Nathanial

by J. B. Richard

  “I didn’t even know they left the house.” The marshal picked up the keys off the desk. Deputy whimpered. He knew what was coming. It was the same thing Nate would get—an ass tanning neither would ever forget.

  “Sam sent someone over. Said the boys here were dancing with the girls so they couldn’t make him money, if ya know what I mean.” Tate smiled at the marshal and Pa, who both grinned. “From what I was told, they did a little singin’ and dancin’, harmless really.” Tate shrugged it off, although he’d been mad just a few minutes ago when he’d dragged them out. With his easygoing manners in charge, the mounting tension as the marshal and Pa decided the severity of the punishment dissipated quickly.

  Pa pulled a chair next to the bars, giving them a little bit of a shake. “Don’t tell your ma about this, any of it. She’ll skin us both.”

  “No, sir. I won’t.” Inwardly, Nate was celebrating. He wasn’t going to get his ass smacked.

  Tate was too much like Jesse. He’d been plenty mad, but he didn’t want to see either boy in trouble. They would probably get an ear chewing once their fathers left. If that was all they got, Nate would thank his lucky stars.

  “If there’s a next time, I’ll bare your ass and give ya a whuppin’.” Pa had never done that, never even threatened it. It was a bold indication of how serious he was.

  “Don’t ya worry, Nolan. I’ll give ‘em both a good talkin’ to,” Tate added.

  Pa and the marshal left, the door banging behind them. Being stuck in a cell for a few hours wasn’t the worst punishment they could have gotten.

  “Tate.” Deputy squeezed the bars, his face pressed tight between two. “Why don’t ya let us out? You can lock us up before they git back.”

  Tate laughed. “Boy, that is the one place I know I won’t lose track of either of ya. You’re stayin’ put.” He pulled open a desk drawer, then tossed a deck of cards still in the pack to Deputy. “Entertain yourself with that. And no poker. Play Old Maid or Snap.”

  Nate sat back on the cot. Like Jesse and even Pa, Tate was trying to keep them seeing themselves as kids. It wasn’t normal for every child to be around criminals, cages, and Nate looked through the wanted posters daily. He was going to be Pa’s deputy someday, just like Jesse. Deputy also had a star pinned on his shirt. But Nate reckoned going into that saloon, they had crossed a line. They were just kids, and that was a place for men.

  “Sorry, Tate.” Nate meant it. He hadn’t thought beforehand about the worry they might cause. He’d only seen the fun in it and was sure Deputy had taken the same view.

  Tate nodded. “All right, I won’t lecture ya since ya seem to have learned your lesson.” He dropped his hat on the desk and eased his arms behind his head. “How ‘bout you, Joseph Huckabee the second? Have you learned your lesson?”

  “Yes, sir.” Deputy stopped counting out the cards for a breath or two until Tate agreeably nodded.

  When the door opened a minute later, it wasn’t who any of them expected, least of all Nate. He didn’t know who he thought it would be. Maybe somehow Ma had found out they had sneaked out. Or it could have been Pa, leaving the show early. Instead, it was that stately city dude. His black hair was combed perfectly and parted on the right. He had a longhorn mustache that curled just a mite on the ends. What did he want?

  Nate instinctively pushed back, distancing himself.

  The man’s eyes narrowed as he stared into the cell holding the two boys. Then he turned his ugly scowl on Tate. “You have children locked in a cell,” he said as if Tate didn’t know, as if they had just appeared there out of thin air.

  “No shit. I’m the one who put ‘em there.” Tate chuckled as though this man were a fool.

  He wasn’t. Nate could tell that. This man was a thinker, probably a university-educated man. He reminded Nate of Judge Prescott, who was here in town. He had signed the paperwork for Nate’s adoption.

  This man silently, shrewdly eyed Tate, who didn’t seem to care. His face hadn’t changed to show signs of worry or anything else. Tate was Tate, and that easygoing way did make Nate feel a little less scared.

  “Where are their guardians?” the fella demanded, shaking the walls. Why was he so mad? They weren’t his concern. Besides, they were just fine. Nate and his friends sometimes played in the cells at home.

