An Unexpected Dilemma Bride

by Elliee Atkinson

  Adam shrugged, turning to go back to the room where the late Mr. Youngblood probably still lay. He was somewhat relieved when he entered and saw that Doc had recruited some help carrying the body out to his wagon. Joshua could see the relief on his face. He admitted to himself that he was a little relieved, too.

  “I think any death is a big deal.” Adam said quietly and looked at his nephew. “And I know that’s not what you meant. I know you’re wondering why they called me. I guess it’s kind of one of those things where I’m the middleman and if the scene looks bad enough, I send someone to the sheriff.”

  “That’s exactly what I do.”

  Adam grinned. “I know. We’re kin, for sure.” He reached up and tousled his nephew’s hair as if he was a young lad.

  Doc waved them over. “I’m gonna send a boy over to let you know what’s going on, Adam. You got Laura at your house?”

  “Yeah, I’m sure she’s still there with Alice.”

  Doc nodded. “You might wanna keep her there, my good man. She shouldn’t come back here right away. Not unless she’s ready to be in this big house without her husband.”

  Adam nodded. “I think you’re right about that, Doc. Thanks for the advice. We’ll keep her at the house. It won’t be a problem.”

  “All right, good.” Doc turned his eyes to Joshua and stuck out his hand. “It was good to meet you, son. I’m sure we’ll meet again somewhere. Might see you in the Horse N Saddle?”

  “I don’t drink much, but you might see me there anyway. I’m sure my uncle won’t let me get away without meeting Sam and having a drink or two with him.” He shook the doctor’s hand.

  Adam grinned at the doctor. “He knows me so well for not having been around for fifteen years.”

  The three men laughed. Doc shook Adam’s hand and turned to leave. He was putting on his hat and immediately began calling out directions to the boys who were trying to figure out how to load the body in the back of the wagon, treating the man as if he was still alive.

  Joshua looked at Adam. “He seems like a good man. I’d rely on him for medical advice.”

  Adam nodded. “We’re gettin’ another doctor here soon. I think he’s coming from the East Coast.”

  “Why would he want to come here?”

  Adam shrugged, laughing. “I don’t know, Josh. One thing I’m not is psychic.”

  “You want to talk to the housekeeper or something?”

  Adam nodded. “Yeah, let’s find out what we can while we’re here, so I’ll know what to tell the sheriff. He’s a cranky man sometimes and I don’t like to ruffle his feathers.”

  “You should be a deputy, Uncle. I don’t know why you don’t make a little bit of money when people are already coming to you for help.”

  “I don’t do it for the money.”

  “I’m sure, but I mean…”

  Adam cut him off, shaking his head. “To be really honest with you, Josh, I don’t want to deal with crime all the time. It gives you a negative outlook on life, or I think it would anyway. Solving problems for other people like you do, that’s different. That’s what I do. But I want to be able to create my saddles and do my woodwork and enjoy my life. I don’t want to be saddled with depressing things all the time.” He grinned. “That pun was intended.”

  Joshua laughed. “I understand, Uncle.”

  “For that matter, why don’t you get your sheriff to take you on as a deputy?”

  Joshua shook his head. “He’s got enough. And he doesn’t like that people come to me for help. It makes him feel left out. Like he’s not good enough.”

  “So your sheriff is jealous of you, but still uses you on cases?”

  Joshua nodded.

  “Why do you do it then?”

  Joshua was quiet for a moment before replying. “It’s just what I do.”

  Adam appreciated the answer and nodded his approval. “Let’s go talk to that housekeeper. What’s her name?”

  “I wouldn’t have the slightest clue what her name is,” Joshua mumbled humorously.

  Adam waved to the young woman and she came over, her hands folded in front of her apron. She was squeezing her fingers tightly and it looked like she might burst out crying at any moment.

  “I’m sorry, is it Pam?” Adam asked. The girl nodded. “I’m sorry to have to ask you this, Pam, but do you have any idea what’s happened here today?”

  Pam let out a little squeak, indicating that she was trying to hold back her tears. “I really don’t know, Mr. Collins. Laura and James were always happy. I’ve never seen them fight. Never.”

