“Maybe I’ll find a good disturbance that requires your help,” Rafe said with a sideways grin at Hawk.
“Please.” Hawk reached in for the first envelope. “Denver. Fifty cents says it’s Ulysses Travis, asking after the Flagstone Gang again.”
Rafe laughed as he stepped outside. He took his time walking the town. There wasn’t much to Perseverance—and there wasn’t much going on at all this early in the morning—but Rafe made it last as long as he could. He stood and listened to an older fellow he’d seen here and there talk about the war that had ended nine years ago, peered into the windows of all the saloons to ensure no one had snuck inside, helped a man catch his dog, and declined an offer from Miss Danforth to accompany him on his rounds. He’d just finished up chatting with Mrs. Garner at the diner about the new hat her grown son had sent her from Philadelphia when he figured it was time he headed back.
He stepped into the office to find everyone there, Jackson and Will included. The latter two looked just as exhausted as he was, and he knew it was serious if Hawk had dragged them out of bed.
“What happened?” Rafe asked, not sure he wanted to hear the answer. Especially since he was certain it didn’t include him going home to catch up on his sleep.
“It’s the strangest coincidence,” Will said.
Rafe looked to Hawk to explain.
“Remember that letter on the top of the stack?” Hawk said.
Rafe nodded. “From Travis up in Denver.”
“Right. Wouldn’t you know he’s pestering me again about those Flagstone boys, and an hour later a man rides into town claiming theyrobbed him and left his companion for dead up at the pass?” Hawk shoved the scattered envelopes back into the crate.
The dull headache at the back of Rafe’s head seemed to clear in an instant at this news. “We headed up there?”
“You, me, Jackson, and I need to round up a couple other men. Will’s going to stay here,” Hawk said.
Will folded his arms, his irritation plastered across his face. “I can’t be gone that long. And I can’t miss my shift at Mrs. Garner’s.”
“That long?” Rafe repeated, turned a questioning look toward Hawk. It wasn’t hard to get up to the pass and back within a day. “How long are you thinking?”
“I hope not more than a day or two. But if we can’t find them, we’ll need to go searching to make sure they’ve left the county. I can’t leave men like that up there, not with the stage due to come through and men trying to scratch out a living from the rocks.” Hawk shoved his arms through the sleeves of his jacket. “Will you two go see who you can find? We leave in an hour.”
Rafe followed Jackson and Hawk out the door. “Better go tell the wife first,” Jackson said, more morose than Rafe would have expected. It seemed the man had taken to married life.
“All right. I’ll go by Cabot’s boardinghouse after. See if I can find anyone,” Rafe said.
He dreaded telling Hannah, not after she’d been so affected by Donahue’s letters. But it had to be done.
And so he headed home first.
Chapter Sixteen
Hannahwaswristdeepin dirt when she spotted Rafe turning off from the main road. She brushed her hands together and stood up to greet him.
“What brings you home so early?” It wasn’t even the noon hour yet, although clouds dimmed the sun.
“Work,” he said. He nodded toward the old pail she’d filled with dirt. “What’s that about?”
“Flowers,” Hannah said proudly. “I found this old thing behind the house. It’s no good for carrying water anymore, but it’ll make the perfect container to hold some flowers. Natalie has a penchant for them, and she’s already found some wildflower seeds she’s going to share with me. I thought it would look cheerful to have flowers by the front door.” She looked to him for his approval.
Rafe nodded. “It’ll look pretty. Almost as pretty as you.” The compliment slipped out easily, and if Hannah hadn’t known better, she would have thought he was practiced in giving them.
She couldn’t help but smile at him. “I’d give you a hug for that, but I’m covered in dirt.” She held up her hands.
Rafe paid no attention to the dirt as he took her hands in his. “I’m afraid I didn’t come home for a meal. I have to go up to the pass with Hawk and a few other men.”
“Today?” Hannah said.
“Today,” he confirmed. “We may be up there for a night or two. Will you be all right here on your own?”
“Of course,” Hannah said. “Although I’ll miss you.”
