Page 10 of Brian and Cora (The Bachelors of Three Bend Lake #2)

Sheriff Granger slashed her hand for silence. “I’ve found no evidence at all that these are Indians,” he said firmly. “From all the descriptions I’ve gathered, the robbers are white men.”

Scowling, the man crossed his arms in front of his chest.

“Who are you?” The sheriff narrowed her eyes at him. When he didn’t respond, she prompted him. “What’s your name?”

“Jonathan Mercury Smith. But just call me J.M.” He smirked. “At your service.”

Frowning, the sheriff pointed at him. “Sit,” she ordered. “I’ll have no more of your attempts to stir up trouble.”

J.M. Smith grunted and flopped back into his seat.

Brian studied the man. Something about him didn’t ring true, and those instincts buzzed energy through his body.

For the first time, he wished he was more familiar with the community.

Although he knew standouts like Cobb—a known despiser of Indians—existed, Brian had the sense that most people held more benign views.

Over the summer, Dr. Angus had gone with the sheriff when she led a group of people taking donated supplies to the reservation, where the Blackfoot were starving.

As the sheriff began to lay out the type of men she needed in her posse, Brian’s thoughts raced. He knew he needed to be one of them—not just to gather fodder to fuel his creative imagination—but because of the instinctive urge to protect his community.

A few hours ago, I never would have thought of Sweetwater Springs as my community.

Brian didn’t engage in the debate on whether the fireworks scheduled for later tonight should go on. He was too engrossed in planning, figuring how he’d go about being chosen to be a posse member and listing what supplies he’d need to buy at the mercantile.

J.M. Smith stood and pointed out the door. “Can’t trust a redskin,” he stated in a harsh tone. “Your pet Indian deputy is sending you off on a wild goose chase.”

With an angry expression, the sheriff took several steps in his direction.

“With your obvious hatred of Indians, Mr. Smith,” she stated in ringing tones “you’re the one trying to send us on a wild goose chase.

You are dismissed. Your participation is unwanted.

” She pointed toward the door. “Leave at once.”

“Free country and this is a church,” Smith drawled, sitting down. Insolently, he crossed his arms. “I have a right to be here. I’m not going anywhere.”

Anger propelled Brian to his feet, his hands fisted. Hank rose with him, as did the other men around. Then, almost as one, they emptied from their pews and converged on Smith.

Nick Sanders reached the man first. “You heard the sheriff. Out you go.” He flung a rigid arm toward the door. “Either on your own two feet or flying. Makes no difference to me.”

Smith’s eyes shifted from Sanders to Brian to Hank to the other men, sizing them up.

Brian straightened his shoulders, puffed out his chest, and narrowed his eyes, giving Smith the firm message that he was not to be trifled with.

Smith hitched a shoulder in an insouciant shrug. “No skin off my nose if you’re planning wrong.” He wheeled about and stormed down the aisle.

The men stood in place, fists clenched, to watch him leave. Hearing the slamming door, they let out an almost collective breath, turned, nodded at each other, and returned to their places.

Once seated, Brian inhaled and exhaled a few slow breaths to calm his racing heart.

The sheriff glanced around the room. “This gang has killed.” She projected her voice. “They’ll be desperate now, and they will kill again.”

A woman sobbed.

Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Elsie clutch Hank’s arm and slide her hand down to clasp his.

The sheriff paced back and forth in front of the pews, then stopped. “It’s possible some of the men who set out on this posse will not return.” She glanced around, making eye contact with many.

Brian followed her gaze, seeing the uneasy, frightened, determined, and angry expressions.

“What I’m about to say will sound heartless.

” Sheriff Granger squared her shoulders and waited a beat.

“Only those men whose families can spare them…in a financial way…will be allowed to come.” She didn’t stop for the intakes of breath but plowed on.

“I’m not talking about the pain involved if you died.

From the murder of my father, I know what such a loss is like.

I wouldn’t want to wish that grief on any family. However, we must be realistic.”

I don’t have a family. Precisely three people who will care if I die.

Elsie let out a little sniff.

Glancing over, he saw tears shining in her big, brown eyes. Well, maybe seven people.

Resolve built. Am I willing to kill?

No. Not just any man. But these men, yes. Unequivocally. If not killed or captured, they will continue to rob and murder innocent people.

Dr. Angus Cameron rose. “I’m nae willing tae kill a man,” he said, his Scottish brogue thick. “But I am going along. I think ye’ll be in need of my services.”

Brian had no doubt of that fact.

Next to the doctor, Constance made a small sound of distress before pressing a handkerchief to her mouth. But she didn’t stop her fiancé from volunteering.

Dr. Angus sat and patted her knee.

Doc Rawlins from Morgan’s Crossing also volunteered.

Brian placed a hand over his gun for courage, feeling the stiff leather of the new holster. Was it only this morning I bought these…when chasing outlaws was only imaginary? He leaned closer to Hank. “I’m riding along,” he said in a low tone for his friend’s ears only.

Hank stiffened. “Then I’m going, too.”

“You can’t. You have…” Brian gestured toward Elsie.

“I’m going to protect Elsie and everyone else from those murdering thieves.”

Seeing the clench of Hank’s jaw and knowing he felt the same resolve, Brian forewent further argument. His friend was an easygoing man. But when he stood on a rock of righteous conviction, nothing budged him.

Hank jabbed a friendly elbow into Brian’s side. “’Sides, someone has to watch your back while you’re busy creating stories in your head.”

Feeling guilty about involving Hank, and yet also relieved to have his friend at his side in this dangerous adventure, Brian nodded, sending up a prayer for their safety. If something happens to Hank, I’ll carry that remorse for the rest of my life.

He glanced over at Elsie to see tears trembling in her eyes.

She sniffed them back, obviously trying, but not quite succeeding, to look brave.

Hank raised their tightly clenched hands and pressed a kiss to the back of hers. He leaned down to say something into her ear.

Elsie nodded several times, before reluctantly releasing his hand. “I’m so proud of you,” she whispered.

What would that kind of support feel like?

No matter what, I’ll have to make sure to Hank comes home to her.

Elsie leaned forward to speak to Brian. “Constance and I will take good care of Sassy Girl.”

Brian stood, Hank only a few seconds slower. He made eye contact with his friend, exchanging a thousand messages in a single glance. Then he took a deep breath into his tight lungs and faced Sheriff Granger. “We’re going.”