Silver Creek - G.L. Snodgrass Page 0,15

Parker,” he answered.

The young man’s eyes grew big as he quickly looked around to see if anyone was watching. “Heard about you,” he said as a concerned, hesitant look came over his battered face. “Heard you was looking into Tom Johnson’s murder.”

“Doesn’t this town have anything else to talk about?”

The cowboy bent to pick up his hat from the dirt, dusting it against his leg as he studied Luke for a moment. “I can tell you one thing. It weren’t Troy Cooper that done the killing.”

“How can you be sure?” Luke asked.

“Because Cooper shoots them in the front. It’s a point of pride with him. Besides, we were working the west range the week Johnson was killed.”

“You work for the Feltons?” Luke’s gut tightened. The man appeared to be telling the truth. At least as much of the truth that he knew.

The cowboy nodded then glanced down quickly. “The Circle B, yes I do, for the last two years.”

Nodding to himself Luke looked off into the distance. “You headed back that way?”

“Tomorrow,” the cowboy said. “I still got money in my pocket and a night off.”

“Mind if I tag along when you ride back? I think I want to talk to this Joshua Felton fellow. Told he’s the big man in these parts.”

The bruises in young Carver's face suddenly blanched. “That might not be real intelligent. I don’t think you would be very welcome. Not after today’s trouble with Mark Felton. He don’t take easy to being backed down.”

Luke stared into the man’s eyes. “What they going to do? Shoot me in the back and leave me to the coyotes?”

Carver swallowed hard. Luke could see it in the man’s eyes. He believed his outfit was involved in Tom Johnson’s death and was ashamed of that fact. “I don’t know anything about that.”

“Good, then you mind me tagging along? I mean if not, I can just go out there on my own. But it’s a long ride and I wouldn’t mind the company of someone who knows the territory.”

The cowboy shrugged his shoulders. “Sure, if you want. It’s a free country. Can’t stop you from coming along.”

Nodding to himself, Luke felt a sense of progress. It wasn’t much but at least he was moving and maybe by kicking over the apple barrel he might find a rat or two.

Chapter Seven

Rebecca sighed as Helen locked the front door and dropped the key into her apron pocket before she shifted the food hamper to her other arm. The cool of the night had settled over the town. Moonlight mingled with the yellow lamp glow from windows to show enough of the street.

Another day done, Rebecca thought. A remarkable special day that she knew would change her world.

The two women turned to start for home when Luke stepped out of the shadows. “Ladies,” he said as he tipped his hat. “Mind if I walk with you a bit?”

Rebecca’s heart jumped. The man was so handsome mixed with a hint of a quiet strength. The thought of walking with Luke seemed like the most perfect way to spend her time.

“We would be honored,” Helen said as she frowned at Rebecca when she didn’t answer him. She then shot Rebecca a quick knowing smile then added, “I’m only going as far as the stage station.” She held up the food hamper. “Chester is pulling the evening shift for guard duty. The mines are making a shipment tomorrow and the strongbox is waiting for tomorrow’s stage.”

A nervous flutter flashed through Rebecca’s stomach at the thought of being alone with Luke. A dozen worries mixed with excited anticipation. What would they talk about? What did he think of her? He probably only saw her as the little girl he had known years ago. A friend. Almost a sister. Somehow, the thought of Luke thinking of her that way sent a shaft of disappointment through her.

She gave him a quick smile before folding her hands in her apron and studying the ground. Why hadn’t she taken off her apron? It made her look frumpy. Swallowing quickly, she raised a hand to check and make sure her hair was in place. After twelve hours of waiting tables, it had a habit of falling.

Then she winced thinking about how she probably smelled like seared steak and stale coffee.

Luke fell in next to them, keeping himself to the edge of the boardwalk, staying between them and the street.

“I hear that Sheriff Reed offered you a job,” Helen said across her to Luke.

“What?”