Texas Twilight

by Caroline Fyffe

  Brandon leaned back in his chair, relaxing. “Understandable. What the hell is that smell?”

  John came and sat while they waited for the coffee to perk. “Sulfur spring just over on the next block. It’s not always so bad, but sometimes it stinks to high heaven.” He leaned forward toward Brandon and lowered his voice. “There is something I need to discuss with you. Actually, your showing up today was like an answer to a prayer.”

  Chapter Thirty-Three

  He now had Brandon’s attention. “Bixby told me about the fiancée.” Brandon’s brows knitted together in thought. “What’s her name?”

  “Emmeline Jordan.”

  “I’m flabbergasted. Nobody from the ranch said anything about her.”

  “That’s because I haven’t broken the news yet. Only Charity and my relatives here know. I was going to tell them in my next letter.

  Brandon grunted. “The ones you never write?”

  John shrugged noncommittally. “Yeah, but, that’s not what I’m talking about now. A bounty hunter showed up in town a few days ago looking for a stolen jewel and the person who took it. Just so happens that I have that said item locked up in my safe.”

  His friend’s eyes narrowed. “Does he know?”

  “No. I’m not sure he’s not after it himself, to steal. Or else, perhaps he’s trying to fix a botched job.”

  “How did you come by it in the first place?” Brandon asked, life coming back into his eyes with the subject at hand. He was a lawman through and through.

  “Lily Anthony found it in her aunt’s possessions after coming into town on the same stage I did. It was soon after the Comanchero attack. She’s certain it doesn’t belong to her aunt because they were down to their last penny and her aunt would have said something about it if she’d had something of that value. If I say anything about having it, one of us will be suspect, or maybe all of us will. I don’t know. Maybe you can do some digging without it looking suspicious.”

  Tucker came out of the room.

  “He still out?”

  “Yeah.” Wearily, the boy headed for the stairs.

  “Thanks, Tuck, you’re a real help.”

  “First thing in the morning,” the boy mumbled, “I’ll let the undertaker know he has a body to pick up.” He slowly ascended to the upper floor, leaving John and Brandon alone.

  “Go on,” Brandon said.

  “The man’s name is Lector Boone. Boone said it was a robbery in Boston and he was working for the owner on getting it back. I have no way of checking out his story, or any of the information, because the telegraph lines have been down since I’ve arrived. I’ve been wondering about that too.”

  “Well, you wouldn’t want to send a message from here anyway. I’ll go back to San Antonio tomorrow and send some wires and do some checking around. See what I can dig up.”

  “Tomorrow?”

  “Yeah. The way I see it, the sooner the better.”

  John didn’t like butting into his friend’s business any better than he liked anyone butting into his. But if Brandon up and took off before Charity had a chance to speak with him and set things straight, she was going to be an emotional mess. John had enough experience with his sisters-in-law, and Charity herself, to understand a bit about how the female psyche worked. “I agree—”

  “But?”

  Brandon was looking straight at him with a “keep out of it” look in his eyes. His jaw was set in a determined expression John knew all too well.

  “Just take a moment and speak with my sister before you do. She really wants to explain some things to you. Have a heart.”

  “Like she did?”

  John held up his hands. “I understand.”

  “No. Don’t think you do.” Brandon opened the hand he had fisted on the table and worked his fingers. “What went through my head when I couldn’t find a trace of Charity in Denver? Because a certain ticket operator was out with the pox, it took me days to learn she’d purchased a ticket to Rio Wells. Once I figured out she was on her way down here, my fear turned into something completely different. Can’t stop my feelings, John Jake. They’re just there.”

  “I guess she didn’t think anyone would be checking up on her so soon.”

  “Well, she guessed wrong, didn’t she?”

  John figured this was a stone wall he wasn’t going to get over tonight. The pot was now perking rapidly and the smell of coffee permeated the air. John got up and sliced some day-old bread, then retrieved the crock of butter and the small jar of peach preserves. He set it all on the table and grabbed two cups. After filling both cups, he set the coffeepot back on the stove.

