An Unexpected Treasure (Hero Hearts; Marrying A Marshall Book 1) Page 3

  Chapter 4

  It had been a week since she started working at the restaurant for Margie. Despite Andy’s insistence that she’d do best in the kitchen, Margie had put her on serving duty, saying that she had a way with people. Louise took that as a compliment and found that she enjoyed the work, even if there was a lot to learn.

  Then, there was Andy. She’d thought that once she had the job, that would be the end of seeing the handsome deputy marshal. That had been a good thing, she’d thought, but then she’d come out to the dining room one morning, and there he sat, his back to her with a newspaper extended in front of him. Only later did she realize that he came to the restaurant every morning without fail for breakfast and many nights for supper as well.

  She’d had mixed emotions about this news. He was kind, so much so that it surprised her. She’d assumed he’d be hardened by his job, but it was the opposite. He was kind and gentle, always with an uplifting word to share with anyone he came in contact with.

  But he was also a distraction. When he was in the room, she forgot orders, dropped things, and found her gaze traveling to his corner of the room more frequently than she’d like.

  Her notice was foolish. He was arrogant, a jokester, and too good-looking for his own good, but yet he was kind, caring, and observant. A mixture of infuriating and wonderful that complicated her thinking more than she’d like to admit.

  Shaking off thoughts of the marshal who, thankfully, hadn’t come in that night, she finished serving her last table and then checked in with Margie to make sure she knew what time to come back the next day. Having her schedule reaffirmed, Louise checked the time as she walked into the parlor of the hotel, which was attached to the restaurant. It was late, but she thought if she hurried she would have time to make it to the general store.

  With her first week’s wages in her pocket, she could finally put in an order for a new dress inclusive with a few aprons. If she were going to stay here, and continue on in her job, it would become a necessity. She’d also have enough to pay for her hotel room through the rest of the month and a little left over to save. She wasn’t sure what she would do long term, but she liked the area and considered staying if she could find a more permanent place to live.

  The night air was chilly, swirling around her as she stepped away from the hotel’s front doors. It was dusk, the shadows growing long, and she picked up her pace toward the store. The sound of something behind her caused her to stop and look back. There were only a few others out at this time, the bawdy songs from the saloon permeating the air from down the street and setting the scene for a loud evening. She didn’t see anything out of the ordinary but picked up her pace anyway.

  The scent of cooling earth rose up to meet her, and she tried to take a calming breath. The feeling that she was being followed didn’t leave her, and she tried to move even more quickly to reach the relative safety of the light from the general store as well as the elderly shopkeeper. She’d had to visit him once before on an errand for Margie, and he’d seemed a nice enough fellow.

  When her hand clasped the cool door knob, she let out a relieved breath and slipped inside. Placing her order took less time than she’d thought it would, and soon she had one apron, wrapped in brown paper, and a small sack of sweets for one of the other waitress’s children. Wishing the shopkeeper a good night, she stepped outside and the air rushed from her lungs.

  It was dark. Very dark. She hadn’t accounted for what she’d do after her errand was through, only focused on getting to the shop. She stood still, searching the night for any sign of movement. Gone were the few townspeople from before, and now all she could see were empty streets and ominous shadows.

  Closing her eyes for a moment, she sent up a prayer of fortification. She would be fine. The hotel wasn’t far, and she would—no doubt—make it there quickly and be safely inside before her fears could even manifest. At least that’s what she hoped.

  She picked up the hem of her skirt and, with the force of a woman who’d made up her mind, turned to head toward the hotel. The next moment she slammed against a solid wall of muscle. Fear coursed through her, and she let out a yelp, pounding her fists against the mass.

  “Hey there,” came a familiar voice. Her fists paused midair. “Did I startle you?”

  She looked up into the kind, blue eyes of Andy, a half grin on his handsome face.

  “You did,” she admitted, hoping it hadn’t looked like too much of an overreaction.

  “You’re out late, aren’t you?”

  She bristled at this. “I had no choice. I work during normal business hours.”

  “Of course, my apologies.” He looked genuinely apologetic, and she felt her defensives lowering.

  “It’s all right. I suppose I’m a little jumpy.”

  “Why’s that?” he asked. In the dim light from the store she could see honest concern lacing the rugged lines of his face.

  “I—” She paused, unsure if she wanted to admit the uneasy feeling she’d had coming to the shop earlier. It was foolishness…wasn’t it?

  “Louise,” he said, his gaze softening even more, “what’s wrong? Tell me.”

  The moment felt so intimate to her. Him towering above her in the semi darkness and her fear leading the way. She couldn’t seem to hold on to the usual frustration she had for him in the absence of his sarcastic humor.

  “It felt like someone was following me earlier.”

  “Really.” It was a statement, not a question. His concern morphed into something hard, and he immediately looked around into the darkness of the night though she knew he couldn’t see anything.

  “I’m sure it’s just my overactive imagination,” she said, trying to make light of it now that her feelings were out in the open and unfounded, but he didn’t seem to hear her.

