Cindy Holby

by Angel’s End

  “I’d hate to be standing next to this guy,” he said. “Every time he shoots he’s going to hit whoever is next to him.”

  Banks dissolved into giggles at the comment. Meanwhile, Ashes stalked into the parlor and took up a place beneath the table. She watched for a moment as they lined up for the great battle to come, then with a twitch of her tail, jumped right into the middle of the neat lines. The soldiers toppled in every direction and she turned about in quick jerky motions, in an attempt to keep track of her prey.

  Cade made a whistling noise, much like she imagined a cannonball would sound and struck the rug with his hands. Banks raised up and jumped on his back. Cade fell to the rug as if he’d been struck hard. A wrestling match ensued, one full of giggles and squeals. Her heart swelled at the sight as she watched them play in the firelight.

  Any fears she had about Cade and her son were laid to rest.

  If only she knew his intentions toward her. It seemed strange that the day had passed and he’d not said anything. Maybe it was because it was all new and unexpected. She chose not to worry about it. Instead she joined her two men in the parlor.

  TWENTY-SEVEN

  “You look like you’re feeling better.” Ward looked up at Leah as she poured his coffee. Her skin held a rosy glow that had nothing to do with the measles. There was something about her, something different. Something from the inside. He glanced through the window at her house across the street. No sign of the preacher. Did he have anything to do with the spring in Leah’s step?

  “I am feeling better,” she replied. “I take it you’re having the usual times two?”

  Ward looked down at Lady. “Yes I am,” he replied. It was something how having a dog around had so quickly become a habit. He’d never even realized he wanted a dog until she showed up. Now the idea of not having her around was kind of painful.

  Leah went off to put his order in. Ward sipped his coffee and looked around the Devil’s Table. Everyone was happy, asking after Leah, relieved that she had survived the measles and that the epidemic had passed them by. She answered each person cheerfully, as bright as a summer day.

  They were also asking about the preacher. For someone who was supposed to be among them, he sure did keep a low profile. If he didn’t know any better, Ward would think he was downright shy. Not a good trait for a preacher. Whatever it was, the man sure did know how to make himself scarce.

  Of course he could just be saving himself for the big welcome party coming this weekend. “Nope,” Ward said to himself as Leah placed his breakfast on the table. “That is not it…” The man had no trouble talking. And he was aces at avoiding. There was something about him…

  “Something wrong Ward?” Leah asked.

  “Not a thing.” Ward put Lady’s plate before her. She watched him until he nodded his head, giving permission, then she ate.

  “Where’s the preacher at this morning? Isn’t he supposed to eat breakfast here?”

  Leah became suddenly busy with a spot on the table that was close to the window. She turned her face away as she worked on it with a vengeance. “He ate at home and then went to work on the doors.”

  “Sounds like he’s making himself right at home,” Ward said.

  “He’s a great help,” Leah said, then dashed away to give Zeke a refill on his coffee.

  Ward grinned at her vanishing form. So the preacher was a great help. What exactly had he helped himself to? Maybe he’d go see if he could lend him a hand after breakfast.

  It didn’t take Cade long to work up a sweat. The weather that threatened the day before moved on quickly, leaving behind a few morning snow flurries and a pale and icy sky. Jim had greeted him before taking off on horseback. He’d turned all the stabled animals out into the corral and they browsed at the sweet grass that grew along the stream banks, pawing their way through the packed snow to get to the tastier blades beneath.

  Jim had built the fire up before he left and asked Cade to keep it hot so he could work when he returned. Cade hung his heavy coat on a nail and rolled up his shirtsleeves. Dodger sat in the middle of the shed, curious about the new routine. Cade really could use his short coat, the one he’d left on Timothy’s body. He wouldn’t desecrate Timothy’s frock coat by wearing it out. It brought back too many memories, of both Timothy and his father.

  Had Fitch found the bodies yet? Had his ruse worked? When Davis didn’t return, Fitch would know something had happened. Davis was too chicken to cross Fitch and too greedy to walk away from a chance at the reward.

