by Kit Morgan
As they went, Katie thought of all the things that had happened to her since her arrival. Other than being shot at (if that indeed was what happened), she had nothing to complain about. Sophie and Priscilla had far worse to deal with than she did. All she could do now was try to start a new life. Perhaps in time she’d return to Denver, but she’d make sure she could survive here in case she couldn’t go back. For all she knew, her parents wouldn’t speak to her again.
She said little as they saw Priscilla to her door. And Jace only spoke once they were headed back. “I’m sorry I wasn’t there to escort you. But …”
“I know, I know, I should have waited,” she finished for him. “I just wanted to help Priscilla.”
“I understand. But she’s at the point where she has to help herself.”
She glanced at him. “She’s been through a lot.”
“Yes, and it’s changed her. I’m not sure yet if it’s for the better.”
“Given time, it could be. Personally I think she needs a fresh start somewhere other than here.”
“You may be right.”
“I could write my friend Beryl. She could find Priscilla a job in Denver or Baltimore.”
“Priscilla Holbrook is not your responsibility,” he said sternly. “You should be concentrating on staying alive.”
She stopped. “Sheriff Diamond, I do have a heart, and it goes out to that woman. I can’t just live for myself.”
“I understand. But don’t let your concern for Priscilla cloud your thinking. You’re still in danger.”
She didn’t want to think about that. Drat, the man was right – Priscilla was a wonderful distraction from her immediate situation.
“And, might I reiterate that it was no accident,” Jace said, as if reading her thoughts.
Blast the man! Katie groaned and kept walking.
Chapter Thirteen
“Poor Priscilla,” Sophie said as Katie finished filling her in on all that happened. “I definitely need to pay her a call.”
“I meant to tell her about volunteering to clean up the remains of the boarding house,” Katie said. “But I didn’t get the chance. Doc Stone thought it might help her.”
“I’m not sure I want to do it, but I will,” Sophie replied. “I don’t want to keep having nightmares. Cleaning up the remains might help me clean all the memories away. The town could plant a garden there.”
“That’s a great idea! Would you like me to come with you when you call on Priscilla?”
“That would be nice. If Sheriff Diamond will let you.”
They looked across the front hall to the dining room, where Jace and Fletcher were seated at the table going over things. “They look busy,” Katie said.
“Yes, they’re still trying to puzzle this out.”
“Makes me wish the only mystery around here to solve was the Mad Matchmaker.” Which made Katie think: were the two mysteries connected? It made sense on some level – she was at the center of both the shooting and the mail-order bride mess. But why would someone bring her all the way to Oregon just to kill her? Not to mention why someone wanted to kill her in the first place …
Betsy entered the drawing room with tea and cookies. “How was your first day at the bookshop, Miss Haverdash?”
“Fine.” She reached for a cookie. “I even sold a book.” She looked past Betsy at the dining room.
“Mm-hmm. Does selling one to him count?”
Katie’s eyebrows rose. “Why wouldn’t it?”
Betsy glanced at the men and back. “On account he’s … hmm, never mind.”
“Never mind what?” Sophie said. “Betsy, don’t leave us in suspense.”
Betsy poured their tea. “Personally, I think he liked the idea of getting a mail-order bride. I saw the way he looked at Mr. Fletcher and yourself, ma’am. He was envious, plain and simple. Toss in a dash on longing and you got yourself a lonely man.”
Katie and Sophie stared at her, then at each other. “But then why the big fuss when I arrived?” Katie inquired. “Though … maybe I don’t want to know.”
“He’s got things on his mind, that’s for sure,” Betsy said. “Sugar?”
“Please.” Katie watched her stir some into her cup. “So … if he didn’t have things on his mind, do you think …?”
“He’d be interested?” Betsy finished and poured tea for Sophie, then looked at the sheriff. “Mm-hmm.”
Katie closed her eyes as her heart leaped in her chest. She exhaled, trying to stop the cascade of what-ifs in her mind. But it wouldn’t do her any good to speculate what could have been. She had to deal with the here and now.
