Healing the Hooligan (Cowboys and Angels Book 18)

by Sara Jolene

  Otto nodded.

  Dutch could relate. “She’s worried?”

  Otto shook his head. “No. Not at all. It’s me that’s worried. She says she’s going to keep living as she does. She won’t let fear get the best of her, that her past is exactly that, her past. She doesn’t think any of them remember her but…” He hesitated, and Dutch saw that his eyes once again returned to his wife. There was such longing and love there. “I knew the moment I saw her I’d never forget her face. I have to assume others feel the same.”

  Dutch felt the force of Otto’s words as they seemed to spike his own anger. “I won’t let them near her.”

  “I have no doubt.” Dutch had so many questions. Knowing he had to be cautious, he paused and thought about how to say what he needed to. “The other night… I found Rachel cornered behind the mercantile.” He looked up at Otto and had to hide the shock he felt when he saw his old friend Holden standing right behind the man. There was a big smile on his face, and he was nodding. Encouraging Dutch to continue. “It was the first time I’d ever met her. Don’t tell her this or anyone else,” he leaned forward, “but I know exactly what you mean about remembering her face.” He stepped back again. “Then the next day I almost died in that explosion. As it was, it knocked me out for a day. Wade’s in the clinic too. I’ve been wondering about Ab but wasn’t sure where to start looking since it’s dark. I planned to head to the mine tomorrow at first light.” After one more short pause, he added, “I want to apologize about the horse.”

  Otto shook his head and so did Holden. “Not to worry. She’s home safe and wasn’t hurt at all.”

  Dutch nodded. “I hate to ask but it might be the only way.”

  Otto’s eyes moved from his wife back to Dutch expectantly.

  “Well, I was wondering if your wife could tell me who any of these newcomers to town actually are. Any information she might have could be very useful.”

  Otto’s chest rose and didn’t fall. His eyes narrowed in on Dutch like a predator looking at prey. He’d known it was taking a huge chance. Knew it might not go well. Holden was still behind Otto. He was still nodding, so Dutch assumed he’d done the right thing.

  “She never leaves my side.”

  “Of course not.”

  “When? How? It has to be during the day. I won’t have her out at night.”

  Dutch nodded. “Tomorrow. I’m heading to the mine in the morning, so how about after lunch? We…” he looked over to the table where Sophia and Rachel sat talking. “We can all four of us take a walk through the main streets. Just to get to know one another?”

  Otto nodded. “Two o’clock.” And after that, he was heading toward the table to fetch his Sophia. Dutch watched as the man’s anger ebbed the closer he got to his bride. The love he had for her was more than evident and the effect that love had on his behavior was astonishing. Dutch watched as the two linked arms and left. Rachel caught him watching. She smiled softly at him, and he returned it as he started to head back to the table.

  “Do not let her out of your sight until you’re sure she’s home with her father.”

  He turned back toward the voice. It was Holden again. “Are you ever going to tell me what you’re doing here?”

  “Boy. You didn’t used to be this thick. I’m here to help save your hide.” He tipped his head toward Rachel. “And hers as well, now that she’s gotten herself wrapped up with you.”

  A pit formed in Dutch’s stomach. He didn’t want to put Rachel in harm’s way. “Wasn’t it you that sent me to her in the first place? I wouldn’t have…I would never.”

  Holden nodded and put a hand on his shoulder. Dutch could see his friend’s hand but couldn’t really feel it. He could tell it was there, but there was no weight. “She’s safer with you than not. Just make sure you don’t get distracted.”

  Chapter Seven

  Nessa paced around the house. She couldn’t believe her sister was on board with her plan. There were a few details that needed to be worked out, but she couldn’t help but get excited. She would see her Henry soon. Trying to keep busy, she decided to ride to town and find Dutch. He had a part to play in this as well. She knew that the Whyos were looking for her and Kara. Dutch hadn’t ever been clear as to why, though. She needed to know how desperate they were to find her. If she knew, maybe she’d have an idea of how safe she’d be returning.

