Love Finds You in Sundance, Wyoming by Miralee Ferrell

Sheriff.”
    “One of the townspeople was on his way home three nights ago and saw a couple of boys hanging around the back door of Copper’s General Store. He thought he recognized your boy, Mrs. Waters.”
    Libby shook her head. “James wouldn’t have gone into town. Why, it’s almost a thirty-minute ride from the ranch.”
    The sheriff shrugged. “A healthy boy could easily walk there and back.”
    Travis nodded. “He could. But that’s not a crime.” He shot a glance at Libby. “Although I’m sure Libby would agree that if James were in town, he’d hear about it from her.”
    “And if they’d only been at the back door, I wouldn’t be here today. Mr. Copper found damage inside his store, not far from the door, and there are a few things missing. Of course we can’t be sure the boys did it, but it looks mighty suspicious.”
    Libby withdrew her hand from Travis’s and frowned. “We’ve only lived here four months. Does this person who thought he saw James know my son well enough to identify him? In the dark?”
    “I asked him that myself. The description he gave could have fit two or three boys your son’s age, but it’s my job to advise the parents, regardless. I’m stopping at all three homes.”
    Travis pushed himself up from the couch. “Thank you, Sheriff. We’re beholden to you. I can’t imagine my nephew would’ve walked to town. It’s not like he’s made friends with other boys in the area, having lived here such a short time, but we’ll get to the bottom of it.”
    Sheriff Jensen picked up his hat from the sofa, rose, and extended his hand. “Thank you.” His grip was firm as he shook Travis’s hand. “I’m sorry to worry you, Mrs. Waters. It’s very possible your boy isn’t involved, but I thought you should know.”
    Libby stayed seated and made an effort to smile. “I understand. I appreciate you coming, and I agree with Travis. We’ll talk to James.”
    A few minutes later Travis returned to the sitting room from seeing the sheriff out. Libby sat with her face in her hands. “Libby? You all right?” He sank onto the seat beside her and touched her shoulder.
    A stifled sob came from between her fingers. “I’m not sure.” She raised tearstained eyes. “Do you think James is involved?”
    “I don’t know. It’s not like the boy, is it? Did you have trouble in San Francisco?”
    Libby drew back but didn’t reply.
    “Libby?” Travis gripped her shoulders. “Did James have something similar happen?”
    She shook her head. “Maybe. Just a little. But nothing like this.”
    “What, exactly, does that mean?”
    “Well—“ Libby fidgeted on the divan. “He had some friends his father and I didn’t approve of. That’s one reason—“ She peeked at Travis and then dropped her gaze back to her hands twisting in her lap. “I decided to come here, instead of moving back with Papa. Since Papa lives in a city…”
    “You thought there’d be less chance he’d get in trouble here.”
    “Yes.”
    Travis touched her trembling hands. “I’m not angry. We don’t know for sure that James went to town.”
    She leaned against him and a sob slipped out. “You won’t send us away?”
    Travis drew her within the circle of his arm. “Of course not. You’re my family. We’ll talk to James together, if you’d like.”
    Libby nodded and sniffed. “Thank you, Travis. I’d like that.”
    Travis squeezed her shoulders and moved away, then froze. “We forgot about Angel! She might need a doctor.” He jumped up and raced from the room, vaguely aware of Libby following.
    They pulled up short and stared. Only a pan of bloody water and rags sat on the table. Angel was gone.

Chapter Ten

    Angel slipped into her room, twisted the doorknob, and released it gently, her heart racing at what she’d just heard. She’d sat at the table for several minutes after Travis and Libby left the room—long enough to know who’d arrived. She’d nearly bolted, fearing the sheriff had