The robber whirled around, flew out the door, and bounded down the stairs into the crowded streets. Jess and Zach hurried down the steps after him but, after a few minutes of chase, lost sight of him.
11
Greta was glad when she saw no harm had come to either brother as they trotted back to the store—but neither had they caught the robber. Cora wrung her handkerchief in her hands despite Greta’s reassurances that everything was going to be okay. “At least no one was hurt, Cora. I think the robber was all talk.”
“Maybe so, but he still got away with a lot of money!” Zach shook his head, breathing hard.
“We have to stop in and see Sheriff Mack before we have supper,” Jess remarked as he reached the front steps with heaving sides. He leaned over, placing his hands on his knees to catch his breath. “I’m too old for this.”
“He got away. He’s just a young lad, and we’re no match for someone who can run that fast,” Zach said.
Cora’s face reflected deep concern. “Then we need to pray for him.”
“Pray for him? He’s a robber, for heaven’s sake!” Zach swore under his breath. “That kid just made off with half of our earnings for the week, and you want me to pray for him?”
“That’s exactly why we need to. We’re to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us,” Cora said, gently touching the sleeve of Zach’s coat.
Jess humphed. “Now you’re sounding like Brother Abel.”
Cora colored slightly. Greta quietly observed this side of her newfound friend. How odd that they could be thrown together this way and still have mutual respect. Cora had already earned it from her.
“She’s right. We should,” Greta agreed. “Now that you two have caught your breath, why don’t we walk on over to the sheriff’s office?” She started down the steps.
“Yes. Let’s get going. The longer we stand here jawing about the right or wrong of it, the colder the trail will be for the sheriff.” Jess reached for Cora’s hand and they led the way, scurrying down the sidewalk.
During a wonderful meal of roast and potatoes at Mabel’s, Greta sat next to Zach, whose leg occasionally touched hers under the small table. She wasn’t sure if it was on purpose. Cora seemed pleased to be sitting next to Jess. Her upturned face glowed under the soft lighting, her rapt attention focused on Jess. She was a vision—soft and lovely—as she listened to Jess talk. Part of Greta was jealous, especially with the way Jess gazed back at Cora. But why should she care? After all, she was sitting with a good-looking and gregarious man. But there was something about Jess’s mannerisms that gave her pause. Just what, she wasn’t sure. Underneath his controlled exterior, he seemed to carry a certain wretchedness in his soul. Whatever it was, it could be the reason that he was unreasonable at times.
“I must say, the sheriff didn’t appear to be in any hurry to track down the robber,” Greta said.
Zach polished off the last of his cherry pie before answering. “I’d say you’re right about that, but he had very little to go on except our description of a young man whose appearance was less than pleasant.”
“I was just telling Cora that maybe we should see if we can move you two to a hotel or boardinghouse now that you’ve seen the robber. It might not be safe for you to be out there in that cabin alone.” Jess blotted his mouth and set his napkin aside.
Cora bobbed her dark head. “So true. I never felt safe there. Could we see about doing that tonight?” she asked, dabbing the corner of her mouth with her napkin.
“The reason I don’t have you in a hotel now is because there weren’t any vacancies, but we could check the Teller House.” Zach seemed enthusiastic about the idea as well.
Their concern made Greta feel protected, and she liked knowing that someone cared about her well-being. “The cabin is really not so bad, but whatever you decide.” She looked from Zach to Jess, who narrowed his eyes and frowned.
“The Teller House is a little pricey, especially after the robber just stole half of this week’s earnings,” he said. “It’s not too late to check again at a couple of other places when we leave here. We might get lucky.” He gave Cora’s hand an affectionate pat. “I know how scared you were with the bear. Let me remind you that it was Zach’s idea to put you up in Jeb’s cabin in the first place,” Jess said, giving Zach an annoyed look.
“I did what I could on short notice. This town’s been crowded ever since John Gregory discovered gold,” Zach said, plunking down his coffee cup.
