Sheriff Clay spoke quietly, “You don’t have to fear Bert, Miss Molly. He’s dead.”
She looked up, “He is, are you sure?”
“Yes, I believe so. I shot one. He had black hair.”
“I need to see him.”
“Umm, Miss Molly it isn’t something a young lady should see if it isn’t absolutely necessary,” the sheriff explained.
“I’ve seen dead men before, sheriff and a few dead women. I’ll be all right. I’ll be better if I know he’s dead.” She smiled and reached out to touch his arm. “You’re hurt.”
“Just a flesh wound, I’ll have Doc look at it later after you identify the body.”
Molly's eyes flashed, “You’ll have Doc look at it now. Bert isn’t going anywhere.”
The sheriff nodded and held out his arm. “I’ll escort you to Doc’s. Bert’s body may still be there. If not, I’ll take you to Joseph’s, and you can take a look.”
“All right, but your arm first,” she insisted.
Giles smiled as he watched them leave and then turned to climb the stairs to knock on Cal’s door when he noticed Sarah heading down the stairs.
He held out his hand to her, and she walked into his waiting arms. “I worried about you all night,” she confessed. “At least Molly and Mrs. Biggs arrived back safe, and I didn’t have to worry about all of you. Did you find the men who took Molly and Mrs. Biggs?”
“Only one, but the sheriff will search for the other and send out telegrams to sheriffs along the train line. He’s bound to show up somewhere. I need to keep you safe. Marry me today.”
Sarah leaned back to look at him, “Giles even if we were married, it wouldn’t have stopped them. I would have been at the shop and you in your office. How could you know I was in danger? I can’t sit in your office all day,” she reached up and ran her hand along his cheek.
“Yes, you could. You can read while I work and I have the extra room. You could sit in there if I have a client.”
“Giles Bowen, that sounds like a terrible life, and we’d be at each other’s throats in no time. I don’t want you to regret marrying me,” she smiled at him.
“I could never do that. I’ll hire a bodyguard.”
“Giles.”
“All right, I love you, and I want you safe.” He lifted her chin and kissed her.
~ * ~
On the way to Doctor Winters’ office, Molly told Sheriff Clay everything that happened and all she could remember about Bert, Eli, and their ‘boss.’ She answered the few questions he had and blushed when he told her how smart and brave he thought she was to look for anything to protect herself and Widow Biggs. He chuckled when he learned Bert and Eli left their clothes and a rifle behind.
“Would you have shot them, Miss Molly? It’s hard to shoot another person. Many people try but can’t do it,” he looked down at her waiting for an answer.
“Yes, I nearly shot a man who was beating my Mama one night. I never shot a gun before, and I missed, but I wanted to kill him to make him stop. He ran off. The saloon owner thought I should learn how to shoot and gave me lessons until I could shoot as well as he did. I was fifteen. I still can outshoot some men.” She smiled at him, and he laughed.
They continued their walk to Doc Winters, and his housekeeper opened the door before they knocked.
“Doc said he thought you’d be back to have that arm looked after, Sheriff Clay. You should have stayed here when you stopped by earlier,” the kindly Mrs. Price admonished.
“I needed to speak to Miss Sullivan. We have some business to take care of but she insisted I see Doc first.”
“Smart girl, follow me.” She led him down a hall to an exam room while Molly waited in the parlor.
It took less than an hour, and Sheriff Clay walked into the parlor followed by Doctor Winters.
“I’m glad you convinced him to come in, Miss Sullivan. He only needed two stitches, but I don’t want him to get an infected wound,” Doc Winters addressed her.
“Only two stitches. If I knew that, I could have done it myself,” Molly laughed.
“You can stitch up an arm?” Sheriff Clay asked staring at her.
“Growing up in a saloon, I learned a lot of things. Many men get hurt and don’t want to pay a doc or inform the sheriff. My Mama taught me to clean and stitch a wound,” she smiled broadly.
Sheriff Clay shook his head. “There’s a lot to learn about you, Miss Sullivan.”
“You’d be surprised, sheriff,” she answered, and Doc Winters laughed again.
