Quinn's Promise

by Agnes Alexander

  “He’s greedy all right,” Hank said, “but I didn’t think he’d be bad enough to hide killers.”

  “I hope Lola was telling you the truth when she said they were hiding here,” Cal put in.

  “Well, if they’re here, we sure don’t want to announce our arrival.”

  “How do you suggest we ride in, Ashe?” Beck asked.

  “I want you and Cal to circle to the edge of the corn field on the right. Separate and get on either edge. Hank and I’ll go to those cottonwoods on the left. When I give the signal, you two head into the barn from either end. That’s probably where the men are sleeping. Hank and I’ll take care of the front and back doors of the house.”

  “Sounds like that’ll work.” Beck adjusted his gun and took off and replaced his hat.

  “Then, let’s head out. If we get there before the sun rises, we’ll have the element of surprise on our side.”

  The three men nodded and turned toward their stations.

  Ashe eased his horse to the left and walked him slowly toward the patch of woods. He hoped Lola had been honest when she told him the leader of the gang was sleeping in the house with the farmer’s daughter. He’d like to make these arrests without any bloodshed, though he wasn’t sure these men deserved to live after what they’d done.

  He wasn’t surprised when Lola turned on them. She said they thought they’d left her dying. He felt sympathy for her, but he knew as soon as she could be moved, he’d arrest her. He decided to take his brothers with him when he did.

  Ashe pulled his thoughts back to the present when they reached the cottonwoods. Sliding out of the saddle, he threw the reins around a low-hanging limb and moved to the edge of the woods. Hank followed him.

  “Since we’re this close to the house, let’s go in on foot, Hank.”

  “Fine. Which door do you want me to take?”

  “They’re likely to head for either door. You take the back and I’ll cover the front.”

  “I’m ready.”

  Ashe took off his hat and raised it in the air. He saw Cal do the same thing. “They got the signal. Let’s go.”

  As Hank disappeared around the corner of the house, Ashe stepped on the front porch. Walking as quietly as he could he reached for the front door. Before he could see if it was unlocked, there was a deep growl behind him.

  He whirled around as a large black dog lumbered up the steps with his teeth bared. Ashe eased back against the wall as the dog growled louder. Then he barked.

  In a matter of seconds there was the stomping of feet inside. The door jerked opened and the barrel of a shotgun appeared. “Who the hell’s out here?”

  Ashe grabbed the barrel of the gun and jerked. Farmer Harper stumbled out onto the porch, muttering. “What’s going on?”

  “It’s the sheriff, and you’re under arrest,” Ashe snapped.

  “I’ll be damned!” The burly man shouted. He jerked the shotgun from Ashe and swung it around and fired.

  Ashe was faster. He leaned to the side and hit the big man in the arm making him drop the gun.

  “Daddy,” a female voice screamed inside. “Are you all right?”

  A dark-haired girl came running out on the porch as shots went off in the barn area.

  “Hold it, miss,” Ashe said.

  Harper lunged at Ashe, knocking him against the wall.

  The girl screamed, “J.C, come help us.”

  There was a shot from inside and the farmer fell backward, grabbing his shoulder.

  “You fool! You shot Daddy!”

  There were other shots inside the cabin, but none came out the front door. In minutes it was quiet.

  The woman was bent over her father and Ashe knew they were going nowhere. He picked up the shotgun and tossed it off the porch, then started inside. He was stopped when Hank pushed a tall skinny man outside.

  “Caught this rat trying to slip out the back door, Ashe.”

  “I assume you’re J.C. Templeton.” Ashe looked at the man.

  “You’ll be sorry for this,” he retorted and glared at the sheriff.

  “When you’re hanging by your neck for killing those men during the stage holdups, you’re the one who’ll be sorry.”

  “I’ve not killed anybody.”

  “I’ve heard differently.”

  “What’s all the commotion up here?” Cal asked as he and Beck walked up holding three men at gun point.

  “I think it’s all over. Everyone here’s under arrest. Let’s fix this old man’s arm and get back to town.”

