by Mercy Levy
“It is nice to finally meet you.” Sill ventured, in his soft gravelly voice. “Candace has read to us from your letters.” He added. “I would very much like to see the ranch and all the animals.” Craig smiled in response.
“You must be Sill.” He replied, as the boy nodded vigorously. “Your sister mentioned in her letters that you have a knack for saving hurt animals.” He looked over his shoulder at Candace. “That’s a talent that comes in handy on a farm.” He turned to Darren, who looked on with his arms folded across his chest and a wary look in his eye.
“And that makes you Darren.” Craig made it a statement. He extended his hand to the boy and Darren slowly stepped forward.
“What did my sister tell you about me?” He asked, his arms still folded across his chest.
“Well, she said you care about how people are treated.” Craig replied. “I figure you might be a good man to have keep the peace someday.” Darren perked up at the words. “As my town’s sheriff, I can tell you, it takes a lot of care for others to do that job. Wearing the star isn’t about guns or arrests, so much as the people you keep out of worse trouble.” Craig suggested. He extended his hand further, and the reticent boy gave in and shook his hand.
“Did you hear that, Candace? He’s a sheriff! I bet he could take care of…” Darren’s voice trailed off at the terrified look Candace shot him.
“Now boys.” Candace spoke sharply. “It’s getting on time to go. What do we need to do, Mr. Ferguson?” She asked, her voice still soft, but her heart racing. “You never mentioned being a sheriff, Mr. Ferguson.” She added with a worried look on her face. Is there something I should know about?” Craig held his hands open in apology.
“Honestly, Miss, Shepherd,” He replied, “It simply wasn’t ever the part of my life that seemed interesting for letters.” He stated nonchalantly. “I love my land, and I guess the arrangement of marriage that we spoke of makes me able to do more with it. Talking about that just made me happy.” He finished, dropping his hands. He inhaled sharply at the change in her countenance as she processed his words.
Her face glowed with a slow, sweet smile, and Craig would have sworn on a bible that the entire room was suddenly filled with light. The girl who had answered the door was pretty, but the one he gazed upon now was nothing less than strikingly beautiful. Craig wondered how many ways he could find to make her smile at him that way again.
He composed himself and checked his pocket watch. They still had an hour to get to the station for their train to Kansas City. He’d found them an overnight passenger train, which would get him back to town that much sooner. Candace sent Darren to call for a carriage, and Craig helped the boys carry the trunks and few small pieces of luggage down from the humble apartment.
He marveled at how little they carried. Candace explained that they’d sold most of their belongings to keep out of debtors’ prison when their father died, so their move to Abilene was definitely a new beginning. At his look of concern, she quickly explained that they had saved their earnings and all planned on finding employment immediately upon arrival, so they wouldn’t be a burden to him.
“What?” He exclaimed in shock. “No wife of mine will be forced to work, and these boys will only do what they can after their schooling.” He admonished. “I wasn’t upset that you have so little because I will provide for you.” He added gently. “I was angry that you have had to go through so much, while grieving for your parents.” He shook his head and gave the brothers a wry smile. “You all will do just fine on a ranch, that’s for sure. You’ll likely think it a vacation, after what you’ve been up to on the docks.” Darren grinned at him in response, his enthusiasm hardly dimmed by his sister’s chiding voice declaring that “there wouldn’t be any drinking on the ranch for the boys, either.” Upon hearing that, Craig’s eyes, widened, and he winked at the young offenders.
The carriage driver clucked to his horses and flicked the reigns, and they were on their way. Sill had never ridden in a cab before, and he pushed back the small curtain and peeked out nervously. By carriage, it took thirty minutes to traverse the bustling city, and they arrived at the station with time to spare. Craig purchased tickets for all of them and they boarded the train after handing off their large trunks. In the small cases they carried with them were a change of clothes each and the bread and fruit Candace had put in oil cloth for the boys to snack on during the journey.
