The Wedding Kiss

by Hannah Alexander

  “You don’t think Sikes is part of this faction,” Elam said.

  Susanna brushed the tears from her face. “No matter how I may feel about my husband’s self-righteous, controlling brother, I know Sikes would never do anything to harm Nathaniel. And he’s not a killer. The Luther family has nearly limitless wealth. There’s no reason for Sikes to be so greedy.”

  “Too many folks can never get enough,” Elam said.

  “No, you don’t understand,” Susanna told him. “The Luthers feel it is their God-given duty to take political power to protect the country from people like these land mongers. Sikes truly believes in his sworn duties to protect all. He’s a die-hard Roosevelt supporter, and I know he would willingly die for his country, just as his brother did. For all his faults, his heart is true.”

  “Then if we need an ally with political clout, your brother-in-law is the one we need to contact,” Elam said.

  Susanna scowled. “I’d just as soon leave him out of this if possible.”

  “It may not be possible,” Elam said. “But we’ll see. I’m not sure I believe Marshal Frey’s claim that his main intent was to come out here to intercept you, a dangerous killer. It doesn’t make sense.”

  “Unless he thinks I know something I don’t.”

  “So you do believe he was sent by this group?” Keara asked.

  Susanna nodded. “Why else would he come after me?”

  “But there’s more than that,” Elam said. “Even if Nathaniel had told you what these men were about, who would listen to you once your reputation was destroyed? If this faction could convince others that you did, indeed, kill your husband, then no one would listen if you sounded the warning about their true intent. He told me you and Nathaniel fought a few weeks before Nathaniel was shot.”

  Susanna’s eyes flashed and she tried to sit up. Then she winced and eased back to her pillows. “Preposterous! All married couples squabble. It doesn’t mean they’re going to shoot each other.”

  “Of course not,” Keara agreed.

  “Nathaniel was gone for weeks at a time,” Susanna continued, “leaving me alone to take care of the practice. He was even talking about actually moving to the Oklahoma Territory and setting up a watch to prevent anything from happening to the Cherokee.”

  “Why?” Keara asked.

  “That was my question, so of course we fought. It was a silly idea. What were we supposed to do if we weren’t even informed about what actions this group might take?”

  “But with his warning, the army at Fort Sill could have been on their guard,” Elam said.

  “Against what? We didn’t know. All I know now is that I’m in danger, as are you, and quite possibly every person of every Indian tribe who lives in the Oklahoma Territory, maybe even more.”

  “Why did you shoot at the marshal?” Elam asked.

  “It was a warning shot only. He surprised me, got around me and was waiting at the other side of a cliff bank when I rounded it.”

  “Interesting that he told me you were the one lying in wait for him,” Elam said. “That’s how these people twist the truth around to suit their needs.”

  “He had his rifle up and drawn,” Susanna said. “I had no choice, but I’ve never killed another human being, and I couldn’t kill him. I hit a ledge of stone beside his head, and it broke off and fouled his aim.”

  “What are we going to do now?” Keara asked. “The man must know you’re here at the house or he wouldn’t have come here.”

  “He may have guessed,” Elam said, “but he couldn’t know for sure.”

  Susanna spread her hands. “Then I’ll have to be gone when he returns.”

  “You’re in no shape to travel,” Keara said.

  “I’ll do what I must. My brothers and Nathaniel have taught me well. I know how to handle that pistol of mine, and I can survive in the wild as well as any man.” Susanna looked at Elam. “Surely you’ve noticed that Duchess is a rare breed. She can nearly read my mind.”

  “She’s an amazing animal, but Susanna, you’re a doctor. You know you can barely walk, much less ride yet.”

  “Even if you were able,” Keara said, “Duchess would stand out in any crowd. You said yourself that she drew attention to you when you wanted to remain incognito.”

  “I recently learned that a rogue US marshal was headed this direction,” Elam said. “I’m sure it’s Frey. He happened to mention to me that Timothy Skerit has been fraternizing with a gang of men who have begun to gather in Eureka Springs.”

