Another Chance

by Michelle Beattie

  If only he hadn't already given her his heart.

  TWENTY

  It was a simple plan, but that didn't make it easy. In the hours Jillian had lain awake listening to her animals and mulling over her situation she'd made some decisions. Firstly, while she could certainly keep her animals safe at night by sleeping in the barn, she couldn't always be home, nor she did she intend on sleeping in the barn indefinitely.

  Hope, and the dog if she found one, would be safe as if Jillian left her property, she'd have them both with her. But that wouldn't keep Zeke and Rascal safe.

  And she wouldn't have them killed because of her.

  So after folding her bedding and tossing it over the rail, Jillian went into Rascal's pen. His masked face peered at her. His little hands pressed on the bars.

  "You want out? Well, you're about to get your wish."

  She dragged his cage outside, unwound the wire that was holding the door closed. It was bittersweet saying goodbye. On the one hand she'd always felt he was a wild animal that shouldn't be caged, but on the other hand, she loved the way he looked at her. The chattering noises he made when she brought him food or talked to him.

  "Now don't be coming in the house and making a mess or you'll be right back where you started." Or worse, if whomever bought Jillian's house once she moved on wasn't as forgiving as she was.

  Maybe he'd learned his lesson, time would tell. But he looked from the cage to the house, house to cage as though he understood one would lead to the other. Then with a twitch of his pointed nose, he ambled for the trees.

  Zeke wouldn't be as simple to deal with but Jillian had little doubt that by the end of the day, he'd have a home. In the meantime, she stored Rascal's cage with Whiskers' empty one, and with the shotgun handy, went about her morning chores.

  Within two hours, she was clean, dressed and Hope was saddled. She'd fashioned a rope collar for Zeke and tied the other end of the rope to Hope's saddle. It would take longer to walk to town that way, but it would guarantee the animal's safety.

  As for the cow and calf, she just had to hope they'd be safe for a few hours. Since the cow had milk and the heifer could be sold come fall, Jillian could only hope that if anything, they'd be stolen rather than hurt.

  Apparently Monday mornings meant brisk business in Cedar Springs. Several wagons rattled by. A stagecoach was loading in front of the post office, already its roof was half-filled with trunks and bags. With school now through until fall, children of varying heights walked alongside their mothers while the younger ones toddled along the boardwalk, their little fists clasped in their mother's long skirts.

  Jillian had always drawn stares but she seemed to draw more than usual as she rode in with Zeke. Usually she smiled at them, regardless of their attitude, but she didn't have the heart to this morning.

  Shane stepped out of the sheriff's office as she rode by. For him she fashioned a smile, pulled Hope to a stop.

  Shane looked at Zeke. "A goat isn't much in the way of protection."

  Jillian accepted his help down. "I can't protect him when I'm not home. I kept him because he was left to me but I don't want him hurt. I was hoping someone might like to take him."

  "Hmm. Can't say I know anybody. Anyhow, I'm glad you're here." He glanced around but there were a lot of folks rambling the street. "Come inside for a minute, I have some news."

  In the jailhouse, Shane perched on a corner of his desk. Jillian settled in a chair.

  "Steven's friends deny killing your rabbit."

  "I hardly expected them to admit it."

  "Maybe not, but I'm usually a good judge of folks. Of them all, I'm most likely to believe it was Bill, the livery owner."

  "But you said he denied it."

  "He did, but I spoke to his wife. She claims she heard Bill leave the room that night. Of course he claims he just went to the outhouse."

  "Was he gone long? Maybe if he didn't come right back…"

  Shane shook his head. "I thought of that. She said she fell back asleep and has no idea how long he was gone."

  "Have you asked Harvey Black?" Jillian told Shane about her visit to his place and his comment about dealing with animals if he needed to.

  "I went over there but he wasn't home. Steven didn't think he was back from Bozeman yet."

  So he had gone to advertise for her replacement. Well, it seemed as though her future was set no matter what she wanted. Her time in Cedar Springs was coming to an end. Still, if she was going to be forced out, she wanted to know the rest.

  "It was all Steven then? I mean, other than killing Whiskers?"

