Love Finds You in Silver City, Idaho

by Janelle Mowery

  “I can see that already.” Curiosity about what the former war hero did to make a living made Nate ask, “What kind of shop does he run?”

  “He has two. One he loves, and one to help make ends meet.”

  “And they are…”

  Perry smiled. “He spends most of his time in his tobacco and smoke shop, usually sitting in a fog of his own making, but he also owns the bath and laundry house. If he’s not busy making a sale, you’ll find him sitting on the boardwalk puffing on his pipe, ready to strike up a conversation with anyone who slows long enough to hear him speak.”

  Before Nate could respond, an odd-looking character ambled in the back door, one he recalled seeing on the boardwalk yesterday at the scuffle. Dressed in ragged clothing, the man might reach five feet if he stood on tiptoe. But the look in his eyes alarmed Nate. Whether frantic or threatening, he couldn’t tell, but even a short man could be dangerous with a weapon. Nate reached for his holster, ready in case the man brought trouble with him, but his pistol still lay in the stall where he put it when he changed his clothes. While trying to determine if he should lunge for it, Nate watched Perry turn, then jump off the barrel.

  “Thomas.” The two men shook hands. “Where’d you disappear to so early? I thought sure I’d catch you before you were off and running for the day.”

  Thomas didn’t answer but eyed Nate with suspicion.

  Perry stepped between them. “I’m sorry. Thomas, this is my new livery hand, Nate Kirkland. Nate, this is my all-around handyman, Thomas Beard. He calls the livery home each night.” Perry motioned to the loft over their heads.

  Nate held out his hand. “Nice to meet you, Thomas.”

  Thomas hesitated before responding. “Here, too.” They shook. “You the man I heard tell about helping with the fire?”

  Thomas didn’t sound too educated. A man like that often grew desperate to put money in his pocket. Even though he was a friend of Perry’s, Nate mentally added Thomas to his list of suspects, at least until he could check out the man and his background.

  Nate shrugged. “Could be. I was there.”

  Still eyeing Nate, Thomas bobbed his bushy head. “Uh-huh. They said an outside man showed up, nosing around.”

  Nate swung between alarm and anger. He’d have to be more nonchalant with his questions or he’d blow his cover. But who did this Thomas think he was? He acted more like a sheriff than the sheriff. Maybe he was trying to protect his own backside.

  Ready to throw out a few questions of his own, Nate had to bite his tongue when Perry jumped into the conversation.

  “How do you know all this, Thomas? You been up there?”

  Nate listened for the answer with great interest, but Thomas’s response was a tight-lipped grimace. As he waited with impatience for information that might be significant, Nate spied a cat easing along the wall. Its gray color almost made the cat invisible, blending with the livery wood. If it weren’t for the white splotch on its side and the tip of its flicking tail, Nate might have missed it altogether.

  Crouched as if ready to pounce, the cat stared toward the stall that held Nate’s dirty clothing. Nate followed the wall and spotted a mouse scurrying through the straw, stopping every so often to sniff. Maybe more tired than he realized, he couldn’t look away from the scene as he tried to take in the hum of voices talking about the fire. Inch by inch, the cat crept forward, finally lunging.

  Surprise rolled through Nate when the cat’s head slammed against the lowest board of the stall. It sprawled, then regained its footing before shaking its head. The mouse scampered away, unharmed. Amusement bubbled up in Nate’s chest. He’d never seen anything so unusual. That mouse should have been breakfast.

  “Nate?”

  He glanced at Perry for only a second before returning to the cat, not wanting to miss anything. “Yes?”

  “Something wrong?”

  Nate grinned and aimed his thumb toward the hapless cat. “Your cat needs some hunting lessons.”

  The cat shook its head one more time then turned toward Nate. As the animal blinked at him, Nate did the same, wondering if he was seeing things. The cat was cross-eyed. No wonder he couldn’t catch that mouse.

  Thomas scooped the feline up in his arms and ruffled its ears. Both of them stared at him.

  “What?” Nate asked.

  Thomas shrugged, still petting the cat. “It’s just that Mercy doesn’t usually like anyone.”

