Zeke took a deep breath and stepped towards the cell. “I’ve never broken a man’s arm who couldn’t defend himself. You were out of control, Gid, and if you had broken his arm you wouldn’t be getting off with a five dollar fine.”
Gideon ignored him and waited until the cell door opened. “Gabby, come by later and I’ll give you the money.” He brushed past them, fury emanating in waves from him.
“He’s pretty angry with you.” Gabby squeezed Zeke’s shoulder. “Are you going to be all right?”
“God only knows the answer to that question. He’s had fun fucking my life up lately.” He closed his eyes and turned away from her. “Sorry, Gabby.”
“It’s fine. I’m going to let Jake know what happened.” Gabby started to leave the jail, her long black braid swinging against the blue dress she wore. “We’ll be home at the mill if you need us.”
With that, he was left alone in the jail, guilt gnawing at his guts and confusion reigning in his brain. Life had been much simpler when he was drunk all the time. Sleep, drink, puke and sleep more. Now it seemed they were heading into complicated territory again and Zeke wanted to run like hell.
However, as sheriff of the town, he had to sit and ride out the shit storm, like it or not. He’d just put his friendship with Gideon at risk because of the job. It had damn well better be worth it.
Chapter Nine
Naomi strolled down the main street in Tanger in the early morning sunshine. It was one of her favorite times of the day and she enjoyed the fresh air, especially after the stale stink in the saloon.
Zeke had come to her bed again the night before and she had welcomed him. Their relationship was an odd one, secret and furtive and that aspect bothered her a lot. He seemed to want to ignore the fact they found heaven in each other’s arms each and every time.
As she passed the saloon, Zeke popped out of the doorway and started walking alongside her, continually looking around to see if anyone was watching.
She wanted to punch him for it.
Naomi was already in love with the man, much to her consternation. Although Zeke was trying to ignore their relationship, she knew better and she wasn’t about to allow him to throw it away.
Zeke had begun to look haggard, with dark circles under his eyes and a tic in his cheek. The man seemed to be falling apart and she didn’t know why.
“You look terrible.”
He grimaced. “Thanks, and I feel even worse.”
“You’re not getting much sleep.” She knew the exact reason why half of his nights were spent not sleeping, but what about the other half?
He looked at her from beneath the brim of his hat. “Did you know you’re Tanger’s guardian angel?”
Naomi thought she hadn’t heard him right. “Excuse me?”
“Our new young minister has seen you in your, ah, nighttime escapades through town. He’s convinced you’re the town’s guardian angel.” He sounded amused.
Naomi, however, was not. “I am no one’s guardian angel. That’s ridiculous.”
“That’s the truth.” Zeke frowned. “No saloon girl is an angel of any kind.”
That comment stung.
She stopped in her tracks. “Did you come out here to insult or harass me this morning?”
He shook his head. “Neither. I saw you out here and, well, I wanted to walk with the angel.”
His voice sounded so weary, defeated even. She didn’t know what was happening inside his thick head and he wasn’t very forthcoming. Before she could ask him if he wanted to talk down by the lake, they were interrupted.
“Well, good morning, Sheriff Blackwood.” Hettie Cranston stood before them in all her tiny glory, wearing a bright blue dress, and a straw hat with a little bird’s nest on the side. Her sharp gaze raked them up and down, noting the way Naomi’s arm was tucked into Zeke’s no doubt.
“Miss Cranston.” Zeke tipped his hat.
“Introduce me to your, ah, friend.” Hettie raised one brow.
“This is Naomi Tucker, originally from North Carolina, who moved to town a few weeks back. She’s walking, well, she likes to take walks in the morning and today I decided to join her.” Zeke had chosen his words carefully, making Naomi appear to be something she wasn’t. The bastard was trying to hide the fact she worked in the saloon.
Naomi wasn’t going to let him.
She held out her hand and shook Hettie’s with vigor. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Miss Cranston. I work at Aphrodite’s serving drinks, and no, I don’t work on my back, just in case you were wondering.”
