Jack watched his gaze follow Shea to the cabin.Tyler was as obviously in love with Shea as she was with him.He swallowed, afraid for them both.He no longer cared about himself.
He swallowed hard, then asked, “Abner?”
Rafe’s gaze turned cold as it moved from the cabin to Jack.“A mouse.A companion from prison.”
Jack averted his eyes, unable to meet the direct, challenging glare.He remembered the small creature several hours ago when Tyler was sleeping.A mouse.And his daughter had reacted so naturally to Tyler’s request that she retrieve her valise and … Abner.He felt so damned much the outsider.He wondered whether he would ever have a chance to learn more about his daughter.
To cover his sudden awkwardness, he lowered his gaze to Rafe’s bandaged arm.“Can you help me … get McClary on the horse?”
Tyler nodded, and together they managed to hoist the body onto the saddle and tie him there.
Jack moved away.“Is there anything else I … can help with?”
“No,” Rafe said curtly, and disappeared inside the stable after his own horse.Minutes later he led out his horse and stood waiting for Shea.
Jack gathered up the reins of McClary’s horse and mounted.He knew Shea would ride with Rafe Tyler.He watched as she came from the cabin, holding a valise, her hand cuddling a small gray mouse that she tucked into, a pocket in her dress.She glanced at the body tied to the horse, then at Jack Randall, and gave him the slightest uncertain smile, and he felt a tingle of hope.
Tyler swung into the saddle, then helped her to mount behind him.Without looking back, Tyler urged his horse into a canter toward the opening in the canyon walls.
They had been riding an hour when they spotted the first of the posse.Jack recognized Michael Dewayne, Russ’s son, with relief.He had been afraid they might run into some of the posse from Casey Springs before he could explain.
Michael saw them at the same time and drew this gun, shooting it once in the air, an obvious signal.He then turned it toward Rafe and then Randall and back toward Rafe, obviously uncertain as to what to do.
Jack raised his hands.“We’re turning ourselves in, Michael,” he said.“Where’s Russ?”
“That shot should bring him,” Michael said.“What’s going on, Jack?The deputy sheriff from Casey Springs is mad as hell, said you broke Tyler out of jail.You’re damn lucky we found you first.They’re out for blood.”Then his eyes went to the horse carrying the blanket-wrapped body.“Who is that?”
“Sam McClary.The man who’s been killing the miners.”
“Your friend?”
“He was never my friend, but it’s a long story.”
“I’ve got to ask you to unbuckle that gunbelt.And throw down those rifles.”
Jack unbuckled his gunbelt with his right hand, then threw down his rifle.Rafe dropped the gun tucked in his belt, then took his rifle from the saddle and gently lowered it to the ground.
Just then a group of men rode up, Russ at its head.Clint was with them.He looked sharply at Rafe, who almost imperceptibly shook his head, warning him not to say anything.
Russ Dewayne glared at Rafe, then looked toward Jack.“I thought it was something like this—he had your daughter.That’s why …”
Jack shook his head.“No.He didn’t have my daughter.And he isn’t responsible for any of the killing.I helped him escape because the good citizens of Casey Springs were going to hang him for something he didn’t do.”
Michael broke in.“He said that’s McClary on the horse, that it was McClary who killed the miners.”
Russ looked at the weapons on the ground.“Michael, you pick those up.I think I’d better get these three out of here before that fool lawman from Casey Springs arrives.”
“Where do we take them?”Michael asked.
“To our ranch while I try to sort all this out.Then we’ll decide what to do.”He leaned over and took the reins from Rafe’s hands.“Jack, just how far can I trust you?”
Jack glanced over at Rafe’s face, the sardonic look that replaced the rigid mask that had been there.
“I was coming to your ranch.There’s some things you should know.”
“Such as?”Russ Dewayne’s voice was doubting.
Jack looked at Shea and seemed to gather courage.“I knew what McClary was doing.He was blackmailing me.”
