“Good afternoon, Sheriff,” Logan greeted, taking a quick look around.
“Good afternoon,” he nodded. “I am familiar with Eli, but I do not recognize you.”
“Sheriff, this is Logan Payne. He and I used to work together in the field,” Eli spoke up. “Logan, meet Sheriff Thompson.”
“Ah, yes, I recognize the name now,” Sheriff Thompson nodded, never bothering to rise from his seat. “I just received word from Harris Bend about you. You are familiar with their sheriff there, aren’t you?”
“I am,” Logan nodded. “What sort of word?”
“Apparently there was an arrest in that direction that should be of interest to you. Does the name Tom Bailey mean anything?” the sheriff asked.
Logan’s expression dropped, and his heart quickened. “It does. What has happened?”
“I don’t know. The sheriff at Harris Bend just said that you should return to him as soon as possible because he has received news about Mr. Bailey.”
Eli and Logan exchanged a worried glance. “Thank you for passing along the message, Sheriff. In that case, I will be leaving right away.”
“And I am assuming that your reason for being here had to do with Philip Tucker. Is that correct?”
“Yes, I was here to take him back to Kansas for his crimes there. But if Mr. Bailey is in trouble, my meeting with Tucker will have to wait. Thank you for your time, sir,” Logan said, tipping his hat as he walked out of the office.
Eli followed close behind him. “I am sorry to hear about Tom. Do you want me to ride back to Harris Bend with you?”
“It is up to you. I have got to get back to Janie and the boys. If Tom is in custody, it undoubtedly has to do with Moran.”
“I understand,” Eli nodded. “I cannot go all the way to Oakmede, but let me go to Harris Bend. If Tucker knows you are in the region, you will not want to run into him alone.”
Logan shook Eli’s hand. “Thank you, friend. I appreciate it. Can you ride out now? I need to get back as soon as possible.”
Eli nodded, swinging himself into the saddle. “If we leave now, we can make it by nightfall.”
The men rode out of town together, racing eastward toward Harris Bend and news of Tom. The heat raged around them, and by mid-afternoon their horses needed a break. Logan and Eli slowed to a canter as they searched for a stream. Finally hearing the trickling of water, the men slid out of their saddles, leading their steeds through the brush toward the source of the noise.
Logan tied his reins to a low hanging tree branch, carefully taking a look around the woods surrounding them. In this setting, Eli’s offer to travel as a pair showed its full advantage. This was certainly not the sort of place Logan would want to run into Philip Tucker alone. The men sat with their backs toward each other, giving them a full range of sight. There, they welcomed a brief rest and a drink of water.
It was not long before a rider went creeping by the edge of the woods. Thankfully, Logan and Eli had pushed deep enough into the brush that they went unnoticed. Logan put a finger to his lips and pointed toward the man. Eli’s nod confirmed that it was one of Tucker’s lookouts.
“So, they are following us,” Logan whispered, once the rider was gone.
“I had a feeling that they might,” Eli said, taking another look around. “Tucker is not one to take chances. He knew why you were in town. And he is well aware that you are one of the few men who could manage a capture. You will have to watch your back now.”
“True,; then again, I never really stopped. I suppose that is one aspect of the job that never leaves you.”
“I know what you mean,” Eli agreed. “So, if Tom is in custody, what does that mean for the debt he owes?”
Logan shook his head. “That is the thing that bothers me the most. I don’t know what Moran is up to. He never lets a debt go unpaid, regardless of what he has to do to collect. But the six months are almost up. Why would he want Tom in prison if he could have his money in a few short weeks? It does not make any sense.”
“It sounds to me like he is after more than the money,” Eli commented, double-checking his revolver after their near encounter.
“I agree, but Tom has so little to his name. Moran has no qualms with blackmail, but what could he stand to profit from it?”
“The ranch, perhaps?” Eli suggested. “If Tom is in prison, he has no hope of providing the necessary funds. Moran could easily get a judge to order ownership of the ranch to be given as payment.”
“Yes, but the ranch is not much of a prize, at least not for the likes of Moran. Truth be told, he does not need the money I have been working for as it is. He has wealth far beyond what most folks realize.”
Eli thought on that for a moment as he checked his horse’s feet and legs. “What if it is not the ranch itself, but rather something on the land?”
“That would make more sense,” Logan nodded. “But he could have easily purchased the land before Tom ever arrived in the area. Besides, I have ridden every square inch of that property. It is nothing special.”
“Then I am at a loss,” Eli shrugged. “I suppose revenge never truly has to make sense.”
