Return to Whispering Pines

by Scarlett Dunn

  “I’m going with Dutch,” Corbin said quickly.

  Frank wasn’t surprised over Corbin’s decision. In his estimation, not only was Corbin dim-witted, he was also short on guts. “Reb?”

  Reb was a lot like Frank; they both thrived by living on the edge. “I’ll ride with you as long as I don’t have to go back on Whispering Pines ranch. We ain’t seen Mason since we rode through those pines the last time we rustled. Do you remember those screams that morning?”

  Frank didn’t want to think about what they’d heard in those pines the last time they were there. “Yeah, I remember. Problem is, Joseph Longbow never leaves that ranch.”

  “I’ll ride with you, but I ain’t going through those pines again,” Reb said adamantly. No one ever called Reb a coward; he wasn’t afraid to do much of anything. Rustling or robbing a bank was fine by him. But the thought of riding in that pine tree range again scared him to death.

  “Fair enough.” Frank turned his eyes on Dutch. “Reb and I will meet you three in Denver at the end of the month.” He told them how to find the house where he’d stayed with Walt before they’d robbed the bank. “You remember that place, don’t you, Corbin?”

  “I was pretty drunk when we were there, but I reckon I can find it again.”

  “Reb, what do you say we take off in the morning?” Frank asked.

  “Sounds good to me. I’m tired of this place,” Reb said.

  * * *

  “We’ll be in Colorado City tonight,” Frank said to Reb. They’d been on the trail for days, and both men were eager to have a good meal along with as much whiskey as they could handle.

  “Good. Maybe we can spend the night in a real bed, and have ourselves some fun before we go on to Denver,” Reb said. “I guess the boys stopped in Las Vegas. Hope they don’t stay drunk so long that they forget to meet us in Denver.”

  “They’ll show.” There was one thing Frank knew he could count on and that was the greed of Dutch and Deke. They wouldn’t miss a chance to rob a bank and share in the take. Frank didn’t want to share the money, but he wasn’t in a position to pull it off alone. If Reuben was dead, Frank would need more men this time. If Reuben wasn’t dead, Frank might even rob the bank again on a Sunday morning, just like last time. He figured the town wouldn’t expect the bank to be robbed twice within a few months, so they’d be complacent. The only difference would be, this time he’d kill Reuben before he left.

  A few hours later, Frank and Reb left their horses at the livery and walked to the Colorado City hotel. “Let’s get cleaned up and have dinner in the hotel before we go to the saloon,” Frank said.

  “Yeah, I’d like to wash off some of this trail dust and have a rare steak,” Reb said.

  * * *

  Frank chose a table at the back of the dining room so he could see everyone who walked in. When Reb joined him, he pointed to the chair at his side instead of across from him. He wanted an unobstructed view of the room. While they were waiting on their steaks, they had a cup of coffee and observed the other patrons. Frank immediately zeroed in on a lovely young woman in a fur-trimmed cloak, accompanied by a tall, distinguished-looking gentleman, as soon as they entered the room. He watched as the couple stopped to speak with several of the diners as they made their way to a table. Everything about the couple indicated they were of some means. Frank thought he heard one of the diners address the man as Judge.

  When the waitress delivered their steaks, Frank said, “Who’s that gray-haired man sitting over there with that pretty gal?”

  The waitress turned to look where Frank was pointing. “Oh, that’s Judge Robert Stevens and his daughter, Charlotte.”

  Reb waited for the waitress to move out of earshot before he spoke. “Hope there’s no wanted poster on you, Frank.”

  “Yeah.” Frank couldn’t take his eyes off of the judge’s daughter. She was a petite woman, with long dark hair, and in Frank’s estimation, she was as comely as his sister Rose. “She sure is a pretty thing.”

  “You’d best keep your distance from that one.” Reb had never seen another man attract women like Frank. Frank could be charming when he wanted, and it seemed like women turned a blind eye to his darker side.

  Frank smiled. “I could use a judge in my corner.”

  Reb wasn’t about to bet against Frank when it came to women. If anyone could impress a judge’s daughter, it would be Frank. “I reckon a judge’s daughter could go a long way toward keeping our necks out of a noose.”

