“No, Lucretia’s bringing her home, but thanks for asking. Give me a hug.”
They shared a tight embrace and Regan whispered, “I know you aren’t showing how worried you are, but if Colt says Garrett will be okay, he will.”
Spring was again grateful for having Regan in her life. “Thanks, and thanks for the reward offer. Now, go get my nephew before he screams the house down.”
Regan smiled tiredly. “I’ll see you later.”
She left the parlor and Spring let herself out.
At home, Spring fed the horses and put Cheyenne in his stall. She grabbed her bedroll, placed a few toiletries and a couple of clean shirts into a bag, and saddled Lady for the ride back to town. Her growling stomach reminded her that she’d not eaten since breakfast, so a trip to Dovie’s dining room was warranted at some point once she arrived.
In town, her first stop was her brother’s office to check on Garrett. He was still sleeping.
“He’s fine,” Colt told her. “Did you speak with Regan?”
“I did.” And she told him about the reward. “I’m so glad she married you.”
He chuckled. “It was touch and go at the beginning, but I am, too. Where are you going now?”
“To let Whit know about the reward, then to Dovie’s. I’ve not eaten since breakfast. Do you want me to bring you a plate?”
“No. She sent me food a little while ago.”
“Good. I’ll be back.”
Leaving her gear in his office, she made the short walk down to the sheriff’s office. After letting him know what she’d learned from Regan, and telling him about the reward, which he approved of, she left to go eat.
“How’s Mr. McCray?” Dovie asked as Spring took a seat at one of the tables.
“Colt says he’ll pull through, but it may take a while before he’s fully healed up.”
Dovie shook her head sympathetically. “Such a terrible thing to happen. Everyone I’ve talked to is pointing the finger at Matt Ketchum because of what happened at Glenda’s party.”
“So am I, but Whit needs evidence. If you hear anything let him know.” She then told her about the reward Regan was offering.
“That’s a lot of money.”
“Yes, it is.”
“You think I can talk her into offering a reward to anyone wanting to take Wallace Junior off my hands?”
Spring smiled for the first time since learning Garrett had been shot. Wallace Junior could be a terror, but she knew Dovie wasn’t serious. She loved her son. “You can ask her next time you see her.”
“Will do. What can I get you?”
Spring studied the chalkboard on the wall that listed the dishes of the day. “I’ll have the beef stew and some biscuits.” Dovie’s biscuits were the best around.
“Okay. I’ll be right back.”
After she departed, Spring nodded a greeting to some of the others in the room. The elderly Emmett Davies, one of the local cattlemen, was seated with two other ranchers.
“I hear doc got McCray patched up,” Emmett said to her from across the room.
“He did.”
“Shame something like that happened. Worked with him on Porter’s place. Nice fella. Hope Whit catches who did it.”
Spring replied, “Mrs. Doc’s offering up a big reward for information.” Mrs. Doc was the nickname the locals lovingly bestowed upon Regan after she married Colt.
“Do tell.”
Spring nodded. “Whit’s going to put up posters to let everyone know about it.”
The interest on the faces of the others in the room was plain. Once word got around about the size of the reward, she was confident someone would volunteer the evidence needed. It wasn’t every day someone could earn ten dollars gold for simply turning on a skunk like Ketchum.
As if conjured up by her thoughts, Matt Ketchum entered the dining room with Jarvis, the male secretary Swan, and the daughter, Hazel. Silence descended as they took seats and all eyes watched. Spring took a perverse joy in seeing the lingering damage to Matt’s face by Garrett’s well-placed fist. It was bruised black-and-blue from his very swollen and crooked nose to his eyes. Upon noticing Spring, his mouth twisted nastily.
“I hear someone put that man of yours in his place,” he said nasally. “Glad they did. I know you probably think I was involved, but you can’t prove it.”
Dovie returned with Spring’s food. As she set the plate down, Spring replied to Ketchum, “You know, Matt, that might have had more sting if you didn’t resemble and sound like a raccoon with cotton stuffed up its nose.”
Snickers were heard.
Spring glanced up to see Dovie smiling. “Thanks, Dovie.”