18

A pall of uneasiness seemed to be hanging over the Creekside Inn ever since Charity had reported her diamond cameo missing—and no doubt word had gotten out that the woman was casting aspersions on the residents themselves. Patience was fully aware of more than a few cool stares among the boarders cast toward her and her mother. But no one spoke about the brooch, and neither had it been found. She couldn’t bear to think that someone would have taken it. But she couldn’t help but worry that the boardinghouse’s reputation would suffer, regardless of who was the culprit. The thought concerned her—especially now that Creekside was doing well.

“You must be deep in thought,” Emily said, dropping down in the chair next to her on the porch.

“Why do you say that?” Patience turned to face her friend.

Emily giggled, and her dimple deepened. “Because I was just talking to you.”

“I’m so sorry. Did you need something?”

“Not really. I thought I’d take a break from housekeeping and have a cup of tea. Would you care to join me?”

“I would indeed.” Patience sighed. “I was thinking about Mother’s missing brooch.” She sighed again. “I’m sure the whole thing will not be good for our establishment.”

Emily gave her a caring gaze. “Oh, fiddledeedee,” she said with a wave of her hand. “Don’t worry about that. I don’t think anyone will give it a thought . . . only the residents. Please stop worrying, Patience. I have confidence it will turn up.”

“You do?”

“It has to. Try not to dwell on what you can’t change. Whatever happens, we’ll figure out how to manage,” Emily said as she rose. “I’ll put the teakettle on.”

“I’ll meet you in the kitchen—no need to carry it out here. It’ll only get dusty from the street today with all the wagons passing to and fro.”

Patience rose, noticing she still felt stiffness in her side though her accident had been several weeks ago. Was that Cody just down the block? She paused, hand on the doorknob. He waved and turned his horse toward her. What had brought him into town?

“Howdy, Patience,” Cody said with a tip of his hat as he approached the porch.

“Hello, Cody. I wouldn’t expect to see you here in the middle of the afternoon,” she answered, her hand up to shield the sun’s glare.

“Me neither, but the boss sent me to order a few things to improve the fencing. He wants to make sure the herd doesn’t stray, I reckon, after what happened.”

“Won’t you come in out of the heat?”

“I expect I can visit a few minutes.” He tied his horse to the post, and Patience returned to her rocker and gestured toward a chair next to hers. “How’ve you been?” he asked. “I should’ve taken you home from the dance instead of . . . well, instead of staying on. Forgive me.” His voice sounded its usual raspy tone, but nonetheless sincere.

“There’s nothing to forgive. I think we understand one another . . . Millie seems to have caught your eye.” The last comment slipped out before Patience thought about it.

Cody laughed. “Aww, that didn’t mean anything. Just having a good time dancing with her.”

“It’s really none of my concern,” Patience said quietly.

“Are we still friends then?” He smiled broadly and cocked an eyebrow at her.

“Certainly.” The last thing Patience wanted was for him to think she was pining over him. However, she did enjoy his company and lively conversation. But was Cody merely a diversion? Had she already lost her heart to another?

Cody smiled again. “I’m glad. When I leave here, I’d like to think I made a few friends.”

“You are leaving?”

“I told you that my intention wasn’t to put down roots here—once I find the man I’m looking for.”

“Oh, yes. You did say that someone had wronged you.” Patience turned to look directly at him. “Have you thought about letting the Lord be the man’s judge instead of trying to get even?”

He jerked his head sideways and stared at her. “That’s letting someone get away with a crime.”

She gave him a level look. “You never said a crime was involved.” An odd feeling about Cody came over her. “Have you committed some crime?”

“Heavens, no! But someone needs to pay for the crime he did to me!” His eyes snapped with anger. “One man gave the order.”

“And what was that, Cody?” His friendly afternoon greeting had changed from a tone of cheer to quick anger, and Patience didn’t like this side of him.

