Leather and Lace by DiAnn Mills

He righted her, and she stood numb and ready for whatever happened next. The man was young, as evidenced by his spindly attempt at a handlebar mustache.
    “Heard shots,” the sheriff said. “Are you all right?” He saw the blood-soaked rag in Casey’s hand, and his gaze flew to Hank.
    “We’re all right,” Hank said. “A couple of men came in here and demanded the money.” Hank picked up the Smith and Wesson. “He tried to use this on me, but I knocked it out of his hand and—”
    “Used it on him?” The sheriff’s eyes widened.
    Hank shrugged. “Had to protect these women.”
    The sheriff took long steps to face Hank. He stuck out his hand. “You’re a brave man, and I’m proud to call you a friend.”
    “Thank you. I didn’t do any different than any other man. I needed to take care of those I care about.” He wrapped his arm around Maude’s waist. “I’m no hero—just an old man with not much sense.”
    Maude’s eyes pooled with tears, and she pulled a handkerchief from her pocket to dab the wetness. The sight yanked at Casey’s heart. The innocent were always the ones to get hurt.
    “Well, if everything is fine here, I’d better round up a couple of deputies and get after those two.”
    Hank nodded. “My guess is they’ll be ridin’ slow.”
    The sheriff tipped his hat to Maude and Casey, then hurried from the mercantile. She had to say something. With the bloodstained rag in her hand, she took a deep breath.
    “Thank you for not turning me in,” she said to Hank. “I’m sorry you had to learn this way.”
    Maude sniffed. “Would we ever have heard the truth?”
    Casey shook her head. “My work ends in three days, and I would have been out of here.”
    “If you’re a part of the Jenkins gang, then what did that outlaw mean?” Hank said.
    “I ran from him, all of them.” Why did she suddenly ache all over? Even her throat stung like she’d swallowed dirt. “I wanted to start my life over, live decent.”
    “So the law and the gang’s after you?” Hank went on.
    “Yes.”
    “But you lied to us,” Maude said. “I thought you were this kind and sweet young woman.”
    “I believe she is,” Hank said. His hand was still wrapped around his wife’s waist. “She risked her life to save our store and our lives. That says enough for me.”
    Casey moistened her lips. “Then you’ll let me ride out of here without telling the sheriff?”
    “Yes.” Hank spoke quickly.
    “Miss Maude?”
    Tears flowed down the older woman’s cheek. “I don’t understand this afternoon, not any of this. All those things I read in the newspapers. And the wanted posters . . .”
    “In the short time she’s been here, have you seen anything from this gal that looked like she was an outlaw?”
    Maude sighed. “No. Nothing.”
    “If it makes a difference,” Casey said, “I never killed or robbed anyone, but I did shoot a man in Billings when he pulled a gun on me. I heard he’s fine. Please don’t argue over me, ’cause I’ve done plenty of other things that I’m ashamed of.”
    Maude dabbed her eyes again. “I won’t breathe a word to anyone.”
    “Again, I’m beholden to you. You showed me how to live respectable.” Casey glanced around at the neatly stocked shelves. “I wish I could stay here forever and forget about the past, but that’s foolishness.”
    Maude stepped from behind the counter. “You won’t ever make it unless you have a relationship with the Lord.”
    “I have a Bible. Been reading it.”
    “That’s not enough. You have to ask Jesus to forgive you and turn your life over to Him.”
    “Like turning my life over to the law?”
    Maude nodded. “Except with God, you have the promise of heaven.”
    “Does this have to do with Him dying on the cross for our sins?” When Maude agreed, Casey shook her head. “I can’t do that yet. Too many things are unsettled. My life isn’t much good.”
    “But you don’t have to do anything—”
    Casey waved her