And so walking it would have to be. She started off at a fast clip, but as her imagination grew more and more wild with its thoughts, she began to run.
If only she knew who had come to get Cade. If it were Mr. Yount, she’d be more inclined to believe Mr. Sawyer really did need Cade’s help. But she couldn’t be certain. She really had no way of knowing whether they were all part of Lucas’s murder, or if it had been Mr. Bennett alone.
A cloud of dust up ahead made her slow down. Maybe it was Cade and the other men returning home. Jolie sent up a prayer that this might be the case, but as she grew closer, it became more clear that it was just a single rider.
Jolie paused, glancing around her. She had no idea who could be on that horse. It could be Mr. Bennett, or some other man bent on causing her harm. Why hadn’t she thought to bring some kind of weapon? A kitchen knife, perhaps. Anything would be better than nothing at all.
The dust cleared some, and she was able to make out the shape of a figure on the horse. The rider appeared to wear a skirt.
It was a woman.
Relieved, Jolie let out a held breath. She stood at the side of the road as the lady approached. And just before the woman halted her horse, Jolie made out her features.
“Edie!” She was so happy she clapped her hands together. “I’ve never been so glad to see anyone in my life!”
“Well, that’s quite a greeting.” Edie laughed. “I was coming to visit you. What are you doing all the way out here?” She flung out a hand as if to indicate Jolie had traveled miles upon miles away from her home.
“I need your help.” Jolie told Edie the story as quickly as she possibly could.
“Of course,” Edie said when she was finished. “I should find James, or Sheriff Hunt. If I go now, it shouldn’t take me too long.”
“Thank you.” Jolie was so grateful that a lump rose in her throat. Edie believed her. Without even a second guess or a question, she was ready to help. Why couldn’t Cade have done the same? And because he was so stubborn, he might be facing down the worst right now.
“Do you want to ride the rest of the way?” Edie asked. “It’ll be faster.”
“But more noticeable.” Mr. Bennett might hear the horse come by. If it stopped, he’d grow suspicious. “It’s better if I arrive quietly. Besides, it isn’t much farther.”
Edie nodded, and with a quick wave, she was gone. Jolie began running again, her mind focusing on the hope that Cade was all right. She’d much rather show up and find Mr. Sawyer was truly injured and she’d sent Edie for help for nothing at all.
Cade would still be angry with her—and perhaps even angrier—but he’d still be alive. And she’d rather him dislike her and want to end their marriage than be hurt or killed.
Please keep him safe, she repeated in a sort of prayer as she ran. Over and over again until she reached the Sawyer ranch.
She paused by the edge of an outbuilding and listened. She couldn’t hear a thing beyond the lowing of nearby cattle. Slowly, she crept out and began looking.
There wasn’t a soul around outside. It was odd, really. Goosepimples crept up her arms as she passed the closed-up barn. When she got to the house, she paused by the back door.
Voices floated through, indistinct but definitely male.
She pressed her ear to the door and closed her eyes.
One of the voices was Cade’s.
Pressing her hand over her mouth to stifle her gasp, Jolie leaned over ever so slightly to peer into the window that was cut into the door. There didn’t appear to be anyone in the kitchen.
She laid a hand on the doorknob and drew in a breath. She thought she might be sick as she carefully and silently turned the knob. When she’d turned it all the way, she gently pulled the door open.
The hinges made a tiny squeak and she stopped, ready for someone to come bounding out to discover her sneaking in. But no one came, and the voices didn’t pause.
Heart hammering in her ears, she stepped inside and closed the door behind her. She stood there a moment, straining to listen while she tried to steady her breathing.
“Sign it, and this will all be over.” That was a man’s voice. It sounded familiar, but Jolie couldn’t place it.
“And leave with what? I’ve sunk everything I have into this ranch.” That was Cade. He sounded bitter. Jolie wanted to run to him, but she didn’t dare. Clearly the injury had been a ruse, just as she’d suspected. But right now, she was the only one in a position to help. She could only assume that Horace and Neil were with Cade, but she didn’t know who else—if anyone—was with the man speaking.
She needed to find out.
Creeping across the kitchen, more words filtered out of wherever the men were.
