Sharon Poppen

by Hannah

  Hannah nodded, but added. “Still, it seems wrong to deny these children their birth family, if they have any.”

  “That’s the problem,” said the sheriff. “If. It’s a big word, but I agree with Hannah.”

  The Kimble’s nodded sadly, as did the Willard’s and Dearborn.

  “So, I come up with an idea early this morning.” He paused as Martha refilled their coffee cups, then stood next to Zach to listen. “I think you folks should decide amongst yourselves who will take these children home. I’ll have a poster drawn up and keep it in my office. If someone questions the disappearance of a Mexican couple with a couple of kids, I’ll investigate some and if it turns out they’re legitimate family, I’ll send them out to your places. Until that time, you can raise them as your own.” He looked from couple to couple to Dearborn.

  “Yes,” agreed Will Kimble immediately. “I think that’s a fine idea.”

  “Oh, yes,” said Abby Kimble as she ran her fingers through the hair of the toddler on Will’s lap.

  John and Agnes looked down at the baby seated on John’s lap. The little fellow was nibbling on a hard roll provided by Martha.

  Dearborn glanced from couple to couple, bit his lip and nodded. “I think it’s the best solution, sheriff.” He stood and offered his hand to Charles. “Congratulations, Willard. I know what this means to you and your missus.”

  Agnes touched Dearborn’s arm. “Matt, Charles and I stayed up all night watching the child and thinking about what’s best for him.” Her voice broke and she couldn’t go on.

  Charles leaned toward her and put an arm about her shoulders. “What she’s trying to say is that this little fellow deserves folks who are young and have plenty of energy. He’s an active tyke with inquisitive eyes. He’s right eager to learn to talk, to walk. Hell, I believe he’s going to be a handful. A fun handful, but a handful nevertheless.”

  Agnes nodded and regained her voice. “Matt, we decided early this morning, that he should be with a young couple. Look at us. We could be your parents.” She turned and kissed the baby on the forehead. Charles got up and offered the child to Dearborn.

  “I don’t know what to say.” Dearborn was too shocked to move.

  Charles smiled and put the baby into Dearborn’s arms. “Say you’ll love him and give him a good home.”

  Dearborn touched the black curly hair. “Thank you. He’ll be loved. He’ll be loved.”

  Hannah had tears in her eyes. “Charles, Agnes, I think you are wonderful.”

  Charles took Hannah’s hand and kissed it. “There’s been a lot of wonderful things going on in the past few days and you seem to be in the center of most of it, young lady.” He turned to Liam. “You take good care of Hannah. She’s one of a kind.”

  Liam smiled. “Yes, she is.”

  Folks finished their breakfasts, promises were made to stay in touch, and good-byes were bid. The couples left for home, Zach went to work and Martha left to tend to hotel affairs. Liam and Hannah sat alone with the sheriff.

  “Any word on Drake?” Hannah asked.

  “Not a word.” The sheriff answered. He glanced from Hannah to Liam and back. “You saw the article in the paper about the family up north, didn’t you?”

  “Yes and my gut tells me Drake had a hand in it.”

  “Crossed my mind. I must agree.”

  Liam shook his head. “Good God, don’t encourage her.”

  “Well now, them cattle men and sheepherders been fighting with each other for years. But, nobody ever got killed, much less …”

  “I know, I know,” Liam had to agree. “Can you fill us in on what’s been going on up there?”

  “From what the sheriff up there tells me, the cattle folks want fences and the sheep folks want free range. Soon as a fence goes up, it gets torn down again. No one’s ever caught the shepherds at it, but they get accused all the time. Lots of fights in the saloons over accusations. But, like I said, never been a killing before.” Things got quiet around the table and the sheriff stood up. “You’re going to head up there, aren’t you?”

  “Against my better judgment,” grumbled Liam.

  “Well, good luck to you. Oh, the sheriff’s name up in Blanco County is Beechum. Cal Beechum. You can get more information from him once you hit Johnson City.” He tipped his hat and left.

