Brianna worked up her courage and smiled at the man who intimidated and fascinated her. “If you’ve no objection, Sheriff, I would like to ask you a few questions about the horse rustler I heard you discussing with Mr. Jordan yesterday.”
“Why in the heck are you interested in a horse rustler, Fred? That’s no information a lady needs to know.” Tully glared at her then slipped into a cocky grin. “Unless you’re in cahoots with him. I bet that’s it. You’re supposed to be the pretty distraction that turns all attention away from him while he makes off with our horses.”
With the option of taking his words as a compliment or insult, she weighed the possibilities before responding. “I’m not in cahoots, as you put it, but I am working on an article for the newspaper. Mr. Packwood asked me to unearth all the details I could in regard to the subject. The most knowledgeable person about the matter is you.”
“Bowen told you to talk to me?” Surprised, he stopped in the middle of the boardwalk. “You’re working for Bowen? When did that happen?”
“I officially began work this morning. My first assignment is writing an article about the horse rustler. Now, will you allow me to glean what information I can from you or shall I search for an alternative source?” Brianna smiled sweetly, wondering how Tully could be so maddening yet undeniably attractive at the same time. The twinkle in his hazel eyes and the dimples in his cheeks made her wonder what he’d looked like as a boy. She pictured him being every bit as ornery and full of life as he was now.
Tully took her elbow in his hand and guided her to the nearby park. After settling on a bench, he leaned back and crossed one booted ankle over the opposite knee.
“Ask away, Fred, and I’ll tell you what I know.”
Grateful she’d tucked a small notebook and pencil into her reticule, Brianna pulled them out. “When did the first robbery take place?”
Tully spent the next twenty minutes answering her questions. Taken aback by her intelligence and thoroughness, he treated her as he would any reporter from the paper — with respectful professionalism.
“Now that I answered all your questions, how about you answer a few of mine?” Tully leaned forward with both elbows resting on his knees.
“What could you possibly want to ask me?” Brianna appeared dubious as she tucked the notebook back into her reticule.
“You haven’t told me the whole story of why you’re here or what your intentions are. There’s still a secret you’re hesitant to share.”
Caught off guard by his astute observation, her mind scrambled to conjure a flippant reply. To her relief, Deputy Durfey ran up to them, rescuing her from answering.
“Son of a gun, Tully! I ran all over town trying to find you. A few miners came into town and started a fight over at the assayer’s office. Right now, they’re bustin’ up Howard’s saloon.”
“Let’s go.” Tully jumped to his feet and took a few running paces before he stopped and turned around. “Can you get yourself back to the hotel, Fred?”
“Of course, but I’d like to accompany you.” Brianna hurried toward him, despite the horrified look on both men’s faces. “It sounds like a story for the newspaper.”
“Absolutely not. And don’t get it in your head to follow me, either. I’ll toss you back in jail if I have to.” Tully took a step toward her with a menacing scowl.
Brianna backed away and shook her head. “I’ll stay, but you have to promise to tell me what happened.”
“Fine. Later.” Tully ran off with Dugan beside him.
Annoyed the man threatened another trip to the jail to keep her from tagging along, she returned to the park bench and sat down, watching the other occupants of the park. From the corner of her eye, she noticed a puckish little face peering at her from behind a tree.
Brianna smiled and waved a hand in the child’s direction. “I’d be happy to have you sit with me, Sammy.”
The child ducked back around the tree, hiding from view. Brianna pretended not to notice and continued sitting on the bench with an open expression on her face.
Only a few minutes passed until Sammy edged around the tree and scampered her way. The child plopped down on the opposite end of the bench from Brianna.
“It’s certainly a lovely day, isn’t it, Sammy?”
The child nodded, keeping his gaze focused on his dusty, bare feet. Brianna had noticed many children running around without shoes or stockings, enjoying the feel of cool grass between their toes. For a moment, she wished she could be as carefree as the youngsters and shed her shoes and stockings.
