The Teacher's Star

by Marisa Masterson

  “Miss Perkins! Whatever is happening here?”

  Another voice joined the woman’s. “Guess that wasn’t no scream of fright after all, Livvy.”

  Ripping his gaze from the lovely eyes staring dazedly up into his, Rol met Mrs. Stewart’s scowl with his crooked grin. “Sorry, ma’am. Didn’t plan for anyone to catch us.”

  The old man with her barked a short laugh. Rol felt a trap drawing tight around him. What was Paps doing with Mrs. Stewart?

  Rol had trusted the man to be his lookout. Had Paps and the mercantile owner’s wife planned this after Rol told the man what he planned to do? How had they gotten the teacher to return to her room before their arrival?

  “Well, guess your plans changed right quick, didn’t they? Teacher knew we were headed over. Can’t see why she was messing around.”

  Paps’ words answered Rol’s question. The man planned for Rol and the teacher to be compromised. The old guy must think he was some sort of twisted matchmaker.

  Delia emerged from a passion-filled haze to object. “I didn’t plan to meet him. He was—”

  “I surprised her. We usually meet after dark, so no one sees us.” She glared, condemning him as the liar he was. It came with the job he did, he suddenly realized. One more reason to change how he made a living.

  The two near the door stared from Rol to the teacher. Delia harrumphed and began again. “That is not the—”

  Rol interrupted quickly. “—not the way we wanted folks to know about us. Can we count on you both to keep quiet about it?” He flashed his charming smile and coaxed, “Our little secret?”

  Even as he said it, Rol watched Paps grin slyly. The man loved a good story and kept everyone around him up to date on happenings in and around Belle.

  Mrs. Stewart frowned at Rol. “This is not good for a teacher’s reputation.” She nodded her head to emphasize her next words. “Miss Winkleman would hold it against me should I ignore this. After all, she did send Miss Perkins to us.”

  She raised one finger and shook it in Rol’s face. “You leadin’ Miss Perkins down the primrose lane and all. No talk of marriage!”

  At the word, Rol’s face flattened as if he’d taken a fist to his nose. Marriage! He hadn’t thought that out. The woman wouldn’t—

  “—and it is the only decent way to fix this.” Paps snorted as Mrs. Stewart finished but otherwise kept quiet. He didn’t have to say a thing since his amused grin spoke clearly for him.

  The woman met Rol’s gaze and waited for him to break the silence. When he only stared, Mrs. Stewart narrowed her eyes and scowled. Behind him, Delia stuttered and tried to protest.

  Holding a hand up to stop her muttered protests, the would-be groom focused on the shopkeeper’s wife. “Let me talk to Miss Perkins for a moment. Alone, please.”

  Paps spoke up then. “Can’t do any harm, Livvy. After all, you can’t close the barn door after the horse is out.” He laughed at the saying while the woman shook her head with a twist of disgust on her face.

  “Five minutes!” Growling out those words, Mrs. Stewart stomped out the door. Paps ignored Delia but cast a mischievous smile in Rol’s direction. “Now don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.”

  “Not sure what he would do,” Rol absentmindedly muttered to himself before focusing his mind on the woman glaring holes into his back.

  When he would have spoken, Delia fired an accusation his way. “What were you doing in here? Snooping?”

  “Shh! They’ll hear. Want to blow our cover before I can discover the leader of the gang?”

  She froze, her brow wrinkled with confusion. “Cover? What do you—”

  “—mean? Seems to me you met Jessup so I figured you must know.” He leaned down and picked up the paper. Holding it in front of her, he stabbed a finger at Jessup’s signature.

  Delia stiffened. “You know Marshal Jessup?”

  Shaking his head, Rol studied her closely while answering. “No. I received word he was on his way.”

  At that, Delia snorted. “Even the outlaws check up on a marshal’s movements?”

  “Outlaw!” His face reddened as he reached into his vest. Sunlight peeked around the edge of the curtain and flashed on the silver star he drew out of the pocket. She let out a squeak of surprise.

  “Miss Perkins, Jessup was coming to help me!”

