A Courageous Bride to Bring Him Hope: A Historical Western Romance Book

by Cassidy Hanton

  The only reason Garry wasn’t the one punching Herbert was because Alexander was faster. While he was on the subject, Alexander was happy the above-mentioned cretin decided to stay away. His petty threats were laughable, yet Alexander did not care to see him stalking outside today. Alexander did not want Clementine to get upset. He couldn’t help it.

  For some unexplained reason, he felt highly protective of her. Looking at her, he was reassured she was all right. She was a tough one, and Alexander admired that wholeheartedly.

  Once Clementine’s shift ended Alexander excused himself as well. He walked her home and was mildly amused she did not protest. The streets were narrow in this part of the city and eventually the houses grew more apart. The trees were in bloom in all the gardens and birds could be heard singing from their crowns. He was certain he would have to sway her in some way, which only proved she enjoyed his company as much as he enjoyed hers. That notion made him an inch taller.

  Returning to his hotel room Alexander was not that surprised to see he got a telegram from his one and only friend. John informed him he would be in this neighborhood soon since he had some business to attend to and he advised Alexander to stay put and wait for him, so they could finally see one another.

  The telegram cheered him to no end. John did not leave much room for a refusal. That was his usual manner when interacting with others. Not that Alexander would do such a thing. He was looking forward to seeing his former colleague and friend.

  All these recent events made him pause and take stock of his life. He had new friends, he wrote to John and now he was coming to see Alexander. All these happenings made him feel almost normal. Almost indeed.

  The shift that was apparently occurring was startling as it was natural, and it felt good, so Alexander simply decided to enjoy it while it all lasted.

  Because it never did.

  Alexander kept coming to the store every single day, much to Clementine’s delight.

  “If you keep this up, Garry will have to pay you for keeping the peace,” Clementine teased. Despite her making a joke, she spoke the truth. Due to his presence in the store, customers were behaving. Not perfectly; there were still some trouble makers, dangerous men who bought too much drink, but it was better than before. Clementine actually started to look forward to coming to work.

  “That’s not a bad idea,” Alexander replied with a wink.

  “Then it’s settled,” Clementine said offering him a hand.

  “Hey,” Garry rebelled. “I did not approve that. It’s a bad time for me with the economy and everything...”

  Clementine knew he was trying to jest. “Don’t act like a cheapskate,” she interjected. “Remember,” she leaned toward her boss and did that mock whisper thing. “We like him.”

  “Right,” Garry replied instantly smacking himself on the forehead. He turned toward Alexander and smiled. “You are hired.”

  In return, Alexander pretended to be surprised

  “I did not say I accept,” Alexander replied. “What are the terms?” His tone was light and meant he was playing along.

  “So now you want to speak terms? Outrageous,” Garry smacked the top of the bar with his hands. “Clementine, you did this, now fix it,” he demanded, and it was hard for him to stay in character. His smile was trying to break through.

  “No need, you are doing swell,” Clementine said with a smile.

  “Good help is hard to find,” Alexander said solemnly, removing a speck of imaginary dust from his sleeve.

  “True,” Garry replied with a sigh, stroking his beard. “I’ve been trying to replace Clementine for years.”

  Clementine pretended to be offended. She put a hand across her heart. “Well I would never...” she shook her head as well, for good measure. “If you’ll excuse me.” As men continued to joke, she went to serve new customers with a smile on her face. Even though they were joking, Clementine hoped Alexander would work alongside her.

  The job was not as exciting as being a bounty hunter, she was aware of that. Perhaps, he grew tired of all the excitement and would appreciate employment that was not that demanding. He would have a chance to deal with misbehaving men all the same. Besides, that would mean he would stay a bit longer.

  When she returned to the bar Alexander seemed to be leaving. “I’ll be seeing you later,” he told her.

  Clementine frowned. He just got there and now he was leaving? That did not sit well with her. For a moment she worried all that talk about him working here, made him pull away. Instead of what was on her mind, she said. “What? You just started working here and immediately you are taking a break?” She tsked, teasing him, and he laughed wholeheartedly.

  “My boss is making me,” he replied, and Clementine questioningly looked at Garry.

  “Do not worry, I’m sending him on an errand for the store. He will be back soon,” Garry reassured her.

  Garry was making Alexander do his job, she realized and rolled with her eyes. “He offered,” Garry tried to defend himself, guessing her thoughts.

  “I did,” Alexander yelled back on his way toward the door.

  As he was going out a large man was trying to get in. “Pardon me,” Alexander said to the newcomer since he grazed his shoulder a little.

  The newcomer scowled yet did nothing. He looked rather scary, and that made Clementine instantly wary. The strange man was emitting menace as he prowled through the bar, eyeing every patron in it. Clementine and Garry shared a look. It was obvious this man was looking for trouble.

