Footsteps on the porch of Miss Muffet House put Callie on alert. Three days had passed without incident, but she remained vigilant.
Chip entered the dining hall, and she released the breath she hadn’t realized she’d been holding. “Good morning.”
He hung his hat on a hook by the door, settled Jasper and Ruby on one of the benches and pulled Callie off to the side. “I do believe it is. We had a quiet night, and no one’s seen any intruders skulking around this morning.”
“I still can’t believe someone walked right on to the property and no one noticed. How could that have happened?”
“The mystery’s been solved. It turns out one of the older children saw someone slip inside Jack and Jill House that day. Apparently she thought it was just a ranch hand, so she didn’t say anything—until she overheard her group leader telling another one about the break-in.”
“I won’t rest easy until all three of Mr. Tate’s murderers are caught.” She clutched the notes for the short talk she would be delivering in a few minutes. “I’ve found myself hoping the couple will show up soon so we can enact the plan and put an end to this ordeal. Living on tenterhooks is taxing. I’ve found myself quite distracted, which made preparing this morning’s devotion difficult. I hope I don’t make a fool of myself in front of everyone.”
She’d been honored when Tess asked her to lead them in their daily worship, but now that the time was at hand, her chest tightened. Normally the scent of bacon made her eager to dive into her breakfast, but she wasn’t sure she’d be able to eat a thing.
Chip sent her an encouraging smile. “You’ll do a wonderful job, Callie. Just be your delightful self.” He winked and took a seat beside Jasper and Ruby.
His compliments gave her hope that she’d misread things. Perhaps the cooling on his part since the night they returned and found their rooms ransacked was due to the tension they were under and nothing else. She’d placed her hand on his, thinking he might welcome the opportunity to hold it, but he’d pulled his away, which was puzzling. He had kissed her earlier that day, after all.
The arrival of the children drew her attention to the task awaiting her. She glanced at her notes one more time. Tess had asked her not to rely on them too heavily, but having them handy gave Callie a measure of comfort. She’d knew what she intended to say and wasn’t a shy person, but speaking in front of a large number of people had been known to make her mind go blank.
When everyone was seated, children and group leaders alike, Tess stood and clapped. The room quieted. “It’s lovely to see your smiling faces this morning. We’re going to start this lovely spring day with a devotion from Miss Callie. I’m sure you’ll enjoy it.”
Callie stood and took her place at the front of the room. She clutched her sheet of notes in a trembling hand. “Mama Tess asked me talk to you about 1 John 3:18. It says—” she read from the paper “—‘My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.’”
She looked up, saw all those pairs of eyes trained on her and froze. After several painfully long moments of silence, a hand shot up.
“Yes, Freddie?”
“What does that mean? We aren’t supposed to say nice things to somebody? That doesn’t seem right.”
Bless the dear boy. He’d given her an idea. She abandoned her carefully prepared and oft-rehearsed script. “I’m going to tell a story about two boys. We’ll call them Howard and Stanley. Suppose they were playing on the parallel bars and Howard picked on Stanley. Their group leader would ask Howard to apologize to Stanley, wouldn’t he?”
Freddie nodded, as did several others.
“That would be showing love with words, which is a good thing, but there’s more to it. Suppose Howard said he was sorry, but as soon as the group leader looked away, Howard turned to Stanley and did this.” She stuck her thumbs in her ears, waggled her fingers and smirked.
The children burst out laughing.
She waited until they’d quieted and continued. “What I did might seem funny, but Stanley wouldn’t think Howard was really sorry, would he? No. Stanley would know Howard’s words weren’t true because what he did was different than what he said.”
Her gaze landed on Chip. He sent her an encouraging smile. She was struck by the fact that his words and actions were in alignment—but hers weren’t.
Somehow, despite her realization, she managed to corral her thoughts and complete the devotion. She took her place between Jasper and Ruby and prepared to enjoy her breakfast after all. The tightness in her chest had eased, but her mind was whirling. Although she’d hoped her relationship with Chip could grow into something even more special than it already was, she hadn’t been entirely honest with him—or herself. He’d made it clear he wanted children of his own. Unless something could be done to repair the damage she’d suffered, she wouldn’t be able to bear any. She couldn’t, in good conscience, encourage him. Not until she got some answers to her questions, anyhow.
