by Reina Torres
“I am,” she nodded and reached out her hand, stopping when she would have touched his arm. “And I thank you again for not giving up on me.”
“Why would I?” he insisted. “You haven’t given up on me and it’s made me feel like I’m six feet tall! You gave me a chance to do something right with my life. And you, like the Hawkins family, have earned my never-ending gratitude for that.”
“You deserve a chance, Mr. Cooper. Anyone that spends any time with you would know that what happened before, whatever it was or wasn’t, is in the past. You should concentrate on the future. A future with good friends and family by your side.”
“And these good friends,” he felt his heart pounding in his chest, but whether it was anticipation or dread, he didn’t know, “is there a chance that you might consider yourself one of my friends?” He almost cringed at not just the sound of the words falling from his lips, but he hoped he didn’t sound too hopeful or at the worst like a pathetic plea. That was the last thing he wanted her to think.
“Of course!” She laid her hand on his arm and gave him a squeeze. “The very least that I could give you is my friendship, Ellis.”
Ellis. She used his name. And it didn’t frighten him so much as it made his heart thunder in his chest. Ellis.
“And that would be the best gift I’ve ever received. Thank you.”
She gave him a pointed look, her eyebrows raised just a hint higher than normal. And when he found he couldn’t manage to make his mouth work she smiled and nudged him along. “Virginia.”
“Virginia,” he smiled and nodded. “Thank you, Virginia.”
He meant the words… and so much more, but that was all he could have, and Ellis had learned to be grateful for the small things.
Especially the ones that meant just about everything.
The rest of the day progressed with a smile coloring the way Ellis looked at the world. Even Matthew and James’ belly aching about their portion of the chores seemed to have no effect on him.
By supper time, the others were wondering whether he’d lost his mind or was about to succumb to some unknown illness. Especially when a knock sounded at the door to the bunkhouse.
Brett was the closest one to the door and got up to answer.
The man on the other side of the door made them all a little curious. It wasn’t every day that the town’s undertaker stopped by looking for you, before you had a need for his services.
“Sorry to bother, boys. I just wanted to see if any of you were looking for an odd job to make a few dollars.”
“Come on in, Walt,” Brett gave him a nod from his bunk, “not sure if everyone knows you by more than your job title.”
Matthew barely looked up from his plate. “Don’t know about anyone else, but I don’t want him in here.”
Brett met the younger man’s eyes and gave him a good stare. “You know your parents have a rule about hospitality.”
“Your boss,” Matthew returned, “picked a word with ‘spit’ in it, so maybe he figured we’d use it.” He took in a big deep breath and everyone in the room could hear the wet sound gathering in his mouth.
“What are you doing?” Ellis cringed hearing his own voice. “That’s not how we’re expected to behave.”
Matthew waved a fork at Ellis, disdain written plainly in his features. “What do you know? You were locked up for the last few years. I doubt you have two manners to rub together, you thief.”
Ellis saw Brett’s hand reach out in his direction, but he needn’t have bothered. Ellis was planted in his seat. He’d gotten fairly used to Matthew’s vitriol and he was capable of holding it in. Yet, there stood Walt, waiting to see what would come of the situation.
Ellis got up from his seat, getting a quiet nod from Brett. “Mr. Daniels, we haven’t met, but I’m Ellis Cooper.”
Recognition dawned on the older man’s face. “Samuel’s nephew?”
“Yes, sir. Is this about those two miners found in the hills?”
Walt’s nod was followed by a quick confirmation of what most of the men suspected. “I need to dig two holes and my back, well it ain’t what it used to be.”
Matthew again, wasn’t going to remain silent. “Just dig one and toss ‘em both in. It’s not like they’re plannin’ to have visitors.”
Walt’s face showed his distress. “That’s not right, son. A man should have a fine resting place no matter who’s left behind to mourn them.”
“Mr. Daniels, sir.” Ellis pulled his attention back and gave the man a nod. “I’d like to help.”
