In the Enemy’s Loving Arms (Preview)

Prologue

The cool night air swept around the dark figure sneaking along the side of the new farmhouse. While the farmhouse was clearly new, it was equally obvious that it was already starting to have trouble. Noting this while slipping to the back of the house, the figure continued along the rustic outer wall.

When a loud thump sounded from the other side of the wall, the form stopped. Looking up, the figure realized that the window was open. Concerned that the inhabitants may have realized someone was there, the shadow stopped to listen.

“I know, Opal, but we have to find some way to pay for your treatment. Just letting you suffer in the hopes that you will get better, well, that’s not something I’m willing to accept.”

“If it’s between our children eating and me getting treatment, the children will be fed, Sean. I will not take food out of my children’s mouths.”

It was clear that the couple was arguing. The sound that had caused the sudden halting of progress had nothing to do with the person outside of the house. With a slight shake of his head, the figure moved on, but again stopped at the next window when a childish voice drifted through the next open window.

This time, the conversation was between two children. The one that had caught the shadow’s attention was trying to comfort the other child. “It’s ok, Beth. Mom’s going to get better, but it’s going to take time.”

The second voice was shaky and higher-pitched, making it clear that the child couldn’t have been more than five years old. “What if she dies like your first momma?”

“My first momma had something far worse. The doctor said that momma has something tree—um—tredable. She just needs something from the doctor.”

The figure quickly hid a small gasp caused by the scene unfolding on the other side of the wall. There was no reason to continue to listen.

The figure slipped silently around to the back of the house. With a practiced movement, the figure slipped up onto the porch without a sound, easily avoiding the creaking boards on the steps. Seconds later, the figure was by the door.

Now, the question was how to place a small envelope where it could be easily discovered. The house may have been new, but there were already signs that it wasn’t in as good a shape as it should have been. The first obvious example was the large crack under the back door. It was big enough for small animals—like snakes—to get into the home. Without a second thought, the figure slipped the envelope into the crack and moved away from the door. The figure next grabbed a rock while moving farther from the porch. In one fluid motion, the rock was in the air, soaring toward a small bucket on the porch.

By the time it struck the target, the figure was racing toward the small outhouse. This would ensure no one saw the figure when they stepped outside. Pressed against the far side of the small structure, the figure remained quiet, waiting for the sound of someone coming to check on the noise.

“Pa! Pa! It’s another one!”

The sound of the child’s voice quickly became distant as the window was closed. Knowing that the husband would be outside soon enough, the figure took the opportunity to run toward the woods not more than a few hundred feet away.

As the shadow reached the edge of the wood, the husband’s voice called out into the darkness. The figure had no need to hear what was being said. The figure continued hurrying back to the horse waiting a little farther in the darkness.

All it took was one visit to make it clear that things were not improving nearly as quickly as they should be. The fleeting hope that things were finally turning around was gone, replaced by a resolve to make sure that the family didn’t suffer. They had come all the way out West to build a better life. What they had found was that it was just as difficult to make a living out West as it was in New York City. It was just a different type of difficulty. And the dangers were something that the family could not have anticipated coming from a large city.

Several ideas came and went, each dismissed nearly as quickly as they had emerged.

No. I have to do something big. Something that will ensure they are set. The little jobs just aren’t going to cut it. It’s time to think differently and to target bigger fish. A couple of big scores to ensure that they get the help they need. 

Back at the house, Sean and Opal were discussing the contents of the envelope, their luck having definitely taken an unexpected turn. It had been a while since they had last received a similar visit, but whoever had taken to helping them since they had moved out West always seemed to appear when they most needed help. And like the last time, the money was more than enough to get better treatment for Opal. There was even enough left over to hire someone who could help them part-time around the farm.

Things weren’t perfect, but life was starting to look a lot brighter.

Chapter One

“Do you think you’ll need one of these when you leave?”

Ezra turned and looked at the object his mother was holding. With a warm smile, he said, “No, Ma. I don’t need an extra sewing set while I’m away for work.”

When a bit of his dark brown hair fell over one of his eyes, his mother reached up and brushed it out of the way as she said softly, “I suppose not. I just want to make sure you remain presentable.” She reached out and brushed a hand along his collar, just like she had when he was a child. “I can always sew something up if you end up getting into a scuffle or something.”

Placing a hand on her shoulder, he knew that she was avoiding voicing her concerns about what could happen to him.

Just like what happened to his father.

