Charity (Brides of the Rio Grande Book 4)

by Peggy McKenzie

  "Miss Montgomery, you really shouldn't be involving yourself with criminals. This is the law’s business. What you should have done was come to me right away and let me know what was happening. I mighta had a chance to catch the guy if you had."

  "I'm sorry, Deputy Bishop. You are absolutely right. I should have come to get you as soon as I noticed his strange behavior," Charity admitted.

  The deputy looked around the corner of the jail house and saw the bucket she told him the man had used. He shook his head. "Damn it. Sheriff Grayson was right. There is an accomplice and he's probably responsible for Mr. and Mrs. Mabry's deaths. Low down no good piece of horse crap." Deputy Bishop walked over to the bucket and picked it up. "No sense leaving it for the polecat to make his job easy. If he's gonna keep trying to get out his buddy, then I'm gonna make it as hard as I can."

  He turned to her and pulled her toward the street by her elbow. "Miss Montgomery, I suggest you go home and stay there. You being a witness and the person who shot the man in the cell, his partner is more likely looking to kill you too. You're lucky he didn't know it was you or he might have got off another shot or two."

  "I suppose you are right, deputy." Charity fingered the derringer inside her dress pocket. "But I do know how to use a firearm so I can protect myself if necessary. Please don’t worry about me."

  He held on to her elbow and ushered her around to the front of the jail. He pulled his ring of keys hanging from his belt out with his other hand and unlocked the jailhouse door. "That may be true, but it’s the law’s job to protect folks. Not yours.”

  She stepped inside and he invited her to sit in the chair in front of the sheriff's desk. "Am I under arrest or something, Deputy Bishop? Why am I here?"

  The man stepped around the desk and sat in the sheriff's chair. "Because I need to take down your statement about what you saw and any descriptions you can remember. Might help us find the man before he kills someone else." The deputy took out a pad of paper and a pencil. He stuck the tip of the pencil in his mouth to wet it. Pencil poised over his pad of paper, he waited. Charity took that as her cue to talk.

  "Well, as I’ve said, I was across the street at the dry goods store and I was looking out the window when I saw the man trying the jailhouse door. I knew it was locked and—"

  "What were you doing looking out the window?" he interrupted.

  "Um, well..." She didn't really want to admit she had come to town with the intent of getting involved in law business because she knew if Miles found out, he would be furious with her. And after he kissed her, the last thing she wanted was to make him have second thoughts about her.

  "I was just looking out the window. Do I need a reason?" she pushed back hoping he would move on from the subject.

  "Okay, you were just looking out the window at the jailhouse across the street for no reason and you saw a man trying to get into the front door. When he couldn’t, what did he do then?" The deputy scribbled on the pad.

  "Well, like I said, he walked around the building and disappeared around the back side."

  "What did you do then?" The deputy sent her a pointed look.

  "You know what I did then. I've already told you." Now she was getting kinda miffed. He was making it sound like she wasn't very bright, when in fact she thought her plan had been brilliant.

  "Tell me again. For the record." he said.

  "I...followed him."

  "You followed him. A strange man you believed to be trying to get inside a locked jailhouse where an armed officer of the law was waiting, and when he couldn't, he disappeared around to the back of the same said jailhouse knowing there was a prisoner inside the cell. Did it ever occur to you to knock on the door and let me know what was going on? Miss Montgomery?"

  A knock on the door startled them both. She jumped and the deputy pulled his side arm. "Who is it?" he called out.

  "Sheriff Grayson. Open up."

  Charity closed her eyes and said a prayer of thanks Miles was alright just before she added on one for herself because when he found out from the deputy what had just happened, he was going to be anything but glad to see her.

  The deputy opened the door and let Miles inside. When Miles saw her, he shot a look to his deputy. "What the hell is she doing here?"

  Charity thought the story might sound better if she told it so she spoke up. "Hi, sheriff. I'm glad you're back."

  She could tell he was in no mood for small talk."

