you, and certainly none are as pretty or as feisty. Sweetheart, we can turn this wagon around right now and head back to the ranch. You understand that once you’re finished with the federal marshal, every outlaw in the country will be after you.”
She nodded while perspiration trickled over her forehead and stung her eyes. “You’ve warned me of this before, but I have to tell what I know. Running is no life at all. If the President grants me this pardon, I can rely on the law’s protection from Jenkins.” She rubbed the top of his knuckles with her gloved hand. “I’d be a liar if I didn’t admit how much this scares me.”
“Let me pray for you,” he said, and she nodded. “Oh God, help us to say the right words today. I pray we find favor in Your eyes and our mission will be acceptable to You. I thank You for this courageous woman who is putting her life on the line to bring the truth to light. I am so unworthy of her, and I thank You every day for her. Whatever happens today, I know You will be beside us. I thank You for Your guidance and Your hand on our lives. Amen.”
“Thank you,” she whispered. With all of her other self-doubts, why did she still question marrying Morgan? Not now. I’ll have hours to consider this once today is over.
She drew a lace handkerchief from her handbag and patted beneath her eyes. Where had this heat come from? Had Satan set foot into the day? Sensing Morgan’s gaze upon her, she turned in his direction and silently reassured him of her composure. The remaining two miles were ridden in silence.
Up ahead at the abandoned ranch house, two horses stood tied to a hitching post, and two men waited on a decaying porch.
“Are there two marshals?” Casey whirled around to see if others were there. Had she been led into a trap? Had Morgan betrayed her?
He glanced about them. “I was told one, but this is good. Both men will hear your testimony.”
She refused to tremble. The marshals might see her fear. “Yes, you’re right.” If one didn’t believe her, the other one might.
The closer the wagon drew them to their destination, the more apprehensive she felt. The unknown tugged at her senses. She wanted the confrontation with the federal marshals to settle all the accusations against her. But it could all go wrong. Raging fear threatened to seize her.
“I feel your trembling,” Morgan said. “Remember who’s in control.
Once they stopped in front of the deserted cabin, Morgan assisted Casey down from the wagon and escorted her to the darkly tanned federal marshals who stood like statues against the rickety cabin. She eyed them evenly and tried to imagine what preconceived notions lay in their heads.
Morgan greeted the nearest man and shook his hand. “Morgan Andrews.”
Both marshals looked as though their faces had been carved in stone. Casey had seen the lean, hungry look before. She wondered if their ambitions were for justice or to seal their reputations.
“Zach Bennett, federal marshal,” the rail-thin man said. “And this is Joe Henderson.”
The other man nodded, and Morgan shook his hand. “This young woman is Miss Casey O’Hare.”
Casey stepped forward and lightly grasped each man’s hand. Pushing aside any visible signs of emotion, she forced pleasantries. “It’s a pleasure to meet you. I trust you haven’t been waiting long in this heat.”
“No, ma’am. We were here but a few minutes before catching sight of the wagon.” Zach’s beady eyes reminded her of a hawk. Could he see her soul?
“Shall we get down to business?” Joe said. “It’s mighty hot, and we have a lot of work to do.”
“First I’d like to see your credentials,” Morgan said. Both men produced identification for him to examine. When he finished, he handed their papers to Casey.
Once convinced Zach Bennett and Joe Henderson were indeed federal marshals, she handed their documents back to Morgan, and he returned them to their owners. “Thank you, gentlemen,” he said. “Your papers appear to be in order.”
Morgan gave Casey his full attention. Compassion emitted from his turquoise eyes. “Are you ready?”
“Yes. Let’s get this done.” And for the first time, she relaxed.
Inside the cabin, it took several minutes to wipe the dust and dirt from a roughly constructed table and find suitable seating. They opened doors and ripped frayed cloth from the windows to let in light and fresh air. The stuffy odor plus the stale