Part 8:
Katie watched Lance follow someone into Miss Beckie’s. She hadn’t seen who, though. She padded up to the back door and opened it slowly. She was careful not to be seen as she walked in. Justin and Elisabeth had just left the kitchen and as the door swung shut behind them, she got a good look at who was in the front hall, gasping in shock.
"Well, well . . . will wonders never cease? I went for a walk and imagine my surprise when I saw you of all people come here. Tell me, Miss Blake, do you really consider yourself a good, moral role model for the children in this town?"
"Mr. Bass!" She couldn’t seem to say anything else. She just stood there, staring up at him, eyes wide.
"What’s going on here?" Luke said, coming out of the parlor.
"That’s what I’d like to know," Lance said, not at all frightened by the massive size of the other man. He knew he hadn’t done anything wrong.
A door at the top of the stairs opened and Miss Beckie came out, tying her robe around her waist. She looked over the railing. "Oh, dear," she said. She descended the stairs, pushing her hair out of her eyes. "Everyone, just calm down, please. Let’s go into the parlor and talk about this." They obeyed without question. Miss Beckie had that aura of quiet authority about her--no one ever thought to defy her wishes. She spotted Katie, wide-eyed in the kitchen doorway, and whispered something to Luke as she ushered Lance and Cassie into the parlor. The ladies of the house, who had come out to see what was going on, except for Elisabeth and Angel, drifted back into their rooms. Angela went into the kitchen, smiling at Katie. Luke came in a few moments later. "Miss Beckie would like for you to go up and wait in her room. She wants to talk to you later, and she wants to make sure no one sees you here." Katie nodded and went upstairs. What could Miss Blake possibly be here for?
Justin and Elisabeth chose not to hear the yelling going on downstairs. They knew they would be filled in later if it was any of their business, and at the moment, they were otherwise occupied. Justin grinned as he ran his hands over her body, pulling clothing off as he went. She giggled as he kissed her hip. She sat up and helped him out of his clothes. She was fond of Justin. He wasn’t nearly as bad as the ‘authorities’ wanted people to believe. And no one seemed to know just what he’d done that earned him the status of ‘Outlaw.’ Justin was always gentle and considerate. And he never left her unsatisfied, unlike so many men. She smiled as he gently pushed her back on the bed. Apparently, he was in a playful mood. But of course, she liked the way he played.
The mayor looked at his wife, studying her as she slept. He rubbed his eyes wearily and pulled her into his arms, nuzzling his face into her neck. "I love you Sarah," he whispered, making her smile in her sleep. He did love her. He just couldn’t seem to stay away from Beckie. His thoughts were interrupted as Sarah woke up.
"Josh?" she said sleepily.
"Yes, sweetheart, it’s me. I’m sorry I woke you up."
"Don’t be." She smiled at him, tracing his lips with her fingers. He kissed her fingertips and she sighed. "I love you, Joshua Chasez."
"Oh, Sarah," he said softly, resting his head on her shoulder. "I don’t deserve you," he said, softly kissing her shoulder, then the back of her neck. Sarah turned over, wrapping her arms around his neck and kissing him. She held him tightly, shaking, and he realized she was crying. He didn’t have to ask why, and he silently cursed himself for believing she wouldn’t know.
Erin smiled into the mirror as she pulled the brush through her hair one more time. She looked at the ring again. It was a modest gold band with a tiny diamond in it, but it held all her dreams. Nick had proposed after dinner, in the parlor. He asked her mother’s permission, and got down on one knee in front of the fireplace. Of course she had accepted. She went to sleep with a smile on her face, dreaming of what the future, their future, would hold.
Nick unlocked the door to the Sheriff’s office and walked inside, closing the door behind him. He was living in the back room. He didn’t need more, being a bachelor. After the wedding, he would move into the hotel, but until then, the small room with a wood stove and a cot was home. He heard a sound at the back door and walked over quietly. He couldn’t see anyone. He was debating whether to open the door or wait when he heard the sound again. Someone was knocking. "I need to speak to the sheriff," a voice said. It was a voice he knew well. A voice from his past. Nick slowly opened the door.
"Hello, Anna."
"Nick! What are you doing here?"
"You said you needed to see the sheriff. Well you’ve got his attention. What’s going on?"
"You mean you’re the sheriff?"
"Yes."
"Oh . . . maybe I should find someone else then."
"Anna . . . just come in and tell me why you’re here." She swallowed and nodded, stepping inside.
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