Page 24 of The Marshal's Bride
“Lies! All lies!” She raised her fist in the air.
Sam moved in front of Justine. If Marjorie was going to do something to Justine, she’d have to get through Sam first. Glancing around, he saw Hannah and June lead the children out the side exit. He breathed a sigh of relief knowing that Hope was safe.
“It is true.” Anger simmered underneath Justine’s voice.
Marjorie stepped forward. “A horse would not have killed my son! He was raised on them. Isn’t it convenient there were no witnesses? What wife chooses her child over her husband? But it looks like you’ve replaced him soon enough. Not even a proper mourning period, you hussy!” She spat the words at Justine then turned her attention to Sam. “Why do you look familiar?”
Whit stepped forward, cutting off her line of sight. Sam wasn’t sure if she would remember him, but he knew he needed to get everyone home and away from her. Justine deserved to be happy today.
“Ma’am. I’m the sheriff in Flat River,” Whitney said, pushing her back towards the doors of the church as he walked down the aisle. “Why don’t we go to my office, and you can tell me why you believe that this woman is at fault for her first husband’s death.”
The older woman was no match for Whitney. He offered his arm, and she took it, glaring over her shoulder one more time at Justine before allowing herself to be turned and guided back out of the church.
“I didn’t kill him,” Justine whispered, and he could feel her whole body shaking.
“I know, sweetheart,” he said, pulling her into his arms. His lips brushed against her tightly curled hair. The scent of the small flowers Hannah and June put in her locks filled his nostrils. He would have to thank them later.
“But the others don’t,” she sniffled, leaning her head against his arm. “I’m so sorry, Sam.” He lifted her chin with two fingers and brushed his lips lightly against hers.
“Hey, there’s no need to be sorry. Why don’t you go to Hannah’s, and I’m going to go to see Whit and your former mother-in-law.” He was determined not to let the interloper disrupt their day. Her arrival, however, confirmed that whoever the men were at Miss Marcy’s, they were more than likely working for her. “I have a few questions to ask her.”
She looked so small. Anger burned inside of him. Nodding, she leaned up onto her tiptoes and kissed his cheek. “All right. I can do that.”
“Papa!” Amy shrieked, running into the church. “Papa! They hurt Mama and took Hope!”
“What?” Justine spun to look at Amy and started to fall.
Sam caught her up in his arms. “Hiram, go!” as he lowered Justine to the floor.
The stress of the day had finally gotten the better of her. Hiram rushed out the back door to check on his wife and June.
Ranger knelt before the little girl. His fists were curled by his side, and Sam could see he was barely containing his temper, but right now, getting information was important. “Amy, tell me exactly what happened to your mama.”
“We had just reached the yard and these men came in as we were trying to get into the house. One tried to grab Hope, but Mama wouldn’t give Hope to the man. He pushed her hard and she fell. She’s not gotten back up yet. The other man had a gun pointed at Aunt June and baby Sadie. She couldn’t do anything.” The little girl sniffled before continuing. “Mama hasn’t gotten up. Is she dead?”
“Your daddy is looking after her. Is your Aunt June all right?”
“I think so. She started screaming and the man got upset.”
Sam noticed the corners of Ranger’s mouth twitch.
“Sweetheart, where’s Hope?” Sam asked.
“I don’t know. They took her when Mama fell.” Amy wiped her eyes. “I want my mama.”
“Where did the men go when they took Hope, Amy?” Sam tried hard to keep his voice steady.
“They were in a wagon and went the way we go to see Marmee.”
“Good girl. That is very helpful.”
“What about Mama?”
“We’re going to go check on her right now,” Ranger told her, taking her hand, “You did a good job reporting. I’m going to go check on my wife and children. I’ll meet you at the livery, Sam.” He raced out of the church with several men and women.
Justine fell to her knees and shrieked. She placed her head in her hands and rocked back and forth. “Not Hope. Not my baby.”
“Justine, lay down,” Reverend Billings implored, startling Sam. He forgot the man and his wife were there. “You go,” he told the marshal. “We’ll watch her until you get back.”
