Guarding the Trap
Two weeks passed and nothing happened. Not one sign of Elmer or anyone else for that matter. Some of the ranch hands were restless and tired of watching for someone who didn't appear to be coming.
So Jim and Smitty offered to take the next few watches themselves. It was getting cold and Jim wasn't at all sure that Elmer would be back before spring.
As they rode about the place they stopped far enough away to make coffee a time or two. One thing Jim knew for sure, the way Elmer did everything, it would take him a while. So it wasn't like he'd be leaving as soon as he got there.
"You think he's comin' back, Jim?" Smitty asked as they settled back and drank the coffee to warm them.
"Eventually, I just don't know when. And I can't stay out here forever either. The ranch hands are already thinking he's not coming. But sometime between now and spring he will be back. I'd bet on that. And somehow I have to be ready for him."
"Are you thinkin' to take him prisoner?"
"If I can, yes…"
"You know if things ever get back to normal, we'll think ourselves plum lazy not having to do things like this."
"I could use some lazy, right now…"
"You think he goes by how much he has before he runs out?"
"Maybe. It stands to reason when he gets low, he's gonna need to make a trip. What if something happens to him?"
"What could happen?" Jim asked annoyed that Smitty was dreaming up reason he wouldn't be back.
"Something could happen to that sister of his. He could marry, or get religion, or who knows what." Smitty offered.
"Well, if he don't show up soon, we'll ride on over to Cross Timbers and see what is going on ourselves." Jim informed him.
"Miss Ruby, she's been missing you. She said so last time I was in the saloon." Smitty admitted.
"You think I don't miss her? I'd give anything if I could solve this and get back to a normal routine. Besides, I'm gonna ask her to marry up when this is settled."
"You don't mean it?" Smitty burst out with a chuckle. "It's about time.."
"I didn't want to when this broke out, because I wasn't sure how it was going to end. But I want her with me, Smitty."
"Yeah, I know the feelin'." Smitty admitted.
"That reminds me, Mary Sue McCarthy seemed pretty sweet on you the last time I saw her." Jim teased.
"We got sort of an understandin'." Smitty smiled.
"Who would have thought. I thought for the longest that she was sweet on the doc, but maybe that was just pure appreciation." Jim smiled.
Smitty nodded. "The docs better lookin' than me…"
"Smitty, is that any way to talk. You've got a lot to offer a woman Smitty. Your loyal and honest and hardworking. Don't let me ever hear talk like you aren't good enough."
"Well, I ain't as pretty as the doc…" Smitty snickered.
"Maybe, but you sure got something, because that girl likes you. Anyone can see it." Jim teased. "Besides, the doc is sweet on that little lady doctor."
"Yeah, I know that. She ran up and kissed him square on the lips when he got out of jail." Smitty laughed.
"They've known each other a long while." Jim explained.
"You think I ought to marry up with Mary Sue?" Smitty asked out of the blue.
Jim eyed him a minute and nodded. "If you love her."
"Well, I don't know if it's love or not, but when I'm around her I'm tongue-tied, and my hands get all sweaty."
"Oh yeah, you've been bitten by the love-bug." Jim laughed.
"I'd talk…" Smitty jabbed him in the ribs.
They spent the next few days guarding the place, but no one showed up.
The ranchers wanted to call off the guarding for a while. Jim was tempted, but he decided the best thing was to keep watch. "I'll understand if some of the men don't want to do it anymore."
Saul nodded. "Then I'll help."
A couple of the other ranchers nodded, "Count us in."
Thanksgiving came and went and Jim and Smitty had pulled double duty through that time. But Christmas was approaching and Jim thought about calling off the guarding until January or maybe even later.
Instead he had an idea.
He asked Saul, "I need some fresh ham I can take to Cross Timbers for Sadie."
Saul looked at him strangely.
"I got a couple from Cal's place I've been taking care of. I can have one of my men prepare it, if that's okay."
"That would be fine."
