Molly looked down at the folded piece of paper Vin handed her. She
understood better than most how dangerous a man with secrets could
be. Brighty had almost lost her life because of such a man. The
moment Vin handed her this paper he secured the knowledge she¡¯d had
from the first time they¡¯d met that she could trust him absolutely.
Whatever this paper said wouldn¡¯t change that.
Molly stood and stepped in front of
him. After a moment he looked up at her. The light in the alley was
dim, only coming from the small fire he had in front of his wagon.
Molly held her hand out to him and he took it.
¡°I don¡¯t blame you for being
taken,¡± Molly said quietly.
¡°If Wheeler wasn¡¯t comin¡¯ after
me¡there might be others Molly. And if your brother were to find
out¡¡±
Molly crouched down next to him.
¡°And if wishes were horses than
beggers would ride. Come with me,¡± she stood and tugged on his
hand. He stood and she led him over to the campfire.
¡°When Mrs. Pressman first asked me to
make this trip with her I told her no. And then there was Brighty and
I made up my mind to see her to a safe place. I had no idea how hard
it would be to let go. Even knowing it was for the best it was all
I could do. But do you know what made that moment easy to bear?¡±
She turned to face him. ¡°You. You lent me your strength in that
moment and in all the moments that have followed. Not ever coming
here and not ever having met you would have changed me and I¡¯d
never have known it. So whatever this is, doesn¡¯t matter. I thought
it did, but it doesn¡¯t.¡±
¡°It¡¯s a bounty,¡± Vin said. ¡°For
something I didn¡¯t do.¡±
¡°I believe you,¡± Molly responded.
She turned and tossed the paper onto the fire and together they
watched the flames catch it and turn it to ash. She turned to him and
put her arms around him. He did the same holding her close. Anyone
could happen by to see them but she found she didn¡¯t care. She¡¯d
wanted to be in his arms since they¡¯d come for them at Wheeler¡¯s
camp.
¡°It¡¯s late,¡± he murmured in her
hair. He was the first to break their embrace. ¡°I could walk you
up?¡± he offered.
¡°I¡¯d better not. Besides you need
to rest too.¡± He gave her a soft kiss, the kind that had her nearly
forgetting all good sense. She walked to the kitchen door knowing he
was watching to make sure she¡¯d gotten safely inside. Tomorrow was
a new day.
