Chapter 15
Ben patted his tummy in satisfaction. The ham was juicy and tender, the eggs over easy, and the biscuits bathed in apple butter. A full coffee mug sat near his elbow, and the lawman was supremely content.
“You look like the cat that ate the canary,” Hilda observed when she breezed into the Sheriff’s office a little later.
“That I am. It’s about time to take breakfast to the prisoners, and I am savoring the sweet taste of revenge.”
The confused lady gave Ben an odd look and picked up the empty plate from his desk. “All finished with this?”
“I oughta be, but if Roseanna has more of those biscuits, I might just find room for one more with my coffee.”
“What is wrong with those fellas you got locked up?” Hilda growled as the decibel level rose. “Didn’t get a wink of sleep last night with them clamoring about up there!”
“I suppose they got a good whiff of the ham while it was cooking,” Ben answered, an impish twinkle making his dark eyes sparkle with deviltry.
“What are you up to?” Hilda asked, her voice laced with suspicion.
Holding up two fingers spaced a hair’s width apart, the Sheriff answered, “Just a wee bit of mischief.”
Cocking an eyebrow, the matron considered the man and then gave a toothy smile. “Don’t know what you’ve got up your sleeve, but sure does serve ’em right.”
Ben took a sip of coffee before replying, “You can let Mrs. Danbury know I’m ready to take breakfast up to the prisoners.” Then he stood and grabbed the basket Otille had brought over.
“Now?” Roseanna asked when she peeked out the door.
“Now,” Ben confirmed, their laughter combining as Roseanna swung the door wide to release the chaos of her four little noisemakers.
“What are you two up to?” Hilda questioned as an uproar exploded on the second floor moments later.
“Revenge. Sweet revenge,” Roseanna laughed, inviting the woman into her living quarters. “Those men made such a racket last night; they kept everyone up. So, we’ve been taunting their tastebuds with lovely breakfast aromas for the last hour. And I suppose they expected to receive a nice plate of ham and eggs. However, Ben took them biscuits and water instead.”
“Good heavens,” Hilda snorted. “You two are devious!”
“Rightly so,” the young mother agreed with a grin.
When Caleb heard the sound of Ben’s boots on the stairs, he hurried from the back room, excited to be free. “Did them get mad?” he excitedly asked as the man descended.
Brushing the breadcrumbs from his clothes and hair, the Sheriff winked. “Sure did. But they’re gonna get mighty hungry before the dinner plates get passed around tonight. And if they don’t settle down, it’ll be hardtack and water.”
Roseanna’s eyes widened when she spotted Ben’s disheveled state, and she gasped, “What happened?”
“A little revolt.”
“Oh, dear,” she mumbled, quickly stepping over to brush the debris from Ben’s hair. “What were we thinking?!”
“Don’t know. But I’m contemplating a nice roast and maybe some apple pie for supper,” he answered, giving Roseanna a cheeky grin.
Pausing, the girl giggled. “You are incorrigible!”
Suddenly remembering the men he was hiding in the cellar, he went stiff. “Ah, um. Any eggs and biscuits left?” he asked warily.
“Boy, you’re going to burst the seam of your britches,” Hilda scolded, wagging a finger at Ben’s nose.
But Roseanna scooted away and quickly returned with another overly full plate of food. When she covertly tucked two forks into Ben’s hand, the startled man’s head shot up.
“Well, Hilda. Should we see if my little scamps are ready for a nap?” the young woman asked as she turned away from the lawman.
Little Arthur scrubbed at tired eyes and held his arms up, but Caleb scowled. “I’s gonna hulp Pa.”
Ben wasn’t quite sure how to respond, but he sat the plate of food on the edge of his desk. “Are you big enough to help around here?” he asked the toddler.
“Yup! I’s this many,” the boy replied, proudly holding up three fingers.
“Good enough,” the Sheriff nodded, grabbing the broom from the corner. “Let’s see if you know what to do with this,” he said, handing over the item. Ben watched the boy lift one leg over the broom handle and then drag it behind him. “Guess that’ll do the trick,” he admitted after a bit. “You finish that up, then go find your Ma. We all need a little sleep if we’re going to be any use today.”
“Oh tay,” the child happily agreed, going about his job with great aplomb.
Ben peeked into the back room before he turned and hurried down the basement steps, anxious to check on the Pinkerton agents he had stashed away with the leg irons, old files, and a few bags of potatoes.