Dark Heart Wolf - Haley Weir Page 0,3
folks lock up and get home. The two of you need to put some distance between you. Now.”
Sam’s hands clenched into fists and he took a step closer towards Mary Ann. She placed her hand on his arm to gently calm him. It seemed to work as Sam slowly relaxed and walked back over to the proper side of the counter. He purchased a few sweets and shoved past Jesse on his way out the door. He did not go far, however. Sam leaned against the windows, determined to be the one to walk her home.
Jesse shook his head once more and hovered over the counter. “Hey, Mary, can I ask you for a favor? I know you and I haven’t known one another for as long as you’ve known Boone and Sam, but I was wondering if you could keep an eye out for this woman.” He reached into his breast pocket and handed over a photograph of a woman with dark skin, her hair was pinned atop her head in a very subtle fashion.
“Who is she?”
“Her name is Ruth. Beth’s grandmother was helping me get her to Colorado,” he explained. “Ruth was a slave that earned her freedom after her owner died. I met her on my trip to Georgia when I was buying supplies for the town. Though she had her papers, her life was in danger. Beth’s grandmother sent Ruth up north until I could find a way to get her here.”
“Why Colorado?”
“She is not comfortable where she’s at and feels she would be more useful on the ranch. Abigail’s bleeding heart got the best of her and she paid for the train ticket for Ruth to come down here a little early.” Jesse had pride and excitement in his voice. “She’ll be my ward.”
“How old is she?” Mary Ann asked.
“She’s fifteen. And folks where she’s from don’t see a young girl in need; they just see the color of her skin. Wolf Valley is full of all sorts. I think she’ll do just fine here.”
Mary Ann shifted on her heels. “Jesse, why didn’t you just say somethin’ about this to Beth? I’m sure she would understand. She’s tryin’ to use the money from her grandmother to open an orphanage for the kids in the steel mills up in Chicago where she’s from. I’m sure Beth would not mind helping you with—”
“No. Beth and I don’t agree on much. And I made a promise to her grandmother and to Ruth that I would see this through to the end.”
“I’ll keep a lookout. If I see her comin' in off the trains, I’ll let you know.”
"Thank you so much, Mary Ann. It means the world to me." Jesse tipped his hat and waltzed out of the bakery. Mary Ann smiled to herself as she closed up. Boone came stomping down the road as she shut the front door.
"Evenin', Boone. I hear you're the new sheriff in town." She pulled her pelisse tighter and turned to face him. Mary Ann missed the days when Boone's judgment towards his brother didn't extend to her. "How are things?"
"I'm only sheriff until the mayor's replacement comes," he replied. "I'm puttin' together a posse to search for the missin' folks soon, and I wanted you to know about the new curfew."
"Curfew?"
"All shops will be closin' up at six now. Winter is comin', which means the days are gettin' darker, and we can't have folks walkin' around after nightfall." Boone's eyes shifted over to Sam, but he held his tongue.
"Thank you for lettin' me know."
Sam stepped forward and grabbed her arm gently, steering her away from his brother. Mary Ann felt Boone's eyes glaring at their backs and sighed. "Why can't the two of you just get along? So much is happenin' right now. Can't we just focus on stayin' away from the Wendigo Spirit and findin' Charlotte?"
"If that's what you want, I'll try."
Mary Ann moved closer to Sam. She felt the heat radiating off of his large body. Most people didn't dare look their way, but Mary Ann heard a few malicious comments whispered under the breath of cowards. She knew the reason Sam's eyes were red, and she accepted it. The wolf and the man were one and the same. And what she felt for Sam went beyond logical reason. He was both infuriating and the love of her life.
Chapter Two
Sam watched Mary Ann close the front door. He watched the lantern light flicker behind the curtains as she walked up