  “You say that like they did tonight. Did they fight?”

  Pam licked her lips. “It was just a little tiff, sir, I promise. And in all the years I’ve been here – and I’ve been here since they got married – I’ve never seen them fight.”

  “But they did last night,” Adam confirmed.

  Pam moved her eyes to the side with a look of regret. “It was just a little fight, sir. She didn’t hit him or anything. He didn’t hit her. They just raised their voices.”

  “Did you hear what it was about?”

  Pam blushed. “I might have heard that someone was bothering him or her. Someone wouldn’t leave him alone, I think. But I don’t know who it was or if that’s even what it was about. I mean, I would tell you if I could, Mr. Collins. You know I would. I trust you. I would tell you.”

  Adam nodded. “I understand, Pam. No need to be upset. I believe you. You are not suspected of doing anything wrong. So just relax, all right?”

  Pam covered her face with her hands. “I don’t know how to feel, Mr. Collins. He was such a good man, such a good employer. Always respectful. I will miss him so much. And Laura loved him more than I’ve ever seen a woman love a man. If she ever finds love again, that will be a lucky man.”

  Adam looked at Joshua. “Is there anything you want to ask her, Joshua?”

  “Were you here all night?” Joshua asked.

  “I was. I stay in the room over the stable.”

  “Is there anyone else who stays at the ranch full-time? Anyone else who helps out around here, maybe?”

  “Daniel, the groom. He stays in the room across from mine.”

  “Was he here last night? Is he here now?”

  “He’s probably here now. He didn’t want to be in here. He told me to keep him up to date on what was going on, but he wanted to stay out of it.”

  Joshua and Adam looked at each other.

  “Did he have some kind of vendetta against Mr. Youngblood?” Adam asked, subconsciously resting his hand on the gun strapped to his belt.

  Pam’s eyes dropped to the gun and then widened. “Oh, Mr. Collins, I don’t think so. He was a gentle man. He never got into fights and didn’t go to the saloon. He was an honorable man. I liked him very much. And they had a good marriage. I swear it, sir!”

  Adam nodded. “I have to ask these questions.”

  “I’m glad to be of help. May… may I go?”

  “Yes, of course. If we want to find the groom, where would we find him?”

  Pam looked like she didn’t want to tell them. “He’s probably in the stables tending to the horses, or out in the pasture. I don’t really know, Mr. Collins.”

  Adam smiled at her. “You don’t have to be worried, Pam. You know I’m not a violent man. I just want to know if he’s seen anything.”

  Pam looked frightened and shook her head. “Oh, it’s not my place, sir. I hope you find out what happened to Mr. Youngblood. I sure did like him.”

  Adam and Joshua looked at each other.

  “Should we go find Daniel?” Joshua asked.

  “Well, we’re still waiting for Doc to send a note about his results. I don’t wanna leave any stone unturned. However, let’s wait on that until we know something more from the doc. If something foul happened here, we gotta figure out what it was.”

  “It’s a good thing Wickenburg has you, Uncle Adam.” Joshua said proudly.

  Adam grin
ned at him. “Louisville is just as lucky to have you.”

  “If I ever move here, this’ll be the luckiest town in all of Nevada.”

  “Yep. You are right!”

  Just as they were headed to the door to go find Daniel, it burst open and a woman came in, her dark hair flying wildly around her face, even though she wore a bonnet. Her clothes were disheveled and she was staring at the couch as if the man was still lying there.

  “Oh no. Oh no!” Her eyes shot up to look at the men. “Where is he? What have you done with James?”

  Joshua’s eyebrows shot up, a near exact replica of the look on his uncle’s face.

  “I’m sorry?” Adam narrowed his eyes, trying to recall the woman’s name.

  “Where is James? He’s been taken to the clinic?”

  “Yes, Doc is going to do an examination and see what killed him.”

  The woman went white and put one hand to her forehead as if she was going to faint. “Oh my! Oh my!”

  Joshua blinked, scanning the woman, trying to read her strange behavior. She was a complete stranger, at least ten years his senior, and he instantly didn’t care for her. He tried to make sure the look didn’t show on his face. He looked at Adam, who was visibly confused.