“Are you engaged in any activities this afternoon?” Brianna slid a little closer to the charming imp.
Sammy shrugged, staring at Brianna. The little one pointed at her then in the direction of the sheriff’s office.
“Why was I talking to the sheriff? Is that what you want to know?” Brianna asked.
Sammy nodded his head.
“I was merely trying to gather information for a story for the newspaper. Mr. Packwood hired me to write a few articles for him.” Brianna rose to her feet and held out her hand to the boy. “It’s much too hot out this afternoon. What do you say we go get an ice cream or a soda?”
The child smiled and took Brianna’s hand, pulling her toward the drugstore located a few blocks from the park.
The boy looked at her with adoration as they entered the store and Brianna held back a sigh. If only it were as easy to win over Tully Barrett with a dish of ice cream.
Chapter Nine
“How’s the story on that horse rustler coming, Miss Dumont?” Bowen Packwood asked when Brianna tapped on his office door.
“The sheriff is following a few leads, but still hasn’t made any arrests.” Brianna sat in the chair Bowen indicated and pulled out an article she’d written the previous evening. “In the meantime, I did discover there is talk of organizing a Women’s Christian Temperance Union here in town.”
Bowen groaned and settled back in his chair. “Heaven help us all if that’s the case.”
Brianna shot him a cool glare but slid the article she’d written across the desk.
The editor lifted the papers and read the story. He picked up a pen and made a few notations then looked over at her. “Despite the fact I’m not thrilled with the topic, you stuck to the facts and wrote an informative piece.” He pushed the article back toward her. “Read those changes I made and you’ll see how it makes the story stronger.”
Quickly, Brianna scanned through his notations and nodded in agreement. “Thank you, sir. Does this mean you’ll publish the story?”
“It does, but stay on that horse rustler story and anything else of interest you might find.”
Brianna grinned and took a folded sheet of paper from the bag she’d carried with her. “Do you know the sheriff well, Mr. Packwood?”
He raised an eyebrow and gave her a curious look. “I do.”
“Then you are aware of his tendency to tease and joke with others?”
“I certainly am.” Intrigued, Bowen leaned forward. “What do you have in mind?”
“I wrote an article about the sheriff. If you find it to your liking, what do you think of printing a special copy of the newspaper just for Sheriff Barrett?”
Bowen snatched the story from her hand. First, a chuckle burst out of him, followed by a snort then a deep belly laugh rang through the room. “It would be my pleasure to print this just for Tully. I’ll make sure one of my boys delivers it to his office the moment the ink dries.”
“Of course, you’ll leave my name off the article, won’t you?”
“Of course.” Bowen grinned and stood, holding out his hand to Brianna.
Pleased he’d accepted her first two articles, she shook it then rushed out of the office. Inspired, she headed off to see what other news she could unearth in town.
On her way back to the hotel that afternoon, she stopped when Maggie MacGregor darted out of her shop and called to her.
Brianna crossed the s
treet and hurried toward the woman. “Hello, Maggie. It’s lovely to see you.”
“And you, Brianna. I wanted to let you know Ian and his folks helped me clean out the apartment yesterday, so anytime you’d like to move in, it’s ready for you.”
Brianna clasped her hands beneath her chin, excited at the prospect of moving into her own place. “If you’ve no objection, I’ll take occupancy tomorrow morning.”
“That would be just fine.” Maggie motioned Brianna inside the shop. “I’ve got a key for you and I’ll show you how everything works.”
The following morning, Brianna smiled as a young man carried her trunk from the hotel to Maggie’s shop. After breakfast, she’d given Mr. Isaac a generous tip for his help during her stay at the hotel. He offered to send one of the bellboys up to carry her trunk for her and she readily accepted. Although Maggie had volunteered Ian’s assistance, Brianna didn’t want to bother her friends.
