Emma heard her name called from behind. She paused and waited for the new mercantile owner to catch up to her. Emma had fixed a tear in a dark brown dress to wear to the hearing. The somber color felt appropriate for the proceedings. ¡°Good afternoon. I¡¯m afraid I don¡¯t really chat. I¡¯m headed over...¡± Emma wasn¡¯t sure the proper way to phrase things.
¡°No, I assumed as much. I was going there as well. I thought we might walk over together.¡± Belle gave a guarded smile. ¡°I don¡¯t know the young woman but her guardian has been in. I thought I¡¯d go to show my support.¡±
¡°That¡¯s quite kind of you. Josiah would appreciate the gesture. Cheyanne is like a daughter to him.¡±
Ezra and Nathan stood outside the saloon¡¯s doors collecting weapons from all entering. Chris didn¡¯t expect trouble but he wasn¡¯t willing to take the chance. If it had been up to Ezra the bounty hunter would be hearing from the judge about the way he¡¯d manhandled Emma. But she¡¯d asked him to let it go as long as the man stayed away from her. He had never experienced the need to protect someone like he did with Emma.
¡°Good afternoon ladies,¡± Ezra tipped his hat. ¡°I believe that we can assume that neither of you is hiding a firearm under your petticoats.¡± Emma laughed and Belle offered the hint of a smile. The gambler had had little interaction with the new store owner up to this point. ¡°Ms. Clark, a moment please.¡± Ezra took her hand and lead her a few feet away. ¡°I would feel better if you did not attend. I do not like you being in the same room as that man.¡±
Emma looked down to where Ezra rubbed a slow circle on the underside of her wrist. She was touched by his concern. She wished she could kiss him right this second. But for as improper that most would find their relationship, there were still things not done. ¡°Your concern is... I greatly appreciate it. I do not believe there is any cause for concern. He would not dare approach me. And I cannot let Cheyanne stand in front of the Judge alone. She needs all her friends present.¡±
Belle could not hear the words being said between the seamstress and the gentleman. But there was no mistaking the affection between them. He raised her hands to his mouth and kissed them. A blush spread across the woman¡¯s face. Belle turned her head. It was none of her business what transpired between the two of them. Emma wrapped her shawl tight around her shoulders as she rejoined Belle and Nathan. ¡°Shall we?¡±
It appeared that everyone in town had crowded into the saloon. Most had no connection to the parties involved but anything involving a judge drew them like flies to honey. Emma maneuvered them through the crowd to chairs on the far side. From here it would be easy to leave via the kitchen if necessary. Emma searched the crowd for Lily and spotted the saloon owner speaking with Mary Travis. ¡°Excuse me a moment, I need to tell Lily something.¡±
Emma was forced to pass Dan Parker to reach Lily. The look he gave her was pure malice. Emma did not doubt that if he man did find Hawk he¡¯d kill him out of spite. ¡°Lily, a moment,¡± Emma called out.
¡°Of course, what is it?¡±
¡°There was a man on the stagecoach earlier asking after you.¡±
¡°Really?¡± Lily¡¯s brow furrowed.
¡°Yes, tall, salt and pepper hair.¡±
¡°Handsome?¡± A blush spread across Emma¡¯s face. Lily laughed. ¡°I believe I know who it might. He¡¯s an old friend from New Orleans. Though I cannot imagine why he would have traveled here.¡± She would have to sort that out later. A ripple ran through the crowd. Josiah had entered with Cheyanne. They moved to the front of He crowd to where Judge Travis sat.
¡°Alright, let¡¯s get these proceedings started.¡±