3. Abilene
The boys were rambunctious and didn’t stay in their seats for more than a few minutes at a time for the whole train ride, except when they were sleeping. Candace, however, was so quiet, her groom-to-be wondered if he had picked up the right bride. Her face was drawn with worry, so he left her to her thoughts for the hours they spent riding side by side down the dark track. By Kansas City, her spirits appeared to have improved. She smiled as she forced the excited boys to sit still long enough to eat the breakfast Craig insisted on buying for them. Candace still couldn’t eat, though. Her mind was still reeling from discovering that her rancher was actually a sheriff. She knew she needed to come clean to him before he found out some other way.
By the time the coach arrived for the last leg of their trip, Candace had decided to wait until they reached their destination, knowing that it might cause her more trouble when he sent her packing in a rage, but too timid to confess something so terrible in front of her brothers and the other woman riding the coach with them. She looked up into the lawman’s eyes as he offered her his hand to climb into the interior of the coach. She smiled shyly and blushed when from behind his back, he produced another flower. This one was nothing like the other. It was bushy and painted vibrant shades of red-orange and yellow.
“It’s an Indian paintbrush.” Craig murmured to her. “It grows wild wherever it can take root out here, and it’s one of my favorites.” He answered her smile with one of his own and whispered into her ear so softly, she wondered if she’d imagined it. “I’m a little nervous too, Candace-love. Don’t be afraid of me.” She flinched at his words, and her blush deepened. Too shaken to answer, she nodded her agreement and he boosted her into the cab. Sill and Darren took turns riding with the driver, so there were frequent, but brief stops along the way.
The other woman in their party turned out to be an entertainer of some sort on her way through Abilene. Candace couldn’t quite understand exactly what kind of performer she was, but the singer or actress or whatever she was took a liking to the sheriff and talked almost nonstop for the entire trip. When she paused long enough that Candace thought she might finally be able to speak to Craig, he pulled his hat over his eyes and went to sleep. The sharp-eyed woman gave Candace a long look and then sneered.
“Oh, you look so sad.” The woman scoffed at Candace. “You didn’t think he’d want to talk to you, did you?” She shook her head in mock sympathy. “Don’t worry dear, I’m sure you’ll find some hunchbacked cowpuncher who will scoop you up someday.” She laughed derisively and turned her attention to the scenery on the other side of her dusty window.
Sill, who was riding in the carriage next to Candace at the time, clenched and unclenched his fists. He looked between Candace and the other woman with shock and rage on his usually sweet face. Candace shook her head and held one of his hands in her own, until he relaxed enough that he stopped shaking and his fingers loosened. He put his head on her shoulder and exhaled. He glared at the woman until the rocking of the carriage finally put him to sleep.
Candace finally drifted off too, and when she awoke, it was as the coach jerked to a stop. Sill nearly fell off his seat, but she instinctively reached out with her arm and held him back. The woman was talking to Craig again, resting her hand possessively on his arm. When he noticed her stirring, Craig glanced over at her. She looked at the woman’s hand and shook her head in disgust, then turned away from him. The coachman swung down to open the door, and Darren began lowering luggage to the ground. Candace helped Sill out, then he turned and gave her his hand. She hopped out wi
th a quick jump and walked toward where the coachman now had Darren carefully stacking the trunks and carpetbags.
Craig stepped out next, blinking in the sunlight. He saw Candace and her brothers collecting their luggage, and saw Candace instruct Darren to leave his small bag behind. He rubbed his neck and absently thanked the driver, wondering exactly what he’d done wrong. He stepped away from the carriage and a rather shrill voice called out behind him for assistance. He looked back at the garish woman who had caused him so much auditory distress over the course of the journey. She had called herself an “entertainer” but what his cop sense told him was “low rent whore”. She batted her hand at him, as though asking him to help her down. He pretended he thought she was waving goodbye, and with a curt salute, pivoted on one heel and strode over to the luggage for his one small bag.
Candace had no idea where to go, so instead of leaving him behind, she was forced to merely glower at Craig as he caught up to them. He didn’t know how to deal with this new unhappy version of the pretty woman he’d brought home. He looked her over. Her bonnet was crooked, she was covered in travel grime and looked exhausted and had to be hungry after barely pecking at her food for two days.
