Title: Deadly Sins-Greed
Summary: This is the second in the series Deadly Sins. Greed isn't about the men, who killed his mama and Hannah. It is about the people in his life and how greed has them react to Heath's journey.
The small rose bush outside had begun to wither in the hot sun. The older woman watched from the window as her dearest friend, Rachel, placed a wilted rose on each grave. The aging woman was dying. It was obvious to the older woman, who stared out the window at her.
"No use trying, Betty." The older woman stated to herself as she contemplated inviting her friend in for a visit. Rachel didn't dare enter the green house.
Betty Garland had been given the house by the boy, whose family had died there. The same boy had supposedly killed her husband. Betty had heard enough of Rachel Caulfield's insane utterings to know that wasn't the case. Poor soul seemed to come and go more and more lately. However, she was Betty's dearest friend now. Betty wouldn't reveal her knowledge to a soul of the truth. No use getting Rachel's boy, Cotton, in trouble with the law. Heath was bound for a hangman's noose already.
Betty stepped out to the porch to stare at the once hotel now boarding house. The town had died off as far as mining. Leah and Hannah's Boarding House had brought new life to the town of Strawberry. Now there was a family atmosphere as the saloon was closed and the brothel along with it. The boarding house was known for the great cooking and clean rooms. Cowboys enjoyed the stop from long cattle drives that went to bordering towns. The men were willing to make the extra miles to stay at a place like Leah's and Hannah's Boarding House. They simply called the place L&H House.
The general store kept in business as well thanks to the L&H house. Thus, the livery was opened back up with a new owner as well. It wasn't much of a town but it was better than before. A new pastor had moved his small family there as well. The old church was being repainted and remodeled. The preacher said he had faith the town was going to build and he'd be ready.
Betty spotted Johnna stepping out into the sun. The girl sure was a rare beauty. Betty knew a lot of men came for the cooking by the girl. Betty also knew that many of the men liked to stare after the dark featured girl. Johnna paid them no mind as the girl's heart only belonged to the blond named Heath.
"Rachel, let's get over to Johnna. She has our breakfast ready." Betty stepped down from the porch and called after her friend.
Rachel nodded as she finished saying a good morning to her two departed friends. She asked softly of Betty. "Reckon, our boys may head this way?"
"For Nora's and Ward's sake, I hope not. For ours, I hope so." Betty answered honestly.
"Ward is mighty nervous about what he did." Rachel stated as she and Betty stepped up to the boardwalk in from of the L&H house.
"He should be. Ward let greed get the best of him." Johnna stated haughtily as she opened the door for her older friends. "If it wasn't for…" Johnna halted her words knowing the time wasn't for the dwelling on things. "I'd kill him myself but I reckon Heath will take care of that."
"And what good will Heath killing Ward do?" Betty snapped back at Johnna. "My Nora is with child, Johnna. Ward wanted to start her a good life."
"With the money on Heath's head?" Johnna shook her head. "Besides, that hair brained son in law of yours squandered the money on one of his schemes. Nora would be better raising her child here with us."
"That's not true. No single woman has a good chance raising a child alone." Betty disagreed. That was the main reason she never left Fred, the father of her two children. He was an awful man but the thought of raising children in this place alone was not heard of. She had saw the life Leah had lived. Although Betty was married when she had her children, divorcing a man was scorned upon almost as bad. "But they do love each other. Besides, Nora had no idea where Ward got the money until Hank and Cotton showed up to tell it. Have you seen Heath?"
Johnna glanced up as she watched her friends settle around the small table she had made up for their morning breakfast. "I saw Heath a couple weeks ago. He didn't talk much about it. Don't worry none about me telling where Nora and Ward are holed up. Heath never asked. I never mentioned. But you know as well as I do that Heath will find Ward when he is good and ready. He only sent for me because he is hiding for a while. He knows an Indian friend from the war. He plans and staying there with Hank and Cotton until the manhunt for him cools down some."
"Will Heath let them visit their mommas first?" Rachel asked hopefully.
"Heath don't control them, Aunt Rachel. He told them to go on home without him. But you know Hank and Cotton both are loyal to Heath unlike Ward." Johnna's voice tinged with anger before she continued. "Heath may be the least of Ward's worry. Hank was biting at the bit. He'd kill Ward with his bare hands if he much as lays an eye on him."
Betty slathered her biscuit with Raspberry jam. Johnna had found Leah's recipe among Rachel's things. Rachel had written it down for Leah. Heath's mother had hoped to pass the recipe down to Heath's daughter someday. Betty reckoned that wish of Leah's may come true yet.
Betty glanced over at Johnna, who was absent mindedly rubbing her stomach. It was obvious to Betty the ex-saloon girl thought Heath had planted his seed in her. She had heard tell that the young sixteen year old cowboy was conscious about such a thing. But when a man is on the run, he may forget his own code in the heat of a passionate encounter. The girl was more like Leah than Heath knew. And Heath may had done what his own father had as far as planting a seed in a female, who wasn't married.
"Sure would like to see Cotton." Rachel hummed as she rocked back and forth. "My boy Cotton is a fine boy. Heath will take care of him when I can't. Won't he, Miss Leah?"
Johnna and Betty had given up trying to explain to Rachel that Johnna was not Leah. Although Rachel visited the graves of her dear friends every day, she still was lost to the fact that Johnna wasn't Leah. Strangely, Johnna looked nothing like Heath's mother. That didn't stop Rachel's confusion. Betty had known Leah years ago before Fred had became the mean drunk he became. She could see why Rachel was confused by Johnna. The girl was as kind and beautiful as Leah Thomson was.
"Yes. Heath will watch after Cotton." Johnna stood to clear the dishes from the table. She swayed slightly due to dizziness.
"Will you be able to get a hold of Heath if need be?" Betty asked. "He will be a might angry if you don't tell him."
"Tell him what?" Johnna's eyes cut into Betty as she spoke.
"Don't give me that look, girl. I've been beat by that mean drunk same as you before he was killed. No girl can scare me after living with Fred Garland. Besides, I ain't blind to the facts." Betty stood up to help Johnna clear away the dishes from the table.
"Don't know if they are facts." Johnna answered softly as she stared at Betty. "Just facts that he wasn't so careful last time. Not enough time has passed since I saw him to know yet. Besides, I'll tell him when I know for sure."
Betty could tell the girl was excited to be carrying Heath's baby. Poor child had no clue what she'd be in for if she was. Of course, Heath would marry her in a heartbeat to not let his child live the same life as he had. If the boy lived long enough to marry the girl.
Rachel was back to humming the same hymn as she began setting up the tables in case the place had a breakfast crowd. There would be the usual patrons such as the preacher and his three children and wife. Libby and her father had moved in one of the rooms at the boarding house. Libby would sing for the room and meals when the place was crowded. Rumor was they planned on moving on soon. Mr. Taylor now owned the only general store. He had bought the general store from the his old friend a few weeks ago. There was also the new livery owner. He was a man around the age of thirty. He had been widowed about two years ago. The man was never blessed with children. He was a handsome man, who had set his attentions on Johnna. He didn't seem to care the girl was of mixed race. He was kind and he didn't understand why Johnna never gave him any attention.
"Boaz Frazier is coming." Betty stated as she looked out the large window to the front of the L&H house. She watched to see if Johnna had any interest piqued at the name of the livery owner. The girl never even acknowledged Betty's words only to comment she'd get the food ready.