Sean Donovan (The Californians, Book 3) (15 page)

There was no conversation. The only noise was the
gentle rattle of paper as Sean turned from page to page.
He glanced over a few times to see that Charlie seemed
to be stuck on one page in the catalog. It was a listing of
blacksmith supplies.

"Can't decide which one you like?"

"No, I guess I can't. I hate it when they don't show
pictures of all of them."

"Doesn't it describe the difference next to the prices?"

Charlie hesitated for only a second. "I think it probably does, but I can't read."

Thankful her gaze was on the catalog for a few seconds
longer, Sean was given time to school his features.

"Want me to read it to you?"

"You don't mind?"

"Not at all." His voice was gentle.

Charlie scooted closer and handed the catalog to her
husband. The front brim of her hat was flipped back and
she looked up expectantly as Sean began to read. After
starting to read he glanced down to see if she was listening, and for the first time noticed the beautiful color of
her eyes-a deep hazel.

He read the whole page with an occasional question
from Charlie, and then asked if she wanted him to go on.

"No, you read everything I need to know. I'll just look
at the pictures fora while."

Sean returned the catalog and picked up the newspaper, but he couldn't concentrate. On every page of
print he saw her eyes and the intent way she held her
head as she listened to him read from the catalog. Sean glanced repeatedly out the corner of his eyes to look at
her. He noticed at one point that she was falling asleep.

He shifted and pulled the small pillow from his far
side and put it against his opposite hip.

"Charlotte," his voice was soft. "Lay your head here
and rest a bit."

Charlie turned and blinked owlishly at him, but then
did as he bade. Once her head was settled on the pillow,
she picked her feet up off the floor and curled her legs on
the seat.

Sean gently tugged her hat off and smoothed her hair
as she fell into slumber. He sat looking down at her for a
long time.

"Sleep well, Charlotte, because tomorrow I'm going to
start teaching you to read."

The words were whispered, but Sadie, who had
finally finished her dinnertime cleanup, heard every
syllable. She didn't enter the room as planned, but
turned and went to her sewing room where she pulled a
hankie from her sleeve and wiped her suddenly wet
eyes.

Cooper's Livery had opened before 7:00 every morning for as long as anyone could remember, but this was
the second day since Charlie Cooper had become Charlie Donovan that the doors remained shut.

Sean and Charlie made a point of being on time to the
sheriff's office, and they found both Duncan and Witt
waiting.

Witt seemed to be good at his word and did not do
anything to put Sean under pressure. Witt was silent as
the four adults were seated, but then Sean remembered
Charlie's comment about Witt using people, and decided
to keep his guard up.

Duncan opened. "Thanks for coming in, Sean and
Charlie. Though this discussion was not my idea, I'm not
against it. I think I'll just stay quiet while Witt here asks
his questions."

Witt's manner was very sedate as he began to question
Sean. His voice seemed almost gentle to Sean, and then
he realized the older man was in deep thought.

'Are you certain you don't know where Hartley's
cabin is?"

"Very certain. I spent some time last night thinking on the terrain, and I know we were in the hills to the east,
but beyond that, I haven't a clue."

"Has Hartley contacted you?"

Sean look so surprised that Witt nearly told him to
forget the question.

"No, not once. If he did though, I would come to
Duncan immediately."

They talked for a while longer, and then Witt surprised Sean by standing and offering his hand. Sean
stood also, and they shook hands. Witt thanked everyone in the room and left quietly.

"Well," Charlie breathed after the door shut, thinking
maybe she had misjudged the man. He hadn't been at all
the tyrant she'd expected, and she said as much to Duncan.

"I've been telling him that Sean is not the man he
believes him to be. Maybe he's starting to see that for
himself."

"I really wish I could have been more help," Sean
admitted.

"You did fine. I know you need to get to the livery, but
I need to talk with both of you." Duncan hesitated,
praying as he had been for days, about what needed to
be said.

"It's time, Sean, that you establish yourself as a lawabiding citizen in this town. Now I don't want to completely upset your life, Charlie, although you did that to
some extent when you married Sean. What I'm trying to
say is-get involved. Start attending a church, our social
events, anything this town has to offer. The townspeople will be watching the way you treat each other. I've
already heard about the tongue-lashing you gave Pete
the other day. He was stunned that you defended Sean,
but also fascinated since your relationship is a curiosity.

"Sean, you need to be in touch with your family and
ask them to write you. It would go a long way toward the
good for you to get mail. I'm sure most people think you
have no previous home or family. They seem to think
criminals crawl out from under rocks."

Duncan stopped talking and stared at the thunderstruck couple who both craved privacy in the new and
uncomfortable marriage in which they found themselves.

