Heart of a Lady (Book One of the Red River Valley Brides)

by Hestand, Rita

She grinned. "That's a good thing. And she needs help. That worthless man of hers, Hinny, came through here a bit ago and he had some cheap fluzzie with him. He is such a no account. I worried about Mae when I saw him. How's the old place lookin' these days?"

  "She's got it going good. She's got chickens and hogs and had a couple of horses until Hinny ran off with them. She plans on getting a few head of cattle, and she farms the place with help from neighbors. Like you, she makes out well."

  "I'm so glad to hear it. Well, I hope everything works out at the trial. I'm sure Mae is counting on it."

  "Yeah, me too." Harry nodded.

  "I guess I better go, so you can get your work done. Don't stay up too late."

  "I won't. I'm pretty tired." He smiled at her as she walked to the door.

  "Night, son."

  "Night, Ma."

  As Harry settled down at his desk, he pulled out the necessary paperwork he had to fill out and set his mail aside to read later.

  But thoughts of Jo Ella ran through his head. He couldn't stop the picture of her and Dillon while she was bathing. How far would Dillon go to have Jo Ella? Was he going too far already? Harry didn't like that picture, and he needed to talk to her.

  He thought maybe she'd come by, but he hadn't seen her. Maybe she was with Dillon. Her being with him would be both good and bad. For one, as long as he was with Jo Ella, he didn't have to worry about Dillon coming here.

  Keeping the citizens safe was another problem.

  His deputies had gone home early as he knew they had watched over the town while he was gone and thought they deserved some time off.

  Tomorrow, he'd check on his injured deputy.

  He was about to close up when a knock came at the door. Hopefully it was anyone but Dillon.

  His luck didn't hold out.

  Dillon strolled in. "So, you got 'em back here in one piece. That's quite an accomplishment, I'd say. I’m surprised, but happy."

  Harry barely looked up from his desk. He felt the tension in the man, and he didn't want to add to it.

  "Yep, they are all locked up and ready for trial. Now what I want to know is… are you going to behave until the trial, or am I going to have trouble with you, Dillon?"

  Dillon looked at his boots for a minute then smiled as he sat down in front of Harry. "I'll wait. If they hang 'em, I won't have to do anything, will I?"

  "No, I guess you won't." Harry shook his head.

  "You don't think they will hang?" Dillon tensed again.

  "They didn't kill anyone, and I got the money back."

  "You know damn well, that Morey killed my pa." Dillon stood and paced, banging his fist against the palm of his hand.

  "Can you prove it?"

  "Yeah, I can."

  "How?"

  "Jo Ella, she heard him admit it." Dillon placed his hands on either side of Harry's desk and leaned toward him.

  "He's not on trial for murder. Besides, I hate to tell you this Dillon but that's hearsay evidence. Third party."

  "Don't matter. I'll see that the information gets into the trial."

  "Jo Ella has been through enough. Why don't you leave her out of this? Go home, Dillon, and leave Jo Ella alone."

  "What do you mean?" He smiled acidly at him.

  "Let her take her baths in private for one." Harry grit his teeth to hold his own temper.

  "Why? I wanted her to have no doubts how I feel."

  "There are other ways, Dillon. I'm warning you, don't pull that again."

  " What is this, Harry? You get back and all of a sudden I'm the enemy?" Dillon frowned.

  "Right now, you're the biggest one I got."

  "Because of Jo Ella?"

  "Because of Morey. But if you pull that again on her, I I'll arrest you."

  "She won't file charges. She enjoyed it as much as I did." Dillon smirked.

  "Until I heard about this, I liked you. But now, I'm not so sure I do. If you want the girl, buy her a ring, and propose, but don't go visiting her in her bath until you've married her."

  "At last we get down to it. I don't like you either, Harry. If you really cared about her, you'd tell her. All is fair in the game of love. I aim to marry her, mark my word."

  "Noted. But only if she wants it that way."

  "She will. She's nearly in love with me now." He laughed.

  "Would you mind leaving now? I've got work to do," Harry insisted.