Naomi pulled her arm out of his and turned around to walk back the way she had come. Zeke called her name, but she kept walking. Even if she worked in a saloon, that didn’t mean he was allowed to judge her. He had no right to do so, and although she wanted to tell him that, loudly, she didn’t. The street was no place for her to vent her anger at the handsome sheriff.
* * * * *
The town council called for a meeting two days after the fight in Elmer’s restaurant. In addition to Zeke keeping time with Naomi on the streets of Tanger, Ackerman had caused enough fervor to get the older folks on the council heated up about the “problem with the Blackwoods.” Much to Zeke’s distress, Jake couldn’t change their minds. Gideon still hadn’t spoken to Zeke, and Lee barely grunted hello and goodbye.
The day dawned cloudy with a light mist falling, making surfaces slick and putting Zeke in an even worse mood. He felt like a Judas for what he’d done to Gideon, but he knew he had been in the right. The tiff with Naomi in the street had kept them apart those two days and he was grumpy enough to realize he missed her. Perhaps this was the opportunity to cut his ties with the saloon girl. What he needed to do was concentrate on the town council and not on the blonde waif who had sneaked her way into his heart.
Ackerman offered the use of the hotel for the meeting and the council readily agreed. As Zeke walked over, some folks said hello, while others barely nodded.
Margaret was just arriving with Gabby and she met Zeke’s gaze. “Good morning, Sheriff.”
Gabby smiled. “How are you, Zeke?”
“Things have been worse.” He couldn’t complain about the argument between he and his friends when they’d already survived hell together. Damn sure he couldn’t tell her about Naomi.
“Jake’s already here with Lee and Gideon. They had breakfast together.” She made a face. “I told them they were being little babies about this whole thing, but they wouldn’t listen to me.”
“Let’s just get this over with.” Zeke held the door open, reluctant to enter Ackerman’s domain but eager to make peace with his friends. It felt uncomfortable to be at odds with them.
Zeke had not seen the town council as a group since they’d appointed him sheriff and they were just as intimidating with their stares now as they were then. The two old biddies Edith White and Hettie Cranston watched him from their perches on some fancy chairs Ackerman apparently had brought in. Gabby stood with Jake talking quietly to Lee and Gideon while the men on the council watched everything from the corner. Even Richard was there, likely to provide evidence of the fight at Elmer’s.
The hotel man stood at the windows, rocking back and forth on his heels with a grin on his oily face. The grin resembled a rabid dog more than a man, but he didn’t scare Zeke. In fact, he had trouble keeping himself from punching the bastard.
Every muscle in his body tensed as if he was entering a battlefield, which, in essence, he was.
“Now that the sheriff is here, we can begin.” Hettie liked to order everyone around and damned if they didn’t all listen. Each member took a seat in the fancy chairs, looking like they were perching on thrones.
Margaret glanced at Ackerman but didn’t make a move to approach him. She did nod in his direction, however, and he looked as if she’d given him a million dollars.
; “Mr. Ackerman kindly offered us the use of his hotel for this meeting. The council thanks you for your generosity.” Hettie’s regal tone made Zeke grit his teeth. “We’re here to discuss claims made against the sheriff in particular, as well as his business partners, known as D.H. Enterprises.”
“I’d like to know what the claims are.” Gideon had moved to the right side of the circle, arms crossed, his tone calm and reasonable.
If only Zeke could find his own calm. His guts nearly boiled with anxiety, anger and frustration. “So would I.”
“I’ll get to that part, Mr. Blackwood. Please have some patience.” Hettie nodded at Edith. “Miss White will read the claims.”
Edith stood and straightened her navy blue dress, which Zeke grudgingly admitted was very well made, proving her mettle as the seamstress in Tanger. For some reason, he had the notion of asking her to make a new dress for Naomi, a new green one to bring out the color in her eyes. Her own green frock had been torn the night of the saloon brawl, and damn, she looked mighty fine in green.
Jesus, please us, he shook his head to clear the odd thoughts about Naomi and her wardrobe. There were more important things to focus on.
