The Lumberjack

by Kelli Ann Morgan

  “What if the man wasn’t trying to rob the bank?” Raine asked.

  “You mean, what if Miss Hampton was the target?” Jonah clarified.

  Raine nodded. “It would explain a lot.”

  “That would mean the killer was neither an amateur nor an idiot.” Hannah hated the thought that Miss Hampton’s death had been intentional, but Raine had a head for things like this and if he suspected there was something more than being in the wrong place at the wrong time, that was likely the case.

  “But why would anyone want to kill an Orphan Train governess a thousand miles from home?” Ethan asked.

  “And why now?” Hannah mused aloud.

  Raine pushed away from the table. “That is exactly what I am going to find out.” He lifted his hat off the hook next to the door. “I’ve got to speak with the sheriff.” He kissed their mother on the cheek and strode out of the house.

  “Well, at least the children are safe for the night,” her mother said, sipping the liquid from the mug Rafe had made for her.

  Hannah missed her brother and couldn’t help but think how useful he would be helping Raine figure out what had happened to the woman. A squeak in the floor drew her eyes upward. The children had to be near terrified and out of sorts. First, losing their parents, then leaving their home in New York—though she had no idea the conditions they’d lived in there—and now, losing their caretaker with nowhere to go.

  It would not do.

  She hadn’t had time to really think through her plan, but her timetable had just been moved forward against her will. Maybe she’d go up to Will’s old room in a bit to check in on them.

  “Excuse me.”

  All heads turned to the sweet little voice that came from the other side of the open doorframe into the kitchen. Mirabelle stood there in one of Hannah’s childhood dresses, her hair down and slightly matted, but framing her face.

  “What is it, honey?” Hannah asked, jumping from her chair and going to meet the child.

  The little girl stared up at her, then motioned with a single finger for her to come closer.

  She bent down and Mirabelle pushed her hair to the side and whispered in her ear.

  “I’m afraid that the bad man will find us again.”

  Hannah pulled back. “What bad man? Mira, honey, did you see who hurt Miss Hampton?”

  The girl shook her head.

  “Then, what bad man, sweetheart?” she asked again.

  Mirabelle shrugged.

  “Okay,” Hannah said with an understanding nod. She reached over and rubbed the little girl’s shoulder. “I have an idea.” She looked over at the counter where Lottie had left a plateful of her molasses cookies. “Would you like to come sit down with us and have a cookie and a glass of warm milk?”

  After leaning to one side to peer around Hannah and look at all the adults in the kitchen, she finally locked on one. A smile spread on her face and she nodded excitedly before running directly to Eli and jumping into his lap.

  He laughed.

  Hannah loved the sound of his rich baritone voice and mentally braced herself against his charm.

  Gordon, she reminded herself. He’s waiting for an answer.

  Leah Redbourne hadn’t missed a beat and was already behind the stove with a pot and a fresh quart of milk.

  “Shouldn’t you be in bed?” Eli asked, tapping Mirabelle on the tip of her nose.

  She nodded.

  “Then why are you still up?”

  “Because she’s afraid of the bad man.”

  Everyone turned to see Archie coming into the room and planting himself on the opposite side of Eli’s lap.

  “Archie, Mirabelle, this is my family,” Hannah said, motioning to those sitting around the table. “You can trust every person in this room.”

  Archie nodded.

  “When we was in New York...”

  “When we were in New York,” Eli whispered the correction in the boy’s ear, just loud enough Hannah could hear.

  “When we were in New York, there was this man who came by the orphanage one day and wanted to take me and Mira away.” Archie looked at his little sister.

  “He was scary,” the little girl chimed in.

  “We would be with him right now if it wasn’t for Miss Hampton. She knew he wasn’t a nice man.”

  “Did she say anything else about him?” her father asked. “A name? Why she thought he wasn’t nice? Anything?”

  “No, sir, but a few days after he got turned away, he sneaked back into the orphanage in the middle of the night and tried to steal us.”