  "I'll leave, but you better be on your guard, Harry, 'cause I aim to see Morey hang. One way or another." Dillon promised and stalked out the door.

  Harry threw down the pen he was using and shook his head in disgust. If she really wanted Dillon, then that was that. But until she made up her mind, he was going to protect her as much as he could from Dillon's possessiveness. And he was going to protect Morey the same way. Dillon was now on his bad list. A place he didn't want him to be, but it was the truth. Someday, somehow, he would have to deal with Dillon.

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Two days later, Harry was surprised at the jail, talking to the prisoners and a deputy when Ma came running into the office.

  "Can I speak with you a minute?" she asked, looking a bit concerned.

  "Sure." Harry walked around his desk and moved to the front door. He cocked his hat and smiled down into his mother's eyes, wanting to put her worries behind her. "What's going on?"

  She seemed to have a lot on her mind.

  "Jo Ella has a date with Dillon this afternoon, but when he's gone, she wants to take her bath. She don't figure he'll come back but… Will you come?"

  "I'll be there."

  "Have you spoken with Dillon since you've been back?" Ma kneaded her hands together.

  Harry noticed her ill ease and wrapped his arm around her protectively. "I've had some words with him. Little good it did. I don't like the direction of things right now, Ma. I think it may come down to some kind of showdown with him. He's not backing off of Morey. Nor Jo Ella. Nothing I can do about Jo Ella. She has a mind of her own, but there is something I can do about Morey."

  "Then you do what is best, son. I was kind of afraid he might have that attitude. Did you know he rides by here every day, looks the place over, and leaves? It makes me nervous."

  Harry tried to console her. He pulled her just outside the door, and looked into her eyes. "Don't you fret about all of this, Ma. It'll all work out."

  Some of the others were talking with Cole and nodding toward Harry with interest.

  Harry continued to talk to Ma, reassuring her and yet worrying her too. "He's determined to see Morey hung. That's why. And I don't think he'll be sentenced to hang."

  "How come?"

  "I can't tell you for sure what any of them will get. But I can tell you that I will speak up for Danny and Cole. Danny because of his age, and Cole because he told where the money was. As for the kidnapping charges, Jo Ella wasn't harmed, and Cole played a role in that too. He left her at Mae's unharmed. Morey shot a bank teller, and a deputy. He'll get the most time, maybe even hang for it. Depends on the judge a lot. That's why I can't be sure how it's going to go. Since the money was recovered, and Jo Ella wasn't harmed, the judge could be lenient. But sometimes we get a judge that wants to throw the book at them and then it's no holes bared what can happen. Dillon won't do anything until he's sure the court isn't going to hang them. I've got until then to figure out what I'm going to do about him. When we were kids, I knew how to handle him, but that was before his pa died. After that, he became belligerent and wild."

  "If it comes down between you and him, I’m bettin' on you son," Ma reassured him.

  "That'll really endear me to Jo Ella, won't it? Seems like I can't win for losing, doesn't it." Harry laughed with irony.

  "Jo Ella is a smart girl. I don't think he's got her wrapped around his finger yet. Whatever happens happens. Cain't be helped, but you might want to tell her. Maybe she can warn Dillon off," Ma laid a hand on his arm to reassure him. "I mean if he really loves her, then maybe she can ma
ke the difference in what he does."

  " I'll speak to her tonight then. Thanks for stopping by."

  "Why don't you come over for some supper tonight?" she suggested.

  "Sounds good to me." Harry smiled just for her. "I never turn down a good meal."

  "See ya about six." Ma took off across the street.

  ~*~

  Harry wired the judge. It was gonna be at least three weeks before the trial. He told his deputies and instructed them not to let Dillon inside the office or cells and to be armed at all times. Dillon was to have no contact with the prisoners. They all agreed. Then he told the prisoners.

  Now he had to talk to Jo Ella. That would be hard. Because what he needed to say, she wouldn't like.

  One of the members of the town council stopped by that afternoon and expressed their appreciation for bringing back the money and the prisoners alive. Harry had their support.

  Then he visited Jeff his wounded deputy.

