A Good Man for Katie (31 page)

The general harrumphed, but conceded to Virginia’s wishes without a word. As soon as Galen left the sitting room and closed the door behind him, Virginia grabbed Kathryne’s hand, her smile conspiratorial. “Tell me everything.”

Chapter Twenty

Edna placed Chase’s plate on the table in front of him. “Can I getcha anythin’ else?”

“No, thanks, Edna. This will be fine.” He grabbed a biscuit from the basket, slathered it with butter then dipped the flaky bit of dough into the puddle of gravy on his plate. He sat in the very back corner of the Wagon Wheel so he could have a clear view of the door, a habit he had acquired ever since he’d been shot. One never knew who would take one look at him and start trouble, which was the last thing he wanted—for either himself or for Edna and her husband.

He popped the gravy-smothered morsel into his mouth and chewed. The normally wonderful concoction didn’t taste as good as it usually did, but it wasn’t the food. It was himself. Since coming to Crystal Springs months ago, he’d practiced a patience that didn’t come naturally, but now, the waiting had become intolerable. He felt restless, unable to enjoy a simple pleasure—such as Edna’s flaky biscuits. He didn’t quite know what to do with himself while he waited for the day he and Colonel Barstow had chosen to
buy
the stolen rifles from Willow Creek. The letter they’d struggled over had been picked up from Laurel at the post office just yesterday. He knew because he’d been watching.

He hadn’t seen Kathryne either, since leaving the cottage two weeks ago. And he wanted to. Needed to, but he couldn’t, not until the rifles were in his possession and Townsend sat in jail. The urge to see her overwhelmed him, but if he went to her, he’d end up telling her everything. As difficult as it was, he forced himself to stay away. That didn’t stop him from dreaming of her.

The little bell above the door chimed and he glanced up from his plate of Yankee pot roast at the man Edna greeted warmly. His eyes widened and the biscuit stopped midway to his mouth as a smile spread his lips. “I’ll be damned,” he murmured and signaled to Edna.

She excused herself, suggesting the man sit anywhere he chose, and scurried to Chase’s table, swiping at the strands of gray hair that had escaped the bun at the back of her head. “More coffee?” She began to pour even before he replied.

“Would you do me a favor and steer that man over this way?”

The woman’s eyes narrowed and she drew in her breath. “Don’t want no trouble here, Chase.”

“No trouble, Edna. He’s an old friend.”

A few moments later, the man approached his table, hat in hand, expression guarded. “Yes, can I help you?”

Chase grinned. “Hello, Ty.”

Granted, it had been a long time since they’d seen each other, almost ten years in fact, and, yes, he’d changed a great deal, but slowly, the puzzled expression on Ty Kearney’s face transformed into one of recognition…and welcome.

“Chase.” He smirked. “My God, man, how long has it been? What are you doing here? Last I heard you were scouting for the army.”

“And you were going to law school.” Chase gestured to the chair across from him, but Ty chose a seat that also placed his back to the wall. He removed his coat and slung it across an empty chair, then pointed to the marshal’s badge pinned to his vest. “Never finished law school. Too boring. I just bring ‘em in now and let someone else do the trying.” He nodded as Edna swung by to fill his empty coffee cup and take his order, which he placed without looking at a menu. “Thank you, Edna.”

Once she walked away, he said, “I come by every few months and check in with Sheriff Townsend.” He took a sip of coffee, but his gaze never left Chase’s and suddenly, comprehension dawned in those brilliant blue eyes. “So you’re the man Townsend was complaining about.”

“One and the same.”

Ty put down his cup. His hand slowly slid off the table and rested near the pistol in his holster as the smile disappeared from his face. “You a gunfighter now? Kill people for a living?”

“You here to arrest me?”

His eyes glittered and narrowed. “Do I have reason to?”

Chase shook his head, but made sure he didn’t move another muscle. His grin remained in place so nothing he did could be misconstrued. “Hell, no.” He let out a sigh and slowly folded his hands on the tabletop. “It’s a long story.”

Ty’s muscles relaxed though his hand remained near the butt of his pistol. “I got time.”

“You remember my brother, Evan?”

“Little shit who wanted to be just like you?” Ty let out a small chuckle. “I remember him. Where is he now?”

“Dead.”

“Aw, shit, Chase. What the hell happened?”

