Cowboy Homecoming

by Louise M. Gouge

  “He got a good look at you, Purvis, so when I showed him this—” he retrieved the wanted poster from his jacket’s inside pocket and unfolded it “—he said you’re the man.”

  “Oh, no. Not again.” Purvis put his face in his hands and said a curse word. He looked up at Tolley and lifted his hands in a gesture of appeal. “You know I’ve got a twin brother, don’t you? He’s caused me trouble since we was tadpoles. If that man saw this face, it was Jed’s, not mine.”

  Schooling his features into a bland expression, Tolley continued to study Purvis. He hadn’t considered the possibility the other brother had beaten Bob Starling. Then again, maybe brotherly love went only so far when it came to being hanged. Jud might gladly give up Jed to save his own neck. Tolley didn’t know how far he’d be willing to go for his own brothers, but he’d never once in his life tried to shift the blame for his mischief onto either Nate or Rand.

  “So what did Jed steal from this man?” Purvis sounded concerned. “Money? Gold? A woman?”

  Bile rose up in Tolley’s throat over Purvis’s attempt to rile him. He’d keep his answer short and true. “Railroad payroll. Over three years ago down near Antonito.”

  “Nope.” Purvis clicked his tongue and shook his head. “Couldn’t be me. I never stole no train payroll. Besides, three years ago, I was in prison in Kansas. You can check the facts, and you’ll find I ain’t lyin’.”

  “I will.” Tolley couldn’t bear to breathe the same air as Purvis, but on the slim possibility the outlaw had told the truth, he had the obligation to prove it. He stood and headed toward the door.

  “Wait.” Purvis’s voice sounded plaintive, and he reached a hand through the bars in supplication. “Can’t you get me out of here until the trial? I’m going crazy in here with nothing to do.”

  Tolley pointed to the unopened Bible on his shelf. “There’s the Good Book. Read it. It’ll do you some good.” As he opened the door and left the cell area, Purvis’s muttered curses followed him.

  * * *

  Laurie needed Tolley’s help too much to continue her campaign to distance herself from him. She had the responsibility of arranging the entertainment for the Independence Day celebration, and she needed him to do some heavy lifting, such as moving the piano from the church’s reception hall to the bandstand in the park.

  Why lie to herself? In truth, she couldn’t bear to see the sadness filling Tolley’s eyes when he thought no one was looking. After promising to be his friend, she’d grown fearful of becoming more. To protect her own interests, her own future, she’d selfishly chosen a ruse more characteristic of one of her Denver society friends than the good people of Esperanza, where she’d grown up. How could she change course? An idea immediately came to mind.

  On Sunday morning before breakfast, she tapped on his bedroom door. When he answered, his surprise was evident in his crooked grin and doubtful expression. Already dressed for church, he stepped into the hallway and closed the door behind him.

  “Morning, Laurie. What can I do for you?”

  How like the new Tolley, eager to help whenever, wherever needed. At his beguiling smile, Laurie’s heart did a familiar little hop, and she almost forgot her own question. Somehow she shook off her flurry of emotions.

  “Mrs. Foster would like to attend church this morning. Since I go over early, do you think you could accompany her?”

  Tolley brightened. “Sure thing. I’ll be happy to.”

  “Thank you.” She patted his arm, feeling the strength beneath his jacket sleeve. “I’ll get her ready right after breakfast.”

  Later, as people began to arrive at church, Laurie sat at the organ playing a quiet hymn to set a worshipful tone for the service. In the corner of her eye, she saw the two of them enter and choose a pew several rows from the front. Mrs. Foster’s beaming smile revealed her delight to be there, especially when other congregants clustered around to welcome her.

  Laurie noticed some of them brushed right past Tolley, ignoring him completely. At least his brothers and sister greeted him. Hurting for him, Laurie deliberately hit a wrong note and succeeded in catching his attention so she could give him a sweet smile. He gave her that crooked smile, clearly confused by her change.

  To confirm her kind intentions, over dinner after church she made faces at him, not caring whether Mrs. Runyan or Mr. Parsley saw her. Mrs. Foster joined them at the table, and she didn’t seem to mind those mischievous silent exchanges. At first, Tolley didn’t seem to know how to react. Finally, he waggled his dark eyebrows and crossed his eyes, and she knew he forgave her and all would be right between them.