“Let’s get you set up at the Abilene hotel so you all can get the travel dust off you before dinner.” Craig suggested. The Sill nodded happily and Darren crowed at the prompting. Candace’s expression softened, and she too, nodded her assent. Craig lifted her bag out of her hand and with his other, picked up one end of the larger trunk to help Sill. Darren carried the smaller of the two on his own and together, they headed into the hotel to check in. Eva saw them first. Waving her hands like they were feathers on a hen, she herded the two boys up to their room with much tongue clucking and concern over how thin they looked.
As Candace stood there, stunned, Karl walked up to introduce himself. He smiled and bowed over her hand as though she were the Queen of England. Craig laughed and brushed the dust off his hat.
“Welcome to Abilene, Miss…” Karl trailed off and looked to Craig.
“Shepherd, you old goat.” Craig laughed. “Miss Candace Shepherd. The two young men your lovely wife just kidnapped and is about to force to a level of cleanliness they didn’t know existed, are her younger brothers, Sill and Darren.” He set his hand under Candace’s elbow. “Candy-girl, this is Mr. Karl Mayweather. He owns this fine establishment along with his wife, Eva.” Candace dipped into a small curtsy and smiled at the hotel owner.
“Thank you for…” She trailed off as a man wearing a star burst in on them.
“Sheriff!” He exclaimed. “Mighty glad to see you, sir.” The young man blurted. He was twisting his hat in his hands and shuffling as he glanced from the sheriff to the pretty young woman.
“Good to see you too, Mark.” Craig replied. “Why don’t you go ahead and tell me what’s got you all in a knot, son?” Mark nodded and gulped hard.
“More railroaders are moving in sir.” The young deputy shifted his hand from hand to hand and glanced around again. “The cow pokes are making a pretty big fuss about the new gun law. They say they need to be able to protect themselves from threats from the newcomers.”
“God almighty. The biggest threat I can think of is drunk cattlemen with guns and a chip on their shoulder.” Karl swore.
“That’s the truth.” Craig sighed. “Karl, please get Miss Shepherd situated and have Eva show her and her brothers around. Karl nodded his assent with an, “ayuh” and escorted Candace toward the stairs. Craig tipped his hat to her and smiled an apology. “Candy-girl!” He called out to her as he reached the front door. “I’ll get some work done while you and the boys rest up, and tomorrow, we’ll take a ride out to the ranch, okay?” Candace nodded. Craig grinned. “See you at supper. I’ve got a friend for you to meet.” Her slow smile spread to her eyes for the first time since they’d left the grimy flat in Boston. Emboldened, Craig winked at her. He set his hat on his head at a rakish angle and ducked out the door behind his deputy
“Is he going to be all right?” Candace asked in a murmur. Karl patted her on the shoulder and waved down his wife who was just exiting the room she’d sequestered the boys in. Pinched between her finger and thumb were the travel clothes they’d been wearing.
“Eva, this is Miss Shepherd, the older sister and guardian of those two boys whose clothes you’re carrying with such contempt.” Karl laughed. Eva smiled at him. “I sent the trunks to your room, I hope you don’t mind setting out some clothes for your brothers.” Her smile widened to a grin. “They put up a fight, but as you can see, they’ll be needing some clean britches.” Candace laughed out loud, a sound that came from so abruptly it startled her. There was something about this older woman that reminded her of a different time in her life, when she was allowed to have fun. She giggled again as Eva made a face of disgust and followed her the rest of the way up the stairs, still smiling.
While Candace and the boys were safely ensconced in the hotel under the capable watch of Karl and Eva, Mark led Craig to the stables, where a group of cattlemen had gathered and were saddling up their horses.
“You boys riding somewhere this evening?” The sheriff asked nonchalantly. He shifted his hand to his gun hip, and tipped his hat back on his head. A couple of the cowhands jumped at the sound of his voice.
“Sheriff, thought you were out of town.” Junior Quincy gulped. “Me and the boy was just taking a ride, ayuh.” He babbled. The sheriff looked around at the men standing around, none of them meeting his eyes. He called out, greeting a few by name and the whole crowd shifted uneasily.
