Secrets In The Shadows Read online

  Brian glared at him. “That's because you cheated, you miserable, lying dog! You loosened that shoe on my horse, didn't you? I'd have beaten you if you hadn't pulled such a low-down trick. You nearly ruined a good horse."

  Ed struggled to get loose from Rusty's expert grip, snarling names and kicking out with his feet. Prudently, Adam moved Brian back a few more steps.

  Rusty clucked his tongue at both of them. “When are you boys gonna learn?” He looked at Adam. “Last time, I believe it was Brian who pulled the ‘low-down’ trick. Happens most every Saturday, these two start fightin’ and end up sharing the same jail cell."

  "And they don't kill each other?"

  "Nope. By that time, they've lost their steam. Takes a while for them to clean the place up. Plumb tuckers them out."

  Adam looked around at the mess they'd made. He could see why they lacked the energy for fighting afterwards. “Well, get started boys, and when you're finished, come on down to the jailhouse. We've got a cell waitin’ for you.” He was a little surprised when neither man protested. They still glared at one another, but when Adam and Rusty released them—slowly—they didn't try to go at each other again.

  June appeared by his side. Her admiring eyes traveled the length of him, pausing on the broad width of his shoulders. “I'll take it from here, Sheriff Logan. Thanks for coming."

  Adam tipped his hat, amused at the invitation in her voice and the heavy-lidded eyes. “You're mighty welcome, Ma'am."

  Rusty followed him out of the saloon, into the bright, warm sunshine. Adam paused to adjust his hat lower, staring down the road at the bustling town. It looked so peaceful, and he couldn't say he blamed the townsfolk for moving the saloon. He glanced at Rusty. “I've got a stop to make, then I'll meet you at the jail. We've got business to discuss."

  "What kind of business?” Rusty demanded.

  Adam grinned at his older friend. “You'll see. Where's Ben?"

  "Doing his chores. He'll be down later, I reckon. Can't keep the boy away."

  Behind them in the saloon, they heard a muffled curse, then all was quiet again except for the swish of a broom and the tinkling of broken glass. A whistle sounded in the distance, signaling the arrival of the noon train. At the lumber mill across the road, men scurried to and fro as they readied shipments of raw lumber to load onto the incoming train, which was bound for St. Louis. Adam knew that later in the day another train would approach from the east, heading to Kansas City.

  Jamis Goodrich did a brisk business supplying the larger cities with prime lumber. He couldn't have picked a better location than Shadow City.

  When the train whistle ceased its raucous warning, Adam asked casually, “How was the fish fry?"

  "How'd you—"

  "Ben told me."

  "Oh."

  Adam scowled at the laughter in that single syllable. “Just wondering,” he growled. “Meet you at the jail."

  Rusty's knowing chuckle followed him as he stalked away.

  A half hour later, Adam entered his office wearing a brand new, shiny silver star that said SHERIFF. He had two more in his pocket, one smaller than the other.

  Rusty was sitting in the chair at the desk. He scrambled to his feet, whistling low. “That's a mighty fine star, Adam. Mighty fine."

  Smiling at the envious note in Rusty's voice, Adam fished in his pocket and brought out the other stars the blacksmith had fashioned out of a bag of silver dollars Adam had given him. He tossed one to Rusty. “I need a couple of deputies so I'll have more time to do what I came to do."

  "I can't take it, Adam,” Rusty said regretfully, pitching the star onto the desk. It landed in Adam's unfinished spice cake.

  "Why not?"

  "Because the mayor won't stand for it. He fired me, remember?"

  Adam's mouth thinned stubbornly. “I believe I can hire whoever I want as my deputy. And I choose you. You already know the town, the people, and how to handle things.” When Rusty started to shake his head, Adam demanded, “What the hell did he fire you for, anyway?"

  With a heavy sigh, Rusty sat back down in the chair. He motioned for Adam to take the other seat. When Adam obliged, he said bluntly, “He's tellin’ folks I was drinkin’ on the job."

  "And were you?” Adam asked just as bluntly. He hadn't forgotten the condition Rusty had been in when they first met.

  "Hell, yeah! Doc Martin had to carve my tooth outta my head. I had to have something for the pain."

  Adam stared in disbelief. “He fired you for that?"

