Last Chance Cowboys by Anna Schmidt

Author:Anna Schmidt [Schmidt, Anna]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Sourcebooks
Published: 2016-10-13T04:00:00+00:00

Eight

Addie’s parents and brother Brian made the best they could of Christmas Eve. Her mother and Brian’s wife prepared a special dinner and invited Eliza, the Jennings family and, of course, Jess to join them. Everything was laid out on Jess’s desk and a side table that was usually cluttered with files. The small tables—stools, really—that sat next to the cots in each cell were pressed into service as extra seating. When it started to rain, Brian’s children and the Jennings girls played tag, racing from one cell to the next and squealing with delight.

“Hard to believe tomorrow is Christmas,” Addie’s mother said as she unwrapped a basket of rolls and set them on the desk.

“When is Pearl’s funeral?” Addie asked.

“Day after tomorrow.”

Addie froze. “So soon?” Her first thought was whether or not her father would have the time he needed to fully examine the body and determine for certain the cause of death. “I mean, my heart goes out to Jasper, but still, what about family that may want to come for the service?”

“Pearl had no family—at least not that anyone ever knew of,” Eliza said.

Addie recalled a day when she had called on Pearl. During the examination, she had made a comment about proud grandparents. Pearl’s response had been that this child would not be blessed with grandparents—Jasper’s parents were both dead. It had seemed odd at the time that she had not mentioned her own parents, but that had been early in their friendship, and Addie had not wanted to pry.

Brian’s wife, Ruth, joined the conversation. “I heard that when Jasper met her, Pearl was working as a dance hall girl over in Yuma. Rumor has it that he took her to a high society friend of his and had her instruct Pearl on how to be a proper lady.” Ruth was a bit of a gossip, and Addie realized she felt protective of Pearl.

“I think Pearl had a difficult life before she met Jasper.” Addie turned her attention to her father and Jess, who seemed oblivious to others as they sat in a corner of the room, talking quietly. The minute her father saw her moving their way, he motioned to Jess to stop talking, and turned to her.

“How are you holding up, child?”

“You tell me,” she replied. “What were the two of you looking so worried about?”

Jess and her father exchanged a look.

“I’ve had a wire from the district judge,” Jess told her. “You’re to be held over for trial.”

Addie felt as if she’d been struck in the chest. Her breath seemed to leave her in a rush. “When?” she managed.

“It’ll take weeks for the man to make his way here,” her father assured her. “And that gives us the time we need to build a case to prove your innocence in the matter.” He didn’t sound all that sure.

“And in the meantime?”

“I can’t let you go, Addie,” Jess explained. “I’m under orders to keep you in custody.”

“It’s all right, Jess. I understand.” She drew in a long breath, steeling herself for what lay ahead.

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