Three children tumbled out the door of the last house before the town gave way to the wilderness, and Ruthann smiled at their antics. Itwasa good place for children to grow up. After all, she and Stuart had spent many an afternoon out past the town, climbing trees and playing along the river and rolling down hills.
“Imagine having such fun right outside your door rather than trudging through town to get to it,” Norah said as if she read Ruthann’s thoughts.
Ruthann glanced at her friend, who had a faraway look in her eye and a content smile. It was almost as if she were picturing just that sort of life. Ruthann bumped her friend gently on the arm. “Thinking of sharing that little house with anyone in particular?”
Norah’s face colored.Wasthere someone Norah cared for? If so, she hadn’t mentioned a word of it to Ruthann. She yearned to ask Norah for more, but bit her tongue. If Norah were pining after someone, she would tell her friend in due time. Ruthann only need be patient.
“Mmhmm,” was all Norah said with a little smile playing upon her lips as she looked out toward the gently rising hills.
Ruthann followed her gaze. Movement in the distance caught her eye, and she squinted, trying to make out whether it was an animal, a person, or simply the rustle of vegetation in the breeze.
“Do you see that?” She pointed as it moved again.
After a few seconds, Norah nodded. “I do . . . It looks like people.”
Ruthann squinted again. Norah was right. There were two people, and after a moment, they parted—one heading back up over the hill and the other, a man, returning toward town.
Norah took hold of Ruthann’s arm. “Something about this feels odd.”
Ruthann swallowed. Her friend was right. Why would this man be out past the edge of town meeting with someone else? And where was the other man going without a horse? “Perhaps we should head back toward home.”
Norah met her eyes in silent agreement, and they turned together and began to walk quickly. Ruthann glanced behind her. The man had grown closer, clearly walking at a faster clip than the two women. He had removed his hat, and the sun glinted off his hair, which appeared to be between blond and brown at this distance.
Ruthann turned back around and tried to force her mind away from the thought that had instantly surfaced upon seeing the man’s hair. Many people had hair that color. In fact, it was similar to the shade that both Ruthann and Stuart bore. Simply having dark blond hair didn’t mean this man was the same as the one who had grabbed her off the street. Besides, that man hadn’t been seen in town since then.
Perhaps because he’d been out in the hills with that other man.
No, her mind was getting carried away now. At worst, the fellow behind them was a drifter. But it was more likely he was simply meeting a nearby rancher for business.
A rancher without a horse.
Ruthann couldn’t ignore the panic rising inside her. Norah kept hold of her arm and they walked as fast as they could. The houses were growing closer together, although they had yet to reach the part of town that was dense enough for businesses.
She couldn’t help but turn and look again.
The man had grown even closer. And worse, his eyes were fixed on them.
“It’s him,” Ruthann whispered. She was sure of it. Even without seeing the color of his eyes or being able to make out a scar on his face, sheknewit was the man who had cornered her.
Norah looked at her in alarm, clearly understanding who it was that Ruthann meant. “Are you certain?”
Ruthann nodded, and Norah’s hand tightened around her arm.
“Mrs. Williams lives just ahead. We could go there.”
“No, we can’t bring him to her home. She’s a widow.” Ruthann would never forgive herself if anything terrible happened.
“Then we must keep going.” Norah took on a determined expression.
The first cross street—and with it, a smattering of businesses—was just ahead. If they could reach that area, at least there would be more people about. Unlike the day the man had found Ruthann, today was a lovely, bright, warm day, with plenty of folks outside to enjoy it.
He wouldn’t dare do anything with so many others around.
And yet when Ruthann turned again, the man wasn’t half a block away. How had he moved so quickly? It was most certainly him, there was no denying it at all now. That scar glinted pink in the sunlight, and his eyes remained on her and Norah.
“Norah—” But before Ruthann could continue, Norah pointed straight ahead and said, “Isn’t that Nate?”
Ruthann turned to look ahead and—yes! ItwasNate, just ahead and walking toward them.
