There were no customers in the eatery when I walked in except for Trenton. I had just come back from the Wells Fargo office. Most of the track had been cleared, and by the end of the week they would be sending a train up to Silverton. It would be my job to ride up with it and bring back any gold mined over the winter.
As I walked over to the table to join Trenton, Marta came out of the kitchen with some pie; it looked like butterscotch.
“Ah, Senor Miles, I didn’t know you were here. Sit, I will get you a piece as well.” She started to the coffeepot.
“I’ll get the coffee Marta, you go get the pie,” I said. “Tell Molly, I’m here.”
“She and Lucas went to get eggs. Hannah and Greta refused to bring them. They are what you call, ‘scardy-cat’. They have been gone for a bit and should be returning.”
I looked at Trenton. I went out through the kitchen and he went out the front. He would circle to Hannah’s place and I would take the direct route. No, it wasn’t fear or worry that sent me out, but concern and caution. About half-way to Hannah’s I saw them walking my direction.
“Miles, what are you doing here?” asked Molly. “Well, since you’ve come, let Lucas carry your shotgun and you take his eggs. Now, be careful; don’t you dare break any of them!”
Most of the snow was gone, but it was very muddy. I made sure to be careful where I stepped; I for certain didn’t want the wrath of Molly upon me. As I took the eggs from Lucas I saw Trenton coming around the corner. Molly saw him as well and gave me a wry look.
We made it back without mishap. Nothing was said between us and Trenton and I went back to the table. Marta had fresh coffee for us and guarded our pie. After Molly put up the eggs she came and joined us. I grabbed a cup and filled it for her.
“Okay, you guys. What was going on?”
I looked at Trenton. “Can’t be too careful Molly. Wray and Ferguson are still on the loose. They have been trying for a couple of years now and I don’t reckon they will give up.”
She just nodded and reached over and took my fork and cut a piece of my pie. I could see the smile in her eyes as she put it in her mouth. “Want my coffee too?” I asked.
“No, mine is fine.”
Then she touched my arm. “Think you could do some hunting? We’re running short of meat.”
I looked again at Trenton. “I’ll watch over Molly.” I nodded.
“I’ll leave tomorrow, that’ll give me three days. I have to ride to Silverton on Friday.” I sipped my coffee. “We need to get some cattle. That way we will have a constant supply of meat.”
There was one more bite left of my pie. I looked at Molly and she grinned, but did not hesitate. She took my fork and ate it.
“Excuse me, I’m going back to check the office again.” I finished my coffee and walked out.
The office was a couple of blocks away, and as I started to enter my sight caught view of Wray. He saw me and …