The Brides Of Tombstone 01 Mail Order Outlaw (10 page)

She closed her eyes, but opened them again when he got quiet. “Mal, I want to see you, too.”

“Not today.” He shook his head. “We’ve played enough today, and I don’t think I could control myself. It’s damn hard as it is, when all I want is to make sweet love to you all day and all night.”

“But, Mal, that’s what I want, too.” She reached up and wrapped her hand around the back of his neck. “Come to me. Come with me. I love you, Mal.”

“Lizzie, don’t…”

She kissed him before he could say he didn’t love her back. She’d fallen in love with Mal little by little over the last month. He was willing to learn everything so he could be with her and now he was buying her the home of her dreams. But his kindness to Atina and Jamie was what really made all the difference for her. He never treated Atina with anything but respect and Jamie looked up to him as he would a big brother. He idolized Mal. How could she not love him?

Lizzie wasn’t naïve enough to think that Mal loved her yet, but she was sure he wanted her and he would love her soon if he didn’t already. She sat up and righted her clothes. It was a little disconcerting to be nearly naked when he was still dressed.

“I think we should get married soon, Lizzie.”

“I do, too. But when?”

“We buy this house on Friday afternoon. Let’s get married on Saturday morning, so we can spend our first night in our new home as husband and wife. Do you think the preacher will be able to do that?”

“If we go talk to him today, I’m sure he will be able to.”

“Then let’s go. We know that at least there’s this bed we can sleep in or as the case will be on our wedding night…not sleep in.” He grinned and waggled his eyebrows. “I don’t intend on letting you get much sleep when you become Mrs. Malcolm Brandon.”

“I like the sound of that. Lizzie Brandon.” She smiled. “It has a good ring.”

“I like it, too.” He gave her a quick kiss. “Are you ready?”

“As soon as you quit kissing me, we can go.”

He smiled, pulled her to him and kissed her again. “I’ll never quit kissing you. You’re my best girl.”

“I better be your only girl.”

“Yeah. There is that, too.”

They hurried down the stairs and out the door. Lizzie locked it back up and pocketed the key. They mounted their horses, turned and galloped toward town.

Twenty minutes later, they were standing in front of the church. Even though it was late, nearing 7 pm, they checked the church first and found the reverend there. Ed took her hand and walked with her up the steps into the sanctuary.

Reverend Fox, a tall balding man with silver hair and spectacles, was at the podium practicing his sermon for Sunday. When he glanced up and saw visitors, he stopped and came down to greet them.

“Lizzie Cobb and Malcolm Brandon, what are you two doing in town tonight?”

“We’re here to see you, Reverend.” Lizzie blushed a little.

Ed squeezed her hand to steady her.

“What can I do for you children?”

“We want to get married on Saturday morning, sir.” Ed held Lizzie’s hand. He didn’t know who was steadying who because he was more nervous than he’d ever been before in his life.

“Saturday, huh? What is the hurry?”

“We’ve been courting by mail and in person now for more than a year. It’s time we got married.” Ed squeezed Lizzie’s hand again and winked at her. “Besides that we’re meeting with the bank to buy the Abernathy place on Friday afternoon and want to be married to spend our first night together in our new home.”

“Well, I guess we better get you two married then.” The reverend dropped his chin and looked at them over the top of his glasses. “I don’t want you to do anything you might regret.”

“We don’t either, sir. I want Lizzie to be my wife more than anything in this world.” This was the biggest most important step in his new life. Without Lizzie there was no reason to go on.

The reverend shifted his gaze between the two. “I’m glad to hear that, son.”

Lizzie looked at Mal and then faced the reverend. “I feel the same way about Mal.”

“You deserve some happiness, child. Lord knows you haven’t had much kindness from the folks around here.”

“I intend to see that changes, Reverend. Anyone who insults my wife will answer to me.” Out of habit, Ed’s hand went for his revolver which wasn’t there. Marshal Virgil Earp didn’t allow guns in town.