  “But we don’t believe that,” Keara said. “He told me he wasn’t running with any gang. I believe him.”

  “And I heard from another source that Timothy had a falling out with that gang,” Elam said. “Susanna, if Frey is a rogue, then he might well be hunting you, but I don’t think you’re his only focus.”

  “What is?”

  “You’ve been riding in the direction of the Oklahoma Territory. Since Nathaniel was attempting to protect the Cherokee, Frey may indeed think you know more than you do.”

  “You think he could be part of the splinter group that wants the Cherokee land?”

  “It makes sense,” Elam said.

  “Elam, what about the gang of men in Eureka Springs?” Keara asked. “They must be gathering for a reason.”

  Elam spread his hands. “There’s so much we don’t know. Susanna, is Duchess of the Friesian breed?”

  Susanna caught her breath softly. “You recognized it. I knew clipping her beautiful feathering, mane, and tail wouldn’t be enough to hide her breed.”

  “I only suspected. My father-in-law knew.” He glanced at Keara. “I had to talk to your father. I couldn’t allow him to ride away without knowing if he had a place to go. I followed him before I went to get the children today.”

  Keara’s eyes softened. “You heard all this from Pa?”

  “Yes, and he heard it from the sheriff. If he got a job with Herman Dougherty, we may be able to use his help to distract Frey from you, Susanna. You can’t travel, but Duchess can.”

  “What are you saying?”

  “We’ve had a dry spell this past week, and there’s a lot of dust on the road to Eureka Springs. Jael was covered in dust when she stopped by here. Duchess’s tracks would have been blotted out by all our company Monday night, but now they would stand out. Anyone who’s skilled at tracking can tell the difference between the size and shape of Duchess’s hooves and the hooves of another horse. Even a draft horse would have wheel marks alongside or over its tracks, and this man must know the tracks Duchess leaves. I could ride Duchess into town and leave her with Brute.”

  “How do we know we can trust Pa?” Keara asked. “He’s loose of lips when he’s in his cups.”

  “I believe I saw a change in him today,” Elam told her. “I’ll have a talk with him first, though. You can be sure of that, Keara. He loves his daughter, and he won’t put her in danger if he knows what’s afoot.”

  “The gang of men you mentioned,” Susanna said. “Could they be Frey’s own little army?”

  “Frey may not be connected to them in any way,” Elam said. “Someone higher in the pecking order may have sent him on his mission, but we won’t take chances. I’ll ride Duchess to Herman’s stables, keep to the back roads and shadows.”

  “Are you also going to wear a dress?” Susanna taunted. She glanced toward the curtained window. “That marshal could be watching this house right now.”

  “He can’t see a rider in the dark.”

  “If anyone were to recognize her breed in town,” Susanna said, “I could lose her. Horse thieves abound, and she’s worth a fortune. Last I heard there were only three Friesian stallions left in the world.”

  “Your life is worth more than money,” Keara said. “If my father stays sober, nothing will happen to Duchess. I could ride her to Kellen and Jael’s place, but there are too many talkative children there.” She looked at Elam. “I should be the one to ride her to town. You should stay here and
protect Susanna and the children, in case Frey does return here.”

  “No,” Elam said.

  “Absolutely not,” Susanna said. “I know how to shoot. I hit where I aimed on Monday, remember?”

  “You’re wounded now,” Keara said.

  “You know how to handle a rifle yourself,” Elam told his wife. “I didn’t see or hear anyone following me back home, so if Frey does plan to come, he hasn’t arrived yet.”

  “Then it’s decided,” Keara said. “Elam will ride Duchess to town, trade horses with my father, and then we will all try to rest.”

  Nineteen

  A whisper of breeze flitted through the leaves, and tree frogs sang a serenade to Elam as he rode the wonderful Duchess along the trail through the dark forest. No wonder Susanna had been so reluctant to part with this beauty. Not only did she give a smoother ride than any horse he’d ever owned, she had sidestepped at least three low-hanging limbs that might have hit him. She instinctively protected her rider and kept a fast pace with her head held high. He would see to her protection.

