Page 26 of A Letter to Adaya
Rolling back on his heels, he pushed himself up to a standing position. “Thank you for all your help, ladies.” He trudged down the hall, intending to just look in on Jesse and then go. Beau thought he had himself under control until he saw his brother lying there on the table. Cuts marred his face, blood stains covered his skin, his ribs were tightly wrapped, and his eyes were closed, resembling someone who would never awaken.
He didn’t hear Carolina call for him as he spun, storming down the hallway and out of the building. The fear in Izzy’s eyes was the only thing stopping him from slamming the door in frustration. Instead, he immediately punched the first post that he found before continuing his way to the sheriff’s office. Someone was going to pay for this, and he meantright now.
A hand clamped down on his shoulder, and all reasonable thought fled. Beau swung his fist, turning to club whoever dared touch him, only for Ranger to catch it in his hand. “Easy, friend. Let’s get you over to talk to the lawmen. No punching anything or anyone until after that.”
Beau nodded, and his friend released him.
Shaking out his fist, he mumbled, “I am going to punch someone, though.” Ranger chuckled, and they made their way across the street.
As they walked into the sheriff’s office, it was even more crowded than Beau expected. Sheriff Hartman and Marshal Davis stood to one side of the room. Spades Matthews and Lucas Arkin were on the other side, with the Chapman and Hardin riders behind them. Ranger slipped in, shaking hands with Lucas and Spades.
“What are we going to do about this?” Beau was all done being well-mannered.
“Tell me you didn’t shout at my Libby or poor Izzy,” Spades whispered loudly behind him, and the entire room chuckled.
Beau was not amused; he turned, giving Spades a dark look.
“I didn’t shout at your wife, nor did I frighten her companion. She was already frightened. But I need someone to tell me why the Beale boy isn’t in here, or you’ve not arrested someone yet?” He turned back to Whitney Hartman with a hard look.
“Beale boy?” Whit lifted one eyebrow as if this was new information.
“That’s right. Y’all didn’t talk to the little piano player, did you? Didn’t give her the time of day.” Beau shook his head, “Peter Beale was playing cards with Jesse. So, unless he’s dead, why exactly isn’t he in here talking to you?”
“This is the first I’ve heard about that.” Whit looked past him, and the room shuffled, as a rider left to find the boy. “Anything else you want to share?”
“Is there a reason no one talked to the piano player?” Beau folded his arms over his chest.
“You mean other than that she fled to see Libby, and Spades is standing right beside you?” Sam Davis mirrored Beau’s position.
“Here’s what I know. A new gang has arrived in town, stirring up rumors about a horse delivery and a young woman ripe for the taking. Wanna know where both things are? My ranch right now. Now, we have Jesse laying on Nate’s table fighting for his life...”
Whit waved a hand, cutting him off. “You got this all from the piano player?” Beau nodded. Whit cut his eyes to Spades. “We’ll talk to Patrick first, but I’m going to want to talk to Izzy.”
“I’ll take you over there, but I’m telling you now, Hartman, you upset my wife and you’ll answer to me.”
Chapter Ten
Adaya sat at the kitchen table, her belly in knots. There were two days before the harvest party and dance, and Beau hadn’t returned. She had been looking forward to him escorting her to the dance, but now she didn’t even know where he was!
Simon was no use at all. When she finally cornered him in his office, the thin man merely shrugged and dismissed her concerns.
“No news is good news,” he said. It didn’t help that Walter agreed with Simon.
There wasn’t any trouble at the ranch, and Emily assured her that if there was trouble in town, Beau would have sent a rider out.
That left Adaya with two pregnant women, endless questions, and Aunt Cleo, who had already welcomed Adaya as part of the family.
Lifting the teacup, she blew on the hot drink before taking a sip. She had been helping with the canning and baking all day but felt a well-deserved tea break was in order. Hopefully, the tea would calm her nerves.
“What are you thinking about, Adaya?” Emily asked, picking up a warm cookie from the plate where they were cooling.
“I was just thinking about the harvest party and how much I was looking forward to it.”
“Do you think we are still going?” Emily mused.
Adaya sipped her tea and mumbled, “I hope so,” into her cup. She wasn’t sure anyone would go at this rate.A dance wasn’t worth more than his brother’s life.Shame filled her at the thought, and she put the cup down on the table.
“Do you want to talk about what’s going on?” Georgia asked, placing a dishcloth down on the table.
