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With Seth’s words, peace entered the young man’s eyes and then Jesse Cole took his final breath. Twenty-two was too young to die. Jesse had only been three years younger than himself. Seth shook his head at the sadness of the past week.
Memories of Jesse flooded his mind. Jesse had arrived in Cottonwood Springs six years ago. Nobody knew anything about him, just that he worked hard at the livery where old man Rodgers had given him a job. Then he’d taken up with Maxwell Evans and his brother. For four years he’d run with Maxwell, his brother Clod and Horace Nance.
The four men made up the Evans gang. They had been more a nuisance than a real gang. They’d stolen small things and the men of Cottonwood Springs didn’t feel the need to press charges against them. Boys will be boys, as the old saying goes. Old man Rodgers died one night and Jesse moved in with Maxwell.
And then one night Jesse ran into Reverend James Griffin and found the Lord. Jesse turned his life around that night; he started working on the Vaughan farm just a couple of miles out of town. The other Evans gang members hadn’t been thrilled with the turnabout and they’d given the Vaughan family plenty of trouble.
Over the next two years the Evans gang had grown and become braver. Their crimes had developed into more serious transgressions. With each passing year, Maxwell had become more dangerous.
Seth hadn’t been surprised when they’d robbed the bank in Durango. What had surprised him was when the smoke cleared, Jesse had been the one left to die on the bank floor. He shook his head again. Jesse hadn’t even carried a gun. What had he been doing robbing a bank with no gun?
Guilt slammed into Seth’s gut. He’d shot down an unarmed man. Never had he felt the gravity of being a U.S. Marshal as strongly as he did now. The law was behind him, but he still felt as if a small part of his own soul had been ripped from his body the day Jesse Cole died. No matter how many times he played the events of that day in his mind, it came out the same. He’d killed an unarmed man, he’d killed Jesse Cole.
Thankfully the Vaughan orchard came into view. He shook his head and muttered, “I need to stop dwelling on it. Jesse is gone and there’s nothing I can do about it now.” Seth gave a little kick of his boots against the horse’s sides and sent it into a trot. It was time to go tell Mr. Vaughan that his hired hand wasn’t coming home.
He rode into the front yard. Two big hounds came to greet him with loud barks and yips. Mrs. Vaughan waved from the front porch and Mr. Vaughan walked out of the barn to meet him.
“Afternoon, Marshal. What brings you out this way?”
Seth slid from his mount. “Bad news, I’m afraid. Jesse Cole got himself shot up last week. Didn’t make it. He won’t be returning to work.”
Mr. Vaughan took his hat off and wiped at the sweat on his brow. “I’m sorry to hear that. He was a good man.”
“So it would seem,” Seth agreed.
“Mind telling me what happened?” The old man slapped the hat back on his gray head and indicated Seth should follow him to the bunkhouse.
Seth fell into step with him. “He was present during a bank robbery over in Durango last week. One of the Evans gang took a shot at me and things got out of hand. Jesse got caught in the cross fire.”
Mr. Vaughan pulled the door open and walked to one of three bunks in the one-room building. “I see.”
Seth pressed on, trying to explain away his own feelings of guilt for having shot Jesse. “I’m afraid he was running with the Evans boys again. They were the ones hightailing it out of Durango with a bag full of money.” He didn’t feel the need to tell Mr. Vaughan that Jesse hadn’t been carrying a gun when he was shot. That fact still bothered him. Instead Seth asked, “Did Jesse say where he was going when he left here?”
“No, just said he had some unfinished business and that he’d be back in a couple of days.” He pulled a suitcase out from under a bunk that Seth assumed was Jesse’s. “I thought he’d gone into town to see about buying the Porters’ place. Had no idea he was running with the Evanses again.” He grunted as he lifted the case for Seth to take. “These are his belongings. Feels like this thing is filled with rocks. He also has some clothes lying around here, too. Do you want those?”
Seth shook his head.
“Do you know if he has any family we can give this to?”
Seth took the heavy case and shook his head again. He frowned at the weight of the container. “I don’t think he does, but there is a young woman in town that might. I’ll ask her.”
Mr. Vaughan nodded and followed Seth from the bunkhouse. “It’s too bad.” He muttered more to himself than to Seth. “I really liked that boy. He was real excited when that gal answered his mail-order-bride ad, too.”
They walked back to where Seth’s horse waited. Seth set the suitcase onto the saddle and then swung up behind it. So Rebecca Ramsey was a mail-order bride. He’d heard of women answering those ads, just never figured he’d meet one way out here in the New Mexico Territory.
