Lawfully Avenged Read online

  He shouldn’t be thinking of her that way though. She was a fresh widow, and it wasn’t right to admit attraction to a barely deceased man’s wife.

  “I’ll have the porter load your luggage, and then we can be on our way,” Lucas offered.

  “There’s no need. This bag is all I’ve brought with me,” Sadie said, gesturing to the bag she clutched in her hand.

  Lucas was curious why she didn’t have any other luggage, but he didn’t feel it was proper for him to pry. The more he found out about Sadie, the odder her predicament seemed to be. “Follow me then,” Lucas stated as he gestured over to the side of the station.

  “By golly, I see Sam’s woman finally arrived,” Allen stated as they passed by him. “Wait until the fellows down at the Gold Strike hear about this over a drink tonight.” Scanning her up and down, he added, “And she’s mighty pretty to look at, too. You don’t often see such fetching women around these parts.”

  Lucas stiffened at the prattling of Allen. The man always did have a big mouth and didn’t know when to be quiet. He didn’t like the way the man eyed Sadie, like a piece of meat in a butcher shop.

  “That’s about enough of that, Allen, you should remember you’re talking to a lady.”

  “Oh, right, right,” he said with a nod. “We don’t get many of those around here, either.”

  “I bet,” Sadie snorted. “How many would actually want to come this way?”

  “Now, now, Havilah is a wonderful place,” Allen objected with a frown. “Lots of good people make a life for themselves here.”

  “I’m sure,” she agreed, but from the tone, it was clear she doubted his claim.

  From the significant amount of time Lucas spent in the area over the past three years, he was inclined to agree with Sadie. The type of people that were attracted to the rough mining town tended to be people running from something or looking to make a quick buck by any means necessary. Neither option made them desirable company.

  Instead of arguing the point with the other man, however, Lucas decided leaving would prove easier. “We’d best be going, Allen.”

  Lucas guided the widow over to his horse. He asked, “Do you know how to ride astride?”

  She nodded. “I grew up on a farm outside Little Rock,” she explained. “I can even ride bareback if need be.”

  Pleasantly surprised by the information, Lucas secured Sadie’s bag on the side of his horse before climbing up. He reached out his hand to her, then pulled her up to ride behind him on his saddle.

  Lucas tried to push away how she fit snuggly against his back, or how nice it was to have her arms wrapped around his chest. Try as he might, he couldn’t keep from enjoying the sensation, though he knew it wasn’t the right place or time.

  He hastily snapped the reins of his horse, urging him to go forward. The faster Lucas got to The Yellow Rose Hotel, the sooner he could be free from the enticing Mrs. Clayton. He was here to do a job, and didn’t need a woman getting in the way.

  Sadie’s mind was whirling with a mixture of sorrow, fear, and confusion. What was she going to do now that she had traveled halfway across the country only to find out Sam was dead? They were supposed to start over together, but she had no idea what to do without him. Sam not only was her best friend, but he was going to be her partner and protector. Now, she was left squarely on her own.

  “The place seems rather busy,” Sadie observed, as they turned the corner onto the main dirt road of Havilah.

  Even though Sam had mentioned in his letter the town was growing, she hadn’t expected the town to be so large. The main street was littered with what seemed like an endless row of buildings on both sides. The names of several saloons, mercantiles, and hotels had signs painted in large letters above each business. There were also two bathhouses, two billiard parlors, a few gambling and dance halls, and even a blacksmith and a small hospital.

  “I can’t believe how big this place is,” Sadie mumbled in astonishment against the marshal’s back. “It seems to go on forever.”

  “Havilah is the center of the Clear Creek Mining District,” Marshal Graham explained. “This used to be a mining village; however, when Havilah’s founder, Asbury Harpending, headed out this way from back East, he changed the name. It literally means “Land of Gold,” and is from the Bible. “Due to all the miners floating in and out, the town has anywhere from a thousand to fifteen hundred people residing in it.”

