Stepping into the stream, he followed it until he reached the ledge, and he looked out over the mountainous terrain. Tall, green trees dominated the landscape, but he was able to barely make out a meadow in the distance.
“What do you see?” Rosalie asked, coming to stand next to him.
Paden pointed toward the meadow. “Do you see that clearing up ahead?”
“I do.”
With a side glance, he explained, “That would be an ideal place for a hideout. No one is around for miles, there’s running water, and I can’t imagine they would lack for food in this area.”
Rosalie squinted. “I agree. Should we go investigate?”
“Investigate what?” Sherriff Walton asked, joining their private interlude.
Again, Paden pointed toward the meadow. “We are thinking that would be a good place for a hideout.”
The sheriff tucked his thumbs into his gun belt. “That is Tilford Steiner’s place. He came out about five years ago and got himself a homestead out here in these woods.”
“Have you heard from him lately?” Rosalie asked.
“It’s been a couple of months, but that is not unusual. Steiner and his wife live off the land, and they only come into Shelbrook to trade fur for supplies,” Sheriff Walton answered.
Paden grimaced as he saw a thin line of smoke rising in the distance. “Someone is home. I would bet my wife that Garrett is holed up in that house,” he said, feeling the need to tease Rosalie.
“Your wife?” Rosalie repeated in disbelief.
Placing a hand on her shoulder, he said, “It is a figure of speech, darling.”
“I assure you it is not,” she argued, attempting to step out of his reach.
Sheriff Walton chuckled. “I have to side with your wife. Typically, I have heard men bet their horse or gun, but never their wives.”
Tightening his hold on Rosalie, Paden kissed her right cheek and whispered, “This is a surefire bet.”
“Why do you say that?” she asked, relaxing in his arms.
“When I look due north of the clearing, I keep seeing glints of metal,” he explained. “Someone is standing guard with a gun.”
“Or it could be Mr. Steiner out hunting for food,” Sheriff Walton rationalized.
Deputy Charlie’s voice came from behind them. “I lost the trail. I can’t figure out which way the horses went.”
“Not to worry,” Paden said. “We are working under the assumption that Garrett and his gang are staying at Steiner’s house.”
Wincing, Rosalie said, “I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but I doubt Garrett is staying as an honored guest. My guess is that he’s already killed them.”
“Let’s hope not,” Sheriff Walton stated through gritted teeth. “The Steiners are good folks. But since we are dealing with Garrett, then they are likely already dead.”
Paden stepped away from Rosalie. “Where is the Steiners’ home?”
Sheriff Walton pointed toward the clearing. “At the base of the meadow.”
“There are four of us,” Rosalie said. “We need to branch out and take out all the guards, preferably without firing a shot. We don’t want to lose our element of surprise.”
Sheriff Walton gave her a stern look. “Thank you, Agent Brooks, but we have been doing this longer than you have.”
A smile came to Rosalie’s face, despite the sheriff’s annoyed drawl. “True, but I am clearly better at it than you are.”
Paden’s brow lifted at her brazen comment. He was relieved to hear a chuckle come out of Sheriff Walton’s lips. “You are just like your father. You both crack jokes at the most inappropriate times.”
“Let’s fan out, and we’ll meet up at the cabin.” Paden took a step closer to Rosalie, wrapped his arm around her waist, and yanked her toward him. “I find that I need some good luck,” he said before he kissed her hard on the lips.
Paden released her and stepped back. “No one dies today,” he ordered, “especially you, Mrs. Brooks.”
Glancing over the ledge, Paden saw the drop-off was steep, almost perpendicular, but it was only about three feet to the base. They jumped down and landed in some brush that ran along the banks of the creek. He veered off and headed right through the trees.
He found a guard resting his shoulder against a pine tree, oblivious to any threat. After hitting the back of his head with his pistol, he tied his hands with the twine that he’d brought along. He grabbed the guard’s revolver and tucked it into his belt. A spare gun could come in handy.
Creeping closer to the cabin, Paden heard a rustling of leaves near him and saw Rosalie jump up from the ground. An unconscious man lay on his stomach with his arms and legs tied together. When she saw him, Rosalie gave him a private smile before she disappeared back into the cover of the trees.
Paden had to admit that Rosalie was reckless, crazy… and magnificent. He was fairly confident that there was nothing that his wife wasn’t good at.
After taking out another guard, he stopped at the edge of the trees and looked at the small log cabin with a slight overhang covering the front porch. He saw movement inside through a side window, but he couldn’t get any closer for fear of discovery.
The door to the cabin banged open. A stocky man, with a weathered face and dingy clothes, dragged Emeline outside by the back of her hair. “You have one minute,” he barked as he shoved her to the ground. “Do your business quickly.”
Tears streamed down Emeline’s face as she rose and wiped her hands on her ripped dress. She walked to the cover of the trees and squatted behind a bush.
A few moments passed, and the man became increasingly agitated. “I said hurry, you
