to purchase a gun before we leave, and I'd like you to teach me how to
use it. I want to be accurate." He didn't like hearing that she
wanted a weapon. "Just aim and shoot, " he said. "That's all there is
to it. You don't need to carry a gun anyway."
"Yes, I do, " she argued. "Will you teach me how to use it? " You
already shot York's gun."
"I want to be accurate, " she insisted.
He didn't waste time debating the point. "We'll leave as soon as Caleb
wakes up. Now what? " he asked when she shook her head at him.
"He has to eat first."
"Fine, " he said. "After he eats, we'll leave. You might want to pack
some food he likes, " he thought to add.
"How long will it take us to get to the Nortons' home? " "Not long, "
he promised. "And, Jessie, I don't want you to tell anyone where we're
taking Caleb. Don't even say Nortons' name again, because someone
might overhear. All right? " l "Yes." He was walking out the doorway
when she called out to him.
"Cole? " "Yes? " "Promise me you won't let anything happen to my
son.
" "I promise." And time remembered is gnef forgotten, And frosts are
slain and flowers begotten, Rebecca sat on the stone bench in the small
garden in the back of the hotel. Her packed valises were on the ground
beside her. It was safe and quiet, and very secluded this time of day,
for none of the other guests wanted to venture out into the hot
afternoon sun. The garden was surrounded on all sides by a high brick
wall and thick pruned evergreens. Spencer and Cobb stood guard by the
door leading out from the atrium, while their superior, Marshal Cooper,
paced in agitation.
Impatient to get going, he was waiting for the private coach they'd
ordered to arrive.
She was concerned that Grace and Jessica would see her leave.
After checking the time, she glanced at the doorway. "I feel terrible
not saying good-bye to Jessica and Grace, but I don't want them to know
I'm going to Texas to look at the man they're holding. They'll worry
about me, " she added. "I hope we don't run into them when we leave
the hotel." You don't have to worry about that, " Cooper said.
"Neither lady will see you leave."
"How can you be so certain? " "Grace has been ordered to stay in bed
until tomorrow, and Marshal Ryan has a guard posted at her door. He
isn't going to let her out, and he isn't going to let her have
visitors."
"What about Jessica? " "She left with Marshal Clayborne a couple of
hours ago."
"What do you mean, she left? Where did she go? " Rebecca cried out.
"Did she have an errand to do? Will she be back today? " "No."
"Where is she? " "She's in good hands, " Cooper said. You shouldn't
worry about her.
" "How long ago did she leave? Did you say a couple of hours? " "Yes,
" he answered. "We should have left then too, but finding a decent