Chapter Four
Josephine grumbled as she walked along the tree line just a couple of yards from the road. Her feet hurt and her head throbbed. She didn’t have much of an appetite earlier that morning and was only too happy to leave Jed alone in the kitchen while she pretended to have other things to do. Now her stomach growled in protest and her eyes burned from lack of sleep, having spent the entire night staring at the door.
She couldn’t stay at the house any longer and decided to leave while Jed tended to the few cows he owned. She could go into town and confide in Mrs. Clancy, but the image of Jed pointing a gun at the woman was forever burned in her memory.
The closest town was Marshall’s Creek. Once there she’d be able to gather her wits and come up with a decent plan on what to do next. The only people she knew on a name by name basis there were Mr. and Mrs. Snodgrass and their daughter, Lily. They owned the local mercantile. She could ask for a job. All she’d have to do was earn enough money to purchase a train ticket far away from this mess.
Not paying attention to where she was going, Josephine took a step, tripped on a raised root, and fell flat on her face. She laid there for a few seconds feeling sorry for herself. If she had a horse she’d be in Marshall’s Creek by now, but Jed owned only one horse.
He had offered his home as long as she cooked and cleaned for him and did certain things with him in bed. Just the thought of his gnarly hands roaming over her body made her want to hurl.
A bird shrieked overhead, startling her from her musings. She scrambled quickly to her feet and ducked behind a tree. Her heart beat loudly in her ears. Had he come back to the house and found her gone? A rustle sounded and she held her breath, only to let it out in relief when a rabbit bounded into the brush. Her stomach growled again and she pushed onward.
Josephine swiped angrily at a low hanging branch. Hopefully, Marshall’s Creek had something to offer. Aunt Hedy used to shop there once or twice a year for some fabric and bulk food goods. If Mr. Snodgrass didn’t have work, then she’d have to find another way to make some money.
* * *
Marshall’s Creek buzzed with people chatting and hurrying to their destinations. Josephine had taken one of Jed’s old hats and tugged it low upon her forehead. His pants and shirt hung somewhat loose on her body, but a dress would have hampered her journey. With nimble steps and trying to act casual, she approached the mercantile and went inside.
The place hadn’t changed all that much. Her gaze zeroed in on the counter in front of the store and she smiled. Her favorite licorice was displayed in a clear decanter. Aunt Hedy would always make sure she got at least one piece before they ventured home. Jed would complain that candy was a waste of money so Josephine would hide the treat in her dress pocket and enjoy it when she was alone.
The pleasant aroma of cinnamon and other spices drew her attention to the variety of baskets filled with mouthwatering treats. She passed a barrel of pickles and her stomach protested loudly. A nice big ham sandwich with a huge pickle would do nicely right about now. It’d be too difficult to swipe a pickle since the barrel was covered, but the red apples arranged so neatly in a basket shouldn’t be a problem. She’d only take two. One for now and one for later. On a whim, she double-checked both pockets and came up empty. She’d never stolen a thing in her life and she did her best to ignore the rush of guilt that washed over her.
Josephine subtly studied her surroundings. A pretty young brunette was talking to Mr. Snodgrass. Other than that the store was empty of customers. She noticed the storekeeper had gained a few pounds over the years and was nearly bald. Her gaze shifted back to the woman with the long hair, holding a pale blue ribbon in her hand.
“These ribbons are simply gorgeous, Mr. Snodgrass. Do you have any in yellow?”
While the two were busy searching through the box, Josephine moved closer to the counter and spotted some loose coins. Her hands itched. Could she do it? Take the money and run? Lordy, Aunt Hedy must be rolling in her grave. She swallowed hard. She could take the money and make it her agenda to pay it back.
Taking comfort with her decision, she ran her hand over the counter and tucked the coins in her pocket. It wasn’t much. Dear heavens. It didn’t matter the amount. Stealing was stealing, for heaven’s sake.
Josephine closed her eyes and took a deep breath. If she didn’t eat something soon she’d pass out and all this sneaking around would be for naught.
* * *
Stale perfume made Logan’s nostrils twitch. Fingernails scraped lightly across the back of his neck. “Red, if you make me lose this hand, I’ll spank you.”
“Hmm, sounds like fun.”
The other player threw his cards on the table. “Aw, hell, my Mabel’s gonna kill me.”
Logan chuckled as he pocketed the winnings, meager as they were. “Lonny, I just moseyed on in for a beer.” He flashed a grin. “You’re the one who wanted to play cards.”
Lonny downed a whiskey, coughed, and then said, “Give me another shot at winning my cash back, Logan, all or nothing.”
Logan was feeling lucky, but he wagged his head. “You better pack it in, Lonny. If I know Mabel she’s probably waitin’ on the porch with a broom in hand. Tell you what, I’ll buy you a drink before you head home. Maybe when she flattens your head it won’t hurt as much then.”
“Don’t remind me.”
Logan pushed back his chair, but Red plopped herself in his lap and wrapped her arms around his neck. “I was just about to go upstairs and take a nap. Care to join me, cowboy?”
