Silent Night by A.T. Butler

Author:A.T. Butler [Butler, A.T.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: James Mountain Media

Chapter Eight

Jacob Payne left Mrs. Hyke’s store with his mind whirring. Through all of his investigation, he kept discovering more and more clues that Benjamin Wilbourne was innocent of the charge of theft for which he was currently sitting in a jail cell. In spite of all of this, Jacob knew that it wasn’t yet enough to free him.

Adding doubt to the conviction was one thing, but doubt was not evidence of innocence.

Jacob would need something more definitive—something like discovering the actual perpetrator. Finding the cash would be even better.

But he had no idea how to do that.

All he had was a rough description from Mrs. Hyke, and the same small circumstantial clues that also pointed to Benjamin Wilbourne.

Who in town had come into a lot of money in the last day or two? Who in town had been (or had a reputation for being) dirty and unhygienic? Who would smoke or not notice if they dropped a button?

There were too many questions to answer.

And on top of that Jacob now owned a harmonica.

Jacob laughed to himself, as he walked through the cold winter street of Tucson. He hadn’t learned anything new worth taking back to the marshal. No, what he needed right now was a hot meal and some time to think over all he had learned and what his next step would be.

Turning left at the next corner, Jacob made his way to the San Xavier Cafe. He had plans to meet Bonnie there, one of the few times they would be eating together instead of her waiting on him as he ate.

He wondered if she would want to continue to work if he were to propose.

The thought almost stopped him in his tracks. He stumbled briefly, recovering his balance as he thought over this realization.

Jacob didn’t want to be grabbing dinner at the cafe, even if his sweetheart was waiting for him there. Jacob wanted to be heading to his own home, his own warm fire, where he could share a meal with his wife. Or, maybe he could even wait on her. Lord knew the woman deserved to be treated the best he could offer.

That settled it. Maybe it was the cold night; maybe it was the thought of being innocently accused; maybe it was simply that enough time had passed and he was ready. But there in the middle of the Tucson street, just at sunset, Jacob Payne decided the time had come and he would propose to Bonnie Loft.

He would not stall any longer.

He could not risk losing her.

Jacob arrived at the cafe, threw open the door and immediately locked eyes with his love. Though every bone in his body screamed at him to take her in his arms, he knew he didn’t want to embarrass her in public with any display of emotion she might not be ready for.

Instead, he waved, smiled, and began to cross the room to her to share their meal.

No sooner had he taken a few steps into the cafe, than Jacob felt a hand on his shoulder.

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