by Kari Trumbo
Beau shook his head. “This is Cutter’s Creek. Can’t keep secrets around here.”
He knew Beau was talking about this situation, but he should have known it to be true of his secret jobs, too. Anything perceived as a secret around Cutter’s Creek was never anything good. He should have known that his job would be cause for gossip and anger.
He shoved Shorty through the jailhouse door and stopped short. There sat Bill Hanover and his beautiful daughter, pretty Penny Hanover.
Chapter Fifteen
His jaw went slack for a moment and then he clenched it shut. “Are you reporting me, Hanover?” He couldn’t keep the anger from his voice. He’d always been respectful to this man and treated him accordingly, but this was an issue that had to be dealt with as equals, not as a young man to a future father in law.
“Are you bringing the law into a situation that we should have dealt with man to man? I can’t believe you would do that to me.” He felt his chest rise and fall quickly as his anger built.
He stared at Beau, the perpetual smirk on his face. “And you, you were in on this too, weren’t you? You showed me Penny’s kerchief to rub it in my face that you’re with Penny, aren’t you?” He heard Penny gasp and saw her cover her mouth in shock. She’d hidden it from him, it was like a boulder to the chest. He looked to each face and none seemed willing to explain their actions. Josiah backed away from the group and reached for his gun.
Penny stood, her eyes red-rimmed with tears. “Josiah, no!”
“I won’t go back behind those bars. You don’t know what it’s like sitting there feeling your life slip by.” He waited, holding his breath. Time didn’t seem to move and Penny reached for him, her hand open.
He yanked Shorty forward. “Here’s the man you want. Double-crossers, the lot of you!” He threw Shorty toward the sheriff. The sheriff stood and reached for Shorty. Josiah turned and ran from the cramped space. He heard Beau call his name, but wouldn’t stop. Beau had lied. It was too easy to see. Penny and her father must have come in to report that Josiah had left when he shouldn’t have. She still didn’t know the truth about him so her doubt would make her take back what she’d said about another gunman. Then there was the handkerchief. She’d obviously given it to Beau. How could he ever trust anyone again?
He ran all the way back to his stable, grabbed his saddle, and had the horse ready to go in under a minute. He looked behind him briefly, just long enough to see he wasn’t being pursued. Though that seemed odd, he counted it as good luck. Swinging his leg over her back, he kicked her flank once to get a good pace. Where he was headed…he couldn’t say, as long as it took him far away from green-eyed beauties and quiet, woman-thieving friends.
~~~
Penny had already soaked a few handkerchiefs that morning and she now looked for another. Her father had listened to the whole story that morning in the back of the wagon, from her worry about Josiah and what he was up to, to the short man who’d come into Mable’s shop and pointed a gun at Josiah. She had also told him, because she felt it was important, that she remembered everything about Josiah. All the reasons she’d loved him completely had come flooding back as she’d cried into her father’s shoulder, and he’d listened to every word without condemnation. He’d let her handle it at her own pace, sitting in the forest with Mable listening in.
He had climbed back up onto the bench and hurried them back to Cutter’s Creek. He dropped Mable off quickly, and then they went home. Father had insisted Mother would be concerned and would want to know everything. So, yet again, she’d told everything. Her mother had stood solemnly by and had taken in the whole situation, not offering advice but not condemning her actions, either.
Finally, her father had insisted they go to the sheriff and tell him about her memory and Josiah’s innocence. She had just finished the tale for the third time and was completely spent when Josiah had come in. She’d tried to yell and stop him, but her father’s heavy hand on her shoulder had stopped her from chasing after him. His words had torn her to pieces. She wanted nothing more than to be with him and beg forgiveness for forgetting him even for a moment, but now he was gone.
Her father looked at the door, then to her as if he contemplated what to do. In the end, he sat back down, indicating that she should as well, and waited for Beau to tell them who the wrapped man was and why Josiah was now on the run. Though her father knew the whole story, she still covered her cheeks to hide her embarrassment at giving that handkerchief to Beau.
