by Chloe Carley
But this mystery only increased her desire to see Thomas that day. She’d ride to Lakestone, for if anyone could shed light on these strange occurrences, then it was surely Sheriff Redmond.
Her first attempt at mounting Scout ended with her slipping from the mare’s back. But the horse was patient and soon she was on Scout’s back, trotting across the ranch yard towards the trail. Looking back, she saw Sammy watching her through the window.
“Funny little thing, he’ll guard the ranch until we’re back. Ain’t no outlaws going to take on Sammy,” she said, patting Scout on the mane, as they rode off towards the town.
They met no one along the way, and by the time they arrived in Lakestone, Aline was wondering where everyone was. It seemed that worries over outlaws and bandits had fair spooked folks in these parts and the town itself was hardly bustling.
Aline assumed that Thomas would be in the sheriff’s office and she tethered Scout up outside Lita Morrell’s boarding house, intending to call upon her former host later that morning.
I might take coffee in the Hotel Anaconda, she decided, thinking through a list of groceries she needed from Mr. Ford.
As she stepped up onto porch of the sheriff’s office, she expected to see Thomas at his desk. She’d looked forward to seeing him again ever since their riding lesson and she was disappointed to see not Thomas, but Deputy John Hoskins sitting in the sheriff’s chair. For a moment, she wondered whether to disturb him, but he looked up with a worried expression on his face and beckoned her inside.
“Mrs. Hale, I’m glad you’re here. Do you know where Sheriff Redmond is?” the deputy asked, his face set with worry.
Aline was taken aback. It was the precise question she’d intended to ask him, though she herself had no worries as to where Thomas might be.
“I came here to look for him myself,” she replied, looking anxiously around her.
“I was expecting him this morning, but there’s been no sign of him. He didn’t return to the boarding house last night and Lita Morrell has seen no sign of him. His bed hadn’t been slept in, either,” the deputy went on, shaking his head.
“Didn’t he say he was going to ride out to Westfort and see about these cattle rustlers?” she asked, and John Hoskins nodded.
“That’s what I’m worried about, Mrs. Hale. He was riding out to Westfort alone yesterday, but he should have been back last night,” the deputy replied.
For a moment, Aline felt guilty for having Scout. Perhaps the horse that Thomas had taken was lame, or there’d been an accident on the trail. She didn’t like to think about anything else, though the grim story of his encounter with bandits rose fresh in her mind.
“You don’t think…?” she began, but the deputy shook his head.
“I don’t know what to think. I can’t ride out there myself, there’s duties here. The sheriff can look after himself, but I can’t help but worry, given everything that’s been going on,” he replied.
“I came into town to see him. You see… oh, it’s silly… but Clarence Lester and Hector Perez, they’re the ranch hands out at Lampeter, well, they’re missing, too. So is Mr. Knox, although he comes and goes. It seems like the whole town’s got a cloud hanging over it. I don’t like it,” she said.
“I know what you mean, Mrs. Hale. But it’s all right, we’ll find Sheriff Redmond, though I wouldn’t worry too much about Clarence and Hector. The sooner we see the back of them the better,” the deputy said.
Aline paused for a moment. She knew there was no love lost between Mr. Knox and Thomas, but it seemed as though folks around here held some kind of grudge against the ranch hands and their employers.
“What is it that Thomas so dislikes about Mr. Knox? Do they have history?” she asked, and the deputy looked at her and sighed.
“You’d need to ask the sheriff that. There’s history there, but I’m not the one to speculate. I suggest you sit tight at Lampeter Ranch, Mrs. Hale. Keep your wits about you and if you get any trouble then you just ride straight here,” he replied.
Aline nodded and wished the deputy a good day. She’d no desire for coffee at the Hotel Anaconda, nor did she feel like passing the time of day with Lita Morrell. Instead, she made her way back to Scout, pondering on John Hoskins words.
Part of her wanted to ride out along the trail there and then. Perhaps she’d find Thomas hurt or in need. But Aline was no cowgirl, she’d only learnt to ride a few days ago, and reluctantly she knew that John Hoskins had been right to tell her to return home to Lampeter Ranch.
She felt helpless and worried about Thomas. She knew he could look after himself, but her intuition told her there was something strange going on.
“We need to get to the bottom of all this, Scout,” she said, patting the horse’s mane as they rode back along the trail.
***
Thomas had eaten all the biscuits. But he’d rationed the water, just like in the old days when he, Harrison, and their father, would ride between towns. Back then, the journeys lasted many hours and if water wasn’t rationed it would soon run dry.
Only a few more miles now, he told himself.
But those few miles could’ve been a vast ocean and Thomas a small sinking ship. He was exhausted, the pain in his side making him wince with every step and the sun beating down caused his head to ache and his vision to go blurry.
He paused for a moment, thinking how nice it would be to sit down and rest his legs. But he knew that to do so would be suicide. If the sun didn’t kill him, some wild animal would. His only hope was to keep on walking. Thomas was a determined sort, the kind of man not used to giving up, even when the going got tough. He was determined to see Harrison punished for his crimes and brought to justice for terrorizing the county in this way.