  “I must say—” Mrs. Runyan paused between bites “—this roast is quite tender. Mrs. Foster, I am so pleased to see you are back in the kitchen.”

  Mrs. Foster sent Laurie a questioning look. “Why, no, Mrs. Runyan. Our Laurie prepared dinner. Didn’t she do a fine job?”

  Mrs. Runyan stared at each of them for a moment. “The meat could use a bit more seasoning, but I didn’t want to mention it.”

  “The dinner rolls,” Mr. Parsley chimed in, “didn’t rise properly before they were baked.”

  “The dinner rolls—” Tolley leaned toward the smaller man, his dark eyebrows bent in a menacing frown “—are perfect. Laurie, please pass me another one.”

  “I agree,” Mrs. Foster said. “Everything’s perfect, Laurie. You’ve prepared a wonderful dinner.”

  Very little was said for the rest of the meal.

  After the effort of attending church and eating in the dining room, Mrs. Foster wasn’t up to a buggy ride. Laurie helped her upstairs for her afternoon nap, hoping Tolley would ask her out alone. She wanted to discuss next Saturday’s Independence Day celebration with him. When she found him in the parlor rereading last week’s Esperanza Journal for about the tenth time, it seemed likely he’d suggest the ride.

  She sat at the piano and softly played “My Country, ’Tis of Thee,” one of several songs she’d practiced for the celebration. To her frustration, Tolley didn’t say anything, so she’d have to take the initiative.

  “I suppose you remember the Independence Day doings next Saturday,” she said over her shoulder.

  He didn’t answer right away. At last he said, “Uh-huh,” without a hint of enthusiasm for the event he’d always loved to participate in.

  She spun around on the piano stool. “Are you going to enter the horse race? I know you’ve taken Thor out every day, so I’d expect he’s eager to run.”

  “Nope.” Tolley buried his face in the newspaper as though searching for gold.

  “But you always...”

  She let her words trail off. How could she have forgotten? At the celebration two years ago, he’d cheated to win the race, and everyone in town knew it. Some of them still spoke of his dirty tricks. This morning she’d wanted to shout to the people at church, Don’t you see how he’s changed? Now she moved to the settee and plunked herself down beside him.

  “Do you mind helping me with the preparations?”

  He gave her a furtive glance, still pretending to read that old newspaper. “Sure. Whatever you need.”

  “Good. I’ll make a list.” She gently lowered the paper. “Right now what I need is some fresh air. How about taking me for a buggy ride?” If need be, she’d fetch the buggy herself. People of Esperanza should see at least one upstanding citizen of the town would proudly call Tolley her friend.

  He sat back to give her a puzzled look. “Just the two of us?”

  “Sure. Why not? That’s what we planned last Sunday before Mrs. Foster joined us.”

  There went that adorable crooked smile again. There went her heart, skipping up and down. He folded the paper and set it on the coffee table. “I’ll fetch the buggy.”

  His jaunty gait as he left the house pleased Laurie more than she’d expected
.

  * * *

  His heart lighter than it had been in many days, Tolley jogged to the livery stable. Maybe he could ask Laurie if he could court her since she seemed over whatever had bothered her. He found Adam brushing down one of the horses for rent. The young man greeted him with a friendly wave. “Need the buggy today, Tolley?”

  “Yep. I’ll hitch it up.” As he approached the tack hanging on the wall, Thor nickered to him from a back stall.

  “I’ll do it. You visit Thor.” Adam cast an admiring glance at the stallion.

  “You’ve already had your outing, old boy.” Tolley grabbed a carrot from Adam’s basket and fed it to Thor.

  He’d sure like to enter the race on Saturday, but after the last time, that door was closed forever. A shame, too, because Thor deserved to run against the other horses. He eyed Adam.

  “Say, what would you think of riding Thor for me in next Saturday’s race?”

  Adam’s face brightened. “You mean it? Don’t you want to ride him?”