They told the Doc goodbye and headed for Joseph’s furniture shop. They had missed him by only a few minutes, and Sheriff Clay doubted he’d have the man buried this quickly. He was right; Joseph was ready to pound the first nail into the coffin when they arrived.
“Joseph,” Sheriff Clay said, “Can you lift the lid and let Miss Sullivan identify the man as the one who abducted her?”
“Sure thing.”
Molly took one quick look, identified the man as Bert, turned, and walked away.
“Thanks, Joseph,” the sheriff called as he hurried off after Molly.
He caught up to Molly and reached out to touch her arm. “Are you all right?”
“Yes, I said I’ve seen dead bodies before. I never said I liked to see them, but I had to know it was him. I will sleep better. He had more brains than Eli although they both were idiots. I doubt Eli will return. He seemed to follow Bert’s lead blindly and spoke to us. He told us about his childhood and his parents’ deaths which caused them to take up stealing. He wants to own a ranch. I don’t think he’ll come back here. He’s running. I’ve met his type before,” Molly spoke until she finished her explanation and stopped to take in a deep breath.
“Let me walk you back to Callahan’s. I think I may have a wanted poster for Bert. I also need to speak to Widow Biggs. I’ll stop to see you later and let you know what I’ve learned.”
Molly took his arm, and they walked in companionable silence back to the restaurant.
~ * ~
Sarah and Molly stayed at Callahan’s until they had lunch. Nell insisted they eat to be sure they didn’t get sick from all the worry and fear. Sarah also made sure Nell ate since she kept saying she wasn’t hungry even though Cal wasn’t frying eggs. The three young women ate and laughed until Sarah said it was time to get to work.
Walking back to the dress shop, Molly explained about how Bert and Eli abducted her and Henrietta.
“It was just bad luck that Henrietta was there when they pushed into the back door. She had just picked out a pretty brown calico for a new dress. She’s tired of black, too. I hope she comes back soon for her dress. I only took a few measurements before they took us,” Molly explained.
“Do you think she’ll be back or staying home where she’s safe?” Sarah asked as she unlocked the front door.
“She’ll be back. Henrietta is braver than you’d imagine and younger. We spoke a lot while we were left alone. She had a good life on the farm with her husband and sons before he died. She’s a nice woman. I like her,” Molly said as she hung her wrap up on the wall peg.
“Hmm,” Sarah answered. “I hope I get to know her better when she comes in. I should never have judged her. I hate to be judged and felt people were against me until the trial. This town does stand by its residents. I’m thrilled to be part of it, and I’ll be Giles’ wife. I still feel as if I’m dreaming.” Sarah pulled out the blue silk she had set aside. “It’s time to work on my wedding dress.”
“Let me help. You don’t have a lot of time.”
Sarah laughed. “If it were up to Giles, he’d get married today. He thinks he’ll keep me safer if we’re married.”
“You need to prove you can take care of yourself. Tell me, can you shoot a gun,” Molly asked smiling.
Chapter 17
Three days later, Doubles barreled into Callahan’s calling out for Nell.
“Mrs. Callahan, are you here? Mrs. Callahan, I need to ask you a quest
ion, please.”
Nell hurried out from the kitchen and saw Doubles standing in the middle of the restaurant gripping his hat in his hands. His wide eyes and trembling voice worried her.
“What is it Mr. Doubles? Is something wrong?”
“Please, ma’am, you know Mrs. Morey and Miss Sullivan. I haven’t been to town for over a week. When I went into Underwood’s, the men were talking about Henrietta, sweet, dear, Henrietta’s abduction. I couldn’t find her at home. Do you know if she is all right?” He stared straight into her eyes.
“Yes, please sit down. She’s all right. Both women are safe.”
“Thank the Lord,” he said and pulled out a chair.
“Let me get you some coffee.” Nell hurried back with two cups of coffee. Doubles looked up at her and smiled. He took a sip from the first cup and then a sip from the second.
“You said you went to Underwood’s. Did you plan to eat there?” Nell asked.
He nodded.
“Let me get you something to eat. Cal made pot roast. It is much better than anything Underwood puts in his stews,” Nell said smiling at the older man.
