by Jodi Thomas
She shrugged. “Who would I tell? If anyone asks, you were never here. Hank isn’t here. Wednesday’s not here. In fact, I’m not so sure I’m here anymore.”
“Be serious.” He scolded with a smile.
“I’ll try, but I’m so glad you’re home I accidentally forgot about being mad at you.”
“Good. I’ve been thinking maybe we could start over like we’re fresh out of the chute. I’ll stop trying to make you marry me and start trying to be your friend.” He smiled, proud of himself. “Would you like that?”
“Are we friends who kiss?”
He started to say, Hell yes, then thought about it and said, “If that’s the way you want it.”
She nodded. “And touch. Are we friends who touch?”
“I wouldn’t mind that, if the opportunity came up. The feel of you is a pleasure that surprised me.”
“All right. We’ll start over as very good friends. Would you carry me downstairs before Mrs. O’Daniel comes in and insists I fight the stairs again today?”
He lifted her and kissed her as he walked across the room. Then he poked his head out to make sure the coast was clear and carried her downstairs. She was sitting on the couch when Mrs. O’Daniel came down from the attic.
The nurse frowned at them both, but it was Jacob she attacked. “I’ll have a look at those wounds before you’re off again, Ranger.”
“They’re fine.” He tried to put her off.
“You can strip right here or in the mud room, but I’ll check them now.” The stout little woman might only make half of him, but she’d gotten her bluff in. Jacob swore all the way to the mud room, removing his clothes as he stormed.
Gypsy held the kitchen door for him. Jacob passed Harrison drinking coffee on the corner of the cutting board. Marla worked across from him. They both watched as if the ranger was the nightly floor show.
“Haven’t you got some figuring to do?” Jacob snapped.
Rand smiled but didn’t move. “Haven’t you got some outlaws to fight?”
Jacob rattled all the windows on the back of the house when he slammed the mud room door.
Mrs. O’Daniel didn’t hesitate as she opened the door and came right in behind him.
Jacob growled. He needed to move on, he decided. Too many people in this place had lost their fear of him.
CHAPTER 30
MRS. O’DANIEL TOOK ONE LOOK AT JACOB’S WOUNDS and insisted on putting ointment over them. Then she bandaged the shoulder and swore he’d see more of his own blood if he bothered with the bandages again.
Jacob didn’t complain. He understood the difference between a promise and a threat. Mrs. O’Daniel was making a promise.
Gypsy poked her head around the door and stared. Sometimes her round, water-blue eyes seemed to take up half her face.
“Get out,” Jacob ordered calmly, for he knew the old woman wouldn’t listen unless she wanted to. “I’d like to get dressed without an audience.”
“I’m here to tell you that snake Walter Farrow is back sitting on my clean couch like he belongs. He’s offering marriage to Nell again while you’re out here getting pampered.”
Jacob shoved to his feet and out of the reach of Mrs. O’Daniel. He took two giant steps toward the kitchen before he realized he wasn’t supposed to be at Nell’s house. He couldn’t face the toad of a man, no matter how much he’d like to. Walter Farrow was the kind of gossip who’d tell half the town all he saw at Nell’s place. He seemed to gather great delight in sticking his nose into everyone’s business.
Harrison appeared at the mudroom door. “You’d better disappear.” He smiled. “Because I doubt you’ll be able to watch the lawyer without wanting to clobber him.”
“Wait.” Jacob kept his voice low as he slipped into the kitchen. “I have to see if Farrow shows his hand. He has no idea I’m anywhere close. If he does start waddling toward the kitchen, you can stall him while I slip out the back. With his width, he’ll be lucky to get through the swinging door without a push from the other side.”
“I wouldn’t mind tripping him to see how many times he rolls,” Mrs. O’ Daniel mumbled as she disappeared up the back stairs.
Jacob motioned for her to be quiet as they moved toward the door leading to the main room.
When Marla looked up and saw Jacob crossing her kitchen, she smiled, really smiled at him for the first time. “Welcome back, Ranger,” she whispered. “We were all worried about you.”
