Total pages in book: 42
Estimated words: 38157 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 191(@200wpm)___ 153(@250wpm)___ 127(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 38157 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 191(@200wpm)___ 153(@250wpm)___ 127(@300wpm)
“Straight to the stable,” Cole said. “They’ll meet us there.”
When they pulled up to the stable, Cole felt apprehension growing. What would happen, now that the plans were so askew? Had Junior arrived ahead of them? Had he gotten word to those who needed it most? In the darkness, two shadows emerged. He recognized Junior’s slight form, and the sweeping skirts of a tall woman who held herself erect until the riders came into view. She ran straight at Preach. Preach pulled to a stop and fairly leapt off his horse, taking the woman into his arms and kissing her. But it was Aida’s reaction he was most focused on.
He felt her sit up and her grip on his shirt tighten. She gasped. Slowly, he guided his horse to a stop and prepared to let her down, but she was already slipping from the saddle.
“Aida, you wait,” he ordered, but she didn’t, was already down and running toward the woman who stood with Preach. Cole came up behind her as quickly as he could. They had to be quiet, had to be discreet, as the last plans fell into place. A part of him surged with hope and joy as he looked at her face, though he feared being heard. Her eyes were bright with tears as she held onto the woman who embraced her back.
Cole tipped his hat at the woman as he came to Aida’s side.
“Lucille,” he said. “We need to get to cover.”
Aida turned to Cole, her eyes wide. “You know Lucille?” she asked.
Cole grinned. “You could say that, darlin’. Now let’s get you inside.”
“Inside where?” she asked. “I just found her! And you want me to leave already?”
He clenched his jaw. Damn it, the girl needed to mind him. “To safety, Aida. Now.”
Lucille nodded, giving Aida a gentle shove toward Cole. “There will be time to catch up,” she said. “But we need to make sure you’re all safe.”
Preach’s arm went around Lucille as Doc led their horses to the stable. Aida frowned but followed Cole to where he ushered her. He eyed her. He could almost feel her willful resistance. She seemed angry, and on the verge of tears. Christ, if crying wasn’t exactly what the girl needed.
There would be time, but he knew how he would bring her to where she needed to be.
***
Aida sat at a table in the back of a darkened room in Litchfield.
“I sent them, honey,” Lucille said gently, taking Aida’s hand in her own. The woman she’d known since she was a baby, the only one she’d ever known as mother, now sat with her, explaining why everything had transpired. She gestured to Preach and Cole. Junior and Doc had retired to their rooms, and Aida now sat with a cup of hot tea next to Cole. He’d removed his hat and watched her now with weary eyes, as the truth unfolded.
“My brother is sheriff here in Litchfield, and the only honest law-abiding man I know. Preach knew that Monty and Pearson and their men were unstoppable, and he also knew he and Mr. Clemens were the only ones Monty and Pearson trusted.”
“It was the only way we could bring them out,” Preach said. “Stage a high-end robbery.” His eyes flitted to Cole. “And Justice has been in bed with them for the past year.”
“Where are they all now?” Aida asked. It was all so much to take in.
“You know Monty and Pearson were killed,” Cole said.
Aida flinched. They weren’t the only ones who’d been killed.
“Lucille was waiting here for her brother, knew that Justice and the rest of Monty’s men would be running to Litchfield with their prize. They walked right into the trap set, and were all caught.”
Aida gasped. “Will they hang?”
Cole looked away and worked his jaw for a moment before speaking. “Yes.” He ran a hand over his face and she knew then how hard this had all been, how hard it would be yet.
She breathed out, before she resumed speaking. “And what will come of you two? Are you still running from the law?”
Lucille shook her head. “They were commissioned, honey. They are the law.”
Aida’s eyes widened. “You two?”
Cole nodded.
Lucille continued. “My brother knew the only way to bring Monty and Pearson to justice would be if one of their own betrayed them. Cole has been working for months to gain their trust so that they could be brought to justice.”
Cole flinched at the word justice and Aida’s heart went out to him.
“And Justice was part of their group?”
Cole nodded soberly.
Aida frowned. “But… what about me? How do I fit into all of this?”
“That’s where I come in,” Lucille said. “I didn’t leave you because I needed to leave, Aida. I left because I knew you needed to be free from the home you were in, and had no means to do so. I sent them to get you. It was on their way, and I knew I could trust them to bring you here.”