Seemingly undeterred Sam darted in front of him and put one hand on his chest.
Cade released a breath of frustration and stopped next to the sacks of chicken feed. Maybe if he just talked to the man for a few minutes he’d go away. “Did Katrina sell another herd of your cattle to that caballero for five dollars a head?”
Sam didn’t look happy to be reminded of that little incident. “You’re just in from a cattle run, correct?” He apparently wasn’t going to rise to Cade’s bait.
Cade nodded.
“I’m willing to pay you three times what you just made if you’ll come to Beth Haven and help me track down some cattle rustlers. They’ve been plaguing me for months and with my work at the bank, I simply haven’t had time to deal with it.” The little man folded his arms, his bowler poking out to one side.
Cade arched a brow. Sam could always come up with an elaborate plan, but generally the plan called for someone else to execute it. “I made good money on this run, Sam.”
A gleam leapt into Sam’s eyes as though he knew he had Cade’s attention. “Whatever you made, I’ll pay you triple. These rustlers have caused me enough trouble and money. And now Katrina’s with them!”
Just as he’d assumed. Cade settled his hands on his hips. Sam’s sister had always been peril-in-a-skirt. “Sounds like a job for your local law enforcement.”
Sam snorted. “You know old Sheriff Collier would rather fish than track down a clue any day of the week.”
Rubbing one hand across his prickly jaw, Cade studied the stack of feed sacks to his right. He didn’t have another job lined up yet. And triple what he’d made on this run was certainly good money.
Rocky and Victoria were doing a fine job of running the ranch while he was away. And he hadn’t been looking forward to seeing Victoria working in Ma’s kitchen, anyhow. With Pa off to who knows where, maybe… His thoughts turned to Sharyah Jordan. If he had any reason to stick around town, she was it. Would sure be nice to see her again. It was certainly time to explain the disaster he’d made of things last summer. Maybe he could make up for it somehow.
Just then Mrs. Halvorson stepped into the aisle. “Why Cade Bennett! It’s so good to see you home! When did you get back?”
Cade snatched his hat from his head and nodded. “Mrs. Halvorson.” The woman must have heard the bell a moment earlier. She had ears like a fox when it came to her bell and local gossip – but didn’t hear much else most of the time. “Good to be home, ma’am. I just rode into town this afternoon. How has everything been around here since I’ve been gone?”
She cupped one hand to her ear. “What was that?!”
Cade leaned toward her and raised his voice. “I said, ‘How has everything been?’”
“Well, it’s been downright… different over the last few months what with the Jordans adopting those three children and moving out to your place after the passing of your—oh listen to me go on, I’m sorry to bring that up. How is your father, dear?”
A wave of sorrow washed over him even as he suppressed a roll of his eyes. The woman could at least try to be subtle as she pried for information to hand on to the next customers to walk through her doors.
He clenched his jaw. Yes, life certainly wouldn’t be the same in town for him, now. He had no idea where Pa was, or how he was doing, or if he was even alive. But Mrs. Halvorson waited for an answer so he searched for something truthful to say. “He’s fair to middling, ma’am. Getting along as well as can be expected, I suppose.” Pa had pulled up every stake he’d ever put down and taken for the hills the very day Ma had passed on. Cade hadn’t seen him since and the roll of anger that surged through him threatened to upset his stomach. He swallowed away the bitter taste at the back of his throat, and suddenly realized that Mrs. Halvorson was looking from him to Sam Perry an expectant arc in her brows. “Oh, ah... Mrs. Halvorson,” he gestured to Sam with his hat, “Sam Perry. Mr. Perry, meet Mrs. Halvorson.”
Sam bowed over her hand. “It’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance, ma’am.”
“And where do you hail from, Mr. Berry?”
“Uh, Perry, ma’am. I’m from over east of the mountains, a little settlement near Farewell Bend.”
“Where was that?”
“Farewell Bend, ma’am.” Perry spoke a little louder.
