and the curls framing her face gave her the appearance of a fine lady. No hint of an outlaw.
“I believe God is our hope and strength, but having this much knowledge at your fingertips has to make you feel confident.”
He chuckled. “Not always. I sure felt better when that friend of Ben’s left town yesterday.”
“Have you and Ben talked about a pardon from Governor Ireland?”
“I had a feeling you’d bring that up.” Morgan lifted a chair from behind his desk and moved it beside hers. “I’ve compiled information I want to go over with you.” He opened a leather satchel and removed letters and documents pertaining to her case. “I’ve recorded your story in detail. You’ll find dates, places, and types of crimes that the Jenkins gang committed while you rode with them. Remember the night at the parsonage when I questioned you about the role you played during his robberies? Note”—he pointed to items of interest—“you stated specifically your whereabouts during each one of them. He had you posted as a lookout with the horses or back at the campsite. Also, I have a signed statement from Doc about risking your life to help me. He added a lengthy portion attesting to your good character. In the past six months, newspapers and wanted posters report you’ve been involved with gang activities while you were living at the parsonage.” He handed her the various documents and studied her reaction to each one.
“Everything has been signed or witnessed and dates verified,” she said once she completed reading each one. “So this is what you’ve been doing these past weeks.” She read both of Doc’s letters as a result of Morgan’s request and hers. “I know the problem is where there’s no proof of my innocence.” She straightened up the stack and handed the papers to Morgan. “If you don’t contact the federal marshals for me, then I’ll have Ben do it.” She clasped her hand over his, sending tiny shivers up his spine. “Don’t try to talk me out of this. I’ve thought of little else for months.”
This would seal her coffin. I can’t let her do it. “What you’re telling me is dangerous. I’m not so sure it’s necessary.”
“I have to do this. Will you arrange it, please?”
Morgan studied her placid face, the one he first saw in the mountains of Utah. “I’m sure I can secure your pardon without endangering your life.”
“Have you forgotten all the things Jenkins has done? What good does it do me to ask for a pardon and not give something back in return? And do I need to remind you that he has not given up his search for me?” She tilted her head. “Did you speak with Ben’s friend from Austin?”
“I met him. He’s determined. Of course, I made sure I came across as a small-town lawyer. He wasn’t interested in me.” Morgan tapped his pen on the desk as though the distraction might alter her stand. He grappled for words—not a normal problem for him, but the woman he loved wanted to step into a viper pit. “You might have to change your name again and move to some obscure town far from Texas.”
“I wouldn’t ask you to give up your home and family, Morgan, but to me, any other way is selfish.” She turned to him and tilted her head, her face a vision of peace. Yet he knew her deepest need. She had to free herself from running and hiding. Or she would die trying. “You know I can’t do anything less, not only for me, but for all the Kathleens and Morgans of the world.”
“I want to stop you, but I don’t know how. What can I say or do to change your mind?”
“Nothing. The price of freedom is not too dear to me.” Her words swept over him like a soft breeze. “Simply help me do what must be done. You have no idea what it’s like to constantly look to see who might be behind you. There’s no safe place. All I can do is stand and fight.”
His heart swelled with emotion, causing him to say nothing for several moments. She was right. He hated to admit it, but the state would look favorably on her offer.
“I’ve been called many things,” she said. “You’ve heard them, everything from Jenkins’s woman to a she-devil. I want it all to end.”
He studied her, the woman he loved. From her stubborn stance, he knew she’d have Ben help her if