  The door opened suddenly. Rol hurriedly shoved the badge back into his vest before turning to see who’d entered. This time, Preacher Elkins joined Mrs. Stewart and Paps. He calmly asked, “Miss Perkins, what is going on in here?”

  Not sure how she would answer the man, Rol jumped in before she could get out a word. “A woman like Delia can make a man forget himself. Guess we got carried away since we even forgot that the door was open.”

  “Well, that has just carried you away into marriage. Sound match, as I see it.” Paps rubbed a hand over the salt and pepper whisker at his jawline. “Kind of fond of Eenie since she’s spent so much time at my livery. This marriage might settle that little girl down some.”

  Horror filled Delia’s eyes as her mouth trembled out one word. “Marriage!”

  Mrs. Stewart grumbled, “Thought you were talking ‘bout that when we left to go fetch the preacher.”

  Ignoring her, Rol pleaded with the preacher. “Please, just a few more moments alone?”

  Paps laughed. “Like I told Livvy, can’t see that it will do any harm. Not after the mischief we walked in on a bit ago.”

  The preacher bobbed his head. Then he cleared his throat awkwardly. “One way or t’other, you’re marrying if you two plan to stay in Belle. We don’t turn a blind eye to goings on like those Livvy described to me.”

  No sooner had the door softly shut than Rol gripped her hand. “We’ll annul it as soon as this case is over and I’ve made the arrest.”

  “Annul it? Can a couple do that?” She showed him how very innocent she was as her rounded eyes conveyed doubt at the possibility. “I thought only kings and such had their marriages annulled. Leastwise, those are the only ones I’ve ever read about.”

  Rol rubbed a hand across the back of his neck. “A few do get annulments, so I’ve heard. But only under certain circumstances.”

  “Are you pulling my leg?” Before he could answer, she frowned. “I’ll be out a teaching job, and you’d go on your merry way! Everything was going so well, too.”

  This took him by surprise. “You mean you really are a teacher, not a marshal?”

  “Marshal? That’s only temporary. Only so I could give Jessup’s contact some papers.”

  Grabbing her shoulders, Rol felt her stiffen under his hands. When he would have pushed for details about the papers, a throat behind them cleared meaningfully.

  “Not so willing is she?” The preacher looked at Delia. “Trust me in this, Miss Perkins. In fact, Mr. Stewart and I have agreed that you will be allowed to finish out this school year. But, only as long as you are married.”

  At the small nod of her chin, the man pointed to Rol. “Now, Mr. Anderson, take her hand. We’ll do a short ceremony here.”

  While the man droned on about obligation and honor, Rol held Delia’s trembling hand. After the ceremony, he would reassure her about a future as a teacher away from Belle. Then, he’d get his hands on those papers. Maybe, Jessup had figured out who in the area was heading the gang.

  When silence filled the small room, Rol felt four sets of eyes on him. Guessing the cause, he said, “I do.” Tension eased around him, telling him he’d guessed correctly.

  Not long after, Delia gave the same response in a quiet, questioning tone. Reverend Elkins paused, not sure what to do.

  “Does that mean you will take him or not?”

  Paps harrumphed. “She said the words. Don’t matter much how they sounded.” Yes, the man’s words convinced Rol he’d engineered this whole marriage trap.

  When Delia stood silent, saying nothing more, the pastor pronounced, “I now declare you man and wife. And what God has joined togeth
er let no man put asunder.” The words brought a rush of guilt to Rol. He mentally shrugged it off, reminding himself that he would be doing Delia a favor by annulling the marriage.

  Sticking with the part he played, Rol leaned down to kiss her after the ceremony. Her lips softened under his. A part of him treasured that.

  The woman enjoyed his kiss. Too bad he wasn’t husband material since he had no doubts about her having wonderful potential as a wife and mother. Might be that part of Eenie’s trouble came from not having a ma to talk to about problems.

  For Delia, the entire event was dream-like. It couldn’t be happening, but she knew logically that it was. She was meant to be a courier, nothing more. How had being a marshal gotten her married?

