“Mama always made this look so easy and so less messy,” Emeline admitted with an exasperated sigh.
“What are you making? Or trying to make?” Kathryne poured two cups of coffee from the pot on the stove and brought them to the table before she sank into a chair. She added canned milk and a teaspoon of sugar to hers and took a sip.
“Oh, Terry wanted pie for desert tonight. As you can see, the simple task is beyond me.” She dropped the rolling pin and wiped her hands on her apron, adding to the mess already there. Her gaze remained steady on Kathryne. “What’s wrong?”
She could never hide anything from Emeline. “I just came from seeing Sheriff Townsend. He made me so angry, Emy, I could have spit nails!”
“Spit nails?” Her eyes widened with shock. “What’s come over you? I’ve never heard you say anything like that. Father would be mortified.”
“Yes, he would be, but I don’t care. I’m angry and I want everyone to know it. I was accosted by three men from Willow Creek last night on my way home from Laurel’s.”
“What? Are you hurt?” Emeline pulled a chair away from the table and sank into it, all the color draining from her face. “Tell me everything.”
Kathryne rose from her seat and began to pace as she related the incident, aware that Emeline followed her movements, her head swiveling back and forth. She left nothing out, the words spilling from her lips unimpeded. “I told Townsend to do his job. I also told him that if he wouldn’t, we’d find someone who would.”
“Oh, Kate, what have you done? Sheriff Townsend is not a man to be threatened. I’ve lived here long enough to know—”
“Know what? That he doesn’t do his job. That he’s part of the reason ranch hands can do as they please without repercussions? That three people have been murdered within the past year and no one has been brought to justice?”
A long sigh escaped her as Emeline reached for Kathryne’s hand as she passed by, forcing her to stop pacing. “Don’t look for trouble, Kate.”
Kathryne studied her sister, seeing, perhaps, for the first time, a touch of fear in Emeline’s eyes. “Are you afraid?”
“Things are different here.”
“I’m reminded of the differences every time I have to use the outhouse, Emy. You’re not telling me anything I don’t already know.”
“That’s not what I’m talking about. This isn’t Washington. Father isn’t here to protect you.” Another sigh escaped her. “You are right though. Townsend is a horrible lawman and his deputies aren’t much better. None of them can be trusted.”
“You are afraid.” With those words and the realization of the truth, Kathryne lowered herself to her chair and tried to concentrate on breathing in and out. “But nothing ever frightens you, Emy. You’re the bravest person I know.”
Emeline rose from her seat and picked up the rolling pin once more. “That was before.” She wielded the object as if it were a weapon then began rolling out the dough. She stopped suddenly and glanced up, pinning Kathryne with her gaze. For a long time, she didn’t say a word, then... “It would be better for you, for all of us, if you didn’t ask questions. Let sleeping dogs lie.”
****
“Sarge, must you lie right there, under my feet?”
Chase couldn’t help the grin that spread his lips as he passed beneath the kitchen window of the little house Alex and Prudence Barstow shared. He heard the exasperation in Prudence’s voice and could just imagine the scene. A big dog, the size of a full-grown man when he stretched, Sarge probably lay sprawled on the kitchen floor, forcing everyone to walk around him. Chase could imagine the expression on the dog’s furry face, too. Eyebrows moving, tongue hanging from the side of his mouth, dark brown eyes full of mischief, he stuck out his paw and tried to trip anyone within reach.
If he could speak, he’d say, “Yes, I must lie right here,” as Chase had imagined him saying since he’d raised the dog from a pup. Strange, he missed having Sarge underfoot or trying to trip him.
A short bark of welcome, the sound of nails scrambling for purchase on the floor and Prudence’s startled “Sarge!” before glass shattered accompanied Chase as he crept around the corner of the house and let himself into the kitchen. The greeting for Prudence died on his lips as the dog jumped up and placed his paws on his shoulders. Sarge’s tail wagged, indeed, his entire body wiggled with joy as his long, smooth tongue swiped at Chase’s face.