And if he thinks he’ll have Aline’s favor, then he’s got another think coming, Thomas told himself, as he staggered on along the trail.
***
When Aline arrived back at Lampeter Ranch, there was still no sign of Clarence or Hector. Sammy was waiting at the window and he ran to meet her as she opened the door, letting out a loud meow and wrapping himself around her legs.
“Oh, hey there, Sammy. Have you been a good guard cat? As brave as a lion, aren’t you?” she said, picking up the animal and holding him close.
His presence was a comfort, and even if she felt quite alone out there at least she had Sammy and Scout for company. It was late in the afternoon now and Aline swept the parlor, which didn’t need sweeping, and cleaned the stove, which didn’t need cleaning. But anything was better than sitting with her mind dwelling on the events of the day. It all seemed ever so mysterious, and she was worried about Thomas. Where was he? Had something happened to him? Her anxiety only confirmed the feelings in her heart, feelings that had gotten stronger as the days and weeks had gone by. At first she’d thought of him as a gentleman, a friend, one in whom she could confide her troubles. But now he seemed far more than that and, day by day, her feelings for him were growing.
Oh, it’s no use, she thought, flinging down her duster and slumping into a chair by the stove.
The parlor was immaculate, supper was made, the eggs collected from the hens, and Aline had nothing more to do but brood. She laid her head back and closed her eyes. All this worrying was tiring, and she was about to fall asleep when the sound of horse’s hooves out in the yard caused her to startle.
With pictures of bandits and outlaws swimming around in her mind, she leapt up and ran to the window. It was late afternoon and the shadows were lengthening, but she breathed a sigh of relief when she saw that it was Mr. Knox, Clarence, and Hector riding home.
Well, that’s one mystery solved, she told herself, watching as Mr. Knox ambled across to the ranch house.
She checked her dress in the mirror, dusting herself off, just as the knock came at the door. Sammy now seemed to have a well-practiced routine whenever Mr. Knox was in the vicinity and he scuttled off towards the bedroom when Aline opened the door.
&
nbsp; “Well, hey there, Mr. Knox. I was getting worried when Clarence and Hector weren’t about. I looked everywhere, I even rode into town. Usually they…” she began, but Mr. Knox just shook his head and laughed.
“Don’t you be worrying your pretty little head about such things, Mrs. Hale. Those two are a law unto themselves, besides, sometimes I have… business that I need them to attend to alongside me. It’s nothing for you to worry about. Now, look at this parlor. You keep such a nice house,” he said, looking around him and whistling.
He’d a relaxed air about him and quickly made himself at home, kicking off his boots and throwing them in front of the stove.
“I try my best, Mr. Knox. There’s an awful lot I’ve still to learn,” she replied. “But won’t you stay for supper? I’d be glad of the company.”
“Now, what a kind offer, Mrs. Hale. I’d be delighted, especially if the food is as good as it was before. My mouth is still salivating over your cooking,” he replied, still with that unwavering grin upon his face.
Aline blushed. He always had a compliment for her, and a way of making her feel like she was the only woman he’d ever met. She’d heard nothing of any other woman in Mr. Knox’s life. But, then, there was still a lot she didn’t know about the men she’d encountered in Lakestone. Thomas, too, had something a mystery to him, a past which he seemed hopeful of forgetting. The two men were strangely alike, a fact which caused her some perplexity given the seeming animosity between them.
“It’s only boiled ham and a few potatoes, and I’ve an apple pie for dessert,” she said, in an apologetic tone.
“That sounds just perfect, but before you start slaving over the stove, I’ve got something for you,” Mr. Knox said, rising from his chair and going to the door.
He opened it, letting out a low whistle and calling for Clarence and Hector.
“They’re welcome to eat with us, too,” she said, but Mr. Knox shook his head.
“No, they’ve jobs to do on the ranch. But they’ve got something for you. Well, something from me to you,” he replied.
Aline was curious and she crossed to the window, watching as Clarence and Hector emerged from the barn carrying a large package between them.
“Goodness, whatever is it?” she asked, and Mr. Knox turned to her, smiling even more broadly.
“I think you’ll like it,” he said as the two ranch hands brought the package into the parlor and laid it on the table.
“Oh, you shouldn’t have,” she said, eyeing it puzzlement.
It was all done up in brown paper with string tying it together. She wondered what in the world it was and Mr. Knox pointed to it, urging her to open it.
“Go on, tear it open. I think you’ll like it,” he invited and Aline stepped tentatively forward.
She’d never received such a large gift before and after pulling the string back, she let out a gasp as the paper fell away. There, in all its glory, was a brand-new sewing machine. It shone in the sunlight coming in through the window, appearing resplendent and begging to be used at once.
“Oh my, goodness me,” she said, reaching out and running her hand across the smoother surface. “What a perfectly lovely machine, and how kind of you to think of me, Mr. Knox.”
“Well, I figured that since you’d got the house so clean and tidy, it might benefit from new curtains at all the windows. I’ve got you the fabrics from the haberdasher’s in town. You’ll have this place looking even prettier in no time,” he replied.
