by Linda Ford
Shane shook his head in the negative. “I might make another run.”
Everything in the house was in order. Edith didn’t appear worried about Tessa’s errand into town, and the children were distracted with a new set of animals the boys had carved. Restless, Shane crossed the threshold into Tessa’s room.
As he turned to leave, Tessa’s ledger caught his attention. She’d brought it out the previous evening when she’d told him about Spencer, but she’d never explained why. He hadn’t realized the oversight until now.
He flipped open the cover and paused. This was personal. He shouldn’t be looking. As he closed the book, the columns of neatly written lists caught his attention. This wasn’t a diary; this was a list. A quick skimming revealed the truth of Tessa’s ledger. An item caught his attention and he ran his finger beneath the entry on the left across to the entry on the right.
Distracted shop owner while Emmett stole a hat.
In the opposite column she had written, Returned lost toddler to his father.
He recalled her coin trick with the children and the way she’d easily overcome the lock at the hotel. Clearly she was atoning for past transgressions.
He flipped to the end of the entries and read the last line.
Married Shane McCoy.
The words blurred and he pinched his eyes with a thumb and forefinger.
He set down the book and left the bedroom. That was what he got for looking.
Edith frowned as he crossed the room. “Is something wrong? You look like you got bad news.”
“It’s nothing. When Tessa gets back, tell her I’ll be busy for the rest of the evening. Someone’s been cutting fence and we’ve got miles of barbed wire to search.”
Edith harrumphed. “Cattle rustlers. It’s bad enough they gotta take the cattle, but they leave work behind as well.”
The children, accustomed to his comings and goings, didn’t raise a fuss when he left.
Tessa had married him because he was a charity. He was nothing more than a chance at atonement. At least he finally understood why she’d married a lonely widower with two children. What a sacrifice she’d made.
What had she said all those weeks ago? I’ve lived everywhere. I just want to live somewhere.
He glanced up and realized he was standing in the barn. He sat on a bale of hay and clutched his head in his hands. What was the difference? He’d known she wasn’t marrying him out of love or affection.
He liked feeling as though he’d offered safety and shelter. He didn’t like thinking she only felt sorry for him. The poor, lonely widower with two children. Compensation for a lifetime of stolen hats and picked locks.
Was he any better? He’d set out as the benevolent protector. He recalled their time together, how she’d kissed him with sweet tenderness. Did she feel anything between them?
Parker came around the corner and paused. “Everything all right, boss?”
“Just thinking.”
“About what?”
“Tessa.”
Parker chuckled. “I have to admit, the boys and I were a mite worried when you brought home a wife. Never can tell how things are going to turn out, you know? But she’s a real find. Things are different around here. In a good way. She’s brought new life to the place. I’ve never seen the little ones so happy.”
Shane steadied his hands on his knees. What did it matter why they’d come together? Parker was right. She loved those children. They were the whole reason they’d met, the whole reason the two of them were together. Charity or not, they were married. He wasn’t giving up on his marriage.
As Tessa’s husband, he was going to have a man-to-man with Emmett. Until Tessa’s father cleared things with the Fultons, he was endangering Tessa. As her husband, Shane was putting a stop to that. Emmett was always welcome, he was her father, but not until he’d cleared up his own troubles.
If Tessa’s father wasn’t going to look out for her, then Shane would take on the task. He pushed off into a stand. “I’m going into town.”
He’d have the talk now, with Tessa present. That way she’d understand. Then he’d ask her back home. On the return trip, he’d clear up a few things about her riding off without an escort.
The moment Shane reached town, his cousin JoBeth dashed out of the marshal’s office and caught the bridle of Shane’s horse.
“You’d best come inside,” she said. “The marshal needs to see you.”
Shane had known something wasn’t right. He should have never left Tessa alone. He glanced down and realized his hands were trembling.
