Bittersweep

by Wareeze Woodson

  She looked to JP. He seemed in control, strong, able, and reassuring. Elizabeth admired his ability to calm the crowd, to take charge and somehow guide the folks to reason.

  Hudson nodded in agreement. “Seems fair to me.”

  “Lucky for us,” JP said to his brothers, “I haven’t deposited the cattle sale money yet.”

  Rupert stood close enough to hear, and with a shocked expression, he said, “I thought you came by the bank a few days ago.”

  “I did, but I didn’t make a deposit. I helped Miss Campbell open an account.”

  An air of disquiet permeated the place, and a flurry of disturbed voices raced through the crowd sounding like a hive of angry bees to Elizabeth. A few of the women sank onto the bales of hay scattered about the building with a defeated air. Elizabeth’s gaze collided with a woman’s mindless stare, desolate and filled with helplessness as she gently stroked her child’s hair.

  The sheriff whirled toward the door. “JP, are you coming?”

  “Directly. I’ll meet you out front.” He turned to Rupert. “Will you take Valeria home and apologize to her for me? I’ll make another apology when I return.”

  “Of course. Just catch the thieves is all I ask.”

  JP turned to Elizabeth. “Wait right here. I’ll be back in a second.”

  Concerned mothers gathered the children while the men hitched up the wagons. Maude hovered among the departing guests. “It’s a shame what’s happened. We all need to pray them varmints are caught swift-like. My boys will help see to it.”

  A short while later, JP appeared at the door. He motioned to Mrs. Ledbetter and Elizabeth. “Your buggy is all harnessed and waiting for you. Mrs. Ledbetter, please locate Betty. I know I’ve been over long, but I’m sending one of my hands to ride alongside you tonight. I don’t want you and the other women journeying alone. I want all of you safe.” He turned to Elizabeth and caught her by the elbow when she started after her landlady. “A moment.”

  The strength of his fingers on her arm warned her he meant to have his say. Now what? She exhaled a deep breath and her pulse fluttered in her throat.

  He moved a few steps back and lowered his voice. “This is rather a private matter. Thanks to me, you placed most of your money in the bank. I should never have talked you into doing so. I’m offering you fifty dollars to tide you over.”

  Staggered at his generosity and filled with a degree of hope, Elizabeth bit her lip. “I could never manage to pay off such an amount.”

  “It’s not a loan. I want you to have the money. There are no strings attached.” His lids narrowed. “Now don’t turn prideful on me. I want to know you aren’t doing without when I can help you. I’m the one who talked you into opening an account. I don’t want you fretting while I’m away.”

  She drew a deep breath wishing he’d stop being so all fired perfect. She didn’t know how she’d ever be able to pay him back, but she needed the money. “Well, that is mindful of you, but if I accept, it must be considered a loan.”

  He shook his head. “Prideful, stubborn woman,” he said. “I don’t have time to argue with you. I’ll drop by when I can. We’ll discuss the matter. Tonight, we are chasing crooks.”

  Mrs. Ledbetter, with Betty trailing behind, arrived. He helped the women into the buggy. Elizabeth didn’t object to his help this time, and she trembled at the warmth of his hands as he lifted her aboard. If he continued his present gallant actions, she’d find another crack in her wall of defenses against him. She drew a deep breath. When she included him with all the men she’d known, he’d be bound to let her down like all the others.

  She settled back, still tense with apprehension as a slight breeze rustled leaves overhead. The buggy rumbled down the lane and shadows danced across the landscape. A full moon shone brightly and no clouds obscured the light making it a lovely night to travel. Or rob a bank. An owl hooted and swooped after a scurrying rabbit.

  Elizabeth started. She caught herself glancing around and holding her breath. Not one to shy at every sound, still the cowboy riding beside the buggy had a calming effect on her nerves. The trip back to Mrs. Ledbetter’s still seemed to take forever. Thankful to arrive, she didn’t even object when the cowhand helped her down. He aided Betty and Mrs. Ledbetter as well.