Aline felt a tear rising in her eye. As a girl, she’d loved to help her mother sew, it was one of her earliest memories. Her mother had taught her all manner of things and used to make the prettiest dresses for Aline. These were memories she’d treasured all her life.
“I used to sew as a child,” she said wistfully. “It’s about the only thing I was any good at. My mother was a wonderful seamstress. I remember this one dress she made, it was peach with a beautiful sash. I looked the prettiest girl in all the town,” Aline said, remembering fondly the days before the name of Damon Hale had ever clouded her existence and she and her parents had lived a happy life together.
“You’re so very kind, Mr. Knox. You’ve been nothing but kind to me all this time. I’m so grateful to you,” she said, her cheeks flushing.
“You’re very welcome. It’s nice to see you looking happy and it’s my pleasure to be kind to you,” he replied, waving Clarence and Hector away.
The two ranch hands left them alone and Aline returned to the stove, where the potatoes had just finished boiling. She laid the table and offered Mr. Knox a drink, before serving him their simple supper. She couldn’t help but feel touched by his gesture. He was a nice man, a charming man—perhaps a little eccentric, but kind and generous nonetheless. She was warming to him. More than that, she saw him as a friend and a man she’d been right to trust.
“Any more ham, Mr. Knox?” she asked, and he shook his head.
“I’ll be heavier than a horse if I keep eating so well, Mrs. Hale,” he replied, smacking his lips and wiping his plate with a slice of bread.
“There’s still dessert,” she replied, and he nodded.
“How could I refuse? Now, tell me, you’re not still feeling worried about being left alone, are you?” he asked as she took his plate away.
Aline paused for a moment. She was feeling worried, but she didn’t want Mr. Knox to think she was afraid. She shook her head, placing the plates to wash and taking her apple pie out of the oven.
“No, I… I have no need to worry, you tell me that often enough, Mr. Knox. But I… when I was in town today, I heard from the deputy that Sheriff Redmond is missing. I’m terribly worried for him. Apparently, he rode out along the trail to Westfort yesterday and hasn’t been seen since,” she replied, placing the steaming pie upon the table.
“A terrible business, Mrs. Hale. I spoke with the deputy myself earlier today. That’s why we were a little late returning from town. He told me that the sheriff was missing and I offered him personally several of my men to go out and look. Don’t you worry, we’ll find Sheriff Redmond. He can look after himself, though, I’m sure. Why, right now he’s probably chasing bandits across three counties,” Mr. Knox said, laughing and slapping his thigh.
Aline smiled, cutting him a large piece of pie and offering a jug of cream to go with it. Perhaps she’d been foolish to worry so much about Thomas. He knew how to look after himself, of course he did, and worrying about him wasn’t going to make any difference. She’d ride into Lakestone the next day and there’d he be, as though nothing had ever happened.
“Thank you, Mr. Knox. I feel a fool for even asking, I forget that life is different out here. He’s the sheriff and he has responsibilities, I can’t be worrying all the time,” she replied.
“That’s right, Mrs. Hale, He can look after himself. Now, I must say, this apple pie is quite delicious,” he said, grinning at her again, as she offered him another portion.
***
Mr. Knox stayed talking late into the evening and finally bid her goodnight as the clock struck ten. He assured her that Clarence and Hector would be there to keep watch over the ranch and that she had nothing to worry about.
“If any outlaw tried anything here, then they’d be sorry,” he’d said, bidding her a goodnight.
She’d washed the plates and swept the parlor before taking her oil lamp into her bedroom. Ever since she’d been a child, Aline had been diligent in her nightly prayers. She had a little book of psalms, given to her by her aunt many years ago, and each night she’d read one and make her peace with God before sleep.
Now, as Sammy slept curled up on the bed, she knelt before the simple cross upon the wall and opened the volume at psalm twenty-three.
“The Lord’s my shepherd, there’s nothing I shall want… even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I shall fear no evil” she read out loud, the words comforting and familiar.
Her thoughts turned once more to Thomas. The words seemed
to resonate, the danger of the valley of death, just as they were upon the prairie. Despite Mr. Knox’s words of assurance, Aline couldn’t help but be worried at the thought of Thomas out there all alone.
“Dear Lord, keep Thomas safe,” she prayed, “guard and protect him and send your holy angels to watch over him, Amen.”
She closed the book of psalms and turned down the oil lamp before getting into bed. Sammy was annoyed at being disturbed, but he soon regained his affections and snuggled himself into her arms and fell asleep. But Aline lay awake, pondering over everything that had happened since her arrival in Lakestone. She’d met so many people and experienced so much, but at the heart of it all was Thomas, and she worried for his safety.
It just doesn’t seem right, she thought, turning over and sighing.
There was no doubt that Thomas could look after himself, and that he was more than capable of handling whatever difficulties came his way. But this business with the outlaws and the mystery surrounding their identity seemed bigger than anyone in Lakestone had suspected. She yawned, closing her eyes and trying to sleep, but her mind had other ideas and a hundred questions were running through it.
