Page 16 of Calder Strong (The Calder Brand #5)

“He didn’t believe me. He said that a boy like me would usually be sent to reform school. But because I’d committed grand larceny, I’d probably be sentenced to the big prison at Deer Lodge.” The boy’s voice cracked. He appeared genuinely afraid.

Conflicted, Joseph turned without a word and walked away. What was he thinking? The boy had robbed him and come up with a story so gut-wrenching that it was scarcely believable.

Did Forrest deserve a second chance, or was he a clever con artist who’d take every advantage he could?

“I see he got to you,” the sheriff said. “Don’t say I didn’t warn you. The kid has a real talent.”

“Did you really tell him he was going to Deer Lodge?” Joseph asked.

“Only to scare him. But he’ll be facing time in reform school, probably till he’s eighteen. There’s a chance it could straighten him out, but most kids come out of that place worse than they went in.”

Joseph put the soda bottle in a box for empties. “What if I declined to press charges? What would happen then?”

“You’d sign some papers, and the kid would go his merry way, probably to commit more crimes. I wouldn’t recommend it. The little thief needs to learn his lesson.”

“What about probation—lasting until he worked off the money he stole?”

“Under your supervision? Good luck with that. He’d probably be gone the first time you turned your back.”

“Then his probation would be cancelled. He’d be a fugitive. My question is, If I decided to, could I arrange it?”

“Maybe. You’d have to talk to the judge. But he’ll probably think you’re out of your mind.”

“Maybe so. But I was one of the lucky kids, born into a good family with resources. If the story Forrest told me is even half true, the boy hasn’t had a decent break in his life. What about his brother’s death? Did you look into that?”

“I did. The body was taken to the morgue and buried. The farmer claimed he was defending his property against robbers. He denied that there was ever any money involved.”

“A likely story,” Joseph said.

“Take your pick. The judge’s office is in the courthouse. He’ll give you the same advice as you got from me.”

“I’ll give it some thought,” Joseph said. But something told him he had already made up his mind.

Two hours later, after visiting the bank, talking to the judge, and signing the paperwork, Joseph found himself in his car, driving back to Blue Moon with Forrest in the passenger seat.

The boy had been given a shower and haircut at the jail. Joseph had bought him a set of work clothes, boots, and extra underthings. Joseph’s frugal mother had saved most of her son’s outgrown clothes. They were still in good condition. Forrest could wear the ones that fit.

Forrest sat quietly, hands fidgeting in his lap. Joseph couldn’t blame him for appearing nervous. After his time at the orphanage and in the jail, the boy could be expecting anything.

“Do you know where we are, Forrest?” Joseph asked.

Forrest shook his head. Behind bars, he’d been almost cocky. Now, alone with a man he barely knew, all his defenses were up. The goings-on at the orphanage could have been as evil as the boy implied.

“We’re coming to a town called Blue Moon,” Joseph said. “My family’s ranch is south of there. We have cattle and a sawmill. It’s a nice place. You’ll be working there until the money you stole is paid off.”

“What kind of work?”

“Whatever we ask you to do. Don’t expect things to be easy. But if you work hard and behave, you’ll be treated fairly. If you lie, try to run away, or take anything that isn’t yours, you’ll be sent straight back to jail. Understand?”

“I reckon I do.” His tone made it clear that he was still suspicious. They were coming into Blue Moon now. Joseph had heard from his workers that the new Jake’s Place was open and the food was as tasty as before. The boy would be hungry. A good meal might ease his fears.

Joseph parked the car in the empty lot next to the restaurant.

The lunch hour was over. When he ushered Forrest inside, he found most of the tables empty.

An old man sat at the counter eating a sandwich.

A couple of cowhands who worked for the Cal ders were finishing their meals at a corner table.

Joseph recognized Buck Haskell, a former boyhood friend. The other cowboy was a stranger.

The two men got up from the table. They passed Joseph on their way out. Buck gave him a polite nod. Their friendship had ended years ago, on the night when they’d fallen into the crossfire between bootleggers and federal agents. Buck had turned tail, leaving Joseph to face the deadly danger alone.

Forrest turned to watch them walk out. “Are those real cowboys?” he whispered.