  What a dreadful day. Saturday had started out with such promise only to descend into utter chaos. Drained of every drop of energy, she wanted to collapse and forget everything until tomorrow. She quietly made her way up to her room and sank onto the bed, her emotions flattened, tamped down to emptiness.

  ~ ~ ~

  JP straightened his Stetson. “Well, boys, let’s ride some.”

  Ever alert, his chest tightened with fury. How had some low-down drifters dared to steal money from the folks? He couldn’t wait to catch up to the crooks. If he had his hands on the thieves at the moment, he’d grant no mercy. He clenched his jaw in order to control his anger.

  He needed a cool head. He wasn’t some trigger-happy gunslinger out to make a reputation. Justice must be served.

  The cowhands rode after the thieves in grim silence. The moon painted the trail in bright, silver light shoving the trees deeper into the shadows. The stillness of the night erupted with the sound of thudding hooves and creaking leather.

  Ham and Hud reined up on either side of JP. Hud frowned at his elder brother. “Did the deputy accuse you of something when he came roaring in the barn to tell us about the robbery?”

  JP cast an inquisitive glance at him. “What do you mean?”

  “He glared at you the whole while he was spouting off about the robbery. Sort of like, he blamed you for the bank being robbed during the party.”

  JP shrugged. “Put it down to his being bent out of shape. He was on duty and couldn’t attend the dance. We have more important things to consider than his tender feelings.” He sat forward in his saddle and lowered his voice. “I wonder if the sheriff will mention the crooks were after the gold. I know for a fact the army sent bags of gold to Fort Clark for payroll and to build quarters for two hundred more soldiers. It was slated for pickup by the next train heading in that direction.”

  Ham let out a low whistle. He lowered his brows and challenged JP, “How’d you come by that information?”

  “When I went to the station, I saw a soldier deliver the bags to the bank guard with the sheriff for escort. I overheard their conversation. That’s the reason the deputy missed the party. He was on duty.”

  Hud scratched his chin. “What were you doing at the station?”

  “I stopped by to pick up Elizabeth’s extra trunk.”

  Ham raised his brows and a wicked grin curled his lips. “It’s Elizabeth now, is it?”

  “Sure enough . . . Elizabeth,” JP drawled. “You have any objections?”

  Quickly raising his hands, Ham said, “Not me.”

  “Let’s ride some.” Kicking his horse in the flanks, JP took the lead again.

  The riders caught up with Dusty down on his haunches studying the tracks. The entire posse reined to a halt. Nervous energy, filled with hope, swamped JP as he climbed out of the saddle and waited for the sheriff’s assessment.

  Disgruntled, the sheriff announced in a drawl, “Well, men, I don’t reckon the news is good. A herd of cattle trampled the trail. Seems like the robbers drove the herd over the tracks deliberate.” He faced the men again. “I want you boys to ride in groups of two or three and spread out all around here. See if we can pick up the trail.”

  A group of serious, determined men followed the sheriff.

  “Ham, you take a couple of the boys and head out to where you lost the rustled cattle tracks. Hud, you follow the sheriff and ride hell-bent back to me if you find something. I’m going to nose around the cut fence.”

  JP followed the fence line until he came to the
cut. He dismounted and examined the ground carefully poking around through the weeds. No new tracks appeared to obliterate the old prints left by the rustled cattle. He dusted his hands before mounting to follow the sheriff more determined than ever to run the crooks to their end.

  When he caught up with the posse, he slowed his horse. “What did you find, Dusty?”

  “Well now, looks like they took to the water with the cattle and drove a small herd downstream. They came out on the rocks further down. A couple of riders headed southwest and another continued to drive the herd.”

  “We ought to bust up,” the sheriff said. “Me and several of the men will follow the tracks leading south. Looks like the crooks might be headed to the border, but they might be trying to put one over on us, too. If we lose the trail, I’ll telegraph the federal marshal’s office.”