Chapter Eighteen
Tessa stepped into the small parlor where’d she’d spoken with Emmett before. No fire had been lit and the two chairs had been turned toward the entrance. Dead Eye Dan sat in one; Emmett occupied the other.
He caught sight of her and shot out of his chair as though he’d been sprung from a cannon. “Tessa!”
“I got your note,” she said easily.
“Then why?” The anguish in his voice gave her pause. “You knew what I meant. Why do this?”
“For you.” She steeled her resolve. “It’s time this is finished. Everyone else has profited. Why not us?”
Dead Eye chortled. “Your daughter here is the smart one of the two, isn’t she?”
Emmett hung his head. “She’s here now, Dan. I’ve made some mistakes in my life, but you’re about the worst. We might as well get this over with. Why don’t you tell me what you want?”
Dead Eye smacked his lips together. “We’re going to rob the bank in town.”
“I told you already,” Emmett said with a sigh. “The lock on the safe in town is too sophisticated for me.”
“I know.” Dead Eye rubbed his hands on his pant legs. “Don’t worry. I took care of that clerk who messed up the job in Abilene.” At Emmett’s look of surprise, his grin widened. “You think I didn’t know? That fellow was two-timing me with my best sporting girl. She decided they’d rob the bank and pin it on us. Didn’t take me long to track her down. Went after that clerk next. Things are all wrapped up on that account—don’t you worry.”
Emmett shook his head. “Then why come after me? Why come after Tessa?”
“You got it all wrong, fellow. I was never after you. It was always about this little lady here.”
Tessa gasped. “Me?”
“Everybody thought Emmett was the lock man. He’s good, but you’re the real prize, aren’t you? Once I got double-crossed, I figured out the flaw in my plan. Too many folks knew ahead of time. I know all about your little talent. Emmett wasn’t good for nothing but two-bit gambling after you were gone. Didn’t take much to figure out who really had the talent in the family. You’re getting us into that bank tonight. Then you’re going to open that safe.”
Nearly five years before Emmett had befriended a locksmith. Tessa had discovered she had a knack for locks, and she and the locksmith had made a sport out of challenging safe locks. She didn’t know if she still had the touch or if the locking mechanisms had changed since that time.
“Tessa.” Emmett lifted his pleading gaze. “You’ve got talent. I know you can do this.”
“Yeah,” Dead Eye agreed. “You can do this. Because if you don’t, I’m gonna kill you.”
“What happens after?” she demanded.
As though she had to ask. She’d go the way of the bank teller and the saloon girl.
“You’ll get your cut. Do whatever you want after that. I’m not too worried about you turning us in, am I? Because if I go to jail, so do you. No one is going to believe that Emmett Spencer’s daughter didn’t go along willingly.”
“You’re just going to let us walk away?” Emmett gave a slight shake of his head. “That’ll be the day.”
Dan pressed a hand against his chest and assumed an expression of mock outrage. “I’m hurt. After all we’ve been through together, and you don’t trust me. That cuts me to the quick.”
Emmett snorted. “What’s your plan?”<
br />
“It’s real simple. The marshal is away, which leaves the deputy. It gets better. The deputy lives on the outskirts of town and has a whole passel of children. We could ride up and down Main Street and fire our weapons and he probably wouldn’t notice. Which means the bank is ripe for the picking. This whole town is filled with idiots. We wait until after dark. Tessa here will get us inside and open the safe. After that, we split the money and go our separate ways. Nothing to it. No double crosses. Just the money.”
Tessa scrambled for a stall. “I need equipment.”
“What do you need?”
“A stethoscope.”
Dan snapped his fingers and another man stepped from behind the curtain leading to the back rooms.
“I saw a sign for a doc in town,” Dan said. “Why don’t you pay him a visit? Real quiet like. We’ll be needing his stethoscope.”
The man turned and left without offering a reply.
“What else?” Dead Eye demanded.
“I’ll need darker clothing. Even if the deputy isn’t on duty, someone might see me. I’ll pick up something at the mercantile.”
