“What do you think?”
“About what?” he asked in a disinterested tone.
“About what I just said.”
“Oh. Maybe.”
Olivia acknowledged then what she had been suspecting about Adam. She had noticed that Adam never talked about God. Even when she tried to bring up the topic, he always found a way of diverting it or remained silent.
She found it strange because Cora, Boone, Annie, and Stephen all shared the same faith in God like her. So why not him?
Olivia tried to give him the benefit of the doubt. That he didn’t talk about God didn’t mean that he didn’t believe in the supreme creator, did it?
She itched to ask him, but she didn’t want to start an argument in case he didn’t believe in God or embarrass herself if he did.
She couldn’t imagine that he would be indifferent when he was surrounded by people who didn’t hide their faith and professed it at every turn.
What if he doesn’t believe in God? Does the bible not say Christians shouldn’t be yoked with unbelievers?
Despair swirled around Olivia. She really liked Adam, but if he didn’t believe in God, what chance did they have?
The thought of preaching to him to help him convert and start believing didn’t cross her mind. Because if four people who strongly believed in God couldn’t convince him, who was she to do so?
Olivia decided to watch him from then on for any sign of his faith in God no matter how little. She would try to understand him more. And one day, when she was sure of her suspicions, she would ask him.
Chapter 18
Smiling with satisfaction as he reached his office after questioning the townsfolk, Adam pulled out his chair and settled down on it.
He was very sure now that Gabe Winters had something to do with the attacks on the Indians and chasing them away from their lands. The motive was for him to acquire all the land in the area to sell to the development company Adam had overheard him talking about.
The shameful thing was that the sheriff was in on it. Adam fought the hatred that rose in him for Joe Tate. How could someone who took an oath to protect and serve the people of Ruby Rock turn around and be the thorn in their flesh?
From going to one establishment or the other to question the people, he registered that they didn’t particularly like what was going on in the town but they were too afraid to question it.
Evidently, anyone who dared speak up, lost his house or land one way or another to Gabe. So, the townsfolk had learned to keep their mouths shut and watch in fear.
Only a few of them had spoken to him and those were the ones whose houses and businesses were in the outskirts of the town. Even Mrs. Baker had been terrified to tell him anything. From her insinuations, some people had come to warn her to say nothing if she didn’t want to lose her store. Henry, too, had remained tight-lipped.
Even though he was satisfied with the investigations he had carried out that day, frustration welled up inside him. He had no proof that Gabe and the sheriff were responsible for the raids.
Even if people were willing to testify, it was their word against the two despicable men. And with money backing Gabe, he was sure to win in court. The case would be thrown out and Adam would be made to look like a fool. There was no telling what the banker would do to those who decided to talk against him.
“Fudge!”
Just as he was trying to come up with a strategy to get evidence against Gabe and Joe, the sheriff barged into the office.
Talk about the devil himself.
“Marshal, I bid you a good morning,” Joe Tate stiltedly said.
Even though it sounded more like the sheriff had told him to drop dead, Adam gracefully replied, “Good morning to you, Sheriff.”
Striding into the office as if he owned the place, the sheriff stopped at the table and said, “Something tells me you have been busy all morning.”
Grinning, Adam leaned back against his chair and propped his hands at the back of his head.
“Indeed, I have. I had a satisfactory morning.”
