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“No. But can I see Shadow and then go to bed? I’m sleepy.”
“You sure can.”
After a short visit with the pony, Regan took her inside, washed her up, helped her into her nightclothes, and was tucking her in when Colt joined them. “Are you certain you’re not hurt, Anna?”
“I’m sure. I was real scared though, Papa.”
He sat beside Regan on the edge of the bed and ran a fatherly caress over her hair, currently pulled into twin pigtails. “We were scared, too, but you’re home now and safe.”
“Aunt Minnie tricked me, didn’t she?”
Regan responded, “Yes, she did.”
“I kept asking her about Shadow’s surprise, but she wouldn’t tell me what it was. Am I in trouble for going with her?”
Her father said, “Of course not. We’re glad you’re home and want you to get some rest. That’s all. Okay?”
She nodded and went silent for a moment before asking, “Is Aunt Minnie in heaven now with my other mama?”
Not wanting to speak ill of the dead, not even Minnie, Regan nodded.
“I’ve never seen a dead person before.”
She went silent again and Regan wondered if the terrible incident would give Anna nightmares.
Colt asked, “Do you want to talk about it?”
She shook her head and said softly, “No.”
“If you think you might later on, just let me and your mama know.”
“I will. I want to go to sleep now.”
“Okay, honey.”
They gave her one last hug and a kiss, then left her to sleep off the ordeal.
“I hope she doesn’t have nightmares,” Colt said with concern.
“Me either.”
They joined Ben at the dining room table and because she assumed he and Colt had already discussed some of the details she asked, “So Dun Bailey killed her?”
“Yes. From what Anna said, Dun and Minnie got into an argument because Minnie didn’t have the money she owed him.”
“Money for what?” Regan asked.
“For shooting you.”
Colt slapped the table. “I knew it!”
Regan was glad the mystery was finally solved.
“Anna said he put his hands around Minnie’s throat and choked her until she fell over.”
Regan thought that an ill-fitting end, even for someone as unlikeable as Minnie Gore. “How was One Eye involved?”
“Not sure what Bailey planned to do with Anna after he killed Minnie, but he tried to take the buggy up the Old Trapper trail.”