  “I’m going to Mrs. Franklin’s,” she called out, not sure where Kara was at the moment.

  She could hear footsteps upstairs. She made her way to the bottom of the stairs and hollered up. “I’ll be back before supper.”

  Kara popped halfway out of her bedroom. She held a clean sheet in her hand. “I’m making a roast, so be sure to come back. Why don’t you bring Dutch with you? There will be plenty of food, and I’d like to talk to him anyhow.”

  Nessa rolled her eyes but knew her sister couldn’t see. “I’ll ask him.” She took off toward the front door.

  The barn was quiet. All the animals had been fed and taken care of before Aedan had ridden out for the latest building site. McGlynn’s was almost finished, and he’d be moving on to a new place soon. Word had it that there was to be a furniture store as well as a shoemaker coming to Creede. Nessa figured both those folks would have some work for him. He had said there was plenty for work in Creede and the surrounding areas, so she wasn’t worried about leaving her sister. She was grateful to Aedan for that. It was nice knowing that her sister would be happy, even if they couldn’t be together.

  She saddled her horse and rode out, making sure she stopped at her favorite place on the hill. She loved that Creede looked so small and she could see the entire town. It made her feel safe, especially since the new folks that had been trickling in hadn’t all been as upfront about their intentions as others. She and Kara hadn’t been in town all that long themselves, but they knew who the good folks in town were. They spent time with Millie and Sophia, plus Hannah and Nora. She had just met Rachel, but she could tell she’d fit right in with the other ladies of the town. She was well mannered and seemed very nice to talk to.

  Thinking of Rachel and the other ladies brought her mind back to what she was thinking of doing, because it got her thinking of the friends and loved ones she’d left behind in New York. She had a lot of explaining to do and even more apologizing she’d have to do once she got to town. She missed Genevieve and their lighthearted banter. She missed Lillian and how she always tried to have a firm hand with Nessa but usually ended up giving in and she’d get whatever it was she wanted. More than anything, she missed Henry. She didn’t always get to spend time with him when they were in New York because they’d had to hide their relationship, but she at least got to see him everyday. She could look out her bedroom window and see him in the yard with the horses. At night she could sneak downstairs and find him sitting in the rocker on the small porch that connected to his apartment off the barn, and they could share a brief moment together. She huffed out a breath. Soon! But first she must make arrangements with Byron and talk to Dutch.

  Taking one last look at all of Creede, Nessa nudged her mare and they set off down into the valley, Nessa loving every moment that her hair whipped behind her and the wind burned her face. She’d never felt more free than she did while she was riding. Henry had tried to explain it to her, but she hadn’t gotten it. Hadn’t fully understood until she’d ended up in Creede and had to learn to ride in order to navigate her new way of life. She couldn’t wait to share her discovery with him.

  She slowed as she got closer to town, knowing she had to keep an eye out for undesirables. It was a dangerous time to be a female in Creede, to be anyone in Creede actually. She breathed a little easier as she passed the Nugget and found herself in town properly. She rode straight to the boarding house, hitching her mare out front.

  She found Mrs. Franklin in the kitchen. “Afternoon.”

  Mrs. Franklin turned from her pot on the stove. “Is it already? I’m afraid I get a bit lost when I�
�m in here.”

  Nessa laughed. “And we all love you more for it. She got closer, hopped onto her tip toes, and peered into the simmering pot. Steam assaulted her face, and the smell overcame her. She started to cough. “Blah… um… I mean, that smells delicious, Mrs. Franklin. What is it?” She was laughing to herself, thinking that Dutch would be more than happy to have had their dinner invitation if he had any idea this was the alternative.

  Mrs. Franklin cackled. “It’s not food, deary!” She swatted at Nessa. “That’s what you get for being nosey, ain’t it?”

  Nessa laughed so the older woman could hear her this time. “I suppose so, ma’am.” It didn’t stop her from looking back into the pot again though. Once again, Mrs. Franklin started swatting at her, but this time she used her big spoon.

  “Mind yourself.”

  Nessa laughed again. “Yes, ma’am.”

  “Did you want something, deary?”

