Lincoln County Series 1-3

by Sarah Jae Foster

  “That woman is arrogant and I needed to earn enough money to move on as soon as I could, that’s why.”

  “And do you have enough money to go home?”

  “Somewhat. But I don’t see what concern that is of yours.” Bethany began to rise from the table, discussion apparently over.

  “I don’t want those men to find you, Bethany. You are a witness to their crimes and if they find you before the law finds them, you will be harmed or killed.”

  “So you care for me all of a sudden?”

  Cameron stood. “I only want to help, truly I do.”

  “My family doesn’t want me back.” She looked down. “You wouldn’t understand.”

  “I might understand more than you think. Try me.”

  A clanking sound echoed from the bar as a glass fell on its side.

  “Apologies, ladies,” Liam said and continued stacking glasses into a pyramid.

  After recovering from being startled, Bethany explained, “I ran away from home when I was sixteen. I took off with someone my father labeled a trouble maker.” Her eyes watered, the first sign of emotion Cameron had seen. “He was right. The man was twenty and I was attracted to his looks and to his rebellion.”

  “Your home is Missouri,” Cameron recalled.

  “Yes. My father told me if I ran off, he’d disown me. I have never been back.”

  “But surely if he knew you were in danger, that you are now a widow, he’d want to help?”

  Bethany bit her lip, unsure. “I don’t believe so.”

  “Perhaps you should wire home? It can’t hurt to send a telegram to see where he stands with your new circumstances?”

  Hope seemed to fall upon her. “I think I might do that.”

  “Please let me know the outcome?” Cameron inquired. “If it’s not in your favor, although I will be praying for you, then we will figure something else out.”

  “Thank you for the encouragement.”

  “You just need to be safe and be home with family.”

  *** *** ***

  Cameron needed to get to Dr. Grover’s and back before Andrew returned home. It was the one stop she’d been procrastinating on making and it could no longer be avoided.

  No sooner had she stepped out from her visit with Bethany, than the wind whipped up a flurry of dry dirt before her. Cameron peered at the darkened sky.

  Miles, the postmaster, was walking by, holding his hat tight to his head. “Might be a tunnel making its way.”

  “I’m not walking very far. Where did everybody go?”

  Miles teased, “The smart ones are at home.”

  She smiled and hustled on regardless. She must find out if she was right about her condition.

  An hour later, Cameron exited Dr. Grover’s office with both dread and hopeful anticipation. She rushed to her wagon at the livery and clucked the unnerved team of horses onward. She was expecting a baby again. She wondered what Andrew’s response would be. She had grown stronger physically and spiritually and together they should account for something. She could now handle whatever was to come of it. She stilled the horses at the eerie calm around her and took note again of the sky. She headed back to Lacey’s. With the sudden turn of the weather, the hotel was by far safer.

  *** *** ***

  Jake had finished up a late breakfast, and after folding the newspaper in his grasp, he saw Cameron attempting to tie her horses to the railing. They were skittish and her control of them was weak. He had no choice but to get out there and help her.

  “What are you doing out in this storm?” He cursed.

  She held on to that ridiculous bonnet she wore. “I didn’t think the weather would turn so fast, although I suppose I should have.”

  “Yes, you should have! How long ya been here anyway? Two years or more?” He knew exactly how long she’d been there. He’d never forget the day Cameron Engel stepped foot in Lincoln County.

  “Well there’s no cause for yelling at me about it.”

  If she’d been angry and hollered back at him, he could take it. But she scolded him so gently because he could still hurt her feelings. His stomach twisted and he cursed again.

  “Blast it, Cameron!”

  Her skirts blew up and a look of mortification crossed her cheeks fast. With a hand on that stupid bonnet and the other fetching her skirts in place, he took a small level of pity on her. She was as uncomfortable in his presence as he was hers. It shouldn’t be like that. He didn’t want it to be that way between them, not anymore.

  “Come on then, let’s not stand out here in the storm like idiots, get inside. I’ll take your team to the livery.”

