Page 89 of More Than Meets the Eye

Logan tucked the thin volumes into the back of his waistband. “I’ll make sure the marshal understands their significance.” He glanced up at Hamilton. “Tell Eva I’ll be back as soon as I can.”

Hamilton nodded.

They still had rocks the size of boulders between them, but nothing impossible to navigate, given enough time and willpower. For Eva’s sake, and perhaps even his own, Logan would clear the debris on his end and pray that Hamilton would do the same.

His former nemesis and future brother-in-law, if Logan got his way, took off at a jog, and Logan scowled down at the still unconscious schoolmaster.

“All right, Benson,” he grumbled as he hunkered down and slung the man over his shoulder, “time to pay the piper.”

Two hours later—who knew the marshal would make him write out his entire statement, or that the undertaker would have to be dragged away from the barbershop?—Logan finally made it back to where Earl’s body lay. The marshal had more questions about what transpired, so he followed Logan to the cabin while the undertaker headed back to town. He interrogated each of the Hamiltons along with Miss Gilliam. Christie added another ledger to the pile of evidence collected. Apparently, Earl had kept his own record of barters, listing all the moonshine he had supplied the schoolmaster believed to be a pillar of morality in the community.

Thankfully, Seth had made a full recovery and was easily able to relate his version of events, but it was Eva’s haunted recounting of Earl’s murder that finally removed the last speck of doubt from the marshal’s mind. By the time the lawman was ready to return to Ben Franklin, he’d worked up quite a temper and was ranting about calling an emergency city council meeting the moment he returned. Between the school board, Benson’s investment group, and the hangman, there was no shortage of people who would be out for the man’s blood.

Yet as satisfying as that was, Logan felt no closure. Not when heartache lingered in Eva’s eyes. She’d been through a lot today, seen things no young woman should have to see. She put up a feisty front, assuring everyone she was fine, but Logan sensed the bruises on her spirit.

Eager to put this place behind them, everyone began to mount up. Christie and Seth rode double on one of Earl’s wagon horses, Christie carrying the prized lockbox and a flour sack filled with what meager belongings she’d chosen to keep—two changes of clothes, a hairbrush, a Bible, and a photograph of her parents on their wedding day. Hamilton, sitting atop Jack, turned and raised an eyebrow at Logan.

“Go on ahead.” Logan waved him on. “We’ll meet you back at the house in a bit.”

Hamilton scowled, opened his mouth as if to argue, then promptly shut it and gave a curt nod.

Trust and permission had been granted. Reluctantly, but granted nonetheless.

Logan held Hamilton’s gaze, an unspoken pledge of honor passing between them, then watched as the three riders left.

Eva stood silent, petting Shamgar’s neck. Head down. Shoulders slumped. Gently, he placed a hand at her waist and turned her to face him. She came without resisting, but her chin remained down, hiding her wonderful eyes from him.

“Eva,” he pleaded, “look at me.”

Her chin lifted first, then, gradually, her lashes. Her brown eye seemed vulnerable and sad, while her blue eye shimmered with uncertainty.

“Is it really over?” she whispered.

Logan tugged her close and reached a hand up to stroke her hair. “Yes, love. It’s over. Christie’s safe. Benson’s behind bars. Everything’s—”

She grabbed him so tightly, she squeezed off his words. With her face buried in his chest, her body shook with the force of her sobs. He wrapped both arms around her and laid his cheek against the top of her head. She’d been strong for so long. For Christie. For Seth. She’d even been strong for him, sending him after Benson while she dealt with Earl. He’d seen the body when he returned with the undertaker. A gruesome mess. How much worse must it have been while Earl was still alive?

His cheerful wood sprite had faced death three times today. With Seth. With Earl. Even on her own. It was no wonder her spirits had been depleted. It was a miracle she was still standing. She deserved to unload her burden, and the fact that she’d chosen him for the task over one of her brothers made his heart swell so full, if his ribs weren’t there to cage it, it would surely have burst from his chest.

After several minutes, her grip loosened and her head lifted. She gave a little sniff and started to apologize, but he stopped her.

“No sorrys, darlin’. I’m here for you. Always.”

A shaky smile curved her lips as her gaze met his. “I love you, Logan.”

He closed his eyes and touched his lips to her forehead, lingering, savoring the closeness, thanking God for keeping her safe. The chilling image of Benson’s shotgun aimed directly at her midsection would be burned into his brain for years.

“I love you, too,” he said as his lips separated from her skin. “And I never want to let you go.”

“That’s good.” Her smile grew steadier, her eyes reclaiming the teasing twinkle he so adored. “Because I don’t plan on escaping any time soon.”

As happy as that declaration made him, he had one of his own to make—one he hoped would lay a better foundation for their future than the slipshod work he’d done thus far.

“Eva, I have a favor to ask of you.”

She must have noticed the seriousness of his tone, for she blinked and leaned back a little, choosing an angle better suited to examining his face. Yet no worry shone in her eyes, only trust.

Logan swallowed. No matter what he did from here on out, he’d never deserve this woman. But he’d do everything in his power to ensure she never regretted choosing to share her life with him.