It shouldn’t matter thatshe felt the lack of him so completely.
“MissMcElroy?” The postmaster’s smile was wearing thin.
Hastily, she scribbledthe rest of the message. “Via telegraph, if you please.”
Taking the paper sheproffered, his brows lifted. “You certain, miss? A message thislength will cost you.”
“Viatelegraph. Please and thank you.”
Shaking his head, heturned to the telegraph machine. “As you say.”
Folding her hands on thecounter, her mind wandered back to Jake. She missed himdesperately, but she didn’t know what words to utter to convey herregret she’d spoken so harshly. Her actions she didn’t regret. Herplan was solid. She’d had years to formulate it, and just becausehe didn’t like it, didn’t mean it wasn’t a good one. But…sheshouldn’t have spoken so harshly.
The door to the postoffice banged over, the bell clanging wildly. Startled, she spunaround.
Margaret stood on thethreshold, her eyes wide and her chest heaving. “Callihan iscoming!”
The postmaster abruptlypaled. “What?” he squeaked.
Hope stilled. Then, ascalmly as she could, she levelled her gaze on the postmaster. “Thisletter is to follow.”
Wide-eyed, the man lookedbetween her and Margaret. He swallowed. “Yes, ma’am.”
“Thank you.”Taking a steadying breath, Hope turned to look at Margaret. “Goodmorning, Margaret. I trust you are well.
Margaret stared at her indisbelief. “Did you hear what I said? Callihan iscoming.”
“I heard.”She took another breath. “How do you know this?”
“Chloe heardit from one of her regulars. Word is he’s coming for you. He readyour article.”
“It wasn’t myarticle, it was Mr Lamar’s.”
“Who careswhose article it was? Didn’t you hear me? Callihan is coming foryou. He’ll be here in minutes.”
Her stomach abruptlyrelocated lower. “Minutes?”
“Finally, areaction.” Margaret placed her fingers on Hope’s arm. “What are yougoing to do?”
“Face him, Isuppose.” She nodded at the postmaster, who looked as if hedesperately wanted them gone so he could barricade his door.Obliging him, Hope departed the post office.
Gaze alert and framevisibly tense, Margaret followed. “I hope you know what you’redoing.”
Her fingers shook. Shehid them in the folds of her skirt. “I do.”
“Well, youain’t got Wade backing you.”
Her heart twisted. No,she didn’t. She’d ruined that.
The street was strangelyempty, shutters drawn over windows and doors firmly closed. Hopesmiled grimly. She would have thought a town as lawless as Ironwoodwould have wanted to gawk at the impending doom of one of itscitizens.
“Hope.”Margaret grabbed her elbow. Hope stopped, her gaze somewhere pastMargaret’s ear. “I know you and Wade are on the outs but maybe itis you should find him afore Callihan finds you.”
“Mr Wade madehis position quite clear, Margaret.” Gently, she extracted herselffrom Margaret’s grip. “Do you have somewhere safe tostay?”
She lifted a shoulder.“The Oriental Rose is as good as any. Why? You ain’t gonna confronthim on your own, are you?”
“You shouldgo there,” she said instead of answering. “And take any you holddear with you.”