Over a plate of crispy bacon, scrambled eggs and fried potatoes, she sought the help she needed. Lord, please prepare me to face the truth, whatever that may be, to say what needs to be said and to do whatever I have to do. I trust You to provide the openings.
Before Callie knew it, the meal was over. As soon as the tables were cleared, the school-aged children trooped after their teachers, followed by the younger children with their group leaders.
Jasper hopped up. “What are we gonna do today?”
A voice came from behind her. “You and Ruby could have a riding lesson. If that’s all right with Mr. Chip and Miss Callie, of course. I have an opening right now.”
Callie whipped around to find Isaac standing just inside the doorway. “What a good idea. I can take you and give Mr. Chip some time to himself.” She glanced at him. “You don’t mind, do you?”
Chip folded his arms and heaved an exaggerated sigh. “It won’t be easy, but I suppose I could do without my hardworking helpers for a little while.”
Ruby peered up at Chip. “I’m not a helper. I just play with my baby.”
“You may help if you’d like, princess. I’ll be assembling the beds for another room today, and I could use someone to hand me the nails. Would you do that for me?”
She nodded, setting her curls bobbing.
He smiled. “Good.”
They all left the dining hall together. Jasper walked alongside Isaac, slowing his steps to accommodate Isaac’s limp and peppering him with questions. Callie reached for Ruby’s hand, but she didn’t take it.
“Jaspy can go first. I’m going to help Mr. Chip now.”
“Very well.” Seeing the precious girl take an interest in something other than her doll was encouraging.
Chip and Ruby headed to the woodshop. He scooped her up, placed her on his shoulders and gave her a bouncy zigzagged ride, which resulted in girlish giggles. The sight warmed Callie’s heart. One day, the good Lord willing, she’d have a family with a devoted husband who doted on his children the way Chip doted on Jasper and Ruby.
But they weren’t his children, and that’s what he had his heart set on. Nothing would change unless he revised The Plan and entertained the possibility of adoption. Dare she hope he would?
Jasper’s chatter came to a stop when he and Isaac neared the corral, drawing Callie’s attention. The young cowboy-in-training soaked in every instruction Isaac gave him, one of them being to respect a horse’s need for quiet. She wasn’t sure if Isaac was thinking about the animal’s needs or his own, but his eager pupil complied.
Her brother limped alongside Jasper as he walked his mount around the corral. They came to a stop nearby.
“You’ve got that down, Jasper. You’re ready to move on to a trot. With my bum leg—” he patted it “—I can’t keep up, so Hardy is going to help. I’ll explain what you’ll be doing, and he’ll take you around.”
“Really?” Jasper said softly. “That’s gonna be fun.”
Isaac went over the steps, with Jasper listening intently. Hardy took over, and Isaac joined Callie at the fence. “That boy is a born horseman. I wish all my students were as attentive and eager to learn.”
“You do such a fine job with them. I love that you’ve found a purpose here. You’re happier than I’ve seen you in a long time.”
“Me, happy?” He chuckled. “I don’t know about that, but I am doing better. You, on the other hand, are so happy you’re almost glowing with it. Must be all the time you’re spending with Chip.”
“I enjoy his company, but it’s the children who have put a smile on my face.”
“Others might believe you, but I’m your brother. I know you, sis. You’re smitten.”
Arguing with Isaac would do no good. “Ruby’s doing better today. She asked to help Chip. She’s in there right now handing him nails.”
“Changing the subject doesn’t work on me. You know that.” He pinned her with one of those probing gazes he was famous for. “So, tell me. Why are you afraid to admit you have feelings for him?”
She fought the urge to look away. “He’s not ready to settle down, and even if he was, I don’t think I’m someone he’d be interested in.”
Isaac barked out a laugh. “What nonsense. That man can’t take his eyes off you. It’s a good thing I think so highly of him, or I’d be concerned.”
Was Chip as attracted to her as she was to him? If so, perhaps he would be willing to alter his plans. She’d find out soon enough because he was headed their way, with Ruby skipping at his side and looking more at peace than ever before.
They reached the corral, and Isaac greeted them. “Are you ready to ride again, Ruby?”
She looked up at Isaac and responded without hesitation. “Yes.”
“Well, then, let’s get started.”
Chip leaned on the top rail and watched as Isaac lifted Ruby onto the pony’s back. “Our little butterfly has emerged from her cocoon.”
