Come the Spring (13 page)

“Where do you think you're going?” Cole asked as he bent down and picked the baby up in his arms. Ryan grabbed hold of the diaper before it slipped past Caleb's thighs and quickly retied the straps. Caleb dropped the rag doll and reached for Ryan's badge.

“You act like you know what you're doing,” Cole remarked, ignoring the baby's squirming and grunting to get down.

“I've had a little experience.”

“Nieces and nephews?”

“No. A daughter.” He patted the baby before walking away. “He smells like apples and soap. It brings back memories.”

He crossed the porch and leaned against a post, staring out into the darkness. “I'm tired tonight,” he remarked.

“I didn't know you were married.”

“You never asked.”

His voice had taken on a hard edge, an unspoken suggestion to let the topic go. Cole was too curious to take the hint. “How long have you been married?”

“It would have been seven years last month.”

“Would have been?”

Ryan nodded. “They're both dead.”

Cole's mind began to race with questions.

“When did you say you started working on this investigation?”

“I didn't say.”

“Okay, you didn't tell me. So when did you?”

“I was appointed to head the special force after one of the robberies.”

“Quit being so evasive. Tell me which one of the robberies it was.”

“Dillon,” Ryan answered. “After the robbery at Dillon.”

“Your hometown.”

“Yes, my hometown.”

Silence settled between them as Cole recalled the accounts he had heard of Dillon.

“Did your wife and daughter get sick?” he finally asked.

“Stop asking so many questions, Cole.”

“Did they?” he persisted.

Ryan shook his head. “No, they didn't get sick. They were simply in the wrong place at the wrong time.”

Cole let out a long breath. “Ah … hell, Daniel. They're the ones, aren't they?”

Fourteen
 

Jessica Summers stood at the kitchen counter and stared out the window, daydreaming. She was trying to recall what it had felt like to be carefree.

She couldn't remember.

She was tired tonight, and surely that was why her burdens and worries seemed so overwhelming to her now. There had been so many changes in her life over the past two years, and lately there were moments when she felt like an old woman.

This was one of those moments. She wasn't feeling sorry for herself—there simply wasn't time in her busy day for such a silly self-indulgence—and as weary as she was, she was still able to thank God for the blessing he had bestowed on her by giving her little Caleb. She couldn't imagine life without him, as chaotic as it sometimes seemed.

Forcing herself to get back to the task at hand, she picked up a wet cloth and began to wash one of Tilly's prize Redbird china plates. Water splashed her skirt. She looked down and noticed for the first time how
old and faded the dress was. It didn't quite fit anymore; the bodice was uncomfortably tight across her chest, but all she had to do was move the buttons, if and when she found the time, and then the dress would be almost as good as new. She certainly wasn't about to throw it away as Tilly had suggested, because that would be a waste, and she couldn't afford to waste anything these days. Besides, the dress was serviceable and she was quite fond of the color. Age, wear, and countless washings had turned the bright lavender material a much paler shade. Tilly had told her it looked like an old, used hand-me-down, and Jessica had shrugged indifference. The dress was decent, and that was all that mattered.

Lord, how her priorities had changed. She remembered another dress she had coveted a lifetime ago when such frivolous things actually mattered to her. She had noticed the dress in a shop window and thought it was the most glorious creation she had ever seen. The gown was white brocade with a wide red velvet sash. Jessica smiled as she recalled how she had vowed to save enough money to one day buy the impractical dress.

Her dreams were different now, of course. She never thought about suitors or dances or parties any longer. She had been a foolish, empty-headed young girl back then. Now she was an adult with responsibilities. Her only dream was to be the best mother Caleb could ever have.

Tilly pulled her back to the present with the announcement that the marshals would like to talk to her.

“They're waiting on the porch for you,” she said.

“I'll go right out,” Jessica promised.

Five minutes later, she was still standing at the kitchen counter. She knew she was being rude by keeping the marshals waiting, but she was so nervous and frightened, she couldn't seem to make herself go
outside. She delayed the inevitable for as long as possible by insisting on helping her new friend, Grace Winthrop, finish the dishes and put the food away.

Grace was completely out of place in a kitchen. Jessica didn't think she had ever been inside one until she moved into Tilly's boardinghouse, but what she lacked in experience she made up for with her enthusiasm. She was determined to learn how to cook a decent meal, and there wasn't any chore beneath her. Yesterday she had taken off her gloves and hat, put on one of Tilly's old aprons, and got down on her hands and knees to scrub the floor. It had taken her twice as long as it would have taken Jessica, but when she was finished, the wood had a nice shine.

The two women had become good friends. Each was lost in her own thoughts as they worked side by side.

“I'm scared,” Jessica whispered. “I don't want to talk to them.”

“I'm scared too,” Grace admitted. “After they finish questioning you, they'll probably want to talk to me. Maybe Tilly could convince them to come back tomorrow.”

Jessica shook her head. “Then I'd worry all night. I want to get it over and done with now. Otherwise I won't sleep.”

“Have you thought about my proposition? Mr. Nelson needs to know if I'm going to purchase his wagon or not. I promised to let him know in the morning. He let me drive it over here,” she added.

“I know,” Jessica whispered back. “I can see it in the field behind the yard from my window. Yes, I have made up my mind. If you're sure we won't be a burden, Caleb and I would love to go with you.”

Grace let out a sigh. “I'm so thankful,” she said. “Of course you won't be a burden. I'll admit now I don't think I could manage the horses without help.”

“We'll manage together,” Jessica promised.

Tilly came back to the kitchen to find out why Jessica was taking so long and decided it was up to her to give her a little nudge.