“I guess you’re right.” Logan untied his reins and the men led their horses out of the brush, continuing on their way toward Harris Bend.
By the time they arrived at the sheriff’s office, most of the sleepy little town had closed down for the night. A tune still carried out of the saloon down the road, but most businesses sat deserted with their lamps already put out. Logan pushed through the door to the sheriff’s office, finding the lawman waiting for him.
“I had a feeling you would ride in tonight,” he said, rising and greeting Logan. “Eli, it has been quite a while since I last saw you. Welcome back to town.”
“Thank you, sir,” Eli nodded.
“What is this I hear about Tom? Has he been arrested?” Logan asked, pouring a long-overdue cup of coffee for himself and Eli.
“He has,” the sheriff replied gravely. “Not only arrested, but he has also been sentenced to five years in prison.”
Logan nearly dropped his cup. “Five years! For what?”
“I cannot say whether this has anything to do with the money you were working for, or not. But the report that came through said Tom was imprisoned on charges of assault with a deadly weapon.”
“Assault!” Logan’s head began to spin in a mess of confusion and anger. “And I suppose Levi Moran is behind it all.”
“I don’t know. Moran’s name was not mentioned. The supposed victims were listed as Mr. Warren and Mr. Williams."
Eli looked to Logan for confirmation. “Yes, they both work for Moran. I knew they were behind it, but I thought his arrest would be over his debt. I never dreamt it would be fueled by an assault. I told him to stay away from them! I knew something like this was bound to happen if he did not.”
“I wish there was more I could do for you, Logan. But I thought you would want to know.” The sheriff shook his head.
“I appreciate you sending word to me. How did you know where to find me?”
“I knew that Tucker was the only outlaw in the region with a high enough price on his head to complete your needed sum,” the sheriff shrugged. “There is never any question of where to find him.”
Eli gave Logan a concerned look. “There may be a question of it now. It seems that we have stirred up a hornets’ nest. Tucker has men spread out all over the area.”
“So, you managed to put a scare back into him, did you?” the sheriff chuckled. “I do believe that you are the only two who could manage that. I doubt you will have anything to worry about once you head for Oakmede, though. Tucker has no interest in you, as long as you leave him alone.”
“I hope you are right. The last thing I need is to stir up more trouble around Oakmede. It seems I have enough waiting for me as it is.”
“Would you like me to walk over to the hotel with you?” the sheriff offered.
“Thank you, but I can
’t stay,” Logan said, shaking the sheriff’s hand. “I would appreciate it if you would keep an eye out for Eli’s sake. I dislike the idea of him riding back home by himself.”
“I will see to it that a deputy escorts him home,” the sheriff promised.
“Thank you, sir,” Logan nodded. “And thank you, Eli, for everything.”
“I am always here to help,” Eli said, shaking Logan’s hand. “Take care of yourself. And I hope everything works out for Tom and the family. Oh, and Logan,” he called, following him out to his horse, “take this with you.”
Logan stared at the handful of bills that Eli held out to him. “I can’t take that…”
“Yes, you can, I want you to,” Eli insisted. “Whatever comes of Tom’s sentencing, he doesn’t need a debt lingering on top of it. This should cover the amount you had left to earn. You’ve done far more than that for me over the years.”
Logan heartily shook his hand, and with a word of thanks, he rode out of town. He raced along toward the east, covered under the darkness of the night and pushing his steed in the cooler air. A full moon glowed brightly overhead, illuminating the path in front of him. Even in the darkness, he kept an eye out around him. If he could see his surroundings, someone else could see him. Nonetheless, through the night he plowed on, hopeful of reaching Oakmede as soon as possible.
Chapter 5
Over the next couple of days, work on the ranch crept back to life. Sara was beginning to learn her way around the responsibilities of the property and began helping in any way that she could. Feeling eager to help ease the financial burden that the family faced, Sara suggested another trip into town, this time for material.
After checking in with Hodges for the day, Janie and Sara set off toward town with Charley and Carter in tow. Though Hodges had offered to watch them for the afternoon, the boys were anxious for another opportunity to visit Mr. and Mrs. Langley and their puppies.
As they neared Oakmede, the sky over the Western horizon was beginning to grow dark, suggesting a storm was on its way, and a howling wind started to kick up dust from the wheat fields. Janie clacked the reins urging the horse team to speed up a bit, as the open prairie is no place to be caught without shelter in a storm.
Janie guided the horse team behind the hotel, bringing them to a stop beneath an awning over Mr. and Mrs. Langley’s residence. Mr. Langley rushed out to meet them, unhitching the team and pulling them into the stable.