  "The saddle and the feed were. He's claiming he's innocent of the rest. And, as I said, his friends deny any involvement."

  "Well, these things didn't happen on their own!"

  Shane held up a hand. "I'm not done with them, Jillian. I'll be talking to their wives when they're at work. I'll also be checking in on them here and there throughout the day. They're going to get good and sick of me with the amount of time I'll be spending watching them. Hopefully, that'll be enough to leave you alone.

  "And I haven't forgotten about Harvey. He'll be back soon, so I'll keep checking on him, as well." He paused. "It's all I can do, Jillian. Hopefully it will be enough."

  It might make the attacks stop, but it wouldn't assure she'd get work. Yet she appreciated Shane's efforts and thanked him before stepping outside.

  A little girl crouched next to Zeke, giggling when he tried to nibble her skirt. Her mother watched, a warm smile of adoration on her face.

  "His name is Zeke and don't let his handsome looks fool you, he'll eat that skirt until it's gone if you let him," she said.

  The mother grabbed her daughter's hand. "I'm sorry, she saw the goat and ran over. We'll leave now."

  "You think he's handsome?" the little girl asked.

  Jillian knelt close. "Of course he is. Look at those big brown eyes of his, and the smart grey whiskers on his chin."

  "And these things," the little girl said, touching the two loose furry growths that hung from each side of the neck.

  "Those are called wattles," Jillian said.

  "Really?" her mother asked, looking in closer. "I never knew that."

  Jillian looked at her, smiled. "I didn't either until my father taught me. He was a veterinarian as well," she added.

  The woman nodded, placed a hand on her daughter's bonnet. "You learned at his side?"

  "I did," Jillian straightened, then shifted to keep the sun from her eyes. "My fondest memories are of times we spent together."

  "He's passed?"

  "Yes," Jillian admitted. Her heart squeezed briefly. "Earlier this spring."

  "I'm sorry for your loss. Come Ruth," she said to her daughter. "It's time to go."

  "But, Mama."

  "Ruth," she said. "We've kept Miss Matthews long enough."

  "Oh, well, I don't mind. I've enjoyed talking with you both."

  The woman looked startled for a moment, then nodded her head. "I have as well. I'm Mary, by the way. My husband Justin is the blacksmith."

  And he was a friend of Steven's. But she wouldn't judge Mary by her husband.

  "Pleased to meet you. You know, Mary, I was on my way to the mercantile to ask Mrs. Daniels if she'd know of anyone who might like to have Zeke." She looked to Ruth, grinned. "You wouldn't know of anyone, would you?"

  Ruth clasped Zeke around the neck. "Mama, we could keep him!"

  Mary didn't seem sure. "Oh, but-"

  "I'm not asking you to pay for him. I simply want him to go to a good home." She smiled at Ruth. "And to be given lots of love."

  "Can we keep him, Mama? Please?"

  "Really, Mary, you'd be doing me a favor. But," she added, since she didn't want Zeke to have the same fate as Whiskers, "only if this won't upset your...family."

  Mary blinked. "No, he spoils Ruth." She looked from her daughter's smiling face to Jillian. "Well, if you're sure..."

  Jillian untied Zeke and handed the
rope to Ruth. "Mind that he doesn't eat too many of your dresses, it will give him a belly ache."

  "Don't worry, I'll take good care of him." Then before Jillian knew what had hit her, the little girl was wrapped around her legs.

  Laughing, Jillian patted her back, met Mary's smile. "You're very welcome."

  Suddenly Jillian had the feeling she was being watched. She said her goodbyes to Mary and Ruth and looked around. The stagecoach had gone; a few wagons remained in front of the mercantile. She looked left. Two men were walking into the barber's, but she saw no sign of Steven or anybody else that seemed particularly interested in what she was doing.

  Yet, as she made her way to Letty's store to ask about a puppy, she couldn't shed the feeling that someone was keeping an eye on her.

  ***

  Steven lifted his head as they filed into his feed mill.

  "What the hell are you doing?" he cursed.

  "Ain't no law against coming in here," Harvey answered as he led the pack to the counter where Steven was standing.