  He’d muttered something about maintaining their covers. This was going too far, though. It was difficult enough wrapping her mind around the fact that Rol Anders wasn’t a criminal. Now she had to see him as both a marshal and her husband.

  And just what had he meant about an annulment? She’d never heard of anyone annulling a marriage. Everyone and his brother knew marriage was for life. Unless Rol knew about her heritage. Could it be that he knew marriage to her was illegal in many states.

  Her mind came to a grinding halt. Wait! He had said his vow using the name Roland Anderson. She knew that wasn’t his name. The marriage wasn’t valid with a false name, was it?

  Maybe that was why he told her they’d seek an annulment. Thank goodness. Someday she’d marry, but definitely not wearing a plain brown dress!

  A squeeze on her hand drew her attention back to the group. She tried to smile while Mrs. Stewart congratulated her. Truly, she didn’t think this ceremony warranted congratulations. She did appreciate their good intentions, but her head was spinning at how her life had changed in the last half hour.

  No sooner had the coattails of the last person disappeared through her doorway than Rol’s charming smile evaporated. He scowled and pointed a finger at her.

  “Where are the papers? You know, the ones I should have had almost four months ago.” Sarcasm filled his voice, along with something more. Shock had her stepping back from him as she understood that he blamed her for not making contact with him!

  Rather than pulling out the envelope, she tried to explain. “When Jessup said your name, he somehow put the idea into my head that you were the warrant he was chasing.”

  A tightening of Rol’s lips let her know he found the excuse flimsy at best. Crossing his arms, he stared coldly.

  Doing her best not to stammer, Delia slowly asked, “Do you think I’m lying?”

  Uncrossing his arms, he crossed the few steps and banded his strong hands around her arms. Still, he didn’t hurt her and kept his grip almost tender, she thought.

  His closeness felt exciting rather than frightening. The thought confused her so she struggled to ignore the stirrings of attraction and focus on the face above hers.

  Staring down at her with accusing eyes, he growled, “You know by now my name’s not on the warrant. It’s as clear as the ink on the papers you still haven’t given me.”

  “No, I don’t. My job, well, it was only as a courier.” She stopped to take a big gasp of air. Her nerves made breathing difficult.

  Arms that gripped her softened and came around her back to hold her close. “Shh. Sorry I’ve frightened you.” His hand soothed the spot between her shoulders. Unconsciously, she relaxed against him, accepting his comfort.

  In a low, soft voice, he almost crooned his words when he spoke. “Okay. You didn’t read the papers. I’m surprised you didn’t go to the sheriff with them. Marshals let the local law know when they’re in town.”

  She shook her head, rubbing against the softness of a cambric shirt that had seen many washings. If she’d dreamed of a wedding, her groom wore a suit. Rol’s work clothes were as bad as her faded brown dress. Another reason to be glad this marriage was only for show. She could still have her dream wedding one day. So much for her belief that marriage was forever. She almost snorted aloud at the thought.

  His soothing motion stopped. Rol pulled away from her and stared down, one eyebrow raised in question. Rats! She’d missed something during her mental meanderings.

  When she only stared, he sighed. “You mean you can’t remember where you put them? That’s just dandy!” His voice rose on his last words, frustration evident.

  “I know where they are. Calm down. They’re right here.” She grabbed her oversized reticule, fishing a hand inside to snag the envelope. When she drew it out, Delia looked into Rol’s eyes. Determination as well as satisfaction warmed his dark brown gaze.

  “Jessup wired that he had a warrant for HG. We use code like that when we don’t trust folks in a town.” Rol spoke as he opened the envelope and smoothed out the papers on her small table.

  Looking around his shoulder, Delia read the name on the warrant. “The initials for that name aren’t HG.”

  The name came as no surprise, though. Satisfaction warmed her voice when she spoke. “I knew that Jubal Yarborough was no good.”

  That gained Rol’s attention. “Why? Did he do something to you?”

  She reddened and looked away, but his hand gently brought her face back to his. “Tell me what happened.”

  “He trapped me in the school and said he was going to…” Her voice trailed off.

  Rol’s expression grew hard. “Did he harm you like he planned?”