Logan unhooked her arms from his neck. “Not right now, sugar.” He shook his head adamantly. “No pouting. Perhaps another time. Up you go.” He turned her sideways and smacked her ample ass. “Be a good girl and get two whiskeys, hmm?”
Disappointment creased her brow, but she did what she was told. She came back and set the drinks on the table. Lonny wasted no time in downing his. He belched, plopped on his worn old hat, and hobbled out the door.
The bartender tossed a hand towel over one shoulder. “Hey, Logan, I got the feeling that broom’s gonna get shoved where the sun don’t shine.”
Logan chuckled. He tossed Red a wink and left the saloon.
Logan passed a couple of ladies along the way to the mercantile. They smiled, he nodded. Even though Ella was now fully grown, it didn’t stop some of the women from vying for his attention.
Ella should be at the store by now. He thought about the argument they had on their way to town. He shouldn’t have been so hard on her. Just because he had a sour opinion about love didn’t mean her opinion was wrong.
Her eyes fairly lit up whenever she spoke of the sheriff. His sister would soon be a married woman. Where had all those years gone? After their parents died it’d been up to him to protect her and see that she knew right from wrong. He was ten years her senior and at the age of eighteen the responsibility of taking care of an eight-year-old girl scared him to death.
And now, at eighteen she had grown into a beautiful young woman.
Before Brody came to Marshall’s Creek he’d had a tough time keeping potential suitors at bay. In his mind no man would ever be good enough for his little sister. He also wasn’t going to make the decision for her.
Logan bucked tradition and allowed her the freedom to select the man she loved. It was to his surprise when she chose the new town sheriff.
He explained that marrying a lawman was dangerous, but his plea had fallen on deaf ears. Plenty of times he’d been tempted to put her across his knee and spank some sense into her, but Ella had a mind of her own and a stubborn streak a mile wide. He admired her tenacity and when Brody had come to him and asked his permission to court Ella, he caved.
Logan rubbed the back of his neck as he waited for a wagon to pass before crossing the street. Perhaps it was time to let go. He had to learn not to be such a grouch when it came to romance.
Feeling light of heart, he sprang up the steps leading to the mercantile and reached for the doorknob.
* * *
Josephine carefully made her way to the basket of apples. Mr. Snodgrass glanced her way and she smiled. When he turned his attention to the box of ribbons once again, she took a step back and bumped right into the stand that held the basket of apples. The barrel toppled to the floor, sending apples rolling in all directions.
“Hey, you there, what do you think you’re doing?”
Blazes, she’d been caught red-handed.
Josephine snatched up two apples, shoved them inside her shirt and, like greased lightning, made a mad dash for the door.
* * *
Logan heard a shout and stopped dead in his tracks. “What the…”
A blur of brown burst through the door and slammed into him, sending him clear over the steps and onto the dirt-packed road with such a jolt his teeth hurt.
Dust billowed around him and stung his eyes. He blinked rapidly, but whoever or whatever had landed on top of him was still a blur. As the dust began to settle he was able to make out a dirty face and big blue eyes.
Knocked for a loop, he shook his head, trying to gain his senses. A bony knee to the groin had him seeing stars.
“Aw, goddammit!” It felt as if his cock had been shoved between his ass cheeks.
“For Pete’s sake, Logan, why’d you let that kid get away?”
“Mr. Snodgrass, can’t you see my brother’s hurt?” The soft pat to his cheek that accompanied those words couldn’t have come from Mr. Snodgrass’s meaty palm. “Logan, are you okay?”
“No, Ella, I’m not okay.” Whoever plowed him over would pay and pay dearly.
“Well, aren’t you going after him?” Mr. Snodgrass demanded.
Logan rolled to a sitting position and propped his arms on his knees. “Cripes, man, will you give me a minute here.”
Ella handed him his hat while Mr. Snodgrass snorted and stomped back inside the store.
“Don’t get all excited, Mr. Snodgrass,” Ella shouted.
Logan stood up and dusted himself off. “Ella, stop shouting in the street and get Brody.” He slapped his hat against his thigh before he plunked it on his head.
“But Logan, all I saw was a puny kid. Can’t we look for him first and find out what’s going on?” She had her hands planted on her hips and a spark in her eyes.
Logan groaned. For a moment he deeply regretted stalling the wedding this long. “Ella, it’s not our decision to make. Now get Brody before I forget that you’re an engaged woman and paddle you right here, right now.” He grunted in approval when she took off like a shot to do his bidding.
Mr. Snodgrass appeared at the top step and pointed one pudgy finger in the opposite direction. “That—that thief took some coins too. There he goes with my money and my apples.” He threw his chubby arms up in the air. “My store is ruined.”
Logan turned in said direction. Sure enough, the kid had a giddy-up in his step. “Relax, Mr. Snodgrass. He won’t get far without a horse.” Logan straightened to his full height. Damn, his groin hurt. “I’ll get him.” He’d get him all right and when he did, he owed that kid a whipping.
With that pleasant thought in mind, Logan took off at an easy lope and in no time had the kid pinned firmly on the ground.