  “Thank you, Jake.” As she turned to go in she paused and placed a hand on his arm. He looked at it, her touch incredibly unsettling. “You are still kind, you know?”

  He wanted to hold her, but if ever things did get back to somewhat normalcy for them, he’d have to tame his wanting of her, make her feel it would be safe to call upon him as a friend, should she ever need to. Now seemed a good time as any to respond in a halfway decent manner. “I can’t travel in this either. I have a table already if you’d care to share a coffee with me upon my return.”

  She was at the entrance. “I would like that, thank you for the offer.”

  Chapter Nineteen

  After getting the news from Dr. Grover, it seemed odd she would be in Jake’s company instead of her husband’s. Cameron wasn’t sure how she felt about that, but there was no other alternative at the moment—she couldn’t get home.

  She thought she might be nervous about sitting across from Jake over a cup of coffee, but as she awaited his return, she found she was not. Rather than be ruled by the intimidation and unkindness he’d been shoving on her, she prayed, wanting above all else at the moment for Jake to come to know God’s love as she did. She went into the kitchen to brew some fresh coffee and snatched a couple of shortbread cookies from Cook’s supply, then went to seek his table. As she did, dry thunder pounded overhead and then came the blackness.

  Jake bounded inside and Patsy took his trench coat, hanging it on the rack. Once he was on his way towards her, Cameron noticed he’d filled out some, for which she was grateful. For a while she’d been concerned about his eating habits, an issue Lacey had brought up on more than one occasion, as if she could do anything about it. She quickly checked herself. He was not hers to worry about. Still, she eyed him, and while he looked healthier, he definitely appeared more dangerous than ever before. In fact, if she hadn’t known Jake Collins, she might be downright afraid of him.

  “I apologize for causing you to be out with the dirt blowing around.” She said as he drew near.

  “Nonsense.” His tone was gruff. “Just glad you had the smarts to not be caught traveling in it.” He swigged down the last of his coffee.

  “I’ve put on a fresh batch to brew.”

  “That’ll be nice to have a hot cup for sure.”

  “Here’s some cookies.” She shoved the tiny plate towards him.

  He accepted.

  They sat in self-conscious silence, making small talk until the sky cleared. It was a start anyway.

  *** *** ***

  Andrew welcomed his wife home safe and sound from the storm, commending her on the choice to remain in town. He was also greeted with news of a coming baby, which he met with wholehearted excitement. Immediately he began plans to complete the addition to their home and start on a bassinet.

  All to which Cameron said, “No need to rush, we’ve plenty of time before we meet our baby.”

  There was no way he would sit idle when God saw fit to bless them with another chance to grow their family. Before he could refute her statement there was an unexpected knock at the door. He rose to answer, wondering who would dare risk another bout of offensive weather.

  “Miles… how can I help you?”

  “I have a telegram.”

  “Would you like to come in?”

  “I best be on my way to the missus. That the
re telegram is important or I wouldn’t have bothered you.”

  “Much obliged.”

  He glanced towards Cameron, then opened the message. He read the brief scrawl. “It’s mother, she’s ill.”

  Cameron stood with him. “It must be serious. You need to go to her.”

  Reluctantly he searched her face. If anything happened to her or the baby while he was gone he didn’t know what he’d do.

  “Andrew, there’s no choice, you must go.”

  “I don’t know…”

  “You can’t fret over me. I will be fine and our child is going to be full of life. We need to trust that.”

  She was right, of course. He needed to have faith that God would provide for his family and their health.

  “I will make arrangements tomorrow. But I will only stay away for one month.”

  *** *** ***

  In the morning Andrew went to town to inquire about travel. Cameron was baking bread when she heard someone calling out their presence. It was Bethany.

  “Come on in! I can make some tea, or coffee?”

  “No need, I’m not staying. I only wanted to let you know that my father said he’d welcome me coming home.” Her countenance was filled with relief and elation.

  “That’s wonderful!”

  “I’m leaving on the train tomorrow. I would have never thought this possible if you hadn’t spoken to me.”

