She caught her breath. Kidnapping! Was that it? Had someone tried to take Bonnie and hold her hostage? Was the man really interested in money?
“Megan?”
“Yes, dear?”
“Are you really gonna shoot him if he comes back for me?”
She thought about lying, but knew she couldn’t. “Yes, Bonnie, I am.”
“I’m glad.” The girl sniffed. “The bad man scared me.”
“I know, but I promise to keep you safe. Always.”
Bonnie was quiet for a moment, then she spoke again. “Are you my mama now, Megan?”
“I suppose I am.” She gave her a quick smile, then returned her attention to the door.
“I’m glad,” Bonnie said softly and snuggled close.
“Me, too,” she whispered back. “Try to sleep, honey. I’ll be right here.”
Bonnie took a deep breath and relaxed. Megan fought against the emotions roiling inside of her. The little girl trusted her with her life. It was a big responsibility, but she wouldn’t give it away for anything. Reactions from what had just happened kept rippling through her as her body trembled and her mouth grew dry. She wanted to run and hide with Bonnie, but it was the middle of the night and they had nowhere to go. Town meant walking through the woods and that was the direction the man had gone. Better for them to stay in the house until daylight, then make their way to safety.
An hour before the sun crept over the horizon to begin the day, Bonnie fell asleep. But Megan didn’t dare close her eyes. Still staring at her door, she prayed Justin would return to them quickly. She needed him to help keep their child safe.
* * *
Justin rode into Landing shortly before noon. He stared at the familiar buildings, nodded as people waved and called out greetings and wondered why he was fool enough to think he was going to miss this place when they ran him out of town.
He squinted up at the bright sun and figured he’d be gone before nightfall. He would be lucky to get away without a lynching. But he’d done what he’d set out to do. He’d found the killer.
Even now he couldn’t believe it. The answer was so obvious, once he knew who it was. He’d been right. Laurie had been killed by someone she knew; the same man who’d tried to kill her when she’d told him she was pregnant.
He reined in his horse in front of the sheriff’s office. After dismounting, he secured the animal, then made his way inside. Wyatt was pacing the floor. At the sound of the door opening, he spun around.
“Sheriff! You’re back. Am I glad to see you.”
Justin fought against the uneasy feeling that swept over him. “What’s wrong?”
“You’ve got to go see Megan, ah, Mrs. Kincaid right away.”
His heart beat faster. “Is she hurt?”
“No.” Wyatt stared at him. “It’s the damnedest thing. She was in here this morning demanding I tell her when you’d be back. I told her I didn’t know exactly. She said that last night someone climbed in an upstairs window and tried to kidnap Bonnie.”
Justin stared at his deputy, then swore loudly. He took off running. He tore out of the building and down the boardwalk. Wyatt followed on his heels. If anything happened to either of them—Dear God, he couldn’t bear to think about it.
“Thomas is out questioning people,” Wyatt said between breaths as he caught up. “I asked her if she wanted me to stay in the store with her, but she said she’d be safe with Mrs. Dobson and Andrew there with her. If you hadn’t shown up by noon, I was going to start wiring the towns and find out where you were.”
They ran across the dusty street, dodging a wagon and a man on horseback. Justin saw the gleaming front glass of the store up ahead. He raced to the door, then flung it open.
“Megan!” he roared as he entered the building. There were half a dozen shoppers who all turned and stared at him. Several of the women backed up a step or two. He looked around the building and saw Bonnie sitting beside Mrs. Dobson.
The little girl squealed with excitement and came running toward him. “Justin, you’re back!”
She flung herself at him. He opened his arms wide and drew her up against his chest. She wrapped her legs around his waist and her arms around his neck.
“How’s my girl?” he asked. He felt as if he’d been gone a year. He knew it was silly, but he thought she might have grown in his absence.
“I missed you.”
“I missed you, too, Bonnie,” he said quietly. He wanted to ask if she was all right, but he didn’t want to upset her. Then he heard soft, familiar footsteps and turned toward the sound.
