Lightning and Lawmen Page 20

  John chuckled and leaned back in his chair, stretching his legs out in front of him. “Let’s hear it.”

  “You want me to read the letter?”

  “Sure. Knowing Delilah, I’m sure it’s full of interesting details beyond this fellow who’s caught her fancy.”

  Ross cleared his throat and began reading aloud.

  “Dearest Papa,

  It seems as though you’ve been gone months and months rather than a few short weeks. I do miss you so.

  Both the front yard and back are finished and look quite nice. Thank you for sending so many of the statuary pieces and the birdhouses. You won’t believe it, but a pair of waxwings are nesting near the birdbath by the blackberry bushes. I love hearing their trills among the symphony of my birds.

  The sheriff and his cohorts, particularly Deputy Durfey, find it most amusing I’m trying to teach Oliver to leave the birds and their nests alone. Tully made a bet with me (and his wife). If I can train Ollie to stay away from the birds and eggs by the time June arrives, he’ll allow us to decorate his office any way we like for an entire month. Brianna and Sammy have visited frequently to assist in Oliver’s etiquette lessons. So far, he’s done exceptionally well, in spite of Deputy Durfey continually assuring me Ollie can’t be taught to ignore his instincts.”

  “Who, or should I say what, is Oliver?” John asked.

  Ross grinned. “Oliver is a raccoon my daughter has decided to convert into a pet.”

  “You’re joshing me.”

  Ross shook his head. “Nope, that’s the honest truth. When I left, she had it following her around the yard like a puppy.”

  John offered him an incredulous look, but waved his hand toward the letter. “What else does she have to say?”

  Ross lifted the letter and continued reading.

  Deputy Durfey has encouraged me to cease traipsing through the woods in my britches and cap, reminding me there are unsavory characters who also linger in the area. I’ve limited my adventures to what can be found around the edges of town or when I’m accompanied by a gun-toting protector. Both Deputy Harter and Deputy Durfey have assisted with my explorations, although Deputy Durfey definitely shows the most interest in my work.

  In fact, he has also accompanied me to the weather station numerous times and has learned how all the equipment works. He’s tried, unsuccessfully, to convince me to teach him our cipher system. I fear with his sharp intellect he’ll soon figure it out regardless of my lack of assistance.

  John gave Ross a broad smile. “So she’s quite taken with Deputy Durfey, is it?”

  Ross nodded. “It would certainly seem that way. Dugan Durfey is a fine, fine young man. He’s worked for the sheriff a number of years, has his own place on the edge of town, and is well-liked by everyone I’ve encountered.”

  “And I’m sure he’s not a homely sort, either.”

  Ross snickered. “Hardly. If your daughters weren’t already wed, he’s the type that would have set their heads spinning. Broad shoulders, tall, dark hair, blue eyes. From what I observed, Delilah could hardly keep her eyes off him, even though she’d never admit it. That girl is bound and determined a husband would impede her freedom and force her to sit at home knitting and planning dinner parties.”

  John snorted. “I’d like to see someone try to force your girl to do anything she wasn’t of a mind to.” He looked over at Ross. “Ever picture yourself with a Wild West lawman as a son-in-law?”

  “No, I can’t say that I had, at least until the first time I saw Delilah and Dugan together. After that, the idea didn’t strike me as odd in the least.” Ross lifted the letter again. “Shall I continue?”

  “Of course.”

  Ian and Maggie MacGregor invited me to ride with them out to the Jordan Ranch yesterday for a visit. Ian was kind enough to stop along the way several times so I could sketch the birds. There are so many of them, Papa. We saw grouse, quail, pheasants, hawks, magpies, and crows. I even had the opportunity to sketch a vulture as it fed on some poor dead beast. Ian said it was most likely what was left of a deer a cougar had killed. Yes, there are cougars in the hills, too. I heard a man at the mercantile speaking to the owner the other day about seeing a bear on his property. He lives north of town in the mountains.

