Lincoln County Series 1-3 (24 page)

Cameron shook her head in warning before something slipped out of her mouth that might offend the ladies. “Lacey, why don’t you start folding the finished quilts and wrap them with that ribbon there. Penny can help you.”

Lacey glared. “Fine!” She sucked on her pricked finger, and with exaggerated elegance, stood and smoothed out her dress. She’d toned down her attire for the quilting bee, but the dress she wore still outshone anyone within miles.

Not knowing why it was so important, Cameron wanted to pull Bethany into their group. She couldn’t imagine what it was like to be a widow at such a tender age and compassion swelled within to offer friendship. She glanced at Bethany, who was quite adept at stitching. “You’ve a fine hand for sewing.”

A slight blush touched her cheeks. “Thank you.”

“How did you learn that particular stitch?”

“I had a nanny growing up. She taught me.”

The others were now intrigued. No doubt they’ve never known anyone who’d had a nanny. Kimberly said, “A nanny? Where do you come from, girl?”

She looked like she wanted to leave the circle but Cameron was too curious to let her out of the questioning. Not a gracious decision for a hostess, but they all could admit to how mysterious Bethany was.

Bethany was cautious in her response. “Missouri.”

Unsure if they would get much more out of her, Cameron decided to reroute their discussion. “The Fourth of July celebration is soon in coming. Is everybody ready with their goods for the contests?”

The chatter turned to trivial things, and while it took place, she decided to befriend Bethany. She had to be utterly broken and alone, and Cameron was beginning to have a heavy heart about the matter.

*** *** ***

On his way to pay a visit to the sheriff, Jake noticed a bunch of women sitting on the lawns in the churchyard. His eyes found Cameron sitting amongst the group. She fit in perfectly, it being a wholesome place and all. It was good to see her returning to herself and the worry he’d been bearing on her behalf was lifting away. He moved onward, ready to make some plans with Ed.

He stomped his boots off on the boardwalk and entered the jail.

Ed immediately made an announcement. “I’m hearing-tell that the stagecoach robberies are making their way to trains.”

Jake let that sink in. “And we’ve got us a train.”

“I hesitate to tell you, Jake. You need to understand that it’s my job to bring folks to justice, not…”

“It ain’t
my
job.” A surge of adrenaline entered his bloodstream. They were making their way to Lincoln County territory, and if he could help it, he’d not allow them to make it within a mile of town.

“No, that’s not your job, but I’m thinking if they mess with us, we’ll get justice for Mrs. Hoffman. She’ll be able to confirm to us if we got the right criminals.”

Jake had a thought. “So long as they don’t shoot first, I’ll take ‘em alive. Doesn’t matter to me one way or the other.”

“Can I count on you to keep a cool head?”

“I always keep a cool head.” Jake smiled real wide.

Ed laughed at that. “Reckon we might have separate definitions on that but I’ll let it go. On the other hand, I haven’t had myself a good game of cards in a long while. What do you say, partner?”

“Let’s go.”

They crossed the street, Jake on the lookout more than ever, taking in every stranger around. They needed to be extra vigilant.

Jake and Ed found a table in the saloon, and per their request, Violet brought over plates of food from Lacey’s restaurant.

“Howdy, Jake. It’s been a while.”

Without looking at her he replied, “I’ve been busy.”

“It’s just that...”

Jake glanced up at her painted face. “Speak or don’t speak, it’s all the same to me.” He had no tolerance for people’s emotions.

She rushed away from him.

Ed placed a forkful of meat into his mouth and spoke through chewing it. “I got a feeling she’s keen on you.”

“Nobody’s keen on me, you idiot.”

“Why are you so mean to everybody?”

“I don’t like being around people.”

“What the heck am I?”

“Just shut up about it, will you?”

Hours later, Jake and Ed joined three other men in a great game of poker, while the bulk of patrons stood by watching. And Bethany Hoffman, as always, appeared aloof and emotionless. Jake watched her, still not buying her story. How she’d truly escaped still sat like a stone in his belly. He was bound by determination and the law to garner the truth.

He also knew she had no fondness for him whatsoever. Well, in her business, she could not be choosy. He tossed back his final drink and received a glacial stare as she caught him appraising her. Jake scraped back his chair, all the while keeping eyes on Bethany, and announced to his group, “Well, boys, I’ll be taking my leave now.” 

He methodically scooped up his winnings and stuffed all but two of the bills into a pocket under his vest. He grinned in delight, ready to buy some time alone with the first woman he'd ever met who didn’t want anything to do with him. She didn’t yet need to know it was only to gain information. He’d let her squirm a bit while he sauntered over to Liam to pay for an hour of her time.

Chapter Sixteen

Two rough and tumble kids raced in and out between Andrew and Cameron as they strolled along, seeking a spot to claim for their picnic area. Twice now items have been nearly knocked from their hands. Andrew finally berated them, albeit kindly. “Boys, a lady is present.”

With dirt smudged faces they peered up at her. “Sorry ma’am!”

After they ran off she said, “They’ll only go bother someone else.”

Cameron scanned the area for a good spot to eat, grateful for the warmth of the sun on her back. She felt energetic for the first time in months.

“One day it’ll be our kids running around being scolded,” he said brightly, then took her in as if to see if his comment would be met with sorrow or hope.

She would not disappoint and smiled for him. “I agree!”