“Really? Well! Our school teacher recently moved east of the mountains to take a school. A town called Madras. Also not too far from Farewell Bend, I believe. I hear tell that it’s hot over there this time of year. And the way ol’ Mr. Crockett tells it, the outlaws are thick as morning cream out that way.” She tsked. “I do hope our young Sharyah makes it back home alive.”
Cade’s heart tripped over itself. So Sharyah was out of town.
Decision suddenly made, Cade turned to Sam. “Have you had dinner yet, Sam?” He smiled and tipped his head at Mrs. Halvorson, taking Sam’s arm and pulling him toward the candy display.
The man blinked, a little startled. “No. No I haven’t.” His mouth stretched as he took in the three sticks of peppermint Cade picked up. “Are we having that for dinner?”
Cade grinned and headed for the front. “Why don’t you come out to my ranch with me and we can discuss the details of the job you’re talking about.”
Perry trotted after him. “Certainly. Certainly. Yes, that would be fine. I knew you wouldn’t turn me down.”
Cade heaved a breath of relief as he placed the sticks of candy on the counter. He hadn’t realized until now how much he’d been dreading the thought of living out at the ranch, once again. A few more months on the road wouldn’t hurt any. Rocky could certainly be trusted to keep things running smoothly, and the money he’d make on this job would be a nice cushion against any unforeseen expenses in the future.
A certain blond woman came to mind, but he pushed the thought away. Still, Madras was only a crow’s hop from Beth Haven….
1
Sharyah had just bent over the papers she needed to grade when the small rock landed on her desk with a soft thud. The titter of laugher ceased as she snapped her head up to study her students. Everyone seemed to be in deep concentration and intent on their lessons. She focused her gaze on Brandon McBride, but he looked as innocent as an angel and sat attentively reading his history lesson, just as he should be. Sonja and Sally Weaver both gave her sympathetic glances, from the last row of desks where they were working on their math lesson together.
Sharyah sighed, knowing from past experience that asking the class who had done the deed would prove futile. She’d been here two weeks, now. Two weeks in the God-forsaken little back-water town of Beth Haven and for a solid week-and-a-half she’d been longing to pack her bags and return home.
She had been approached about teaching in Madras, but upon arriving learned that the former teacher had decided to stay on for another year. Disappointed, she’d been all set to go back home when the head of the board told her that Beth Haven had been having trouble keeping a teacher and he thought they might be searching for one again. When she’d arrived and informed the Beth Haven board of her interest in the teaching position, they’d been ecstatic. She could see why, now. No teacher in their right mind would want to stay and deal with this, but she was determined to make it work.
The first week, she’d spent countless hours grilling the students both collectively and individually as to the identity of the trickster, but whoever the little devil was, he had a fierce grip on the loyalty of everyone else in the class. No one would give him up.
For the last several weeks, she’d tried to ignore the incidents in hopes that the prankster would give up out of sheer boredom.
Never one to be squeamish, when she’d found the snake in her top desk drawer she’d calmly picked it up and tossed it out the window. A few of the boys had gaped in disappointment, but the next day a tack had appeared on her chair. She’d noticed it before she sat on it, thankfully, and had whisked it out of sight and plunked herself down on the chair with zest. But, even tho
ugh she’d been watching their faces carefully as she dropped into the seat, she hadn’t been able to determine which child was the most disappointed when she didn’t cry out in pain.
A couple days ago, she’d actually almost laughed when she’d discovered that all the chalk had been replaced with garden carrots, fuzzy green tops and all. Thankfully she’d had an extra piece in her satchel.
Today however, the large spider in her lunch pail had been almost more than she could bear. She shuddered at the memory and thanked her lucky stars that Papa had never allowed her to luxuriate in a fit of the vapors – because if ever there was a moment when she’d been tempted to, that had been it. The thing had been so large she could see its beady eyes looking right at her! And fuzzy! She rubbed at the goose-flesh on her arms. All afternoon her stomach had been grumbling its complaint. The thought of eating her sandwich and the apple that a spider crawled all over had been more than her fortitude could handle.
