~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Detective Frank Connelly was beginning to worry. His sergeant was taking an inordinate amount of time returning from the stagecoach depot. He was almost ready to send a constable to find him when there was a knock on his door and the man walked in. Frank jumped to his feet.
"So? What did you find out?" he asked urgently, "and what took so long?"
"The sales clerk on duty around this afternoon had already left. I had to hunt him down at his house."
"What'd he have to say?"
"I described Violet and he claimed he'd had a busy day and couldn't remember her, but when I threatened to bring him in for further questioning, it jogged his memory."
"And? Don't keep me in suspense!"
"Not a lot of detail. He said he couldn't recall where she was headed, and he made a good point. He said she could have left the coach at any stop along the way and boarded another coach or a train to who-knows-where."
"Yeah, I know, but this is a lead. Looks like you're going on a trip."
"Me? The wife won't like that."
"Too bad. Take that same coach tomorrow. I know these drivers switch routes but maybe you'll get lucky and it'll be the same guy. Get off at every stop and talk to people. Find out if anyone remembers her. Did she continue on, did she leave to go somewhere else? Follow the trail!"
"Okay, boss."
"You'll find her, and when you do, bring her back and don't let her out of your sight for a second."
CHAPTER FIVE
It had been a very pleasant evening at Ruby Elwood's boarding house. There were four lodgers at the dinner table, and the conversation had been easy and affable.
But throughout the meal Cooper couldn't stop thinking about the sickly young woman lying in her bed just up the stairs. Ruby had taken her a tray, and when she'd collected it, she'd found the plates empty and the young woman asleep. Cooper had felt a wave of relief at the news, and after enjoying a mug of coffee and a slice of cake, he'd stayed to chat for only a few minutes before announcing it was time for him to leave.
"It's a strange thing, Sheriff," Ruby said as they were saying goodnight at the door. "I took a liking to that girl the minute I saw her, and it seems you did too."
"I reckon I did. There's just somethin' about her."
"Her eyes for a start." Ruby said softly. "They're like emeralds how they sparkle, and there's a lot going on behind them, you mark my words."
"No question about it. Al said the same thing. I stopped in after I left here this afternoon. I wanted to see if she'd told him anything about herself."
"Did she?"
"Nope, just that she was watchin' her pennies. He said he gave her a discount. That's not like him."
"AL? Sure isn't."
"He was just as taken with her as we are," Cooper said thoughtfully. "There's somethin' special about her, but I just can't put my finger on it. I'd best be goin'. If you don't mind I'd like to stop by and see how she is tomorrow."
"Of course I don't mind, and I'm sure she'd be pleased if you did."
"Much obliged, and thanks for the delicious meal."
"I'm glad you enjoyed it, Sheriff."
As he walked down the short path and turned towards Main Street, he stared up at the clear night sky. The moon was coming full, the air was cool, and the stars were twinkling brighter than he thought he'd ever seen them. His mind began to wander, and his conversation with Ruby Elwood began to replay itself in his head. Rose was a delight and extremely pretty, yet he was sure she was carrying a heavy burden, but what could it be? In a city the size of San Francisco such a beauty would have no trouble finding a gentleman. Was that the problem? Was she the victim of an unhappy breakup?
"I need to stop thinkin' so much," he muttered as he turned the block. "I'll find out soon enough."
He could hear the sound of the saloon, and deciding to stop in and make sure everyone was behaving themselves, he crossed the street and pushed through the swinging doors. It was busy, but in the evening it usually was. The girls were gathered around the piano, there were some poker games in progress, and the usual crowd at the bar.
"Hey, Sheriff," one of the girls called. "Come and join us for a sing-along."
"Thanks, Josie, but I need to get back to the jailhouse before I head home," he answered, ambling across to her. "Any trouble?"
"Nope, hardly ever is, and that's down to you."
"Just doin' my job."
"When are you gonna find a nice girl and settle down?"
"I'm already married to this shiny badge right here on my chest."
"Except when you're not wearin' that shirt," she giggled. "I'm always glad when it's hot, and today was no different. Too bad it had to cool off tonight."
"You're a sassy woman, Josie."
"Maybe I am, but does that piece of tin keep you warm in bed?"
"Nope, but it keeps you safe."
"You think you can't have both?"
"I think it'd be a might difficult."
"Nah…that's just an excuse. You know what I think, Sheriff?" she said, lowering her voice as if sharing a secret.
"What's that, Josie?"
"I think maybe you're scared, but that's okay, most men are," she said, then broke into a hearty laugh. "You'll brave up one of these days."
"I'm thinkin' this conversation is over," he chuckled. "You have a good evenin'."
"You too."
As he ambled back through the room and nodded his regards to the many customers, Josie's words echoed through his head. The girls were always jibing him about making one of them an honest woman, and though he'd never given their jokes a second thought, Josie had been partially right.
He'd pushed away the idea of sharing his life with a woman because he found the idea daunting. He'd seen how men would run home to their wives, worried they'd get in trouble if they were late. He couldn't imagine being under a woman's thumb, and whenever he'd been called out to calm fighting couples, he'd promised himself he'd never get wed.
