Mail-Order Bride Ink: Dear Mr. Diamond

by Kit Morgan

  Fletcher shook his head. “That’s too bad.” He slid the plate of sandwiches toward the sheriff.

  “Chicken salad?” the sheriff asked with a smile.

  “Yep. Betsy knew you were coming over.”

  Sheriff Diamond grinned, sat, took a sandwich and began to eat.

  “So they shot at us and took off?” Katie asked.

  “That’s right,” he said between bites. “It was no accident.”

  Katie shuddered. She hadn’t slept well last night, and been too upset to rest after breakfast. Hopefully walking to the bookshop would revive her – that is, as soon as the sheriff was done wolfing down sandwiches.

  He reached for another, caught her look and shrugged. “I’m hungry. Don’t worry, you’ll get to work on time.”

  “Do you think it’s wise for her to leave the house?” Sophie asked.

  “She’ll be fine – I’ll be with her.”

  “I was with her yesterday,” Sophie pointed out. “Whoever fired at us didn’t seem to mind.”

  “I said it will be fine,” he reiterated and took another bite. He waited until he swallowed before adding, “I am the sheriff, after all. And armed.”

  Katie narrowed her eyes at him. “You aren’t hoping they do it again, are you? Are you … using me as bait to catch the culprit?”

  He set his sandwich down. “No. I’m trying to protect you from the culprit. But if you prefer to stay locked up in this house, fine. I don’t have a problem with that – it would be safer.”

  She stared at the table. “I need to work. I don’t want to put Professor Hamilton off.”

  “Very well, then.” He popped the last bite of sandwich into his mouth. “Let’s go.”

  She took a deep breath, her nerves suddenly on edge as if she was about to run a gauntlet. “I’ll go upstairs and get my reticule.”

  “You’ll be needing this, Miss Haverdash,” Betsy said as she entered the kitchen with – what else? – her reticule.

  Katie shook her head in amazement. “How do you do that?”

  “Might as well get used to it,” Fletcher said.

  Betsy shrugged. “It ain’t hard. The Sheriff’s here, you’re going to leave – of course you’ll need it.”

  The sheriff stood. “Basic deduction, Miss Haverdash. I’ll take you to the bookshop, then do a little more investigating. How long will your shift be?”

  Katie took her reticule from Betsy and joined him at the kitchen door. “I don’t really know. A few hours?”

  “I’ll check on you after an hour or two. The bookshop is on Main Street, so hopefully there are too many people around for anyone to try anything. You should be safe once you’re there. It’s the coming and going I’m worried about.”

  She nodded in understanding. “Of course.” She turned to Sophie. “Thank you.”

  Sophie smiled and waved. “Don’t mention it.”

  Katie smiled back, then followed the sheriff out the door.

  “What was that about?”

  “Nothing. The Vanders have been very hospitable. I’ll owe them a lot.”

  “You owe them nothing.”

  “I beg your pardon?”

  “I’ll take care of any rent or board you might accrue with them. I don’t expect you to have your own place for quite some time.”

  “Neither do I, but I don’t expect you to pay …”

  He held up a hand. “Don’t argue with me, Katie …” His eyes widened slightly. “… excuse me – Miss Haverdash.”

  She stared at him, glad to know she wasn’t the only one thinking of the other by their Christian name. His use of it was improper where she came from, yet out here it might be less so. “That’s all right, I don’t mind.”

  “You don’t?”

  She shook her head. “This isn’t Denver.”

  He opened the gate for her. “It certainly isn’t.”

  She sighed. “May I call you Jace?”

  There was a flash of something in his eyes – fear? Good heavens, did she make him nervous? Or did he simply still feel bad about the situation? “If you wish.”

  She smiled and followed him through the gate, glancing at the bullet-nicked post as she did.

  “Don’t worry, I’ll figure this out. I want you to feel safe.”

  She looked into his eyes. She did, when she was with him. But she couldn’t be with him all the time. And besides, she wouldn’t be married to him, so …

  “I’m sorry, Katie,” he continued. “For everything.”

