the door, and when she'd let him insideţkeeping the door open so that
the deputy assigned to protect her could see that nothing inappropriate
was going onţhe had quickly explained that he was going to take Caleb
north and that she was going to wait in Rockford Falls until he
returnedţthen she was going to Texas.
Fortunately, Caleb slept through the whispered argument that
followed.
The baby was curled up in a ball on the cot, his chin wet with drool.
He looked like an angelţbut the fire in his mother's eyes was anything
but angelic. She was acting like a bear determined to protect her
young.
"You're out of your mind if you think I'm going to let you take my
son.
" "Jessica, stop waving my gun around. It might go off. Give it back
to me." Deputy Spencer stepped into the room. "Marshal, do you need
some help? " Cole shook his head. "No, it's all right." Jessica
stood at the foot of the double bed, the gun pointing to the floor
now.
She was tense and out of sorts, and there were dark circles under her
eyes. The strain was beginning to show on her.
"You're going to be reasonable about this, " he said.
She shook her head. "I'm not going to Blackwater, and you're not going
to touch Caleb."
"I know it's difficult for you to give me your son, but I promise you
he'll be safe and well taken care of."
"Get out." He ignored the command as he crossed to the chair adjacent
to the bed and sat down. His arm deliberately brushed hers when he
walked past her, and he could have easily snatched the gun out of her
hand then, but didn't.
"I told you to leave."
"I'm not going anywhere until you listen to reason." She glanced from
the deputy to Cole and then back again.
Cole had a gun in his other holster, which made him armed and
dangerous, and Spencer had his hand on the hilt of his gun.
"I can't make up my mind which one of you I'm going to shoot first. "
Spencer glanced at Cole to see what he was going to do about her
threat.
Cole ignored the deputy and kept his gaze on Jessica.
"Please leave before I do something you'll regret."
"Spencer, " Cole said, "close the door. Jessica and I are going to
have a private talk.
" "We are not, " she whispered.
"Are you sure you don't want me to stay, Marshal Clayborne? " Spencer
asked as he reached for the doorknob.
"I'm sure." Spencer looked disappointed. Cole waited until the door
was shut and then told Jessica to sit down. She shook her head and
continued to stand there glaring at him.
He smiled at her. In fact, he couldn't take his eyes off her. She'd
changed her dress and looked even prettier than she had an hour