The Journey Home

Caught up in his suspicions, she glanced over her shoulder to make sure no one saw her and then picked up her pace.

Kody took Harry’s rifle, her bedroll and carpetbag—all her worldly possessions—and hung them neatly from the saddle, then helped her onto the old black mare he’d found somewhere.

Her doubts intensified. What did she know about this man apart from his own words? “Where’d you get the horse?”

He crossed his arms over his chest and stared up at her, his eyes hidden under the rim of his hat. “You figure I stole her?”

Her ears stung with heat that her caution had sounded accusing. She averted her gaze. “Just asking.”

Kody grunted. “It might ease your mind to know I bought her fair and square from the livery barn. The owner seemed quite willing to part with her. He’s running low on feed.”

At his words a release of tension left Charlotte’s spine weak. She didn’t care to think the law would be after them.

Charlotte studied her mount—thin and probably as hungry as she was. She patted the mare’s neck soothingly.

Kody pulled out of the trees and into the street, drew back as a truck putt-putted past, then flicked the reins and continued.

Charlotte started to follow, but when he headed away from the town to the north, her heart kicked in alarm. Did he expect her to follow him to Canada without protest? She pulled on the reins and turned the mare down Main Street. “Favor is to the south,” she muttered.

Kody kicked Sam in the ribs and bolted to her side. “You can’t ride through town.”

“Why not? I’m a free woman. I’ve broken no laws.”

He reached for her reins, but she jerked away from him.

“Again, I remind you, you’re a white woman, I’m a—”

“So you said. But I am not riding north with you.”

Kody grunted and fell back to her horse’s rear. He pulled his hat lower over his face. “You’re going to regret this,” he murmured as he followed.

Charlotte kept her thoughts to herself, but she didn’t intend to regret riding north when relief lay to the south, nor did she intend to ride out without giving God one more chance to send an alternative to riding into the unknown with a dark stranger.

As they traveled the three-block length of the street, Mrs. Williams stepped into view. The woman cleaned and cooked for Pastor Jones. Surely this was God’s answer. The good Mrs. Williams would offer sanctuary to a stranded young woman. Charlotte edged her horse closer to the sidewalk and called out a greeting.

“Charlotte, how are you doing?”

“I’m actually in need of shelter. Harry has moved and until he sends for me, I am homeless. Perhaps you’ll allow me to stay with you. I could find a job and provide for myself. I just need a place to sleep.”

“I don’t see how you could find work when hundreds of men are unemployed, and besides, with my husband being sick…” The older woman shook her head. “I’m sorry.”

Charlotte nodded. “Thank you, anyway.” She edged the horse back into the street, muttering to herself, “I wouldn’t be in her way at all.”

Kody grunted. “Times are hard.”

Right then, Lother stepped out of the hotel. Charlotte shuddered as Lother glanced past her to Kody.

“You. Injun. What are you doing following my woman? Leave her alone.” He waved his arms like he shooed chickens into the henhouse.

Kody didn’t answer but said softly to Charlotte, “Make up your mind. Either ride on or stay with him.”

“Some choice.” She nudged her plodding horse onward, ignoring Lother’s words following her down the street.

“No decent woman would keep company with an Injun of her own will.” Anything more he had to say was lost in the clatter of horses’ hooves.

Mrs. Craven peeked out her window as they passed, her eyes narrowing on Kody, then widening at Charlotte’s riding with him. But she let the curtain drop without offering help.

As they rode out of town, Charlotte swallowed back the bitterness rising in her throat and resisted an urge to shake the dust from her skirts. She only asked for a little shelter. Instead, she was forced to accept the charity and kindness of a stranger. She prayed kindness guided this man’s actions. God, I need help. Please send someone.

A mile down the road, Kody edged forward to ride at her side, but neither of them spoke. What could she possibly say? She’d accepted his help out of desperation. She felt no gratitude. Only a mile-wide hope that God would still see fit to send an alternative to accompanying this man into the unknown.

They had ridden perhaps an hour when the sound of an approaching car brought them to a stop at the side of the road. Charlotte expected the car to growl past and turned her head to avoid the cloud of dust. But the vehicle drew to a halt beside them and Sheriff Mack stepped out.

She wanted to laugh and cry and cheer all at once. God hadn’t forgotten her. Why hadn’t it occurred to her to consult the sheriff? “Sheriff, am I glad to see you. Perhaps you can help me.”

“That’s why I’m here.” He pulled out his gun and leveled it at Kody. “Put your hands in the air and get down real slow.”

For the second time in the same afternoon, Kody’s arms went up and he dropped to the ground easily and gracefully.

Charlotte’s heart stalled with alarm. Had she unwittingly accompanied a fugitive? She swallowed hard, trying to ease the gritty feeling inside, like she’d taken in too much dust in the last blow.

What had Kody done?

And why had she allowed herself to believe he wanted to help her? She’d been duped by talk about a God-fearing mother. She’d been taught you couldn’t judge a man by the color of his skin. Seems you couldn’t judge by his words or demeanor, either.

“Something wrong, Sheriff?” Kody asked in a low voice, apparently unconcerned.

She doubted he could be as indifferent as he appeared with the sheriff motioning him away from his horse.

“Charlotte, get in the car,” Sheriff Mack said. “And you—” he kept his gun steady as he approached Kody “—turn around slow.”

Charlotte sighed in relief as she got into the front seat of the sheriff’s car. Sheriff Mack lived with his maiden sister. They’d be glad to take her in and she’d find a way to prove her value to them.

She watched as the sheriff handcuffed Kody and pushed him into the backseat. I wonder what he’s done. Too bad. He seemed like a nice enough fellow.

The sheriff grabbed up the horses and tied them to the car. “Good thing Lother sent me after you,” he said to Charlotte as he got behind the wheel.

A prickly sensation crawled along Charlotte’s skin. She pulled her skirt down hard and tucked it around her legs. “Lother? What’s he got to do with this?”

The sheriff chuckled. “No need to play coy with me, Charlotte. He told me you two were to marry. Said he saw this Indian take you out of town.” Sheriff Mack started the car and edged down the road toward Big Rock. “But don’t you worry. I’ll take care of your kidnapper.” He scowled over his shoulder at Kody. “Guess you know better than to expect any mercy. It’s the rope for you.” He turned and smiled at Charlotte. “I’ll make sure you’re safe with Lother before nightfall. Might even agree to stand up for him at his wedding.” He nodded, seeming pleased with himself.

Charlotte stared at the sheriff. Nothing he said made any sense. Safe with Lother? She shuddered. “Are you saying Lother thinks I’ve been kidnapped?”

“Good thing he saw your predicament.”

“But I went of my own free will.”

The sheriff stopped the car and faced her. “Didn’t you just ask me for help?”