“So is that what he’s convinced you of?”
“He hasn’t convinced me of anything.” She stood. “Have you finished your cider yet?”
He held up his half-empty glass, the contents of which he seemed to be consuming at tortoise speed. “I’m sure he doesn’t mean to deceive you. He’s likely deceiving himself.”
She jutted her hand to her hip. Couldn’t this man get out of her head? “I know it must be difficult for you to understand, Dr. LeBeau?—”
“Arthur. We’re still friends, I presume.”
She had so few friends. But was this man really one? “I’ve determined to give Mr. McKenzie the opportunity to prove himself. I decided to show him grace.”
He studied her a moment and exhaled a sober sigh. “You’re willing to risk your security and happiness on McKenzie’s ability to abstain?”
Flashes of memory stole her breath. Her father with head down on the table, too drunk to sit up. Or worse, sprawled on the floor passed out, or using their hound dog as a pillow. Her stomach clenched. That was not Ben. She shoved the images aside. “I’m sorry, but it’s time for you to go.” She snatched his hat from the table and handed it to him. The dime toppled to the floor.
“I’m sorry if I upset you.” He cleared his throat and picked up the coin.
She pressed her nails into her palms. “It’s getting late. And I’m sure you want to get home before it storms.”
He stood. The upward twitch of his lips did little to soften the flint sparks in his eyes. “I’ll go see the boy at the stables and give him his money.”
She lifted her chin. “I’m sure he’ll appreciate it.”
He tapped his hat to his head. “If you ever need anything, don’t hesitate to ask. Even if I’m in Dallas, send a note by the stage driver, and I’ll be at your service as soon as I can.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.” That day would never come.
He shifted toward the steps, then pivoted, his gaze as sharp as a scalpel. “I also plan to speak with Mr. Keely, the druggist.”
She frowned. “Why?”
“To ask him to let me know if Mr. McKenzie purchases any laudanum.”
“I have no intention of spying on Ben.” Her voice wobbled. “Besides, he…Mr. McKenzie…no longer has need of the medicine.”
Arthur hooked his thumb in his watch pocket. “Are you afraid of what we might find?”
“No.” She rubbed her arms. “I trust Ben.” She picked up the book and the tea and shoved them toward him. “Good day, Dr. LeBeau.”
She was done letting that man prick her heart. But what if he was right…and laudanum had not lost its grip on Ben?
CHAPTER 26
Escaping the blaze of the late-afternoon sun, Ben squinted as he stepped inside the dimly lit tavern—little more than a glorified shed with a shingle. He had no business darkening the threshold of such an establishment, but Charlie Goodnight’s seasoned trail hand had left word to meet him here. And goodness knows, after two weeks of rounding up the widow’s stock, Ben needed an experienced guide if he hoped to get his newly acquired cattle to market.
Pecan hulls lay scattered about on the rice-sack-covered floor. Probably nothing but hard-packed dirt lay beneath the poor man’s carpet. Scarce sunlight filtered in through an open square of a window. The furnishings consisted of three shoddy tables and hardtack crates in place of chairs. An unshaven man with a wide-brimmed hat sat in the far corner. His fingers curled around a shot glass next to a half-empty bottle of whiskey. He nodded toward Ben.
Ben tipped his slouch hat in acknowledgement and headed for the bar, a wagon bed laid across short posts. He needed something in his hand. He’d never been a whiskey man, just an occasional touch of brandy on cold nights during the war and a few sips at social gatherings prior to that. But that was beforeAndersonville and before his first taste of laudanum. He placed a coin on the worn bar and ordered coffee. Only a fool would purposefully slice open the yawning cavern of craving.
Cup in hand, he crossed the room to the corner. “Mr. Cornet?”
“Eagle Ed. That’s what they call me. They say I can see clean across the prairie.” He rubbed his palms on his trousers. “You must be McKenzie. I heard you were looking for me.”
“Yes, sir. I’m here to talk cattle.”
“You came to the right place. Pull up a crate.”
Ben shoved the makeshift seat toward the table with his boot and took a seat. “I heard you’re one of Goodnight’s best men and that you might be interested in hiring on for a cattle drive.”