“Now boys,” Craig proposed, “I did just get back into town, right this very hour. And while I am more than willing to do my job and protect the law, I’d be very much obliged if you all would put your horses back in their paddocks and take a night to think about exactly what it is you are trying to accomplish here.” He scratched his head and looked around. “Because to me, it looks like you are deliberately trying to get arrested, and I just don’t understand that, Junior Quincy.” He looked over at Junior, who ducked his head and mumbled something unintelligible in response. “For Christ’s sake, Junior, you were in my jail when I left! What are you thinking? Did you miss me that much?” Craig swore, exasperated.
A few of the men chuckled, and the air in the stable became more breathable as the tension eased abruptly and completely, as though someone had popped a balloon. Some of the men nearest the sheriff and his deputy tipped their hats to the lawmen and shuffled out, patting Mark on the shoulder on their way out. Junior stood sullenly in the center of the stables. He stared angrily at the ground and refused to make eye contact with Craig.
The sheriff sighed and brought out his handcuffs. He patted Junior on the arm and put a foot to the backs of his knees, forcing him to kneel on the dirt floor. Just as he was about to cuff him, Bud came bursting into the stable, half his face swollen and purple. He swallowed and then swallowed again as he tried to make his mouth forms words around his painful, inflamed mouth
“Please, Sheriff.” The older of the two twins pleaded. “Junior’s stupid, you know that, but he wasn’t trying to start trouble.” Craig lifted a lantern off the wall to get a better look at the wounds on his friend’s face. “I w..w..was just heading home from getting some pie and coffee at Miss Annie’s place, and a couple of drunk railroaders came at me from the dark.” He tried to stretch his jaw and gasped from the pain his effort caused.
Sheriff Ferguson patted the man on the shoulder gently, and paced the stable, rubbing the back of his neck. He sighed and helped Junior to his feet, brushing hay off of his knees. Mark shrugged and shook his head when Craig glanced at him, saying the twins hadn’t gone to him about the attack.
“Well now, “The sheriff drawled. “You fellas know that if you have trouble, you come to me, not handle it yourselves.” He stared down both of the twins and they nodded in agreement, eyes downcast. Craig turned to Mark. “You were certainly not exaggerating the escalation, were you?” He gr
oaned. “Oh well, I guess we all can wait a few days for this to blow over, before we go out to the ranch.” Mark winced.
“Sorry, Boss.” He agreed. “I know this is a bad time, but I am glad you’re back early. I swear those rail boys were just waiting for you to be gone to start trouble.” Mark put his hands on his hips and spat into the dirt. “I wasn’t picking a side, but I got to admit, I’m starting to feel real sympathetic to the cowpokes around here.” Craig nodded. His face was grim as he spoke.
“Bud Quincy doesn’t pick fights with anyone but Junior.” He stated. “Those railroad camp fellas picked possibly the only man in town no one would believe had started the fight.” He sighed. Get to the telegraph office and send word to Marshal Ward in Kansas City that we have trouble brewing and could use a few more men of the law around here for a spell.” He directed. Mark set off without another word.
Craig breathed deeply and cursed under his breath. He gave the straw coated floor of the stable a swift kick, and headed over to the jail to write down what had occurred for when the marshals arrived. It was full dark by the time he retrieved Candace and her brothers and walked them down to Annie’s café. She was delighted to have them, and served them up a feast, letting them sample almost every item on her menu at once. For the third day in a row Candace picked at her food without really eating anything. Too worried to let it go any longer, he asked her to step outside with him so he could talk to her.
“Candy-girl. I can see there’s something wrong with you. Anybody with eyes can see it.” He snapped. “Please just tell me what’s wrong.” He pleaded. Candace looked like she was going to cry. She sniffed and nodded.
“Okay.” She sighed. “Something happened in Boston that I didn’t want to tell you about. Something that might make you send us away.” She tearfully told him. “Something illegal.” She added. She flinched automatically when he reached up to scratch the back of his head.
