for anyone.
"I am here strictly as the law officer of this town. I'm worried that Charity—Miss Montgomery—may have placed herself and the other people on the train in danger."
"Danger? What kind of danger, sheriff?" He could see he held the attorney's attention.
"She shot the train robber, my prisoner at the jail, in front of five other people. Mrs. Hanover, Mr. and Mrs. Mabry, Mr. Putnam and his son, Joshua."
"But if he's locked up, then how—"
"Because those same witnesses, and the witnesses of the second train car, said there was another robber on the train that day and that person got away."
"And you think he'll come back to break his buddy out of jail?" Liam's frowned at him.
"I think that is a possibility. It could also mean that his buddy is long gone since there is very rarely honor among thieves and nothing to worry about."
"So what do you need from me, Miles?"
He hesitated for a moment and then plowed ahead. "Miss Montgomery has been seen in the company of a man...a stranger. He's new to Creede and I just heard that she is planning on taking a carriage ride with him. Alone. I worry since there is the possibility of an accomplice still at large who may be planning to break out his partner, my prisoner. I thought perhaps Hiram could best advise me on how to approach Miss Montgomery with a warning." Miles didn't know why he was so nervous. He watched Liam's expression to see what he thought about his intent.
The man's face was unexpressive and Miles had no idea what the man was thinking.
"So, let me get this straight. You wanted to ask Hiram if he had any insight as to how you should deliver a warning to Charity Montgomery?" Liam's deadpan face gave nothing away.
"Yes, that's about the jest of it." Miles admitted.
"And you think Charity isn't going to be receptive to your warning?" Liam asked him.
"It's Charity Montgomery we're talking about, Liam. Charity. You know she reacts like a can of kerosene on a fire when somebody tries to tell her what to do."
"Are you giving her an official warning from your office or trying to tell her what to do?" Liam's pencil was poised over his legal pad as if he were planning on taking notes.
"I'm trying to tell her that taking a carriage ride alone with a total stranger could be dangerous for her right now. She just shot a train robber which is not an everyday occurrence for most women.”
“And Charity isn’t most women,” Liam added.
“That’s right. She’s not. So, I guess that's a warning, but I can't tell her not to...can I?"
"Are you asking me if you have the legal authority to prevent her from going...on this carriage ride...with a stranger?"
That hadn't been his purpose when he came to talk to Hiram, but now that the opportunity had presented itself, he would like to know the answer to that question. "Yeah, I guess I am. What's your opinion on the matter?"
Liam sat back in his chair and studied Miles for a minute. He didn't like the scrutiny, but he had opened the door and now he had to wait for his answer.
"Are you asking as a lawman or a man, Miles?"
"Does it matter? The law is the law and it doesn't change depending on who's asking, does it?" Miles knew Liam was on to him, but if he didn't actually admit it, then the man was left with a smidgeon of doubt and that small kernel of doubt was good enough to deny everything.
"No, it doesn't matter. The law is the law. And it is my opinion that since you are the sheriff entrusted with the authority to uphold and defend the law and protect the citizens of Creede, you do have the legal authority to make demands of any citizen to follow your orders if you feel they are in danger or are endangering the lives of others."
Miles sat up in his chair. "So are you saying that I can order Charity not to go on that carriage ride with Mr. Carter?"
Liam grinned. "I'm saying you have the authority to order Miss Montgomery not to go on that carriage ride, but I wonder if you've considered the consequences of delivering that order yourself."
Miles sat back in his chair and exhaled the breath he had been holding. "Yeah, I’ve thought about it." He wasn’t usually a coward in discharging his duty as a steward of the law. Perhaps he should think on this plan of action a bit longer. After all, Charity may look and act like a lady now, but he had a strong suspicion that there was a whole lot of the old Charity beneath all her lace and petticoats.
"I think I'll go back to the jail and relieve Deputy Bishop. He can deliver the message on his way home."
Liam laughed out loud. "Sheriff, you're a cagey lawman if I do say so myself.
Miles smiled back. "I plan to live to fight another day, Mr. O’Brien. I plan to live to fight another day," he repeated just to make sure he believed that it was possible.
8
Charity readied herself for her carriage ride with Mr. Carter. She didn't plan on being gone long, but she did plan on him driving her up and down Main street a time or two before they headed out of town. Just to make certain everyone saw them together. In a carriage. Headed out of town. Alone.
Sarah knocked on her door just as she put the finishing touches on her hair. "Charity, there's a gentleman downstairs to see you."
Mr. Carter was unfashionably early. She would have to school the man about the consequences of arriving too early at a lady’s door.
A lady always makes a man wait was an important lesson she had learned at school, but when he appeared at her door thirty minutes before their appointed time, it was to be frowned upon.
"Please tell Mr. Carter he's early and he should come back in about half an hour." That should teach the buffoon some manners.
"It isn't Mr. Carter."
