She knew.
Sadie whispered:
“In what way?”
“All.”
Her heart hammered.
Lucien looked at her now.
“But wanting is not claim.”
The room seemed smaller.
Sadie stood.
Walked toward him.
Lucien did not move.
She stopped within reach.
The first time since church she had chosen distance.
She lifted hand.
Touched scar on his cheek.
He closed eyes.
Only for a second.
Sadie said:
“I don’t know what I want yet.”
Lucien opened eyes.
“I know.”
“Does that hurt?”
“Yes.”
“You keep answering honestly at inconvenient times.”
“I’m learning.”
Sadie smiled.
Then returned to bed.
No kiss.
Not yet.
The journey to Oak Haven took four days because winter trail remained difficult.
Clara traveled with them.
At lower pass they found evidence someone had followed earlier.
Horse tracks.
Two riders.
Lucien became tense.
Sadie asked:
“Cobb?”
“Maybe.”
“Will he try to stop us?”
“He’d be stupid.”
“Is he?”
Lucien thought.
“Desperate.”
More dangerous.
On third night they camped in an abandoned line shack.
Lucien took first watch.
Sadie woke near midnight to voices.
She sat up.
Clara already awake.
Outside:
“Lucien Holt!”
Deputy Crane.
Lucien answered from darkness.
“You’re far from town.”
“Mayor sent me.”
“Then you’re still far.”
Crane said:
“Mrs. Holt needs return under county authority.”
Sadie stood.
Clara grabbed coat.
They stepped outside.
Two men on horseback.
Crane and another deputy.
Lucien stood between.
Rifle pointed toward ground.
Sadie walked past him.
Lucien murmured:
“Sadie.”
She ignored.
Crane saw her.
“Mrs. Holt.”
“Sadie.”
“Mayor is concerned for welfare.”
She laughed.
“Was he concerned while I washed his sheets for ten years?”
Crane shifted.
“We have papers.”
Clara stepped beside Sadie.
“Wonderful.”
“Hand them to attorney.”
Crane looked annoyed.
“Who are you?”
“Person who charges by hour whenever men ask stupid questions.”
Sadie nearly smiled.
Crane produced document.
Clara read.
Then laughed openly.
“This is not a warrant.”
“It’s order.”
“It’s a letter from Mayor Cobb.”
“He’s magistrate pro tem.”
“Not for property matters in which he has financial interest.”
Crane’s face tightened.
Clara handed back.
“Go home.”
The second deputy reached toward Sadie’s arm.
Lucien moved.
Fast.
But Sadie moved first.
She slapped his hand away.
“Do not touch me.”
Everyone froze.
Sadie stared at deputy.
“I spent ten years having people move me around like furniture.”
“Try again.”