“Is it true that Central City is the richest square mile on earth? I overheard some customers say that,” Cora said, helping herself to another cup of coffee.
Zach smiled. “That’s true, Cora. Many got rich, but in the sixties and seventies the placer deposits petered out, so many miners were disillusioned and returned back East. The alternative was underground mining, and that takes money and investors.”
“So how did you two wind up being mercantile owners?” Greta laid her napkin aside.
Jess shifted in his chair, turning to face her. “Our parents were stable, hardworking people who had no interest in mining, but they knew there’d always be a need for supplies for the influx of a steady, growing population. When they died from influenza, we naturally took over running the store, with Granny’s help.” Jess’s look was sober. His sad brown eyes slid down to focus on her locket. She glimpsed the thick hair at the back of his neck curling into the collar of his blue chambray shirt, and more dark hair peeked through the top, just above his long handles.
Tearing her eyes away, she murmured, “I’m so sorry. How long ago was this, if you don’t mind me asking?”
“That was a year ago . . . right after . . . er . . . well, anyway, that’s all behind us now.” Jess stared down at his pocket watch.
“Do you have other family or cousins?” Greta asked.
“None that we know of,” Zach answered stiffly.
Jess abruptly changed the subject. “If you ladies agree, we’d like to take you to church with us on Sunday.”
Cora straightened up immediately. “I’d love to. It’s the best way to get involved in the community and share our common beliefs in the Almighty.”
There was no mistaking the fervor in her voice, which made Greta all the more curious about Cora’s background. “I’d like that as well.”
“Great. Now before the evening slips away, why don’t we see if we can find a hotel room,” Jess said, pushing his chair back. He extended his hand to Cora.
Greta rose from the table as Zach paid the waiter for their dinner. He placed his hand at the curve of her back to escort her from the restaurant. As they walked toward the door, she felt petite against his towering form, even though she herself was tall. She appreciated his good manners and found him to be very witty and easy to talk to—and more than once she caught his eyes lingering on her.
They were following Jess when he came to an abrupt halt, and they almost walked right into him and Cora. “What’s wrong, Jess?” Zach asked.
“There’s something mighty familiar about the young man over there.” He tossed his head toward the corner of the dining room. Their eyes followed his to gaze upon a clean-shaven young man rising from his table, leaving a tip behind.
“You don’t think—” Cora sucked in a quick breath of disbelief.
“I think it’s him, just a cleaned-up version. Let’s watch and follow him out,” Jess whispered. Cora clung to Jess’s arm, and they casually walked to the entrance not far behind the young man.
Getting a closer look, Greta believed Jess was correct in his assumption. What nerve for him to show up in a public place! But then again, no one would give him a second glance, cleaned up as he was. When he stepped out onto the porch, Jess hurried up to the man and tapped him on the shoulder. He turned around, and when he saw Jess he whirled around to make a hasty exit, but Zach was already standing in his path.
“Just what do you want?” the young man asked. His eyes darted nervously from Jess to Zach, one hand s
liding into his pocket. Without his gun to wave under their noses, he obviously wasn’t in control as he had been earlier.
“I wouldn’t do that if I were you. Take your hand out of your pocket, nice and slow,” Zach ordered.
He did as he was told and put his hands on his hips. “Do I know you?”
“Quit the pretense, young man. You robbed us earlier this afternoon, and we’re going to haul you down to the sheriff’s office now that you’re all nice and cleaned up.” Zach grabbed the man’s arm, forcing it behind his back, and he yelped.
“Wait! Please, I have your money . . . or what’s left of it,” he said, struggling against Zach’s forceful arm. Passersby slowed down to see what the commotion was about.
The frightened look on his face made Greta almost feel sorry for him . . . almost. He couldn’t be much more than sixteen, only a boy.
Jess stood legs apart, hands on his hips. “What do you mean, ‘what’s left of it’?”
“I spent money on a new set of trousers and a shirt, shoes, a bath, and a shave, then a meal. I hadn’t had anything to eat in three days.”