Andrew carried the large basket filled with enough food to feed many, and she perused the community’s celebration. Her second Fourth of July in the blessed town, which she never believed she could have dreamed of. They passed by tables laden with mason jars of pickled eggs, pickled beets, pickled cucumbers, pickled pigs’ feet, and anything else Kansas womenfolk conjured up to pickle, all waiting to be awarded the winner in the competition.

“This is as good a spot as any,” Cameron said as she planted herself. Andrew agreed and she laid out a soft quilted blanket and looked down Main Street. At the end of the street stood Lacey behind the famous kissing booth. It was the most successful fundraiser for the town’s coffers.

Cameron clucked her tongue and said absent-mindedly, “We need to find that cousin of yours a husband. I aim to do so if the sheriff doesn’t commit.”

Andrew looked at her. “She’s never told you about Blaine?” He seemed surprised that she might not know every secret of Lacey’s.

“I…I asked, but she said she didn’t want to speak of him.”

He helped smooth out the blanket. “That was an ordeal, to say the least.”

She pulled out two plates and napkins and changed the subject. “I’m going to invite Bethany over for tea someday soon.”

He looked at her, clearly surprised. Naturally he’d heard about her place of employment.

“Is that so?”

“I hope to make a new friend, let her know she’s welcome to come to church.” If he cared that she prostituted herself, he said nothing to the contrary.

“Sounds like a good thing to do Cameron.”

She noticed Kate Reynolds and her remaining children munching on sandwiches nearby. The ache of her unborn child hit her full force. How much worse was it losing a child you’d come to know? It was unbearable to witness the countenance of a mother who attempted to go on for her family. Would she be able to go on if something that devastating had affected her so? She closed her eyes and prayed immediately for God to give her strength, wanting to be able to draw upon Him in time of need, and not allow circumstance to take her out as it had before.

Andrew nudged her. “You feeling all right?”

She laced her fingers through his. “I am more than well.”

He looked beyond and above her shoulder. “Looks like we’ve got company.”

Ed and Lacey arrived before them.

Ed hunkered down next to Andrew and eyed the fried chicken in the basket.

“Help yourself.”

“Thanks, Rev, be obliged to.”

Cameron shared a smile with Lacey as she nestled onto the blanket. She handed out biscuits and on occasion searched faces in the crowd, but saw no sign of Thomas. She would have loved for him to join them.

For a while, there were two conversations going until she heard Ed speaking about Bethany and his plan to have her identify the gang who murdered her husband. She and Lacey stilled their words and listened.

“We hear one of the men is out looking for the witness to their crimes. Seems they’re very aware they left a survivor.”

Andrew wasn’t convinced. “You know how gossip happens. Everybody needs something to talk about. Before you know it, crimes are exaggerated and you have glorified train robbers.”

“Are you talking about them coming for Bethany?” Cameron was not so sure she stood with her husband on this one. She looked at Andrew. “It makes sense—she escaped!”

Lacey harrumphed, but Cameron ignored her, knowing she was still sour about being rejected.

“I suppose you could have a point,” Andrew agreed.

Ed further explained, “They’ve shot through several counties so far. They zigzag ‘em so no one knows which they are hitting next.”

Cameron’s concern was for Bethany. “Don’t you think somebody ought to warn her?”

“It’s being handled.”

She shot Ed a look and tried to hide her growing fear. “You mean by my brother?” She wanted to snatch away the nearly bare chicken leg between his greasy fingers.

Thomas should be farming at home, getting married, growing old in peace. Not fighting outlaws. Ed seemed to sense her frustration and wisely put down his meal. She offered him a cloth napkin.

“Well not just him,” he capitulated. Jake’s in on it, too.”

Chapter Seventeen

The Jacksons stayed at the hotel rather than travel home so late, and awoke to the town looking near to normal. Cameron could hardly believe how quickly the people of Lincoln County had swept away all traces of the Fourth of July celebration.

Andrew pecked her cheek before stepping off the boardwalk and onto the dusty street. “I’ll see you for the noon meal?”

While in town they each had their list of errands and business to attend to.

“I’ll be done by then and waiting for you at Lacey’s.”

Cameron tied her bonnet securely atop her head and went to the mercantile. The sun was blazing upon her and she had no wish to have a burned scalp. That had happened once before and it itched for a week. Never again, no matter if she felt like a silly schoolgirl while wearing it.

It wasn’t much cooler inside the store but it was a nice respite from the heat. Once finished with her list, the owner rushed to her aide and held open the door.

“Thank you, Mr. Newberry.”

“My pleasure, Mrs. Jackson. Enjoy your day.”

Cameron carried the wooden crate of supplies, balancing it against her hip. With the buggy mere steps from the boardwalk, she’d declined additional assistance from Mr. Newberry. His store was filled with customers needing his attention and surely she could manage hoisting a small crate onto the wagon bed.

She was almost to the wagon when she slipped into a gap in the plank. It broke wide open and she fell through, twisting her foot. More embarrassed than hurt, she tried to get out, supplies scattered every which way. Worthlessly, she hoped to get free before anyone noticed.

*** *** ***

From the Gun Shop, the store Jake owned, he witnessed delicate Cameron bite the dust. He swore and looked around for someone to help. She appeared to be fine, so he would bide his time until she got loose or someone lent support. But blast it all, before that could happen, she looked across the way and saw him clear as day. He’d been caught. He swore another round, and with no choice, went out to her. Her face flamed seven shades of red. Not only her rump had been knocked down, but her pride as well—she was horrified. The more he drew near, the more upset set she became. Her absurd hysteria enraged him. He wasn’t the bad man in this.