The reverend nodded and clasped them both on the shoulder. “I’ll be ready for you at ten on Saturday morning. Will that be soon enough?”

“Yes, sir.” Lizzie and Mal said together and then they looked at each other and laughed.

Ed leaned down and gave her a quick kiss.

“Here, here, there will be no unauthorized kissing in my church. Wait until you two are married for those shenanigans.”

The reverend sounded stern, but Ed saw a twinkle in his eye, and a very slight smile played about his lips.

“Yes, sir.” Ed hugged Lizzie to him.

“Now, go on you two, and get yourselves ready for Saturday. That’s only four days away. Do whatever you have to in order to be prepared to take your vows.”

“Thank you, Reverend.” Lizzie stepped up to the elderly man and gave him a kiss on the cheek.

“I’ve watched you grow up—” Reverend Fox took one of Lizzie’s hands in both of his, “Elizabeth Cobb, into a wonderful, kind woman. I wish you the best in this marriage. It’s time you have some love given back to you.”

Ed cringed inside at the reverends words. If Lizzie knew who he really was would she marry him anyway? She said she loved him, but she also thought he was Malcolm. Being an imposter didn’t matter. After they’d been married a few years and maybe had a couple of kids, he’d tell her the truth. Then she wouldn’t leave him. Would she?

They walked out of the church and across the street to Harbinger’s Mercantile.

“I want to get Jamie a new shirt and pants for the wedding.”

“Good,” said Ed. “I’d like him to be my best man. Think he’ll want to?”

“Want to?” laughed Lizzie. “He’ll be thrilled you ask him.”

They made their purchases and were walking out when a man bumped into Ed.

“Excuse me,” said Ed, as he was forced against the doorway.

“Watch where you’re going,” said a gravelly voice.

A voice Ed would have recognized anywhere. Harvey.

Ed’s head snapped up and he looked at his brother square in the eyes. No mistake—the man was Harvey.

Would he still recognize Ed without his beard or had he forgotten what Ed looked like without it since he’d had it for the last ten years.?

Harvey narrowed his eyes, then they widened with what Ed knew was recognition.

Harvey cocked an eyebrow but didn’t say anything, just tipped his hat at Lizzie and stepped to the side so they could pass out of the store. That didn’t bode well. Harvey didn’t usually step aside for anyone. That meant he’d probably follow them to find out what was going on. Ed had to protect Lizzie and her family. His family now. And he would, in any way possible.

Both Lizzie and Ed were quiet on the ride back home. Ed thought about Harvey and kept looking over his shoulder, expecting to see him following them. He didn’t see him and that made him even more nervous. Harvey biding his time was a dangerous thing.

He didn’t know why Lizzie was quiet, but he didn’t want to break the silence.

Harvey. Ed couldn’t get over the fact his brother was here. This wasn’t the area they worked. They’d never come to Tombstone in the fifteen years he’d ridden with them. They always stayed around the general area of Tucson.

Had he followed Ed? No, too many weeks had passed since Ed left the gang for him to have been followed. What would Ed do when his brother called at the ranch? And he would. By no way of thinking would Harvey let Ed go, now that he’d found him.

CHAPTER 7

Harvey Talbot was more than a little surprised to see his baby brother walk out of the Harbinger’s Mercantile. And with a woman, a beautiful woman, on his arm no less. What was Ed up to? He’d shaved off his beard and he was wearing new clothes with a new hat and everything. He was clearly trying to look like someone different than who he really was, but Harvey would remind him. He was Josiah Talbot’s son and Harvey’s brother. Escaping that fact was impossible.

The gang his father started was gone—most killed during the last job, a train robbery near Benson gone sour. Pinkertons had been waiting. Harvey was lucky to get away with his life. But he was like that. Lucky. Not only did he get away, but he got five-hundred dollars, too. Enough to live like a king for a month or so until he planned his next job, one Ed would help him with.

