Fletcher's Pride

by Shirleen Davies

Angry at allowing herself to wallow in self-pity, Maddy forced herself out of bed, determined to push Fletcher firmly and completely from her heart. He’d left her behind months ago. Now she had to do the same with him.

  Performing her morning ablutions, she slipped into a yellow day dress, tying the bonnet under her chin. She ate a quick breakfast before starting her short list of errands.

  Maloney’s would have a lantern, ribbons for her hair, and socks. Crossing the street, she stopped at an office with a sign next to the door. Fielder and Donahue Law Offices. It surprised her how she’d never noticed it before.

  Moving on, she noticed the gunsmith shop. In the rush to pack, she’d forgotten her six-shooter at the boardinghouse in San Francisco. It had to be replaced as soon as she earned enough money. For now, all her coin went to paying for her room at Baker’s and buying the few necessities she required.

  Arriving at Maloney’s, she pushed open the door, her progress stalling at the sight of Bram standing at the counter. Backing outside, she closed the door, hurrying past the jail, another restaurant, and Lucky’s, another of the saloons in Conviction.

  Spotting the same bench she’d taken refuge on the night before, Maddy sat down, tired at the rapid pace she’d set to flee Bram. He hadn’t noticed her.

  Placing a shaky hand on her stomach, she rubbed the slight mound, glad the sickness of the first few weeks had subsided. At least three months. That was how long Maddy believed she’d been carrying Fletcher’s child.

  “Good morning, Miss Leigh.”

  She startled at the deep, crisp voice, turning to see Bay standing by the bench. “Oh, good morning, Mr. Donahue.” Maddy started to rise, staying put when he placed a hand on her shoulder.

  “Please, stay where you are.” His gaze moved over her, stopping on the spot where a hand rested on what appeared to be a protruding belly. He didn’t say a word, lifting his eyes to meet hers. “Will you be working at the restaurant this evening?”

  Noticing where his gaze had landed, Maddy moved her hand away from her stomach, straightening on the bench. “Yes, I am. Will you and Mr. Fielder be returning for supper?”

  “Not tonight. I’ll be bringing a guest with me on Saturday.”

  “Then I’ll look forward to seeing you, Mr. Donahue.”

  Bay studied her a moment, as if trying to remember something. Maddy hoped he hadn’t begun to piece together where they’d met in the past. It had been a while and she’d been dressed in pants, a loose jacket, and hat. She held her breath, gripping her hands in her lap.

  Touching the brim of his hat, he nodded. “Have a good day, Miss Leigh.”

  Watching him make his way down the boardwalk, she let out a relieved breath. The next moment, Bram stepped out of the mercantile, and seeing Bay, waited to greet him. After a few minutes, Bram mounted his horse, riding past without noticing her, and Bay entered his office.

  Closing her eyes, Maddy swallowed the knot of dread, promising herself to be more careful in the future.

  Chapter Three

  San Francisco

  Ex-Union Colonel Wallace “Dob” Colbert stared out the window of the rundown hotel, anger rolling through him. Almost two weeks had passed since they’d spotted Maddy in a crowded restaurant, followed her to the boardinghouse, and chased her into a dark alley. As luck ran, he’d believed she’d used up all hers. Dob had been wrong, the same as he had since she’d fled their camp in Kansas.

  The pouring rain and her small stature gave Maddy an unanticipated advantage. She could curl inside places not big enough for most people. Dob also knew she carried a gun—the six-shooter her father had given her for her tenth birthday. Most girls received dolls, dresses, or hair ribbons. Maddy received a gun and been taught how to use it.

  “We need money, Colonel.”

  Dob didn’t turn away from the window to look at his lieutenant. Ross Sheehan served under him during the war, then afterward when they’d ridden off to start another kind of fighting. Battles they controlled, always won, and filled their pockets with money. Besides his closest friend, ex-Captain Lew Quick, he trusted Ross more than any of the other men.

  “Pick a bank and we’ll make a plan.”

  “Already have, sir. It’s a small bank a few blocks from here. We rob it when they close on Friday. There are only two people who stay until closing. Two, sir.”

  “Have you spoken with Lew about this?”

  Ross nodded. “He agrees with going in on Friday. We leave town right afterward.”

  Dob turned to him. “And go where?”

