In the square stood a tree with a crooked spine, long, twisted branches reaching out over the street. There was a well pump near there, a short bench, and some other kids horsing around. Hoots and hollers flew every which way, making the fun sound good. He and Deputy skipped along, following after the giggles.
“Bet ya can’t climb to the top.” Deputy dared him.
“Got a nickel says I can.” Nate pulled the coin out of his pocket.
“Fine, I’ll take your money.” Deputy smirked, too sure that Nate wouldn’t make it up there. The tree did look flimsy near the top. The branches were thinned out, not so many, and definitely not as thick around. But he was a featherweight for his age.
He hopped up on the bench, then grabbed the lowest branch and, with a grunt, swung his legs up. A minute later and almost halfway, he was feeling confident. After all, he was the best tree climber at recess back in Gray Rock. Deputy didn’t know that, and Nate would soon be five cents richer. Though, he’d probably just buy them both gumdrops.
“I insist you come down from there this instant!” Below, the voice was one he didn’t recognize, and Nate glanced down. His foot slipped and his hands caught on the branch above.
It was the prissy lady. The other kids had scattered, perhaps afraid of getting in trouble for something. The pert way she dressed made her look like a bitch.
Deputy stood at the base of the trunk, looking up, although he, too, had moved out of arm’s reach of the lady.
“If you come down, I win.” Deputy boasted.
Nate was no quitter.
“Ya ain’t my ma. I don’t have to listen to you.” Nate turned his back on the woman, thinking of winning, and headed for the top. With his next step and closer to the finish line, a skinny branch groaned under his weight. The cockeyed tree seemed to lean even more. Oh lordy, he hoped he didn’t fall. His hands were sweaty.
“Boy, git your hide back on the ground.” That warning came from Pa, and he sounded mad.
Nate’s gaze turned downward. The lady was gone, and there in her place stood Pa, his neck red right up to his ears. Nate hustled to get out of the tree, though he made sure he had a good grip so he didn’t fall and break his head wide open. His heart was pounding. Getting his ass smacked in the middle of the street, the center of town, with so many people around wasn’t something he wanted to happen.
“Over there on the bench.” Pa pointed as Nate’s feet touched the dirt. He and Deputy were marched near to the front door of the restaurant. “Don’t move.” Pa wagged a finger at the two of them before returning inside.
“Whew.” Nate wiped his sweaty brow. “Thought I was gonna git it.”
“So did I.” Deputy held out his hand. “Pay up.”
There was no use complaining. A bet was a bet, even if Pa had stopped him from collecting on what could have been a win. Nate dropped his money into Deputy’s greedy fingers, who then triumphantly grinned and shoved his winnings into his pocket.
“I’m glad to see you made it down safely.” The woman had reappeared.
Where she had come from, Nate wasn’t sure. He hadn’t heard the restaurant door open or close, not since Pa had gone inside. This woman had made herself scarce when his father had come to talk to him, and now that he wasn’t right handy in sight, she showed herself once again. Nate popped up closer to Deputy, who was standing next to him alongside the bench. When would Pa look out that window and notice her? Nate didn’t like being alone with her, a stranger, and Deputy didn’t count because he wasn’t any bigger than Nate. But they both could holler real loud if Nate couldn’t scare her off.
“Git away from me, or I’ll spit on ya.” He hocked up a big, juicy glob, rolling the snot on his tongue.
“What’s your name?” Her voice was silken, a devious caress to get what she wanted. She’d even batted her lashes, lashes as long as his. He knew a dupe when he saw one. He’d been taught those types of ploys. She had ignored his warning, and that pissed him off. The last thing he would tell her was his name. Wasn’t any of her business. Though, he might just tell her to go live with the devil.
Pa would blister Nate’s hide if he saw what Nate was about to do. God willing, he’d never find out. Nate arched his neck and spit. The woman belched a quick scream. Her hand, the one holding a beaded clutch, flew up, stopping the green wad from splattering her frilly blouse. She waved her little bag violently until the slime fell off into a dollop at her feet on the boardwalk. Nate and Deputy giggled.