He and Ty had grown up together until adulthood took them in different directions. At one time, there was a deep and abiding trust between them. Was it still there? Did he dare trust him again? With only a moment’s hesitation, Chase came to a quick decision. He took a breath and started talking.

Edna kept a steady supply of coffee to fill their cups, but every time she came near, Chase shut his mouth. For their own protection, the information couldn’t be heard by anyone else. Still, while Ty ate a hearty meal of Edna’s fried chicken, mashed potatoes, and gravy, Chase related the events that had brought him to Crystal Springs.

When he finished speaking, he pushed his plate away, the gravy now congealed and unappetizing. He removed the napkin from his lap and folded it neatly on the table, then pinned Ty with an intense stare. “What’s your opinion of Townsend?”

“About as useful as tits on a bull. I don’t trust him,” Ty admitted after a long time. “I think the power of his position has gone to his head, and it wouldn’t surprise me at all if he was corrupt.” His breath whistled through his teeth as his face reddened. “Doesn’t do his job, as I’m sure you’ve noticed. When Sheriff Anders was killed, he didn’t even bother to look into it, nor did he investigate any of the other murders around here. Anders was a good man as well as a friend. I always resented the fact his murder went unsolved.” Ty rubbed his chin between thumb and forefinger. “He was pretty quick to label you an outlaw, though.” He grew silent, his lips pressing together in a thin line. “Do you think he had something to do with Evan’s murder?”

“I know he did.” Chase tapped his knuckles on his chest over his heart as a long sigh escaped him. “In here, but as yet, I can’t prove it. I do know for a fact he helped steal the rifles, along with Corporal Henry and Cassandra Kinsbrough, the widow over on Willow Creek. Again, I have no proof, except what I’ve overheard and what I’ve deduced over the past couple months.” He rubbed his eyes, wiping away the moisture that blurred his vision. “I know my brother was ambushed, and I know where.”

He told Ty about the tunnel and the opening of the cave on the road above Dead Man’s Drop. “I saw part of the crate the rifles were in, and I saw the burned remains of the wagon. I know Kinsbrough has the rifles. She admitted to hiding them. And I know who told Kinsbrough and Townsend exactly when those rifles would be moved from Camp Verde to Fort Whipple.”

Ty pushed his plate away and leaned forward, his elbows resting on the table. “So what are you going to do about it?”

Chase eyed his old friend, took a breath and blurted, “I’m going to buy those rifles back and then throw Townsend in his own jail for theft.”

“Excuse me?” Ty shook his head and glanced around the nearly empty restaurant, every muscle in his body stiff. “Once more with clarity.”

Chase repeated himself and slowly let him in on the plan. When he finished, he asked, “You in? I could use your help.”

“Just tell me when and where. I’d like to see that bastard behind bars.” Ty grinned and held out his hand. Chase shook it.

The bell above the door jingled, followed by the sound of feminine voices. Chase glanced at the door, instantly alert. Katie.

His heart stopped, then resumed with a painful thump. She looked lovely in the cape he’d bought her in Prescott. It brought out the roses in her cheeks.

“Who is that beautiful creature?” Ty whispered and poked him in the arm.

“Her name is Kathryne O’Rourke. Katie,” he said, his gaze focused on her.

“No, not the one you’re lookin’ at like your heart’s gonna fall out of your chest. The other one.”

Chase glanced at him and laughed. “Now who’s lookin’ at someone like their heart is gonna stop beating?” He laughed harder and it felt so good. He hadn’t laughed in a long time, not since he learned Evan had been murdered. “The lady you’re staring at is Laurel Stewart. And I will agree she is lovely.”

“And the boy?”

“Her son, Walter.”

“Aw, hell,” Ty sighed. “Does that mean there’s a husband in the picture?”

“Actually, no. She lost him a few months ago.”

“Introduce us.”

“You come to town every couple months, and you’ve never met the postmistress?”

Ty shrugged. “I usually don’t stay very long. Just check in with Townsend, have dinner at the Wagon Wheel, and get on my way.” His gaze remained on Laurel as a smile crinkled the corners of his eyes. “Maybe I should stick around for a while this time.”

“Maybe you should.”

They rose, donned coats, and grabbed hats, then strode to the cash register where Kathryne and Laurel stood with Edna, their faces animated, their conversation full of good humor as Edna placed a mincemeat pie on the counter.

