“I’ve seen you around town,” the deputy finally said. “Why don’t you let Mrs. Pierce take a seat, and you and I can have a talk.”
Cole laughed in her ear. “Not a chance. I’ll ask you one time to leave my property or you’ll forfeit the life of this good woman.”
“Your property?” Deputy Wright raised his eyebrows. “This land belongs to Wade Pierce, last I knew.”
“Does it now? Isn’t that curious, Mrs. Pierce?” His grip tightened around her, and Hazel closed her eyes.
It was hard to think of anything aside from that revolver pressed against her skin. Deputy Wright had unknowingly confirmed that she’d lied.
But Cole had no way to inform the men upstairs.
A shot rang out and Hazel’s eyes flew open as a heavy thump sounded from upstairs.
Cole yanked her backward, into the doorway that led to the parlor. The men in the doorway stepped in farther.
“Who’s upstairs?” Wright demanded.
Cole didn’t answer him, and Hazel could feel his breath coming faster. He didn’t know what had happened—and neither did she, for that matter. She hoped Wade had found the gun, but it could have just as easily been Duke or the man named Vance firing that shot.
More commotion sounded from above, scuffling and a load groan, and then another, more muffled, thump against the floor. It was silent after that.
Mr. Trenton took a step toward the left, toward the table and chairs.
“I told you not to move,” Cole said, his voice more strained now.
Mr. Trenton paused, and then moved again. One step, then another. What was he doing? Hazel could hardly breathe. She half expected Cole to lose his mind and pull the trigger.
But then he was gone. The arm around her middle, the press of metal against her cheek—gone. She whirled around as his revolver hit the floor with a clatter.
And there was Wade, wrestling him to the floor and pinning him there as the other men rushed forward.
It was over.
Hazel caught Wade’s eye as he stood, letting the deputy and the other men step in to take care of Cole.
In less than a second, he’d gathered her into his arms, and she melted into him.
