by Natalie Dean
"Are you okay?" he asked as he hugged her. She had done a lot of thinking and praying while she was feigning being dead. The Lord sure worked in mysterious ways. She never thought a strong man like Lance would be capable of tenderness. She had misjudged him. The loss of his wife had made him a protector.
"I'm okay. I take it that Hamish doesn't know. Poor Lottie. I heard her. I hope this news doesn't upset her too much. She's carrying precious cargo."
"Sheriff, I'll examine…" Doc stopped as he looked at his cousin, alive and well. "But I thought…"
Lance closed the door behind Hamish.
"We’ve got to keep this quiet, Doc. We have to draw the killer out. I need to let him think Cecilia is dead. She'll need your help. If Mrs. McLennon stays in the house, you can tell her but otherwise, let her grief be real. I'm sorry to do this and in her condition and all…"
Hamish interrupted Lance, "Her condition?"
"Yes, I heard she was with child,” Lance looked at Cecilia who glared at him for revealing the pregnancy.
"Hamish, Lottie should be telling you. She suspects she is pregnant and told me in confidence. I’m only telling you fellas now because I don't want the shock of death to cause her too much upset."
"I must go to her," Hamish went to leave, but Lance stopped him.
"You can't. Not yet. I've got to get to the saloon before Johnny Eagle gets hanged. Please Doc, Cecilia needs your help. Then we can celebrate once Daniel Langton is arrested."
"Daniel Langton!" the Doc exclaimed.
"Shh," Cecilia and Lance said in unison.
"Oh my. Very well. Mrs. Lavery is with Lottie. I'll go up and make sure the curtains are closed. Keep a dimmed room for Lottie so that she can rest. My Lottie with a baby," the Doc had a silly smile on his face.
"Hamish, daydream later. I need you to let me know when everyone's in the saloon." Cecilia couldn't be too brash with her cousin, but she needed him to focus. It wouldn't be long until she'd have what she needed.
"Sheriff Dexter, look at what I found in Harvey's hand. A cufflink. Johnny Eagle doesn't wear cufflinks. It looks expensive too." Hamish handed his find to Lance.
"That's Daniel's. He was missing it when he came back into the dance. I didn't think much of it at the time. You go. At least you can place him in the bank now," Cecilia said as she realized she was holding Lance's hand in hers. She stood on her tiptoes and kissed his cheek. He put his hand to his cheek, and she smiled as his cheeks flushed.
"I'll go now," he said as he backed out of the room but accidentally hit the door with his elbow. It was quite endearing seeing him flustered like that over her.
Hamish returned. "It was so hard not to take Lottie into my arms. I hope I didn't look too happy. Mrs. Lavery will stay with her. Put these on, and we'll have to do something with your hair," he said, giving Cecilia a trousers and shirt. As she changed behind the screen, Doc found a hat that would cover, to some extent, her flaming red hair. She was too distinctive.
They made their way through the town. The saloon was at the far end, and the last of the townsfolk were milling in. The hotel was so close, and Horace was bound to be at the front desk.
"You distract him. I need to get the room key," Cecilia directed. She watched as Hamish went to Horace. Why were they still talking? Hamish should have moved him along. Cecilia's opportunity came when Horace followed Doc, but as she reached for the key, the Doc yelled out as Horace turned back to the reception desk. Cecilia ducked down.
"Horace, but can't you see the eyelash in my eye. We need more light. Come by the window. It hurts," Hamish said as Horace tutted that the doctor should be able to cure his own pains and aches. Cecilia grabbed the key and ran upstairs.
Daniel's room was very neat and tidy. His bag was packed, and she rummaged through it. Nothing incriminating so far. She looked through drawers and still nothing to incriminate him. She could hear it now. Daniel, with his charm, would convince people that Johnny Eagle had stolen his cuff-link. She wasn't going to let that happen. Where was his saddlebag?
She looked under the bed and saw it. Inside were some money bands marked with the Bank of Missoula, Bank of Bozeman. She hoped it would be enough, but Daniel would say she planted it. He was a meticulous man. There had to be some documentation that would prove it was his.