  “I’m going to walk you back,” he said, his hand going to cup her elbow protectively. “I’m glad I happened by tonight.”

  “I’m sure it was nothing.”

  He paused, his gaze moving from looking around them to diving deep into her eyes. “This town isn’t safe for single women like yourself.”

  His words made her blood run cold.

  “I should have told you that with more conviction before I suggested you work at the restaurant.” He looked as if the admission pained him.

  “I’m not so naive as to need you to tell me the West isn’t safe for a single woman like myself.” She softened her words with a small smile. “But thank you anyway.”

  He merely dipped his head, a muscle twitching in his jaw, and guided her off the boardwalk toward the hotel. His head was on a swivel as it went from left to right then back again. They were almost to the pool of light cast by the hotel’s front window when a shuffling sound caught her attention.

  Andy must have heard it too because, in one swift motion, he propelled her toward the door with one word, “Go.” Then, before she knew what was happening, he surged into the darkness. Then she heard a loud cry.

  * * *

  Andy’s fist connected with a man’s jaw, and he yelped in pain, sinking to the ground on his knees. “If you would have come peacefully, that wouldn’t have been necessary.” He pulled the man up by the back of his collar and hauled him toward the front of the hotel.

  He was thankful to see that Louise had gone inside to safety, but his teeth ground together at the thought that she could have walked into a trap by herself. He forced the thoughts of what could have happened from his mind and focused his energy on bringing the man inside.

  “I’m going to need to commandeer the sitting area for a little while. Marshal business.” He flashed his badge, and the clerk behind the desk looked back at him with wide eyes.

  “Ye-ye-yes sir,” the boy said, jumping up.

  “It’s all right. Just stay there.” He held up a hand, and the young man sank back into his chair, nodding wordlessly.

  Louise was at his side the next instant. “What is going on?”

  “In the parl
or,” he said without another word.

  She seemed to understand his desire for discretion and followed soundlessly next to him. The man groaned as he was pushed forward but didn’t say anything.

  Andy unceremoniously shoved him into a chair and eyed him with a piercing stare. “Who are you and why were you waiting for Miss Settelmeyer?”

  The man blinked slowly, as if processing his question. “Miss—who’s that?”

  “Miss Settelmeyer. Her,” he said, jerking a finger over his shoulder to where Louise said.

  “Ah, right, the lady.”

  “Well?” Andy said, leaning forward with as much menace as he could muster.

  “All right, all right,” the man said, holding up his hands. “I was told to get her. That she had something important.”

  “Who told you this? And what is it that she’s supposed to have?”

  “I don’t know, you’ve gotta believe me.”

  “I don’t,” he said, standing up and putting his hands on his hips. “What were you planning to do?”

  “I was just supposed to take her to the edge of town and meet up with someone. They were gonna pay me. That’s all I know. I swear!”

  Andy narrowed his gaze at the man. It did look like he was telling the truth now, but that didn’t help him. Why would someone be after Louise? Was it something from her past? That didn’t seem right. Who would come all the way to the West to get to her?

  “Can I go now?” The man had the gall to look back at Andy as if he’d done nothing wrong. Then again, Andy had stopped him before any crime had been committed. Still, he had admitted to intent, and that had to count for something.

  “No, you can’t. You’re going to spend a night in jail to think about what you’ve done. And to perhaps remind you that next time you’re faced with the temptation to kidnap an innocent woman, you won’t.” As he said it, an idea came to mind.

  “But—”

  “I’d stop right there unless you’d like me to extend the night to a week.”

  The man shut his mouth, and Andy nodded. Pulling out his handcuffs, he attached the man to the chair, told him to stay put, and directed Louise to follow him outside of the room.

  “What is it?” she asked, sending one last cautious glance toward the man in the room.

  Before he could respond, he called out to the man behind the desk. “Go get Deputy Marshal Simon Brown. Tell him it’s urgent.”

  The young man nodded raced out the door as Andy turned back to Louise. “I’ll wait until Simon gets here, but I’ve got to go. Why don’t you head back to your room and make sure the doors and windows are locked. Don’t open the door for anyone tonight, you hear me?”

  “But where are you going?”

  He thought about telling her of his plan to impersonate the criminal and meet whoever it was he’d struck a deal with, but he didn’t want to worry her. “Never you mind. Just get on back to your room and promise me you won’t open the door. No matter what.”

  She looked up at him, her eyes searching his face, then a light dawned. “You’re going to meet the man he said hired him.”

  He blinked. She was quick, that was certain. “Never you mind,” he repeated. “Just go on.”

  Her eyes held his gaze, and he felt something, some type of emotion, course between them, then it was gone as she pulled away and headed toward her room. He didn’t have time to contemplate what had happened, but he would be sure to later.

  Instead, he had to find out who it was that wanted Louise and why they were willing to go to the trouble of kidnapping her.

  Chapter 5

  Louise had paced her small room for half the night. From the corner by the wash basin to the other corner by the foot of the bed. Back and forth, the floorboards creaking with her shifting weight. She was certain whoever had the room below her had to be going mad, but she didn’t care. She couldn’t seem to sit still thinking of Andy out there alone in the darkness pretending to be a killer.