  Steven's stomach knotted. He came round the counter, strode across to the window and saw his fear was warranted. The sheriff was heading their way.

  "Goddammit! Shane's on his way!" His eyes snapped to Harvey's. "I told you the man hasn't left me alone in days. I told you to stay clear of me. I'm not spending no more time in jail!"

  "We ain't done nothin' wrong," Harvey placated.

  "Well, tell him that," Steven muttered as Shane pushed open the door.

  Dust motes flittered on the breeze that Shane's entrance created. Though he knew he'd done nothing wrong, sweat dampened his neck. He'd kept his nose clean since being let of jail but he still felt like a prisoner. Of course with Shane stopping in at least twice a day and making "neighborly" visits to Steven's house, was it any wonder he felt like a damn criminal?

  Shane's pointed gaze fell over them all. "Good afternoon, gentlemen."

  "We haven't done anything, Shane."

  He raised a brow. "Did I say you did, Justin?"

  "Then why are you treating us like we did?" he answered.

  "I can't even go to the outhouse without worrying about you watching," Robert complained.

  "Shoot you've been to my house so often of late why don't you just bring yourself a bedroll and stay next time?" Bill grumbled.

  Shane grinned. "Thanks for the invitation, might just take you up on that."

  "Shit," Bill groaned. "And won't that just make the missus' mood even brighter."

  "What do you want?" Harvey asked.

  The sheriff faced Harvey, but the damn fool didn't have the sense not to aggravate the sheriff. Harvey crossed his arms, sneered. "You plannin' on playin' my nursemaid too now that I'm back?"

  Shane took a step toward Harvey. "I'll do whatever it takes to make this nonsense against Miss Matthews stop."

  "My hands are clean," he said, raising them. "Seems to me Miss Matthews is just the victim of a series of unfortunate accidents."

  "Cut feedbags, a butchered dress and a snapped rabbit's neck aren't accidents."

  Steven's stomach rolled when Harvey laughed.

  "Mishaps, then," Harvey sneered.

  Shane and Harvey had themselves a staring match for a few charged moments before Shane shifted his attention to the rest of them. Steven wanted to punch the son of a bitch but he wasn't that stupid. He'd kept his nose clean, Shane had nothing on him. All he could hope was that soon he'd tire of playing nursemaid and leave them the hell alone.

  "Unless you want to get real friendly with my jail cell," Shane added with a hard look at Steven, "you'd best steer clear of Miss Matthews, her house and anything that's hers."

  "You plannin' on arrestin' your friend Wade, then? 'Cause he seems to have gotten real close to what's hers."

  "Harvey, you dumb son-of-a-bitch," Steven growled.

  Shane's hand settled on his six-shooter. He went toe-to-toe with Harvey. "Ask Steven how he enjoyed my cell."

  Steven held his breath, but though Harvey's eyes glittered, for once he kept his big mouth shut.

  At the door, Shane gave them a last warning. "Judges aren't too friendly toward men who abuse women. You might want to keep that in mind."

  The mill remained quiet as they watched Shane cross the dusty street. The moment Shane entered his jailhouse, Steven rounded on Harvey.

  "What the hell were you thinking? I don't need Shane riding my ass every time I turn around!"

  "Well, we can't exactly discuss anything at Silver's. This seemed the best place."

  Steven snarled. "Really? And you don't think coming to my house after work would be better? Or maybe not all coming in here at once like a damn herd."

  Harvey snarled right back. The venom in his gaze shocked Steven.

  "You think all of us skulking in the dark would look any less suspicious?" he scoffed.

  "Fine," Steven conceded. "You have a point. Now can you get to the reason you're here?"

  "Why is she still here? I thought we agreed while I was gone to Bozeman that you'd work at getting her out of here."

  "It's not as though we haven't tried," Robert explained. "Steven dumped her feed. I know I scared her good when I shredded her dress."

  "And I killed her rabbit," Bill said.

  Harvey rolled his eyes. "And you think those petty little games are enough?"

  Justin stepped closer. "Well, it's all I'm willing to do. I told you from the beginning I wasn't hurting her."