  The road to the Jordan Ranch is nearly straight from Baker City if you continue south of town for about an hour and don’t account for the rolling hills. The landscape is dotted with sagebrush and juniper trees and native grasses, along with the birds I mentioned. There are plenty of deer, coyotes and snakes. Maggie and I both cringed to see a rattlesnake coiled up beneath a large sagebrush. Ian assured us it was more afraid of us than we were of it. I highly doubt the possibility of that statement bearing truth! When I mentioned it to Deputy Durfey, he said the same thing.

  The Jordan Ranch is spectacular. The road ends at the top of a hill overlooking the ranch in the valley below. The place almost looks like an oasis in the desert with green pastures and, of course, Jemma’s lovely lawn and flowers. Their two-story house was completed last year and boasts every luxury available, including two bathrooms. Thane and the hands (as they refer to the cowboys who work on the spread) finished building young Lily a playhouse just before Bolton’s arrival. The playhouse is nearly as impressive as the main house with papered walls and lace curtains. The high-spirited child often wanders into mischief and the hope is that the playhouse will keep her closer to home and easier for Jemma to keep an eye on with the new baby.

  Allie and Ben Amick (Ben is Thane’s half-brother) live in a rustic cabin across the ranch yard. Ben has been talking about building Allie a house like Jemma’s but she seems perfectly content with the cabin. From my understanding, she grew up in a soddy on the prairie and the cabin is nearly four times the size of her childhood home.

  We truly have been so blessed, Papa. I can’t even fathom the hardship of living in a house made of earth and sharing one room with so many people. Allie said she has five brothers she had to share the soddy with as well as her parents.

  Anyway, it was a lovely visit and such a treat to see the ranch. Jack invited me to ride with him so he could show off his horse and the cattle. Maggie and I both borrowed horses from Thane and went with Jack and Ben to check the cattle. Lily accompanied us on her pony, Peppermint. Exuberant is not an adequate word to describe her zest for life and adventure. Thane will certainly have his hands full with that one when she grows into long skirts and starts wearing her hair up.

  We returned to the ranch to find Deputy Durfey there along with Sheriff Barrett and his family. Sammy and Jack seem rather fond of each other. Deputy Durfey took me for a walk after supper to see the river then rode back with us when we returned to town. He kept us entertained the entire way with engaging, humorous tales, most of which I’m certain were fictional, meant only to provide amusement.

  Sammy’s teacher has requested an opportunity to bring the class to the weather station for a demonstration. There are actually two classes planning on visiting that day. The other class includes Nate Palmer. His father owns the saddle shop and his mother makes the beautiful quilts you’ve no doubt noticed in the mercantile window. We’ve set the date for a week before the end of school. I’m looking forward to showing the youngsters the equipment. Afterward, they will come to the cottage for cookies and punch in the backyard. I just hope Oliver is on his best behavior. Deputy Durfey volunteered to help me set up tables outside for the children. He has been most generous with his time and is one of the kindest men I’ve ever met, with the exception of you, Papa.

  I must go, but please know how very much you are missed. I look forward with great anticipation to your return home.

  All my love,

  Lila

  John chuckled again. “You better get used to the idea of a deputy in the family. Your girl is quite taken with the man, even if she can’t or won’t admit it.”

  Ross folded the letter, slid it in the envelope, and tucked it inside his pocket. “I agree. That�
��s why I’m hoping if I linger here just a little while longer, Dugan will take advantage of the opportunities to step in and fill the gap.”

  “And you aren’t worried about him doing something he shouldn’t?”

  “I’m a father, and wouldn’t be a very good one if I didn’t worry, but I do trust him. He’s an honest, good man.” Ross sighed. “Besides, Lila is old enough to know her own mind and I trust her.”

  John smiled as his wife stepped outside with a tray of refreshments and set it between the two men on a rattan table before returning inside. John picked up a glass of iced tea and handed it to Ross then took one for himself. “To our children. May they enjoy long, happy lives with spouses who cherish, love, and encourage them.”

  “Here, here.” Ross held his glass up in toast, wondering just how long it would take for Dugan to convince Delilah to marry him. For the sake of the grandchildren Ross longed to one day bounce on his knee, he hoped the deputy worked quickly.