  Horses stopped in front of the office. Moments later Dustin strode in the door. “John,” Dustin said, looking Brandon up and down. Chaim followed.

  “Dustin. Chaim.” John stood and shook their hands in welcome. “Guess you heard about the excitement in town tonight. The woman’s dead and the man will most likely make it. These are my cousins, the Texas McCutcheons, Dustin and Chaim,” he said to Brandon. “Brandon is our sheriff back home.”

  The men pulled out chairs after shaking hands and John went for two more coffee cups.

  “We came into town as soon as Pete Miller left our house,” Dustin said. “He’s riding out to all the ranches. It’s been some years since there was such a brutal killing in town. I’m not speaking of the atrocities committed by the Comancheros in the Bad Lands. This is different.”

  Chaim took a sip of coffee, then set his cup on the wooden tabletop. “Ma sent us into town. She’s worried about Charity staying at the hotel alone. Said she’d never forgive herself if anything happened to her.” He removed his hat and pushed his fingers through his shaggy brown hair, placing the Stetson on his knees. “She wants her to stay at the ranch with us, where it’s safe. At least for a while, till all this passes.”

  “I had that same thought, actually,” John said. “Originally, she wanted to stay in town to be closer to me, but under the circumstances, I think that’s a reasonable idea.”

  “Good. We can collect her up and take her out later today. After school,” Dustin added quickly.

  “So, you’ve heard,” John said.

  He nodded and shrugged. “You’ll come to find Rio Wells is pretty small. News travels fast. She can use the buggy to go in and out of town and we’ll send a ranch hand along to escort her. She’ll be safe.”

  “You have a man to spare?”

  He nodded.

  “Thanks.” John smiled and was surprised when Dustin returned it. “I’m wondering something else.”

  Dustin sat back, relaxed. “Go ahead. I’m all ears.”

  “Is there room at the ranch for someone else?”

  Surprised, Dustin looked at Brandon.

  “Not me,” said Brandon grumpily.

  “Emmeline is here. She arrived today.”

  Both his cousins’ brows shot up in surprise, followed by a smile.

  “Your fiancée?” Chaim asked, surprised.

  “That’s right. I don’t want her staying at the hotel alone either. She and Charity could share a room.”

  “That won’t be necessary,” Chaim said. “The house is big enough to fit all of us and then some. Of course she can come. Why, she’s practically family.”

  Dustin’s eyes were expectant and his smile broadened. “I do have to say that things have sure gotten more interesting since you’ve come to town, cousin.”

  Brandon almost spit out the coffee he was sipping. “I think that goes along with the McCutcheon name. A never-ending rollercoaster of fun, fun, fun.” He wiped his arm across his mouth.

  A horse nickered outside and soon there were more footsteps on the boardwalk. Several men’s voices rumbled in conversation, and Chaim got up and looked out the window. “Sheriff’s back.”

  Dustin stood. “Tell Charity and Emmeline to get packed. We’ll bring the buckboard into town later on today and pick them up. Ma’s going to be delighted.”

  “Thanks,
” John said. “I appreciate this. I’m glad you two dropped in, even if it is before dawn.” He followed the men out and watched them mount up. There was a lantern burning next door in Lily’s shop, but he’d not bother her now. Feeling confident she was safe and sound, he headed back to check on his patient.

  Chapter Thirty-Four

  It wasn’t even seven in the morning when Charity came into his office, looking around.

  Dawn was just breaking outside, and John was surprised—and more than a little annoyed—that she’d walked the short distance from the hotel alone.

  “Good morning.” Her gaze went around the room and out the door, toward the stairway. Surely she hadn’t dressed so carefully today for her three students. She was looking for Brandon.

  “You’re up early,” John replied before taking a sip of his coffee. “Were you able to get any sleep last night?” Before she could answer Emmeline appeared and came over and gave him a small kiss on the cheek. Her eyes were red and a little puffy.

  “Good morning,” she offered.

