Page 41 of Suncatcher

“But you’ll be able to make it back to eat with us, right?” Wallace asked. “We’ll be having mule brisket.”

Pearl should agree. “Thanks. But I’ve got several prior arrangements today.”

The sheriff scowled. “What arrangements?”

“Just this and that. Some things to take care of.” Pearl headed for the stairs off the porch when she heard a commotion from the street, and the back door swung open, Steve standing there with an intense look on his face. Pearl and Sheriff Oak both reached for their weapons.

“What is it?” Sheriff Oak demanded.

“We’ve got more visitors,” Steve spat. “Sorry for not knocking, Wallace,” he threw over his shoulder as they followed him back through the house and out front to look down the street.

“Oh, no, that’s fine, of course. My door and home are always open,” Wallace mumbled, his affability never faltering as they stared through the blinding sun.

Three horses rode toward them, and Pearl recognized all the riders. She drew one of her revolvers, loading it with three blight bullets. Just in case.

Cecilia gasped, staring from the gun in Pearl’s hand to her face.

“Don’t worry,” Pearl muttered. “I won’t add any more headstones.”

She wouldn’t bother with a headstone for them.

Mayor Wallace stepped forward to greet the intruders. “Mayor Brooks, Sheriff Langly.” The third, who rode behind, was one of their henchmen named Geoff. “What a surprise.”

Mayor Brooks of Faltsprings dismounted with the others. “Isn’t it just.” His eyes shifted to the commissioner and widened in fake astonishment. “Commissioner Graham, fancy seeing you again so soon, and here of all places.” The men shook hands and he lingered over Cecilia a bit longer than was appropriate. “And your ravishing wife.”

Cecilia appeared as uncomfortable with the man’s eyes as was warranted. Good. She had sense. And taste, at least.

The commissioner cleared his throat, placing a possessive hand on Cecilia’s back.

Mayor Brooks smiled warmly again. “I thought our talks this week have been most fruitful, were they not? We demonstrated how beneficial it’ll be for the rail to come through the south line.”

“Yes, indeed. But as I told you, I’m investigating all options.”

The warmth of the expression slipped. “I believe you’ll find it in your best interest to come south.”

“That sounded a lot like a threat, Brooks,” Sheriff Oak said.

“Ah, Miss Jane Oakley.” The smile became distinctly brittle. “Of course it’s not a threat.” He laughed, but that too sounded thin.

“What’re you doing here?” Sheriff Oak demanded. She hadn’t drawn her own weapons yet, but Pearl knew she was itching to, and would have, if not for their other guests.

“You’ve got something of mine. I’m here to get him back.”

“Are you now.”

“Yes. Oh, and I heard about the flooding. A shame to lose your harvest.”

“It’s not lost. The upper field got rehydrated, but the rest handled it fine.”

“And your pest problem?”

Sheriff Oak stilled. “Our what?”

“The gargoyle lurking around here.”

Pearl’s heart rate increased as Cecilia gasped again. “Are those even real?” Cecilia whispered. “I’ve heard stories, but…”

“They’re real,” Pearl muttered. “Lots of your stories are, out here.”