by Kit Morgan
“Because, if he’s anything like Harrison, then trust me, he’s going to drive me crazy. They are brothers, after all.”
A ripple of giggles worked its way around the circle at her remark. Eloise stopped stitching and pondered what it would be like to have children with Seth. How many would they have? Would they be boys, girls, both? Or would the chance to have children be stolen from them because the unknown assailant, in turn, stole Seth’s life? She closed her eyes at the thought and fought against another shiver. How long would she be able to live like this, knowing someone was out there, waiting to do them harm?
“Have you thought of any names yet?” asked Grandma.
“Oh, please,” pleaded Belle. “Can’t we talk about something else?”
“We need to talk about the picnic,” bellowed Mrs. Dunnigan. “Who’s going to be in charge of what?”
“She’s right,” said Mrs. Mulligan. “We only have four days to organize this. I was in charge of games last year. Who’s gonna do it this year?”
“Oh, let me!” exclaimed Fanny. “I’ve never done games before.”
“All right, Fanny has games,” said Grandma. “Who wants to be in charge of the food?”
“I would do it,” said Belle. “But my belly is starting to feel funny and I don’t think I can handle talking about food for the next four days.”
Sadie laughed. “I’ll handle the food; don’t worry.”
“Thank you,” said Belle.
“I’ll help you,” offered Eloise, “just as long as you don’t expect me to cook.”
Now everyone laughed. “Don’t worry,” said Sadie. “We’d be too afraid to let you cook.”
Eloise sat, a sour look on her face, before she, too, began to giggle. “Best not let Penelope or Constance cook, either.”
“Hey!” protested Constance. She glanced at Penelope, who burst into a fit of giggles.
“Oh, don’t worry,” said Sadie. “We won’t.”
The morning wore on and soon Eloise realized, along with the rest of the ladies, that they were making better progress than expected. Her dress would be done that night at the latest, and she would have several days to help with plans for the picnic. With any luck, she’d be so busy that she wouldn’t think about the sheriff and his posse. There’d been no sign of any of them since they’d left the day before, and Eloise began to wonder how many more days it might be before they returned. If they returned at all …
Oh, Eloise. Why must you have such morbid thoughts? Of course they’re going to return; why wouldn’t they?
She went back to her sewing, and tried to think of something else. It was then that she suddenly realized that she’d not seen Seth all morning. Where could he be?
* * *
Seth studied the ground before him. Tracks were everywhere, both from men and horses, but they weren’t enough to tell him exactly what had happened at his brother’s farm. There were definite signs of a struggle between a woman and some men, which had to be when Constance was taken to the barn; but then there were other signs, odd ones …
In the house, he found the broken chair and the ropes that had bound his brother to it. From there he followed the signs that led into the barn, where they’d tied Constance to a post. The dead rattler was found near the house, right where Ryder said it would be. After studying everything, Seth came to a very unsettling conclusion. These men had definitely been trying to kill his brother. Question was, why? And if that was the case, why didn’t they just shoot him?
He left the barn, went back to the house, and mounted his horse. He then followed the tracks that led away from the farm, in the direction of the tree line at the base of the mountain. If the outlaws were in those hills, it was going to be difficult to find them. There were a lot of things that could hinder his progress, time being one of them. The picnic was in four days, and he wasn’t sure he could accomplish everything he wanted to in that short amount of time.
Seth turned his horse and stared in the direction of Clear Creek. Perhaps he should have told Eloise of his plan, but all she would’ve done is worry about him. He’d gotten up early that morning and left in search of clues. He didn’t even tell Ryder where he was going. He just went.
