He took a deep breath. “Alexander Prather and men who may be working for him.”
“I don’t know who that is.”
“I’m glad you don’t. He’s the most vile of men, and he’s been a fugitive for three years. He escaped prison and took up right where he left off. I’ll spare you the details.”
Rebecca’s face paled as she realized there must be a reason for Levi to worry about her running into that man here. She was glad not to hear the particulars of what this man had done; her imagination could summon enough horrors on its own. “Go on,” she said, her voice tight.
Levi dropped his hands to his hips and looked down, as if he was drawing up the courage to continue. “My bosses had reason to believe Prather was in this valley. It was a coincidence that my brother had bought land here, so I asked for the case, knowing I could help Edward while I brought Prather to justice.”
“And have you?” Rebecca asked, although she knew that if he had, he wouldn’t have worried so much about keeping his work from her.
“No. Not yet.” His mouth twisted in disappointment. “I know where he is, though, and I’ve laid eyes on him. And . . .”
Rebecca’s skin prickled as she waited for him to continue.
“I fear he’s laid eyes on me too.”
“You mean in the trees, that day we took a picnic by the creek.”
Levi hesitated, and then nodded. “There was another time, too, when I was out riding . . . watching, I mean. I’ve been keeping an eye on the place where Prather’s holed up. He’s at the Coopers’ ranch, just to the south of here.”
Rebecca dug her fingers into her skirts. It unnerved her to know that a man like that was their neighbor.
“There was another time . . .” He spoke as if it pained him to say the words. “When we were in town. Do you remember hearing that gunshot?”
She froze. “Did he shoot at you?”
He didn’t have to answer. His expression told her what she needed to know.
“I’m going to the county sheriff tomorrow. I want to get this over with, and he’ll likely provide me with some men to help. I’ll feel better once Prather is back behind bars where he belongs.”
And then what?Rebecca didn’t voice that question. It was better to focus on what was happening right here and now. And she had a much more pressing question to ask. “What happens if he comes here?”
Levi began to step forward, as if he wished to reassure her, but paused. Rebecca didn’t know if she wanted him to or not. All of this was so very confusing.
“I don’t expect him to. I believe he would have by now if that was his intention. I imagine he’s hoping I’ll give up waiting him out.”
Rebecca took a breath, feeling at least a little relieved. Months had passed since that incident in town. Surely the man Levi was seeking would have acted by now if he intended to harm them.
“Is there anything else?” she asked.
“No,” he said. “And I promise that I’ll tell you if there is anything new to report.” He paused, ruffling his hair up and back and again. “Rebecca, I’m sorry I wasn’t honest with you about this in the beginning. I only had the safety of you and your children in mind, but it was a mistake. I . . . I hope you’ll forgive me.”
He spoke so sincerely that her heart warmed. She wanted to sayyesso badly, to tell him that she understood, to throw herself into his arms and have everything be all right. But she also knew it was wiser to allow herself to think about it and to see what happened as they moved forward.
“I do forgive you,” she said. “But I don’t know yet that I can trust you.”
He pressed his lips together, clearly disappointed, but he nodded. “I understand. But I’ll make you another promise. I’ll prove to you that I’m worthy of your trust.”
“I hope you do,” she said, wishing his words to life with every beat of her heart.