“It’s wonderful to see, isn’t it? Your patience and kindness have played a big part in that. You’re good with all the children.”
“Seeing those two out there—” he swept a hand toward the corral, where Hardy jogged along Jasper and Isaac led Ruby “—makes me more eager than ever to achieve my goals so I can start my own family.”
As hard as it was say the words, she had to know. “I can understand that. I find myself wondering what it would be like to give the children a home. Have you ever thought about adoption?”
Chip spun to face her and leaned back against the fence. “I know it’s an option for some, but it’s not one I’ve considered. I want to carry on my family’s legacy.”
Her chest grew tight, but she forced out a response. “I see.”
“I don’t mean to discount your experience. Adoption can be a blessing in a case such as yours, but it’s not for everyone.”
He hadn’t exactly slammed the door on the idea, but he’d come close. Even so, she felt compelled to stick her foot in the gap. “No, but it my case it worked out well. Mom and Pop Marshall were the ones who helped me overcome my fear of horses.”
“I didn’t know you were afraid of them. What brought that about?”
She’d prayed for an opening, and the Lord had provided one. Now she just had to say the words. “When I was young, I was a lot like Jasper. I liked adventure and thought riding a horse would be one. I convinced Father to let me learn when I was six. All went well until the horse got spooked and threw me. I tried to roll out of the way, but I got kicked.”
Chip snapped to attention. “I’m so sorry. How bad was it?”
“I was laid up for several weeks. Apparently, there were a few critical days at the beginning that sent Mother and Father to their knees.” She couldn’t remember them since she’d been given hefty doses of laudanum for the pain, but it was nice to think that her parents had taken an interest in her. Sadly, they’d resorted to their usual busy ways soon after she’d recovered and left her care to Nanny Jean.
“They must have been beside themselves with worry. Caring for Jasper and Ruby these past weeks has shown me how hard it is to see a child hurting or scared. I can’t imagine how I’d feel if they were fighting for their lives.”
She knew exactly how he felt. The thought of either of the children being harmed was more than she could bear. “I don’t know how it affected them, since they rarely spoke of it afterward.” Except for that cold, wet winter’s day shortly before the robbery, when the doctor arrived to examine her and confirmed his earlier diagnosis.
“Perhaps it was too painful to dwell on and they wanted to put it behind them.”
She doubted that. Her mother had seemed quite distressed over the fact that few suitors would consider a damaged woman. Sadly, it appeared she’d been right. Since Chip was bent on having children of his own, he wouldn’t be interested in her.
Or would he? If what Isaac said was true and Chip was attracted to her, he might be willing to modify his dream. After all, people had been known to do all manner of things for those they cared about. There was one way to find out. She could tell him the rest of the story, and see if that made a difference. “I’d like to think that, but—”
“Miss Callie!”
She wheeled around to see one of the group leaders headed their way. The young woman arrived, winded from dashing across the yard. “Tess asked me to get you and Jasper. There’s a couple here that wants to meet him.”
“Is the woman blond?”
“Yes.”
Callie’s skin turned to gooseflesh. They’d come. She glanced at Chip. The stricken look on his face must mirror her own. “Very well. Please tell her we’ll be along shortly.”
The messenger left, and Callie gripped the fence railing. “I felt certain they’d return, but now that they have, I dread subjecting Jasper to this.”
“Don’t do it.” Chip’s firm tone brooked no argument.
She rested a hand on his arm. Tension radiated from him. “I know how you feel, but if we’re to get the evidence needed to convict them, we must.”
He covered her hand with his own. “If anything were to happen to you or Jasper…”
“I appreciate your concern, but what I need right now is for you to trust me. And to pray.”
“If you insist on doing this, I’m not letting you go in there alone.”
“It’s all right. Spencer will be there. Tess will see to that.” She’d feel better with a man present. Preferably a man with a gun.
Minutes later Callie entered the Abbotts’ parlor with Jasper at her side. They’d rehearsed the plan one more time, and he was as prepared as he could be. He strode in with his usual confident air, cowboy hat in hand.
If only she was as self-possessed as Jasper. She’d been twelve years old when she found herself in her family’s parlor with her parents’ cold-hearted killers, and she’d crumbled. He was only five, and yet he’d chosen to face the very people who’d taken his father’s life. She couldn’t be more proud of him—or more concerned about him.
Lord, I love this dear boy so much. Please protect him. And, if it’s Your will, let this turn out the way we planned.
