Silver Belles and Stetsons

by Caroline Clemmons

  Eric had always worked undercover so wasn’t well known outside a small number of agents and lawmen. He understood why John needed him but the case could go on for two to three years, maybe longer and, he didn’t want to leave Penny. He certainly couldn’t endanger her life by taking her with him.

  “So that’s it. We really need you on this one, Eric. I promise I wouldn’t ask if there was someone else.”

  Eric stood and paced the floor. His fingers dragged through his hair. He didn’t want to let his friend down, but he didn’t want to leave Penny, either. “When would I have to leave?”

  “The midday stage today.”

  “But that’s only two hours away.” Eric couldn’t hide his shock.

  “We don’t have time to waste. The situation is desperate.”

  “Alright. I’ll do it but this is the last time.”

  “Thank you. I promise, this will be the last time.”

  “I’ll have to let the Marshal Service know and go home and pack.”

  “I’ve already spoken to the Service and explained how urgently we need you. They are sending another man down here. They assure me your job will be here when you get back.”

  “I’ll meet you at the stage at ten minutes to midday.”

  John stood, shook Eric’s hand and left the office.

  Zac appeared in the doorway. “What’s goin’ on, boss?”

  “I have to leave town for a while. Another man will take care of the job while I’m gone.”

  “Gonna miss you, boss. Hope you come back soon.”

  “Me too, Zac. Me too.”

  Eric left to find Penny. How was he going to explain, when he couldn’t tell her everything? Would she wait for him? Just when he thought he had everything, it had been snatched away.

  He headed towards the Kelly home. His good friend, Walt met him halfway.

  “Eric, where are you off to in such a hurry?” Walt asked.

  “I need to talk with Penny.”

  “She’s not in town.”

  “Where is she?”

  “Apparently her friend is sick and Penny has gone to help.”

  Eric’s eyes narrowed. “How do you know?”

  “I was talking with Jake earlier at the Saloon. He said he saw her leaving town and heard she had gone to help a sick friend.”

  “Bit early for drinking and gambling, ain’t it?” Eric knew Jake was a heavy drinker and gambler and Walt was beginning to spend a lot of time in the Saloon with him.

  Walt shrugged. “Ain’t got a stage to guard until tomorrow. Pete asked me for a drink and I went.”

  “I need you to do something for me.” He dragged his fingers through his hair. He didn’t want to leave town without speaking with Penny but what choice did he have? Arrangements for his departure had already been made. He couldn’t stay. He’d given his word to John that he would be on the stage. Other lives depended on it.

  “Anything. I like to think we have become good friends in the past year since you moved here.”

  “Me too. I have to go out of town and it could be for a very long time. I need you to explain to Penny. I don’t want to go but I have to. It’s urgent. Ask her to please wait for me, tell her I’ll write and, Walt?

  “Yeah?”

  “Take good care of her for me.”

  Walt clapped his friend on the shoulder. “Of course I will.” This was his chance. He composed his features to hide his elation. He had wanted Penny Turner forever, and if the Marshall hadn’t turned up and caught her eye. She would have been his. Oh, yes, he would look after things. He forced himself not to smile in triumph. He couldn’t have planned things better if he’d tried

  Eric shook Walt’s hand and headed home to pack.

  ***

  Penny opened the door expecting to see Eric. It wasn’t her love at the door though. It was Walt Adamson clutching a bunch of flowers and smiling broadly.

  She didn’t mind Eric’s friend but she couldn’t say she was fond of him. She wondered why he was at her home.

  “Good evening, Penny.” Walt greeted as he thrust the flowers toward her.

  She accepted them gracefully and invited him into the parlor. “Why are you here, Walt?”

  “I heard Eric has left town and I thought you might be feeling distressed.”

  Shock reverberated all the way through Penny. “What?”

  “You didn’t know?” Of course she doesn’t know. You made sure of that by telling Eric she was out of town caring for her sick friend. It was hard not to gloat. This was his big chance and he was taking it, and to hell with Eric.