  She looked into his eyes again. “It wasn’t your fault.”

  “No, but it put you in danger and that doesn’t set well with me.”

  She laughed. “Funny, it doesn’t set well with me either.”

  He smiled. She was making light of it and he knew it. “I’ll keep you safe.” He stated it as fact, a guarantee as plain as the sun rising.

  She gulped. “I know.”

  His eyes locked on hers for a moment before he straightened and headed out.

  When they reached the bookshop, Professor Hamilton was sitting on a bench outside, smoking his pipe. “Good afternoon, Miss Haverdash – right on time.” He looked at Jace. “Nice to see you, Sheriff. I understand there was a ruckus yesterday involving the Vanders’ front gate?”

  Katie exchanged a look with Jace. The professor was being polite – it was better than saying, “I hear someone took a shot at Miss Haverdash and Sophie.” By now that was probably what everyone was saying.

  “You’ll be pleased to know the gate survived,” Jace said.

  Professor Hamilton laughed. “Glad to hear it. Still, one can never be too careful, eh?”

  “My thoughts exactly,” Jace agreed. “I’ll leave this young lady in your good hands, Professor. I’ll have a look at a few things, then come check on you two.”

  The professor nodded. “Understood.” He stood and motioned Katie toward the door. “Let’s get you inside, shall we?”

  She glanced between the men. This was serious business. If the professor was worried, she ought to be more vigilant. She felt safe walking here with Jace, but would she feel the same after he left? “Thank you,” she told the sheriff.

  He tipped his hat. “Ma’am.” Without another word, he turned and headed off.

  “I sure wouldn’t want to be on that man’s bad side,” Professor Hamilton commented.

  Katie slowly looked at him. “What about his good side?”

  He smiled. “My dear young lady, I believe you already are.” They headed inside.

  “What kind of a man is he?”

  “He’s an ex-Texas Ranger – and once a Ranger, my dear, always a Ranger.” The professor closed the door. “And a Ranger always gets his man. Even if he sometimes needs a little help.”

  Katie sighed in relief. “That’s good to know.” She hoped Jace got the shooter quickly – before the shooter could get anyone else.

  Chapter Eleven

  Professor Hamilton showed Katie around the bookshop, quickly taught her where everything was (including the cash drawer), then went to take his nap. It didn’t take him ten minutes.

  Katie sat on the stool behind the counter and picked up a book about ancient Greece he’d been reading. She leafed through the pages, stopping now and then to look at the pictures or peruse a few lines of text, then hopped off the stool to find one more to her liking. She still hadn’t cracked open the novel she purchased at Tindle’s – after what happened yesterday, she could hardly think straight.

  But she still couldn’t think of anyone who would want to harm her, and wondered if it was nothing but an accident. Maybe Jace was being overly cautious. After all, who knew what sort of atrocities he saw as a Texas Ranger?

  The tiny bell over the door rang, making her jump.

  “Don’t worry, it’s just me.” Jace entered and glanced around. “Has it been quiet in here?”

  “Yes. You’re the first customer.”

  “Good.” He leaned against the counter. “The professor is napp
ing, I take it?”

  She had to smile. “Of course.”

  “He’s an interesting man, the professor. You’ll enjoy talking to him.”

  “I’m sure I will. For one, we both love books. He’s already shown me the shop.”

  “He can get you any book you want.” He looked into her eyes. “He has a lot of friends back east.”

  “Yes, he was telling me he’d been raised back there. It’s hard to believe a man like him is living in a town like Independence.”

  “You’ll find quite a few Easterners here.” He turned and faced the door. “It’s quiet in town. I found nothing to raise suspicion, but I’m going to keep looking.”

  “You’re purposely looking for trouble?” she teased.

  He turned back to her. “That’s my job. If I find it, I can get rid of it.”

  She looked away as she blushed. “I suppose you think I’m silly.”

  “Not at all. I think you’re new here. And you’re scared.”

  She looked him in the eye. There was no use denying it. Who wouldn’t be? Trying to convince herself it was an accident made her feel better, but she still suspected it wasn’t.

