Chapter Twenty-Seven

Harrison Wesley sat on the wagon seat next to the freighter he’d hired to transport their possessions from the train stop in Waterloo to their destination in Y Knot. A second wagon followed, loaded with the belongings the judge had collected throughout his life. Approaching the east end of town, they would enter Y Knot and pass the Biscuit Barrel, then travel down Main Street to the sheriff’s office where he’d meet up with Justin.

Seated on the bench behind his, Carlie could hardly contain her excitement. She’d been a chatterbox the entire journey, first on the train and then again during the wagon ride. Her questions might be many, but they were intelligent, and he wondered where she’d learned so much. She was a joy, and he’d never tire of answering her animated queries or hearing her soft voice.

“Are we almost there, Harrison?” Pauline whined. “My bottom has taken a beating. The journey in this dilapidated buckboard has ruined my health. At least the seats in the train had padding, albeit cracker thin. I don’t think I have the strength to climb down.”

When she moaned loudly, the freighter next to him scowled and snapped the lines.

He was probably more than ready to be rid of the faultfinder. His sister-in-law was the exact opposite of Carlie. Where his daughter was cheerful and excited for the move, Pauline was dour and walked around with a scowl. She’d cried the whole week before they’d left Denver. A scowl was frozen onto her lips for the majority of the trip, which in return had kept his gut in a knot.

Did any possibility exist that here in Y Knot she might meet a nice fella and fall in love, move out, and leave him and Carlie in peace? She wasn’t that old. The thought had merit, but the gent would be a country fellow, a cowboy, or a miner. With those choices and her fussiness, Harrison didn’t see a marriage happening.

Mr. Simpson, nailing a flyer to the mercantile post, caught his eye. With a big, toothy smile, the elderly, hard-of-hearing clerk lifted a large hand in hello. Harrison smiled and waved back. Nearby, Mr. Lichtenstein was deep in discussion with Chance Holcomb. Old Mr. Herrick, the leather shop owner, sat in a rocking chair outside his front door, a blanket folded over his lap. Harrison was surprised at how much the man had aged since his trip last May, but that was understandable with the horrible winter they’d suffered. Trent came out of the building and handed his father a cup, laying a hand on the back of his chair. Yes, this was a good town. Moving here was the right thing to do.

“Papa, look!” Carlie screeched, pointing at Mr. Tracy, the telegraph operator. “He’s so tiny. Why is he so short?”

Turning, Harrison caught Pauline as she pushed Carlie’s arm down before Mr. Tracy saw his daughter pointing. Harrison didn’t think the man had heard her innocent question over the rumbling of their wagon wheels and the buckboard behind.

Tracy did look up, a handful of mail in his palm. He smiled and waved. “Heard ya was moving to Y Knot, but I didn’t believe my ears,” he called out in a loud voice. “Welcome ta town! You’ve arrived just in time. We’re in a predicament and need your help.”

What did that mean?

The man’s eyes went wide when he spotted Pauline.

Everyone knew Harrison had lost his second wife and that he was again a widower.

The telegraph operator nodded politely.

Pauline’s indignant huff reached Harrison’s ears, and he didn’t have to turn to know what she looked like. “Thanks, Tracy,” he called. “I have to say being back sure feels good. Especially since I won’t be riding out tomorrow. A new experience for me!”

The wagon had reached the telegraph operator and was now moving past.

“Don’t count your chickens…”

Confused, Harrison tipped his head. “I’m just one of the regular folk now,” he called back. With a target on my back. He drummed his fingers on the edge of the wagon. No. He’d not let morbid thoughts ruin his new life. Months would pass before anyone from his past cases would hear that he’d moved away. He had plenty of time before he had to worry. “I’m retired.”

The small man’s wide grin made him chuckle.

Harrison put an elbow on the back of the seat and turned to Pauline. “I think you have an admirer.”

“Oh, please. That just tickles your fancy, doesn’t it? You like to see me miserable.”

His smile faded. “That’s not true.”

Carlie looked up. “Who, Papa? That funny little man?”

Harrison chomped down on his bottom lip. He’d have to have a talk with his daughter and point out a few things. “Never you mind, sweetness. This is our new home.” Where you’ll be safe, and life will be uncomplicated. Getting lost in the slowness will feel good.

The air was sweet and clean, quite a difference from Denver. Harrison took a deep breath, holding the air in his lungs for several seconds. Moving to Y Knot would not only be good for him but Carlie and Justin as well. Maybe even Pauline. Today was the first day of the rest of their lives.

