Page 44 of A Secret Heart
As she leaned closer into him, the shaking of her delicate frame unnerved him. This was not the time to tell her, just the time to hold her. Ed let his eyes close as he wished for all he’d ever wanted to become a reality.
He lost track of time as he held her, until a rattle at the doorknob startled Rebekah. She pushed away from him, swiping at her eyes as she did. A tear-dampened spot on the front of his shirt clung to him, reminding him how close they’d been. The door swung open, bringing a faint breeze along with a whiff of open spaces and horse sweat.
“I lost him at the canyon.” Marshal O’Grady frowned. “I’ve sent my best tracker after him.”
The marshal rounded her desk, glancing in concern at Rebekah before her sharp gaze met Ed’s. “Several folks grabbed me and said he was aiming at you. Seemed to think someone upset with you saw you in town and took a shot.”
Her pointed stare landed on Rebekah again.
Ed focused on Rebekah with concern. Her haunted eyes met his. The gunshots had shaken her like nothing else had. If only she’d listened to him before.
“I’ll need statements from both of you.” The marshal made her way around the desk, then settled herself in the chair. “Have a seat.”
Ed pulled out a chair, directing the still-shaken Rebekah to sit. She wound her hands together on her lap, a slight tremble still noticeable. His mind worked as Rebekah recounted what had happened. It was a big risk to take a shot in town, where anyone could see. What had prompted the man to do it?
“I’ve heard rumors coming out of the Jones ranch,” Danna said slowly. She played with a pencil on her desk. “And cowboys talk when they come to town to visit the saloon. That article you wrote has caused quite the ruckus.”
Rebekah was so shaken that she didn’t argue. She wasn’t all right.
“We’re putting a posse together to go after the shooter.” The marshal rose as if dismissing them. “It will take some time.”
“Rebekah can’t stay alone at the Boutwell place. She’d make an easy target.” Ed took a step in the marshal’s direction.
“I agree.” Marshal O’Grady shoved her hat back on.
Ed couldn’t see Rebekah’s face where she sat in the chair, but he felt the moment of hesitation before she said, “But I can stay above the newspaper office. Surely I’ll be safe there.”
The thought of someone taking a shot at her again when she was alone and vulnerable plagued him—an image of her, lifeless and cold, that he had to blink away. “Come stay with Drew and Kaitlyn. We take care of our own.”
Ed threw a pleading glance in Marshal O’Grady’s direction as Rebekah stood, shaking her head.
“You should listen to Ed,” Danna said gently.
Rebekah wanted to accept. He could see it.
He pressed. “Kaitlyn will be upset if you don’t come. If anything happened to you—” He watched her focus out the window, considering. “Idon’t want anything to happen to you.”
“Would you come with me to the newspaper office? I have to gather my things before we leave town.” Her fingers rubbed across her forehead as she let out a soft sigh. “With Mr. Sullivan at his daughter’s again, I also need to lock up the office.”
Ed slipped his hand under her arm. “Of course. You ready?”
The nod of her head was so slight that he wouldn’t have noticed if he hadn’t been so fixated on her—so grateful she’d heeded his warning this time and let him protect her without argument.
It wasn’t until they were seated beside each other on the wagon bench, rifle across his knees, that he realized he might’ve made a mistake. He’d come to town to confess everything. The letters. His feelings. Now he was bringing her home. Closer to where Isaac was. At least his brother hadn’t come down the mountain, even after their brawl.
He needed a chance to state his piece to Rebekah.
He broke from his vigilant scan of the road to glance her way. She was still shivering beside him, worrying her lip between her teeth.
Not yet.
Soon.
Chapter13
As the hours passed, Rebekah’s mind kept replaying and replaying what had happened in town. She filled two notebook pages with details but found it difficult to concentrate. Ed must’ve sensed her upset, because he’d mostly let her be.
Finally, she’d nodded off against Ed’s shoulder.