“I’ll be home in a month. And we’ll have one fewer outlaw making people’s lives miserable.” He gave his mother a kiss on her temple. As he pulled away, he couldn’t help but notice that there was now more gray in her hair than the gorgeous black in his memories.

She looked up at him with a tight smile, highlighting the lines around her mouth. He knew they were worry lines; his mother rarely had a real reason to smile. His heart went out to her, and a part of Ezra knew that he and his father had been the reason why she looked so much older than her years.

Before Mrs. Grant said anything, though, a clipped voice hailed the shopkeeper. The mother and son recognized the voice, so they kept their mouths shut to learn the latest without anyone paying attention to their presence.

“Good day, Roy! What’s the latest word?” The cheerful sound of the gregarious shopkeeper’s voice had a hint of concern in it.

“Well, Mrs. Wilson, it’s a mixed bag. The Braselton’s son seems to be mending well after the snake bite. Sounds like he may have been mistaken about the type of snake since a rattler would have killed him.”

“Thank goodness for that!” The sincere happiness in the shopkeeper’s voice made Ezra smile. She always had such an intense interest in the children who lived around the town and surrounding area, and Ezra figured it was because she had lost all of her children before they reached adulthood. It was also probably why the courier started with the good news—he knew that the child’s health was at the forefront of Mrs. Wilson’s mind.

“I’m afraid that is the only good news, though.” Roy’s baritone quickly quieted, and Ezra imagined he was leaning forward to talk to the woman. “Apparently Jeb Thornton’s gang is getting worse. At least that’s what speculation is after the town square was burned to the ground in Bear Ridge.”

At the mention of Jeb Thornton, Mrs. Grant stiffened. Ezra placed a hand on his mother’s shoulder to let her know she wasn’t alone.

Mrs. Wilson let out a gasp. “The whole square? They took such pride in it!”

“Indeed. I mean, there were no witnesses to what happened, but it seemed pretty obvious it was Jeb and his gang. The lawmen of the town had managed to wrangle one of his gang to jail. Conjecture is that old Jeb wants to teach all of us not to mess with his gang.”

“Someone has got to stop those men before they drive away all business.”

“I agree. Between them and the Gilded Ghost, I daresay that we can’t take any more misfortune.”

The shopkeeper scoffed at this comparison. “The Gilded Ghost has made it clear that he’s only interested in the wealthy. Considering how much they’ve ripped my family off over the years, I say leave him be.”

The courier seemed to take offense to this. “You’ll have to excuse me for thinking otherwise. You seem to be drastically underestimating the threat this new bandit poses. I don’t want to become a target just because I happen to be carrying something of immense value.”

“Word is that the Ghost is only interested in those who can afford to have their purses lightened. He’s much more of a Robin Hood type, and I say let him be.”

“And if he were to attack me?”

“As long as you give up the valuables, I don’t think that you have to worry about any harm coming to you. However, if you were to face Jeb and his miscreants, it would be something else entirely.”

Not wanting his mother to stick around to hear any more gossip, Ezra leaned close to her ear. “I’m going to finish getting a few things. But if you hurry over to Miss Shirley’s, I don’t mind. If you don’t get moving, I’m afraid they’ll get the meeting started without you.”

His mother looked up at him, her clear blue eyes shining with concern. She didn’t voice whatever concerns she had. All she offered was a pat on his shoulder and a kiss on his cheek.

“Just remember I love you, Son.” With that, she headed to the door.

The courier greeted her on her way out, and she put on a good show of being happy. Few people could hear the slight tremble in her voice. And only Ezra knew that she was afraid that she was seeing him for the last time. Whenever he left town, he made sure that she went to stay with friends so that there would be someone to distract her. Even if it meant asking her friends to invite her over to their place under false pretenses. It was the only way he knew to take care of her when he had to do his job.

Putting aside the guilt he felt about choosing the same difficult and dangerous job as his father, Ezra picked up a couple of items, ready to make a purchase. Standing up straight, he started walking toward the voices, still listening as they talked. They had resumed their discussion about the bandit who had been causing problems all across Colorado, and yet no one had been able to describe the man, let alone stop him. Now that the so-called Gilded Ghost had come close enough for him to seek out the man, Ezra was going to put a stop to the theft. Before those thefts turned into something much worse.

As Mrs. Wilson continued to offer support for the bandit, Ezra couldn’t help but speak up. “You never know when an outlaw will finally kill someone. It’s only a matter of time.”

The older woman looked up at him, her spectacles shining in the daylight coming through the windows. “You’ll have to forgive me, Sheriff, but I see the Viper Gang as being far more dangerous than someone who targets those who can afford to lose a bit of gold. Heaven knows those people have lightened the pockets of everyone else.”

