A Lawman for Christmas

by Karen Kirst

  “Whose horses are those?” Isabel’s strained question shattered the silence.

  Beyond the darkened hut, lights blazed from the cabin windows, and a pair of horses waited out front.

  “This isn’t the typical hour to host visitors,” he said, apprehension building.

  “I hope it’s nothing serious.”

  While she was worried about Eli, Ben was coming to a different conclusion. It was possible someone had need of his services and, considering he’d been seen with Isabel and Eli about town recently, had thought to search for him here. Whoever was inside that cabin would wonder what he and Isabel were doing coming home in the wee hours of the morning.

  Leaving their horses with the others, he followed her inside, his gut clenching at the sight of Myron Gallatin and his pa, Sal. Their shared smirks weren’t lost on Ben. They wouldn’t let this opportunity to stir up trouble pass them by.

  “Evenin’, Deputy.” Myron made a point to check his pocket watch. “Or should I say good morning?”

  * * *

  Isabel’s anxiety gave way to white-hot outrage. How dare these men intrude upon her home and compel her sisters to entertain them until Ben’s return? Honor’s features were pinched, her eyes bloodshot. At Isabel’s entrance, they’d both sprung up from the sofa, shoulders sagging with relief.

  Honor noticed her glance at her bedroom door. “Eli’s sleeping.”

  Rounding the side table, she halted in between the fireplace, where Myron lounged with his arm across the mantel, and the rocking chair occupied by his father. “Why are you here?”

  Sal’s mouth flattened with displeasure at her abrupt manner. Pushing upright, he ignored her, his granite gaze zeroing in on Ben. “I’ve got a problem out at my lumberyard, Deputy. Someone broke into my office. I searched for you in town and came up empty.” He smirked. “Then my boy here reminded me how much time you’d been spending with the Flores family of late, so we decided to pay them a visit.”

  Myron let his arm slip off the mantel. His gaze, sliding between her and Ben, held a mean streak. “Thought it was my imagination playing tricks on me when I saw MacGregor leaving your property the other morning. Then Carmen here told us he’s been staying here since early December. Not a smart move for someone who’d prefer to stay out of the gossip mill.”

  “My presence here has been strictly in a professional capacity.” Positioned near the door, he stood with his hands on his hips, weapon in clear view. He looked mad enough to spit nails. “It’s long past a decent hour to keep these ladies from their sleep. Let’s discuss the particulars of your dilemma outside.” He opened the door and waited, silently daring them to defy him.

  Sal jerked his head in Ben’s direction. “Let’s go.”

  Before they could exit, Ben blocked their way. “Aren’t you forgetting something?”

  Myron rolled his eyes before dipping at the waist. “Thank you kindly for your hospitality, ladies.”

  Isabel didn’t move as father and son trudged onto the porch. Ben’s gaze sought her out, and he mouthed, I’m sorry. Tugging on his hat’s brim, he murmured a good-night and closed the door. Honor hurried over to lower the latch.

  “Please forgive me, Isa.” Carmen flopped onto the cushions and shoved her unruly hair out of her eyes. “I didn’t mean to let it slip, but they were here for so long and you know how the silence makes me nervous—”

  Fatigue washing over her, Isabel sat beside her. “It’s not your fault.”

  Honor peeked through the curtains. “Hateful men. I was near the end of my rope, I tell you. I was almost to the point of getting Abuelita’s broom and shooing them out of here.”

  “How long were they here?”

  Carmen shuddered. “About an hour and a half. That Myron makes my skin crawl.”

  Honor let the curtain fall into place. Joining them, she perched on the sofa’s edge. “Isa, I think they’ll take pleasure in spreading this news.”

  “I agree. But we have nothing to be ashamed of.”

  “What will everyone say?” Carmen leaned forward. “No one knows of the danger you’ve been in. They’ll draw conclusions.”

  “Wrong ones,” Honor added darkly.

  The same smothering feeling that any threat of scandal kindled came over her. Reminding herself she had to be strong for her sisters, she projected a false calm. “I’m sure a solution will present itself. Right now, I’m too tired to think. Let’s get a good night’s sleep and discuss this in the morning.”

