Seth’s voice began to rise. “By mistake?”
“Yes, they called out the window, got my attention and explained to me how they stopped by to visit you, and jokingly pretended to lock themselves in the cell. But it wasn’t very funny when they realized they’d actually locked the cell behind them.”
Seth was now staring at her intently, praying this was where the story ended. “And?”
“And, I went in and unlocked the cell. They were so grateful, and insisted I tell you about the faulty cell as soon as I saw you... Sheriff, are you listening to me…? Sheriff, where are you going?” The woman’s voice faded as Seth mounted his horse, and turned toward the other end of town.
He kicked the horse and galloped down Main Street, jumping off at the saloon. Seth rushed up to the delicate louvered swinging doors and pushed them open. The saloon was silent. Not a single man in the place. Two rather older, faded saloon girls looked up with overly red painted smiles.
“Howdy, Sheriff. Buy a girl a drink?”
Seth shook his head, and returned to his horse.
Where would the Carter boys go, if not to the saloon? Would they just head back home? Seth’s mind searched for an answer. Suddenly a gasp escaped his lips. If they headed toward their ranch, they’d pass right by his place, and Ruby was there alone.
Lord, they saw her in that dress. They think she’s a saloon girl. Please protect her.
Seth mounted his horse and galloped out of town, pressing the horse to run as fast as it could. What would normally take fifteen to twenty minutes, took him only seven. He was hopeful that since he hadn’t passed the trio on the road into town, they wouldn’t be there, but there were plenty of places along the trail they could have taken cover.
He’d been so upset with Mrs. Crane, he didn’t even ask how long ago she’d opened the cell, so he had no idea how close to his home they could be. As he neared the house, Seth’s hoped dropped. Three horses were tied outside near the porch. The Carter brothers were inside with Ruby.
Chapter Nine
Seth dismounted by the barn and slapped the horse’s flanks. The horse gladly trotted into the barn and into its stall. Seth pulled out his gun and slipped across the yard and onto the porch between the two cabins.
He crept slowly, his ears straining to hear anything. As he stopped outside the door to the bedroom, it was silent, but from across the way, there was raucous laughter coming from the kitchen. Seth moved closer, counted to three, then kicked the door wide.
The three brothers were sitting at the table, eating bowls of stew and laughing. Ruby, was flitting around the room, serving them more stew and giggling at their conversation as he’d seen saloon girls do. For a moment Seth could taste bile in his throat. Was this the real Ruby after all?
The brothers all looked up at the gun in Seth’s hand, the spoons held at their mouths. Each of them lowered their hand.
Ruby slipped closer to the door; her eyes riveted on Seth.
The oldest brother, Johnny smiled. “Welcome home, Sheriff. We just stopped by to congratulate the lovely lady on her marriage.”
The other two nodded in agreement.
Seth kept the gun leveled on them. He’d hate to shoot such young men, but he’d do whatever it would take to protect Ruby. He was known for being able to tell a person’s character fairly quickly. Up to now, these boys were irritating, but rather harmless. He glared at them, trying to decide if they were being truthful or daring him to shoot.
“Now, Sheriff. You can see we haven’t done nothing. Your wife’s been kind enough to offer us some stew, and we’ve been telling her ‘bout some of the funny things that happen in Waterhole. No harm in all that is there?”
Seth wasn’t really sure what to do. It did appear the Carter brothers were simply visiting.
Ruby moved beside Seth and slipped her hand through the crook of his arm. “That’s right, Seth. The boys just stopped by for a visit. I asked them to join me in the kitchen so they wouldn’t wake up Timmy.”
Teddy, another of the brothers spoke up. “We didn’t want to do anything to upset the boy. We have a little brother, you know.”
Seth finally understood. The brothers were telling the truth. Somehow, Ruby was able to find a soft spot in their souls. He turned his neck and met Ruby’s eyes. Her lips trembled, but she gave a sly smile. “And the boys have agreed to come to the church picnic this weekend. They’re going to bring their little brother to meet Timmy.”
Seth slowly lowered his gun. Nothing could have prepared him for what she was telling him. He’d had nothing but trouble from the Carter brothers since they all began coming to the saloon.
“There won’t be any drinking at the picnic.” Seth’s voice demanded attention. The brothers all turned to stare at him.
“’Course not.” The youngest brother, Danny, uttered. “We’ll bring Ma, too. She ain’t as young as she used to be and don’t get to visit with folks much.”
Ruby clapped her hands together. “We’d love to share our blanket with her. I’m sure I can make enough chicken and biscuits to feed us all. I could make an apple pie as well.”
Seth’s mouth dropped open. He could hardly believe this conversation. “Apples are hard to get at this time of year.” He said mechanically.
The brothers all glanced at him. “Ma’s sure to have some. Seems we have a bushel put away. You just tell me how many you need Miss
