Daniel was too incredulous to argue. Cole shook his head. "How can
you leave tomorrow? " he asked. "The coach doesn't come through here
until the day after."
"We aren't taking the coach, " Jessica explained.
"We're going by wagon, " Grace said. "It's in the field behind the
house. Surely you noticed it on your way here."
"We should put our suitcases in it tonight, " Jessica said.
Grace agreed. "And get an early start in the morning. That's a good
idea."
"Who's driving the team? " Cole wanted to know.
"We are, " Grace answered. The look on her face indicated she couldn't
imagine why he would ask such a question.
Cole was staring at Jessica's hands. He reached over and took hold of
one and turned the palm up. "Your hands are soft." It sounded like an
accusation, and she pulled her hand back. "I'll wear gloves."
"Have you ever driven a team before? " Daniel asked.
"Not exactly, " she admitted.
Astonished by their impossible plans, Daniel looked at Cole, hoping he
would be able to talk some sense into them.
Cole was just as astounded, but he tried to be diplomatic. "The two of
you . . . and the baby are going to set off on your own across some of
the most rugged and dangerous terrain in the country. Have I got that
straight? " Both Grace and Jessica nodded.
Cole lost his patience. "Are you ladies out of your minds? " Since he
was looking at Jessica, she assumed he expected her to answer his rude
question. "No, we aren't out of our minds. We've thought it all out,
and I assure you we know what we're doing." Grace nodded. "Yes, we
do, " she agreed. She turned to Daniel and added, "We won't be
traveling alone. We're going to join a wagon train."
"We must be in Gramby by Monday at the latest, " Jessica said.
Daniel was staring intently at Grace. More than anything she longed to
tell him to stop it. It was rude, and it was also driving her to
distraction. She had the feeling he was trying to see into her mind,
which was absurd, she told herself. He couldn't possibly read her
thoughts.
"Why are you asking us so many personal questions? " she demanded.
"We haven't done anything wrong, " Jessica insisted.
"Are you finished questioning us about the bank? " Grace asked. "We
both have work to do." Daniel's anger was evident in his expression
and voice when he said, "If one of you has information about the
robbery and isn't telling, that's called obstruction. It's a
punishable crime, ladies."
"Are you trying to intimidate us? " Jessica asked.
Both marshals ignored the question. Daniel turned to Grace. "I've
only got one more question for you. Did you happen to run into Jessica
when you were at the bank? " She looked at Jessica before she
answered. "Yes, I passed her on my way out of the bank. She was going
inside."
"What about Rebecca? " Cole asked. "Did you bump into her too? " The