by Linda Ellen
The teacher’s question sparked a lively debate amongst the boarders regarding the seriousness of the crime and what constituted fair sentencing according to the evidence.
Pauline, for the most part, stayed out of it, preferring to nibble on a cookie and gaze out the window to the street beyond, daydreaming of her new husband and hoping to catch a glimpse of him…perhaps heading back to the boarding house.
“I’ve got a feeling our friend in there has been participating in a life of crime for a while now,” Toby murmured to Sheriff Dave as they stood looking down the hallway at the only occupant in the four-cell jail.
“I share that feeling, Deputy Keller,” agreed Toby’s boss.
The object of their perusal lay comfortably on his bunk, hands laced behind his head, eyes shut, and a cocky smirk on his face.
Once Toby had brought him in and then accompanied the sheriff in taking him, still in handcuffs, over to the hotel for the girl to make the identification—which she did—their prisoner had acted as if he hadn’t a care in the world. “So what? The word of a trull against mine don’t mean nothin’,” he’d mumbled after the girl had pointed and screeched, “That’s him! That’s John! That’s the man who stole my money and cut me! Make him give me my money back!”
The sheriff and Toby had taken the detainee back to the jail and questioned him at length—to no avail. He flatly refused to give them his name or any information about himself. After an hour of getting nowhere, the lawmen had resolved to call it quits for the night and the man had simply taken up residence in one of the cells. He hadn’t made a sound since, other than some loud snoring throughout the night. Toby and the other deputies found it a bit unnerving that the scoundrel seemed to have no fear of the law.
“Been looking through my cache of wanted posters, but so far nothing…except a new one with no picture that may or may not be him.”
“Yeah? Let’s see,” Toby asked as they turned together back toward the sheriff’s cluttered desk.
Taking a poster off the top of a large stack, the senior lawman held the page where Toby could see it as he read out loud, “Five hundred dollars reward for the apprehension of Washington Hobbs.” The two lawmen exchanged glances.
“That’s the surname I heard the other man call our assailant,” Toby reminded, although he had no doubt his boss would remember.
The sheriff answered with a nod. “Yep, except the girl said he told her his name was John…” he paused thoughtfully before taking up the narrative. “Hobbs is about forty years old, of average height and sturdy build, has regular features, curly black hair, dark blue eyes, is said to be very affable, but tight fisted.” He shot a grin at Toby. “That fits our boy to a T.”
“Sure does,” Toby agreed as he looked back at the poster. “Too bad there’s no daguerreotype or drawn likeness,” he observed as he read, “He is suspected of taking part in the recent attempt to kidnap the ten-year-old son of Constable James Filkins on the night of 22nd March 1886 assisted by members of the Hobbs Gang, including Plumb Hobbs, Ezra Beebe and Thomas Mott. All of the suspects are notorious for riverboat gambling, petty theft and highway robbery, including a recent theft of government contract revolvers.”
Sheriff Dave shook his head as Toby gave a grunt of disgust. “Sounds like he’s aiming for bigger things, hmm?”
“Looks that way,” the lawman agreed, reading further, “Also wanted, Grove and Dino Loomis for threats against Constable Filkins, and Wheeler Loomis for jumping bail while awaiting trial on kidnapping charges. Grove and Wheeler are also wanted in Platte County for the theft of goods from Rev. C. Swift’s carriage while he conducted church services in Platte City.”
“Nice Missouri boys,” Toby sneered.
“Ain’t they, though?”
At the bottom was the sentence that gave both men a smile as the sheriff read, “If any of these men are apprehended, positive identification can be made by Constable Filkins or any of his deputies. Contact the Platte County Jail, Platte City, Missouri.
Sheriff Plasters placed the paper on his desk and grinned at his deputy. “I’d say we just identified our man. I’ll wire Constable Filkins in the morning.”
“Sounds like a plan,” Toby grinned back. Then with a soft chuckle, he walked to the doorway and called down to the prisoner, “Hey, Washington.”