Tess took charge, exhibiting her characteristic mix of competence and compassion as she interacted with the couple, appearing to put them at ease with friendly conversation. Her performance set the tone, with Spencer following his wife’s lead. He even managed to produce an easy laugh at something Mrs. Smith said.
The scheming woman carried the couple’s end of the conversation, with her supposed husband doing little more than answering direct questions. Mr. Smith’s smiles were forced, and his gaze darted to Jasper far too often for Callie’s liking. Thankfully, she wasn’t expected to say much because she would have a hard time keeping the revulsion she felt out of her voice.
Jasper, seated beside Callie on one of the settees, was the shining star and took the attention coming his way in stride. He didn’t even flinch when the woman squatted in front of him, pinched his cheek and declared him a “handsome little fellow.”
Mrs. Smith—or whoever she was—returned to her seat, adjusted her silk skirts and spoke in a syrupy sweet voice. “It’s lovely to meet Jasper, but I expected to see his precious sister, too. John and I are eager to get to know both of them better, aren’t we, dear?”
The slender man, blond like the woman, nodded dutifully, but a bitter taste filled Callie’s mouth.
Tess responded with a polite smile. “That won’t be possible, I’m afraid. Jasper’s sister isn’t feeling like herself today.”
That was true. Ruby had blossomed. Watching her reach out to Chip the way she had that morning was a rare but welcome sight. His response had warmed Callie’s heart. He might say he had no desire to adopt, but he was wonderful with Jasper and Ruby. He always had a ready smile, word of encouragement or playful jest for Freddie and the other children at the Double T, too.
Mrs. Smith sighed. “I’m sorry to hear that. I’d so looked forward to seeing the precious little thing again, but we’ll be patient, won’t we, dear?” She glanced at her husband.
“Yes, of course. We’re more than happy to talk with this young man.” He nodded at Jasper and smiled, if one could call that pinch-lipped attempt a smile. Clearly, the woman was more adept at acting.
Mrs. Smith patted the man’s knee. “Do forgive my husband’s eagerness. I told him we would have to complete the paperwork first, but I wondered, Mrs. Abbott, if you and your husband might be willing to bend your rules a bit? Since John and I are in agreement that these children would make a wonderful addition to our family, might you allow us to visit with them today, combining two visits into one? John must go out of town on business again soon, so our time is limited.”
Tess hesitated. “We rarely make exceptions to our policy, but if you’ll give us a moment, my husband and I will discuss your request.”
They stood in the entryway just outside the door, effectively blocking the only exit. Tess and Spencer cast glances at the couple and whispered. No doubt, they had plenty to say about the imposters, for Callie was certain that’s what they were.
Mr. Smith hadn’t even met Ruby, and yet the couple was willing to adopt her. Didn’t the Smiths realize most prospective parents would want to see the child first?
Callie fought the urge to take Jasper and flee, but he sat there as placid as could be, turning his cowboy hat around and around in his hands. He’d been unwilling to leave it on one of the pegs in the entryway.
“Would you please come here for a minute, Callie?” Tess asked. “Spencer and I would like to know your thoughts.”
Callie joined them, and Tess whispered, “We thought if we left them alone with Jasper a minute, they might question him. We’ll pretend to be having a discussion ourselves, but keep your ears tuned to theirs.”
The three of them carried on a hushed conversation, with Spencer and Tess apparently disagreeing about altering the policy and doing their best to enlist Callie’s support. She wasn’t expected to say much, enabling her to listen to the conversation in the parlor. Since she was facing the room, she could surreptitiously watch the interaction inside, too.
Mrs. Smith nodded toward Jasper’s hat. “Are you a cowboy?”
He looked up and beamed. “Not yet, but I’m gonna be. Mr. Chip taught me how to walk like a cowboy, and Mr. Isaac’s been teaching me to ride.”
“Was your father a cowboy?”
“No. Papa worked in a jewelry store up in Marysville, but he was getting ready to open his own up in Placerville before he…went away.” Jasper had taken the opening the couple had given him and done a wonderful job of working in his father’s profession, previous location and destination. The coaching she and Chip had done paid off.
Mr. and Mrs. Smith exchanged a telling glance.
The man’s eyes glinted with ill-disguised greed. “That sounds interesting. Did he make the jewelry himself?”
