Authors: Linda Bridey
Tags: #Romance, #Historical, #Victorian, #Western, #Historical Romance, #Westerns
“I know what you’re sayin’, Joe, but I can’t be her boss and her potential husband. Every time something dangerous would come up, I’d have a hard time keeping my personal and professional feelings aside,” Mitch said. “That’s dangerous.”
“Yeah, I could see how it would be,” Joe said.
“If she wasn’t my prospective wife, I would have hired her the other night, no questions asked. It was one hell of a job interview,” Mitch said. “Besides, if she’s keeping peace at the bar, it makes my life easier because she’ll be able to kick your behind and I won’t have to come do it.”
Joe laughed. “I hear that.”
“I heard that there’s another candidate that’s going to run in the election in a couple of months and that it has Jessie worried. He’s never had an opponent and one of the issues he’s planning on running on is saving money for the town,” Mitch said.
“Ok,” Joe said. “That doesn’t sound bad so far.”
“One of the ways he’s planning on saving money is by cutting the position of deputy from the payroll,” Mitch said.
Joe’s hazel eyes widened. “You need backup, Mitch. This town needs more than one lawman. The place is starting to get bigger and it’s gonna need more deputies later on, not less.”
Mitch nodded. “This is what I’m sayin’.”
“So how can I help?” Joe asked. “Just name it.”
“I was hoping you’d say that,” Mitch said. “Run for mayor, Joe.”
Joe, who was rarely speechless, couldn’t make a peep. “What?” he croaked. “Me? You gotta be outta your mind, Mitch! Who the hell would vote for me?”
“Everyone, Joe. You’re friends with almost everyone and it’s no secret that your money helps people put food on the table,” Mitch said.
“Yeah, but being friends with people doesn’t qualify me for being mayor. I’ve got my first baby on the way and I’m still rebuilding the ranch,” Joe said.
“Joe, other people have babies and work. You can, too. Besides, you have a brain in that head and I’m sure you know some people you could appoint to the town council to help take up the slack so that you’d still have time to run the ranch,” Mitch said. “Mayor Dwyer. I think that has a great ring to it.”
“Now you’re appealing to my vanity,” Joe said.
“Is it working?”
Joe ignored his question. “You’re not giving me much time. The election isn’t too far away. I’d need to start campaigning like yesterday. It’s true that everyone knows me already, so that would be in my favor. Plus, I could ask Marcus to be my campaign manager and maybe Tessa would write my speeches. I know Claire might be willing to help look at the books and figure out where she could save us money in a feasible way.”
Mitch didn’t say anything. He knew that Joe could talk himself into anything without help from anyone else.
The more Joe thought about it, the more he liked the idea. He remembered a conversation he’d had with Tessa Samuels over a year ago where he’d mentioned how much he loved the town and how much good he always tried to do. Maybe he didn’t have quite the cash flow he used to, but he could certainly help the town in other ways.
Having only a sheriff to protect and serve was dangerous. He also remembered how so many people had come out to help him and Lacey when their barns had burned down and they’d lost five of their most expensive horses. The townspeople had spent countless hours helping to clear away the wreckage and had helped build a barn for him. That had included Marcus’ Lakota relatives. Joe might be able to further relations between the townspeople and the local tribe. Mitch already had a pretty good rapport with them.
His mind made up, Joe turned back to Mitch. “I’ll do it. I’ll run for mayor.”
Sammi had come back, but Joe had been so caught up in his thoughts that he hadn’t notice. “You’re gonna what?” she asked.
“I’m gonna run for mayor, Sammi,” Joe said. He was starting to get very excited about the idea. “I gotta go home and tell my wife and set up a meeting with my advisers. I’ll see ya’ll later.”
He ran from the house before Mitch could stop him. “So much for having a chaperone,” he said.
“Is that what you wanted to talk to him about? Running for mayor?” Sammi said.
“Yeah. I need him to. This town needs him to win so that I can get a deputy,” Mitch told her.
“I don’t understand.”
“You might as well know that the current mayor, Jessie Wilkes wants to save money by not hiring another deputy. If he’s reelected that means it’ll only be me. Joe understands what’s at stake and I think he’s a sure bet to win,” Mitch said. “That’s another reason I don’t want you to be deputy. If Joe doesn’t win, you’d be out of a job in a few months. At least right now you’ve got a good job with Jake.”
