Lawfully Wanted

by Jenna Brandt

  With admiration, Levi stated, “You’ve turned up a lot of useful information in a short amount of time.”

  With a prideful grin, Clyde pointed out, “Your job is to find out what you can at the ranch, my job is to do it around town. We’ve established I’ve got it covered on my end; what have you found out on yours?”

  Levi rolled his shoulders. “Turns out, the men are closemouthed out at the Larsen Ranch, most likely out of fear of their boss. It might take longer than we originally thought to figure out who is workin’ for Morris Jeffers’ gang.”

  “Then I suggest you get a movin' and head back to work. I want us to finish this up and be ready to collect our bounty when Jeffers shows up.”

  Knowing when he was dismissed, Levi stood from the bar and walked over to the double swinging doors that led outside the saloon. His eyes met the blazing sun that beat overhead in the midday sky. As he stepped further onto the street, still disoriented from the brightness, something crashed into him from the side. As Levi stumbled back a bit, a soft yelp floated up to his ears as he righted himself.

  As his vision adjusted to the sunlight, he glanced down to find a pretty strawberry-blonde girl crumpled in the dirt. A rush of guilt cascaded over him as he reached out his hand to help her up. “Sorry, miss, I didn’t see you there.”

  The girl took his offer of assistance and allowed him to help her stand. Upon further inspection, Levi realized the girl was rather a young woman who didn’t appear to be much younger than himself.

  Her eyelids fluttered up to reveal the brightest green eyes he had ever seen. Where their hands touched, a pulse of energy surged up through his arm. A moment later, she pulled her hand free. The warmth from her delicate palm and fingers still lingered on his own. He resisted the urge to reclaim hers.

  “Howdy, Miss, the name’s Levi Emerson.”

  She eyed him cautiously, then greeted back. “I’m Abigail Larsen.”

  “Pleased to make your acquaintance, Miss. I wish it’d been under better circumstances.” Then as the name registered with him, Levi inquired, “Are you related to Bradford Larsen?”

  “Yes, I’m his daughter.”

  Levi tried to mask his reaction. He hadn’t expected her to be quite so fetching. He never considered himself the sort of man to be partial to a particular type of woman. After looking at Abigail Larsen, he realized he certainly did now. Clyde’s conversation from moments before came flooding back. Levi remembered she was soon-to-be spoken for. Additionally, she was the boss’s daughter, which meant she was off-limits on two accounts. The last thing he needed was a distraction, even if the distraction had the most enticing smile he ever encountered.

  “How do you know my father?” Abigail inquired.

  “Your father hired me to work at his ranch. I recognized your last name.”

  “I see.” She seemed to study him. After a few moments, she averted her eyes as she stated, “I have plans and need to make my way over to the general store.”

  He tipped his hat to her saying, “Have a good day, Miss Larsen.”

  “And you as well, Mr. Emerson.”

  Six

  As Abigail ducked into the Rockwood Springs General Store, she peeked through the window as Levi Emerson finished making his way down Main Street. He was even more handsome in person than from when she had seen him outside the house on the ranch. Up close, she could see his chestnut brown hair was thick, and it curled at the ends underneath his hat.

  The moment she had placed her hand in his, a warm tingling sensation crawled up her arm. Then when her eyes met his dark pools of chocolate, she wanted to melt into their deep depths. His effect on her had been so profound, she had flustered, though she hid it well thanks to her training from finishing school.

  “What are you looking at?” Judy inquired as she moved next to Abigail. “Oh, my, he’s quite handsome, isn’t he? You should introduce yourself. I've never met him, but I’m sure he has to be a step up from Andy Wilson.”

  Levi disappeared out of sight and Abigail turned to look at her friend. “I just met him as it happens.”

  Clasping her hands together as a large grin formed on her face. “And? Share the details.”

  “He was polite and helpful.”

  “Polite and helpful? That’s all I will get out of you?” Judy asked in a disappointed tone.

  “I’m soon to be an engaged woman, so yes, all I should notice is that.”

