Four Days from Pueblo
Chapter 1
And So It Begins
Overnight, the semi-peaceful city seemed to have exploded into a bustling town. The Double R outfit had hit town—restless, thirsty and with pockets full of money. They had hardly made a dent in the fun, when the Bar X herd arrived. Texas was barely big enough to handle the rival crews and now they were rubbing each other raw in Dodge City.
It wasn't just the rival cowboys crowding into the streets. There was also an advance man for the railroad, in town to look over a possible acquisition. Not to mention, there was the sudden influx of various drummers, each making their pitch to every saloon, tool shop and general store in town.
Even had one, touting a fancy metallic burial case—some guy named Fisk had patented the shiny new beauty—claiming that it was air-tight and indestructible. Percy didn't see the need for indestructible, as he'd never had a customer fight his way out of a pine box yet.
To add to the unexpected throng of visitors, Jim Buck brought in a stagecoach full of travelers, late Friday night. However, those six people considered themselves to be more hostages, than visitors. Jim had barely gotten the stage to limp into the city limits, when the axle finally gave way. He had hustled the passengers off, with apologies and assurances, as he directed them all to the Dodge House.
Normally, a good blacksmith could have repaired the problem in a few hours—and Clayton Sawyer was one of the best. Sadly, Clayton was out of town. His kid brother was getting married in Wichita and the Sawyers wouldn't be back for another week.
Jim was the only driver scheduled to make runs to Dodge this week and it was going to take at least three days—maybe four—to pull a coach off of another route and reschedule.
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Calleigh stared out the window of her dad's office. The bitter black liquid caused her to crinkle her nose, bringing the dainty smattering of freckles into a straight line. "I don't remember the last time Dodge was this busy." She set the cup back on the stove and brushed her hands together, as if to wipe away any trace of the nasty solution. "This swill is going to kill somebody someday."
Matt reached in front of her, to rescue the rejected drink for himself. "Nah, we have two very fine physicians in this town to nurse 'em back to health." He stood beside her, watching the busy street. One hearty swallow made him double-think his decision to drink the coffee. "Want to go across the street for a cup?"
Calleigh gathered up her reticule before Matt had even finished his offer. "Good grief, I thought you'd never ask!"
The Prairie Rose was buzzing with new and old customers. Tia pointed to the corner table by the window that she always kept open for the Marshal or his family. Matt mouthed a silent, 'thank-you' and escorted his young companion toward their table.
"Marshal." Jim Dobie was all smiles as he intercepted the couple. "Business is certainly booming this week." He glanced around the packed room. "Looks like your wife is doing pretty well too."
"Well, she always has had a good head for business." It was no secret that Kitty was the moneymaker in the family. The only ego problem this created, was Matt's tendency to brag on his clever redhead.
"That, she does." Dobie laughed, as he hurried towards the door. "Well, give her my regards."
Matt and Calleigh continued their journey back to the corner. As usual, the staff had anticipated the pair's immediate needs and waiting patiently in the center of the oak table, was a coffeepot and two cups. To the trained server, it was an unusual setting. The pot and one cup were Tielsch Blue floral china with gold trim. The second cup…a plain white ironstone mug. The Marshal had complained about how his brawny fingers wouldn't fit into those dainty little china handles.
Calleigh closed her eyes, inhaling the myriad pungent herbs and spices wafting throughout the dining room. "Are you buying me dinner, too?" She licked her lips, as she reached for the pot to fill their cups.
He leaned in, dropping his voice to a teasing whisper. "Sure. I don't have to pay. I sleep with the owner."
Calleigh gingerly took a drink of the steaming brew. "Not for long, from what I hear." Her blue eyes peered up under half closed lids. She was fully expecting the stunned look on his face. "Bethany told me." She saw what appeared to be panic shine in those clear blue eyes. "The answer to your obvious question is, no. Bethany made Betsy promise not to tell Kitty. Like she said, it's your place to do that."
