Judith Stacy - The Heart Of A Hero

Sarah stumbled away, her mind racing. Prison? Jess had been in prison? He’d shot a lawman—in cold blood?

She wrung her hands as she hurried down the boardwalk. Why had she gotten involved? She should have refused to testify. She should have kept to herself. She’d broken the vow she’d made and now look at what had happened. The town was turning against her. She could lose her job. And all because of Jess Logan.

He should have told her about his past He should have known what she’d say in front of the judge. But he hadn’t opened his mouth. He’d let her stick out her neck, all for his own good.

Anger rose in her throat, pulling her heart with it.

Jess stepped out in front of her at the comer of the bank. He was mad, too.

“Bastards.” He flung his hand toward the crowd of people still filing out of the courthouse. “Nosy hypocrites. I’m not living my life to suit them—any of them. And if they think I’m going to kiss their butts just to keep those kids, they can all think again.”

Sarah rounded on him, fury roiling in her. “Oh, is that right? You listen to me, Mr. Jess Logan. They’ll take those children away from you in a heartbeat—and enjoy doing it. Don’t think they won’t. So if you really care about your sister’s memory, if you really want what’s best for Maggie and Jimmy, then I suggest you pucker up.”

Sarah whipped around and stalked away.

While she’d have preferred to bury her head under her pillow and never show her face in town again, Sarah met Dwight Rutledge at the Blue Jay Café for supper, as she’d promised. Dwight, at least, was respectable company. Being seen with him couldn’t hurt.

“Quite the doings in court today.” Dwight settled back in his chair across from her.

“Were you there? I didn’t see you.” Maybe now he wouldn’t want to be seen with her. Sarah’s stomach soured. Goodness, what had she gotten herself into?

“I think it was a good thing you did, speaking out like that.” Dwight nodded emphatically, then grinned slowly. “I didn’t realize you had such strong feelings about children and...love.”

She wished he’d stop looking at her that way. “I told the truth. That’s all. Of course, I’m not sure everyone else in town feels the same way as you.”

Dwight reached across the table and laid his big hand over hers. “You did the right thing. It shows integrity. I like that in a woman.”

“Thank you.” She eased her hand away, wondering if the rest of the town would see her single-handed influence on the judge in such a favorable light.

Kirby Sullivan stopped by their table to take their supper order. “I heard what happened at the courthouse this afternoon. I’m glad Jess got another chance.”

Relieved that not everyone had turned on her, Sarah sighed. “I hope it works out for him.” But in her heart, she didn’t see how it could. Not with the way Jess felt about the townspeople.

Dwight ordered steaks for them both and talked about his business straight through to dessert. The sun was slipping toward the horizon, painting the sky a gorgeous blue as they stepped out onto the boardwalk.

“Let me show you my store while we’re in town.” Dwight tugged proudly on his vest. “Doing quite well, if I say so myself.”

A look at Walker Feed and Grain was only marginally more appealing than spending another evening alone at her house, so Sarah agreed. They walked, Dwight pointing out places he considered interesting. Shops and businesses had closed and the boardwalk at this end of town was nearly empty. Seeing Megan Neville was a surprise.

“Oh! Hello, Mrs. Wakefield.” Megan touched her brown hair and smoothed her skirt, seeming as surprised as anyone at the chance meeting.

“Hello, Megan.”

“What brings you down here at this hour?” Dwight frowned at her. “Mighty late to be out and about. Does your pa know you’re here?”

She glanced nervously at him, then back at Sarah. “Actually, I—I’m looking for Papa. Have you seen him?”

“Is something wrong?” Sarah asked.

“No. No, nothing. Nothing at all. I’d better go.” Megan hurried away.

Dwight watched her leave, then looked down at Sarah. “Such a delightful child. Turned out real good, what with her ma dying and all. Been hard on Buck Neville, too, handling his sheriff duties, raising a child. A man needs a wife. Don’t you think?”

Sarah turned toward his store, deliberately ignoring his question. “Is that a light on’ inside? I thought you’d closed up.”

“I did.” He pulled the big brass key from his pocket and opened the door. “Who’s there?”

“It’s me, Mr. Rutledge. It’s Zack.”

Peering around Dwight, Sarah saw a tall, lanky young man step in from the back room. He looked to be about twenty, with even looks and black, curly hair.

He pushed both hands through his hair, smoothing it in place, and shoved his shirttail deeper into his trousers. “I stayed late to get a jump on tomorrow’s work, Mr. Rutledge. That’s all.”

“All right. Lock up when you’re done.” Dwight closed the door. Finding someone already inside, Dwight seemed to have little desire to show Sarah around. She wondered why.

He linked his arm through hers as they walked back down the boardwalk. “That’s Zack Gibb. You remember, I told you about his family.”

The inbreeders who married their cousins. How could she forget?

“Working late, without being asked.” Dwight nodded slowly. “Family ties are tight with those Gibbs. Zack and Gil, especially, even though Gil is a real hothead. Remember, I told you he was the gunfighter. But it looks like I picked the right Gibb to work for me. That Zack. A dedicated worker.”

Sarah glimpsed Megan Neville disappearing around the corner ahead of her. “Yes, I suppose so.”

Twilight settled as Sarah reached her little house across from the school, Dwight beside her. After hearing him talk all evening, she felt sure she could open her own feed and grain store.

Dwight suddenly stopped short and squared his shoulders. Sarah’s breath caught as she saw Jess sitting on her front steps, Maggie and Jimmy playing in the side yard. A myriad of emotions surged through Sarah, causing her heart to beat harder.

Jess rose slowly, put away his pocket knife and tossed aside the stick he’d been whittling.

“Logan.”

“Rutledge.”

The men glared at each other.

Sarah stepped away from Dwight. “Thank you for supper.”

He tore his gaze from Jess, a scowl drawing his features together. “I’ll come to call after services on Sunday.”

Sarah glanced at Jess and saw his shoulders stiffen. “No, I won’t be here. I’m having supper with the Sullivans.”

His expression soured. “Another time, then.”

Dwight stared at Jess again. Jess braced his arm against the porch roof support column, making it clear he didn’t intend to leave. Finally, Dwight touched the brim of his hat. “Good evening.”

Sarah watched him until he faded into the gray shadows stretching across the road. She turned to Jess and his bravado dissolved.

“I, ah, I brought back your kettle.” He gestured to the black pot sitting on the porch.

“You didn’t have to wait.”

“I didn’t wait. I just got here.”

The heaping mound of wood chips he’d whittled told a different story.

Jess ignored her unspoken challenge and walked down the steps. He waved his hand at the house. “Do you really live in this place? It looks like it’s ready to fall down.”

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