“And how long do you think it will take until that attention is turned towards you?” His words caught the shopkeeper off guard, and she frowned at him. He gave her a stern look as he explained, “You own a shop, and some could see that as you having wealth.”

The older woman shook her head, the loose gray hairs around her bun moving like wheat in a field. “Have you not heard the rumors? The Ghost got his name because he only goes after those who live a gilded life. Ain’t no one going to think that me and Tom are wealthy.”

On the other side of the counter stood a shorter man with a younger-looking face. His soft brown eyes hid the hardness that he had learned living on the road out West. “While I don’t have the same assessment of the Ghost as our dear Mrs. Wilson, I have to agree that Jeb and his men are the much greater threat. While the Ghost may eventually turn to violence as a last resort, Jeb and his gang have made it a habit of starting with violence.”

Ezra sighed as he placed the items on the counter. “I agree, but it’s going to take a sizable posse to go after them. The last two who tried, only three men came back. It’s made it difficult to convince people to risk life and limb to try to remove them. However, the Ghost is not yet a great threat. It is best to reduce the number of outlaws one by one.”

“Then let that be the members of Jed’s gang,” Mrs. Wilson shot back.

Ezra turned to look at her, his cold blue eyes making her look away. “One of their gang was taken to jail, and they responded by burning down the town square. Do you think that trying to take them down one at a time is a good way to go? Are the lives of sheriffs of so little value to you?”

“That’s not what I meant—”

“It sure sounded like it. But even if you meant it any other way, it sounds to me like you are ok with one group of people being victimized, as long as you aren’t affected. That doesn’t sound very Christian to me.”

She shifted a little and began to fidget. “I’m just saying that one threat is far greater than the other. The Ghost hasn’t killed anyone. Jeb seems to kill wherever he goes.”

“We don’t know that about the newest outlaw. He’s only been active around here for about a year. We don’t know that he hasn’t killed anyone before arriving here. We only know that he hasn’t been killing since he started stealing from people here.”

She looked away again but didn’t say anything else.

Tipping his cap, the courier left a few seconds later. The air was tense as Ezra purchased his items. Given the woman’s views on the outlaws, he wasn’t going to talk to her about what he was planning on doing. That he was going out to hunt the Gilded Ghost and bring him to justice.

As he paid for his purchases, Ezra felt compelled to try to provide some reassurance to the shopkeeper. He knew she was a good woman, even if she did have some indifference to the capture of one outlaw. As he put the items into a bag, Ezra reassured her that Jeb remained a priority for him—for very good reason. “As soon as we can bring Jeb and his men to justice, we will. But we need to be smart about it. As much as I want to see him brought down, I’m not willing to throw my life away without guaranteeing that he will be stopped.”

“I understand, Sheriff. I wasn’t trying to criticize you or make you feel like we don’t appreciate what you do for us. I just meant that between someone who steals from the rich and someone who loves to kill, I’m not so worried about a thief.”

He forced a smile. “I understand. And as soon as I can get enough men together to face them, I will lead the charge.”

This got an honest smile from Mrs. Wilson. “If the men folk aren’t up to the task, maybe you can get the women to step up.”

He gave her another cold look.

She shrugged at him. “This problem has been around long enough that I think a different approach may be something to consider.”

“And would you be willing to take up arms against them?”

“If I were to see them, I wouldn’t back down.”

“That would mean your life.”

“As long as I was to take some of them with me, it would be worth it.”

Ezra’s initial reaction was to dismiss her words, but the serious expression on her face made him reconsider. Instead of brushing off the idea, he tilted his head to the side. “Perhaps it is something to consider. After all, women have just as much to lose.”

She nodded, and neither of them brought up just how much more women would suffer at the hands of those monsters. It definitely gave Ezra something to think about as he headed out to his horse.

The sheriff replayed the discussion in his mind as he packed his purchases into the saddlebags. While he wasn’t pleased to hear someone side with an outlaw, especially since Mrs. Wilson’s views tended to align with what most people were thinking, he couldn’t exactly blame them. The people of Westford had more than enough challenges without a vicious gang of bandits. Between the cold Colorado winters, the wildlife, the native people, and the difficult terrain, it made sense that most people wouldn’t care about a bandit who targeted the wealthy. Not when there was a much greater threat that would take more than just money from people who could afford it.

