Page 33 of A Letter to Adaya
“What happens if I know someone? I didn’t do anything wrong.” Her whole body was shaking now, and Beau pulled her onto his lap without a second thought.
“Walter is going to make the same walk. Do you want him to go first?” Beau asked.
She glanced in surprise at the older man, who was now standing next to the door. She hadn’t noticed him come inside, and she wondered how much he had heard or what he knew. His penetrating gaze seemed to pin her in place as he slowly nodded his head.
“I’ll go first, Adaya.”
“Actually, that works better for me,” Whit decided. “He can walk through with me and go out the side door. Ranger will let you back into the office after she heads into the hall.”
Walter cleared his throat. “If I recognize someone, why does she have to do the walk?”
“Trust and verify. Trust and verify.” Marshal Davis moved further into the small office, giving Beau and Adaya some space. “Plus, the judge likes it when I have more than one source for things like these.”
“Alright then, after you.” Walter stopped beside them, leaning in close to utter something into her ear before trailing the sheriff out of sight.
“What did he say?” Beau asked, as he rocked slowly back and forth, holding her close while she leaned against his chest.
“He told me to tell the truth no matter what. That was all. Which is odd because I wouldn’t lie.”
When she turned her head and her cheek grazed the crumpled envelope in his pocket, she pulled back with wide eyes and studied his face expectantly.
“This is for you.” He reached into his pocket and pulled the letter out, handing it to her. “You don’t have to read it right now, but I feel like it’s important for you to know that I wrote this before you go back there.”
“What does that mean?” She traced her finger lightly across his smooth skin and noted the contrast between his rigid stance just a few moments ago and the tenderness of his gaze now. His scowl had softened into something much more comforting.
“You’ll understand later.”
He hesitated for only a moment before leaning in, his lips brushing against hers lightly. Adaya felt her head spin and her heart swell as the kiss grew deeper. When he finally pulled away, she exhaled a shaky breath and felt like the world had snapped into place around her.
“Goodness,” she whispered, leaning her forehead against his chest while she caught her breath. A cough behind them brought blood rushing to her cheeks. She’d forgotten for a moment that they were not alone.
“Miss Breckenridge, it’s time,” Marshal Davies said, giving her a wink.
Beau gently lowered her to the ground, steadying her with his hands. “I’ll be with you the whole time.”
She nodded, trying to convince him she was more confident than she felt.
“I need you to take your cloak off before you go back, though,” the marshal insisted, holding out a hand.
“Beau can really come with me?” She gave the lawmen a nervous look, handing him her cloak. “You’re coming with me, right?” Her eyes cut nervously to Beau.
“Wherever you lead.”
“Then we’re ready.”
The marshal guided them through the dark hallway, Beau’s hand resting lightly on Adaya’s small shoulder. She looked at each man, committing their face to memory, stopping abruptly when her gaze finally landed on the prisoner in the furthest cell, his face illuminated by the sunlight coming through the iron bars. Her lip curled as their eyes met and she abruptly moved away from Beau, her body radiating fury.
Chapter Twelve
Beau didn’t have time to react as Adaya pulled away from him and lunged across the floor, slamming her hands against the cold iron bars of the prison cell.
“WHAT DID YOU DO?”
The anguish in her voice cut him to the quick. He didn’t know what to do with himself; whether he should say something or try to comfort her somehow.
“Adaya, honey,” he murmured, reaching for her arm, but she pushed him away from her, and reached into the cell.
“Papa,” she called. The man inside flinched but didn’t answer her. Instead, he turned away from her and stared at the back wall of the jail. Beau jumped as she slammed her hand against the bars once more. “Oh, no you don’t. Turn around and face me. Why did you abandon me? You sold my horses.” She pounded her fist against her chest in frustration. “Now, you’re sitting in a jail in the town that you sent me to.” Her face was flushed red, and Beau tried to grab her. He saw Whit shake his head, signaling to let her continue. “PAPA, ANSWER ME!”