“As real as they come. Those two even smell like real cowboys,” Joseph said. “You sound surprised. Don’t they have cowboys in Kentucky?”

“Not where I come from. But I saw a cowboy movie once. Granny took me and Cam. Tom Mix was in it. He could shoot and ride a horse and throw a rope like you wouldn’t believe.”

“We have cowboys on the ranch,” Joseph said. “They work hard, taking care of the cattle and their horses. It’s a tough job, not much like the movies.”

“Could I learn to be a cowboy?”

“Not right away,” Joseph said. “Maybe later. But first you’ll need to prove you’re strong enough and can be trusted around cattle and horses. That’s going to take time.”

“How much time?”

A plain young woman in an apron had come out of the kitchen. Joseph remembered her from when Jake had owned the place, although she hadn’t been one of the “nieces” who’d been known to ply their trade in the upstairs rooms.

She greeted Joseph and Forrest with a smile, showed them to a table, gave them menus, and hurried back to the kitchen. Joseph scanned his menu, which hadn’t changed much since Jake was running the place. “I already know what I want,” he said. “What looks good to you, Forrest?”

The boy studied the menu, his eyebrows knotting in a scowl of concentration. Finally, he sighed. “Sorry, but I need help. Could you read this for me?”

“You can’t read?”

He shook his head, dabbing at a tear with his sleeve.

“Granny couldn’t read. And nobody at the orphanage gave us any learning.

They just put us to work—mostly in the fields, in the laundry, and in the kitchen.

I know numbers, and I can write my name.

I copied the name on that check I took to the bank, the one that got me caught.

But I can’t read this .” His grip tightened on the paper menu as if he wanted to crumple it in his fist.

“Goodness, we’ll have to do something about that.”

The musical voice from behind Joseph made his reflexes jump.

Startled, he swung around in his chair to find Francine standing there, wearing a sky blue dress and a smile that was like sunlight breaking through clouds.

“Did I hear this young man right, Joseph? I’ll have some time on my hands before school starts in the fall.

If he wants to learn, I’d be happy to give him some reading lessons. ”

Questions swarmed in Joseph’s mind. What was she doing here? Had she seen him go into the restaurant? And why was she being so nice after the way he’d embarrassed her at the dance? What had happened with Chase?

Joseph found his voice. “Please join us for lunch, Francine. My treat. You can get to know my friend Forrest, here, and maybe talk to him about reading lessons if he’s interested.

” He handed her his menu and turned to the boy.

“I’d recommend the hot beef sandwich with gravy, Forrest. That’s what I’m having. ”

“Thank you, Joseph.” Francine took a seat and adjusted her skirt. “I’ll have the same.”

After the girl in the apron had taken their order and left, Joseph made formal introductions. He hesitated, wondering how to explain Forrest’s presence to Francine. She was a proper lady. Would she still be willing to teach the boy if she knew he was a criminal?

“Tell me about yourself, Forrest.” She sipped the sweetened tea she’d ordered. “I heard you mention that you’d been in an orphanage. How did you meet Joseph? Are you a relative?”

“No, ma’am, Mr. Dollarhide is my boss. I’ll be working for him on the ranch.”

“Working on the ranch? But you’re so young, Forrest. What kind of work will you be doing?”

“Whatever he tells me to. Mr. Dollarhide said the work would be hard. But anything’s better than jail.”

Francine’s delicate brows shot upward. “Jail? Heavens, Joseph, what’s he talking about?”

Joseph sighed. He’d hoped to avoid this revelation, but he should have known better. “Ask Forrest. He’s done a pretty good job of explaining so far. He might as well tell you the rest.”

Francine listened raptly as the boy recounted his odyssey from the orphanage to the Miles City jail.

Watching her, Joseph saw her expression transform from distaste to pity to compassion.

By the time he’d come to Joseph’s part in his release, the apron girl had come out of the kitchen with plates of tender roast beef sliced over toast, with gravy and mashed potatoes.

As if fearful that he might be dreaming, Forrest used his fork to dip a morsel of meat in the gravy.

He tasted it cautiously. “Oh, my gosh,” he said, and set to devouring his food like a starving puppy.

This was the boy who’d been hungry enough to suck raw eggs.

And jail food probably hadn’t been much better.