She didn’t need to know Nate’s name, and she hadn’t asked for Deputy’s. Who they were wasn’t important unless she planned to tell their folks, but why wait so long if she had a mind to yell at them for nearly knocking over her and her man a few days ago outside the saloon? It had been an accident. No harm done.
Strangely, she didn’t seem to even notice Deputy. Her big blue eyes were all on Nate. His heart began to pound.
“Lady,” he said with some serious huff, “I’m a deputy. So is he.” Nate puffed out his chest, showing his spit-shined badge. “If you don’t leave us alone, we’ll lock your ass in a cell.”
Her mouth fell open. “What kind of language is that for a child to be using?” She crossed her arms. “I’m not going to hurt you.” A ripple of amused laughter shook her shoulders a wee bit. “You remind me of someone, someone that was lost to me. I’m trying to find him.” Her face lost any glee, and there was a cold, hard look about her. Her stance had become rigid, the picture of a stuffed shirt. Likely, she was used to getting what she wanted, judging by the giant-size brooch pinned to her bodice. Whoever she was hunting, it was obvious she wouldn’t give up.
She leaned down, looking him in the face. Her smile was soft, but Nate didn’t trust it. A wolf in sheep’s clothing was what she was. He had a sixth sense for those things. It was his outlaw upbringing, before becoming a Crosson, that made him leery of most strangers. And more times than not, he was right to trust his gut instinct. This woman made him fidgety. He didn’t like her. He pushed her hand away from touching his hair as she stared. His strands were the same color as hers, nothing special, certainly nothing to be so fascinated with. Deputy was a towhead, and she wasn’t trying to touch him.
“It won’t hurt to tell me your name.” She reached again, this time to touch his arm, and he sprang away, knocking into Deputy. Both of them hit the boardwalk one on top of the other, and both stared at this stranger who was now bending, offering a hand.
Where was Pa? Nate was just about to scream.
“Excuse me, ma’am. Is there a problem?” Pa hauled Nate up by an arm and lifted Deputy with his other hand, pushing them behind him. They peeked around his hips. He was firmly planted between them and the woman. Thank goodness for that.
Would she have tried to snatch him, maybe kidnapped him? There’d been some of that going on back in Gray Rock—not kids, but grown women. Criminals sometimes did the unexpected. She didn’t fit the image of the average outlaw, but who knew? Maybe she was a kid snatcher. Asking his name and telling him that story might have just been a way to get him to feel bad for her, to trust her, a conniving way to get her hands on him. But why? He was probably just letting his imagination run away with him after hearing all that talk about abductions for weeks. Likely, she was just one of many odd idiots in this world.
Her pale eyes were wide. Pa had come out without notice, an expert at walking softly. It was part of being a good lawman. He could sneak up on an outlaw nice and quiet so as not to get shot.
The woman breathed heavily and fanned herself with her dainty little handbag. Her face was crimson. Talking to Nate was obviously meant to be a secret or at least meant to go unnoticed. Getting caught hadn’t been part of her plan, if she’d had a plan at all. Maybe she was just a well-dressed loon.
“No. Everything is fine,” she said hurriedly while stepping past Pa toward the door. “Excuse me.” The words were thrown at them over her shoulder as she was halfway inside. Glancing back, her gaze met Nate’s.
“
Pa, who was that?” Nate tugged on his father’s sleeve.
Pa was still watching after the woman. He shook his head. “Just stay away from her.”
Nate wouldn’t have to be told twice. He had no intention of going anywhere near her. It was just creepy, her staring at him through supper and even days before that and then wanting to know his name. Why would she think he was that lost someone? He wasn’t lost. He didn’t know her, had never met her before, and he hoped to hell he never laid eyes on her again.
“Pa, can Deputy and me go to the house?” Nate felt safe to leave Pa’s side to do that.
The strange couple was inside the restaurant. Pa would soon be in there, and without a doubt, he would keep a close eye on them. Nate and Deputy could be at the Huckabee home in three minutes, long before those city folks came out looking again.
That lady had been shaking when she flew inside. Nate felt a little quivery himself.