  Cameron couldn’t take the credit. She merely did as she felt called to do. “I’m glad it worked out for you and your family. I am sorry about your husband. What a terrible tragedy. Now you will be safe and can begin a new life.”

  Something of a panic flickered across her expression, making Cameron pause. “What is it Bethany?”

  “I am afraid to say.”

  “You shouldn’t worry. You’ll be soon home and away from danger.”

  Bethany took a deep breath and confessed. “My husband didn’t die on that stage.”

  “He’s alive then? Why does that not seem like it’s good news?”

  Shaking her head solemnly Bethany said, “He’s the one I ran off with.”

  It dawned on Cameron what she was admitting. “Your husband is the one coming after you.”

  “I need to leave town, save everybody from trouble. Lord knows, he must be looking everywhere for me. I thought I could hide and he’d let me go.” Bethany penetrated her with a regretful gaze. “He and his men robbed the stagecoaches, killed those people and I… I couldn’t do anything about it!”

  Cameron was woozy from this disturbing news. She couldn’t feel sorry for Bethany, at least not until she wrapped her mind about all of this.

  She confronted her. “You could have helped the law by turning them in!”

  “I don’t expect I could have. I was afraid for my life. I’ll be out of everyone’s hair come morning. I only came along to say thank you for helping me connect with my folks.”

  *** *** ***

  When Andrew got home he announced he would be on the train to Philadelphia the very next day. Cameron filled him in about Bethany, unsure of what to do.

  “Sounds like there isn’t much to do if she’s going back home, besides, they want her, not the townspeople. They won’t be able to harm anyone now the sheriff and your brother are on the lookout for them.”

  All she could do was trust in God, and trust in the men who had sworn to protect Lincoln County from harm. They’ve done a good job of it so far, though not without its consequences. Wanting to shake off the events of the day, she welcomed Andrew’s loving embrace as he affirmed how much he was going to miss her. Andrew spent the rest of the night, into the early morning hours, confirming his love, needing to make up time for a month-long absence, or so he said.

  Chapter Twenty

  Cameron received the warm hand intertwining hers as she and Lacey stood together watching the train chug away from the depot. She was hit by the sadness that Andrew would be away from her. With her free hand, she swiped away the few tears that escaped and took in a deep breath of composure. It didn’t help knowing he was concerned about her and the baby. Only with loads of promises and assurances that she’d protect the baby with a lot of rest and love, did he board.

  As the train cleared the station, Cameron saw a man lurking in the shadows on the opposite side of the dusty street, only to disappear down an alley between the buildings.

  “There now, he’ll be home before you know it,” Lacey encouraged.

  Forgetting about the oddity of the stranger, she shrugged. “I know you mean well, but it doesn’t make me any less lonely hearing that.”

  Gently, Lacey pulled her away. “Come on, let me spoil you with some of Cook’s blackberry cobbler. He picked the berries early this morning. Then we’ll get you situated in your old room.”

  Cameron would allow the attention for now. It was all she could do to not feel sorry for herself to be without a husband. Readily, she scolded herself for being selfish. Andrew’s mother needed him and she needed to buck up. As they approached Lacey’s Place, she wanted to share in her excitement about her staying there, but would have to dig through layers of foreboding to do so. How could she not be thrilled to spend time in Lacey’s company? Just like old times, well, minus the Jake part.

  Halfway through the cobbler, Cameron brought up Bethany’s secret, thinking it safe to share, now that she was long gone. The response she received was nothing that she expected.

  “She’s the wife!” Lacey nearly choked. “And you didn’t tell the sheriff?”

  “I only found out yesterday. Why are you so upset?”

  Lacey tossed her fork and rose from her seat. “We need to tell him, now!”

  Suddenly insecure about the situation, Cameron followed as Lacey left the hotel to find the sheriff. “What does it matter? She won’t be here when or even if he comes.” She took in a gulp of air. “Slow down!”

  Lacey turned and rashly apologized, “I didn’t mean to rush off so fast. I know you need to take it easy, but this is serious.”