The man in the cell shot straight up on the cot, his eyes round with surprise an instant before he caught himself and regained his nonchalant air. “Don’t know who you’re talkin’ to,” he mumbled as he lay back down and closed his eyes as if to take a nap without a worry in the world.
“We’ll see how carefree you are when Constable Filkins gets here, Hobbs,” he replied, receiving in answer Hobb’s back as he flopped over on his cot and faced the wall.
Toby turned to his boss as they both walked back into the main office, his beard unable to hide his jaunty smile. “You need me for anything, Sheriff?”
Sheriff Plasters was headed toward the stove and as he finished pouring himself a cup of coffee, he settled back down at his desk with his mug in hand. Then, he threw an amused smile toward his deputy.
“Not that I can think of, Tobias. Why don’t you go on back to the boarding house and take the rest of the day off? You earned it. You could, eh…spend some time with a certain young lady, if you’ve a mind to.”
Toby kept his face from bursting into an even bigger, silly grin. “Might just take you up on that, Sheriff,” he said as he grabbed his Stetson from a hook by the door, placed it strategically on his head and tilted it just so, before adding, “You, uh…sure you can spare me? I mean…the other guys are out making their rounds…you gonna be all right here by yourself, watchin’ over that fierce desperado down the hall?”
“Get outta here, you idiot,” the head lawman laughed as he picked up a paperweight and acted as if he were about to throw it at Toby’s head, prompting him to slip through the door and allow it to slam closed behind him.
Toby stood on the other side for a few beats, enjoying the sheriff’s amused laughter. Then, he shook his head with a chuckle and began to make his way down the street, anxious to see and be able to talk at length again with his new bride.
He wondered if she had been impressed with his prowess as a man of the law…maybe a little?
Having decided to write a letter home, Pauline had abandoned her vigil at the window and had just returned from her room where she had gone to retrieve her stationary box, when the front door opened and Tobias sauntered in. He was greeted enthusiastically by all.
After answering quite a few questions about how he had tracked the criminal and how he had brought him back single-handedly, he walked over to the low parlor table and leaned down to snatch up the last four of Iris’ cookies. His entrance had revived the interest of the boarders, and he stood, chewing, and glancing around the room. He appeared content to simply let the others speculate without feeling the need to offer inside information. Pauline noticed his eyes on her several times as she tried to appear unaffected by his nearness.
When the discussion over the events of the previous night once again wore down, Tobias remained standing near her chair, quietly munching on his treats. Staggeringly aware of his proximity, she stole another glance up at him only to find him watching her. This time he paused before he took another bite, blessing her with a smile—and then a teasingly bold wink!
Feeling her face blaze in reaction, Pauline immediately became flustered, heart pounding, just from those two simple acts, and she hid her uncontainable grin by quickly turning her head. Goodness! How is it that this man affects me so? Does he see how moonstruck he makes me? Do I make him feel similar feelings? If so…I certainly can’t tell… He’s so confident and sure of himself.
As those thoughts were swirling through her head like a Kansas twister, Tobias leaned close and murmured in her ear, his breath warm and deliciously cookie-scented, “Care to take a walk with me?”
I thought you’d never ask! She nearly gushed, but
held herself back to a more ladylike decorum. Meeting his eyes that were only inches away, she smiled demurely and agreed with a nod, adding softly, “I’d be delighted, Tobias.”
He smiled and reached forth a hand to assist her from the chair before escorting her to the door. As she passed, she snatched her shawl off the hook where she had left it that morning after coming back from church.
“Have a nice walk, you two,” Iris called just before the door closed behind them.
Once out on the porch, they lingered briefly as Tobias secured his ever-present Stetson back on his head, giving Pauline time to slip her shawl around her shoulders. Although no longer raining as it had been the night before, the breeze was still a bit cool when it kicked up.
Then, Tobias smiled at her once again, causing that quickly-becoming-familiar flip of her heart, and he angled his left elbow for her to grasp as he invited, “Shall we?”