“Go on inside, before this storm blows up. Genevieve is waiting for you in the kitchen,” he informed them, gripping his hat in the whipping wind.
Sara and Janie each pulled one of the boys from the wagon, rushing inside as the rain started to fall. Genevieve was waiting for them in a cozy sitting room with a welcoming fire burning in the fireplace.
“Come in, come in!” she greeted. “You nearly got caught out in quite a storm!”
James Langley came rushing in behind them after securing the stable. He shook droplets of water from his clothing, nearing the fire to dry what had already soaked in. “It looks like this might be a fierce one!”
“Would you boys like to have another look at the puppies?” Genevieve asked, already knowing what their answer would be. “They are in that little pen in the back of the sitting room.”
Charley looked to his mother for approval before taking Carter’s hand and rushing toward the pen full of wagging tails. The boys giggled as they stepped into the pen with the puppies, sitting amongst them.
“Please, have a seat. I will have tea brewing in a moment,” Genevieve invited. “I am so glad that you stopped by. I have been wondering how things were getting along at the ranch. You all have been on my mind since the trial. Moran can be such a wicked man,” she said with a twisted expression.
“Thank you,” Janie nodded. “That is very kind of you. We definitely have our share of challenges ahead of us, but we are working on ways to keep the place afloat in Tom’s absence.”
“I understand,” Genevieve agreed, pouring cups of tea for everyone. “You know that we will be happy to help in any way that we are able.”
“That is much appreciated,” Janie smiled. “There was one possibility we have been speaking about. Sara?”
“Yes,” Sara spoke up. “I was considering picking up alterations of some sort, as well as sewing a few dresses to be sold here in town. Since your hotel is often the first place that travelers go to after leaving the train, I wondered if I might be able to set up a small selection of them with you?”
“Of course you may, my dear!” Genevieve agreed. “What a good idea. With the railroad now traveling through Oakmede, it offers many new potential buyers.”
“Wonderful! It may not provide much extra, but it might be enough to cover a few expenses,” Sara said, looking to Janie.
“Yes, perhaps it might allow us to keep Peterson on for a while longer. I hate the thought of Hodges trying to handle the herd alone.”
A bolt of lightning flashed outside the windows, followed by a crash of thunder. Janie looked to the boys, who were usually frightened by such fierce storms. Giggles from the pen of puppies reassured her that they were preoccupied.
“I wanted to check with you first,” Mr. Langley whispered, “but I thought a puppy of their own might offer a welcome distraction from the situation at hand. Would that be alright?”
Janie smiled, secretly thankful to have friends who cared for her boys so profoundly. She nodded and watched as Mr. Langley gave the boys the exciting news. By the time they loaded up the wagon for the ride home, they had a new puppy and several yards of fabric in tow. The path was now muddy and flooded. Janie paid particular attention to the ruts that the wagon wheels slipped in and out of, making the ride take far longer than usual.
As they rode along, Sara pondered their meeting with Levi Moran a few days prior, and more importantly, the moments just before it. Moran had waved his men off without the slightest hesitation from them. Though they likely had no desire to speak with Janie, their prompt obedience told a different story than Moran did. It seemed evident that he could have persuaded the men to drop their charges against Tom, had he actually attempted to do so. No, there was something about the whole conversation that made Sara think it was Moran himself that wished Tom to be imprisoned. But why?
That was the lingering question that weighed on Sara’s mind. Why? Why would a man like Moran have any interest in Tom in the first place? How would it benefit him to have Tom out of the way? Noticing Janie deep in thought, Sara pushed her own wonderings away until later.
The boys climbed down from the wagon as soon as Janie had stopped it in front of the barn. They rushed toward the muddy corral where Hodges and Peterson were working with the horses. Eagerly climbing up on the rail, they presented their puppy to the men and watched as the experienced cowboys checked the animal over.
Sara watched as Janie proceeded to unhitch the team. She was impressed at how far the woman had come in four years. After all, she had been raised in Baltimore as well. Sara tagged along behind, taking note of how things were handled. If she were to be of any help at all she would need training, and that was something none of them had time to give her. She took a second brush and came alongside Janie, brushing the horse in the stall next to her.
“I can learn by example, but you will have to let me know if I am doing it wrong,” Sara called, checking her technique once again.
“You are doing fine,” Janie replied, glancing over at her for a moment. “There is nothing around here that is very complicated; just a whole lot of hard, steady work.”
Partners in Justice and Love: A Historical Western Romance Book Page 5