Not a bad idea, Albert thought. Sarah, the cutie pie that she was, was sure to befriend Nate and make him feel at home.
“When I dropped Jessie off, Markus was there as well. He’s another one Nate would like to meet. They look to be about the same age.”
He’d like more time to be acquainted with his son, but right now he had to square things away with Susanna, as best as he could. Maybe his transition to a new town would be easier for Nate once he had a few friends.
Albert crouched down. “Would you like that, Nate? To meet some other boys and girls your age? I think Mr. and Mrs. Logan could use your help. It’ll only be for a while.”
Nate nodded, his face still a stony mask. He was probably getting used to being passed off like an unwanted chore. Albert promised himself that he’d make it up to his son, if Nate would give him the chance. When Nate put his hand out to Chase, Albert’s heart about broke in two.
Chase gave a smile after lifting his gaze off the boy. “Fine then. We’ll be back here around eight o’clock tonight.”
Seemed everyone knew their need to talk. Albert couldn’t bring himself to meet anyone’s eyes. “Thank you. Please thank the ladies for thinking of us,” he said, gesturing to the food he now held.
He and Susanna watched them walk off. Ivan split off and trotted down the alleyway. Nerves had Albert feeling as if he were seventeen and this was his first talk with a girl. “I guess the only place that affords a little privacy would be my office.”
“What about Thom?”
“He’s on guard until nine when I take over. Let me run this plate upstairs.”
She nodded. When he returned, they started off down the alley. The sun had disappeared behind the far hills. Albert paused to look across the saloon porch to the bank to check on Thom sitting peacefully in a chair with Ivan at his feet.
Albert opened the door to the still-warm jailhouse, envying Thom’s peace of mind when his own world was all but falling apart. He didn’t bother lighting any lamps, even in the darkening town. He gestured to a chair in back by the stove. “Would you like to sit?”
She shook her head, crossing her arms over her chest.
“Please, Susanna. We can’t talk with you looking like a wooden soldier.”
Relenting, she crossed the room and took a chair, then arranged her skirt and shawl. The hurt in her eyes was evident.
He took the chair beside her, feeling anything but relaxed. These next few minutes could determine the direction of his life.
“How’s Nate taking things?”
“He’s confused and scared, even if he’s not saying so directly. He hasn’t accepted that his mother is gone. Keeps saying she’s trapped inside the train and wants us to go get her out.”
Her face fell. “That’s horrible. I didn’t know.”
Albert nodded. “I think I have to take things slow and easy.”
“I understand.”
Did she? Her tone was one he’d never heard before—strong, resolute. He’d better be prepared for the worst. She sounded as if she’d come to a decision. They stared at each other. He wanted in the worst way to spell out this whole horrible mess for her, point by point. But now that Floria was dead and lying in that coffin, that just didn’t feel right. Speaking ill of the dead went against the grain. Albert refused to vilify his son’s mother to anyone. Even Susanna. He never wanted anything to get back to Nate, and the best way to be sure that didn’t happen was to keep quiet about the things she’d done. The boy would have enough challenges coming to grips with losing her and gaining a father he’d never met. As far as Albert was concerned, Floria’s past had died when she did, and was now buried in the pinewood box in the cemetery.
If Susanna loved him the way he hoped, they’d be able to get past this. “Susanna, I’m not exactly sure how to begin. Where to start. I know I was in the wrong by not telling you sooner, but I was in an incredibly tight spot.”
She crooked her brow.
“I’m still in an incredibly tight spot?”
She nodded.
What did he expect of her? Susanna wondered, working to temper her agitation. They’d never had a formal understanding, but that hadn’t stopped the entire town from thinking of them as a couple. She felt for the awkward position in which he found himself, but wasn’t it a bed of his own making? He should have been honest with her from the start. This was a betrayal of the worst kind.
Her mother’s warning rumbled through her. Mark my words or else you’ll end up exactly like me, penniless and alone, alone, alone . . .
