Irritated at the sheriff’s veiled threat and lack of confidence made Del’s blood rise, but he controlled himself and merely nodded. “I’ve paid my dues. I’m a free man and intend to be a good citizen. I’ve done everything Bridgette suggested.”
Levi folded his arms. “I didn’t mean anything by it. I’m sure you’ll do just fine.”
“Somehow, I feel like you’ll be watching.”
With a grin, Levi nodded. “I’m always watching my town, but I’ll guarantee you this, I won’t watch you more than anyone else. In fact, I hope you do great. Your success will mean a lot to the men who are still coming out of the badlands for a new chance at life.”
Feeling pressure to live up to his responsibilities for those men, Del forced a grin. “I’ll handle it. I’ve thought of little else for a year.”
Levi looked down at his desk and shuffled some papers. “Your brother, he’ll come later?”
Again, Del was irritated. He wasn’t his brother’s keeper and hated the idea that he might be judged because of Jay’s behavior. “Jay let his temper get the best of him. I warned him, but he didn’t listen.”
The sheriff walked to the door and took his hat off the peg. “Bridgette said I was to walk you to the bank and help you get your share of the bounty. You ready to go?”
“Yes, sir. I’ve thought about nothing else for a year. I feel like I’ve been born again.”
Levi grinned. “Preacher Bret will be happy to hear that.”
“I guess so.” Del walked with Levi toward the bank. “I heard the bank was robbed.”
Levi stopped for a wagon and let it pass. “It was. Ronan and his wife, Pearl, brought the money back and aided in the capture of the outlaws.”
“Ronan Murphy? Funny, I thought he was headed down the wrong trail.”
“I would have to say that finding the right woman helped settle him down.” Levi raised a hand to Mr. Satchel as the man came out of the bank.
The banker stopped and walked back to them. “Levi, did you need me?”
“Mr. Satchel, Del Selmer is here for his money. Bridgette said you could give him the correct paperwork.”
“Why, yes.” Satchel shook Del’s hand. “So glad to have you back in town.” He opened the door and waited for Del to enter.
Levi nodded. “If you need anything, Del, my door is always open.”
Del grinned. “As long as it’s not a cell door.”
Levi chuckled and left him with the banker.
Mr. Satchel gestured toward a desk. “Bridgette said you’d be coming by, but I thought it would be next week.”
“I was released from prison a week early for good behavior.”
“Glad to hear that.” The banker rummaged in his desk and pulled out a booklet. He stood next to Del and opened the book and showed him the figures. “This is how much you have in the bank. You can withdraw as little or as much as you need.”
“So, your bank is safe against robberies?”
Mr. Satchel frowned. “I guess you heard we were robbed. We take every precaution. Ronan is Levi’s deputy now, so the law has more of a presence. I am confident that the bank is as safe as it can be.”
“I believe you. I need some money to pay for a room in the boardinghouse and food. So maybe ten dollars.” Del didn’t want to carry too much. He certainly didn’t want to be tempted to go to the saloon. The warden had warned him to steer clear of temptations for the first few months as that was when most of his prisoners made mistakes that landed them back in prison.
“Do you know when Bridgette might be in town?”
Mr. Satchel smiled. “Sterling frowns on her ventures into town, but you could go to the courthouse and ask him. Sometimes, he brings her with him, and she stays in town until it’s time to pick up the boys and take them home from school.”
“Thanks. I’ll do that.” Del took the book from the banker, and along with the money, put them in his pocket. The banker walked him out the door and wished him a good day. Del had to wonder at the difference of how he was being treated all because he had a little money and was a friend of Bridgette’s.
Still, as he walked through the town, he couldn’t get over the feeling that people were watching him. Crazy idea, most wouldn’t have a clue who he was. Yet, the idea remained, making him somewhat uncomfortable. Like the old days when others had a reason to watch him.
