Liberty Belle (36 page)

Wade grasped the man’s wrist. “She didn’t do it!”

The whiskered man sneered. “People don’t generally run unless they got reason.”

The sheriff broke Wade’s grip. “No one’s doubting your word, Cookie. You have any idea where this woman might be?”

“I heared she sometimes goes to The Yellow Slipper. Why Mr. Rowen would hire a saloon gal, I don’t know. But what I do know, Miss Libby Longstreet killed my boss.”

“Liar!” The words exploded from Wade.

Eyes piercing, Bill faced him. “Deputy, is there something I need to know?”

Wade’s head rung. He had to find her. Finally, the sheriff’s words centered his thoughts. He stepped away from Rowen’s cook. “She’s to be my wife.”

The sheriff rocked back on his feet, mistrust clouding his face. “We better find her before that mob does.” He turned to Cookie. “I don’t suppose you told anyone who you think shot your boss.”

Eyes fiery, Rowen’s cook nodded. “You bet I did. Can’t let her get away with murder just ’cause she’s a woman.”

The sheriff tugged the brim of his hat. “Great. You’ve started a fire in this town, and now I have to put it out. If she’s guilty, she’ll hang. Won’t be the first murderess sent to the gallows.”

Wade felt like a tree had just crushed his chest. “Gallows! You’re not going to—”

“Deputy, I stand for justice. Told you that. But I promise she’ll get a fair trial.”

Wade pressed past his shock. “That crowd’s out for blood. Let me find her.”

The sheriff placed a hand on his shoulder. “I can still trust you, can’t I?”

He forced his fists still. “I already said so. I’ll bring her in for questioning.” Wade wasn’t sure if he was angry at Cookie, Libby, or his own misgivings about his ability to do his job where she was concerned.

“Get your horse. If we ride fast, we might get to the saloon before that pack of coyotes.” The sheriff strode past him and untied his horse. “Cookie, you take Mr. Rowen to the undertaker.”

Wade mounted Fuego. Not waiting for the sheriff, he spurred the stallion and charged down the road.

Libby, what have you done?

###

Her back against the wall, Libby gripped the quilt covering the bed, hanging onto it to keep from drowning in fear. Flora and Daisy shivered beside her.

The crowd sounded so angry. Even though Harley kept them outside, their hate crashed into the room. Hot and heavy, their fury stole her breath.

An ominous click silenced the men nearest the door.

Harley pointed his gun at a man dressed in a suit. “I’m warning you, one more step, and I’ll send you to eternity.”

“If you know what’s good for you and your saloon, you’ll hand her over.”

“That’s not going to happen. Now get off my property.” Harley waved his pistol at the stairs.

“This will cost you, Mason. Hope you can drink all that beer by yourself.”

A gunshot sounded from below.

The crowd quieted.

“Off the stairs.” A voice shouted from the street.

Libby’s heart jumped.
Wade.
She crawled over the bed and rushed for the door.

Harley grabbed her and shoved her behind him. “Your deputy might be able to get you out alive. But until he comes, stay out of sight.”

Flora joined her. “Harley, the Lord will reward you.”

The gambler gave a low snort. “Yeah. By shutting down my saloon? Keep Libby away from the door.”

She heard Wade ordering the mob away. Relief vied with dread. Facing the man she loved with what she’d done set loose another wave of tears.

With a look of concern and confusion, Wade shoved stragglers from the doorway and entered the room. “You can put your gun away, Harley. And thanks.”

Harley complied with a grunt.

Wade rushed to her. “Libby, are you all right? What happened?”

She couldn’t read his face. Was he angry? Did he hate her? She stepped away from Flora and burrowed into his arms. “Mr. Rowen, he came at me. The gun was in my hand, and I, I shot him.”

He took her by the shoulders and held her at arm’s length. His brows creased in worry. “What gun? Then it’s true? Why would you shoot him?”

She pushed away from his arms, away from his doubts, away from the disappointment darkening his words. “Flora’s pistol. I told you. Mr. Rowen became angry and attacked me. I didn’t have a choice.”

For the first time, she rose above the shame. Mr. Rowen hadn’t given her a chance. Why couldn’t he understand?

“Rowen attacked you?”

“Yes. He came at me with a knife. Don’t you believe me?”

He nodded. “I believe you. But I’m going to have to take you in for questioning. As soon as the crowd eases, we’ll leave.”