  With a knowing smile, Judy probed, “But is that all you noticed?”

  Abigail averted her eyes and avoided answering the question. “He mentioned he works for my father, which means one thing for certain, my father would never approve of me showing interest in a hired hand.”

  “So you’re admitting you are interested.”

  “It doesn’t matter,” Abigail stated. “My future is decided for me, at least, unless I can get my father to change his mind about Andy Wilson.”

  Paul Breecher came to stand next to Abigail and Judy. “You ladies ready for lunch? I finished up what I needed to do. We can walk over to the hotel now.”

  Judy nodded. “Rebecca and Jake will meet us there.”

  As the three of them exited the store, and the women waited for Paul to lock up, Abigail wondered what she would do. In the pit of her stomach, she had a sinking feeling that her father could not be persuaded from his choice in a husband for her. She needed to figure out a way to reconcile the truth that she would marry Andy Wilson soon.

  Seven

  The loud clanging of the bell signaled the cowboys' lunch break. The men dusted off their clothes as best they could, then washed up in a basin near the chuck wagon. Afterward, each of them waited to get their plate of beans and salted meat from the cook.

  Levi sat by the other men under the shade tree. It had been a long, hot day separating and branding the herd. The men were grateful for the break, short though it would be.

  “What’re you goin’ to do with the money you earn on the next cattle drive, Phillip?” Levi inquired, trying to assess spending habits.

  “I think this time, I will finally have enough money to get Tilly Mae a ring,” Phillip stated with a hopeful tone.

  Phillip Moore was a rather unremarkable man, of average build and looks, but of all the cowboys, he had been the friendliest towards Levi. Phillip’s statement about getting a ring ruled him out as the traitor. The young cowboy wasn’t expecting a sudden windfall of money anytime soon.

  There was a loud snort that echoed around them. Everyone turned to see Frank Chesterfield, a squatty and pale-faced man, rolling his eyes. “We both know that ain’t never gonna happen. You’ve been stringin’ that girl along for over two years now. It ain’t fair.”

  “Be quiet, Frank. You made your try for Tilly Mae and she refused you. You’re just jealous.”

  Levi sensed the tension and didn’t want to be breaking up a fight, particularly as tired as he was from chasing cattle since daybreak. He drew the attention to himself by saying, “Well, I plan to save up enough to buy a place of my own. I’ve some money from my last job, and it would be nice to settle down sometime soon.” It wasn’t a lie. Levi had money saved up from his last few bounties.

  “We need to stop jabberin’ about what we will do with our money and get to eatin’ before its time to get back to work,” ordered Elmer Watts, one of the senior cowboys. Glaring at Levi, Elmer added, “We don’t need new fellas causin’ a ruckus every time we take a break.”

  Elmer didn’t like Levi; not one little bit. He made it clear at every opportunity making it near impossible for Levi to do his job of finding out who was helping Morris Jeffers.

  “Eh, leave him alone Elmer. He isn’t hurting anyone,” Billy Dalton stated from the edge of the group. The elderly cowboy had been resting with his hat hung low on his face, but at the moment, he was tilting it up to give Elmer a narrowed stare.

  Though Elmer desperately wanted to be in charge, Billy Dalton was Bradford Larsen’s cow boss on the range, and from what Levi det
ermined, an honorable one at that.

  The men ate the rest of their meal in silence, and then went back to work. Once the last of the cattle were put away for the night, the cowboys discussed drinking and gambling at the Long Reach Saloon.

  “Y’all put in a solid day’s work. I’ll treat everyone to a drink,” Levi offered, hoping that the men might be more apt to divulge information if he plied them with liquor. Plus, going to the saloon meant he could sneak off and talk with Clyde raising no suspicion.

  All the men agreed to go but Billy Dalton. “I need to be getting home. Enjoy your evening, boys.”

  Levi wondered what kept the cow boss from socializing with the men after work. In the entire week Levi had been working on the Larsen Ranch, Billy always left without a word about where he was going. He didn’t stay in the bunkhouse and kept to himself. Could Billy be the traitor he was searching for?

