and Miss Shawne Flanagan?” He spat the name like it was venom.
“That’s what I wanted to talk to you about.”
“Little late, don’t you think?”
“Not for old friends.”
“You’ve got some tall explaining to do on this one. Outlaws won’t be taking over my town. I have a reputation here. You of all people should know that.”
“It’s not your town. It’s everyone’s town.”
“I’m not in the mood for your lawyer-twisting words.”
“And I’m not in the mood for you sending an innocent woman to her death.”
“You of all people should see what this woman has done to you. Doesn’t Kathleen mean anything to you anymore? What about your family and the people in this community? And the reverend? Maybe I already know. Prostitution has been linked with Casey O’Hare a time or two. I imagine she has her ways.”
Morgan fought to keep from slamming a fist into Ben’s face. He took a few deep breaths and formed his words. “Do you honestly think I’d be involved with anything that would desecrate the Kathleen’s memory? Or for that matter desecrate God?”
“I don’t know.” Ben’s words softened. “You’ve been gone a long time, and nothing I’ve learned makes sense. Have you forgotten that I’ve sworn to uphold the law?”
“Would you hear me out first? I need your help.”
“Need my help? Do you think I’d sacrifice the safety of this town over some lovesick, half-crazed lawyer and a wanted killer?”
“I think you’d give me a chance to state the truth.”
Ben fumed. His face had long since reddened. “Guess I owe you that much.”
Chapter 23
Casey trembled the moment she saw Morgan ride into view with Ben Kahler. She wanted to believe the two of them together meant something good. Then again, it could mean nothing at all. A coincidence.?Morgan had left early this morning, according to Grant. He hadn’t said a word to anyone about where he was going.
How can he stay at the cabin where Kathleen was killed? She shrugged and massaged her arms.
“I’ve been praying all day,” Jocelyn said. “I’ve made Ben’s favorite fried chicken and creamed potatoes, hoping it will make a difference.”
“And I baked his favorite peach cobbler,” Bonnie added.
“So you two think Morgan is going to tell Ben everything tonight?” Casey said.
Jocelyn wrapped her arm around Casey’s shoulders. “Morgan’s a good lawyer, and he thinks things through. I bet he stayed up all night working on your case.”
“If this doesn’t work—”
“Hush.” Jocelyn squeezed her shoulders. “Who is in control here?”
“I know. But I can’t help but feel the day of reckoning is coming much too fast.” Casey watched the two men make their way from the barn toward the house. “Remember to call me Shawne until this matter is settled, probably forever.” She couldn’t think clearly when her mind was muddied with emotion.
The men’s boots pounded on the steps and onto the porch, shaking Casey’s resolve to relax. Read Ben’s eyes. Remember who’s in control. She snatched up a glass vase full of the wildflowers Bonnie had picked earlier and set it on the table. A few deep breaths and she transformed herself back to another day: Jenkins had ridden back from a job gone bad and was drunk. He called out for her, then cursed. Back then she depended on her wits and her weapons. Now she depended on God.
“Good to see you,” Jocelyn called to Ben. She hugged him and wagged her finger at Morgan. “You took off this morning, and I had extra breakfast on the stove.”
He kissed his mother’s cheek. “Sorry. Had business to tend to.”
Ben stole a look around Jocelyn. “Evenin’, Bonnie, Miss Shawne.”
Bonnie’s dimpled grin would have melted ice. “Glad you came, Ben.”
He doesn’t know. Casey nodded a silent greeting and caught the grit in his stare. Yes, he did know. “Did you and Morgan spend the day together?”
“Fishing?” Bonnie laughed.
“Yes and no.” Ben couldn’t have disguised his love for Bonnie if he had to. His eyes held a certain light that she’d seen in Morgan’s. “Hmm, something sure smells good, and I’m starved.”
“We’re putting it on the table right now,” Jocelyn said. “It’s just us tonight. We took the hands their dinner before you rode up. But someone needs to round up Grant.”
“I’ll get him.” Morgan glanced at Casey with a grin. “I could use a little company.”
Outside, she waited until they were clear of listening ears. “You told him.”
Morgan wrapped an arm around her waist. “Didn’t have to.”
“Are you giving me an opportunity to ride out of here?”