  “Aren’t you… you’re married to Samuel, aren’t you?” Adam said. “Samuel Whitman.”

  The woman nodded, glaring at Adam. “Yes, I am Cynthia Whitman. And you are Adam Collins. I’m so glad you recognized me. I can’t believe this has happened. Where is my dear Laura?”

  Joshua took a step toward her, coming up to stand next to his uncle. “Mrs. Whitman, however did you hear about this so quickly? Has it gone around town already?”

  She made a disgusted sound. “Of course not, son. I just live over there.” She gestured with her bag, which swung wildly, almost hitting the man who had come in behind her.

  The man glared at the back of Cynthia’s head as if he wanted to pop it with his bare hands. “Cynthia, what kind of ruckus are you making? Our friend just died and you are causing a scene! You need to calm down, my dear.”

  “Don’t tell me to calm down, Samuel!” Cynthia shrieked, looking over her shoulder and sending daggers toward her husband with her glare. “I need to find Laura and these gentlemen won’t help me!” She turned to glare at Adam again.

  Adam raised his eyebrows. “Laura is at my house, safe with Alice.”

  “Why didn’t she come over to my house? Why did she go all the way to yours?”

  Joshua looked at Adam. He thought that was a very good question. “I wonder why she did do that, Uncle.”

  Adam gave Joshua a look that told the younger man he didn’t know what he was talking about. When he snapped his eyes back to Cynthia, Joshua thought he understood. The Whitman house would not have been a good place for Laura to be. Chances are that Cynthia would have made her feel worse.

  “She is my best friend, Adam,” Cynthia said in a tight voice. “May I have permission to come to your home and see her?”

  “Seeing you is the last thing Laura needs right now, Cynthia,” Samuel said gruffly, grabbing her arm. “Come on! Let’s go home. We’ll come back and visit Laura when she returns.”

  “No!” Cynthia pulled her arm out of Samuel’s grasp. “I want to see her now! I am her best friend!”

  Joshua doubted that Cynthia was really Laura’s best friend. She reminded him of a frantic squawking bird.

  Samuel looked at Adam apologetically.

  “I think you should wait until tomorrow morning and then come out to the ranch, Cynthia. Is that okay with you? Let her have rest for the night?”

  Cynthia looked like she was pouting. “Oh, I suppose.”

  Samuel stepped around his wife and held out his hand to Adam. “Thanks, Adam. We’ll be seeing ya. And hello, I’m Samuel Whitman.”

  “Joshua Crawford. Nice to meet you.”

  Samuel nodded. “Wish it was under different circumstances, but that’s what happens sometimes."

  “Yes, sir. And very often to me.”

  “Least you’re alive. Can’t say as much for James, huh?” He shook his head, dropping his hat onto his head. “He was a good man. Shame he had to go so soon.”

  Without asking any more questions, although she didn’t go quietly, Cynthia and Samuel went out the door they’d so recently entered.

  Joshua and Adam looked at each other for a long moment before leaving the room, chuckling and shaking their heads.

  CHAPTER FIVE

  JOSHUA FRIENDS

  JOSHUA FRIENDS

  When Adam and Joshua got back to the house, Laura was resting in the bedroom, lying on a soft bed. They stood in the living room outside the room she was resting in, talking quietly so that five-year-old Carrie wouldn’t hear in her loft upstairs.

  After a few minutes, they turned at the sound of a loud voice on the other side of the front door. “Is anyone here?” the voice called out.

  Adam went to the door and pulled it opened it to see a tall man with broad shoulders, who practically barreled over him, though he had a wide smile on his rugged face.

  “Hello! Hello! I’ve come to see my friend!” He approached Joshua with his hand extended.

  He whipped his hat off his head and turned to Adam, sliding out of his light coat immediately after. ”I’m sorry to barge in like this. I needed to talk to Josh and it took me this long to figure out where his uncle and aunt lived!”

  Adam looked down at the abandoned coat and then back up into the stranger’s eyes before taking it and shaking his proffered hand. “It must have been quite an emergency to come all the way from Louisville.”

