Silver Creek - G.L. Snodgrass Page 0,74

desert and no one will ever know.”

Chapter Twenty-Eight

Luke’s back ached and his stomach rumbled, but he hadn’t stopped for the night. And now, finally, he was home. Stretching, he rolled his shoulders as he rode into town. People smiled and nodded as he passed. Both Scarlet and Carver stepped out of the General store and lifted a hand in greeting.

He nodded but continued on. Becky. That was all that mattered. Once he knew she was safe and held her in his arms once more. Then, and only then would he relax.

They could make a home here, he realized. He was accepted. A man of standing in the town. Would Becky be happier in Oregon? Or, was he taking her away from what was best for her?

Laughing at himself he shook his head, there was only one way to know. Ask her.

Glancing at the bank as he passed, he shook his head. Tuthill had to know that he would be discovered. That the records in Carson City would expose him. If he had any sense, he would be halfway to Texas by now.

The knowledge that he’d warned Tom’s killer sat like a stone in his gut. Should he go after him? But that might take a lifetime and he’d promised Becky. Besides, the man could have taken off in any direction and had a good week's head start.

The entire trip back, all he could do was beat himself for exposing his hand to the one person who should never have known of his plans. His foolishness had allowed a murder to get away.

Looking from the bank to the jail, he saw how Tuthill had probably climbed up on the bank’s roof and taken that pot shot at him. He’d hoped that by killing Luke he could stop the inquiries and the killing would have been blamed on the Feltons.

“Luke,” Jake called as he stepped out of the jail.

“Hey, Brother,” he replied. “I’ll be back in a minute.”

Jake smiled as he glanced across the street at Helen’s restaurant. “I understand. A man has to have his priorities.”

With a nervous stomach, Luke swung down from the big roan and tied him off before he stopped and took a deep breath. A mixture of anxiety and hope flashed through him. Would she be mad if he said he wanted to go after the banker? The thought of Tom’s killer getting away with it ate at his craw.

“Becky,” he called as he stepped inside. His brow furrowed in confusion when he found Helen pouring coffee to a pair of miners.

“Luke! You’re back.”

“Yes,” he replied. “It went smooth. Um? Where’s Becky?”

Helen froze as she frowned. “She hasn’t come in yet. I sent Pap down to check on her at home, but she was gone. I thought you might have come home and found her. The two of you might of needed time to yourselves.”

Now it was Luke’s turn to frown. “Not here? Didn’t you come in together?”

Helen’s cheeks suddenly flushed red as she backed away and into the kitchen. Luke followed her, his gut tightening with each passing second. Where was Becky?

“I didn’t go home last night,” Helen said as she looked down at the floor. “Don’t you be telling anyone, but … Chester. We’re getting married.”

Luke sighed. He was happy for her, but that didn’t help him know where Becky was.

“She was going to have Jake walk her home,” Helen continued. “I haven’t seen her since I closed up last night.”

A cold shiver ran down his spine. “Tuthill?” he asked. “Has he left town?”

Helen frowned. “What does …”

“Helen,” Luke interrupted as he took a hold of her shoulders to make her focus. “Tell me. Has Tuthill left town?”

She continued to frown as she shook her head. “Not as of yesterday. I saw him close up his bank at four like he does. Then he turned and headed home. Why?”

Luke ignored her as he rushed out of the restaurant. No, this was impossible. The man couldn’t have been foolish enough to stay around. Why? He had to know that he would be arrested as soon as Luke returned to town.

A gut gnawing fear began to grow inside of him. Slamming the bank’s door open he took two steps inside and froze.

“Where’s Tuthill,” he demanded of the teller.

The man shrugged his shoulders and shook his head. “Don’t know. And I got to tell you. We ain’t got no cash if you’re wanting to make a withdrawal. He ain’t been in to open the safe.”

Spinning on his heels,