Seth arranged the case in front of him, before saying, “I’d like to keep this as private as we can. His mail-order bride arrived last week and, well, I’d just as soon she not be told what happened to him.” He paused and shook his head. “Honestly, I’m not sure I know what happened. I’d like to think Jesse was there against his will.”
Mr. Vaughan took his hat off and twisted the brim. “All I know, Marshal, is the poor boy seemed to have got caught in some cross fire and was shot in Durango.” He shook his head and looked at the ground. “Poor boy was at the wrong place, at the wrong time.” He looked back up.
Seth nodded. “Thanks.”
“Do you know if his lady will be staying in Cottonwood Springs or moving on?” He shielded his face from the sun as he looked up at Seth.
Seth had wondered the same thing. “Don’t know yet.” He waved and headed back to town. His thoughts turned to what Mr. Vaughan had said.
Had Jesse been heading to town to buy a place and get married? Or had he met up with the Evanses with the purpose of robbing the bank to secure a better future for his new bride? Seth could still see the fear and concern in Jesse’s face for Rebecca’s safety.
As the horse lumbered back to town, his thoughts turned to the pretty young woman who had come to town to marry Jesse. Her eyes had done something to his heart that only one other woman’s eyes had ever done.
Remember she was killed because of your job, Billings. How could he forget? He couldn’t. And because of Clare’s death, Seth vowed never to love another again. His job and her meekness had gotten her killed. Nope, he wasn’t going to fall in love again, at least not until he was done with marshaling. He doubted any woman would wait for him that long.
Rebecca Ramsey’s heart-shaped face filled his mind’s eye. No, Seth Billings had no intentions of hurting or being hurt by another woman because of his career. A career he felt sure God approved of. Lord, please help me to fulfill my last promise to Jesse and help me to overcome this pressing guilt of killing an unarmed man. And if it be Your will, keep Rebecca Ramsey far from me. I don’t want to see her hurt.
Chapter Two
Rebecca stepped into her favorite blue dress and buttoned up the front. She pulled on her shoes and hurried to get her hair fixed just right. Her fingers worked the hair into a French braid and she eased small strands forward to frame her face.
Today she would look for employment. The night before, she’d talked to the Millers and assured them she would pay for the days she’d stayed with them. They’d been kind and offered to let her stay as long as she needed. For this, Rebecca was thankful to the Lord.
She walked to the dining room and stopped just inside the doorway. The fragrance of eggs, bacon and hot biscuits greeted her. Rebecca ignored the sound of her stomach as she made her way into the room. Mrs. Miller and the marshal were seated at the table. He held a cup of fresh coffee in his hand. When Mrs. Miller saw her, she motioned for Rebecca to join them.
“Good morning, Rebecca. The marshal has come to see you.”
Rebecca acknowledged them with a nod of her head. “Good morning.”
Mrs. Miller indicated that Rebecca sit with a sweep of her hand. The heavyset woman braced her hands on the table to push back her chair and stand. “Would you like some coffee and eggs?”
Rebecca slipped into the wooden chair. “Just coffee this morning, thank you.” She had decided the night before not to eat any more than she had to until she could repay the Millers what she owed them.
“I’ll be right back. You two carry on with your business.” Mrs. Miller lumbered out of the room.
What business did the marshal have with her? Had she done something wrong? Rebecca shook the thought away. No. It couldn’t be that. Then what? Sensing his brown eyes upon her, she folded her shaking hands on the tabletop. “What did you want to see me about this morning, Marshal?”
He lowered his cup and took a deep breath. “Yesterday I went out to where Jesse had been living and let his boss know he wouldn’t be returning to work.” His gaze studied her face.
She still didn’t understand why he was there. “I see.” She met his look head-on. Marshal Seth Billings was a nice-looking man. His light brown hair curved above his collar, chocolate-colored eyes looked back at her and when he spoke, a dimple winked in his left cheek.
In a soft voice, he said, “I wasn’t finished.”
Mrs. Miller returned with Rebecca’s cup of coffee. “Here you go, dear. It’s hot.” She set the cup on the table in front of her along with a small sugar bowl.
“Thank you, Mrs. Miller.” Rebecca pulled both the coffee and sugar toward her. “Please go on, Marshal.” She scooped two teaspoons of sugar into her cup.
“If you two will excuse me, I’ve work to do in the kitchen.” Mrs. Miller left without waiting for their answers.