Beau finished telling his story and strode over to her, he bent at the waist so she wouldn’t have to look up at him and pulled her handkerchief from his vest pocket. He’d cleaned and pressed it, which somehow made it worse, that he would care enough to do that.
“Thank you for caring, but I think this belongs to you and I’m sorry for my part in riling up Josiah. I shouldn’t have said a word to him.”
She looked up and blinked away the tears she couldn’t seem to stop. “It isn’t me you need to apologize to, Beau.” She sniffed, putting the handkerchief to immediate use.
Beau stepped back and yanked Shorty in front of him, holding his arm. “This is the man who shot Penny. He’d been aiming for Josiah. His name is Shorty Longfellow. He’s from Carter and he’s angry—” Beau looked down at Penny and back to Shorty. “He’s angry about some of the deliveries Josiah’s been making.” He put his face up to the side of Shorty’s head as if to whisper, but didn’t. “Maybe he’s mad that Josiah got the bid and he didn’t.”
Shorty thrashed wildly. He made to turn and lifted his arms, flailing toward Beau.
Beau shoved him into the jail cell, closing the door. It heaved shut with a satisfying click.
“The problem is, some men aren’t happy to let a man be. Josiah’s been doing well, but he only has two big deliveries to go. If you see fit to lock him up for disobeying your rule…” He looked to the sheriff. “Then I’ll do Josiah’s work and make sure he gets his pay. Mr. Hanover, as much as I think Penny is worth sticking around for, I want you to know that Josiah is honorable. I don’t think he’d take advantage of her and I know he’ll do right by her.”
The sheriff leaned against his desk. “So, Williams doesn’t know that Penny has her memory back. He thinks we want to arrest him for leaving town, which I would, if the killer―who was actually trying to kill him―wasn’t already in my jail. I don’t have two, so I guess that means Josiah is free.” The sheriff crossed his arms over his chest and leaned back in his chair.
“That sums it up, sir.” Beau copied the action and looked at the floor, hiding his face behind his hat. He’d used up all his words for the day.
The sheriff regarded Bill. “Hanover, take your daughter home. She looks to need some rest. I wrote down Penny’s statement and it seems to coincide with what Beau said.” He swung his attention to Beau. “Beau, I’ll need to ask you a few questions to write out an actual statement, so make yourself comfortable.”
Penny allowed her father to help her stand and walk her back home. After all the words, the sheriff was right. She was exhausted.
“Papa, what about Josiah?” She looked up into his face. “I don’t want to lose him. He thinks I’ve left him. I can’t have him believing that.” She dropped her gaze to see if his jaw would soften. It hadn’t that whole morning.
“We’ll worry about him after you’ve had a chance to rest and think. I thought you knew better than this, Penny Hanover, truly I did.” He shook his head.
“Don’t you understand? He couldn’t trust anyone. I was the only one.” She quickened her steps to catch up to him.
He stopped and looked down at her, the caring in his eyes belaying the hardness of his countenance. “He may not have been able to trust anyone else, Penny, but you certainly did. You could have asked Mother to go with you, or even me. You left without even thinking through what the consequences of your actions were, which is why you aren’t a married woman at this moment. That, and your mother would have skinned me alive if I�
��d let you marry without her there.” He returned to walking looking away from her.
“But I did know the consequences, Father.” She pulled on his arm to stop him once again and held out her hand. The pearl ring shone in the sun. “Don’t you see? Even when I didn’t remember every bit, I still knew in my heart that Josiah was the man for me. It’s like his name is signed on my very soul. I can’t live without him by my side.”
He looked down at her and the line of his mouth softened just slightly. “If that is true, little one, then he will come back. All I ask of him is that he come to me and explain why he felt he had to take my daughter in the dark of night. He needs to apologize to both of us for his harsh words in the jail. He needs to own the damage he has done to your reputation and then make it right.”
She watched as the hard line of her father’s back walked away. She fought against the pain growing inside like a hole swallowing her up.