"What you takin' her meat for?" Saul asked. "Ain't it her brother that gets the meat for her?"
"Sure it is, but if I bring it, then I can open up the conversation about how she gets her meat. Try to find out if she's stocked for winter or what. Besides, I promised Fred and the doc I'd bring back some of her dumplings." Jim smiled.
"Okay, I guess you know what you're doin'." Saul shook his head.
"It's better than sitting out there all winter, waiting on him when I don't know if he's comin' or not." Jim insisted.
"I guess you got a point. We'd all like to enjoy Christmas."
Jim scratched his chin. "You know the one thing I been wondering about is how he gets hold of his victim in the first place?"
"Does he wait for them outside and throw a blanket over them or knock them in the head, or what."
"Ain't no tellin'." Saul answered.
"Well, I'm making that trip a week before Christmas, I'd like to enjoy the holiday too."
"Okay Jim, do you want me to go with you?"
"No, if he knows I know you, he could get wise that we are on to him. I'll take Smitty with me. We'll be gone over night I'm sure and then get back to town in time to celebrate Christmas."
"You know Jim, you ought to think about settling down yourself." Saul suggested.
"Oh I've thought about it. And if this case is solved soon, I'll be asking Ruby to marry me."
"Miss Ruby and you? I didn't know…"
"You don't get into town enough." Jim chuckled.
"I guess we don't. Well I am glad. She's a sweet little lady."
"I think so."
"Does she know what you are plannin'?"
"Nope…" Jim smiled. "And I want to keep it that way in case something goes wrong. Something happens to me, I don't want her frettin' for the rest of her life."
~*~
With a plan in mind Jim went back to town. He wanted to see Ruby before he left.
She spotted him the minute he came in and smiled. She got two beers and motioned for a table for them to sit at.
"I haven't seen much of you, lately." She said throatily.
"I'm sorry, honey. This case has me working all the time."
"Why don't you relax, it's dead of winter, you don't think he'll be out now, do you?"
"I don't know. But Smitty and I are gonna go check him out in a couple of days."
"Check him out. Where?"
"Cross Timbers."
"He lives all the way to Cross Timbers. I don't understand. Why doesn't he shop for his supplies somewhere in between that's quite a ride." Ruby asked.
Jim sipped his bear, letting the cool of the drink refresh him. "I figure he needs to get as far away as he can, so no one will recognize him or even think to look in that sorry excuse for a town."
"Please be careful when you go…I'm worried about you. You aren't sleeping enough, I can tell by your eyes."
"I'll be fine. And even better once I catch him."
"Have you considered you might not catch him?"
"Yeah, I've given it some thought."
"Don't get me wrong, I hope you do catch him, but things happen."
"Yeah, you sound like Saul."
She covered his hand with hers.
"Can we go upstairs for a few minutes."
She smiled…"Sure."
She opened a room at the top of the stairs and followed him in.
In seconds he was pulling her into his arms and covering her lips with his own. She as so warm, inviting, and smelled so go
od. He wanted to just hold her through the night, but he knew that wasn't wise. He really needed to sleep. But first he wanted to kiss her.
Ruby swooned in his arms, as he was more aggressive than he'd ever been. His arms held her tight, as though he was afraid she'd run off. His lips persuaded hers to open and let him in. His tongue sought hers as they waltzed together for long lingering, breathtaking moments.
When he pulled away it was to look into her eyes. "I love you woman."
She smiled dreamily. "I love you right back."
"Ruby…I really do love you…" He said tenderly.
She twisted her head in question. "I know…" she whispered.
"I want you Ruby, but I know that's not possible right now. Right now I have to concentrate on this mess I'm in. But there will come a day…"
She smothered him with another kiss and he didn't back away. His lips traveled over her face and neck and down to the beautiful display of her breast above her dress. He nuzzled her there, and growled. "Oh lady, I want you…"
She stared at him, her hand going to the zipper of her dress, but he shook his head and touched her hand to stop her. "I can't… and I won't. Not yet. I want the time to be right for us. Right now, I've got too much on my mind. But there is no other woman for me, Ruby."