He rode across the prairie, following the outlaw gang’s tracks, and puzzled as to why they took the drifter, Cutty, with them. He’d gone over it for days, ever since he found out what had happened. Unfortunately, he kept coming to the same conclusion: Cutty had to have been in on it. But again, why? Ryder had been nothing but kind to Cutty, so why try to kill him; unless of course it was to steal Ryder’s stallion, Othello. But that didn’t make sense either. Cutty would have had plenty of opportunities to do that himself, what with all the times he’d been left alone with the animal while Ryder went to town for supplies. So if the outlaws were there to steal Othello, then why didn’t they chase after the horse when it got away? Unless… they didn’t know he was gone.
It didn’t take long before Seth reached the tree line, and followed the tracks until they disappeared into the brush. He dismounted and knelt on the ground to get a better look. There were still six or seven riders, one horse carrying two. Cutty was probably one of them.
“What did you do, you old coot? Why steal a man’s horse, then let him go to save him?”
Seth took off his hat, and ran a hand through his hair. Then it hit him.
If Cutty cut Othello loose in order to save Ryder, then that meant his brother wasn’t the target. “Oh, my Lord,” he said to himself. “First Penelope, and then Constance, which means… Eloise!” He quickly mounted, turned his horse, and spurred him into a gallop. He had to get back to town and quick. For all he knew, those lowdown varmints were after his future bride at this very moment! And even if they weren’t, one thing was for sure. Cutty had to be behind it.
* * *
“I don’t believe you,” Ryder said. He looked up at his older brother from the bed. “Are you sure Cutty had something to do with this?”
“I know you don’t want to believe it, but who else could it be?” asked Seth.
“Just don’t seem right. The Cutty I know would never do somethin’ so awful.”
“Well, little brother, people aren’t always what they seem.”
Ryder shook his head. “He always helped me out whenever I needed it. Anything I wanted … well, almost anything. Besides that, he’s a good worker. I just can’t believe it.”
“Whether you believe it or not, brother, the question is, what are we going to do?” Seth asked.
“But you’re talkin’ about my friend here, you’re tellin’ me he tried to murder …”
“Look,” Seth said, cutting him off. “Whether you believe it or not, everything points to him. Now, what can we do about it?”
“Do about it? I saw them outlaws take him against his will. They tied Cutty up, put him on a horse, and then rode off with him!”
“That may be so, but …”
“Look, I’ve heard enough. I don’t want to listen to anymore of this! I don’t believe you!”
“Ryder, I’m your brother; you’ve got to believe me!”
“I need time to think about this,” Ryder said. “This is too much for me to take in right now.”
“Well, you’re gonna have to take it in sooner or later. Besides, what are you going to do when the sheriff comes back with your friend and throws him in jail?”
“I’ll believe it when I see it,” said Ryder. He folded his arms across his chest and leaned against the pillows, a determined look on his face.
Seth shook his head. “You just ain’t gonna listen to me, are you?”
“Nope.”
Seth started for the door. “Well, I guess there’s no help for it. I’m gonna get on back to the hotel; if you come to your senses, come find me, okay?”
Ryder glanced at him and nodded, with a solemn look on his face. Seth knew his brother was working everything over in his head. Thoughts that Cutty had any ill intent toward him would be hard
for Ryder to accept. Worse, he’d have to face the fact that he’d been betrayed by someone he trusted.
Seth left the Wallers’ house more than a little concerned. He’d never had to convince Ryder of anything before. His little brother had always trusted him in the past, and that trust had saved their lives more than once over the last few years. To keep that trust they had to believe in each other, but this whole business with Cutty was going to put their trust to the test. Seth sighed as he walked back to the hotel, and tried to think of something else. Eloise suddenly came to mind, and he felt his chest tighten. He was surprised that just a few hours apart from her could make him feel this way. Should he ride out to the Triple C and see her? No, he had work to do at the hotel, and needed to get things done. The sooner he got his work out of the way, the sooner he could see Eloise. Then another thought struck. He didn’t have her full trust yet. That was made obvious by their discussion at Preacher Jo’s house the day before.
A cold knot formed in Seth’s stomach as he continued down the street. Seth Jones didn’t like his trust to be broken.