  “No. He can’t be out of town. He would have told me.” Tears filled her eyes. Why had he left without telling her? Had she been too wanton in his arms last night? Scared him off with her ardency? Did he think she was one of those women?

  She started to sob and Walt pulled her into his arms. He stroked her back. “I’m so sorry, Penny. I thought you knew.”

  She gazed up at the man who held her. “No. He didn’t come and see me. He didn’t say a word.”

  “Oh, darling. I’m so sorry. Come and sit down.” Walt forced himself to act as the loyal, concerned friend, not a man who wanted her. Of course, the fact that Eric was in love with Penny made his conquest all the more sweet. He had always hated Eric, although he pretended to be his friend. Being in good with the marshal was always helpful for a man like him. Throughout his life he had always manipulated people so that he got what he wanted. That was how he survived.

  ***

  Penny was feeling ill agai. It was the third morning in a row. She hadn’t been able to keep anything she ate in her stomach.

  A knock sounded at her door. That will be Walt to take me to church. They had seen each other almost every day since Eric had left two months ago. She had grown fond of Walt but knew she would never love him. He persisted in courting her and it helped alleviate some of her loneliness and heartache.

  She padded to the front door and flung it open. Walt gaped at her.

  “Penny. You’re as pale as snow. Are you okay?”

  “No. I am feeling decidedly ill. I have been most unwell…….” Her words faded away as she collapsed into Walt’s arms.

  She awoke with the doctor peering over her. “What happened?”

  “You fainted. Walt said you haven’t been feeling well.”

  “No. I’ve been quite ill these past few days but only in the mornings. I’m fine by the afternoon and into the evening.”

  “Hmmm. Are you feeling more tired than usual?”

  “I have been now you mention it.”

  The doctor poked and prodded. Walt hovered nearby.

  “Well young lady. It would be my opinion, you are carrying a child.”

  “What!” Walt boomed.

  “Miss Turner is pregnant.” The doctor glared at Walt before turning and packing his instruments into his doctor’s bag. “The illness should pass very soon but I want you to see me regularly to make sure everything is progressing as it should.”

  “Yes, Doctor. Thank you,” Penny murmured, wondering how she was able to get the words out.

  Walt showed the doctor out while Penny laid on the sofa. Pregnant! After only that one time. She ran her hand over her stomach. Eric’s baby was growing inside her.

  “Well. Seems you have gotten yourself into quite a pickle, my love.” Walt said. He sat on the sofa near her.

  “I can’t believe I am pregnant after only one time.”

  “Eric?”

  Penny nodded.

  Walt’s blood boiled. He wanted Penny. He wanted to father her children. Now she was having Eric’s bastard! “We’ll have to get rid of it. I’ll make enquiries.”

  “No!” Penny sat upright and clutched her hands over her stomach. “I’m having this baby.”

  “But, darling. You’re not married. Eric is probably not coming back. You’ll be an outcast.”

  “I don’t care. I’ll move. Tell people my husband is dead.”

  Walt
sighed. “Will you marry me?”

  “What?”

  “Will you marry me? It will solve all your problems. I love you Penny. I know you don’t love me yet, but you might one day.”

  “I don’t know Walt.” She would never love the man who sat before her although she did hold a fondness for him. It would mean her baby would be accepted. With her parents now living back in Ireland near the rest of the family, she had no-one. She had only stayed for Eric. Why hadn’t he written? Why had he left her? She had thought he loved her as she loved him. Her friends were here, she liked living in Bare and if she stayed maybe she would see Eric again. If, he returned. She lifted her head and gazed into Walt’s eyes. “Yes. I will marry you.”

  Walt whooped, gathered her in his arms and kissed her. “You have made me the happiest man alive. I’ll speak to the Preacher and we’ll marry next Sunday.”

  Penny smiled but her heart broke. Only Eric would ever make her truly happy.