Jacob winked at her, making her blush. “I only returned for more of your cooking.”
She turned away, but not before Jacob noticed how pretty she looked when she blushed. He’d always thought of her as plain, but now, he reconsidered.
Harrison moved beside the swinging door and pushed it open slightly, then let it close. “Farrow’s in there, all right.”
Marla picked up a tray, and Harrison nodded once. When she shoved the door, the bookkeeper stood well out of sight.
When Marla returned, Harrison stopped the swing of the wood a few inches before it closed. Walter Farrow’s back was in clear view.
Jacob shifted so he could see through the opening.
Nell didn’t look happy that Farrow was there, but she wasn’t pointing her gun at him, which surprised Jacob.
“You say you have word about Ranger Dalton?” Nell asked as she poured tea and offered him a cup.
“Yes, I saw him last night.” Walter leaned forward to accept the sweets she held toward him. “It was late, and we walked together for a time.” Farrow ate two cookies at once, chewing as he talked. “I knew you’d want to know that he was alive. I heard the sheriff and his deputy were searching for him last night and feared bad luck had finally found him.”
“If you don’t mind me asking, what did you and the ranger talk about during your stroll?”
Farrow straightened. “Despite his anger toward me in the past . . .” The fat man swallowed. “Which I believe is based more because I asked for your hand in marriage than anything else, I hoped, due to our pending business deal, to become both your friend and the ranger’s.”
Jacob leaned back from the doorway and decided this lawyer was the fattest chameleon he’d ever seen. How can Farrow show up acting all nice when the last time he called they almost had to run him off the place?
Marla handed Jacob a cup of coffee, then pulled a stool close to listen. The ranger didn’t miss that she leaned her arm on Harrison’s back as she tried to see through the crack in the door. Harrison didn’t seem to notice, but he hadn’t jerked when she touched him, either.
Nell’s voice drifted through the opening. “I wasn’t aware we had a pending business deal, Mr. Farrow. I’m worried about my friend, and if you have any information about him, I would greatly appreciate anything you can tell me. The sheriff and a man named Kelly have already been out looking for a boy Dalton may have taken from the jail last night, but I’m afraid I’m very much in the dark about what is happening in town.”
“My news may not be good, I fear.” Farrow patted her hand in sympathy, then took another cookie. “But I rushed to tell you all the same in an effort to show my good faith as a friend.”
Nell sat so stiff in her chair she could have been made of steel. “Please, go on. Do you know if he’s alive?” She gave no hint that she’d kissed her ranger minutes ago and knew full well that he was alive.
Farrow moved his cup to the table. “To my knowledge, Miss Nell, he’s breathing. He was seen leaving a barmaid’s quarters not an hour ago. My source was several feet away, but he reported the ranger smelled both of liquor and perfume. He looked as if he’d just awoken with his hair wild and his clothes wrinkled. The two of them must have had a wild night.”
Something tumbled in the kitchen, but Nell ignored it. The happiness over Jacob being alive was cracked by the fact that he’d spent the night with another woman.
Nell considered where the information was coming from. It made no sense. Jacob wouldn’t neglect his duty. He wouldn’t have
abandoned Hank for a night of drinking and womanizing.
Nell lifted her head. “I don’t believe you, sir.”
Farrow shook his head. “I was afraid of that. You’re welcome to check it out for yourself. The barmaid’s name is Pearlie, and she lives back behind a little saloon run by a man named Dave Digger. I questioned Dave, and he wouldn’t tell me anything, but I could see it in his eyes. A lawyer is trained to tell when a man is lying, and I’d stake my reputation on the fact that Digger knew where Jacob Dalton spent the night.”
“I think I’ll wait to hear Jacob’s side of the story. I’m sure it will not be the same.”
Farrow reached in his briefcase and pulled out a gun wrapped in rags. “I found this a few feet from the woman’s door along with a broken whiskey bottle. Your ranger must have stumbled on his way into her bungalow last night.”