  Hannah’s heart thumped hard in her chest at the revelation.

  Who would do such a thing?

  “Miss Hampton said it was fate that the train with all the orphans going west was leavin’ the next day and made sure Mirabelle and me was on it.”

  “Do you think that is who may have,” Ethan spoke to the adults, but glanced over at the children, “been in town this afternoon?”

  Leah filled two stoneware tumblers with warm milk and placed them on the table in front of the children along with two molasses cookies each. She shrugged.

  “It’s been a hard day,” she said with a smile.

  Knock. Knock.

  “Who could be calling at this hour?” her mother asked with a glance at the clock hanging on the far wall. She started out of the room, but her father stood up, catching her by the arm, and with a meaningful glance stopped her from going as he strode out into the living room, followed by Ethan, Cole, and Jonah.

  “I wouldn’t want to be the one calling,” Eli said with an astounded chuckle.

  A few moments passed before Cole came back into the room, shaking his head and raising a brow as he sat back down in his seat. One by one the others returned.

  “Hannah!”

  She looked past her father to see Gordon rushing into the kitchen, his arms extended. “I came as soon as I heard.” He pulled her into his arms, then backed away enough to look at her face. “Are you all right?”

  “Gordon, it’s nine o’clock.”

  “I know, but I couldn’t wait. I had to make sure that you were okay.”

  “I’m fine.” Hannah could feel the color rising in her face as her cheeks flamed. She could feel Eli’s eyes on her and couldn’t face him. She grabbed Gordon by the arm and took him out onto the back porch.

  “You’re angry,” he said, reaching up to brush a strand of hair from her face.

  Her irritation with him melted and she shook her head.

  “It’s just late, Gordon. A woman died today. You were there, in town, when it happened. How did you not hear about it until now?”

  “I wasn’t in town. Shortly after I spoke with you, I made a quick trip over to Round Rock.” He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small trinket box.

  A pit formed in Hannah’s stomach. She hadn’t had time to consider his offer and had no desire to face the issue right now.

  “I’d like to speak to your father, Hannah, and make it official.”

  “Gordon, I...”

  “I don’t mean to pressure you, but I don’t want to leave without you.”

  “Just give me one more day, Gordon. A lot has happened today, and I haven’t even had a moment to think about it.”

  He popped open the trinket box to reveal a beautiful rose gold ring adorned with a sapphire in the center and five small pearls surrounding it like the petals of a flower.

  “Gordon, it’s beautiful.”

  “But you need some time to think it over. I understand. Just know, once I am working with Goldman, I will get you something much more suited to and worthy of you.”

  “I don’t need anything more elaborate, truly. I know you will be very successful in New York. You’re smart and you have a wonderful work ethic.” She placed a hand on his arm. “You are a good man, Gordon Blythe, and you deserve an answer. Tomorrow,” she said. “I promise.”

  He wrapped an arm around her, pulled her in closer to him, an
d leaned down to place a light kiss on her forehead.

  “Then, I look forward to tomorrow,” he said, snapping shut the trinket box and tucking it back into his pocket.

  The door opened. Eli stood there, one child on each hand.

  Hannah shot up straight, Gordon’s arm falling from around her.

  “Forgive the interruption,” he said stoically, “but the children would like you to tuck them into bed.”

  “Of course. Mr. Blythe was just leaving, and then I’ll be right in.”

  “Hello, children,” Gordon said. “I heard you were very brave today. It’s very nice to make your acquaintance.” He bowed slightly.

  Archie let go of Eli’s hand long enough to bend over in a bow. Then, Mirabelle grabbed the sides of her nightdress and curtsied.

  “Are you going to marry Miss Redbourne?” Archie asked unabashedly.

  Hannah’s eyes opened wide, taken aback by the blunt question.

  “I think it’s time for bed, you two,” she said, not allowing the conversation to continue any further.

  Eli nodded, not meeting her eyes, and he turned into the house, closing the door behind them.