She basked in his arms. Smiling. "When will the time be right, Jim?"
"Very soon…I'm hoping." He whispered as he kissed her again. He pulled her down to the bed and he laid beside her, caressing her, and touching her. His hands came to hold her face on both sides. "Until we can be together, remember this, I love you and I always will…."
The way he said that made her brows draw together. "Jim, what's wrong. What are you not saying?"
"I'm saying I might not come back…and I want you to know it. I don't want you to worry or cry about it. I just want you to hold on to the promise that I love you more than my life."
"You've got to come back, Jim. I need you!" She cried out.
"And I need you, in more ways than you will ever know." Jim kissed her hotly this time, until they were both so ready for each other, but Jim got up and back away.
"I want to remember you, just like that…" He whispered.
"Like what?" She asked breathlessly.
"Like you've been kissed until your beautiful lips are raw. Like you want me, as much as I want you. A man likes to remember that look." Jim said.
"Oh Jim…I don't want you to go."
"I know, but if I don't, I won't be here for Christmas and you know how much I like Christmas."
She smiled mistily. "Yeah…I know."
"You are my girl, remember that."
And then he left.
She stood at the top of the stairs staring after him, wondering if she'd ever see him again.
Chapter Thirty-Two
Visiting Sadie
It was four days before Christmas when Jim and Smitty rode out to Cross Timbers. The weather wasn't cooperating at all. The ground was hard, it had sleeted the day before and everything was frozen. The ground made a crunching sound where the horses trod.
A lite drizzle began about mid-way there, and they pulled their hats down, their scarfs about their neck closer, and shivered from the cold.
Bundled as best they could, they were determined to get there in good time.
But one of the horses went lame on Smitty and he had to walk it for nearly five miles. Jim dismounted and walked along side of him, feeling it unfair to ride while he had to walk.
They talked and tried to tell some tales to take their minds off of things. Jim glanced at Smitty out of the corner of his eyes and smiled. Smitty was a very good deputy. He valued his friendship more every day.
"I'm gonna ask Mary Sue to marry me." Smitty admitted. "I done asked her father and he just grunted, but I think he'll come around. He acts like he don't like me, but I've seen him smile when I bring her flowers or see her home early. We've been seein' each other almost every night I'm in town."
"That's great, Smitty, congratulations." Jim stopped and grabbed his arms.
Smitty chuckled. "There is a chance she'll turn me down."
"Not from the looks she was givin' you the other day, I don't think so." Jim chuckled. "I'm thinking about askin' Ruby to marry me when I get this case tied up. Well, that isn't exactly true, I know I'm asking her. I'm tired of being alone all the time. And whatever is gonna happen to me will happen whether I'm married or not. I just feel it's the right time to settle down."
Smitty stopped cold in the road, "You serious."
"Yeah sure I am…why?"
"'Cause I know she loves you. She told me so. And she's so worried about you." Smitty said. "I'm glad to hear it Jim. She don't need to be in a place like that."
"Yeah, I know, I've been wanting to ask her for a while, but we've been kind of busy. I want this behind me. I couldn't ask her and maybe get killed the same day…you know?"
"I'm proud of you…" Smitty punched him on the shoulder. "You are doin' right."
They talked for a long while before they saw any sign of town.
Before long they saw the chimney of Sadie's Haven. It looked warm and inviting. Jim understood all the gatherings at Sadie's place. It was inviting, especially on a day like this. The cold wind from the north had nearly frozen Jim and Smitty on their ride. No wonder people flocked here. It was the only chimney that smoked in town.
They grabbed a table and sat close to the fire to warm up. The place was filled with people coming in and out.
Sadie came out, with a smile on her face. She was a fair looking woman, but aged a little, and her clothes were so tattered. Still, no one in this town dressed well. Why didn't the people move on, do better for themselves, Jim wondered. Why did so many depend on this little old woman to feed them? Had they grown content in their years here?
