A patchy girl fits this one's look. We'll take her and be gone. Bert's tone stayed calm, but firm. Not without papers signed in this county. You won't.
I've seen no warrants, no legal claim. If you've got something official, let's ride to my office and check the books. The second writer scowlled. Since when does a sheriff protect savages? Burke's eyes narrowed, though his voice never rose.
Since it's my job to keep law, not let men snatch folks off porches on rumor. You got a name? Nielli spoke then. Her voice even though her hands clenched at her sides. Nielli, daughter of Taza.
My band was scattered weeks ago. I have broken no law here. She said it not as a plea, but as fact. The taller rider spat into the dust. No law, maybe, but plenty of reason.
He looked to Elias, measuring him. You hiding her, cowboy? Better game. Elias felt every part of the moment pressed down on him. He could step aside, say she wasn't his concern, and the men would drag her away.
It would end the risk in the stairs and the whispers in town. His life could go back to quiet. But he remembered the way she stitched her wound by lamplight. The way she stood in the storm without complaint. The way she had looked at him that first night and asked if he remembered.
He knew his answer before he spoke. "She's under my roof," Elias said, his voice steady as iron. "That makes her my concern." The riders shifted in their saddles, hands brushing close to their belts. The sheriff eased his horse's step forward, his revolver low at his side, though not raised.
You heard the man. No papers, no warrant. You want to test that? You test me first. For a long moment, the only sound was the windmill creaking behind the house.
Then the taller rider cursed under his breath, jerked his res, and turned his horse. The second followed, their silhouettes shrinking against the horizon. Burke watched until they were gone, then turned his eyes back on Elias. You just made yourself part of this, Carver. They'll be back or others will.