death. I’m not afraid to speak of dying, but I refuse to give up without a fight. I can’t dance through life in this old body, but I can make the most of every moment. In the days remaining, I want to live every breath of life. I have to be sure you can deal with me, knowing the outcome and understanding the burden.”
Such strength for one woman. Casey hadn’t seen any of this from outlaws. She realized the longer she spent away from Jenkins, the more she became sensitive to the things going on around her. “I took care of my mother before she died, Mrs. Rainer.” Casey stroked the fragile hand.
“Well, I’ll do my best to display a sweet temperament and not be too bothersome. And, dear, please call me Sarah. We’ll spend many hours together, and the intimacy of friendship is necessary.” She smiled. “Would you mind reading to me now and then?”
“I would love to, but I’m not real good. And would you teach me how to care for your plants?” She swallowed an inward gasp. In her last words, she’d agreed to nurse the woman.
Sarah closed her eyes. “I see we’re going to get along just fine.” Her hand fell limp in Casey’s grasp. Pulling a thin coverlet up around Sarah’s neck, Casey tiptoed from the room.
A twist of fear settled upon her, and she shuddered. She glanced about the upper hallway from the picture of two children posed in an oversized chair to the layer of dust on the floor. Already she had become involved. What if the Rainers learned the truth?
This is nonsense. Picking up her skirts, Casey stepped to the stairway. I’ve agreed to my own death. Except something about helping others sounded good. Morgan might even approve. She shook her head. Would he ever stop plaguing her thoughts?
“I’ll do my best with the position you’ve offered, providing the folks in your church think it’s all right,” she said to Reverend Rainer. “Be certain of this: If you ever have any questions about me, I’ll answer them honestly.”
“Fine, Miss Flanagan. I think I’ll pay a visit to a couple of my deacons this evening to see about you getting started right away.”
The walk back to the boardinghouse brought a wagonload of hope. No one would suspect a woman living at the parsonage and tending to the reverend’s wife to be an outlaw. Maybe her reading the Bible had brought good luck.
Back at the boardinghouse, the smell of food led her into the dining room. She slipped into a chair near the corner of the room and wondered how long it would take before she felt comfortable among decent folks. Within moments, the owner brought her a plate piled high with roast beef, potatoes, green beans, and corn bread. The sight of it nearly made her dizzy, and the food seemed to melt in her mouth. She forced herself to eat slowly and use the manners she’d seen from Maude. At that thought, she smiled. Soon she’d write them of her good fortune.
Midway through her meal, the sheriff walked in. The corn bread seemed to stick in her throat. She coughed, then reached for a glass of water. The only way out of the dining room was right past him. She’d made enough foolish moves today without one more. He seated himself on the other side of the room at a long table with some other folks. Relief flooded through her. Once he started to talk with the others, she’d leave.
The moment the owner set his food in front of him, the sheriff stood and walked her way. He carried his hat, and his black mustache twitched.
“Ma’am,” he said, “I’m Sheriff Kahler, and I want to welcome you to Kahlerville.”
“Thank you.”
“Do you have people here?”
“No, sir.”
“Well, if you need anything, just stop by my office.”
“I’ll do that very thing. Thank you again.”
He turned around, took one step, then faced her. “Have you ever been to Kentucky?”
“No, sir.” And she hadn’t.
“You look powerful familiar. I thought I might have remembered you from home.”
Trapped. If she left Kahlerville now, the sheriff would figure out where he’d seen her face and have a posse hot on her trail. She didn’t know this part of the country well enough to risk it. She’d have to stay, at least for a little while.
For the first time, an idea began to take form.
Chapter 12
“So you’re heading out?” the preacher said to Morgan.