Scoffing, the sheriff replied, “Well, here’s my own warning,Marshal.Stay away from what you know nothing about. You might think that you’re an all-important lawman simply because you were appointed to come here. Wake up and smell the coffee, you’re barking up a wrong tree.
You’ve already stepped on a few important toes, so I’ll advise you to watch your back. Things aren’t always as they seem around here.”
Adam cocked his brows. “Is that a threat?”
The sheriff laughed again. “No, consider it a warning.”
Gabe cleared his throat. “If both of you are quite done, exchanging words, I’d like to take my leave.”
Adam reluctantly stepped away from the sheriff to stare at the banker.
“Adam Lancaster. I’ve heard so much about you.” Gabe reached out a hand.
Reluctantly, Adam took it and shook the hand. Still smiling, Gabe nodded at him.
“I’ve heard glowing reports about you and I must say that I’m proud of you. Things have turned out pretty well for you. You left Ruby Rock as a sheriff and returned as a marshal.”
Adam didn’t know what to make of Gabe’s friendliness. Was it simply a ploy to distract him from the conversation they had been having?
Undeterred, Adam simply said, “Thank you, Gabe. Now about what you both were discussing before I came in.”
Gabe shook his head. “It was nothing. We were simply having big dreams for this town.”
Before Adam could ask him further questions, the man took his hat from the table and placed it on his head.
“Good day, Marshal.”
Adam and the sheriff exchanged bitter looks before Adam walked out of the office.
Elation filled him because now he knew the person the townsfolk were afraid of.
Gabe Winters.
Chapter 17
Olivia was grading test papers the following day while the children were reading when thoughts of Adam filtered into her mind again.
She had thoroughly enjoyed having a picnic with him even though they had spoken of her late family for the first few minutes. Him telling her tales of once climbing a tree and being unable to come down brought a smile to her lips.
“Miss Olivia, can you tell us a bible story?” Hannah unexpectedly asked, startling Olivia.
“Yes, Miss Olivia, please tell us a story. We’re bored.”
Olivia chewed on her bottom lip as she wondered which story she would tell them. She had told them almost all the stories that would be easy for them to understand without going into too many intricate details.
Sighing because she wanted to finish grading the papers yet not wanting the children to be bored, she asked, “Have I told you about Hannah, the mother of the prophet Samuel?”
The children giggled. “Hannah is the mother of Samuel?”
Olivia nodded.
Luke stood up and pointed at Sam and Hannah. “Sam, Hannah is your mother.”
The whole class roared with laughter. Olivia laughed as well. She could never have a dull moment with these children.
“Okay. What about Ruth? Let’s talk about her instead.” Olivia surmised that they wouldn’t listen much to the story of Hannah because they would continue making fun about it.
“Who was Ruth’s mother?” Henry asked with a twinkle in his eyes.
