Under a Falling Star (15 page)

Albert picked up both her hands, rubbing his thumbs across the top. “I want to start fresh. Court you like I’ve wanted to from the beginning. Get married and build a life together.”

She stared at him silently, when she really wanted to pitch a fit, scream in his face, walk out the door, and never return. How could he think anything could ever be the same?

Someone crossed in front of the picture window out front, making the dim interior of the office darken a bit more. Albert glanced up. His eyes narrowed at the man gazing in, probably thinking the office deserted. They were far enough back by the woodstove that they wouldn’t be seen without a lamp burning.

Albert straightened. She could tell she’d lost his attention by the expression on his face.

“What?” she asked.

“Nothing,” he replied without taking his eyes off the man who meandered on his way.

“Do you know him?” Susanna had been around long enough to interpret Albert’s tones and expressions. He felt personally responsible for the welfare of the citizens of Logan Meadows.

Albert shook his head. “No. Never seen him before now. But, never mind him. You were saying?” His eyes took her measure when he glanced back at her.

“I know you, Albert. You want to go see who that is.”

His face softened. “Thank you. I do. I’ll make a quick walk down the street and check on Thom. This time of evening, between nightfall and darkness, always has me on edge.” He looked at her hands, still held in his own. “Will you wait for me?”

She nodded.

“You won’t be frightened for a few minutes alone? I’m only going to walk down the block to the El Dorado and come back. Just to make my presence known.”

“I’ll be fine, Albert.” Her heart squeezed as it did every time he was about to risk his life. “Please be careful.” There. They were back on familiar footing.

He took out his gun and checked the chambers. Finished, he holstered it and stood. “Always.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

A
lbert carefully closed the door behind him. He didn’t want to alert anyone who might be planning something heinous, like a shoot-out and robbing the bank. The piano music, mixed with the laughter of a group of men drinking in the Bright Nugget, covered the sound of his boots. At the batwing doors, he glanced inside. Several regulars sat at the bar, along with faces he didn’t know and some he recognized as new arrivals. Wallace Sadler, the father of the boy that Dalton had helped on the train and whom Dalton had introduced Albert to yesterday, while the man was taking a stroll with his wife and son, sat at a back table alone. Nothing unusual, so Albert moved on as Thom watched his approach.

“Everything all right?” Albert asked quietly. He edged up close and scanned the other side of the street. The guard across the way stationed in the alley between the haberdashery and bakery was just a shadow against the wall.

Thom, not one to wear a six-shooter, hefted the shotgun in his arms. “So far so good. Had a disconcerted feeling about a half hour ago. I’ve been on alert since.”

Albert took a box of matches from his pocket and lit a match, holding it up. An answering signal replied a moment later, letting Albert know that his man across the street would keep a close eye out.

“I had some newcomer look into the sheriff’s office a few minutes ago, then start down here. Susanna and I were by the stove, sitting in the dark, so he didn’t see us. Gave me a funny feeling as well.”

Thom nodded. “Things have been quiet up until now. A group in the saloon is carrying on. Other than that, I haven’t seen anyone coming down the street in some time. I missed the fella you’re speaking of.”

“We can’t know everyone. But I can make my presence known to anyone contemplating trouble. I’ll walk down to the hotel, but return down the backside of the buildings in the alley. Take a look around there.”

When a man tumbled out through the saloon doors and rolled into the street, Albert spun. He had his gun drawn before he recognized ol’ drunk Clyde, lying on his back in a cloud of dust. Thom’s shotgun was leveled at the man as well.

Kendall, the bartender, stepped out through the saloon’s swinging doors, wiping his hands on a bar towel. “You best go home and sleep it off, Clyde. I won’t stand for you harassing the clientele, you know that.”

Clyde struggled to a sitting position as a horse came up the street and stopped in front of the establishment he’d just been thrown out of.

The rider looked down. “Clyde.”