  Chapter 40

  The Norwood house was quiet when Quinn stepped up to the door the next morning. She hesitated. Maybe she should have gone to the shop and let Marlene or Deborah come here to check on the woman. What if it upset Lola to see her? Or what if she woke up Ashe? Shaking away the thought he’d sat here with Lola all night, she reached out and knocked.

  The door opened and Quinn was surprised to see Mazie Smithton. “Why, hello, Mazie.”

  “Quinn. It’s good to see you. Come in.”

  “I thought Ashe Montgomery would be here.”

  “He hasn’t been here for hours. He came and got me before the sun came up. Said Mrs. Norwood needed somebody to watch her and he had to get on the trail of some outlaws. Of course, she told me to stay in the kitchen and she’s been messing around in her bedroom ever since I got here.”

  “Then I assume she’s feeling better.”

  “Well enough to send me to the livery stable and get her buggy so she so she could go see the doctor.”

  There was a shuffle in the hall and Lola appeared. Quinn couldn’t help winching at the sight of her bruised and bandaged face.

  “Not very pretty, am I?” Lola snapped.

  “Not very.”

  “I’ve been in worse shape.” She flipped back her hair. “What do you want?”

  “I came to check on you.”

  “More likely you came to gloat because you cleaned me up last night.”

  “That’s not so.”

  “It doesn’t matter,” she snapped. “Go on about your business. I don’t need you checking on me.”

  “I shall,” Quinn snapped back and turned to Mazie. “Good luck. I know you’re going to have a rough day.”

  “I’ll be fine.”

  As she went down the steps Quinn heard Lola say, “That redhead is such a bitch. I don’t see how anyone can stand her.”

  “She’s been awfully nice to me, Mrs. Norwood.”

  Quinn didn’t hear any more, but she was grinning as she walked down the street toward town. She was going to the shop so she could spend the day with her sisters and forget all about Lola Norwood.

  * * * *

  “That should hold you,” Lola said as she tied Mazie’s hands to the back of the straight chair.

  “Why are you doing this to me?”

  “I can’t have you telling anyone where I’m going.”

  “You said you were going to the doctor. That’s why I got the buggy.”

  “I lied.”

  “But Mrs. Norwood, you don’t have to tie me up. I won’t say anything.”

  “So you say.” Lola shook her head. “I’ve learned you can’t trust anybody. That’s why I have to gag you, too. When those damn Stockton women come home, they might hear you yelling.”

  “But—”

  She couldn’t say anything further. Lola slipped a silk scarf across Mazie’s mouth and tied it securely at the back of her head. “Now, don’t worry. They’ll find you when they come to arrest me. You can tell Ashe Montgomery he made a big mistake. He’ll never find another woman who’d be as good to him as I would.”

  Mazie mumbled something, but it wasn’t understandable.

  Lola turned and picked up the satchel she’d sat on the edge of the bed. Without another word, she walked out of her bedroom and locked the door behind her.

  As she climbed into the buggy, she sat the satchel down on the seat beside her. She smiled to herself. It was a good thing T
emp failed to find the false bottom on her wardrobe where she’d stashed over twenty thousand dollars. It would give her plenty to start a new life in some distant town. Some place where nobody would ever know who she was or where she came from. Maybe New York. She’d always wanted to go east.

  She planned to flag down the stage as soon as she got out of town. She knew they’d never refuse to stop for a poor widow. Of course as soon as she got to Denver she’d get rid of the widow’s black dress and veil. There she’d catch the train east and nobody would ever guess she was a fugitive from the law. Her only regret was she hadn’t been able to get even with Quinn Stockton, Winnie Goodspell and Hank Stockton. But after enough time passed, she might still get to them. Now all she wanted to do was find a man who would give her the respectability she’d hoped to find with Ashe.

  She snapped the reins over the horse’s back and headed out in the opposite direction of the Harper farm.

  * * * *

  Ashe sat at his desk drinking a strong cup of coffee and contemplating his next move. He’d had a long talk with Lilly Harper and realized the girl knew nothing of the robberies or the fact her father was harboring outlaws. She was so in love with Templeton that she believed him when he told her he was working for the railroad and was looking for land to lay tracks.

