“I won’t tell his mother either,” Roen said solemnly.
“Yeah,” he said shortly. “Thanks.”
Roen returned to the subject of the property. “So you’re telling me Judah would have the most to lose if the land went to the Frosts.”
“Uh-huh. Unless his brothers take off for greener pastures when Old Harrison dies, they’ll work for Judah. I still think someone was trying to scare you off, not kill you.”
“Don’t worry. I’m not asking Northeast for Pinkerton protection.”
“Have you been back out there?”
“Not to that spot specifically.”
“Good.”
Roen didn’t react or respond to that. “If Hitch shows up, tell him to meet us at the house.”
Ben looked past Roen and Clay to the empty street beyond. “You don’t have a wagon?”
“I don’t have that much. I figured three of us would get it all in one trip. Maybe it’ll take two now.”
“All right. I’ll send him along if you don’t cross paths first.”
They did cross paths. Hitch was coming around the corner of the Butterworth as Roen and Clay were walking along the hotel’s front. “Glad I didn’t miss you,” said Hitch, pivoting. “Where’s your wagon?”
“Don’t have one,” said Clay. “Mr. Shepard thinks we’re pack horses.”
Hitch was in too fine a mood to be bothered by Clay’s sulky announcement. “Then that’s what we are,” he said, grinning toothily.
Clay knew the origins of the deputy’s abundance of good humor. He resented Hitch’s happy disposition, not the reason for it, and he took some cheeky satisfaction in the aside he stage-whispered to Roen. “I told you he was sweet on Miss Chen.”
Chapter Eighteen
Lily saw immediately upon Roen and Clay entering the house that the situation between them had not improved. In contrast, Hitch was as cheerful and as light on his feet as she had ever seen him. He set down the cases he was carrying inside the door, brushed snow off his boots, and tossed Lizzie in the air when she ran to him. He was like a puppy, Lily thought, nuzzling and tickling and laughing, all big feet and big hands. It was hard to say who was enjoying the attention more, Hitch or her daughter.
“Have a care there, Hitch,” Lily said. “Lizzie just had a cup of ham and bean soup. You don’t want to be wearing that if it comes up again.”
“Sorry, Lizzie.” Hitch set the little girl down and swatted her playfully to go back to the parlor. He tipped his hat to Lily. “How are you, Mrs. Salt?” He frowned. “Told myself I wouldn’t make that mistake. How are you, Mrs. Shepard?”
Lily blinked, startled a little to be addressed in this new way. She’d have to get used to the name herself. “I’m doing well, Hitch. You?”
“I don’t know how I could be any better.” He looked at the stairs. Clay and Roen were already at the top with their bags. He was in no hurry to follow. “So you got married yesterday. Congratulations.”
“Thank you.”
“Ben says it’s not general knowledge yet, but you know it’ll get around pretty quick. Now, just so we’re clear, I’m not going to be the one to mention it to my mother. She can hear it from someone else.”
“That’s up to you. I’m not asking you to keep it to yourself.I imagine people saw you carrying off Roen’s things. Didn’t anyone ask you what you were doing?”
“Buzz. He was the only one. Thought it was strange myself.”
“And what did Mr. Shepard tell him?”
“It wasn’t Mr. Shepard. It was Clay. He jumped right in. Told Buzz Mr. Shepard was going to live here from now on. Never mentioned marriage, though. I thought Mr. Shepard would, but he just let Clay go. I didn’t feel it was my place to explain. Don’t worry. It’ll straighten itself out.”
“Oh, it will be straightened out,” said Lily. “You can depend upon it.” There was a thump abovestairs and Lily glanced at the ceiling. She reined in her scowl for Hitch’s benefit. “Tell me about you and Miss Chen. Have you screwed your courage to the sticking place and spoken to her yet?”
If Hitch had had the cases in his hands, he would have dropped them now. His jaw went slack and he blinked several times. “How did... that is... where did you hear... what are you saying again?”
