Chapter Nine

Morning Report

Big Bend Marshal’s Office

Cole pushed aside his cup of stale coffee, signed one final report, and sat back in his chair. He’d been bent over his desk for far too long and needed to get up and stretch. As soon as Grant returned from overseeing the loading of the afternoon train, Cole intended to make his usual end of day rounds.

Why ? She’s not there .

He shook his head in an effort to dislodge his annoying conscience. True, Eliza wasn’t at her shop, but he still had a whole town to look after. Just as he had before she’d returned. With Christmas little more than a week away, he realized how much he was looking forward to joining Eliza and Miss Jillian for dinner.

Cole made a mental note to check in with Leo at the livery. He had something special planned for Eliza after their meal, and he needed to make sure everything was in place. He was about to put away his paperwork and empty the dregs of coffee from his cup when the door swung open, and Grant came in on a gust of wind. Stomping the snow off his boots, the young deputy hung up his jacket and went to stand in front of the potbelly stove.

“It’s colder than all git out,” Grant grumbled. “I thought the stationmaster was never going to get that train out of here on time.”

Cole flipped open his pocket watch and asked, “The train should have left thirty-minutes ago.”

“It did, but just barely.”

“And it took you thirty-minutes to walk from one end of town to the other?”

“I stopped by the mercantile to pick up a bag of their homemade jerky. The usual crowd of old men were hanging out and jawing about that city fella and Miss Eliza. I got caught up in what they were saying.”

“What city fellow?” Cole groused. “And what did they say about Miss Carson?”

“The guy was some hot shot from New York. Miss Eliza used to work for him, or something. He was passing through on his way to California, with some fancy dressed assistant. According to this Baker fella, Miss Eliza was supposed to accompany them to California, but said she couldn’t leave her grandmother.”

“He must be the fellow who hired her to make some costumes for a play he’s producing,” Cole suggested.

“According to Joe Hardy, the two men closed the saloon last night. Baker was bragging about how he and Miss Eliza were nearly engaged before she had to rush home because of her granny.”

Engaged ? Cole’s thoughts swirled like a dry leaf in a strong breeze.

Pushing himself to his feet, Cole announced. “I’m going to make the rounds before I call it quits for the day. I appreciate you coming in early to tend to the loading of the train. Make sure you’re out of here at a reasonable time tonight.”

Grant snorted a laugh. “I gotta admit, it’s a lot quieter here than I expected when I transferred in from Colorado Springs. Not that I’m complaining. I know Missus Perkins appreciates me getting in before she locks the boarding house doors.”

“Big Bend’s always been a peaceful town… save for a few miscreants now and then. As far as I can remember, there’s only been two attempts at robbing the bank, no more than a handful of saloon scuffles, and one gun fight.”

“A gun fight? In Big Bend?”

“I was a boy at the time, probably no more than ten or twelve. Two scraggly looking fellows rode into town looking for an easy mark. The bank was closed for the day, so they tried to rob the mercantile. Frank McIntyre owned the place back then. He was a feisty old man. He refused to hand over the money. A passerby saw the men go inside, heard the shouting, and went and got the sheriff—”

“That was your pa, right?”

Cole nodded. “It was one of the few times he strapped on his gun belt. Just as he got to the mercantile, the men came out with a bag of cash between them. Pa called them out and the younger of the two drew his gun but… thankfully… wasn’t fast enough. Before the second fellow could react, he was knocked out cold by McIntyre and the flat side of a shovel.”

“I’d be lost without my side arms,” Grant admitted.

Staring down at the six-shooter strapped to his side, Cole responded. “We were both trained to never leave our guns behind. I’d like to think they’re not necessary but, just as Colorado has grown and changed, so have the criminals. It would be unheard of to respond to a ruckus without the security of your weapon.”

“I hear that,” Grant agreed. “Anything else I need to know before you take off?”

“Not really. I tacked up the new wanted poster, but the man they’re looking for was last seen in Grand Junction headed toward the Utah border.”

“That’s the way I like it… far away from where I’m at.”

Cole slid into his jacket, donned his hat and gloves, and stepped out into the chilly air. Light snowflakes blew around in little swirls of white. Not enough to add to what was already on the ground, but enough to make you cinch your collar a bit tighter. A number of smaller businesses had already closed for the day, given the weather was keeping customers at bay. Music played from inside the saloon, and the lights were still on in the bank.