  Gordon laughed. “Seems like even the children can see what’s going on,” he said as he took two steps down the porch stairs. He turned back. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”

  She wrapped her arms around herself and watched as he disappeared around the front of the house and into the dark of the night.

  Lord, what am I supposed to do?

  Chapter 16

  Morning mist arose from the ground across the thriving Kansas landscape at Redbourne Ranch. The sun peeked over the horizon casting vivid colors across the once dark sky. Eli sliced the air with his axe, taking satisfaction in the sound of wood cracking beneath his blade.

  He’d arisen an hour before anyone stirred, but had not been able to lie still. He’d needed to expend some energy and knew that chopping wood would do just the trick. By the time he’d seen the first sign of movement from another person on the ranch, he’d already made it through the tree trunk he’d tripped over yesterday and two additional logs. It had been oddly gratifying and cathartic.

  Sweat lined his brow, and after he sunk his axe into the back of the stump he’d used for chopping, he pulled a scrap of cloth from his back pocket to wipe it away. He sat down on the new makeshift seat and leaned down to pick up his water-filled canteen, taking in a hearty drink.

  Still, thoughts of the light-haired beauty haunted him. Last night, his suspicions had been all but confirmed. Gordon had bought a ring and had held her in an intimate embrace on the porch. The man obviously cared a great deal for Hannah. So, who was he to stand in the way? He’d made his intentions known and she’d obviously made her choice.

  A horse and rider approached from the east field, backlit just enough by the sun that Eli couldn’t make out who it was.

  “Just how long have you been up?” Raine asked, glancing over at the pile of chopped wood to the side of the stable.

  “A might longer than most, I reckon,” he looked up at the Redbourne deputy, one eye shut against the sun. “You?”

  Raine dismounted and led his mount to the trough at the far end of the corral gate.

  “Eh, sometime before dawn,” he said, leaning up against the fence next to where Eli sat. “I reckon,” he added in a voice that told Eli he was being mocked. “I was going to stay in town, but it’s Tuesday, and Lottie always makes my favorite meal for breakfast on Tuesdays. A French quiche pie.”

  Eli could almost see the man licking his lips through the delighted expression on his face. He chuckled. “Any luck finding the shooter?”

  “Not yet,” Raine shook his head, “but I did follow up with Mrs. Day over at the mercantile. She said, that to her knowledge, there are only six strangers in town at present, including you and Jonah. And if anyone in this place would know, it’s her. Everybody passing through town makes a stop at The General Store.”

  “So, I’m pretty sure the culprit wasn’t Jonah or me, so...”

  “Don’t worry, you’re not on my list. Turns out one was a potential buyer for the mill.”

  Eli looked up.

  “I thought that might get your attention.” Raine pushed away from the fence and collected the reins of his horse. “He doesn’t have an interest in running the mill, but likes the location for some type of private school or something.”

  It would be sad to see the town lose its only mill for twenty miles or more.

  “Another was the new blacksmith’s sister. But the other two, they have eluded me. One is registered at the hotel, but wasn’t there when I went to question him. He’s supposed to be a tall fella in a bowler hat and fancy clothes, and the other, Mrs. Day said, wore his hat real low, so she couldn’t see his eyes very well and told her he was just passing through on his way to Leawood to visit kin. Told her his name was Mr. Smith.”

  “Sounds a little shifty to me.”

  “To me too. So, I checked in over at the saloon, just in case he hadn’t left town yet, but their memories are often only as good as the bills you’re offering in that place.”

  “Sounds like some of the places around the lumber camps back home. I sure miss the green and the rain and the smells, but not the life,” Eli admitted. “So, Leawood, huh? Is that far from here?”

  “Ten, eleven miles. That’s where I’m headed just as soon as I get something in my belly.” He motioned to the house with his chin.

  “So, that’s what? Couple hours there and back?”

  “I expect to return before nightfall.”