“Hello, boy!” He scratched behind Sarge’s ears, eliciting the odd growl-groan the dog used to express his happiness. “Oh, you’re happy to see me, aren’t you, but what ever happened to your manners?” One more scratch and he ordered the dog to get down. Sarge obeyed, but his tail continued to wag as he leaned his body against Chase’s legs.
“Manners?” Prudence asked as she finished picking up the shards of a broken dish and tossed them into the trash. “He doesn’t have any, but it’s obvious he adores you.” She strode toward him, grace and purpose in every step, and placed a kiss on Chase’s cheek, the dog’s tail sweeping against her long skirts. “For what it’s worth, I’m happy to see you as well.”
She studied his face, her cerulean blue eyes softening as they gazed into his. Always the mother hen to the men her husband commanded, she tsked before she said, “You look tired.”
Chase returned her frank stare. He could say the same about her. Dark circles beneath her eyes emphasized the paleness of her smooth skin. A streak of white, new since the last time he’d seen her, drew the eye, contrasting deeply with her otherwise head of dark, glossy hair. She’d lost weight, too, her normally thin frame appearing even thinner. Grief could do that to a person, as he well knew.
“The colonel isn’t home yet, but I was just going to have a cup of coffee. You’re more than welcome to wait with me.”
“Thank you, ma’am.” He removed his hat and sat at the table. A long sigh escaped him, one born of fatigue. In truth, he was tired—weary down to his bones. Evan’s murder weighed heavy on his heart.
The dog, still not finished greeting his master, sidled up beside him and laid his massive head on Chase’s leg. Without conscious thought, Chase buried his fingers in the soft fur around the dog’s neck. The simple act brought him a small measure of comfort.
Prudence glanced at him, her brows furrowed as she poured coffee into cups. “How long have we known each other?”
Chase shrugged. “Six years? Seven?”
“Don’t you think you can bring yourself to call me Pru?” She brought the cups to the table then turned around and reached into a cabinet beside the sink. She held a bottle of fine sipping whiskey in her hand when she returned to the table and placed it in front of him. “Have you eaten?”
“Yes, ma—Pru.”
“I have some cake.” She sat across from him. This woman had always been one of the strongest women he’d ever known, but now, her sorrow had become a palpable entity, and yet, she remained as hospitable as he’d always known her to be, caring more for others than herself. “I’d be more than happy to give you a slice.”
He didn’t quite know what to say, didn’t quite know how to assuage her grief but wanted to let her know how sorry he was for the loss of her son. The words were on the tip of his tongue and yet, he couldn’t utter them, not with the way she looked at him, her eyes so sad. At the very least, he could do something about the weight she’d lost. “Only if you’ll have a slice with me.”
She smiled and nodded then rose from her seat to remove the crystal cover from the cake platter. She cut two slices, a big one for Chase and a smaller one for herself and brought them to the table. Chase sank his fork into the velvety darkness of chocolate cake and took a bite. A sigh escaped him as the richness melted on his tongue.
After he swallowed, he said, “I’ve come to ask a favor, Pru. I’d like to take Sarge back to Crystal Springs with me.”
“Of course. He’s your dog.” Her gaze drifted to Sarge, who still rested his huge head on Chase’s leg. A wistfulness reflected in her b
eautiful eyes and he knew she’d miss the furry beast, even if he was always in her way. “I knew his stay with us was only temporary, but what will you do with him? He can’t possibly stay in the boarding house with you.”
“There’s a woman I think would benefit from having him around.”
“A woman?” One eyebrow rose and the corners of her mouth tilted upward. “Who is this woman? Why would she benefit from having Sarge around?”
A flush warmed his face and he concentrated on the cake before him. “Her name is Kathryne O’Rourke. Katie. She reminds me a great deal of you. Smart. Funny. Kind.”
“I see,” Prudence murmured, her lips widening into a grin that had the warmth on his face growing hotter.
“She has a way of finding trouble.” He took another bite of cake and swallowed before he spoke again. “The first time I met her, she was trapped in a runaway stagecoach, then last night she was accosted by three men as she was walking home after dark. Fortunately, I was there both times to help her, but I can’t be there all the time.”
“Of course, I understand. I’m sure Sarge will be happy with Katie.”