  He was taken aback by her melancholy. He’d understand if she’d acted frightened from the killing, but other than that he didn’t know why she’d be upset.

  Before he could say anything Charity asked, “How is the man and the woman from last night? Did either of them make it?”

  Guilty for feeling relieved to get back to footing he knew, he answered, “The woman died soon after they brought her in. There was...” He stopped, a bit overwhelmed by frustration. So far, he wasn’t doing a good job of paying back his debt. Nothing he and Bixby had done to try to save the woman’s life had made the slightest difference. She’d slipped away right before their eyes, just as Bob Mackey had. He shook off the morbid thoughts. “…nothing we could do to save her. But, Mr. Reece looks like he’s going to make it. That is, barring any new complications setting in.”

  Charity shook her head. “It was frightening last night. We didn’t know what was happening. The scream woke me up and I ran over into Emmeline’s room since it’s just across the hall.”

  Worried about Emmeline, he took her hand and was just going to go into the other room for a little privacy so they could talk when Chaim came through the front. He was clean shaven and bathed and smelled better than he had a few hours before. “Mornin’, all.”

  John nodded.

  “Came early into town on an errand. Wanted to see if the ladies want me to pick up their things now.”

  “John?” Emmeline looked at him in confusion.

  “For the time being, Emmeline, you and Charity are going to go out to the Rim Rock Ranch and stay with my relatives. Until the killer is caught and things settle down in town.”

  Charity stepped forward. “I’m not going out to the ranch.”

  John knew she’d put up a fight. He could see her mind going a mile a minute. Of course, she’d want to stay in town to be closer to Brandon. Well, she was headed for a shock when she learned Brandon had already left, ridden off to San Antonio around five this morning.

  “Charity, I hope you’re not going to make a big fuss about this. Aunt Winnie really wants you and Emmeline to come out and stay with them. It will be one less thing for us to worry about with all these new faces in town, and now the stabbing. Can you please just say you will, and we’ll talk about the details later? Chaim here is good enough to take your things now, if you want.” He turned to Emmeline, who was standing by his side. “Is that okay with you, Emmeline?”

  She nodded, but he could see there was still something troubling her. “I’ll go pack my things and be ready in just a few minutes,” Emmeline said. Before John could stop her she let go his hand and breezed past his cousin and went out the door.

  “I’ll pick you up in a few minutes,” Chaim called after her. His cousin hitched his head. “That must have been Emmeline.”

  John wanted to follow after her and see what was troubling her so much, but he needed to stay with Mr. Reese today and monitor his progress. With all the blood he’d lost it wouldn’t take much of a setback to hamper his recovery and put his life into jeopardy.

  Charity’s face was red, but she looked like she was going to comply as she watched Emmeline go. “I’ll go pack my things too, before I have to head over to the school and leave them in Emmeline’s room.”

  “That’ll be perfect. I’ll get them when I get her.”

  “I’m going to want to spend a little time down here after class before heading out to the ranch. Will that also be okay?”

  “You just give me a time and I’ll make sure our man picks you up here at John’s place.”

  Charity gazed out the schoolhouse window deep in thought. She hardly noticed Theodore, across the street at the livery, pushing a wheelbarrow in and out as he cleaned out the stalls. How could Brandon have ridden off this morning without giving her a chance to explain her motives for running off? Just thinking the words made her cringe inside, now seeing well the thoughtlessness of her actions. But couldn’t he have given her a chance to clarify?

  He’d be back, she reminded herself for the thousandth time. John had assured her of that. And when he was he’d be less mad now that he knew that she was safe, and he’d had some time to cool off. Oh, how she missed him.

  Jane’s hand went into the air and Charity got up and went to her side. “Do you have a question?”

  “No matter what I do I can’t get this to cipher right. Every time I try it comes out different.”

  “Let me see.” Charity pulled up a vacant chair next to the little girl and looked at the numbers on her slate. “You’re not carrying over the two in the third column. Watch how I do it.” With her finger, Charity smudged out the four-digit answer that Jane had and started figuring the problem slowly, explaining what she was doing as she went. When she looked up, the four other children were watching her.

