CHAPTER 22

Silver held on to Dean’s hand as Jared talked to the Elko sheriff.

The man, with grizzled jaw and stringy hair, leaned back in his chair. “I reckon Lucas Feldt would take the boy in. He’s got himself a mighty big ranch and can always use a hand with the chores. His missus is kinda sickly and not much help around the place no more. Don’t know how long he’d be willing to keep him, though.” He rubbed the dayold whiskers on his chin. “How’d you say you come by him, Mr. Newman?”

“His folks died,” Jared answered. “We found him all alone on their small farm.”

“Where you say you’re headed?”

“I didn’t.”

The sheriff eyed the double holsters. “Don’t wanna tell me, huh? You got any reason for that?”

“Don’t mind telling you. We’re headed for Virginia City.”

The sheriff’s gaze shifted to Silver, then to Dean. “Mighty hot crossin’ on horseback. Most folks take the train these days. You and the missus oughta think about takin’ the next train through.” He leaned forward, placing his elbows on his desk. “How’d your folks die, boy?”

Dean shook his head.

“Can’t you talk?” When Dean didn’t reply, the sheriff looked at Jared again. “Not gonna be easy finding anyone to take in a dumb mute. Even Lucas Feldt’s not likely t’ want him if’n he can’t talk.”

Silver bristled. She’d like to give the man a piece of her mind.

“Why don’t you folks take yourselves over to Maddie’s across the street. She sets out a right good meal. I’ll check around an’ see what I can come up with for the boy. He don’t look too strong. Kinda thin, if you ask me. And if he don’t talk . . .” He shook his head.

Silver clasped Dean’s hand all the harder as she pulled him with her outside. Another second in there, and she would have given in to her temper.

As soon as Jared joined them on the boardwalk, she turned on him. “You can’t mean to leave Dean with that horrid man or anyone he could find. They’d just be looking for a spare field hand. Hasn’t he been through enough?”

Squinting, Jared looked up at the noon sun. He rocked back on his heels, then rolled forward again. Finally, he glanced down at Dean. “You still mean to try to follow us if we leave here without you?”

The boy nodded.

“Then I suppose we’re wasting time talking to the sheriff. You can stay with us for now. Just remember, it’s temporary.”

Silver sensed the decision hadn’t been easy for Jared. But his heart was tender enough for him to agree with her, and it made her want to hug him. She resisted the urge.

“Let’s get something to eat and be on our way,” Jared said. “The sooner we get to Virginia City, the sooner this will be over.”

I must be out of my mind.

It wasn’t the first time Jared had thought he was a fool, and it probably wouldn’t be the last. Especially now. Not only had he been traveling with a woman while trailing a cold-blooded killer, but now he’d taken on a scrawny, frightened kid.

They ate a quick and inexpensive meal at the restaurant, then rode their horses, Dean back on the packhorse, to the train station.

Jared stepped up to the ticket window. “I’m looking for a man who might’ve caught a train west in the last day or two. He’s not from around here. Just passing through. Tall, dark blond hair, blue eyes. Have you seen him? It’s important that I find him.” He glanced through the open station doors where Silver and Dean waited on horseback, hoping the clerk would assume it was a family matter.

“Sorry. No strangers out of here this past week. Just local folks.”

Jared tugged at his hat brim. “Thanks.”

He didn’t know if he was glad or not that Matt Carlton hadn’t taken the train out of Elko. It could mean they were right behind him and had a chance to catch up with him. Or it might mean Virginia City was no longer his destination. If Carlton had taken off in another direction, they wouldn’t know it, and the advantage would be lost.

But he was out of options. They would have to press on toward Virginia City and hope Carlton was headed there.

That night, while Silver and Dean slept on the opposite side of the campfire, Jared lay awake, staring up at the stars.

He was close. Closer than he’d ever been to finding the man who’d killed his parents and sister. God willing, he would find Matt Carlton in Virginia City. He would haul him back to Colorado where he could stand trial. It would be easier to prove his guilt there than anywhere. He could write to Owen Harrison in Fort Worth. Another person who could attest to Carlton’s atrocities.

And then what? What would he do when he was no longer looking for the man with the crescent-shaped scar? Would he go on, just as before? Would he still be a bounty hunter? And if not, then what?

Utter weariness washed over him. He was bone tired. Soul tired. Tired of the endless miles. Tired of the dirt and the hunger and the heat. Tired of carrying a gun and always being ready to use it. Tired of the hate that ate at his soul. Tired of what he had become.

He used to dream of going back to Fair Acres, but that was impossible. Kentucky was a part of his past, a part he couldn’t return to. His fingers touched the cool metal of his Colt revolver. Violence. That’s what he knew. That was all he knew anymore. He’d become accustomed to it.

He looked across the campfire at Silver, and a longing stirred within him that had nothing to do with physical desire. He allowed it to linger only a moment before he drove it away.

Silver Matlock was too good for the likes of him. He would only end up hurting her by association.

Silver sensed Jared watching her. Her heart begged her to open her eyes and meet his gaze. Her head demanded she pretend to be asleep. The Good Book said the heart was deceitful above all things and desperately wicked. So she listened to her head. This time.

She rolled over, turning her back to the fire—and to Jared. Removing the temptation to look at him. For nearly a month, she’d traveled with him. He could be hard. He could be distant. But he could also be kind and gentle. She caught glimpses of the good in him every day. Had she really fallen in love with Jared Newman? How could she love him? He’d never kissed her, never encouraged her affection in any way. And yet . . .

Tears slipped from beneath her eyelids and dropped onto the rolled blanket beneath her head.

They would find Matt Carlton. She was certain they would. They would collect a reward—she was certain of that too—and she would be able to rescue her father from financial ruin. But then Jared would ride away, leaving her behind. And she could not bear thinking of that fast-approaching day.