  Once she caught up she asked, “When are you going to tell me why?”

  “It was that man lurking around the station.”

  “You saw him, too?” Cameron asked.

  “I was going to tell Ed about him later—now it’s urgent.”

  “I’m sorry, but I still don’t understand…”

  “Bethany’s husband might not come to town. He’s probably going to go straight for the train now that he knows she’s on it. The train your husband is on.”

  Cameron’s heart went wild with fear and she picked up her pace to match Lacey’s. “You’re saying the stranger was watching for Bethany… Oh, Lord help us.”

  They arrived at the sheriff’s office and Jake was there, too. Cameron had the irrational urge to run to him for comfort. He was stuffing what she assumed was a wanted poster into his shirt pocket and looked upon her in puzzlement. Lacey filled Ed in with every detail. Cameron winced as she did because now it was on her head if any trouble should come to the folks on the train. Why hadn’t she thought it through? Of course she should have warned the sheriff, or her brother at the very least. They could have prevented anything that might happen. It was all catching up to her. Dread kept rising and rising and she began to feel dizzy. They were all too kind to not point fingers and blame her for her stupidity.

  She heard Jake’s voice. “Ed, get her into that chair.”

  She hadn’t realized she needed to sit. It was the adrenaline from running with Lacey and being afraid for Andrew. She looked at Lacey, warning her not to mention she was with child. It wasn’t the time.

  “Whoever that man was, husband or not, is long gone,” Ed said.

  She could tell he was contemplating his next move. Deciding to put forth an idea in hopes of helping, she interjected, “Thomas can go after the train. Perhaps he can follow it to the next stop and we can telegram all stops along the way.”

  Jake let out a sigh. “It’s all we can do.” To Lacey he said, “Go and ha
ve Miles warn the next stop.”

  Ed readied to go. “You know they aren’t going to pull anything at a stop. They’ll do it in the middle of nowhere. It’s what they’ve been doing all along for the robberies.” He jabbed his gun in the holster at his hip and snatched a rifle from its case mounted on the wall. To Jake he said, “I’m going to Thomas’s, you comin’?”

  Cameron felt as though Ed purposefully did not to look her way. She wanted to help, and the regret she felt at not being forward thinking weighed her down greatly.

  “I’ll be along, go ahead,” Jake said.

  He pierced her with a concerned look. “Are you all right? You sick?”

  She squirmed, unsure what all to share.

  He frowned as though trying to figure it out, then looked out the window at something, or nothing, she wasn’t sure. Finally, he turned back to her and said, “Whatever he was leaving for is not more important than your health and safety.”

  She defended her husband, not liking the judgment in his tone. “His mother is ill and of course he needs to be with her. I am fine. Only a little flushed is all.”

  “I’m bringing him back.”

  And that was that.

  Chapter Twenty-One

  After loading up on weaponry from his gun shop, Jake fought the desire to follow the train on his own, but instead, headed to Thomas’s ranch. When he got there, the corral was alive with activity. The gang was preparing to mount their horses and supplies were being shoved into saddlebags. Thomas was calling out orders to his men and barely acknowledged Jake’s presence. It was hard for Jake to let someone be in charge of him, but now was not the time to work alone. The men who’d attacked those stagecoaches were brutal, never leaving any survivors. And for what? They’d get the loot either way, killings or no. Jake and those around him knew what they were up against—blood thirsty murderers.

  “The train has a two-hour lead, boys. Let’s ride!” Thomas hollered.

  Jake swore to himself for not succeeding in making Bethany talk the night he’d paid for an hour of her evening. She was a stubborn one and didn’t hide the fact that she disliked, even hated him. He’d used every tactic he knew short of violence to break her silence, but she’d remained mute and sat on the bed waiting for him to do whatever he would to her. Disgusted by her response, he left well before the hour was up. And now with this situation in his sights, he was determined to bring everyone to justice, even Bethany. As far as he was concerned, she was guilty of withholding knowledge of this gang and she would pay for it.