  Cutting into his steak, Frank was surprised Reb’s thinking was in line with his own. “We might just have to stay here for a few days, Reb.”

  When they finished their meal, Reb was ready to go to the saloon, but Frank wanted to stay in the restaurant, hoping he could find a way to meet Charlotte Stevens. “Just don’t get drunk,” he warned Reb.

  “I’m going to have a couple of drinks and then I’ll turn in,” Reb said.

  Frank handed him some bills. “Bring a bottle to my room when you come back.” He wanted a drink too, but he had a feeling opportunity was knocking on his door. He asked the waitress to refill his cup while he waited for the judge and his daughter to finish their dinner. Before he finished his coffee, he saw the judge pay his bill. Now was his chance. He jumped up, threw some money on the table, grabbed his hat, and sauntered toward the judge’s table. He timed it perfectly. Just as he approached their table, Charlotte stood and moved around her chair and Frank intentionally bumped into her from behind. Charlotte lurched forward, and Frank put his arm around her small waist to steady her. “I apologize, I wasn’t paying attention to where I was going.”

  Flustered, Charlotte turned to look up at the man holding on to her waist. Beautiful blue eyes were staring back at her. “No harm done,” she said softly as her gaze flicked over his handsome face.

  Frank’s eyes slid to the judge. “Sir, I’m afraid I nearly knocked your wife over. I’m sorry.”

  The judge chuckled. “This is my daughter, Charlotte. Apology accepted, young man.”

  Frank stuck his hand out. “Sir,” he said, without introducing himself.

  The judge accepted his hand, and said, “I’m Judge Stevens.” He pointed to Frank’s arm around his daughter’s waist. “And the young woman you are holding on to is my daughter, Charlotte.”

  Looking appropriately abashed, Frank quickly removed his arm. “I’m sorry.” He gave the judge a disarming smile, and said, “You have a beautiful daughter, sir.”

  The judge beamed. “Yes, I think so.”

  “Do you folks live in Colorado City?” Frank asked.

  “Yes, we do, and I don’t believe I’ve seen you before,” the judge responded.

  “No, sir. I’ve been in Las Vegas.”

  The judge arched his brow. “New Mexico Territory? Quite a rough-and-tumble town.”

  “Yes, sir, that’s why I left.” Frank tried not to stare at Charlotte, but he could feel her eyes on him.

  “Are you planning on staying here, or just passing through?” the judge asked politely as he started walking toward the door.

  Frank was trying to think of a way to delay their departure. “I’m headed to Denver. But from what I’ve seen, this is a nice town.”

  “It is a nice town,” the judge replied. He glanced at his daughter and saw she couldn’t seem to take her eyes off the handsome stranger. He was pleased his daughter was showing an interest in a man. He’d thought it was time she married and started a family of her own. Not to mention, he wanted some time alone to pursue a relationship with a particular woman he’d been seeing on the sly for months. Charlotte’s mother had died when she was a young girl, and he rarely had time to spend with a woman. He’d just celebrated his fiftieth birthday, and he felt as though time was passing him by. It was time he got on with what was left of his life while there was still some life in him. Problem was, he couldn’t get away from his daughter. Charlotte was very shy, and she found it difficult to engage men in conversation. Her lack of interest didn�
��t encourage any man who may have been interested in courting her. If his daughter found this young man appealing, he thought he’d be wise to spend a few more minutes talking with him. He stopped in the lobby of the hotel. “My sister lives in Denver, and I am planning to purchase a home there. As a matter of fact, Charlotte is traveling to Denver tomorrow to stay with my sister. We were planning on traveling together, but I have business here, so I will follow in a week.” The judge did have business, but that wasn’t what was keeping him in Colorado City. The truth was, he’d made plans to spend the entire week with his girlfriend. “I’m not certain it is wise to allow Charlotte to travel alone, but she is insistent.”

  They made their way to the door, and the judge looked back at Frank. “I’m sorry, but I didn’t catch your name.”

  “Frank . . .” Frank didn’t want to give the judge his last name, so he pretended to be distracted when he turned to offer Charlotte his hand as she stepped from the hotel to the sidewalk. “May I help you with your wrap, Miss Stevens?”

  Charlotte held out her cloak to Frank. “Thank you.”