Ezra refused to settle down until he had taken out the biggest threat to the people in the area. He couldn’t start building a family knowing that they might one day face the kind of pain his mother faced every day. At twenty-six years old, he was beginning to think that settling down wasn’t in the cards for him.

Lost in thought as he untied his horse, Ezra was startled by another cheerful and friendly voice.

“Good morning, Sheriff. Another day of keeping the peace in paradise?”

Not needing to turn to know that his friend was approaching, Ezra said, “Good morning, Leo. It’s a bit early for you, isn’t it?”

A horse soon came into view on the other side of Ezra. “It’s mid-morning, Ezra. Even I see the value of finishing work before the sun reaches its peak.”

“Ah, yes, the pragmatic approach. Funny, since I’ve never known you to be a big believer in being responsible.” Ezra looked up at his best friend. “It seems to me that you have ulterior motives. And if I were to guess, it has something to do with the new family with the lovely daughter who recently moved to town.”

Leonard sat up a little straighter. “I feel I should warn you against malicious speculation. You wouldn’t want to tarnish my reputation, now, would you?”

This finally got a hearty laugh from the lawman. “I think anyone with eyes would come to the same conclusion. I hardly think you expressing interest in someone new to town would tarnish your reputation. I have to admit that she’s quite a lovely young woman. And if her presence means you are changing for the better, I am pleased with this turn of events.”

Leonard’s horse moved closer, a fake look of annoyance on his face. “Do you really think that I would go changing just for some woman?”

“I heard that you’ve already called on them. Even offered to help to mend the fences around the barn. Hearing that made me curious, until I saw the daughter.”

His friend blushed but seemed to come up with a comeback quickly. “At least one of us needs to pay attention to the future.”

“I am focused on the future. Westford’s future.”

This was met with a deep groan. “You know what I mean, Ezra. You are going to break your mother’s heart if you don’t start looking toward your own future.”

“My mother understands. After all, I am my father’s son.”

“You are indeed. And if you die without having really lived, she will have no one.”

Ezra looked up and glared at his friend. “Someone has to bring outlaws to justice.”

“That someone doesn’t always have to be you. You aren’t a one-man posse.”

Taking his horse’s reins, the sheriff swung himself up into the saddle. “As always, it’s been a frustrating conversation. I hope that you have a better angle for winning over Miss Mason.”

His friend looked away for a second, his cheeks once again turning pink. When Leonard looked back, he had a more determined look on his face. “You can keep trying to turn the tables, but we care about you, Ezra. I hope you understand that and start to listen to reason. Because I’m telling you that your mother is concerned about how single-minded you are about your job. We both are. I just hope that you come to your senses before it’s too late.”

“I know that my mother understands because she is a lawman’s wife.”

“No, Ezra.” Leonard’s voice was firm. “She’s a lawman’s widow.”

Narrowing his eyes, Ezra warned his friend. “I think I know my mother. And I don’t appreciate you trying to say that you know her better.”

“I think that she’s too afraid to scare you away, so she suffers in silence. Think about that while you run off chasing outlaws.”

Leonard didn’t wait for his reply. He turned and urged his horse forward, but he didn’t get far before he turned and said, “And for the love of everyone you care about, please be safe out there. I don’t want our last encounter to be a fight.”

Ezra relaxed a little. “I’m sorry, Leo. I know you mean well, and I will keep what you say in mind. If nothing else, I need to start the next round of lawmen. Heaven knows that we don’t have enough men to do the job.”

His friend smiled. “Not when men see being an outlaw as being an easy way to make money. When will you be back?”

“I’m not sure. I’m heading to Lone Rock to see if I can learn more about the man they are calling the Gilded Ghost.”

Leonard’s shoulders visibly relaxed before he sat up straight again. “At least you aren’t going after a killer this time. Although, I admit I will be sad to see him caught.”

Thinking back to the conversation in the general store, Ezra wasn’t surprised by the sentiment. And he knew that his friend would have a much more direct assessment because Leo was a fairly blunt and honest man. “Why’s that?”

“Because it feels like the rich have been doing far more harm around here than good. With someone targeting them, they aren’t kicking up nearly so much trouble and finding legal ways to steal from everyone else.”

Ezra rolled his eyes. “There is no such thing as legal theft.”

Leonard’s right eyebrow nearly disappeared into his straw-like blond hair. “Not when you get to make the rules, no. When you can buy the lawmen, you can get away with murder.”

With no response, Ezra watched as his friend headed out of town. The sheriff noted that Leo was heading toward the Mason’s new home, and he realized that his friend had only stopped to check on him. Feeling guilty about having been so rough on him, Ezra turned his horse and headed in the opposite direction.

