Chapter 25
“I appreciate all of your help.” Jameson shook Beckett’s hand outside the lawyer’s office on Turnersville’s Main Street.
“Wish there was more we could do today.” Beckett situated his hat, his dark eyes serious and his expression determined. “With as many telegrams as we sent, I reckon we’ll find out more soon.”
“Hope so.” Jameson glanced beyond the businesses and residences toward the western horizon. The afternoon was nearly spent, and evening would soon be upon them. It was time to call it a day in their efforts to gather information on Dray Wilkes.
They’d interviewed multiple people about the man—fellows who’d spent time with Dray.
None of the stories about Dray matched. One man claimed Dray had grown up in Oklahoma and still had family in Tulsa.
Another person was sure Dray was from western Texas and had talked about having family there.
Then others said he’d often gone to Kansas, to Topeka.
Even if the stories about Dray’s origins didn’t match, the stories about his traveling did.
He apparently rode off to visit his family—wherever that really was—on a regular basis.
The few men who’d been in various traveling parties with Dray claimed he frequented saloons during the trips and occasionally spent time with soiled doves.
Apparently Dray had never done so in Turnersville, or at least none of the tavern owners remembered him coming in. Maybe he’d only visited saloons in remote towns so that rumors wouldn’t reach Lottie.
Jameson hadn’t been surprised to discover Dray had been unfaithful to Lottie.
But what he still didn’t understand was how any man could leave a beautiful woman like Lottie for weeks, even months, at a time.
What was so important about his family—if that’s really who he’d been visiting—that he needed to leave as often and for as long as he did?
The day’s searching had produced more questions than answers. But Beckett had telegrammed Sunshine’s private investigator with the names of the cities Dray may have visited. It wasn’t much to go on, but at least it was something.
How had Lottie and the boys done today?
Jameson’s chest ached every time he thought about them.
He hoped Dray hadn’t gone out to the ranch for a second day in a row. He didn’t think the fellow would. After searching around, they suspected he was staying in Corpus Christi, since he wasn’t in Turnersville that they could tell, and Corpus Christi was a long ride from the ranch.
They’d just spent the past hour with Mr. Dickinson, Lottie and Beckett’s lawyer.
The kindly fellow had assured them Lottie’s ranch and inheritance were safe from predators.
But they’d talked about the possibility of Lottie withdrawing money and giving it to Dray—which they couldn’t stop if that’s what she chose to do.
Jameson had been hoping they would find something damaging about Dray today that they could use to stop him from bribing Lottie, but they hadn’t found enough. Maybe they could use his marital unfaithfulness against him, but currently, they only had hearsay and no actual proof of it.
Beckett nodded at Cheno and the few other men who stood guard. They started to mount. “I’ll send news out to the Longhorn just as soon as we hear something.”
Jameson wasn’t sure how to answer. He hadn’t planned on returning to the Longhorn. Not after Lottie had pushed him away last night. He didn’t want to interfere with her efforts to remain married to Dray, if that’s what she wanted to do—and if he stayed, he would definitely interfere.
He was already interfering by going to Beckett and trying to dig up dirt on the fellow.
“What is it?” Beckett had one foot in his stirrup and paused to peer at Jameson.
“I wasn’t going back to the Longhorn.”
Beckett scowled and dropped his foot to the ground. “Yes, you are.”
No hesitation. No questions. Just a straight command. Beckett was the perfect man to manage the Double T, but Jameson didn’t need him managing his life too.
He braced his shoulders. “If I do, I’ll end up doing something stupid, like pulling her into my arms and not letting her go.”
“Good.”
“It’s not good, Beckett.” Jameson couldn’t keep the exasperation from his tone. “She’s married. To another man.”
“That is a problem.” Beckett tipped up his hat, revealing the seriousness in his gaze. “A mighty big one at that.”
“It didn’t matter when we thought Dray was dead, but now that we know she’s not a widow, then both of us would be guilty of unfaithfulness if we pursue a relationship. Which is why I need to stay away.”
Beckett’s dark gaze bored into Jameson, probably searching deep into his soul. “Regardless, she needs a man in her life who’s not gonna run off when the going gets tough. She needs a man who will be there for the long haul, even if he has to sacrifice his own desires in the process.”
She was a strong woman. That said, Jameson didn’t want her to face the difficulties with Dray alone.
“Instead of tucking tail and running away from your problems,” Beckett continued more softly, “reckon it’s time to stand and face them.”
Jameson knew Beckett was referring to his running away from his family and Coleman and all the hurts. And he was referring to when Jameson had left the Double T to avoid the conflict with Beckett.
Even now, Jameson was tempted to mount his horse and ride away from Beckett and this confrontation. But Beckett was right—had been right from the start—that Jameson had to stop leaving whenever things got tough.
He blew out a breath. “Seems I’ve gotten pretty good at running away from problems.”
“It’s not too late to change that.”
“So you think I should go back, even though I love her and she’s married to someone else?”
Beckett gave a small shrug. “If you really have a lasting love for her, how can you walk away?”
“I thought I was doing the loving thing by giving her the space she needed to figure out what—who—she wanted.”
“You can live there while sacrificing your desires and giving her the space she needs.”
Jameson lifted his hat and dragged his fingers through his hair. It had been getting harder with every passing day to be around Lottie and not stop and kiss her every time she was near.
Beckett turned back to his horse and mounted. He situated his Stetson, gathered his reins, and pinned a final look on Jameson. “Not saying it will be easy to live with her nearby and not be able to have her. Might even be the hardest thing you’ve ever done. But I don’t see any other way, do you?”
Jameson didn’t answer. His mind was too busy trying to make sense of Beckett’s wise words.
Beckett tipped up the brim of his hat in farewell, then spurred his horse down the street, probably eager to get back to his wife.
Jameson watched his friend ride away until he turned a corner and disappeared from sight. Then he reached for Cougar’s reins. The horse snorted softly and nudged him, as if to say it was time to go home.
Could he ride back to the Longhorn and live with Lottie nearby and not be able to have her?