  “Yes, actually. Have you seen Dutch?”

  Mrs. Franklin nodded. “At breakfast. He ate and left right after. Said he was headin’ to the mine. Not sure he’ll be back any time soon. That’s a long ride.”

  Nessa nodded. “Thank you. Enjoy your…” She trailed off because she wasn’t sure what was in that pot for Mrs. Franklin to enjoy. She ran toward the door and out it. Before she knew what she was doing fully, she’d mounted her horse and was headed behind the house and up the hill toward the mine. There was a well-worn path that the workers used so it wasn’t too hard to find. It was a bit rougher than she was used to. Not the same freeing ride as the one into town. She had to be very careful not to have the mare twist an ankle or they’d both be stranded.

  Finally reaching the top, she saw that the mountain was covered in soot in places, black and ominous as she rode the trail toward what looked like a structure. Or something that used to be a structure and was now nothing but ash and a pile of charred planks. She saw the tops of three heads. She stood in the stirrups. She could make out two of them. One was Ab. She started to question if she’d made the right decision heading up there unaccompanied. She didn’t like him. He made the hair on her arms stand up when he was too close. Another was Dutch, which made her feel a bit better. She knew she’d be safe with him there. The other man, she couldn’t see his face. He had on a long fancy duster and a hat that matched. It all but covered his entire body and put his face in shadow. She felt a chill run up her spine. “Hide” an echo on the wind maybe? Or maybe instinct? She wasn’t sure, but the word rattled in her head as she slowed her mare and sat back in the saddle. She stopped short of a small cope of trees that would hide her until it felt safe to reveal herself. She could just barely see where the men were standing. She saw Ab and Dutch fully and the mystery man, she could see only half of him. The rest was blocked by the pile of what she now was assuming used to be the Security Shack.

  Dutch had always referred to it as that, but she had never seen it until now. After an explosion probably wasn’t the best time to judge the place, but she had to admit looking at the bits that were left, shack was probably the best word for it. It, at best, kept some of the wind, rain, and snow off their backs while they stood guard over Archie’s wealth. Things had changed a lot since Archie had been run down in the street. It had been tragic, and those that had witnessed it said that it had been a terribly painful way to go, but most folks agreed that Creede would be a better place without him.

  The Nugget had closed, but people were working to keep the mines and his other properties in working order so the locals didn’t lose their jobs. Celeste had taken in the girls from the Nugget, helping them all from Celeste’s Place. She’d been able to get most of them started with new lives, and the ones that wanted to stay doing what they were doing had only had to hang around long enough for one of the drifters to start a dance hall of his own, which hadn’t taken long. Jack Apple, which everyone knew wasn’t his real name but was the only one he’d ever offered, had opened a place in one of the buildings just down from the Nugget. Word was he was trying to get the Nugget, and he’d move the girls back.

  Nessa held her breath as the man in the duster disappeared. She caught sight of him on a silky black horse as he rode out in the opposite direction. She started to sit up straight, preparing to come out of hiding. “Not yet.” She heard the voice again. This time it was clearly not coming from inside her head. She looked all around but saw no one other than Dutch and Ab still standing exactly where they’d been. She felt another chill go down her back as she started to move, ignoring the voice after being unable to locate its source. “I said not yet, baby girl.”

  Nessa almost fell out of the saddle. “Pa?” she whispered.

  “Keep still and quiet, girl. Don’t move until I say so.”

  Nessa couldn’t believe what she was hearing. She shouldn’t. He father had been dead for months. Gunned down in the streets of Five Points like a common criminal. Which of course he was. She’d learned the hard truth not until after they’d left the city, but her father had been a gangster, a mobster, a hooligan, and so was Dutch. She held her breath as the chill faded and she heard the voice again. “Say something first but go on, baby girl. He’ll make sure you have everything you need.”

  Nessa settled herself and straightened up from her crouch across the saddle. It was nice not to have the pummel digging into her ribs. “Freddie?” she called out, using his Christian name as a kind of warning. “Freddie, are you here?” She pretended, knowing that it wasn’t safe for one or both of them to know that she’d seen them with the mysterious stranger in the dark duster and matching hat.