  Chapter 17

  Although Elizabeth enjoyed strolling to school in the early morning hours, this morning her heart wasn’t in the long walk. The bank robbery had cast a pall over the entire town, including the surrounding area. Everything appeared still, deserted, and hushed as if in mourning. She squared her shoulders and trudged onward. Before she traveled little more than half a mile, a buggy rattled up behind her. Stepping to the side, she glanced around.

  Rupert Landow pulled over. “Would you allow me to convey you to school this morning, lovely lady?”

  She let out a small breath as her soft heart urged her to accept his offer. She could only imagine how dreadful he must feel about the bank robbery, losing everyone’s money. Climbing aboard, she settled back against the seat with a smile. “That is most kind of you.”

  She placed her bag on the seat between them. Rupert gave her an inquisitive glance with his brows raised, but he didn’t mention the ruse to put a distance between them. Instead, he smiled. “Wish me luck. I have a train to catch this afternoon. I’m on my way to Houston to see if I can stave off closing the bank.”

  “Certainly I wish you luck. If you receive a loan, will all the money stolen from the folks be replaced?” A thrill of hope engulfed her.

  “I’m afraid not. Once the money is gone, it’s gone, regardless of the rightful owner. But it will allow me to charge a low rate of interest on new loans to tide folks over in the bad patch. I feel dreadful about the robbery.”

  She’d hoped for better news and her expectations sank to her toes. Although she’d tried to push it aside, the robbery kept nagging at her. “How did the crooks know most everyone would be at the party?”

  The atmosphere tightened for a brief second similar to the tension before a lightning storm. Rupert exhaled a deep breath. “I’d be surprised if there’s a soul within fifty miles that hadn’t heard about the party Saturday night.”

  She tilted her head in thought. “Wily thieves took quick advantage. I assume there have been parties before now. So why now? Was there anything special happening at the bank last weekend?”

  He jerked his head toward her, his voice sharp. “Why? Have you heard something?”

  “Certainly not. I haven’t been here all that long. It just seemed strange is all I meant.”

  At every dip in the lane, sunlight brushed across her skirt then faded back to allow shadows to surround her again. In the stillness of the morning and from a far distance, she heard a dog bark, normal, a familiar occurrence. Rupert seemed deep in thought. She left him to it and didn’t say another word the rest of the trip.

  He pulled his horse to a halt in front of the schoolhouse and started to climb down.

  “Don’t get out. I’m fine. I’d like to be by myself if you don’t mind.” She clambered out of the buggy. “Thanks for the ride.” She waved and headed for the door.

  He called after her, “When will I see you again?”

  With an upward hunch of her shoulders, she entered the schoolhouse and said over her shoulder, “We’ll see.”

  He was attractive, wealthy, and charming. She wasn’t interested. JP and his proposal stood between her and thoughts of any other man. Besides, at the moment, all she could think about was the robbery, the loss of money to the community, her own loss, and JP coming to the rescue again.

  The more she thought about the holdup, the more her personal concerns weighed on her. Due to the robbery and the absence of many of the men, Elizabeth pondered her chances of visiting her old home place without interruption. JP, along with the sheriff and the posse, was still on the trail of the crooks. She could dig up the box and be gone again without him ever being the wiser. The notion plagued her all the rest of the school day. She could hardly wait to ring the school bell for dismissal.

  Rushing out of the schoolhouse, she came to a near run heading to the cutoff to the Clarke place. She hurried down the lane toward the burned-out dwelling with a thrill of anticipation. Digging up her mother’s box seemed a dream, one she only hoped would finally be fulfilled this afternoon. As she drew closer, the chimney loomed over the charred remains of her long-ago home.

  She took a deep breath, climbed inside the burned-out logs, and knelt beside the fireplace. Using the spade to pry a hearth stone loose, she reached inside to pull out the package carefully wrapped in a thick cloth. As she revealed the tin box inside, she held her breath and opened the lid to peer at the long-awaited treasure. A few gold coins, a flint, and a heavy, hinged necklace rested there. Eagerly, she lifted her mother’s locket out of the case and gently exposed the contents. A picture of her mother and father stared back at her.