“So you’d rather steal than work for a living?” Jess’s jaw worked in agitation. Cora made a move to say something, but Jess stayed her with his hand.
“I can’t get nobody to hire me.” He looked down, studying his new boots, and sighed. “I’ll pay you back . . . somehow.”
“Well, stealing is not the way, young man.” Jess eyed him.
“I’m sure if you’d gone to one of the town’s churches, they would have been more than helpful,” Cora offered, smoothing the front of her dress. “Jess, maybe you could give him a part-time job sweeping or hauling orders. Something.”
“Are you crazy? He just robbed us. He needs to pay for his mistakes.”
“Please, mister, don’t turn me in to the sheriff. I never stole a thing in my life until today. Your money’s right here in my coat pocket.” Perspiration beaded along his mouth and brow as he chewed the inside of his cheek, and he avoided meeting Jess’s eyes.
While Zach still held his arm, the lad used his other hand to open his coat, indicating for Jess to reach in and retrieve the envelope of money. Jess opened the envelope, counting the contents. “You owe me fifty dollars,” he said.
“Jess.” Greta moved to touch his arm. “Cora’s got a point. What if you give him a chance to make it up?”
“Yes, Jess. Think of all the good it’ll do to help a young man down on his luck. We prayed for him, and now we’ve been given the opportunity to set it all straight,” Cora pleaded.
“Are you two forgetting that he threatened to blow your brains out and shoot the puppy just hours ago?” Jess looked at Zach for support, who cocked an eyebrow.
“I don’t believe he meant one word of it. It was all just talk.” Greta looked back at the robber, whose face was contorted with nervousness at being caught.
Jess shook his head. “Heavens above. This goes against my better judgment again.” Jess nodded to Zach to release the boy’s arm. “Why do I let myself be persuaded by you two?” He turned and scrutinized the young man. “Boy, do you have a name?”
12
The lengthening shadows rolled rapidly over the purple peaks, and the warm day disappeared amid gathering clouds, which slid like a curtain over the sun against the western sky. Cora pulled her shawl tighter about her shoulders to ward off the chill and watched the young lad, tenderness in her heart. She mustered all her self-restraint to keep from commenting while Jess questioned him. The young man, who only an hour before had seemed so sure of himself, now stood shaking in his boots after being caught red-handed. Cora somehow felt sorry for him, but that was still no excuse for what he’d done.
“My name’s Caleb—Caleb Zuckerman,” the lad stuttered, raising his eyes to meet Jess’s.
“How old are you, Caleb?” Zach asked, still blocking him in the event he might bolt.
“Almost eighteen.” Caleb shuffled from one foot to the other.
“Nearly a man, so it’s time to start acting like one,” Jess said. “Tell you what, I’ll give you a chance to pay me back and make amends . . . maybe find something for you to do that’s respectable. But first we have to let the sheriff know because there’s a warrant out for your arrest. If you want me to call it off, then you need to come with me.”
“Yes, sir, whatever you say.”
“Ladies, you can stay here and wait or follow us down to the sheriff’s office,” Jess said. “Then we’ll see about getting you a room.”
Cora touched Jess’s arm. “This is a good thing you’re doing for this young man, and I’m sure he’ll be grateful.” She smiled up at him and caught a glimmer of warmth in his brown eyes as he returned her smile. He’ll make a good father. He has a soft heart. When Jess had said grace before supper, she’d added a prayer for the man who’d robbed them, much to everyone’s surprise. Now she silently thanked God for the outcome of this evening. The kid just needed a sense of direction and maybe an older man to guide him.
Jess leaned in close to Cora and quietly said, “That was a nice prayer you said at supper.” Cora’s face softened when she looked up at him.
“Excuse me.” Greta interrupted the cozy moment. “We’ll just go along with you two,” she suggested, and Cora nodded her agreement. She wondered what Greta thought about the situation, but that could wait until they were alone. Perhaps tonight they wouldn’t have to stay at Jeb’s cabin, which would suit her just fine. She breathed deeply of the fresh night air, comforted and sure now that God had sent her here to fulfill the purpose in her heart.