Yes, packing up and returning to home would be heaven. But, in a way that would be just like succumbing to the vapors, and she wouldn’t allow herself the weakness of retreat. She would get a much-needed break in the spring, just a few short months away, when her entire family came over for Jason and Nicki’s March wedding. Tears pressed at the backs of her eyes as longing to see them all welled up inside her. But she blinked hard and reined in her emotions. Until then, she would simply have to forge ahead.
All her life she’d wanted only one thing.
Well, two things if she were honest, but she wasn’t going to think about Cascade Bennett today. She sighed and glanced out the window. If she was smart she wouldn’t ever again waste another moment of time pondering the way he’d broken her heart. God promised in his Word that goodness and mercy would follow her all the days of her life, so obviously the good things God had for her didn’t include Cade Bennett.
Samuel Perry - that’s who she should be thinking on. Yes, Sam. If he ever got around to asking her, he would make a very… suitable husband. She could learn to be happy and satisfied with a man like Sam.
Giving herself a shake, she returned her focus to her students. The one thing she’d wanted ever since she could remember was to be a teacher. She loved children, loved to see their eyes light up when understanding dawned. Loved their frank outlook on life and their quickness to forgive and move on. Loved to help them make something of themselves. That love was the reason she was here, and she had to figure out a way to get these children to accept her, or at least respect her.
She glanced at the clock and stood from her desk. “Alright, children. It’s time to head home for the day.” She gave them all her sunniest smile. “See you bright and early in the morning, and don’t forget tomorrow is our day to go leaf collecting, so bring a sack or pillowslip from home to carry with you.” She pinned Brandon with a look. “Brandon, if I could have a moment of your time up by my desk, please? Everyone else, you’re dismissed.”
Purposely she turned her back and began to erase the chalk board, but inwardly she cringed, waiting for some missile or projectile to bombard her. With a determined clench of her jaw, she threw back her shoulders. Show no fear!
Amazingly enough nothing happened and soon, other than Brandon shuffling his feet as he waited for her to finish, the room filled with silence.
Finally, she hung the rag on its hook by the board and turned to face her little nemesis. My, but he had the most alluring big chocolate eyes. And right at the moment they were dripping with innocence. Future women beware! Brandon McBride cometh! She bit off a grin and folded her hands carefully in front of her.
“Did you need my help, Miss Jordan?” He looked around as though expecting her to ask him to carry something for her.
“No, Brandon. But I want you to know that I’m not going anywhere.”
He seemed puzzled. “Not going anywhere, ma’am?”
“No matter the number of tricks played on me, I will finish out the school year. Now,” she held up a hand to still his protest, “it can be a good year for both of us, or it can be a miserable year. Your choice.”
“But ma’am, I don’t…” Suddenly his eyes widened. “You think I’m the one that’s been playin’ tricks on you?” He shook his head, dark eyes wide and gleaming with sincerity. “It ain’t me, ma’am. Honest it’s not.”
“Isn’t. ‘It isn’t me, ma’am,’” she corrected automatically, then sighed. “You are dismissed, Brandon. See you tomorrow.”
“Yes’m.” He turned to fetch his lunch pail and slate.
Was that an impish gleam in his eyes? Or simply relief at not being in too much trouble?
She watched him dash out the door, his ever-present slingshot cocked at an angle in the waistband of his pants, and then sighed as she sank down onto her chair.
Wasp-venom-pain stabbed into her backside. With a yelp, she leapt to her feet. And pulled the offending stick pin from her posterior.
Her eyes narrowed. “Why that little—”
The back door crashed in, startling the rest of the thought from her mind.
A man tromped in, black bowler pulled low over his brow, red bandana covering his nose and mouth and a gun leveled at her chest.
Cade Bennett stood in the alley, his heart beating a competition with the tinny piano playing inside the saloon. Judd Rodale and his younger brother Mick had gone in only moments ago. He took a calming breath and checked his weapon one more time, then stepped around the corner and pushed through the bat-wing doors of The Golden Pearl.