  For the briefest of moments, Clementine cursed the bad luck that Garry chose that moment to send Alexander away. Then she reminded herself that they have been dealing with this type of problem long before Alexander decided to step into their bar. As though to prove her point Garry straightened up, behind his bar and Clementine knew he was reaching for his revolver, just in case.

  Clearly not seeing whom he was looking for, the man sat at the vacant table and waved for a drink.

  “Hey, do you know Steve Jones?” Clementine heard the man ask a few others that sat at the table nearest to him. Her pulse quickened. Clementine must have heard that wrong, she thought, trying to calm herself.

  What would be the odds anyway? Clementine’s palms started to sweat not liking the odds one bit. During the course of her life, they were rarely in her favor.

  The stranger turned toward a different patron. “Do you know where I can find Steve Jones?” he practically growled, having a naturally deep voice. The costumers all shook their heads, returning to their talks or drinks much to his chagrin.

  Clementine was certain at least some of them recognized the name, yet for some reason remained silent. It was easier not to get involved, especially with this crowd.

  Clementine looked at Garry again. He was frowning, and his jaw was clenched. For a moment Clementine was taken by surprise not used to seeing him like that. He was concerned by this newcomer as much as she was.

  “Do you wish for me to go and speak with him?” Garry offered with concern.

  Clementine was tempted to accept his offer; she would be lying if she claimed differently. Nevertheless, she shook her head. “I will deal with him,” she replied taking a deep breath, gathering courage. It was her mess, anyway. Garry handed her the drink and she was tempted to drink it herself. Almost.

  “I will be right there if you need me,” Garry said for her ears only and she nodded her gratitude in return.

  All kinds of questions rushed through her head as she approached him. Why was he looking for Steve? Were they friends or foes? Did he know he was dead? Was it just her imagination or the store became a bit quieter as she came to stand next to him? All men were paying attention to what would happen next.

  Clementine gave the dangerous man his drink. “Why are you asking about Steve Jones?” she demanded without preamble.

  He looked up, narrowing his eyes at her. It was unsettling looking into his dark, almost black eyes. She saw only death there and that mad
e her shiver.

  “Why do you care?” he snapped back.

  Clementine raised her chin ever so slightly showing she was not afraid. At least on the outside. “I don’t care,” she replied honestly. “Unfortunately, you are looking at Steve Jones’s wife.” Clementine intentionally left out the part about his departure from this world, wanting to see the man’s reaction to this news first.

  “Where is he?” he demanded. “That rat,” he mumbled clenching his fists. “Where is he hiding, under your skirt?” He spat.

  Definitely not friends, she discerned. Once again, he started looking about the store as though worried he somehow missed Steve the first time around.

  Clementine decided to save him, and her some trouble. “Fortunately, he is not hiding, he is dead.”

  The man looked at her as though he did not understand English. “Dead? How can he be dead?” he demanded.

  “A bullet to the head can do that to a person.” She was not trying to be funny per se, it was just that at times of stress, she used humor to calm herself. The man in front of her did not appreciate her efforts one bit.

  “A couple of years back he got into a saloon fight while drunk, of course,” not this one though. “And was shot dead.” Clementine decided to explain in full.

  The man cursed. And it was a pretty nasty one. If Osmond was here, he would be delighted since he liked to write down all the good ones, the ones he never heard of before.

  “Lee Brewer is my name,” the man finally introduced himself.

  Clementine knew of him. Half of Courtfield owed him money, and she prayed with all her might Steve was not one of them.

  “Clementine Talley,” she returned in kind.

  “Your husband owes me a great deal of money, and I came here to collect,” he informed her, proving her fear was rightfully placed.

  “You can find him at the east cemetery, but I don’t think he has your money,” Clementine said before she could stop herself. Sometimes her tongue was faster than her brain.

  Lee Brewer was once again not impressed with her skills. “The way I see it,” he snarled, standing up as though he needed his height as well for her to be intimidated. He really should not have bothered, she was, regardless. “That debt is now yours. Two hundred and fifty dollars, with interest, of course.”

  Clementine was shocked by his declaration, so much so she forgot she was afraid of him. “That is ridiculous,” she complained. “I had nothing to do with that.”

  Lee Brewer did not care. He said as much.

  “I don’t have that kind of money,” she tried again, speaking as calmly as possible, even though she was enraged.

  He leaned into her face. His eyes were dead, there was no point in pleading with this man, she realized. “Not my problem. You have one month to gather it up for me.”

  “And if I don’t?” Clementine forced herself to ask even though she did not particularly care to hear the answer.

  He shrugged as though that was of no concern to him. “If you don’t, then I’ll kill you,” he said in a voice that was so calm and devoid of any emotion she believed he meant what he said.

  A sound of a gun being cocked got their attention. Without Clementine realizing it, Garry came to stand next to her. He pointed a gun at Mr. Brewer.