Edith unfolded a piece of paper. The vellum crispness echoed in the wood paneled room.
“To the Tanger Town Council,
As a new business owner in town, I am dismayed at the power the Blackwoods yield in Tanger. They run the restaurant, the law, as well as the saloon, the mill and practically the town council. I don’t feel as though I will have a fair chance to make this wonderful town my home.
The sheriff has been consorting with a saloon girl, flaunting her in town as if she was a societal queen. His brother, Lee, feels it necessary to start fights at will, and their leader, Gideon, wields power over all of them.
I humbly ask the town council to step in and stop these men from taking over the town completely. Close the restaurant, fire the sheriff and take back Tanger.
Sincerely,
Byron Ackerman.”
She smiled at Hettie and sat back down, her knees creaking with the movement.
“What the hell does all that mean?” As always, Lee used his best manners.
Zeke was reeling over the accusation of “consorting with a saloon girl”, recognizing he’d made some mistakes as sheriff, the first one being Naomi. He shouldn’t have gotten involved with her, he knew that. Yet his heart grew pained at the thought of never being with her again. The entire letter made the hairs on the back of his neck stand up and definitely riled his anger.
“It sounds like Mr. Ackerman thinks we hold too much power in town.” Gideon frowned. “What is it you want, Mr. Ackerman?”
“I want to be able to do business in peace and bring wealth to the town.” Ackerman smiled at Margaret. “And marry whoever I choose to without being assaulted for it.”
No mention of love, just a choice. Margaret was convenient, and available, and she was obviously a very good cook. Ackerman was no fool, but Margaret was for accepting the first marriage proposal thrown her way.
“We haven’t prevented you from doing business. In fact, Jake here has sent people your way.” Gideon gestured to the redheaded Devil. “I spoke to the folks myself.”
“Well, that’s true. However, you did assault me two days ago for proposing marriage to Mrs. Summers.” He pointed to the yellowing bruise on his eye. “Dr. Barham can attest to the severity of the beating.”
Zeke couldn’t help it, he snorted so loud, he almost choked. “Beating? Byron, he got two punches in before I pulled him off. That does not qualify as a beating. As a matter of fact, I could have let him beat the ever-loving shit out of you, but didn’t. I’d say that’s a mighty neighborly gesture.”
Oliver Johnston squinted at Byron. “Two punches? Nah, that ain’t a beating. I’ve had worse from a twenty-year-old gelding.”
This time Zeke swallowed the snort.
“I was protecting Margaret, seeing as how she’s a part of our family now.” Gideon shot a sidelong glance at Lee. “My cousin here was about to do the same, but I stepped in instead. Mr. Anderson can attest to the details since he was there.”
Zeke heard Margaret gasp, low and fast. She tightened her hands into fists and glanced at Gideon from under her lashes. If Zeke didn’t know any better, he’d have guessed their cook had set her cap for their former captain. Not a good situation considering Lee had his heart set on her.
What a complicated mess.
“Ridiculous. What would you need to protect her from?” Byron looked honestly confused. Poor bastard.
Zeke decided to save him from his own stupidity. “Margaret has become part of our family and we protect her as if she was our own. Margaret is beautiful, smart and too good to settle for a man like you, a man who treats her as if she were only worth the food she could make for him.”
Gideon looked as surprised as Lee at Zeke’s defense of their actions. Jake shook his head while Gabby frowned so hard, her dark eyebrows almost formed one big V. Zeke knew he should have told Gideon he agreed with the principal of what they had tried to do, just not the method. That was, if Gideon had been talking to him since the fight.
“She’s been a part of this town for a long time, longer than we’ve been here. She’s Mayor Sheridan’s friend and amazingly enough, the cook our restaurant was blessed with. She’s important to all of us and it’s our God-given right to protect her if we feel she’s in danger. If it puts your mind at ease, I arrested Gideon for what he did.” Zeke took great pleasure in the flush that spread across Ackerman’s face.
“You did what?” Hettie’s mouth dropped open while Edith smiled.
