Chapter Forty-Two

Smokey put out his arm, blocking Francis’s entrance. “I wouldn’t go in there if I were you.”

Confused, Francis darted a glance at his companions, Shad and Nick, and then back to Smokey and Colton. He turned his ear toward the building. Several moments passed in silence. “Jones and Clark?” he asked, not hearing anything.

“No. Luke and Faith.”

Francis snapped straight. He couldn’t remember ever witnessing an argument between the two, except when they’d been on the cattle drive when Luke first brought Faith back to the camp site, her old dilapidated wagon squeaking along. Luke had been mighty put out with her presence, even though she’d just had a baby. But the ranch hands were delighted. Luke worried her being there would be a disruption to his men. Someone might get hurt. The distracted person had turned out to be Luke.

“That’s too bad,” Shad said. “Darn sad to hear that news.” His brow pulled down as he leaned his shoulder against the building. “I thought Smokey taking Colton and Faith back to Y Knot was a good idea. Then none of us would have to worry about ’em. You know, with the possibility of a gunfight…”

Colton stood straighter. “I’m not going anywhere. I’m glad my ma is laying down the law.”

Francis playfully punched the boy’s shoulder. “You best be careful what you’re saying. Your pa wears the pants in the family, and you shouldn’t buck his wishes. If he asked me to…” Francis let his words trail away. He realized that if Luke asked him to leave now, he wouldn’t go either.

“Miss Adair has a ring in your nose already, Francis,” Nick said and then smirked. “You wouldn’t leave Priest’s Crossing because of her, not Luke.”

Francis had heard enough from Nick for a lifetime. He stepped forward, chest to chest. “That so?”

Shad grasped Nick’s shoulder. “I told you to lay off Francis. I’m not tellin’ you again, brother. Rein in your mouth!”

“I can speak for myself, Shad,” Francis shot back, his body still tensed. “You don’t have to ride herd over Nick. He doesn’t scare me.”

“Aren’t you boys supposed to be doing something about the you-know-whats?” Smokey asked.

“Roady changed his mind. Town’s too busy today,” Francis said. “We’re goin’ out tonight.”

Faith stepped out of the doorway, color high and eyes glistening with unshed tears.

“You ready to go back to the hotel, Faith?” Smokey asked, keeping his gaze directed across the street.

“Not quite yet. I think I’ll take a turn around town while the sun is still out.”

Smokey hitched up his pants, a smile spreading. “Anything you want.”

“Alone.”

The men gaped.

“You no longer have to escort my every move. Everyone has to step up their efforts, and that includes me. I can’t be efficient with a ranch hand by my side day and night.” She smiled warmly at the bowlegged cowboy. “As much as I’ve enjoyed your company, Smokey, you’re released from your assignment. I expect you men to dig deeper as well. Leave no stone unturned.”

“Yes, ma’am!” they said.

“I want Luke out of that cell!”

“Yes, ma’am!”

“Colton, you’re to stay with Smokey, just like before. Do I make myself clear?”

Her smile wasn’t fooling any of them. She was scared to death.

“Yes, ma’am. Can Smokey and me go to the mercantile?”

“Why would you want to?”

“Tilly invited me. She has fresh cookies, but I knew I had to wait to ask.”

She connected with Smokey’s gaze for a moment then shrugged. “I don’t see why not.”

Across the street at the undertaker’s, the sounds of hammering rang out into the stillness.

“That’s pretty creepy how old Mildred Kane died last night,” Nick said. “I spoke to her a time or two, in the café or on the street. She was friendly.” He looked at Francis and then the others. “Just goes to show, you can’t know the mind of a killer.”

Faith tugged at the collar of her blouse. “She fell. Died from an accident. Or perhaps she died first, and that’s what made her fall. Don’t get spooked.” She looked around the group. “Where’s Roady? I haven’t seen him since leaving the hotel early today.”

“That’s a good question,” Francis said. “I spoke with him a little while ago. May have gone looking for Pedro. He hasn’t checked in since the meeting, and he may have something to tell him.”

“For those of you who haven’t heard, Jack got word Judge Harrison Wesley is on his way to Y Knot and may even be there now. If that’s the case, and he got the news about Luke, perhaps he’s on his way to Priest’s Crossing. I won’t breathe easy until I see his face.”

“Judge Harrison?” Smokey’s face split into a wide grin. “That’s good news.”

Francis nodded. “I’m sure everyone is glad to hear that. I can’t say how many games of checkers he’s beat me at, but I’ll let bygones be bygones if he gets Luke out of that cell.” As good as saying those words made him feel, Francis agreed with Faith. He wouldn’t let down his guard until the judge arrived.