“Thank you, I’d like that.”
Nell hurried back to the kitchen and spoke to Cal. “Doubles is here. I need an order of pot roast. Dish it up on two plates, please. The poor man rushed in here looking for Mrs. Biggs. He called her sweet and dear. I don’t understand it.”
“They were neighbors for twenty-five years until her husband died five years ago. Maybe he developed feelings for her or feels protective.” Cal shrugged.
“I’ll find out,” she said and picked up the plates.
“Nell, don’t pry.”
She smiled and called over her shoulder, “I never do.”
Nell placed the two plates in front of doubles and watched him dig into each plate one after the other until both plates were clean.
“Would you like more or some dessert? I made fresh cherry pie this morning,” she asked wondering where the thin man put all the food he just ate.
Doubles scrunched his eyes and his eyes shifted back and forth in thought. “I don’t think I can eat more pot roast and then have pie. I’ll have pie.”
“Sure thing, I’ll be right back.”
When Nell set the two plates of pie in front of him, she pulled out the chair across the table from him. He was the only customer, and she knew they could now speak privately.
“You know Mr. Doubles; you don’t come to town often. When you do, you might want to come here to eat. I worry about what Mr. Underwood puts in his stew.”
“Please, Mrs. Callahan, just call me Doubles. No mister just Doubles. My last name is Picklesimer, but I prefer people call me Doubles,” he scooped up a bite of pie from both plates and ate heartily. “It’s real good pie.”
“Thank you, Doubles. I like to see you eat a good meal,” Nell smiled watching him consume her pie.
“From now on, I will come here,” Doubles promised and then finished the last two bites of pie and his coffee.
“Oh, look,” Nell told him. “I see Mrs. Biggs across the street coming out of Sarah’s dress shop. She looks well. You don’t need to worry.”
Doubles spun in his chair and spotted Henrietta. He jumped up and said, “Wonderful meal. I’ll be back.” He dropped a few coins on the table and rushed out the door. Nell watched him half walk, half skip across the street.
“Henrietta, Henrietta my dear, I heard about what happened to you. Are you all right?” Doubles called out as he rushed across the street.
Henrietta spun to look at him. “Phineas Picklesimer, who do you think you are calling ‘dear’?”
He took her hand and replied, “You of course. Who else would I call dear? You have no idea how worried I was as soon as I heard you were abducted. Did they hurt you? I'd kill them if they did. I heard there was a posse. I wished I’d been in town; I would have looked for you, too.”
Henrietta pulled her hand away, “Phineas, you can’t go around in public calling me dear. People will talk. Were you drinking?”
“No, not one drink. I ate at Callahan’s and spoke to Mrs. Callahan. I was worried about you. She told me you were well.” He smiled at Henrietta.
“Yes, I am,” she scowled, but her eyes smiled at Phineas. “I’ll speak to you another time. I have plans this afternoon with Celia and Eloise.”
“Of course, another time,” he took her hand, kissed it, and then bowed.
Henrietta’s eyes flew open wide, and she bit back a grin before she spun on her heel and headed down the boardwalk followed by a smiling Celia and Eloise.
Molly, watching from inside Sarah’s shop, turned to look at her and said, “I think Doubles is sweet on Mrs. Biggs.”
Sarah covered her mouth to hide a giggle. “I think it’s charming. The heart doesn’t understand age. Who can explain love?”
~ * ~
The next two weeks flew by for Sarah. She kept busy sewing her wedding dress, finishing dresses for Celia, Eloise, and Henrietta. Nell helped her plan the wedding and Giles did his best to occupy every minute of free time she had.
Molly called out from the back room. “Close your eyes, Sarah. I finished your surprise.”
Sarah answered, “They’re closed. What are you up to, Molly?”
Molly walked out and made sure Sarah’s eyes were closed tightly. “Flowers are hard to find in November. They don’t grow in the cold. You will need this on Saturday.”
Sarah opened her eyes to see Molly holding out a wedding bouquet made of silk, lace, and ribbon flowers.