She slipped her hand in the crook of his arm and together they walked down the steps.
“Where shall we walk, Tobias?” Pauline asked as they came to the gate in the elegant, wrought iron fence surrounding the property. He reached down and swung it open for her and she stepped through as he said, “We could head toward the river if you’d like…”
So, they set off, strolling in companionable silence. Pauline had already found she very much enjoyed doing anything with Tobias, even something as simple as going for a leisurely meander around the town, and noticed that he was careful to match his longer stride to her shorter pace. He seemed content to just mosey along, and that sent a cozy warmth flooding through her being.
Stealing yet another look at his profile and admiring the neatly cropped facial hair on his jaw and the bright blue bandana tied around his neck, not to mention the polished deputy star on his vest, she drew in a deep breath of spring air as she ventured, “I must say, for a small town, Brownville seems to have its share of crime.”
He turned his head and met her eyes. His matched the sky overhead in color and intensity, so much so, that she was slammed with a powerful tingling sensation—much like the bubbles in the bottle of champagne her brother had been given for Christmas the year before and of which she had tasted but a few sips—all effervescent and fizzy.
As he answered, she had to literally swallow hard and force herself to concentrate on his words. “Yeah, I suppose we do. Although I dare say that has never happened here before. And right out there in plain sight on Main Street, no less. The town has a few hundred more people than it had when I was growing up, though. River traffic has a lot to do with that. The river brings the good and the bad, I’m afraid.”
She mumbled in agreement and he added, “Some towns rely on just a sheriff, or a sheriff and maybe one deputy. But Sheriff Plasters has everything in hand, and he has plenty of help. I think we’re prepared for just about anything…not that we’re expecting a crime spree or anything,” he added quickly.
Pauline acknowledged that with a nod, thinking back to the rather heated discussion that had taken place in the parlor earlier and closely watched Tobias’ expression as she changed the subject a bit. “So…when you captured the man and he was questioned, did he reveal anything you didn’t know before…I mean about the girl?” She stopped short of asking if he knew anything about the girl’s character.
She watched as he pressed his lips together and drew in a slow breath, and she knew the answer to her question was yes. He seemed to be weighing whether or not to discuss it with her.
After a few more moments, he turned his head again and sought her gaze. “Have you spoken with her?”
She shook her head. “No, I haven’t. I stayed at the boarding house when the ladies’ committee went over to visit her and take her some things that they had collected…”
He inclined his head, “And…what did they say when they returned?”
Pauline bit her lip, reflecting on whether or not it would be considered gossip to repeat what Cora had said, and if it would be terrible of her to admit what she, herself, had been thinking. She decided to answer diplomatically.
“Well…Cora said the girl didn’t seem to want to answer questions, and quickly dismissed the ladies, saying she needed to rest.” Gathering her thoughts, she added, “She’s only eighteen…traveling alone with no stated destination…I just,” she paused with a huff. “I mean…I know you could almost say the same about me, only twenty, traveling alone…except that I had a destination, but I was very careful on my trip here. I didn’t associate with the wrong sort of people on the train. I made friends with several married couples who were headed to another town in Nebraska and stuck with them. She…apparently…risked her virtue by doing things no respectable young lady should do. But she certainly didn’t deserve to be stabbed and robbed…”
Tobias walked on past several houses, tipping his hat to passers-by, and then spoke thoughtfully, “When I first got to her, she was scared half to death…shaking and crying. I thought she was just a young girl…reminded me of my younger sisters. Then…she let out a few choice phrases and that kind of colored my opinion a bit.” Their eyes locked then in a shared understanding. “You asked if the prisoner said anything about her, and the answer’s yes, he did. But…I have a feeling she hasn’t been…participating in that line of…work …for very long. Maybe she just needs someone to show her a better way…someone she can look up to. I know what a difference a mentor made in my own life,” he added softly.
Hearing his words, first a tiny bit of shock at what they revealed flooded her mind, and then fierce determination rose up within her and she pressed her lips together. Before she could say anything, Tobias added, “I was thinking that maybe somebody should try and make friends with her…somebody with a good head on their shoulders and strong, solid morals. Like maybe…you?”
