The rustling sound came again, and Marian took a step backward. Some wild part of her mind told her to run for the door, but her feet didn’t obey.
And then just before the match sputtered out, a man emerged from the shadows.
Chapter Twenty-two
It was nearing dawnbefore Cole rode back into town with the sheriff and the man they’d chased clear out to the Wendler farm after he’d tried to sell stolen horses to the livery stable the evening before. It should’ve been an easy arrest, but the fellow had climbed a tree and taken a shot each time either one of them approached. They’d had to wait him out, taking turns to force him to use all his ammunition. And when he still wouldn’t come down, it took Jack Wendler coming down the hill from his house at three thirty in the morning with an ax and threatening to cut down the tree before the man had finally surrendered.
Cole stifled a yawn as they rode past darkened houses. After he saw this troublemaker locked up and the paperwork done, he’d check on Chatham, the man he’d asked to stand watch outside Marian’s home tonight, and then try to catch a few hours of sleep before making his way to the schoolhouse.
“Why don’t you go on over there?” Sheriff Granger said when they reached the courthouse. “I’ll take care of our friend here.”
“You certain?” Cole asked as he eyed the horse thief. The man was wily, and Cole didn’t put it past him to try something in a last-ditch effort to break free.
Granger nodded as he dismounted. “Mr. Shelby here wouldn’t try anything that might endanger his life here in town, would he?” He spoke directly to the horse thief, who said nothing in return.
It would be a relief to reassure himself that Marian was safe at home. “I’ll be back to help you with the paperwork.” The man was wanted in at least two other counties, and with that came telegrams to send and reports to write.
“I’d tell you there’s no need, but I have a feeling you’ll be here anyway,” Granger said. “Go on.” He waved his hand and Cole grinned through his drowsiness.
He continued down Main Street and decided to turn down the road to pass the schoolhouse and ensure all was well there before continuing on to Marian’s home. The night was still and calm, now that the excitement with the horse thief was over. The only sounds were Neptune’s hooves as they struck the ground. The town would be awake soon, but for now, silence reigned.
The flickering glow of a lamp in a window just ahead made Cole bring his horse to a halt. He pulled off a glove and ran the back of his hand over his burning eyes. Was that the schoolhouse?
He blinked again and nudged the horse forward just a little.
Itwasthe schoolhouse.
Frowning, Cole shoved his gloves into his pockets and reached for his watch. It wasn’t even five a.m. What would Marian be doing at school so early?
He thought back to a few days ago, when she’d found him at Mrs. Shomburg’s. Heknewhe hadn’t imagined the longing that had crossed her face when she looked at him. And when he’d said something, she’d pulled away.
Perhaps she was thinking about him as much as he was thinking about her. Perhaps she wasn’t able to sleep these days either.
Cole pressed his lips together. He’d given her time and as much distance as possible. They needed to talk again, just the two of them, without half the town’s men crowded into the same room.
Mind made up, Cole dismounted and led Neptune toward a nearby building where he tied him to a railing. He flexed his numb fingers and drew in a deep breath of the cold air. He’d tell her, honestly and without fear, how he felt and what he wanted.
