“Mable left here not two minutes ago.” Doc waved Daniel toward the door. “If you hurry, you’ll catch up to her before she goes far.”
Daniel left Robbie with Iris and rushed outside. He spotted a tall woman wearing a floral wrap over a dark brown dress, walking along the roadside to the north. “Mrs. Branson!” he called.
The woman stopped and turned around.
“Mrs. Branson, come back! It’s Johnnie. He’s had an accident.” Daniel started off to meet up with the mother in case the news caused the woman to faint. But her hands hiked up her skirts and she raced toward him at remarkable speed.
“What happened?”
“Fell in the river. We suspect he cracked his head on a rock when he slipped attempting to catch a fish.” Daniel hurried back toward Doc’s house with the mother at his side. “He’s unconscious but breathing on his own.”
“Land sakes.” The woman’s hand flew to her mouth. “My poor baby,” she whispered.
“Doc’s with him now. And Robbie is there with Miss Lake, too. He’s fine. Just shaken up a bit after seeing the whole thing happen.”
“Those two boys will be the end of me,” she muttered, shaking her head as they rushed into the clinic.
A half hour later, Johnnie had regained consciousness and complained of a headache. He’d tossed up his lunch a couple times since, and Doc insisted he remain overnight as a precaution, suspecting the child was concussed. Mrs. Branson refused to leave her child’s side, and Mr. Branson, having been summoned from his job at the feed store, arrived to check on Johnnie and take Robbie home.
Daniel had fetched supper from the hotel for Doc and Mrs. Branson, who introduced her husband to him.
“Johnnie polished off some buttered bread and so far it stayed down, but Doc thinks it best if he doesn’t eat too much yet,” Iris informed him. She looked exhausted but determined to offer support to the patient and his family.
Daniel nodded. “I should get you home. Mrs. Carter will be worried.”
Mrs. Branson touched Daniel’s arm. “Thank you so much for saving my boy, Deputy McLennon. If you hadn’t been driving by… Well, I hate to think what the outcome for Johnnie might have been. You’re a true hero.”
“You’re welcome, ma’am.” He figured his face was reddening; the praise was unexpected but appreciated.
Mrs. Branson hugged Iris. “Thank you, Miss Lake. Robbie told me you were a comfort when he thought his brother was dead.”
“We can’t thank both of you enough,” Mr. Branson added.
Iris patted the mother’s back. “He was a brave little boy. And so clever to rush up to the road right away and fetch help.”
Robbie smiled at his teacher. “I waved to the man at the top of the hill, but he didn’t come to help.”
Daniel frowned and crouched down to the child’s height. “What man on the hill?”
“On the hill across the river. He looks pretty old like my grandpa. I spied him up there a couple times. Just sitting and watching things, I guess.” Robbie shrugged. “But when I called for help, he stood up and ran off like a scared bunny rabbit.”
“Well, maybe he’s not as brave as you are,” Daniel praised the little boy, then stood up.
Robbie’s face creased in a broad smile. “Thank you, Deputy McLennon.”
“You’re welcome.”
“You’re very brave and I am so proud of you,” Iris added. “I’ll see you at school tomorrow.”
Robbie nodded. “I’ll do my best with my sums.”
“I can’t ask for more.” Iris touched his mother’s arm. “I’ll pray for Johnnie’s quick recovery.”
“Thank you. You’re so kind, Miss Lake.” The mother smiled and then headed back to her other son’s bedside.
“Well, Robbie, go say goodnight to your brother, then we’ll be heading home.” A few seconds later, Robbie returned and Mr. Branson herded his son out the door.
“Goodnight, Doc,” Daniel called, guiding Iris outside behind them. “It’s been quite the day.”
“Thanks for your quick action, son.” Doc walked them out to the doorstep. “You probably saved that boy’s life getting him here as fast as you did.”
“Simply doing my job,” Daniel offered, pointing to the badge on his vest. He wasn’t officially on the job, but he’d forgotten to take it off. And working or not, no lawman worth his salt would ever fail to provide assistance in an emergency.