His compliment warmed her clear down to her toes and she couldn’t help but smile at him. “I’ll surely be glad to try.”
His answering smile was filled with relief and he patted her hand where it rested in the crook of his elbow. “Somehow, I knew you would agree. I think I’m beginning to know you, just a bit, Mrs. Keller. I’d say you’re a pretty good egg.”
“Well, thank you, Mr. Keller. I’m honored by your faith in me.”
They had reached the point of Main Street where the old oak tree stood large and sturdy, with its comfortable seat below. At the moment, however, the bench was occupied by a young couple, who appeared to be deep in a private conversation and oblivious to their surroundings.
Pauline and Tobias looked at one another and simultaneously shrugged before they meandered on, heading down the incline toward the river and the steamboat docks, which were, for once, empty and quiet. Tobias mentioned that wouldn’t last long.
They spent quite a while wandering along the path just above the business of the riverbank, exchanging a few anecdotes about their respective childhoods, their favorite foods, injuries they’d suffered as children, and other odds and ends, until finally during a lull in the conversation, Tobias looked down into her eyes and grinned.
“What?” she asked, responding with a matching smile. His grins were proving utterly infectious.
“Do you think you’re rested from your trip enough for a bit of a wild evening?”
Pauline laughed at his choice of words, wondering just what in the world her new husband was about to offer.
“Well, I’m not sure. Just what did you have in mind, Mr. Keller?” She slanted a look his way and playfully batted her eyelashes.
“Well, Mrs. Keller, my mother has extended an invitation for you to come and eat with the family this evening. You met them all at the depot that first day, but…they were all on their best behavior,” he laughed. “Shirley’s husband, Jake Murray, and Bridget’s new beau, Clark Crenshaw, will be there as well. All together, they can be a bit boisterous,” he warned, “Sherry— she’s thirteen, is somewhat subdued, but my little brother Tad—you remember him, I’m sure. I think the polite word for him would be…precociou
s.”
Pauline giggled at his descriptions, thinking her own siblings, the twins, Olivia, and even DJ, could be quite boisterous themselves.
“So, whatdya say? You game?” His hopeful expression was so endearing, even if she wanted to, she knew she’d never have the heart to turn him down.
“I’m game, sir,” she replied, taking note of the relief and pleasure blooming on his face. “Dinner with your family sounds wonderful. I dare say, however, that my own siblings could probably give yours a run for their money, as we say in Kentucky.”
“Mama will be relieved to hear it.”
There was that mischievous smile again, along with those twinkling blue eyes.
A girl could get used to this…
Chapter 9
T he conversation at the table had been lively from the first moment they sat down and Mama had instructed Tad to say grace. It warmed Toby’s heart to once again be with these people he loved so much…as well as the new person for whom he was quickly developing strong feelings…
Mama had outdone herself, fixing all of her best dishes, such as chicken and dumplings, buttery mashed potatoes, candied yams, creamed peas, corn on the cob…and she had shown him the cake she had baked—in honor of his wedding. He had felt himself blush crimson at that and opened his mouth to, once again, explain that this marriage was temporary, but she had shushed him and pushed a stack of plates into his hands to take to his sisters so that they could set the table.
His family had descended upon Pauline as soon as they had walked through the door and he had worried that she would be overwhelmed with the attention, but she seemed to be taking it all in stride. She had, after all, he reminded himself, said that she has younger siblings herself and was quite accustomed to boisterous gatherings.
All evening, he had been stealing glances at her profile, and he couldn’t seem to tamp down the pride he felt that—at least for now—this lovely young woman was actually his wife. She seemed to fit right into the family. Like they were a match made…in Heaven? Well, he acknowledged, if this match was thought of and arranged for in Heaven, that means we’ll stay together, right? At least, there’s a darn good chance… The smile on his face punctuated the thoughts swirling through his brain.
