Sourdough Creek (16 page)

The men were sincere and Sam felt a jab of regret at having to turn down their offer. He’d only been eight when his mother had passed away, and since then he’d never really felt as if he belonged anywhere. He and his brother, Seth, had helped her the best they could eking out a living by washing other people’s clothes. Then when she passed on, Clemen Miller, who’d always been around with sacks of potatoes and flour for their dinner, chopping wood for their fire, took the boys in and taught them how to ride. How to spot good horseflesh and how to patiently bring along a two-year-old so as not to sour or spook him. In essence, he taught them how to be men.

Clemen, Sam was sure, had had a soft spot for his mother. Would have married her too, if she hadn’t already had a husband. Brewster Ridgeway always stood in the way. After years of abandonment his mother finally received a letter telling them Brewster Ridgeway, as part of an outlaw gang, had been tried and found guilty of armed robbery. Incarcerated for life. Sam remembered how, even at that young age, he’d been glad to hear the shocking news. If he’d been able, he would’ve gone and laughed in his face.

Jonathan laid his hand on Sam’s shoulder. “No, Jon. I’m not staying.”

Jonathan turned to the waiting men and shook his head. They dispersed slowly, talking amongst themselves.

“What now?” Cassie asked, as Ashes jumped out of her embrace and trotted a few feet away.

“I figure it’ll be a little while before Josephine is fit to ride again. I think we should just rest up until then.”

They strolled down the boardwalk back toward the doctor’s office. Sam tipped his hat to a woman who was standing in her doorway, watching them approach. “Ma’am.”

“Thank you, mister, for helping our town. If it hadn’t been for you, who knows what would’ve happened. We’re grateful.”

Sam felt his face heat up. He wasn’t used to so much attention. Didn’t much like it.

“No thanks needed, ma’am.” He took Cassie’s elbow and continued down the walkway.

“Sam, you
sure
about not staying? You could start your new ranch here, couldn’t you?” Cassie asked.

“Well, Cass, I suppose I could now, at that,” he quipped sarcastically. His jaw clenched so hard it hurt. An unexplainable irritation twisted his gut at her insistence. “But what about you and Josephine? Are you going to ride out and set up claim on the river without help?”

He glanced back at Ashes bringing up the rear. “What’ll happen when more men like the ones we just locked up find out it’s just you and your little sister and this here little cat? What’s to stop them from killing you and taking over? Or even worse?” He smacked a post with his open palm and frowned.

Cassie stopped and turned to face him. “Why are you being so cross?” Her hand came up and fingered the lump of whatever it was she always kept hidden under her shirt.

He folded his arms and glared at her, agitation percolating within. Was she actually trying to get rid of him? “What is that, anyway?” he asked crossly. His curiosity had gotten the best of him but he was glad the question was finally out. “Well?”

“A cameo—if you must know.”

“Where’d you get it?”

Her expression hardened and she took a step back. “It was a gift from…Charles Smith. My intended.”

Sam’s stomach clenched.

“
Your intended
! You’re engaged to be
married
?”

She looked off down the street for a few seconds in silence. Her nostrils flared before she turned back, leveling him with a purposeful gaze that scorched him to the bottom of his boots.

“Why so surprised, Sam? Is that so impossible? I wear pants and shoot like a man. Is that what you’re thinking?” She reached up and fluffed her hair from behind her ears and shook it out. It swished around her face. “I’m not woman enough to find a husband?”

“Of course not!”

Ashes leaped to the railing and looked at them.

“Even if you can’t envision such a ridiculous notion, Sam, I was engaged for a short time. Charles was a wonderful man. Handsome, too…and, uh, rich. Why, his family owned half the town. He was tall and had muscles,”—she made a gripping motion with her hands— “and was stronger than anyone I’ve ever seen. And, he was smart. He’d completed all his grades and was working on becoming a United States senator.”

Cassie turned and started walking toward the doctor’s office. “Charles gave me this brooch as a reminder of our commitment to each other. He died before we could marry.”

Sam felt foolish—and boorish. Poor Cassie! She’d lost so much. She’d suffered more at the hands of fate than anyone ever should. “Forgive me for prying.”

“It’s all right.” Her chin tipped up and she didn’t look too sad at her loss. “I wear it always for courage. And to feel
his
nearness. I’ll
always
wear it.”