  “The captain thinks we should backtrack. Ride through Oakland, Martinez, and if she’s not in either of those, ride back to Sacramento. Lew doesn’t think she’d go back to Conviction.”

  Dob rubbed his chin, turning back to the window. “Oakland and Martinez. If we don’t find her, we’ll make a decision where else to go.”

  He didn’t agree with Lew about Conviction. If it were his decision, the gang would return to someplace she’d already fled, believing the raiders wouldn’t show a second time. He knew Maddy had somehow learned they’d found her in Conviction. She’d bolted, leaving town within a day of their arrival. For now, they’d start with the two towns closer to San Francisco. If they didn’t find her, they’d ride straight to Conviction.

  Circle M

  Reining Domino to a stop, Fletcher leaned forward, scanning the horizon for the missing cattle. Camden and a few other men searched the gullies to the east while he and Bram checked those to the west.

  He focused on his work, doing all he could to forget Maddy, even though he knew it was a futile effort. After Frankie told him she’d left for San Francisco, Fletcher had thought of following, meaning to find her in a city where people went to lose themselves in a sea of unremarkable faces. He didn’t have the skills or knowledge of the large city to locate her.

  After several nights without sleep, pondering his options, sanity prevailed. His family needed him at Circle M, and Maddy hated him. Those reasons didn’t prevent him from hiring someone to find her for him, and he knew just the man to ask for advice—his brother-in-law, Sam Covington.

  “It’s Saturday. Are you interested in another evening in town, lad?”

  Fletcher hadn’t heard Bram approach. Another night at Buckie’s held no appeal, but heading to Conviction did. Fletcher’s sister, Jinny, and her husband, Sam, lived in town, making it easier to fulfill Sam’s duties as one of Brodie MacLaren’s deputies.

  “I’ll ride in with you, but I need to talk with Sam.”

  Bram nodded, as if he understood.

  “I’m thinking of trying to find Maddy.”

  Again, Bram nodded, remaining silent.

  “Sam used to work for Pinkerton. He might know of someone I can hire to find her.”

  Resting his arms on the saddlehorn, Bram leaned forward, staring out at the vast pastureland. “You’ve got to be doing what’s best for you, lad. If locating the lass is what you need, I’d say it’s time to be confronting your demons.”

  Fletcher’s expression didn’t change. “Demons?”

  Shifting, Bram sent him an almost bored look. “Aye, lad. Demons. The beasts biting at your heels since you returned to the ranch. I never thought the note was a good idea. Seems to me you need to see Maddy in person, get her out of your heart for good.”

  Fletcher’s gaze hardened. “The lass isn’t in my heart.”

  Bram straightened in the saddle, his lips twitching. “If that’s what you want to believe, lad.”

  Nostrils flaring enough for his cousin to notice, he shook his head. “Do you still want to ride in with me?”

  This time, Bram threw back his head and laughed. “I’m definitely going to be riding in with you, lad. I won’t be missing hearing you explain it all to Sam.” Kicking Bullet with a light touch, he rode off, not stopping at Fletcher’s shout.

  Conviction

  Maddy’s mouth dropped open at the beautiful woman entering the restaurant on the arm of Bay Donahue. She
’d never seen her before, but the woman may have moved into town during Maddy’s brief stay in San Francisco.

  When the two stood for several moments without being greeted, she shot a quick glance at Suzette. Her boss stared at the couple, her normally serene face pinched, as if in distress.

  “Would you like me to seat them?”

  Suzette startled, turning her attention to Maddy. She should refuse the offer. Bay would notice the slight, and as her boss, she needed to be more cautious about her actions.

  “If you wouldn’t mind, Madeleine, I’d appreciate it.”

  “I don’t mind at all. I’m certain you have meals to check on in the kitchen.” Maddy glanced over her shoulder, hoping Suzette would take the hint.

  Blinking at Maddy’s accurate perception, she nodded, turned, and walked toward the kitchen. Waiting until Suzette had disappeared through the door, she picked up two handwritten menus.

  Walking to the front, she glanced around the well-appointed room, proud Suzette had hired her to serve those who could afford a more expensive fare. With the agreement of the MacLarens, August and Bay had patterned the restaurant after the exclusive ones they’d visited back east. They’d done an excellent job.