Harley came to Wade’s side. “I’ll go with you. Two guns might get her to the jail alive.”

“Thanks. The sheriff should be out there now.” Wade put his arm around her again.

She stared into his eyes, hoping to find the love and warmth she’d seen when he’d proposed. Although his touch remained tender, a cold wedge of doubt separated them. Had she lost him? Killed her chances for love?

Her vision blurred as her mind reeled. She couldn’t catch her breath. Couldn’t move. Sick to her stomach, her knees buckled, and the world went black.

Murmurs surrounded her. Warmth surrounded her. Wade was holding her. Asking her to marry him. Joy flooded her heart.

Then she opened her eyes.

Happiness fled as she remembered that was yesterday. Wade held her but everything had changed.

Flora put a wet cloth to her forehead. “How can you even begin to think Libby could kill someone?”

Wade nodded. “You’re right.” He hugged her, burying his face in her hair.

Libby put her hand on his and sparks of delight traveled through her fingers. Everything would work out. It had to. She loved him, and he loved her.

Without a word, he picked her up and carried her to the bed, gently placing her on the quilt.

Harley cleared his throat. “Sheriff’s coming.”

Wade stood.

Libby shuddered at the questions in his eyes, and trembled as icy fingers of fear slid into the space between them.

###

Wade kept watch beside the jailhouse window. The ride hadn’t been easy. The angry crowd hurled threats and curses along with a few rocks. Wade raked a hand through his hair. Why did this have to happen? He hated to see Libby being questioned like a criminal. He hated that the word “murderess” had been thrown at her. But he hated even more the nagging doubts picking at his mind.

Why had she wanted to marry so soon? Almost as if she—no. She wasn’t capable of killing.

The sheriff scooted a chair in front of Libby. “Miss Longstreet, you admit you shot Mr. Rowen.”

Libby nodded. “I told you, only because the man attacked me. He got mad when I showed him the canvas bag and mentioned I’d seen rough men at the barn. I didn’t want to shoot him. I don’t even remember aiming the pistol, but he came at me with a knife.”

Taking in a deep breath, the sheriff placed his hands on his knees. “All right, I sent a deputy to the house. He’s looking for the bags and knife.”

Irritation ripped through what little patience Wade had left. “You sent Cody? I would have gone. Why didn’t you—?”

Abruptly, the sheriff stood and knocked his chair over with a scraping thud. “Deputy Calder. Outside.” He pointed to the door.

Blood boiling, Wade went out.

The sheriff jerked him by the shoulder. “Maybe you need to keep out of this. I know she’s the woman you want to marry. But right now, she’s in jail because she killed a man. She admits shooting Rowen.”

Wade faced the sheriff. “She wouldn’t kill Rowen for no reason.”

The sheriff met his gaze. “Terrence Rowen was well-liked. The town is going to demand justice. If Cody finds the knife and canvas bags, I think that will go a long way in getting Libby a lighter sentence.”

Stunned, Wade took a step back. The breath had been knocked out of him. “Lesser sentence? No! She only fired to protect herself.”

“Right now, I want you to cool off. I promise to treat Miss Longstreet as a lady.”

Wade stared at the sheriff. “I’ll take her to Flora’s.”

“She’ll spend the night here. Wouldn’t be safe to let her on the streets.” The sheriff turned, walked inside, and slammed the door with a bang.

Energy roiled through Wade. He had to do something. Go somewhere. In frustration, he mounted Fuego and rode west. In the distance, he spotted the knoll where he’d proposed to Libby. A yearning in his soul prodded him to return to that place, that time when all was right. Back to his dreams before they’d changed into nightmares.

###

Libby huddled on the cot in her cell. Her tears had long ago dried. She was numb. Past, feeling, past worrying, past caring. She had nothing left. The sheriff had questioned and requestioned her until she didn’t know what she was saying.

She glanced at the small, barred window. Sunlight streamed between the bars. Still day. Would she have to spend the night in this place? The building reeked of unwashed men and the chill of fear.

Wade had left her. Would he come back?

She heard a faint knock on the sheriff’s door, and someone entered his office.

Libby walked to the cell door. Hands on the bars, she yearned to see Wade or Flora even Harley.

Snatches of conversation filtered the office.

She tensed.

“Our daughter … Denver … Liberty Longstreet.”

Libby gasped.
Mother.