Forrest hadn’t said much about losing his brother.

That hurt would be a long time healing. With luck, he would find that time on the ranch.

Francine met Joseph’s gaze across the table. She was smiling. “You’re a good man, Joseph,” she said. “I almost misjudged you at the dance. But I realized later you were protecting a woman who was being mistreated. And now you’ve taken on this boy who stole your money …”

She shook her head, her voice breaking slightly. “I’d be happy to give Forrest some reading lessons. I can tell he’s a bright boy. He’s bound to learn fast. But you’ll need to bring him to my place. Shall we say twice a week? Or is that asking too much of you?”

“We can work it out. I hope you’ll let me pay you for your time.”

She shook her head. “I wouldn’t think of it, Joseph. If I can help this young man on his way to a better life, that’s pay enough for me.”

Forrest had cleaned his plate. With a smile, Francine passed him her half-finished lunch. He muttered his thanks and started on the leftover meat and potatoes, probably the best meal he’d enjoyed in years.

She stood. Remembering his manners, he stood with her.

As they waited for the boy to finish, Joseph filled his eyes with her.

To him, she had never looked more beautiful, standing across the table in a dress that set off her brown eyes.

Perhaps it was because she had just shown him her kind heart.

Whatever the reason, Joseph sensed that he was falling for her.

He hadn’t felt this way about a woman since the treacherous Lucy Merriweather had reeled him in with her lies.

But he’d been a boy of nineteen then. He was a man now, old enough to know his own mind and his own heart.

Hearing the sound of footsteps behind him, Joseph assumed that it was the girl bringing the bill. He had just opened his wallet when an odd, throaty voice spoke.

“No charge for new customers, Mr. Dollarhide. Lunch is on me today.”

He turned to find a startling woman standing behind him.

Dressed in a peasant blouse and embroidered skirt, with a lace shawl over her head, she might have been a beauty once.

But her face had been cruelly and utterly destroyed.

Puckered scars crisscrossed her features, pulling them into a grotesque mask that was framed by waves of coal black hair.

Joseph willed himself not to look startled or turn his gaze away. He knew who she was. By now, almost everyone in town did. He stood to greet the woman.

“So you’re the new owner,” he said. “My compliments on the food. It’s as good as ever.”

“Thank you.” She offered a hand, which he took. Her grip was as strong as a man’s. “Francine here is already a regular. She’s told me all about you. You can call me Lola. Everybody does.” Her gaze fell on Forrest, who was still finishing his second plate. “And who is this young man?”

“This is Forrest, who’s too hungry to remember his manners, if he has any. I’ll make sure he knows better by the next time we come in.”

“So, there will be a next time, yes?” She spoke with an accent he couldn’t place.

With that black hair, could she be Spanish?

Maybe Portuguese or even Romany? He could swear he’d never met the woman.

With that face, he certainly wouldn’t forget.

But something about her tugged at his memory. What was it? A look? A gesture?

He pondered the idea for a few seconds, then dismissed it.

“Bring your family and friends,” she said. “Think of this place as your second home.”

“I’ll do that,” Joseph said. “But please allow me to pay for our meals.”

“No … no. Only come again soon.”

“Then at least let me tip the girl who served us.” He handed her a dollar bill.

“Of course. I’ll see that she gets this.” Her mouth twitched in a semblance of a smile.

Francine pushed back her chair and stood, brushing off her skirt. “I’ll be going now. No need to see me home, Joseph. It’s only a short walk. Let me know about the lessons. Until school starts, my time is free.”

They walked to the door, and he held it open for her. As she walked past him, the fragrance of lilacs lingered in the air.

Back in the car, Joseph and Forrest headed for the ranch. By the time they’d passed through the outskirts of town, Forrest had fallen asleep like the tired child he was, his head lolling against the side window.

Joseph had questioned his decision to take the boy. But now his doubts had flown. So far, Forrest had been well-behaved. And because they’d stopped for lunch, he could look forward to seeing more of Francine.

This morning, he’d set out for Miles City with no idea how the trip would end. And the day wasn’t over. Life had a way of throwing surprises, both good and bad. For now, he would take the good and enjoy it.

The bad surprises would come soon enough. Somehow, they always did.