Page 48 of Heart of Mystic Valley
She quickened her pace, her mind torn between the lingering fear from the kidnapping attempt and the memory of Joshua’s confession.‘I love you, Faith.’The words echoed in her mind, bringing a flush to her cheeks.
As she approached the bank, the sight of the boarded-up hole from the explosion stopped her in her tracks. Debris had been cleared away, leaving only a few stray splinters scattered on the ground.
A hand-painted sign hung proudly on the front door. “Mystic Bank. Open for Business.”
Faith’s lips curved into a small smile at the resiliency of her small town. The moment was short-lived as she caught sight of Sheriff Brodie Gaines approaching, his face grim.
“Faith,” he greeted, tipping his hat. “How are you faring?”
Straightening her shoulders, she met his gaze. “I’m managing. Any news on the outlaws?”
His gaze darted to the boarded-up hole before returning to Faith. “Not so far.”
She nodded, her journalist’s instincts taking over. “And the bank? Will it be secure enough until proper repairs can be made?”
“Mr. Graham has men working ’round the clock,” he assured her. Glancing around, he fixed his gaze on her. “I’d feel better ifyou’d consider staying with someone for a few days. Maybe the Becketts—”
“I appreciate your concern,” she interrupted. “But I’m going to stay in town. I have a newspaper to run, and I’m going to focus on getting the next issue printed.”
“You’re one stubborn woman. Promise me you’ll stay alert?”
“Of course,” she replied, her hand brushing against the hidden Derringer.
“I need to ride out to the Beckett ranch. Take care, Faith.”
As Brodie walked away, Faith turned back to the bank, her eyes tracing the jagged edges of the boarded-up hole. With a deep breath, she continued her walk to the Gazette office, her steps more purposeful now.
The town of Mystic had weathered this storm, and so would she. Joshua’s confession was a storm of a different kind, one she’d spend a good deal of time reflecting on.
Joshua Beckett took a swallow from his canteen, his eyes squinting against the late morning sun. The barn’s roof had taken a beating during the last storm, and winter was coming on fast. He hammered another nail into place, the rhythmic sound echoing across the sprawling ranch.
“Jupiter,” he called down to his dapple-gray Quarter Horse, who stood in the corral below. “Reckon I’ll have this done before sundown?”
The gelding nickered softly in response, and Joshua chuckled. “Yeah, I thought so, too.”
As he worked, his mind drifted to Faith. The memory of her face when he’d confessed his feelings was imprinted on his mind. Had he made a mistake? The friendship they’d sharedsince childhood was precious to him, and the thought of losing it twisted his gut worse than any wild mustang ever had.
“Darn fool,” he muttered to himself, driving another nail with perhaps more force than necessary.
Even as doubt gnawed at him, Joshua couldn’t bring himself to regret his words. Faith was strong-willed and curious, with a heart as big as Montana itself. He’d been in love with her for longer than he cared to admit, even to himself.
A sudden gust of wind caught him off guard, nearly sending him sliding off the roof. Joshua caught himself, his heart pounding.
“Focus, Beckett,” he breathed. “Won’t do Faith any good if you break your neck falling off a barn roof.”
As he resumed his work, Joshua’s thoughts turned to the recent troubles in Mystic. His jaw clenched at the memory of the botched kidnapping attempt. If anything had happened to her…
The sun inched across the sky as he continued to work, his muscles aching but his resolve strengthening with each passing moment. Whatever came next with Faith, with the outlaws, he’d face it. After all, the Becketts didn’t back down from a challenge.
Chapter Nineteen
Joshua wiped the sweat from his brow, his eyes scanning the horizon as he thought of Faith.
“What if I’ve gone and ruined everything?” he muttered.
The soft thud of approaching hoofbeats caught his attention. He turned, squinting against the sun, to see two familiar figures approaching on horseback.
“Brodie,” he called out, climbing down from the roof. “Beaumont. What brings you two out this way?”