The room looked the same as it had the night before when he’d scouted it with Rocky and Sky. Upright piano in the back right corner. Bar along the wall to his left. Stairs leading up to the second floor along the rear wall. And six round tables scattered throughout the room. Judd and Mick sat at a table close to the bar. They’d already been dealt in to the perpetual poker game The Pearl kept running. The dealer wore a white shirt with black armbands and a visor cap, and looked a little nervous as he dealt out a card to Judd. The other two men in the game must be locals. Cade didn’t recognize them.
He sidled up to the bar and rested his forearms there, lifting a finger to the barkeep.
“What’ll it be?” The man wiped his hands on a rag that looked like it would leave more behind than it would clean off.
“Whiskey. Make it a double.”
The bartender sloshed the liquid into a glass and slid it his way.
Cade lifted it in a gesture of thanks and turned to face the room, propping his elbows on the bar and one boot on the rail below. He sniffed the whiskey but didn’t taste it. He would need all his senses to pull this off.
The poker hand came to an end and Rodale raked in his winnings.
Time to turn on the charm. Lord, a little help here. “You gentlemen care to let a weary traveler in on a bit of the fun?”
Judd Rodale didn’t even look at him. “You gonna drink that whiskey, kid? Or just look at it?”
Mick snickered and organized his stacks of coins, taking his brother’s lead in not even glancing Cade’s way.
Cade chuckled. “Well, I need all my wits about me if I’m going to go up against you Rodales in a poker game. I’ve heard you’re the best.”
Judd looked up then, scanning him from head to toe.
Good. He had the man’s attention.
“I’m sorry, kid, but I can’t say your reputation has spread as far as mine. I have no idea who you are.”
Cade grabbed a chair and circled around so that his back would be to the wall when he sat. He turned the chair backwards and straddled it, setting his whiskey on the card table. “Well now, I’m going to ignore the fact that you called me kid in that tone, because basically I’m nobody.” He stretched his hand across the table giving Rodale what he hoped was an irritated smile. “Name’s Schilling. Cade Schilling.”
The dealer fumbled the cards he was shuffling.
Judd’s eyes widened a bit as he studied Cade, ignoring his proffered hand.
Cade felt his fi
rst moment of ease. So their planning ahead on this one had paid off. These men had definitely heard of Cade Schilling.
One of the locals gathered up his money and stood. “Time for me to call it a night, fellas. Catch you another time.”
No one seemed to notice his departure. All attention at the table was fixed on Cade.
Mick cursed. “You are Cade Schilling? The Cade Schilling who—”
Judd cleared his throat loudly.
Mick caught himself. “—well, the Cade Schilling?”
Cade grinned. “Never met another one of me. So what do you say? We playing cards, or not?” Casually he removed a stack of gold eagles from his jacket pocket and laid them on the table.
Judd flicked a gesture to the dealer. “Deal him in.”
“Now you’re talking.” Cade stood, flipped his chair around the right way, removed his jacket and hung it over the back. He rolled up his sleeves as he sat down again, and grinned at the men who were all staring at him in question. “Had a friend get shot once. Someone thought he had a card up his sleeve. I watched him die, choking on his own blood.” He shrugged. “I’ve made it a point to roll my sleeves up for every poker game since then.”
Mick chuckled and picked up his hand of cards.
The kid would be easier to win over than Judd. But if he could get Judd to like him, the rest of the Rodale Gang would fall in line.
Cade let the first two hands go, cringing inwardly at the amount of money Judd was taking off him. He reminded himself that the money was Sam’s anyway – all part of the ruse.
They were halfway into the third round when Rocky and his brother Sky pushed through the doors, their badges plainly visible. Sky sauntered to a table and Rocky eased up to the bar. Cade’s heart rate kicked up a notch. The other local folded, snatched his hat from the back of his chair and quickly strode from the room. The only other patron in the room hurriedly followed him out the doors.
Smart men. A little more of the tenseness eased from Cade’s shoulders. Less potential for casualties. Less witnesses. The bartender, piano player, and dealer were the only others left now, and they would be easily convinced to keep quiet about the events that were about to unfold.
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