Boundless Hearts Enduring Love (Book 3)

Chapter 3

Colton and Travis's business has started to decline and they're blaming it on Lucas because of an incident that happened a few nights ago. The town had a grand opening for the new Optical Theatre. Travis was upset because Lucas, Amelia, Maurice, Amelia's mother Feodora, and sister Julia sat on the balcony. Neither one of the two men has figured out who Lucas's family is yet, regardless of what people say.

Lucas and Amelia are in a dress shop shopping for a dress for her to wear to meet his family. He has told her several times not to stress about it. Because his sister may be wearing pants. Amelia can’t believe Treasure wears pants and spurs and carries a gun. She has often told Lucas that she doesn’t believe all the stories he tells her about Treasure. As far as Qaletaqa goes she has heard a lot of stories about him and was scared of him at first until Lucas assured her that Qaletaqa only kills jerks that come after him, the tribe, and his family.

After leaving the dress shop Amelia is rambling about traveling to Willow Creek Falls. Lucas is looking at Travis’s reflection in the store window but answering his fiancee’s questions.

Travis is contemplating shooting Lucas in the back. He thinks he wouldn't be charged for killing an Indian regardless of who folks say his family is. When he finally decides to draw his gun Lucas reaches for his but stops when Sheriff Jasper steps in front of him.

“Travis, is there a problem here?” The man looks at Travis with his hand on his gun.

“No problem, Sheriff.” Travis walks away mentally cursing the Sheriff and Lucas.

Amelia frowns looking at Travis. “Jerk. I wish he and his brother never came here.”

Sheriff Jasper looks at Lucas “That young man won’t live long. It’s a good thing I was headed to see Maurice about your family arriving in a couple of days. I might have to deputize more men. Once word gets around the Legend is here, I’m sure some assholes will try to start a fight so they can get a shot at him. Come on I'll walk with you two."

“They’ll have to get through my sister first.” Lucas gives the man a stern look. “That’s not going to be easy." He takes Amelia's hand, she’s still looking at Travis. “Sweetheart, ignore him. Don’t worry nothing will happen to me.” He cut his eyes at Travis.

She slowly nods “I’ve never liked or trusted either of them, also their greed shows. That’s not a good thing.”

“I know but they will be dealt with soon,” Lucas kisses her forehead but is still looking at Travis.

Travis is still cussing when he finds Colton at the train station. Colton and some men are gathering around to discuss the Stocktons selling the railroad out of the blue and moving to San Franciso. Travis pulls Colton to the side to tell him about the incident. Colton throws his hat on the ground cursing the Sheriff for interfering in business that doesn’t concern him. He’s tired of everyone walking on f*****g eggshells when it comes to Lucas Abbott.

“Just who in the hell is the Abbotts?’ Travis yells, and then he sees a man pulling the cover off the railroad sign. “Hell no, his ass isn’t any kin to those Abbotts.” He points at a sign with the Abbotts's name on it.

Eli walks beside Travis and Colton “Yes sir. Lucas Abbott is Richard Abbott's son. I’ve tried to tell your ass several times, but you wouldn’t listen. The Abbott name goes a long way."

Colton reads the sign, “Oh, those Abbotts.”

“s**t,” Travis mumbles, roughly rubbing his mouth.

*****

Richard had ridden off earlier to meet with the Pinkertons that are arriving today to transport Mary Catherine to Oregon. The citizens are upset that Mary Catherine couldn’t be trailed and hung there for killing their good friend Eleanor. Big Horn and Richard had to meet at the hall the day before Treasure, Qaletaqa and the others left to explain the reason. The families Mary Catherine and her gang killed deserve to see the face of the woman who took their loved ones. Hoping it will help heal their pain. Richard felt Ned and his family had endured too much already and didn’t want to see him and his kids in the courtroom with that woman.

Ned didn’t visit Mary Catherine nor have any children. Jamie spends most of his days staring at the jail while working at the saloon. The first couple of days Ned spent all day at the saloon drinking whiskey but never looked at the jail. Jamie has asked him a few times if he intends to see Mary Catherine before she leaves with the Pinkertons. Ned said if he came face to face with that woman, he would kill her. Then he’ll be hanged, and he doesn’t want his children to grow up without a parent. The evil woman had already taken their mother and he refused to allow her to take their father.

Big Horn is sitting outside the jail when Richard rides in, he can’t take hearing Mary Catherine crying and pleading with him to release her.

Richard sits down beside him, “I take it she’s still crying."

“Yep, she sounds like a fox howling. A few times I thought about shooting her.” Big Horn points to four men stepping off the stagecoach.

“Looks like our trouble with this woman is coming to an end.” Richard’s looking at the Pinkertons walking their way.

"Thank the Great Spirit.” Big Horn mumbles and blows a breath out.

Richard chuckles and pats Big Horn's shoulder.

The four men introduce themselves as Angus, Elwood, Quint, and Murdoc. Angus informs Big Horn they'll leave on the first stagecoach in the morning. A lot of people are looking forward to seeing Mary Catherine hanging from a rope. Especially, the Mayor, his wife, and his daughter were among the nine she and her gang killed.

Richard notices Quint is looking around as if he’s looking for someone. “Son, maybe I can help you. Who are you looking for?”

“Treasure, I thought she would be here,” Quint said with a huge grin.

“My daughter is traveling with her husband and children. Son, you do know she’s married right,” Richard looks at him with a serious expression.

“So, I heard. But I’m not worried about that. What she and I had was special. I went to school with your daughter. She and I studied together and spent a lot of time together. I'm sure she won't ever forget me.” Quint walks inside the jail.

“My precious Treasure seems to have that effect on all the young men she went to school with. It’s a good thing my son isn’t here. If he was then it would be only you three men getting on that stagecoach tomorrow.” Richard points for the men to go inside the jail. He’s about to walk behind the men, “studied together. Treasure said she always studied in a group that the teachers assigned her to. Puppy love.” He shakes his head.

“Puppy love or young love is deadly when it comes to Treasure and Qaletaqa. Neither one wants the other to love anyone but them.” Big Horn walks ahead of Richard.

"That's the truth." Richard is about to enter the jail when Emma Jean and Nettie walk up to him. They want to see Mary Catherine one more time before she leaves. At first, he thought about declining their request. But he couldn't deny them of that after all the woman took their mother from them. Richard agreed only if their father was with them. He felt Ned needed to come face-to-face with Mary Catherine to get some closure.

Neither young lady was happy about the condition but smiled and walked away. Nettie leans close to her sister, “Now what are we going to do?”

Emma Jean looks at the pistol in her purse, “find another way to kill her."

Richard watches the two women until one of the men calls his name.