  “Don’t fool yourself into thinking you don’t have to keep an eye out and watch your back,” he continued. “I can’t always be with you. I want you to be able to take care of yourself when I’m not around.”

  Katie stared at him as her stomach flipped. He genuinely cared – she could see it in his eyes. “But how do I do that – grow a pair of eyes in the back my head?”

  He half-smiled. “You can make light of it all you want, but as you said, this isn’t Denver. You need to learn to be observant, keep your eyes open.” He smiled. “Regardless of where those eyes are.”

  She rubbed the back of her head. “All right, I’ll try.”

  He smiled as his eyes roamed her face. Then he cleared his throat and turned away. “I haven’t read a book in a while.”

  Was it her imagination, or was that a blush climbing up the back of his neck? “Oh? Perhaps I could help you find one.”

  He walked to the nearest shelf. “I wonder if the professor has any books on Texas.”

  “Why would you want to read about Texas? You lived there.”

  He shrugged. “I miss it. If I can’t be there, I can at least read about it.”

  “All right. If I remember correctly, anything on Texas would be …” She turned right, then left, came out from behind the counter and headed to the back of the shop.

  He followed her, his spurs jangling. It was thrilling, having this big, strong, rugged man protecting her. It made her heart sing. Too bad he wasn’t interested in her. If only he’d sent in that application instead of that silly matchmaker.

  She reached the section where she thought she might find the book. “Let me see, I think … yes, I knew I saw something.” She pulled the book off the shelf and handed it to him.

  “The Flowers of Southern Texas,” he read. “Hmm.”

  “Perhaps not that one.” She took it from him, shoved it back on the shelf and pulled out another. “Try this one.”

  “Texas to Colorado: The Great Cattle Drives.”

  She watched his face for any sign of disappointment. “No?”

  He leafed through the book. “Maybe …”

  She quickly searched the shelves for something else. “How about this one?”

  He read the title. “The Big J Ranch, its Triumph and Legacy.” He handed back the book about cattle drives and started leafing through the new find. “I know this place … well, I’ve heard of it. It was owned by Horatio Jones, one of the biggest cattle ranchers around. Out near El Paso.”

  “Really?”

  He nodded and looked the book over. “C.I. Sayer. I know this author too. But I thought he only wrote adventure stories.”

  “Oh?” She looked at the book in his hand. “Well, he wouldn’t be the first author to write both.”

  “I’ll take it.” He smiled. “I’m your first sale, aren’t I?”

  She bit her lip. “Yes. But please tell me you’re not buying it just to be nice.”

  “No, I’m interested in reading this. How much?”

  She felt a hint of panic – the professor didn’t go over purchases. “Um … I’m not sure.” She took the book, opened the front cover … and sighed in relief. Professor Hamilton had written a price in pencil in the upper right-hand corner.

  Jace looked at it. “That’s reasonable. Let’s go back to the front.”

  When they reached the counter, she found some brown paper and began to wrap the book for him, but he held up his hand. “Don’t bother.” He reached into his pocket for some money. He paid her, then leaned against the counter again. “It’s hot out there. I’m going next door to the café to get some ice tea.” He straightened and turned around. “Would you like some?”

  “Thank you, that would be lovely.” It was not only hot outside but inside. Or was that just her? No, it must be the weather …

  “I’ll be right back.” He nodded at the book. “You’ll hang onto that for me?”

  Katie nodded as he backed to the door, his eyes never leaving hers.

  “Good.” Jace tipped his hat, turned and left.

  What was he doing? He couldn’t afford an attraction to Katie Haverdash. A lingering look here, an accidental brush of his hand against hers there, was asking for trouble. Yet when they were talking about Sayer’s book moments ago, he’d noticed her pretty hair, the brightness in her eyes, how she seemed delicate as a porcelain doll. So beautiful and so vulnerable. But she had some steel inside. He knew it was time to leave. So why did he have to go and offer her iced tea?