Chapter sixteen
Josiah rode pell-mell through the forest, crashing around juniper and spruce trees giving off their thick, heady scent. He swiped at stray branches. His eyes blurred. The sound of a river rustled its way to him. Looking straight up, he gauged the sun as past the trees where he sat, but he couldn’t see how far past the zenith they were. He rode toward the rushing sound of the river. Pulling up near the bank, he swung his leg over, letting himself slide off the horse. She went straight for the water while he sat near the edge.
If he’d gone to visit the Hanovers first, he could have avoided that scene. Beau would have brought Shorty down to the sheriff. There was no need for him to even be there, but he’d wanted to do it, to receive the praise. He would have never known about Beau and Penny’s secret meeting the night before. The very night she’d ridden with him and told him she would gladly marry him as a consequence for going with him. It could only be a lie. His gut twisted and he yelled as loud as he was able. He collapsed by the river, wishing for all the world that he could do the last day over again.
He’d never wanted Penny involved. If Mable hadn’t gone against his wishes and got her, this wouldn’t have happened. So many things could have been done differently to lead to another outcome. He picked up a rock and tossed it into the river. It dropped into the water with a soft splash. A bird overhead called to its mate.
How had he managed to make such a mess of something that he’d been sure was right? He knew deep inside that it was a good thing to help those families find new homes. He’d never even questioned if Penny was a blessing. It was a given. He’d thanked the Lord for her more than he could count, so why was he hitting a wall now?
A young woman walked into the clearing, pointing a rifle at him. Josiah’s breath hitched as he threw his hands in the air. He forced his voice to stay level and slow. “I’m not looking to hurt anyone. I was just resting my horse. I can move on if this is your bit of river.”
She lowered her gun just enough that he could see her eyes. Shining next to the river, they reflected the truest blue he’d ever seen.
“Who are you, mister, and where you from?” Her voice cracked as if she didn’t speak much.
Josiah left his hands in the air and didn’t move. “I’m from Cutter’s Creek, a couple hours or so from here.”
“And who are you?” She waited, her gun pointed just away from his feet, still too close for comfort.
“I’m Josiah. I’m…” Telling her he was on the run from the law would be incredibly foolish. What could he say? He lowered his hands slightly and held them out to each side. “I’m…looking for answers I couldn’t find at home.”
The woman put her gun down and strode over to him, holding her hand out to shake his like a man. He obliged her, but only because she still had that gun.
“I’m Ruby. I married the late Arnold Gresham. He built a small cabin just up the river a bit and I’ve been alone for the past five months. You sure did make a racket. You always yell when you’re out looking for something? Can’t find nothing if you done scare it away.”
Josiah reeled back at the waterfall of sound from her. “I…couldn’t help it.”
Ruby continued as if she had heard him at all. “You learn how to use a gun quick when you need it to eat. Course, you can’t make a big noise like that or you won’t be eatin’ anything.” She sat down next to him by the river and propped her gun against a stump. “So, can I help you find whatever it is you’re lookin’ for? Ain’t any gold in this river, far as I know.” She looked at him and waited.
“I’m not looking for gold, just a Penny.” Josiah shook his head.
“I’m plum outta money or I’d give you one.” She smiled and her eyes crinkled playfully.
“Thank you, Ruby. I didn’t mean a money penny. I’m talking about a woman. Penelope Hanover, or Penny to those she calls friends.”
“I ain’t had a friend in a long time. I don’t think Penny is out here. I’d have seen her.”
“Do you plan to stay out here and live out your life, Ruby? You are young enough. You could find another husband.”
“Ha! Are you offering?” She bumped him with her shoulder. “I married young the first time, to an old man. He died before our first year was done. My pa thought he’d provide for me. He was wrong.” Ruby’s brows dipped low. “I never thought about going to town. I don’t know anyone in Cutter’s Creek, and I don’t have no money.”
“If you can work they’ll find a place for you.”