  “Good evening, Mr. Donahue. May I show you to your table?” She lifted a brow.

  Bay didn’t move. “Is Miss Gasnier unavailable to seat us tonight?”

  “I’m afraid she’s talking to the chef. Of course, if you’d prefer to wait for her to finish…”

  He glanced toward the kitchen, jaw tightening. “No. We’ll be seated now.”

  Leading the way, Maddy showed them to his normal table in an alcove designed for more private conversations.

  “Here you are.” She waited until Bay seated his guest and sat down himself before handing them the menus. “Will you be ordering wine tonight?”

  “The red from New York, please.”

  Nodding, she left them alone to fetch the wine, and check on Suzette. Maddy had seen the agony on her boss’s face. She knew the crack in Suzette’s normally tranquil demeanor had been caused by Bay’s appearance with the beautiful woman.

  “He’s been seated and ordered the red wine, Suzette.”

  When she turned to Maddy, she’d steeled her features, the pain gone. “Thank you. Did he, um…ask about me?”

  “He did. I told him you were in the kitchen, which you were.” Maddy grinned before leaving to get the wine. When she returned to the dining room, her gaze lit on two couples at the front. Suzette spoke to them, laughing at something one of them had said. As she seated them, Maddy poured the wine for Bay and his guest before taking their orders.

  Walking to the kitchen to place the orders, she noticed the two couples had been seated in her area. Picking up menus, Maddy headed to their table.

  “Good evening.” Handing each a menu, she clasped her hands in front of her. “Will you be having wine tonight?”

  One of the men shook his head. “No wine tonight, lass.”

  The Scottish brogue, the use of lass, stilled her motions. Her breath hitched. She didn’t have to ask to know these were MacLarens.

  “I don’t believe we’ve seen you here before, lass. I’m Ewan MacLaren. This is my wife, Lorna, my brother, Ian, and his wife, Gail.”

  She instantly recognized the names, knowing the man who spoke was Fletcher’s father. Doing her best to hide the curiosity at standing so close to her baby’s grandparents, she tore her gaze away, not wanting to feel anything for these people. Fletcher hadn’t wanted to see her again, so she felt certain his family wouldn’t want her, or the baby, in their lives.

  “It’s a pleasure to meet all of you. I’m Madeleine Leigh.” She swallowed, offering a shaky smile. “May I get you something to drink while you decide what you want to order?”

  Ewan glanced around the table, then back at Maddy. “We already know what we want. The lasses will be having tea. Ian and I want your fine whiskey. We’ll all be ordering the roast duck.” Ewan smiled at her stunned expression. “We have the same every time we come in, lass.”

  She allowed a grin to tug at her mouth. “Yes, sir. I’ll let the cook know and bring your drinks.”

  “Madeleine…” Her name rolled off Ewan’s tongue. “Does anyone ever call you Maddy?”

  The question startled her, causing the pencil to slip from her shaky fingers. Bending down to pick it up, she pursed her lips, not wanting to answer.

  “Um…no. My mother always called me by my full name.”

  “A lovely name it is, lass.” This came from Ewan’s wife, Lorna.

  Feeling an odd sense of longing at the sincerity in their voices, she cleared her throat. “I’d best get to the kitchen or you’ll be waiting until midnight.” She left, rushing at a faster pace than necessary, hoping no one noticed her unease. Putting in the order, she rested a hand on her stomach.

  “Are you feeling all right, Madeleine?”

  Dropping her hand, her brow crinkled at Suzette’s question. “Yes, I’m fine. It’s busy on Saturdays.”

  Chuckling, her boss glanced around the full dining room. “I forgot you hadn’t worked a Saturday. Yes, they are always busy, which means it’s hard to become bored. It appears you’ve met the MacLarens.”

  “Yes, I did.”

  “They’re a wonderful and fascinating family. Those four come into the restaurant at least twice a month.”

  Maddy bit her lip, losing the battle to not ask the question burning in her gut. “What of the others in the family? Do they come in often?”

  “Some do, but not often. They tend to eat at the Gold Dust or one of the other restaurants in town.” Scanning the dining room once more, Suzette’s gaze lit on Bay and his guest, pain flashing in her eyes before she could conceal it.

