Page 39 of Wild Spirit Revival

“Would you allow me to take a photograph with you and the prisoner?”

Shifting, Brodie looked at the man in the cell. “Don’t see why not.”

As Elijah set up the camera, Molly addressed the prisoner. “Sir, I’m going to take your photograph now. It won’t hurt, I assure you.”

The outlaw stood and walked to the door of his cell. “Don’t make no difference to me, lady. Take your photograph and be done with it.”

Molly’s jaw tightened, but she maintained her composure. She positioned herself behind the camera, framing the shot with Brodie standing stoically by the cell.

“Hold still, please,” she instructed, her voice steady despite the undercurrent of tension in the room.

Molly’s heart hammered with nervous energy as she captured the image. Straightening, she smiled to herself. She’d photographed a real outlaw.

“Thank you, Sheriff,” Molly announced, already packing up her equipment. “Elijah, could you help me move this to the puppet show? I’d like to photograph the children before the fireworks.”

Outside, Molly knelt beside her camera case, her gaze intent as she counted the remaining dry plates. “Four left,” she murmured, more to herself than to Elijah. “I hope it’s enough for the fireworks.”

Elijah leaned against a nearby post, his eyes scanning the bustling street. “Are you able to purchase more at the mercantile?”

“Yes and no. Mr. Jennings ordered more for me. They’ll arrive on the next railroad from the East.”

She looked up at him. “I’ve never photographed fireworks before, so I don’t know what to expect.” Molly set the plates aside and stood, brushing dust from her skirt.

They watched the townsfolk from the edge of the boardwalk outside the jail, their shoulders nearly touching. The street was alive with excitement as families with children, couples, and groups of cowboys sought the best spots for the impending display.

“Look at them all,” Molly mused, her gaze sweeping over the crowd. “It’s as if the shootout never happened.”

Elijah nodded. “Folks here are resilient. Have to be.”

Molly turned to study his profile, noticing the tension in his shoulders. “Does it ever get easier? Dealing with all of this?” She gestured to where the shootout took place.

He was quiet for a long moment, his eyes fixed on some distant point. “Life isn’t easy, no matter where you live,” he finally said. “There are good days, and others not so good.”

A group of children raced by, their laughter cutting through the evening air. Molly watched them go, a wistful expression crossing her face. “I wonder what my sisters would think of all this. They always said I was foolish for wanting to come out west.”

“And what do you think?” Elijah asked, his gaze now fixed on her.

Molly met his eyes, a spark of defiance igniting within her. “I think they’re the foolish ones for never daring to try.”

The creak of the jail door drew their attention. Brodie stepped out onto the boardwalk, his keen gaze sweeping over the street before settling on Elijah and Molly.

“Back to normal, I see,” he said.

“We were just talking about how quickly the people returned after the danger was over.” Molly looked down at her camera nestled safely beside her.

Elijah’s gaze flickered between Brodie and the jail. “How’s your guest settling in?”

Brodie’s lips twitched in a humorless smile. “About as well as you’d expect. He’s not exactly pleased with his accommodations. Jubal’s going to keep watch on him for a spell.”

“Speaking of unwelcome guests,” Elijah said, his voice dropping slightly. “Calum Post is handling the bodies from the shoot-out.”

Brodie shifted, his gaze moving to the Golden Griddle. “It’ll be good to get this behind us. I appreciate the warning you Becketts gave me.”

Elijah gave a slight nod. “Have you seen my sister?”

“Annalee?” Brodie asked.

Chuckling, Elijah shared a look with Molly before facing Brodie. “Who else? I don’t believe Lily came into town with everyone else.”

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