Cowboys and Highlanders (103 page)

Chapter Sixteen

Train sat across from TJ in the shack. “Think the storm will bring much snow?”

“Not this one, but we’ve seen the last warm day until spring. Are things any warmer between you and Marion?”

“I told her everything.”

TJ glanced at him over the rim of his coffee cup.

“She won’t say anything. She respects your privacy.”

TJ took a sip and set the cup down.

“I told her that it was my decision not to acknowledge my bloodline. I’m not your burden.”

“You never were. All you have to do is say the word and you can carry the Bester name.”

Train shook his head. “I like things just as they are.”

“And what about Jack, Charlie, and the rest of the men? Are you going to be able to work along side men who’ve been with your wife? I can’t have you throwing punches at everyone who looks at her.”

“Everyone would have a shiner. Jack and I aren’t finished, but I’ll keep it civil between us.” He stopped speaking when he saw the sheriff standing in the doorway.

Noticing the change in Train’s posture, TJ followed his stare. “Sheriff.” He stood and took the sheriff’s extended hand with his own. “What brings you out here?”

The sheriff shifted his weight from one foot to the other. “I’ll need to speak with Mr. Spencer.” Train straightened his shirt. “Looks like I’m interrupting.”

“Nothing that can’t be discussed later,” TJ said, leading the way outside.

TJ made small talk with the sheriff, inquiring on the continuing boom in town.

Finally, Train interrupted. “What can I do for you, Sheriff?”

“I need to speak with Marion.” Sheriff Brady adjusted his holster, assuring himself that his weapon was where he liked it. “We had some trouble at the brothel.”

TJ leaned against the fence post resting one foot on the bottom rail while he listened to Train speak to the sheriff. “My wife doesn’t have any connection to the brothel. Sandy’s brother should have taken possession of the building.”

“He did,” he said. “And then he burned it to the ground.” The Sheriff glanced from Train to TJ. “We found a woman’s body in the ashes.”

TJ’s head slumped between his shoulders. “Who?”

“We’re hoping Marion can help us out.”

“I’ll ride out with you.” Marion was going to need him.

* *
*
* *

Marion watched the trio of riders approach. Something was wrong judging by the speed of their horses. She went to the fire, threw on another log, and set the coffee kettle on the stone slab to heat.

Train preceded the sheriff and TJ into the house.

“Sheriff,” she acknowledged him with only the slightest hint of a smile. “What are you doing out here?” Her first thought was that he had come to see if she had changed her mind about retiring. Sweat trickled down the underside of her arm. Certainly, she was more secure today than a week ago, but Train retained some skepticism about her commitment to the marriage and her desire to be faithful. The way the sheriff was looking at her now was bound to cause another round of quarreling.

TJ sat at the far side of the table and balanced the chair on its back legs while he leaned against the wall.

“Who’s going to tell me why you’re here?” She glanced from one man to the next looking for clues to the purpose of their visit.

Sheriff Brady cleared his throat. “The Dusty Rose is gone. Burned to the ground. Mr. Jensen was arrested for arson. He’s had the pleasure of my hospitality in the jail while he’s waiting for the trial judge to come from Helena.” He pulled something from his pocket and fidgeted with it. “The snow fall is going to make the gutted building a mess. Town council voted to clean it up at the city expense. Figure we can recoup the loss from the sale of the property.”

The sheriff placed a necklace on the table in front of Marion and watched for a sign of recognition.

Train leaned against the wall behind her chair.

“Do you know who this belongs to?” the sheriff asked.

“It was Sandy’s,” she said.

TJ’s chair legs hit the floor.

The men looked at each other. “Ms. Jensen?” Sheriff Brady asked. “Impossible. Sandy’s buried in the town cemetery. Her brother would have had to be insane to dig up her body to burn it with the building.”

TJ leaned forward, staring at the necklace. “Have you had any reports of grave robbing or cemetery desecration?”

“You don’t understand,” Marion said. “Cassie kept it as a memento.” She looked at the sheriff. “Where did you find it?”

Train put his hand on her shoulder. She tensed, fear pooling in her stomach.

With a sympathetic look, the sheriff answered, “On the body we found in the ashes.” The words hung in the room like an acrid odor.

“Cassie was still living in the brothel?” She shook her head in disbelief. “She should have left weeks ago.”

“Maybe she didn’t have anywhere to go,” TJ said.

“She ran away from home when she was fourteen.” Marion remembered the day they had compared childhood memories. “Her daddy moved her into his bed when her mama died. She’d stayed there a year before he put a baby in her belly. When he beat her, she lost the baby. Then she ran. Her greatest fear was that he took up with her little sister who was ten when she left.” Marion closed her eyes and bowed her head.

“I guess she won’t worry anymore.” She stood from the table, clutching the necklace in her hand. “Don’t worry about notifying her family.” She went to the window and gazed at the lake. “Cassie enjoyed the thought of her father wondering whether she was dead or alive.” She took a deep breath.

“Well, I guess that answers all my questions.” The sheriff’s eyes remained on Marion. “Good day to you.” He turned and nodded to Train.

“I’ll ride back with you.” TJ turned to Train. “Stay with Marion. I’ll finish up our business at the shack.” He spoke with a tick in his jaw, eyes narrowed, and lips thinned.

Train stepped forward. “I want to take care of it myself--”

“I’m speaking as your boss,” TJ said, mounting his horse. “I’ll tell Allison about Cassie,” he said to Marion.

Marion stood on the porch, watching until TJ and the sheriff became small dots on the horizon and then disappeared over a rise.

Realizing Train stood beside her, she said, “Will you put this on me?” She handed him the necklace, then turned around, lifting her hair.

“What was TJ talking about?” Marion dropped her hair and faced him. He stared at her without speaking. Afraid of what he was thinking she didn’t press him for an answer.

“Nothing that matters now. I’ve been a fool. Will you walk with me?” He stepped inside, grabbed their coats, then wrapped his arm around her waist. They started toward the lake.

“Thank you, Train.” She threaded her fingers with his.

“For what?”

“I’m glad you’re a determined man.”

Train laughed. “A man with any less determination would have given up on you the first day.” He kissed her temple. “I’d say we’ve earned each other.”

“I’m pleased with my prize.” She lifted her face.

He kissed her gently.

She snuggled, sharing his body heat. “This feels like home, doesn’t it? Brothers should live close to each other, and Allison is the closest person I have to family. I want to help raise her children.”

He shook with laughter. “Cooking, cleaning, and now a fondness for children?”

“You’ve cast a spell on me.”

Silence hung in the air. The wind was crisp on their face. Her heartbeat thumped painfully in her chest. She took a deep breath. “I’m afraid,” she whispered. “I look at Allison as a mother and it’s a beautiful picture. When I try to remember my mother’s face, I can’t.” She stopped walking, but couldn’t look into his eyes, yet felt the heat of his stare. “I begged my mother not to make me leave.” She closed her eyes as she relived the day. “I told her I loved her. It didn’t matter. I’ve never said the words again.”

Marion held his hand, running her finger along his knuckles. Calloused from ranch life, his palm scraped against the inside of her hand. “The way I feel about you makes me feel vulnerable.” Her chest tightened making it hard to breathe. It was on the tip of her tongue. “I love you. I never thought I could say the words.” She stepped into his arms and laid her head against his shoulder. “It feels good.”

Train started walking again. “I feel it, too.” He wrapped his arm around her shoulder and kept her close. “I love you.” And he planned to show her how much for the rest of their lives.

The End

I took liberties with history in writing
To Wed A Wanton Woman
. The draw of a bustling copper boom motivated my decision to create Copper City, a fictional town.

KyAnn