Chapter 28
December 21, 1869
The Tuesday stage rolled into town with more surprises than anyone might have anticipated. Although Ben expected several statements from character witnesses to arrive in the mail pouch, he couldn’t have foreseen the arrival of Robin Sherman Tihalt, Roseanna’s oldest sister.
Nor could Gerald Matthews mask his shock when the Sheriff arrived at the hotel with the man’s wife and father-in-law in tow. “Well, my dear, what a surprise,” the startled banker murmured as he bussed Astrid’s cheek.
“Gerald,” Eugene Colbert offered his son-in-law by way of acknowledgment. “Have your man secure our rooms and transfer our luggage from the Sheriff’s office. In the meantime, Astrid and I will take tea at the restaurant we passed on our way here.”
“Of course, sir. I’ll see to it. How many rooms will you require?”
“I believe four should be sufficient. My attorney prefers something on the lower floor, as this cold has his bursitis acting up. As for your wife’s maid and my valet, something simple will do since there likely won’t be enough space here. Sheriff Chauncy mentioned a rooming house,” the proper gentleman advised.
“And the fourth room?”
“Ah, yes. A new friend will accompany Astrid while we are here.”
An awkward silence was avoided when an errand boy dashed up to the lawman and panted, “You better come quick, Sheriff. Your missus has fainted. Hilda’s gone for the doc, but she figured you’d like to know.”
“Excuse me, folks. My wife has been under a great deal of strain since our son’s birth a few weeks ago, and I’d best see what’s happening.”
Eugene Colbert waited until they were alone and then turned a steely gaze on his son-in-law. “Am I to understand your paramour has married?”
Shrinking under the older man’s intense scrutiny, Gerald ignored the question and tried to change the topic. “Let me attend to the baggage, and we can discuss family matters in the privacy of our rooms.”
Astrid Colbert Matthews pursed her lips but remained silent. Instead, she slipped her arm through the crook of her father’s elbow and nudged the silver-haired man toward the entryway.
“We will return in an hour, Gerald. Please ensure all is ready at that time,” Eugene directed as he took his leave. “One hour,” he reiterated before disappearing onto the boardwalk.
“What’s going on?” Ben worriedly questioned as he burst into his office.
The young woman, so eerily similar in appearance to his wife, smiled and tucked her baby closer to her chest. “Rosie fainted. I believe my surprise visit is a little more than she was prepared for,” Robin Tihalt answered.
“Where is she?”
“Your Ma and another woman helped her into bed. I believe they are trying to coax the boys down for a nap,” Robin answered, her dynamic blue eyes shining.
“Why don’t you have a seat near the stove, and I’ll get us some coffee. I’m sure it was a mighty frigid ride in the stagecoach.”
Robin chuckled and pointed to the cluster of mugs on the edge of a desk. “My sister and I had a bit of a visit already. However, some of my news seemed to shock her.” Noting the man's worried face, the visitor rushed to say, “It is good news for a change. I was telling her about our younger sister, Merry.”
“You’ve found her then?” Ben anxiously asked. “Roseanna feels mighty guilty for coaxing the girl into leaving your mother’s home.”
Sobering, the young woman’s eyes wandered to the door that separated the office from the living quarters. “She told me, and I’m afraid that may be why she’s so upset. Merry and the boy she married are very young. But they’ve been fortunate to find good people to walk beside them as they mature and build their lives together.”
Ben had coaxed a few details from Roseanna about her sister’s past when they’d received Merry’s written statement, but there was so much more he didn’t know or couldn’t conceive.
“Can you keep a secret, Sheriff Chauncy?
“I think you can call me ‘Ben,’ Mrs. Tihalt.”
“Very well, Ben. And you may call me ‘Bobbin’ instead of Robin. It is a nickname my younger sisters gave me when they were small, and it seems to have stuck.”
That tickled the man. “My brother called me ‘Fred’ until I was old enough to fight back. I have no idea where the moniker came from, but whenever George wants to get my goat, he calls me by that blasted name.” Amazed by their easy camaraderie, Ben’s grin stretched wide. Lowering his voice, he leaned closer. “So, what’s the secret?”
Peeking behind her, Robin looked toward the open door to the living quarters. When she was sure the coast was clear, she bent closer and whispered, “Merry couldn’t come with me today. Her son Sylvester was born in September, and she’s already carrying again. BUT!”
Scooting closer, Ben’s eyes widened in anticipation. “But what?”
“Merry and her family are in Clear Water Falls!” Robin divulged with delight. “I was with her this morning, and she sends all her love.”
Ben could barely fathom the news. “Our Clear Water Falls? The one at the confluence in the next valley over?”
“The very same. And every time I think of it, my heart can’t help but marvel at the way God is answering my prayers and delivering my family.”