  She rounded the building and Dutch was alone. “Nessa! What are you doing up here?”

  She rode over to him and hopped down from her mount. “I went to the boarding house, and Mrs. Franklin told me where to find you. I need to talk to you.” She looked around, pretending to be examining their surroundings when in fact she was looking for where Ab could have disappeared to. She wondered why he’d done so. It wasn’t like she was law or anything. “Why are you up here? Isn’t it dangerous?”

  Dutch shook his head. “The blast wasn’t in the mine, but I’m not going in. I came up to see if I could find any explanation.”

  “And have you found anything?”

  He nodded. “A few things. Not sure what to make of them or if they even matter, but I’ll share them with KC and the Marshal.” He looked around, but his gaze held the opening to the mine just a tad longer than any place else. Nessa noticed and now knew that’s where Ab had to be. “You had a question?”

  She nodded enthusiastically. “Don’t think I’m crazy, alright?”

  He nodded and touched her arm, moving her slightly so that her back was to her horse. “Promise.”

  “I’m going back to New York!” She practically jumped she was so excited. She’d not said it out loud yet. She was surprised at how real it made it feel.

  Dutch’s face fell. “But you can’t.”

  Nessa bored her eyes into his. “That’s why I’m here. I need you to tell me how to survive.”

  Dutch shook his head. Holden was back. He’d made himself comfortable in the saddle on Nessa’s mare. “You can’t. There is no way. If any of them see you, you’re dead.”

  Nessa didn’t believe it. She couldn’t. She needed to go back. She needed Henry. “I don’t accept that. I need to do this. I just need you to tell me how. I have most of it already worked out.”

  “That so? Where will you live? How will you get money? Who will look after you?”

  Nessa’s irritation with him was escalating. He could see it in the way she held her hips and how her hands were clenching at her sides.

  “In case you’ve forgotten, I have a house in New York. You might remember it. Big, nice lawn, just outside Five Points on the way to Mansion Row.” She rolled her eyes. “I plan to work when I’m there, so I’ll have plenty of money, and I can take care of myself. I’m not a child any longer, Freddie. I can look after myself.”

  H
olden was twiddling his thumbs but nodding in unison with his daughter’s rant. Dutch didn’t think it was a good idea for her to go back. He didn’t want her to. He shook his head. “It’s not safe. What if they find you? You have a good life here. Why go back? Just stay.”

  Nessa’s eyes started to fill with tears. Dutch took a step toward her and moved his hand from her arm to her shoulder. “What is it? Are you missing him?”

  Nessa nodded as he pulled her to him for a hug. “Being in New York won’t bring him back, Ness.”

  He felt her shake her head against his chest and pull away. “No. Not him. Though I do miss him, that isn’t whom I was referring to.”

  “Who, then?” Dutch was completely puzzled.

  “Henry. I miss Henry. I need to go back for him.”

  Having a name hadn’t cleared anything up. He didn’t know who Henry was. Did they even know a Henry? He thought for a moment, and it came to him. “The stable boy?” Her father was nodding even more furiously above her. She smiled and wiped her eyes as she nodded. “Yes. I need to go back for him.”

  Dutch couldn’t believe what he was hearing. He let Nessa back up so that there was a few feet between them. He looked at her, more deeply than he had in a long time. “How long?”

  Nessa got quiet and let her chin fall. “Over a year before we left. I’m sorry. I know I shouldn’t have agreed to marry you. It wasn’t fair of me knowing that I loved someone else. Can you—will you ever forgive me?”

  Dutch felt her words bounce off of him. It was strange. He thought they should have some sort of impact, but they didn’t. They left him whole and unmarked. Rachel’s face immediately came to mind. He looked back up to where Holden was now standing in the saddle. “I’ve always wanted to do this. Never thought it was wise when I could fall to my death but now…” He smiled and laughed as he pretended to be jumping and moving while the horse was running. “She’s always loved him. It’s not her fault. That all lies with me, boy.”