The Outlaw of Cedar Ridge. Lori Connelly

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      “I just want to keep things civil ma’am.”

      “By threatening me?”

      “I haven’t.” His jaw tight, his words came out clipped. “Nor will I.”

      Evie wasn’t certain she believed him but with the lawman closing in fast, she made a gesture of good faith. She lowered her weapon, pointing the muzzle to the ground. They waited the few moments in awkward silence until Jim Green joined them.

      The sheriff positioned himself between Evie and the other mounted men. His fingers tugged the brim of his hat. “Mrs. Rolfe.”

      “Sheriff Green.”

      “Though it’s a fine day for a walk.” His voice was studiously polite. “Perhaps we should head back to your place. Mr. Talbert and your husband can settle matters there.”

      “I’m afraid that isn’t possible.”

      “Ma’am?”

      “Ben isn’t home. In fact I’m worried he-”

      “Where is he?” William Talbert demanded.

      “I don’t know. He-”

      “Do you know what that horse he sold me did?”

      “He threw your son.” Her face stiff and hot, Evie spoke in a soft tone. “I’m truly sorry. I-”

      “Your husband conned me.”

      “I-”

      “My son could’ve died.”

      “Again, I’m so sorry but Ben-”

      “I’ve no tolerance for lies.”

      “Mr. Talbert I don’t-”

      “Mrs. Rolfe-”

      “Kindly have the good manners to let me finish a sentence.”

      He jerked his hat off to hit it against his thigh. “Ma’am.”

      “Thank you.” Slow, even breaths eased her agitation. “I don’t know where Ben is.” She held up her free hand when Mr. Talbert started to open his mouth and shook her head. “I don’t but with the sheriff as my witness I give you my word, if it’s possible, I’ll make things right.”

      “He should face me like a man.” The older man’s contempt a barb, she flinched. “Not hide behind your skirt.”

      “I think you should accept the lady’s offer.” The sheriff’s calm voice of reason entered the exchange.

      Seconds passed before Mr. Talbert muttered, “fine.”

      “I need to speak to the sheriff first.” Without waiting for agreement, she looked up at the lawman and at last gave voice to her gut-wrenching fear. “Something has happened to Ben. I … ”

      Her throat closed. Evie couldn’t continue. Her emotions reactive and raw, tears threatened. She bit down on her bottom lip, struggling to keep control. Sheriff Green dismounted and put a hand on her shoulder. She drew in a shaky breath.

      “Ben rode off and I … ” Evie pulled away. “I … ”

      “Easy ma’am, take your time.”

      “After a time I heard…” Evie paused, drew in a breath. “I thought I heard an argument out here. I came out and … ” She shook her head unable to continue, stepped back and gestured to what she’d found.

      His face a blank mask, Sheriff Green studied the scene for a moment. “You go on home now and I’ll take a look around.”

      “But I-”

      “Can you settle things peacefully with Mr. Talbert?”

      “Ah yes but-”

      “Trust me ma’am, I’m good at my job.” As he walked past Mr. Talbert to his horse, the sheriff addressed him. “Would you escort Mrs. Rolfe home?”

      “I will.”

      “I could use the help of your men.”

      Mr. Talbert frowned, agreeing in a dry tone. “Of course.”

      Evie watched the three men fan out. She trusted Sheriff Green. He’d tried to work out a fair resolution when the Blakes’ claimed the wild horses Ben had caught and trained were theirs all because he’d been mistaken about the property boundaries. It wasn’t his fault the judge, a relative of Daniel Blake’s wife, had ruled against her husband.

      Her chest ached with intense pressure. Ben didn’t share her good opinion. He blamed everyone who worked with the law as much as the crooked justice for his loss. And for some reason her husband believed that he was about to be arrested. Time would tell if she’d done the right thing sending the sheriff after him.

      “Mrs. Rolfe?”

      Her eyes burned with unshed tears. Evie knelt down, picked up Ben’s hat and pressed it to her stomach. Although she wanted to believe he was fine, the bad feeling in her gut persisted.

      “Yes.” Distracted, her tone was polite, perhaps a little flat.

      “Shall we?”

      Evie nodded then turned around, starting back toward her home without waiting for a response. “What do you want?” She winced as her question emerged sharp, boarding on rude. “Sorry.” She took a breath then tried again. “What would make us square?”

      In a terse tone, Mr. Talbert made his position clear. “I return the horse. You return my money.”

      “How much would that be?” The sum he named caused her heart to skip a beat. A lump formed in her throat. “I’m not sure I have that.”

      “I understand your husband spends a lot of time at The Bucking Pony.” His tone softened, now holding a note of pity.

      Her cheeks heated. “What if you kept the horse?”

      “It’s not worth what I paid.”

      “I wasn’t suggesting that it was.” Evie cleared her throat, swallowing the urge to cry. “I was thinking we could work out something for the difference?”

      They walked without speaking for a couple of minutes. The quiet undisturbed save for sounds from the horse Mr. Talbert led. Leather creaked, metal jingled and hooves delivered soft thuds against the ground. He took so long to respond her belly hurt.

      At last, he answered simply, “That’s acceptable.”

      “Thank you.” Unwilling to risk saying anything that might change his mind, she held her tongue until they reached her home. “Please excuse me a moment.”

      Evie entered the cabin, leaned the rifle against the wall beside the door and moved to a shelf СКАЧАТЬ