“You think I’m an idiot? I’m not letting you out of my sight.”
Tessa shrugged. It was worth a try.
“You can come along.” She tossed her head. “You don’t have to worry about me. I’m ready to get out of this stupid town. Robbing a bank suits me just fine. Right, Emmett?”
Emmett looked between the two and nodded. “Uh, sure. Right. We’re up for the job. It’s been ages since I ran a good con.” He sat up straighter and caught her gaze. “Feels good to have the team back together again.”
His smile didn’t quite reach his eyes. There was a difference about him. A difference she understood all too well. For the first time in his life, Emmett found himself in a situation he couldn’t talk himself out of. Dead Eye wasn’t going to be satisfied with glib answers and false promises.
If they were going to outwit the outlaw, Emmett couldn’t skate out of making the hard choices. While she’d miss his playful innocence, they all had to grow up sometime.
Dead Eye considered her with a slow nod. “Good.”
Tessa exchanged a quick look with Emmett. “It’s hours until midnight. As you said before, everyone in this town is stupid. I say we enjoy ourselves. Eat a good meal. Visit the mercantile. Have a little fun before we rob them blind.”
She sure hoped her acting skills had improved since Shane had called her out in Wichita.
Shane. Her whole chest ached. He’d hate her once he discovered what she’d done.
How long did she have until he discovered she was missing and sent up the alarm? What happened then? As long as the Fultons believed they were safe, she and Emmett had a chance of escaping. They were dead after they robbed the bank. Dead Eye was only toying with them. Once he had what he wanted, she and Emmett were liabilities.
She’d taken a risk when she’d left. She’d known there might not be any way out. She’d taken the chance at death for a chance at a future. Tessa thought of Shane, then pictured Owen and Alyce, and blinked her eyes rapidly. After tonight, either she’d be dead or she’d be a wanted bank robber. Either way, she’d never see them again.
There was no way to get word to Shane without exposing her plan.
As long as Dead Eye and his gang thought they were merely hiding out in the town, everyone else was safe. No matter what happened, it had to stay that way. She’d take her chances with the gang if it meant keeping Shane and the children safe.
She loved Emmett but he’d known what might happen. The rest of the townspeople were unwilling participants, and she owed them their safety.
She’d take her chances for her family. They were her life. They were worth dying for.
*
Shane paced the marshal’s office. “What do you mean relax? That outlaw has my wife. Why didn’t David pick him up right off?”
“I’m sorry, Shane.” Garrett shoved his forearm into Shane’s chest. “It was my call. I wanted the whole gang. Once Dead Eye settled into the hotel, I knew the others weren’t far behind. We have the element of surprise. As long as they think no one is watching them, they’ll stay relaxed.”
“Then pick them up now.”
“If we go in with our guns drawn, who knows what will happen. We’re still missing one. If I pick up three out of four, we’re asking for trouble. The last one will come back for the others.”
Shane punched his palm with his opposite fist. “So you’re just going to sit here and do nothing?”
“No. I’ve got half the town watching out for them. We have to wait until the right moment. We’ve got bad guys and civilians having dinner together in the hotel. Your wife is right in the middle of that hornet’s nest. This isn’t the best time to stir things up. We need to separate the Fultons before we make our move.”
“I’ll stir things up.”
Why had he decided to ignore his instincts this time? He’d known Tessa’s father was trouble no matter how many times she’d claimed he was harmless.
“Listen, those boys think we’re idiots. They’re holed up in that hotel as big as you please. They’re not even trying to hide. They think we’re all a bunch of yokels. As long as we let them believe no one is watching, they’ll keep their guard down. That’s how we want them. Relaxed.”
A door slammed and David burst into the office from the back. “I waited like you said and I heard everything.”
The marshal grinned and slapped Shane on the back. “Just what I was waiting for. It’s good having a deputy who grew up in town. He knows all the hiding places.”
