noise would wake the baby.
' He laughed. 'You're all talk, Jessie.'
'You can't make me go to Texas.'
'Yes, I can, ' he countered, his voice firm now, unyielding.
She buried her face in her hands. 'I didn't do anything wrong. Why
don't you leave Caleb and me alone? ' 'You know I can't do that. '
She put her head down on his shoulder and quietly wept. He dug his
handkerchief out of his pocket and handed it to her. Hedidn't tell her
to stop crying, figuring she needed to get rid of the tension inside
her, but he hated knowing that he was part of the reason she was so
distressed.
Long minutes passed before she was able to gain control.
Ole eld her close, noticing how soft she felt against him. now you
didn't do anything wrong, ' he whispered. 'The Judge down in Texas
wants you to come to Blackwater.' But what about Rebecca and Grace, '
she cried out. 'Are 'Hush, you'll wake the baby, ' he reminded her.
'I don't want you to worry about your friends. Daniel will watch out
'How can I not worry? ' 'Trust me, ' he replied.
'I'll try. But, I can't stop thinking about Rebecca and Grace.
They're in danger because of me, aren't they? ' 'Yes, they are. Your
names were published in the paper as potential witnesses, and I don't
think the men who murdered those innocent people will stop until
they've gotten every one of you. I can understand why none of you
would want to admit you were there, but . . . ' She started crying.
The sight of her tears made Cole feel like a ee .
He started to reach for her, then stopped himself.
I on t like women who cry, ' he said 'Then you must hate me. I cry all
the time. I don't cry in ront of Caleb, though. It would upset him.
Sometimes . . . Iate at dnight, I pull the covers over my head so no
on h He put his arm around her and pulled her to his side 'I on t like
hearing that. What makes you cry ath ? ' 'Of what? ' 'Failing. '
'You have a hard life, Jessie.'
'Oh, no, I have a wonderful life with Caleb, ' she whispered I'm very
content. I JUSt get . . . tired sometimes. Everything was going so
well until the day I walked into the bank. I'm ready to tell you what
happened if you want me to, ' she added. 'Then you'll believe me. I