by Chloe Carley
“Sardines or pilchards, I’d bet he’d eat either. But whose cat is it, Sheriff?” the grocer replied and Thomas smiled.
“We have a visitor in town, Heck. A lady from the east, all the way from Massachusetts. This is her cat, I’m… minding it for her,” Thomas explained.
Heck reached down a tin of sardines from the shelf above. “Isn’t that a bit outside your duties, Sheriff? I’ve had folks in here all day talking about the outlaws and here’s the Sheriff of Lakestone, looking after a lady’s cat,” the grocer said, laughing and shaking his head.
“Don’t you start. You know I do my job and I do it well. We’ll catch those outlaws, but I could spend every waking moment running back and forth across this county and I’d still not find them. As sad as it sounds, we need to catch them in the act and until we do, it doesn’t matter how many cats I’m minding,” Thomas said, annoyed by the grocer’s words.
I’m trying my best, he thought wearily, making his way out of the grocer’s store and back towards the sheriff’s office.
The outlaws or bandits or whoever they were would hardly make it easy for him. They weren’t going to march right into town and hand themselves over. He remembered what life with his father and half-brother had been like. They’d spent their whole lives on the road, evading capture at every turn. Thomas knew all too well what the life of an outlaw was like—he’d lived it long enough.
Sammy meowed in his basket as Thomas carried him back across the street, no doubt hungry for the tin of sardines.
“All right, Sammy. We’ll get you out in a moment,” he promised, wondering how long the cat had been Aline’s faithful companion.
She has no one but the cat, he realized, shaking his head at the thought of her late husband’s wicked ways. How can a man treat a woman like that?
As he opened Sammy’s basket a moment later inside the sheriff’s office, he thought back to his own dear mother, to whom his father had been less than kind. She’d lived a hard life, the companion of a man who had fallen so low into the depths of criminality that nothing could save him from the fate he prepared for himself. His mother had been faithful, but Thomas’ father had been not. Expecting her to raise Harrison, when she was not even his own mother.
He sounds just like my father, Thomas thought, thinking of Aline’s description of Damon Hale.
Sammy devoured the tin of sardines and began to purr contentedly, rolling in the rays of sun coming through the window on that late summer afternoon. Thomas stroked his stomach and the cat rolled and played, as Thomas scratched behind his ears. The cat arched his back and pushed closer into Thomas’ outstretched fingers.
“What a good boy, you are, Sammy,” Thomas said, smiling at the cat, who meowed.
He missed Tobias, the only friend he’d had as a boy. The dog had always been faithful to him, a fact which had often caused Harrison to rise in anger. One time, they’d fought over the dog, until Tobias had nipped Harrison’s leg and sent him running with a yelp. Thomas smiled to himself at the memory and wondered again just what his half-brother was up to.
Why does he need Lampeter Ranch? He’s got a perfectly good little homestead out from the church, Thomas thought to himself, puzzled at his brother’s secretive ways, and still struggling with that sinking feeling that Harrison was behind the spate of raids which were plaguing the county.
He’ll get his comeuppance, one day he will. Thomas shook his head as Sammy rolled and purred.
He went to his desk, making a pretense of shuffling through the wanted posters and checking on John Hoskins’ filed reports. There’d been trouble on the trail between a Mormon and a Catholic, a drunken brawl in the saloon, and a theft of three chickens from Mrs. Allsopp’s farm. It was nothing of interest, and Thomas’ thoughts returned to Aline.
He’d been fortunate to meet her that morning, Lord knows what would’ve happened if she’d gone out to Lampeter Ranch alone. She’d have been on the first train back to Massachusetts quicker than you could say ‘jackrabbits,’ and Thomas would never have met her. She was pretty, but more than that there was something to her, that sense of independence and strong will. She’d stand no nonsense from anyone, but beneath her exterior there was clearly a vulnerable nature. She’d been hurt, and Thomas hoped that Lakestone wouldn’t provide further hurt in the days to come.
He was quite lost in his thoughts when Sammy leapt up onto the desk, scattering the wanted posters all over the floor. Thomas laughed, picking the cat up and stroking him.
“Now then, Mr. Sammy. Are we going to make you a deputy now?” he said, just as the door to the sheriff’s office opened.
“Sammy, what a naughty cat you are, come down off the sheriff’s desk. I’m sorry, Sheriff, has he been a trouble to you?” Aline shook her head and took the cat from Thomas’ arms.
“No trouble at all. I got him a tin of sardines from the grocer’s. He’s been quite happy rolling in the sun. I think he just got interested in what I was doing, I told him we’d get him a deputy’s badge soon enough. Deputy Sammy—it has a nice ring to it, doesn’t it?” Thomas said and Aline nodded and smiled, though Thomas noticed that her face appeared forlorn, withdrawn almost.
Bad news from the bank, he wondered, as she cradled Sammy in her arms.
“Mr. Harvey was… very helpful,” Aline said a few moments later.
“He’s a good and honest man, but the news was not good…?” Thomas asked and Aline looked up at him.
