“They could already be there, Jake.”
The two men just looked at each other for several long, silent seconds, realizing this could be the last time they saw each other. There was no more running this time. Jake could be facing a firing squad or a noose before it was all over. Jess could see the man fighting tears as he put out his hand. “You’ve been a good friend, Jess. I’m trusting you to keep my family safe, help them however they need it.”
Jess grasped his hand and nodded, clearing his throat to find his voice. “This ain’t your fault, Jake, when you think about it. It’s your pa’s fault. If not for him, none of the other would have happened.”
Jake released his grip and walked to Jess’s horse, feeling as though someone had set a boulder on his chest. “Trouble is, Jess, Lloyd’s going to say the same thing. This is going to change his life, and he’s going to say it’s all my fault.” He mounted up. “He’ll be right.”
He turned the horse, and Jess noticed his jaw flexing, knew the man was struggling not to break down. “It’s been close to twenty years, Jake, and you’ve been a good husband and father and a law-abiding man all that time. Maybe the judge who hears your case will take that into consideration.”
Jake smiled bitterly. “It won’t matter. Even if they let me go, I’ll have already lost something a lot more important to me than my life.” He turned the horse and headed down the steep embankment.
Jess turned away and viciously kicked dirt over the fire. This wasn’t fair. After twenty years, Gentry should have left it alone. Goddamn bastard! He must have found out the reward was still good on Jake.
He picked up Jake’s gear, his thoughts filled more with Randy than with Jake. Not many women loved with the kind of devotion and forgiveness that woman showed. She’d risked so much to be with Jake. He wished there would be more he could do to comfort her, but if Jake was hanged or put in prison for life, there would be nothing he could do but watch over her, provide for her as best he could. Nothing would take away the pain, and he knew he could never take Jake’s place in her heart.
***
Miranda heard the creaking of leather saddles, the clinking of stirrup irons and bit and spur chains, the soft thud made by many horses as they trotted on the dry, dusty trail that led to the house. Many riders were coming! She had lived in this remote area long enough to know one had to always be wary, and she quickly took down her Winchester from where it was cradled over the door. “Stay inside, Evie,” she ordered her daughter. She opened the door and stepped out onto the porch to see soldiers coming.
Immediately her heart leaped to alarm. They were led by that tall, skinny Lieutenant Gentry. Had Jake’s suspicions about the man after meeting him at the picnic been valid after all? She couldn’t be sure that was why the man was here, didn’t want to give Jake away by being too defensive. Maybe there was some other reason the man was here, but a sick feeling began to churn in her belly when she saw Gentry was hauling along what looked like a prison wagon.
She lowered the rifle, nodding to Gentry as he rode closer. “Good afternoon, Lieutenant.” She set the gun aside. If not for Evie, she supposed she would gladly shoot the man right out of his saddle and suffer the consequences, but she wanted no bullets flying with Evie around. “What brings you way out here?”
Gentry looked around warily. “Your husband about?”
The sick feeling became a sharp pain in her stomach. “No.” Jake! He was here for Jake! Why? After all these years, why had God let this happen?
“How about the boy? He still in Pueblo?”
Miranda folded her arms, dread turning to anger. It seemed a silly thing to come to mind all of a sudden, but she thought how ironic it was that today she was wearing the yellow dress Jake had always liked. She had kept herself trim enough all these years that she could still wear it, kept the dress cleaned and pressed for special occasions. She always wore it when she knew Jake could be home any day. “Yes. I’m here alone with my daughter.”
Gentry turned and motioned to one of his men. “Get the rifle. Check the house and get rid of any weapons that might be inside.”
Miranda quickly hoisted the Winchester. “I want an explanation first!” she demanded, aiming the rifle at the private. The man stopped in his tracks, and Miranda moved her gaze and her line of fire to the lieutenant. “You can’t just come riding onto people’s personal property and invade their home without a damn good reason, Lieutenant!” Miranda said firmly.
The lieutenant dismounted, facing her then with a look of authority. “Lady, I think you know the reason I’m here. Your husband is a wanted man, and I have every right to come here and arrest him.” He stepped a little closer, a victorious look in his steely blue eyes. “You’d better think this through. My information tells me that Jake Harkner is no easy man to take down, but he’ll come in quick enough if he thinks his family is in danger. Now, do you really want to use that thing against twelve men? I’ll have you shot down, woman, you and the daughter both, if you interfere, and I’d be within the law to do it. You’ve knowingly harbored a fugitive for years, and pointing that rifle against me and my men creates a picture of self-defense. You want your daughter to get hurt over this, or be left without a father and a mother? It’s your choice, lady.”