Sam nodded. They were almost back. He didn’t want to end the conversation on this sour note, but there wasn’t anything he could think of to lighten the moment.

Cassie let Sam open the door for her, all the while chastising herself. The lie she’d just told was outrageous. He’d sounded so accusing it had just slipped out. And once she’d got going it had snowballed into a whopper. Looking up, she gasped.

“Cassie,” Josephine cried out, and held out her arms. “You’re back.” Josephine was sitting in the rocking chair. A soft quilt covered her lap and shoulders. A big grin creased her face when she saw her sister.

Cassie laughed and rushed over. Her relief was overwhelming and tears sprang to her eyes. “Yes, you little muskrat, I’m here.” They rocked together in a tight embrace, neither one willing to let go first.

“I hope you don’t mind we brought Josephine down,” Grace said. “Her fever is practically gone and it’s only a matter of time before she’s completely better. She really wanted to run down to the jailhouse but I told her she’d have to wait for you here.”

“No, I don’t mind,” was all Cassie could get past the lump in her throat. She wiped away tears with the back of her hand, and then pulled back so she could look into Josephine’s face. “You gave us a scare, you know. I don’t know what to do with you.”

Josephine just giggled. A silly grin appeared as she looked up at Sam. “Hi, Sam.”

“Hi, yourself. I’m glad you’re feeling better. How’s that arm?”

Josephine pulled up her sleeve to show everyone. “Better. See?”

To Cassie the scratches still looked nasty, but her smile never wavered. “They sure are, aren’t they Sam? So much better than before.”

“Why, I can hardly see ’em,” Sam replied, going along with her. He nodded to Grace and Annabelle. “You did a…fine job,” he said almost inaudibly. He seemed in deep reflection looking at Josephine, as if struggling with an inner thought. “Thank you,” he added after a moment.

“Meeeooooow.” Everyone heard the pitiful crying at the front door, followed by a light scratching.

Josephine’s eyes widened. “Is that Ashes?”

Sam was the closest to the door so he reached over and opened it. Ashes took stock of everyone in the room, then carefully stepped in as if she had all the time in the world. She stopped just past the threshold.

Josephine scrambled from the rocker before anyone could stop her and ran the few feet to where her cat waited. She scooped her up.

Grace and Annabelle couldn’t hold back their laughter any longer. Happy voices filled the room. There was a knock on the door and Jonathan stepped in. He went straight to Annabelle’s side.

“Sounds like good news,” he said, reaching for Annabelle. They embraced momentarily and then faced the group. “I see things are turning out here as well as they did down at the jailhouse.”

“They are,” Grace replied, giving him a quick squeeze too. “Josephine is feeling stronger and her temperature is all but gone.”

“Well, I’ll be!” Jonathan looked down at the cat in Josephine’s arms. “Who do you have there?”

Sam heaved a sigh. “The mangy creature that started this whole business in the first place.”

Cassie reached down and stroked the cat’s dark gray fur. “Remember what you told me, Sam, not a half hour ago. This mangy critter saved your mangy hide when that outlaw was fixing to shoot you.”

“Really?” Josephine asked, her eyes widening. The cat looked unperturbed. “Is that right, Sam? Did Ashes help you?”

“As much as it pains me to admit it, yes, she did. She jumped out of the shadows just as the outlaw aimed his gun at me and darted between his boots. His shot went wild and missed me by a country mile.”

“She’s a hero! She’s a hero!” Josephine shook with happiness. “Cassie, can I get her a cup of milk for helping Sam with the outlaws? I think she deserves one, poor kitty.”

Annabelle started for the kitchen. “I agree with Josephine. I think it’s the least we can do for such a brave cat. I’ll get a nice big saucer of milk. Josephine, you stay there.”

Jonathan followed Annabelle and the two disappeared into the other room. Cassie and Grace exchanged a knowing look. Sam smiled.

“It’s a shame David isn’t here to give away his daughter’s hand away in marriage,” Grace said. “I doubt those two will wait much longer.”

Sam shifted his weight from one foot to the other. “I suspect you’re right. I also think it would be a good thing to get Annabelle’s mind off the grief of losing her father.”

