Page 40 of Wild Spirit Revival

Brodie’s face flushed enough for Molly to notice. “Truth is, she’ll be coming to the jail after your family finishes their meal at the Golden Griddle. Guess I should go talk to Calum about the bodies.”

“It’s a grim business, but I reckon it’s best to have it dealt with quickly,” Elijah said. “Less chance of complications.”

Molly looked between the two men, her brows drawing together. “Complications?”

The men exchanged a glance, a wealth of unspoken understanding passing between them.

“Sometimes, Miss O’Sullivan, the departed have friends or family who might take issue with how things played out,” Brodie answered. “Best to have everything squared away before any such individuals might arrive.”

Her eyes widened as the implications sank in. “I see. It’s easy to forget there are always two sides to these stories.”

Elijah’s jaw tightened, his eyes hardening. “Those men made their choice when they rode into town with guns drawn. They knew the risks.”

“I’m not arguing that,” Molly countered, her voice firm. “But it doesn’t make it any less tragic.”

Brodie cleared his throat but didn’t respond. As he turned to leave, a flicker of movement caught his eye. A familiar figure emerged from the Golden Griddle. Annalee Beckett approached the group, her smile widened when her gaze settled on Brodie.

“Evening, everyone,” Annalee said brightly, her gaze lingering on Brodie for a moment before sweeping across the others. “I hope I’m not interrupting anything important.”

“Not at all, Annalee,” Molly said. “We were just discussing the events of the day.”

Elijah glanced at his sister. “Looking forward to the fireworks, Annie?”

Her face lit up with enthusiasm. “Oh, yes. It’s not every day we get such excitement in Mystic. Well, aside from today’s unexpected drama, of course.”

Brodie’s posture stiffened at Annalee’s casual reference to the shoot-out. “It’s been quite a day,” he agreed, his tone neutral. “The fireworks should help folks put it behind them.”

As the conversation continued, Elijah found himself studying Annalee, wondering how deep his sister’s feelings were for Brodie.

Suddenly, a shout pierced the air, followed immediately by a scream from inside the jail. The sound cut through the evening’s festive atmosphere like a knife, causing the group to freeze.

Elijah’s hand flew to his gun, his eyes locking with Brodie’s in a moment of shared alarm. Molly and Annalee both gasped, instinctively drawing closer together on the boardwalk.

“What in tarnation?” Brodie muttered, already turning toward the jail, his hand on his pistol.

The scream came again, louder this time, followed by several gunshots.

The jail door burst open with a thunderous bang, and Deputy Jubal Whitton stumbled out onto the boardwalk. His blond hair was disheveled, a trickle of blood running down his temple. He staggered, nearly falling, before catching himself on the doorframe.

“Sheriff!” Jubal gasped, his eyes wild with panic. “They’ve broken him out!”

Chapter Sixteen

“The outlaw’s partners. They came out of nowhere!” Jubal slumped against the door of the jail. Molly and Annalee rushed to him, stopping when the deputy held up a hand. “I’m fine, ladies. Just a little scratch.”

“How many, Jube?” Brodie demanded.

“Three, maybe four,” Jubal panted, wiping blood from his eye. “They had the drop on me before I could even draw. I’m sorry, Sheriff. I tried—”

“It’s not your fault,” Brodie cut him off. He turned to Elijah. “I’m going inside. Watch the ladies.”

“We can watch ourselves,” Molly shot back at him.

“Fine,” Brodie called over his shoulder.

Jubal followed close behind. Elijah looked at Molly, torn between the desire to help Brodie and the need to protect the women.

“Go on with you,” Annelee said. Molly nodded, ending Elijah’s internal struggle. Drawing his gun, he slipped inside.

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