“And you would too, I imagine,” the governor probed.
Russ hesitated.“I was angry as hell at first when Clint came to me.I felt betrayed, but then I thought about Tyler, and I was damned glad after what he went through that he had friends like Clint.I can’t say I approve of what Clint did, or Tyler, but their loyalty to each other says a hell of a lot about them.”
The governor chuckled ruefully.“Men to have as friends but not enemies.”
“As Jack discovered,” Russ said.
“At least he came forward now.That took some guts,” the governor said carefully.“But I can’t save him.I can help if he pleads guilty as an accomplice in these murders, but that’s all I can do.I can pardon Tyler; God knows he’s already spent ten years in prison for a crime he didn’t commit.I can take that in account for this last … transgression.”
“And the others?”Russ asked the question carefully.Kate’s future depended on the answer.
“No one’s been harmed.If the money’s being returned, I think I can negotiate a little deal with the express office as long as the damages are paid.Casey Springs, after all, is trying to become an economic power in this area.Won’t help the city none if there’s word of lynch-mob activities.A small bit of blackmail.”
“And Quarles?”
“He’s appointed by the town council.I can exert a little influence there, too.”
“And what can I do for you?”Russ smiled.
“A poker game, right after I have a little chat with Mr.Tyler,” he said.“And,” he added, “you can lose.”
Rafe took Shea home.It was a strange word for her.It was a stranger one for him.
So was something called hope.For the first time in years he dared to dream again.
But a residue of sadness remained.He never thought it possible, but he’d felt regret when he’d left Jack Randall.Randall would be going to Denver the next day and would face a prison sentence, possibly a long one.
Rafe felt none of the satisfaction he once thought he would.
They were silent as they rode in the buggy Kate had insisted they take.Shea, however, had moved close to him, and sometime during the ride, his arm went around her.He was damned glad the horses were tame, for his left arm still hurt and lacked any strength.
The moon was nearly full now.Gold and bright, rather than pale and delicate-looking.There were enough stars to light the world, he thought, and they seemed to have a special glow tonight, lighting a future that was so promising, it hurt.
Rafe would never forget that brief meeting in Russ’s office, the one in which he had been handed the sun and moon and admonished not to waste them.His name would be cleared.He would be pardoned for the most recent offenses.His companions wouldn’t be charged.And Clint was being welcomed into the Dewayne family.Randall had been right about Russ Dewayne.It had been made clear he could make a home here in the valley, and he would have Dewayne’s friendship and support.
It had been almost too much to accept.It had surprised him as much as Dewayne and the governor when he had pleaded for Jack Randall’s future as well, but there had been no give on that issue.
Shea had spent an hour with her father, alone, and when she joined Rafe, she had a kind of peace in her eyes, but also a question.“He told me he wants you to take care of the Circle R,” she said.“Is that … possible?”
She was thinking about him again, as she always seemed to do.“What do you want?”he asked.
“I … like Colorado,” she said.“I met you here … and I …”
He could give her this.Because she had given him so much.He could give her her father’s heritage: a home.Until her father returned, and then there would be another decision to make.
And so now they were on their way to the Circle R.
Home.It was odd.Difficult to comprehend.He’d never had a home, not since he was six years old.And now … Jack Randall had given him one.
But he still had some reservations.He had to make sure that Shea knew what she was doing.That those days in his valley hadn’t been a mistake, nothing more than emotions heightened by danger.He wanted to court her, as an ordinary man courted an extraordinary woman, not as a bandit took a hostage.
He would stay in the bunkhouse, no matter how difficult it would be.
Freedom had responsibilities.He had been so consumed by anger, he hadn’t realized that until now.
They arrived at the Circle R.There was a light in the bunkhouse.Nate was probably there.Nate and the few ranch hands.Both he and Shea had already agreed that those loyal few would be paid tomorrow, paid extra for their loyalty, and then the Circle R would have to hire more hands.Clint would join them, at least for a while.And Rafe knew of five other men.Extraordinary men.
His hand took Shea’s, and he helped her down.Her fingers tightened around his as he walked her to the house.He wanted her so damned bad.He wanted to hold her, kiss her, make love to her.He craved it, but he also convinced himself she needed time.
