by Kit Morgan
“Mr. Lynch wasn’t feeling well this morning,” Andel explained.
Maddie slapped him on the arm. “No thanks to you.”
“It was only twelve pies,” Tom Turner said in their defense.
“Good heavens!” Colin laughed. “I’d forgotten all about that! You made the man eat twelve pies?”
“Aw, heavens no. He only ate three ‘fore he spilled everythin’.”
“Everything?” Harrison said.
“Yes.” Andel replied flatly. “Some of it on Sheriff Turner’s boots.”
“Egads,” Colin said as he left the pew. “Say no more.”
Tom shrugged. “I’ve dealt with worse.”
“I will say this,” Andel continued. “We were right. He’s wanted in several states for forgery, embezzlement and fraud.”
“A confidence man?” Harrison said in wonder.
“And his daughter?” Belle asked as she followed them down the aisle.
“That there’s the sad part,” Tom said. “The only thin’ she’s guilty of is bein’ shallow and spoiled. And in one case, a li’l too trustin’.”
“Too trusting?” Sadie asked as they went outside. “What do you mean?”
The Bergs’ royal guard closed in around them, the tallest one still sniffing into his handkerchief now and then. Andel sighed sadly and turned to Sadie. “She’s with child.”
“What?” the Cookes said at once.
“Yep,” Tom confirmed. “She ‘ needed to marry for the youngun’s sake. She ain’t got any real money to speak of, and neither does her pa. He was hopin’ she’d marry someone rich to secure his own future – I don’t think he ‘ cared much about hers.”
“That poor woman,” Belle commented as her eyes sought the hotel. “Are they going to stay in town?”
“In a jail cell, you mean,” said Sadie.
“Since Mr. Lynch crossed state lines, he’s what ya’d call a federal case,” Tom explained. “Tomorrow Eli’s gonna go to the nearest telegraph office and wire the state pen in Salem to send a U.S. marshal out for him. He won’t be givin’ Clear Creek no more trouble.
“But what about poor Miss Lynch?” Harrison asked.
“I wouldn’t worry about her,” Andel told him. “It seems Jasper Kiggins from the men’s camp is quite taken with her. I’ve given Mr. Van Cleet enough money to cover her room at the hotel long enough for Jasper to court her – at least until spring, when he plans to leave.”
“I’ve heard mention of him going to Astoria,” Colin said. “Good man, Jasper.”
“Indeed, he is. Maddie and I will speak to Miss Lynch personally about her predicament. It’s too bad about her father, but I’m afraid he’d only try to manipulate her condition further if allowed to stay.”
“Your Royal Highness?” the guard with the plaid said in a sing-song voice. The Cookes’ stared at him, wondering what his story was. Only his steel grey eyes could be seen. The rest of him was hidden by the plaid wrapped around
his head, lower face and neck.
“Yes?” Andel said.
“All is ready.”
“Very well. Rest until I have need of you.”
The guard bowed, straightened, then turned gracefully and left.
“Andel,” Harrison said. “Who is that? I’ve not seen him around until last night.”
“A … representative from the court, you might say. He’s been delayed in joining us.”
“Certainly an odd fellow,” Colin said. “I swear he cried through half the wedding.”
Andel and Maddie laughed. “Mr. Melvale can be quite emotional at times,” Maddie agreed. “He’s flamboyant, I’ll grant, but he’d lay his life down for us if he had to.”
Andel watched Melvale head for the hotel. “And so he has.” He turned to the others. “But that’s a story for another time. Now we celebrate the marriage of Harrison’s daughter to Mr. Comfort, a man I’m quite impressed with. He has everything Honoria needs. They are a good match.”
Harrison nodded. “I feel like a fool for not seeing it before.” He offered a hand to his longtime friend. “Thank you, Andel, for seeing it for me.”
Andel took his hand and pulled Harrison into a crushing embrace, slapping him on the back. “You’re welcome.” He stepped back. “You all did the same for me once, and now I’m married to the most beautiful woman in the world.”
Maddie blushed. “Despite the massive firepower involved at our wedding?”
“True, but I’d have married you even without the whole town waving arms in my face.”
Everyone laughed at that. “We’re going to miss the two of you when you leave,” Colin said. “Do you really have to go?”
“I’m afraid so,” said Andel. “Besides a country to run, we need to get back to our children. But we’ll try to come back when they’re a little older. In the meantime, you’ve got quite a task on your hands.”
“What’s that?”
Andel grinned. “Major Comfort has five unmarried brothers.”
“That, dear fellow, is Major’s problem,” Harrison pointed out.
“But your wife is so good at matchmaking, perhaps she could lend a hand?”
“Oh no,” Sadie said. “I’m retired from that, thanks. Best leave it to the professionals.”
“Like Mrs. Pettigrew?” Maddie asked with a laugh as they continued into the hotel.
“Exactly!” Sadie agreed.
Inside, the townsfolk were already eating, the music was playing (specifically Henry Fig, the only one who remembered to bring an instrument) and children were everywhere. Not only was it Major and Honoria’s wedding, but Christmas, and many had brought their gifts from home to open at the wedding supper.
Honoria saw her family and hurried over. “Papa! Did you see the cake?”
“No, sweetling, not yet. Show me.”
Honoria grabbed him by the hand and was off.
Colin laughed. “I hope Major can handle her.”
Sadie laughed too. “I hope she can handle him. He won’t put up with her nonsense, I can tell.”
“Then they really are a good match,” Belle confirmed.
“That they are,” Andel agreed. “Now let’s go take a look at that cake.” And the others followed the royal family of Dalrovia into the hotel dining room.
Only in Clear Creek.
About the Author
Kit Morgan, aka Geralyn Beauchamp, lives in a log cabin in the woods in the wonderful state of Oregon. She grew up riding horses, playing cowboys and Indians and has always had a love of Westerns! She and her father watched many Western movies and television shows together, and enjoyed the quirky characters of Green Acres. Kit’s books have been described as “Green Acres meets Gunsmoke,” and have brought joy and entertainment to thousands of readers. Many of her books are now in audio format, performed by a talented voice actor who brings Kit’s characters to life, and can be found on Amazon, Audible.com and iTunes.
@AuthorKitMorgan
Kit Morgan
authorkitmorgan.com
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