Page 4 of Scarlett

“Now let’s talk about the current situation,” Blake said, looking up at the sky. “What do you expect can be done legally to ensure this man never touches his wife again?”

Emmett grunted in reply. There wasn’t anything that could be done, since the couple was legally husband and wife, other than help the woman if she decided to leave. However, there were children involved and she had no way to support herself.

“Hopefully being jailed will be of some help. She’s going to recover, but will have plenty of scars as a reminder of what happened,” Emmett said.

Across the street, the man who’d been brawling sat on the sidewalk, head hanging between his legs.

Blake let out a huff. “I best go see about him. He may need to lie down for a bit in a nice cool cell.” The lawman ambled off while Emmett remained in front of the jailhouse.

In a way, both of their jobs consisted of seeing people at their worst. Whether because of illness or stupid choices, people rarely came to them for something good.

It was still earlyin the day and Emmett had left Gladys, his helper, to remain with the injured woman. Times like these womenfolk didn’t really appreciate having a man about, anyway.

He considered what to eat when his stomach grumbled. Although Gladys often brought him a portion of whatever she cooked for her family, currently there wasn’t anything to eat at his house.

Just then a horse galloped down the main street, the rider barely seeming to control the strong animal. Emmett laughed when the man went sideways and clung on for dear life.

His youngest brother Elias, who loved a challenge, rode the horse that wasn’t quite broken in yet. With a wide grin, Elias, who was no doubt having the time of his life, pulled the animal’s reins back upon spotting Emmett. The animal kicked it’s front legs in the air before coming to a stop.

When Elias dismounted, the horse seemed to calm.

“The horse has more sense than you do,” Emmett said. “If you had fallen off on the way to town, it could’ve been hours before someone found you.”

Once again a wide grin split Elias’ face. “Yep. Not sure how else to get some energy from this brute without letting him run like the devil is chasing him every once in a while.”

Emmett studied the chestnut horse. “He’s beautiful. Probably meant to be free. If you haven’t tamed him, no one will.”

“I’ll take that as a compliment.” Elias bowed his head. “Came to see about you. Haven’t seen you in two weeks and Esther was worried.”

Emmett shrugged. “Tell your wife I’m fine. I’ll try to come for supper on Sunday. Had some very ill folks taking all my time lately.”

“That’s why you should be a rancher instead. You’ve got all that land out there just waiting to be worked.” His brother, a cattle rancher, was always trying to convince Emmett to leave town and move out to the land near his.

“You got Evan convinced. He’s the one who stuck me with the clinic here in town,” Emmett replied, referring to their other brother. “What else are you in town for?”

Elias’ grin returned. “Chicken and dumplings at the hotel’s restaurant.”

They always ate at the hotel whenever Elias came to town. Elias loved chicken and dumplings and even if Esther cooked them often, he never grew tired of them.

His brother pulled the unruly horse behind them as they went left toward where the hotel was. There were people waiting on a platform across the street from it, which meant a coach would soon be arriving.

“You place an ad yet?” Elias asked, his attention toward the group on the platform.

“I did, but not sure I’m following through.” For months now, his brother had been hounding him to place an ad for a mail order bride, as Emmett was the only one who remained single of the three brothers. He’d considered it and had gone as far as writing it up. For months, the draft sat on his night table. Finally he’d settled on sending the proprietor of the Gazette, a woman by the name of Lady Price, a letter instead.

As they continued walking, he mused. Life would be simpler with a wife. He missed the intimacy that came with being with a woman. Yet, whenever he considered marriage seriously, events from his past would rear in his mind.

Although smart enough to realize things didn’t always repeat themselves and that one shouldn’t live life based on past occurrences, it was hard to get away from recalling the aching that followed a deep betrayal.

Elias elbowed him in the arm. “Don’t go there. Leave the past where it is.”

Obviously his expression and silence spoke volumes.

When he met his brother’s worried gaze, Emmett grimaced. “Yeah, you’re right. Not sure why I can’t let it go. I think a good meal will set things right. I haven’t eaten since last night.”

After Elias tethered the high-strung horse to a post, they entered the dim interior of the hotel to be greeted by the proprietor, John Ellis, who waved them in. “Gentlemen, good to see you. What brings you in today?”

“Good food,” Elias informed the man, already turning toward the restaurant.