“Yep. And he was real good at it. He was gonna make a whole bunch for his new store. The jewels he got were all sparkly. He let me hold ’em.”
Mr. Smith leaned forward. “Where are they now?”
“He said he hid ’em, but I don’t know where. He was with us all the time—except for when Ruby’s doll fell off the wagon and got hurt.”
They pressed Jasper for more information and heard the tale of how Mr. Tate had slipped out to the barn behind the Railroad House hotel to reattach the doll’s rubber head to her cloth body—out of sight of his heartbroken daughter. After hearing the story for herself, Callie had taken a look at the repair. The stitching was evidently the work of a novice, but it showed how much Mr. Tate had loved his daughter.
Mr. Smith’s tone grew more insistent. “Where did this happen?”
Callie held her breath. Jasper had trouble remembering the name and generally required a bit of coaxing. Would he recall it this time?
Jasper blew out a breath, fluttering his lips in the process. “I can’t remember. It’s not Placerville, but it has a ville in it.”
Her heart sank. If Jasper couldn’t think of it, their plan could be foiled.
Mr. Smith scowled, but his wife smiled. “Clarksville, perhaps?”
Jasper brightened. “Yep. That’s it.”
Tess chose that moment to bring her feigned discussion with Spencer and Callie to a close. “Let’s pray they’ve gotten what they came for and leave.”
The three reentered the room, and Tess took charge. “I’m sorry to keep you waiting. I’ve managed to persuade my husband to forgo our usual policies and allow you to complete the forms and spend time with Jasper today. If you’ll follow me, I’ll get you set up at the dining table. It should only take half an hour or so.”
Mr. and Mrs. Smith stood, and she sent Tess such a sugary smile that Callie’s teeth hurt. “We’re sorry to have troubled you, Mrs. Abbott, but John and I have decided that with all the traveling he’s been doing lately, it wouldn’t be wise for us to pursue adoption at this time. We’ll return once his situation changes.”
The couple left, and Callie whooshed out a breath. “That was interesting. Now what?”
Tess held up a finger. “We wait just a moment.”
Jasper sidled up to Callie. “How did I do?”
She pulled him into a hug. “You were great!”
Footfalls thundered down the stairs, and, to Callie’s surprise, Hardy appeared. “They headed west, just like you predicted, Spencer.”
“Fine. Alert the others. We’ve got some criminals to catch.”
* * *
Jasper burst into the woodshop and raced over to Chip. “The bad people came, and they took off. You gotta go after them.”
Before Chip could reply, Callie appeared and leaned against the door frame. Her face was drawn and her breath ragged. “The couple took the bait, and they’re headed west. Spencer’s rounding up the posse as we speak.”
A jolt of energy surged through Chip. He shot out a rapid-fire response. “Good. We can catch them now.”
He yanked off his apron and tossed it on his workbench. He pulled his holster and Colt from the high shelf overheard, strapped them on and strode to the door.
Callie jumped in front of him, blocking his way. She rested a hand on his biceps and gazed at him with concern and deep affection, sending his heart rate soaring even higher. “I don’t want anything to happen to you. Please be careful.”
“I will.”
“I’m counting on it.” She went up on her tiptoes, brushed her lips across his cheek and disappeared inside the woodshop.
Callie had kissed him!
As much as he would have liked to pull her into his arms and hold her close, he had a job to do. He dashed to the barnyard. Isaac handed him the reins to one of his workhorses, already saddled and ready to go. In no time, Chip was in the saddle and filling in the other men on the plan he and Spencer had developed.
Isaac peered up at Chip. “I’d like to help, but with this leg, I wouldn’t be much use. And then there’s the other.” He scuffed the dirt with the toe of his boot.
Although he’d been an excellent marksman, Isaac, with his aversion to sudden loud noises, lacked the qualifications for a posse member. “I’m counting on you to keep watch over Callie and the children while I’m gone.”
Her brother glanced in the direction of Jack and Jill House, where Callie and the children were safe and secure. “I won’t let anyone get near them.”
Hardy, who had cut short Ruby’s lesson to act as lookout earlier, drew alongside Chip. “Do you really think the couple will search the barn in broad daylight? Seems to me they’d wait for nightfall.”
“They might, but if they think we just discovered the whereabouts of the jewels, too, they’ll be out to beat us to them.”
“So where are they?” Hardy asked.