He could feel the old feelings start to come back, and his confidence faded. “I’m a new man. I paid my dues.” The words had become his way to keep his confidence. The warden had told him it would be a fight for a while, but to hold fast to the notion that he’d paid his way back into society.
Del smiled at a couple as they laughed and went into the café. A warm feeling covered his heart. Soon, that could be him. To have a woman to care for and one that cared for him was a dream he’d long ago given up on until Bridgette’s letter.
He hoped the woman Bridgette had picked out for him would be forgiving and not bring up his past. Del intended to keep his past life buried back in Cheyenne at the prison.
He stood in front of the courthouse. This was it. His chance at life. Shrugging off the last stain of his past, Del opened the door as a free man. He’d paid his debts and had worked hard to learn his woodworking skills and was proud of them.
He pulled the heavy door open and stepped inside. Judge Taggart was in his office in the back, and Sterling Merritt was in the mayor’s office at the front of the building.
Sterling saw him and grinned. “Mr. Selmer, come on in.” He turned to the office. “Bridgette, your partner is here.”
Partner? Del wondered what Sterling could be thinking. He’d not signed anything to go into partnership with Bridgette. Yet, seeing how Bridgette was making money off his bounty, and the matchmaking enterprise plus as his lawyer, this would have to be something he looked into. The woman was sly as a fox.
Bridgette came from the office and smiled. “Del, what a surprise.”
“Partner?” Del instantly felt regret at the harshness in his voice. Yet, he’d not worked so hard to sell his life to another. He’d worked hard in prison for the warden and received little.
She shook her head. “My husband. I tell him and tell him, but he doesn’t understand. We’ll sign the papers as soon as you’re settled.”
“Papers? I was under the assumption that I had a carpentry business to take over.” He was feeling unbalanced. Bridgette could talk the north wind out of blowing if she had a mind to, and he knew that he wasn’t any match for her.
She glanced at her husband and then back. “Don’t worry. I had to sign the lease on the building. As soon as you’re ready, I’ll sign it over to you. The business is entirely yours and entirely your responsibility. Once we sign the papers, I am completely out of the carpentry business.”
Del relaxed. The warden had told him that when he returned to society, one of the things he’d have to work on was trusting others. If Del expected to be trusted, then he would have to reciprocate and trust others, too.
“I’m sorry, Mrs. Merritt. I shouldn’t have been so quick to worry.”
She smiled. “Call me, Bridgette. Preacher Bret told me that I need to be patient with my guys coming back from prison. I should have reworded things and told Sterling to be careful with his words.”
Sterling shook Del’s hand. “Sorry, Mr. Selmer. I didn’t mean anything by it, but you have to understand, I am woefully behind in my wife’s dealings and can seldom keep up with her.”
They all laughed.
Del nodded. “You can call me, Del. I can’t wait to get started.”
Bridgette grabbed some papers and gestured for him to sit down. “There’s no time like the present. Would you like to sign the papers now?”
Del nodded and sat in front of the desk. “Should I stay in the boarding house tonight?”
Bridgette signed a paper and then passed it and the pen to him. “Yes, you can stay in the building I picked out for you, but it needs work. You have enoug
h funds to have a little time to catch your breath.”
He signed where she’d marked. “Thanks.”
“Oh, by the way, the woman I picked out for you is on her way to Shirleyville. I’ll want to see and interview her to make sure she’ll be a good match, and then I’ll introduce her to you. I’m really excited about the possibilities.”
“Thank you, Bridgette. I want to enjoy everything that decent citizens do and be a productive part of society and the town.” He hesitated. “Do you think the people of Shirleyville will accept me?”
She nodded. “I believe so. After all, our preacher spent five years in prison before coming here, and he constantly preaches about redemption and second chances.”
“Glad to hear that. I confess I’ve been a little nervous about it.” Del handed the paper back to her.
Sterling put a hand on his shoulder. “As mayor of this town, I will make sure you’re accepted. As a start, I have five people who are in need of various amounts of carpentry work. When you’re ready, I’ll give you the names.”
