Chapter 15

 

Chance was dark and deserted as they approached. The only light visible came from the saloon, where they had all been gathered before they rushed to Candlelight. Maggie shivered in the silence as they approached the town.

Following close behind their wagon came Martha Jones, driving a cart full of blankets and food. Nancy Rollins had ridden with her and they had handed out cups of coffee and water to all the firefighters.

Maggie glanced up to see a man on the roof of the livery. Most of the old soldiers had stayed behind to guard the town. Ahead, she could see Major Jenkins as he stepped out of the saloon and began to wave at Caleb.

She was tempted to stop the wagon and rush ahead to hear what the man had to report, but she wasn’t sheriff anymore. It was Caleb’s job. And he would tell them anything they needed to know.

Several men came down from the rooftops and began to gather near Caleb. After a moment, they all turned and walked toward the livery.

“What do you reckon that’s all about?” Reba asked her.

“I don’t know. Maybe Caleb will come to the house before they leave.”

“Well, let’s get this wagon in the back and get things unloaded,” Reba ordered. “I’ll get some coffee going on the stove. Caleb must be plum wore out by now. The last thing that boy needs is to take another ride tonight.”

Maggie shook her head. Give him strength, Lord. I know he’s not healed up enough, just yet. She ignored the guilt that gnawed at her stomach. If anything happened to him, it would be her fault.

 

 

***

 

 

“Just came in and took it?” Reba’s voice was loud in the quiet kitchen.

Caleb nodded and took another sip of the hot coffee. “The Major said Allen drove in the wagon, Job following on his horse. They went straight to the livery and loaded the coffin, then rode on out of town.”

“And never said a word?” Reba asked.

Caleb grunted. “I don’t guess anyone offered to go down and converse with them. They all stayed up on the tops of the buildings.”

“Well, I can hardly blame them,” Reba said, adding more liquid to Wally’s cup.

“They did the right thing,” Caleb said, drinking the last of his coffee and taking the cup to the wash pan. “I guess the Sayers just wanted most of us out of town when they came to get the body.”

“It’s a shame they thought they had to burn Candlelight to do it,” Maggie fumed, breaking her silence from the corner where she sat. “They could easily have killed someone.”

“The Sayers do whatever it takes to get what they want,” Wally ventured. “Job probably enjoyed getting the blaze going.”

Reba shook her head. “Those boys are going to have a lot to pay for when the time comes.”

Wally nodded in agreement as he stood. “I don’t guess there’s much need for us to ride out there tonight, now that we know they’re aware of Hobart’s death. Unless you think it’s necessary,” he said, glancing at Caleb.

Caleb hesitated. “I don’t think it would be a bad idea, just to see if there’s much activity out there. If you’re up to it,” he added.

“Let’s go,” Wally said, adjusting his hat and pushing his chair under the table.