Olivia’s lips parted company as her face turned a deeper shade of red.
Adam touched her arm. “It was very brave of you to have accosted the man.”
Lowering her head again, Olivia shrugged and said, “It was the least I could do.” Her eyes watered. “Seeing him brought back memories of that painful day. I remember pleading with him not to destroy the village. Little did I know that he had worse things in mind. I do not understand why he took me away from the village but…” she shrugged and trailed off.
Adam felt the turmoil that she was going through. That the gang leader had taken Olivia away from the destruction was one thing he was grateful for. Seeing what her own people wrought on the innocent Indians would have been too much for her to bear.
“I think it was for the best that he took you away from there. The memory of life seeping out of my parents will forever haunt me.”
Olivia sniffed and slightly turned away. Adam dropped his hands and removed his hat. He ran a hand through his hair as he fought for something more comforting to say to Olivia. He replaced the hat on his head and stared down at his dusty boots.
Everything in him wanted him to take her into his arms and allow her to sob out her misery against his chest like he had done the other day.
But the memory of holding her in his embrace, patting her lovely hair, had stayed with him and troubled his sleep.
Dare he do that again and enjoy her flowery scent on his shirt and her small body wrapped along with his?
Adam just took a step forward to draw closer to her when she lifted her head and sighed heavily.
“But all is lost now as the man escaped.”
Disappointed, Adam stepped back. “He didn’t escape. I know who he is.”
Her eyes enlarged. “You do?”
He nodded with a small smile. He had mentioned it earlier, but in the state she was in, she most likely didn’t hear him. “Micah Peterson.”
Olivia darted her tongue across her lips, her eyes eager for more information.
“I don’t know where he lives, but I know he works as a ranch hand for some ranches in the area. All I have to do is make some inquiries and I’ll find him.”
“That’s wonderful.” She turned around. “I had no idea you knew who he was. We shouldn’t have left the town but gone after him. I suggest we do so now.”
Adam touched her arm to make her stay. “Don’t worry, Olivia. I’ll find him.”
She shook her head. “But he might leave town. Now that he knows I know who he is, I’m sure he won’t hang around to be arrested.”
“Olivia, I understand your concern, but at the moment, it’s simply your word against his.”
Olivia’s jaw dropped in surprise.
He nodded. “We have no evidence linking him to the attack.”
“Oh.” Her face fell. “I didn’t think of that.”
“You’re the only living witness of the raid. Even if I arrest him now, he will come up with witnesses who will swear he wasn’t anywhere near the village that day.”
Olivia’s lips quivered. “So, it’s all for naught.”
Adam dragged in a rueful breath. “No, it isn’t, Olivia. There’s something more than the raid going on in the town.”
“There is?”
He nodded. “I don’t want you to worry about anything. I’ll investigate further and tell you my findings.”
He didn’t know if he should tell her that if he arrested Micah Peterson now, he might start a chain of events that might affect his investigations so far. The outlaws involved in the raids would become wary or go into hiding. He didn’t want that. He wanted them thinking all he did was go around asking questions. When the time was right, he would arrest all of them.
Wrapping her arms around herself and looking like a lost little girl, she said, “But what about this Micah Peterson? Is he just going to continue walking free after what he did?”