Miles. He came back. Maybe he was ready to apologize for leaving her party so early. And without so much as a goodbye.
"Tell him I'll be right down." Her heart raced and she stole another look in the mirror. She did look quite stunning she must admit. And her plan was working. Miles had come to declare his feelings for her. "Finally."
Charity nearly ran down the hall, but stopped herself at the top of the second story landing. "A lady must never seem eager," she recited. She straightened her spine and laid her hand on the wooden bannister. She took the stairs one slow step at a time. If he was standing at the bottom of the stairs, she wanted him to see a beautiful and graceful woman descending toward him. And she wanted to portray an air of indifference to his appearance this morning.
Her anticipation stole her breath and by the time she arrived at the bottom of the stairs, she could barely catch her breath. But…there was no one waiting for her.
> Puzzled, she ducked her head inside the parlor and saw Sarah busy cleaning up after last night's party. "Sarah, where is he?"
Sarah turned to her, tray of loaded dishes in hand. "He's waiting for you on the front porch. I invited him in, but he preferred to wait outside."
Charity smiled and checked her reflection once more in the hall mirror. "He's standing on the front porch, his hat in hand, waiting to apologize to me for his abrupt departure last night." She resumed her indifference and swung the door wide open. "Hello, sheriff—" She stopped short when she realized the man on the front porch was not Miles, but his deputy.
"Good morning, Miss Montgomery. I have a message from Sheriff Grayson."
A message? Charity frowned. What game was the sheriff playing? "Why would Sheriff Grayson send you here with a message? Why isn't he here to deliver it himself?" she demanded to know.
The man looked nervous. And a bit frightened.
"Um, he's watching the prisoner. He sent me to tell you that he doesn't feel it is safe for you to leave town. And he's insisting that you—not leave town." The deputy's words rushed out.
"I have no intention of leaving town. I live here," she informed the man. "You can tell your boss that he doesn't have to worry about me leaving town and next time he has a message for me, he should bring it himself."
She started to shut the door in his face when he stopped her. "Miss Montgomery. The sheriff said for any reason. That means you aren't allowed to leave town—for any reason."
Just then Mr. Carter pulled his carriage to a stop in front of the house. The deputy raised his eyebrows and repeated his words, "For any reason."
Understanding dawned just as Mr. Carter stepped up on to the front porch and joined Deputy Bishop. "You can’t be serious, deputy. He can't mean…for any reason. That would mean that I can't leave town at all." Her anger ignited. "He isn't saying that, is he deputy?"
The man's face turned a paler shade in direct proportion to the increase of volume in her voice.
"Yes, ma'am. I'm afraid that's exactly what he’s sayin’. You can't leave town for any reason." The man articulated his words to ensure her clear understanding of the sheriff's orders.
"How dare he order me around. He has no authority to tell me what I can and cannot do. You go back to your boss and you tell him—" Oh no. She wanted the pleasure of telling Miles Grayson exactly where he could shove his orders.
"Never mind, I'll tell him myself."
The deputy wasted no time in stuffing his hat back on his head and high tailing it off the porch. She turned an angry glare to Mr. Carter who was standing to the side quietly watching the interchange take place. "Mr. Carter, I am going to get my wrap and my hat. When I return, you will take me straight to the sheriff's office, do you understand?"
He nodded and grinned. "Yes, ma'am. I understand completely."
"Good." Charity slammed the door in the man's face and stomped upstairs to get her things. When she came back down Hiram and Aggie were standing at the bottom of the stairs.
"What on earth has happened, Charity? We heard you shouting and then the door slammed. Is everything alright?" Aggie's worried face framed her red-rimmed and worried gaze.
"Aggie, I'm so sorry to have disturbed you and Hiram. I promise to keep my drama less...well dramatic. I have just received word from Sheriff Grayson's deputy, that he has forbid me to leave town. Period. I can't even go on my much anticipated carriage ride with Mr. Carter. So, I'm going down to the jail and explain to the sheriff, that he cannot order me around and I will do as I please."
"Charity, as an attorney, I would advise you to approach the sheriff with a bit more caution. He does have the authority to impose certain restrictions on the citizens under his jurisdiction if he feels there is a cause to worry."
"Well, that's simply nonsense. There's nothing to worry about. Mr. Carter is perfectly capable of guiding a carriage and I am not in any danger. Therefore, I find his authority over reaching and over-bearing. He's just being a bully and I won't stand for it."
She rushed passed the couple and slammed the front door behind her.
"Come Mr. Carter. I have a bone to pick with Sheriff Grayson."
"Yes, ma'am." The man followed in her fury. She was already in the buggy by the time he caught up to her.
She fumed the short carriage ride up town to the sheriff's office. A lady never speaks in anger, the voice of her classmates reminded her. "Oh, shut up."
She ignored the shocked looked on Mr. Carter's face when he assured her he hadn't said a word.