  Tolley thought fast. “Sure do, but I want him to win even more. I’ve grown a few inches and put on more than a few pounds in the past two years. He doesn’t seem to mind it when I ride him, but you’d be the better jockey for the race.” He rubbed Thor between the ears, and the stallion leaned into his hand.

  Adam continued his work of hitching up the buggy horse, but Tolley could see his wide grin. “I’d be proud to ride him for you. We can split the prize if he wins.”

  “Nonsense.” Tolley nudged Adam’s shoulder. “When you two win, you’ll keep the winnings.” A ten-dollar gold piece, if that was still the prize, could help the Starling family.

  “Hello in the stable.” A man’s tenor voice resonated from outside. Bank teller Reuben Brandt stuck his head through the wide doorway. “Adam, do you have a buggy I can rent this afternoon?” Brandt caught sight of Tolley and blanched. “Never mind.” He turned to go.

  “Hold on, Brandt.” Tolley couldn’t let this pass. Why would a man whose job Tolley helped to save back when he, Laurie, Grace and Rand stopped the bank robbery not want to be near him? “You can have the buggy.”

  Brandt stopped, looking doubtful.

  “But, Tolley—” Adam quit tacking up the buggy horse.

  Tolley waved away any objections. “We’ll take a walk instead.” He strode toward Brandt, who stood against the wall as if Tolley had a contagious disease. Tolley turned back to Adam. “We’re all set on what we talked about.”

  “Yessir.” Adam, who couldn’t afford to alienate anyone, gave his attention to Brandt. “Mr. Brandt, it’ll be ready for you in five minutes.”

  “You’re a good boy, Adam.” Brandt cast another disparaging look at Tolley.

  As Tolley strode away, a familiar ache erupted in his chest. Once again he’d received a townsperson’s contempt, and he couldn’t blame anyone but himself. He didn’t mind knowing Adam earned everyone’s affection because of his hard work and honesty. He liked the boy himself. But it was galling to miss out on that same approval, which should be his as a scion of one of the town’s founding families.

  Maybe he shouldn’t take Laurie for an outing after all. He wouldn’t want anyone to think less of her because of him. Yet when he arrived at the boardinghouse and saw her standing on the porch all decked out in her pretty blue dress and matching bonnet, he couldn’t resist.

  “Someone else needed the last buggy.” He hopped up the steps and held out his arm. “If you don’t mind walking, I’ll be proud to escort you.”

  “And I’ll be proud to walk beside you.” She grasped his arm with her gloved hand.

  After Brandt’s rejection, nothing could have repaired his damaged feelings like her sweet, openhearted acceptance. Yes, indeed, this was the day to ask if he could court her.

  Chapter Twelve

  “Oh, Tolley.” Laurie gazed up at him as they stood inside the newly repainted bandstand in the park. His shy, vulnerable expression offset his tall, strong physical presence. Her heart had been doing somersaults since she’d put her hand on his arm on the porch as they began their walk. “I’m truly fond of you. Always was.”

  The hope blossoming in his bright green eyes required her to continue quickly before he misunderstood. “But I’m returning to Denver in the fall. The conservatory has offered me a position teaching piano. I also have students from the most prominent families waiting for me to instruct them. I’ll even give recitals and concerts. It’s something I’ve wanted for years. It’s what I’ve worked so hard to achieve. So you see, it wouldn’t make sense for us to start courting.”

  His postured slumped, and he nodded, looking as though he’d expected her to turn him down. “I understand.”

  “Besides—” she patted his strong forearm, which felt like a steel girder “—we’ve always just been friends, more like sister and brother. Don’t you want to be in love with the girl you court?”

  There went that crooked smile again. “My mother always said she and the Colonel started out as friends when they began courting.”

  “Oh, Tolley.” At least he didn’t pretend to love her romantically, as one Denver beau had done. “I do care for you, but I’ve always wanted to see places outside of the San Luis Valley. It’s a wonderful place to come home to, but there’s a much bigger world out there. Didn’t you ever feel that way when you were in Boston?”

  He shrugged. “Nope. I couldn’t wait to get home. I don’t even care about being a lawyer. It’s what the Colonel wanted...wants.” He coughed as though clearing away strong emotions. “I always wanted to work on the ranch.”

