in that ruse and needed to ask for her forgiveness.”
“You only wanted to cause trouble between Sylvia and me.”
Bonnie lifted her chin. “You manage trouble before you get out of bed in the morning.” Disgust sprinkled on her like dirt in a dust storm. “I’m asking you one more time to leave, or I’ll get help.”
He reached inside his jacket and pulled out a revolver. “You and I are going to have a talk inside.”
Chapter 34
Sylvia wept silently for several minutes before she lifted her dampened face. “I’m sorry, gentlemen. I will do better.”
“It’s all right.” Travis squeezed her hand lightly.
She glanced straight ahead, not at any of the men listening, but beyond Heaven’s Gate to a place where agony twisted at her heart. “I expected him to have affairs. He’s an attractive man and needed . . . those indiscretions. I ignored them with an understanding that without me, he had no funds to grow his business. He’d never leave me. The hardest one to endure was his relationship with Martha. When I learned her sons were his, I thought he might leave me. He threatened, but she left town before he could stop her. He never forgave me. Thought I’d given her money.”
“Did you?” Travis said. “Not that anyone could blame you.”
“No. She didn’t need me. Martha was a strong woman. She came to see me the same day she left town. Told me that she had to leave—because of the boys. She’d decided to tell them that their father had died so they’d never be branded with being fatherless. I was very angry with her and Lester.”
“Can I get you a glass of water?” Travis said.
She tilted her head. “What a dear man you are. No, I don’t need any water. If I stop for too long, I’ll not have the courage to continue.”
“I wish all this wasn’t necessary. I see what it’s doing to you.”
“But we must. You are here because the truth must be spoken.” She lifted her hand to Morgan and Grant. “I have a lawyer to hear my story, a doctor to help me when the pain becomes unbearable, and a man of God to walk with me through this living hell.”
Travis swallowed hard.
“I believed Lester when he asked me and the church for forgiveness. He said he’d made his peace with God and would never be unfaithful again. And for a long time I trusted him. Jenny and Grant are saints to have built this house where the brothel once stood. When she asked me to direct it, I was thrilled. My days were often long, and it not only gave me something to do, but I also had purpose and something to talk about with Lester. He encouraged me and then asked if he could help. I was pleased. So very pleased.”
*****
Bonnie tried desperately not to show her fright, but fear nearly paralyzed her. Juanita and Lydia Anne were in the house. “Why, Lester? I don’t want to have a relationship with you.”
“Doesn’t matter. I’ve had every woman I ever fancied.”
“Even the ones who abhorred you?”
“None do after they have a taste of my affections.”
Bonnie backed up toward the house. “What happens when a woman refuses you? Or is that why you killed Rosie?”
He chuckled. “Can’t pin her murder on me. I had nothing to do with it.”
“She was carrying a child. Was it yours?”
“If it was my child, why would I have killed her?”
“Sylvia.”
“You have no idea what you are talking about. But I didn’t kill her.”
“You can tell that to all the folks when they learn what really happened. You killed Rosie, and it’s only a matter of time before the people of Kahlerville find out.”
An odd look passed over Lester. Was it regret? Or remorse? But the look quickly faded to arrogance. He waved his revolver. “Do you really want me to use this in front of your daughter and Juanita?”
“The ranch hands would hear.”
He raised a brow. “None of them are around. I looked real good before I rode in. Now we’ll step inside so you can pack Zack’s things.”
“You know he lives with Brother Travis.”
“When will Zack arrive? Don’t tell me he isn’t coming this afternoon, because I heard the good reverend and Brother Travis talking about it yesterday.” He laughed. “To think you are such good friends with that revolting-looking man.”
“Why do you need Zack? I thought it was me you wanted.”
“Oh, it is pretty lady. Having him with me is a deposit on my