“Good morning,” Rosaline said from behind him.
He turned to see her standing in the doorway, holding a basket of eggs. Relief washed over his soul.
“I forgot to collect more eggs yesterday,” she said and came into the kitchen.
I love her.The realization came to him as he watched her place the eggs on the kitchen table. Every fiber of his being wanted to scoop her up in his arms and tell her. He didn’t just care for her. He loved her.
He took a step towards her and stretched out his arm. His body froze as he heard horses coming into the yard.
Rosaline looked at him with fear in her eyes.
“It will be okay,” he reassured her as he reached once more for his gun.
Arthur handed Robbie to her and took the other gun.
They made their way out the door and stood waiting as the carriage pulled up.
Diedrick and Elroy exited the carriage followed by Ezrah Gideon and a fourth man in a uniform similar to Gideon’s.
“We are just here to talk,” Ezrah said calmly to Thomas when he raised his gun, walking ahead of the other men.
“We’ve said all we have to say, Sheriff,” Thomas replied. “These men have no business being on my property.”
“I’m afraid they do, Thomas,” Gideon said as the other men joined him.
“We have here a warrant of arrest for one Rosaline Stratton, nee Berry,” Diedrick said as he took the paper from the uniformed man. “This is the federal marshal who will be overseeing the arrest.
Rosaline hugged Robbie tightly to her side.
The man stepped forward but was blocked by Gideon. “This is still my town folks, I’ll be obliged if you let me handle this,” He came forward and addressed Thomas directly. “These men have alleged that Rosaline took some very valuable gems before she came here.”
“That’s a lie! My wife is not a thief,” Thomas shouted.
“I can handle this,” Rosaline said as she stepped forward and placed a hand on Thomas’ arm. “I never took anything that wasn’t mine when I left, Sheriff. I will be willing to swear to that in a court of law with my hand on the Bible.”
Diedrick scoffed. “You won’t mind us searching the house in that case, then.”
“You stay out of my house!” Thomas took a step forward but was blocked by Rosaline.
“Go ahead, I have nothing to hide,” she said unwaveringly.
Gideon nodded to the Marshal. “I think we should let them conclude their business, Thomas,” He stared at Diedrick and Higgs. “If they want to waste their time, that’s their own affair.”
Rosaline handed Robbie to Arthur and followed Thomas, Gideon and the Federal Marshal into the house.
The man ripped through the kitchen and adjacent rooms like a violent tornado, throwing out drawers and upending the beds.
Thomas stood close to Rosaline as they watched.
The man found nothing as he destroyed room after room. He was halfway through Rosaline’s room when he opened her valise and shook it out. A tiny pouch fell out of a dress pocket.
“Well, well, what do we have here,” the Marshal spoke for the first time in a nasty voice that made Thomas’ teeth stand on edge.
Opening the pouch he poured a handful of tiny diamonds into his rough, calloused hand. “I do believe we have some stolen gems.”
“Thomas, I never!” Rosaline turned to him as the Marshal gripped her arm.
“Get your filthy hands off of her!” Thomas shoved the man away.