  Unable to look at him, she pulled away and sat down on the bed. Head bent, she answered his question. “It was awful! But, no. He bent me over my desk. That let me get my hands on a pair of scissors laying there.”

  She couldn’t suppress the shudder. “I stabbed his arm and ripped into his cheek.”

  A finger under her chin lifted her face. Rol hunkered down in front of her. Tenderly, he ran that finger over her cheek. “Glad you got him good. The man’s wanted for rape and murder so don’t regret protecting yourself.”

  Her mouth flew open, rounding in shock. “I thought he was just a thief.”

  He shook his head. “No, he’s hiding out west to escape the hanging he’s earned. And he’s not just a thief.”

  She knew she’d missed something on the warrant but wasn’t sure what it could be. “He’s not?”

  “Remember Jessup wired that this man was HG.”

  At her nod, he explained. “Those aren’t his initials. Hg means head guy.” His voice was resolute as he pronounced, “Jubal Yarborough is the leader I’ve been looking to arrest.”

  Chapter 5

  Before they rode out of Belle, Rol led her to David Knight’s home. He’d been meeting the sheriff in his home rather than the jail and always under the cover of darkness. Hopefully, none of the thieves watched him. Still, he took as few chances as possible so he wouldn’t give away his true identity as a lawman.

  Hope Knight, David’s wife, opened the back door a crack and peeked out. When she recognized him, the woman opened the door wider and silently waved for him to enter. Her eyes showed surprised when Delia moved out of a shadow and entered.

  Once the door closed and the need for silence was over, Hope started a barrage of questions. “Miss Perkins, what are you doing here? Has Mr. Anderson recruited you as a part of his case? Are you sure you know what you are doing?”

  Behind her, Sheriff David Knight laughed. “Leave it to my wife to mother anyone who comes into our home.”

  Squeezing his wife’s shoulders affectionately, the man shushed her. “Let them alone, Hope. I want to find out why Rol is here.”

  The woman grabbed his hand and smiled up at her husband. “Yes, dear. I’ll be quiet.”

  He groaned. “Alright. You can stay and listen.”

  Rol thought this must be an old argument, with Knight trying to keep his wife out of his law business. Seems like he might as well hold back a flood.

  “Wanted you to know, Sheriff, that I have the warrant for Jubal Yarborough. He’s the leader I’ve been looking for.”

  K
night nodded, deep in thought for a moment. “Makes sense. He and that cobbler’s wagon never go far from Belle. Not like Errol Marsden when he owned the wagon.” Rubbing his jaw, he considered the situation. “You going to finally arrest Yancy along with Jubal. Seems like bringing in that gang is more than a one-man job.”

  The marshal shook his head. “Hate to leave those animals they rustled to die in the cold. I need to find the herd first.” He fisted a hand and banged it into the other palm. “Jubal’s the key to that, I think. I’ve followed Yancy and haven’t found a thing so far.”

  The sheriff frowned. “When you arrest them, won’t they just tell you where they’ve stashed the cattle?”

  Giving a harsh laugh, Rol shook his head. “Not likely. That would mean admitting their guilt.”

  The men sat at the small wooden table and discussed the situation while Hope pulled Delia to a corner of the kitchen. She studied the teacher for a moment. “You’re with him but not glowing like a bride so you two can’t have gotten married?”

  Delia’s head moved from side to side. “No, we are married. Mrs. Stewart found us together in my room. It was all a mix up. Still, we’re married for now.”

  Hope’s brows rose at the last two words. “For now? Better plan on it being longer than that.”

  Shrugging, Delia changed the subject. “I’ve been allowed to finish out the schoolyear. After that, I’m not sure what I’ll do.”

  Hearing her name, Delia turned and saw Rol standing by the door. “Come on, honey. Let’s get a move on. I hate leaving Eenie too long with the ranch foreman’s wife. Mrs. Lucas is good enough to keep an eye on her, but I don’t want to take advantage of the woman’s kindness.”

  Smiling a goodbye to Hope, Delia followed her husband out the door. So, he didn’t know to let a lady exit first? What did that matter if they weren’t going to stay married?