"Why?" Charlie finally asked in a small voice.

"Because," Duncan said gently, "if Hartley hits the
bank again, and Sean has stayed aloof and separated
from the community, no one will believe he wasn't
involved in some way. Your testimony would be of no
value, Charlie, because the talk in town is that you're
falling for your new husband."

Duncan watched her face heat up like a flame. He
knew his words were blunt, but he didn't see any help
for it at this point. "Talk it over and don't forget, if you
need anything, I'm available day or night."

It was a quiet young couple who exited the sheriff's
office and then stood outside on the boardwalk. Sean
knew that any move they made would have to be initiated by Charlie. He wasn't going to ask or suggest anything. He had turned Charlie's life upside down, and
even though the end result could be his being blamed for
a crime he did not commit, he was not going to pressure
her into an action she couldn't abide.

"He's right, you know."

Sean stared down at the woman next to him, not really
believing she'd spoken. But then she continued.

"We do need to get involved, and I think you should
pick up some writing supplies today so you can get in
touch with your family."

Sean stepped off the walk to lessen the difference in
their heights, but still had to dip his head to see his wife's
face. She had spoken with her head down, and the rim
on her hat completely hid her features from his view.

Not until Sean had dipped his head did Charlie look at
him. Her look was such a mixture of fear and determination that he wanted to hold her.

"Are you sure?" he asked softly.

"I'm sure," she said, meeting his gaze for the space of
a few heartbeats. When Charlie moved in the direction
of the general store, Sean followed her.

Sean had been standing next to Charlie for five minutes while she inspected the writing supplies. He wasn't
sure why she was taking so long, but she seemed in no
hurry. He put his hands behind his back, rocked back on
his heels, and told himself to bide his time.

"I didn't realize how many different things you could
buy." Sean heard her soft comment and finally understood. She was fascinated with the paper and ink. She
had never even looked at it before. Sean watched her
turn, tip her head back, and look up at him.

"Maybe you'd better pick something out. I never buy
anything more than the cheapest paper and a pencil to
do my accounts."

Sean leaned forward and spoke softly. "Anything you
pick out will be fine."

Charlie looked up into his sable brown eyes. Is this the
way you feel about life when you've had such a close brush with
death? You don't ask for much and expect even less?

"Are you always so agreeable?"

Sean's brows rose on what he believed to be a cryptic
question, and Charlie looked embarrassed.

"I don't think Murphy thinks I'm agreeable." A sparkle entered Sean's eyes. Charlie almost smiled. Sean
realized in that instant how little he had seen her smile,
and silently begged her to grin at him. But it was not to
be. She turned back to the paper, quills, and ink and
made a quick selection.

Just as they were walking away from the supplies Sean
spotted an elementary school primer. "Get this too."
Sean's voice brought Charlie back around, and after one
glance at the book in his hand, her startled gaze shot to
his face.

Sean remained expressionless as she frowned at him,
and when she didn't immediately reach for the book his
eyes once again lit with laughter and he spoke.

"Still think I'm agreeable?"

Charlie's eyes narrowed. He was teasing her! The
thought so startled her she almost laughed. But that
wouldn't do at all, she told herself, and snatched the book
from his hand, throwing a comment over her shoulder
about the horses shoeing themselves.

Sean stood for an instant watching her stalk away to
the counter where Pete was waiting. After a brief moment of thought, he followed very slowly.

Dear Kaitlin,

I know you're going to be surprised to hear from
me, and all I can do is humbly ask your forgiveness for
the way I left and the length of time I've been out of
touch.

So much has happened, it's hard to know where to
begin. Aunt Maureen probably told you I'd been to see
her, but I didn't stay long. The way I spent my time
from that point to the present is not near so important
as where I am today.

Almost two weeks ago I was sentenced to hang for a
bank robbery I'd been a part of in Visalia. I was on the
gallows, the rope around my neck, when a woman
came forward and offered to marry me. (It's a law in
this county that you can be pardoned under certain
circumstances and by such an action.)

I was married immediately to Charlotte Cooper. She
owns and runs the livery and needed me to smith for
her. I am thankful to be alive and to finally see that
God has been with me all along, but it's a tremendous
burden on my heart to be married to an unbeliever.
Please pray with me that Charlotte will come to know
Christ.

There was no easy way to tell you this; I just hope it's
not too direct. Please write me soon. If I could come to
you, I would. But in many ways, my life is no longer
my own.

There is so much more to share, but knowing that
your worry has been long, I feel an urgency to get this
mailed. How is Marcail? Please tell her I love her. Have
you heard from Father? Apologize to Rigg for me and
thank him for the brotherly love he's always shown.
Please kiss the girls and give them my love.