  “That’s astounding,” Sadie stated with shock. “With that many people passing through, does the town have problems with thieves and troublemakers?”

  “It happens upon occasion, but Mr. Harpending makes it a priority to keep a sheriff and two deputies on at all times. It’s becoming harder to keep the jail staffed and the streets safe with the lawmen getting shot more often than not,” Lucas explained. “They do the best they can with what they got. What they can’t manage, the Marshal’s office handles.”

  As her escort navigated the town’s main street, Sadie noted there were also two barber shops, three fruit stores, three blacksmith shops, and various other sundry businesses. There truly was everything one could want.

  The marshal brought his horse to a stop just outside the hotel. As he helped Sadie down from his horse, she acknowledged he was rather easy on the eyes. He had thick, black hair that curled slightly on the ends, green eyes, and tan skin. When she stood in front of him, he was a full head taller than her, which was surprising, because she was not a short person. She often towered over other women and, on occasion, even some men. His height was only out-measured by his thick build. With broad shoulders and a chiseled face, she was surprised he wasn’t married, a fact she figured out by looking at his ring finger.

  She shouldn’t be thinking of the marshal in such a way, she chastised herself. She was a widow after all. Though another man would afford her protection out here on the frontier, she didn’t want to jump right into another marriage, especially with a stranger.

  “Thank you for your help, Marshal,” she said, stepping back and creating a distance from the handsome man. “I expect you’ll keep me informed of the investigation regarding my husband’s death.”

  “Yes, ma’am, when I find out anything, I will personally deliver the information myself.”

  Sadie wasn’t sure why the idea of seeing the marshal again pleased her, but she couldn’t help but nod her head with anticipation. “Good day, Marshal.”

  “Good day, Mrs. Clayton.”

  Two

  After a full night’s rest, Sadie decided she should get familiar with her new town. The only person who was going to make it a home was herself, so she needed to get to it.

  Havilah was unlike any place Sadie had ever been. The dirt main street was filled with boundless people, even in the middle of the day. Hundreds of miners were rushing from the bank, the supply stores, the bathhouses, and various other store fronts. There was also a sprinkle of cowboys, men in suits, women carrying packages, and urchin children running along the wooden boardwalks on both sides.

  As Sadie started to move across the street, a team of horses pulling a stagecoach flew past her. A hand jerked out and quickly pulled her back, keeping her from barely being trampled by their hooves.

  “You should be careful, ma’am, before you end up on the wrong end of those horses,” an unfamiliar male voice said from behind her.

  She swiveled around as her eyes darted up to find an older man with gray hair staring at her. She relaxed a little, hoping that if he was elderly, he meant her no harm.

  “Thank you, sir, I’m not used to this kind of chaos,” she said, stepping back from the man just to be safe. “Everything about this place is so foreign.”

  “It’ll get easier, ma’am, once you get used to it.” The stranger tilted his head to the side as if he was examining her, then his face lit up in recognition. “By golly, you must be Sam’s widow. I recognize you from the picture he showed me and my wife. He was beyond happy to marry you and couldn’t wait until you arri
ved here to join him.”

  “You knew Sam?” Sadie said, trying to keep the sadness from her voice.

  “I did. He was a good man, Mrs. Clayton. I’m sorry for your loss. He didn’t deserve what happened, and I hope the marshal is able to catch the miscreant who did it to him.” The man tipped his hat to her and added, “The name’s Wendell Jones. I own Jones Mercantile right over there,” he said, gesturing across the street. “If you ever need anything, you can come ask me or my wife, Patty, and we’ll make sure to take care of you.”

  Another man with salt and pepper black hair and a friendly grin approached them. “Good afternoon, Wendell, are you coming in for a cut this week?”

  Wendell nodded. “I’ll come around Thursday like I always do.”

  The new man glanced over at Sadie and his eyes grew wide with recognition. “Why, if it isn’t Sam Clayton’s widow. How do you do, ma’am?”

  Apparently, Sam must have been showing her picture all over town. She wondered if the whole town knew she was arriving.

