Anna paced back and forth in front of the sheriff’s office. Though Daniel had suggested she wait inside, she didn’t want to see Todd Barnaby any more than she wanted to see Zach’s office again. She’d seen far too much of it when Sam had been kidnapped.
The thump of boots on wood caught her attention, and she turned in time to see Roy Eckers approaching. She gave him a smile. “Good afternoon, Mr. Eckers. It’s nice to see you again.”
Roy fumbled with his hat, drawing it from his head with a bashful smile. “The same to you, Mrs. Hampton. What brings you to town?”
“My children and I are going to be staying at Miss Sally’s for a few days to take care of some business.”
Shrewd eyes stared back at her. “Is that so? Seems Ranger Cochran is staying there, too.”
A blush climbed up her cheeks again. “He was staying there, but it’s my understanding he’s going to be sleeping at the office now.”
“Oh, well, that’s good. That’s good.” Roy scooted behind her to reach the door to the office. “Why don’t you come inside and have a cup of coffee with me?”
Anna didn’t even try to hide her distaste at the suggestion, but before she could reply, Roy continued, “The Barnaby boy isn’t in there right now. He was feeling a bit poorly, and Ranger Cochran had me take him over to the doctor’s office afore he left town an hour or so ago.”
How coincidental that Todd Barnaby would become ill. Anna’s eyes narrowed as she looked across the street. Obviously, Daniel’s concern was far reaching. He must have already planned for her to stay at the office while he made arrangements with Miss Sally.
She wanted to be angry with him, but there was just something about the man that erased any potential ire. Realizing Roy was still waiting for an answer, she favored him with another smile.
“Well, in that case, I’d love a cup of coffee.”
Beaming, Roy swung open the door. “Go right on in then.” He followed her inside. “Well, shoot! I plumb forgot that Ranger Cochran asked me to pick up a telegram for him. I’ll be right back. You just make yourself comfortable.”
Before Anna could respond, Roy had already clamped his hat back on his head and was halfway out the door.
Memories dancing in her mind, Anna looked around the office, seeing Zach in every corner. Daniel hadn’t changed much. She imagined that was because he had no intention of staying. This was probably just an assignment to him—keep the peace while another sheriff could be duly elected.
A sweeping sense of loneliness accompanied the thought, and as much as she tried to shake it away, it hung on stubbornly. How had she allowed herself to care for another man, to grow so attached that the thought of his leaving sent a wave a longing straight to her heart?
She closed her eyes and listened. In her heart, she could still hear Zach’s voice, the jingle of his spurs, and the thump of his boots across the plank flooring. He’d had an easily identifiable walk, unhurried and yet determined.
“Oh, Zach,” she whispered. “You have no idea how much I miss you.” Opening her eyes, she walked toward his desk, pausing to run one hand over the scarred wooden top. How many hours had Zach sat behind this desk watching prisoners and waiting for the wagon to transfer the men to the state penitentiary?
Sinking down into his chair, she rested one hand atop a stack of papers on the right. She could still picture him leaning over the desk, one hand on his hip, the other running through his hair every few seconds. It was a nervous gesture he’d had ever since she’d known him.
Her lips formed a reluctant smile. So many little reminders came to mind, things she could never forget about her husband. The way he said her name or smiled at her. And…
Her mouth rounding to an ‘o’, she rocked back in the chair and stared at the desk drawer on the left. Words filtered back into her consciousness, a long ago conversation she’d had with Zach.
“I don’t know what to think about Tom Fickle sometimes.” Zach shook his head and settled down at the head of the table. “I think the man’s getting more and more scatterbrained with each passing day. I’m surprised he still manages to run the bank with as much efficiency as he does.”
Anna poured him a cup of coffee and set it in front of him. “What did he do this time?”
“Came barging into my office early this morning waving an old piece of paper like a flag. He said it was important, made me promise never to share it with anyone, to lock it away safely, and never tell another soul where I’d put it.”
Curiosity getting the better of her, Anna scooted her chair closer to Zach’s. “So what was it?”