  Nate chuckled. “The cat’s name is Mercy?”

  For the first time, Thomas managed a bit of a smile. “Got its name when Mrs. Weaver saw it and said, ‘Mercy sakes.’ It stuck.”

  Nate threw his head back and laughed. “Perfect.”

  Perry reached to scratch its head. “She’d starve if we didn’t feed her.”

  “So I noticed.”

  Nate decided it was time to meet the feline, especially if they were going to attempt to work together in the same building. Before he could touch it, the animal leapt from Thomas’s arms into Nate’s. He prepared for the claws to draw blood. Instead, the cat ran its nose against his chin and continued purring.

  Perry shook his head. “Well, I’ll be. If Mercy likes you, you must be all right.”

  After patting the cat’s head, Nate placed it on the ground and wiped his chin with his sleeve. “Glad I passed inspection.”

  The cat began winding its way around each of Nate’s legs. He didn’t dare nudge it away. These two men obviously thought the world of the feline. He tried to ignore it. “So Tom, any news on how that fire started?”

  By the man’s expression, he’d asked the wrong question.

  “The name’s Thomas, and like I told Perry, the owner is still trying to find out how it started.”

  Nate raised his brows. “Sorry. I guess I missed hearing that.”

  The little man sure was prickly. In Nate’s mind, that was another count against him and raised even more suspicion. Time for more digging. “How long have you been in Silver City? I take it you’re not a newcomer since they’ll talk to you.”

  By Thomas’s frown and curled lip, he didn’t like Nate much. “It’s been awhile.”

  “You came for the gold?”

  “I need money to live, same as anyone.” Thomas crossed his arms. “What brings you here?”

  The tension in the air nearly crackled. Nate wasn’t sure what he’d done to make Thomas dislike him so much, but he’d keep a close eye on the man’s comings and goings.

  Perry clapped Thomas on the back. “Why don’t you go see if there’s any of my wife’s biscuits and gravy left?”

  Thomas cast a look over his shoulder at Nate before he wandered out the side door. Nate had no idea why his questions upset Thomas so, but they’d have to find a way to get along. At least until he finished his job.

  “And you”—Perry moved right in front of him—“climb up in the loft and get some sleep. I’ll wake you in a couple hours. If your mind is anywhere near as fuzzy as your eyes look, you’re headed for an accident, and I know neither of us wants that.”

  With a grin, Nate nodded. “All right. You win. I could use a bit of rest.”

  He’d managed two steps up the ladder when another man entered from the back, looking dirtier than Nate had after fighting a fire all night. When Perry didn’t introduce them but led the filthy man back out of the livery, Nate returned to the stall for his gun. No need to take chances. He didn’t know anyone in this town well enough to trust with his life except maybe Perry. Even so, the way Perry cast that look over his shoulder at Nate while leading the stranger out stirred a bit of suspicion.

  Nate shoved a wad of straw under his head for a pillow, wondering if he’d ever be able to fall asleep—or solve this case. Less than a day and he had enough suspicious people around him to keep sleep at bay until he left town.

  Chapter Seven

  Rebekah would have recognized the clomping coming down the boardwalk anywhere. Why Andrew insisted on wearing boots two sizes too big was beyond he
r. Drumming her fingers on the counter, she prepared to light into her little brother for disturbing Mama. Since it was nowhere near lunch time, that could be the only reason he’d come so early.

  Andrew pushed through the door, his lips puckered as he practiced his shrill whistle. The moment he saw her, a wide grin replaced the pucker. “Hi, Bek.”

  For all she was worth, Rebekah fought to hang onto her scolding expression, because she adored the freckle-faced rascal more than she dared let him know. His smile got to her every time. She’d give him a little wiggle room to get out of trouble. But only a little.

  “What brings you by so early? You bothering Mama?”

  The smile disappeared. “No.”

  “Do I need to take you down the street and kiss you in front of everyone?”

  Andrew waved his hands in front of him and took a step back. “No, Bek. I promise. I didn’t do nothing. Mama just told me to come see if you needed any help and that I should go back before noon for the food.”

