Her voice was a mere whisper.
Gathering all the strength in her body, she shouted, “Help!”
Olivia initially thought that the rider didn’t hear her. Her scream had been cracked, perhaps too low for the person to have heard her.
Tears of frustration stung her eyes because she didn’t think she had enough strength in her to release another scream. She might just pass out from the exertion if she tried again.
But would she allow her weakness to get the best of her and let the rider leave without knowing she was there? It was best if she tried one more time.
Lord, I need Your strength.
She was about yelling again when she heard the horse’s hooves coming straight toward her.
She swallowed tautly as she waited for the rider to come into view. When the person finally did, her eyes widened. She hadn’t expected to see an American man!
For an instant, a trickle of fear ran up to her spine at the lone rider. What if he was one of the men who had attacked the village? What if he was out to do no good?
Fear not!
Olivia nodded inwardly as the man slowly rode toward her on a massive black horse.
“Miss? Are you all right?”
Hearing the concern in the man’s voice, Olivia was so filled with relief. She sat on the ground and stared at him. At last, God had sent a helper.
She knew she ought to be wary of the stranger, but at that moment, she couldn’t care. She was too weak to even run or fight if the man didn’t mean well for her. Besides, she felt peace inside her.
The man dismounted from the horse and approached her. He was attired in all black, from his shirt, his coat, his trousers, and his boots. Olivia wasn’t sure if that boded well for her.
She drew in a swift breath when the man removed his hat and stood directly in front of her. Added to his intimidating height was a face and physique that left her heart flipping against her chest.
“Miss, please answer me. Are you all right?” his deep-throated voice questioned again.
Olivia opened her mouth to say something, but nothing came out. She swallowed painfully and tried again.
Probably assuming that she was dumb, he motioned with his hands.
“I’m Adam Lancaster.” He poked a finger against his chest. And then pointed at her. “What’s your name?”
Olivia was no longer interested in talking to him. All she wanted was water to wet her dry throat and lips. She shifted her gaze from his face to his horse. She sighed with relief when she saw the water canister in one of the protruding saddlebags.
She licked her lips at the thought that he might have some food in one of the bags.
When the man placed a hand on her shoulder, Olivia’s eyes enlarged. Then it hit her that she was alone with a stranger in the woods and that she ought to be wary.
“Do you speak English? Do you understand what I’m saying? I’m the new marshal in town. I can help you if you tell me your name and what you’re doing here?”
“Marshal?” Relief flooded her at the knowledge.
She was right not to have been afraid of him in the first place. If he was the new marshal in Ruby Rock, she was certain that she wouldn’t come to any harm.
The marshal sighed with relief. “You understand me.”
Olivia nodded and whispered, “Water.”
Understanding dawned in his eyes. “Of course. You must be very thirsty.”
He walked away from her to his horse and took out the flask containing water. Olivia licked her lips in readiness for what she had craved for days.
