Margaret’s frown warredwith concern. “What about you?”
She nodded in the generaldirection of the brothel. “Go.”
Margaret exhaled. Duckingher head, she took a step, and then another, and then shedisappeared.
Deliberately, Hope turnedaway. Dread pooled in her belly with every step she took, thesilent street stretching her nerves. Stopping in the middle of thestreet, she laced her fingers before her as, in the distance,riders approached. A breeze stirred at her feet, pushing her skirtsabout her, the silence echoing in her ears. She lifted her chin.This was the moment she’d been planning since she was thirteen. Shewould not falter now.
A shadow fell beside her.Jake’s pistols gleamed in the sun, lowered hat shielding hiseyes.
Mutely, she stared athim. “You’re here,” she finally managed.
“Where elsewould I be?” Jaw set, he watched Callihan’s progress, his stancedeceptively casual.
He was here. He wouldhelp. Even though she’d said horrible things, even though she’dhurt him, he would help. She bit her lip. She should have foundhim. As soon as Margaret told her Callihan was coming, she shouldhave found him and asked for his help. Why hadn’t she askedhim?
Wrenching her gaze fromhim, she exhaled. She had not thought he would help. All her life,she’d had to do for herself. It was…strange to rely on someone. Toknow she could.
Ahead, the man who killedher family rode into town. He was flanked by three men—Hopeblinked. No, they were boys. Boys who looked scared but whodesperately tried to hide their fear. Beside her, Jake stoodcalmly.
“You won’tget the best of me this time, Wade,” one of the boyscalled.
Jake ignored him, hisgaze trained on Callihan.
Hope followed suit.Callihan had aged. His beard was mostly grey, as was his long andstringy hair, and dark pouches resided beneath his eyes. He sat hishorse with stooped shoulders, his belly hanging over his belt. Thiscurrent appearance would inspire fear in no one, but he had decadesof evil deeds behind him. She would not underestimatehim.
Callihan crossed hishands over the pommel of his saddle. “Hear tell you’ve been talkingabout me, girly.”
Lifting her chin, shestared him down. “Josiah Callihan. You have done wrong.”
He laughed, a wheezingthing. “That I have. Ask any here. Well, if you could find anyoneto ask. Anyone willing to educate this here girl?” he said, raisinghis voice. Grinning, he said, “Looks like everyone’s too fearful,girl. That should tell you something.” His gaze skittered to Jake.“You might want to control your female, boy.”
Mouth set in a hard line,Jake didn’t reply.
“She’s got amouth on her, and you know a girl’s mouth is only good for onething.”
Jake’s jawtightened.
“Don’taddress him. You’ll address me,” she said sharply.
Callihan ignored her,squinting at Jake. “I know you, don’t I?”
Again, Jake saidnothing.
“Yeah, yeah,you used to run with me. You’ve gotten old, boy. Yeah, I knowyou.”
“You don’tknow me. I ain’t that kid.” Jake said. “And she ain’t mywoman.”
Hope ignored the twingein her chest.
“She ain’tyours, huh?” Callihan rubbed his lip. “Well, whose is she? Someoneneeds to take control of her.”
“She ain’t noone’s. She’s her own, and handles her own troubles.”
“Handles herown troubles? Then why are you here?”
Jake smiled, and the coldshape of it made Hope shiver. “I’m here to hold her hat when shepummels you into the ground.”
Callihan opened hismouth.