“Dwight Hoskins. The bad penny returns,” Thom whispered to Albert. Dwight was the man whose job Thom had taken after solving a cattle-rustling case some time back. Dwight had moved away to New Meringue in disgrace, but seemed to miss Logan Meadows and came back often.

Dwight dismounted and looped his reins around the hitching rail. Just as he was about to go into the saloon, he turned his head and noticed them watching. Albert wondered if Thom was experiencing the same thing: that disconcerted feeling had returned.

“Albert,” Dwight called, meandering over to the bank porch where Albert and Thom stood. It wasn’t quite dark enough yet to hide the smirk that twisted his lips. He had a standing hatred for Thom, and more pointedly, Thom’s Irish blood.

“Dwight,” Albert responded. “What brings you to town?”

“Just coming over to offer my help. News of your plight is all over New Meringue.” He glanced at the bank, then at Thom. “Also wanted to check on Markus. See how my young nephew is doing.”

Albert felt Thom straighten. Dwight knew mentioning Thom’s stepson was a sure way to pull his deputy’s strings.

“Markus is no concern of yours, Hoskins,” Thom said, his grip on the shotgun tightening. “And stay away from Hannah. She has no desire to see you now, or ever.”

“That’s a pretty strong reaction for just wanting to see Caleb’s son, God rest his soul. I do have a right to check on my nephew. What aren’t you saying, Donovan? Maybe Hannah finally sees the error of her ways tying herself to an Irishman.”

Thom surged forward but Albert grasped his shoulder. Thom’s muscles quivered with fury. “Let it go, Thom. He’s just trying to get your goat. You should know better by now.”

An angry hiss passed through Thom’s clenched teeth. “I put up with a lot from him, Albert. I don’t mind when it’s about me, but I won’t have him speaking about
my
family, in
any
way. If you bother Hannah at all, you’ll be sorry, Dwight. Do I make myself clear?”

Dwight laughed. Albert wouldn’t be able to hold Thom back if the troublemaker kept it up much longer.

“Be honest, Hoskins,” Thom growled. “You’ve ridden over because you’re as curious as the next man about all that money.”

“I’d be lying if I said different. A million dollars doesn’t land in town every day. I’d like to see what it looks like. How’s Frank taking the stress? I’m sure he’s a mess of nerves. He never is good under pressure.”

The bank door opened. Frank stepped out looking calm and cool. He locked the door behind him and slipped the key into his pocket. “I’ll answer that question, Dwight. I’m taking the situation in stride. No one has stepped even an inch out of line, but that won’t stop me from feeling relieved when the money is finally out of my bank and on its way.”

Dwight had the decency to sputter his embarrassment at being caught in the act of besmirching the banker. He coughed into his hand. “Sorry, Frank, I didn’t mean any disrespect.”

“Only to Thom.” Frank’s tone had turned as hard as steel.

Dwight rocked back on his heels, and shrugged. “Maybe. You taken to sleeping in the bank these days?”

“I have. An extra layer of protection. Does that surprise you?”

As if knowing he was outnumbered, Dwight took a small step back. “Nope. I guess I’d do the same.” He glanced across the street where darkness was now complete except for a lantern here and there. “You have a man in the alley, Albert?”

“We do.”

Dwight nodded, as if pleased he’d one-upped Albert by knowing where his second guard was stationed. “I was hoping to get to meet Babcock. I’ve heard a few things about him.”

So, Dwight’s real reason for the visit to Logan Meadows was flushed out. “Stick around long enough and you’ll get that pleasure.” Babcock’s name reminded him about Susanna waiting in the sheriff’s office. He’d been gone longer than he’d intended already. He needed to get back.

Dwight turned. “Well, I’ll be going. Need to wet the back of my throat.”

Albert waited until Dwight pushed through the saloon doors. “I’m going to take a quick walk down the street and back. Are you going out, Frank?”

“Just to make a trip to the necessary. I’ll be locked up inside before you return.”

Albert gave Thom a nod, then walked away. The tension in town was growing. If a gang of outlaws came up against the bank now, his small army of guns might not be able to hold them off. People would be killed. He’d be glad when reinforcements showed up.