“He almost took it too far, so I arrested him for it. Mr. Ackerman has no quibble with D.H. Enterprises or anything we do in town. He’s angry because he got his ass whooped, plain and simple. I did my job, now you do yours.” Zeke ended his speech by crossing his arms and widening his stance.
Richard nodded. “That’s what happened, ladies and gentlemen. It was an argument gone awry and the sheriff ended it before it went too far.”
“Well, I hadn’t realized the entire story.” Hettie fluttered a hand at Mr. Ackerman.
“I fined him five dollars and released him.” Gabby stepped out from beside Jake. “I agreed with what the sheriff had done and that was the end of it.” She speared the council with a fierce glare. “This entire meeting has turned into a lynching party for the Blackwoods and I, for one, am not going to allow it to happen. They are all law-abiding citizens and good folks.”
“Hear-hear,” Oliver added.
Gabby turned to Ackerman and he had the good sense to back up. “We’re glad to have the hotel open again, and we’d like all our businesspeople to get along and help each other.” She whipped around and Hettie jumped, probably slamming her bony butt into the chair. “Perhaps Mrs. Cranston can help you, considering her husband used to own the hotel. I’m sure she can be of invaluable assistance.”
“That’s a wonderful idea.” Edith clapped her hands. No doubt that would keep Hettie out of her hair for a while.
“Now does anyone else have anything to discuss?” Gabby asked.
“Yes, we haven’t discussed the sheriff’s choice of companions.” Hettie cleared her throat and fixed her evil glare on Zeke.
His stomach jumped into his throat. “I’m not sure what you mean.”
“Now, Mr. Blackwood, I saw you arm in arm with one of those women from Aphrodite’s. You can’t deny that. It looked cozy to me.” Hettie nodded as the other council members eyeballed him.
“Miss Tucker is employed at the saloon, however she only serves drinks. She takes walks in the mornings and I happened to take a moment to talk to her about how she was faring. She’s new to town and I should think it’s my job to make sure all citizens feel safe and welcome.” It all came out in a rush, surprising the hell out of Zeke
.
“Sounds reasonable to me,” Oliver piped up.
Hettie’s gaze narrowed. “I would suggest you choose your associations more carefully. We have little more than a week left in the trial period. Any transgressions and we’ll consider that trial period over.” Hettie could be as frightening as any Yankee soldier.
“Yes, ma’am.” He forced the words out although what he wanted to do was tell her to go to hell. But he needed to keep the job, needed the purpose it gave him.
“Then we’re finished here, I believe.” Gabby nodded to the council. The silence in the room was only broken by Oliver’s snickers. “Then this meeting is adjourned.” She marched out of the hotel, Jake hot on her heels, his gaze a mixture of love, awe and pride.
Zeke was proud of her too. He and Gabby hadn’t gotten along too well when they’d first met, but he’d been wrong about her and her abilities as mayor. She left them all in the dust, eating her words. The town council whispered amongst themselves as they rose to leave.
As Gideon and Lee walked to the door with Richard, they pointedly did not speak to Zeke. It hurt, quite a bit, even though he’d done his best to stop Ackerman’s complaints in their tracks. Margaret, however, had no qualms about being polite.
“Thank you, Zeke.” She looked down at her folded hands. “I appreciate you all trying to protect me, but I need to make my own decisions.”
To Zeke’s surprise, she left the hotel without speaking to Ackerman. He hoped that meant she wasn’t going to marry him. God knows she didn’t need any more men messing up her life.
As he left the hotel, Hettie nodded at him, which for some odd reason pleased him.
“Have a good day, Sheriff. Be careful who you associate with. The town council won’t be as forgiving in the future.” She tucked her arm into Edith’s and they left together.
Ackerman walked towards him but Zeke was in no mood to talk to the blowhard, so he tipped his hat and skedaddled out of the hotel. The first thought that jumped into his head when he stepped out into the rain was that he wondered what Naomi was doing.
Devils on Horseback: Zeke, Book 3 Page 14