“They aren't going to go away, girl,” she began. “You might as well get on out there and talk to them, and while you're answering their questions, you might want to take the time to notice what fine-looking men the marshals are. It's been a long while since I've seen such big, masculine men. They might give you a scare at first sight, seeing as how they're both so rugged looking, but if you'll look in their eyes, you'll see the kindness there and you'll get over your shivers then. Both of those boys have real pretty blue eyes.”

Jessica forced a smile in an attempt to hide her nervousness. “Why would I want to notice how fine looking they are?”

Exasperated, Tilly put her hands on her hips and made a
tisk
ing sound. “Because now you have that little bit of a boy to see raised and it wouldn't hurt you to have a strong man helping.”

Jessica folded the damp cloth and put it down on the countertop. “I know you mean well, but I don't need a man to help me raise Caleb. We're doing just fine the way we are.”

“Hogwash,” Tilly said. “I know you've got the spirit and the heart to do right by that baby, but a man could ease the burden. That's all I'm saying. If I were forty years younger, I'd go after one of them myself. I'd have a devil of a time deciding which one I wanted to put his shoes under my bed, though. All I'm suggesting is that you notice, Jessica, and I want you to notice too, Grace, because a good man would be the answer to your family's prayers. Jessica, take that ribbon out of your hair. It's lopsided.”

“Yes, ma'am,” Jessica replied. She pulled the ribbon out and quickly threaded her fingers through her
curly brown tresses. She wasn't trying to make herself attractive. She was simply placating Tilly.

“You've got such pretty hair, Jessica. You should show it off, and it wouldn't kill you to do a little flirting while you're talking to them. I bet you don't even know how. You ought to try, though. Oh, I know it's a serious matter they're here to discuss, but they're men first and always, and they'll notice both of you. Grace, while you're waiting your turn, you can take all those pins out of your hair and give it a good brushing. Men like women to wear their hair down, not pinned up like an old schoolmarm.”

Jessica and Grace had learned that it was pointless to argue. Tilly was in one of her stubborn, I-know-what's-best moods. Grace was smiling at Tilly, but Jessica noticed her cheeks were flushed with embarrassment.

“I guess I should go on out,” Jessica said.

“I guess you'd better,” Tilly agreed. “I'll take the baby upstairs as soon as I find him.”

“You don't feel well tonight, Tilly. Go on up and get in bed. I'll take care of Caleb.”

“I'll brew your tea for you and bring it right up,” Grace added. “Jessica, Caleb can stay in the kitchen with me. I'll keep an eye on him.”

Jessica took a deep breath and slowly let it out. “Lord, I wish I weren't so nervous.”

Grace nodded. “I feel like I've done something wrong, but I haven't. Oh, I wish I'd never come to this town. I had such grand hopes…”

“I know you did,” Jessica said. “But it was wrong of Mr. Wells's son not to honor his father's promise. He should have sold you the grazing land as his father had agreed. A man's word is supposed to be sacred.”

“The younger Mr. Wells doesn't know that,” Grace said.

“You're going to find your ranch,” Jessica promised. “We'll look at the property near Denver first,
and if it isn't exactly what you want, I've heard there's lush grazing land to be found in California.”

“There's so much to be done, and time's running out. I only have seven months left to purchase the land and buy the cattle, or I must admit defeat and go back home. If I hadn't wasted so much time here, I could be in Denver by now.”

“I'm glad you came to Rockford Falls. If you hadn't, I wouldn't have met you, and I believe we've become good friends.”

Grace grabbed hold of Jessica's hand. “Oh, we have become good friends.”

“And now Caleb and I will be going with you to Colorado. Some good did come out of this, didn't it?”

“Will you two girls stop acting like ninnies. Jessica, get on out to the porch.”

Tilly's impatience discouraged further dallying. Straightening her shoulders, Jessica hurried to the front door. She felt as though she were going to her own trial, which was ridiculous, of course. She only had to convince the marshals she hadn't witnessed anything.

Her hand shook when she reached for the doorknob.

“Good evening, Marshals. I'm sorry I've kept you waiting.”

She stood poised just inside the door and looked serene, yet her hand gripped the handle tightly, and she appeared ready to bolt. Experience had taught Daniel Ryan that lawmen made people jittery. He quickly stepped forward and tried to put her at ease.

“This should only take a couple of minutes,” he explained.

She glanced from one marshal to the other. Neither one of them was smiling. Marshal Ryan looked earnest, but Marshal Clayborne looked bored leaning against the railing. Lord, Tilly had been right. Both men oozed masculinity.

“It's routine,” Cole remarked.

She nodded. “Yes, I understand.”

He smiled. “It would probably be easier if you came out on the porch.”

She took a quick breath and told herself to stop trembling as she walked over to one of the wicker chairs and sat down. She folded her hands in her lap and pressed her knees and ankles together so they wouldn't shake. Then she waited for one or both of the marshals to begin.

“I guess we should introduce ourselves,” Ryan began. He dragged a chair across the porch to face her.

“That isn't necessary. I know who you are. You're Marshal Daniel Ryan, and he's Marshal Cole Clayborne. We met at the jail, remember?”

Ryan straddled his chair, and Cole stood a few feet behind.

She stared up at him. “You don't look like a lawman,” she blurted out. Her eyes turned back to Ryan. “And neither do you.”

“What do we look like?” Cole asked.

“Outlaws.”

“We look like outlaws?” Cole asked, laughing. Their smiles helped, and she began to relax. She wanted Cole to sit down. The man towered over her, and a day's growth of whiskers made him seem menacing. Daniel looked just as ragged. She had to remind herself that both of them were marshals and it was, therefore, their duty to protect innocent citizens. She just needed to let them know she belonged in that group.