“You poor thing,” Betsy said. “But you never know what the future holds.” She bustled back to the kitchen.
Katie stared after her. Part of her wanted to hear that, part wanted her to run. Jace Diamond had already made it clear he wanted nothing to do with a romance with her, mail-order bride or otherwise. He was here because he was trying to figure out who took a shot at her, and who sent off for a bride in his name. Police work, not courting.
She sat with her cup and stared at the Persian rug beneath their feet. It looked very expensive. Did the Vanders have a lot of money? Not too much, she imagined, or Fletcher and his father wouldn’t be working as lawyers … she pushed that thought aside. She was trying to distract herself again.
“Would you like to see Priscilla in the morning?” Sophie asked, breaking into her thoughts.
“Yes, that would be lovely. I don’t have to be at the bookshop until after lunch.”
“Good – that will give us time to visit.” Sophie sipped her tea, returned her cup to its saucer and stared at Katie. “Priscilla just needs time. We shouldn’t try to fix things.”
Katie gaped at her. “I beg your pardon?”
Sophie smiled. “I can tell you have a big heart, Katie. But sometimes compassion can get us into trouble. I accompanied Priscilla to the boarding house that day because my heart went out to her, and look at all the trouble it caused. Things might have gone differently if I hadn’t come along.”
“Now you’re blaming yourself?” Katie shook her head. “Seems everyone is hanging onto this. It’s all everyone …” She stopped and looked at Jace across the hall. “… thinks about.”
“I’m sorry, but it’s hard not to,” Sophie said.
“… and then I showed up. And …” Katie fell silent.
“What is it?” Sophie prompted.
“I don’t know, but …” Katie shook her head. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to be insensitive.”
“I understand. We must seem very self-absorbed to you.”
“No more than I am,” Katie admitted. “I’m sure that by now the whole town is as absorbed in it as we are.”
“True.” Sophie took another sip of tea. “Let’s talk about something else.”
Katie smiled. “I couldn’t agree with you more.”
Jace kept stealing glances at Katie and Sophie. Several times he caught Katie watching him, then looking away or pretending she hadn’t been. He couldn’t hear their conversation – he was concentrating on his own. Tomorrow the boarding house cleanup would begin, and he’d volunteered to take an afternoon shift while Katie was at work. That way he’d be close by and could keep an eye on things. If another shot was fired, he’d hear it.
“Jace?”
He looked at Fletcher. “What?”
Fletcher’s eyes flicked to the drawing room. “Something catch your eye?”
Jace stiffened. Had he been staring? “No.” He turned back to the papers in front of him – Sebastian Cord’s confession. “There’s nothing here we don’t already know.”
Fletcher removed his spectacles and rubbed his eyes. “We have to be missing something.”
“What about the jilted suitor, Ronald Finch? He might be a real cad, and mad enough to send someone to …” Jace frowned.
“Jace, calm down,” Fletcher said quietly. “Personally, I think if that was the case, he j
ust wanted to scare her. Have you heard back from your policeman friend in Denver yet?”
“Not yet. He’ll check out Finch and wire me his findings.”
“Then there’s nothing else you can do.”
“There’s plenty I can do,” Jace grumbled. Though at this point he wasn’t sure what, except keep being vigilant. He looked again at Katie, who was deep in conversation with Sophie. He hoped they weren’t planning to leave the house again today. But just in case … “Keep them here, Fletch.”
Fletcher glanced at the drawing room and back. “Of course – I won’t let them out of my sight.” He flashed a smile, but only for a split second.
“Good.” Jace stood. “I should go. We’re done here.”
He’d no sooner said it than Katie came into the room. “Do you have a minute, Sheriff?”
“Of course.” He motioned her back to the drawing room as Sophie passed them to speak with Fletcher. “What’s on your mind?”
“I had a thought … I think if you find the matchmaker, you’ll find everything else you’re looking for.”
“That’s easier said than done,” he reminded her. “They could still be separate incidents.”