Cecilia emptied the contents of the bag onto the bed and felt it. There was a hidden compartment. Inside she found what she was looking for. A notebook and some jewelry. She couldn't make sense of the journal. It was written in some code. She grabbed it and the saddlebag and ran out of the hotel. Hamish was waiting for her.
"I got it. You go home and kiss your wife," Cecilia said as she ran past him to the saloon. She burst in as the magistrate was talking. He told her to sit down, and Cecilia nodded. She held up the bag for the sheriff to see. Not realizing the shock her presence had brought on the crowd.
Sheriff Lance smiled and stood up to interrupt the magistrate.
"Daniel Langton, I'm arresting you…Where did he go?" Lance asked as he looked around.
Daniel had seen Cecilia and slipped out. She looked out and saw him. Cecilia gave chase. He disappeared down an alley, and as Cecilia ran after him, he grabbed her. He was waiting for her.
With Daniel's arm around her neck, Cecilia could do nothing. She tried to pull his arm away, but he was too strong. Stronger than she expected and the more she tugged at his arm, the tighter his hold. He dragged her into the street. His other hand was brandishing a gun.
"Get me a horse. I'll let her go once no one follows me. Don't try to be brave. I'll choke her, and she'll be dead for good this time."
"Don't be foolish, Langton. You won't get away with this. Just let her go. Take me," Lance said as he went face to face with Daniel.
"There'll be no negotiating, Sheriff. Now get me my horse. Don't even think about taking a shot at me. I'll snap her neck like a twig before the bullet even leaves the gun."
Cecilia and the Sheriff locked eyes. Cecilia closed her eyes, and as she did, she dug her elbow into Daniel's stomach, winding him and causing him to drop his guard. Sheriff Lance shot the gun from Daniel's hand, and he automatically grabbed his wounded hand releasing Cecilia who then ran away from him.
Hank, the Deputy, grabbed at Daniel as Lance went to Cecilia.
"We're a great team, Cecilia," he said as he hugged her.
"I knew you'd understand. Too much rough housing with Hamish as children. I knew how to get out of a chokehold," she said as she put her hand to her neck.
"What will happen now?" she asked as she watched Daniel being marched into the jail house.
"As we have the magistrate, we'll have a trial today. Johnny Eagle can go home."
"Lance, there's something I have to tell you. I found a locket with some other bits of jewelry. It might be your wife's."
"It would heal my heart if I could put her killer behind bars. You're shivering," he said as he lifted her into his arms. He took her to Doc's place to make sure she was okay. Lottie came running out.
"You're alive. Don't ever leave me out of the loop again, Cecilia. You put the fear into me. I prayed that you would be safe." Lottie hugged her dear friend.
"Okay, give her some air. Too much love can smother a person," Hamish said as he shooed Lance and Lottie out of the examination room.
"I see you used the old punch and run routine. Daniel Langton will be feeling that for a while," Doc rubbed his stomach and winced as though remembering their childhood.
"Did you ever think we'd be free, Hamish? With the fathers we had. We were the only bright spots in each other's lives," Cecilia was sad. "Think of the life your child will have. They will grow up surrounded by love. That's important."
As her adrenaline was ebbing, Cecilia began to cry. She had been through so much.
"Cec, don't cry. Look at what you have. The Sheriff is the type of man you need. John showed you that you could be loved for you, but he didn't have the strength you need. You need someone who will challe
nge and respect you at the same time. You've been lonely, Cec. You deserve happiness," Hamish said as he wrapped a blanket around Cecilia.
"But don't you get it. I don't think I'm capable of love. Lance has known love before. What if I don't measure up? I want what you and Lottie have, but I don't know if I can." Cecilia sat up.
"You have to decide to let your guard down. I don't think the sheriff is going anywhere. Hank told me that he rushed out after you and I'm not talking about today. He knew you'd figured something out, and he wanted to make sure you were safe."
"But Hamish, there's something you don't know. He said I look like his wife. How will I know I'm not just some imitation for him?"