  ***

  Most of the town turned out for Penny and Walt’s wedding. No-one had questioned the two of them marrying in such a hurry. They had been seen around town almost every day in the past two months. People assumed they were genuinely happy and in love.

  Penny spent the next few months preparing for the baby. She took in extra laundry and made clothes for her child in between sewing for townsfolk. It helped make ends meet.

  Walt was out of town often with his job of riding shotgun on the stage. When he was in town, he spent his time drinking and gambling.

  Penny didn’t care much. He left her alone which pleased her. They hadn’t yet made love. Either she was too ill thanks to her pregnancy or he was too drunk and as soon as he fell into bed, he dropped into unconsciousness, snoring like a pig beside her.

  Penny had never been so unhappy. She regretted her decision to marry Walt and wished she had moved away instead. Her fondness for the man she was tied to seemed to disappear into every bottle of rot gut whisky he drank.

  ***

  Larissa’s arrival was not without complications. The baby was overdue but tiny. A good thing really because the townspeople automatically assumed the child was premature and her size verified the fact.

  Penny was terrified of losing her daughter as she struggled to breathe. Every day and night was spent with the child in her arms, coaxing her to feed. Helping her to get through the coughing fits. Her friends came to her aid, and when Penny was exhausted, they would maintain the vigil. Not once did Walt even bother to hold the babe or try to help. He was the most selfish person she had ever met.

  After three tumultuous weeks the doctor pronounced Larissa fit and healthy. Penny and her friends cried tears of relief. As for Walt, he gave the impression he didn’t care one way or the other.

  As the weeks and months passed, Penny thought Larissa grew to look more and more like her father. Eric – Penny had heard nothing and she still missed him deeply, even though he had cruelly betrayed her. Left town without a backward glance after he had taken the greatest gift a woman could give the man she loved – her virginity.

  Walt buried himself in the bottle and didn’t seem the slightest bit interested in Penny or her child. That suited her fine. After hearing the gossip about town that he was frequenting the local whorehouse, Penny decided he would never have the opportunity to explore her body. He was relegated to the guest room and, although he fussed about being thrown from their bedroom, the locked door eventually got the message across – he was no longer welcome in his wife’s bed.

  Penny cooked and washed for Walt, they conversed on occasion but other than that, they went about their own business.

  Larissa was growing like a weed. She was walking and saying a few words. She was the light in Penny’s life. She loved the child dearly. Would give her life for Larissa. No sacrifice would be too great.

  ***

  Bare

  North Wyoming 1874

  Eric rode into Bare around midday. He looked forward to being back and he needed to know why Penny hadn’t answered any of his letters. He had almost gotten himself killed when he’d slipped up with the mob in Chicago. He’d been thinking about Penny. What was she doing? How was she going? Why hadn’t she written? If he could have, he would have returned home three months after he’d left but by then he was deeply entrenched in the operation and would have endangered other lives if he’d walked out.

  He dismounted in front of the livery and handed the reins to his horse over to Max. “He needs a good rub down and some oats, thanks Max. We’ve travelled a long way.”

  “Welcome back, Eric. We’ve missed you around here. Zac will be mighty pleased to see ya.”

  “Thanks.” Hopefully Penny will be happy to see me too.

  He strode to the jail. Zac bounced out of his chair and rushed around the desk to shake his hand.

  “Boss, you sure is a sight for sore eyes. How ya doin’?”

  “I’m fine now I’m home. I guess you’ll have a lot to fill me in on the latest happenings.”

  “Sure will. Colby will bring you up to date on business before he leaves. How about we get together after work and I’ll fill you in on the townsfolk?”

  “That would be good.” Only one person I want to know about. He was bursting to get over there. “I’ll catch up with you later. I want to go and visit Penny. It’s been a long three and a half years and I can’t wait to take her in my arms.”

  Zac gazed at the floor and shuffled his feet.

  “I know that look. What’s wrong?”

  “Penny married Walt not long after ya left. I thought you knew.”