His father had passed away when he was just a boy, and though his mother had done her best, after her husband died she'd rarely smiled. She'd tried to hide it, but her grief had been frightening to witness, and he still couldn't imagine loving someone as deeply as she had loved his father.
He suddenly found himself at his office, and unlocking the door, he ambled in, lit the lantern on his desk, and carried it through to the cells.
"Come on, Jeb, I'm puttin' in you a separate cell so you'll have a cot for the night."
"Thanks, Sheriff."
"See any more rats?"
"No, thank the good Lord," Charlie replied, "and I hope it doesn't come back."
"I'll leave the lantern. The light will help. Will you boys think twice about fightin' out in the street again?"
"I won't I swear," Charlie said earnestly. "I don't ever wanna be locked up again."
"What about you, Jeb?"
"I, uh…"
"Jeb?"
"Ma says I shouldn't make a promise I can't keep, and if Charlie or anyone else says bad things about Molly I've gotta stand up for her, I just gotta. Wouldn't you, Sheriff, if you were sweet on a girl?"
Cooper felt an unexpected surge of energy pulse through his body. He knew if someone insulted Rose he'd be hard-pressed not to throw a punch.
"You gotta find other ways, Jeb. Knuckles and guns aren't the answer."
"What would you do?"
"Yeah, Sheriff, what would you do?" Charlie parroted. "My pa says a man's gotta fight back or he ain't a man."
"It's tough sometimes, no question," Cooper remarked as he put Jeb in the adjacent cell. "Every situation is different. I want you boys to talk about that tonight and tell me what you come up with in the mornin'. Looks like you enjoyed the food from the saloon," he added, picking up the empty bowls. "I'll be seein' you around seven-thirty in the mornin', then you'll be free to take off."
"Bye, Sheriff," they said, almost in unison.
"Bye, fellas."
Quietly removing his boots and hat, he stretched out and sighed wearily. It had been a long day, and as he closed his eyes the image of Rose floated through his mind. She was in trouble, and he was determined to find out what that trouble was.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Patrick Doyle's evening had not been quite so pleasant. When he'd returned home and told his wife, Erin, that he'd be leaving the following afternoon to track down Violet Parker, she had fixed him with her most fierce scowl.
"Chase the girl if Connelly says you must, but you'd better not bring her back!"
"Erin, please! What else can I do? It's my job."
"You listen to me! Violet Parker has done more for abandoned wives and their children than any single person should. She deserves a medal, not prison!"
"She's a liar and a thief."
"She's a saint, is what she is. I know for a fact she went without food to buy for the children. Would you do that? If you don't fill that fat belly of yours every night you're not fit to be around."
"She swindled herself a dress near Nob Hill. The sales clerk might lose her job."
"Violet would only have done something like that with good reason. I'll bet she needed to change her clothes because you and your boys were hot on her heels."
"Well, yeah, but—"
"But nothing! Patrick Doyle, I swear to you, if you bring her back you'll have hell to pay, and not just from me!"
"What do you want me to do? I'm a policeman. I have to enforce the law."
"Like when your pals drink too much and get into brawls? Or what about Johnny Clark trying to steal that jacket? You gave him a reprimand and sent him on his way."
"That's different. Violet Parker never stops."
"Have you ever met her? Ever talked to her?"
"Only in the alley when she was pretending to be a victim of herself. Imagine that? A victim of herself. I should have recognized that hair of hers. I don't know why I didn't."
"Sounds like you're upset because she outsmarted you."
"I am, darn it! Frank had a fit, and George Griffin is cleaning toilets for the next month."
"I don't like that detective. I never have. He has evil in his eyes."
"Now, Erin, he's a senior officer, and my boss don't forget!"
"I don't care if he's the Mayor, he has the devil in him, you mark my words."
"This is all beside the point. He's sending me out to track down Violet Parker and bring her back to face justice."
"Justice? Justice is about as fair as an armless man trying to fight a fella with a gun."
"Don't you understand? It doesn't matter if her reasons were noble. She broke the law, and she broke it many times. She needs to pay the price. That's how it works."
"You do what you want, Patrick Doyle, but it seems to me you'd be wise to follow her example."
"What example is that, pray tell."
"Do the smart thing! For once in your life, do the smart thing."
"Hey, I married you, didn't I?" he said, attempting to kiss her and put an end to the argument.
"That was twenty years ago. Remember what it felt like, and try to be as smart as you were back then."
Later, sitting at the large oak dining table, surrounded by his five children, laughing and acting up as they ate their supper, Erin's warning replayed itself in his head.
If you bring her back you'll have hell to pay, and not just from me!
He was stuck. He couldn't disobey orders, but he sure couldn't go against his wife when she was so adamant. Erin volunteered with several local charities. She knew of Violet and had always sung her praises. He had to get on the stagecoach, but after that he had no idea what he was going to do.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
"What did I tell you?"