“Thanks,” Del took the keys to his building and left them. Pausing at the courthouse door, he thought how once he passed through, he would be walking into his new life.
Chapter 3
Jericho walked to the hotel and secured a room. The clerk eyed her with sneering judgment. She didn’t dare take her hat off, but apparently, her clothes were enough of a give away to her past.
She took the key he tossed her way and carried her bag up the stairs. That does it, tomorrow she’d go to the dress shop she’d passed on her way to the hotel. She’d taken notice of how the women of Shirleyville dressed and would buy clothes so that she’d fit in with the other women.
She desperately wanted to be accepted. Although she had to admit, she felt as if she were playing charades to hide who she truly was. Yet, her letter had won over Mrs. Merritt and earned Jericho a chance at marriage with Bridgette’s Bridal Registry.
Tomorrow, she’d buy a new outfit and then meet Bridgette. Juggling her bag and satchel, Jericho put the key in the door and opened it. This was the hotel Bridgette had recommended and paid for.
Jericho gasped. She’d never been in such a beautiful room. Even before her mother passed, their house had been nice, but nothing compared to this. The room had a large-sized bed to one side complete with a quilt decorated in red roses.
A settee and a small table on the side of the room with a basket with a few apples, a bottle of wine, and cheese. Then Jericho noticed a note attached to the basket.
Curious, she took it and read.
Welcome to Shirleyville, Miss Winters.
I hope you enjoy this room and stay as long as you like, my treat. As soon as you are rested, you can find me at the courthouse. My husband, Sterling Merritt, is the mayor, and if I am home, he will see to hiring a driver and carriage to take you to our house.
Once I have had a chance to interview you, I will then introduce you to the man I believe will be a good match. He will be here next week. I hope you both will be most happy.
Sincerely in the Hope of Christ,
Bridgette Merritt
A shudder went through Jericho. It had been a long time since she’d read the Bible. Fortunately, she had brought her mother’s Bible with her. It was the one thing she had to remind her of Mother.
Jericho opened the satchel and took out her clothes, none of which were appropriate to wear in the town or while visiting with Bridgette. Fortunately, the advance the matchmaker had sent her would come in handy.
Her hand rested on her mother’s Bible. Old and worn, she pulled the heavy book out and set it on the table. She would have to begin reading it and catch up on being good. Mother had set such store in the words.
Father had believed in the Bible at first, but it hadn’t taken long, and the bottles of whiskey took precedence. Jericho couldn’t remember the last time she’d been in church. Maybe because of the accusing looks she received from the good people who went into the hallowed, white building.
One thing Jericho knew, she was not welcome through those doors. Or anywhere near the decent people. She was a soiled dove. A stain on society as the temperance women had said as they cut off her hair.
She let the Bible fall on the table and turned her back on it. The clerk had said the diner was to the left of his desk and had excellent food. A rumbling in her stomach told her she should go down now and eat. She would just have to suffer the looks of disgust.
Jericho prayed that the man she was to meet was a forgiving man. To her best ability, she would put away the past and try and live as the good people did. She wanted more than anything to make her future husband proud of her.
She tugged on her short hair. At the moment, that seemed like an impossible task. Her one great quality had been her hair. It was gone. What had once been her beautiful adornment, was now testimony to her wretchedness.
Jericho glanced at the mirror above the dresser. “Well, no sense in dragging myself in the gloomy dooms.” She laughed. “I am Jericho Winters and on my way to a new life. I will not let anyone drag me down. Not now, not ever, and certainly not myself.”
She pointed at her image. “Remember that. The walls of Jericho may have fallen, but I am rising.”
With a flair of confidence, she took her reticule and key and left her room. She would not hide. Soon, Shirleyville would know that Jericho Winters had come to town. If nothing else, Jericho had learned about making a scene when she entered a room.