  The work he did was mindless. The wood was pine, so it was soft and easy to work, with long steady strokes. The job was mindless, nothing more than physical labor. Thinking about Fitch was worrisome and troubling. Thinking about Leah was better.

  He’d longed for her company last night. She, in her bed with Banks, and he across the hall in the boy’s bed. She came to him, after Banks fell asleep. They’d made love quickly and silently and she’d been nervous the entire time that Banks would wake up and catch them and then she’d have to explain things.

  She should marry Jake Reece. Maybe she would after he left. Maybe she’d realize that it was for the best. Above everything, he wanted her to be happy. There was no doubt in his mind that she would hate him when she found out the truth. He didn’t want to be around to see it on her face. He was the worst kind of bastard for doing this to her. But he couldn’t help it…he loved her.

  Coward…always taking the easy way. Always blaming others for your troubles.

  Always alone because of it.

  “Good morning.”

  “Ward.” Cade stopped his work as the saloon owner sauntered up to the shed with the dog by his side. Dodger quickly ran to meet his friend and with a woof the two of them took off at a trot, both nipping at the other as they went.

  Ward stood by the corral, with his hands in his pockets, and looked at the horses. The chestnut had to be his. It pricked its ears forward and came directly to where Ward stood. He fished a treat from his pocket, a piece of dried apple from what Cade could see and the horse delicately lipped it from his palm.

  The donkey, which Jim had christened Libby, trotted up while Ward rubbed the neck of his horse. She stood with her legs splayed and started her hee-haw, deep in her chest, moving her lips back and forth until it finally came bellowing out. Such a big noise for a tiny critter. Cade saw the cross on her spine and withers, a blessing from Christ for carrying him those many years ago, or so his mother had told him.

  “Do you think she’s trying to tell me something?” Ward turned around to face Cade.

  “Could be.” Cade was more interested in what Ward was after. “Could be she just misses her family.”

  Ward nodded in agreement.

  “So what brings you around?” Cade went back to his planing, and then ran a hand down the length of the door. He didn’t want to waste time with Ward. His time was precious. He didn’t want to waste one minute that could be spent with Leah.

  “We were worried about you.”

  “We?”

  Ward walked beneath the shed. He poked at the fire before turning back to Cade. “Half the town was expecting you to show up at the diner for breakfast this morning.”

  “Hmm,” Cade said. “The Devil’s Table. I’d think the townsfolk would want me to stay away from a place like that.”

  Ward pushed his hat back. “Yeah, Dusty does have a wicked sense of humor.”

  “Kind of like yours, I’d say.” Cade put the planer down, dusted off his hands and picked up the sander.

  “Well Heaven’s Gate did make sense, with the angel and all.”

  “I can see how,” Cade admitted. “I reckon I could use that as an excuse, to drop in and visit. It would make a lot more sense than a preacher going to eat at the Devil’s Table.”

  “You are welcome to come in anytime. No questions asked.”

  “I might just take you up on that sometime.” Cade ran the sander along the side of the door. “So how ’bout
you help me carry this door down to the house so I can check the fit.”

  Cade waited for the excuses. He’d only mentioned wanting his help to get rid of him. The man was way too curious and much too intuitive to have poking around. Jasper taught him the signs and told him to keep his distance from marks such as Ward.

  “Why not,” Ward said. “After all, we wouldn’t want to give anyone an excuse to gossip about the preacher and the widow, now would we?” He picked up an end of the door.

  “Let me grab my coat.” Cade found the hinges and hardware and dropped them in his pocket.

  Dang it…Who would have thought Ward would decide to be helpful. Cade picked up his end of the door and they headed for the house. The door wasn’t heavy, just awkward. Ward led the way, so he went between the stable and the shed and to the street, another place Cade had been trying to avoid.

  “So why have you been hiding out?” Ward’s voice was casual, as if he talked about nothing more than the weather.

  Thank God for Dodger. Cade laughed at the sight. “How do you feel about puppies?”