"Just drive the carriage, Mr. Carter. Just drive the damn carriage."
Miles was sitting at his desk when Calamity Charity stormed his office. He had a sneaking suspicion how she would react and he thought he was prepared for it. He was not.
"Sheriff Grayson, I have a bone to pick with you." Charity entered his office with all the fury of a late spring storm high on the mountain. It was a beautiful thing to watch, but he was certain there would be destruction in its wake.
"Good morning, Miss Montgomery. How can I help you?" He schooled his features and pretended he didn't know what had upset her apple cart.
"You know perfectly well what has happened. You sent your deputy to do your dirty work." He watched in morbid fascination as the new and improved Charity suddenly resembled the former. She was all fire and brimstone. Her face flushed with anger and her eyes sparked. The sight of her passion heated his blood like nothing else could. He wanted to pull her into his arms and quench that passion that fueled her fire. His eyes dropped to her lips. He gritted his teeth tight and shoved his hands in his pockets to prevent any possibility he might give in to his impulses. He managed to remained unresponsive.
"I don't know what you are talking about. What dirty work?"
"Your deputy just left my place of residence. He was there at your bidding and he told me that you have ordered me not to leave town. For any reason. Did I understand his message correctly? Sheriff." Her words punched the tension around them and her fists clenched at her sides. It wouldn't be a good idea for him to get too close to her at the moment. His prisoner's black eyes and broken nose was all the evidence he needed to keep clear of those bony knuckles. He moved to the other side of his desk and kept his eyes trained on the woman in front of him.
"Yes, Miss Montgomery. You did understand my deputy's message correctly. You see, there is some concern...I...have some concerns...about the possibility that my prisoner here has an accomplice who may decide to break him out of jail."
"And how exactly does that affect me, sheriff? Isn't that your job to keep him inside the jail? Why would that fact prevent me from enjoying an afternoon with Mr. Carter?" Her words stabbed at him.
"Well, if you'll let me explain." Miles was suddenly very nervous. He admonished himself. He had no reason to be nervous. He was the law around here and she was just going to have to—
"Please do." She glared at him with those eyes of hers and he was suddenly at a loss for words.
Could he explain? Liam said he had the law on his side if he felt there was a danger to the public. Was he really afraid the man awaiting trial inside his jail cell had dangerous friends, or was he just trying to keep Charity from—
Miles stopped short. From what exactly? What were his intentions in preventing her from leaving town with Mr. Carter?
"I'm waiting, sheriff." She approached his desk and he flinched when she raised her hand to remove her shawl. He pulled at his collar. He was finding it rather warm in here himself.
"Miss Montgomery, I apologize if you believe I have overstepped my authority, but my concern is for the safety of the citizens of Creede and you are one of those citizens." He had no idea where he was going with this. "I can see you are genuinely distraught at the thought of missing your carriage ride with Mr. Carpenter, and—"
"Carter. His name is Mr. Carter," she supplied.
He knew damn well what the man's name was and he didn't trust him one bit. At least, not unt
il he could learn more about the stranger new to Creede who refused to supply the details of his purpose here. "Yes, Mr. Carter. Well, since you've only been in town a couple of days, and Mr. Carter is a stranger here, wouldn't it be prudent for you to get to know him better before you decide to galivant—um, poor choice of word—until you decide to go off alone with him?"
He could tell she was considering his words when the door to his office burst open. He reached for his gun at the unexpected breach.
"Sheriff. There's been a terrible accident. Mr. Mabry and his wife were killed on the road north of town."
Miles was in full lawman mode now. "How did it happened?"
He grabbed his hat and waited for the man to answer. "They were killed when their carriage rolled over on top of them. It wasn’t until the horses came back to town without the carriage we went lookin' for them."
"Anyone see it happen?" He unlocked the gun case and took out a rifle, then locked it back.
"Not that we know about."
"Thank you, Mr. Pendergraft. Can you ask someone to run over to Deputy Bishop's room at the boardinghouse and wake him up? I'll wait until he gets here."
"Yes, sir, sheriff." The man left to get the deputy. Miles loaded his rifle with ammunition.
"Charity, I've got to go. I think it best under the circumstances that you stay in town regardless of how you feel about my orders."
"I understand. I'll do ask you ask. Do I know these people? The couple that was killed? I can't place the name," Charity's concern was evident on her face.
"Yes, you knew them. They were the couple on the train with you the day you arrived."
"The sweet older couple?" Charity's shock was genuine.
"Yep. The same people. Shame too, especially getting killed in a carriage accident."
"Why is that significant?"
"Because Mr. Mabry was a retired mule skinner. He made his living for fifty years driving heavy freight wagons up and down these mountains with ten to twenty mule teams pulling the loads. Why all of a sudden would a carriage horse get the best of the man? It doesn't make any sense."
Charity (Brides of the Rio Grande Book 4) Page 8