  Eric staggered back. It was like a punch to his gut. Penny married? Not his Penny. Not to his friend who he had trusted to take care of her. Walt had taken care of her all right. Made her his wife. He dropped into a chair nearby. His legs wouldn’t hold him up.

  “Boss. You okay? Ya look like you’ve seen a ghost.”

  “Fine,” Eric barked. “I’m sure you’ve got work to do.” He stood and stormed from the jail. Married or not, he would see Penny. Demand an explanation. How dare she do something like this to him? Vow undying love then marry another the moment his back was turned.

  ***

  Penny opened the door, a small child sat on her hip. She opened her mouth, the words died when she saw Eric standing before her.

  “Who is it mama?” the little girl asked.

  “I used to be a friend of your mama’s a long time ago.” Eric studied Penny’s face. “Are you going to invite me in?”

  “Y…yes, of course. Come in.” Penny stepped aside and Eric entered her home.

  He glanced around at the sparsely furnished house as she led him into the parlor. The carpet was threadbare, the furniture dated and scratched. Curtains were discolored, probably with age, and small tears were obvious. He would never have allowed Penny to live in such shabby surroundings had she been his wife. But she’s not. She’s your friend’s wife.

  They sat on the sofa.

  “How are you, Penny?”

  “Fine, thank you. When did you get back?”

  “About half an hour ago.”

  Larissa slid off her mother’s lap and crawled onto Eric’s. He wasn’t sure what he should do. He had never been around children before.

  “What’s your name, mister?” Larissa asked.

  Eric glanced down at the gorgeous child on his lap. She was studying him. “Eric Finn. What’s yours?”

  “Larissa Adamson. I’m gonna call you Finny.”

  Eric laughed. “That’s good. I like Finny.”

  “Do you live in town?” Larissa was curious.

  “I’ve been away for a long time but I’m back now. I’m the Marshal.”

  “Oh. Okay.”

  “Larissa, can you go and play in your room for mama while I talk with Eric please?”

  “Yes, mama.” Larissa slid off his lap and ran from the room.

  “You have a beautiful daughter, Penny. How old is she?”

  “Just turned th
ree.”

  Eric did the math. “You married Walt not long after I left?”

  “About two months. He asked and I didn’t think you were coming back. Why didn’t you tell me you were leaving? Why did you leave? No note, no nothing.”

  “I told Walt to tell you I had a job out of town. I asked him to look after you while I was gone. He certainly did that.” Eric’s laugh was that of a man who had been wronged.

  “I thought you had gotten what you wanted and left me. You never wrote. I didn’t hear a word.”

  “I did write. Every few days. I had to leave straight away so as soon as I arrived in Chicago, I wrote and explained what had happened and asked you to wait for me. I wanted to marry you, Penny. I thought you knew how much I loved you.”

  “I didn’t know Eric. I thought I did but you left without a word.”

  They both sat quietly.

  “I never stopped missing you,” Penny whispered. “I thought about you every day.”

  Eric sighed. “Nothing can be done about it now. Where’s Walt?”

  “He’s out of town with the stage. He’s due back in three days, I think.”

  Eric’s brows furrowed. “You think?”

  “Walt and I don’t have the closest marriage. I might as well tell you. He prefers a whisky bottle, gambling and whores to his wife. You’ll most likely hear about it from one of the gossips in town.”

  “I’m sorry.”

  “Don’t be. I have Larissa. She’s my life now. She takes away my pain and sorrow.”

  The woman sitting before him was not the woman he had left. She was no longer vibrant. Her clothes were plain when she should have been dressed in the finest silks, satins and lace. He had noticed her daughter was beautifully dressed though. He also noted, Penny was thinner than he remembered. Dark bruises marred her once beautiful eyes. What was really going on? He vowed to find out.

  “I have to get to the jail. Can I take you and Larissa out for supper later? I’d like us to be friends.”

  “I would like that very much. Thank you.”

  “Seven o’clock?”

  Penny nodded as they stood and she showed him out.