  “What?” Ward looked to where Cade’s gaze led. Dodger was mounted on Lady, right in the middle of the street beneath the wings of the angel. His tongue lolled out to the side and he was pretty much having the time of his life.

  Someone must have alerted Leah to the situation. She came out from the diner and yelled. “Dodger!”

  A woman in a satin robe and an older man came out of the saloon and burst into laughter. A squeal sounded from down the street. Bettina.

  Cade looked at Ward who grinned and shook his head. The two of them laughed. The sight of Leah running down the street with her skirts gathered in her arms made them laugh harder. They set the door down and went toward the statue and the dogs, still laughing.

  “It’s not like we can stop them.” Cade grinned.

  “Leah looks like she’s planning on it,” Ward said.

  “DODGER!” Leah called out as she reached the dogs. “Shoo!” She clapped her hands. Dodger’s eyes rolled back into his head. “Stop!”

  “Looks like he’s got a purpose, Leah,” Ward said.

  “Don’t touch him.” Cade put a hand on her arm and pulled her back. “He’s in the throes of passion.” He was amazed to see her blush and turn her head away. He checked to see if Ward was watching, but he had his eyes on the dogs. He moved his hand down to take hers. A foolish move, but he could claim he was protecting her if someone asked. Her hand felt right in his. As if a piece of him had been missing all this time. The thing he’d needed without knowing it. A someone to hold on to.

  “I bet the pups will be pretty,” he said, looking down into her green eyes. The sunlight brightened them, bringing out the gold beneath her lovely dark lashes.

  She rolled her eyes at him. “Cade.” Leah laughed just as the pair from the saloon walked up. The woman was pretty with hair the color of strawberries, blue eyes and freckles across her nose. The soiled dove of Angel’s End. In another time and another place he would have appreciated her company. But not after Leah. He’d be spoiled for women from now on. Maybe that was a good thing.

  “Looks like you healed up pretty good,” she said. She sized him up with an audacious grin, cheeky even in the presence of a minister. “But I thought your name was Timothy.”

  Before Cade or Leah could answer Bettina charged up with her broom. “This is indecent! And in front of the preacher.” She jabbed at the dogs. Dodger snapped at her. “Leah Findley do something about your dog!”

  “They’re just doing what comes naturally, Mrs. Swanson,” Cade said.

  “Oh I’m not sure she would know about that,” Ward said.

  “Well I never!” Bettina stomped off. Cade put his fist to his mouth to hold back the laughter and Leah was suddenly interested in the schoolhouse as she turned away. Cade squeezed her hand.

  “I reckon that is the problem,” Ward drawled. He raised an eyebrow at the sight of their joined hands and Leah let go. There would be talk when he left. But there wasn’t anything he could do about it now.

  “It looks like love is in the air,” Ward said.

  Dodger dismounted and turned to Leah and Cade with his tail wagging. Cade resisted the urge to say “good dog.”

  “Oh my goodness,” Leah said. “I will never hear the end of this.” She would, come next Sunday when it was found that he was gone. There would be something else to talk about besides her dog having his way in the middle of the street. “Come on Dodger,” she said and took off, with the dog trotting at her heels.

  Lady sat down next to Ward as if nothing had happened at all. “I reckon I need to start thinking about a nursery,” Ward said.

  Cade laughed again. If the circumstances were different, he had a feeling that he and the saloon owner could be friends. If only the circumstances were different.

  TWENTY-EIGHT

  “How did you get these scars on your back?” Leah stroked her hand over his back. Cade lay half on top of her, with his head tucked up beneath her chin and over her breast. She’d twisted the ends of his hair between her fingers before moving down to his back.

  He held on to her as if he was reluctant to let go. The sun was high in the sky and Banks would be home soon. She should be taking care of her chores, taking care of her son, yet she did not want to move, she wanted to stay where she was, forever. When had she turned into such a wanton? What was it about the way he looked at her, with his eyes full of such sweet desperation that made her melt and fall into his arms?

