chapter Five
Stepping outside, Trace took a deep breath and felt a chink in his armor give way. He had wanted to see her smile—a face like that should have dimples. Of course, a prudent man would walk away. Trace Castillo had never been that. In his veins ran the blood of two proud races. Half of him belonged to the Spanish conquistadores. His other half stood at the walls of the Alamo to defend Tejas against overwhelming odds as General Santa Anna’s army attacked. He would not run from this challenge but meet it head on. He glanced over his shoulder at the doorway, a grin pushing at his lips. What a beautiful challenge it was.
Hands to hips, he did his best to relax. It was bad enough her blue eyes made him dizzy. But when his name rolled from her lips, he wanted to hear that from beneath him, on soft sheets, with that copper hair streaming in molten waves across the pillow, as he pressed his lips to the pulse of her neck.
Trace blew the air from his lungs. She would be a distraction from his work. Nothing more, he assured himself. Yet, just now, when she needed help, he’d jumped at the opportunity to perform this task. He gave a gruff chuckle. “Like some errant knight in blasted shining armor.”
He swung off the porch and strode down Main Street in the direction of the business side of town. It stood to reason places like that would be kept away from the few homes nestled to the north. He tipped his hat as he passed two women on the boardwalk and took note of their admiring glances. There, across from the blacksmith and the livery, stood a huge two-story establishment painted in bold colors of green and red. Above the doorway hung a sign clearly labeling the place as the Tomahawk Saloon. Behind it, he would find the undertaker.
Heading closer, he heard a catcall from the upper floor. “Well, hello, sugar,” a deep-throated voice called to him.
Trace paused, tilted his head for a better view through the shadows of the upper porch, and watched a buxom, honey-haired beauty sashay toward the rail. Her flowered wrapper pulled tight and strained against the swell of the flesh beneath. She turned a hip against the rail, then leaned her back against the post. A seductive smile softened her lips.
Trace touched his hat. “Ma’am.”
“Um.” She smacked her lips. “The sights in town keep getting better. You just come in, handsome?”
“Came in yesterday,” he replied and turned to continue on his way.
“Well, the fun starts around eight. You come on by and tell ’em Lori sen’ cha.”
He looked back over his shoulder and saw her bare leg hanging over the side, swinging against the breeze. Instead of dwelling on her enticement, Trace gave a nod. However, his mind turned to a delightful daydream of his own invention, that of his hand upon the creamy skin of Mary Rose. He could imagine his hand stroking her thigh while he watched those blue eyes turn to velvet. He stopped and swallowed. Such musings were not appropriate. He grasped the door handle of the undertaker’s establishment.
“Get a hold of yourself,” he grumbled. Perhaps this woolgathering came from lack of sleep. No one said staying awake all night, sitting in a chair, would pass for a good eight hours’ sleep in a bed. With a shake of his head, he turned the handle to venture inside.
The atmosphere of the room was opposite of that outside. The sunshine and warmth became subdued against the pallor of death. Two types of pine boxes sat on sawhorses for display inside the whitewashed room. He removed his hat out of courtesy to those lost and walked toward the low counter at the back as a tall, slim man with a waxy complexion pushed back the dark curtains to greet him.
“I’m Mr. Malone, the undertaker. How may I help you, sir?” His deep voice echoed around the room.
“I wish to purchase two pine boxes,” Trace began, and filled him in on the need of additional men to bring back the bodies from the spring.
“I’m sure we can accommodate your request,” Malone said.
“I’ll be going with you to show you where the bodies are buried,” he replied, at which the undertaker’s brows rose.
Mr. Malone paused for a moment to digest the information before he continued. “It will take me about an hour to round up a few men. Where would you like to meet?”
“Meet me at the sheriff’s office,” Trace replied.
“Shall I bill the County for these items?”
“No,” He started to say the bill should be sent to the Thornton Freight Company, as Mary Rose wanted. Instead, he replied, “I’ll be in to pay the bill tomorrow.” He watched the pencil in the man’s hand still.
“Very well, I’ll have things ready for you then,” Malone murmured and tore the note from the pad. “I’ll see you in an hour.”
Making his way back to Main Street, Trace heard his name called. Rand Weston stepped from the back of the livery and made his way toward him.
“I just stopped at Doc’s. He told me you’d come here.”
Trace smoothed his hair back and placed his hat on his head. “Yeah, I promised Miss Thornton I would bring the bodies home.”
“Understood,” the sheriff grunted. “Look, I’m headed over to the freight office, if you’d like to come along.”
“Sure.” He nodded and fell in step alongside the sheriff.
As they walked the long narrow dirt street, Trace noted that no rail spur ran to town. A person had to either ride in and out or take the Overland Stage from the hotel. They crossed the street beside the general store and took a small road toward the rear of the town. The road widened, and he caught a glimpse of a single-story low-slung building situated near a few trees. One wagon sat in front, unloaded, painted bright red with yellow trim. A huge covered porch ran the length of the building’s side, providing the comfort of shade. He looked up at the bold letters: Thornton Freight Company.