  "Hell, no!” Rusty's expression darkened, and Adam saw the man he used to be, perhaps a dangerous one when crossed. Adam suspected Rusty could be again with the right prodding. “There was a fellow came through here a few months back—man by the name of Salvage—wantin’ to open a lumber mill. I told Goodrich there was plenty of lumber, more than enough for two, but he wouldn't listen. Greedy son of a bitch. He got mad ‘cause I wouldn't stand by him, and was waitin’ for the chance to run me down. He got it."

  Adam believed him without hesitation. He'd gotten the same impression of the mayor, too. Greedy. Back in his grandfather's day, Jamis Goodrich might have been a decent man, but greed had changed him. “What happened to Salvage?"

  "He got his building about half set up, and one night it caught on fire, burned plumb to the ground."

  Rusty didn't have to tell him who had been responsible for the fire. Goodrich.

  "Weren't nothing I could do,” Rusty continued, “Townsfolk don't know that side of him, and wouldn't believe me if I told ‘em. Besides, I didn't have no proof."

  There would be no point in getting involved, Adam reminded himself. He'd be leaving. Besides, what Rusty spoke of was over and done with. “I want you to take the job, Rusty. I'll handle the mayor."

  Rusty hesitated, then finally nodded his acceptance. He reached in his pocket and pulled out a battered old tin badge, setting it on the desk. He stared at it for a long moment before letting go of it. “I should have given you that to begin with, I reckon. But it was Murddock's, and I couldn't bring myself to do it."

  He pointed to the painting of Shadow City Adam had found and replaced on the wall. “Just like that there picture. Colt mentioned a time or two that he oughta send it to you and your Ma since y'all couldn't get this way too often. I knew that's what he would have wanted me to do with it after he died, but I kept it. I'm sorry, son."

  Adam felt mild irritation at Rusty's confession. How excited he would have been over that badge, and the picture would have thrilled his mother. But one look at Rusty's sorrowful expression washed the irritation away. He scooped up the legendary star and slid it into his pocket, then plucked the new deputy's star out of the spice cake and pushed it in Rusty's direction. A trail of cake icing followed his movement and the smell of cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves permeated the air between them.

  "Reckon we can skip the swearin’ in, since you've been sheriff of this town for fifteen years.” He followed this with a disgusted snort. “Hell, the mayor didn't even swear me in. You'd think he'd be more careful about who he hires to run this town."

  Rusty pinned the badge on. His face brightened at the sight of the shiny new star with the word DEPUTY written in big black letters, but he shot Adam a warning look from beneath his bushy brows. “Don't underestimate him, Adam. Goodrich probably knows more about you than you think. He wants a sheriff who'll do his biddin', and not ask any questions."

  Adam refrained from reminding Rusty he wouldn't be here long enough to worry about the mayor corrupting him. He wisely changed the subject. “So, what do you say we make a deputy out of Ben?"

  Rusty's mouth dropped open and Adam saw a gaping hole in his left bottom row of teeth. Adam winced, thinking how painful the removal must have been.

  Rusty grinned, rubbing at his whiskers. “Well, I'll be damned. That might be what the little feller needs."

  "I was thinkin’ the same thing, Deputy Palmer."

  "I can't wait to see Ben's face, Sheriff Logan."
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  "I can't wait to see the mayor's face,” Adam said, grinning like a fool.

  "I can't wait to see Lacy's face.” Rusty burst out laughing as Adam's grin vanished.

  Ben arrived, flushed from running the entire way. After much pleading, a little pouting, and several hours of looking at his sad face, Lacy had let him go. Now he slid to a halt in the doorway, his adoring eyes first on Adam, then on Rusty.

  "What are we gonna do today, Sheriff Logan? I noticed that fence out back could use some mending. Fixin’ it would make it mighty hard for someone to break in through the back way, if they were thinkin’ ‘bout bustin’ someone outta jail."

  The men chuckled at his exuberance and his vivid imagination, then Adam beckoned him closer. When Ben stood before him, he placed the badge in his palm and closed his fingers around it before Ben could see what it was. “Now, Ben, do you swear to uphold the law in Shadow City?"

  Ben's eyes grew round. He nodded.

  "Do you swear not to steal, kill, or lie?"

  Again Ben nodded, squirming with curiosity.

  "Do you swear to finish each and every chore Lacy tells you to do, without grumbling?"

  "Yes, sir."