“I was hanged! That’s what!” Cody yanked off the blue kerchief at his throat, exposing a large, deep scar running from one side of his neck to the other. “That’s what they did to me, and I won’t let it rest till somebody pays.”

Patience drew her breath in sharply. Not again! Am I destined to run into hangings wherever I turn? “Cody.” Patience laid a hand on his arm. “I’m very sorry for whatever happened to you. But even I know a person can’t be hanged and survive.”

“Well, the truth is my neck didn’t snap, but I’d passed out so they thought I was dead. They cut me down, and one of the vigilantes hauled me to the local medical school so my body could be used for scientific study. That’s when a student discovered I was alive.” Patience stared at him, her eyes wide with shock.

Cody continued his sorry saga. “The vigilantes had gone after some road agents, and they thought I was one of them. There was one man that gave the hanging order, but I had a hood over my head so I’ve got little to go on.” Cody’s eyes narrowed, and his face hardened. “I never committed any crime.”

“So that’s why you have a raspy voice.” She felt very sorry for him as she tried to imagine actually living through a hanging.

“Yes, it is, and it took a long time before I could speak at all. I thought my voice was lost forever.”

“How do you intend to find that man?” Patience was more than a little interested after hearing Cody’s dreadful story.

“I’ve tried several ways, but I won’t give up—you can be sure of that.”

“‘Vengeance is mine, says the Lord,’” she reminded him. “You are very fortunate to be alive after all that.” She paused a moment, then said quietly, “Spending all your time trying to get even is going to be awfully unsatisfying, even if you find the man and somehow punish him.” She guessed from the look he gave her that he didn’t agree. “And whatever you do to him is likely going to land you in prison . . . or worse.” She wanted to say, Or hanging from the end of a rope once more, but she didn’t dare.

“It may be in the Good Book,” he spit out, “but I’m not so sure that it matters to me anymore. Besides, didn’t you tell me the man that had courted you was hanged? How do you know it wasn’t the same vigilante? Could you forgive him?” Cody suddenly stood. “Look, I need to be going. Sorry I went on about this. Forget I even spoke about it, okay?” He tied the kerchief back in place over the scar.

“Well, it may not matter to you, but you matter to the Lord, I assure you. Why not put all this anger aside and see what your future holds?” Patience suggested. She couldn’t see how his bitterness would come to any good.

Cody started down the steps, then turned back to her. “Look, I know you mean well, but I’ve got to handle this my own way. Gotta skedaddle,” he said with a nod.

“I’ll be praying for you,” Patience said as he left, but if he heard her, he didn’t acknowledge it. Cody was right—would she be able to forgive if she knew the man who’d hanged Russell?

“I bet the tea is cold now, Emily,” Patience said, back in the kitchen. “Cody dropped by, and I was talking with him.” She poured herself a cup.

Emily looked up from a book in her lap. “I never notice the passing of time when I’m reading,” she said with a grin.

“Is that Jane Eyre?”

“Yes. I’m enjoying it so much. When I take a break, I simply have to pick it up again.”

“I’ve read it, so I know what you mean.” Patience smiled, sat down, and sipped at her lukewarm tea.

Emily closed the book. “What did Cody want? From what you’ve told me, I didn’t think he was interested in you.”

Patience set her teacup down. “He isn’t. I’m guessing he wanted to apologize for not bringing me home from the dance.”

“Mmm . . . Maybe he’s jealous of Jed?”

“Hardly that. We talked about other matters, including the reason he’s in Nevada City.” Patience’s smile faded.

Emily’s brows lifted. “Oh?”

Patience told her the little that she had learned about Cody but asked her to keep the information to herself.

“I won’t say a word to anyone,” Emily whispered.

“We better finish our tea so I can start supper. Have you seen Mother?”

“I believe she’s in the parlor.”

“I’d better go check on her, but I’ll be back in a few minutes.” Patience thought about the advice she’d given Cody, which made her think about her own attitude toward her mother. Perhaps she was a failure at taking her own counsel.