Chapter 37

Wade reined the stallion to a halt and dismounted. Heart hammering, his breaths came as ragged as the horse’s. Fuego snorted and tossed his head. Palms sweaty, Wade dropped the reins and faced the place where he’d proposed to Libby.

Why God?

He went to the boulder. Knees weak, he collapsed against the rock. Had it only been yesterday? With everything in him, he wanted to take her out of jail, whisk her away, and protect her from any harm.

Running his hand over the gritty sandstone, he remembered the rock in the meadow. A thirst came from his soul. Where was the peace he’d found that day? Bowing his head and his will, he prayed. How long, he wasn’t sure, but by the time he finished, the sun had slid behind the far mountains.

Worn out he rose, and walked to the stallion. He’d begged God to set her free. To let him take her place. He’d waited and waited.

No answer.

Anguish accompanied him to town. He’d stay and protect Libby. Pray she’d be found not guilty. Anything more he couldn’t promise to God or himself.

He stopped by The Yellow Slipper to check if Harley or Flora had learned something that would help. He winced when he saw the mare Libby had ridden still tied to the rail. The animal stood with her head down and coat streaked with dried lather.

After tying Fuego to a post, Wade strode to the horse. At least, she’d been close enough to take a drink at the trough. He ran a hand along her legs. No sign of swelling. While checking her hooves, he noticed a nick out of one of the shoes. He’d trailed a horse from the foothills with such a mark. One of the riders had been riding a black.

With a parting slap to her rump, Wade entered the saloon.

Harley sat at his table, shuffling a deck. No takers joined him. In fact, only a couple of men stood at the bar. The gambler grinned a wry smile. “Well, well, well, if it isn’t the new deputy. Pull up a seat. I seem to have quite a few empty.”

Wade sat across from him. “That because of Libby?”

“I guess so, but then I’ve never been one to cater to public will. Always did fall for the long shots. ... Buy you a drink?”

“Sarsaparilla.” Wade took off his hat and set it on the table. “I’m on duty, besides I got Mark to think of. And Libby.” Just saying her name both pleased and pained him.

A faraway look settled on Harley’s face. “Yeah, Libby. I really wanted her. Would’ve married her, too.” He held a glass of whiskey in a salute. “But the best man won.”

Wade ran a hand through his hair. “We’ll see.”

Harley narrowed an eye, started to speak, but instead downed his drink.

The barkeep brought Wade his glass.

After taking a swig, Wade held his glass up to Harley. “How about helping me find out what was going on at Rowen’s. Things just don’t set right.”

Harley refilled his glass and raised it to Wade’s. “You’re on. For all of Rowen’s charitable deeds and as popular as the man was, I never trusted him. Maybe something only a black sheep like me can sense. He was too slick. Always right and knowing who’s palm to grease. Since I won’t be too busy, deal me in.”

Wade nodded as he downed another sarsaparilla. “We might’ve been friends in another time and place. Who knows, might even happen yet.”

“That is one of my short suits, Deputy. I can count on one hand the number of men I call friend. Women, now that’s a different matter.” He laughed, a deep rumble full of sarcasm.

Wade wondered about the gambler sitting across from him. If he was a betting man, he’d wager Harley hadn’t opened his soul to anyone else in some time. Whether the man knew it or not, he had one friend now.

Harley slammed his glass on the table. “That lawdog keeping Libby in jail?”

“Says she’ll be safer.” Wade lowered his head. He’d left her alone. Failure pounced hard and vicious on his soul. It was his job to protect her. He rose. “I was headed to the jail to stay with her. Keep her safe. … How’s Flora doing?”

A smile sparkled Harley’s gray eyes. “She’s a peculiar woman. Looks weak, but she’s one strong lady. She stayed at the jail for a while and then rushed off to work on Libby’s wedding dress. Checked on her a little while ago. She’s still sewing. Believes you two are getting married Saturday.”

Wade’s mind snapped to attention. Jail or not, he’d marry her. He felt that was his answer as sure as lightning goes with thunder.

With his heart settled, he grabbed his hat. “After I see to Libby, I’ll need your help. I saw the leader of outlaws who held up the depot at Rowen’s.”

The gambler nodded and returned to shuffling the deck. “Doesn’t surprise me. I’m ready whenever you are.”

Wade left The Yellow Slipper with a glimmer of hope. Maybe an answered prayer.