His eyes twinkled. “Weren’t you listening when I said I’m not supposed to share it with anyone?”
Anna tapped his arm lightly. “I’m not just anyone. I’m your wife. The two shall become one, remember? So telling me is like telling yourself.”
Zach laughed then leaned in to plant a noisy kiss on her lips. “I might have known you’d find a loophole.” He touched the tip of her nose with his index finger. “But I made a promise, my sweet.”
“Did you tell Mr. Fickle where you’d put it?”
“Nope.”
“Shouldn’t someone else know in case you’re out of town and the paper is needed?” Anna had always been good at wheedling information out of her husband.
“Maybe, but I’m not so sure I should tell you.”
Anna glared at him. “Why not?”
“Because you have more curiosity than ten cats.”
She took a sip of her own coffee. “So was the paper important?”
Grinning, Zach shook his head. “Not from what I could tell, but apparently, Tom thought so. He said it was a part of Strawberry Junction’s banking history and that it was important for it to be preserved.”
“But it didn’t look like that to you?”
“Look at you! You’re as bad as the children.” He covered her hands with one of his large ones. “And the answer is no. It just looked like some old drawing, pictures of the town buildings, that sort of thing.”
Disappointed, Anna sank back against her chair. “Well, I know never to go to you when I’m looking for a little mystery.”
The memory faded, but Anna’s curiosity had returned. The paper with the drawings—could it be a map? Was that what Tom Fickle was so desperate to hide and what her strange visitor wanted just as desperately?
Of course, she couldn’t ask Mr. Fickle now since he’d picked up stakes and moved less than a year ago. Anyway, why would the bank manager be hiding a map—the same map this stranger wanted? It didn’t make sense…unless…she let the thought trail off. No time to think about that now. If that piece of paper was, indeed, a map, then it would have to be here.
A rush of adrenaline galvanized her into action. Scooting the chair back, she dropped to her knees and tugged open the bottom drawer. Nothing there but a coffee cup, a tin of coffee, and an old pair of handcuffs. Undeterred, she tried the drawer above it, a little disgusted to find it locked.
Where exactly had Zach kept the keys to these drawers? Her gaze swept the room and saw nothing beneficial. Too determined to be stopped now, she searched the desktop, rustling through the papers like a raccoon looking for food.
Her only discovery was a silver letter opener, and before she could give herself time to rethink her actions, Anna set to work prying open the drawer. She’d never broken into anything before, so the task took a lot longer than she imagined it would an accomplished thief. But her efforts were rewarded.
Letting out a squeal of glee, she pulled out a dusty envelope with Mayor Rawlins’ name scrawled across the front in flowery script. Hands shaking, she removed the piece of paper tucked inside.
“What are you doing?”
Anna jumped so hard her hand banged the desk drawer. She yelped and clutched it to her chest before glaring up at Daniel. “You scared me!”
One eyebrow rose. “I’m sorry. I wasn’t expecting you to be breaking into my desk. I guess I should have knocked first to give you more time.”
Still glaring, Anna pushed herself to her feet and righted her skirt with several tugs. Then, smoothing her hair away from her face, she rounded the desk. “Look what I found.” She hurried toward him, offering the piece of paper for inspection. “What does it look like to you?”
Daniel didn’t take his eyes off her face as his hand closed around the paper. “Why did you break into my desk?”
She waved her hands in dismissal. “Just forget about the desk. Look!” One finger jabbed the paper. “I think it’s a map…exactly what my visitor was looking for.”
Daniel’s gaze dropped to review the crudely-drawn map. “I agree it could be some sort of map, but what makes you think this is what that fella’s looking for?”
She nibbled her lower lip, her excitement waning momentarily. “I’m not sure, but something does. I remembered a conversation I had with Zach. He told me Tom Fickle, the manager of our bank at the time, had given him something important to the town’s history and had sworn him to secrecy about its existence. This has to be it.”
Continuing to study the paper, Daniel held it up to the window for more light. “Well, since it’s addressed to Mayor Rawlins, I’ll go have a talk with him to see if he knows what this is all about.”