“What do you expect me to do, Albert? Pretend nothing has happened? Nothing has changed? Pretend this day is like the many that have gone before? Because if that’s what you’re hoping, I can’t—and I won’t. I’ve been searching my heart since leaving you today. Honesty is important to me. Without it, trust can’t survive. Without trust, love is impossible.”
A burst of raucous laughter sounded from somewhere outside. Probably the saloon. In that instant, Susanna was transported back to the old days in Breckenridge where she’d been looked down upon, mocked, and made fun of—not by everyone, but enough of the young women her own age that made doing anything in town a risk of being teased. Were her friends here laughing behind her back tonight? Was Albert? She’d trusted him, and had been starting to think her mother was just a bitter old woman who’d made a mess of her life.
Albert dragged his chair around to face her. “Please, Susanna. I hope you’ll believe I never meant to hurt you.”
Could he see her trembling heart? “You never promised me anything either, Albert.”
“Don’t say that! I enjoyed your company—and let you know I did. That was wrong. I admit that. I looked forward to our time together, lunches, walks, spending time with friends. I married Floria when I was twenty-four years old. She was nineteen. We had our differences and went our separate ways.”
Susanna struggled to put the pieces of what he was saying into perspective.
“Some things just couldn’t be said. It wouldn’t be right. I wasn’t a free man to court you.”
Stunned at what he’d implied, she gaped at him. “Are you saying that up until today”—she poked one finger into the palm of her other hand—“you were still a married man?”
His Adam’s apple bobbed. “Yes.”
For some reason, since they were living so far apart, she’d assumed they were no longer married. That they had obtained a legal dissolution.
Albert wiped his hand across his drawn face. “That actually felt good. I’m so thankful it’s finally out in the open. I didn’t know anything about Nate until this afternoon. It’s still hard for me to believe I have a son. That’s one thing I’m not ashamed to admit.”
Yes, anyone could see he was happy about Nate. She tried to stand, but he took her wrist and tugged her back down.
She pulled away and gripped the arms of the chair. “You never thought your marital status might be a problem for me? You never suspected I might have strong feelings about it?” She looked away. What a fool she’d been! “But then how can I be upset. We’ve never spoken our intentions for each other. Never shared words of love.”
“Of course I knew it would matter to you! I’ve been trying for years to get a divorce. I wanted to have it in my hands before I broached the subject. I was scared. I can’t ask you to understand, but I can say that when I came to Logan Meadows, and before you arrived, I was hurting in the worst way. I just wanted to be left alone to sort out my life. That said, I truly believed my past wasn’t anybody’s business but my own. I wanted to start fresh, build something new and good. I never intended to ever fall in love again. Then you showed up. But by that time, everyone already believed I was single by default. I didn’t have a wife, and never spoke of anyone. I just never corrected their unspoken assumptions. If that’s wrong, then I’m guilty as hell.”
His earnest brown eyes searched hers, forcing her to look away.
“You and I became friends,” he contin
ued, his tone not quite so hopeful. “I’ve wanted to tell you a thousand times, and as a matter of fact I’ve tried, but you never wanted to listen. After the accident I realized how fast things could change. I was bound and determined to get the ugly mess off my chest, and let the cards fall where they may—trusting enough in our feelings—our love—that you would somehow understand. But you shut me down before I could even get started, like you have many times before.”
A spark of anger flashed inside her. He must have seen it, for he hurried on. “I’m not, in any way, saying you’re at fault for not listening. I just want you to know I had good intentions. I wanted to tell you. I didn’t like misleading you.”
Susanna’s heart jerked painfully in her chest. She’d thought she was ready to hear this, but she’d been wrong. All those times she’d believed he was about to profess his love, he really just wanted to clear the air.
Albert picked up both her hands, rubbing his thumbs across the top. “I want to start fresh. Court you like I’ve wanted to from the beginning. Get married and build a life together.”
She stared at him silently, when she really wanted to pitch a fit, scream in his face, walk out the door, and never return. How could he think anything could ever be the same?
