“Mrs. Bishop came to see me first thing this morning.”
Out of the corner of her eye, Claire saw her two youngest brothers slip around the corner of the cabin. She sighed. They believed the poor old woman might be a witch and for the last month had concocted a variety of tests to prove it.
“What did they do now?”
“Fluffy is missing.”
Claire closed her eyes for a moment. Fluffy, Mrs. Bishop’s beloved pet, was a very black cat. God only knew what the boys might’ve done. She blew out a breath and looked at the sheriff.
“You think my brothers had something to do with it?”
“Yes I do.” His gaze held hers steadily. Seconds passed in expectant silence, he reached out as if to touch her but then dropped his hand. “I need to go.”
Matt stepped around her and headed toward the barn where she saw her father now stood, waiting by the door. Her gaze followed his loose-limbed stride until the men met. Raw emotion clutched her heart. Tears threatened. The simple things she was missing somehow cut her to the bone. A short time ago, she would’ve walked him across the yard hand in hand.
Claire turned on her heel and strode away, needing to be out of his sight. A distinctive sound caught her attention as she rounded the cabin. Her stride lengthened. She hurried through cedar and pine to her brothers’ stick fort.
“George, Daniel, come out here now.”
The boys slunk out, heads bent, eyes cast down. George carried a medium sized old wicker basket. Another unhappy yowl burst from his burden.
“Fluffy I presume?”
Danny, the youngest, nodded.
“It’ll be better if you boys don’t make Pa come looking.”
“Yeah, but not much.”
George’s morose tone made her lips twitch as she struggled to contain her amusement. With slow dragging steps, they set forth. Claire followed them as far as the cabin. She remained by the door, watching until her brothers reached their father and Matt. After that, she ducked into the house confident that justice would be done.
In the kitchen, she scrubbed the vegetables with zeal then chopped them, wielding the sharp knife with satisfaction. Orange and white chunks covered the wooden cutting board by the time she heard someone start to ride away. She turned to look out of the window, staring at Matt’s retreating form until he faded in the distance.
“You and Matthew have words again?” Her mother entered the kitchen and deftly removed the knife from her lax grip.
“No.”
“You two need to sit down and work this out.”
Claire shook her head as she swept the chopped vegetables into a simmering pot on the stove. “Tried that, more than once.”
“I know sweetie but when you love someone you keep trying.”
“He’s being unreasonable.”
“Is he?”
“You know what he said.”
“Yes and I also know your father threatened to never let you leave this farm again.”
“That’s different. He was just scared.”
“I’d say Matt was as well.”
“I know that, but Pa eased up, he’s mostly back to normal with me. Matt is not.” A side-glance caught the concern on her mother’s face and Claire knew she’d better make a quick exit before she received another lecture on love and patience. “Do you need anything else? It’s about time I left to meet Evie.”
The older woman studied her in silence a moment then shook her head. “Is Ben driving you?”
“He might come along. We’re meeting at their place.”
“Oh.” Worry shaded her tone. “You’ll be careful?”
“I’ll be fine Ma, promise.” Claire kissed her cheek.
Before her mother could say another word, she rushed off to her room. She washed up and then changed into a bold red blouse coupled with the black split skirt she loved because it afforded so much freedom. After weaving her hair into a tidy French braid, Claire tucked a change purse in her pocket and buckled on her gun. She grabbed her wide brimmed straw bonnet on her way out of the house.
The heat of summer lingered, but frequent fall rains kept the tree boughs green. Vine maple leaves made bright splotches of gold and red amongst the lush forest that bordered the land they’d cleared for crops. Claire walked through the yard out to the country road that passed close by their fields and then turned left, heading for the Bar 7 Ranch.
Her bonnet dangled by its ribbons from her hand allowing the sun to kiss her skin. Crisp, fresh air filled her lungs as she strolled down the beaten path. Calm determination settled over her. Matt would be in town today. Before returning home, she would try not talking to him again.
Halfway to her destination, a buggy approached. Claire smiled at the sight of her distant cousin by marriage. Although they’d only known each other since Evie and her husband Ben had moved to Fir Mountain in March, they’d grown close quickly. Her new friend had been away for over a week and she was eager to find out what the verdict was on Ben’s past.
A minute later Evie pulled up beside her.
“Impatient?”
“Yes.” Pink tinged Evie’s cheeks and her grin was sheepish.
“Where’s my dear cousin?” Claire climbed in. “I thought he vowed not to let you out of his sight until the baby comes.”
Evie grimaced. “I love that man, but the way he’s hovering with three more months to go, he’s going to drive me crazy.”
“And yet you convinced him to let you go out alone.”
“He let me think so.” With a cluck to her mare, Evie started them forward. “But I’m certain he’s close by.”
Claire twisted in the seat and looked behind them. A rider emerged from a clump of pine trees. A sliver of fear pricked her confidence even though she knew it had to be Ben.
“Is he delivering a couple of horses?”
“You see him don’t you?”
“Well.” Claire faced forward again. “I see a man riding a horse that’s black except for a white stocking on each leg.”
“That would be my husband; no one else rides Sugar.” Evie smiled even as she shook her head.