As he drew closer, the clang of Mister Durgin’s hammer and anvil rang out loud and clear. It didn’t matter the season, or the time of day, the livery was always busy, and the smithy’s job was never done. If he wasn’t shoeing, he was feeding, watering, or repairing tack.

“Hey, Leo!” Cole called out when he stepped inside the front door.

The clanging stopped and Leo poked his head around the corner of the stall area. “Hey, Marshal. What can I do for you?”

“I wanted to make sure everything was ready for me to pick up after Sunday services.”

“All painted, new harnesses and reins, and given no weather foul ups, your new mare should be arriving on Friday evening.”

“Hopefully her arrival won’t send Storm into a fit of jealousy,” Cole joked. “He’s never had to share the barn before.”

Leo’s snicker was loud and long. “Once he gets the gist of why she’s here, he’ll be like any other young stud… excited.”

“True enough,” Cole agreed. “True enough.”

Cole gave his friend a nod, and then went on about his rounds. He checked the doors on Eliza’s shop, both front and back. He glanced through the window of Maize’s café, assuring himself everything was in order. After that, he stopped into the bank and withdrew a few dollars from his account before proceeding on to the mercantile.

The door opened just as he arrived, and Eliza stepped out onto the wooden walk. They nearly collided, both coming to an abrupt halt with just inches to spare. They were so close he could smell her rose-scented perfume. His heart beat hard against the wall of his chest.

“Miss Eliza,” he greeted.

She took a step back before responding. “Marshall. It’s surely cold out today, isn’t it?”

“It certainly is,” he agreed, wishing he had a more intelligent response to offer.

“Making your rounds?”

“I am. I double-checked the doors of your shop. They were locked tighter than a drum.”

“Thank you. Although I highly doubt a few bolts of material and a sewing machine are hardly worth breaking in to get.”

“Perhaps not, but it’s better to be secure, just in case.”

“I should be going… I mean…” she hedged.

“Me too. I’ve got a few more stops to make.” She was about to step away, when Cole clasped her wrist in his gloved hand. “Eliza?”

She spun around quickly, knocking her bonnet slightly askew. Still holding onto her wrist, he raised his opposite hand and righted the angle of her hat.

“Did you want something, Cole?”

“Come with me,” he ordered in a low and hopefully calm voice. Tightening his grip only slightly, he led her back to her storefront. “Could we go inside and talk, please.”

Eliza pulled her arm free of his hold and rummaged through her handbag for the key.

“Is there something wrong?”

“I hope not, but I have a question to ask,” he told her.

Once he’d shut the door behind them, she turned to fully face him, her gaze narrowing in confusion and a hint of suspicion. He opened his mouth to speak, but nothing came out. All he could do was stare at her.

“So, ask,” she insisted.

“I heard your old boss was in town. And that he asked you to go to California with him.”

“Yes, he was, and he did. I turned him down.”

“Because of your grandmother?”

“Yes, among other things.”

“He also told anyone who would listen that you two were nearly engaged. Is that true?”

She met his gaze, her green eyes flaring. “Not that it’s anyone’s business but my own, but no… we were never engaged. We were also never involved, never lovers, never anything but boss and employee.”

He couldn’t hold back his sigh of relief. Which seemed, for some reason, to make her angry. “I didn’t mean to infer—”

“Of course not,” she bit back. “You were just checking to see if the ‘ goods ’ were still intact.” With a flick of her wrist, she tossed him her keys. “Lock up when you leave. I’m going home.”

“Eliza… wait.” She stopped short, but didn’t turn around, so he added, “I owe you an apology.”

“Yes, you do, but I’m not ready to hear it just yet.”

A moment later she was gone, and he was left standing in the middle of her store looking and feeling like a fool. He’d done the unthinkable by questioning her like that, rather than trust she was a woman of faith and principle.

He owed her more than just an apology. He’d give her a couple of days to cool off and then make amends at church on Sunday. With any luck, and a lot of praying, perhaps she’d forgive him. It didn’t take his conscience’s many taunts to tell him he was head over heels in love with Eliza Carson.

Any fool… even him… could see it plain as day.