Someone crossed in front of the picture window out front, making the dim interior of the office darken a bit more. Albert glanced up. His eyes narrowed at the man gazing in, probably thinking the office deserted. They were far enough back by the woodstove that they wouldn’t be seen without a lamp burning.
Albert straightened. She could tell she’d lost his attention by the expression on his face.
“What?” she asked.
“Nothing,” he replied without taking his eyes off the man who meandered on his way.
“Do you know him?” Susanna had been around long enough to interpret Albert’s tones and expressions. He felt personally responsible for the welfare of the citizens of Logan Meadows.
Albert shook his head. “No. Never seen him before now. But, never mind him. You were saying?” His eyes took her measure when he glanced back at her.
“I know you, Albert. You want to go see who that is.”
His face softened. “Thank you. I do. I’ll make a quick walk down the street and check on Thom. This time of evening, between nightfall and darkness, always has me on edge.” He looked at her hands, still held in his own. “Will you wait for me?”
She nodded.
“You won’t be frightened for a few minutes alone? I’m only going to walk down the block to the El Dorado and come back. Just to make my presence known.”
“I’ll be fine, Albert.” Her heart squeezed as it did every time he was about to risk his life. “Please be careful.” There. They were back on familiar footing.
He took out his gun and checked the chambers. Finished, he holstered it and stood. “Always.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
Albert carefully closed the door behind him. He didn’t want to alert anyone who might be planning something heinous, like a shoot-out and robbing the bank. The piano music, mixed with the laughter of a group of men drinking in the Bright Nugget, covered the sound of his boots. At the batwing doors, he glanced inside. Several regulars sat at the bar, along with faces he didn’t know and some he recognized as new arrivals. Wallace Sadler, the father of the boy that Dalton had helped on the train and whom Dalton had introduced Albert to yesterday, while the man was taking a stroll with his wife and son, sat at a back table alone. Nothing unusual, so Albert moved on as Thom watched his approach.
“Everything all right?” Albert asked quietly. He edged up close and scanned the other side of the street. The guard across the way stationed in the alley between the haberdashery and bakery was just a shadow against the wall.
Thom, not one to wear a six-shooter, hefted the shotgun in his arms. “So far so good. Had a disconcerted feeling about a half hour ago. I’ve been on alert since.”
Albert took a box of matches from his pocket and lit a match, holding it up. An answering signal replied a moment later, letting Albert know that his man across the street would keep a close eye out.
“I had some newcomer look into the sheriff’s office a few minutes ago, then start down here. Susanna and I were by the stove, sitting in the dark, so he didn’t see us. Gave me a funny feeling as well.”
Thom nodded. “Things have been quiet up until now. A group in the saloon is carrying on. Other than that, I haven’t seen anyone coming down the street in some time. I missed the fella you’re speaking of.”
“We can’t know everyone. But I can make my presence known to anyone contemplating trouble. I’ll walk down to the hotel, but return down the backside of the buildings in the alley. Take a look around there.”
When a man tumbled out through the saloon doors and rolled into the street, Albert spun. He had his gun drawn before he recognized ol’ drunk Clyde, lying on his back in a cloud of dust. Thom’s shotgun was leveled at the man as well.
Kendall, the bartender, stepped out through the saloon’s swinging doors, wiping his hands on a bar towel. “You best go home and sleep it off, Clyde. I won’t stand for you harassing the clientele, you know that.”
Clyde struggled to a sitting position as a horse came up the street and stopped in front of the establishment he’d just been thrown out of.
The rider looked down. “Clyde.”
“Dwight Hoskins. The bad penny returns,” Thom whispered to Albert. Dwight was the man whose job Thom had taken after solving a cattle-rustling case some time back. Dwight had moved away to New Meringue in disgrace, but seemed to miss Logan Meadows and came back often.
Dwight dismounted and looped his reins around the hitching rail. Just as he was about to go into the saloon, he turned his head and noticed them watching. Albert wondered if Thom was experiencing the same thing: that disconcerted feeling had returned.