Uneasiness settled in the pit of Anna’s stomach. “But what if…?”
Daniel looked at her. “What if what?”
She nibbled her lower lip. How was she supposed to tell a Texas Ranger that she’d never really trusted Mayor Rawlins, especially when she had no proof of anything. It was just a feeling she’d had ever since she’d met the man. Zach had told her she was a bit paranoid, that the man was perfectly harmless.
But Anna still couldn’t bring herself to trust him.
“Anna?” Daniel called her attention back to the conversation. “What if what?” he repeated.
She gave him a weak smile. “Nothing. Never mind. Just go have your talk.”
Daniel didn’t move. “What aren’t you telling me?”
Before common sense could keep her quiet, Anna blurted out her concerns. “Why would an envelope addressed to Mayor Rawlins be hidden in my husband’s old desk? Why would Zach have hidden something addressed to the mayor? Why not just give it back? And why on earth would Tom Fickle feel the need to hide the map in the first place? Something just isn’t making sense.”
She blew a lock of hair away from her face and wagged one finger. “Furthermore, why did Mayor Rawlins disappear after Sam was kidnapped? He stayed long enough to make sure I knew and then no one saw him again until after you rescued my son. Doesn’t that strike you as suspicious?”
Lips twitching, Daniel gave her a solemn nod. “Well, possibly, but it’s also possible the mayor just isn’t comfortable around dangerous situations, and as far as the map goes, I’ll know more as soon as I talk to him. Other than that, I don’t have any answers for you.”
Disappointed, Anna dropped her hands to her sides. “I’ll wait here then.”
One eyebrow lifting, Daniel stared back at her. “You’re going to stay here?”
She gave a brief nod. Just try to move me.
“Conversation might take awhile.”
“The children will be in school a while. I have plenty of time.”
Daniel eyed her suspiciously before relenting with a reciprocal nod. “I’ll be back soon then.”
Once the door closed behind him, Anna trotted to the window to watch him walk down the sidewalk and across the street. If there was any time she wished she could be a fly on the wall, it would be now.
****
“Thank you for seeing me, Mayor.” Daniel removed his hat and held it in front of him. “I won’t take up too much of your time. Just need to ask you a few questions.” Keeping a congenial smile on his face, he strolled toward the polished pine desk dominating the center of the mayor’s office.
Mayor Rawlins tugged at his shirt collar, twisting two fingers against his neck to add more room. For a man who didn’t know why Daniel was there, he sure looked nervous enough.
Instincts buzzing, Daniel dropped the map on top of a stack of papers directly in front of Rawlins. “Would you happen to know what this is?”
His face blanching, the mayor placed his palm atop the aged paper while he licked his lips with more than a little anticipation. Eyes bulging, he swallowed hard before managing to ask in a voice that was barely above a croak, “Where did you get this?”
Answer a question with a question-classic avoidance. Daniel should have been surprised, but in his line of work, not much surprised him any more. Not even the gleam in the mayor’s eyes.
“Would you mind telling me what it is first and then I’ll be happy to answer your question?” Daniel sat down in one of two leather chairs bracketing the corners of the desk. Crossing one ankle over his knee, he met the mayor’s gaze with a determined one of his own.
Maybe Anna wasn’t so far off the mark after all. There was definitely something the mayor didn’t want him to know, and it was directly related to the piece of paper he hadn’t taken his eyes off of for even a scant second.
Rawlins gave his collar another yank. “Well, the fact is, Ranger, I don’t feel comfortable discussing this with you.” His fingers curled around the edge of the paper. “Especially since this isn’t in line with your duties.”
He was sitting across from a man more nervous than a long-haired tomcat in a room full of rocking chairs. Daniel had stared into the eyes of thieves, killers, and liars, and his gut instinct always told him which was which...or if they were one and the same. Now, as he sat looking at the mayor, he knew the man was at least one of the three.
“I appreciate that, Mayor, but recently a man went out to Mrs. Hampton’s house, said he was looking for a map. Now, he didn’t specify what type of map exactly, but I’m thinking that right there is what he’s looking for.”
