Chapter 8
After debating most of the morning, I start with the shops. In part because they’re the only places I can think to look besides the saloon, which is closed to me at this particular hour, and the hotel, which is closed to me at every hour.
The shops are also simply the most logical place for someone to go if they have something they are anxious to get rid of for a quick payout.
Not that the watch will fetch him much in its current state.
Still, the fact remains that it is mine, that he lifted it from me, and that I am really ticked off about it.
No one has gotten the upper hand on me like that in a long time, and it pisses me off all the more that it’s my own damn fault.
I’m the one who charged out there with some half-cocked plan to confront him.
With no evidence, as he was so kind to point out, right before he gave me some by robbing me.
It’s fucking infuriating. Knowing he’s out there.
Grinning because I let him make a fool of me and walk away free.
I want—no, I need another shot at him. And tracking Cypress down now is probably the only one I’ll get.
Cypress. Odd name for an odd sort, but I have to hand it to him, the name is as hard to forget as he is.
The entirety of our interaction kept me up tossing and turning until the early hours of the morning wondering why I’d done what I’d done, as well as why he’d been so unafraid despite thinking he knows who I am…
To be frank, none of it makes any sense to me, including why I think I have a chance of finding him.
Parting words aside, he’d have to be crazy not to have taken stock of things during our conversation, to realize he’d been caught regardless of if I had proof, and to skip town as soon as he turned the corner.
In all likelihood, he only took the watch to try to prevent the night from being a total loss. He has to already be gone…
A bell jingles merrily overhead as I push through the doors anyway to the small jeweler located not far from the hotel.
The third establishment I’ve visited this morning since the general store and the haberdashery both came up empty.
As soon as I cross the threshold, I’m greeted by a young woman with her long dark hair swept up into a bun at her nape and her light yellow dress buttoned all the way to her chin, which, I think, is the fashion these days.
“Welcome in,” she says warmly, and even in my current mood, I’d have to be dead not to notice she’s pretty. Even has freckles on her nose. Always have had a weak spot for freckles. “Can I help you find something?”
Preparing to answer her, I clear my throat as I step up to the counter, temporarily distracted by wondering how long it’s even been since someone caught my gaze.
Although, when a sharp jawline and a pair of blue eyes promptly spring unbidden to mind, I immediately scowl and push them right back out, muttering, “Absolutely fucking not.”
“Excuse me?” the woman asks, drawing herself up with an aggravated frown, understandably thinking I was talking to her. “I assure you, I can help just as adequately as any of my counterparts. Why, only this morning—”
I hold up my hand. “No, miss, I—I’m sorry, I was thinking of somethin’ and…” I trail off with an exasperated sigh. What is wrong with me? Has to be that I’m back in town. Always makes me jumpy. And apparently…an idiot.
“Wasn’t meant for you. I’m sorry,” I say again. “I would be grateful if you could help me. I’ve been looking for someone or, I guess, something.”
She eases the severity in her expression a bit but the remaining purse to her lips tells me I’m not completely forgiven. “A gift, perhaps?”
“A gift?” I repeat, as if the concept is foreign to me.
She takes a deep breath, clearly praying for patience. “Maybe for someone special?”
I start to laugh, but then realize that isn’t going to make her less irritated with me. “No, I—” My eyes dart to her bare left hand to confirm my earlier assumption before I put my foot in my mouth again. “Miss, I’m actually after a watch.”
“I see.” Her eyes brighten, the hint of a smile on her mouth now. “That is a popular request today.”
“That so?” A rare burst of cautious optimism makes my eyebrows rise beneath my hat, reminding me that I’m still rudely wearing one before I quickly take it off. “Did someone come in and sell one?”
Just as quickly, my hope dims as her expression shifts back to a frown, her forehead scrunching. “No, afraid not. There was a man in to buy one, though. The most expensive we had in stock.” She’s suddenly teeming with excitement again. “A gorgeous piece.”
“How nice,” I mutter, having no doubt now why she’s smiling when she thinks of that interaction versus this one. Payday is enough to improve anyone’s mood.
“His was a gift,” she continues, voice gone soft and dreamy. “Lucky soul. Whoever they are. Having someone like that.”
“Right.” I shift uncomfortably, feeling more ridiculous by the minute. “Well, sorry to bother you. If you do happen to have someone come in, then…”
Then what? I think. Then come to the saloon tonight and let me know? Or better yet, come walk on down to the stall I’m sleeping in at the stable? Christ.
“Never mind,” I tell her, rather than offer either option as I move toward the door. “Thank you again.”
“Wait,” she calls after me, making me turn, and the way she studies my face when I do lets me know what’s coming before she even gets the words out. “You look familiar to me… Have you been in here before?”
“No, miss, can’t say I have,” I reply, reflexively putting my hat back on and ducking to hide my face as I head for the door again. “You have a good rest of your day.”
I really need to get out of town.