“Would have thought such a bright red an odd color for a freight office,” Trace mumbled.
“Most would.” Rand explained with a chuckle. “Her idea. She said people would remember it better if it was different.”
They watched a clerk in a dark apron and white shirt open the front doors and begin to sweep off the entrance. Rand pulled out his pocket watch and opened it. “Nine o’clock. You can set your watch by Caleb Gentry,” he remarked as they ambled over.
Hearing them, Gentry paused. “Morning, Sheriff.” He nodded in Trace’s direction. “What can I do for you today?”
“Morning, Caleb. I was wondering if we might have a word with you.”
“Sure.” His brow puckered. “Anything the matter, Sheriff?”
“Got some news that will not sit well being said on the street. Mind if we step inside?”
The clerk’s eyes widened. He glanced over to Trace, and blanched as his eyes focused on the badge.
“Let me introduce Marshal Castillo. Trace, this is Caleb Gentry.”
Trace held out a hand. “Pleased to meet you, Mr. Gentry.” The man grasped his hand and gave a firm shake.
“Likewise,” Caleb replied. “Come on inside.”
He stepped out of the way, and Trace followed Sheriff Weston inside.
“Mind the boxes. Day before yesterday’s freight took precedence, so we had to unload the wagons of what was already on there. Daniel, I mean Mr. Thornton, said to store it under lock and key until he returned. Best lock and key is here in the office.”
Trace glanced at the wooden crates with open sides. Very different merchandise from the sample he had stashed away in his saddlebag.
“Won’t you have a seat?” Gentry gestured toward the chair.
Trace let Rand take the seat, choosing instead to lean against the post. “What’s so special that you have to keep it locked up?”
“Well, I’m not rightly sure. Mr. Thornton would know. Most of our freight heads out to Fort Ewell, and he was headed there with an important shipment. He should be back by week’s end. What can I do for you?” The clerk took his seat behind the desk.
“You say you had to unload the cargo for the trip he was making?” Rand questioned.
The clerk nodded. “Yeah, we got the government shipment in, and Mr. Thornton didn’t want to keep it overnight. We made a quick switchover. Took most of the morning, even with Moe’s help. Miss Thornton didn’t like it one bit.”
“Why?” Trace questioned.
“She was on her way to visit a friend at the fort. You know women.” Caleb chuckled. “Always getting themselves worked up over a schedule. She wanted to be there in two days, tops.”
Trace gave Weston a hard glance. The sheriff shifted in the chair, ignoring his implication.
“So it takes two days to get to Fort Ewell from here?”
“Yes, sir, Marshal. Mr. Thornton and his sister had the two new wagons and the best teams. They should have made great time.” He glanced worriedly between the two law officers. “Say, is something wrong with the Thorntons?”
Trace waited for Rand to speak up.
“You could say that.” After a deep breath, Rand told the startled clerk what had happened.
“Sorry to hear that,” he murmured. “Is there anything I can do for Miss Thornton?”
“You can help us catch the killers.”
“Yes, Marshal, of course.”
“I’d like for you to find us the manifest for the shipment to the fort,” Rand said.
“Anything else?”
The sheriff nodded. “I think it might be best to close the office for a few days. Let Miss Thornton get on her feet.”
“Yes, yes, of course.” Caleb nodded. “You reckon I should ship out the rest of this stuff?”
“I think that’s a good idea. Get it ready, and I’ll send an escort with you.”
“I’ll put a sign in the window. You know, the Thorntons are good people. Moe might be a bit slow, but they were good to him. Took him on when others didn’t want to.”
“Thank you, Caleb.” Rand held out his hand, and they shook.
Caleb turned his gaze to Trace. “You plan to help the sheriff catch who did this?”
“I’m going to do my best to bring them to justice,” he replied.
“I’m glad to hear that. Daniel deserves it. So does Moe.”
With pleasantries exchanged, the two lawmen made their way to the front porch of the freight office. Hearing the door shut and lock, Rand turned toward Trace. “You look like hell.”
“Hard sleeping in a chair.” Trace rubbed the back of his neck.
“I picked up your things at Doc’s and they’re at the office. I got a room upstairs you can use.”
“Good. Have to admit, with everything going on, I hadn’t given much thought to where I was going to stay.”
“So you’re going to get the bodies.”
“Yep, I made a deal with the undertaker. I told him to meet me at your office.” He turned and looked at Rand. “You say you took my saddlebags over?”
“Sure did.”
“Good. I’ve got something to show you.”
“Lead on, young fellow.” Rand’s eyes brightened. “I want to get this mess cleaned up, pronto.”
But it was not to be. The undertaker was waiting at the office.
“When you get back,” Rand said. Trace climbed aboard the wagon and, with a nod, they moved off.