  Eli stood up, returned the cloth to his back pocket, then pulled his hat from atop the fence post and placed it on his head. “You need company?”

  “You up for it?”

  “If I can get someone to stack the rest of this wood, I’ll be ready to ride in half an hour.”

  Raine shook his head. “Not until I’ve had my breakfast.” He started for the house.

  “I think I’ll take your word for it.” Eli joined him as he climbed the porch stairs, but stopped just short of the door.

  “I’m telling you, it’s not something you want to miss. You’re not trying to avoid my baby sister, are you, Whittaker?”

  “She told me that Gordon proposed marriage,” he said as casually as he could.

  Raine froze and turned to look at him. “Gordon Blythe actually asked the question?”

  “That’s what she said.”

  “When?”

  “Yesterday, just before all hell broke loose.”

  Raine raised a brow and stared at him.

  “And she accepted?”

  “Well,” Eli shoved his hands in his pockets, “he brought a ring to the house last night and they were cuddling on the porch.”

  “Cuddling?”

  “That’s what it looked like to me. His arm around her. Her head on his shoulder.”

  “Huh.” Raine said as if he were frankly stumped.

  “What?”

  “I just thought they’d finally realize what everybody else knows.”

  “And what is that exactly?”

  Raine shook his head again. “Have you told Hannah how you feel?” he asked, ignoring Eli’s last question.

  “Yes. Practically the whole town heard me tell her how I felt.”

  “You mean when you told her that your timing was off? Again?”

  Eli thought about it for a moment, recalling intimately his bold pronouncement.

  “Yes, I guess I did say that, but—”

  “Nope. There’s no but’s about it.”

  “It’s too late.”

  “We’ll see about that,” Raine said, running back down the stairs.

  “What does that mean?” Eli asked, following him around to the side of the house.

  “Who else has seen you this morning?”

  “I don’t think anyone has. Why?”

  “You just go in through the front door and get ready to ride out in half an hour like you
said. I’ll make sure someone stacks the wood. Jack’ll just be relieved it’s already been chopped.”

  Eli opened his mouth, questions stumbling over each other to roll off his tongue.

  “Don’t worry, I’ll sneak you out some of the quiche for the road,” Raine told him before heading back up the back-porch stairs. “And stay out of sight,” he added in a yelling whisper.

  What just happened?

  Nevertheless, he did as instructed.

  Once Eli had collected his things, he slipped out to the stable to saddle his mount.

  “You don’t like being cooped up in here, do you, boy?” he asked as he rubbed the side of Kratos’s face. It didn’t take long before he was saddled and ready to go.

  While he waited just outside of the stables for Raine to return, he pulled out one of Lottie’s molasses cookies from his pocket and took a bite. The ranch had come alive with work hands striding about, gathering tools, collecting horses, and seeing to their many other responsibilities. From the corner of his eye, he saw movement near the woodshed. After a moment debating on whether or not he should wait for the deputy to return, he climbed up into his saddle and slowly made his way to the back of the small building.

  Nothing.

  Pull it together, Whittaker.

  He justified that it must have been a rabbit or other small animal, but couldn’t shake the weird feeling that had suddenly settled in his gut.

  There it was again, a flash of white slipping behind the building. Then, he heard it. A low, pitiful whimper, barely audible above the now bustling ranch. As he got closer to the shed, listening for anything out of the ordinary, he heard it again. Slowly, he slid down from Kratos’s back and stepped toward the sound.

  There, rolling in the tall grasses behind the shed was a large white and grey monster of a pup, pawing at his face, which was covered in porcupine quills.

  He must belong to the Redbournes, he guessed.

  As he approached, the dog stopped and looked up at him with the saddest eyes he had ever seen.

  “Looks like you were a little too friendly with the wrong sort,” he said quietly as he moved a little closer. He’d seen the situation before and knew the importance of getting those quills out as quickly as possible, but he had no idea whether Stone Creek had a vet or if the town doctor also cared after the livestock. Either way, he would need to be moved.