  They both agreed and trudged off to their room. Isabel checked the yard and was relieved to find it empty. Although she had plenty to occupy her thoughts, she fell asleep almost instantly.

  The late night caused them to oversleep Sunday morning, and they bustled about trying to complete chores, eat breakfast and dress for services.

  On the way out the door, she tapped Eli’s shoulder. “You need a haircut, young man.”

  “I don’t like haircuts.” His bright demeanor fading, he hung on the post beside the steps. “Mama said I didn’t have to if I didn’t want to.”

  Isabel pictured the photograph of a young Annie and Harry. What happened to you and your baby, Annie?

  Honor stopped beside him. “You don’t see Ben going around with unruly hair, do you?”

  Eli shook his head.

  “I’d say he’d even be willing to accompany you to the barber if you ask.”

  His blue gaze swung to Isabel. “Can we ask him today?”

  Surrounded by churchgoers who’d soon hear how Ben had brought her home at an indecent hour? No, thanks.

  “If not today, then we’ll see about paying him a visit tomorrow.”

  Eli seemed to accept that answer, for he hopped down the steps and across the yard to the wagon. Carmen closed the door and, coming alongside Isabel, gave her a reassuring squeeze.

  “It’s going to be okay. Even if tales do get around, you’re strong enough to handle it with grace. It’s what you’ve been doing for as long as I can remember. I haven’t ever told you, Isa...” Her eyes glistened, and she blinked. “Thank you. For everything. You’re my hero.”

  Emotion clogged her throat. She hugged her back. “I love you, hermana.”

  “I love you, too. And I don’t want you to worry about Honor’s leaving. I don’t plan on getting hitched for many years to come.”

  Their conversation was cut short by their sister’s impatient bid for them to hurry. Carmen rolled her eyes. “She can’t bear to be apart from her precious John for more than a few hours at a time.”

  “That’s not it.” Honor’s eyes narrowed. “I don’t like walking in late, and you know it.”

  During the brief trip to church, Isabel warded off further arguments by peppering Honor with questions about her upcoming nuptials. All three fell silent, however, when they rode into the yard. Thankfully, no one sent them scandalized glances or stared in stark disapproval. But it was early yet. Myron and his pa hadn’t had time to spread their venom.

  Lord Jesus, help me please. I’m not as strong as Carmen thinks. I need You.

  They chose their usual seats in the last pew on the right side of the aisle. As in the yard, they weren’t met with undue curiosity. It appeared she’d been granted a reprieve. One that was short-lived, unfortunately. As soon as the hymns had been sung, the reverend made an announcement that made her head begin to pound.

  “Before we begin, Deputy MacGregor has an announcement to make.”

  Eli was perched in Isabel’s lap. Her arms went stiff where she held him, and he angled his face up to hers in silent question. She gave him a reassuring smile and ordered her body to relax. Maybe this had nothing to do with her. Maybe—

  “Good morning, folks.”

  Handsome in his black suit, his copper hair damp and slicked off his forehead, Ben fac
ed the crowd with his natural confidence. His vivid gaze touched on each pew, jarring to a halt when it landed on her. He gave a slight nod. Isabel’s mouth went dry. Had anyone noticed?

  “I have a confession,” he said. “One that will hopefully clear up a recent misunderstanding.”

  His attention on her didn’t waver. Her first impulse was to shout at him to stop. Her second was to gather Eli in her arms and rush from the building. She did neither. Like everyone else in attendance, she sat in rapt silence waiting for him to continue.

  Chapter Twenty

  A hush descended on the crowd. Some exchanged curious glances. Other scooted to the edge of their seats, intent on capturing every word. Isabel remained as still as a statue, a misleading facade considering her heart thundered against her ribs and she felt woozy.

  “First of all, I’d like to thank everyone for the patience and support you’ve extended in light of Shane’s absence.”

  “You’re doing great, Deputy,” someone called out.

  “We love you, Ben!” A female admirer, of course.

