Cole's Redemption (Love Amongst the Pines) by Leigh Curtis Page A

constant jarring motion that woke her, though. She'd gotten plenty used to that since leaving Boston. Something else had disturbed her sleep, a feeling that she was being watched, as if some unseen predator was crouching just beyond her senses, waiting for the right moment to attack.
                  Peering over the rim of her blanket, she saw Wesley Greene staring at her with hard, dark eyes. The first sight of him sent a chill up her spine.
                  "Is there something the matter, Mr. Greene?"
                  His eyes barely flickered. He didn't move for a few seconds, obviously sizing her up. "Not particularly," he answered in a slow drawl. "I don't mean to pry, but I was just wondering what such a pretty, genteel lady would be doing so far from civilization?"
                  "I told you. I'm going to see my son."
                  He nodded, reaching into his coat, he pulled forth a battered piece of white paper. Miriam knew it was the wanted poster she'd carried. Her chill became frost when she reached out and took it from him.
                  "You're son is the man in that picture?"
                  "Yes," she answered. No use in lying at this juncture. "Yes, he is."
                  "And you're traveling all this way to see him hanged? That's what will happen, you know. Says there that he's a murderer."
                  She set her jaw. "I don't believe everything I read, Mr. Greene. Do you?"
                  "I believe wanted posters." He let out a slow breath. "Do you think you can save him?"
                  She turned her gaze away from him for a moment. Looking out at the pre-dawn landscape, she watched the trees and fields pass by them. She'd sold every bit of property she'd owned, all of her jewelry, her husband's carriage and purebred horses, all of their belongings, and her home by the lake. All of those tender bank notes were sewn into her clothing and into the lining of her luggage. She was risking everything. Her husband had been a moderately successful lawyer, but his death had left her without hope of future income. She had enough money in savings and in her assets to live the rest of her life. But what good was that life if she was to die knowing she'd sat by and done nothing while Cole had suffered? The truth was, she'd give everything, including her own life, if need be, to save her only son.
                  "I am going to try. I'm his mother, after all."
                  "I wouldn't hang too much on that, if you'll pardon my sayin ' so. He's a man grown, who made a man's decisions. Don't waste your time on him."
                  She felt a twinge in her chest. "Even if it wasn't all his fault? What if he's not the only one who's to blame? Should he suffer alone?"
                  "Ma'am, I don't know what you think he's done, but he's the one who pulled the trigger on those men, not you. He needs to hang for it. He will hang for it."
                  Miriam's eyes misted over. "Not if I can help it, sir."
                  "Is that man bothering you, Mrs. Remmington ," Melly whispered beside her.
                  Miriam gave him her coldest stare then looked away. "Not really," She took a deep breath and struggled to hold back her tears.
                  "Don't worry. We'll find your son in time. You'll see."
                  "Yes we will," Miriam said quietly, willing herself to believe it.
     
                  Judge stirred up the early morning campfire. It had been a coon's age since he'd camped out. It reminded him of being a young man again, before the comforts of a wife and home had trapped him. He'd been a restless sort, and that's probably why he'd been understanding of Natalie's father's penchant for wandering. It seemed in all the years he'd known them,