  "I asked what you are doing here?" he looked between her and his deputy. When neither one of them spoke, he demanded an answer. "Out with it." He turned to her. "Charity, why are you here?"

  "I was just trying to help," she offered.

  She watched him close his eyes and shake his head. "I knew it. I knew you couldn't stay out of trouble. I had a feeling deep inside my gut." He turned away from her and spoke to his deputy. "What the hell did she do?"

  "She saw a man trying to get into the jailhouse front door and when he couldn't, he went around behind the jail. She followed him, and—"

  Miles whirled around and stared at her like she had grown another head. "You followed a man around behind the jail knowing there's a possibility the prisoner has an accomplice?"

  "I have a gun, sheriff. It isn't like I don't know how to use one." she tried to explain.

  "That isn't the point, Miss Montgomery. The fact remains is that you shot the would-be train robber who has a partner who would love nothing more than remove each and every witness of that botched robbery from the face of this earth."

  Charity didn't like where this conversation was going and his high handedness was starting to make her mad. "And how is that my fault? What was I supposed to do? Just sit around and let them point guns at people?"

  "Yes, that's exactly what you should have done."

  “That is ridiculous. Who would allow someone to be harmed if they had the power to stop it,” she couldn’t believe what she was hearing.

  “But you can’t stop people like these criminals, Charity. Don’t you get it? You can’t stop them from hurting people. Why in the hell can’t you see that?”

  Miles had learned to trust his instincts a long time ago and he had felt that something was wrong. The minute he rode into town, he bypassed the livery stable and rode straight to the jailhouse.

  He had been shocked to see Charity still there. When he had left town, he had told her to go home. Did the woman ever listen?

  She had chosen to listen to him when he asked her not to go on that carriage ride alone with Mr. Carter, and he was happy about that, but he was not happy to see her still hanging around the jailhouse. Now that everyone in town knew the identities of his witnesses, it wouldn’t take much for someone to see her red hair and make the connection that she was the one who foiled the train robbery and made it possible for the man she shot to be arrested.

  But for her to deliberately chase a suspicious character down an alley alone was asinine and he was furious. How was he going to get it through her stubborn head that she could be in danger as well as endangering other innocent people?

  "I've got a good mind to lock you up. Maybe a few nights behind bars will help you understand that this isn't a game, Charity. These men are dangerous and they don't give a damn if you carry a pocket pistol. They will kill you just as dead as they did the Mabrys if you don’t start listening to me."

  Her look of shock might have softened his delivery of that particular bit of news if he didn't known how stubborn the woman was. It took a lot to dissuade Charity Montgomery once she had her mind set on something.

  "You don't know that for a fact." she stood and approached him. He stepped away from her because her perfume drifted through the air and teased him with the memory of this morning’s scorching kiss.

  When he didn't answer, she whispered. "Do you really think they killed that nice elderly couple from the train?" She whispered as if afraid to hear the words out loud.

  He motioned for Deputy Bishop to close the door between his
office and the cell where his prisoner could easily hear their conversation. If the man Charity chased away was trying to talk to his prisoner, the less he knew the better.

  Miles lowered his voice and explained to Charity what he had found out while up on the mountain at the carriage wreck site.

  "The facts are plain. Mr. Mabry is a well-known, very experienced mule skinner. Billy Buchanan is up there right now bringing his and his wife's bodies back to town. Billy knows his stuff and he's convinced that there's no way in hell that Mr. Mabry couldn't control a pair of carriage horses. And…," his words trailed off.

  "And what, Miles? What else is there?" Charity wanted to know.

  He thought back about the conversation he had with Billy and Billy's theory about the rim of the carriage wheel being tampered with. Enough so that it broke and that's why the carriage flipped over and the Mabrys were dragged to their deaths. Charity didn't need to know that morbid detail.

  "And, it's none of your business. I've told you before, this is the law's business. Now will you please go home and stay out of it like other women manage to do?"

