He went inside without knocking, figuring he would be expected.
A man shoving a log into the stove, turned. He nodded.
“Boone Walker?” the fellow asked.
Boone nodded back.
“Frank Spears. Owner of this livery.” Spears slapped his hands on his pants, dusting off the splinters. “They say you’re a killer.”
“Folks like to talk.”
“Don’t mean any offense by it.” Spears crossed the livery and extended his hand. “You’ll need all the meanness you got to get rid of those vipers in Jasper Springs.”
Boone let the heat seep into him, gathering it for the time he’d be on the trail again. Maybe someday he’d have a hearth of his own, four solid walls.
A new life was opening up to him; one never knew how it would end up. A roof over his head and a fire seemed—
“Got a brother in Jasper Springs. A niece, too. I only hope you can help them.”
“Sounds like Mathers has told you everything.”
“He hired me to get the wagon loaded. Things were all set for the married couple, but it looks like a bit of good luck for you that they quit.”
“Time will tell, but I reckon this beats a life term.”
“There’s the wagon over in the corner, loaded with most of what you’ll need to set up housekeeping. I’m sending my best team to go with it.”
“I’ll do my best to return them to you.”
Spears nodded, quiet for a moment. “You sure you’re a killer? I don’t see it in your eyes.”
“That I am...but only the one time and both of us were drunk.”
“It’ll sound strange, but I’m disappointed to hear it.”
“I’ve been a thief since I was in long pants, if that eases your mind.”
“Some, I reckon. Say, I don’t hold a man’s past against him. I needed a fresh start myself, once. And don’t worry about the return of the wagon and horses. They’re yours—just—if you’ll keep my kin safe.”
Generosity on the part of strangers was not something he was used to. While he stumbled around in his mind thinking of a proper way to thank him, the door creaked open.
Mathers and Miss Winston—Mrs. Walker, rather—stepped inside.
His wife’s cheeks were blushed pink from the cold. It hit him all of a sudden how glad he was that his bride was not that Cherry woman.
“I’ve written up a few things,” the judge said, bypassing any sort of cordial greeting. “There’s a map to Jasper Springs, a bit about the outlaws, the parts you and your wife will play. Oh, and you’ll need cash.” He handed him a roll of money wrapped in a rubber band. Hard to tell how much, but it seemed to be a good sum.
“Good morning, Boone.” Melinda’s smile might as well have been sunrise, it was that bright and cheerful. “I hope you slept well.”
“Best I’ve slept in some time.” He hadn’t expected to, but he must have since he hadn’t even noticed Smythe take his leave. “You look refreshed.”
“It must be married life.” She shot him a wink and he sucked in a breath.
“Where’s Deputy Billbro?” Mathers asked, glancing around.
“Just went out to relieve himself. He’ll be along as soon as he smells folks in the livery.”
“Everything you need to know ought to be in here.” The judge handed the stack of papers to Melinda.
“One more detail...” Harlan Mathers dug around in his coat pocket. “Here it is. Don’t put it on until you make an arrest, your settler roles would be compromised.”
“It” was a deputy’s badge, bent and tarnished, but a symbol of law and order none the less.
What Boone wanted to do was dump it in the dirt. That badge had been his enemy for too many years.
He tossed it in the air, caught it and then put it in his coat pocket.
“Send me a wire now and again to let me know how you’re progressing.”
Without warning, the door opened again.
Boone had to blink to make sure he saw right.
There stood his lawyer dressed for adventure, from his stiff-looking new Stetson to his denims and his barely scuffed boots.
The new get-up made him look an inch or two taller. Even his strides seemed longer.
“Stanley?” Melinda’s eyes widened. “What are you doing here?”
From the far side of the door a mule brayed.
“That will be Weaver, my mount. As to what I’m doing here, isn’t it obvious?”
“Can’t see that it is,” Boone said.
“I made a promise to bring Miss Winston home, safe and sound.” Stanley said. “I’m beginning to regret that vow but I did make it.”
“Stanley, I’m sure my husband is equal to the task.”
The little lawyer chuckled under his breath while shaking his head.
“Well, I’m for my bed,” Judge Mathers declared.
“Not quite, sir,” Smythe said. “I’ll see the signed papers granting my client his freedom.”
“I’ll gladly sign them, just as soon as the job is finished.”
“I’ll have that written in pen and ink. What is there to say that you will not re-arrest him once things are wrapped up?”
“What’s to say he won’t take his freedom and head for the hills?”
“I say he won’t,” Melinda declared. “I vouch for him.”
Why? She didn’t know beans about him.
“And I bear witness that Mathers has agreed to sign the document,” Spears added.
It seemed, with the details arranged and the vouching finished, it was time to leave the warmth of the livery.
Spears hitched the team then strode to the livery door. He opened it and stuck his head out. “Billbro! You finished with that pee?”
Seconds later an animal nosed his way into the livery.
“My word,” Melinda exclaimed and scuttled closer to Boone. “Is that a wolf?”
“As far as anyone knows, Deputy Billbro is only half wolf.” Judge Mathers petted the canine between the ears. “You’ll be glad he’s along once you get used to him.”
There were a lot of things that Boone was going to have to get used to. The dog probably being the least of them.
For one thing, his wife was clinging to his arm, seeking protection.
He’d never been responsible for anyone but himself. All of a sudden there was a woman, a town and very likely a lawyer who needed to be watched over.
He’d better start getting used to the dog-wolf, since he was going to need all the help he could get.
* * *
Sometime during the wee hours of their first night on the trail, Melinda sat up suddenly from her bedroll. She gazed past the embers of the dying fire feeling uneasy.
One difference between Melinda and her husband of a day was clear already.
He looked quite comfortable sleeping under the stars while she preferred peering out at the night from