Whispering Pines Read online

  Jack’s smile turned into a frown. “Just how long am I supposed to stay in this position?” He wasn’t a man to stay abed, especially when he had criminals on the loose.

  “Stay put for another hour, and we will go from there.” She placed her hand on his forehead and relief swept over her when she realized he no longer had a fever. She poured some water in a cup and held his head while he took a sip.

  Jack saw the leather pouch on his chest. “What’s this?”

  “I had Webb fetch Joseph when your fever got too high. I thought his skills might be needed.”

  “What’d he do?”

  “He put those herbs on you and said his prayers.”

  Jack picked up the pouch and twirled it between his fingers. “Hmm. What’s in here?”

  “My guess would be sweetgrass, cedar, and white sage. Joseph says it cleanses the wearer.”

  “It must have worked. But my guess is, you were probably doing your share of praying.” He saw her Bible on the chair, and he knew Granny well enough to know she was bending the Good Lord’s ear on his behalf.

  “We always need His help,” Granny replied.

  Granny held the cup to his lips again, and Jack said, “I think whiskey would be better.” His shoulder hurt, but he wasn’t going to admit that to her.

  “I reckon you’re due. When Webb returns I’ll have him fetch some.” Granny wasn’t opposed to spirits when the occasion warranted. After what she’d put him through, the least she could do was allow him a little whiskey.

  “I knew I loved you, Granny. Would you marry me?”

  “Hmmm. You need to get married, and if I were fifty years younger I might be of a mind. As it is, I think you might want to court my granddaughter when she arrives. She’s more your age.”

  Jack had forgotten one of her granddaughters was coming home. “Which granddaughter is coming home?”

  “Rose, she’s the baby. Do you remember her?”

  “Yes, ma’am. Prettiest girl I ever saw.” Jack had only seen her granddaughters a couple of times. He’d just become the sheriff of Whispering Pines a few months before the three girls moved East.

  “She’s all grown-up now. But I don’t think Rose is the one for you. She will make a good match for Morgan. Addie is the one to suit you, and she’ll be home in a few months.”

  Jack chuckled. “You sure Morgan is ready to get hitched?”

  Arching her eyebrow at him, she questioned, “Are you?”

  “I’m probably a mite more inclined than Morgan. All he thinks about is that ranch, but he did tell me he would like to have some sons.”

  “I’ve yet to see the man who thought he was ready to wed, but mark my words, when Morgan takes one look at Rose, he’ll change his mind quick enough. Men will be lining up to court her.”

  “I didn’t think you’d seen your granddaughters in a long time. How do you know she’ll be such a looker?”

  “Rose looked just like my mother when she was a girl. My mother was known for her beauty, and Rose is her spitting image.”

  Jack smiled at her. “You must have taken after your ma. You’re a beauty, Granny. I bet you had more men than Preacher chasing after you.” He wasn’t teasing. For her age, she was still a handsome woman.

  Granny found herself blushing from his compliment. “Hush now. You need to save your energy.”

  “Tell me about Addie.”

  “She’s a school teacher, and now she’s teaching orphans. She has a heart for children, so if it’s children you want, Addie is of the same mind. I’m sure you understand how important it is to those orphans to have people who care about them.” Granny knew Jack had lived in an orphanage when he was a boy. She didn’t wait for an answer; she continued to tell Jack stories about her granddaughters when they were young girls, until he drifted off to sleep. Seeing he was sleeping comfortably, Granny closed her eyes, gave a word of thanks to God for answering her prayers, and fell asleep.

  Hearing the creak of the door as it opened, Jack’s eyes snapped open, and he automatically reached for the nonexistent pistol at his side.

  Not realizing it was the deputy returning, Granny jumped out of her chair and grabbed Jack’s pistol, which she’d placed on the table, and pointed it at the door. Thankfully, she came to her senses and didn’t fire the weapon. “Deputy, you scared the daylights out of us.”

  Webb was stunned to see Granny holding a pistol. “Sorry.” He looked at Jack. “How are you feeling, Sheriff?”

  It took Jack a minute to get over the shock of seeing Granny grab his pistol and point it at the door. “Not bad.”