“You sure about this, Ellis?” Luke’s expression was pinched with worry. “You’ve been workin’ yourself awfully hard and you’ve got a nearly full ride schedule for Mr. Hawkins.”
Ellis shrugged. “I’m not afraid of hard work, Luke, but thanks for thinkin’ of it. Mr. Daniels, I’m guessing that you’d like to get the graves dug tomorrow.”
“Best to do it sooner than anything. Them bodies ain’t gonna get any fresher the longer they’re left above ground.”
Matthew dropped his fork onto his plate with a clatter of sound and a loud oath. “Now that I don’t have an appetite I’m going to take a walk.” He brushed past the undertaker, almost tumbling him to the ground with the force of his shoulder.
Walt watched him go and shook his head. “Watched that boy grow up over the last bunch of years,” he sighed. “Can’t say I understand what kind of burr he has up under his saddle, but he better pull it out before he crosses someone that don’t care what kind of a family he came from.” The older man didn’t sound mean or vindictive, he just sounded sad.
Luke shrugged. “He’s all kinds of angry. I just can’t see why. The Hawkins are real good people.”
“Sometimes things and people go wrong. It just matters whether or not they can pull themselves up and out of that trouble that shows you what’s under the skin, locked up tight behind some ribs.” Walt turned to look at Ellis. “You’re a prime example, son. From what I’ve seen you’ve got yourself on a good path.”
“And I intend to stay on it. Convince any of the folks that are still doubting me, that I’m not the same stupid young pup that got myself tangled up in that web. So, tomorrow?”
Walt nodded and addressed the room. “And anyone else that wants to come can come. Six feet don’t sound like much until you start diggin’ into the hard-packed dirt.”
“Yes, sir.” Even if they were planning to take the work, the riders knew what it was like to dig and keep digging. Even for a fence post, someone was always grabbing up a shovel or a pickaxe around town. That was just the price of progress around them and Ellis, he was looking forward to the job. He had a very special present in mind for a certain young lady and he wanted to make sure she’d be young enough to appreciate the gift when he gave it to her.
Chapter 9
Over the last week, Ellis had made three runs for the express, dug two graves with a lot of oversight by Mr. Daniels, and two riding lessons with Virginia Halston.
Two riding lessons too many for her father. Marshal or not, he was still her father and Ellis had done everything he could to assure the man that he was being as honorable as any man could.
He would do whatever it took to have a chance to be near her. So as tired as he was, when Marshal Halston requested a meeting with Ellis at his office, Ellis went.
It was late, the Marshal explained, because he’d just done his last walk around town and was ready to get to some sleep.
Soon.
And until then, Ellis was left standing across from Virginia’s father sweating as if he was standing before a roaring fire even though the air outside was cold enough to see his breath.
“Virginia has assured me that you’ve been a perfect gentleman.”
Swallowing past the knot in his throat, Ellis bobbed his head once. “Yes, sir. I’m trying to, sir.”
“And she’s told me that her riding lessons are going well.”
Ellis nodded again. “Yes, sir.”
“And she said you helped her with some of the things around the house.”
“Yes, sir. She’s almost as tough a boss as Mrs. Hawkins. Holds my feet to the fire, but I’m happy to help and make things easier for her… for you too, sir.”
“Mmm hmm.” The older man folded his arms over his chest and nodded. “You’re Samuel’s nephew.”
“Yes, sir.”
“I like Samuel quite a bit. Good, strong, salt of the earth kind of man.”
“They don’t make them better than my uncle.”
“Even before you came to town, your uncle came to me to explain your predicament.”
Ellis had to work to breathe, trying to pull air into his lungs.
“I wrote a letter to the prison.”
Ellis’ eyes widened as he struggled to understand the man’s words. “You sent a letter?”
“I wanted to find out what sort of a man you are, Mr. Cooper.” He let those words settle in. “Not just the crime you went to prison for, but how you acted when you were serving your sentence. Those years count, son.”