When Seth returned to the hotel, he was surprised to find Eloise and Constance there. They were having tea in the main dining room with Sally Upton and her sister, Mary Beth. Eloise looked up and smiled at him as he approached, and the sight warmed him.
“Well, howdy, ladies,” he said. “Fancy meeting you-all here.”
“We thought you might join us,” Eloise said. “We've been wondering where you ran off to.”
“Well to be honest, I’ve been out at Ryder’s place looking for clues.”
Constant scrunched her face up. “Looking for clues? I already told everyone what happened; what makes you think you’re going to find anything else?”
Seth shrugged. “Like I said, I just thought I’d have a look around, see for myself if maybe there’s something you all missed.”
“I'm sorry you made the trip,” said Constance. “It’s a long ride out to our place and back. I’m afraid it was all for nothing.”
“I wouldn’t say that,” said Seth. “I found quite a few interesting things out there.”
“What things?” asked Eloise.
“Enough evidence to tell me that your friend, Cutty, had a lot more to do with this than meets the eye.” He stared at Constance, and watched her slowly put her teacup back on its saucer with a small clink. It was the only sound in the room.
“What do you mean?” she finally asked.
“Maybe you ought to go talk to your husband,” he said.
Constance looked back and forth between her sister and Seth, and then stood. “Don’t mind if I do.”
Constance left the dining room and disappeared around a corner, into the lobby. Seth listened to the faint sound of the hotel’s front doors open and close at her departure. Once the dining room was bathed in silence again, he sat.
“What was all that about?” asked Eloise.
“Just what it looks like,” he said. “I found evidence that tells me Cutty was the one behind it all.”
“What?” Eloise said in shock.
“Yep, looks like Ryder’s friend isn’t what he seems.”
“I don’t believe it,” said Eloise. “Poor Ryder; to think someone you’ve known and trusted has turned on you, tried to kill you… I can’t imagine what your brother must be feeling right now.”
“He’s upset, I can tell you that. He got real quiet when I left to come back here. That means he’s mad as a rattler.”
“Can you blame him? And what about poor Constance? To think that man was in their house with them for days and days…”
“Ryder doesn’t believe me and thinks Cutty is innocent. In fact, if I know my brother, he’s gonna set out to prove it.”
Eloise gaped at him. “How can he not believe you? You’re brothers. I dare say, when my sisters and I have a disagreement, we still trust each other’s judgment for the most part.”
“Maybe that’s because you’re womenfolk. Men don’t think that way,” he said as he buttered a biscuit.
“I say, how can you eat at a time like this?”
“It is time for tea, isn’t it?” He poured himself a cup and took a sip. “Don’t worry; once Ryder goes out to his place, looks around, and sees that I’m right, he’ll come to his senses.” He looked at her. “In the meantime, we have more important things to think about.”
Eloise could only stare at him. “But Seth, how are you so sure it was Cutty?”
He looked at her, leaned across the table, and took one of her hands in his. “Because darlin’, my instincts never lie.”
Seven
“Who’s in charge of the games this year?” Colin asked later that evening at the dinner table.
“Fanny Fig, Sadie answered.
“Fanny?” he said. “I hope she does as good a job as Mrs. Mulligan. We’ve been awfully spoiled the last few years.”
“I’m sure Fanny will do just fine. Don’t worry about it,” said Sadie.
Eloise picked at her food. She’d been thinking about what Seth had told her that afternoon, and it bothered her to no end. Belle noticed the way she poked at her supper and frowned. “What’s the matter, Eloise? Is the chicken not to your liking?”
Eloise look at her across the table. “Oh, no, the food is fine. I’m just not very hungry.”
“Did something happen between you and Seth today?” asked Sadie. “I noticed how unhappy you looked when you left the hotel.”
“Seth took a ride out to Ryder’s place,” explained Eloise. “He said he found clues that make him believe the man, Cutty, was behind everything.”