  Rebekah believed him, every word, which brought back the worry for her mother. Something wasn’t right. She could feel it. Mama had done a lot of sleeping during her pregnancy with Andrew. But with Mama’s age being forty-three, she’d be too old for babies. Time would tell.

  Head tilted, one eye half-closed in a squint, Andrew peered up at her. “Am I in trouble?”

  She waved him over, just in time, it seemed, as two burly men entered. As usual, she prepared for their reaction to the scar on her face. She turned her head a bit, putting her left cheek toward the shadows.

  “May I help you?”

  One of them rattled off the list as they approached, finally setting a piece of paper on the counter. She picked it up and read everything they mentioned as well as a few they forgot. Either they worked for one of the big mine owners up War Eagle Mountain, or these were two new hopefuls who didn’t want to return for supplies for a good long time.

  She looked up. “I’ll get right on this.”

  Both men stared with open mouths. Finally, the heavier of the two jabbed the other with his thumb, and they both wandered away. They needn’t have. Without a doubt, they wouldn’t look her in the eyes again for the duration of their stay, which was fine with her. Then she wouldn’t have to pretend she didn’t notice their aversion.

  Many of the items they needed were in large, heavy bags, like the beans, flour, and coffee. She could handle retrieving them from the shelves in the storage room, but if Daddy caught her, she’d risk a tongue-lashing.

  “Andrew, would you mind entertaining these men while I gather their supplies?”

  They didn’t need entertaining, but she refused to leave the store unattended for even a moment while she went in search of Daddy. More often than she cared to admit, people managed to pilfer items from right under her nose. She wasn’t about to give anyone an unguarded opportunity to clean out the store.

  Andrew gave her the response she expected—a wide grin just before he raced their way. The last thing she heard as she headed into the back room was her little brother asking the men if they wanted to see him make his armpit burp. As the men laughed, she stifled a giggle and went in search of her father.

  “I don’t know, Rube.”

  Rebekah stopped before reaching the back door. Her father’s partner, Reuben Buckley, rarely came to town. Maybe she shouldn’t interrupt.

  “We shouldn’t get involved,” her father said. “That last dispute was rough. A man was shot and killed. If it weren’t for the governor sending troops, who knows how much worse it would have gotten. You know full well I don’t think that livery fire was an accident. And my little girl paid the price.”

  Chills raced from Rebekah’s scalp all along her arms and legs. What was Daddy saying? Her burns weren’t an accident? Stomach churning and knees weak, she slumped against a shelf, knocking off its contents.

  Daddy raced inside, and the color drained from his face. “Rebekah? What…?” His throat worked. He grasped her arms. “You weren’t meant to hear that.”

  She shook her head as tears scalded the rims of her eyes. She hadn’t wept about her burns in months. How could she cry when she’d run out of tears? Now a fresh supply lay at the ready, just when she thought herself healed both physically and emotionally.

  “Why didn’t you tell me?” Daddy tried to pull her into a hug, but she pushed at his chest. “Why keep it a secret?”

  “You were dealing with so much already, what with the pain.” He gestured toward her cheek. “And such—” His hands fell to his sides. “I’m sorry, sweetheart. I never wanted you to be afraid to live here.”

  She crouched to pick up the fallen items. Her father joined her, scooping them into his arms and replacing them on the shelf. Then he helped her to her feet. She needed time to think, to run all the new information through her mind uninterrupted. But first she wanted to know more.

  “Who did it?”

  “I’m not sure.”

  She frowned. “Who do you think did it?”

  His eyes sought the ground as his sigh hissed through the air, his shoulders slumping as if he’d put in a full day at the mine. He finally looked at her, his eyes filled with concern. “That fire wasn’t meant for you, Rebekah.”

  Her heart sank. Then the fire was meant to hurt Daddy, which didn’t make her feel any better. She searched his face and then his eyes. He loved her and didn’t plan to tell her more; that was clear. At least not now. Wondering what, or who, he feared, she finally nodded. Maybe one day she’d know the whole truth. Today wouldn’t be that day.