“That being said, you don’t mind if I look for the matchmaker, do you?”
His eyebrows rose and he smiled. “You want to try to find the matchmaker?”
Her hands went to her hips. “Don’t sound so shocked. How dangerous can it be?”
“Not very, if you’re looking for the same person that sent for brides over twenty years ago …”
She crossed her arms. “I am.”
“… but not if they are connected to the person who tried to shoot you.” Jace ran his hand through his hair. “You can’t run around town asking questions. I don’t want you out in the open anymore than you have to be.”
“You let me go to work today – you must not be that worried about it.”
His gaze narrowed. “Fine. You’re staying here tomorrow.”
“What?!” Her arms fell to her sides. “You can’t keep me here!”
“Would you rather I keep you in a cell at my office, locked? I’m sure Rufus would love the company.”
Her eyes went wide. “Sheriff Diamond …”
He smiled and held up his hand. “I’m only making a point. Remember how we spoke earlier about taking precautions?”
She sighed. “Yes.”
“That still goes, no matter what you’re doing. If you want to investigate the Mad Matchmaker, be my guest. But do it from this house.”
“But …”
“No buts, Katie. Don’t be foolish enough to think you’re safe and this will all go away by morning. It won’t. Until I know what’s going on, I don’t want you out there alone.”
She glared at him. He knew she wanted to move on and ignore the danger. People would try to sweep things under the rug so they didn’t have to deal with it. But he wouldn’t let her do that – he knew problems didn’t go away just because they were under rugs.
“Fine,” she finally said. “Sophie and I wish to call on Priscilla in the morning. Be here after breakfast, or we could have Fletcher escort us.”
His forehead creased as he stared back. She was feisty. “All right.” He headed for the door. “I’ll see you at eight in the morning. Be ready when I get here.”
Her jaw dropped. “Really?”
He stopped at the door. “Really,” he said gently. Then he left before he did anything else to show his attraction and concern. Don’t get involved, Jace, just don’t, his mind screamed. You’ll be throwing away the chance of a lifetime.
He took a deep breath when he reached the front gate, sighed and walked away.
The next day Katie made sure she and Sophie rose early and were ready to go when Jace showed up eight. They waited by the door – no snacking off their breakfast for him. Ha! “Let’s go,” she told him after the briefest of hellos. “The sooner we do this, the sooner you can get back to doing what you wish.”
He eyed the food at the dining table as she waved him toward the door. “Why, Miss Haverdash, if I didn’t know any better I’d say you were up to something.”
She crossed her arms. “What makes you think that?”
“I’m not sure yet, but you look … guilty.” His voice dropped an octave on the last word.
“What? Nonsense.”
Sophie kissed Fletcher goodbye and joined them. “Let’s be on our way, shall we?” She smiled at Jace. “Thank you for escorting us.”
He tipped his hat to Sophie, but narrowed his eyes at Katie. She could tell he was teasing, his jaw straining to hide a smile. Good heavens, was the man flirting? She did her best not to smile back. “Maybe we can stop and talk to folks along the way, question them about the Mad Matchmaker,” she said to keep her own smile in check.
“Absolutely not,” he said. “We’re going straight to the Holbrooks’.”
Katie frowned. “Oh, very well, if you insist.” Good grief, now she was flirting! Stop, stop, stop!
“Get along then,” he said softly.
She nearly jumped when his hand touched the small of her back and guided her toward the door. But her heart soared and her body warmed. She wanted to turn and see the look on his face, but it would make what just happened obvious. Her heart hammered in her chest as she opened the door.
He slipped in front of her and blocked her with his arm. “Wait.” He stepped out first, looked around, then let her join him on the porch.
Sophie followed with Fletcher right behind. “I’ll walk with you as far as the courthouse,” he said. “I have some things I need to take care of, then I’ll take a shift at the cleanup.”
“Me too,” Jace said.
“You are?” Katie stepped off the porch. “I told Mrs. Vander I’d volunteer.”