Daniel helped Iris onto the seat, shocked to find Hermes still patiently waiting despite the fact Daniel forgot to secure the reins when he returned from the hotel. “Good boy, Hermes. I’ll tell Billy you’ve earned an extra ration of feed tonight.”
Iris stifled a yawn. “I don’t recall being this tired in ages.”
“You look completely worn out. Seeing your student so lifeless must have been a shock.”
“His mother took the situation in stride. I don’t know how she does it.” Iris smiled. “Boys are such a challenge.”
Daniel winked at her. “Noisy. Rowdy. Carefree to the point of…”
“The ridiculous. The boys at recess… what one of them doesn’t think up, another one will.” Iris shook her head. “The girls are such a pleasure. Sitting quietly, playing with dolls or reading a book. Playing well together with seldom an argument.”
Daniel shook his head. “Boys sound more fun.”
Iris laughed and playfully swatted his arm. “Remember that when you’re a parent.”
Daniel felt his face pale. Him? A parent? Well, maybe someday. Far into the future. He glanced at Iris’s smiling eyes. Or maybe not that far. “What did you think of Robbie’s comment about the man watching from the hill?”
“A bit strange, I’ll admit.”
“Very strange.” Daniel reached for her hand. “I’m going to drop you at home and then I’m meeting with Sheriff Robertson. Something about this seems very odd.”
“He said the man was old like a grandfather.” Iris shifted on the bench. “What do you suppose that means? A drifter looking for work would be much younger. Why would an old man be sitting alone on a hill?”
“Not sure. But it warrants further consideration.”
Daniel dropped Iris at Mrs. Carter’s home and then headed back to the livery, taking the river road on his way. He halted the rig at the spot where they’d been waved down by Robbie. Daniel climbed down from the rig and studied the area, searching the hilltop high above the road for several minutes. Dusk had settled in and he couldn’t distinguish much of anything. He turned around and attempted to determine what the man might have been observing. And then he had his answer and his blood ran cold.
“No,” he said, drawing out the word. “Could it be?”
He leapt onto the buggy’s seat and flicked the reins, knowing he wouldn’t be getting much sleep tonight.
Chapter 19
Daniel paced the jailhouse floor, twirling his Stetson in his hands. “I’m telling you, Carl, I think it could happen.”
“You seriously believe the bank robbers plan to pull another robbery? That they’re watching the bank to learn when it reopens and then they’re going to rob it again?” the sheriff scoffed.
“That’s the plumb craziest thing I’ve ever heard,” added Deputy Jim Snow, sitting across from the sheriff, arms crossed and frowning.
“Crazy but not impossible,” Sawyer Manning suggested. “Takes some guts to even consider it.”
“Wouldn’t surprise me if these two possess more nerve than brains,” Harold Watson chimed in.
Daniel hung his Stetson on a hook by the door. Stroke of luck Harold being here. “Maybe they’ve been cyphering and figured there’s a lot more money to be had.”
“One possibility,” Carl conceded.
“Maybe they’re figuring Milton will still be working there.” Sawyer glanced at Carl. “Maybe the bank clerk is a loose end they plan on tying up?”
“While feathering their nest with more cash at the same time,” Daniel ventured. He’d been running
a dozen scenarios through his mind since he headed to the livery after figuring out the only thing of importance the old man must have been observing from that dang hill was the First National Bank. Nothing else made sense.
Jim Snow stood and stared at Daniel. “You truly expect us to believe this fairy tale you’ve concocted?”
“The only other premises that hill overlooks are my sister’s ladies’ shop and the bakery. I doubt the old fellow has a hankering for cinnamon buns or some new britches. He’s been watching that bank!” Daniel stated, emphatically. “I’d stake my reputation on it. That is, if you figure I have a reputation.”
Carl slapped him on the back. “You’ve done good work in town. Heard about the Branson boy’s accident this afternoon. I’d say you’ve got a fair reputation to uphold.”
“All right, gentlemen. Let’s assume for a minute Daniel is right about this.” Sawyer wagged a finger at Harold. “You’re reopening the bank tomorrow at ten. Say the robbers spot the door unlocked and folks coming and going. Would they risk a robbery the first day the bank opens for business?”