  No, she was being dramatic. There was no evidence the man was a killer, merely a kidnapper. As if that were much better.

  She shivered now even as the morning light streamed through her window. She tugged the shawl closer about her shoulders and wondered if Andy would show up for breakfast like normal. If he didn’t, she wasn’t sure what she would do. She had to know if he was all right.

  But why? Wasn’t it his job to protect the town? Protect the innocent like her? But it was more than that. He had put himself in harm’s way for her—or so it felt—and she felt somehow responsible.

  That was foolish, of course, she hadn’t asked to be kidnapped, and she had no idea who would want to do that to her, but somehow she still felt responsible for Andy’s life being in danger.

  Why would someone be after her? It wasn’t like she had much money for someone to be after. In fact, she hardly had anything that anyone would want. She was merely a woman alone in the West and—

  She sat up straight, the chair creaking beneath her. That had to be it. They were after her because she was a woman and single. She suppressed another shudder. She’d heard terrible rumors of women coming to the West and never reaching their intended destination or, worse yet, arriving only to find that they had been conned into something much worse. Sure, she’d faced something similar, but it hadn’t sounded like Robert Jeffers, though a criminal, had wanted anything other than a wife—thankfully.

  Did someone know she was here alone now? Were they after her? That seemed ridiculous, but without any other explication she didn’t know what to think.

  After checking her small pocket watch, she finished getting ready and reached out a shaky hand to the door. She’d kept her word to Andy and not opened the door all night. But now it was light outside, and even though she was scared, she couldn’t help herself from going out of her room.

  She wasn’t someone to live her life afraid, and with a deep breath and a prayer for safety, she thrust the door open and made her way to the restaurant.

  “Goodness me,” Margie said, as she came to the kitchen to put on her apron and pick up her first order. “Heard about last night. You need to take the morning off, darlin’?”

  Louise appreciated the woman’s kindness but shook her head. “I’m fine. Thank you.”

  “Anything you need, just holler. I’ve let Joey know to keep an eye out for you today. Don’t you worry, we’ve got you covered.”

  Warmth at their kindness washed over Louise, and she thanked them both. Joey, the overweight and jovial chef, didn’t look like he’d be much of a threat to anyone coming after her, but she supposed his size would deter many. She just prayed it wouldn’t come to that.

  As she carried a tray full of steaming biscuits to the main room, she nearly missed a step when her gaze met with Andy’s. He sat in his usual spot at the back corner of the room, but he looked tired, like he hadn’t slept much. She assumed that was probably true.

  After dropping off the biscuits, she came toward his table, picking up a coffee pot on the way. “Coffee, Marshal?”

  “Please.” His voice was raspy.

  “Are you—?” she began, then stopped. What could she ask? If his mission went well? But what was a good outcome? She’d think him not meeting up with criminals would be good, but he would probably argue that would be the best outcome.

  “I didn’t catch him.” He ground the words out, and she saw disappointment and frustration reflected on his face.

  “I’m sorry,” she said, though part of her was glad. Whoever they were, these men seemed dangerous.

  “Any chance I could talk to you after your shift?”

  His request startled her, but she found herself willing to accept immediately. “Yes. Of course.”

  “I’ll come by when you’re off then. Until then, please be careful.”

  Unsure of what else to say, she nodded and turned back to the kitchen, berating herself. She shouldn’t want to see him again. She shouldn’t be happy at the fact that there was a reason they could meet
and talk. She also shouldn’t allow his obvious care for her wellbeing affect her. He was doing his job as a marshal, that was all.

  Even still, a small smile slipped onto her face at the thought of seeing Deputy Marshal Andy Fulton after her shift was over.

  * * *

  Andy needed to know what the threat was against Louise, or he’d never sleep again. He’d gone to pretend to be the kidnapper only to find that the meeting place was empty. He’d waited three quarters of an hour to no avail and then come back to spend the rest of his night stationed outside of the hotel with a clear view of Louise’s second-story window.

  When the cold, gray fingers of dawn stretched across the horizon, he’d given up and gone to catch a few hours of sleep at the marshal’s office. It explained the crook in his neck, but his sour attitude came from a deeper place. From the core of his being that wanted to protect Louise no matter the cost to him. He’d sacrifice sleep, and anything else, if that meant she was safe.

  He rubbed the back of his neck as he paced to the other side of the office. He’d come back after breakfast, knowing that he couldn’t do anything else until Louise was done for the day. He’d tried questioning the man again but got much of the same answer. At least he was consistent.

  But what was this overwhelming feeling? It was so foreign to him.

  “There you are,” his brother said, coming in from the street and tapping his hat against his thigh to get off some of the dust caused by a fast ride into town. His brother didn’t do anything slow.

  “You’ve been looking for me?”

  “After I found you asleep on the cot, I thought I’d get an update on what kept you out most of the night, but you were gone by the time I came back.”

  “Wanted some breakfast.”

  His brother’s eyes narrowed. “And?”

  “And what?”