Penny planted a sidelong glance on him. “So, if Penny isn’t out here, why are you out here looking for her?”
“You don’t give up easily, do you?” Josiah tossed another rock into the river. “I did my Penny wrong yesterday. She did me wrong too, so now her Papa wants to be rid of me.”
“My pa always said grace can cover every evil, but we have to ask for it.” She stood up and grabbed her gun. “You take a minute to think about how you’re going to get back your Penny, if’n you still really want her if she done you wrong. I’m going to go get my horse and pack a few things.”
“You’re coming with me?” He looked up at her and shaded his eyes.
“You invited me along, so I’d best take it. I might not ever get a better offer.” She smiled, turned, and trudged off.
“Grace can cover any evil, but is the father who thinks I’ve spoiled his daughter as forgiving? I guess we’ll find out in a few hours.” He tossed another rock into the river.
Chapter seventeen
Penny lay on her bed with her arm over her eyes. Lily sat next to her and peeled away the old bandage around her shoulder.
“How does it look?” Penny flinched but wouldn’t move her arm to look herself.
“It looks like my mother’s old lips when she used to pucker up for Father.” Lily’s top lip slid back in mild disgust. “It’s bright pink and closed. There is a ring of redness around it, but no infection. Can you move it?”
Penny moved her arm to look at Lily. “We aren’t even supposed to take that off yet, and you want me to try to move?”
“Why not? If you’re going to break one rule, you might as well break them all.” Lily balled up the offending wrap and shoved it into an old pillow case. She’d been directed to throw it into the fire tonight.
“Please don’t do this, Lily. What would you say if you couldn’t be with James for the rest of your life?” Penny gingerly rotated her arm and smiled. It hurt less than she thought it would.
“I did have to deal with that, remember? I watched him marry someone else.” Lily looked to the soft strips of fabric she’d brought with. “Do you want me to wrap you back up a little? It will be difficult, but I think if we wrap the strips under your arm, it will hold and no one will know it’s there.”
“I just got free of it. Let me be for just a minute. Think, Lily, of how you felt when James came back? He came back for you. Didn’t your heart just soar?”
“I suppose it did. I can’t blame you for wanting to be with him, but I think you should talk to your parents instead of running off w
ith him again. If you think your father was angry this time…just wait until he discovers this plan.” Lily shook her head.
“Keep your voice down!” Penny rasped. “You’d best not say a word. When it was you in trouble with your parents, I helped you. You said you’d help me too when it came time.”
“I know you did.” Lily couldn’t stop staring at the pink scar on Penny’s shoulder.
“I will be the happiest woman in the world in just a few hours. Did you pull out my dress?” Penny tried to sit up and gasped. “Oh,” she groaned. “The tight wrap was helping me more than I’d thought. I didn’t want to wear it on my wedding night.” She let herself fall back against the pillow and winced against the sickening pain.
“Your wedding night? No one has even see Josiah since this afternoon when you say he rushed off out of the Jailhouse. What makes you so sure that you can find him and convince him to marry you all in the space of an evening?”
“I just know that I will. The dress?” She peeked out from under her arm.
“It is right here.” Lily sighed. “I won’t lie for you, Penny. You didn’t lie for me, so don’t expect me to go that far for you. If your parents ask, I’ll have to tell them.” Lily brushed the flowing emerald green skirt with her hand. “Will you want the day or the evening bodice for this gown?” Lily looked at Penny over her shoulder.
Penny snickered. “Why, the evening, of course. It shows more skin.”
Lily pulled the evening bodice from the paper wrap it had been stored in and stood stock still in front of the window. She didn’t even breathe.
“Lily, what is it? You’re scaring me.” Penny threw her legs over the side of the bed and leveraged herself up to sitting.
“Penny. Stay right where you are.” Lily held up her arm as if to hide the whole window from her view.
“What are you going on about now, Lily Donaldson?” Penny laughed and came over to her window. Her breath caught in her lungs and choked her as she saw Josiah ride through town, a lovely young woman following behind him.
