Page 90 of Magnolia Summer

“Suggs can’t fight the whole community. If we all pull together he’ll be forced to stop this killing of innocent people.”

Greenbrier continued rubbing his jaw, staring at the floor. “You know I’d like to help, but it seems too chancey. Once you get on his bad side, Suggs would just as soon kill you as look at you.”

“I never took you for a coward.”

“It ain’t that and you know it.” The blacksmith pointed a thick finger at Truett. “I got my family to think of. You can take chances. You ain’t got no wife, no young’uns to raise up.”

His words struck Truett with more force than he cared to admit. No, he did not have a wife or children. And if he risked his life again, he might lose Celia forever—if he didn’t get killed.

But how could he live with himself if he let those innocent people be killed for the sake of one man’s greed and another’s pure evil?

Aubrey Pettibone was behind this, but Suggs would enjoy helping the local merchant get rid of his competition.

Truett’s blood pulsed hard through his temples. Even if it meant sacrificing his prospects of marrying Celia, or cost him his life, Truett could not sit by and let Suggs kill Annie’s father and uncle, maybe even their wives and children. No, he couldn’t—wouldn’t—leave those good people to the devices of Sheriff Suggs. And he had a feeling Celia wouldn’t either. For all her warnings and begging him to be careful, he believed she’d go to their aid herself, if she found out about it.

The blacksmith mumbled something else about being sorry he couldn’t help and then shuffled out the door. Perhaps there was no real threat. Truett wasn’t stupid. The whole thing could be a trap. Suggs could be trying to lure the hooded horseman into the open so he could capture him—or kill him. After all, it wouldn’t be dark for several more hours, and Suggs generally did his lynching at night.

But Truett couldn’t let Suggs kill those men. He would be there, and he would stop him.

Chapter 27

“I’ll help you, Truett.”

Truett glanced over at Griff. He’d been so quiet during the exchange with Greenbrier, Truett had forgotten he was there. The offer was sincere, but he couldn’t put his brother at risk. He would have to get away from Griff, but how?

“Everything’s all right. Why don’t you go across the street and see what Mama’s doing? She may have bought a peppermint stick for you.”

Griff crossed his arms and glared at Truett.

“I have to leave. You’re just going to have to stay with Mama.”

“No. I go with you.”

Truett gritted his teeth and strode out the door, Griff following right behind him. He went across the red clay street to the general store and found his mother examining a bolt of cloth. He touched her arm and leaned his head close to hers. Aubrey Pettibone stood behind the counter, watching him with beady hawk eyes.

“I need you to take Griff home.” Truett kept his voice low. He stared hard at his mother, hoping she could see the seriousness in his eyes and would not question him.

“Mama, no!” Griff’s voice rose to almost a shout, resounding through the whole store. “I want to go with Truett!”

“Come on outside, Griffy.” Mother tried to soothe him with a gentle tone.

“No!” That agitated look came over Griff’s features, the one that said he was losing control. His face turned red and he puffed out his cheeks.

“We’ll go looking for a Glory Patch in the morning. How does that sound?” Truett smiled, feigning a calm that he was far from feeling. “We’ll go fishing, too, if you want.”

A smile broke over Griff’s features. “Let’s go now!”

Still Aubrey Pettibone stared at them, obviously listening to every word.

“Let’s go outside.” Truett looked his mother in the eye and used his head to motion toward the door. Then he escorted them both out into the street.

“Truett’s taking me fishing!” Griff leapt out of the store and started jumping up and down.

“Tomorrow, Griff. All right? We’ll go later.”

Griff’s mouth hung open.

“Right now I have something else I have to do.”