Quinn sat on the front steps of Lola’s house. Ashe came out the door and dropped beside her.
She glanced up at him and saw deep concern on his face. She asked, “How is she?”
“Doc says she’s in pretty bad shape, but he thinks she’ll be all right.” Ashe shrugged. “Mostly it’s because you came to help her.”
“My sisters came, too.”
“I know. But you’re the one who bathed her wounds and tried to help until Deborah was able to get the doctor and Marlene came for me.”
“Somebody had to clean her up.”
“Don’t make it seem like a small thing you did, Quinn. I know how you feel about Lola.” He patted her knee.
“I only did what I could for her.”
“You’re a special person and if she makes it, Lola will owe you her life.”
“How could men do what they did to her, Ashe?”
He shook his head. “I don’t know. Even Lola didn’t deserve this.”
“Of course she didn’t. No woman does.”
“There are a lot of evil men in the world, Quinn. In my line of work I’ve run into a lot of them.”
“I didn’t realize the job of sheriff was so terrible.”
Ashe didn’t say anything for a minute. When he did speak, he spoke slowly. “I’m only acting sheriff here for a short time. I’m a US Marshall and I was sent here to catch the stage robbers.”
“Oh, Ashe. You do have a dangerous job.” Quinn took hold of his arm.
“It’s not so bad most of the time.” He covered her hand with his.
She turned her head to the side. “Are Cal and Beck…”
“Yes. We’re all Marshalls.”
“Do my sisters know this?”
“I don’t know what my brothers have told them, but I know one thing. Cal says as soon as this assignment is over he’s going to resign and propose to Deborah.”
“So he wants to marry her?”
“Yes, but you have to act surprised. I wasn’t supposed to tell.”
“I promise I won’t let her know you told me, but I’m glad you did. She’s in love with him so I know she’ll say yes.”
“It wouldn’t surprise me for Beck to ask Marlene to marry him, too. He’s been the happiest I’ve seen him since his wife died.”
“Marlene likes him a lot, too.”
Doc came onto the porch and said, “Well, I’ve done about all I can for her. Now it’s up to her will to live and the man upstairs.”
“Is she still in pain, Milburn?” Ashe glanced at him.
“No. I gave her something. She’s sleeping.”
“I’m glad you could help her, Doctor.”
“I hope I did enough, Quinn.” He took a deep breath. “I don’t think I should try to move her to my office tonight. Someone needs to stay with her because she may get restless later.”
“I can stay with her.”
“No, Quinn,” Ashe said quickly. “You’ve done enough.”
“But we can’t leave her alone, Ashe.”
“I know, but I can’t let you stay. Those men might come back.”
She took a quick breath. “I didn’t think of that.”
Ashe stood and reached his hand to her. “You don’t mind staying until I walk her home, do you Doc?”
“Not at all. I plan to stay around a while anyway.”
They walked several yards before either spoke. Quinn broke the silence. “I’m sorry, Ashe.”
He paused and looked down at her. “About what?”
“That this happened to someone you care for.”
He took his finders and lifted her chin toward him. “I’ve told you before I didn’t care for Lola in the way you think, Quinn. I’m sorry this happened to the woman and I wonder if my involvement with her had anything to do with it.”
Quinn frowned. “What do you mean?”
“I knew Lola was passing information to the robbers and I was using her to find out what I could. I swear to you that was the reason I was seeing her.”
Looking into his eyes, Quinn realized his quiet mood was because he felt guilty. She reached up and touched his face. “You had nothing to do with what happened to her, Ashe. If she was mixed up with the robbers, she was taking a chance with her life.”
“I only wish—”
“No,” she interrupted. “Don’t look back. Lola will be fine and you’ll catch the robbers and this whole nightmare will come to an end.”
“Quinn. You make me feel as if I can do anything.”
Before she could answer, Ashe wrapped his arms around her and pulled her to him. His lips covered hers and she felt her heart begin to race.
Before she was ready, he pulled away. “Yes, when this nightmare, as you call it, is over, you and I are going to have a long talk.”
“I’d like that.”
* * * *
When Quinn came into the house she found her sisters and Hank sitting at their kitchen table. They were drinking tea, but he was having coffee.
“How is she, Quinn?” Hank asked before she could sit.
“Doctor Wheeler said it’ll take a while, but she’ll be fine.”
“Great.” Deborah said.
Hank reached out and took Quinn’s hand, then looked at Marlene and Deborah. “I’m proud of all you girls. You did what you could.”
“I guess you’re right, Uncle Hank. The doctor said the first blow crushed her nose. He didn’t find any other breaks.”
“Do you think they’ll catch those men?” Marlene looked at him.
“I don’t think there’s much they can do until daylight. We may get some answers from the man who attempted to kill Sims Truman.”
“Is Mr. Truman all right?”
“He’s still unconscious, but was never in danger from the set-up, Quinn. They moved him into a different room and the outlaw was actually attacking Beck.”
Marlene gasped. “Is Beck—”
“Now, don’t start worrying, honey.” Hank winked at her. “Beck’s fine. He arrested the man and Cal was right there to help hall him to jail.”
“Do you think this had something to do with Mrs. Norwood being attacked, Uncle Hank?” Deborah stood and got a cup for Quinn. “Do you want tea or coffee, little sister?”
“Coffee, if you have it.”
“We do and it’s still hot.” She poured her sister a cup.
Hank said. “I’m not sure how, but I think the attack on Lola has to be connected to the attack on Sims.”
“I wish I could remember more about the men I saw leaving her house.”
“It was dark so I don’t see how you noticed anything, Quinn,” Deborah said.
Before Quinn could answer there was a shuffling on the back porch and a knock on the door.
Deborah answered it and reached for his arm. “Oh, Cal. I’m so glad the man didn’t hurt you or Beck because he thought you were Sims Truman.”
“We were never in danger, honey.” Cal grinned at her and covered her hand with his. “I only came by to check on you ladies.”
“We’re fine,” Marlene said. “Would you like some coffee?”
“Sure would.” He guided Deborah to the table and they sat together. “Ashe still at Lola’s house?”
“I offered to stay, but he wouldn’t let me.”
“He was probably afraid those men might come back.”
“He said that.”
“What’s going on at the jailhouse?” Hank asked.
“Beck and Rober are there. They’ve been questioning the prisoner, but I don’t think they’ve learned much.” Cal drank the coffee Marlene handed him.
“Well, girls, I think we should finish up these drinks and let you three get some rest. You may have to help again tomorrow.”
“I think you’re right, Uncle Hank.” Quinn stood. “I’m exhausted.”
“Me, too.” Marlene began gathering cups.
“I’ll be up in a minute,” Deborah said.
Hank got up. “I’m going to check around outside. I think that’ll give you enough time to say good night to Deborah, Cal.”
Deborah turned red and Cal said, “Thanks, my friend.”