  “Liam, maybe I should go on up there by myself and check things out. If I’m right, I’ll send word for you to join me. I hate to keep you from your brothers, your aunt’s ranch.”

  Liam stared at her like she was a stranger. He shook his head, got to his feet and stormed out of the dining area without saying a word to Hannah.

  “Liam,” she called as she followed him up the stairs to their room.

  As soon as the door closed, Liam picked her up and threw her on the bed. Hannah had barely landed, when Liam straddled her thighs. He leaned forward, grasped her hands and pinned them at her shoulders. Liam bent over and placed his lips just short of her forehead, and then keeping no more than an inch between his lips and her face, he began to move his head down her face, her chin, her throat. His husky breathing began to dampen the cloth covering her breasts. After a slight moan, he retraced his path until their eyes met.

  Chapter 31

  Finding a Connection

  Hannah recognized the hurt in Liam’s eyes. Her heart ached and she felt the stir of a growing desire between her legs. “Make love to me,” she whispered. She felt his need seeking release as it throbbed against her thigh.

  Continuing to keep her hands pinned near her shoulders, Liam kissed her deeply and worked his lips across her cheek until he reached her ear. After caressing it with his lips, teeth and tongue, she heard his husky request. “Marry me.”

  “Make love to me,” she answered and pressed her body up into his.

  “Marry me,” he repeated.

  “Liam, I …”

  “Damn. Damn. Damn.” He released her and rolled over on his back.

  She turned on her side and slid her arm across his waist. “Liam, I …”

  “Stop,” he said and grabbed her hand and pulled it against his chest as he turned on his side to face her. “You love me?”

  “Yes.” Her answer came without hesitation.

  “Yet you won’t marry me.”

  “Not yet.”

  His serious expression began to soften into the sly smile that she’d come to love. “You’re driving me mad.”

  “In time –

  “Time!” He stopped her words by caressing her lips with his index finger. “Time is driving me mad. And now, you not only want time, but you want to go on alone.”

  “Oh, no. I don’t want to go on alone. But, --

  “Woman! You are the most, … the most …, the most wonderful woman I’ve ever met and I love you.” He brushed his lips across hers. “Exasperating, but wonderful.” He kissed her again, got out of bed, and extended his hand to her. “Now, let’s get packed and go find Drake. Together.”

  *****

  After two quiet days on the road, the pair rode into Blanco, Texas. The dusty main street consisted of the usual array of establishments that catered to the needs of rural Texans: a general store, a hotel-boarding house, a livery, a church, a sheriff’s office and, of course, the saloon. Hannah and Liam stopped at the sheriff’s office.

  A slim fellow, with at least sixty years of sun wrinkles across his brow and a head of thinning white hair greeted them. “Sheriff Beechum here. Can I help ya?”

  “We hope so. My name is Hannah. Sheriff Butler down in San Antonio said you might be able to help us find someone.”

  “Who’re ya looking for?” The sheriff spoke to Liam.

  Liam extended his hand. “Name’s Liam Canady. But, I’m just riding with the lady.” He motioned to Hannah. “You need to talk to her.”

  The sheriff glanced between the two a couple of times and then spoke to Hannah.

  “Like I said, who’re looking for?”

  “A gambler that go
es by the name of Drake.”

  The sheriff nodded. “Seen him. Awhile back. He’s moved on.”

  “Any idea where?”

  “Man didn’t make friends. Didn’t talk much to anybody. Just slept, drank and gambled. Why’re ya looking for him?”

  Hannah hesitated and Liam jumped in. “Got a debt to settle with him.”

  “Gambling?” The sheriff raised an eyebrow and looked at Hannah.

  “No, not gambling.” Hannah’s voice had been almost a whisper, but it grew stronger as she turned the conversation back to Drake. “I read an item in the San Antonio paper about a terrible killing up here.”

  The sheriff nodded. “Bad. Worst I’ve ever seen. In fact, I called in the Texas Rangers. Made them sick, too. Bad, real bad.”

  “May we sit down and talk about it?” asked Hannah.

  “Why?” The sheriff looked up at Liam. “You a lawman?”