At the end of the street, Albert glanced into the hotel window. A few people relaxed in the lobby chairs reading, but paid him no mind.

Releasing a sigh, Albert circled around the building and started back toward his office. On his right, the lights in the community center glowed softly and he wondered who was tending the patients.

A movement in the shadows ahead made him stop abruptly. He edged nearer to the wall of the mercantile. Someone was behind the Bright Nugget or maybe even closer. In the darkness it was difficult to tell. The hum of low voices reached him, but he couldn’t make out the words. Drawing his weapon, he proceeded, placing his boots carefully. The dry ground would amplify any sound. Staying close to the buildings, Albert slowly made his way forward.

CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

P
acing back and forth across the darkened office, Susanna didn’t like the direction her mind had wandered. Until today, Albert had been a married man. A married man! That was his wife on the train coming here, not a sister, or aunt, or guardian. No, he’d never kissed her, or whispered love words into her ear, but she’d felt his attraction, and let him see hers. Why was the woman on that train? They hadn’t gotten to that question before he’d left to walk the street.

Anger mixed with a deep, abiding hurt threatened to engulf her. What should she do now? Was he just like the men who’d used her mother? That couldn’t be. She didn’t like to think it of him.

He’s a widower now, free and clear. Did that change her feelings at all? The immensity of the lie of omission he’d perpetrated loomed between them. No wonder he hadn’t been in a hurry to marry her. What a fool she’d been.

Feeling lower than the day she’d boarded the stage for the unknown, she glanced at the clock behind Albert’s desk. Twenty minutes had elapsed. How long did it take to walk down to the hotel and back? Surely not this long. Most likely he and Thom had gotten to talking, and he’d lost track of the time. When he was sheriffing, time could stand still.

Exhaustion pulled at every fiber of her being. Her eyelids felt as heavy as horseshoes, and her muscles ached. All she wanted to do was don her well-worn nightgown and crawl into bed and sleep for a week. Then she would forget about Albert and the mess that had descended. The only thought that brought a smidgeon of relief was the boy. Nate was the spitting image of his father.

Agitation moved her to the window. The street was dark, but across the way, lamps were lit in the upstairs windows of the haberdashery and the bakery. Deciding her exhaustion couldn’t be put off another second, she went to Albert’s desk. She pushed a few papers aside until she found a blank sheet. Sitting, she picked up a pencil.

Albert,

I’m sorry, but I couldn’t keep my eyes open a minute longer and had to go home. At this point, I have to say I don’t believe I’ll be able to get over this. I think it’s better and easier for everyone concerned if we call this goodbye.

Once her words started to flow, it was difficult to stop. Was this what she really wanted? There would be no going back.

Please respect my feelings. It will be hard enough living in the same town without going over ground we have already covered. But please know, I will always be your friend, and want what is best for you. If you ever need help with Nate, you can count on me.

Her hand hovered over the spot where she would usually sign, “With deep affection.”

Making a decision, she just signed her name, knowing Albert would notice the absence of her usual affectionate closing and be hurt. She didn’t want to hurt him, but she didn’t know what else to do. He’d injured her beyond repair and she just couldn’t go back to things as they used to be.

She stood, went to the window, and again took in the darkened street. The distance home was very short. There was not wind, or storm, or anything to be frightened of. Tabitha Canterbury’s new bookstore, to the right of the sheriff’s office, was closed, but Tabitha would be upstairs where she lived.

Her decision made, Susanna squared her shoulders and opened the door. She slipped out of the building and had already pulled the door closed when a man came out of the alley and blocked her way. Her heart bounced around painfully in her chest as she pulled up short.

“Whoa, there.”

In the murky darkness, she recognized Dalton’s voice immediately.

He stepped back, giving her plenty of room. He glanced over her shoulder. “What’re you doing in a dark sheriff’s office?” Several seconds of silence passed. “Or shouldn’t I ask?”