He was sorry about the rest of the gang getting caught or killed, but they knew the risks going in. Harvey didn’t feel guilty. Their deaths weren’t his fault. He wasn’t a bad leader, he just needed better men. Ed would help him. With Ed back, Harvey could get another gang together.

First though he would watch and see what kind of con Ed was running on this woman. She must be rich. Why else would Ed be with her in the town of Tombstone. There wasn’t a lot to attract a person to this place. Them Earp brothers don’t even let a man keep his gun. Nope, the only thing to attract anyone here was…silver. That’s why Harvey was here, too. Lots of silver for the taking according to the folks in Benson.

The train he’d tried to rob carried payrolls for several of the mines. Nearly two hundred thousand dollars all together. Since taking it off the train didn’t work, he thought he’d come here and figure out how to take the cash from the banks. He would have done the stage bringing the money to town but there were eight armed guards with it. There was no way he could take that many men, even if he got the drop on them. He needed another gang.

The stable owner told him there was an interesting brothel inside the Bird Cage Theater. He’d never been to one where the cribs hung from the ceiling. They were actually on a balcony but it looked like they hung from the ceiling. Their front overlooked the theater and had curtains that closed when the ‘room’ was in use.

Definitely an interesting thing, but not really to Harvey’s tastes, which were more…down to earth. He had to be good when he went there. No slapping the whore around or anything like that. Just plain old boring sex. He’d find another brothel that wasn’t quite so hoity-toity.

Where was Belle when he needed her, damn it? He should have gone to Tucson and got her, brung her with him. His pretty Belle, yes she was a whore, but she was the only one who could take what he dished out and give him back his own. She was a big girl, tall and big all over, with dark red hair and the prettiest moss green eyes he’d ever seen. Maybe he ought to make an honest woman out of Belle, but what fun would there be in that? No, their relationship was just fine as it was. This way he could visit anyone he wanted to and he wasn’t cheatin’ on nobody.

* * *

Ed didn’t like Harvey being in town. That only meant bad things for Ed…and for Lizzie. He had to find out what his brother was doing here. He knew Harvey would be at a brothel or a saloon, which one he didn’t know. He’d start with the lowliest where a woman was just a dollar for all night and work his way up to The Bird Cage Theater where he was told the going rate was five dollars for the night.

Ed made excuses for the need to go back into town and left after dinner. He had to ignore that Lizzie might be a little angry with him for not allowing her to go along. When he finally explained, she’d understand…he hoped.

He rode Satan like the horse was his namesake and galloped him almost the entire two miles to town. Starting at one end, Ed began to hit every brothel and saloon in Tombstone. When he reached Big Nose Kate’s place, he found his mark. Harvey sat at a table, a bottle of whiskey in front of him and a saloon girl on his lap. As Ed got closer he saw the girl wasn’t more than about fifteen under all the makeup and his stomach turned. He knew what Harvey would do to the poor thing. She might have to make a living in the saloon, but she didn’t need to be subjected to Harvey’s cruelty.

Ed pulled out a chair at Harvey’s table and sat.

Harvey pushed the girl from him. “Get,” he said, not looking at her.

The look she gave Ed was one of pure hatred, not knowing that he’d just saved her ability to make a living if not her very life. If Harvey had taken her he likely would have beat the little thing to death. It wouldn’t have been the first time Harvey beat a whore to death. The saloon owners usually didn’t mind as long as Harvey paid them for the girl and he always did.

“So, I wondered how long I’d have to wait for you to find me. Have a drink.” Harvey pushed the bottle toward Ed.

“I don’t drink. You know that.” Ed pushed the bottle back. He watched his brother’s movements gauging how drunk he was. Not drunk enough by a long shot. “What made you think I’d come find you?”

“That’s right. You been gone so long, I plum forgot.” Harvey downed a shot of the brown liquid whisky even the locals called rotgut. “You got that pretty little half-breed hanging on your arm and I know you don’t want me to mess up her sweet face. And look, I was right, here you are.” Harvey took another shot of whiskey and downed it in one gulp before filling the glass again.