“Why, Sam!” Grace said as she went about putting away the things they’d used in nursing Josephine. “I didn’t know you were such a romantic. That’s astute of you.” She smiled and cleared her throat softly. “I’m surprised that some lucky woman hasn’t snapped you up for a husband before now. What are
you
waiting for?” She handed him the extra lantern they’d gotten down the night before, not waiting for his answer and asked, “Can you place this up there, Sam? It’s a little too high for me to reach.”

Cassie had to look away, as she was sure Grace was batting her eyelashes at Sam. Swallowing uneasily, she directed her gaze to the top of Josephine’s fuzzy head and kept it there. What was Grace up to? Was she prompting Sam and her, or did she have designs on him herself?

Chapter Twenty-Eight

T
he room was closing in on Sam. Now that the showdown with the outlaws was over, he’d just as soon get back on the trail. Unfortunately, because of Josephine, it might be a few days before that would be possible. He moved to the door. “I’m going over to the livery to check on Blu and the other horses. Don’t know how well Split Ear is fitting in over there being he’s such a cantankerous sort.”

“Is Pepper there, too?” Josephine asked.

“Yeah, all the horses are there. I just want to make sure they’re getting enough to eat.” He really just needed out of this room filled with females.

“Here we are,” Annabelle said, as she and Jonathan came back into the room and placed a saucer of milk on the floor.

“I’m off, too,” Grace said, reaching for her shawl, which hung on a hook by the door. “I’m going home to fix supper for you all. I have everything I need so please don’t be fussing over anything. I think it’ll do everyone good to get out of this office and sit at a nice dinner table set with china. It’s important to remember some of the finer things in life.”

Sam opened the door and held it for Grace.

“Supper will be on the table at seven-thirty. It’ll be hot so don’t be late.” She passed through the door under his arm.

Sam looked at Cassie as he pushed his hat down on his brow. “I’ll be at the livery if anything comes up.” He tugged the brim. “If time runs short and I’m not back here, I’ll just meet you over at Grace’s. By the way, where is your house, Grace?”

“One block over, second house from the corner,” she said, waiting on the boardwalk for him. “You can’t miss my flower boxes and little white fence. I’ll point it out to you from the livery. Cassie, it’s easy to find. It’s bright yellow, next to the church.”

“I need to go too and check on things at the jail,” Jonathan said. “Those men are still a dangerous bunch, even locked up.” He put his hat on and moved toward the door. “I won’t rest easy until there’s a sheriff in town and those men are either in prison or hanged. Either way is fine with me.”

“Bye, Sam,” Josephine shouted as the door closed behind the three people. “Pet Pepper for me. Or, give him an apple!”

“Shhh,” Cassie admonished. “I’m sure Pepper heard you all the way from here.” She turned to Annabelle. “Do you think Grace would like me to take something over for dinner? It’s kind of her to do all that work. I hate to think about her cooking for so many people all by herself, especially since…”

Cassie stopped herself before she mentioned Annabelle’s father.

“She’s fine. If she’d wanted you to bring something she would have asked. She’s a really fine cook and does this every Sunday evening for my father and Jonathan and me. Until Daddy…” Annabelle’s face clouded. She gathered herself and continued, “Her own father is elderly and eats like a bird. I suspect Josephine doesn’t eat all that much either so it’s really only two more to prepare for than she’s used to.”

Cassie thought about everything Grace and Annabelle had already done for her and Josephine. They were such good friends. Instantly she felt badly about what she’d been thinking about Grace and Sam just a short time ago. Sam wasn’t her beau even in the remotest sense and she’d best remember that. Traveling together had a way of bringing people together, though, whether they intended it or not. For some reason Sam seemed to feel responsible for getting her and Josephine to the claim in California. He and Uncle Arvid must be close friends.

“Cassie, do you mind if I lie down for a while? I suddenly feel tired,” Annabelle said, her eyes searching.

“Of course not! Please, take as long as you like. Josephine and I will go upstairs to the room I rested in, if that’s okay with you.”

“Consider it your room until you go.”

“But, it’s your father’s room. Where will you stay as your father was in yours?”

Annabelle reached down and stroked the cat that was now finished with her milk and washing her face with her paw. “While you were down checking out the happenings at the jailhouse Grace and I changed the sheets in both rooms, and freshened everything up. Gave us something to do besides twiddling our thumbs. We figured you’d be staying for a couple of days at the least.”