  “I saw the clerk from the telegraph office outside and he gave me this telegram for you.” He handed the piece of paper to Jack.

  “Thanks, Webb.” Jack scanned the contents. He looked at Granny, his expression somber. “I’m afraid I have bad news.”

  “Is it Morgan?” Granny had tried to talk Morgan out of going after Frank. She was as worried about Frank shooting Morgan as she was about the reason Morgan was adamant about hunting him down.

  “It’s from Hank Murphy. There was a stagecoach accident and your granddaughter was hurt.”

  Granny felt her knees go weak, but Webb grabbed her before she hit the floor.

  “Put her in that chair, Webb.” Jack felt like a fool for blurting out the contents of the telegram like he did.

  “She’s hurt, Granny, she’s not dead,” Jack emphasized. “And Morgan is with her.”

  Granny gripped the back of the ladder-back chair for support as Webb poured her a cup of water. After she composed herself, her first thought was it had to be a mistake. “Hank must be mistaken. What would Morgan be doing with Rose? He went after Frank.”

  Jack glanced down at the piece of paper. “Here’s what it says: ‘Stagecoach accident, Rose Langtry injured. Morgan with her. Frank and gang escaped. Will be back at Barnett’s station in a few days. Will telegraph then. Hank Murphy.’”

  Jack tried to read between the lines. From the way the telegram sounded, Morgan and his men had caught up with Frank and his gang. But how Rose Langtry came to be with them didn’t make sense. He glanced back at Granny’s pale, frightened face. “Webb, would you go get us a bottle of whiskey? There’s one in the bottom drawer of my desk in the office.”

  When Webb left to walk next door to the jail, Jack said, “Let’s not get ahead of ourselves. Maybe Morgan happened on the stagecoach accident. The important thing is, he is with your granddaughter. He will see to it that she receives proper care. She couldn’t be in better hands.”

  “I just don’t understand why Rose is with him,” Granny said, her lips trembling.

  Jack couldn’t make sense of the message either. He was in no condition to get on a horse and ride for days, or he’d already be in the saddle.

  They were silent, each trying to figure out what could have put Rose and Morgan in the same place at the same time. They didn’t say another word until Webb came in carrying the bottle of whiskey.

  “Grab three glasses and pour a generous amount in each,” Jack said.

  Webb did as instructed, and when he handed a glass to Granny, he half expected her to refuse. Instead she took the glass and emptied the contents in one gulp.

  Granny wasn’t unfamiliar with spirits. She’d sipped a bit of whiskey in her toddies whenever she was feeling poorly with a cold or sore throat. Preacher never approved, but Granny’s mother always said it was the best remedy for several illnesses. Preacher was a teetotaler, but he didn’t generally interfere with Granny’s prescribed medicinal spirits. She could only remember one time he’d said she shouldn’t imbibe when she was ailing, and she reminded him that Jesus turned water into wine at a wedding. After that, he’d never made another comment on her remedies.

  Jack couldn’t help but chuckle at Webb’s shocked expression. “It’s good for what ails you.” Webb held Jack’s head so he could drink, and Jack quickly finished the contents. Webb filled Jack’s glass again, and once he gulped it down, he said,
“Webb, this telegram was sent from Barnett’s home station. Go send them a telegraph and ask for clarification. Why is Morgan with Rose?” He knew none of them would rest until they had some answers.

  Granny focused on Jack. She knew the kind of man he was, and he wouldn’t think twice about putting his own life at risk to save a friend. “Don’t you even think you are going to go riding off after them.”

  “I’m not thinking about that as long as I know Morgan is handling everything. I just want more information than we have now.”

  After Jack rested for a few hours in the doctor’s office, Webb and Granny helped him to his small, one room house next door to the jail. Once he was settled in bed, Webb left to go to the hotel to get dinner for the three of them. He stopped by the telegraph office to see if they’d received a response from the way station in Kansas.

  Entering Jack’s home, Webb quickly passed the basket of food to Granny, and handed Jack the telegram. “We received a reply from Kansas.”