Sweat poured down the mayor’s puffy cheeks. “What makes you think that?” His voice squeaked like a mouse trapped beneath a cat’s paw, and Daniel couldn’t help but notice how the man’s pudgy fingers kept a tight grip on the edge of the paper.
Daniel slid to the edge of the chair. “Instincts.”
The chair squeaked beneath the elected official’s weight, and he gave a short laugh. “Well, I’m afraid I’m going to need more than your instincts before I give you any more information about this piece of paper.”
A quick burst of anger surged through Daniel, and he fell quiet for a moment, giving himself time to release it. He sensed the mayor was deliberately trying to provoke him, maybe to take the attention away from the map.
“Mayor, would you happen to know why Tom Fickle would have given this piece of paper to Sheriff Hampton?”
Rawlins jumped to his feet so fast his chair slid backwards, bumping the wall behind him. He cleared his throat, adjusted his suit coat, and rounded his desk. “No, of course not! This wasn’t in line with Mr. Fickle’s responsibilities. Now, my schedule is extremely busy, and I’m afraid I’m going to have to ask you to leave, Ranger.”
Daniel stood up slowly and took hold of the edge of the map. Though Rawlins had a solid grip, the moisture from his fingers allowed it to slip easily into Daniel’s hand.
“Wait just a minute!” Rawlins chugged forward.
Daniel took his time walking toward the door. “Something tells me there’s a lot more to this story than just this piece of paper, and,” he set his hat back on his head with a smile, “I’ve always been good at solving mysteries. You have a good day.”
“Ranger.” The mayor’s voice had hardened.
Daniel didn’t turn around.
“I caution you to leave this alone. This isn’t the reason you’re here.”
His hand on the doorknob, Daniel looked over his shoulder. “I’m here to find a killer and uphold law and order. The way I see it, whatever it is you’re not telling me could very well have something to do with both of those duties. So you can see why I intend to find out whatever it is you’re not wanting me to know.”
Mayor Rawlins squared his shoulders and puffed out his chest. The gold pocket watch connecting his vest clinked as he walked even closer. “I run this town, Ranger Cochran, and you answer to me. So you will do as I tell you to, and I’m telling you that this is none of your business.”
Though his tone of voice carried all the authority he could muster, a combination of uncertainty and greed filtered into his gaze, reassuring Daniel that his instincts were right.
Daniel tipped his hat back with two fingers, surveying the shorter man long enough to make mayor squirm. His chain of command didn’t include Rawlins. He figured the man already knew that but was desperately searching for a way to keep Daniel from asking anymore questions.
“Like I said, Mayor, you have a good day.” He gave the door a good yank.
“Ranger!” Rawlins trotted after him. “Ranger, I’m talking to you! Don’t make me contact your commanding officer. I want that map! You leave it with me!”
Ignoring him, Daniel kept walking. No doubt he’d be hearing from the captain, especially if Mayor Rawlins carried through on his threat, but he’d no more back down from this now than he’d walk away without knowing Anna and her children were safe.
****
“Do you think the mayor had something to do with Zach’s death?” Anna’s hands curled around the cup of coffee as she stared across the room at Daniel.
Since he’d returned from his conversation with Mayor Rawlins, he’d been quiet and, after securing the map in the top drawer, had spent the better part of the past hour looking through Zach’s desk with the fervor of a squirrel hunting for nuts.
Her question finally stopped the search. He looked up, fixing her with a steady, green-eyed gaze that caused a funny little twinge in her stomach.
“What makes you ask that?”
She placed the tin cup on the edge of his desk and scooted her chair closer. “You know, my father told me that when someone answers a question with a question, they’ve got something to hide.”
Daniel winced. “It’s not so much that I’m hiding something as I’m not sure if I’m on the right track.”
“Well, whatever track it is, I want to help.” She expected an argument, had even prepared her rebuttal in her mind, but Daniel’s response caught her unawares.
“I figured you would.” He squatted down by the edge of the desk and tugged open the last door he hadn’t searched.