With the young man following her, Brianna walked down an alley and along the back of Maggie’s shop to the rear door. She unlocked it and held it open as the bellboy stepped inside then hefted the trunk up the stairs. At her direction, he set it in the larger of the two bedrooms. He accepted the tip she handed to him then disappeared down the stairs with a, “thank you, Miss Dumont,” tossed over his shoulder.
Brianna wandered through the apartment, surprised Maggie had left so much furniture behind. Then again, Ian’s house was fully furnished and she couldn’t imagine where they’d put Maggie’s things.
In the kitchen, Brianna would have built a fire in the stove and made herself a cup of tea, but she didn’t want to heat up the apartment. With limited culinary skills, she planned to eat very simply or take her meals at the restaurant down the street.
She pushed open the window to catch the morning breeze. The table beneath it would provide the perfect place to write articles.
Leisurely, she unpacked her trunk then carried a framed photo of her father and one of her parents on their wedding day into the sitting room and placed them on the mantel. Although Maggie had left a comfortable sofa and chair behind, the room seemed rather bare without paintings on the walls or other bric-a-brac to give it a homey feel.
If Brianna planned to stay longer than a month, she might add a few touches, but she didn’t see the point in spending the money on unnecessary frippery. Before her father died, she wouldn’t have thought twice about purchasing whatever she pleased the moment the whim struck, but she had limited funds and felt a determination to learn to live within her current means. The missing contents of her bag might have helped her situation, but until it was found, she had no other options.
The last time she’d asked Tully about her stolen bag, he warned her it might never turn up. He told her it was likely someone grabbed it and jumped on the departing train. Aggravated and dismayed by the loss, she needed to forget about it and move on.
“Brianna?” Maggie called up the stairs, pulling her from her thoughts.
Hastening to the top of the stairs, Brianna smiled at her friend. “Good morning! I hope you don’t mind that I’m here early.”
“Not at all.” Maggie smiled as Brianna joined her at the bottom of the steps. “You’re welcome to come and go as you please. I noticed the door to the apartment was open and wanted to make sure it was you up there. Do I need to send Ian to collect any of your things?”
Brianna shook her head and followed Maggie into her workroom. “I appreciate the offer, but one of the bellboys carried over my trunk. I’m settled in and so appreciate all the things you left in the apartment.”
“With Ian’s house fully furnished and decorated, there isn’t anywhere for most of my furniture. I took over a few pieces that have sentimental meaning, but the rest of them can stay here.” Maggie removed her hat and gloves then turned back to Brianna. “Have you had breakfast? We could run down to the bakery if you haven’t.”
“I ate at the hotel, but if you decide you need a break this morning, I’d be happy to go with you then.”
Maggie nodded in agreement. “I like the way you think. Perhaps we could plan to go about ten. Will you do most of your writing for the newspaper here or there?”
“Here,” Brianna said, fingering a bolt of airy fabric that looked like spun sugar. She wished she could figure out a way to have the rest of her things shipped from home. She’d dearly missed her expansive wardrobe, but she wouldn’t dare contact anyone for fear of the wrong people finding out her location. “Mr. Packwood has been generous in allowing me to work wherever I choose, as long as I write a few stories for him each week. I’ve turned in two and am almost finished with a third.”
“That’s wonderful, Brianna. I look forward to reading your articles.” Maggie set a bolt of dark blue twill on her worktable and unwound several yards. From a drawer, she took out pattern pieces and began placing them on the cloth. “When does the first one come out?”
“Today. I asked Mr. Packwood not to use my full name, so they are written by B. E. Dumont.”
Maggie smiled and picked up a pincushion, pinning the pattern pieces where she’d positioned them. “I’ll look in the paper when we go home this evening. What does the E. in your name stand for?”
“Evangeline. It was my grandmother’s name,” Brianna turned toward the stairs. “Enjoy your morning, Maggie. I’ll pop down around ten and we can make that trip to the bakery.”
“Thanks, Brianna. If you find you need anything for the apartment, please let me know.”