  Joshua looked from his friend to Adam. “With this guy, it’s always an emergency. Uncle, this is my friend Nate. He helps me sometimes.”

  “Good to meet you, Nate. Where are you from?”

  “Originally, New York, but I’ve been in Louisville for some time. You must have heard my Northern accent. I heard from that Sam, the bartender, that something exciting has happened. I thought I would see if I could help.”

  “What about your emergency?”

  Nate shook his head. “It’s not that much of an emergency now. Not when I heard there was a mysterious death here in this little town.”

  Joshua looked at Adam, and then back at his friend. “Nate, you know I’m on vacation.”

  “You may very well be. But It don’t look like you’re gonna get much done. It’s okay that I stay, ain’t it?” He almost sounded like he was pleading.

  Adam looked at his nephew with one eyebrow raised.

  “Yeah, of course.” Joshua laughed. “But you just gotta remember that I am on vacation, okay? I wanna do some fun stuff, too.”

  Nate smiled wide. “And that’s where I come in. I’ll make it fun for ya!”

  Joshua laughed, shaking his head. “I’m sure you will, my friend.”

  “Mysteries follow you wherever you go, Josh. That’s probably why I like being around you. You’re my Tom Sawyer.”

  Joshua laughed again. “If either of us is Tom Sawyer, Nate, it’s you. And I didn’t even know you could read.”

  The three men laughed together.

  “Oh I can read just fine, thanks!”

  The doorknob to the room where Laura was resting turned with a squeak, making the three men look at it. Alice came out and closed the door with a silent click. “She is resting,” she said, looking at the newcomer with a faint smile. “I thought I heard an unfamiliar voice. Who is this?”

  “Hello,” Nate took her hand and shook it gently. “I’m Nate. Friend of Joshua’s.”

  “You came here from Louisville?” She turned curious eyes to Joshua. “I thought this was your vacation.”

  Joshua smiled at her. “It is.”

  When he said nothing more, she looked at Nate again. “You aren’t from the West, are you?”

  “No ma’am. It must be very obvious.” He chuckled pleasantly.

  “Not at all. We don’t get a lot of visits from people h
ailing from the East Coast. Where do you make your home, sir?”

  “Well, that depends on what you mean by home. The home of my childhood was on the East Coast. I am from New York. A little town not real close to the big cities. But I’ve been on the West Coast for some years now.”

  “Thank you for coming to help. Do you know anyone involved? Are you a friend of James?”

  “Oh no. I don’t know anyone. I just came to ask Josh for some advice and ended up hearing something interesting happened here. He’s like that. Attracts things like this.”

  “Do you help him with his adventures?”

  Nate nodded. “I do. When he’ll let me. We don’t always deal with good characters.”

  “Really?”

  “Unfortunately.”

  ”Well, let’s all sit down. Is there anything I can get for any of you?”

  “I’d like some tea, honey, if you will,” Adam replied, settling down on the couch. Nate and Joshua took chairs opposing the couch.

  “I’m parched!” Nate said. “Thanks so much.”

  Joshua nodded. “I’ll take some tea.”

  “Let me know if you’re hungry.”

  “Before you go do that, Alice, tell us, how is Laura? Will she be all right to talk to us soon?”

  “The doc was here before. He gave her something to help her sleep. I don’t know how she’s doing or when she will wake up. Women grieve in unique ways, special to each woman.”

  “Everyone grieves in their own time,” Adam agreed, nodding. “I’ll attest to that.”

  Alice looked at him sadly. “Yes. I know. Me too. However, I think with some rest and some time, she will be able to overcome the grief. We did.”

  “Yes. I reckon we did.”

  Adam didn’t want to think about his first wife, Holly, the mother of his two older children. She had died of a mysterious illness many years ago. Alice had stepped up to raise the two children and ended up having her first child with Adam after they were married.

  Alice went to the kitchen and was back quickly. She’d made tea earlier in the day and stored it in the icebox. She brought out a tray with cups and a pitcher and set it on a shelf. “What happened to James?” Alice sounded like she was forcing herself to ask the question, as though she didn’t really want to know.