  The chair under Tate squeaked as he shifted his weight while keeping his feet propped on the desk. His hands glided down from behind his head, and he hooked his thumbs inside his waistband. “If you mean their fathers, well …” Tate pointed out the window. “They’d be in the saloon, listening to Lola. I’d like to be there myself.” He grinned, but some sense told Nate it wasn’t friendly.

  “Let them out.” Whoever he was, he wasn’t asking.

  Nate supposed he was used to getting his way, being rich. Judging by his glossy shoes without a speck of dust, he must’ve been a king. People probably fell all over themselves to please him. Maybe he even had servants. Nate had heard tell of rich folk having butlers and maids to wait on them.

  When Tate didn’t move, the man’s fists balled at his sides, his face reddening. “I’ll have your badge for this,” he snarled, baring straight white teeth.

  “And just what would you do with it?” Tate ran his fingers through his hair without concern. “You gonna protect this town and its people?” He grinned, knowing by the looks of that man’s smooth hands, he had probably never held a gun or been in a knuckle-busting fight. “I’m gonna give ya a bit of advice, mister, and I’ll even give ya a few seconds to take me up on it. If’n ya don’t,”—Tate looked about at the dusty floor—“I’ll mop this place with your hide. I’d surely hate to dirty that clean, starched coat, but then again, it’d do to get all the crust off the floor. Bet I could make her shine.”

  The man spun on his heel. The door slammed behind him. Tate stood, went to the window, and watched him go.

  “Do ya know him?” Nate didn’t believe the couple was local. He’d never seen them during any of their visits, but he thought he’d ask just the same.

  Tate shook his head, keeping his gaze out the window. Pa had talked about the man, so Tate knew something was up or the feller wouldn’t have come to the jailhouse. How did he even know where they were? Nate thought real hard. The Songbird. It’d been so jampacked that he must have been in there and seen them, maybe watching Nate the whole time, maybe close enough to reach out and grab him. That gave him the shivers.

  An hour later, Pa and the marshal burst through the door with an arm around the other’s shoulder, singing the last stanza of “Beautiful Dreamer.” The marshal had a cigar stub held between his lips, and there was the flush that came with drinking too much whiskey on their cheeks. They bumped into the desk, knocking over a stack of papers.

  “Ya missed a heck of a show.” Pa snatched the key ring off the desk, twirling it around his finger.

  “Sober up,” Tate snapped. That wasn’t like him. Nate couldn’t recall a time when Tate was overly serious.

  “Don’t be sore. We could’ve just smacked their asses, sent them home. Then you could’ve come with us. Lockin’ them up was your idea.” Pa gave Tate a friendly elbow to the ribs.

  “That man you were telling Joseph and me about was here tonight.”

  Pa sobered in one breath. The crimson from the whiskey drained from his face as he and the marshal separated from their good-humored hold on one another. They both stood straight as a board. These were men who could smell trouble before it got too close. All three of them sensed something, and that made Nate bite his nails. He didn’t understand the interest in him.

  “What did he want?” Pa plunked down on the corner of the desk, and there was no masking the raw irritation in his voice.

  “He told me to release the boys.”

  “That all he said?” Pa’s brow rose.

  “Purdy much.” Tate nodded.

  “Pa.” Nate pressed his face between the bars next to Deputy, who was also gripping the rods tight. “The lady said
she was lookin’ for someone. Said I reminded her of him. She didn’t say who.”

  Pa unlocked the cell. A strange look passed between Huckabee, Tate, and him. Nate threw open the barred door and stood close to his father. He didn’t want to look like a baby in front of everyone. He respected these men more than any others, besides Jesse. But he couldn’t help it. Inside, he was shaking. This was the second time those people had interfered in his life.

  “Can’t you make ‘em go away?” His voice quivered.

  “They haven’t broken any laws, so all we can do is keep an eye on them,” Pa said.

  “I’ll check the register at the hotel. They certainly aren’t camping in a wagon. I’ll have a name by morning.” Tate opened the door. “See ya at breakfast.”

  “Nolan, if ya don’t mind takin’ Deputy along to the house with Nate, I’ll stay here while Tate is out lookin’ around. I might do some diggin’ of my own.” The marshal scooped the fallen papers off the floor.

  “I should stay too,” Pa said. He wasn’t one to let others do all the work, especially when it was his so-called fight.