  If her old man knew differently, Ashe would find out when Milburn had him patched up. In the meantime, he had no qualms about letting Cal escort Lilly over to the doctor’s office where Hank and Beck had taken Harper.

  He knew the next thing on the agenda was to pick up Lola. She was as much involved as were the men he’d put in the cells, but he couldn’t help dreading it. He was sure she’d cry and cite the times they’d spent together as reasons for him to let her go.

  It wasn’t that Ashe minded arresting the woman. She’d broken the law and she needed to be punished. What bothered him was the fact he’d used her for his own pleasure then tried to get information from her. He did know he’d learned one thing. He’d never do it again. If there was a woman involved, someone else was going to have to woo her.

  The door rattled and he looked around as his brothers came in.

  “Everything quiet?” Beck asked.

  Ashe nodded.

  “Where’s Rober?” Cal asked.

  “His tail was dragging so I sent him home to sleep a few hours. He said he’d be back about supper time.”

  “Are you ready to go arrest Mrs. Norwood? I know you wanted us to go with you.”

  Ashe shook his head. “I know you guys are busting a gut to get to the dress shop. We’ll pick up Lola when you finish proposing.”

  “Don’t you want to go make a proposal of your own?” Beck looked at him.

  “Nope. I’m a confirmed bachelor. You know that.”

  “Then we’ll be back shortly.” Cal nodded at his brother and headed out the door.

  Beck followed him.

  Ashe moved to the one window in the jail and watched his brothers head down the street. He swallowed. There was no way they could know how badly he wanted to be with them, but he wouldn’t do it. He’d admitted to himself he was in love with Quinn Stockton. So much in love he wasn’t willing to tie her to a man as jaded as he was. She deserved more and he was going to be strong enough to see she had the chance for a wonderful life. At least he could give her that. He’d see her later and explain he had to leave town because his job required him to be in Denver. She would be free to pursue a life of her own. A life that didn’t include a worn-out cowboy like him.

  * * * *

  When the brothers went to arrest Lola Norwood, they couldn’t believe she’d left town. After questioning Mazie and sending her home, they followed the trail out of town. An hour later they came upon her buggy with the horse tied to an aspen tree near the creek.

  “Now I understand what Mazie implied when she said Lola was wearing a black dress and hat. She’s posing as a widow. I’m sure she flagged down the stage here.”

  “At least she left the horse and buggy where it’d be seen.” Cal said.

  “The woman must be crazy,” Beck said. “In the shape she was in, I didn’t figure she’d get out of bed for several days.”

  “Neither did I.” Ashe moved to the horse and checked him. “Looks like he’s fine, but we need to get him back to town.”

  “Are you going after the stage?” Cal asked.

  “No. We’re going back to town and I’m going to send a telegram to the office in Denver to have someone meet the widow.”

  “Think she’ll go all the way to Denver?” Beck looked at him.

  “I’m sure of it. Lola’s the kind of woman who wants to be in a large town. I’m sure her goal’s to get somewhere else, but her first stop will be Denver.”

  Cal chuckled. “And you don’t have to be the one to arrest her. I think that’s a good thing.”

  “I admit I’m glad it’s out of my hands.” He turned to his brothers. “I appreciate everything you’ve done, guys. Now let’s get back to town so you can spend some time with your fiancés this evening.”

  “Sounds good.” Beck smiled. “I think we should go to the telegraph office with you. I intend to turn my resignation in right away.”

  “So do I,” Cal climbed on his horse. “Then I intend to see how fast those Stockton women can plan a wedding.”

  “Marlene promised it wouldn’t be long.”

  “Then you two head out. I’ll tie my horse to the buggy and be there soon.”

  “Thanks.” Cal mounted. “We’ll see you back in town.”