Sammi saw how wise Mitch was being about the situation and her respect for him grew. When Mitch had refused to hire her as deputy, she hadn’t realized at the time that he’d also been looking out for her.
“Thanks for caring about me, Mitch. Just know that whatever happens, I have your back,” Sammi said.
“I appreciate that. So you like the house?” Mitch asked. He knew the place was not a dream home.
Sammi smiled. “I love it. There’s so much potential. It’ll take time, but I think it’ll be worth it when all is said and done. I like the carriage house, too.”
Mitch moved closer and took her hat from her head. He tossed it over onto the chair where they’d sat the night before. “You do? What else do you like?”
“I like the way you’re looking at me right now,” Sammi said as he put his arms around her waist.
“That’s good because I’m going to be looking at you like that a lot,” Mitch said and kissed her.
Sammi leaned against him and wound her arms around his neck and responded to him. He smelled of sandalwood and horse and she wanted him with an intensity she’d never experienced. Mitch tried to behave himself somewhat so he didn’t pull her shirt up again, but it was difficult. He was discovering that Sammi didn’t do things halfway and the way she was kissing him wasn’t making it easy to keep his desire on a simmer instead of boiling over.
Sammi was enjoying learning more about the different sides of Mitch. He wore many different hats; civil servant, good friend, good listener, and sensual man. The sensual side of Mitch enthralled her and she couldn’t help her strong reaction to him.
They jumped when someone knocked on the door.
“Damn it!” Sammi said.
Mitch chuckled and reluctantly broke away from her.
Sammi retrieved her hat and said, “I’ll be out in the kitchen. That way this won’t look inappropriate.”
“Sorry about this,” Mitch said.
She smiled and said, “Don’t be. I told you I understood what your life is like. Go answer the door.”
Mitch waited until she’d trotted out to the kitchen and opened the door. Jessie Wilkes stood on the porch and Mitch had to keep guilt off his face. He didn’t want anyone to get wind about Joe running for mayor until Joe was ready to announce his candidacy.
“Hi, Jessie. What can I do for you?” Mitch said.
Jessie said, “I need to talk to you.”
“Ok.”
“Could I maybe come in?” Jessie said.
“Oh, yeah,” Mitch said. He didn’t really want Jessie in his house, but there was no real reason to refuse him entrance.
Jessie glanced around at the place and said, “I still can’t believe you bought this monstrosity.”
Mitch narrowed his eyes at Jessie. “What did you want?”
“Listen, you gotta do something about this Sammi Jameson situation,” Jessie said.
Warning bells went off in Mitch’s head and he proceeded carefully. “What about her?”
“She’s dangerous, Mitch. First she impersonates a deputy. Then she assaults Slim and throws Paul Charles out of the Watering Hole at gun point. Not to mention that she threatened Pricilla Samuels,” Jessie said.
Mitch laughed. “Let me put your fears to rest, Jessie. I’ve already talked to her about the deputy thing and it was a misunderstanding. She did save Jake, though. I didn’t see any of the men around here doing that, including you. As to her throwing Slim out? He was copping a feel and she had every right to defend herself. I was there when Paul and Chase were getting out of hand and Paul threatened her. I’d have pulled a gun on him myself. And lastly, she never threatened Pricilla. She just gave her a little unorthodox advice on what to do about Bertha’s cat pooping in her flower bed.”
Jessie said, “Ok, fine, but the point is, she’s causing a ruckus and I don’t need that. You’re the sheriff. Do something about it.”
“Like what? She’s not breaking the law. Jake hired her to be a bouncer and it’s legitimate work. If she were a man, there wouldn’t be a problem with her working there, Jessie. She’s already proven that she’s capable,” Mitch said. His temper was starting to rise.
“Why are you protecting her?” Jessie said.
“I don’t need protecting,” Sammi said as she came walking into the parlor. “You got a problem with me; you talk to me about it. Don’t go behind my back and get other people involved. I’ve done nothing wrong and you know it,” she said. Her blue eyes blazed.
Mitch stood back and let Sammi deal with Jessie.
Jessie became nervous. “Do you know who I am?”
Sammi’s gaze raked over him in a loathsome manner. “Yeah, the sniveling little mayor who’s scared to deal with someone face to face. I’ll bet you used to go running to your ma every time someone picked on you. Can’t fight your own fights, huh?”
Jessie sneered at her. “You’re not even a woman. Look at the way you dress. Makes me wonder about certain tendencies you might have.”