  Reuben stepped through the doorway. He peeled off his hat and dipped his head. “H-h-howdy, M-miss B-bek.”

  Besides Andrew, Reuben was the only person to shorten her name. She figured his stutter had something to do with it. She didn’t mind. Daddy’s mining partner was a kind man. She gave him a quick hug.

  “Good to see you, Reuben.”

  For years she’d called him Mr. Buckley, only to have him scowl. A sound scolding followed, the memory of which still burned her ears. Today she received a wide, toothless smile.

  She held the list out to her father. “There’s a couple men inside who need this filled. Most of the items are in bulk. If you’d ever let me—”

  “I’ll get this if you’ll help Reuben collect his supplies.” Daddy kissed her good cheek as he slipped by her on his way back to the store.

  Rebekah slipped her arm through Reuben’s. “I think I ended up with the better deal.”

  When she asked Reuben about his list, it sounded as if he didn’t need many supplies, making her think the man only came to town to ask her father questions. If she thought Reuben would talk to her, she’d ask him some of her own. But past experience told her he’d be tight-lipped about anything he figured wasn’t his business.

  When they reached the store, Daddy eased back to her. “What’s Andrew doing here already? He been pestering his mama?”

  If her mother’s health weren’t such a concern, Rebekah might have found his question humorous. “He assured me he was good, that Mama sent him to see if I needed any help.” When Daddy only nodded, she decided to ask the question she’d been pondering the last couple of days. “Has Mama been complaining of feeling sick or anything?”

  Daddy frowned. “No. Why?”

  She shrugged. “She seems more tired lately.”

  Daddy looked worried. So he hadn’t noticed. Maybe she shouldn’t have said anything.

  He squeezed her hand and headed for the supply room at the back of the store. “I’ll finish with these two men. Then if you don’t mind watching the place, I aim to run home and check on her.”

  “That sounds like a fine idea.”

  Daddy could be shortsighted sometimes, probably from being too busy, but he loved Mama dearly, and for that, Rebekah could forgive him anything. She had to wonder, though, if he also had kept the secret from Mama about the fire not being an accident. That new information would probably ride Rebekah’s mind for the rest
of the day and beyond.

  After she’d finished collecting Reuben’s supplies, Rebekah dropped a handful of hard candy at the top of his canvas bag, knowing his fondness for sweets. She glanced toward the doorway where he stood and received another wide grin. For an older man—she guessed him close to sixty—many times he reminded her of a child.

  She handed Reuben the bag and followed him to the livery. Doing so, she’d get to say good-bye before sending him on his way. It would also give her another chance to see if Nate liked his new job.

  The moment they entered the livery, Nate rushed up to her. “These men want to rent a mule, but your father hasn’t gone over anything with me yet. Does he usually rent them out?”

  The poor man looked fit to be tied. It didn’t help that he had straw sticking out of his hair, which also stood on end. She tried hard not to laugh.

  “Give me a minute, and I’ll be right with you.” She turned to Reuben. “Will I see you again anytime soon?”

  Reuben shrugged. “C-can’t s-say.”

  She hugged him. “You be careful.”

  He ducked, nodded, then scooted out the back door.

  Rebekah faced Nate. “Yes, Daddy does lease mules.” She moved to the heavy table near the stalls, opened a drawer, and pulled out a ledger. She motioned to the men at the doorway. “Have you done business with my father in the past?”

  The men removed their hats as they entered. “Yes, ma’am. A few months back.”

  Rebekah knew the moment they saw her scar. They quickly turned to Nate, who still looked helpless. Sighing, she rotated a bit to hide her burn.

  “Your names?”

  “Mick and Randall Shire.”

  She jotted them down on the first blank line. “So you know you have to pay for the animal, and when you return it, you’ll get half your money back, as long as it’s still in good condition.”

  “Yes, ma’am.”

  “Good. If you’ll sign here, Mr. Kirkland will get you a mule.”

  While one man signed, the other handed her the correct amount of cash, proving they’d been there before. She stowed the money in her apron pocket.