Second Helping

  Chapter 10

  Peering around the tidy home, liking much of what he saw for good construction and well kept furnishings, Adam’s face lit up when Rachel brought to the table fresh coffee, a loaf of bread with a jar of jam for spreading.

  “Am grateful, ma’am” he chortled, “seldom it is we can enjoy such treats while out on our job.” conveniently forgetting his own wife serving similar preserves the morning he left home.

  Rachel beamed. “Am pleased to do so, Marshall.” she replied, serving up slices amply coated.

  Taking a healthy bite followed by a swallow of coffee, Pike gave the couple a glance then said, “Am wishful, ma’am, of apologizing on behalf of Marshalls Hanks in Denver and Eckert in Morale.” the woman returning a surprised look at hearing.

  “See, your letter of many months ago was received by Hanks but, being this is out of his district, he forwarded it on, likely after a regrettable delay, him having only a handful of men to patrol most of Colorado. Then Marshall Eckert” Adam added, grinning, “let it sit on his desk some time, having even fewer men to cover all of northern Colorado and Wyoming Territory from the Oregon border past half of Montana up to the Canadian border.”

  Taking a third of the bread in one bite, Pike chewed appreciatively as the two nibbled, waiting. “So when the Marshall asked me to attend other business in Cheyenne, he natural gave me your letter, asking that I check to see if any was still needful doing in this matter. It was while in your capital I found time to do some checking and learned through Army friends* of Tresh and his doings, connecting it with the name you gave in your writing.”