Chapter 14

Mary Anna supported one side of her husband, while Jake supported Chris's other side. The three of them finally made it to Alice and Steve's house. She couldn't help but notice how edgy Jake acted. Was he afraid of Sheila?

Alice and Steve had the cutest house. It wasn't large but plenty big for a growing family, and it was decorated with Alice's exquisite touch. Mary Anna could only guess what her house on the ranch would look like.

"Come in." Alice smiled at them all. "Is Chris all right?"

Jake shrugged. "He bumped his head."

"Oh, you need to be careful with those. He shouldn't sleep tonight. Not more than fifteen minutes at a time." Alice turned. "Steve, our guests are here."

Steve came out of the bedroom, dressed in fresh clothes, and smiled at them. "Glad you could come. Sheila is in the parlor." He grinned at Jake.

Jake whispered to Chris. "Look, he's got clean clothes on. You don't suppose the women will make us do that, do you?"

Chris frowned. "I hope not. I only have two pairs of trousers. I'm not sure I can handle being married." Chris stared at Jake. "You look like you've seen a ghost."

"It's Sheila. I'm not sure how she'll act around me."

Mary Anna turned and looked at the two of them. "Come on, Sheila will not bite. You two are ridiculous." She left them and went into the parlor.

Jake heard her greet Sheila, and he cringed.

Chris nudged his partner. "Go on. Time to face her."

Reluctantly, Jake entered the parlor and sat on the settee next to Sheila. She glared at him and scooted as far from him as she could.

Steve cleared his throat and nodded to Chris and then Mary Anna, who was sitting across the room from Chris. "Alice made a delicious roast for us tonight. Complete with all the trimmings and fresh rolls. I hope you all brought your appetites."

Mary Anna smiled politely, hoping she could control herself and not eat like a horse. She was starving and considering it might be close to her last meal; she wasn't sure how well she could restrain herself.

She glanced at Chris and Jake and thought they both looked sick enough that they might not eat very much. Well, that would be to her gain. If the food was anywhere near as good as it smelled, she would have a feast. Alice had always been an excellent cook.

Alice looked at the silent guests. She smiled and clapped her hands. "Did you hear about the bank robbery? The Southern Bank was robbed of all its cash. It's quite a devastating event for anyone who had their money in that bank. Fortunately, Steve keeps ours in the First of Abilene."

Mary Anna noticed Jake and Chris turning green and looking like they might get sick. Her appetite increased. This would be her last meal. If Chris was broke, she would starve.

Sheila nodded. "That U.S. Marshal is going after the gang. He said there is a reward for the leader. A man named Drake. I've seen him at the saloon. He's a rough customer. I wouldn't want to tangle with him."

Jake glanced at Chris and gave him a slight nod.

Chris returned it. They were good friends and could communicate with just a nod or look. Once his head felt as if it would stay on his neck, they could go looking for Drake. Chris had an idea where he might be.

Alice stood. "Shall we go into the dining room? I'm sure you are all hungry." She led the way and seated them at the table. She forced Chris and Mary Anna to sit together and Jake and Sheila to sit together, leaving an empty chair next to Alice.

Mary Anna stood. "I'll help you bring out the dishes."

Once in the kitchen, Mary Anna cornered Alice. "Your house is beautiful. I am so happy for you."

Alice put a hand on her arm. "Don't you give up on Chris. I think he's a nice man. He has a lot of potential, and I am sure he will make the ranch a success."

"I hope so. We still have issues with the North and South." Mary Anna sighed. "I need to get over it and make peace with Chris."

Alice hugged her. "I've been praying for you. I know it's not easy to forgive when you've had such great losses, but it is the way that leads to peace."

Mulling over how she could forgive the North and make peace with Chris, she carried the potatoes and gravy to the table. There was one vacant seat, and she wondered who was missing.

Alice came behind her with the platter of gorgeous meat and nodded to the empty seat next to Jake. "That's for the marshal. I invited him, but since the bank robbery, I'm not sure he can come."

Just as she finished speaking, there was a knock on the door. Steve got up and let the marshal in. "Welcome Marshal Trask. We were just wondering if you'd be able to come."

He smiled. "I wouldn't miss it, and by the aroma, I would have been very sad to have missed such a wonderful meal with good people. The posse is going out tomorrow. We have a good idea where the outlaws are going."