“Perhaps it’s a coincidence?”
“Hardly, Ben is supposed to be delivering horses to the Double J while we have lunch and as you well know the Judsons’ ranch is in the opposite direction.”
Claire tried not to grin. “Well at least he trusts me to watch over the mom-to-be for an hour.”
“In town where the doctor is close at hand, yeah.” Her friend rolled her eyes. “That’s as much as he trusts anyone with me.”
“I’m flattered.”
“You’re family.”
Startled, Claire’s gaze shifted from the road ahead to her friend. “I thought that didn’t mean much to Ben?”
“It means more than he lets on.”
“He got all prune faced when I asked after his brother.”
“If one of your brothers was a common crook, you might react the same way.”
Claire pursed her lips. “What brothers? After today, I’m thinking of only claiming Tommy.”
“More trouble with Mrs. Bishop?”
“Yes.” She rolled her eyes.
“So, in a small way, you should understand Ben’s reaction.”
Her friend’s even tone held a thread of amusement. Claire inclined her head. “I get your point.”
“Anyway, that was months ago. I think he’s made peace with that. At least he’s not ashamed anymore.”
“In regards to family or what happened in Cedar Ridge?”
“Family. He’s finally accepted that he’s not responsible for his brother’s behavior anymore than you are for George and Daniel’s antics. As for the other … ” Evie lifted one shoulder in a half shrug. “I think Ben will always feel nagging sense of guilt. The judge’s ruling didn’t clear his name.”
“But the investigation is finally over, officially?”
“Yes, Judge Littleton said suspicion isn’t proof.”
“So Ben won’t be arrested for the robberies in Idaho?”
“No he won’t.”
“Why don’t you sound excited?” Claire studied the other woman, concerned.
“I’m relieved but … ”
“Ben still believes that he’s guilty, doesn’t he?”
Evie let out a slow breath, not quite a sigh. She slowed the buggy as they rounded a bend in the road and then glanced over at Claire, her expression somber. “Yes.”
“Even though the Nash brothers were charged with the last heist?”
“Without his memory or indisputable proof of their guilt, he isn’t convinced.”
“But the stagecoach driver swore he shot one of the outlaws and when the Nash brothers were first captured in Idaho, the youngest one, Byron, had a partially healed gunshot wound.”
“That convinces me, and the law, but it’s not that simple for Ben. He thinks he pulled that job with them.”
“What do the brothers say?”
“Byron was killed during their escape from jail in Idaho and the other two refuse to answer any questions. They find it amusing that Ben can’t remember.”
“Any chance he will? What did the doctor in Salem say?”
“He thinks it is unlikely given how long it’s been since Ben took that beating and that other than a few flashes, the five years before then remains blank to him.”
“I’m sorry.”
“He’s coming to terms with it.”
Claire put an arm around her friend and gave her a gentle squeeze. “He’ll be all right. He’s strong.”
“He’s come a long way from being a whiskey soaked outlaw to a trusted friend of a lawman.” Evie’s expression glowed with love and pride. “Matt enlisting his help tracking down the Nash brothers let Ben feel he earned a measure of redemption.”
“Evie, umm … ” Claire bit her lip, wanting to be honest and yet unwilling to break a promise.
“Don’t worry. Ben knows that it started out as a way for Matt to keep an eye on him.”
Relieved, Claire released a soft puff of air. “I’m glad that they’re friends now.”
“So am I.”
Her friend sounded like she was going to cry. “You okay?”
“I’m fine. These days I swear the rooster crowing in the morning brings me to tears.”
“Okay.” Claire’s tone reflected confusion.
“One day, when you’re expecting, you’ll understand.”
“I need a husband first.”
“Well, did get to talk to Matt while I was gone?”
“I, umm … ” Her nerves started to kick in. “I sort of did.”
“What does that mean?”
“Well. He went out to his folks place as I thought.” She drew in a deep breath and then let it out. “I went over but … we didn’t do much talking.”
“Oh Claire, you didn’t argue again, did you?”
“No. Well, not until the end.”
“What are you trying to say? What happened?”
Heat flooded Claire’s face. “What should’ve happened on our wedding night.”
“Oh. OH. Is that good?”
“It was incredible right up until I got ready to leave and he started talking about risks and needing to protect me.”
“Oh Claire.”
Evie pulled up in front of the stable and over the next several minutes, Claire filled her in on what transpired both the day before and that morning. Her friend listened without comment. She remained quiet while a stable hand took charge of the horse and buggy and during the short walk to Fir Mountain’s only restaurant.
When the women opened the door of Judith’s, sounds spilled out. A baby fussed. Dishes rattled. The hum of numerous low conversations filled the air as they moved inside.
The only waitress called for them to seat themselves. Her steps hurried and expression cheerful, she moved toward other patrons with a heavy tray. Claire followed Evie to an empty table in the center of the room.
“Are you sure you didn’t overreact?”
Claire stilled. Evie’s opinion mattered a great deal to her. “You were there. You heard him. He wanted me to give up everything and just sit inside the house tending babies.”
“Something wrong with babies?”