“I will, and thank you for renting it to me, despite the fact I’ve been arrested twice since I arrived in Baker City.”
Maggie laughed. “I wouldn’t worry about that.”
Brianna returned upstairs and settled herself at the kitchen table with a sheaf of papers, an inkwell and pen. Instead of writing, she looked out the window and watched Tully Barrett make his way down the street, tipping his hat to women and shaking hands with men.
The way he charmed everyone he met, he could have been a politician stumping for support.
Although she wanted to dislike him, it was difficult when he stopped and greeted a woman with a baby. The silly faces he made caused the little one to giggle and wave chubby arms in the air.
Except where she was concerned, he certainly seemed to be a friendly, easy-going man.
Tully whistled as he made his rounds around Baker City. He loved talking to friends and neighbors as he walked through town, ensuring all was peaceful. If someone had told him as a boy he’d grow up to be the sheriff of one of the largest cities in Oregon, he would have thought they were crazy.
He stopped and helped the Morrow family load the last of their trunks on a wagon headed for the depot. After only a few months in town, they’d decided to move to Portland.
Although he liked the couple and their younger children, the older daughter had been a thorn in Ian’s side the entire time he’d courted Maggie. When his friend made it clear he had no interest in Eunice, she hadn’t taken the news well. It didn’t surprise him the family was leaving. Eunice had barely left the house since she humiliated herself at a dance the previous month and he had an idea nothing in town was quite like the couple expected.
Once he bid them well, he continued on his way. The chubby cheeks of a healthy baby drew Tully like a magnet. The baby smiled and cooed as he made a funny face and waggled his fingers at her. Politely tipping his hat to her mother, he ambled to his office, content and happy with life.
Other than the horse rustler he had yet to catch and the annoying presence of Brianna Dumont, Tully decided life couldn’t get any sweeter.
Rather than examine why Miss Dumont bothered him so, he shoved thoughts of the exciting, exhilarating emotions she stirred in him to the back of his mind and opened the door to his office. He checked on their lone prisoner, a man who’d tried to forge a title for a piece of land east of town, then sent home the deputy who had kept watch during the night shift.
The heat of the day kept him from stoking the
fire in the stove and making a fresh pot of coffee. Instead, he took off his hat and settled into his office chair, reviewing a pile of wanted posters that had arrived in the previous day’s mail.
A name jumped out at him and he reread the poster. Dale Darcey had taken several hundred dollars from Thane back in November during a collapse at one of the Jordan mines. Thane had given Dale the cash and asked him to go into town for help and supplies, but the thief took the money and disappeared.
From the wanted poster in his hand, Dale Darcey had added a bank robbery in Wasco County, attempted murder, and assault to his transgressions.
Tully set aside the poster, planning to show it to Thane. His friend would want to see that his former employee had turned to a life of crime.
He glanced up from his desk when a freckle-nosed boy ran inside the office and handed Tully that day’s newspaper. The boy grinned and touched the brim of his flat cap when Tully took a coin from his pocket and tossed it to him.
“Thanks for bringing my paper, Sammy. You stay out of trouble and have a good day.”
The boy nodded and scampered out the door.
Tully leaned back in his chair, trying to recall anything he’d heard about the boy. He’d noticed him around town in late spring, but no one seemed to know anything about him. It was challenging to get information from the child due to his inability to speak.
Although he’d made it clear Sammy could come to him if he ever needed anything, the child seemed oddly self-sufficient. Tully wondered if Bowen Packwood knew anything about him, since Sammy sometimes delivered papers. He’d have to remember to ask the man.
With a snap of his wrist, Tully opened the paper and read the front page. At the bottom, a headline made him tightly clench his jaw. Quickly scanning the article, he stood so fast, his chair tipped on its side.
Enraged, he slapped his hat on his head and strode out the door. He nearly plowed over Dugan as he arrived to start his shift.
Corsets and Cuffs: (Sweet Historical Western Romance) (Baker City Brides Book 3) Page 10