Nell took the Colt and turned it over in her hand. She didn’t offer to give it back. “Is that all you came to tell me, sir?”
“No, Miss Nell, I wish to offer you my protection. I feel it would be my honor and duty to do so.”
Nell almost laughed. “Your protection?”
“Yes. You see, I believe you have fallen into the clutches of evil men, and I wish to be of help.”
“Evil men? You’re starting to sound like Brother Aaron.”
Farrow didn’t see the humor. “I’m accustomed to recognizing the criminals among us. In my profession they are a necessary unpleasantness we must deal with.”
He stood and straightened his vest as if preparing to face the court. “I have it on good authority that Brother Aaron has been run out of more than one town for being drunk while standing at the pulpit.” Farrow paced before her, his hands locked behind him. “I checked some of the places he listed when he asked to preach last week at the church I’ve been attending while I’m staying in town. Not all spoke highly of the preacher.”
He walked a few feet away, then turned back, shaking his head as if he hated passing along such sad news. “I make it my business to learn about people. Your bookkeeper, miss, has only recently been released from prison. Your housekeeper is an old hooker, and I believe your cook may have poisoned more than one man.”
Now Nell did laugh. When she could catch her breath, she asked, “Is that all, Mr. Farrow?”
He seemed surprised at her request. “I’ve made inquires into your new nurse, but find nothing except that she’s buried three husbands. Which I find suspicious, but not, in itself, damning.”
“And me, Mr. Farrow? Did you find out anything about me?”
He nodded. “According to several in town you were a wild child after your mother died, but I’m willing to forgive that. Most folks said they didn’t know you very well, that you kept to yourself. And I think you’ll be glad to know that everyone I talked to said how sorry they were that you were confined to a wheelchair. I believe that if you would be so kind as to entertain the possibility of a marriage between us, my standing and name would offer you a comfortable place in the community.”
Nell couldn’t bring herself to thank him for what he thought she’d find good news. She changed the subject. “And you, Mr. Farrow? How spotless is your past?”
He didn’t answer.
“You see, I don’t need to do much checking on you. I can read most of it in your eyes. You let your uncle die alone and then decided you wanted his land. You think because you practice law that somehow allows you to play with the courts and with people. You like finding dirt on folks and don’t much care how accurate it is. As for my standing in the community, I find I’ve become quite comfortable standing outside looking in.”
“I’ve come here to help you.” He stiffened. “A woman like you would be wise to accept my offer of protection.”
“Why?” she asked calmly.
“Because I wish to be your friend, and in time I think you would find me a proper choice as husband. I know we got off on the wrong foot, but things can change. I can be a great help to my friends.” A threat flavored his words with warning. “A woman alone, like yourself, needs protection.”
Nell called for Gypsy. “Mr. Farrow, we may become friends in time, but trying to destroy my friends’ reputations will not be the path. I bid you good day.”
She saw the anger in his eyes she’d seen once before. A fury so complete it seemed to overtake him for a moment. He was a man who was losing control and who insisted on always having his way. She suspected his high-and-mighty world in Dallas had crumbled, and this was the last place where he could make a stand.
Nell made a promise to herself that she’d never be alone with Walter Farrow again. If he ever snapped, she wasn’t sure how far he might go to get his way. He reminded her of a spoiled child hidden in a man’s body. She wouldn’t have been surprised if he’d stomped his foot.
Gypsy hurried out from the kitchen and opened the front door without taking her eyes off Farrow.
“We’ll talk again,” he said as he nodded once and passed through the open door.
Gypsy followed him out and stood on the porch until he was out of sight.
“What are you doing?” Nell asked as Gypsy stared down the road.
“I wanted to see if he hopped along when nobody was watching. I swear he’s the biggest toad in Texas.”
Nell smiled and rolled toward the kitchen door. “You can come out now!” she yelled. “I know you’re in there.”
Jacob, Harrison, and Marla all piled out like they’d been leaning on the door.