"Cecilia, Uncle made you so distrusting of men, didn't he? I thought being with me and John softened you a little. There's a trial starting, and Sheriff Lance is sitting in my waiting room to make sure you are okay. You're no stand-in. You never could be. I'd say it says more about Lance liking to be challenged too." Cecilia playfully hit her cousin's shoulder. He was right. There was a man outside the door who wanted to love her.
"You're fine. You need to rest, and I think I speak for Lottie when I say that you'll stay with us until you feel better."
Hamish opened the door, and Lance came running in to check on her and took her hand. Lottie came in too, but Hamish gently took his wife's hand. "Let's give them some privacy," he smiled as he kissed her hand. Lottie nodded and smiled too.
As she looked at the new couple, she knew that very soon a wedding was going to take place. Cecilia had met her match, and Lottie knew Sheriff Lance wasn't going to let her go.
THE END
SARAH: Brides of Bannack Book 3
SARAH
Brides of Bannack Book 3
A Western Romance Short Story
Book Description
Take a journey with this mail order bride as she turns a life of loneliness and despair into one of joy and triumph...
Sarah had a difficult life. Losing her mother at a young age, the only person she had left in her life was her sweet older sister Katie. As fate would have it, her sister died giving birth to a set of beautiful twins. Because Sarah was too young to care for them on her own, the twins were taken away. Not knowing their whereabouts, Sarah can only dream of being reunited with the twins again one day. Now, with no family to help her, she finds herself miserable working for a boarding house, whose owner and employees mistreat her at every chance they get.
Determined to leave her depressing and abusive life behind, Sarah takes matters into her own hands by taking a job out west. Fate brings her to the home of twins who have just lost their beloved mother.
Carson Edwards has lost the love of his life. Tending to the ranch and caring for the twins - while still grieving the loss of his wife - is overwhelming to say the least. Then he's completely caught off guard when Sarah shows up to help. He can't have another woman coming into his house so soon!
Sarah is flooded with memories from her past when she sees the twins suffering the loss of their mother. Is this her chance to finally make a difference in someone's life? And can she open Carson's heart back up to love, or did his wife take his heart with her when she died?
Join this heartwarming tale to see how an amazing twist of fate unfolds...
Copyright 2017 by Kenzo Publishing - All rights reserved.
In no way is it legal to reproduce, duplicate, or transmit any part of this document by either electronic means or in printed format. Recording of this publication is strictly prohibited, and any storage of this document is not allowed unless with written permission from the publisher. All rights reserved.
Respective authors own all copyrights not held by the publisher.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Epilogue: One Year Later
Chapter One
The women looked at each other, not quite sure what to do. They had been trying to birth Katie Bracken's baby for the last six hours. It wasn’t progressing. The baby was stuck inside, and Katie Bracken was exhausted.
"Sarah, run and get Dr. Loman. Quickly," Mrs. Murphy yelled at Sarah Smith. Fifteen-year-old Sarah listened to her sister's cries, but she knew the voice was getting weaker. She could hear the hushed voices of Mrs. Murphy and Mrs. Massey, their neighbors on either side, who knew something was wrong but didn't know what to do.
Sarah lived with her sister and her husband, Leo Bracken. It was Katie's first pregnancy. Katie and Sarah had been excited at the prospect of a new baby, but now that it seemed the baby was coming, Katie felt afraid.
"Sarah, at least I have you to help me," Katie said as she began to feel her contractions coming on. "You'll stay with me, won't you, when the baby is being born. I need you with me."
Their mother had died in childbirth, and Katie was feeling afraid. Sarah had remembered the screams of her beloved mother, then the quietness. "Let's say a prayer that the Lord will help me." The sisters prayed for a safe delivery.
The tears streamed down Sarah's face as she ran to Dr. Loman. Her mother's death was the reason she and Katie had come to America. It was a fresh start, their father had said on that last day in Ireland. It was two years ago. Sarah missed him immensely.
She banged on the doctor's door. As he opened it, she told him, "Come quick, Doctor. Mrs. Murphy said you've got to come now." She watched the doctor grab his bag, and he gestured at her to lead the way.
