Faith of the Heart (7 page)

Connie was setting a plate of ham and flapjacks in front of the barber when the air seemed to shift around her.  Looking up she involuntarily bit her lip as the deputy sheriff strolled in, spurs clanging. He removed his hat and gave her a funny little bow.

“Morning Miss Rose. How are you this beautiful day?” He sniffed the air appreciatively. “I declare if it don’t smell like heaven in here today.”  He plunked down on a chair at the only empty table, his back carefully placed against the wall.

“Very well, thank you for asking
D
eputy
Simonson
,” she replied a bit stiffly. Inwardly she groaned.
I sound like I have a rod stuck down my back. Try again, you ninny.

“
Um,
what can I bring you?” Her knees wobbled and her hands shook.
That was a little better
, she thought. Grabbing the order pad she brought it up to her face hoping he wouldn’t notice the pink flush of her cheeks. He did, but said nothing. His own stomach was churning and his heart felt like it was about to burst right out of his chest.

“Let’s see now, I’m not too hungry,” he began, hoping to mask his own uneasiness. “I’ll take a mess of bacon, ham, scrambled eggs, and a short stack. Oh,
and of course, coffee, with cream and sugar.”

He grinned, dimples flashing and Connie’s heart jumped a beat. “Anything else?“  She held the pencil poised above the order pad.

“Yeah,” he gulped. “I would like the honor of calling on you Sunday morning and escorting you to church. What do you say?” He leaned forward slightly, elbows resting on the printed tablecloth.

Connie caught a whiff of soap and leather, a clean masculine scent. He smelled so good she wanted to move closer and take another whiff. Instead she steadied her hands. The silly notion that she probably smelled like bacon and eggs flitted through her head. Why would he want to spend time with her?

Before she could stop herself she heard her own voice murmur that she’d be pleased to have him accompany her to church. Clamping her mouth shut she rushed to the kitchen as Percy smiled behind her, both amused and relieved.

In a few short moments Connie was back with his breakfast and placing it in front of him with a shy smile, turned to wait on the table next to him. Tucking into the piping hot eggs, bacon, and ham, he paused only long enough to pour maple syrup over the flapjacks. The syrup puddled on top, then slowly dripped down the sides of the golden brown cakes. No one could make sourdough flapjacks like Rose’s.  Bacon, thick-cut and hickory smoked was extra crispy, just the way he liked it. Washing it down with the steaming hot and very strong coffee, Percy thought about his blessings that early morning.

He had a job he was good at, a snug room at the local boarding house, and enough food to fill his belly. Plus, he was going to escort the prettiest gal in Omaha to church this coming Sunday. Life was pretty darn good.
             
             
             
             
It hadn’t always been that way. With determination he thrust away the dark thoughts that wanted to crowd his brain.
No! Today was a good day, life was fine now and he wouldn’t go back to the dark places in his head.

Prior to coming to Omaha, Percy found work as a cow hand on a large ranch in Wyoming. Orphaned as a teenager when a blizzard caught his folks on the open prairie, Percy was accustomed to being on his own. As a boy he was often cold, hungry and alone. Lately he was thinking how nice it would be to marry and settle down. Put down some roots. It would take a special kind of woman to marry him though. Being a lawman was hard on a wife. The hours were long, the people were sometimes dangerous and the pay pretty lousy.

Connie could take that all in stride. She knew what it took to make a living. She dealt with challenges, owning her own place and dealing with the public and doing all with a big smile and a kind heart. She could deal with the dark moments he faced
.
If she was willing, if she cared enough.
 

“More coffee, Percy?” Connie’s clear voice broke into Percy’s thoughts. “Um, no thanks, I best be getting to work. Sheriff Maxwell will be looking for me.”

Percy placed some coins on the table, rose and settled his worn cowboy hat on at a rakish angle.

“See you later Miss Connie. Say, what kind of cookies you got planned for this afternoon?”

Connie chuckled.  “You’ll just have to swing by and see for yourself, Mr. Percy.”  She gathered his dishes into a metal tub and winked at him. “I promise you won’t be disappointed.”

He whistled under his breath and grinned back.  Boy, oh boy she could make his heart race with those twinkling brown eyes. “I’ll be seeing you Miss Connie Rose.”

“I’ll be waiting Mr. Percy Simonson.”

Deputy Simonson strolled down the plank sidewalk whistling a jaunty tune. It was a fine day in Omaha, the sky so bright blue it took your breath away. A gentle breeze lifted rustled the leaves of an oak tree. Percy paused to watch an industrious squirrel pluck an acorn from the ground, stuff it in his jaw and scamper away. Yup, it was going to be a fine day.

He stopped in at the livery stable to check on his horse. Blaze was contently munching on tender grass in the back corral. Paddy Murphy, the stable owner, stood nearby leaning on the split pole fence, his eyes closed and face tilted up at the sun. “Hey Paddy, workin’ hard I see.” Percy teased the wizened old man.