  Huckabee shook his head. “You’ve had a lot to drink, and I don’t want your temper gettin’ in the way.” He stacked the papers neatly. “We don’t know who these people are or what exactly they want. We only know that it seems to have something to do with Nathanial. As the boy’s father, I think it’s best you stay out of it for now. Tate and I will find some answers. We need to know more.”

  Every word the marshal said was true. Besides, Nate wanted Pa to stay close. The Huckabees had a big house, and he didn’t want to be all alone with just Ma and the other kids. What if that man snuck in and tried to take him? He kept hold of Pa’s sleeve until they got in the house and he and Deputy were tucked deep under a quilt. Though, he doubted he’d sleep.

  Each time he woke, he thought about crawling into bed with his folks. The strange couple must have thought he knew something about that missing person. Why else would they keep tabs on him?

  Pa and Jesse would follow any lead when they didn’t have a good solid one to solve a case. Maybe those people were doing likewise. Only, they were being weird about it. Just because he looked similar to the person they were hunting …

  He nearly choked on the air as his mind led him to another thought. Did they believe he was who they were searching for? That couldn’t be. Why? Lots of people had lookalikes. He rolled over, tucking the blankets tight around him.

  CHAPTER 10

  The greasy smell of bacon put a smile on Nate’s face as he and deputy thumped down the stairs, tussling into the dining room. Nate yawned. He was tired from not sleeping well. They plopped into seats while pushing at each other. Ma was serving the other kids, and Mrs. Huckabee strolled in with a platter of meat.

  “Where’s Pa?” Nate looked into the other room.

  Deputy’s father wasn’t there either, nor Tate. That fancy couple sprang front and center into Nate’s mind. He didn’t want to focus on them or how scared he’d been last night, but they were hanging in his brain. He wasn’t going to let the thought of them ruin his good time. That was easier done when Pa was near to protect him. The sooner this mess got straightened out, the better. It just felt like a heavy cloud was hanging over him.

  The front door opened, and in came the three absent men.

  “Where were ya?” Nate fired off at Pa. His face wrinkled up, irritated that Pa had gone away without him, especially with that couple around.

  He ruffled Nate’s hair as he sat next to him. “I got some good news.”

  Nate couldn’t wait to hear that the couple had packed up and left town. Pa had probably come to the same conclusion Nate had and explained everything about the adoption, and Huckabee and Tate were witnesses to officially confirm Pa’s story. So it looked like he wasn’t who they were searching for.

  He smiled. “So they’re gone?”

  Pa cocked his head, seriously studying Nate. “No. But I got a name, and we’ll keep looking into this. We can talk about it later. Let’s not start the day on the wrong foot. I know you’re worried, but your Ma and I, the marshal, and Tate have all discussed it, and you must stay in sight of one us at all times. Understand?”

  “Yes, sir.”

  “I don’t think they mean you any harm. They’ve only tried to talk to you, but we’re not going to take any risks. If you happen to see them, run to one of us.”

  “So what’s the good news?” Nate needed to hear something cheery.

  “I met a man who has an appaloosa for sale. Thought we could go have a look-see. Wouldn’t Jesse be surprised?”

  Nate jumped out of his seat. This wasn’t just good news. This was great news, the absolute best. Jesse missed Dapple so much. He compared any horse he rode to that appaloosa of his that had been killed. Nate could clearly imagine the surprise on Jesse’s face if they came home with a good, solid horse for him, especially if it happened to be spotted like Dapple.

  “Let’s go.” Nate was ready, first grabbing a few pieces of bacon off his plate.

  “Keep your britches on. Eat. Then we’ll go.” Pa picked up his fork. Ma had just piled lots of eggs, a slice of bread, and meat on his plate.

  The marshal and Tate were digging in too. At the moment, Pa didn’t seem a bit flustered about that couple who’d been watching Nate. If he wasn’t nervous, Nate wouldn’t be either. Pa could handle anything, always had.

  Nate sat in the saddle behind Deputy as his horse moved at a spanking trot. Pa was on one side of them, the marshal on the other.