Anna took a deep breath and tried her luck again. “Then tell me how I can help.”
“Well, prayin’s always good.”
The muffled words stabbed her in the heart, and Anna sucked in another breath. “That’s not funny, Daniel.”
He pushed himself up, bracing his hands on the top of the desk. “Wasn’t trying to be funny. I don’t know everything that’s going on here, but I do know that we need all the help we can get. Don’t you think asking the Lord for some of that help is a good thing?”
Anna looked down at her hands, warring between wanting to get up and run out the door or break down in tears. Daniel couldn’t know what he was asking of her. “I can’t.” The words were whisper-soft.
“Can’t or won’t?” Daniel straightened and folded his arms across his chest.
She glanced up. “It doesn’t make a difference. There are many other ways that I can help. Miss Marjorie cleans the mayor’s office. I’m sure I can get her to let me in. It’ll give me a chance to look around and—”
“No.” Daniel’s interruption was abrupt and firm.
Anna pushed her chair back and stood. “No? A second ago you welcomed my help, and now, because I won’t ask God for help, you don’t need me?”
“That’s not what I said. If we want answers about this map, this fella who’s been visiting you, we need to be smart about it. I didn’t stay alive this long by leaving God out of my life. He’s the reason I wake up every morning, the reason all of us wake up every morning. If you can’t see that, it makes me wonder what else you might miss.”
Fury guided her footsteps as she crossed the plank flooring. “I understand you’re a God-fearing man. So it’s natural that you would expect everyone to need God in their lives as much as you do. But don’t assume you know anything about me because you don’t. This has nothing to do with God.”
His boots thumped steadily as he walked around the desk, approaching her with stealthy steps. “That’s where you’re wrong, Anna. Everything has to do with God. You can’t shut the door in His face and expect life to get easier.”
“It wasn’t any easier with Him in it.”
“I don’t recall reading in the Bible where we were promised easy lives.” The quick retort had her spinning around.
“You have all the answers, don’t you? I’ll bet you always wanted to be a Texas Ranger. Now, you’re living your dream, and you think all that is because of God. What about your own hard work and determination? Where does that fit in?”
“Who do you think gave me the strength to work hard, the courage to stand every day against the evils of this world? Anna,” his voice softened, “without God, I’m nothing. And, no, my life isn’t perfect, far from it, but I can’t imagine how much worse it would be if the Lord didn’t give me hope for a better tomorrow.”
Anna’s hands curled into fists. She didn’t want to hear the sermon. She’d heard it too many times, had replayed the same words over and over in her head after Zach had died. The pastor had only been trying to help, but his platitudes had offered no comfort. How was she supposed to fill the emptiness inside of her with God?
A tear leaked from her eye and trickled down her cheek. She swiped it away with the back of her hand, avoiding Daniel’s eyes. “I should be going. Sam and Beth will be out of school soon, and I need to meet them.”
“There’s over an hour left of school.” The way Daniel pointed out her misconception annoyed her.
“Fine then. Maybe I just want to leave.”
“Yeah, you can do that. I imagine you’ve gotten very good at running.
With a gasp, Anna spun around. “How dare you!”
Daniel didn’t look even remotely contrite. “I’ve never considered myself a stupid man, Anna, and from the moment I first saw you outside the mercantile, I knew you were still grieving over your husband.”
“I won’t discuss Zach with you.”
He ignored the interruption and forged on. “I can’t say I understand the pain you’ve gone through or how hard it’s been to rebuild your life, but God hasn’t forsaken you. He didn’t cause Zach’s death any more than you did.”
“Oh, I know. God called him home. Is that what you were going to say because, believe me, I’ve heard it all.”
“I suppose you have.” Daniel took another step closer. “But were you really listening?”
Another tear chased the first one. “How can you talk to me like this? You don’t know anything.” A lump the size of an orange lodged in her throat, making further conversation impossible. She had to get out of that office now…before she collapsed into tears.
