Another man painfully tugged at her hair. “And don’t get involved in the case he’s investigating or you’ll be sorry.”
The third man peered into her face. “Heed our warning or we’ll be back.”
The dirty hand across her mouth fell and the men left, running into the darkness that had suddenly fallen.
Quivering like a leaf in turbulent wind, Olivia fell to her knees on the sand and sobs racked her slim frame.
Chapter 24
“I assure you, Mr. and Mrs. Colton, I can protect you. The law will protect you.” Adam ran his hand across his jaw to hide his grimace as the elderly couple shook their heads yet again.
Mr. Colton snorted. “The law can’t do anything in this instance.”
The petite Mrs. Colton nodded beside her husband and said in her high-pitched voice, “The sheriff has never lifted a finger to help us. When we went to report Mr. Winters to him, he did nothing. He wouldn’t even believe us. He said we were lying aplenty and was just jealous of the wealthy man.” She clicked her tongue. “As if I’d we’d be envious of such a greedy man.”
Raking his fingers through his hair, Adam struggled to hide his frustration. “But I’m not the sheriff. I am a marshal with the backing of the federal authority. I haven’t told many people this, but I was specifically sent here to investigate the raids.”
The old couple looked at each other and Mr. Colton shook his head.
“I’m sorry, Marshal. I know you mean well, but we’ve seen enough in this town to know that if we dare open our mouths, unfortunate things will come to us.”
Adam tapped his leg impatiently on the porch. “But if you don’t testify, how do I bring Gabe Winters to justice? How do I make him pay for all he has done to the townsfolk and the Indians?”
Mr. Colton shook his head. “Dave Myers who used to own the ranch down the road chose to speak against Mr. Winters once. Do you know what happened to him?”
Adam shook his head, knowing he wouldn’t like what the farmer was about to say.
“Not only was his whole ranch burned down, but he was also arrested for cattle rustling. One of his ranch hands testified against him in court. Poor Dave spent two years in prison before moving away from Ruby Rock.”
Adam gritted his teeth. No wonder the townsfolk were afraid to speak against the banker.
Mrs. Colton stepped forward and placed her hand on his arm. With an apologetic smile, she said, “God bless your kind heart for trying to help the townsfolk, but you must understand that Mr. Winters is a wealthy and powerful man. Some folks even call him the law around here because of the influence he wields.”
“And you’re going to allow him to dominate and control your lives with fear?” Frustration tinged his voice. “This is the time for you to collectively speak up. You both admitted to me that he threatened to do unspeakable things to you if you didn’t sell your land to him.”
Tears welled up in the old woman’s eyes. “We didn’t have a choice.”
Adam took her hand and gazed at her with pleading. “But you do now. The law might not have spoken for you in the past, but things have changed now because of my presence here. How long will you continue to live like this?” He raised his eyes to stare at her husband. “You are tenants in your own land. You pay Mr. Winters rent to live here and farm on the land your father left you. What sort of life is that?”
Mrs. Colton took a step back into her husband’s embrace. “We don’t like it, but there’s not much we can do. We trust that God will make all things beautiful in his time.”
Frustrated by her words, Adam fought to control his temper. “But the time is now, it’s here. God will not come down to save you. If it helps you see things clearly, take it that God has sent me here to help you and other folks in the town.”
Mr. Colton’s face tightened. “Be careful with your tone, Marshal. I can see it was a mistake giving into your persuasions and telling you about Mr. Winters buying our land and threatening us.”
Adam felt an unexpected defeat at the older man’s sharp words. Why couldn’t they realize that he was trying to help them? All of them didn’t want to do anything to help their situation. Instead, they were satisfied with sitting on their rear and allowing God to do the work for them.
Shockingly, Adam said, “Faith without work is dead.”
He let out a sharp gasp and instantly lifted appalled eyes at the couple. Swiftly, saying nothing more to them, Adam descended the creaking wooden steps and crossed the courtyard with hurried steps.
He untied Dark Knight from the fence post and swung fluidly on the horse. He steered the horse away from the farm and rode off.
“What just happened there, Dark Knight?” he questioned the horse, still in disbelief.
It was all Olivia’s doing. She had been filling his ears with so many verses from the bible, he had quoted one. The last time he mentioned anything from the bible was when he was fourteen.
“What is she doing to me?”