Megan walked down the left aisle of the store. Her blue calico dress was neatly pressed, her hair pulled back and tidy. But her appearance didn’t deceive him. He saw the shadows under her eyes and her hands twisting together in front of her waist. After the way they’d parted, he’d been determined to maintain his distance, but he couldn’t. Not after what he’d just been told.
He shifted Bonnie so he could support her with one arm, then held out his other. Megan ran those last few feet and threw herself against him. He drew her close.
“I’m sorry,” he murmured. “I should have been here.”
She raised her face to his. He saw tears glistening in her eyes, but she didn’t let them fall. Even her smile was brave. When had Megan gotten so strong?
“It’s not your fault. You couldn’t know what was going to happen. Bonnie and I are fine, aren’t we, honey?”
The little girl nodded. “Megan’s got a gun.”
Justin raised his eyebrows.
“It’s just a little one. A derringer. My father bought it for me years ago, when I started staying late at the store.”
“Your father had more sense than I did,” Justin said, realizing he should have thought of that himself. But this was Landing and it had never occurred to him Megan or Bonnie could be in any sort of danger.
He looked down at the little girl and gave her a smile. “I need to talk to Megan for a couple of minutes. Can you stay with Mrs. Dobson?”
Bonnie nodded. “We’re reading. I read a whole book by myself!”
“Good for you. Maybe tonight you’ll read it to me.” If he was still here.
“Really?” Bonnie’s eyes widened. “All the story?”
“Sure.” He set her down.
She grinned. “I’ll go practice.” She skipped across the wooden floor and excitedly told the widow her plan.
Justin looked around the store. The shoppers weren’t even pretending interest in anything other than the drama unfolding around them. “Wyatt, stay here for a few minutes. I’m going to need your help. Megan, let’s go in the back and you can tell me exactly what happened.”
“Of course,” she said, and started to lead the way.
They’d almost reached the curtain that separated the private part of the store, when he realized she was hanging on to his hand as if she would never let go. He studied her and saw the faint tremors in her shoulders and the way she held her head so stiffly. She must have been terrified last night.
His chest tightened at the thought of what could have happened to her. The other sheriffs had had more detailed reports about their towns’ murdered prostitutes. The killings had been brutal; all the young women had been beaten to death. He sent up a prayer of thanks that Megan had survived. He didn’t care if they did run him out of town, he was going to make sure that criminal never hurt anyone again.
Megan walked into her office, then released his hand. She leaned against her desk. “I woke up sometime after midnight,” she began calmly. She stared at a point over his left shoulder. “There was a noise. At first I thought you had—”
Suddenly, he grabbed her shoulders and hauled her hard against him. Before she could protest or even speak, he lowered his mouth to hers. It was wrong to kiss her. Hell, it was a disaster. But he didn’t care. She was safe and alive and that was all he cared about.
He brushed his lips against hers, slowly, gently, not wanting to frigh
ten her more. Megan stretched her arms up so that she could slip her fingers through his hair. Before he could think about deepening the kiss, she had parted her mouth. He swept his tongue inside and tasted her sweetness. She was as hot and willing as he remembered, meeting him more than halfway, pressing her hips against his, murmuring words of encouragement.
He cupped her face and kissed her cheeks, her nose, her eyelids. She was the most precious part of his life. “I love you,” he murmured, not caring that she would use the words against him.
“Oh, Justin.” Megan rested her head on his shoulder and pressed her lips to his neck. “Believe me when I say I love you, too. For always. Later, we’ll figure out the whys and hows. Later, I’ll come up with a plan to convince you of the truth. But for now, for just this one minute, please, please, believe me.”
He wanted to, more than he wanted to draw in his next breath. He would have given anything to trust her. But he couldn’t.
He stroked her hair. “I’m glad you’re safe.”
“Damn you, Justin Kincaid, you’re the most stubborn man in the world.”
