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“Is Whitman in town?” Spring asked. “Someone took a couple of shots at Regan and Anna.”
His heart jumped and his gaze flew to his daughter. Quickly approaching the wagon, he asked her, “Are you all right?” He picked her up from the seat and held her against his side.
“I’m all right. Miss Regan said I was very brave.”
He took in the terse set of Regan’s face. He noted she was wearing a gun belt over her denims. “What happened?”
“Anna and I were outside and someone took two shots at us. Sounded like a rifle. I found one bullet buried in a nearby tree. Not sure where the other one went. Is the sheriff here?”
“No. He’s over in Rock Springs. Problems there with some of the miners. He should be back tomorrow sometime.” He couldn’t fathom why anyone would shoot at them.
She asked, “The man from the stagecoach. The sheriff said he had family here. Do they live nearby?”
“Yes, but—” He paused.
“Would they want revenge because of what happened?”
With all the hoopla surrounding the wedding, he’d forgotten about the death of Jeb Bailey. His older brother, Dun, was hot tempered, mean, and no doubt angry over the death. That she’d asked the question showed she hadn’t forgotten.
Anna asked, “Is someone going to shoot us again?”
He looked her in the eyes. “No.” There was nothing linking Dun to the incident, but Colt planned to put the word out that whoever was responsible might want to think twice before opening fire on his family again because he would hunt them down. He asked his daughter again, “Are you sure you’re okay?”
She nodded and wrapped her arms tightly around his neck. He held her just as tightly. Over her head, his eyes strayed to Regan. “And you?”
“I’m fine.” Angry as well, if the fire in her manner was any indication.
Anna wiped at traces of mud on her dress. “I got dirty when Miss Regan was laying on me so I wouldn’t get shot.”
He glanced down at the stains. “It’s okay. You’re safe. No one’s mad about you being dirty.” He placed a kiss on her forehead and turned to his sister. “Spring, thanks for bringing them into town. I’ll let Whit know what happened just as soon as he returns.” Had Anna been shot—he didn’t even want to think about that.
“Papa, can we go to Aunt Minnie’s house and get my things?”
Glad to have something else to think about he replied, “Yes. Spring, can I impose on you a few minutes more before we go home?”
She nodded. Colt set his daughter on the seat next to Regan and they got under way.
When they reached Minnie’s, he dismounted. “Anna, how about you sit with Regan and Spring. I’ll be right back.” Colt hoped this would go smoothly but doubted it would.
In response to his knocking, Minnie opened the door and studied him with hostile eyes. “You come to drop Anna off so you can rut the day away with your new wife?”
He didn’t flinch. “No, I came for Anna’s clothing. There’ll be no need for her to stay with you overnight from now on.”
Her surprise was plain. “Why not?”
“As I told you the other day, she’ll be in Regan’s care now.”
“That child is my blood. You can’t cut me out of her life.”
“That’s not my intent but she won’t be staying with you. And, Minnie, if you insist upon telling her she caused Adele’s death, you’ll never see her again.”
“I told her the truth. She killed my Adele!”
He snapped, “You don’t say that to a six-year-old child.” He lowered his voice. “Better yet. Just keep whatever she has here. I’ll replace them. Good-bye.” He stepped off the porch and started back to his horse.
“Don’t you walk away from me! This isn’t finished!”
Seething, he stopped and turned. “Yes, it is. I thank you for helping me with Anna these past years. Out of respect for Adele and your age, I will continue to see to your welfare. Nothing more.”