“Yes, sir.”
“I heard back from the warden.”
Ellis nodded, waiting to hear the marshal’s opinion.
“He said you worked hard, kept out of trouble, never gave him a worry. You kept that up for years. That’s a man proving himself, taking his punishment.”
Ellis held quiet.
“But I have to tell you, son.” The marshal’s voice lowered, and his countenance turned hard and un-yielding. “If you do anything like that again, I won’t hesitate to lock you up.”
“Yes, sir.” Ellis stammered a second reply. “Uh… no, no, sir. It won’t ever happen again.”
The marshal gestured toward the door. “Thanks for stopping by for a talk.”
He took the most direct path back to the station, crossing over the street that lead out to the Merrick Ranch. From there he continued past his Uncle’s smithy.
That was when he heard something he’d later recognize as trouble knocking on the door of his future.
“Well, hello, old friend!”
Ellis stopped short and after he let out a breath he turned around. “What are you doing here, Calvin?”
“What am I doing here?” He turned to his friend. “Did you hear that, Jed? Our friend wants to know why we’ve come for a visit.”
“I heard, Calvin.”
“We didn’t get to visit much the other day, Ellis. So, we asked the marshal in that town where you were headed. Funny how he just told us where to find you.”
Ellis was tight-lipped and tense.
Jed’s laughter didn’t help matters. “So, imagine our surprise that the first night we come into town, we get a job offer of our own.”
“I heard there were some openings on one of the ranches.”
The two shared a look and then turned back to Ellis. “Ranch?” Jed scoffed. “The last thing I want to do is work like a dog for someone else. We’ve got something else planned and we figure, since you’re already here and know the lay of the land, you’re going to help us.”
“I already have a job.”
Calvin smacked his friend on the arm. “That’s sweet, he thinks we’re giving him an option.”
“This ain’t about what you want, Ellis.” Jed shook his head with a wolfish grin. “You owe us.”
“How?” Ellis backed away from the two of them, fixing a glare between both men. “You left me behind to take the blame for a crime I didn’t even know was going to happen. I spent almost three years in jail and I would have spent more, but-”
“Let me guess,” Jed chuckled. “You were a good boy and they set you free.”
“I’m no criminal. Stupid as all get-out, but not a criminal.”
Calvin took a swig of whisky. “So, you think we did you wrong before? Well here’s your chance to make some quick money off of us.”
Jed’s look said he wasn’t exactly sure about reading Ellis into the plan, but when Calvin didn’t change his mind, Jed went ahead detailing the plans. “This guy offered us a bunch of money to cause some trouble.”
“And you know we’re good at trouble.” Jed clapped a hand on Ellis’ shoulder.
Ellis pressed his lips tightly together and struggled to keep his face from showing how much these men got under his skin.
“He wants us to track down a couple of those riders for the Express. We wait for them to get out on the trail, somewhere they won’t have any help and then take a few of the pouches off their hands.”
His stomach twisted inside him, stealing his breath.
“He said that it costs a pretty penny to send a letter through the Express, so there’s likely to be something valuable in those pockets on those mochillas.”
“They’re just letters.” Ellis slammed his lips together as Calvin turned in his direction.
“Not according to our man. He said there’s plenty of cash in those locked pockets. Once we grab ‘em, we get to keep whatever we find-”
“And,” Jed held out the bottle to Ellis, “the money he pays us!”
“I won’t help you.”
The two men stopped laughing, turning to look at each other first before they looked back at Ellis, staring at him in disbelief.
“This is cold hard cash, Ellis.” Jed’s wide-eyed stare was red rimmed. “You got something better? Something you ain’t sharin’ with us?”
Calvin’s look was cutting. “That’s not how you treat old friends, Ellis.”
“I don’t recall either of you being my friends. You dragged me into this mess when you robbed that stagecoach. You took their cashbox and one of the passengers got a good look.
“When they went looking for you two, someone remembered that I was with you at the saloon and around town.”
