Page 25 of The Marshal's Bride
“Thank you.” He gently settled Justine on the floor, using Mrs. Billings’ shawl as a pillow. Kissing her forehead, he brushed the hair out of her eyes. “I’ll be back as soon as I can.”
“We’re her family too. Go. The Lord is with you,” Mrs. Billings called.
Sam tipped his hat and raced out of the building. Amy said they had a wagon. Sam wasn’t sure when Ranger had joined him, but the steady sound of the boots hitting the dirt brought him a modicum of peace. He’d made friends in this town; they could solve anything together.
“How’s June?” he called over his shoulder.
“Shook up. Told me to leave.”
“How about Hannah?”
“Doc’s got it under control and Hiram is there. She’s alive. That’s all I know.”
When the sheriff’s office came into view, he saw Marjorie McGuthry exiting the door with Whitney right on her heels.
“Stop her!” he shouted, hoping that Whit would hear him. Ranger let out two short whistles as they kept running. Then, Ranger veered off toward the livery, as Sam raced toward the sheriff’s office. Whitney had a firm grasp on the older woman’s arm, looking at them expectantly.
“They took Hope! While we were busy inside the church with her, men were outside and took the baby at gunpoint. I’ve got to go.” Sam’s hands were braced on his knees. He knew they needed to ask her questions, but Whitney would need to do it.
“Mrs. McGuthry, I will need you to come back inside.”
“He married that murderer. Why are his demands more important than my rights?” She planted her feet, and Sam prepared for a fight.
“You have no rights, woman. Further, that man is a U.S. Marshal and if he says that you need to be detained for questioning, then that is what will happen. Now come inside, or I will drag you.”
She turned and stomped back into the building. Whitney gave him a severe look. “What do we know?”
“They’re in a wagon, and Amy King said they went out of town in the direction of Weston’s ranch.”
“That’s the stage road back towards Grand Platte.”
“There’s not a stage for a few days. They can’t be meeting up with one.”
“No, but Weston is moving the cattle this week, so be careful.”
“They’re moving the cows this week?”
“Yep, they are. Good thing I’m going with him.” Ranger’s voice was music to his ears.
“That’ll do,” Whitney agreed. “I’ll deal with her. I’ll lock her up if I must. After that, I’ll head out that way.”
Sam nodded at Whitney and mounted his horse.
The sun would be going down in a few hours.
They needed to move.
Chapter Nine
Justine woke with a start.
It was just a bad dream.
It had to be a bad dream.
She jerked upright and realized she wasn’t in her bed. The room came into focus, and she realized that she was laying on the hard floor of the sanctuary. There wasn’t a sound apart from a distant murmuring.
Looking around she spied her cousin’s wife, Patricia, kneeling at the altar praying.
