The man’s eyes lit up, and he smiled. “Yes, this is the woman I helped. Miss Parker.”
Excitement filled Denton, but he held it inside. Just because this man talked to her didn’t mean she was still in town. At least Denton was heading in the right direction. “What do you mean youhelpedher?”
The preacher pointed to the sign-up page. “She is going to be a mail-order bride.”
Denton wanted to laugh, but for the moment, shock was the emotion inside him. Why would she do something like that, unless... Perhaps she was guilty of murdering Albert Greenwood, and she needed to disappear. Could be why she used a different last name. “Has she already met with her soon-to-be husband?”
“Doubtful.” The preacher held the Bible to his chest. “She is supposed to send the man a telegraph and wait for his answer to meet with him.”
“Will they meet here in town?”
“Probably.” The preacher shrugged. “Unless the man pays for her to travel to where he lives. It all depends on what arrangements they make.”
Denton stuffed Courtney Mills’ picture back in his coat pocket. “Thank you. I appreciate your help.”
“Who are you, sir, and what business do you have with the young miss?” The preacher arched an eyebrow.
“I’m someone who is determined to help her.”
As Denton headed toward the telegraph office, ideas spun in his head.IfMiss Mills had meant to become a mail-order bride, then she’d stay in town until hearing back from her soon-to-be husband. Andifshe had money, as Terrance suggested, then the woman would have gotten her a room at one of the hotels here in town, especially if she had to wait to hear from the man who she’d marry.
As he neared the telegraph office, the man inside was starting to close down for the night. Denton hurried to the window, hoping he wasn’t too late.
“Pardon me, sir.” Denton pulled out the miniature picture of Courtney Mills. “Have you seen this woman? Has she been here to send a telegraph to a man...” He quickly remembered the man’s name that she’d signed next to. “Mr. Timothy Graham?”
“Yes, she has been here.”
Denton’s spirits lifted. “Have you already sent it?”
“Of course. I’m very fast.”
Gritting his teeth, his mind worked through ideas of how to stop her from meeting with Mr. Graham, but nothing clever was popping into his head. “Do you know how long it takes before getting an answer?”
The older gentleman shrugged. “It varies, but the man she sent a message to lives in Texas. I told Miss Parker to come back tomorrow, but I doubt she will hear that soon.”
He breathed easier. The woman must have found lodging... which meant she wasn’t going to keep running. However, she would be watchful of someone looking for her.
Denton reached into his pocket and pulled out a ten-dollar bill and slid it to the clerk. “Do me a favor. Don’t let her know I was here asking about her.”
The man grinned, showing him brownish-yellow teeth. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. I’ve never seen you before in my life.”
Chuckling, Denton nodded. “Thank you.”
As he walked back toward his horse, his mind was more at ease with the situation. Miss Mills would stay here until she heard from Mr. Graham, and until then, Denton needed to figure what action to take with her. He had no real proof that she killed her fiancé. All she did was run, and that justmadeher look guilty. Yet, he really doubted that she killed the old man. Then again, he’d have to look into her eyes and read her expression as he questioned her. That would be how he’d know for sure.
He mounted his horse and glanced up and down the street. He really needed to find a place to eat and a place to stay the night. Suddenly, he remembered his cousin, Clark Turner, who worked as the foreman on a ranch. Clark always had an open invitation to visit, and since he and his wife, Pearl, didn’t live very far from here, Denton decided to visit with his cousin for a bit at the Blue Creek Ranch. After all, Clark was always helpful with ideas on how Denton could catch his runaways.
He grinned. He was sure Clark would have a humdinger of an idea.