  Was it how he made love to her, as if he would die if he couldn’t touch her, as if he needed her as much as he needed air, water and food that made her feel this way? Nate had never needed her like that. Yes, Nate had loved her and she loved him, but this burning passion she shared with Cade was something new, something exciting, something extremely dangerous.

  The week had been a blur. Ever since she walked into the house on Monday, after the lunch shift, after getting teased unendingly about Dodger’s romance, to find Cade finishing up hanging the door to her room. He had his shirt off, and she watched in wondrous fascination as the muscles moved across his back and shoulders. He’d tested the door, then satisfied with his work, took her into his arms and carried her to the bed.

  They’d made love every day since. It didn’t matter that she needed to start supper. That she needed to catch up on a week’s worth of laundry, or that Banks would be home from school within the hour. All that mattered was that he needed her.

  Yet he said nothing about a future, nothing about anything beyond the very moment they were in, and she didn’t push him. Still there were things she wanted to know because she wanted to understand him better. So she asked about the scars.

  “It happened a long time ago,” he said.

  “Did somebody beat you?”

  He moved then, shifted to his side. Kissed her and then sat up on the edge of the bed with just the edge of the sheet over his lap and his long legs bare to the air. “Yes, somebody beat me until my back was bloody, then they left me tied to a wagon wheel for two days and nights. I was fifteen years old. They adopted me from the orphanage after my father left us there.”

  Leah put her hand to her mouth to hold back a shocked gasp that somebody could be so cruel to a boy. Cruel to beat him and then cruel to leave him like that. There were so many questions rattling around in her mind. Why would somebody do that? It was too horrible for words. She wanted to take him in her arms, and comfort the boy that had suffered so much when he was so young, but instead she waited for the rest of the story.

  Cade scrubbed his hands through his hair, and then jerked his pants on. “You should get dressed. School will be out soon.” He picked up his boots and shirt and left the room, with Dodger on his heels, as usual. He shut the door firmly behind him.

  Leah stared at the door, in shock, from his revelation and his abrupt departure. The man carried too many secrets, secrets that made her wonder if she had made a big mistake. Secrets that made h
er think she was in way over her head.

  “He overcame it,” she said to the wall. “He became a minister.” The empty room held no answers, only more questions. How did a boy who survived a massacre in Colorado when he was ten and a beating at fifteen end up back in Ohio, only to come west again? There were too many questions, too many things about Timothy “Cade” Key that just didn’t make sense.

  Since he was a minister, shouldn’t he marry her? It wasn’t that she wanted to trap him, but he declared his love for her over and over. Asked her to remember it above all else. And she believed him. She looked into his eyes and she knew it to be true. Could she be wrong? Could he be lying to her? And if he lied about loving her, then what else had he lied about?

  Yes, she was in deep, deep trouble, because she was in love with him. She had a feeling things were going to get a whole lot worse before they got better, if they got better at all.

  “Maybe he’s just worried about Sunday and the first service.” Strange, now that she thought on it. She hadn’t seen him making any preparation for it at all. Not once had he picked up the Bible, or written out notes, or anything that she supposed a minister should do. He could be doing it while she was at work in the morning.

  She knew, deep in her heart, that he hadn’t done a thing to prepare for Sunday, just as she knew that something was terribly wrong with Pastor Timothy Key.

  It was time to go. Dang it! Cade kicked at a chunk of snow as he stepped off the back porch. He had tried to convince himself all week that he’d figure out a way around it. “God, I’ve just made it worse.”

  He never should have touched her, never should have kissed her, and certainly never should have made love to her. His entire life was a litany of never should haves.

  But God…he loved her.

  Cade went to the shed, buttoning his shirt as he walked. The wind caught it and he jerked it back into place, his motions quick with impatience. He needed to find a hat before he left; his was long gone, lost in his flight from Fitch. The chickens scattered as he stalked onward, clucking insults as they ran away from his long strides. Roscoe flew at his ankles and pecked in indignation. Dodger, done with his business, trotted up to Cade with a questioning woof as he put his hand on the door of the shed.