开云体育

Emma’s had a restless night of sleep alone in Ezra’s bed. While she missed him, she was glad it was because he was standing guard for Cheyenne. Lily had been livid while they’d eaten supper after telling her about what had happened with the bounty hunter. She had assured that Judge Travis would sort out this mess and send Parker on his way. Emma returned to her shop after breakfast. This time though she kept the shades drawn and the front door locked. She would not be caught off guard by Dan Parker again. It was nearly noon when she took a break. No doubt Nathan would not have approved of her working so much. But it felt good. Things were clean and straightened. She’d even spent a little time with her sewing machine finishing the hem on a dress. What would have taken hours by hand took minutes.

Emma took the shaw that hung in the back room when she left. The air had been considerably colder the last few days. It occurred to her that she had no idea what winter would be like on the frontier. Would there be snow? The thought of snow made her think of Christmas and her brother. It saddened her to think of him believing that she had died. Maybe there could be a way to get a message to him, let him know that she lived and was well. Perhaps Lily would have an idea. She left her shop and headed not in the direction of the saloon but to their mercantile.

The bell over the door announced her arrival. The store keeper emerged from the back a moment later, a guarded smile on her face. “Good day, how are you today?”

“Quite fine, thank you.” Emma rubbed her hands together to warm them. “I wanted to come and tell you thank you again, for yesterday. I do not relish the thought of what that man might have done had you not alerted Mr.Jackson.”

Belle nodded. She didn’t know the words to voice what she’d seen in the bounty hunter’s eyes, just that he’d meant to cause trouble. “Glad that I could help.” Emma turned to leave. “Ms. Clark? I’d been meaning to ask about having you mend a couple dresses. I could do it myself but with running the store on my own,” she waved her hand at the room. Mrs. Potter had not been the most organized and Belle felt like she needed to start from scratch when it came to a simple inventory.

“Of course, I’d be happy to. Perhaps we could arrange a trade. I’m always in need of fabric and notions.”

“I think that’s a fine idea.”

The two women discussed the arrangement before Emma took her leave. The noon stage tumbled into town stopping just down from her. She wondered if Judge Travis was onboard. The sooner the judge sent Dan Parker on his way the better they’d all be. The coachman handed a trunk down to one of the hotel porters. Emma crossed the street headed to the restaurant for dinner. A well-dressed man exited the coach. She spared a sideways glance at him. She guessed he was over 40 with a salt and pepper neatly trimmed beard. He tipped the coachman and promised one to the porter for taking care of his bag.

“Good day,” he tipped his hat to her. Emma nodded. “I don’t suppose you know a Mrs. Lily Patterson and where I might find her.”

“At saloon.”

“Of course.” A slow smile crossed his face. “Thank you Mrs. ...”

“颁濒补谤办.”

“Mrs. Clark,” he tipped his hat again, “have a lovely afternoon.”