pardon. Most likely he’ll sleep easier knowing he’s not bending any laws.”
They laughed. It felt good. Casey’s gaze swept over the silhouette of the man she loved. “This was a hard day, wasn’t it?”
“I felt as though each drop of sweat was a prayer in itself. Between the heat and the tension, I lost track of time. Recording every word was like being in law school again. But it’s over, and we did our best.”
“I don’t know whether to laugh or cry.” Casey sniffed and reached for her handkerchief. “In one breath I want to shout, and in the next I’m so relieved it’s over that I want to cry a bucket of tears.” She stretched stiff, aching back muscles. Suddenly a realization hit her. “Morgan, they’re making the recommendation for a full pardon.”
He laughed again. “I knew they would.”
“Now we wait.” She attempted to sort out the inquiries and her replies from the afternoon. Both men had asked numerous questions, and she didn’t always have an answer. She offered information and drew maps, especially in the area of the lower Colorado Plateau and on south through the canyon lands.
Six weeks. Seems like forever. Surely I gave them enough information. Both of them said they were grateful for my statement. Still, I’m impatient. I want it over, but all I can do is allow God to work out His plan. She felt Morgan’s attention on her and met it with a weary smile. His devotion never ceased to amaze her. If only she could reveal her own devotion to him.
Chapter 31
Three weeks passed, and Morgan sensed Casey moving farther and farther away from him. He tried to ignore her black moods and the way she avoided being alone with him, but how much was he supposed to take before he confronted her? He had no intention of ever turning back into the old Morgan who resorted to behavior that looked like a three-year-old’s temper tantrum. Telling her he loved her never seemed to be enough. Many times he thought she didn’t believe him, or maybe her feelings had changed.
Morgan’s selfish attitude made him angry. He needed to be thinking more about her and less about his wounded pride. Confusion etched his every waking moment and haunted his dreams.
The problem lay in waiting to hear from Washington. He knew how much Casey looked for the official pardon. The worry and wondering had to be driving her nearly crazy.
Davis Jenkins . . . he hadn’t given up. The man held a grudge against anyone who crossed him. If Morgan let his mind dwell on the way the outlaw had pursued Casey from the time she was barely a girl, the old fury threatened to take over. If he chose to dwell on her brother, Tim, who had done nothing to help Casey, he grew angry again. Morgan could only imagine what he’d do if faced with Jenkins or Tim.
Don’t dwell on it. You can’t change the past.
Tonight he planned to ride out to the ranch and ask her straight out if she’d changed her mind about him. He shrugged. Maybe she’d met someone else. After all, Grant was right there at the ranch ready to step into his big brother’s shoes. The age difference wasn’t that much. I am really pathetic to be jealous of my own brother. If she was happier with Grant, I’d have to walk away.
With a deep breath, Morgan decided to sidestep his own feelings and ask her what he could do to help. He’d join his family for dinner and hope for the right words—and the right answers.
*****
Casey wondered why Morgan showed up unexpectedly for dinner, but she didn’t ask. Lately she’d treated him shamefully, and she didn’t really mean to. He simply irritated her with his constant urging to spend time with him. She wanted to be left alone until this whole ordeal was over. The idea of being touched or kissed repulsed her. Then she’d remember all Morgan had done and how much she really did love him.
“What can I do to help you through this?” Morgan said while they sat alone on the front porch step.
“Nothing. This is my war.” She listened to the singing insects and fought the unexplained anger rooted deep inside.
“It’s our war.” Morgan’s voice rang tenderly against the approaching evening shadows. “Casey, don’t shut me out.”
“I’m not. I’m simply tired of waiting on something that probably won’t happen.”
“I love you—”
“Morgan, please, must our conversations always lead to this?” She turned