“No of course not but-”
“You want to write about what’s happening in the world while you tend your babies.” Evie stated with patient calm.
The women took their seats. “What’s wrong with that?”
“It’s unusual.”
“But Matt didn’t care. At least he didn’t used to.”
“I’ve this odd feeling we’ve had this conversation before.”
Tension eased at her friend’s teasing tone. “Maybe once.”
“I’d bet on more than that.”
“You’re probably sick of hearing about it.”
“No.” Evie scooted her chair sideways then reached out to clasp her hand. “I’ll listen as often you need me to.”
“Thank you.”
“But.”
“But?”
“You could’ve died Claire. It scared him, scared us all.”
“I know it did, but my parents relaxed, you’ve relaxed so why won’t he?”
“They have? Didn’t you tell me that Tommy still follows you when you walk to town?”
“I had a long talk with my darling brother a couple of days ago and he’s not going to escort me everywhere anymore.”
“Just most of the time?”
“What?”
“Tommy was following you today. I saw him turn and head back toward your farm when I pulled up next to you.”
“I’m glad I only have three brothers, four would likely drive me into that asylum in Salem.”
“But you’re not going to sever your relationship with Tommy even though his protective behavior irritates you.”
“That’s not the same.”
“It seems so to me. You’re pretty patient with your family being protective of you but you won’t give Matt the same consideration.”
“But he wanted to-”
“Walk you home? How many times has he done that?”
“Too many to count. Okay, fine, maybe I overreacted to that, but Evie, he wanted to talk to my father.”
“So he had the nerve, after you’d been intimate, to believe you were a couple again and that you’d marry him?”
“When you put it like that, it sounds almost reasonable, but you weren’t there. He’s not like he was before.”
Evie pointed to the gun hanging by Claire’s hip. “Be fair, you don’t act exactly as you did before either.”
“But he hovers over me! He acts like I can’t be trusted.”
“You think Ben hovering over me is cute.”
“That’s different.”
“How?”
“You lost your son when you were about this far along. His worrying only shows his love and concern for you and this baby.”
“A crazy outlaw grabbed you, could’ve killed you. Matt worries and his hovering shows his love and concern for you.”
“I didn’t die.”
“The Nash brothers stalked us all the way from Idaho-”
“And didn’t kill you or Ben.”
“Likely only because they hadn’t figured out where Ben had hidden their money. If they had, I think we’d be dead. They had killed before. The old woman they beat up in Elk Bend died the next day, and they killed three men escaping the marshal.”
“I know they’re dangerous, but I was barely hurt, only bruised.”
“Claire Bridget McConkey, don’t brush off what happened.”
“I’m not Evie Ann Edgerton Rolfe.”
The other woman simply looked at her.
“Fine.” Claire clasped her hands tighter to hide how the memory made them shake. “Billy Nash killed a woman in Silver Falls City the day before he snatched me. If my dear cousins and Matt hadn’t been riding into town from the direction Billy headed
out in, right then, he and his brother probably would have killed me. I know I screwed up, badly. I shouldn’t have followed him. Happy?”
“Overjoyed.” Evie softened her sarcasm with a smile. “So maybe Matt’s hovering is no different than Ben’s?”
“I get your point.”
“And concede I’m right?”
“I’ll think about it.”
“Good because love isn’t a gift you should throw away.”
Claire arched an eyebrow. “I do believe we’ve had this conversation before.”
Evie acknowledge the echo to her earlier comment with a shrug. “That happens when good advice falls on deaf ears.”
“I listened to you and that’s why I went to see Matt.”
“I told you to talk.”
“Yeah, well … ”
“I don’t want you two to end up like Ben and I did. If we had worked through our problems as they happened, turned to each other instead of away, we could’ve saved ourselves a whole lot of misery.”
“I know.”
“Life doesn’t offer many second chances.” A hint of sorrow crept into Evie’s expression. She looked down, her hands moved to the mound of her child.
“Junior will be just fine.”
“Thanks, I think so too.” Evie looked up and continued, her voice soft, serious. “Matt loves you. That’s what’s important. The rest is details.”
“Dictating that I can’t do what I love isn’t acceptable.”
“Then figure out what is acceptable to you both.”
Claire shook her head, a little frustrated. “You just want me to be an old married woman like you.”
“I think marriage is wonderful.”
“You think Ben is wonderful,” she countered.
“True,” Evie conceded with a contented smile. “But so is sharing your life with the person you love.”
“Relax. You convinced me, of that, at least. I want him back. I have a plan. I’m just … ” Emotion roughened her voice. “Nervous.”
“Of what?”
“Of messing up, making it worse.”
“The worst thing would be not trying.”
Claire sighed as she heard her mother’s words echoed by her friend. “What if he won’t listen?”
“Then try again until he does.”
A bell jangled. Claire sucked in and held her breath. Her gaze swung to the door as it opened. Anticipation soared then crumbled in disappointment when she saw who entered. Her breath released in an almost silent huff. Among the varied group of people who’d come in were a young couple, the boy serious and the girl giggling, three dusty cowhands and the banker, a quiet middle-aged man carrying a book. Not one was the man she wanted.
The Lawman of Silver Creek Page 3