It didn’t take long before all thoughts outside of law enforcement were left behind in Westford. He had a job to do, and allowing personal problems to cloud his judgment was a quick way to get killed.

Chapter Two

Nora Grey sat up straighter as she tried to ignore the gaze of so many people on her. She had no desire to let anyone know that she was aware she was being watched.

Despite her best efforts to look engaged in reading a magazine, a man approached her. He sat right next to her. “What’s a pretty young thing like you doing traveling alone?” He ended his question by placing a hand on her knee.

The young woman stiffened. She let out an exasperated sigh, then with exaggerated movements, she closed her magazine. Her black hair moved a little from the carefully styled ringlets around her face. However, it was the flash in her bright green eyes that finally caught the man’s attention.

Her fingers pinched his hand as she lifted it, and he gasped at the intense pain she caused him. Nora made sure to dig her nails into his skin as she moved his hand away from her leg. As she released his hand by almost tossing it toward his lap, she replied, “A real lady doesn’t need a pathetic man to escort her.”

The man appeared to be in his late twenties or early thirties, although his mutton chops made it difficult to gauge his actual age. The expression of shock on his face under the heavy brown mustache was priceless. The way he vigorously rubbed his hand was almost as good as the way he now looked at her, a red welt forming where she had pinched his skin between her nails.

 

She continued, her voice low as she leaned into his space, forcing him back a little, “And a real man would never approach a woman with so little respect. Nor would he touch her in such an inappropriate way. The things my father would say.” She made a tsking sound as she pulled away a little. “The mayor of Portland may have less influence than the mayors of some of the other New England towns, but I assure you that he still has sway over blackguards like you.”

Just as she had hoped, the man quickly stood up and hurried away from her. Nora felt confident that she had not only gotten rid of the immediate problem, but she had dissuaded any of the other men from approaching her.

She was just returning to her magazine when a family entered the lobby. The husband quickly headed away from the family, to do what, she didn’t know. The wife carried a small child on her hip and held the hand of a daughter who looked about four or five years old. They came over to sit behind her.

The arrival of the family made it difficult for Nora to focus on the magazine. When the young girl appeared in her periphery, Nora stopped trying to read.

“You’re really pretty, miss.” The little girl’s voice was sweet and energetic, and Nora could imagine just how much trouble she could likely be for her mother.

Nora closed the magazine as she turned and looked at the young girl. “Why, thank you. I have to say, you are quite the cute little one.”

The girl giggled. “You have a funny accent.”

“Anne!” Her mother’s tone denoted shock and disapproval.

Nora turned and smiled at the woman. Smiling wide, she said, “It’s quite alright. I have a sister not much older than her.” She then turned her attention to the young girl. “That’s because I’m not from around here. I come from up in New England.”

The little girl cocked her head to the side. “What’s New England?”

Nora’s eyes flicked to the mother. From their accent, it was clear that the family came from one of the Southern states, although she couldn’t tell which one. The mother seemed mostly focused on the young child, who was currently fussing. Nora turned her attention back to the young girl. “It’s the states up toward the top of the country.”

“Oh, you mean the states that were mean to us?”

Nora frowned, again turning her eyes to the mother. Now it was clear that the woman was avoiding saying anything as she was shooting some stern glances at her daughter.

This got Nora on the defensive. “From the states that insisted that there shouldn’t be slaves, honey. Because no one should have to work without being paid.”

Finally, the mother looked up at her. “It’s easy for you Yanks to say that. Just another carpet bagger making money off of us.” The woman grabbed her daughter’s hand and said loudly, “Don’t talk to her. A Yankee’s just as bad as a Redskin.”

Nora watched them leave, the anger bubbling under her cool demeanor. She loathed living out West because people judged her by things she couldn’t change. Her looks. Her accent. Her situation.

Runaway, you pigeon-livered wagtail. Nora hurled numerous abuses at the woman in her mind, but outwardly, she kept her composure as she opened her magazine. It quickly became clear she was not going to be able to read now.

Standing up, Nora headed toward the small rest area. It wasn’t quite as nice as the ones they had in the train stations back home, but it was much nicer than most of the buildings and homes in the area. Indoor plumbing was a luxury that was missing this far west. Not for the last time, Nora cursed the fact that she had to move out to Colorado.

It’s so backward out here. What I wouldn’t give to go back instead of carrying on in such a backward, uncivilized place. I swear, I’m yet to meet anyone with a brain cavity that was larger than a canary’s drinking cup.