  “Friend, I think it’s time for you to leave,” Garry informed him.

  Lee Brewer didn’t look scared one bit that he had a gun pointed at him, which only proved Clementine’s earlier musings. He was deadly, and not someone to cross, ever.

  “I’m going,” Mr. Brewer said. “But be warned,” he said pointing a finger at Clementine. “You have one month.”

  Afterward, he walked toward the exit and Clementine’s whole body started to shake. Just like that, when she was finally starting to enjoy her life, Clementine had only one month to live.

  Chapter Ten

  Somewhere outside Courtfield...

  For the last five hours or so, the man wasn’t completely sure, he had been walking relentlessly through the desert under that blazing Sun. His horse, the one he stole from the last town he visited, died somewhere along the way and he kept walking. He was too stubborn and mean to die here.

  Besides, he did not escape prison, and evaded several hunting parties gathered just for him, to end his life in such an obscure, mundane manner. To die from exhaustion, in the middle of nowhere would be an insult. He was too famous for that after all. Infamous was perhaps more accurately put and the man liked his reputation, it suited him just fine all his life.

  Diablo was the nickname he was given so his death, as was his life, had to be epic. However, it was not going to happen today, and certainly not tomorrow. He had plans he had to achieve before he took his last breath.

  The man knew he had to continued walking, willing his muscles to move him forward if he ever wished to reach Courtfield. He chose that particular town intentionally. That was his chance, maybe the last one he had.

  Nobody knew him there. In Courtfield, he would not be a wanted man, simply one of many that came there, searching for a fresh start. That was all he wanted.

  His past, his stagecoach heists, bank robberies did not matter. The fact that he killed, while on the peak of his carrier, so to speak, two sheriffs did not matter either. Especially when that last one, the one he really wanted to kill, managed to get away. The rat disappeared before he had his chance.

  The exhausted man was ready to put all of that behind him if only he could find that darn city already. So he did the only thing he could in this situation, he kept going forward since he could never go back.

  Clementine was preparing to leave her house, yet her mind was someplace else. Her life changed a great deal in the last weeks. Since she met Alexander to be precise. She was still avoiding Viola, but that was a different matter altogether. Besides, it did not matter anyway how she felt about Alexander. It was all about to end anyway, all due to her late husband.

  Clementine did not let her interaction with Mr. Brewer paralyze her all thought it did frighten her to no end. She would lie if she said she did not contemplate leaving town. Unfortunately, she did not have where to run to, and she couldn’t sleep at night trying to find a way to gather the money and pay the debt that wasn’t her own. It wouldn’t be the first time in any regard. All thought, this amount of money was rather high.

  Clementine could not believe Steve successfully managed to ruin her life, once again, even from his grave. There was a saying you should never speak ill of the dead. Somehow, Clementine doubted that applied to her late husband.

  Despite the rather dire situation, Clementine was hopeful she would prevail in the end. The question was simply how. How to gather the money, or postpone the deadline?

  Everything she owned that was worth selling was already sold a long time ago. She did not even own the house she was currently living in. The only thing she did have was her job. Perhaps she could find another one.

  Unfortunately, Clementine somehow questioned he would be willing to let her pay the debt in monthly installments, collecting her wages. She couldn’t ask Garry for the money. He already did a great deal for her and she did not want to burden him even further. After all, he gave her this job when nobody else wanted to hire her, and for that, she would eternally be grateful and in his debt. So further involving Garry in this mess was out of the question.

  She would find a way out on her own. She had to because she wanted to live, plain and simple. And if that meant find two additional jobs, washing, mending clothes, even working in the nearby mine, then so be it. She was not giving up, ever.

  A tap against her front door broke her musings. She was pleased he came right on time. Making sure she looked presentable and pulling some rebellious strands back into her braid, Clementine opened the door.

  Alexander stood on the other side, with a smile on his face and a bucket of wildflowers in his hands. “These are for you,” he said presenting them to her.

  She was pleased to see he wore his be
st shirt for this outing. She did the same thing. “How nice, thank you.”

  After she took care of his gift, placing them in a water-filled vase to last longer, she joined him on the porch.

  “Shall we?” he prompted, and she nodded, following him out of her garden and onto the road.

  He offered to come and pick her up in a coach, yet she declined. The journey was not long, and she preferred to walk, especially inside the city. They were going to dinner this evening. Garry let her leave home a bit early so she could get ready. She would have to listen to his weak jokes all day tomorrow. She did not care, thinking it would be worth it.

  They were not going to the Silver Tailed Fox for their meal since Alexander invited her to join him at his hotel’s restaurant. She had never been there and was looking forward to the experience. Clementine heard that the chef from The Grand Hotel came from France, still, gossip like that should be taken with a grain of salt. Owners would say anything to attract customers.