  Ashe watched as they rode off. He forced himself not to pay any attention to the strange feeling going through him. He decided he’d not put off talking with Quinn any longer. As soon as he got back to town, he’d take her to supper and explain he thought she was a wonderful girl, but he didn’t think they could be anything but friends.

  * * * *

  It was after midnight, but Quinn still hadn’t been able to close her eyes. The tears were all gone, but the pain was still in her heart. How could he do it? Did he really believe she’d be better off without him? Would he be better off without her? Of course he wouldn’t. She was exactly what he needed. He was just too stubborn and hard headed to admit it.

  Quinn flipped over and tossed her quilt to the foot of the bed. “I can’t let him get away with it. I know the fool loves me. Maybe not as much as I love him, but he cares. I know he does.”

  A plan began to form in her mind and she grinned into the night. Would it work? Maybe. In case it did, she had to be ready.

  Quinn threw the rest of the covers back and got out of bed. She lit the lamp on her bedside table and went to her wardrobe. Taking her valise, she began picking out what she wanted to pack. She knew she’d choose some of the fancy things from the shop in the morning. Of course, she took down the hat box with the blue hat in it. If anything made him think about what he was doing, the hat would.

  Thirty minutes later, Quinn blew out the light and climbed back into bed. It wasn’t long until she fell into a peaceful sleep.

  Chapter 41

  The three marshals escorted the bank robbers to Denver to stand trial. Beck and Cal came back to Tornado for two weeks, then went again to Denver to testify as arresting officers. The men were sentenced to hang. They were told Lola left the stage in some town and caught a train heading to Chicago. Unfortunately before they could catch up with her, the train derailed over a canyon and everyone on it died.

  During this time, Marlene made wedding dresses for Deborah and herself. She wanted to make Quinn a blue dress as their bridesmaid, but she insisted they make her dress out of the same ivory colored material as her sisters’ dresses.

  Though Ashe hadn’t come back to Tornado, they knew he’d be here to stand up for his brothers at their double wedding. His parents had arrived and had immediately embraced Deborah and Marlene. Ward and Clare Montgomery said they were now getting two daughters and were thrilled. Clare admitted she wished Ashe was bringing a wife into the fam
ily, too.

  The Saturday of the wedding finally arrived. As Quinn walked into the church yard, she glanced around and saw several buggies, wagons and a few single horses hitched at the posts. She couldn’t help noticing the black bay Ashe always rode. She could tell the saddle bags were packed full, the bedroll was in place and an extra sack, which she assumed contained food, hung from the saddle horn. There was no question. The horse was ready for his planned trip back to Denver. Cal told her this morning the office was glad Ashe was returning to the job even if his brothers weren’t.

  She swallowed back the threatening tears. She knew if her plan didn’t work she wasn’t woman enough for him. He’d told her when he’d come into town last night that she was very special to him and if he was looking to settle down, she’d be his first choice. He then went on to say she was much too good for him and she needed to concentrate on her own life and find a good man closer to her age. He even added he thought she’d soon forget him.

  When he’d first said those words, Quinn was too hurt to argue. She simply gave him a long look, turned and walked away without a word. She knew she’d make her play later.

  With a deep breath, she shook the skirt of the ivory dress she’d insisted Marlene make and opened the church door. Uncle Hank was standing there with a niece on each arm. “We were beginning to worry about you,” he whispered.

  “I’m sorry, but I’m here now.” She glanced toward the front and saw Cal and Beck at their respective places. Ashe was standing beside them.

  Quinn gave her sisters a quick hug, then headed down the aisle to take her place. She felt all eyes on her as she walked forward. Milburn Wheeler was smiling. She almost knew he was anxious for Ashe to leave town. Wes Monroe openly grinned at her as if he was going to come down the isle to meet her. She glanced toward the altar and caught Ashe’s eye, but didn’t look away before she saw the frown on his face.

  Good. He’s jealous.

  * * * *

  When Quinn started down the isle, Ashe hoped the congregation didn’t see his startled expression. He knew she was beautiful, but he didn’t think he’d ever seen her more dazzling. In the cream-colored gown and carrying the pink roses she looked like a bride herself.