Page 185 of Things Left Unsaid

“That’s probably what he means. Colt’s always said you never burned down the stables. It’s time he makes sure everyone’s on the same page.”

“Is that why you never asked me if I did it? Because Colt told you it wasn’t me?”

“Of course.”

I knew he had faith in Colt, but the extent of it still makes my heart skip a beat. Because when Callan had learned this news, Colt hadn’t believed me to be innocent.

I’d been like him once upon a time.

From Colt’s lips to my ears—I’d have believed it if he told me the sky was purple and grass was orange.

They’d been more complicated times, yet oddly simple too.

Now, things are simple, yet oddly complicated.

“Heard about Bea Grantley.”

“Who from?”

“Bast Frobisher.” That’s Theo’s brother and, if memory serves, he and Cody were tight in school. “Says you fired Marvin Grantley and that she’s moved into one of our properties in town.”

“That’s Theo’s doing,” is all Colt says.

“Right.”

“No, it is. He had to convince her to leave Grantley while she was in the hospital. Didn’t realize you and Bast were still friendly.”

“Of course. We always kept in touch.” Cody sighs. “Callan told me about Lydia Armstrong blackmailing you.”

My ears prick.

“We should stop eavesdropping?—”

I ignore Callan and grab his arm to keep him sitting.

“Callan brought that up with you?”

“They arrested you! Of course, he did.”

“How many times? I wasn’t arrested.”

“Called in for questioning, then.”

“If you’re going to be the new marshal, you should be aware of the difference.”

Cody derides, “Stop being an ass. What’s this about poison pen letters?”

“Callan told you about that too?”

“Yeah, after Zee received one. That was the first and only blackmail note.”

I gape at Callan. “You knew I received one when I didn’t?”

He shrugs. “I always check the mail first. You know about them?”

“Clearly. Just not that I was getting them too. What blackmail note?”

“Callan was worried, Colt, and I don’t blame him,” Cody rumbles.

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