Joline's Redemption by Vickie; McDonough Page A

is wrong with dugout?”
    â€œOh … they smell, bugs and snakes fall out of the ceiling and onto you, rain sometimes leaks in—lots of things.”
    â€œShe has nice house now. Will you stay?”
    Jo thought for a moment of all the reasons to say no. “I don’t know. Until we get some more money, we can’t afford to go anywhere else, but I worry that this isn’t far enough away from Badger.”
    â€œHe will come.”
    Jo felt the same way. Sooner or later, Badger was sure to find them. The man was tenacious, if nothing else. If it had only been Jo who left, he might not search so hard, but she’d taken Sarah. And she had a feeling he wouldn’t give up until he found the girl. Knowing that gave her the answer she needed. She must risk going to town to look for work. It was the only way she knew to get the funds they needed to get away.
    Lara wouldn’t be happy seeing her leave again, but it seemed Jo’s lot in life was to disappoint her sister.

    Lara stared at Jo, her arms crossed. “I don’t understand why you feel you must get a job.”
    Jo attempted to stand still in the face of her sister’s confusion, but her feet insisted on moving. Lara was always nice, but Jo still felt belittled, even though she knew it wasn’t her sister’s intent.
    â€œI can’t explain it, but just accept the fact that I do.”
    â€œYou can stay with us for as long as you wish. You won’t lack for anything here. Gabe has done well in the ranching business and has even bought out several of our neighbors so that he could have more land. We have the funds to buy whatever you all need.”
    â€œMaybe I don’t want you providing for me. Have you considered that?” The words came out harsher than she intended.
    Lara winced. “I, of all people, understand how hard it is to let others help you. I nearly chased Gabe off because I didn’t want his help in the beginning.” She glanced down and ran a hand over her swollen belly. “Just think of all I’d have missed if he hadn’t been so stubborn and persistent.”
    Jo thought of all the pain she would have avoided if she had listened to her sister before she ran away from home when she was only sixteen, but still … “If you have to know, I fear someone is after us. I need to get Sarah away from Oklahoma and somewhere safe.”
    Lara’s eyes widened. “Who is after her?”
    â€œI can’t tell you that.”
    â€œWhy not? You should describe the man to Gabe so he and the ranch hands can watch for him and make sure he doesn’t harm Sarah.”
    The girl wasn’t the one Badger would seek to harm. Jo gritted her teeth, remembering the first beating he gave her. “At least now you understand why I have to find employment.”
    â€œAs I said before, if it’s money you need, we can give it to you, although I’m not ready to lose you again.”
    Her sister’s comment touched a lonely spot deep within Jo, but she wouldn’t accept money, even from her sister. “I appreciate your offer, although I’m sure you know I can’t take it. I’m going to town, but I’ll be back by supper. Do you want me to pick up anything while I’m there?”
    Lara sighed. “I suppose you could get some flannel for diapers. I should have more for the new baby, and Jamie could also use some.”
    â€œThat’s a good idea. Washing them every day gets tiring.”
    â€œI remember those days when Michael was a baby.” Lara smiled. “Why don’t you also pick out some fabric for a couple of dresses for Sarah, as well as undergarments?”
    â€œShe does need some clothing. There wasn’t time—” Jo bit her lip, knowing she’d almost revealed something she didn’t want to.
    Lara frowned but thankfully didn’t interrogate her. “Just put those things on our tab at the