train station? " "I'm certain. I was raised in the city, Marshal, and
as I explained before, I have absolutely no experience riding. I'd
break my neck."
"All right then, " he said. "It shouldn't be much longer before the
coach gets here. We'll just wait."
"You still haven't told me where Jessica has gone." Cooper braced
himself before looking directly at Rebecca. He didn't want her to know
the effect she was having on him, but, Lord, it was difficult to keep
himself from staring. She was an incredibly beautiful woman, and with
the sun beating down on her golden hair, she looked as though she were
wearing a halo. The first sight of her angelic face had all but
knocked the legs out from under him. Daniel really should have warned
him, he decided, so that he could have prepared himself.
Spencer and Cobb were openly besotted with all three women. Since
meeting them, they had behaved like boys who had just discovered the
opposite sex. It was damned disgusting. Slowly lowering his gaze, he
asked Rebecca to repeat her question.
"I want to know where Jessica and Cole have gone."
"I don't know their destination."
"North, " Spencer blurted out.
Cooper gave the deputy a look that suggested he not say another word.
"Cole and Jessica took the baby to a friend's house." "Was it one of
Cole's friends? " she asked. "It must be, " she added.
"Jessica's friends are in Chicago . . . except for Grace and me.
We're her dear friends. Why did she need to take Caleb away? And why
wonXt you tell me where she's gone? You're a marshal, for heaven's
sake. You should know."
"Sorry, but I don't know, " he said.
"I just worry about her."
"The three of you have become close, haven't you? " "Tragic
circumstances forced us together, and we found we had quite a lot in
common." Cooper felt sorry for Rebecca. She sounded so forlorn and
looked so damned vulnerable.
"You're going to see both of your friends real soon, " he promised.
"I will? " she asked eagerly. "When? " "Jessica and Cole and Grace
and Daniel will all catch up with us." She frowned in confusion. "I
don't understand. Are you telling me that Grace and Jessica are going
to Texas too? " "Yes."
"But why? I'm the witness."
"I realize that, " he replied. "However, we have to keep the other
women safe until after the trial. Once you've testified, the ordeal
will be over.
Until then, all of you need guards. Besides, Judge Rafferty wants all
three of you."
"How soon will I see them? " "They're meeting us in Red Arrow, " he
answered. "We'll probably get there before Cole and Jessica, but they
might surprise us and meet our train."
"Red Arrow's the last stop then? Does that mean I have to ride a horse
to Blackwater? " Her worry made him smile. "You can ride with me, or