Matt settled back in his chair with a heavy sigh, like a condemned man. "Bethany tell you everything?" He stared out the window, yet blind to all the activity on Front Street. His mind drifted back to the circumstances that had brought him to this point…
It had been almost a year to the day since, Thad and Bethany, had departed Dodge for Boston. Bailey Ray Greenwood was born five months later and within a few minutes, his sister, Hailey Lynn had arrived. Still, it was another four months before they were well enough to leave Boston. Dodge just didn't have the proper medical facilities for the two tiny patients. In time, the day finally came when the Greenwood family was due to come home. The young lawman kissed his wife good-bye and left for the bank, to get the necessary funds for travel.
Those plans were thwarted, when a man named Picket Biggerly made a terribly bad decision that would change the lives of so many people, in a matter of seconds. In the course of robbing the Southland Bank & Trust, he grabbed a pregnant young woman as a hostage. Thad's territory was Kansas; in Boston, he had no authority and on that day, he was just another customer waiting in line. Still, his training and instinct told him what he had to do and Biggerly's one moment of hesitation, told him when to do it.
The actual rescue went perfectly. Something startled the first-time robber and in the moment it took him to look back, Thad drew his own gun and brought the boy down. It should have ended there, but a rookie policeman with one week's experience under his belt, burst through the glass doors. He saw a man with a gun and a dead man on the ground. Two shots went into the tall, blonde U.S. Marshal. Neither was fatal, but both ended his career as a lawman.
Calleigh abandoned her usual spunky banter. "Yeah, she told me everything. Thad has some use in the hand, but he'll never be able to hold a gun. You know he's been studying law this past year with Barlow?"
Matt nodded. "I know. At first, it was just for something to do; but Barlow says he took to it like a duck to water. He's planning on finishing his studying here and then opening up shop in Breck's old office. Dodge needs an attorney."
"Dodge needs a Marshal." Calleigh said quietly, as she lifted the china cup to her mouth. Partially to drink, partially to hide behind. "When are you going to tell Kitty? No. Let me rephrase that, what are you going to tell her?"
He played with the silverware neatly lined up on the linen placemat in front of him. Thad and his little family had been home to visit twice during the last six months. Each time, Kitty had oohed and ahhed over the twins. He knew she would never begrudge anything to the young couple, but this was going to break her heart. "He's not the only man out there capable of taking my place."
"Hmmm." Calleigh dumped a heaping spoonful of sugar into the cup. It was more a way to avoid eye contact, than wanting to sweeten the drink.
Her simple response could either be a sign of reassurance, or doubt in his comment. Guessing it was the latter forced more irritation into his voice than he planned to reveal. "What's that supposed to mean? Our plans don't have to change."
"Don't go getting yourself all upset." She reached across the table, resting her hand on his. "As your doctor, I've got to tell you—it's bad for your digestion." Calleigh waited for the tension to visibly ease from her father's face. "I'm just saying, you'd better talk to her. I know you won't turn that badge over to just anyone. The only two people I can think of right off hand, would be Newly and Thad." An impish grin suddenly lit up her young face, "…and I suppose Festus, if he would ever learn to read."
Matt chuckled at this last suggestion. "Newly told me a long time ago that he would never take it. He loves you too much."
"More than you love Kitty?"
The lawman fell silent, staring into a set of eyes that mirrored his own. "I passed the point long ago where I could measure the love I have for her." The silence that lay between them was one of a comfortable understanding.
Nettie virtually bounced to their table, breaking the silence with an exhausted sigh. "I am so sorry you had to wait this long. We're just swamped today. Did you want dinner, or was this just a coffee break?"
"It was supposed to be coffee, but as usual, this one has wheedled a meal out of me. What is that, that smells so good today?
A burst of giggles escaped the little blonde, before she could stop them. "It's just not the kind of thing you usually order. It's Cornish game hens, stuffed with truffles."
Matt was thoroughly confused and embarrassed by the look that was openly shared by the two women. "What? It's not good? 'Cause it smells great."
"What Nettie's trying not to say, is that she's seen you eat and that little bit of poultry is NOT going to fill up that tank you call a stomach." Calleigh cocked her head to one side, with a playful wink to the waitress. "'Course, you could order a whole flock of them."
The Marshal nodded patiently, while the two women laughed at his expense. "Okay. Very funny, girls. Nettie, just bring me my regular steak with the trimmings. Bring her the bird thing and I'll just eat part of hers."
TBC