  When the road forked, Elam took the one that led north into Missouri, not Eureka Springs. Misdirection. He rode for about a mile into the hills, past the farmhouses of some men with whom he’d done business in the past. At Ray Harper’s ranch, he turned east and rode through knee-high grass until he came to Gravel Creek. He rode Duchess down the center of the water, back toward the city. If Frey did track Duchess with the notion that Susanna was riding her, he might track her to Ray’s place, but no one could track her back to Eureka Springs through the creek.

  Once he passed the train station and entered the town of Eureka Springs, he slowed the horse but left the creek. He remained in the shadows. Someone might well try to steal a horse as rare as Duchess. He didn’t want word to spread that she’d been seen in town.

  When Elam reached the farrier’s stables, he stopped Duchess in the shadows and dismounted as quietly as possible. As suspected, he had no trouble finding his father-in-law.

  Brute was camped out in one of the stalls, sitting beside a lantern, humming softly to himself as he whittled on a piece of wood. He wasn’t drinking as far as Elam could tell. Instead, as he whittled he studied a book by the light of the lantern. It looked like a book on woodcarving.

  “You don’t have a place to live?” Elam asked quietly by way of greeting.

  Brute looked up, and a smile eased across his handsome features. He certainly seemed like the old Brute McBride, the good neighbor Elam had known for so many years. The big man set his book and his carving aside.

  He stood to his feet and walked toward Elam. “I’ll have a place by the end of next week. Meanwhile, I take my meals here, and this bed is almost as comfortable as the one I had in jail.” He gestured to a cot at the end of the stall, and then his gaze trailed to the dark shadows where Elam had left Duchess. “What’s that I heard stomping around like an elephant back there?”

  “I thought we might do some temporary horse trading,” Elam said.

  Brute frowned and stepped out into the night, away from the glow of the fire. He gave a low whistle. “You can’t be serious. What are you doing with a prize like this in town?”

  “I need help.” Elam glanced toward the street, where few lights glowed except for the squares of windows in the humble homes along Mud Street. Only a few blocks down was the saloon where he’d been told the gang of outlaws had been congregating. “Has there been an arrest anywhere near the saloon today?”

  “Nothing’s happened since the scuffle with young Timothy Skerit, and he doesn’t hang out with those newcomers anymore.” Brute rejoined Elam inside.

  “I’d be shocked to see him tonight.”

  “Why?”

  “He’s in custody.”

  “Why would the sheriff do that?”

  “He didn’t. That rogue marshal you told me about? He brought the kid by our place this afternoon. I’ll tell you all about it, but first, does Herman have you working long hours?”

  “He says I’ll have as much work as I can take.”

  “I doubt he knows how fast you can shoe a horse. Keara and I need your help if you can spare the time, but we also need your silence.”

  Brute watched him a moment then looked again toward Duchess. “This have anything to do with the friend of yours who owns that horse?”

  Elam glanced around them. This part of the stable was no more than a covered corral with a few stalls. Anyone within hearing range might be interested in this conversation.

  He stepped closer to his father-in-law. “Before I tell you, Brute, I need to know I can trust you with someone’s life, that you won’t…forget yourself and let important information slip.”

  “If you’re asking about my drinking, rot-gut coffee is the strongest I’ve had since I was thrown into that jail cell, and it’s the best thing Sheriff Nolan could’ve done for me. He helped me through the shakes and a couple of days he fed me like a baby. A fella doesn’t find friends better than that. I won’t be loosening my tongue.”

  Elam sat down on the cot to tell his father-in-law a tale of intrigue and to beg his help for information that could save Susanna’s life…and maybe the lives of many more in the Oklahoma Territory.

  When he finished telling Brute about Susanna’s story and his impressions of Marshal Frey, he asked, “Can you keep Duchess hidden?”