  “Do you know the woman with Mr. Donahue?” Maddy winced, wishing she’d kept her mouth closed. She could see Suzette’s hands clasped in front of her, the grip so tight her knuckles had turned white. The sadness on her face broke Maddy’s heart.

  She shrugged, forcing a smile. “No, I don’t. He’s always entertaining a different woman.” Suzette let out a resigned breath. “I need to check the kitchen.”

  Maddy watched her leave, noting the similarities between her and Suzette, wondering how long it took to mend a broken heart.

  Fletcher, Bram, and Camden sat in Sam’s study, nursing whiskey after a huge supper. Jinny, Fletcher’s sister and Sam’s wife, had made enough to feed the entire MacLaren clan, then shooed them from the kitchen when they’d offered to clean up. Robbie, their young son, played upstairs with his grandfather, Thomas Covington.

  “Do you want to tell me what brought you three here on a Saturday night? I’m certain you’d rather be at Buckie’s or Lucky’s.” Sam sipped the whiskey, glancing at them over the rim of his glass.

  Fletcher raised a brow. “Can’t we ride in for a visit with you and Jinny?”

  “You know you’re welcome anytime. I just get the sense there’s more to you coming by than a family supper. Why don’t you tell me what you want?”

  Tossing back the whiskey in his glass, Fletcher poured himself more. “I’m looking for someone and want to hire a private investigator.”

  A knowing expression crossed Sam’s face. He’d been a Union spy during the war, then hired on with the Pinkerton Detective Agency, arriving in Conviction as part of an assignment.

  “Do you have any idea where this person might be, Fletch?”

  He nodded. “The last I heard, the lass had gone to San Francisco soon after I left for Settlers Valley.”

  Sam tapped a finger on his desk. “A woman, huh? Tell me the entire story.”

  Shooting a quick glance at Bram and Camden, Fletcher rubbed his chin. “Her name is Maddy. I was, uh…seeing the lass for several weeks before I left.”

  “Ah, the girl at Buckie’s.”

  Fletcher’s eyes widened, a ball of dread forming in his stomach. “Do you know the lass?”

  Sam shook his head. “Not the way you
mean. I heard about her from Brodie.”

  Jaw clenching, he worked to control his temper at the mention of his older brother, the sheriff in Conviction. “From Brodie?”

  Picking up the bottle, Sam poured himself another glass of whiskey. “All of you know not much gets past him. He told me you were seeing a woman at Buckie’s, how Ewan and Ian were concerned about the amount of time you were spending in town. I figured that was why they sent you to Settlers Valley. To get you away from her.” Fletcher’s scowl had Sam chuckling. “Was I wrong?”

  Blowing out a frustrated breath, Fletcher shook his head. “I volunteered to go.”

  Leaning forward, Sam rested his arms on the desk. “If you left to get away from her, why try to find her now?”

  Standing, Fletcher walked to the window, looking out to a cloudless night. Scrubbing a hand down his face, he turned back toward them. “I’ve been asking myself the same since returning to Circle M.” Resting fisted hands on his hips, he stared at the floor, shaking his head. “The lass…” He let out a shaky breath. “I can’t get Maddy out of my mind.”

  “What do you plan to do once you find her, Fletch? Are you going to bring Maddy back here? Marry her?”

  Fletcher speared a trembling hand through his hair, his face twisted in anguish. “The lass is a saloon girl, Sam.” Even as he said the words, uncertainty rolled through him. He remembered Frankie’s words.

  Other men? Hell, Fletch. I thought you knew. You’re the only man Maddy ever had up in her room.

  “Do you honestly believe your parents will care? You may not be giving Ewan and Lorna enough credit.” Sam felt he knew his in-laws well enough to understand their enormous capacity to accept others without judgment. “They love you and they’ll love whatever woman you choose. What you need to decide is what you plan to do if she’s found, Fletch. No sense spending the money if all you want is to satisfy your curiosity.”

  Muttering a curse, he lowered himself into a chair. It was a good question, a fair question, one he couldn’t answer. “I don’t know.”

  The room grew silent, broken when Bram spoke. “You don’t have to be deciding tonight, lad. Sam is right. You need to be knowing what you’ll do if Maddy is found.” He looked at Sam. “Once Fletch decides, will you help him find the lass?”