Sammi laughed. “You’d know all about being a woman wouldn’t you. Looks like you forgot your girdle today, Jessica.”
Jessie made a move towards Sammi and Sammi towards him. Mitch placed a hand on each of their chests and kept them apart. He tried not to think about the fact that his right hand was pressed squarely against Sammi’s breasts.
“Knock it off, you two. I’m not going to have a fight in my house. Jessie, Sammi’s done nothing wrong, so leave her alone. If she breaks the law, I’ll deal with her. Sammi, just stay clear of Jessie. That’ll solve the problem since it seems as if you aren’t going to get along. Jessie, I think you’re done here. You leave first and then Sammi will leave. I don’t want you running into each other right away,” Mitch said.
“I’m not done with you,” Jessie said to Sammi. “Or you either, Mitch.” He slammed the door when he left.
Mitch sighed as he looked at the door.
“Mitch?” Sammi said.
“Yeah?”
“You can take your hand off me now.”
Mitch snatched his hand away. “I’m so sorry.”
She grinned at him. “It’s ok. I didn’t exactly mind it.”
“You and I just made a very powerful enemy, Sammi,” Mitch said.
“You mean because he’s the mayor? He won’t be mayor long,” Sammi said. “Don’t worry about him too much.”
“I hope you’re right. In the meantime, be prepared for some backlash. You watch yourself at work and be really careful when you leave, too, since it’ll be so late,” Mitch said. “Please?”
Sammi felt a twinge of fear but pushed it down. She nodded. “I won’t be careless, Mitch. I promise.”
“All right. Thanks. Let’s go get something to eat,” Mitch said.
“What does Joe want to talk to all of us about?” Dean asked Marcus.
“I don’t know. He wouldn’t say. He just told me that it was of the utmost importance and told me not to say anything to anyone about meeting with him,” Marcus said.
They sat in the cookhouse. The place had become a small social hall of sorts and tonight it would be a meeting house. The door opened and Joe came in followed by Mitch. Marcus was surprised since Joe hadn’t mentioned anything about Mitch coming. He got an odd feeling that something bad was afoot. Marcus always listened to his instincts.
“Hi, fellas,” Dean said.
“Hi, Dean, Marcus,” Mitch said and sat by Dean.
Marcus looked at Joe and asked, “What’s goin’ on, Joe?”
Joe replied, “Just wait ‘til everyone’s here and then we’ll talk.”
Marcus didn’t like the lack of humor in Joe’s eyes.
Maureen and Geoff O’Connor, Tessa, Maddie, and Claire’s parents were watching all of the children so that all of the adults could be present. As soon as everyone was assembled, Joe began.
“Everything that is said at this meeting is strictly confidential and doesn’t get talked about except in private. I told Lacey, but that was in the privacy of our bedroom late at night to make sure there were no servants around.”
“As you know, with Mitch being sheriff now, he’s the only lawman we have. He needs to hire a deputy, and he’s going to be working on that, but there’s a big problem. If Jessie gets reelected in a couple of months, he’s going to pull funding for additional law enforcement.”
Dean frowned. “He can’t do that. We need more lawmen.”
“He can’t by himself, but he has some buddies on the town council and they’ll vote for what he wants,” Joe said. “I know who they are and where their loyalties lie.”
Tessa asked, “Why would he want to do that? As mayor, he should know that leaving Dawson without at least one deputy is extremely dangerous.”
Mitch said, “He doesn’t care. There’s someone that’s going to challenge him and it’s making him nervous. Jessie will do anything to stay in office. He likes the power too much. His reasoning for cutting the position is to save the town money. I’m sure he wants to cut other things that we need, but I don’t know any more than what I’ve already said. I doubt this other competitor can beat Jessie, but we found someone who can.”
“Who?” Seth asked.
Joe gave them a big smile and said, “Me.”
The laughing started with Luke and travelled around the table. It died quickly when they saw that Mitch and Joe stayed completely serious.
Dean said, “I’m sorry, Joe, but you have to admit how that sounds.”
Joe nodded. “I thought the same thing when Mitch first asked me to run. I thought he was off his rocker. Mitch brought up some good points, though. I know almost everyone and, not to toot my own horn, but most people like me. Plus, it doesn’t hurt that I can still throw some money around. I’d be happy to do the job. After Daddy burned our barns to the ground, ya’ll and so many people from town came to help me and I’ve not forgotten it. Maybe I can do some good and repay the citizens of Dawson.”