“Pa!” Justin hurried from the jail.

He must have heard them coming. The freighter behind called to his animals as he parked his rig behind the lead.

“Good to see you, son.” Harrison jumped down and embraced his boy, feeling a deep, abiding love surge between them. Justin felt good and hearty in his arms, and by the expression on his face, his son was genuinely happy. They stepped back, identical smiles between them.

“You’ve arrived early. I didn’t expect you until suppertime.”

Harrison glanced at the drivers. “They could feel my need.” He reached up and easily lifted Carlie from the back of the wagon. Extending a hand to Pauline, he helped his sister-in-law to the street, ignoring her pinched face.

“Good to see you, Aunt Pauline,” Justin said, kissing her cheek. “I hope your trip was pleasant. You’ll like Y Knot. I’m sure life will be slower than you’re used to, but the quiet grows on you.”

Harrison gauged the interchange between his son and his sour sister-in-law. He hadn’t wanted to put a damper on their arrival, so he’d kept Pauline’s reticence about the move a secret.

“Yes, I’m sure I will,” she had the decency to say. She patted her shiny forehead with her hankie.

Carlie bounded up and down on her toes. “Justin! Justin!”

“There you are, little mouse.” He picked her up and twirled around, the skirt of her prairie dress billowing out. “I thought you decided not to come and stayed in Denver,” he teased. Setting her back on her feet, he gave her a good long look and then glanced at Harrison. “What have you been feeding my sister? Carlie’s grown a whole foot since I saw her last.” He rubbed his hand over his jaw, his brows bunched. “Whatever the mash, I’ll sell it to the McCutcheons and Chance Holcomb to feed to their cattle. I’ll make a fortune.”

“You’re teasing me, Justin,” Carlie sang with happiness. “I only eat people food.”

He nodded. “Really? Say, how about before taking this stuff out to the house and unloading, we walk down to the Biscuit Barrel and get something good to eat? You must be hungry. I wouldn’t want Carlie to stop growing. My treat.” For a moment, his smile faded. “And, Pa, Luke McCutcheon has some trouble, but we can talk about that after you get a hearty meal, and not a moment before.”

Harrison’s intuition said maybe he had indeed arrived at the correct time as they ambled toward the Biscuit Barrel. He’d taken this walk to the café a hundred times, if not one. But today was different. A sense of wonder lifted his chest as he held Carlie’s warm hand in his own.

In front of them, Justin pointed out the businesses to Pauline.

Harrison wondered if Justin noticed his aunt barely responded to his observations. The warm air felt good. The blue sky, filled with puffy white clouds, reminded him of the ice cream social at Denver’s National Bank where he’d taken Agnes on their first outing.

He pushed away his hurt. This was their new beginning. His new beginning. From this day forward, he wouldn’t look back. Only forward.

“That you, Judge Wesley?” a tottery voice called. Old Mr. Herrick made to stand.

Harrison released Carlie’s fingers and rushed forward, gently setting his hand on the man’s shoulder to ease him back into his chair. “You’re absolutely correct. Harrison Wesley, at your service.” He hunkered down to chair level, and the leather shop owner’s eyes brightened in his wizened, timeworn face. They’d shared some good times over the years, sitting in his shop by the woodstove, drinking coffee and sharing conversation. Even out here in the fresh air, Harrison imagined the leathery scent bringing a smile to his lips. This dear friend wouldn’t be around much longer.

“Well, I’ll be.” Mr. Herrick looked around and just now caught sight of the others. “That boy of yours is sure helpful ta me. Ya should be proud. Followin’ in his ol’ man’s tracks.”

Harrison cut a quick glance to Justin, who stood there smiling. Herrick was right, he couldn’t be prouder of his son if he tried.

“And who’s this sweet young thin’?”

Harrison looked at Carlie, but when she didn’t move or step forward and a disgusted look appeared on Pauline’s face, he glanced back at Mr. Herrick to see him casting a sparsely toothed, come-hither grin at his sister-in-law. Seemed she’d have all the attention she wanted here in Y Knot.

“What’s her name, Harrison? Or are you keepin’ her all to yerself?”

Behind him Justin chuckled.

He reached back and took his sister-in-law’s hand, slowly bringing her forward. “This is my beautiful sister-in-law, Pauline. She’s moving to Y Knot with us.”

“Well, I’ll be,” Mr. Herrick said again, a sense of wonder filling his voice. “She married?”

“Nope.”

“I never expected this. All the mail-order brides that show up in Y Knot are far too young for me. This one looks more my style.”