David brushed a coating of dust from his hair. “There’s a grate over the parlor that vents into the room above. My brothers and I used to eavesdrop on the adults when we were supposed to be in bed. Mr. Edwards moved a dresser over the spot when he bought the hotel. Didn’t take much to move it out of the way again. Mrs. Edwards has been watching their every move. She picked up a few things as well. She says they’re a bunch of slobs with bad table manners.”
“I don’t exactly care if they used the right fork,” the marshal urged. “What did you hear?”
The deputy relayed the plan and the marshal’s expression turned grim. “What do you think, Shane?”
“If she robs the safe, there’s a good chance they’ll send her into the bank alone. We can rescue her then.”
“They wanted her all along. I did some asking around. Your wife has quite the reputation as a locksmith. How well do you know her? Can she manage?”
“She’ll keep her cool. She’s smart. She’s got courage.” Shane recalled her trick with the coin and the way she’d picked the lock at the hotel. “It’s Tessa they wanted. Emmett was the trap. It was always Tessa.”
How long had she known they were coming for her? Why hadn’t she trusted him?
“Then let’s put our own person in the bank. We’ll catch them in the act.”
David nodded. “Sounds like a plan.”
They all had it tied up in a bow, but Shane wasn’t playing. “I don’t like it. There are too many unknowns. What if they don’t send her in alone? They won’t let her leave alone, that’s for certain. They’ll have a plan to get rid of both her and Emmett.”
“I’ll keep an eye on her,” David said. “Mrs. Edwards has the whole staff on duty. They can’t sneeze without someone taking note. Those boys think they’re invisible. They don’t see us as a threat. That gives us the advantage. They’re not going to do anything to risk their plan for tonight.”
“On one condition.” The only person he trusted to keep an eye on Tessa was himself. “Let’s get word to her.”
“She may not want your help. There’s a chance she’s right where she wants to be. You know what David heard.”
“Not a chance.”
“I had to ask. You know her best.”
He did know her. There wasn’t any doubt in his mind. She was doing her best to keep them all safe. Emmett’s arrival had fo
rced her into a Solomon Judgment. Since she couldn’t save everyone, she was going to sacrifice herself.
He wasn’t going to let her make that sacrifice. “I have an idea.”
The marshal reached for his gun belt. “Don’t get me wrong—I need your help. Just remember, the last time we had a showdown in town, my wife shot me. Here’s hoping things go better for you.”
“I’ll take the risk.”
“I had a feeling you’d say that. Now let’s hear this plan of yours. Just keep in mind my wife’s family will never forgive me if something happens to either one of you.”
The three men made a plan and split up. The marshal was tasked with setting up his part at the bank, David returned to the hotel and resumed his position, and Shane made his way to the mercantile. According to David, Tessa had made arrangements with the outlaws to buy some darker clothing for the evening’s escapades.
Not knowing how long he’d have to wait before her arrival, Shane approached the counter and studied the display beneath the glass. Never one to pass up an opportunity for a sale, Mrs. Stuart sauntered over and followed his gaze.
“Hello, Mr. McCoy. What brings you in today? A little something for the missus?”
“Just looking.” A glint of silver nestled in a black velvet pillow snagged his attention. “I’ll come back later.”
She caught the direction of his gaze and lifted a key from the dangling ring at her waist and unlocked the case, then slid out the velvet-lined box. “We’ve a fine selection of wedding rings, but you put the cart before the horse again this time, didn’t you?”
She flashed a sly wink.
She’d always been his biggest critic. Then again, she was everyone’s critic. At least he was in good company.
The overhead bell indicated the arrival of a customer. Shane glanced around and caught sight of Tessa’s pale face, the outlaw clutching her elbow. His good intentions fled and he took an involuntary step toward her. He halted when he caught a flash of the gun barrel strapped against the outlaw’s thigh.
This wasn’t the time for playing the hero. Not yet, anyway.