  “No. We aren’t lawmen. But we think there may be a tie between this Drake fellow and the killings.”

  Again, Beechum evaluated his two visitors for a moment, then walked behind his desk and sat down. He motioned for Hannah and Liam to have a seat on the wooden bench facing his desk.

  “You say this Drake fellow might be involved? How so? Those cattlemen and sheepherders have been bickering for years.”

  “But Sheriff Butler said that there’d never been a killing before this,” said Hannah.

  “That’s a fact. Lots of words exchanged, maybe a couple of pushing and shoving matches over at the saloon, but never a killing. They’re all family men. Even if tempers got hot and they did kill one another, I don’t believe they’d hurt any of the children.”

  “That’s why we thought that Drake could be involved.” Hannah cleared her throat and went on. “You see, Sheriff, Drake killed his own mother when she got in his way.”

  “Dear Lord! His own mother?”

  “Yes. In cold blood. Without any hesitation. She was in his way. Liam, tell him about what Charly and Hank told us he did to the kid.”

  “Drake led a half dozen of life’s losers on a rampage of robbing, raping and killing up in the northeastern part of the state last year. When the law got too close, they broke up with an agreement to meet in San Antonio to split their stolen loot. Some members of the gang got hung or jailed before they could hook up with Drake. We talked with two, Charly and Hank. They told us that one member of the gang called The Kid, was really bothered by some of the terrible things they’d done to people, especially women. His regretful mumbles got on Drakes nerves. On night over a campfire, Charly and Hank said Drake shot The Kid. Then,” Liam hesitated for a moment before he shared the gory details, “then, Charly said Drake and his brother Johnny cut up the body, boiled some of it and they ate it.”

  The sheriff shook his head. “There were some signs of cannibalism at the killing site.”

  “That’s why we came here,” said Hannah. “We think Drake may be involved.”

  “What about his brother?”

  “He was killed in San Antonio trying to kill me,” said Liam.

  “So, Sheriff, can you help us? Can you take us out to the ranch?”

  “Well, ma’am, I guess that’d be all right. The Texas Rangers checked the place over real good, talked with folks, both cattle and sheep folks. Then they went back to Johnson City. Said they’d work on it and get back to me. Haven’t heard a word in over a week.”

  Hannah stood up. “Thank you. We’ve our horses right outside.”

  “Whoa there, young lady. It’s late afternoon. I’ll take you out there in the morning.” The sheriff walked over to the door. “I think you can get a room at Sadie’s place for the night. Tell her Cal sent ya on over.”

  “But, sheriff I’d really like to –

  Liam took Hannah’s arm as he interrupted. “We’d really like to thank you for all the information. What time do you want to leave tomorrow?”

  “I drop by Sadie’s for breakfast every morning ‘bout seven. We can leave right after we eat.”

  “Thanks, Sheriff. We’ll see you then.” Liam tipped his hat and guided Hannah to their horses.

  While they walked toward the livery, Hannah scowled up at Liam. “I wish you wouldn’t interrupt me.”

  “I wouldn’t have to if you’d slow down a tad.”

  “But the more we slow down, the further Drake gets from us.”

  “Dearest, he’s already long gone. All we can hope for is a clue pinning Drake to the killings and, if so, where he’s headed. Sounds like dozens of folks have tramped all over the place, so there’s probably nothing new we’d find today that won’t be there in the morning. Besides, I’m getting –

  “Hungry.”

  “Now’s who’s interrupting,” he teased.

  Their arrival at the livery ended their tease filled debate.

  *****

  The sheriff was right. Sadie had a room available. The woman reminded Hannah of Ruby, who ran a bordello over in Nacogdoches. The orange of the woman’s hair, the pale face powdered face, the red, red lips and the large bosom hinted at a wilder past than being the proprietress of a boarding house. And, the woman had a natural knack for making people feel relaxed.

  “Come right in,” she’d called as Liam held the door open for Hannah. “You looking for food, bed or both?”

  Liam smiled. “Both.”

  “Well you’ve come to the right place. Got a room right upstairs with a window view of Main Street. Fifty cents a night and that includes meals.”