****
Mary Rose lay in the quiet calm of the doctor’s extra room. She’d picked at her food. Even with the gentle urging of the Widow Hatfield, she’d eaten her fill. Not that she felt like eating much after that little talk with the sheriff when he showed up after the marshal left this morning. She knew there were questions that needed answers. Still, her head was not clear enough to give him any solid clues. If only she could remember what any of those men looked like.
Closing her eyes, she listened to the click-clack of Widow Hatfield’s wooden knitting needles as she added stitches onto the growing blue shawl. She’d told the sheriff that the marshal promised to bring her brother’s body and Moe’s from the spring. She wanted to remain awake for that. It was so important for her to regain control. She wanted to know that her brother’s body was back and that he’d be buried in the churchyard.
Mary Rose’s chest burned with raw emotion. How can I carry on without my brother? They were like a matched pair of horses. Both of them had been determined to see the freight business catch on and grow, and they were close, so close, to making it a success. Her eyes flashed open, and she stared at the ceiling. Who can I get to drive? Will they recover the missing wagon? The dull ache behind her eyes began again. She blew out a deep breath and heard the widow’s needles come to a halt.
“You need anything, dear?”
She turned her face toward the widow’s round one and whispered, “No, I’m fine. I’d just like to get out of this bed.”
Mrs. Hatfield lifted the corners of her mouth. But no pleasant smile could hide the pity in her eyes. It drew Mary Rose’s wrath. She didn’t need sympathy. She needed someone to find the men who did this to her brother and to Moe. Bless her! She wanted revenge. She wanted those men to pay for destroying her life. She wanted to punish them the same way they had punished her.
“I’m right here if you need me or need a shoulder to cry on.” The widow remarked, picking up the pace of her needles.
The sound seemed to mark the passing of time. Mary Rose needed to think of persuasive arguments to get the marshal to help her find these men. If only she had two good hands. She sighed and laid her good arm over her face to shield it from the light.
“Ah, Mrs. Hatfield.” Doctor Martin’s voice made both women jump.
“Land sakes,” the widow gasped, her hand flying to her heart as she captured both needles in one hand. “You gave me quite a fright.”
“Pardon,” he replied.
Mary Rose moved her arm and watched as he came in and opened a cabinet, fishing out a square of blue material, and she caught the twinkle in his eyes, as if he’d startled the widow on purpose. “I’m thinking Miss Thornton might like to get up for a bit.”
Eagerly, she pushed back the covers and attempted to pull her body erect.
“Hold on there,” Doc Martin fussed. He and the widow helped her ease into a sitting position. Mary Rose could tell her heart raced, but it felt so good to be sitting upright.
“No black spots?” he asked, searching her face.
“None.”
With a nod, he leaned forward to tie the ends of the sling around her neck. “This may hurt,” he warned her as he eased her arm inside.
She held her breath. There was a bit of pull, but the pain seemed manageable. “I’d like my robe,” she said, looking over at the widow. “Would you go to my house and get it?”
“Of course, sweets.” The widow nodded. “I’ll bring a brush and a few things to make you look tidy, too. That nice young man will be stopping back by, won’t he?”
“Yes.” Mary Rose’s mouth pulled a bit downwards at the thought of his destination.
“Go ahead and get those things, Mrs. Hatfield,” Doc Martin told her. “I can get her over to the chair.”
She watched the widow leave and then returned her attention to the doctor, who seemed preoccupied, fiddling with the elbow end of the sling. “Whatever it is you are going to admonish me for, get it over with.”
Doc Martin looked up at her. His eyes held a father’s glare. “I’ve known you since you were a skinny filly, Mary Rose. You’ve been a bit too silent all morning. I’m here to tell you to put those notions out of your head about going after whoever killed your brother.”
“My family is my business. I want to bring those villains to justice.”
“You let the law handle this, my dear girl.” He waggled his finger just beneath her nose.
She reached up and swatted his hand away. “I’ve a business to run. I’ll let the law do their job, but I won’t stand for them to forget it, either.”
The doctor stepped back. “Fair enough. Let’s get you over to that chair for a bit. The widow’s brought some fried chicken for lunch. I hear it’s legendary.”
He helped her to stand, and with slow steady steps she reached the cushioned chair. Feeling a bit lightheaded, she turned, bent her knees, and sat. Her eyes closed for a count of ten and when she opened them, the room had stopped moving. Satisfied, she glanced up at the doctor and smiled. “It sounds like you’re testing the waters for a new wife?”
“Bite your tongue, young lady,” he snapped, but she noted he left whistling a tune.
Sitting there alone, she watched the scene outside her window. A few horses and their riders crossed the street as they made their way toward the other end of town. Along the boardwalk, she could see the foot traffic as the ladies of Cobb’s Crossing sought shade from the noonday heat. However, it was the creak of a wagon that garnered her alert attention.
She held her breath and watched the buckboard with two men move slowly across her field of vision. A sharp pain twisted against her heart as she caught a glimpse of the two pine boxes in the back. “I won’t let this go unchallenged, Daniel. I’ll bring them to justice.” She paused and took a ragged breath. “So help me, God, even if it takes my last breath.”