  He knew the minute the words were out of his mouth, he had said the wrong thing.

  Her green eyes squinted and she reminded him of a cat with a bad attitude. "Like what 'other' women, Miles? You wouldn’t by chance be referring to Miss Selina loaf-of-bread Watson would you, because if you are, I'll have you know that she—"

  "Selina Watson is none of your business, Charity. Do you hear me? None of your business. Now get out of here so I can get some work done. I have a murderer to catch before he figures out how to get to the rest of my witnesses, and that includes you."

  The look of hurt in her eyes hit him hard. He had lost his mind when he kissed her this morning and it was time to remember who he was. A lawman. And who she was. A whole lotta trouble.

  Getting involved with anyone was not in his future. Not Selina. And certainly not Charity. Her shattered look was hard to watch. Her chin trembled. “Selina Watson is none of my business? Is she your business, Miles?”

  He refused to answer that question because no matter how he answered it, he was on the losin’ end.

  “Go home, Charity. Go home and let me do my job. No more skulking around town following people with a gun in your pocket. And no more visits to my office. It isn’t…safe. Just go home and mind your own business. Can you do that?"

  He saw her clench her fists at her sides and he instinctively took a step backwards and out of reach of her boney little knuckles. Prepared for just about anything, he watched with amazement as she slowly gained control of her emotions.

  The old Charity would have torn up his office, thrown a chair threw a window or chopped up his desk into a thousand pieces of kindling wood with an axe in a fit of anger. And, he would have had to throw her in jail to get her to calm down. But the new Charity did nothing except what he ask of her.

  "Very well, sheriff." Without another word to him, she turned to his deputy. "You heard the sheriff. He has asked me to leave. So, it would seem that if you have any more questions for me about the description of the man I prevented from sneaking through your jail window and stealing your prisoner," she sent another pointed look in his direction and then turned back to his deputy, "you can find me at the Hanovers."

  She turned toward the door and passed him by with her nose in the air. "And I'll be happy to mind my own business, sheriff, as long as you mind yours."

  She left his office in a fragrant wave of brocade fabric and fiery red hair. It reminded him of a hurricane he had seen down in Louisiana once. It was a beautiful thing to watch, but the destruction it left behind took years to overcome. The slam of his door followed by the quiet of his office only validated his comparison between Charity and Mother Nature.

  "What did she mean by you minding your business?" His deputy frowned trying to find meaning in her message. Deputy Bishop might think the message cryptic, but Miles knew exactly what she was getting at and he didn't like it one bit. If he thought to prevent her from encouraging Mr. Carter’s attentions, he had just screwed that up. Damn it.

  “It means she doesn’t like to be told what to do.” Miles fibbed.

  “Yeah, I heard that about her. Most women don’t like to be bossed around, but I hear this one is ornerier than most.”

  Miles grimaced. “Yeah, that would be a fair assessment of Miss Montgomery’s reluctance to being ‘bossed’, but in this case, she doesn’t have a choice.”

  Miles thought about his conversation with Liam. He had the right and the duty to protect his citizens and if Charity thought she was above the law, she had another thing coming. Especially when it pertained to Mr. Ben Carter. At least, not until Miles could learn more about the man.

  Maybe he’d send a telegram to Denver and see if Mr. Carter is wanted for anything. That might be a good place to start.

  Deputy Bishop nodded his understanding of the situation. “So, what are you gonna do if Miss Montgomery doesn’t, you know, do what you say?”

  Miles grimaced again. “I’ll have to lock her up.”

  11

  Charity fumed all the way home. She wanted to go by the bakery and smash out all the windows, but a lady never misbehaved in public. "A lady, my—" A lady never cusses either she reminded herself.

  She was beginning to hate this lady thing and it was all because Miles wasn’t behaving according to the rules.

  "Mind my own business, huh? Well, we'll see how he likes it when I mind my own business."

  She walked down the boardwalk with her head down and she felt more like a bull ready to charge at the first thing that moved.