Chip shrugged. “We don’t know. I sent some telegrams to Placerville soon after we found Jasper and Ruby, but not a single shipment bound for their father has shown up. The deputy took some men down to the barn in Clarksville and performed an extensive search a few days back, but it didn’t turn up anything, either.”
“Quite a mystery, isn’t it?”
“One that may never be solved, I’m afraid. The best I can figure is that Mr. Tate realized he was being followed and tossed the jewels out somewhere along the way, intending to go back and get them later.”
Hardy’s horse whickered. He leaned over to rub the gelding’s neck. “Easy, fellow. We’ll be on our way shortly.”
Not soon enough for Chip. He watched as two more hands saddled their horses.
“Sad to think of the jewels going missing, isn’t it?” Hardy asked. “They could have provided a good future for the young’uns.”
Chip smiled. “I’m sure they’ll have a good one. Spencer and Tess will see to that.” As would the Lord.
“You could always find yourself a gal and take them in yourself.”
“I could.” If that was The Plan, which it wasn’t. In order to have the family he’d been preparing for, he couldn’t veer from it, even though a golden-haired beauty had him wondering what it would be like if that was an option.
At last, all the horses were saddled. Chip, Spencer, Hardy and three other hands rode out. Spencer had sent someone to town to alert the deputy, who would catch up to them.
The posse set off at last. With Clarksville ten miles away over rocky terrain, the ride would take a while. They would have been wiser to go into Shingle Springs and head down the main road than take off cross-country, but Chip hadn’t wanted to add any distance to their trek.
The ride became even more of an adventure as they neared Clarksville, with rock walls to jump and flocks of grazing sheep to avoid. They would definitely return on the immigrant road, preferably with Mr. Tate’s three killers in tow.
When they reached the edge of town, Chip had everyone circle up. “Here’s what we’re going to do. We’ll gather in front of the Railroad House, leave our horses there and steal around back. I’ll go into the barn first, with Spencer and Hardy right behind me. The rest of you will watch the rear entrance in case any of the killers make a run for it. Only two of them showed up at the Double T, but it’s likely the third member of their trio was waiting for them.”
Spencer chimed in. “In case you haven’t heard, one of them is a woman. She was wearing a blue silk dress with white lace. She and her accomplice both have blond hair.”
“We’re not going to wait for the deputy?” Hardy asked.
“If we do that,” Chip said, “it could be too late. We’ll tie up the hoodlums and wait for him. Everyone ready?”
The men nodded and followed him to the hotel, where they dismounted and sneaked around back. Ignoring the sound of blood rushing in his ears, Chip darted across the yard and pressed himself to the side of the barn. He motioned for the others to join him. Spencer and one ranch hand came from the corner of the hotel closest to the barn, Hardy and the other two hands from the far end. They moved into their assigned positions.
Chip drew his breath—and his Colt—and crept toward the open doors. He listened for anything unusual, but all he could hear were the sounds of horses shifting in their stalls.
Had the trio inside realized he and the other men were there? Were the killers going to rush out with guns blazing? Would he be injured—or worse?
Summoning every ounce of courage he possessed, Chip slipped into the barn with his weapon at the ready. He stared into the vast expanse with his heart hammering against his ribs.
A quick glance around sent his breath out of him in a noisy puff. He spoke through gritted teeth. “It can’t be!”
The murderers were no longer there, but they had been. The barn was a shambles, with tools, tack and feed strewn everywhere.
Spencer stood beside Chip, his revolver aimed into the expanse. “Looks like we just missed them.”
Hardy joined them. “It appears they heard us and made their escape.” He pointed to the back doors, which were ajar.
Chip raced the length of the barn, dodging shovels, pitchforks and all manner of other things. He slipped through the opening and found the remaining ranch hands staring into the distance, where a trio rode away. Blue skirts flapped around the legs of one of them. He shoved his gun into his holster with more force than necessary.
Hardy reached Chip, followed the others’ gazes and produced a sliding whistle of disappointment. “That’s tough.”
“I can’t believe they got away. We were so close.”
Hardy slapped Chip on the back. “Don’t worry. We’ll get them next time.”
The good Lord willing, there wouldn’t be a next time. “At least we have proof of who they are and what they look like now. That should help the sheriff catch them.”
“You sound like Miss Callie. She’s always looking on the bright side.”
Callie. Chip’s shoulders drooped. How was he going to face her after failing to bring this ordeal to an end?