Claire nodded. “I agree. You certainly have the kind of charisma that would sway voters.”
Joe said, “Thank you, Claire. I’m gonna need a lot of help and that’s where you all come in. Claire, I’d like to have you look over the town financials and see where things stand and how we can put more money in the town coffers without cutting important positions and services.”
“I’d be happy to,” Claire said.
“Tessa, will you write my speeches?” Joe said.
Tessa was surprised. “Are you sure? Speech writing isn’t what I do.”
Joe said, “I know you write fiction, but you also put great emotion into your writing, and I think you could write emotional speeches that would appeal to the hearts of the voters.”
“I’ll do it,” Tessa said and smiled at him.
“Thank you. Marcus, you get to be my campaign manager,” Joe said.
Marcus said, “Joe, I don’t know if I have the time to give to do a proper job. I’ve got boards coming up that I have to study for and then I have to make a trip to Chicago. I’m saving up the money to cover my room and board while I’m doing clinicals.”
“Marcus, you do this for me and I’ll pay for your whole trip,” Joe said. “I can afford to do it, or I wouldn’t say that. Call it an investment in our community. We all know Doc is getting ready to retire and we need a doctor in the area.”
“Uncle Marcus, do it,” Jack urged. He’d been invited to the meeting since he was now eighteen and could contribute. “Please? We need to get this jerk out of office and we need you as a doctor. There’s no one else that could take over for Doc and you know it. People around here know and trust you.”
“I’m with Jack, little brother,” Seth said. “You’ve gotten this far; you need to see it through.”
Claire said, “They’re all right, dummy. If you don’t help Joe and finish medical school, I’ll never pull your hair again.”
Marcus laughed and his face got slightly pink. Laughter filled the cookhouse. Everyone knew that for some strange reason, Marcus liked it when Claire pulled his hair. What they didn’t know was that it had an amorous effect on him.
“Ok, ok! I’ll do it if only to shut you all up!” he acquiesced.
“Thank you,” Joe said. “Each of you is gonna have a role to play. Luke, Seth, you’re in charge of the band that is gonna play at a couple of rallies I plan to have. Jamie, I need you to sing your heart out and get ‘em stirred up.”
“Ok,” Seth said.
Luke nodded and Jamie said, “You know I’m good at that!”
“Maddie, my Mama always planned the balls we used to throw and I know nothing about it. I know you’re the expert on that and I would like to throw one near the election. My cooking and housekeeping staff would be at your disposal,” Joe said. “Will you organize and oversee it?”
“I would love to!” Maddie said excitedly. “I’ll start working on it tomorrow.”
“Which really means she’ll be up late tonight,” Seth said.
She shot him a look and he said, “What? You know it’s true.”
Joe laughed and said, “Ok, you two can settle that later. Jack, my young friend, how would you like to help my staff cook?”
“Really? I’d be happy to,” Jack said.
“Good. Dean, I didn’t forget about you,” Joe said with his famous crocodile smile.
“Oh, boy. I’m not sure I want to know what you have in mind,” Dean said.
“How would you like to sit on the town council?” Joe said.
“What?” Dean said.
Joe said, “You heard me. I need some people on the council that I can trust and you’re the first person I thought of. You have integrity and people respect you.”
Tessa said, “He’s right, Dean. You should do it.”
“Won’t that look like a conflict of interest if my wife is your speech writer and I’m on council?” Dean said.
“No, because once the election is over, she won’t be writing speeches and you won’t sit on council until I appoint you,” Joe said. “No conflict whatsoever.”
Dean mulled it over and said, “All right. I’m in.”
“Good man! Oh, Marcus, I want to set up a secret meeting with Black Fox since he was just appointed chief,” Joe said.
The old chief of Marcus’ tribe had recently passed on and as the oldest grandson of a former chief Black Fox had been elected to lead the Lakota tribe.
“Why? What do the Lakota have to do with this?” Marcus asked in a protective tone.
“I want them to vote. The Lakota people have the legal right to vote and they’re part of this community. They should have their say. I think it’ll take time, but I’d like to work on improving relations with our Lakota brothers and sisters,” Joe said. “They were there for me before and if they stand with me now, I’ll do everything within my power to be there for them, too.”