“As I was saying, while I was out there, Mr. Vaughan gave me some of Jesse’s personal belongings. The sheriff and I have gone through them and there are a couple of things we thought you might like to have, Miss Ramsey.” He picked up his coffee and took a sip.
The marshal continued to study her over the rim of the cup. His eyes bored into her as if searching for something. Rebecca ignored his look. She focused on her coffee instead as her mind raced.
What could he possess of Jesse’s that she might like to have? His letters from her? Maybe. A family Bible? But wouldn’t that go to his family? The Bible, not the letters, she mentally corrected herself.
When it became apparent he was waiting for a reaction from her, heat began to fill Rebecca’s face. She set her cup down and asked, “What sort of belongings?”
The marshal reached inside his jacket pocket and pulled out a small bundle of letters. When he handed them to her, Rebecca recognized her handwriting on the outside of the envelopes.
Had he read them? She searched his eyes for the answer. He held her gaze, but she couldn’t read their expression. Now her face felt on fire. She prayed he hadn’t read them. “Thank you.” She laid the bundle on the table and reached for her drink.
“There’s more.” The marshal reached into the other side of his jacket and pulled out another envelope. He handed it to her.
She didn’t recognize this one. Rebecca turned the plain white envelope over in her hands. “Are you sure? I didn’t send this one to him.”
The marshal raised his head and nodded. “Yes. I think you should have it.”
Rebecca ran her fingertips over the seal. “What about his family?”
“Jesse moved here six years ago. During that time he never mentioned family, so since you were to be his wife, the sheriff and I decided you should receive that, as well.” He nodded his head in the direction of her hands and grinned.
He’d discussed this with the local sheriff? “What’s in here?” Her hands trembled. Was she really ready to take whatever was inside the envelope? Was it a deed to the farm he had talked about in his last letter?
A warm chuckle brought her attention back to the marshal’s face. A woman could get used to the sound of his easy laugh and handsome features; she jerked her mind away from such foolish thoughts.
His eyes twinkled. “Why don’t you open it and find out?”
Rebecca’s mouth dried, she picked up her coffee and sipped the bitter sweetness, allowing it to wash over her tongue. Then she took a deep breath and slid her fingernail under the envelope flap.
Within the depths of the envelope lay a letter. She pulled it out and carefully unfolded what she saw to be a blank piece of paper. Hidden within the paper were money notes. She counted the money and realized there was enough there to pay the Millers for the time she’d spent with them and she’d have a little left over to stay for maybe a month longer. Rebecca silently thanked the Lord for meeting her needs.
“Are you sure it’s all right for me to keep this?” She searched his features once more. His eyes were serious; the chocolate color that had just twinkled with amusement now seemed almost to caramelize as he stared back at her.
He nodded and then finished his coffee. “That money was in his possessions. I’m sure he’d want you to have it. I’d say there is enough money there to take you home, Miss Ramsey.”
Rebecca shook her head. “No, it’s enough to pay the Millers what I owe them. And, I’ve already told you, I’m not going back.”
He stood. “So you are determined to stay here?”
How many ways did she have to say she was staying? She looked up from the money. Then she felt it. Something wasn’t quite right, but she couldn’t put her finger on what it was. Did the marshal suspect her of some wrongdoing? Or was this just his normal way of dealing with what he might consider a grieving fiancée?
Rebecca stared at the handsome man before her. His jawline tightened and his eyes narrowed. She raised her chin and returned his stare. “Yes, Marshal, I am. You needn’t worry about me. I am an upstanding citizen and, God willing, I will find a job today.”
* * *
Rebecca Ramsey hadn’t reacted the way he’d thought she would when she opened the envelope. Maybe she didn’t know about the rest of the money he’d found in that suitcase. And then again, maybe she did and was sticking around town to find it. What had Jesse been doing with so much money in money notes, diamonds and gold?
Was that the reason Jesse had begged him to keep watch over her? Did the Evans gang know about the stashed treasure in Jesse’s possession? Would they come after her, thinking she had it? The questions swirled through his mind like a Texas twister.
What if she really was just an innocent and had no clue Jesse had been an outlaw? Or that he was far richer than he’d let anyone know. Seth’s protective instincts surged through his stomach.
Seth admitted to himself that he found Jesse’s girl attractive. She seemed young and naive. What kind of woman ventured alone to answer a mail-order-bride ad that would take her to an isolated place like the New Mexico Territory?