Stumbling across the floor, she tried to yank open the door, but her fingers weren’t cooperating. She couldn’t see through the blur of tears, and her chest tightened so much she could barely breathe.
“Anna,” Daniel’s voice reached out to her, touching her. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have—”
“You’re right. You shouldn’t have.” She managed to tug the door open and make it out onto the walk before the tears fell in earnest.
****
Daniel hesitated a fraction of a second before going after her. He was one step outside the door before the sound of Anna’s sobs stopped him in his tracks. It had been a long time since he’d heard a woman cry, and never had one touched his heart in such a manner.
Drawing a deep breath, he pushed the door open a bit wider and took a full step onto the walk. “Anna?”
She turned away from him, her face toward the east.
“I am truly sorry. I spoke out of turn, and I hope you can forgive me.”
Anna shifted slightly. “It was never my intention to turn my back on God. I guess…” she broke off, let out a shuddering breath, and pivoted to face him. Her red-rimmed eyes fixed on his face. “I guess I had to blame someone, anyone. The day Zach died I thought I wouldn’t survive.”
Pain resonated with each word, and Daniel’s protective instincts kicked in. He wanted to comfort her, take care of her, make sure no one ever hurt her again. The grief in her beautiful blue eyes twisted a knife in his heart.
He offered a silent prayer, asking God to heal her heart and provide the peace she so desperately sought.
Her lips wobbled as she attempted a smile. “Sam and Beth kept me going. Knowing I had to be there for them was my only reason for living, and soon, my world just revolved around them. I didn’t want help from anyone. I didn’t want to get close to anyone.”
“You were scared of losing someone you loved again.” Daniel spoke his thoughts aloud, not surprised when Anna acknowledged his words with a slight nod.
“I was scared and angry, and a number of other emotions I can’t even describe. I—”
“Ranger, you got another telegram!” Roy waved the yellow slip of paper high over his head as he ran toward them.
Daniel released a sigh. “I’m sorry. Will you excuse me for a moment?”
Anna nodded slowly, folding her hands in front of her. “Certainly.”
Tamping down his regret, Daniel met Roy halfway.
“Your captain again.” Roy didn’t immediately relinquish the telegram. “He don’t sound too happy, at least that’s what the clerk done told me. ‘Course, he ain’t too good of a reader yet, either. I had to wait there forever it seemed like. Jeffrey, he’s the clerk, said there was something wrong with the machine, so telegrams were taking forever and a day to come over. He couldn’t hear too clearly, so it’s possible he might have missed a few words when he was writing the message down. That’s what he told me.”
Daniel extended his hand. “Would you mind if I read it for myself?”
Face turning red, Roy offered the piece of paper. “Sorry ‘bout that, Ranger.” He stood with his hands in his pockets, rocking forward on the toes of his boots while Daniel scanned the short missive.
He’d been wrong. Barnaby’s arrest hadn’t appeased Captain Knightly. He wanted Zach Hampton’s killer caught and Daniel back in Austin before the end of the month. The captain always did have lousy timing.
Massaging the bridge of his nose between his thumb and forefinger, he felt Roy’s eyes still on him, still waiting for more information. “My captain is just a little impatient.” He hoped that alleviated the man’s concern, but the frown didn’t fade from Roy’s face.
“That’s his second telegram today. Sounds a bit more than just impatience if you ask me.”
Daniel forced a chuckle and clapped a hand on Roy’s shoulder. “Don’t let him hear you say that. Captain Knightly was in the Army long before he became a Ranger. He lives and breathes organization, dedication, and determination.”
“What’s that got to do with impatience?” Roy began a slow saunter toward the sheriff’s office.
“Well, he doesn’t subscribe to the belief that he has any flaws.”
Roy snorted. “I only heard about one perfect man, and He died a couple thousand years ago.”
Daniel smiled and fell into step beside the farmer. “Sounds like you’ve been listening to your wife a lot more than you think.”
Clearing his throat in a clear gesture of embarrassment, Roy lifted his shoulders in a shrug. “I like to listen to her read the words sometimes. She always did have a pretty voice, and when she’s reading from the Bible, well, she practically glows.”