She straightened. “I’m alone,” she answered quickly. “Albert was here a little while ago, but had to go out. What are you doing back here? I thought you were dead on your feet and were going to get some much-needed sleep?”

He stepped forward and dropped his voice. “I’m worried about the money. There’s something in the air, and I don’t like it.”

She glanced over to the place he’d appeared from. “In the alley?”

“Anywhere, really. But, now that I’ve had a look around, I’m ready to get back to Frank’s house. Are you going to your place? Let me walk you.”

She was too conflicted to walk with Dalton. Writing that note had been the right thing to do, but it still hurt. “No, thank you, Dalton. I don’t mind walking alone. It’s just over the bridge.”

“Don’t be so prickly. I’m going that way anyway, may as well go together.” He bumped her shoulder with his. “Tomorrow things will look better in the light of day.”

She smiled for the first time in an hour. He’d picked up on her feelings and was trying to lift her spirits. He was right, things always did seem better come daybreak. Amazing, but true. She relented, and they walked together in front of the bookshop, the fresh-cut lumber still scenting the air. “I love this little shop,” she said, glancing in the window. “It adds a certain charm to Main Street that’s been lacking until now. I hope any new buildings constructed from now on will be as cute as this one.”

Dalton glanced down at her, a smile playing around his lips. “I haven’t been inside yet, although I have noticed the nice displays in the window. The woman waves to me when I walk by.”

Susanna laughed. “I hope Tabitha will be able to make a go of it. I don’t know what kind of demand there will be for books in a small town like Logan Meadows.” She was careful to keep her voice low.

“Maybe she has deep pockets,” Dalton offered in all seriousness.

They were directly in front of the store and Susanna shushed him. “Be quiet. She might have her upstairs windows open.”

He chuckled. “What I said isn’t a bad thing. Maybe her parents left her a fortune to play with, so she built her heart’s desire, not caring if it ever turns a profit.”

Before he could make matters worse, Susanna grasped his arm and dragged him forward several steps past any open windows, to the beginning of the bridge. “Stop talking about her,” she scolded. “She may hear you. I don’t like it when others talk about me, so I do my best to keep to my own business.”

He pointed to himself in mock innocence.

Susanna couldn’t stop a little laugh from escaping. It felt good to redirect her thoughts to something completely different than her troubles at hand. She went to the edge of the bridge and looked over, something she hadn’t done in a very long time. The water splashed over a little rocky ledge, then hurried on its way.

Dalton gaped at something in the stream. “Did you see that trout? Where’s my fishing pole when I need it?” He was leaning so far over she feared he might fall in headfirst. She grasped his arm and pulled him back.

“You made that up,” she laughed. “You didn’t see a fish. Trout don’t swim at night.”

“What makes you think that? They don’t have a little house to go home to when the sun goes down, with a small woodstove and comfortable bed.” He turned to face her, tipping up her chin with his finger. His smile faded as he silently gazed into her eyes. Suddenly he looked rather serious. “I like it when you smile like that, Suzie. ’Bout the prettiest thing I’ve ever seen.”

She knew she should put a stop to his flirtations. Gazing up into his earnest eyes, she could almost forget the duplicity she felt from Albert. But instead of telling him they had no chance together, she took two steps back. His hand fell, but he gave her a smile anyway.

Over his shoulder, she spotted Win in the doorway of his livery, a bridle in one hand and a rag in the other. His brows were pulled down as he watched them. Feeling as if she’d been caught doing something wrong, she waved a greeting to Albert’s brother. He nodded and smiled in return.

They turned right off the bridge and walked along until they arrived at her house. “Good night, Dalton. I hope you get the rest you need.” Frank’s house was just a little past Hannah and Thom’s on the opposite side of the street.

“I’ll be as good as new tomorrow, so don’t worry about me. It’s you who has been going nonstop.”

She nodded, her thoughts straying back to Albert—always Albert. Was he all right? He’d said he’d be back. She hoped she hadn’t acted hastily in not waiting for him a little longer. As much as his actions hurt her, she never wanted anything to happen to him.