  Jeffrey Duncan and his wife Becca lived about a mile out of town on a small spread. Jeff opened the door and gestured for him to come in and sit down.

  "How's the arm?" Harry asked, wishing he could do something for him.

  He could see Jeff was in a little discomfort by how much trouble Jeff had picking things up and carrying things around the house. Even a cup of coffee was painful for him. "It's mendin'. I heard you got all three of them and the money back."

  "Yeah, everything is safe for now."

  "For now. That doesn't sound too good. What's wrong?"

  "Dillon. He knows Morey killed his father and he wants to see him hang. Trouble is, I don't think any of them are gonna hang. I mean, I could be wrong. But since the money had been returned, and at least Cole and Danny are regretful, I can't see a jury or a judge sentencing them to hang. Now Morey could hang. He shot you and the bank teller, so they probably will go harder on him. Danny didn't do anything but hold the horses for them."

  "That Dillon's a real character, ain't he?" Jeff shook his head with disgust. He glanced out the window a time or two as though distracted. "If he'd just use his head…"

  "I'm afraid before this is over, I might have to go up against him."

  "You think it will come to that? I know you two were always sort of rivals, but do you think he'd draw on you, Harry?" Jeff asked trying to sip his coffee like normal but unable to quit shaking from the effort.

  "I'm pretty sure he will if they don't hang Morey." Harry watched his deputy and knew he'd been hurt harder than he first realized.

  "I'll do anything I can to help," Jeff offered. "This arm ain't gonna be out of commission forever."

  "I know. Just wanted you aware of what was going on and why the tension is there." Harry set his coffee cup down and moved toward the door.

  "Dillon used to be a pretty good fella, but he's such a hot head. And he don't listen. I wouldn't want to go up against him," Jeff admitted.

  "Neither do I."

  "Did you have much trouble bringin' them in?"

  "Not as much as I figured on, no. By going it alone, I figured I could catch them by surprise and just cuff them and be done with it. Which worked out well. I got to know them a little better too. I've known Cole all his life, kind of hated to see him in this, but it's way too late now. You know Cole. He's not such a bad sort. Just took a wrong direction is all. And of course the kid, well, he's just wet behind the ears is all." Harry twisted his hat in a circle.

  "Yeah, Cole used to be all right. Cain't say the same for Morey, though."

  "I know. And that's a problem. Morey wants to escape, I can tell. While I can't be at the jail all the time, I am planning on staying as much as I can, but like tonight, I'm going to visit Ma and I've got to talk to Jo Ella."

  "I can sit at the desk and watch things for you anytime. All I gotta do is put a rifle in my lap, for any trouble."

  Harry looked at him with surprise. "Would you mind doing that?"

  "Sure. What time?"

  "Well, I'm going over to Ma's about six and then I'll be back kind of late. Can you manage it?" Harry asked, never once thinking he'd be this lucky.

  "Be glad to. Make me feel like I'm needed." Jeff laughed.

  "Where's the little woman?" Harry asked as he glanced around the house and saw no sign of her.

  "Over to a sewing party. They are making a quilt for the baby." Jeff laughed.

  "That's right. It won't be long, will it?"

  "Nope. She'll be home directly and I'll let her know," Jeff promised. "She might even want to come sit with me. Would that be alright?"

  "I suppose it would. Just keep the door locked and don't let anyone but me in. Well, you rest up as much as you can. And if you can spell me off and on, that would be a big help to me."

  "I can do that."

  "Good. Thanks again, and I'm glad you are mending."

  "If anyone has it in for Morey, it's me, but even I don't want to see the fella hang. Jonathon wasn't hurt too bad either, but I'm sure he's not too fond of Morey either right now."

  "Yeah, hanging is not a pleasant thing to watch. Don't know why so many want to in the first place."

  "Yeah, sometimes people come for miles just to see one. Well, see ya tonight then."

  Harry waved and left, relieved he could leave the office for one evening. He hadn't seen Jo Ella since he returned and she greeted him in the street with a kiss. and he missed her. He feared she was falling for Dillon too and that his chances were close to nil.