He’d read her letters. They were simple letters telling Jesse her age, what she looked like and when she would arrive. She’d asked no questions of Jesse Cole. From what he’d read, it seemed as if Rebecca Ramsey had simply come with no knowledge of anything about her soon-to-be husband.
His first promise to Jesse echoed in Seth’s ears. I’ll take care of her. He tilted his head sideways and studied her. If she really was just a girl looking for work, he should help her. He’d promised, and Seth Billings never broke a promise. “What kind of work are you looking for?”
“I’m not picky, Marshal, and I’m a hard worker, so it really doesn’t matter.” She shrugged her shoulders, picked up her morning coffee and took another sip.
The blue in her dress brought out the blue shades within her eyes. Small ringlets of blond hair drifted about her face as she bent to the hot beverage. Miss Ramsey smiled as she savored the drink. Seth stared at her soft lips and then shook himself mentally. The young woman in front of him was quite attractive, but no lady liked to be stared at.
“Why? Do you know of a position?” Her question pulled him from his musings.
She gazed into his eyes as if she were looking into his soul. What did she see there? He didn’t want to know.
“I might. The sheriff and I were talking this morning and I’ve come to the conclusion that I need a house here in Cottonwood Springs.” Those cornflower eyes continued to study him. “If I find one, I’ll need someone to clean, do laundry and cook for me when I’m in town. Would you be interested in something like that?”
“When will you know if you are going to take up residence here?” Her gaze moved to his left hand.
The urge to tuck it into his pocket proved mighty powerful. He didn’t want her looking to him as a replacement for Jesse. “I’ll let you know by this afternoon. How does that sound?”
Her small smile turned into a big grin. “It sounds like something I wouldn’t mind doing.”
Seth nodded and then headed for the front door. He had a lot of work to do if he planned on having a home in Cottonwood Springs by this afternoon. The soft swish of her skirts informed him that she had followed him. “I’ll see you later,” he promised and then left.
He shook his head as he climbed into the saddle. Seth Billings, you are going to have to stop making promises.
Chapter Three
Rebecca pulled her wool shawl over her dress, picked up the money and then carried her coffee cup into the kitchen. “Mrs. Miller, I am leaving now to look for employment.” She placed the empty cup beside the older woman.
Mrs. Miller’s hands were up to her elbows in hot soapy water. A pile of dirty dishes was stacked to her left. “Your business with the marshal is finished?” She looked over at Rebecca. Mrs. Miller’s gaze moved to the envelopes in her hand.
Rebecca tucked the letters she’d sent to Jesse under her arm and then opened the packet that held the money. She turned her body so that Mrs. Miller couldn’t see the full contents of the envelope. “I’m not sure. He’s offered me a job.”
Mrs. Miller dried her wet hands on a dish towel and rested a hip against the counter. “Then why are you looking for another one?” Her brows arched as she watched Rebecca count out the money.
“Well, it’s not a for-sure job and I can’t continue living here if I can’t pay for my stay.” Rebecca knew Mrs. Miller wanted to ask her about the money. The older woman opened her mouth and then closed it again. Almost as if she realized it was none of her business.
Rebecca handed her what was owed. The other woman took the money and dropped it into her apron pocket.
“Will you be back in time for lunch?” Mrs. Miller returned to the dishpan full of dirty dishes.
Cottonwood Springs wasn’t that big of a town and Rebecca could return in plenty of time before lunch, but she wasn’t sure she wanted to. Mrs. Miller was nice enough, but Rebecca sensed the other woman would like to have some time to herself and, to be honest, Rebecca felt the same. “Probably not.”
“Have a good day, dear. I’ll see you at supper.” And just like that, Mrs. Miller dismissed her.
Rebecca walked to the front door, stood in the doorway and looked both ways down Main Street. The town’s dirt street and light breeze had sand drifting in the air. She focused her mind on the business in town and not the fact that she hated flying dirt.
Across the street from the Millers’ general store was the newspaper office; next to that stood Mrs. Kelly’s hat and dress shop. She studied the false fronts of both businesses. The newspaper office wouldn’t offer much employment, but maybe Mrs. Kelly could use another seamstress. She’d start with these two businesses and then make her way around town, should she not acquire employment at either establishment.
As she crossed the street, Rebecca lifted her skirts to keep them from getting dusty. A light breeze picked up from the direction of the river and she shivered. Early spring in New Mexico seemed to be rather cold. Truth be told, Rebecca preferred the heat of summer, at least she had in Maryland. Who knew what New Mexico summers would hold for her?