Marcus got a little misty-eyed over Joe’s words. Not everyone thought so highly of his tribe. “Thank you. I’ll set up the meeting for you and the council. They’ll keep it secret until the right time. It means a lot to me that you would include them and it’s going to mean a lot to them, too.”
“Don’t start with the water works, little brother, or I’ll be right there with you,” Seth said.
Marcus cleared his throat and laughed.
Joe sobered and said, “We’ve got our work cut out for us, folks, but I have every confidence that we can pull it off. Meeting adjourned.”
Mitch let everyone else go out of the cookhouse and caught up with Marcus.
“Hey, can I talk to you?” Mitch asked.
“Yeah, sure,” Marcus said.
“Sammi and Jessie had a run-in today. He’s been getting complaints about her, but they’re bogus. We were at my place and Sammi was there. She overheard him and challenged him head on.” Mitch smiled as he remembered her snappy taunts. “He threatened her and me, basically telling us to watch our backs. I know that Sammi can take care of herself, but I’m still worried. It’s late when she gets off work and I don’t want anything to happen to her. She won’t tolerate me walking her home, of course, or anyone else for that matter.”
“Yeah, you’re probably right. She doesn’t scare easy,” Marcus said.
Mitch said, “But if she didn’t know someone was following her and making sure she was ok, she would have nothing to object to. Someone who can walk silently and keep to the shadows.”
“Are you asking me to do that?” Marcus asked.
“No,” Mitch said, “but I’d be willing to pay one of your Lakota buddies to do it.”
Marcus laughed. “So you want a body guard for a bouncer? That’s a new one on me.”
“Do you think you could get someone to start tonight?” Mitch asked.
Marcus said, “You’re lucky I was planning on going to the camp tonight. Do you have the money now? I know who I’ll ask and he’ll want the money up front. Owl owes me some favors and he’s an expert at this kind of thing.”
Mitch pulled out his wallet and handed some money to Marcus. “That should cover the whole week. Thanks, Marcus. Now I owe you, too,” he said and patted Marcus’ shoulder.
Sammi kept watch over the crowd at the Watering Hole but it was a fairly quiet night. There were a couple of minor quarrels but they’d been resolved quickly. Wendell played some tunes and since Joe and Jamie weren’t there, the whole bar sang along off and on. Sammi hoped that Mitch would show up but he hadn’t so far. He was either dealing with something in town or had gone home to bed.
She contemplated breaking and entering again but decided that she shouldn’t push her luck with Mitch’s tolerance of her antics. No, if Mitch didn’t show up before closing, she’d just see him tomorrow. Jake beckoned her to the bar.
“Hey, if you wanna knock off early, you can. It’s not bad tonight. I’ll still pay you,” Jake said.
Sammi shook her head. “Nope. I’d just as soon stay. I’ve nothing else to do, so stayin’ here is better than sitting in my hotel room bored out of my mind.”
Jake said, “Ok. If you change your mind, let me know.”
“I will,” Sammi said.
It was a good thing Sammi stayed at work. Two women got in a cat fight, which Sammi had to break up. Unlike a male bouncer, Sammi had no qualms about using force to remove the troublemakers from the premises. Later on in the evening, Boonie got plastered and was talking to the wall. Sammi had merely smiled and had one of the other patrons guide him home. Mitch did not show up that night.
Sammi bid Jake goodnight and headed home. Unbeknownst to her, Owl kept a close tail. He was so skilled that she never knew he was there. Just because there were only a certain number of trees didn’t mean that there weren’t plenty of shadows and other things to hide behind. Owl didn’t mind the job at all and earning some decent white man’s money was just fine with him. He was happy to watch the sheriff’s woman for him.
Arriving at the hotel, Sammi nodded to Jolene’s night clerk and ran up the stairs. As she neared the top, a shadow flickered on a wall to her left. Sammi saw it and watched it for a moment. Whoever the person was went farther on down the hall and she continued on her way. She saw it again as she gained the landing and pulled her gun. Sammy didn’t hold it up until she saw someone lurking by the door to her room.
She cocked the gun quietly and said, “Move away from that door, mister and show yourself.”
Mitch stood straighter and said, “It’s just me.”
Sammi swore and holstered her gun. “What are you doing here?”
“I was just returning the favor from last night,” he said as she unlocked her door. “Plus, I need to talk to you.”
They entered the room and Sammi shut the door and locked it. “About what?” she tossed her hat on the unmade bed, which she saw Mitch looking at.
“You know Jolene has housekeeping staff,” he said.