  The judge lit his pipe while he waited for Frank to wrap Charlotte’s cloak around her shoulders.

  “Judge, since your daughter and I are traveling in the same direction, I’d be honored to take the stagecoach tomorrow and look after her.” Frank hoped he sounded helpful instead of excited to have time alone with Charlotte.

  Judge Stevens looked hard at Frank. “That is kind of you to offer.” He glanced down at the pistol on his hip. “Are you capable with that gun, son?”

  “I can be when I need to be.”

  “Hmm.” The judge eyed Frank over the thin stream of smoke as he puffed on his pipe. The young man seemed to have gentlemanly manners which went a long way with the judge. He would rest easier knowing that someone was on that coach who could protect his daughter. He used his pipe to motion to Charlotte and asked, “What do you think, Charlotte? Would you like Frank to accompany you to Denver?”

  Charlotte blushed. “It is very kind of him to offer.”

  * * *

  Reb handed Frank the bottle of whiskey when he opened the door to the room at their hotel. “Are you alone?”

  Frank motioned Reb inside. “It might be the last night I am.” Frank opened the bottle and poured two glasses of whiskey.

  Reb sat in the chair by the fireplace. “What do you mean?”

  Frank handed Reb his whiskey, and downed the contents of his glass before pouring himself another shot. “You are going to Denver by yourself. I will be a few days behind.”

  “Yeah?”

  Frank nodded. “I’ll be traveling by stagecoach with the judge’s daughter.”

  Reb laughed. “You’re kidding?”

  “Nope. Reb, by the time I get to Denver we won’t need to worry about hanging.”

  “How are you going to manage that?”

  Frank smiled at him. “As my dear grandmother used to say, I think Providence just smiled on me.”

  Chapter Five

  Before Pastor Clay said his final prayer, he made his weekly announcement. “As you know, we all have been waiting for our new schoolteacher to arrive. I’m delighted to say Miss Adelaide Langtry is here and prepared to meet your children.” He waited while the clapping and excited whispers calmed down before he continued. “Folks, there is more news. Miss Adelaide is also starting an orphanage in Whispering Pines. The Langtry farm will be the new home for those children in need of adoption. We are very fortunate that Miss Adelaide brought three children with her to Whispering Pines. I’d like to introduce them to you this morning, and I know our congregation will welcome them with open arms.” Clay motioned for Addie to stand with the three children as he introduced them.

  Just like old times, Addie was sitting in the front row with her grandmother and sister. Morgan now joined them, along with the children. At the pastor’s request, she stood and motioned for the children to stand as the pastor told the congregation their names.

  “Miss Adelaide is hoping to find good homes for the children, and quite naturally, they would like to stay together. Until that time, they will be staying with Miss Adelaide at the Langtry farm. Please, everyone make them welcome, and anyone interested in adoption may speak with Miss Adelaide after the conclusion of our service. I know the heart of our church family, and I feel confident a good family will see their way to adopt those in need.”

  Addie was so thankful the pastor stressed she wanted the children to be adopted as a family, but suddenly facing the fact she could soon be losing them, filled her with dread. Her emotions were already running high because of the sad news of her brother’s death, and learning about the misdeeds of her older brother. The joy she’d felt for months, anticipating returning home, was difficult to recall at the moment. It was fitting that the pastor’s sermon this morning had been about standing up to life’s challenges. It felt as though he had been speaking directly to her, and how her life had changed since leaving Boston. If the children were adopted soon, she would be facing new challenges.

  Addie and the children took their seats for the closing benediction. Amen was barely out of the pastor’s mouth when Claire scooted off the bench and ran down the aisle at full speed.

  “Claire!” Addie hurried to the aisle to give chase, but people gathering at the end of the aisles made it difficult for her to see where Claire was headed. Claire had been squirming around during the entire sermon, and Addie had to give her the look several times. She didn’t know why Claire had been so fidgety all morning, and she’d never taken off by herself. Standing on tiptoes, Addie tried to peer over the crowd. Finally, she thought she saw the top of Claire’s light blond curls high in the air, and she had a pretty good idea who was holding her.