“Am I that easy to read, Sheriff?” She looked up at him and he shook his head.
“You’ve had a hard day, Mrs. Hale. And bad news is hard to disguise when you’ve endured a shock such as you have,” he replied.
“Mr. Harvey was able to confirm that the deeds on Lampeter Ranch were in order. He’d acted as the agent between my late husband and Mr. Knox. It was an entirely legitimate sale, though it shouldn’t have been Damon’s to sell. Not that he ever cared about such things, you understand. As far as he was concerned, my assets belonged to him. ‘For richer, for poorer,’ that was my vow, but sadly, he took it rather literally,” she replied.
“No man should treat a woman like that. It’s not my place to speak ill of the dead, but you’re better off without him,” Thomas replied and Aline nodded.
“You’re right about that, Sheriff,” she replied and yawned. “Do excuse me. I hardly slept a wink on that train and now all this, it just… it just feels overwhelming,” she admitted, and she began to sob, clutching at Sammy as Thomas looked on awkwardly.
He wanted to put his arm around her and tell her that it would all be all right, that she had nothing to worry about. But he knew it to be inappropriate, something which his brother would do, but that he, Thomas Redmond, wouldn’t lower himself to. Instead, he drew out his pocket handkerchief and offered to her.
She smiled through her tears and took it from him, the tips of their fingers meeting for just the briefest of moments. He nodded to her, giving what he hoped to be a reassuring look, as Sammy let out a long meow.
“He’s certainly vocal,” Thomas said and Aline sniffed and laughed.
“I think he needs his bed, as do I. We shan’t take up anymore of your precious time, Sheriff. Come now, Sammy, let’s go and see if Mrs. Morrell has our supper ready,” Aline said.
“Let me escort you,” Thomas offered. “I’ll bring Sammy’s basket.”
“You’ve already been so kind, Sheriff. I don’t know how I can repay you. For as Mr. Harvey has just reminded me, I have nothing but a few cents to rub together. I’ll be going back to Massachusetts just as soon as I can, I have no choice,” Aline said, but Thomas shook his head.
“Really, it’s no trouble, Mrs. Hale. As I said, your presence has been something of a welcome distraction for me today and it has been my pleasure to assist you,” he replied, picking up Sammy’s basket and opening the door for Aline, who carried the cat in her arms.
“It’s a pretty little town,” Aline told him as they crossed over the street towards the boarding hou
se.
“It has its charms and with the frontier so much further west now, things are more settled here. When I first arrived, there was all manner of lawlessness in these parts. But lately we’ve had far less trouble, apart from these darn outlaws, of course,” he replied.
“What made you come here?” she asked and Thomas paused.
He didn’t like talking about the past. It was another life, dead and buried. If it weren’t for the presence of his half-brother, then he would’ve entirely forgotten it, left it where it belonged. But Harrison wouldn’t let him forget. The way he’d smile at him, that knowing smile, as though he knew that with a few words he could tear down Thomas’ whole reputation.
“I… I needed a change from the past. I lost my parents at an early age and there was nothing to keep me… to keep me out east. So, I came here—it could’ve been anywhere, but I chose Lakestone and here I stayed,” Thomas replied, hoping that his answer would elicit no further questions.
But it seemed that Aline was tired and she nodded as they made their way through the gate and onto the veranda of the guest house.
“Well, I’m grateful to you, Sheriff. You’ve been my knight in shining armor, as they say,” Aline said, extending her hand in gratitude.
Thomas smiled and shook her by the hand, doffing his hat to her.
“You’re very welcome, Mrs. Hale. I’m just sorry that your arrival in Lakestone has not been a happier one. If I can be of any further assistance to you, then you must let me know,” he replied and Aline nodded.
“Good day to you, Sheriff,” she said, making her way inside with Sammy and his basket.
What a day, Thomas thought, ambling back across the road toward the sheriff’s office. It isn’t every day you meet a woman like that.
Chapter Seven
Lita Morrell had prepared a fine meal for Aline, though she was so tired that she hardly did it justice. She was almost asleep when the boarding house proprietress placed a steaming baked apple stuffed with dried fruit before her.
“Any cream, Mrs. Hale?” Lita Morrell asked, and Aline shook her head.
“I couldn’t eat another thing,” Aline said with a sigh of satisfaction.
“Then I hope you get a good night’s sleep, dear. You’ve had a long, hard day. But you’ve found a good friend in the sheriff. He’s such a good and kind man. We’re fortunate to have him here in Lakestone,” Lita said, smiling at Aline, who nodded.
“He’s more than done his duty and with so much else happening in the town, it’s a wonder he had any time at all. He told me all about the bandits, it sounds awful,” Aline said, shaking her head.
“He gets a hard time of it, that awful Mayor Gould. You’d think Sheriff Redmond never did a day’s work. Well, I could tell you a few things about Mayor Gould…” Lita Morrell grumbled, beginning to clear the plates.
Sammy let out a meow and Aline took that as a cue to wish her hostess a goodnight.
“It was a delicious dinner—I haven’t tasted cornbread that good since I was a child,” Aline told her.