  “Afternoon, Sheriff,” Darcy Templeton called when he entered the café.

  “Darcy.” He tipped his hat. “Two iced teas.”

  She glanced behind him. “Two?”

  “Yes, please.” He didn’t elaborate, not wanting news of Katie working at the bookshop all over town by nightfall. People would find out eventually, but the longer he could forestall it, the better.

  “Visiting with the professor?” she asked brightly.

  He still said nothing, but studied the patrons. Seeing no strangers, he relaxed a notch. Whoever took a shot at Katie would either lay low and try again later, or hide in plain sight like Mr. Cord had, posing as a barbed-wire salesman.

  Darcy brought him his drinks. “Here you go, Sheriff.”

  He put some money on the counter. “I already asked Mr. Gruber, but I’ll ask you for good measure – have any strangers been through here the last few days?”

  “No, just townsfolk. Does this have to do with whoever shot at the Vanders’ house?”

  He sighed and noticed everyone watching them, waiting on his answer. “Yes, but I don’t think there’s anything to worry about. I have it under control.”

  Some patrons visibly relaxed and went back to their meals or conversations. He’d have to catch the malefactor fast or people would start getting edgy. In his experience, when people got edgy they got trigger-happy. He didn’t want neighbors shooting each other on accident.

  “Don’t forget to bring back the glasses,” Darcy called after him as he headed for the door.

  He looked over his shoulder, winked and watched her blush. Before Fletcher got married, she’d been enamored with him. Jace liked to tease her about it, figuring she wouldn’t set her cap for the local lawman. Besides, everyone in town knew he had a mail-order bride, though not everyone knew he hadn’t sent for her.

  What he did know was that the Mad Matchmaker wouldn’t take a shot at Katie Haverdash. That case was something else entirely.

  He couldn’t shake the feeling she wasn’t telling him everything. There had to be more to her than just fleeing an unwanted marriage. If she had no enemies and could think of no one that might want to harm her, then what about her father? Maybe somebody was trying to do away with Katie in order to get to him. Or to Ronald Finch – if folks in Denver thought she was his fiancée, and i
f he had enemies. That she’d come here as a mail-order bride made him lean toward Finch as a suspect, or a connection to one.

  He entered the bookshop, went straight to the counter and handed her a glass of iced tea. “Here you are – freshly poured.”

  She giggled and took the glass from him. “Thank you, you’re a lifesaver. It’s so hot, and I forgot to ask Professor Hamilton if there was a pitcher of water somewhere.”

  “I know he keeps one, but I think it’s in his office in back.” He held up his glass. “Cheers.”

  They both took a long swallow. “How is the food next door?”

  “It’s fine. The pie is very good.”

  “I’ll have to try some one day.”

  “How about when you get off?” He said it without thinking, and wanted to kick himself.

  Until he saw her eyes light up. “I’d love to.” And her cheeks were turning pink. Could she be any more lovely? Could he be any more stupid?

  “Uh, great. We’ll have a slice before I walk you home.”

  Her eyes flashed as she smiled. “We could look at your book. Would you like to keep it here until you return?”

  “That would be best.” He drained his glass and set it on the counter as she took another long swallow from hers. “Don’t hurry on my account,” he told her. “Take your time, enjoy it.”

  “Don’t you have to take the glasses back?”

  “We can return them when we go for pie.”

  “All right.” She smiled and set her glass, still half-full, next to his. “Thank you for the iced tea. I’d better not keep you. Besides, I actually found something to do – some of the books are out of place and I was arranging them just before you came in.”

  “I wonder if the professor did it on purpose, so you wouldn’t be bored.” He smiled at her. “It sounds like something he’d do.”

  “Put books out of place on purpose?” She shook her head. “Nonsense.”

  He shrugged. “Ask him.”

  “I will.” Her eyes darted around the shop.

  “Go ahead and look. If you find more, then I guarantee he did it just for you.”

  She scoffed. “That’s ridiculous.”

  But he could see the doubt in her eyes. She was cute when she was flustered. “Think what you want, but I know the man.”