“Albert,” Dwight called, meandering over to the bank porch where Albert and Thom stood. It wasn’t quite dark enough yet to hide the smirk that twisted his lips. He had a standing hatred for Thom, and more pointedly, Thom’s Irish blood.
“Dwight,” Albert responded. “What brings you to town?”
“Just coming over to offer my help. News of your plight is all over New Meringue.” He glanced at the bank, then at Thom. “Also wanted to check on Markus. See how my young nephew is doing.”
Albert felt Thom straighten. Dwight knew mentioning Thom’s stepson was a sure way to pull his deputy’s strings.
“Markus is no concern of yours, Hoskins,” Thom said, his grip on the shotgun tightening. “And stay away from Hannah. She has no desire to see you now, or ever.”
“That’s a pretty strong reaction for just wanting to see Caleb’s son, God rest his soul. I do have a right to check on my nephew. What aren’t you saying, Donovan? Maybe Hannah finally sees the error of her ways tying herself to an Irishman.”
Thom surged forward but Albert grasped his shoulder. Thom’s muscles quivered with fury. “Let it go, Thom. He’s just trying to get your goat. You should know better by now.”
An angry hiss passed through Thom’s clenched teeth. “I put up with a lot from him, Albert. I don’t mind when it’s about me, but I won’t have him speaking about my family, in any way. If you bother Hannah at all, you’ll be sorry, Dwight. Do I make myself clear?”
Dwight laughed. Albert wouldn’t be able to hold Thom back if the troublemaker kept it up much longer.
“Be honest, Hoskins,” Thom growled. “You’ve ridden over because you’re as curious as the next man about all that money.”
“I’d be lying if I said different. A million dollars doesn’t land in town every day. I’d like to see what it looks like. How’s Frank taking the stress? I’m sure he’s a mess of nerves. He never is good under pressure.”
The bank door opened. Frank stepped out looking calm and cool. He locked the door behind him and slipped the key into his pocket. “I’ll answer that question, Dwight. I’m taking
the situation in stride. No one has stepped even an inch out of line, but that won’t stop me from feeling relieved when the money is finally out of my bank and on its way.”
Dwight had the decency to sputter his embarrassment at being caught in the act of besmirching the banker. He coughed into his hand. “Sorry, Frank, I didn’t mean any disrespect.”
“Only to Thom.” Frank’s tone had turned as hard as steel.
Dwight rocked back on his heels, and shrugged. “Maybe. You taken to sleeping in the bank these days?”
“I have. An extra layer of protection. Does that surprise you?”
As if knowing he was outnumbered, Dwight took a small step back. “Nope. I guess I’d do the same.” He glanced across the street where darkness was now complete except for a lantern here and there. “You have a man in the alley, Albert?”
“We do.”
Dwight nodded, as if pleased he’d one-upped Albert by knowing where his second guard was stationed. “I was hoping to get to meet Babcock. I’ve heard a few things about him.”
So, Dwight’s real reason for the visit to Logan Meadows was flushed out. “Stick around long enough and you’ll get that pleasure.” Babcock’s name reminded him about Susanna waiting in the sheriff’s office. He’d been gone longer than he’d intended already. He needed to get back.
Dwight turned. “Well, I’ll be going. Need to wet the back of my throat.”
Albert waited until Dwight pushed through the saloon doors. “I’m going to take a quick walk down the street and back. Are you going out, Frank?”
“Just to make a trip to the necessary. I’ll be locked up inside before you return.”
Albert gave Thom a nod, then walked away. The tension in town was growing. If a gang of outlaws came up against the bank now, his small army of guns might not be able to hold them off. People would be killed. He’d be glad when reinforcements showed up.
At the end of the street, Albert glanced into the hotel window. A few people relaxed in the lobby chairs reading, but paid him no mind.
Releasing a sigh, Albert circled around the building and started back toward his office. On his right, the lights in the community center glowed softly and he wondered who was tending the patients.
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