Come the Spring by Julie Garwood

“You’re in this now.”
    â€œYeah, I guess I am. Did Luke tell you how the people inside died? Did they make them kneel down?”
    â€œNo, they were taken into the back room and killed there. The kneeling … that’s new. So is the knife.”
    Ryan reached up and began to rub the knot in the back of his neck. “Damn, I’m tired.”
    Cole could see how exhausted Ryan was. “You shouldn’t have slept outside in the rain. You’re too old for it.”
    Ryan smiled. “I’m only a year older than you are.”
    â€œHow do you know my age?”
    â€œI know everything there is to know about you.”
    If Cole was surprised by the comment, he didn’t let it show. “Why didn’t you protect your witness in Middleton?”
    â€œI sure as hell tried to protect him. Honest to God I did, but another robbery was reported over in Hart-field, and I left to check it out. Marshal Davidson was put in charge of Luke MacFarland and his family.”
    â€œBesides telling you that he heard laughter, what else did Luke say?”
    â€œHe could only see two men through the seam. One of them took his mask off, and Luke got a glimpse at his profile. He didn’t think he could point him out in a crowd, though. He did say he was tall, lean.”
    â€œAnything else?”
    â€œNo.”
    â€œWhat was Marshal Davidson doing while his witness was being killed?”
    â€œHe’d already gotten hit. He’s going to recover, but it will take a long time. The doctor dug three bullets out of him.”
    â€œThey wouldn’t have left him unless they thought they’d killed him.”
    â€œYes, that’s what I think.”
    â€œSheriff Norton told me how MacFarland and his wife were killed. A knife was used on both of them. He thinks they murdered his wife to send folks a message. He says you’re going to have a hell of a time getting anyone to admit he saw anything. Word travels fast in the territory.”
    â€œDid Norton happen to tell you anything about his background?”
    â€œNo, he didn’t. Why do you ask?”
    â€œJust curious. Have you ever heard of a gunslinger named the Laredo Kid?”
    â€œSure,” Cole answered. “He was a legend when Iwas growing up. Everyone knew what a daredevil he was … crazy, but fast with a gun. Real fast. He’s probably dead by now. Did Norton kill him?”
    Ryan smiled. “The Laredo Kid isn’t dead. Fact is, he became a sheriff.”
    â€œNorton is …?” Cole was incredulous.
    â€œI swear it’s true.”
    â€œHe should have been killed years ago. There’s always someone faster with a gun waiting to prove himself. He’s lucky he’s still alive.”
    â€œI agree, especially with that wife of his cooking for him. Did she make you eat her fried chicken? It damn near killed me.”
    Cole burst out laughing. He was surprised how good it felt. The tension in his gut eased up a little. “She tried,” he admitted. “But I didn’t touch it.”
    Ryan also relaxed, until he looked at the bloodstained floors again. It was a sobering sight.
    â€œYou’ve had time to look around. Tell me what you think happened.”
    The laughter was gone from Cole’s eyes when he answered. “I’ll tell you what I know didn’t happen. None of them fought. There aren’t any signs of a struggle. Hell, they were as meek as sheep. There are guns in all three cash drawers behind the windows,” he said with a tilt of his head toward the tellers’ stations. “They’re loaded, but they haven’t been touched. Now, you tell me something, Ryan. Why did you come after me? There are better men out there to wear this badge.”
    â€œI wanted you.”
    â€œWhy?”
    â€œIt’s complicated.”
    â€œThat’s an excuse, not an answer.”
    Ryan sent the chair flying backward when he