“The Word of God can do that for you.” Daniel sensed the search behind the man’s conversation, like maybe Roy was still looking for something. He’d come across that many times in his travels. So many people spent so much time searching for God that they didn’t even realize He was right beside them all the time.
“You might want to think about joining her at church one Sunday.” Daniel didn’t push the issue beyond the one statement, and Roy fell silent after a mumbled, “maybe”.
“Best be heading back to the doc’s office to bring Todd back to the jail. I’ll take Anna…Mrs. Hampton to Miss Sally’s.”
“So it’s Anna, is it?” Roy grinned. “You wouldn’t be getting sweet on the Widow Hampton, would you, Ranger?”
Daniel wanted to deny the question, but he’d never been one to lie. Avoidance, on the other hand, had always worked out well for him. He strode ahead, easily leaving Roy several paces behind him.
That was one advantage his travels provided…nobody poking their nose into his business. Of course, there wasn’t anybody to care about his business, either. And he was finding he liked the idea of people caring enough to want to know more.
Clear your head, Cochran. You’re here to do a job. That’s it. No permanence, remember? God’s calling is never wrong.
****
The map had been right there in his hands, and he’d let it slip away! Frustration clawed at his stomach while sweat beaded on Rawlins’ forehead. He mopped at the dampness with a snowy white handkerchief as his brain whirled with more questions than answers.
When had things gotten so out of hand? How could a simple bank robbery have gone so tragically wrong?
When Phillips had first come to him with the idea of robbing the bank over two years ago, Rawlins had been in a bad situation. He’d needed the money. There was no way he could have known things would go so horribly wrong.
Sheriff Hampton wasn’t supposed to have been in town the day the bank was robbed, but he’d canceled his trip for some reason. So he was right there in the thick of things when the robbery had gone down.
Phillips had gotten one glimpse of that badge, had panicked, stashed the money, and gotten out of Dodge. Trouble was he hadn’t told Rawlins where he’d hidden the money.
Rawlins scrubbed his face with his hands. Of course, the town council had to decide that same year to make some changes to the town. Oh, it wasn’t supposed to be a big deal at all, but before it was all said and done, they had a new school, a new livery, and a couple of new burial plots because two of the town’s old geezers died from all the hard work involved.
Hands fisting in his hair, Rawlins shoved himself to his feet and paced the small confines of his office. By the time Phillips had managed to get himself out of the trouble he’d gotten into a couple of towns over the previous year, the landscape had changed, and he wasn’t sure exactly where the money was buried, only that it was somewhere between the new school and the old saloon. At least, that’s where he thought it was buried.
Rawlins had come up with the idea of using the original town building plans only to discover the maps missing from the bank vault. Of course, Tom Fickle had denied any information about the whereabouts of the map, but less than a day later, the weasly little man had taken that same map to Sheriff Hampton for safekeeping. And Rawlins hadn’t even gotten close enough for a sniff since then.
Eyes narrowing, the mayor cast a glance at the door while chewing on his lower lip. That map would tell exactly where that money was. If only he could get his hands on it, he’d be a few hundred dollars richer in a matter of days.
So the question was how was he supposed to get that piece of paper out of Ranger Cochran’s hands? He didn’t need to be a genius to figure out the ranger wasn’t a pushover.
But he had to get that map…before Phillips got his hands on it.
****
“Mama!” Beth, her pigtails flying, ran across the dusty streets of the town. Arms extended, she reached Anna and wrapped her arms around her skirts.
“Hi, sweetheart.” Anna rubbed the top of her daughter’s head and bent to press a kiss against her sun-warmed hair. “Did you have a good day at school?”
Beth tipped her head back, squinting against the rays of the waning sunlight. “Yes, ma’am. Are we going to Mrs. Waverly’s house?” She tucked her hand in Anna’s and began to skip alongside her.
“Actually, we’re going to spend the night at Miss Sally’s house.” Keeping her voice light and playful, Anna began swinging their joined hands. “Where’s Sam?”