  "Selina Watson is none of your concern." she mimicked Miles authoritative tone. "Well, she shouldn't be your concern either."

  Charity's anger cooled at the thought that Miles, her Miles, might really like that boring little baker. What if he did?

  "Hello, Miss Montgomery. I wasn't expecting to see you out and about town today. With the food preparations and all." She turned to see Mr. Carter behind her. Where had he come from? Was he following her? And if she didn't know better, she would think he was mocking her the way he said that comment about the food.

  "Mr. Carter. A pleasure." Although it really wasn't. Ever since this morning's conversation and his lack of human empathy for the poor Mabry's, she found she didn't care for his company after all. Not even to make Miles jealous, although she wasn't certain that was possible anymore.

  "May I walk with you?" He fell into step with her before she could give him permission.

  "I suppose although I'm just going home. There's really no need—"

  He cut her protest off. "I don't mind at all."

  She frowned and he merely smiled back at her. "Well, if you insist, but the Hanovers are not at home so I cannot invite you in."

  "And where did you say they were off to on this beautiful day? I didn’t catch that part of the conversation this morning."

  "Today is the anniversary of a tragic event in their life and they just wanted to get away into the mountains and enjoy each other's company. They were headed toward my sister and her husband’s place. At least I think that’s what I heart Aggie say.”

  "Well, that sounds wonderful. Perhaps you and I can take that carriage ride sometime soon. In the meantime, I have just remembered some business up town that I must see to. I do apologize, Miss Montgomery. Perhaps I can come around to see you later this evening after the Hanovers return?"

  "I think they will be too exhausted to—" just at that moment she caught sight of Miles walking down the sidewalk toward the bakery. The man was impossible. A lady can always get a gentleman's attention with a well-placed laugh.

  She didn't know she had it in her, but she opened her mouth and a high pitched laugh filled the air. Miles turned toward the sound. Satisfied she had his attention, if only for a moment, she threw herself into Mr. Carter's arms and kissed him full on the mouth.

  "Well, I hadn't expected that, but since you seem to b
e open to the possibility..." his arms curved around her and pulled her hard against his body, his mouth crushing down on hers. He wasn't acting like a gentleman at the moment, but, of course, she wasn't exactly acting like a lady either.

  She saw Miles watching and then he turned away and continued on up the street. Charity pushed against Mr. Carter's chest as soon as she knew the target of her campaign to make him jealous was no longer looking. The only satisfaction she got from her stunt was the expression on his face looked as if he was ready to kill someone. And after this morning’s kiss and subsequent argument, she couldn't be certain it wasn't her he was plotting to dispatch to the hereafter.

  "My apologies, Mr. Carter. I'm not sure what came over me. Please forgive my forwardness."

  The man's lidded gaze told her he didn't really care what had come over her and she was playing a dangerous game. She wanted him to go rather than follow her home, especially if no one was home.

  "Well, I know you said you have business to take care of, so I'll say goodbye to you here. There's no sense in walking me all the way home. Perhaps we should wait a day or two before we schedule the carriage ride." She prayed he would find another distraction, but after that kiss she gave him, it was highly unlikely. What on earth had she been thinking?

  "I look forward to it, Miss Montgomery." the look he gave her sent an uneasy chill down her spine. "More than you know." He tipped his hat and turned uptown.

  "Yes, well good day to you, Mr. Carter." She turned toward home and chastised herself all the way. What on earth had gotten in to her? Her old self would have done something stupid like that, but she was better than that now. She knew how to behave and she was choosing not to. Why would she deliberating antagonize Miles when she knew there might be another woman in the race for his affections?

  It was a bone-headed move even for her old self, but she had to admit, it was worth seeing Miles' face when he saw her kissing Mr. Carter. Maybe that will remind him of their kiss this morning. A sudden unwelcomed thought popped into her head. Did he kiss Selina Watson like he kissed her this morning?