  “Sounds like just what we’re looking for.”

  “Liam, could we talk for a moment?”

  “Talk all you want. I need to check on something in the kitchen. Ring this bell when you’re ready.”

  As soon as Sadie was gone, Hannah made a suggestion. “I think two rooms would be better.” Her cheeks flushed slightly.

  “I don’t agree. You’ve decided to take off on your own too many times for me to be able to sleep with you so far away.”

  “But,” Hannah whispered, “you know what seems to happen when we get into the same bed. I can see, and feel, how it …, …”

  He took her face between his hands. “Yes, it does. But it’s a good feeling and,” he leaned close to her ear, “you could fix that with two little words.”

  “Someday.”

  “That’s only one word.” He touched his lips to hers and rang the bell.

  *****

  Early the next morning, Hannah, Liam and the sheriff walked around the house, barn, sheds and yard of the murdered family. Eventually, they gathered in the kitchen in an attempt to find something, anything that would bring Drake into the massacre. Blood stains dotted every room, but the kitchen was the worst.

  “Probably have to burn all the furniture.” The sheriff ran his fingers over the dried blood one of the pinewood chairs. “Heck, probably have to burn down the house, barn and sheds. Nobody’ll want to live where folks was killed. Very sad.”

  “Sheriff, did this family have any known enemies? Like a rivalry of some sort?”

  “Not that I’m aware of, ma’am.”

  “You said the Texas Rangers have been here. Did they talk to folks, both cattle and sheep folks?”

  “They talked to everyone. I was with them for most of the questioning. The general reaction was surprise and shock. These folks were real likable people.”

  “What about the daughters? There were three, right?”

  “Yes, three. Ages seventeen, fifteen and fourteen. Pretty little gals, but strong. Helped their pa just like they was sons.”

  “So they stayed close to home mostly.”

  “Mostly. Except the oldest, Rachel. She’d been coming into town couple days a week to study with the school marm. Elsie’s getting on in years and Rachel was interested in teaching when Elsie decided to quit.”

  “She came by herself?”

  “That’s right. The rest of the family was kept busy with their chores. She’d arrive by horse just as school started. Then
she and Elsie took lunch at Sadie’s and soon as school was out for the day, she’d ride on home.”

  “Did Drake stay at Sadie’s?”

  “He did. But I’m pretty sure he never bothered Rachel. Sadie and Elsie were very protective of the girl. When they were questioned, they said the gambler never spoke to them. He read the paper while he ate.”

  Hannah turned to Liam. “It’s a connection,” she said.

  Liam nodded. “But, it’s a weak connection.” He turned to the sheriff. “Was anything stolen?”

  “Didn’t look like it. Course they was sheep poor. Owned the place, ate from their garden and the sheep and the missus made all their clothes. Nothing to steal. Was odd though when we found a gold wedding band. No one recollected seeing it on the missus, nor any of the girls. Creepy, the way we found it.”

  “Creepy?” asked Hannah. “Please? Explain?”

  “It was slipped over a fillet knife and left on the stove next to the pot where we found human bones floating in water.”

  “Can I see it?”

  “When we get back to town. I had the few valuables we found packed up and they’re in one of my jail cells until we find some family to send them to.”

  “Why are you so interested in the ring, Hannah?” asked Liam.

  “When I woke up after …, ah …” Hannah took a deep breath. “My wedding ring was gone. It was a plain gold band.”

  A board squeaked under the weight of someone who had arrived without the sound of a horse or a carriage to announce their arrival.

  Chapter 32

  Cassie’s Story

  Liam motioned for silence as he made his way to the kitchen door. The board squeaked again as someone hurried across the porch. A couple of quick steps and Liam was out the door. His hand grasped a slender, obviously female, arm.

  “Wait a minute. Who are you? Why are you here?”

  “Let me go!” The fright in the voice brought Hannah and the sheriff out of the house.

  “Dang,” said the sheriff at seeing a slim, young girl held fast in Liam’s grip. “Cassie, what’re you skulking around here for?”