Frankly, my daughter worries me. Do you know what I’d have done?”
Casey eyed the woman squarely.
“I’d have made her help whether she wanted to or not. That boy could have died.”
She nodded, knowing well what Jocelyn meant. Managing a ranch the size of the Double H and rearing Bonnie and Grant took a strong woman. Casey wanted to be just like her. For a moment she wondered if Morgan wanted that kind of woman too.
*****
On Monday morning, Morgan rode into town to see Ben Kahler. He hadn’t heard about Rafael’s injury until late Sunday afternoon. Pride nearly caused him to explode with what Casey had done. The praises from his family and Jesse fortified his belief in her ability to live a life free from those who wanted her dead. He regretted not telling her himself, but by the time he returned from the cabin, she’d elected to ride into town with Grant and Rafael to meet the doctor, who had been out on another case. That’s my Casey, tending to those who are hurt.
Now, as he made his way down the streets to Ben Kahler’s office, he deliberated how to handle seeing his old friend. Amends needed to be made with Ben, but Morgan also needed to find out about the Jenkins gang. Using friendship to help Casey ground at his resolve to live for the Lord.
He tied Twister to the hitching post and glanced around at the town. If Jenkins discovered Casey was here, he’d tear the place apart. Innocent people would lie dead in the streets, people he knew and cared for. Whether Casey agreed with him or not, Morgan intended to start working on her case. He no more believed she was guilty of all the crimes credited to her name than he doubted God’s hand in bringing the two of them back together.
Stepping into Ben’s office, he found his friend at a clean desk, reading a newspaper.
“Is this town so quiet that you have to find things to keep busy?” Morgan said. “Your desk is clean except for that stack of wanted posters.”
Ben dropped the paper, and a wide grin spread across his face. He stood and grabbed Morgan’s hand. “Why didn’t you tell me yesterday you were heading into town? We could have gone fishing.”
“I’m right. Kahlerville is much too tame for you. Of course, the folks here owe that to you.”
“I think a few other folks had a hand in it, too. Sit down. How long are you home?”
“Permanently. I left the old Morgan behind.”
“So seeing you in church yesterday wasn’t to please your mother?”
“Nope. Me and the Lord are back on speaking terms, or rather I started listening.”
“Good. I’m glad, real glad.”
“Well, Sheriff Kahler, I have a question for you.”
Ben raised a brow. “Fishing? Hunting? You name it.”
Morgan laughed. “Are your intentions honorable when it comes to my sister?”
His face reddened. “How’d you know?”
“I’m a lawyer, remember? I’m supposed to look for signs of guilt. And by the way you two were eyeing each other yesterday, I doubt if either of you could recall the sermon.”
“Guilty. And, yes, I have honorable intentions. I want to come calling on Bonnie.”
“You didn’t need my permission. We’ve always been like brothers. Couldn’t think of a better man to come courtin’.”
“Thanks. I might just ride over your way tonight. Want to head over to the boardinghouse for some coffee, catch up on old times?”
“Sure, but first I want to know if you’ve heard anything about Jenkins and his bunch. I may be finished chasing after him, but he still needs to face a judge.”
Ben nodded. “I read everything I can get my hands on about that gang. The last I heard he was spending most of his time looking for his woman.”
“I heard she left him. Can’t blame her.”
“She has a price on her head, too. I’d like to get both of them.”
“I’d rather find him.”
Ben shrugged. “And I’d like to be the one to catch the whole gang. You know, I found myself studying every redheaded woman in this town. I even took a second look at Miss Flanagan, the woman who’s taking care of the reverend’s wife. Makes me ashamed of myself.”
“You’re just wanting to be the lawman who ends the Jenkins gang. You probably want a dime novel written about you.” Morgan forced a laugh while his insides churned.
Ben leaned across his desk. “It has crossed my mind.”
Chapter 16
Morgan left Ben’s office and made his way down the dusty street to the telegraph