  Jack opened the telegram and read it aloud. “‘Morgan saw stagecoach accident. Miss Langtry has broken ribs. Sent buckboard. They will be back in two days. Will send message upon arrival.’” He finished reading and his eyes met Granny’s. “She’ll be okay. Morgan’s with her.”

  Granny gave him a tentative smile. While it was certainly good news Rose wasn’t injured more severely, broken ribs could be quite dangerous. “I pray she comes home safe and sound.”

  Jack was pleased to know more about the events in Kansas, but he had a difficult time believing Frank and his gang had escaped from Morgan. There was nothing he could do; he’d have to wait for their return to Whispering Pines to hear the details. “Let’s enjoy our dinner now that we have received good news.”

  Granny stacked some pillows behind Jack’s head. “I don’t expect you think Frank escaping is such good news.”

  “No, it isn’t. Let’s just hope he doesn’t . . . do anything foolish.” He almost said kill someone, but he caught himself in time. Sometimes it was hard to remember a man like Frank Langtry had such a sweet grandmother.

  “I’ve prayed for the same thing for many years, but the Devil has a grip on Frank and he won’t let go. I shouldn’t have been so easy on those two boys. I’m afraid Stevie is going to follow in his brother’s footsteps. They needed a firmer hand when they were younger. Preacher and I were too easy on them.”

  Jack knew she blamed herself for Frank taking the wrong road, and he also knew it was nonsense. “You did everything you could for him. It’s not your fault Frank made the choices he made. He’s a grown man, and he had more than one chance to turn things around.”

  “Has Morgan ever told you what started this rift between him and Frank?” Granny thought if Morgan ever confided in anyone, it would be Jack.

  “No, he’s never said a word.” Jack always figured that something serious had happened between Morgan and Frank years ago. Morgan wasn’t a man to divulge private matters, and Jack wasn’t a man to pry. He respected Morgan enough to know that he had to have a valid reason to harbor animosity toward Frank.

  “I know Joseph Longbow knows what happened between them, but he won’t tell me.” She’d asked Joseph several times what happened between Morgan and Frank, but Joseph always told her she should ask Frank.

  “Did you ever ask Frank?” Jack asked.

  “He would never tell me.”

  “Granny, if Frank knows what’s good for him, he’ll go to Mexico and stay. That’s the only chance he’ll have not to be found. If his bullet had killed Joseph Longbow, even Mexico wouldn’t have been a safe place to hide from Morgan.”

  “I’m afraid Frank never did want to do what was good for him. I think he’s always been jealous of Morgan and what he’s accomplished in his life.”

  After they finished their dinner, Granny washed the dishes and checked Jack’s wound one more time before she collected her things to leave. “Deputy, I’m ready to go whenever you are.”

  “Yes, ma’am.”

  “Jack, I’m not happy about leaving you alone, but I need to take care of the animals.”

  “Webb will be back soon. I’ll be fine.”

  While she didn’t want him riding all the way to the farm, she worried about him staying alone with no one to care for him if his fever spiked again. “I’ll come back after I do my chores.”

  “Why isn’t Stevie helping you out?” He spoke before he thought how his question might hurt Granny’s feelings. He agreed with Granny that Stevie needed a firm hand, and when he’d caught him stealing in the local mercantile, he’d tried to talk some sense into him. His words had fallen on deaf ears. What he had to say wasn’t as important as the promises of infamy Frank put in his head. Jack made an effort with Stevie because he’d been as hardheaded when he was a young man. He had been an orphan with no family, and no place to go when he was young. It was by the grace of God that he hadn’t ended up in the territorial prison. At least Stevie had people who cared about him, a nice home and food on the table. Stevie should thank his lucky stars that Granny and Preacher cared enough to take him and his siblings in when their parents died. Granny didn’t need to be doing chores at her age. She deserved someone to take care of her. He’d like to give Stevie a good butt-chewing or -kicking, depending on his willingness to listen.

  “I haven’t seen Stevie for a few days. He took off and didn’t tell me where he was going.” She had her own suspicions that he’d left to see if he could find Frankie. Sometimes he would be gone for days and never give her an explanation for his absence. She could never count on Stevie to take care of any chores around the farm.