  Brute gave a deep sigh. “I might’ve lost one or two friends with my shenanigans the past couple of years, lad, but I still know a few true folks who’ve known me a long time. You just keep that daughter of mine safe. She’ll see your sister-in-law back to health. I’ve always thought it would be fun to be a man of mystery. A spy. Maybe I should get a book on spying instead of whittling on that chunk of wood.”

  Yes, Brute McBride was back in stride, and Elam grinned despite the seriousness of their conversation. “You should know, Brute, that the only reason Keara turned you away today was because she feared for Susanna.”

  Brute stared into Elam’s eyes for a long moment as the movement of the horses in the stable brushed through the darkness with the sound of peace.

  At last, Susanna’s father released a long, slow breath. “Son, you don’t know what that means to this rowdy ol’ father’s heart.”

  “I’m a father too, you know.”

  “That you are.” Brute slapped his knees. “Now, back to the subject at hand. I would like to know what Skerit’s reaction was when he found out Frey has his son. I’m hoping he went after the boy.”

  “And possibly half the community of Clifty went after him as well.”

  “The sheriff can telegraph Cassville and check on Timothy. He’ll take my word for it.”

  Elam smiled. He could imagine Sheriff Nolan’s relief when the Skerits had stepped forward to testify for Brute. In his right mind, Elam’s father-in-law was known and loved by all, the sheriff included.

  “And you may see increased activity amongst the newcomers you told me were hanging around the saloon,” Elam said. “I believe there must be some kind of connection between that rogue marshal and the segment of rogue government, and if my hunch is right, there could also be a connection between those newcomers and the marshal.”

  “Timothy Skerit tell you that?”

  “He didn’t have a chance to tell me anything. He did tell Keara he wasn’t an outlaw.”

  Brute chuckled. “As if anybody would believe he was. I think the marshal suspects the kid knows something, and the only reason he’d know something concerning the marshal is if he was hanging out with those so-called outlaws and overheard them talking.”

  “Makes a lot of sense, but what do they have going on?”

  Brute shrugged. “I haven’t seen any of them around today. Seems after the scuffle with Tim they decided to move their meeting place. They must think he tipped off the sheriff.”

  “Have you seen them in town at all?”

  “Sure have.”

  “Keep watch and let me know about anything unusual.�
�

  “You’ll know it nearly as soon as I do,” Brute said. “And so will Sheriff Nolan.”

  “Jael and Kellen will be spreading the word along the hollow to prepare for trouble.”

  “Just don’t include that rascal who’s squatting on my land. He’s not a good neighbor.”

  “When we’re finished with this, we’ll see what can be done to get your place back.”

  Brute placed a strong hand on Elam’s shoulder as he stood up. “No, son. You have your hands full right now. I wanted my daughter safe, and she is. I can think of no finer man for her to wed. Now you get home and see to her. I’ve got your back, and I cast a wide shadow.”

  Elam led Duchess into the stable and placed her saddle and bridle in the storeroom where Brute directed him then prepared Brute’s mare, Lass, for travel.

  “Think I’ll get some shut-eye,” Brute said as he handed his beloved horse over to Elam. “I have some work to do before sunup. I’ll see you soon.” He slapped Lass in the rump.

  As Elam rode toward home along Mud Street, which circled East Mountain, square windows of light hovered over his left shoulder like a glowing wall, where bathhouses and springhouses and markets and hotels had been flung up in just a few years’ time.

  He couldn’t help wondering who might be hiding in the shadows, watching him leave.

  Keara turned the key in the lock of the front door then walked to each window and peered out at the night. It could be past midnight before Elam returned, but she would be waiting here for him. Meanwhile, she could take some precautions with door locks and her hunting rifle, which she’d set beside the front sofa.

  Folks along this section of White River seldom had need to bolt their doors at night, but when Elam had built this house, he’d fitted these with sturdy locks. Keara remembered Gloria teasing him about it, and she remembered the kiss he’d given his wife to silence the teasing.