“You just said they knew it was just two of us that held up the coach.” Calvin sounded like he’d already brushed off the past. “You should have been home free.”
“They could only identify one of you and the prosecutor told the jury it could have been three doing the robbery and because everyone saw me with you two, I was guilty no matter what.”
“What do you want us to do about it now? You didn’t leave town, even when you knew we’d skipped out. You can’t blame us for you bein’ stupid and slow.”
“I blame you both because you didn’t warn me. You didn’t try to tell me what was going on. You left me to hang if the folks had been in a mind to.”
“Again, what do you want us to do about it now?” Jed took another deep swallow. “We’re trying to make it up to you. Let go of the past and make a bunch of money with us now.”
“I can’t,” Ellis wasn’t even tempted to help them out, but he also wanted something else. “And you can’t either.” Licking his lips to ease the tight pull of his dry skin, Ellis prepared himself for the inevitable burst of anger. “Because I work for the Pony Express. I ride circuit for them a couple times a week. I won’t help you rob them.”
“You won’t?” Jed took a half-step forward and Calvin grabbed his arm.
“We’ve been fairly nice until this point, boy.”
Ellis glowered at them, he was no more than a year younger than either of the two men.
Jed shot back in. “We already knew what you’ve been doing with your time. The man who hired us knew who you were.” Jed elbowed Calvin. “Seems like the whole town knows where you spent the last three years of your miserable life. It won’t be a surprise when you ride away from this a rich man.”
Rich? Ellis doubted that. “If I helped you, they’d track us down and drag us all back before the judge.”
“They have one lawman,” Jed snorted a laugh through his nose.
Calvin nodded. “I could drop him in a heartbeat. He’s old enough to hang up his spurs.”
“You better not,” Ellis gave him a hard look. “You leave Marshal Halston alone.”
“Whoa,” Calvin leaned back and gave Ellis a suspicious look, “what’s that about?�
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“He’s a good decent man. You leave them alone!”
“Them?” Jed wasn’t normally the smarter one, but apparently, he had better ears. “Thought there was only one lawman.”
Ellis kept his lips pressed tightly together as Calvin turned on him again.
“We were told there was one lawman.”
Jed wasn’t so sure. “Maybe he lied to us, Cal.”
“No, no.” Calvin didn’t like to feel out of the loop, funny how he didn’t care if he did it to others. “He knows if he stabs me in the back, I’ll just come back and hurt him. So, he wasn’t lying.”
“Hey!” A voice called to them from down the street.
Ellis’ shoulders dropped, and a knot twisted in his gut. “You guys should go.”
“That ain’t the marshal,” Jed spat the words and then backtracked, “is it?”
“No,” Ellis answered him, “but that’s Ransom McCain. He knows everyone around here. He’ll remember you and then-”
“Then we’re in trouble with our man. Fine.” Calvin gave Ellis a dark look. “You’re going to help us, Ellis. The only problem you have is figuring when to stop pretending you’re better than us. You help us, you make money. You don’t, and we don’t need you?” Cal nudged Jed. “Then we don’t need you to stick around and tell folks what we’re up to. I’d hate to take out my frustrations on an old friend, Ellis, but I’m not above it. So, hurry up and make the decision, hmm? There’s not much time left.”
The two dissolved into the darkness before Ransom managed to catch up to him. “Who were those men?”
Ellis felt his stomach twist in his middle. If he told him the truth, Ransom would never trust him again. Cal and Jed were talking to him for more than a few seconds. If he knew that the two were in town and they knew him before… before he came to Three Rivers, how was anyone going to trust him when he said he was making a new life for himself.
But if he didn’t tell Ransom who they were, how would he look himself in a mirror?
And then he felt the fear gnawing at him. Fear twisting him up inside. He wanted his past to be just that. And he’d already told Cal and Jed that he wasn’t going to work for them… with them. So wasn’t it true that, “They’re no one to me.”