“For which shift?” Jace asked.
“She hasn’t told us yet. But we can find out when we return. I, um, don’t suppose you’d want to take the same shift. You could make sure I don’t get into trouble that way.” She smirked.
He smirked right back. “Good idea.”
Her heart skipped a beat. They were flirting! But she shouldn’t be doing this – there were no guarantees. He hadn’t told her he was interested. Though his actions …
“Oh look,” Fletcher said. “It’s Pastor Luke Adams and his wife.”
Katie looked away from stealing a glance at Jace and saw a middle-aged couple approaching. The man was handsome, his wife pretty. She had light brown hair and kind blue eyes. A younger couple was with them. They saw their group approaching and smiled. “Well, Fletcher Vander,” the clergyman said. “How does it feel to be almost mayor?”
He laughed. “Just fine, Pastor Luke.”
The pastor and his wife looked at Sophie. “How are you getting along?”
Everyone knew what they were really asking. “I’m fine, thank you.”
They turned to Jace and Katie. “Sheriff Diamond,” the pastor said. “I’m sure you’re hard at work.”
Everyone knew what that meant too. “Yes. May I introduce Miss Haverdash?”
“How do you do?” the pastor said before more pleasantries and introductions were exchanged.
“And this is our son Rafe’s new wife Jasmine,” Pastor Luke said. “They’re visiting from Bent, Colorado. We don’t often get to see them – Rafe’s furniture shop keeps him mighty busy these days.”
“But we’re glad th-they’re here now,” Mrs. Adams said.
Katie smiled and nodded. Did the woman have a stammer? “It’s nice to meet you,” she told the young couple. Jasmine didn’t look much older than she was.
“Well, keep up the good work, Sheriff,” Pastor Luke said. “Let me know if you need help?”
“Help?” Jace said in surprise.
“Of course. We were around when the Mad Matchmaker caused mischief before, remember?”
Jace laughed nervously. “I’m sure I can solve this myself, Pastor, but thanks for offering.”
&
nbsp; “Don’t mention it.” Pastor Luke smiled at the women, said goodbye and the family was off.
“I’m glad Rafe found himself a wife,” Fletcher said as he watched them go.
“Me too,” Jace glanced at Katie and back. “You might have noticed Mrs. Adams’ stutter?”
“Yes, I did.”
“It’s nothing compared to what Rafe’s used to be. I’m ashamed to say I teased him about it when we were young.”
“That’s terrible,” she said. “You ought to be ashamed. Have you apologized to him?”
“No. But I should.”
That bit of banter was more serious, but still accompanied by exchanged looks and barely suppressed smiles. Though where would it lead? Katie needed to quit before it was too late. Jace would tear her heart in two if she wasn’t careful. It figured that the first time she braved something the way Beryl did, it would involve her heart.
Chapter Fourteen
Jace wanted to shoot himself. What was he doing? His words and actions felt natural, but now here he was, walking beside the lovely Miss Haverdash with his heart wanting to burst from his chest. The worst of it was the happiness it brought him. As if he’d found a missing piece of his life, one he hadn’t realized was gone until now. He’d have to be more careful and remind himself what he really wanted: another chance at the chase.
He delivered the women to the Holbrooks’. “Mrs. Vander, how lovely to see you,” Mrs. Holbrook said when she opened the door. “Do come in.”
He touched Katie’s arm. “How long?”
“I have no idea. An hour?”
“I’ll be back then.”
“You don’t want to stay? Maybe you could find out a few things. After all, have you had the chance to question Priscilla?”
“I’ll do that without her parents around,” he said quietly. “They might not know how deep she was into this.”
She looked into his eyes. “That’s very thoughtful, Jace.”
He met her gaze and couldn’t tear his eyes away. He shrugged and said nothing.
“Do you have to be someplace else? Come in with us, say hello at least.” She touched his arm. Heat shot through him and the urge to take her in his arms ignited. He wanted to keep her safe, maybe he should stay …