“What do you mean, behind everything?” asked Harrison.
“He told Ryder that from the looks of it, his vagabond friend tried to kill Constance, not to mention Ryder himself. But Ryder doesn’t believe him.”
“I daresay,” said Colin. “He’s going to have to come up with some proof, otherwise what’s the sheriff going to do? So far the only thing Cutty’s guilty of is trying to help Ryder; well, that and smelling bad.”
“Yes,” agreed Eloise. “But Seth seems to think otherwise.”
“Has anyone heard if the sheriff has made it back yet?” asked Belle.
“No,” said Harrison. “And I, for one, am beginning to worry. They should have returned by now.”
“Stop your worrying, brother,” said Colin. “They’ve only been gone two days; I’m sure will hear something soon.”
Eloise continued to pick at her food. “I certainly hope so; Constance isn’t speaking to me.”
“Why not?” Sadie asked.
Eloise sighed. “Because she believes that Ryder is right, and I believe that Seth is right, so naturally, she isn’t speaking to me.”
Belle and Sadie looked at one another. “That’s no reason not to speak to you,” commented Belle.
Eloise straightened in her chair. “On the contrary, it most certainly is. After all, they’re married; of course she’s going to side with her husband.”
“She’s made a good point, you know,” said Harrison.
“A wife siding with her husband, imagine that?” commented Sadie. She then turned to Eloise. “And you’re siding with Seth?”
“Who else am I going to side with? He is going to be my husband.”
Sadie shook her head and smiled. “It’s not a matter of siding,” she said. “It’s a matter of believing who is right. It could be that they’re both wrong, and something else happened that we don’t’ know about.”
“Like what, dear wife?” asked Harrison.
“I don’t know,” said Sadie. “Any number of things, I suppose.”
Eloise shrugged. “At this point, I don’t care what happened. I just hope the sheriff and the posse find the outlaws, lock them up, and dole out the fullest punishment allowed by the law.” She pushed back her chair and stood. “I’m afraid I’m not hungry. If you’ll excuse me, I think I’d like to go sit on the porch for a while.”
Everyone looked at h
er in understanding. “Go right ahead,” said Belle. “I’ll call if we need you for anything.”
Eloise nodded. “Thank you. I guess I just need a few moments alone. This has been a most confusing day.” Sadie and Belle nodded their agreement as she left the room.
Once outside, Eloise sat on the porch swing. She stared at the peaceful barnyard, and idly pushed the swing by tapping her foot in a steady rhythm on the porch. She hated feeling confused, and right now, she felt more confused than ever. She also hated the fact that Constance wouldn’t speak to her, and wanted to apologize for siding with Seth. But what good would that do? If she did, it was saying that she didn’t trust him either, and she did trust him, didn’t she?
She let out a weary sigh. Who was right and who was wrong? Did it really matter? As long as the outlaws were brought to justice, who cared? But, she supposed if she were Ryder, she certainly would care.
Oh, Eloise; when did you become so self-centered?
She stopped the swing and gazed out over the prairie. How her life had changed since she’d left London. This was wild country she and her sisters were in, and there was nothing any of them could do to tame it. All they were capable of doing was taking care of those around them, and in this case that meant their husbands. Naturally, Constance wanted to take care of Ryder, and that meant supporting what he believed was right. Eloise, in turn, supported her intended by believing in him. Only time would reveal the truth of the matter. Until then, she might as well focus on the happenings of the upcoming week; namely, her wedding.
But thoughts of the wedding brought thoughts of Seth and Ryder’s disagreement, and that got her to thinking about Constance again, and… Eloise smacked her head with a hand as if to knock the thoughts from it. “No, no, no! I’m not going to think of this anymore tonight!”
“Think of what?” Jefferson asked as he came up the porch steps.
Eloise looked at the big man. “Oh, don’t mind me. I’m rambling.”
He stepped to the swing and sat next to her. “You look like a woman with a dilemma.”