  “I’m managing as best I can under the circumstances,” she said, trying to force a smile in return.

  “It’s a shame what happened to your husband, Mrs. Clayton. Sam was a good man. Everyone in town thought so. I’m Phil Brigston, the local barber,” then with a grimace, he added, “Well, one of them ever since that pretender, Randy Clemes, came into town to compete with me. Just so you know, I’m the best barber in town.”

  “Now, Phil, there’s no need to go bad-mouthing Randy,” Wendell chastised. “He has a right to make a living just like anyone else.”

  “Is that how you felt when the Suttons and Van Kirks came into town and started up general stores to compete with you?”

  “I can’t say I was rightly glad they showed up, but I didn’t go around saying ill-words about them, now did I?”

  The other man shrugged. Leaning towards Sadie, he whispered, “I am the best barber in town, just so you know.”

  Sadie couldn’t help but smile with mirth at the men’s exchange. At least the town had some friendly people in it.

  “I need to be getting on my way, Mrs. Clayton, but make sure to stop by the store. Anything you need, just let me or Patty know,” Wendell stated, before he started to move on.

  Phil tipped his hat and said, “I can’t offer much beyond a haircut, but anything I can do for Sam’s widow, I will. All you need to do is ask.”

  Sadie gave a slight nod before the second man continued on his way. She wasn’t sure how she felt about everyone knowing her husband, a title for Sam she wasn’t used to since they never consummated their marriage nor spent one day together as husband and wife. It felt odd receiving condolences for a husband who had been hers in name only.

  The further Sadie walked down Main Street, the more she wondered if it would ever end. Wooden buildings, one after the other, continued to appear. How could any town out West be this big?

  Gold, that’s how. The town was built on it, and everyone around here was dependent upon it in one way or another. The miners searched for it, the bank workers deposited it, and the business owners sold necessities in exchange for it. The stuff made many a man go crazy in pursuit of it, causing them to trudge out West hoping to get their hands on the elusive yellow metal.

  Whistling drew Sadie from her thoughts, causing her to regretfully make eye contact with three men standing outside the Golden Strike Saloon.

  “My, my, aren’t you a pretty one. I’ve always fancied getting my hands on a redheaded filly,” said a shaggy brown-haired man with a beard and leering eyes.

  “She’s way too good-looking for you, Jerry, but for me, I think I could handle her,” said the sandy blond-haired man next to the first one.

  Sadie’s eyes darted across the street. She decided it would be better to brave crossing again rather than have to go by the men.

  They must have noticed her intent because the blond-haired man rushed up and grabbed her arm. “Oh, no you don’t missy. You’re not getting away that easy.”

  “Get your hand off me,” she yelled at the stranger, narrowing her eyes at him. Wiggling to get free, she only caused him to get excited, tightening his grip.

  “Playing hard to get? That’s okay. Jerry and I like wild things,” the man said with a nasty look in his eyes. “We can tame you really quickly.”

  The man started to drag her towards the nearby alley with his friend close behind. Warning bells started to sound in her head. From her time on the streets of Little Rock, she knew she had to get away from these men straight away, or she was going to end up in a situation no woman should be in.

  Sadie needed to make a scene and fast. She started thrashing around and screaming, making every effort to draw attention their way. To her dismay, no one seemed to pay them mind, opting to continue about their day, ignoring what was happening, rather than get involved. Where was Wendell and Phil when she could use them? Of course, as old as both of them were, she doubted they could have stopped the men who were accosting her.

  She needed to do something before it was too late. She said the first thing that came to mind. “Let me go, right now, before my fiancé finds out.”

  “I don’t give two figs about your boyfriend, gal,” the blond man declared, just as he pulled her around the corner.

  “You will once you’re on the wrong end of his revolver. Nobody messes with Marshal Graham’s woman.”

  The man’s hand dropped quickly as his eyes rounded with shock. “I didn’t know. You make sure he knows it.”