Sarah was relieved to hear a baby's cries as she entered the building they shared with so many other families. But as she entered her home full of hope, the women weren't joyous, and Katie was still in pain. Father Larkin was there. It wasn't a good sign. Sarah watched as the priest prayed over her sister.
"Hot water now, Mrs. Murphy," the doctor said.
"There's another baby. Come on, Mrs. Bracken. You've got to push. Muster that strength now, good girl. It's nearly over now."
Sarah looked at the baby that had been left in an old tea chest. The old tea chest had passed from woman to woman that gave birth in their tenement. Which meant it was always in use.
"Sarah, go to Nancy Brown. She's had a baby and should have some milk. That baby needs some to drink," Mrs. Massey directed. Sarah knew they were sending her out of the way. As she knocked on the Brown's door, she heard a wail. It was how her mother departed this world. Another baby's cry was heard. But something inside Sarah's heart knew Katie was dead.
"Stay here, Sarah. Watch the bairns, and I'll go check on Katie," Nancy said. She and Katie were the same age, having turned twenty recently. Nancy had two children already with another on the way. Their husbands worked in the mill together. The men were due back from their shift any time now.
Sarah left the door ajar. She couldn't see what was happening but heard Nancy cry out.
"What's to become of them?" Nancy asked. Everyone helped each other out around here, but to take on twins was too much. Then Sarah heard Leo, and Nancy's husband, Frank, returning. She peeked out to see Leo's face all happy at seeing the women at his door, a sign the baby was born, but then his face fell as they told him what had transpired. He had twins, a girl and a boy, but his wife was dead.
Life changed very quickly for Sarah. Leo went to work and left her minding the twins. But she couldn't manage two babies. One, perhaps, but two was impossible for her.
"Sarah, here's some milk for the babies. It's not much, but it's all we can manage," Nancy said as she handed over the bottle to Sarah. The women were good to Sarah. They shared what meager rations they had with her.
Leo had become distraught. He had taken to going to the pub before and after work. Money was tighter than before. The walls were paper thin, and Sarah had heard Frank Brown telling Nancy that Leo hadn't shown up for work. That evening when he finally came home, Sarah pleaded with him
, "Please Leo, I need some money for food."But all he did was break down and cry.
When the babies cried, and it was usually at the same time, he'd scream at Sarah to shut them up. They had killed his beloved Katie as far as he was concerned and he wanted nothing to do with them.
It wasn't right, the women whispered. Sarah was barely out of childhood. It wasn't proper for her to live there with him. Father Larkin came to visit. He didn't like what he saw and questioned the neighbors about the situation with the Bracken babies and Sarah. Soon the authorities were alerted. No one spoke to Sarah. She only overheard the conversations. The twins were to be taken immediately. The very severely dressed women looked at Sarah.
"Mrs. Percival needs a new scullery maid. We'll put her there. She looks healthy enough. Come here, girl," the sour woman ordered. She made Sarah open her mouth, and she turned her around to look at her. "Yes, she'll do. Gather your belongings, child. You're coming with us."
"What about the babies? I need to look after them," Sarah asked, but she was told to keep her mouth shut and not talk back to her elders.
As Sarah gathered her few bits, she took off the necklace that had belonged to Katie. Leo had given it to Sarah on the day of Katie's funeral. It had belonged to their mother, and Katie never took it off. Sarah put it with the baby girl. It was hers now.
Sarah cried herself to sleep every night that first month of her new life. Mrs. Percival's was a horrible place. Her bed was a blanket on the floor in the kitchen. But it was warm, and she had food, but those were the only positive aspects of living here. The cook hit her every time she did something wrong and sometimes without reason. She called Sarah derogatory names for being Irish. The cook was English, and Sarah knew the bad blood that existed between the English and the Irish.
In the last two years, as the maids left, they weren't replaced. Sarah was given increasingly more work to do. She was tired of this life. She had this notion that she would marry and find the twins. They needed to be with family. But Sarah had no opportunity to meet anyone. She was invisible to the outside world, and within the walls of the house, she was subject to the moods of the cook and Mrs. Percival. Despite the latter being a paragon of virtue to the outside world.
