Chapter 29

Who’s there?” Marshal Hill asked, his back to the front wall and revolver pointed at the door.

“Marshal? This is Captain Smith. Let me in.”

“Are you alone?”

“I’ve a patrol with me.”

Marshal Hill looked at me then called back, “State your business.”

“Philip’s my business. I must speak with him.”

Marshal Hill glanced back at me. I nodded once.

“All right, but just you. No one else.”

The door opened, and Captain Smith stepped inside. Marshal Hill locked the door behind him.

Captain Smith swept his hat off his head and surveyed the scene. I lowered my gun.

He opened his mouth to speak when his gaze caught the table. His cold eyes, pencil mustache, narrow chin remained unreadable. “Ah.” He closed his mouth. “I see.”

No one spoke.

“Philip, don’t you think it best if you did this in a more secure location?” His tone turned insistent. “Perhaps a fort?”

“He didn’t know the contents,” Anna said. “And what’s more, this is a secure location.”

Captain Smith turned and looked past Ryan’s double barrel shotgun at the enormous man. “Quite.”

I settled on the bench next to Scott, suddenly tired.

“Casualties?” Captain Smith asked, looking at the bench.

“I’m okay,” Scott said. “Just resting.”

The silence that followed was heavy, as if each person weighed the moment carefully.

“Met Roosevelt at the station,” Captain Smith said. “Mentioned you might be here.”

Interesting. Roosevelt so trusting of cavalry officers.

I waited.

“Philip,” he said looking down at me. “I must take you to the train. We’ve two days to get to Washington.”

The Senate. I’d completely forgotten.

“For all that’s holy, man.” Marshal Hill walked around to face Captain Smith. “Do you know what this boy has been through the past weeks?”

“I managed to hold off the investigation for this long. As it is, they’re not in a good mood waiting on this hearing.”

“I know Washington.” Marshal Hill holstered his gun but puffed out his chest. “They’ve short memories and shorter attention spans. This will go away soon.”

“Raymond, I’m just looking out for the boy.”

Marshal Hill pointed back at me but continued to stare down Captain Smith. “I’ve ridden through hell with this kid, and let me tell you—”

I let their voices fade away as I looked at Anna, our gazes holding, reading each other’s souls. Finding pain so deep it remained unspoken. How long must our passion for life together, for a full conversation that didn’t involve Jacob or working out our relationship or saving our lives wait? I would go because standing before the high offices of our land was ordered of me, but I didn’t have to like it.

After a sip of coffee I said in a soft voice, “So what other desserts can you make?”

“You mean besides pie?” I could barely hear her over their arguing.

“Right.”

She sat on the table and set her boots beside me, resting her elbows on her knees so her lips were close to my ear. “What makes you think it’s my duty to make you desserts all day?”

“Touché.”

“If you asked nicely though, I’d make you a cake.”

I leaned against her leg. “And we’d eat it together?”

“With tea.”

I took another sip of coffee.

Marshal Hill and Captain Smith’s voices droned on.

“Anna, come with me.”

“Next train, I think. I’ll bring my father and Beth.”

“I can better protect you in Washington.”

Anna shuddered. “I thought I could protect myself.” She wrapped her arm around mine and rested her cheek against the top of my shoulder. “I was so wrong. God first. Trust Him. I can’t put too much of the burden on my knight.” She gripped my arm.

“I thought I could save you by myself.” I looked at Scott who was listening to the ongoing fight. “I was wrong too.”

“In Washington you’ll be famous. A gunman. They’ve all read about you.”

I snorted. “The blasted novel.”

“It’s well-written. I enjoyed it immensely, even if most of it wasn’t true.” She sighed and kissed my forehead. “The train’s going to leave.”

“If you have time, check on the horses. They’re in the Hutterite camp. A boy named Jake watches them. I like Jake.”

She kissed me again.

“Anna, loving me has come with a heavy price. Are you sure—”

“Quiet, boy. Love is worth fighting for.”

I closed my eyes, feeling the emotions that swirled around us. How could I leave her again?

I took Anna’s hand and kissed the smooth skin. I ran my finger over a soft vein, feeling the comfort between our fingers and enjoying the shiver that ran through her body.

With all my heart, I did not want this. But I let go of Anna and stood. “Stop.”

All conversation died. Remnants of words swirled in the air like falling leaves, vintages of a ravage summer coming to an end.

“I’m leaving on this train. Anna will join me in Washington with her father and sister as soon as possible.” I turned to Rachel. “I suggest you and Ryan disappear.” I pulled out my wallet and shuffled through the bills. “Here’s two hundred. It should last for a bit. Maybe leave word with Jon Pole at the saddlery shop where you’re going. I trust him.”

She took the bills. “I’ll pay you back.”

“When times are better.”

I felt a tap at my arm. “Here’s twenty.” Scott lay back as I took the coin from him. “Buy me that wicker-wheeled chair across the street. I’m going with you.”

“Scott, you’re—”

“You need legal representation. You’ll get it in Washington, no doubt, but I’m intimate with this story and am nearly a lawyer. I’m going with you.”

Before I could interrupt Captain Smith said, “You’ll have no legal counsel. You’ll probably get off the train that morning and take a hansom straight to the Senate. Scott would be an asset.”

“I’d feel better if he went with you,” Anna said.

Marshal Hill added, “I know doctors in Washington, a missionary society. He’ll get the best care.”

“He’s broken!” I couldn’t hold back the sudden burst of emotion. “Broken because of me! He should be in a hospital right now. This is absurd.”

“You know me,” Scott said flashing his brilliant smile. “I deal in the absurd daily.”

Marshal Hill crossed the room and took the twenty-dollar coin. “I’m coming too. Not much time.”

Captain Smith saluted. “Marshal Raymond Hill, I put him back under your care. I don’t need to tell you what will happen to both of us if he doesn’t stand before the Senate.”

Marshal Hill’s breath puffed out his mustache an inch.

“Scott, what of Becky?”

“I’ll explain on the way out.” Scott smacked the bench. “Let’s go!”

I slipped the scroll in my pocket and packed the jewels back into the cask. The dress wasn’t going to fit. “Keep it,” I said to Anna.

“I can’t just walk across town with this and put it in my closet.”

“I’ll escort her.” Captain Smith motioned to Jackson and Matt. “These men are back under my command. They will as well.”

“Someone will need to find Running Deer.”

“Philip.” Marshal Hill caught my attention. “Let us handle those things. You need to get on the train.”

I looked into Anna’s warm eyes. She lowered her head and gave me a sad smile. “I’ll see you,” she said. “In Washington.”

“Then we’re coming home for good,” I added, but even to me the hopeful tilt in my voice turned sour, hollow. There was a purpose behind us, like a tail wind. And in my gut I felt this entire ordeal was far from over.