“Possibly,” he admitted.
“Why won’t you believe me?”
When she would have raised her head, he held her in place. He didn’t want to look into her face and read her emotions. He didn’t want her reading his. “Tell me what happened last night.”
She wrapped her arms around his waist and leaned against him. In a few, brief sentences, she explained about hearing the noise then finding the man trying to escape with Bonnie.
“Did you see his face?”
“No. He had something tied over the bottom part, and a hat pulled low. I saw his eyes. Not that well, it was dark and I didn’t have a lamp with me. They were...” She paused.
“What?” he prompted. “Anything you can tell me will help.”
He felt her draw in a deep breath. “They were familiar, but don’t ask me how...I don’t know. There was something evil about him.” She shuddered.
“It’s all right, I’m here.”
“I was so frightened. What if he’d gotten Bonnie? He might have hurt her.”
The man probably would have killed her, but Megan didn’t need to know that. “He didn’t. You were very brave.”
“I didn’t feel brave. I just wanted her back. I knew he wouldn’t let go of her, so I grabbed the poker and started hitting him.”
Justin stared over her head toward the wall above her small desk. “How many times?”
“I’m not sure. Five, maybe six. Why does it matter?”
“Did you hit him hard?”
“As hard as I could, on his arm and shoulder.”
“Good. He’ll have bruises there. We’ll be able to prove it was him last night.”
She straightened and pushed at his chest until she could stare at him. “You came back. Does that mean you’ve figured out who the killer is?”
He nodded slowly.
“And?” She waited expectantly.
He touched her hair, then brushed the back of his hand along her cheek. Soft, sleek skin, so warm and supple. He prayed losing her again would kill him because he didn’t want to spend the rest of his life missing her.
“I’m sorry, Megan,” he said, releasing her and stepping back. “I want you to stay here until everything is taken care of. You’ll be safer here.”
“Safe from what? Who’s the killer? Is it the same man who tried to take Bonnie?”
“Yes. The man responsible for all of that is your brother-in-law, Gene.”
CHAPTER NINETEEN
Megan looked up at him. She couldn’t catch her breath, so she couldn’t ask him to repeat what he’d just said. Gene? A killer? It wasn’t possible. Her brother-in-law was a self-righteous prig who would rather be flogged than actually help a needy person, but a killer?
Justin grimaced. “I didn’t expect you to believe me. That’s why it’s better if you stay here. There’s going to be enough trouble with the town. I suspect the good citizens of Landing won’t take kindly to me arresting their minister. If you want to salvage what’s going to be left of your reputation, you’d better stay clear of the church. Later, you can divorce me and I’m sure they’ll take you back to their collective bosom.”
He spun on his heel and walked out of the office.
Megan stared after him. She blinked several times, then drew in a deep breath. He couldn’t have meant what he’d just said. “Justin?”
But he was already gone. She ran to the curtain and thrust it aside. Justin was talking with his deputy, then both men started toward the front door.
“Justin, wait!”
He didn’t bother turning around. He kept on walking, Wyatt at his side.
Mrs. Dobson squeezed out of her small post office. “What is it, Megan? What’s happening?”
“Justin’s gone to arrest Gene,” she said woodenly, wondering what to believe.
“Arrest the minister?” Mrs. Dobson’s disbelief was echoed by customers all around the store. “For what?”
“For Laurie Smith’s murder and for—” she glanced at Bonnie who was staring at her wide-eyed “—other things.” She looked back and saw Andrew stocking the canned goods. “Andrew, do you know where I keep my rifle?”
The teenager looked up, obviously startled. “Y-yes, ma’am.”
“Do you know how to use it?”
He gulped, then nodded.
“Fine. Everyone, I’m sorry but the store is closing temporarily,” she told the customers. “Just leave your purchases here. You can come collect them later.”
She hustled everyone out of the store, then crouched in front of Bonnie. “I have to go check something. Justin thinks he’s found the bad man who hurt you. I want to make sure he’s going to arrest the right one. Can you stay here with Andrew? He’ll keep you safe.”