“Evenin’, ladies. Walter.” Chase removed several crisp bills from his pocket and handed them to Edna. “This is for the both of us.” He nodded toward Ty, but his gaze drifted to Kathryne.

“Chase.” His name slipped from her lips and her eyes took on an undeniable sheen. For a moment, he couldn’t breathe. The way she looked at him—with longing—made the memory of them making love come to the fore. He wanted to take her in his arms and kiss her delectable lips. He blinked and realized he just stood there, like an idiot. “Katie, I’d like to introduce you to an old friend, Ty Kearney. Ty, Miss Kathryne O’Rourke and Mrs. Laurel Stewart.” He rested his hand on Walter’s shoulder. “And this young man is Walter Stewart.” Hands were shaken as the introductions were completed.

While Ty drew Laurel into conversation, Chase pulled Kathryne aside, but even that was a mistake. The warmth of her skin seeped through the heavy fabric of her cape and he couldn’t help remembering how soft her bare flesh felt beneath his hand, or how the heat of her kiss could drive him to madness. Her lips parted, tempting him beyond reason, and he wanted nothing more than to be tangled in the sheets of her brass bed.

Her pupils dilated as her breath whispered between her lips. The muscles of her throat moved as she swallowed before she spoke. “You’re still limping.”

“Still hurts.” He sucked in his breath. Not only did his leg still hurt, but his heart hurt as well. More beautiful than words could describe, he simply stared at Kathryne and the most mundane question popped from his mouth. “How are you?”

****

Her heart near to breaking, Kathryne resisted the urge to fall into his arms. She’d worried about him since he’d left the cottage. She wanted to ask him where he’d been, if he thought of her as often as she thought of him. And she really should apologize. She’d been cruel when he left the cottage. Now wasn’t the time to tell him, though. Right now, she couldn’t think at all. The softness of his gray eyes mesmerized her, and his devil-may-care grin made her suck in her breath.

Instead, she answered his question. “I am well. My parents arrived from Washington a few days ago.” She gestured to the pie on the counter. “We’re on our way to Emy’s for dinner.”

I miss you!
The words were right on the tip of her tongue, and yet, she couldn’t say them.

“Well, then, have a lovely evening.” He put his hat on his head, then touched the brim with his fingers. “Ty, I’ll see you around. Goodnight, Mrs. Stewart. Walter. Katie.”

Tears sprang to Kathryne’s eyes as soon as he walked through the door. He stopped for a moment to scratch Sarge behind the ear, then strode up the street. All the words she wanted to say died in her throat. Indeed, she wanted nothing more than to run after him, and yet her feet remained planted on the floor, her heart thundering in her chest and breaking at the same time.

“Would you ladies like an escort to wherever it is you’re going? It would be my honor.” Ty’s voice brought her back to the here and now.

“Thank you. That would be lovely.” Laurel giggled as she tucked her hand into the crook of his elbow and allowed him to lead her outside.

Once on the raised wooden sidewalk, they chatted while Kathryne, lost in her own thoughts, hardly listened. How could she when her heart was breaking? She turned her head, craning her neck to see if she could catch a glimpse of Chase.

“Would you like to join us? I’m certain Emy won’t mind.”

The invitation caught Kathryne by surprise, and she glanced at her friend.
Well, I’ll be!
Laurel Stewart, who’d once told her she wasn’t interested in anyone other than James, actually flirted with the man.

He tipped his hat, but his eyes lingered on her much longer than necessary. “Perhaps another time, but thank you for the invitation.”

“He seems like a nice man,” Laurel sighed after Ty left them at the corner near Emeline’s house. Walter and the dog ran ahead, the boy’s giggles loud in the quiet of the evening. “Handsome, too. Perhaps, he’ll stay in town long enough to go to the Christmas Dance.”

“What?” Kathryne shook herself free of the thoughts running through her mind.

“Marshal Kearney. I said he seemed very nice.”

“Yes, he did.”

“What’s wrong, Kate?” Laurel stopped at the gate leading up to Emeline’s home and grabbed her hand, concern and worry written clearly on her face. “A few moments ago, you were laughing.” Her voice lowered. “Was it seeing Mr. Hunter? Is that what has upset you?”

Kathryne shook her head. “I’m not upset. Why should I be?”

A brow rose over Laurel’s eye. “It isn’t nice to lie to your friends.” Her eyes glowed in the last rays of sunlight dipping behind the mountain. “He’s in love with you.”