  After the older man moved out of range, Levi turned to Phillip and probed, “I noticed Billy Dalton never goes out with y’all. Is there a reason?”

  The normal smile on Phillip’s face faded. “Billy’s had a rough go. His wife died two years ago giving birth to their son who also didn't make it. Billy is raising his daughter on his own. He goes home every night to be with her.”

  Guilt washed over Levi. Billy Dalton was every bit the good man he appeared to be, maybe even more so than Levi first assumed.

  “I’m sorry to hear that,” Levi stated with sympathy. “That’s a tough hand to be dealt.”

  Phillip’s grin returned to take its usual place on his face. “Well, let’s head on over to the saloon where you can buy me that drink you promised.”

  Eight

  The blue velvet felt soft under Abigail’s fingertips. Gently, she let them cascade down the folds and edges of the evening gown that sat on display in the window of the new dress shop. Though the store was mostly filled with functional attire such as calico dresses, gingham tops, and prairie skirts, there were a handful of more extravagant pieces such as the magnificent sapphire work of art in front of her.

  Abigail realized the evening gown was a near fortune, but it would be the perfect one to wear to Judy and Paul’s wedding in a couple of weeks. Turning to face Mrs. Grey, the shop owner, Abigail stated, “I'd like to buy this one. Can I come in and have it altered sometime next week? I plan to wear it to the Breecher wedding.”

  Mrs. Grey nodded. “I can put it on your father’s account.” The brunette woman moved to stand by her. “Can I bring you a matching hat and lace gloves? I have the perfect ones.”

  “Thank you,” Abigail said with a smile. “That would be lovely.”

  A few minutes later, Abigail had added both items to her purchase and was exiting the store onto Main Street. Dusk was already fast approaching. Mrs. Grey had stayed open late for her. The dress Abigail just bought would pay the bills for the rest of the month.

  The sound of men’s deep laughter echoed from down the street and her stomach clenched in apprehension. It was the time of evening when the cowboys from the neighboring ranches gathered at the saloon to drink. There were whistles and yells, making it clear it was time to get home. To do that, she had to cross right by the establishment.

  Abigail took in a deep breath and walked across Main Street. The disrespectful calls got louder as she got closer to the saloon until she wanted to plug her ears from the deafening noise. She kept her gaze averted, trying to make it past the growing group of men. Yet, even though she walked on the opposite side to avoid them, they weren't deterred by her behavior.

  A hand snaked out and grabbed her arm. She froze, disliking the leer in the man’s eyes. She didn’t recognize him, but why would she since she had been away for three years. Also, as a dignified lady, she had little need to know the local cowboys.

  “Unhand me, sir, this instant,” Abigail demanded, trying to muster a stern voice, but knowing it came out more as a whisper than anything else.

  “Why? Don’t you want to be friendly, darlin’?”

  “Do you know who my father is?”

  “Not particularly,” the man stammered before leaning in closer. “Nor do I care.”

  “You should care,” Abigail heard from over her shoulder. “The woman you’re so roughly handlin’ is Bradford Larsen’s daughter.”

  The man released her at once as his face turned ashen, like she was the plague itself. Her father’s name must have instantly sobered the cowboy as well because he issued an apology without blinking. “I'm sorry, Miss Larsen, for my breach in manners.”

  She rubbed her arm where his hand so roughly held her. “I won’t mention this to my father, but the lot of you should stop treating women in such a way.”

  The men nodded and headed inside, leaving Abigail to turn to thank her rescuer. To her surprise, it was Levi Emerson standing at the edge of the wooden planks.

  “Are you all right?” he asked with visible concern.

  “I’m fine. Just angry rather than scared. I can’t believe those ruffians think it’s acceptable to behave as they did.”

  “They shouldn’t.”

  She waited for him to say more, to make excuses for his fellow cowboys, but none came. She was pleasantly surprised to see Levi didn’t hold to the same standards as the men who accosted her.