After dinner, she would read the Bible and learn some useful phrases and words to impress Mrs. Merritt. That the woman was the mayor’s wife warned Jericho that overfamiliarity may be unwise. Jericho would have to treat her with respect.
She started out the door when she remembered her mother telling her that she must learn to walk humbly with God. Jericho paused. Mother had been liked by all and had been talked about as if she had been an angel.
Jericho nodded. “All right, Mother. I’ll try and walk humbly.” So much for making a scene and daring others to look down on her. So, she’d take the insults and not react. Perhaps that would impress Mrs. Merritt.
It was a good thing her man wasn’t in town yet. At least she had a chance to change her image and learn some good Bible talk. She put on her hat and walked down the stairs, aware that the eyes of every man in the place followed her.
Once, her father had remarked that she was blessed with what men wanted to see. He then shook his head and warned that it could also be a curse. He told her to watch herself, or her life would turn out worse than his. That was two days before he was shot to death.
Shoving the past to the side, Jericho ignored the attention and walked to the diner, taking a table in the shadows near the back. Jericho lamented the fact that she hadn’t stopped to buy clothes before now, but she was hungry.
The waiter didn’t seem to care and took her order. Soon she was too busy enjoying her meal to care what others thought. The food was excellent and plentiful. Something she hadn’t known since before her mother died.
Life had been a constant scramble, and she was tired. The idea of having someone to share life’s joys and struggles with filled her with excitement. She sipped her tea and wondered what he would be like.
Bridgette hadn’t told her much about him but assured her it would be a good match and that he needed a good woman. She was determined to give him that. The only thing she questioned was if her past would make that possible.
She’d not been candid with Bridgette, but Jericho believed she could recapture the woman she was supposed to be. The one her mother loved. Mother would not have let Jericho go down the path she had, but she had died and taken Jericho’s future with her.
Finished, Jericho left the diner and ran into the man who’d helped catch her hat at the train.
He gave her a slight bow. “Was the food good?”
“Excellent. Enjoy your meal.” He was the closest thing she had to a friend in town and regretted that he hadn’t come by so
oner to share a table with her. Then again, she didn’t want to do anything that might hinder her prospects with the man that Bridgette had picked for her.
He stood in front of her. “Del Selmer. I look forward to seeing you in town. I’m new here, as I believe you must be. I’m staying at the boarding house for a few days but will soon be moving in above my business.” He smiled waiting for her to answer.
Jericho pointed at the stairs. “I’m at the hotel. Maybe we’ll run into one another for breakfast.”
“I didn’t get your name.”
Something about him seemed pushy as if he were trying too hard. “Miss Winters. Jericho Winters.”
He took her hand gently. “I’m pleased to officially meet you.”
“Good night, Mr. Selmer.” She left him and went to the stairs. She ignored the desire to look back but could feel his eyes on her. He was impressed with her, and he even knew she had short hair.
That he may not understand why it was short hit her, but for now, she’d pretend it was acceptable and take satisfaction that at least one person liked her.
In her hotel room, she looked out her window at the valley and the mountains in the distance. It was a beautiful scene full of peace and serenity. She sighed and hoped it would share some of that peace with her.
Bridgette knelt by the window. “God, if you haven’t totally crossed me off your list, help me be a good woman for the man who is to be my husband. Amen.” It wasn’t much of a prayer, but it was from her heart.
***
Del awoke to the smell of Cindy’s breakfast enticing him to the dining room, but what he enjoyed the most was the absence of the rude clang of iron on cell bars to awaken him. He was a free man. It was going to take some time to let that freedom sink in.
He dressed and was going to the dining room when he remembered his meeting with Jericho Winters. Despite her odd name and short hair, he enjoyed talking to her. She hadn’t looked down on him.
Not that anyone else in town had, but he’d found talking with her had come without effort. Then he thought of Bridgette and how she had some woman coming for him. It was still his choice though. If he liked Jericho better, then he could choose her.
Jericho (Bridgette's Bridal Registry Book 1) Page 2
