“He’s not a man of the law,” Jasper said. “He’s nothing but a coward.”
We had to stop talking when Josephine came into the library. “Papa, Miss Quinn, would it be all right if we all went to the barn? Lizzie’s had enough of us in the kitchen.”
Alexander gave her permission.
“I’ll go with you,” Quinn said. “And keep an eye on the little ones. Care to join us, Alexander?”
“I have a few letters to write,” I said. “When I’m finished, I’ll have Harley take them in to the post office.”
“Very well, then,” Quinn said. “We’ll see you later.”
When I was alone, I went to my desk with the intent to write two letters. The first was to Quinn’s mother.
Dear Mrs. Cooper,
I’m writing to ask permission to marry your daughter. If you’re in agreement to our union, which I pray you will be, I’d like to have you and Annabelle come live with us. I’m including a check for travel expenses and anything else you might need. I can assure you this is a match made of love and mutual respect. I promise to always take care of her and her family. I await your response with hope and prayers. Also, if possible, I’d love for you to come before Christmas. I can’t imagine a better gift than your presence at our Christmas dinner. My daughter Josephine and I will pick you up at the station in Denver and ride with you the rest of the way to Emerson Pass. According to your daughter, that was a harrowing passage, and I wouldn’t want you to be scared.
Yours truly,
Alexander Barnes
On the way home, I’d remembered the governor’s passion for higher education. My letter to him was short and to the point. Replace Lancaster and accept my donation to build a library at the college in Boulder.
Chapter 29
Quinn
* * *
Wednesday during morning recess, I added a few logs to the fire while the students played outside. The Cole children hadn’t come to school today. After everything with Louisa and the sheriff’s lack of interest in protecting the Coles, I worried about them. I’d sent Harley out to check on them. He returned with news that they all had colds. I’d sighed with relief and gone on happily with the rest of the morning.
I’d just twisted the stove handle closed when a man stormed through the door. He wore dirty overalls over a stained gray flannel shirt, and a greasy-looking cap. Small, mean brown eyes peered at me from under thick, unruly eyebrows. From a feet away, I could smell the foul odor of cheap alcohol. I knew who he was without introduction. Kellam. Instinctively, I picked up the iron poker I kept next to the stove.
“May I help you?” I spoke as stoutly as I could, pretending to be brave. My heart beat fast, and perspiration coated the palms of my hands.
“I’m Louisa’s pa. I hear you’ve been sneaking around this town, poking your nose into things that don’t concern you. The boys at Carter’s shop told me you have her locked up at Barnes’s mansion. I come here to get her and bring her home.”
“She’s not going back to your house ever again.”
“Where is she?” He slurred slightly, his voice as unsteady as the rest of him, which swayed and lurched like a puppet. “Tell me where you’re hiding her.”
Had he not seen her outside with the others? Maybe he hadn’t recognized her in the coat we’d found in Josephine’s old clothes or with her hair freshly washed and braided.
“We know what you do to her,” I said.
“Louisa belongs to me, and I’ll do with her what I please.” His teeth were stained brown, matching his cap. “My wife died, Miss Cooper.” He spit my name out as if the words were foul inside his mouth. “She died giving birth to Louisa. That girl’s all I have to take care of me.”
“You’ve hurt her long enough,” I said. Inside, I was screaming silent instructions to Louisa. Run away. Run to Alexander’s office. Anywhere he can’t find you.
“You stay out of my family affairs. I don’t need no uppity schoolteacher telling me what to do.” He drew close, his breath rank with chewing tobacco and whiskey. “If you don’t, I’ll make sure you’re sorry. You want to end up dead, Miss Cooper? You think anyone in this town’s going to care if something happens to you?”
I stared him down, holding my breath against his foul odor. I’d survived the streets of Boston. I’d be damned if I’d let this cowardly man intimidate me. “Like you killed Cole?”
“Cole should’ve minded his own business.”
“You killed him because he saw the sick game you played with your little daughter. Everyone knows it. You’re going to prison.” Anger drove away any fear. Over my dead body was he taking Louisa anywhere.
“You one of them suffragettes?” He sneered at me as he stepped closer. “All about how women going to rise up?”