Chapter 5 #2
Maureen rests her elbows on the table, wine glass in hand, as she says, “He’s too modest, because everyone in Gravers Junction, and all throughout Graveyard Territory, knows that Garrett is the law around here.
He and his deputies handle all kinds of criminals that need detaining.
He and our deputies make sure the good folks of our little town are safe.
In partnership with our local dustslinger, of course. ”
Garrett gives a curt nod to Nina, and then to me, but his attention doesn’t linger too long on me. I imagine the embarrassment of earlier is still fresh in his mind. Where are his playful, inappropriate comments now, huh?
He tips his sunrider hat and says, “I’m heading to bed for the night. I’ll catch you all in the morning.” Then to Maureen, he adds, “I’ll stay here tonight, if that’s all right with you.”
“Of course it is. Take 2B. Just remember to strip the bed in the morning.”
“Yes, ma’am.” And with that, he leaves us to our dessert.
“He’s a good man. Never married. Close once, but…well, things weren’t meant to be.”
“That’s a shame,” Nina says. “He’s handsome enough to catch any woman’s attention where we’re from.”
Maureen smiles and nods. “If you stay, you’ll learn quickly that this territory ain’t like anywhere you’re from or have visited.
It’s a game of survival out here, and love isn’t always in the cards.
” She sinks into her chair and says, “It’s almost as if there are forces at work out here that know when you’ve got something so valuable, taking it away will break you, making it easier to kill ya.
And Garrett knows this. He ain’t much of a gambling man and will chose duty over the risky business of love. ”
Nina pushes her empty bowl out of the way so she can rest her elbows on the table. “But you said he came close once.”
She inhales a deep breath, as if that part of their lives is both good and hard to reminisce about.
“It wasn’t love, deary. Sure, they cared for one another a lot.
But they were young, and everything is dire and world-ending when you’re young.
As adults, we have thicker skins, and most of us can recognize the signs of true love versus the illusion of it.
Physical attraction aside, it’s a person’s actions out in these parts that prove one’s love.
And Garrett had to learn that lesson the hard way. ”
“It’s also about sacrifice and compromise.
” I’m not sure why I feel compelled to share, but reflecting on Levi makes me question whether our connection was genuine love or the fulfillment of a childhood dream.
All I ever wanted was to marry a good man, own our own home and farm, have a family, and live a happy life. Isn’t that love?
Maureen laughs. “You’re not wrong, but that also tells me you haven’t experienced the kind of love that drives a person mad.
The kind of love that you think about every second of your day.
The kind of love that drives your decisions, whether it’s saving them or protecting them.
It’s not like the love of a friend or a sister.
True love, or the love I’m talking about, is where you almost become two halves of one person.
You work together for the same goals, while at the same time, you can’t keep your hands off one another.
You look into their eyes and you see a joy that you’ve never thought existed. ”
“You speak from experience,” Nina says. “The heartache is still there, deep inside you.”
Maureen wipes away a tear before it escapes. “Yes, deary. My late husband meant everything to me. I almost sacrificed the biggest prize in this territory to save him. But he wouldn’t let me, and he sacrificed himself instead. This whole town feels his loss.”
Something in me stirs with annoyance, and it’s not the gritty sand along my skin. How dare she dismiss my loss as less important than hers. With a bitter tone, I tell the old woman, “I loved my husband. He was taken from me four years ago and…and I think about him every day.”
“Is that so?” she asks, but I know she’s not looking for further details.
Resting her elbows on the table, she props her head on her folded hands.
“Well, then you do have some experience with losing a loved one. I guess you’re stronger than you look!
If you can bear that kind of heartache and continue on living, then you’re more of a fighter than you realize. ”
I’m not sure if she’s being condescending or sincere, but either way, the annoyance has set in.
I want to shout at her; I am broken. His absence has left me half a person.
If it weren’t for Nina moving in with me, I probably would’ve withered up and died on that farm all by myself.
Then something hits me—was it dependency I missed or his company?
No, I loved my husband. I refuse to stain our marriage and what we had based on one woman’s opinion of what love looks like. Instead of dwelling on how one measures love, I ask, “Mrs. O’Callaghan, will you please tell me more about what a dustslinger is?”
“Maureen is fine. You don’t need all that Miss, Mrs., or Mister in this place.
Things here need to be quick and accurate, otherwise people get hurt.
” I open my mouth to ask what she means, but she holds a hand up and beats me to it.
“That might not make sense now, but it will in time. Now, I can’t answer your questions about what exactly a dustslinger is—mainly because I don’t know.
Persephone was a locked vault when it came to her heritage, her powers, and her life outside of Gravers Junction.
We knew little about her, but we all trusted her with our lives. ”
I lean into my chair. The curve of the spindle back gives me a slight hug. “So then who do I talk to about this dustslinging power?” The unfamiliar word stirs a ripple reaction down my arms from the sand.
“There is one person who knew Persephone well. Like, intimately well. I’ll have Garrett take you out to see him tomorrow.”
“We prefer to stay together, so I’ll be accompanying them,” Nina says with a finality in her tone.
“No, you won’t. You’ll stay here and help Ruby tend to the animals and the garden.”
“We appreciate everything you’re doing for us—giving us a room and feeding us the most delicious food—but you’re not going to tell us where we can and can’t go.”
Maureen offers a kind smile, even though her words are anything but.
“If you’re not going to follow orders, then you get on your pretty little horse and hightail it home.
” Then she turns her attention to me. “But you, on the other hand. You aren’t going anywhere until you understand what it means to be a dustslinger. Am I making myself clear?”
I reach for Nina’s arm and gently squeeze it. To Maureen, I say, “We won’t make trouble. And we appreciate your hospitality.” Leaning closer to my sister, I whisper, “I’ll be fine.”
Nina doesn’t break her stare from Maureen. The pleasantries they were exchanging moments ago have vanished. “I know you know what’s out there. And I trust you’ll keep my sister safe. But I’m gonna tell you right now if anything happens to her, you’ll be the one to pay.”
Maureen’s lips curl into a wide smile. “Oh-wee. You’re a fighter, aren’t cha!
I can’t wait to see what you bring to the table when the time comes.
” After placing her napkin on the table, she stands and says goodnight.
Before leaving the room, she says, “If you need anything, Garrett’ll be on the second floor.
And please, whatever you do, don’t go outside.
” She looks at Nina. “Something tells me you already know that.” In a lighter tone, she adds, “You won’t want to sleep through Ruby’s breakfast either. See you both in the morning.”
When she’s gone, I look to Nina and ask, “Was that a threat? Are we in danger here?”
“No, I don’t think so. But you best take that firearm with you tomorrow, because she’s not wrong about the evils out there. Me staying might be a good thing. I’ll look around while you’re out with,” she bats her eyelashes, “the handsome town sheriff.”
He is handsome. Though from what Maureen said, neither of us is looking to open our heart up to that kind of commitment.
And I have no intention of letting myself get caught up in lustful temptations for a man who has sworn off love.
Tomorrow, I plan to learn more about being a dustslinger and this territory, and what’s got everyone so on guard.
Maybe, along the way, I can start over with the sheriff and get better acquainted with him, in case we end up staying longer than planned.
Yup, tomorrow should be an interesting day.