  Chapter Seventeen

  Dugan tapped on the front door of Delilah’s cottage and waited. No sound emanated from inside, but he tapped again, just to be sure she wasn’t in the house. For good measure, he tried the doorknob, gratified to find it locked. He’d worn out her ears, he was sure, telling her to be careful, keep the doors locked, and not go anywhere outside of town alone.

  He wasn’t any closer to finding Hugh Allen now than he’d been before he’d begun trying to put the pieces of the outlaw’s puzzle together. Still, he had no idea what the man wanted from Delilah or why he’d decided to descend on Baker City.

  From what he knew and what Tully found out from some fellow lawmen in Idaho, Allen supposedly lived somewhere in Northern Idaho and had spent years terrorizing folks from there, all the way back to Texas, where he was reportedly from.

  The questions gnawed at Dugan’s mind like a dog with a juicy bone, giving him no rest or peace. The only time he found relief was when he let his thoughts settle on Delilah, which was no less distracting, but of a whole different variety.

  A variety that made him want to hold her close and kiss her like there was no tomorrow.

  However, after seeing her so cozy with Seth the last few weeks, he’d given up his pursuit of her. At least for the moment. He wouldn’t kiss her again until she asked him to. And if that day never came, well, then, he supposed it wasn’t meant to be.

  But he couldn’t help wishing she’d give him just a hint that she liked him, at least a little. Any number of times, he could have sworn he’d seen interest and longing in her gaze when she looked at him. Even the way she said his name made embers of hope spark in his heart. Yet, just yesterday, he’d seen her strolling down the boardwalk by Maggie’s shop on Seth’s arm. Everyone knew a woman didn’t take a gentleman’s arm during the day unless they were courting.

  Then again, she’d taken his arm a few times during the day and he hadn’t given a thought to it.

  Delilah wasn’t the type of girl to toss around her affections lightly, though, so he had no idea what sort of game she played or if she had any idea as to what the consequences might be.

  Dugan would die for Seth, if it came down to that, but right now, he could pummel him into next week just for stepping out yesterday with Delilah.

  Concluding he needed to get his thoughts under control, Dugan walked down the porch steps and out Delilah’s front gate. The scent of lilacs wafted on the breeze and mingled with the cinnamon smell of the pinks blooming in a flowerbed in the corner of the front yard. He inhaled another deep breath and moved around to the gate to the backyard.

  He pushed up the latch and stepped into the haven Delilah had created where weeds, dirt, and chaos had previously reigned. Although the trees at the back of the yard had been there several years, and a few bushes survived in spite of Eugene Sutler’s inattentiveness, Delilah had added plants, flowers, a vegetable garden, and lush, verdant grass.

  While the front yard was pleasant with small flowerbeds in each corner and bushes along the front of the porch as well as the roses and lavender she’d planted along the picket fence, it was only a fourth of the size of the expansive backyard. And Delilah had utilized every inch of the backyard’s space.

  Unlike the popular formal landscaping of flower gardens he’d seen in many Portland homes, Dugan liked Delilah’s unstructured design. At first, he’d thought her garden appeared almost random, but after studying it, he realized each plant and placement had a purpose. The entire layout of the yard was a habitat created for the enjoyment of her birds.

  Even now, as he walked across the lawn, he could hear the wheet, wheet, wheet call of a bird he’d heard hundreds of times, but had no idea what is was until he met Delilah.

  She’d pointed out every single bird that had decided to call her backyard its home and described its habits, what it liked to eat, when it would nest. She knew her birds as well as she knew her flowers.

  However, if he wanted to categorize things Delilah excelled at, he’d have to put kissing at the top of the list. One kiss from her was all it took to scatter his senses and leave him at her mercy.

  Dugan had hoped to find Delilah watering her flower beds or sketching birds, but she was nowhere in sight. He glanced down at the board and ropes in his hands and decided to go ahead with what he’d planned without asking her permission.