  “You go on home, and stop worrying about me. You’ve done a fine job, and I’m well on my way to recovery.” Jack knew he was speaking the truth. He felt better and he knew he was on the mend.

  “Webb can’t take care of you and see to his job. Neither one of you can cook, so you keep the hotel in business. And I couldn’t help but notice you don’t keep much in the way of provisions in here.” Granny had snooped around while Jack was sleeping last night, and noticed he had next to nothing to eat in his place. It was her nature to care for people, and she couldn’t stop herself from worrying about the sheriff. She wanted to make sure he had the proper nourishment to aid his healing. “I’ll bring back some soup for you.”

  “I’ll have Webb pick it up tomorrow if that will make you rest easier. Stay home and take care of your place. You can come back in a few days to bedevil me if I’m not up to par. And feel free to use Webb if you need some help.” Granny wasn’t one to inconvenience anyone and ask for assistance. Jack knew Morgan and his men usually helped her out, but his ranch was operating with few men right now.

  “Morgan’s men come over to help me out,” Granny said.

  “There aren’t many men left at his ranch right now, and you need to get everything ready for Rose’s arrival.” He planned to tell Webb to have a look around for Stevie if he wasn’t at the farm. He didn’t like the idea of Granny being alone on the farm with Frank on the run. Granny seemed to accept the fact that Frank was dangerous, but Jack didn’t think she thought he could be a danger to her.

  Chapter Six

  The first thing Morgan noticed when his men arrived with the buckboard the next morning was Faithful being led by Murph. “Where’d you find him?”

  “I guess you could say he found us. My horse was with him, and they were headed in this direction. Their saddles are in the buckboard. They look spent, and I’m thinking we need to give them a rest before we take off.”

  Morgan stroked Faithful’s neck, grateful to have him back. “I guess I read Deke right.” He slapped Murph on the shoulder. “I’m sure happy to see you two. Did you have any problems?”

  “None.” Murph pointed to the horses he had tied to the buckboard. “I bought these horses from Barnett, and he loaned us the buckboard and some pistols. We have plenty of water and some grub his missus made for us. He said he’d try to have the doctor at his place by the time we
get back.”

  “That was good of him,” Morgan replied. His eyes slid to Rose. “I think she could use something for pain.”

  “How’s she doing?”

  Morgan lowered his voice and said, “Not good. She hasn’t eaten since you left and she’s barely had anything to drink. I think every rib in her body may be broken.”

  Murph grimaced. “That has to be painful.”

  “She hasn’t moved around much and I worry about pneumonia.”

  “How’s George’s leg?” Murph asked.

  “Good. He’s moving around pretty good with a crutch.”

  Murph took in Morgan’s haggard appearance. “You look like you could use some rest.”

  Morgan didn’t mention his own lack of sleep. “I’ll rest easier once Rose has seen the doctor. Did you get a telegram off to the sheriff?”

  “Yeah, but we didn’t wait around for a response.”

  While they allowed time for the horses to rest, Morgan warmed water so Rose could wash. The men prepared a place in the buckboard to make the journey more comfortable for her.

  When they were ready to depart, Morgan told the men he would be driving the buckboard. “I’ll be taking it easy so Rose won’t bounce around more than necessary.” He carried Rose to the back of the buckboard and made sure she was comfortable. He could tell her breathing was still shallow, and he worried if riding in that buckboard was going to be too much for her. “We’re in no hurry. If you need to stop for any reason, just say the word.”

  “I will.”

  Morgan climbed into the seat, and wasn’t surprised to see George pulling himself up beside him.

  “Are you sure you wouldn’t be more comfortable in the back?”

  “I’ll be fine. I’m used to handling the team,” George grumbled.

  “You will be handling the team soon enough,” Morgan replied. “Let me know if you need to stop.”

  “Try not to hit all the ruts,” George teased.

  Morgan cast one more glance at Rose before he snapped the reins.

  * * *

  When Morgan pulled the horses to a halt for a lunch break, he thought Rose looked like she was barely hanging on. He’d tried to stop several times that morning, but Rose insisted they make no special stops for her. Even though they kept a slow pace, the uneven terrain made it impossible for her to keep from bouncing around.