Bonnie nodded. “Don’t let that bad man hurt Justin.”
“I won’t,” Megan said, then prayed she could keep her promise. She waited while Andrew fetched the rifle she kept in the back. “I’m trusting you with my daughter,” she told the young man.
“Yes, ma’am. I’ll protect her like she was one of my own.”
Megan blinked back the tears. When all this was through, she was going to have to give him a raise. “Lock the door behind me. Don’t let anyone in but me or Sheriff Kincaid. Do you understand?”
He nodded and followed her to the front door. She waited until he’d secured the lock, then she grabbed her skirts and hurried toward the church.
The people she’d thrown out of the store were milling around on the street. Several tried to talk to her, but she just kept moving. Mrs. Dobson fell into step beside her.
“Are you sure about this?” the widow asked. “He’s really gone to arrest Gene?”
Megan nodded and kept moving. Nothing made sense. Justin had to be wrong. Yet, she didn’t care if he was. He’d made his feelings plain. He was her husband and she was going to support him.
“What proof does he have?” Mrs. Dobson asked as they hurried toward the edge of town.
“I don’t know.”
“He must have made a mistake. Why would Gene want to kill a prostitute? I would be surprised if he even knew what they were for.”
“If Justin said he did it, then I believe him.”
Megan saw the church up ahead. Justin and Wyatt were outside talking. Her husband looked up and saw her. He frowned.
“Dammit, Megan, get the hell out of here,” he called, glaring at her.
She shook her head and kept walking toward him. Justin turned away and started up the steps. She rushed after him, leaving the widow panting behind her.
When Megan reached the steps, she could hear Justin inside calling for Gene. She raced up the stairs and stepped into the building.
It was dark and cool inside, a marked contrast to the bright, warm day outside. She paused by the door, letting her eyes adjust. Justin and Wyatt stood by the pulpit. Gene moved out of the shadows toward them.
“Good afternoon, Sheriff. What can I do for you?”
“Did I miss anything?” Mrs. Dobson asked between breaths as she entered the church.
“Hush.” Megan started down the aisle. She wanted to be able to hear everything. The widow kept pace with her. Behind them, Megan could make out more sounds, as if the entire town was coming to join them.
Justin stepped toward the minister. Her husband was a few inches taller, but Gene was broader and heavier. Megan stared at her brother-in-law’s face, trying to imagine him climbing a ladder to the second-story bedroom so he could kidnap Bonnie. Her imagination wasn’t up to the task. What would Gene want with the girl? She clutched her hands together in front of her waist. Justin had made a horrible mistake. She squared her shoulders. It didn’t matter. He was her husband and she would stand beside him.
“I’m arresting you for the murders of Laurie Smith, Ellen Morgan and Sharon Tyler. In addition to that, last night you tried to kidnap a little girl from her bed, with intent of murdering her, as well.”
Megan hadn’t realized how many people had entered the church until she heard their collective gasp. Justin didn’t even turn around. He waited.
Gene stared at him, then stared to laugh. “Murder? You’re accusing me of murder? Come now, Sheriff, I know we’ve had our differences, but even you wouldn’t arrest an innocent man on such ridiculous charges.”
Someone pushed Megan aside. She stumbled and had to clutch a pew to maintain her balance. Colleen marched up the center aisle toward her husband. She shoved Justin, but he didn’t budge.
“What are you doing?” she shrieked, waving her hands in the air. “How dare you come into the church and try to arrest a man of God!”
“He might be a man of God, but he’s got a taste for sin. Wyatt, give me the handcuffs.”
“No!” Colleen threw herself at Justin and started beating his chest. He grabbed her arms and thrust her away from him. She kicked out with her feet.
Megan quickly walked toward her sister. When she reached Justin’s side, she placed her hands on her hips. “Colleen Suzanne Estes, you stop that right now.”
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