The dog whined and raced to the door, his nails clicking over the hard wood floor. Tail wagging, he turned circles in front of the portal.
“The colonel must be home.” Prudence rose from her seat and moved to the stove to pour another cup of coffee.
As soon as the words left her mouth, Alex opened the door and slipped inside. He said not a word, but a bushy white eyebrow cocked over one eye.
“Colonel.” Chase rose as well and saluted.
“Sit, please. Finish your cake.” He moved further into the room, stopping briefly to pet the over-anxious, glad-to-see-him dog, and kissed his wife on the cheek.
“Are you hungry?” she asked as she smoothed her hand along the side of his face.
“Famished.” He kissed her again then pulled out a chair and sat with a long, drawn out sigh.
“Bad day?” Prudence spoke as she used a dishtowel to pull a plate out of the warming box of the oven and place it on the table. “Careful. It’s hot.”
Chase witnessed the normal, every day exchange, saw the deep love between them and turned away. Instead of pushing them away from each other, the death of their son had brought them closer, a joined force against such deep grief. Jealousy, raw and unbidden, surged through him, made his hand clench around his fork. What he wouldn’t give for a small measure, just a token, of the love they shared.
“I’ll leave you two alone.” She dumped her uneaten cake in the trash and put the plate in the sink. “It was lovely to see you again, Chase.”
“You as well, Pru. And thank you.”
Alex nodded as he watched his wife leave the kitchen, his eyes shining with love, then, as if caught showing such an emotion, he cleared his throat and turned his attention to Chase. “Did anyone see you?”
“Just Prudence and Sarge. No one else. I snuck into camp while the men were in the mess for dinner.”
“Good. Let’s keep it that way. The less anyone knows what you’re up to, the better.” He cut a piece of ham and popped it in his mouth, savoring the taste before he asked, “Have you eaten?”
“Your wife kindly offered me a meal but I’ve already eaten.” Chase pushed away his half-eaten cake and glanced at Sarge, who lay sprawled between them on the floor, one paw touching his chair, tail thumping in a rhythmic beat. He couldn’t help the grin that twitched the corners of his mouth as he forced his attention back to Alex. He gestured toward the plate. “Please, before it gets cold.”
“I didn’t expect to see you this soon, but I’m glad you’re here. It’ll save me a trip.” He dug his fork into the mound of mashed potatoes and shoveled them in his mouth. “Do you remember Jonas Pierpont?” he asked after he swallowed.
Chase nodded. He did indeed, having met the captain several times at Fort Whipple. A good man in all the ways that counted.
“He resigned his commission and opened a gunsmithery in Prescott. A few days ago, someone sold him two rifles.” Alex continued to speak around the food in his mouth. “He believes they’re army issue, believes they might be part of the shipment stolen when Jeremy—” He cleared his throat, as if the mere mention of his late son’s name caused him pain.
“I’ll pay him a visit, find out who sold them to him.”
Alex nodded. He didn’t speak for a long time, but his steady, unblinking gaze remained on Chase. The misery within his dark brown eyes brought a lump to Chase’s throat. “Do you know who murdered my son?”
“No, sir. Not yet.”
He placed his fork on his plate, as if the thought of food suddenly turned his stomach. “Are you getting any closer?”
“It’s been difficult at best, sir. I’m not exactly welcome in Crystal Springs, but I have my suspicions.” Chase concentrated on keeping the frustration out of his voice, but he heard it just the same. He wondered if Alex could hear his irritation as well. “I just need to find the proof. Toward that end—” He drew a scrap of paper from his pocket and passed it to Alex. “—I need to know whatever you can find out about these people.”
Alex unfolded the note and read the names. His bushy brows drew together, forming a furrow on his forehead. He folded the paper and stuffed it in his pocket as he rose from the table and scraped the remains of his dinner into Sarge’s bowl. The dog, never one to miss a scrap of food, scrambled to his feet, almost knocking down Alex’s vacated chair in his excitement. “Easy, boy. You’re not starving,” he said, speaking to the beast as if he understood every word. Sarge glanced at him then stuck his nose into the bowl, devouring the ham, mashed potatoes and green beans in mere seconds.