Pa ruffled his hair. “I’ll walk you boys home.” Before they turned to run off along the boardwalk in front of him, Pa put a hand on Nate’s shoulder. “What did she say to you?”
“She asked for my name. I didn’t tell her.” He figured he’d done right, given she was a stranger and all.
Pa nodded thoughtfully, then waved them off as Ma and the rest of their party filed out the door.
Nate couldn’t get the question out of his head. Who did that prissy lady think he was?
CHAPTER 9
Nate won the race to the house. He and Deputy were both puffing when they got there. Pa and everyone else weren’t too far behind. The evening was cool. The outside air felt good.
Nate and Deputy were playing jacks on the porch when Tate joined in the lounging, taking a seat on the swing next to Pa and the marshal. Nate overhead Pa quietly talking about that couple and how the lady had followed him outside. Maybe he didn’t want Ma to overhear and get worried, but she’d probably seen all the commotion out the window at the restaurant and that’s why everyone came home. She and Pa didn’t keep secrets. Pa had explained that and some other things about marriage to Jesse while Nate had been playing in the barn and listening. So he’d probably tell her at some point.
Ma was in a delicate condition, or so Pa had said. That meant Nate had to try real hard not to upset her. Hopefully, that couple didn’t cause them any more trouble and possibly upset Ma. She wasn’t one to get angry too easily, but she might get mad at Nate since he was the source of their curiosity. What if Ma didn’t want bothered with all that, bothered with him? What if the new baby took his place? What if she didn’t want him anymore?
No, he couldn’t let himself think like that. Everything had been okay after Elizabeth was born. Nothing had changed between Nate and his mother and father. Besides, he always had Jesse. Unless Jesse started to like the baby better. Nate hoped it wasn’t a boy.
“I won.” Deputy swiped up the last jack.
Nate’s mind hadn’t been on the game. He needed to forget those people and enjoy the time with his family and friends. Too soon, Pa would be back at work.
Tate retrieved a guitar from inside the house, then took a seat on the stoop and strummed. Everyone sang, and before they knew it, there were millions of stars twinkling in the sky.
Ma yawned. “Nathanial, it’s time for bed.” Elizabeth was asleep on her lap. They sat next to Pa on the swing, his arm around Ma’s shoulders.
Nate didn’t want to go to sleep, but he wasn’t about to argue. The last time he bickered, Pa had swatted him before Nate realized he was even thinking about giving him a licking. Instead, Nate crossed his arms sharply in silent protest. Deputy huffed loudly because his ma had followed suit and was shooing her children off to bed.
They stomped up the stairs side by side, giving each other that look of knowing better. It was easy to read the other’s mind when they thought so much alike. There was fun to be had outside those walls, and they would find it.
As soon as Ma kissed Nate’s head and the door clicked shut behind her, he threw off the blankets and tore off his nightshirt. In all of two seconds, he had his clothes back on, as did Deputy. Quietly, they heaved the window open. It couldn’t have worked out any better. The back porch roof ran the length of the house just under Deputy’s window. When they had been forced inside, Pa and the marshal were still sitting on the front porch, sipping sweet tea. It was a specialty of Mrs. Huckabee’s, and it was good.
Nate was the first to the edge, curling his fingers around and swinging down toward the post. He caught it and slid down, touching his feet quietly to the ground. Deputy followed a few seconds behind. They skirted the pond where tall grass swayed in the breeze, and flowering bushes and a tree here or there kept them well hidden while making their way to a night of forbidden fun.
They kept to the alleyways and behind the buildings so as not to be spotted if Tate was making rounds. Voices poured out of the saloon, laughter boomed, and the cigar smoke was so thick it blurred their view through the window. How many bodies could be shoved in one room?
“Lola hasn’t started yet. Let’s go find a spot.” Deputy tugged on Nate’s sleeve. They turned toward the door. In the meantime, the keys of a piano were tinkering. It was music, not truly pleasing to the ear, but Nate hadn’t ever been out this late, so all was good.