“Breakfast is at eight o’clock. I have one or two workers come join us to bring in a little extra money, but I’ll save you a table in the window,” Lita said, bidding Aline goodnight.
Wearily, she climbed the stairs to her bedroom, Sammy padding behind her. He’d certainly taken to life in Lita Morrell’s boarding house and leapt straight up on the bed as soon as Aline opened the bedroom door.
“Now, Sammy. Mrs. Morrell won’t like your hairs all over her clean sheets, now,” Aline scolded.
The room was comfortably furnished, and a door next to the bed led into a small sitting room that looked out over the street. The walls were covered in pictures and trinkets, which reminded Aline of her parents’ house back in Massachusetts. She could picture her father staying there all those years ago and finding Lampeter Ranch, the place he hoped to one bring his family to.
“Well, Father, I tried,” she said, sighing, as she looked out onto the street below.
Dusk was falling now and the street was quiet. She could see across to the sheriff’s office, where an oil lamp was burning in the window.
The sheriff really was ever so kind, she thought to herself, picturing Sheriff Redmond at his desk, surrounded by piles of paper.
She yawned, taking off her boots and settling herself down on the bed. She’d intended to read a little, for Lita Morrell had left several volumes on the bedside table. But before she could even take up one of the books, her eyes were heavy and, without even snuffing out her candle, she was soon fast asleep.
***
It was Sammy who woke her, just as he did most mornings. He’d jumped up onto the bed and was pawing at her, meowing, as she rolled over and opened her eyes.
Goodness, did I not even undress for bed? She sat up and rubbed her eyes.
She could hear hustle and bustle in the street below and, crossing to the window, she was surprised to see the clock on the sheriff’s office reading nine o’clock.
“Goodness, Sammy. We’re late for breakfast, Mrs. Morrell won’t like that,” she said, pulling on her boots and splashing cold water from the washbowl on her face.
She scooped up the cat and made her way downstairs, where Lita had just emerged from the dining room bearing a stack of empty plates.
“Oh, there you are, dear. You must have been tired, you’ve slept so long,” she said, smiling at Aline, who blushed.
“My apologies, Mrs. Morrell. I had no idea that I’d slept so late, you must think me ever so rude,” Aline said, but Lita simply laughed and shook her head.
“If you think that’s rude, then try running a boarding house filled with frontiersmen. Even the good ones can be bad ones at times. You sleep as long as you like. Go take your seat and I’ll bring you some breakfast. There’s still some more to come. The sheriff has been and gone,” she added, bustling off towards the kitchen.
I had hoped to see the sheriff, Aline thought, as she took her seat in the window.
Several of the other tables were still laid and a moment later, Lita Morrell brought her coffee and warm rolls fresh the oven.
“That’s very kind, thank you,” Aline said, pouring herself a cup of steaming coffee and beginning to once again feel human.
“Shall I do you some eggs? Some sausages, perhaps?” her hostess asked, and Aline nodded.
“That would be lovely, thank you,” Aline replied, glancing out the window and across the street.
The town was busy that morning with all manner of folks going back and forth. Aline watched with interest as the sheriff emerged from his office, accompanied by the young deputy she’d met yesterday. They were deep in conversation and she wondered whether there was more news on the outlaws.
She felt strangely at home here in Lakestone, as though her father had chosen it especially for her. She’d loved him dearly and his death had been a huge blow to her. Being here in Lakestone, she felt a connection to him, a sense of his presence at her side.
It seems a shame to leave, she thought, taking a sip of coffee and gazing out across the street.
As she did so, she was surprised to see Mr. Knox hurrying across the street toward the boarding house. He saw her sitting in the window and waved, his face breaking into a smile as he hurried up the pathway. Aline was puzzled by his appearance, and more so when Lita appeared a moment later to inform her that Mr. Knox would like to speak with her.
“I can send him away if you wish, Mrs. Hale. Mr. Knox may have money, but he can be trouble, too,” Lita said, but Aline shook her head.
She’d no desire to make enemies, and if Mr. Knox wished to speak with her, then he may do so.
“Please do ask him to join me, Mrs. Morrell,” Aline said and her hostess nodded, ushering Mr. Knox into the dining room.
He gave a low bow and took off his hat.
“Good morning, Mrs. Hale. And may I say how pretty you’re looking this morning,” Mr. Knox said, and Aline blushed.
He took the seat
she offered him opposite her and he poured himself a cup of coffee before settling back and fixing her with a toothy smile.
“It seems a pleasant morning outside, Mr. Knox,” Aline said, as Lita Morrell came to place a plate of eggs and sausage in front of her.
“It is; the prairie air is fresh and there’s a little breeze blowing to take the worst of the heat out,” Mr. Knox said.
“I may take a little walk later on,” Aline replied and she was surprised to see Sammy turn his back on Mr. Knox, who had reached out to stroke him.
“Must be shy,” Mr. Knox remarked as Sammy hid himself under Aline’s chair.
“Not usually,” she replied, curious as to Sammy’s behavior.