Kat Tales — Original Stories and Novels — Number 11 — January 2021 by Kathryn Kaleigh

Author:Kathryn Kaleigh
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: KST Publishing

Chapter 16

Natalie spent three days near the jail. The sheriff had taken pity on her and allowed both her and Declan to sleep on the floor in his office at night.

She’d given her best effort at trying to convince the sheriff to release her father early enough that he could travel west with them. She’d claimed that his money had been stolen by a shyster and he shouldn’t be the one in jail.

The sheriff had claimed that Papa had given Briscoe his money willingly.

They were at an impasse.

Natalie had spent a little effort searching for Briscoe, but even if she did manage to locate him, there was nothing she could do to force him to give Papa’s money back.

Papa had little to say about Briscoe.

But he wanted her to go ahead and go west with Declan.

Natalie stood at the end of the street and watched as men loaded supplies and belongings into covered wagons.

She’d left Declan in the office. Sleeping.

What Papa hadn’t taken into account was that she didn’t have the money to buy supplies even if she wanted to.

Papa apparently had not only given Briscoe the money to bail him out of jail, but he’d given Briscoe all his money with instructions to give it to Natalie.

Well, Briscoe had failed to follow instructions.

So now she was stuck.

She had just enough money for her and Declan to have food to eat. But it wouldn’t last much longer.

There was no way she was leaving here without Papa. Even if she had the money, she wouldn’t leave without him.

The thought of heading across the country with her little brother, leaving their father here, in jail, no less, wasn’t even an option.

It was unthinkable.

So Papa would be out of jail after he did his time.

He could find work and she could find work and they could rebuild their funds.

By this time next year, they should have enough money to buy a wagon and all the necessary supplies.

There was also a fee to get into one of the good wagon trains.

She’d learned this from the lady at the little café who served their breakfast. She also owned a boardinghouse.

The lady’s name was Mrs. Sheets. Mrs. Sheets had volunteered all sorts of information.

Perhaps Mrs. Sheets would hire her on to work at the boardinghouse.

Natalie sighed.

She had an overwhelmingly huge list of things she had to do.

She’d never forgive Briscoe for taking advantage of her father. Papa was a good man. A kind, trusting man.

And Briscoe had taken advantage of him.

And look where it had gotten them.

It was time to visit Papa.

The sheriff — Sheriff Taylor — had taken a liking to her. Either that or he had taken pity on her. Either way, he allowed her to visit Papa when he was there.

His deputies weren’t quite so accommodating.

She stepped into the sheriff’s office.

“Good morning, Miss Worthington,” Sheriff Taylor said. “I have news for you today.”

Her heart skittered into her throat.

“Good news or bad news?” she asked. When someone was in jail, she never knew which way to expect.

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