  "Do you—"

  It was too much. Ben wrenched his hand free and opened his fingers. His jaw dropped onto his chest. He stared at the deputy star for several seconds before slowly lifting his head. “This—this is mine? I'm gonna be a real deputy?” Suddenly, he noticed the new star on Adam's vest, then the one on Rusty's shirt. “This is the greatest moment of my life!” he declared, fighting unmanly tears of joy. “I'm gonna run home and show Lacy and Takola, and Big Red—” He ran to the door, his new boots clanging on the wooden floor. Stopping on the threshold, he swung back around. “You mean it, Sheriff Logan?"

  Adam crossed his arms. “I mean it, Ben. It doesn't pay much, maybe a dollar a week?” It was difficult to keep from smiling as Ben's eyes grew bigger and bigger until they seemed to cover his entire face. “Of course, Lacy has to approve."

  Ben's face crumpled, then straightened. Squaring his shoulders, he said, “I'll talk her into it. And you won't regret it, Sheriff Logan. I swear."

  "Good. Now, hurry back. After we get the prisoners settled, we'll celebrate at Ellen's with pie and coffee. My treat."

  "Prisoners?” Ben breathed in awe. Then he realized who Adam must be talking about. “Oh, you mean Ed and Brian. They ain't no trouble. And I don't drink cof—I mean, coffee's fine, Sheriff Logan. I'll be right back.” He was gone in a flurry of flying boots, his excited yelp drifting back to them.

  Rusty let out a gusty sigh of contentment. “You shoulda had a passel of young ‘uns, the way you got a knack for ‘em. Never thought Takola would take to you the way she did, and Ben, he thinks the sun rises and shines on that noggin’ of yours."

  "I've never had a hankering to get married,” Adam drawled. Most of his life had been spent working on the ranch and looking after his mother. There had been a few women along the way, but nothing serious. He was thirty-five. There was plenty of time, if he got the notion. And town life just wasn't for him.

  "Maybe you just ain't had a hankerin’ for the right woman."

  Adam's reply was noncommittal. “Maybe. Who's Big Red?"

  "You had to ask,” Rusty said sourly. “He's the biggest, fattest hog in the county, that's who he is. But this winter, Ben isn't gonna talk me out of it.” He made a slicing motion across his neck. “Nope, this is Big Red's last year."

  Chapter Eight

  Hands on her hips, Lacy stood by the bed, nibbling thoughtfully on the inside of her jaw as she studied the dress spread out on the quilt.

  No. It just wouldn't do this year, she decided. She'd have to find the extra money to make herself a new one before September. Carrianna wore a new dress every year to the celebration, and she had overheard Susan, Mary Ann, and a few of the others planning their new outfits.

  Why should she have to wear the same dress for three years running? Nobody would think she was selfish if she bought new material and made another, would they? Lacy reached out and smoothed the worn yellow fabric, telling herself she wasn't thinking this way because of Adam Logan, and knowing she was lying.

  Adam.

  Heavens. Just thinking his name made her feel giddy, as if she'd stood up too fast. The way he'd kissed her ... she'd never known a kiss could feel so—so perfect. Standing in the circle of his arms, she'd felt like a queen, like a woman cherished and wanted. Like one of those limber licorice sticks Takola liked so well. Boneless.

  "Now you know what to expect when you make me mad, Miz Ross." Lacy turned and sat down on the bed. She tilted her head back and closed her eyes as she recalled those words, spoken in such a thrilling, husky voice. Could she believe him? That kissing her when she made him mad would be the only reaction he'd ever have if ... if they were to marry?

  Oh, good gracious! Was she actually thinking of Adam in that light? He wasn't the marrying kind ... was he? Certainly, he was good with Ben, and had even managed the impossible—won Takola's respect. And it was obvious her grandfather admired and liked him.

  But that didn't necessarily mean he wanted a ready-made family, Lacy told herself sternly. And not just any family, but her family, which she was honest enough to admit wasn't your average, everyday family.

  Had she really thought his eyes were cold? At the beginning, but not now. After yesterday, she could never think of Adam Logan as cold. He had allowed her to strike him, and had done nothing.

  Oh, but he had. He'd kissed her, long and hard, as if he couldn't get enough. And she had let him. Wanted him to continue. Touch her in places she had never craved to be touched by David.

