Page 70 of Wyoming Promises
He hadn’t thought much about Jesus and what He did during His time on earth in a long, long time. It surprised him to realize the Lord understood his place in the whole mess, at least so far as he stood in Lola’s eyes.
Ike met him as he rounded the corner. “Bridger, just the man I hoped to see.” His mustache twitched over a false smile. “Quite the surprise to see you bringing a stranger to church this morning. That’s right Christian of you.”
Bridger squared his shoulders. He forced his muscles to stay loose, fighting the tension Ike brought. “He’s my brother, and he stays with me in the room. He wanted to go to church, and it was time.”
Ike stretched his arm, pushing against a rough plank of the saloon wall and blocking the narrow path to the street. “Folks knowing your secret don’t give your brother any protection if you cross me. You realize that, don’t you?” His voice dropped low but held the same conversational tone.
Bridger ground his boot heel into the dust, gaze unflinching. “Why would I do that? I’m thinking you have a good system, sir,” he managed to choke out. “I’m fortunate to be cut in on it. Why lose my shot at that kind of money?”
Ike’s smile grew into a greedy laugh and he plunked his other hand on Bridger’s shoulder. “I knew I had you pegged. I knew it.”
Bridger wondered, but bit his tongue. “I’ve only been going for my brother’s sake.” At least, that had been the case up until a few weeks ago. “Besides, having one of your men attend services can only improve your image, right?”
Ike’s teeth resembled fangs of a wolf as the notion grew to full thought in his head. “I suppose that’s right. I like the way you think! But you make sure that Sunday stuff doesn’t interfere with your job.”
Bridger adjusted his hat to block the bright sun from his eyes. “You can be sure it won’t, Mr. Tyler. I’m interested in moving up the ranks of your men.”
Ike’s eyes gleamed with the desperation Bridger threw into every word. “You’re looking to oust Toby? Is that it?”
“I don’t need to replace him,” Bridger said. He didn’t need Toby stirred against him any more than he already was. “But if you expand as the town grows, it might be more than one right-hand man can handle.”
Ike fairly salivated with the praise, like a greedy dog with a large bone dreaming of his next meal. “I have been meaning to talk to you about another errand. If you think you’re up to it.”
Bridger allowed his own small smile, praying Ike couldn’t detect his pounding heart. “I am. Trust me when I tell you, I know exactly what I want to do here, and there’s no one who will turn me from it.”
Chapter Twenty
Lola tested her hot tea with a sip. The earthy smell of sassafras filled Grace’s cozy parlor with fresh sweetness. Visiting her dearest friend filled her heart with the same. She missed Pete’s boisterous teasing, and more so Grace’s wry grin of sufferance. Still, Grace’s tranquil joy would not be denied.
“He was just so excited, having the chance to be in church. It was like watching a child at his first birthday party.”
“Certainly makes you see things with new eyes, doesn’t it?”
Grace looked down to secure her next stitch. “I think it’s sweet the way Bridger watches over his brother.”
“I agree.” Lola bit her lip. Had she said that aloud?
“Well!” Grace dropped the baby sweater she knitted to her lap. “It gives me hope to hear you say so!”
She took another swallow of hot tea, using the gentle burn as an excuse not to answer right away. “Don’t start,” she warned, unable to prevent the smile growing across her face.
Grace rolled her eyes as if to say she hadn’t the least notion of what that meant. “He’s a good man, Lola. And gentlemanly and solicitous toward women and children, and those he cares for...”
“By keeping them locked away from the world for as long as he can.” Lola set her plate on the table with a decided rattle.
“His heart is open toward God....”
Lola shook her head. “Frank pushed him into coming, from what I gather.”
But Grace continued. “He’s a good worker, holding two jobs to provide, and he’s willing to take time to help others in need.”
Lola shrugged. She had a point.
“And it certainly doesn’t damage the eyes to look at him.”
“Grace!” Lola spread her hands before her on the table. “You shouldn’t notice such things!”
Her friend allowed one of those wide, teasing smiles that came less frequently these days. “But your reply tells me you haven’t been prevented from noticing.”