  “Thank you,” Abigail offered, “for coming to my aid.”

  “Of course. I disliked seein’ that man put his hands on you.”

  His statement both shocked and intrigued her. She could swear an undertone of jealousy laced his voice.

  Before she could respond, a different cowboy from before poked his head out and yelled at Levi, “Are you coming in here and buying us that drink or what?”

  As suddenly as her admiration for Levi surfaced, it was squashed by the realization that he had come to the saloon to drink. Though she found him physically attractive, the thought of him frequenting such detestable places made her glad for her decision to avoid thoughts of him.

  Curtly, she stated, “I should be getting home.”

  Levi’s eyebrows furrowed together in confusion. “Is somethin' the matter?”

  “Nothing. I need to get out of here.” Not waiting for his response, Abigail left without looking back.

  Nine

  Levi knew he should be focused on his task. They only had a little less than two weeks to get the herd branded before the next cattle drive to Kansas. Unfortunately, his mind kept drifting to the day before when he encountered Abigail Larsen in town.

  He had thought her appeal would wear off, but he was mistaken. The second encounter with Abigail was even more potent than the first. Her mesmerizing green eyes drew him in, and her perfectly shaped lips begged to be kissed. Levi had wanted to find an excuse to spend more time with her, but before he could come up with a reason, Phillip interrupted.

  “That should do it for this part of the herd,” Billy Dalton said, bringing Levi back to the present. “Let’s close up this gate, and then we can get started on the next area.”

  Levi and Phillip did as they were told while the rest of the cowboys moved towards the other section twenty yards away.

  The wind was kicking up and Levi welcomed the cool breeze on his cheeks, but he also knew they needed to finish their chores before nightfall. The shift in temperature along with loss of daylight made cattle skittish. It would only get worse as the day dwindled out.

  “Are you recovered yet from last night?” Levi asked, knowing Phillip must still feel the effects from the liquor he downed the previous evening.

  “I’m doing all right. Tilly Mae was mad when she found out this morning. She confronted me and told me if I was serious about courting her, I needed to stop my drinking.”

  “Perhaps she’s right,” Levi agreed. “If you’re wantin’ to settle down and start a family, that type of behavior needs to go by the wayside.”

  “I noticed you didn't have any libations last night. Come to think of it, I’ve never seen you take a drink.”

  “I didn’
t much care for the stuff before I found God, and gave it up completely once I became a Christian.”

  Phillip shook his head. “I have to be honest, Levi, you’re not like most cattlemen I’ve met.”

  Levi stiffened under the scrutiny. Did the young cowboy suspect his real purpose for working on the ranch? Had Levi's cover been blown?

  “Let me explain before you go jumping to the wrong idea. The reason I—” but before Levi could finish his defense, Elmer Watts shouted out a warning to get back. It was too late; the cattle were stampeding towards them.

  Phillip jumped up and over the wooden rails of one of the corrals, but there was no such barrier on Levi’s side to protect him. Knowing there was nowhere to go, Levi braced himself for the impact and sent up a silent prayer for protection.

  Instead of the crushing bodies of the cattle, something pushed him out of the way. His eyes flew open to find Billy Dalton beside him before they tumbled to the ground a few feet away, allowing the stampede to pass.

  “Thank you, Billy. I appreciate the aid,” Levi stated as he lay with his back in the dirt. After a few moments, he sat up to catch his breath, causing a rush of pain to jab his side. Gingerly, he placed his hand to where the discomfort was the worst. The mere touch caused him to flinch and let out a grunt. He pulled his fingers up and found blood on them.

  “That doesn’t look good, friend,” Billy stated with worry. “We need to get you over to the main house pronto.”

  Billy helped Levi stand, and though he was grateful for the support, it didn’t alleviate the constant pain. Phillip rushed to join him on the other side to help. Every step was excruciating, and it was a struggle just to stay on his feet.

  “You can do this, Levi,” Billy encouraged, “We will get you to the main house, and then fetch the doctor to have your injury tended.”