  Ben flashed a smile, the affable, charming one she hadn’t seen for quite some time. But there was no accompanying twinkle in his eyes this time.

  “You are aware of the attempted bank robbery that occurred at the beginning of the month. At the time, I made a decision to leave out a pertinent piece of the puzzle.”

  Murmurs and whispers shredded the silence. A couple of rows in front of Isabel, Grant Parker shifted in his seat and cast her a quick glance over his shoulder. The brush of his blue gaze spoke of understanding and empathy. He knew. Not surprising, she supposed, considering he was Ben’s closest friend. Apart from the fact Grant was a devoted husband, they had a lot in common.

  “I’ve come to realize that might not have been the best decision.” His expression grave, he slipped his hands in his pockets. “The fact is, I wasn’t alone in that alleyway. There was the thief, me and someone else.” Honor laid her hand on Isabel’s shoulder. Ben’s focus swerved to her. His eyes begged her to understand. “Someone whose bravery astounds me, in both this life-threatening situation and in ordinary, everyday life. That person is Isabel Flores.”

  Audible gasps bounced against the walls. Pews creaked as every single person there turned to stare at her. Feeling as if she were in a dream—or nightmare, depending on how one looked at it—Isabel couldn’t bring herself to meet those stares. She fixed her gaze on Ben like a drowning person clinging to a rope.

  “Isabel is the one who foiled the robbery. Isabel confronted the criminal, who we now know is Theron Franklin. I happened upon the scene, and Theron would’ve dragged her off if not for her quick thinking.”

  Undoubtedly confused by all the attention, Eli twisted and buried his face in her shoulder. She rubbed soothing circles on his back.

  “She didn’t ask me to omit her role. I did it without consulting her. I was trying to protect her privacy, but in doing so, I accomplished the opposite of what I intended. You see, because of the danger Theron posed—she’s the only one who saw him without a mask—I decided to remain on the Flores farm. I’ve spent many nights over the last weeks in their warming hut.” Most of the crowd resumed their front-facing positions so they could watch Ben. “Yesterday, Isabel and I made a quick trip to Pigeon Forge. Turns out Theron is continuing his crime spree.”

  Conversations broke out across the high-ceilinged room. Ben held up his hand in a bid for silence. When that didn’t work, he lifted his fingers to his mouth and let loose a piercing whistle. “Ladies and gentlemen, let me assure you, I will do everything humanly possible to protect our town.”

  “When you’re not protecting the miller, you mean.” The snide remark came from none other than Sal Gallatin. Isabel’s cheeks burned.

  Ben ignored him. “In order for me to do this, I’ll need everyone’s cooperation. I’ve got Theron’s likeness on this wanted poster. I’d like you all to familiarize yourselves and be on the lookout.” He withdrew a paper from his suit pocket, unfolded it and held it aloft. “On a different matter, if anyone here has any information regarding a man named Harry Howell, please see me after the service. Thank you for your time.”

  Ben shot Isabel one final look before taking a seat on the first row. Carmen leaned close to whisper in her ear. “See? That wasn’t so bad.”

  The reverend’s words washed over Isabel in an unintelligible hum. Her body thrummed with the urge to flee. She couldn’t foster anger toward Ben. He’d evaluated their options and decided this was the best course of action. By making his announcement, he’d lessened any damage Sal and Myron’s tales would’ve wrought. It was the calculated move of an experienced lawman, yet the picture he’d painted cast her in the best possible light.

  If she hadn’t been lost in thought, she would’ve noticed the reverend was wrapping up his sermon. She would’ve slipped out the door during the final prayer. Too late, the rustle of skirts and thud of boots on weathered wood signaled the service’s end, and Isabel found herself surrounded by people eager to praise her courageous act.

  Not everyone paused to chat, though. The Smith sisters flounced by without acknowledging her presence. The Pattons stuck to the far wall, bypassing the gathered throng around her pew. At the glint of pale blond hair, Isabel caught sight of Veronica following in her parents’ wake. She glanced toward the front, to where Ben stood in conversation with the reverend and his wife, and an expression of intense longing tightened her features.