"I'm sure I don't know what you mean."
"I said if you deliberately changed the subject to get outta answerin' a question I'd bend you over my knee. Isn't that what you just did?"
"I, uh…"
The shirtless sheriff grabbed her wrist, and as he placed his foot on a chair and pulled her over his thigh she yelled a protest, but when his hand began landing hot smacks across her bottom it took her breath away. He was scolding her as he spanked, but as abruptly as the hot slaps had begun they came to a stop. He pulled her up, and gripping her upper arms he fixed her with narrowed eyes. In spite of the humiliation burning across her face, she was consumed with a scorching fever. She wanted him to hold her, to kiss her, to take her body and soul.
Bolting upright, Violet stared around the room. For a moment she didn't know where she was.
"Brownsville," she panted. "I'm in Brownsville. Heavens, that was some dream. I can't believe it."
The curtains were open, and the early morning sun was streaming into her window. It was a new day in a new town, and as the groggy fog of sleep began to lift, she knew why she'd had the startling vision. She wanted Cooper to spank her.
As she brought the covers up to her chin she thought back to the events the afternoon before. She remembered fainting in the parlor, and Cooper's strong arms as he carried her up the stairs. Resting her head against his chest had been heavenly, but when he'd laid her gently on the bed, she'd been unable to keep her eyes open.
But she wasn't one to lie around and do nothing, and she was feeling much better.
"I'll rest for just a bit longer," she murmured, but as her eyes closed, she felt the weariness deep in her bones. "I just need a couple of hours more," she told herself, "then I'll be fine."
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
A gentle knock on his office door woke Cooper from a deep sleep. Worried something terrible had happened he staggered to the door and opened it, only to find Rose wearing only her chemise and drawers.
"Whatta you doin'? Folks will see you! Get in here."
"I don't care. I can't stand it another minute. I must confess my sins. I need you to spank me then make love to me. I'm a wily willful woman, and I need a strong man like you to be happy."
"I need you too," he crooned, taking her hand and leading her across the room. "I reckon those boys will be sound asleep, but the sound of my hand slappin' your backside might wake 'em up. I'm gonna use a little stick. It'll sting just as good as my palm."
It didn't seem to bother her that he was completely naked, or that his cock was standing at attention, and fetching the twig from his desk drawer, he took her to the sofa, laid her over his knee, and pulled down her drawers. Her bottom was even lovelier than he'd imagined, and he began softly caressing her soft plump curves.
"Start tellin' me your sins," he said firmly, "and I'll apply the punishment as you talk."
He couldn't understand her mumbling confession, but he danced his little stick regardless, and when she threw her hands behind her and looked over her shoulder with pleading eyes, he tossed it aside and pulled her into his arms.
"Come here, darlin'," he murmured lovingly, "sit on my cock while I suck your beautiful breasts, then I'll ride you up the mountain."
He woke with a start. Someone really was knocking. He had no idea of the time, and moving unsteadily across his office, he turned the key and opened the door. It was George, Charlie's brother.
"You okay, Sheriff?"
"Yeah, fine, what's up?"
"It's gone past eight."
"It has?"
"Pa sent me. One of the hands saw a group of strangers near the back fields. They took off when he started ridin' toward 'em. Pa's worried they might be rustlers. Asked if maybe you could come out and have a look see."
"Tell him I'l
l be there before noon."
"Thanks, Sheriff. How's my little brother doin?"
"Good. Real good. Sorry, but I'm runnin' late. It's a good thing you came here. I need to get movin'."
"Sure thing. See ya later."
Closing the door, Cooper ran his fingers through his hair. His cock was as hard as a steel rod, and being in the office he couldn't take care of the urgent need. Pulling on his boots, he walked uncomfortably around to the back the building and ducked into the barn. Rose Hamilton was crawling under his skin, and he knew there wasn't a darn thing he could do about it.
CHAPTER SIX
Though Cooper had told Ruby he'd stop by to check on Rose in the afternoon, he needed to ride out and see if there was any sign of the rustlers, but was grateful. He was eager to see the girl who had unexpectedly stirred his heart, and he had a legitimate excuse to drop by the boarding house early.
But it had been a frustrating morning.
When he'd released Charlie and Jeb and they'd shared their thoughts about how to handle confrontations without fists, he'd had difficulty paying attention. A short while later, approaching the end of the block on his morning rounds, he'd wanted to turn away from Main Street and go directly to the boarding house. When he'd finished the long walk the weather begun to change. He'd had to run home to grab a shirt, but he was finally walking quickly up the path to Ruby's front door, and lightly knocking, he stepped inside.
"Sheriff, I'm so glad you're here," she exclaimed, bustling up to him.
"Mrs. Elwood, what on earth's the matter?"
"It's Rose. She's refusing to follow Doc Blake's orders. She's up there right now getting dressed."
"Leave this to me."
Moving swiftly past her he trotted up the stairs, and marched down the short hall to her room.
SHERIFF: His Town. His Laws. His Justice. Page 5