  “Well.” She sighed long and deep. “You can see we’re at cross purposes. If we married, friends or not, one of us would have to give up lifelong dreams. I don’t believe that’s the way to happiness in marriage.”

  “I suppose.” He gazed west toward the San Juan Mountains, his eyes unfocused. “We have opera houses right near here where folks go for entertainment like piano concerts. One up in Creede, the San Juan in Alamosa and the Del Norte Opera House over in Del Norte. Maybe we could get Rosamond and Garrick to put a stage in the hotel dining room. Then people like Jenny Lind and Lilly Langtry might come here on a tour if they were invited to perform in at least three or four places.”

  Laurie held on to a giggle trying to escape. “Miss Lind hasn’t toured in years, and Miss Langtry...well, I’m not sure many people in Esperanza would approve of her, um, social life.”

  Tolley sighed with exasperation. “You know what I mean. It doesn’t have to be those entertainers.” He grinned down at her and waggled those dark eyebrows. “I know of a talented concert pianist who might consider performing at the hotel.”

  She shook her head. “I’m afraid I’ve given away too many free concerts in my hometown. People won’t want to pay to hear me.”

  “Aha.” He drew back a few feet as though viewing her for the first time. “Now I see. You aren’t talking about artistic expression.” The grinning smirk on his face was almost as adorable as his winsome smile. “You want to become a rich and famous pianist.”

  “Oh, you.” She playfully smacked his arm and almost hurt her hand doing so. What a good ending to a difficult conversation. “Now I have to make the biscuits for our Sunday night sandwiches.”

  He offered his arm again, the perfect gentleman, and they walked down the bandstand’s four steps. “Now that you mention food, I’ve been thinking about the meals you’re fixing.”

  “Is something wrong?” She wouldn’t let his complaints annoy her. He’d been wonderfully supportive in front of the other boarders at dinner today.

  “Nope. Everything’s fine. But it seems like you fix a lot of expensive food for those grumpy boarders. I mean, meat at every supper? My mother didn’t even do that.”

  “Mine didn’t, either.” She looked up at him, and when
he gazed down at her with those bright green eyes, her heart did another silly tumble. Bother. What was wrong with her? “But both Mrs. Runyan and Mr. Parsley say it’s part of their rent and board payments.”

  “You’ve collected rent?”

  “Yes, of course. Every Friday evening.”

  “Kept the books?”

  “Ye-es. What are you suggesting?”

  He scrunched up his forehead thoughtfully. “Would you mind if I looked at the books?”

  A streak of annoyance shot through her, but only briefly. Maybe he’d see something she’d missed. “Of course not. Mrs. Foster trusts you as much as I do.”

  Her words seemed to surprise him. “Wow. I guess she does.” A pleased smile crossed his face. “I guess she does.”

  Laurie could only wonder why that surprised him.

  * * *

  He’d done it again. Proved his own selfishness. Why did he assume Laurie wanted the same things her sisters did, marriage and a passel of children? He knew about the teaching position in Denver, but he hadn’t known she’d always dreamed of securing it. Nor did he know about her dream of playing the piano professionally. No, the only dreams he’d ever thought about were his own. At least Laurie would achieve hers, while he’d likely never find his place again at Four Stones Ranch. And once she returned to Denver, he’d be more alone than ever.

  She didn’t appear to hold his courtship suggestion against him. All week, she chatted with him as she had before. Never once did she comment on the work in the bathroom except maybe to poke her head in the door, look around and give him a nod and a smile. Mrs. Foster also gave her stamp of approval on the progress. If he didn’t have the Independence Day preparation to do, he and Adam could finish tiling the bathroom by Saturday and the plumbers could install the fixtures on the following Monday.

  On Friday, with Adam’s help, he moved the piano to the bandstand and built a few of the temporary booths needed for various vendors who’d come from all over the San Luis Valley to sell their wares. In spite of himself, he felt a growing excitement about the coming celebration, even though he planned to keep a low profile once people began to arrive. He wouldn’t even attend the horse race to watch Adam and Thor compete because folks might suspect him of doing harm to Adam’s competitors.