Jake glanced at Chris and looked as if he wanted to disappear.

The marshal took his seat. He looked at Jake. "Do you have any idea where Drake would have gone?"

Nearly falling out of his chair, Jake shook his head. "I don't know Drake. I've seen him around, but he never said much to me."

The marshal turned his gaze to Chris. "What about you?"

"I drank a beer with him now and then, but he wasn't my friend. I don't know where he'd go."

Mary Anna smiled at the handsome marshal. "Is there a reward for his capture?"

The marshal frowned. "Yes. Please tell me you aren't going to go after him." He grinned and pulled out a poster. "Five thousand dollar reward for the capture of Drake. Wanted for the robbery of The Southern Branch Bank. Wanted Dead or Alive. I suspect he's robbed others, but we don't have confirmation."

Mary Anna laughed. "No, I'm not. I just wondered. Do you have other posters?"

The marshal nodded and looked at Jake. "You sure look familiar to me. Do I know you from somewhere?"

Keeping his eyes on the peas and potatoes, Jake shook his head. "No, sir." Sweat beaded his forehead, and his face paled.

The marshal dug into the meal. "This is delicious, Alice. Thank you for asking me over."

Alice looked at her guests and then at the marshal. "I'm so glad you could come. Will it be dangerous to go after Drake?"

"I suppose it will be. There is a risk to go after any outlaw, especially the more desperate they become." Trask buttered a roll and set it on his plate. "I've been watching Drake. He uses men. That's why I was sent here to see what he was up to. He hates the South and anything or anyone connected. If you ladies see him, stay away from him and tell the sheriff or me."

Mary Anna nodded. "I will. I wish we could put that awful war out of our minds."

Trask looked at her. "I agree. I fought for the South. Knew it was a losing cause, but I was loyal to Texas. The few people supporting slavery cost our state a lot of territory. I didn't want to fight, but it was pretty much forced on every able-bodied man in the state. I'm afraid that many of our outlaws came out of that bloody war."

Chris kept his head down and counted the peas on his plate, hoping the marshal would leave. How long would it be before someone spoke up that Chris had met with the gang before the robbery?

Trask grinned. "You boys sure are quiet."

Jake looked up. "I'm thinking about that reward. All our money was in that bank. I guess it's gone now."

Trask nodded. "All the cash was taken. Consider it gone unless we catch Drake before he can spend or hide it."

Chris sighed. "We counted on that money."

"All the depositors did. It's going to hurt a lot of people in this town. I know banks have a bad reputation because many managers are greedy men who take advantage of those struggling. But most people don't realize that when a bank is robbed, a town is robbed. I've seen small towns fold up and blow away because everyone lost all they owned after a robbery."

Jake shrugged. "I guess those robbing the banks don't think about that."

Trask set his fork down. "Or they don't care."

"Yes, sir." Jake went back to looking at his potatoes.

Steve sighed. "Drake came to get a horse from me. I should have guessed what he was up to. I'll never see that horse again." He looked at Trask. "His horse is a big blood bay with a nick out of the inside left front shoe. I hope that might help you track him."

"Thanks, Steve. I'll pass that along. I have two Apache trackers. If they can't find the outlaws, nobody can." He scooted his chair back and patted his stomach. "That was a delicious meal, Alice. I hate to eat and run, but I have things to do before tomorrow morning, and we're leaving early."

Steve stood and shook the marshal's hand. "I'll be going with the posse."

Trask looked at Jake and then Chris. "Any more takers?"

Chris put an arm around Mary Anna. "I just got married and have a ranch to fix up for my new bride."

Jake kept his eyes on his plate. "I have to help my partner."

"No problem. I should have plenty. I really don't like big possies as they become more trouble than the outlaws." He chuckled and walked to the door. "Thanks again for the dinner." With that, he opened the door and left.

Jake stared at Chris.

Steve came back and sat down. "I'm afraid the good marshal left before dessert. Is anyone else ready for apple pie?"

That brought Jake's head up. "I'd sure love some."

Alice laughed. "I'll be right back with a piece for everyone."

Mary Anna wondered about Chris and Jake. They were not acting like themselves. In fact, they were acting guilty. She couldn't wait to get back to her room and question them.