  Standing at the door at the back of the church, Jack saw Addie and the children when he first walked in. He usually stayed near the door for easy departure should trouble erupt in town. After the prayer ended, he saw Claire bolt down the aisle, and he wondered if she had to go like she did yesterday. He wasn’t surprised that when she reached him she held her arms out, letting him know she expected him to pick her up. He didn’t disappoint her. “Hi, honey, how are you today?”

  Claire hugged his neck and whispered in his ear, “Papa.”

  Before Jack could respond, Addie approached, her mouth set in a frown. “Young lady, don’t you dare run away from me again!” She was going to have to speak with Claire about her fascination with the sheriff. So far, the sheriff had been nothing but tolerant of Claire’s attention, but she feared he would get tired of her persistence if she didn’t put a stop to it, once and for all. Not only that, but Claire would be totally confused when she was adopted by a family if she was emotionally attached to the sheriff.

  Jack was blocking the door, and he saw the crowd coming his way. He spotted Clarissa Martin weaving her way through the throng of people, heading directly toward him with a wide smile on her face. If he was reading her right, she was about to latch on to his arm and cuddle up to him for the next fifteen minutes, or until he was able to escape. He’d been to her house for dinner several times over the years, and he’d even kissed her a time or two, but he’d backed off when she kept hinting about church bells ringing. He wasn’t at that point in life when he was ready to wed. Uh-oh, she was just a few feet away, and he didn’t know if he could get out of the church fast enough. He turned and said to Addie, “Let’s go outside before the onslaught.”

  He’d barely made it outside when Clarissa appeared through the doorway and didn’t stop until she was standing right beside him.

  “Why, Jack, you sure look comfortable holding that little girl. I told you it was time for you to think about starting a family.”

  Jack thought if Clarissa took one small step closer she would be in his other arm. “Hello, Clarissa.” He tried to outmaneuver Clarissa by taking a step back so he was standing next to Addie. He placed his free hand on the small of Addie’s back when he introduced her. “Have you met
Adelaide Langtry? And this pretty little girl is Claire.” He glanced at Addie. “Addie, this is Clarissa Martin.”

  Eyeing Addie from head to toe, Clarissa said, “I don’t believe we’ve met before.”

  Jack thought if he read Clarissa’s expression accurately, she wasn’t thrilled to be meeting Addie now.

  “Pleased to meet you,” Addie said politely, though the woman barely acknowledged her. She only had eyes for Jack. Since Rose had snagged Morgan LeMasters, Addie figured Jack was now the fish all the unattached women were trying to get on their hooks. Clarissa was an attractive young woman, with a neat and tidy trim figure, and long honey-colored hair. Addie figured she was just the type of woman Jack would find appealing. Old feelings of inadequacy threatened to surface. She would never be as thin or as pretty as this woman, but she reminded herself that did not give her cause to be envious.

  “Addie is the new schoolteacher,” Jack said.

  Addie searched for something to say to the woman since she was obviously trying to ignore her. “Do you have children who will be attending school?”

  Clarissa placed her hand on her chest as if she wasn’t certain Addie was speaking to her. “Me? Why, heavens no. I’m not married.” Clarissa stared pointedly at Jack.

  Her comment was followed by an uncomfortable moment of silence. Jack felt Claire turn to look at Clarissa, but Clarissa didn’t acknowledge her either. When Claire turned back to look at Jack, she rubbed her palm over his cheek, and said, “Papa.”

  “Papa!” Clarissa said the word loud enough to garner the attention of everyone filing from the church. “This is your child?” Her hazel eyes snapped from Jack to the woman beside him. The new schoolteacher. She looked her over once again, and curled her lip as if she’d just tasted something disgusting. She couldn’t imagine how a mousy little schoolteacher could manage to make a man like Jack take notice. “You’ve had a child with her?”

  “Oh, no, no!” Addie said quickly. She held out her hands to take Claire from Jack, and just to make sure the child didn’t ignore her this time, she gave her one of her best you’d better not shake your head at me kind of looks. Claire grudgingly allowed Addie to take her from the sheriff. “I apologize for any confusion. I’m afraid Claire has taken a liking to the sheriff.” She found it difficult to explain Claire’s behavior to a complete stranger when she didn’t understand it herself. Claire was an intelligent child, and Addie was confident she understood the sheriff wasn’t her papa.