Beth scowled. “He told me to go ahead because he wanted to talk to Missy Cushman. Everyone says he’s sweet on her.”
Anna struggled not to smile but finally gave up. “Oh, they do, do they? And what do you think?”
“I think he is, too.” Her nose wrinkled. “And it’s gross.” She tugged her hand free and bent to scoop up a rock lodged against the walk outside the old saloon. “Mama, why are we staying at Miss Sally’s?”
There was the question she’d been waiting for. Her daughter’s innate curiosity got the better of her. Anna reached for Beth’s hand once more as a horse and wagon rolled down the road.
She guided her up onto the sidewalk. “We’ve never stayed at Miss Sally’s before.”
The hedge didn’t work. Beth looked up, her small brows knitting. “We’ve never stayed in town before.”
Anna tweaked her nose. “You sure are a smart little thing, aren’t you?” Running footsteps caught her attention, and she looked over her shoulder to see her son galloping across the road.
Perfect timing. “It looks like your brother has finished his conversation with his girlfriend.” Anna greeted Sam with a smile.
He came to an abrupt stop when he saw her. Wariness crept into his eyes. “Hi, Mama.”
She held out one hand, offering reassurance. “Hi, honey. I was just telling your sister that we’re going to stay at Miss Sally’s tonight.”
Relief replaced the wariness in Sam’s blue eyes. “Why?”
Anna met his gaze, silently telling him he already knew why, but for her daughter’s sake, she responded in a patently false cheerful voice. “Well, it’s something we’ve never done before, and I thought it might be fun to stay in town for a few days.”
Sam didn’t take her hand. Instead, he stuffed his hands into the pockets of his pants and rocked forward on his toes. “Missy Cushman said she heard her pa telling her ma that there were some bad storms coming. You think we’ll be safer in town?”
Anna’s shoulder relaxed slightly. It was the perfect explanation for Beth. “I definitely think we’ll be safer.”
Maybe she was just now starting to notice, but her young son wasn’t so young anymore…at least not in maturity. She wondered how much of what he’d seen this morning had aged him.
“Mama, I’m hungry,” Beth whined.
Anna welcomed the distraction. “Well, then why don’t we go see what Miss Sally has cooked for dinner?”
“Hi, Ranger!”
Anna didn’t imagine the excitement she heard in her son’s voice as he acknowledged the Ranger’s presence. She turned with a civil smile on her face.
Ranger Cochran tipped his hat. “Hiya, Sam, Miss Beth. How was your day today?” He lifted his head and met Anna’s gaze. The silent communication told her anything she thought her children should know wouldn’t come from him.
“Fine.” Beth jumped up onto the sidewalk. “Mama says we’re gonna eat at Miss Sally’s tonight. We’re sleeping there, too.”
“Is that right? That sounds like fun.”
“You could…that is, would you like to join us for supper?” The words came out before Anna could stop them, and she wasn’t so sure she would have stopped them anyway. Daniel’s presence comforted her, gave her a peace of mind she hadn’t had in a long time.
And deep down inside she knew it wasn’t just the man. It was what made him who he was…his faith, his sense of justice, and integrity. In a lot of ways he was so much like Zach.
Daniel’s eyes widened. He was as clearly surprised by her invitation as she’d been. “Well, don’t mind if I do. Let me just let Roy know he can head on home to his missus, and I’ll meet you at Miss Sally’s in a few minutes.”
Beth grinned up at him. “You can sit by me if you want.”
Daniel rested his hand atop her head. “With an offer like that, this supper might be my best one yet.” He gave her a wink, tipped his hat once more, and excused himself to walk across the street.
Anna didn’t move until Sam nudged her. “Mama, supper’s probably gettin’ cold.”
Heat splashing her cheeks, Anna cleared her throat and began a brisk walk toward the hotel. “Come along then. We need to wash up first.”
Beth slipped her hand back into Anna’s. “Mama?”
“Hmmm?”
“Are you sweet on the Ranger?” The innocent question stole the breath from Anna’s lungs. And she had no idea how to answer it.