"You've come back. My cookin' must be awfully good for you two to come so far." She chuckled.
"As a matter of fact Sadie, it is. In fact I promised the doc I'd bring him back some of those dumplin's." Jim remarked.
Sadie stood proud as a small peacock, and her feet shuffled in a short dance. "I've got dumplin's cookin' now." She smiled at him. "You've come at just the right time."
"Could we have some, and could we stay the night in your little cabin, it's just too darn cold to try to make it back tonight."
"Why shore you can, fellas." Sadie smiled.
"Say, how's your brother, Sadie, Elmer, wasn't that his name?"
"He's fine, he's really doing good boys. You won't believe this, but Elmer never had much use for religion, but he's done got himself a load of it, and he's a better Christian than I am now."
"Do tell…" Smitty smiled and encouraged her to talk.
"I took him to one of those camp meetin's and he took on so, I didn't know what rightly got after him. It was like Satan had a hold of him for a while before we calmed him down, he was sweating, and screamin' and having such a time. And then he calmed down and said he wanted to devote the rest of his life to God. Ain't that somethin'?"
Jim's face screwed up, but he quickly put a smile on for Sadie. "Yeah, that is something…alright."
"I was never prouder. Elmer lost his way when our Ma died. He had to be a man, and he was only eight years old. He didn't even know how to begin. But he did it, he started hunting a long time ago. "
"I bet you were proud of him." Smitty muttered.
"I sure am…I sure am…"
When Sadie went to prepare their meal, they looked at one another. "You reckon that's why he ain't been back?"
"I don't know, Smitty. This sure makes things more difficult in every way for us."
"If it is true…we may never catch him, and he will of got away with all those killin's and there is nothin' we could do to catch him." Jim said, hanging his head as though the news was very bad.
"Maybe he's just sayin' all that for her sake." Smitty suggested.
"I wonder if he is around. I'd sure like to talk to him."
&nbs
p; Jim nudged him to be quiet as Sadie was bringing two heaping bowls to them.
"That looks delicious." Jim took the spoon and stirred and blew on it, as it was smoking.
"You'll have to give us your recipe for these dumplings."
"It's the dumplin's mostly that makes them so tasty, but the turkey meat I use is always fresh. The trick though is to get the dumplin's just right. This is the last of the turkey, so it may be a long while before I get any more. You boys really timed it right, coming here now."
Smitty glanced at her, "Say, where is your brother?"
"He's at a revival meetin', but he'll be in directly if you want to see him."
"We'll wait a while…"
She smiled and went back to work.
Jim watched her wait on several others that straggled in. Thin, dressed in rags and gaunt looking. Jim couldn't help but feel as though Sadie was as close to a saint as there was. What she was doing was admirable.
An hour later they were about to go to the cabin when Elmer walked in.
His face was bright and scrubbed and his hair neatly combed to the side. He looked almost handsome. His face was full of smiles as he recognized them. "How ya'll doin" he asked.
"Pretty good Elmer, how's the huntin' business?"
Elmer's smile disappeared for a while. "I don't hunt no more. God don't like my huntin'. So I told Sadie I would trap or fish, but I'm not huntin' no more."
Jim sighed heavily. "Didn't know the Lord didn't approve of hunting, Elmer?"
"He don't like us killin'." Elmer said with a satisfied smile.
"But you have to eat." Smitty joined in.
"Sadie says she'll cook more vegetables now that I don't want to hunt no more. She said there weren't no harm in fishin' I guess she's right. She makes soup, and salad, and all kinds of things."
"She said she had some dumplings left though."
"Oh yeah, I got a supply of that…"
"How do you keep it fresh?"
"I ice it down."
"Well, I'm sorry you don't hunt no more. But I guess it's good you got religion."
"Yep, it is good. I ain't never been so happy." Elmer smiled and showed his toothless grin. "You fellas stayin' in the cabin again?"
Good Day for a Hanging (Book Two of the Western Serial Killers series) Page 20