  “Don’t listen to her, George. She’s lying. Do you really see the marshal spending time with a woman like her? She probably just knows his name because she’s had run-ins with the law.”

  A flash of anger seared through her. What did that mean? What was wrong with her? Then remembering she barely had any possessions to her name and her clothes were in tatters, she realized she looked little better than a beggar. No wonder these men thought they could get away with putting their hands on her. They thought no one would care.

  Before she could make her escape, the brown-haired man grabbed her, and pushed her against the wall of the building. His face came towards her and she shook her head back and forth, trying to keep his stinky, hot breath from getting any closer.

  “I would take your hands off her right now,” she heard the familiar voice of Marshal Graham say from the end of the alley. “Before I make you regret what you’re doing.”

  Internally, Sadie sighed with relief. Thank goodness the marshal showed up when he did.

  The brown-haired man did as the marshal ordered while the blond man said, “Marshal Graham, I told him not to do it once I knew who she was. I would never touch your woman, I swear.”

  “You shouldn’t touch any woman that way,” Marshal Graham growled out. “I suggest you leave town and don’t come back. Havilah doesn’t have a place for the likes of both of you.”

  Not waiting another moment, the blond man took off out of the alley and disappeared.

  “And as for you, Mr. Tully, I already have a warrant for you, so you’re coming with me,” the marshal said, coming forward and yanking the man up by his shirt collar. “I’m going to enjoy seeing you squirm in jail before you do the same at the end of the hangman’s noose.”

  “You’re not puttin’ me to the gallows,” Mr. Tully yelled, pulling out a gun from his holster and aiming it at the marshal.

  Reflexively, the marshal moved to the side while simultaneously striking it with his hand, knocking the gun from the other man’s hand.

  Mr. Tully wasn’t giving up that easy. He struck out, throwing a punch towards the marshal’s face. Marshal Graham dodged the attack, and thrust out with his own jab, making contact with the man’s nose. Mr. Tully grunted, but reciprocated with another round. This time, the other man’s punch landed its mark, hitting Marshal Graham’s eye. It didn’t deter the marshal, however, as he followed it up with two more rapid ones to the stomach, and a final blow to the left cheek. The man crumpled to
the ground in a heap, knocked out from the fight.

  Marshal Graham took a few deep breaths. Once he was feeling steady again, he looked over at Sadie and inquired, “Are you all right?”

  “I am, thanks to you. I don’t know what I would have done if you hadn’t shown up.”

  “Don’t think about that. God put me in the right place at the right time. I’m glad I was here to help you.” Then a puzzled look crossed his face as he asked, “Why did the blond man refer to you as ‘my woman’?”

  Sadie felt her cheeks flame red with embarrassment. “I’m sorry about that. I was scared and wanted to make them leave me alone. I said you were my fiancé. It was the first thing that came to my mind.”

  He let out a chuckle. “I guess my reputation proceeds me. He seemed downright frightened of me. Not like that one there,” he stated with a gesture. “I need to take Mr. Tully to the jail. I suggest you head back to the hotel where it’s safer.”

  “I appreciate your assistance, but I plan to move out to my husband’s claim and run it.”

  “Alone?” Marshal Graham inquired with surprise. “It’s not safe for a woman to live by herself, especially in such a remote spot as your husband’s claim.”

  “With my husband gone, I own it, so I need to make it work. I don’t have anything else to fall back on,” Sadie explained.

  “You need to at least find a worker to stay on the property to help you. A good strong man will at least provide a level of protection and can help with the heavy lifting.”

  Sadie shook her head. “I can’t afford one, but perhaps down the road that will be an option. I’m tougher than I look. I can handle it just fine.” A small shiver crawled up her spine as she thought how easy the two men were able to accost her, but she pushed the thought from her head. She couldn’t get defeated before she even tried to make it work here in Havilah.

  “Why don’t you let me get him locked up in the jail, then I can come over to the Yellow Rose to pick you up and take you out to your place. I can at least look around and make sure everything is secure, perhaps see if Sam had a gun on the property you can use for protection.”