He knew she had been wounded in Afghanistan, knew her left leg had been injured badly enough to end her military service and send her home, but he had rarely noticed any physical impairment.
As soon as they got back to the motel, he’d take a look, make sure she was all right.
It didn’t take long to reach the car. With no back seat, Skye and Molly both crammed into the passenger seat for the ride back to the motel. Not for the first time, he vowed to buy a second vehicle, one more practical for his job.
“You all right?” he asked Skye as the car bumped over the dirt road. “I noticed you favoring your leg.”
“I stepped wrong, is all. No big deal.”
“I’ll take a look when we get back.”
Her head snapped toward him. “I told you, I’m fine.”
Edge didn’t argue. No use upsetting her. Didn’t mean he wasn’t going to check her leg as soon as they got back to the motel.
As they were started down the road for the uncomfortable ride into town, Edge focused his attention on the other woman. “Molly, are you hurt or injured in any way?”
Molly shook her head. “I’m . . . I’m all right. Thank you for letting me come with you.” She tipped her head back against the seat. “I can’t believe I got away.”
“How were you planning to get through the fence?” Skye asked.
“I dug a hole under the wire where a shrub would hide what I was doing. I had to be careful not to get caught, so it took me a while. Eventually I had a depression big enough to crawl through.” She bit her lip and glanced away.
Skye touched her hand. “It’s okay. We’re almost back to the motel. We can talk about it there.”
After long minutes of riding in the cramped conditions, they arrived at the motel, and all of them went into Skye’s room.
Molly took a deep breath and glanced around as if she couldn’t quite believe she was free. “I was so afraid they would catch me.” She wiped a tear from her cheek. “Once you’re in there, you can’t get out. But I-I couldn’t stand to spend another day with the animal who calls himself my husband.”
Edge’s glance went to Skye’s face. She was thinking of her half-sister, terrified of what might be happening to her.
“Do you know a girl named Callie Delaney?” Edge asked.
“We only use first names, but I know Callie. She seems like a nice girl.”
“She’s my half sister,” Skye said. “We came here to talk to her, make sure she’s okay. Her mother is worried about her. So am I.”
“She’s only been with the church a few months,” Molly said. “Callie still lives with the unmarried women, but that won’t last much longer.” When she wiped away another tear, Skye plucked a Kleenex out of the box on the dresser and handed it over. Molly smiled her thanks and blew her nose.
“Why not?” Edge asked.
“By now or very soon, Henson will have a man chosen for her. He’ll give her a few days to get used to the idea, then he’ll marry them in front of the whole congregation. She won’t have any choice.”
Skye made a sound in her throat, disgust or worry, he wasn’t quite sure.
Edge clamped down on a rush of anger. “Callie won’t have to worry about marrying one of Henson’s goons. We’re getting her the hell out of there.”
Molly started crying.
CHAPTER SIX
OUTSIDE THE WINDOW, RED NEON LETTERS FLASHEDVACANCY BELOWthe sign for the Trails West Inn. Skye sat on the side of the bed with Molly. Her leg was aching, but she hadn’t done any real damage. She should have been wearing her neoprene stabilizing brace. Most of the time, she didn’t need it, but on a mission like this, she usually took precautions. She should have put the damn thing on.
Sitting on the bed, Molly fidgeted nervously. “I-I have to leave. By tomorrow they’re . . . they’re going to know I’m missing. Harley’s gone tonight. He’s off doing something for Daniel. He’s one of Daniel’s most trusted men. With Harley gone, I figured this was my best chance. I thank God you came along when you did.”
Edge sat in the chair next to a small, round Formica-topped table, watching Molly. Skye recognized the grim look on his face, the cold fury he had locked away.
“Harley is your husband?” Skye asked.
