With a sweet smile, Jolie thanked him and before he could climb down to help her out of the wagon, she’d clambered to the road and gave him an enthusiastic wave of her hand.
Laughing to himself as he drove toward the livery, Cade was certain he’d return to find her deep in conversation with some lady about plants or drawings. Her sketch work was certainly something to see, and while he couldn’t understand why she felt the need to meticulously record every new insect or flower she saw, it was clear that doing so gave her great joy. And he truly didn’t mind, except when it distracted her from the things sheoughtto be doing.
Which happened a little more often than he wanted to admit.
After lodging the wagon and horse at the livery, Cade made his way back toward the general store to collect Jolie. The sun hid behind clouds today, and the air was more crisp than it had been. It wouldn’t be long before snow fell, and he hoped that he, Neil, and Horace could have the barn built before then.
But despite the work that lay before him, the ever-present grief over Lucas, and the cloudy day, Cade felt himself walking lighter. He had a home built, a beautiful wife to keep him company, and plans to visit Sawyer’s for dinner in a just a couple of days. With any luck, he’d carve out a place for himself here.
He hardly dared hope that things might finally be going well for one of the Harris boys. He only wished Lucas could be here to share it with him. He banished that sobering thought quickly as he approached a building under construction. Pausing to allow a couple of men carrying a large piece of wood to pass, he wondered what the place might become.
“Appreciate it,” said the man in the back as they set down the wood. He stood and brushed off his hands. The edge of a badge peeked out from under his open coat. “I’m James Wright, town marshal. Don’t think we’ve met before.” He held out a hand and Cade reached out to shake it.
“Cade Harris. I’ve got land south of town.”
“Harris . . .” Marshal Wright trailed off, as if he were trying to place Cade’s last name.
And Cade knew exactly why. “Lucas Harris’s brother,” he forced himself to say. “The land I’m building on used to be his. I believe you were the one who rode out there.”
Recognition settled in the marshal’s eyes, quickly replaced by sympathy. “Right. I’m sorry about your brother. Have you spoken with the sheriff yet?”
“I haven’t. Is there a reason I should?” He hated that he sounded defensive. But it would be nice if everyone would let his brother’s death be what it was without constantly pushing it into his face.
Wright shrugged. “Only that he’s the one who might have information about your brother’s murder. I don’t know that he’s found much, but you ought to see him so he can inform you directly.”
“I’ll do that,” Cade said, not meaning a word of it. “Thank you, Marshal. Good to meet you.”
“Likewise.” Wright turned his attention back to the man he’d been assisting with the wood, and Cade continued on.
Thankfully, the general store was close enough that it left little time for his mind to ponder Wright’s words and dredge up all of his memories again. Inside, he found Jolie examining a set of hooks, likely meant for hanging coats and such on the wall.
“Wouldn’t these by nice by the back door?” she asked.
“Nails would work just as well.” And were much less expensive. But she gave him a look of exasperation, and he quickly relented. No use arguing about something as unimportant as coat hooks. “They’d be a good addition.”
She smiled. “But not yet. First we need to set up a kitchen. And find seating. And a place to sleep.”
He hid his own smile at the way she conveniently avoided the wordbed. “I might be willing to part with some money to purchase additional kitchen items.”
“You just want to eat better.” Jolie pressed a finger to his chest, and he laughed.
“Is there anything wrong with that?”
“Not a thing. Although I can’t do much until we have a stove.”
“I’ll look into it,” he promised. He hadn’t the slightest clue how much a stove might cost, but it was a necessity, particularly as winter set in. He’d carefully saved money for years with no particular purpose other than a lack of desire to spend it on frivolous pursuits. But that money would run out eventually if he wasn’t careful. He needed to save most of it to buy cattle, and it would be several months before the ranch would be operational enough to bring in an income.
“There’s a small crate waiting at the counter with sugar, coffee, and a few other small items,” Jolie said.
Cade went to retrieve it, and they made their way to the building by the railroad tracks that served as a depot, post office, and telegraph office. Inside, the place was quiet save for the shuffling of papers behind the counter.
“Name?” A voice carried over the countertop before they’d even approached.
Cade glanced at Jolie, who appeared just as curious as he was. They were both so new to town that neither expected to have mail yet, but perhaps they might be surprised. “Harris,” he finally said. “Cade Harris. Any correspondence for my wife might be addressed to Miss Jolie Taylor.”
There was more shuffling, and then finally an older man’s face appeared. “I’m sorry, I don’t have any mail for either of you.”
“We do have some to post, though.” Jolie set a small stack of envelopes on the counter.