Tears sprung to Sarah’s eyes, “Oh, Molly, it’s beautiful. When ladies see this, they’ll ask you to make hat and dress embellishments. We should add them to what we offer. You’ll make a good living on your own until you find a husband,” Sarah smiled.
Molly ignored her. “I have more.” She returned with a tray filled with small ribbon flowers to match the bouquet. “These are for your hair. You didn’t want a veil, but you need flowers in your hair.”
Sarah hugged her. “I can’t thank you enough. This is what you’ve been doing in your room before you go to sleep, and I thought you were watching out your window hoping to catch a glimpse of Sheriff Clay.”
Molly blushed. “I told you he only sees me as a female in need of help. Now, what else do we need to finish before the wedding? Remember we aren’t working on Thursday. We promised to spend the day at Callahan’s’ for Thanksgiving. Nell said Cal had Mr. Masters order a turkey.”
“Oh my,” Sarah said. “Poor Nell. She’s barely over feeling sick each morning, and now Cal will have a turkey. You know she still can’t kill a chicken. She’ll hide here when Cal takes care of the turkey. I hope she doesn’t see it first, or she’ll name it and then won’t eat any.”
Molly was about to respond when the shop door opened. Celia, Eloise, and a distraught Henrietta entered.
“What’s wrong,” Sarah questioned.
“We were planning to come to the shop, and I let slip about my trip to Wyoming. I didn’t have a chance to tell Henrietta yet. She found out on our walk here. I thought it’s more private here than at Callahan’s. Could I make her some tea?” Celia explained.
“I’ll make it,” Molly offered.
Henrietta sat and dabbed at her eyes with a handkerchief. “I will be all right. I am happy for Celia. She deserves to be loved and her Mr. Hastings sounds wonderful. I will miss her, and it did come as a bit of a shock.”
Molly brought Henrietta a cup of tea. “Thank you, my dear.”
The five women sat and a lively discussion began about two weddings, Thanksgiving, new dresses, exciting night dresses, and where life would lead for each of them.
~ * ~
The sun was barely breaking on the horizon Thanksgiving morning when Molly and Sarah woke to the sound of someone pounding on the front door of the shop.
Both women grabbed their wraps and made their way down the stairs.
“Who could be here so early,” Molly whispered
.
“If it’s Giles, I’m going to strangle him. He wants to spend each minute he can with me,” Sarah whispered back.
“He loves you.”
“I’m going to peek around the curtain to see who it is,” Sarah held up her arm to stop Molly from entering the sales room. “Oh my, it’s Nell. I hope nothing’s wrong.”
Sarah hurried to open the door, and Nell bustled in bringing a cold blast of air with her.
“Is everything all right,” Sarah asked.
Nell shook her head. “Cal bought one and Mr. Masters bought one. They are both out back. I can hear them. I heard them all night. When they stop, it’ll all be over.”
“Who is out back, Cal and Mr. Masters?” asked Molly concerned about Nell’s pale complexion and wide eyes.
Nell shook her hands. “No. It’s the turkeys. There are two. Cal is going to bake one and Minnie’s oven is big enough for the other. When it’s done, Mr. Masters will bring it over for everyone to enjoy at the restaurant. I can’t stand the sound they’re making. It’s as if they are calling for help. When they stop, they’ll be dead. Mr. Masters brought a hatchet.” Nell dropped her head into her hands.
“Does Cal know you are here?” Sarah asked.
“Yes, I told him I’m not coming back to help while I can hear them crying for their lives.”
Molly patted her hand. “Nell, you’re too emotional. Having babies do this to some women. You stay here and rest with Sarah. I’ll change and help Cal with the food, and I’ll come back and tell you when we have everything cooking. All right,” she smiled at Nell and Nell smiled back.
“I’m such a baby, and I’m having a baby. Cal thinks I’m funny. I don’t want to be funny. I want him to think I can do anything.”
Sarah hugged her. “Having a baby is harder work than killing two turkeys. Cal married you knowing you refused to kill chickens; he isn’t going to be upset if you can’t watch him kill a turkey.”
“I suppose you’re right, but he just smiles at me when I can’t or won’t do something. He never yells or tells me he’s upset. Is it because he loves me or tolerates me?” Nell wondered.
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