But Mr. Morrison is a thorough man. He likes to check every lead. You understand? "I understand you're on my property without invitation," Jake said calmly.
You've watered your horses. Time to move on. The silence stretched taut. One of the men at the pump had his hand on his gun. Now Jake could feel the moment balanced on a knife's edge.
Then the house door opened. Margaret stepped out and Jake's heart sank. But she wasn't running or hiding. She walked onto the porch like a queen, head high, and stood beside him. "These men bothering you, husband? " she asked, her voice steady.
Jake blinked, but recovered quickly. "Just passing through, dear. " Garrett's eyes fixed on Margaret like a hawk on a rabbit. "Ma'am, you look familiar. Have we met? " "I doubt it," Margaret replied coolly. "I don't associate with saddle tramps. " Color rose in Garrett's face.
Now see here. The door opened again. Rose emerged, wiping her hands on an apron Jake had never seen her wear. Maggie, soup's burning. She glanced at the riders with calculated disinterest.
"We having guests for dinner? " "No," Jake said firmly. "These gentlemen were just leaving. " "Pity," Rose said, her smile sharp. "I do so enjoy company. Garrett's jaw worked. Jake could see him trying to reconcile the domesticated scene with whatever description Morrison had given him.
Three desperate fugitives on the run didn't match a settled housewife and her sister. "How long you ladies been here? " Garrett asked. "Sir," Margaret said, frost in her voice. "I don't believe my husband invited you to interrogate his family. " "Family? " Garrett repeated the word like he was tasting it. And where might the third sister be?
Women like you usually travel in threes. Before anyone could answer, Catherine's voice drifted from inside the house, singing softly. A hymn, something about grace and redemption. Her voice was clear and sweet. Nothing like the terrified girl Jake had first met.
That would be my youngest sister, Margaret said. She's delicate. We don't expose her to rough company. The insult landed. Garrett's hand drifted toward his gun, but Jake shifted the rifle just enough to catch his attention.
Like I said, time to move on. Mister Morrison doesn't like being stolen from. Garrett said he's offering a substantial reward for information. Then I hope you find your thieves. Jake replied.
Elsewhere. Garrett held his gaze for a long moment, then nodded to his men. They mounted up slowly, reluctantly. As they turned to leave, Garrett looked back. "We'll be in the area for a while.