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The following morning after Daniel had eaten breakfast and gone outside to begin the day’s work, Travis explained for him.
“Those men and Daniel…they took care of Jarrett Cain. I guess his boys scattered into the fields when Jarrett starting firing his rifle. Rory took him down with a single shot to his leg. He’s in jail now and will be for a long time. Three others are there with him and will be put on trial. They figure it will have to take place in Springfield. We’re too small here for that sort of thing.”
Hannah stared blankly at the drying egg yolk and cold biscuit crumbs on her breakfast plate.
“You don’t have to worry about them, Hannah. The threat is gone. Although if I know Daniel Crowe, he’s not going to let you out of his sight for a long long time.”
She looked up with soulful eyes. “You know, I need to thank you. You’ve helped us both so much.”
“Oh, don’t think I don’t carry in my own heart the fact that I could have prevented this if I hadn’t left.”
“No, Travis,” she shook her head. “This started before you first returned.” She sighed. “The way I figure it, some things have to happen. I have to believe that. Awful as it was, I think this was one of them. Don’t ask me why, I don’t want to worry over it anymore. I just sense what’s true.”
He nodded, not knowing what to say. “All right, then.”
She could feel the awkwardness between them, and pushed away from the table saying, “You know I have a lot of work to do.
Some weeks later, after life had pretty much returned to normal, a familiar figure entered the yard on foot. He walked a bit awkwardly, but when Hannah saw him from the kitchen window she smiled. She’d been expecting him.
Once inside the house, Beau Noble gathered his sister into his arms and they hugged for a long time.
“You have no idea how sorry I am,” were his first words.
“Shush! It’s over for us both.”
“But I have many things to tell you.”
“Say nothing Beau. I’m done with it.”
They broke apart and Hannah looked at him curiously. Daniel had just entered the kitchen and for the first time in some while, there was no grim expression on his face seeing his brother-in-law.
“Did you hurt yourself or something?” Hannah asked her brother. “You’re moving oddly.”
The handsome kid smiled, then he blushed, then finally admitted, “Sorta, I guess.”
“What do you mean?”
He shook his head sheepishly, turned to Daniel who only snickered with amusement, then looked back at his sister. “Darn it, Hannah I couldn’t get out of jail with out paying a few prices to, um, Judge Boone.”
“Oh, my. I see,” she giggled quietly. “Well then, why don’t you sit that sore butt of yours down in the chair and I’ll give you some food. You staying long?” She moved to the stove.
“No, sis, Daniel’s taking me to Springfield. I’m joining Jolie at Aunt Grace’s.”
Hannah whipped around. “You’re what?”
“Yes, ma’am.” He smiled. “You two need some time alone. Some peaceful time alone”
Hannah looked at her husband in amazement, then at her very serious-looking brother. She was taken aback by the sudden turn, but then without much further consideration, she knew how necessary this was.
“Yes, Beau, we surely do need some time alone.”
She looked at Daniel standing next to her. Her eyes glazed over a bit with tears, but there was nothing but a feeling of contentment in her heart. She was so glad to be back home with her husband at her side.