“I’ll get you the information as soon as I can. I’ll leave it in the usual place.” He referred to an abandoned cabin high on a hilltop not far from Crystal Springs they’d agreed to use to leave messages for each other. Alex put his dish on the counter then proceeded to fill the sink with hot water from the reservoir attached to the stove. “Are you going to finish your cake?” he asked as he reached for the plate on the table. “What about your coffee?”
Chase shook his head and rose from his seat. “I should go before someone sees me. I’ve stayed too long as it is. Come on, Sarge.”
“You’re taking the dog?”
“I’ve already made it right with your wife.”
“What are you going to do with him?” Alex rolled up the sleeves of his uniform in preparation for washing the dishes.
Warmth heated his face as when he explained his reasons for taking Sarge.
Bushy brows rose and anger flashed in his eyes as the colonel stared at him. “A woman? You’re supposed to be finding my son’s killer.”
Chase flinched beneath the sharpness of Alex’s tone. “I will, sir, but it will take time. I just can’t walk into town, guns blazing, and kill everyone I believe is guilty.” A long sigh escaped him, filled with all the frustration he felt. “I know your orders were to find the bastards and kill them. My father’s were the same, but that’s not the way it should be.” He laid his hand on Alex’s shoulder. “I need to do this right, but rest assured, Jeremy’s murderers will get exactly what’s coming to them.”
The man before him seemed to shrink but nodded his understanding. “Be careful, son,” he said after a long time.
“Yes, sir.”
“Take this with you.” Prudence entered the kitchen, face flushed, and thrust a burlap sack into his hand. “They belong to Sarge.” She grinned then cast her eyes toward the dog. “It’s his blanket and a bone he’s been chewing on.” She bent low and retrieved the bowl from the floor. “You can take this as well.” She washed and dried the bowl quickly, placed it in the bag, scratched Sarge behind the ears one last time and made a quick exit but not before Chase saw the tears gleaming in her eyes.
“I’ll have to get her another dog,” Alex murmured. “She grew quite attached to this beast.” Chase turned toward Alex and knew, just by his expression and the way
he smoothed his fingers into Sarge’s soft fur, Prudence hadn’t been the only one who’d become attached. “Corporal Crowley has a litter of puppies he thinks are Sarge’s offspring. I’ll bring one home for her,” he said then, as if remembering he had a guest, Alex straightened. “Safe journey, son.”
“Thank you, sir. Come on, Sarge.”
Chase left Alex’s house as the sun dipped into the horizon, casting long shadows on the ground. He patted his thigh twice. Sarge fell into step beside him, as he’d been trained.
The men of Camp Verde were still in the mess hall—he could hear their voices raised in conversation—and realized with a suddenness that made his heart hurt, he missed the camaraderie of his fellow soldiers.
Soon, he could put all this behind him. Once the murderers of his brother and his companions were brought to justice, he could move on with his life. He and Sarge slipped into the shelter of the trees beyond the camp where Champion waited and Chase breathed a sigh of relief. Once again, he had successfully visited the colonel without being seen, but he couldn’t help wondering when his luck would fail.
“I’m bringing you to a nice lady, Sarge,” he said to the dog as he climbed into Champion’s saddle. Sarge sat on his haunches and gazed at him, his head tilting to the side, ears twitching, soft brown eyes filled with adoration. “You’ll like her. Her name is Katie, and she’s very sweet.”
Chapter Nine
She liked living alone and answering to no one, but sometimes at night, Kathryne wished someone was with her. Like tonight. Right now. After helping Emeline with her pie, the both of them covered in flour, then cleaning up the kitchen, the wind had picked up and howled through the little valley where Crystal Springs nestled. At times throughout the afternoon and early evening, the trees bowed and bent beneath the strength of the gale.
Kathryne sat at her desk, coffee cup in hand, and watched the trees around the little schoolhouse bend and sway. The wind had not died with the coming of night. Indeed, it seemed to blow harder. Several branches of the evergreens around her home scraped against the outside walls and windows. The sound spooked her, especially after the other night.
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