  He shimmied up the big cottonwood tree, careful not to disturb a nest of kingbird eggs. Delilah had climbed up the tree and studied them as soon as she discovered the gray and yellow bird nesting. She’d told him about the whitish eggs with lavender and brown splotches, and how the kingbird male was often among the first to greet the dawn with a song that almost sounded like chip, chip, good morning.

  Dugan scooted out on a limb and listened to the excited trill of a junco sitting in the maple tree on the other side of the yard. A month ago he wouldn’t have been able to say what bird sang, or even cared.

  Delilah had done that to him. Changed him. Altered the way he looked at the world, particularly nature, especially birds.

  The first time she’d shown him a little calliope hummingbird sipping the sugar water mixture she kept in a feeder on the back porch, he’d stared in wonder at the tiny bird that wasn’t even three inches long. It flapped its wings so fast, he couldn’t even see them before it zoomed off with a humming noise and perched on a holly bush. Three times it had come to the feeder then flown back to the bush

  And each time, Delilah had squeezed his hand and held her breath, astutely studying every movement the bird made.

  Dugan couldn’t help but ponder all the things he’d missed, like watching hummingbirds drink nectar, just because he hadn’t taken the time to observe birds. Delilah called them God’s choir, since they sang, but had such individual songs. He grinned as a meadowlark joined the junco in concert, serenading him as he worked.

  It didn’t take long to complete his task. He’d started down the tree when he felt someone staring at him. He glanced down to see Delilah standing in the shade of the tree, watching him as she held Oliver in her arms.

  “I can’t believe you climbed up there and did that for me,” she said, beaming with a smile as she walked over to the swing he’d just hung in the tree. He’d spent hours sanding the thick wooden seat until it was completely smooth without any chance of providing a splinter.

  “Want to try it out?” he asked with a grin.

  “Of course,” she said, setting down the raccoon. She crossed the distance to the swing in a few hurried steps and settled herself on the broad seat. Her hands encircled the thick rope on either side and she leaned back to set the swing in motion.

  Dugan stepped behind her and gave the swing a gentle push, making sure the knots held securely before he pushed her any higher. He pushed harder and the swing soared. Delilah’s laughter floated down to him while Oliver rested on his hind legs, watching, from near the birdbath.

  He still couldn’t believe the little devil hadn’t bothered Delilah’s birds or sucked any of the eggs, but s
o far, he’d been well behaved. Delilah had worked hard at training him. Sammy and Brianna had joined in the efforts, determined to win the bet with Tully.

  Dugan hated to admit it, but Tully might just have to accept the fact his office would be at the mercy of the two women come June. He’d never tell his boss, but he was secretly cheering for Oliver to succeed. It would drive Tully batty no matter what decorations the women hauled into the office, and that would provide enough humor he wanted to see it. Beyond Tully losing the bet, though, he knew if Delilah triumphed it meant Oliver would make a decent pet.

  He’d had his doubts, especially with the rabies scare, but the raccoon had taken to Delilah like he belonged to her. The way she packed him around and spoiled him, he could have been a cat or cherished dog.

  “Higher, Dugan!” Delilah said on a giggle, glancing down at him from the lofty height of the swing.

  “Yes, ma’am,” he said, giving her another hefty push. As the swing glided into the sky, he wished he’d tested it first, just to make sure it would hold. The thought of a rope breaking and her flying off made his heart drop.

  He moved to the side and observed her. Pink cheeks flushed from excitement complimented her broad smile. Tendrils of dark brown hair floated like silky ribbons behind her while the breeze ruffled her skirts and kicked up her petticoats. He caught a glimpse of yellow and white diamond-patterned stockings, matching the yellow and white gown she wore.

  She looked like a spring blossom, full of light and warmth. And she smelled even better than the flowers blooming around them. He had no idea how to describe her fragrance, but it put him in mind of a flower he’d once found in the desert. They’d had a rain shower and, with that fresh, cleansing scent blending with the sagebrush in the air, he’d happened upon a deep pink blossom with a fragrance he’d never forget. A fragrance that smelled exactly like Delilah.

  Seeing her so happy, so vibrant with life, filled his heart with joy. Even if she loved his best friend, all he wanted was for her to be happy, no matter how much it broke his heart.