  Isabel felt sorry for the other woman. Before spending time with Ben, she wouldn’t have understood. Now she could commiserate. Ben wasn’t the type of man to inspire gentle, staid feelings. He was the flesh-and-blood representation of every girl’s hero. But did Veronica and the others realize he wasn’t invincible? Had they discovered, like she had, that his hadn’t been a charmed life? That he’d suffered hurts and disappointments? That he was lonely?

  She’d stood in that barren, pitiful cabin he called home and ached for him. He might claim to prefer solitude, but he didn’t actually seek it, did he? He made a point to avoid eating at that table set for one. When he wasn’t dining amid the Plum’s customers, he joined various families across town. He’d eagerly accepted any and all invitations to dine with her and her sisters. He thrived on the company of others. His claims of embracing bachelorhood were a front. Isabel wondered if the opposite was true...did he in fact long to be a husband and father? And if so, why would he go to such great lengths to pretend otherwise?

  She was still wrestling with the troubling thoughts when Ben sauntered over and greeted her and Eli, who’d moved to the seat beside her. He’d gotten sleepy during the service and, to combat that, had begun to play with his toy horse.

  Most everyone had left the building, including Honor and Carmen.

  “Are you upset with me?” His gaze was intent.

  “No, but you could’ve warned me.”

  “There wasn’t time.” His eyes darkened, braced as if for battle. “Was anyone rude or condescending?”

  “Quite the opposite, thanks to you.”

  He relaxed. “I told the truth, nothing more.”

  He’d held her up as an exceptional example of bravery, when she’d actually been reacting out of desperation.

  “Did anyone talk to you about Harry?”

  “Unfortunately, no. That doesn’t mean no one will approach me in a less public place. There’s still a chance.” He shifted his stance. “Listen, you may not like this, but I’ve shared what we learned yesterday with Grant. His work as a marshal gives him valuable insight into cases like these. They’ve invited us to eat with them, and I think we should go.”

  “I know you’re close friends with them, but why me?”

  “We can talk to Grant together. Get his advice.” He noticed her sideways glance. “Eli’s invited, too, Isabel. You’re a pair. A package.
”

  Because she was hungry for answers, she found herself in the Parkers’ home a half an hour later. Jessica made Isabel and Eli feel welcome, treating them as if they were frequent guests. While the men situated the horses in the barn, Jessica enlisted Eli’s help in preparing the table. Isabel set to work, as well, slicing up the roast while her hostess transferred vegetables and rolls to serving dishes.

  When they were in place around the table and enjoying the delicious meal, Grant proved a competent host, keeping the conversation light and interesting. He was a considerate man, as astute as he was handsome. That he included Eli when many adults would’ve ignored him sealed Isabel’s high opinion of Ben’s closest friend. His obvious devotion to his wife filled Isabel with a curious yearning for something she’d long spurned...a loving husband of her own.

  She’d known that not every family was as miserable as hers had been. She’d seen evidence that some marriages thrived. Being in Grant and Jessica’s home, talking with them, witnessing their happiness up close, pierced her already thin armor.

  Ben caught her staring at the couple—how could she not, when their love and devotion practically permeated the air around them—and lifted his brows in question.

  Isabel dropped her gaze to her plate. How embarrassing if he guessed the truth. She struggled to combat the intimacy of the situation, the false sense of connectedness she felt with him. They weren’t here together because they were courting. They were here on official business. She’d do well to remember that.

  * * *

  He’d never held a sleeping child.

  Ben shifted to a more comfortable position on the cushions, one arm anchored around Eli. The ladies had insisted on clearing off the table and suggested they retire to the living room to wait for dessert and coffee. Almost as soon as Ben had claimed a spot on one end of the delicate new settee, the boy had climbed onto his lap and laid his head on his chest. For a split second, Ben had gone still, his breath frozen in his lungs. Eli’s initial reticence had waned, but he hadn’t exhibited this level of trust before. It hadn’t taken him long to doze off. The simple act had humbled Ben, and his protective instincts had intensified.