Free The Convenient Mail Order Bride by Ruth Ann Nordin Page B

and called
out, “Eric Johnson?”
    “That’s the one. He came here to talk to
you.”
    Phoebe debated telling her mother to send
him away. The last thing she felt like doing was talking to anyone.
But then she thought about all the things Abe had told her about
how things were for him. Perhaps Eric wanted to hear her side of
the story, to find out whether or not Abe had defended her. It was
possible Enoch and Benny had crafted some story to hurt him. That
being the case, someone had to stand up and tell the truth, even if
she was now a tainted woman from her association with him.
    Clearing her throat, she sat up. “Tell him
I’ll be right there.”
    “Will do, dear,” her mother replied.
    From the other side of the closed door, her
mother was talking to Eric in low, soothing tones, allowing Phoebe
time to make herself presentable. She took a moment to wash the
tears from her face. She knew she’d been sheltered most of her
life, but it hadn’t occurred to her just how protected she’d been
until she came here.
    Once she could trust herself to be calm, she
went to the door and opened it. Eric was sitting in a chair, a cup
of coffee in hand.
    “There’s really not much that happens in
town,” Eric was telling her mother who sat across from him.
“Usually, the worst thing I have to worry about is breaking up a
brawl at the saloon.”
    “It’s nice there’s not a lot of danger to
worry about,” her mother replied. “We heard all sorts of stories
while we were coming here.”
    “I’m sure you did. There are elements of the
West that are undesirable, but if you have the right people in
positions of influence, things work themselves out nicely.”
    “It’s a good thing you’re the sheriff then.”
She glanced over at Phoebe and gestured to her. “Did you want to
speak to my daughter alone?”
    “It depends on what makes your daughter more
comfortable.” Eric rose to his feet. “Phoebe?”
    “My mother can stay,” Phoebe decided. She
had, after all, already told her mother what happened in town. And
if anything, her mother would support her story. She sat on the
couch and waited for Eric to sit back in the chair before she
asked, “How can I help you, Eric?”
    “I wanted you to know I found out what
happened with Enoch,” Eric began, “and I know Benny didn’t do
anything to stop it.”
    Surprised, she glanced at her mother then
back at him. “So, you know Abe came to my aid?”
    “Yes, I know.”
    His soft voice settled her nerves. “I was
afraid you’d think Abe did something wrong.”
    “I know Abe, and I know he wouldn’t do
anything to hurt anyone unless they deserved it. When I heard what
happened, I knew Enoch and Benny were in the wrong. I just came by
to tell you they’re in jail. I told Abe, in the future, he should
bring this kind of thing to my attention. I realize how things used
to be for him, but it won’t be that way anymore. He’ll get fair
treatment from me.”
    After all the things she’d gone through that
day, this was so unexpected she had trouble believing her ears. But
when her mother let out a cheer and thanked Eric, Phoebe realized
she’d heard right.
    “If Abe doesn’t come to me, you can,” Eric
told Phoebe. “Either way, I’ll do right by all of you.”
    “Thank you,” Phoebe said. Then, after a
moment of considering her words, she added, “Is it true that the
people in town treat Abe poorly?”
    “Yes, it is,” Eric replied. “It’s not
something anyone talks about, but he doesn’t get a fair shake.
That’s why I wanted to take care of things. Abe is reluctant to
believe he has anyone to back him up. If you and I don’t work
together to make things better, things will stay as they’ve been. I
can only do my part. I can’t be everywhere at once. There’s bound
to be some things I’ll miss. But change won’t happen unless someone
stands up to make things better.”
    Phoebe breathed a sigh of relief. Maybe
being here wasn’t going to be as