Page 48 of The Heart’s Charge

“Footsteps. Heavy, fast footsteps.”

“Good. What else? What is Wart doing?”

“Telling me to run.”

“Before that.” She stroked Alice’s hair. “Did Wart say anything to the man?”

Alice stiffened. “Yes. He said, ‘Get out of here!’ Then yelled and ran at the man, swinging his branch.”

“Did the man say anything back?”

Alice said nothing for a long minute, then jerked away from Katherine so fast, the top of her head slammed into Katherine’s chin.

“He called Wart a little thief. Said he had it comin’ to him.” She leaned toward Jonah. “Does that help?”

Katherine didn’t see how it could, but Jonah nodded.

“It just might. Where does Rawley’s gang do most of their swiping? I’m not talking about snitching food here or there. I’m talking about coins or other valuables.”

Alice shook her head. “I-I can’t tell you. It’s a secret.”

“Across the river, on the Burnet side of the bridge.” Rawley strode into the room. He must have been eavesdropping from the hall. “When there’s no train, the only way into Kingsland is over the bridge. Folks’ll leave their wagons or horses on the Burnet side and walk across the bridge. They don’t usually leave much of value behind, but if a fellow knows to search deep and look for holes in linings and secret pockets under stirrup straps, well, the pickin’s can be pretty good.” He crossed his arms over his chest. “You gonna turn me in to the law?”

“Nope.” Jonah pushed to his feet and took a few steps in Rawley’s direction. “But I just might kiss you for givin’ us the first real lead in this case.”

Rawley pulled a face and backed up a step, earning a soft chuckle from Jonah. “Me and the boys’ll be movin’ on after we help you get Wart back. We won’t be workin’ that spot no more.”

Mark stood and joined Jonah. “That’s probably a good thing. Thieving ain’t that great for long-term security anyhow. You should consider heading out toward San Antone. I know a ranch where the group of you could earn an honest wage. If you’re interested.”

Rawley shrugged. “Don’t know where we’ll be headin’ just yet.” His gaze shifted past the men and settled on Alice. “But I do know you won’t be coming with us.”

Alice’s breath caught on a tiny sob.

“Now, don’t start bawlin’ like a stuck calf. It ain’t ’cause I’m mad at ya for lyin’ to me about bein’ a girl. I got over that halfway through dinner. You’re one of us, Al, and you always will be. But Wart would want you to stay here. At Harmony House. That’s why he took that job at the livery, ya know. To find a way to provide for you away from the rest of us. Railcar ridin’ ain’t no life for a girl. Now that I know the truth about ya, I ain’t so mad at him for leavin’ us behind. A man’s gotta take care of his womenfolk or he ain’t much of a man. When we get him back—and we will get him back—the two of you should stay here. Together. It don’t seem so bad. Food’s good. And I checked all the closets. No straps.” He pointed a finger at her. “But I do think you need to start wearin’ dresses.” Rawley looked at Katherine. “Ya got any girl’s duds she can use?”

Confused by the strange turn of the conversation, Katherine crinkled her forehead. “Yes. But if she prefers trousers, I don’t see why—”

“Disguise,” Rawley interrupted. “If the fella who took Wart saw Al, he saw a boy. If he decides to look for her, he’ll be lookin’ for a boy.”

Not to mention that the snatchers, in general, were looking for boys. Not girls. The best way to keep Alice safe was to hide her in plain sight as the girl she was.

Katherine grinned approvingly at Rawley. “You are one clever young man.”

He grinned back. “I know.”

CHAPTER

TWENTY

Early the following morning, Jonah led Tessie and Bessie from the barn and hitched them to the poor excuse for a wagon he and Mark had pieced back together last night after shoring up the cracked axle with some sturdy leather straps. They’d plotted while they worked and decided it best to divide and conquer today. Jonah would drive the dilapidated wagon to the wheelwright in Llano and inform the county sheriff of both Wart’s abduction and the attempt on Rawley. Wallace would remain at the foundling home to guard the place and keep the boys busy assisting with property repairs. Tomorrow they’d switch roles. Jonah would guard the house while Mark crossed the bridge into Burnet County and visited nearby Hoover’s Valley in search of information about a man who liked to dress all in black.

Questioning locals and getting them to open up was Wallace’s talent. Not Jonah’s. So even though a black man was less likely than a white one to gain a Texas sheriff’s full cooperation, it was still the best division of labor. Jonah could wield his connection to Hanger’s Horsemen to buy a decent measure of respect. It had worked in the past. With their reputation for bringing in wanted criminals and collecting bounties, most lawmen in the state were sufficiently amiable. And really, all he needed to do was report the crime. The sheriff could decide whether or not to investigate. With as shorthanded as the man seemed to be, he’d probably jump at the chance to have the Horsemen do his work for him. Especially when the only kids missing were vagrants whom the voting members of the county cared little about.

The trip would take a full day. Four hours there. Four hours back. He could have cut the return time in half by taking Augustus, but the ladies had insisted on renting a replacement wagon so they could drive the children to church on Sunday, two days from now.

At the sound of the back door clicking shut, Jonah glanced up and caught an eyeful of Eliza sauntering down the porch steps with a basket of vittles hanging over her arm. Nice of her to pack him a lunch. Nice of her to deliver it too, Jonah thought as he tipped his hat brim downward to watch the sway of her approach without her noticing.

She looked good first thing in the morning. ’Course, she looked good night and noon too, but there was something about morning that suited her. She was just a little bit softer now than after the responsibilities of the day caught up to her. A tad more vulnerable. He’d already studied her in the kitchen that morning while shoveling down eggs, bacon, and grits as the rest of the house slept. Shoot, he’d probably stolen enough glances at her to earn his own wanted poster, but he didn’t regret a one. Not even when she’d caught him in the act. It just allowed him to target those expressive eyes of hers. Watching them shift from surprised to embarrassed to flustered had been pure pleasure. But it had been the hint of interest that flashed right before she’d turned away that had really gotten his blood pumping. No doubt he’d be reliving that flash a few hundred times during the twenty-mile drive to Llano.