Part 13:

"Justin!" Anna called.

"What?"

"I don’t think you going back to town is a very good idea right now. I’ll take her back and then I’ll come back here."

"Oh. You’re probably right, Annie," he said with a devilish grin.

"The name’s Anna. Get it right, birdbrain," Anna said, knocking his hat off and mussing his hair, not that she did much damage as curly as it was.

"OK, OK, I’m sorry. You should at least come in and rest a minute before you go, Anna."

"I suppose you have a point." They went inside and Anna took a seat at the table. Justin handed her a cup of water which she accepted with a grateful smile. Katie stayed on the porch with Outlaw and Bandit. The puppy bounded up and jumped into her lap. Bandit picked him up by the scruff of the neck and carried him to the end of the porch, depositing him in the corner. The puppy looked for all the world like a scolded child as Bandit sniffed once then curled up in front of the door.

Katie smiled before she realized it, then quickly replaced her smile with a scowl as Justin and Anna came back outside. "Anna’s going to take you back to town." Katie stared stonily at the ground as Justin spoke. She moved mechanically as he helped her onto Cookie’s back and Anna swung onto her own horse.

"I’ll tell--," she paused, as if unused to the name before continuing, "I’ll tell Angel what’s going on," Anna said.

Justin nodded. "Tell her she can come here if she needs to. To get away . . ."

Anna nodded knowingly. "Don’t worry. I will."

Justin watched as they rode off towards town, wondering what was wrong with Katie. He sighed and decided it was all for the best anyway.

 

The mayor’s house was in an uproar. Every powerful member of the community was there. The sheriff and Mr. Goldberg were in the living room with several other upstanding men. Their women were in the kitchen, cooking and cleaning and generally trying to keep busy. Sarah was in bed, and Sarah Bass and Heather were in and out taking care of her. Amanda was with Allie and Missy. The older girls were watching Baby Lizza as well.

The men were trying to decide the bast way to go after Justin. No one knew for sure where his hideout was, but they knew it wasn’t too far and the sheriff had an idea of where to start looking.

They were arguing over whether to go after him and take him by surprise or send a messenger. Josh sat numbly, thinking he needed to take care of Sarah . . . he needed to go to Beckie . . . he needed to take care of Sarah . . .

He was brought out of his daze when his wife stepped into the room. She looked terrible, yet more peaceful and serene than she had been in months.

"Gentlemen, I thank you all for coming. I would like to speak with my husband privately if you don’t mind."

There were nods and mumbled ‘Yes ma’ams’ from around the room. Josh stood and followed her out of the room. They went into the back parlor to talk.

 

Angel was sitting in the parlor with Angela and Elisabeth when Anna and Katie arrived. As soon as they came in the room, Angel leapt out of her chair, smiling broadly.

"Anna!" she shrieked. She immediately embraced the other woman. "How have you been? What brought you back to town? Have you seen Justin?"

Anna cut her off. "Slow down. I’ll tell you everything. But first," she said looking over her shoulder. That was when Angel noticed Katie.

Angel was looking at her with such understanding that the floodgates opened again. She threw herself into the older woman’s arms, sobbing. Angela and Elisabeth left the room, taking Anna to the kitchen. Miss Blake was there, getting a glass of water for her sister. News traveled fast and Miss Beckie had been a wreck since she heard that Katie had disappeared with Justin. Somehow she knew why Katie had left. When her sister arrived, she confirmed Beckie’s worst fears about the situation. Katie knew the truth. Beckie was afraid that one of the people she loved most in the world would never speak to her again.

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