“Ah, shut yer trap, I’m getting some color in my cheeks.” Paddy retorted good-naturedly. “Ya gotta stop and enjoy the sweet moments every once in awhile. There ain’t  many purty days like this, ya know.” 

Percy agreed. “You got that right, Murphy. Say Ole Blaze looks mighty happy here. End of the week, I’ll be back to settle my account. Right now I need to get to the jail and relieve the sheriff. He’s pulled an all-nighter.”

“Yah, I heard tell that you have Buster Jenkins in there. What he do this time?” Murphy spit in disgust. Jenkins was a small time trouble-maker and big time pain in the rear.

Percy stroked Blaze’s velvety nose. ‘You know, same old stuff. He drank too much corn liquor and ran down Dodge Street stark naked.” Percy grinned, blue eyes twinkling. "Shocked old Widow Jones so much she dropped her false teeth in the street. Then she caused such a ruckus the sheriff had to jail him until the circuit judge shows up next week.
”

He gave the horse one last pat and turned to go. Blaze had often been his only companion before coming to Omaha and Percy made sure he got the best of care. Waving backhanded to Murphy Percy strolled on
down
to the jail.

Maxwell looked up from the stove, coffee pot in hand. “Morning Percy,” he yawned loudly.  “I swear that Jenkins snores louder than a bear. Kept me up most of the night. Bet he’s got a dooz
e
y of a headache today. Serves him right.”

A loud moan came from the back cell. Tom Maxwell filled a tin mug with the strong black coffee. It smelled and looked like it had been in the pot for hours.  “This should help that headache.” He stepped back to the cell and shoved the mug between the bars.  “Jenkins shut up that caterwauling and drink this.”

The big man shuffled to the bars and gratefully took the coffee. He took a swallow and sat back on his bunk, quiet and content for a change.

“New wanted posters are in. Get familiar with them and then make the morning rounds. I’m going catch some shuteye and be back this afternoon to spell you.”

“Okay boss. See you then.” Percy glanced back at the prisoner who was now sleeping and smiled inwardly. Good, maybe he could get some work done before Jenkins started complaining again.  Tom slipped out the door and Percy picked up the stack of posters and settled into the worn wooden chair. Yup, life was good.

CHAPTER F
IVE

             
Bells
pealed merrily as Claire eagerly bathed and dressed for Sunday morning services. Smoothing her black
damask
with the jet buttons
all down the back
, she glanced at herself in the spotty mirror on the bureau. She decided a simple braid wouldn’t do for the Sabbath, so she let her hair fall to her waist, brushing her tresses until they
shone
one hundred strokes like her mother had taught her. Then she twisted the glimmering mass into a chignon, anchoring it with several pins. Removing her best silk hat from its box, she perched it jauntily on her head and tied its deep green ribbon under her chin. The mossy color deepened the green of her eyes and set off her creamy complexion.

             
Bible tucked under her arm, she strolled the two blocks to the small whitewashed church, delighting in the blue skies and fresh air of a Midwest spring morning. She hesitated at the entrance, but soon spotted Connie in a back pew and slid in beside her. Connie patted her hand and smiled
a
s the preacher began the sermon.

             
Pastor Stevens was a large
,
powerful man who spoke with honor and conviction. Claire found herself mesmerized with the force of his words and the message of salvation. “Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and ye shall be saved.”
             
             
             
Claire had long been a Christian, but she never failed to be moved by the power and simplicity of God’s promise. One only had to believe Jesus died for mankind’s sins and heaven would be the reward.  Several hymns
concluded
the service and
Claire stood and shook hands with members of the congregation
who were
eager to meet the new
lady store-keeper.

             
After a few minutes she glanced around for Connie hoping to invite her home for lunch and female conversation. Out of the corner of her eye she saw Connie take the arm of Percy Simons
on
and slip through the front door. A slight tinge of envy surfaced but she pushed it away.

Never mind, she told herself, I
’
ve plenty to do at the store. Sunday is supposed to be a day of rest
,
but the Lord will understand I have work to do. Claire was still feeling
a bit
sorry for herself when she felt a tap on her shoulder. It was Tom
Maxwell
,
hair slicked back and dressed in a crisp white shirt and black trousers.

             
“You’re looking mighty fine this Sunday Miss Secord,” Maxwell drawled, his smile making his eyes crinkle with delight. Claire felt herself blush at his comment, opening her mouth to protest, but he interrupted her. “I was wondering if you’d like to go for a buggy ride and a picnic. I’m no cook, but I did manage to put together some sandwiches.”

             
Claire had an instant
image
of the tough lawman preparing a basket lunch and
her eyes began to twinkle.
“Why, sheriff, I’d be delighted. I’d love another look at your beautiful
Morgans
.”

             
“Why Miss Secord, I had no idea you knew horseflesh.” Maxwell said, genuinely surprised.