  Lacy put a hand to her mouth, stunned by her outrageous thoughts. How did she know Adam wouldn't pinch and poke in a way so painful she would dread to be touched again by him? How did she know he wouldn't just.... She covered her hot face with trembling hands and forced herself to continue. How did she know he wouldn't thrust into her body, into that place that didn't seem to welcome such an intrusion?

  It was shameful, painful, and humiliating. How could she actually want to try again, even with Adam? If she were to marry him and discover it wasn't any different, she would be trapped forever, forced to repeat the act, to lie there and pray it would soon be over.

  No! She wouldn't. Not again, not ever again.

  Lacy jumped from the bed and snatched the dress up. With determination stiffening her spine, she carefully hung the dress on a wooden hanger and hooked it over the bar braced in the corner of the room. She would wear it again, and again next year. She would not fancy herself up to catch Adam Logan's eye, or any other man's eye. One lesson was enough for her; she wasn't brainless.

  Let Carrianna go after the handsome sheriff, with her dimply smile and bright personality. Or Susan, with her curvaceous figure and cloud of black hair. For that matter, Adam might choose Mary Ann. She was a petite blonde with a helpless air that seemed to appeal to men.

  They were all wonderful wife candidates, Lacy thought with a sigh. If Adam was thinking of settling down, any of the marriageable young ladies in Shadow City or from the surrounding ranches would be delighted to accept.

  Except Lacy Ross, who was much too smart to make the same mistake twice.

  What did she need a man for? She took care of herself just fine. In fact, she took care of the entire family. She had Grandpa, Ben and Takola for company, and Grandpa was handy with fixing things. Money wasn't a big problem, and she didn't miss the intimacy between a husband and wife.

  So, there was nothing to miss.

  Then why, she wondered a little desperately, did she feel as if something was missing all of a sudden? No, not all of a sudden, exactly.

  Since Adam Logan came to town.

  "Oh, thunder,” she mumbled, exasperated by her fickle thoughts. She tidied her room and was about to go downstairs to check on the ham baking in the oven when she heard the front door open, followed by an ear-splitting bellow.r />
  Ben. She smiled, a rush of love swelling in her chest for the little boy who had captured her heart.

  "Lacy! Lacy, where are you? I've got somethin’ to show you. You're not going to believe it."

  "I'm up here, Ben,” she called, his excitement arousing her curiosity. She went to the door of her bedroom to greet him.

  Ben skipped up the stairs, his face flushed beet red, his eyes fairly popping out of his head. He barreled into her, squeezing her hard. “You'll never believe what I got, Lacy. Never, ever, in a hundred years!"

  Laughing, Lacy pried him loose. “What is it, Ben? A turtle? A grass snake?” She tried to guess and each time he shook his head so hard his mop of red hair flew back and forth. “Okay, I give up."

  He thrust his hand out and uncurled his sweaty fingers, holding his breath as he waited for her reaction.

  Lacy blinked and looked again. Yes, it was a deputy's star. Her eyes had not deceived her. “Where did you get this?"

  "Sheriff Logan! And he made Grandpa a deputy, too. His star's bigger, but I don't mind. And we're gonna lock Brian and Ed up and watch ‘em really good tonight and fix that broken fence behind the jailhouse so no varmints can get through there and bust them out!” He paused and took a deep breath. “Please say it's okay if I'm a deputy, Lacy, please?"

  Lacy couldn't find her tongue. Was it dangerous? Should she allow it? How could she say no?

  Ben must have noticed her hesitation. His eyes filled to the brim, his bottom lip began to tremble no matter how hard he tried to keep it still. “P-please, Lacy?"

  Lacy's resistance melted. “Okay, but—"

  "I know, I know,” Ben interrupted excitedly. “I gotta do my chores without grumbling, and I can't lie, steal or kill—"

  "Kill?” Lacy squeaked out. “What in heaven's name are you talking about?"

  "That's what Sheriff Logan said. I can't kill. Anyway, I had to swear to uphold the law. That means I can't steal no more."

  "Anymore."

  "That's what I said, Lacy. No more. I gotta go, they're waitin’ on me.” His chest puffed with pride. “We're goin’ to Ellen's for coffee.” Before Lacy could think of speaking, he reached up and pulled her face down, planting a wet kiss on her cheek. “Don't tell nobody I did that, okay?"