  Stunned by her discovery, Elizabeth nearly dropped the necklace in surprise and dismay. Her papa had never mentioned her mother after the family had been forced out of Bittersweep. Studying her mother’s image, she could almost be looking at a picture of herself, except her mother’s eyes were almost black instead of the startling blue of her own. Her mother wore a gentle smile. Elizabeth caught her breath in dismay. Her mother’s hair was parted in the middle and braided so the tresses hung to the top of the fringe on her buckskin dress. The band around her forehead had beaded patterns worked across the entire length.

  Now, she recalled some man yelling at her mother and a much younger version of Maude Honeycutt trying to pull him away. The forgotten, hateful refrain half-breed squaw rang in her memory.

  She gasped and covered her trembling lips with her fingers. For years she’d repressed those horrible words and now, denial beat through her with every heartbeat. She tried to shove the knowledge back. But it sprang forth as a monster taunting her with the chorus, half-breed over and over again. She didn’t know how to respond to the memory, or how to treat her newfound knowledge of herself. Did the fact that Indian blood flowed through her veins make her less than an acceptable person? She wished she could slam the door shut on her discovery and go back to being Nancy Elizabeth Clarke, unaware of the pitfalls of life.

  Instinct must have played a part in her initial decision to hide behind the name Campbell, but did that make her any less flawed, Campbell or Clarke? What was in a mere name after all? She shivered.

  Could JP fully accept a woman with a mixed heritage? He’d come honeying around while she’d retreated, but that hadn’t stop his trying to pry her past from her. Ever since she’d shot the wolf, his attitude toward her had changed. He was still in pursuit or at least he had been, lending her money, taking her out for meals. He proposed to her as well. All the signs had been there but now, would he turn his back on her as her ex fiancé had, as her own father had? She’d come to expect no less from any man. It broke her heart to suspect JP would be no different. After this discovery, everything concerning a relationship with him was awash…finished, no longer possible.

  Trudging down the road, her heart heavy, she paused to wipe tears from her eyes. A buzzard landed with a flapping of wings in the brush a little off the trail. She shuddered at the sight of the baldheaded bird draped in funereal black feathers known as the pallb
earer. Some poor creature had breathed its last.

  A flash of sunshine reflected off a shiny object catching her eye, and she left the path for a closer look. Ugh, the smell. She wrinkled her nose but stepped nearer anyway. Maybe the crooks had passed this way and dropped something. A thrill of anticipation shot through her. What if she discovered a clue to the robbery? She would be a hero.

  Peering into the tangled bushes, she expected to view a lifeless animal. She also hoped to find some small evidence of the robbery, but a nightmare scene met her gaze. She bit back a scream. A dead, chilled atmosphere surrounded the unmoving form of a man. The smell of death smothered the corpse.

  Frantically, she scanned the area. Nothing moved, and no sound reached her except the rapid pounding of her heart. She held her breath and inched closer to the body. Gasping in horror, she recognized Franklin. The side of his head had been bashed in and blood had oozed from the wound to stain the ground black. The earth had greedily soaked up his blood, and flies buzzed around the body with an annoying hum. The buzzard took flight as she advanced. In spite of the fact Franklin looked good and dead, she leaned down and felt of his throat. Finding him cold and stiff, she shrieked, jerking her hand back. She quickly wiped her fingers on the side of her skirt. This can’t be happening.

  Taking to her heels, she flew back along the track, her heart racing with each step. A million questions rushed through her mind. Was the killer still about? Fear lent wings to her feet and she hurled along even faster. With panic choking her, she gasped for each breath as she ran. Who killed him and why?

  Forced to slow her mad dash to ease the stitch in her side, she tried to rub the cramp away. Reluctantly and with a great deal of trepidation, she glanced behind her. Nothing stirred except a gust of wind through the trees. A squirrel chattered at her but nothing seemed out of place or threatening. She let out a long breath and continued toward town at a rapid pace.