Echoes of the Heart: Poems by Carole Bergman Read Free Book Online

“Well, I am off to the bank.   Thank you for all your help.”
    She bounded out
the door and walked toward the stable, spotting Craig with the buggy.   She jumped into the seat beside him and they
headed for the bank.   Craig showed white
teeth while he grinned.
    “Maybe you can get
in and out before everyone in town knows what happened.   You sure can cause trouble, Rae.”   His mocking expression let her know he had
not been upset with her decision.
               

 
    Five

 
 
    Cash managed a few
restless hours of sleep.   At dawn he rose
and grabbed a clean shirt from the closet, dressed then poured water into the
basin to shave. He wondered if he would ever be free from the torment plaguing
him constantly.
    Dampening his hair
and running fingers quickly through the dark strands he placed the leather
banded black Stetson on his head.   He
strapped on his gun then descended the stairs to eat breakfast, ordering a meal
of side pork and eggs with black coffee.

 
    ***
               
    He entered the
office, slightly ducking his tall frame under the door’s low clearance and
glanced at John.   “Anything interesting
happen last night?”
                “Nope,
everything’s fine.   No problems
here.   Where are you headed this
morning?”   John walked to the gun cabinet
and removed a rifle, resting the barrel over his forearm.
                “I’ll
take a walk to the livery and see how Watts is doing on
Mike and Diane’s wagon.   I’ll be picking
them up at the train station.   They’re
bringing supplies from St. Louis
when they return from the wedding.   I’ll
also stop by the store and see if Mills needs anything.”
                John
walked to the door, while placing his hat on his head.   “How long have you known Mike and Diane, anyway?   You seem pretty close.”
    Cash glared at
John.   He never talked of the past and
did not intend to start now.   John looked
uncomfortable as he turned in the doorway to face Cash.
                “I’m
going to get something to eat.   I’ll take
a ride around town and check things out afterward.   Guess we will meet up later on.”
                Cash
strode from the office toward the livery.   He turned down the side street leading to the stable.   Once inside, he searched the area until he
spotted Watts bent over, pulling worn shoes off a
dapple-grey mare.   Watt’s talents also
included being the town farrier and veterinarian.   Cash admired his versatility.   “Hey, Watts, the place
is looking great.”
                Watts
placed the horse’s hoof gently back on the dirt floor.   “Got to keep up with the times, you
know.”   Being a short wiry man, he did
not have to bend far while shoeing the animals making it easier on his back
than someone taller.
    Watts
wore his hair long and his face showed lines from the sun.   He had been in Chamberlain for years and
everyone depended on him at one time or another.
                “Say,
how’s Mike’s wagon coming along?”   He
walked forward as he spoke and put out a hand.          
    The two men shook
hands briskly.   “Oh, nothing I couldn’t
fix.”   Watts
straightened with pride.   They walked to
the wagon so Watts could show Cash his handiwork.   The odor of horses and hay filled the air.
                “Looks
like you did a nice job on the wheel.   Can I just leave it here until they arrive?   It will save me going out to their place.”
                “Sure,
no problem, I’m not overcrowded just yet.   The new wagons will be arriving on the train when Mike and Diane come
in.   Just wait until you see those
beauties.”   His lips expanded in a sly
grin.   “Now I’ll have something for our
new upper classes to rent that won’t tarnish their images.”
    In actuality, the
people in town with their newfound wealth had not become the least