Daniel stood, hands on hips. “Why not?”
“Definitely would provide an element of surprise.” Carl glanced at Daniel. “Especially if we hadn’t learned about this fellow on the hill from young Robbie.”
“Could be we’ve got ourselves a miniature hero in town if another robbery occurs tomorrow,” Harold suggested. “That boy might be responsible for saving the bank a lot of grief.”
“And a barrelful of money.” Carl stood. “All right, let’s err on the side of caution. We’ve been given warning of a possible robbery and we’d be dang fools to ignore it. Even if it proves completely idiotic in a couple days when no one has robbed the bank, at least we didn’t let skepticism get in the way of us doing our jobs.”
Daniel shook the sheriff’s hand. “Thanks, boss. At least one of you believes me.”
“It ain’t a matter of believing you, Daniel,” Jim Snow offered. “It’s just such a dang blame crazy idea. Who’d be so stupid to try it?”
“Same fools who managed it the first time,” Sawyer muttered. “How are we doing this?”
“Question is… how do you want to do this?” With a wave of his hand, Carl turned the floor over to his more experienced counterpart.
Sawyer waved everyone closer and whispered, “Don’t think me daft, Harold, but I’m releasing Milton from his jail cell and I’m suggesting you hire him as your bank clerk.”
“Are you out of your mind?” Daniel blurted.
Sawyer held up his hands. “I know,” he whispered. “But if the robbers are figuring on settling a score with him then we’d best have him showing up for work tomorrow. Through the front door, if possible, if they’re keeping vigil. But for Pete’s sake, no one forewarn the man that there could be another robbery. We can’t have that nervous fool showing our hand.”
Harold smiled. “Done.”
“Also, Daniel and I will be spending the night in the bank. We’ll be hiding in the vault come morning and should these characters storm inside, Harold, you direct them to the vault immediately.” Sawyer smiled at Daniel. “We’ll be waiting for them.”
“What about me?” Jim Snow glanced from Carl to Sawyer.
“You’re going to have a powerful hankering for a sweet tomorrow morning.” Sawyer smiled at him. “I want you entering the bakery through the back door early in the morning.”
“I’ll arrange it with Mrs. Carter,” Daniel piped up. “I want to warn Iris what’s going on, and ensure she’s nowhere near the bank.”
“Remember what happened in Butte with your sister and sister-in-law?” Carl muttered.
“Right. What Iris doesn’t know…” Daniel muttered, having heard the tale related by his brother, Jackson. “But I’ll make the request of Mrs. Carter anyway.”
Jim Snow waved off the idea. “Probably no need for a warning. The woman is at the bakery every morning by five anyway, starting the dough for her bread and buns. I’ll meet her there when she opens.”
“Good enough.” Sawyer glanced at Carl. “That leaves you, Robertson. I want you inside the ladies’ shop, watching out through the windows. Is there a window in back? Or just in the front?”
“There are upstairs windows overlooking the back,” Daniel offered. “We should have someone upstairs as well as Carl watching the front. Mrs. Cameron’s level-headed and probably wouldn’t panic in an emergency. Customers would question if Amanda wasn’t in sight, but no one would notice Nancy missing.”
Sawyer glanced at his watch. “All right. It’s seven o’clock now. Everyone go home, eat supper and catch a few winks if you can. We’ll meet back here at two a.m. so Harold can let us into the bank. We’ll be settled in by three o’clock. Jim and Carl will be in place before dawn, then we’ll have the element of surprise on our side.”
“I still can’t believe you reckon on this happening,” Jim muttered. “But if I get a hot cinnamon bun out of it, I’ll be happy.”
“Just keep your eyes peeled on the bank and forget your stomach until this is over,” Sawyer warned.
“I know. Just joking with you.” Jim stuffed his hat on his head and headed out the door.
“I’ll see you back here at two. Come in through the back door.” Daniel nodded, preparing to head home to eat. “I’ll let the other deputies know what’s up and that they’re in charge of keeping the peace in town while we’re doing this.”
“That’s right. You live with two other fellows.” Sawyer shook his hand. “Thanks for thinking of that.”
“No problem and thank you for taking my suspicions seriously.”