  They rode about five miles from town, turning east at a dusty split in the road. A few rippling hills of grass waved as they passed by. Then a ranch nestled down in a little valley came into view. Pretty spot. Leaves and trees of varying shades of bright green, flowers abundant throughout the yard—all of it reminding Nate of home. Although, this place didn’t have a picket fence. The house sat under the shade of some almighty tall maple trees. The well-stacked stone foundation of a bank barn showed on three sides, the fourth set hidden into the side of a hill, hence the name. A large oval corral connected to the front of the barn where four horses huddled, swatting flies with their tails. It seemed to be a lazy day for them.

  A man came out of the house, giving a friendly wave. In town, Pa had agreed on a time to meet. It only took the fella a few minutes to gather a lead rope from inside the barn, catch up to the horse they came to look over, and guide the animal out of the corral. Pa rubbed his hand along the appaloosa’s neck, then over its back, then inspected each leg. He opened the animal’s mouth, checking its teeth, and agreed with the age of five.

  Mr. Tyson hadn’t raised the colt from a foal. He’d taken the appaloosa and the other three as payment due to him instead of demanding cash. Nate wasn’t surprised. Mr. Tyson had a kind face. Though, he walked like a man who took business in hand, and the .44 on his hip was a guarantee he would not be taken advantage of. That wasn’t the case here. The marshal and Mr. Tyson were friends, so he had introduced him to Pa.

  Pa threw his saddle on the spotted gelding and tried him out. He looked like a smooth mover, and his hair shimmered in the sunshine. Jesse would likely fall in love as soon as he laid eyes on the animal.

  Pa pulled up on the reins right in front of them. “How much?” He looked over at Tyson.

  The man rubbed his chin all thoughtful like. “Hundred dollars.”

  Pa huffed. “Indeed, this is a fine animal, but that’s a lot of money. How about seventy-five?”

  They went back and forth for a few minutes until finally settling on eighty-five dollars. Pa probably would have paid more than a hundred, knowing how happy the appaloosa would make Jesse. He had a good poker face, so the gent probably didn’t realize he’d held all the cards. The horse was definitely worth more than what Pa had to pay.

  “Can I ride him back to town?” Nate bounced excitedly on a fence rail as Pa and Mr. Tyson shook hands.

  “We can race.” Deputy nudged Nate. That sounded
like good fun.

  Pa’s eyes narrowed. “Yes, you can ride him.” He then wagged a finger. “No runnin’ him.”

  A horse was like any other creature. It needed to get to know ya before it showed trust. The appaloosa was young, broke to saddle, but not used to Nate’s riding. It might act up. Though, if Pa thought the horse was too green, Nate wouldn’t have been allowed to ride him at all. He should probably take it easy until it got adjusted.

  In no time, they rode into Birch Creek. The marshal pulled up in front of the jailhouse.

  Tate was leaning lazily against the porch post. “That’s a fine-lookin’ hoss.” He stepped into the street, and Nate halted. The appaloosa hadn’t acted up once on the return ride. Tate patted the animal’s neck.

  “Tate, why don’t ya take a break? I’ll take over for a while.” Marshal Huckabee stepped down out of the saddle, then tossed his reins over the hitch rail. Pa hopped down too and tied his horse.

  Tate nodded. “See you boys at supper.” He winked toward Nate and Deputy, then was off, halfway across the street, heading for the saloon.

  “Nathanial, I’m gonna stay and help the marshal keep an eye on things. Put Jesse’s horse in the corral.”

  Nate knew Pa wasn’t talking about the livery. He meant at the marshal’s place on the far edge of town. “Yes, sir.” He turned the appaloosa, and Deputy’s horse fell into pace.

  It was the day before the big Fourth of July shindig, and even more folks appeared to have somehow crammed into town. There was a harmonious buzz along the street. Everywhere, people were smiling, greeting one another, and the consensus was excitement for tomorrow’s events. Nothing this grand had ever come so close, certainly not right among them. It might be the one and only time, so no one was apt to forget it. The street was overloaded with fancy black carriages and plain or simple-painted wagons. Dust hung in the air. There was hardly room along the hitch rail. And foot traffic along the boardwalk was heavy.

  It was a shame Jesse couldn’t be there with them.

  “Follow me.” Deputy turned his paint pony into an alleyway. They came out behind the row of buildings. The path before them was wide open.