  "And I'm not spending any more time in jail," Steven added. Not to mention every time Shane came calling, his wife nagged him even harder. Shit, he thought as her squeals went through his head, he'd do just about anything to make her shut up.

  "What are you sayin'? That you're all through?"

  Justin shrugged. "I've got more work than I can handle and a wife and daughter at home. You went to Bozeman, put out the advertisements. Let's just see what happens."

  Harvey went red. His thick hands clenched at his sides. "Is that how you all feel?"

  "We don't like her any more than you do," Bill said. "But Shane's breathing down our necks and we have businesses to run. We can't afford to lose them because of this and if we end up in jail, that's exactly what'll happen."

  Harvey's nostrils flared like a raging bull. "She hasn't won."

  "Won what? Nobody's seeking her help, that hasn't changed," Steven said.

  "For now, but what if we don't get another vet, then what?"

  Nobody answered him. And the feed mill seemed to shrink in size as Harvey's hot, rapid breaths filled the room. Steven didn't like Jillian. Hell, he'd hoped she'd be packed up and gone by now but she wasn't and his life was enough of a mess because of her already. He wanted her gone, no question, but he had to weigh the costs of taking this any further.

  "Goddamn bunch of worthless cowards you turned out to be." Harvey spat on Steven's floor, then marched for the door.

  "What are you going to do now?" Steven asked.

  Harvey stopped, but he kept his back to them. "Whatever I have to do," he answered.

  He flung the door open and though it was warm outside, it was an icy breeze that Harvey left in his wake.

  ***

  Shane had made fresh coffee and he cradled a cup of it while he braced against his window and watched the feed mill. Trouble was brewing. He smelled it as surely as the air changed right before a good thunderstorm. He was pretty sure Steven's time cooling his heels in jail had served its purpose. Besides, from their time in school Shane had always known Steven to be more of a blowhard than an actual threat.

  He didn't know the others as well, but they'd never given him trouble before and as he'd shadowed them for the last few days, hadn't gotten a sense that they were especially mean. Pranks, yes. He knew they were responsible for what had happened so far, but he wasn't convinced they'd take it further, not now that he was involved.

  Harvey Black, however, was another matter. He seemed primed and ready for a fight.

  He came out of t
he feed mill now, and even from across the street Shane heard the door slam behind him. Shane watched as the man stomped into the livery. Not long after he barreled out of there, hooves kicking up dust as he raced out of town.

  "What's got you so upset?" he wondered.

  He waited and watched and soon the others streamed out of the feed mill, each shuffling back to their place of work. Taking his coffee, Shane went to his files. Shane had made it a habit since taking over as sheriff to introduce himself to anyone new to the area. He'd done it with Jillian, with several other families and he'd done so with Harvey.

  Sorting through his papers, Shane found what he was looking for. Upon meeting newcomers, he usually jotted down a few notes about them. It not only helped him keep everyone straight it was a useful tool, in times like these, when he needed to go back and get some facts.

  He pulled the notes he'd written on Harvey Black. It didn't take long, as there wasn't more than a paragraph or two, to find what he was looking for. Harvey had said he'd come from Boise. Taking his hat he went to the livery, smiled at a frowning Bill. Shane couldn't do what needed to be done here but luckily it wasn't far to the next town. And, like Cedar Springs, it had a telegraph office.

  TWENTY-ONE

  Wade caught his mother around the waist and pulled her into the house. "I need to borrow two dresses, quick."

  "You what?"

  "Don't look at me like that, I'll explain everything later. Can you fetch them? The brighter the better."

  "Oh, but Letty's just riding in. We were going to do the last few stitches on my wedding dress."

  The wedding. It was coming fast. Not that he didn't want his ma and James happy, but it still gave him a tug around the heart to think of her marrying someone other than his pa.

  He kissed her cheek. "This won't take long I promise." The rest of her words sank in and he smiled. "Mrs. Daniels is here?"

  "Yes, I saw her riding in and was going out to greet her when you grabbed me."

  Laughter bubbled in his chest. "Perfect!"

  She eyed him curiously. "What are you up to?"

  "You'll see, but you need to hurry." He nudged her toward the stairs.