Sawyer nodded. “I’d be a fool not to.”
“Let’s hope this works. I’d like nothing better than to have this solved by tomorrow,” Daniel muttered on his way out the door.
Chapter 20
Shorty coughed and hacked and shivered in his new boots. Every bone in his body ached and the pain in his bum leg worsened by the minute. A day hadn’t passed that he didn’t curse that damn Thoroughbred stallion he’d attempted to steal ten years ago. That devil critter threw him out of the saddle and then stomped on his leg for good measure. Hadn’t received any doctoring at the time and he’d never walked properly since. Hadn’t attempted to steal another man’s horse again either.
“I… don’t… care.” His head throbbed with the worst headache of his life. He figured he must be near to dying. “I ain’t robbing no damn bank in the morning.”
“Why the hell not?” Fred shot him a murderous look.
“I’ll probably die overnight.” He coughed some more.
“Ya got a case of the sniffles.”
“Sniffles?” Shorty blurted. “Are you daft? I’m burning hotter than a dang woodstove and puking my guts out. Couldn’t stop coughing if ya had a gun to my head.”
“Quit bein’ such a dang baby.”
“Must be a plague I got.” He coughed again and flopped back onto his bedroll, tucking the soiled garment around his chin. He’d been shivering for hours. “I ain’t been warm in days, but I figure I’ve got me a fever. How can that be?”
“Don’t know. Now, listen, boy. I overheard two old biddies out strollin’ on the river road. They were praisin’ the Almighty that the bank was reopening tomorrow. Practically shoutin’ the news to the heavens. Even I could hear them clear up on that hill. A’course, there weren’t no wind nor much sound except the two of them jawing for a half mile or more. One of them done most of the talkin’. I swear her husband’s ears must bleed from listenin’ to her every day.”
“Maybe they’re widows.”
“Don’t matter. The point is the bank will be open tomorrow. And we’s going to rob it!” Fred slapped his knee and cackled.
“No. You’re going to rob it.” Shorty closed his eyes. “I’ll be dead by then.”
“Ya big sissy. Sit up and listen. I’ve got a plan.”
“Uncle Fred, for the love of all things holy, I’m not going to rob
a bank tomorrow.” Shorty coughed and swallowed hard to keep what little might be left in the stomach down there. “Give me a day or two. If’n you haven’t buried me by then, maybe I’ll do it.”
“You’re worse’n a crotchety old lady,” Fred scoffed.
Shorty yawned. A dang newborn kitten would have more strength than he did right now. “Then hire one of those old biddies to help you rob the dad-blamed bank.”
Fred cackled. “Couldn’t be no worse’n the likes of you.”
“I’m getting some shuteye. Probably won’t wake up again. Been nice knowing you.” Shorty rolled over and fell asleep.
Chapter 21
Daniel stood back and observed Harold Watson walking Mrs. Cameron to the front door of the First National Bank, the last customer in the day’s steady stream of banking clientele to leave. “I’m so pleased I could help you clear up your account at the general store, Nancy.”
The widow smiled at the man she’d been accompanying around town and been seen seated beside at Sunday services in the Milestone Community Church. “Finally having access to our money… well, my money, and clearing my remaining debts is a weight off my mind.”
“You know I would have given you the funds earlier if I could have,” Harold said, softly, tenderly holding her arms in his hands. “But I couldn’t do for one citizen and not for the others.”
Nancy wiggled from his loose grasp and patted his arm. “I understand. You’re an uncompromising professional, a man of impeccable character. Besides, I wouldn’t expect special treatment.”
“You’re wonderful and I appreciate your patience.” Harold kissed her cheek and she blushed profusely. He glanced at the two lawmen remaining in the bank. “I’m desperately sorry, Nancy, I forgot where we were.”
“I’d best get back to the store. With so many folks coming into the bank today, we’ve been busy also.” She dashed out the door to return to her job as a seamstress next door at Amanda’s Clothing Emporium.
Daniel figured she’d probably considered the day a waste of her time stuck upstairs gazing out the window, which had proven a useless exercise.
A Reinvented Lady (Sons Of A Gun Book 2) Page 12