Zach nudged Caleb forward with Jess flanking Caleb’s side. They started down the sidewalk, and Cora and Greta followed.
An hour later, after withdrawing the charges against Caleb, the group inquired about a room at several places but were met with no vacancy. Zach decided on the Teller House on Eureka Street after all. But the women would have to share a room with the hope that another room might become available later on in the week.
“We don’t have to move from the cabin, you know, now that you’ve found the robber,” Greta said. “I’m not afraid to stay there.”
“Maybe you’re not, but Jess insisted on it,” Zach answered.
That satisfied Greta, and she knew Cora was more than happy to eschew the cabin. Greta marveled at how everything had turned out during the course of the evening, though she had her doubts about Caleb’s sincerity. Time would tell soon enough.
“I thought you said this place was out of your range,” Greta commented when they entered the foyer of the hotel, which boasted 150 rooms within its five stories. It was magnificent and plush, with rich mahogany details and tapestry hangings. She could see that Cora was impressed too as she looked about with wide eyes, taking it all in.
“I think we can afford a few nights now that we’ve recovered most of our money,” Zach said, grinning. “This hotel was built by our senator, Henry Teller, whose law practice is across the street.” He strode up to the front desk, and the exuberant clerk looked up as he approached. “Bill, these are the two young ladies I told you about earlier.”
Bill turned the registry around to face them. “Howdy! If you would, please sign the register and I’ll give you two keys for the room that you’ll be sharing.” His eyes swept over the ladies with an admiring look.
Greta lifted the pen and scrawled her name on the line, then stepped aside for Cora to do the same. From the corner of her eye, she saw Jess talking with Caleb, then the two sauntered over to Zach.
“Why don’t you go to the cabin and get their belongings, Zach? Caleb will go with you. I’ll meet you back at home.”
Zach gave him a quizzical look. “Well . . . sure, we can do that.”
The thought of anyone looking through her personal items and undergarments gave Greta pause. “I think we’ll go with you, Zach. It’s just a short walk, so it’s not a bother.”
“Good idea, Greta. My things aren’t packed, and I’d rather do th
at myself,” Cora said, giving Greta a grateful look.
Jess shrugged. “Suit yourself. In that case, Caleb, you can come back with me. I’ll drag a cot out for you. I’ll bid you ladies a good night and see you in the morning.” They left, one tall, robust man who walked with a purpose, and one young lad, shoulders slumped, head down.
Greta watched them go, thinking Jess had seemed subdued since supper. Was it because of finding the robber, or something else?
The clerk handed one key to her and another to Cora. “Ladies, anything you need, you just let me know. We pride ourselves on taking good care of our customers. Will you be staying a week or a couple of days?”
“It hasn’t been decided yet, but it could be a week or longer. Just charge it to Gifford’s Mercantile,” Zach replied.
“I see . . .” The clerk’s eyes narrowed. “In that case, you’ll need to pay in advance to secure the room for a week. We don’t extend credit for such a long stay.”
“Oh.” Zach reached in his back pocket for his wallet. Red-faced, he looked over at Greta and Cora for help. “Could one of you loan me the money? It seems I forgot to get some of the bills from Jess,” he murmured in a low voice.
The clerk gave a little cough and cleared his throat. He probably didn’t believe Zach one bit, Greta thought. She dug into her purse, but Cora was quicker and handed him the necessary amount. Zach plunked it down on the counter. The clerk counted it and smiled.
Zach turned to her. “Thanks. Don’t worry, I’ll give it back tomorrow. Now let’s go get your things. It’s been a very long day.”
“I couldn’t agree with you more,” Greta said.
“I’m so glad things turned out the way they did with Caleb. You won’t regret helping that young man. You might even be able to turn him around,” Cora said, walking with them out to the sidewalk. “It was the Christian thing to do.”
Twice Promised (The Blue Willow Brides Book #2): A Novel Page 9