  Two new children had shown up today. Candy Brown, the little girl John had performed an appendectomy on, and Mark Miller, the deputy’s son. Both children were ten years old.

  When she was done Jane’s face brightened. “I see now.”

  “Good. Do it again for me three more times.”

  Charity stood and noticed Mark looking over Harland’s shoulder at something he was drawing on his slate. Both boys were whispering behind their hands. Charity moved quickly and Harland didn’t have a chance to cover it before she looked over his shoulder too. She snatched up the slate angrily. “How can you be so mean, Harland? You too, Mark. Have you no empathy for others at all?” On the slate was a picture of a boy with only one hand and it looked like he was falling out of a tree onto his head. There was no mistaking who the banker’s son was making fun of.

  Harland sat back and crossed his arms defiantly. “Ain’t no harm done.”

  “Yes there is. You’re making fun of someone behind their back. When they’re not even here to defend themselves.” She looked at the new boy who at least had the decency to look ashamed. “And you, Mark. What would your father think?”

  Harland stood as if to leave. “He’s just a dumb, one-handed gimp no-account. Why are you getting all riled up? The doc just feels sorry for him and took him in. I don’t see why he don’t have to come to school too.”

  Charity’s back went straight, bringing her eye to eye with this bully. Probably because of shortsighted, ignorant people like you. “That is none of our business. Now, sit down in your seat or suffer the consequences.”

  Harland’s face contorted into a sneer. “And just what consequences do you have in mind?”

  “Don’t cause more problems, Harland,” Mark said. He was smaller and two years younger than Harland, but was stockily built. His voice wobbled. Jane looked like she was about to cry.

  Being this close to Harland, Charity was all too aware of the boy’s size. The last thing she wanted to do was get into a fight. “You can be sure I’ll be speaking with your father today! The moment class is over.”

  “Come on, Harland, sit down. You run off the last teacher and my
pa said it was shameful,” Mark said, standing as he took Charity’s side. He only came to Harland’s shoulder, but anger had won out over fear and bravery shown from his eyes. “Quit being so mean.”

  “Either sit down this instant and be quiet, or leave,” Charity added pointing to the door. “The choice is yours.”

  “No. I don’t have to sit down or leave or to do a thing you say.” There was a satisfied smile on his face now that he was sure she didn’t have any means to back up her words and discipline him in earnest. With his foot he shoved over Jedediah’s chair and the boy fell hard on to the wooden floor. He gave the young boy a kick in the side and shoved Mark before anyone saw it coming. The deputy’s son tripped by his desk fell, striking the back of his head.

  Chapter Thirty-Five

  Fear welled inside Charity. She fought the urge to step back. To give him room. Harland laughed, pointing at Mark, who sat curled on the floor, holding the back of his head in stunned silence. With Harland’s next step toward Mark, Charity whirled and ran up to the chalkboard, snatching up the yard stick that leaned against the wall. In an instant she was back and with a mighty swing, slapped Harland on the side of his face so fast nobody knew what she was about to do. Tears gushed from Jane’s frightened eyes as a big red welt formed on Harland’s left cheek.

  “Get out,” shouted Charity. “You’ve hurt Jedediah and Mark and made Jane cry. I won’t stand for your ugliness, you bully. Get out now before I smack the other side of your face. I don’t care where you go as long as it’s out of my schoolroom.”

  For a moment Harland stood transfixed, his fists clenched by his side. His cheek puffed up right before Charity’s eyes, and she realized this would most likely be her last day as teacher. Still, she wouldn’t take her action back even if she could. It was plainly apparent the banker’s son had been getting away with murder for some time, even running the former teacher off. Everyone was afraid of him. It was time someone took him to task, even if she had done so in a shockingly juvenile way. Her mother would probably be stunned with her way of handling the situation, but her brothers wouldn’t. They would be proud of her.