  But he kept telling himself he had too much to worry about right now. Somehow he had to keep Dillon from trying to kill Morey and Morey from escaping. Morey didn't realize it yet, but he had a better chance of surviving by staying in jail.

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  A little before six, Jeff and Becca arrived. Becca brought some sweet rolls and promptly made a pot of coffee at the jail.

  "You sure you are up to this?" Harry asked.

  "I'll be fine, especially with Becca to keep me company. I'll lock and bar the door when you leave. Is the back door locked and secure?"

  "Yeah, I just checked on it. Everything should be fine. If you do need me though, have Becca slip out the back and come over to Ma's."

  "I'll do that. Can Becca give them a roll?" Jeff pointed to the men in the cell.

  "Why not? See you in a bit then." Harry grabbed his hat off the peg and nodded to Becca.

  When he arrived at Ma's, she was putting the food on the table. It was just the two of them, and he was glad. He rarely got to talk to his mother alone these days. She always prepared the meals for her boarders, and there were usually some stragglers who came in for a bite.

  He quickly hung his hat, gave her a peck on the cheek and sat down.

  "Who is watchin' the jail?" Ma asked as she poured his coffee.

  "Jeff and Becca. They're locked up tight as a drum, with instructions not to let anyone in, so things should be quiet," Harry said with a long sigh. "Jeff has his shotgun in his lap. You know he's hurt worse than I first thought."

  "I know, Becca said a nerve was damaged and that's why he's having a hard time grabbing hold of things. I'm glad he's there though. He was getting so restless Becca was going crazy too. It's been a while since we sat down together at a table." She brought the chicken fried steak and potatoes to the table.

  Harry was licking his lips the minute he saw the size of the steaks.

  "Kind of a treat, isn't it?" Ma smiled and finally joined him. She offered a prayer, as always, and they began passing each other the food.

  "You been feelin' all right?" he asked off-handedly.

  "Pretty good. A woman my age naturally has a few aches and pains, but nothing unusual or that bad."

  Harry knew his job worried his Ma, but he chose this life and she had accepted it. Still the strain was always there between them about it.

  "So where is everybody?" he asked.

  "The church had an afternoon social. All the girls and some of my men boarders went. Only one here is Lefty."

>   Harry crooked his head. "Lefty. I haven't seen him in ages."

  "And you won't neither. When his wife was kilt, he went to drinkin'. He'll be leavin' any minute for the saloon," Ma informed him.

  "So Dillon took Jo Ella to the church social?"

  "Yep, he did. I didn't figure you would get around to asking her, bein' so busy and all with all that bunch in jail."

  "The hazards of my life, Ma." Harry tried to laugh it off.

  "She'll be home early, I’m told."

  Harry shrugged. "I'm sure Dillon has claimed her heart by now. As fast as he works on a woman, she doesn't have a chance when he wants her." He managed the king size steak his mother had cooked special for him, but he nibbled after that.

  "Sounds like you have a full house here." Harry said, trying to change the subject.

  "Yeah, the stage came through with a bunch the other day."

  Someone descended the stairs, and Lefty, a thin little man with a big mustache came strolling through the kitchen. He was well dressed, but anyone could smell the liquor on him.

  "Lefty, see you don't drink too much," Ma instructed.

  "I'll try not to, Ma." He tipped his hat to her.

  After he left Harry and his mother talked about his catching the robbers and stopping off at Mae's. Ma and Mae used to be great friends, until Cole got so ornery. That's about the time Mae quit coming to town.

  "When Mae took up with that Hinny fella, we just hardly spoke after that. Probably a good thing, I wouldn't have been able to keep my mouth shut."

  "I thought it was Cole that had the two of you not talking."

  "Nope, it was Hinny. I told her he wasn't any good. She wouldn't listen. Said she was lonely. I guess she still is up there on the hilltop." Ma scoffed.

  "Yeah, but she's made a right nice place, Ma. She has that place really looking good. And you know it wasn't Hinny who did it."

  Ma nodded. "That's for sure."

  After a while, Harry asked. "So, does Jo Ella know I'm gonna be here while she takes a bath?"

  "Yeah, I told her. She said she was glad she could have some privacy."