Before Jacob could do any explaining, Nell pointed to the dining table. “Everyone sit down, please.” She glanced back at Gypsy. “You, too. I want to talk to everyone at once.”
Jacob took a chair as he threatened Walter Farrow under his breath. Harrison pulled Marla’s chair out for her and took the next one in line. Gypsy plopped on the last seat.
“I have one question.” Nell stared at Jacob first. “Did you spend the night in a barmaid’s room?”
“I can . . .”
“Just answer the question,” Nell snapped.
“Yes,” Jacob answered.
She raised her hand for silence before he could add more.
“Mr. Harrison, have you been in prison?”
“Yes,” Harrison answered directly, offering no further explanation.
Nell didn’t miss the fact that she seemed the only one at the table surprised by the revelation. She moved to Marla, and her voice softened. “Did you ever poison anyone?”
The cook shook her head.
“I didn’t think so,” Nell whispered. “At least he was wrong about one of my friends.”
“What about me?” Gypsy resented not even being asked. “I heard what he said about me. He called me an old hooker.”
“And were you?” Nell said, paying Gypsy her due.
“No,” Gypsy shouted. “I was young when I made my living on my back.”
Nell smiled. “It seems I have a wild gang here.”
Jacob watched her closely. To his shock, she didn’t seem angry about any of the news. “Aren’t you going to ask a few questions?” He was ready to defend himself and Harrison at least. Gypsy and Marla’s stories were nothing new.
“No.” Nell rolled away from the table. “We’ve got far too much to do today. I understand why Harrison left prison off his letter of reference, and I’ll murder you later. Right now, we’ve got to get you out of sight. It’s going to be hard enough to hide Hank here without you hanging around.”
Jacob followed her to the study. Strange, he was all ready to be mad at her for believing he’d slept with Pearlie. Either she didn’t believe he’d really spent the night in the barmaid’s room, or she didn’t care. One frustrated him, the other confused him.
Nell broke into his thoughts. “If Farrow, or one of his spies, saw you this morning, then it won’t be long until Kelly knows you’re in town. And if he thinks you’re in town, he’ll reason that you will be here. Or at least come by on your way out.”
Jacob
nodded, taking his Colt from her lap, muddy rag and all.
Harrison followed them in and leaned over the map still spread out. “I have an idea.” He pointed to a place on the map colored in red, meaning it belonged to Nell. “Here at the house won’t be safe. Someone with a spyglass could see you from a mile away. But here, no one would find you.”
Nell and Jacob looked at where he pointed.
“Stockard’s old place?” Jacob asked.
“There’s a cabin there on a hill. No one would sneak up on you. It would be all right for a few days until Kelly gets tired of looking and decides you must have taken the kid on to Fort Worth alone.”
Jacob shook his head. He didn’t want to leave Nell and the others. To his surprise, Nell agreed with Harrison.
“Jacob, he’s right. You know you’d never be able to stay in this house for days. Someone could spot you even if you walked to the barn. But if you laid low until Hank was able to travel, no one would guess he’d be here. The best way to keep Hank safe is for you not to be near.”
Jacob didn’t like the plan. He’d never hid out from trouble in his life. But he couldn’t take Hank anywhere in his condition. They were right, Jacob realized. He had to vanish.
“Kelly may be watching the roads, but I could bring supplies down to you when Nell takes her exercise in the river.” Harrison planned out the details. “It’s about halfway between here and the Stockard place. There’s enough cottonwoods down by the water that no one would notice you riding in or me leaving supplies.”
Nell added, “The place we stopped at yesterday was far enough away from the road not to be spied on. From the hill where the preacher sat, anyone could see for a mile or more. You could meet us there if you liked and not worry about being seen.”
“How long?” Jacob asked knowing there was no answer.
“A week at the most,” Nell guessed. “I’ll tell Brother Aaron to go to town every day and follow Kelly around. Then we’ll know when he leaves. Once he’s gone, it should be safe for you to return. No one comes out but the sheriff, and he helped with the disappearance of Hank, so he won’t tell anyone.”