To Love a Stranger by Connie Mason Page A

arrows in and around Pa’s body.”
    Pierce’s brow furrowed in thought. He had gravereservations about the Indian theory but kept them to himself.
    Cully jumped in to offer an opinion. “Weren’t no Injuns, if you ask me. The whole incident was just too isolated. No one saw hide nor hair of Injuns, just that arrow sticking in Robert’s back. Couldn’t prove otherwise, though.”
    “Please,” Zoey said, swallowing her tears, “I can’t bear to think of it. Indians or no, Pa is dead.”
    “You’re right,” Pierce concurred. “Until we have concrete proof, it’s best not to dwell on something that only serves to make Zoey sad.”
    “When are you going into town?” Zoey asked, concerned about Pierce’s dangerous mission.
    “After the hands have retired for the night. The fewer people who know about this the better. When I was in Willoughby’s office the other day I noticed that the rear door opened into the alley. I’m quite good at picking locks. My brothers and I used to rob the candy store when we were wild kids. The next day Pa would whip us good, then pay for the candy we took.”
    “If you’re dead set on this, I reckon there’s nothing I can do to talk you out of it,” Cully said, rising from the table. “Reckon I’ll hit the sack.”
    No one saw the man edge away from the window, nor knew that he heard nearly every word spoken by the trio inside.
    “You don’t have to do this,” Zoey said.
    “The sooner this mess is settled, the sooner I can be on my way. You saved my life and I aim to pay my debt. When I leave it’s going to be with a clear conscience.”
    Zoey should have known Pierce was thinking ofhimself, not about her problems. He wanted to be free of her, but for some unexplained reason he felt the need to repay her for saving his life before he left.
    Zoey rose abruptly. “I’d try to talk you out of this, but I can see your mind is made up. I’ll pray for your success.”
    Pierce sat at the table long after Zoey had cleaned up the kitchen and retired for the night. He pictured her lying in her bed, wearing that white linen shroud that served as a nightgown, and wondered why he hadn’t given her the gift he’d bought for her in town last week. He smiled in acknowledgment of his selfish reason for buying her the gift. He wanted to be with her when she wore it He wanted her to put it on the first time they made love.
Soon
, he thought,
very soon
. Lust was about to kill him.
    Zoey was so nervous the next day she could barely function. She could think of nothing but the danger Pierce courted by seeking illegal entrance to Willoughby’s office. Somehow she got through the day, but the supper she prepared that evening left much to be desired.
    Pierce was unusually quiet at the supper table, mentally preparing himself for what lay ahead. He ate automatically, tasting little of what he chewed and swallowed, mulling over his plans. He planned to enter town after midnight and stay out of sight by using the back street behind the buildings to reach the bank. He’d already found the tools he needed to pick the lock and had them in his room.
    “I’ve been thinking,” Cully said, clearing his throat. “I oughta go with you tonight. I could be your lookout.”
    “I appreciate your offer, Cully, but it’s too dangerous. You’re needed on the ranch. If I end up in jail, I don’t want to take you with me.”
    Curiously, Zoey had little to say. She’d made a decision the night before, one she knew Pierce wouldn’t like. But this was her land, her problem. She’d involved Pierce in her problems by force. An unwilling participant. If he was going to place his life in jeopardy, she was going to be with him.
    Pierce retired to his room early. He lay on his bed fully dressed. He dozed off and on until eleven-thirty, then rose, dressed in black shirt and denims he’d purchased in town, and quietly left the room. The house was silent as Pierce stole down the stairs. A quick glance at the