They slipped in under the doors without making them swing. No one, not a soul, looked their direction. In a room so crowded, they just sort of blended into all the noise and moving about that was going on. Nate smiled and nudged Deputy, who was also wearing a fat grin. Cards were being tossed, bets made, money lost and won. Fancy painted ladies danced around and slung drinks. The bartender, Sam, was pulling tabs and filling mugs as quick as he could. Men lined the bar. Every table seat was filled. Others stood around jawing or watching the gambling.
A cowboy gave a hoot and swung around a lady in a ruffled skirt, then kissed her. Nate and Deputy giggled. That was gross. They bellied up to the bar, sort of. Shorter than the top, they stood on the toe bar and still had be on tiptoes to look over. There wasn’t much room, so they were squeezed tight together on the very end.
Sam slid a foaming beer mug down the bar, then turned, his eyes fixed on them. “Deputy, git the hell outta here. Your pa’s gonna skin ya.” He shook a straight finger. “And ya brought a friend.” Sam pulled a rag covered with smears from his waistband and wiped the bar top where whiskey had sloshed. Deputy ignored Sam as if it were just friendly advice he’d given them and not a warning and slapped his nickel and the nickel he’d won from Nate on the bar.
“Two drinks.” Deputy winked at Nate as though to say, Don’t worry.
Sam pulled a dark bottle out from under the bar. The parchment on it was red, the letters too small for Nate to read without holding it himself, which wasn’t going to happen. Sam didn’t look happy, so Nate wasn’t about to open his mouth and ask. Deputy was smiling. Sam dropped two glasses, one in front of each of them, then poured a shot of syrupy-looking liquid into them.
Nate picked up his, taking a whiff. He grinned, then toasted. “To a night of fun.”
They clanked their glasses, then tossed back their shots of sarsaparilla.
“Now leave.” Sam picked up the ten cents and left them. Apparently, Deputy was a frequent customer, whether his ma and pa knew it or not. Sam obviously kept sarsaparilla stocked.
Nate followed Deputy over to the piano, where he sat down, stretched his fingers, and began to play right along with the sharp-jawed man sitting there, fingers dancing across the keys while belting out “Oh Where, Oh Where Has My Little Dog Gone?” followed by “Oh My Darling Clementine.” Nate had forgotten that Mrs. Huckabee was a fine piano player and had taught her son. He banged the ivories, and the entire place was roaring out “When Johnny Comes Marching Home Again.”
Nate grabbed the hand of a passing dove. He bowed. “Would ya do me the honor of this dance?”
She lit up with giggles, set down the empty platter that had been carrying whiskey and beer, and took his hands
in hers. They two-stepped, whirling around the room.
Men were clapping as the songs played on. A holler rose, then died off. Someone was having a good time. It seemed everyone was.
Nate was breathless. Deputy must have thought he was having too much fun, so he hopped off the piano stool, grabbed a dove for himself, and spun past Nate and his gal. So far, it was quite a night. Ma was all wrong about these kinds of places. Some of the men were stumbling around, drunk on their toes, but it wasn’t a sin to sing off-key or even the wrong words.
“Ya mind if I cut in?”
Nate instantly recognized that deep voice, and the dance abruptly halted. Nate swallowed hard. He didn’t say a word, balling up inwardly.
The whore smiled at Tate. “Hi, sugar.”
Tate ignored her and grabbed Nate by the arm. In three huffing strides, he had a tight grip on Deputy and was dragging them out the door just as Pa and the marshal walked in. A look of utter confusion passed between the two fathers. In no time, Nate and Deputy were marched across the street and into the jailhouse, and Tate actually locked them behind bars.
Tate was stretched back in a chair behind the desk, his feet propped up, when Pa and Marshal Huckabee stormed in. It must’ve taken a minute for the shock to wear off, and now here they were, looking none too pleased, nostrils flared and faces red.
At that moment, Nate was kind of glad there were iron bars between him and Pa. His ass was feeling the sting of the belt already.
Tate grinned as their fathers eyed them. “We’re good here. Everything’s under control. Why don’t you two go on over and listen to Lola? Her show should start soon. You can pick up these little scoundrels afterward.”
Nathanial Page 7
