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You’re right, of course. This is very
serious, and Ed will be punishing us all tonight, I don’t doubt!
He’ll want to bring this very bad girl to see you tomorrow morning
and straighten this whole mess out. So we’ll do exactly what you
suggest right now and go straight on home. Ed will bring this
naughty girl into see you first thing in the morning as agreed.
Come along, girls!” Lucy turned and swept a stunned Millie and Amy
out of the Sheriff’s office and clanged the door shut behind them
before Grant Leason realised that they’d gone.
    He slumped in his chair, drew out his
handkerchief and wiped his damp brow. He let out a sigh of relief;
they’d gone. Then he jerked up in his chair. Hang on a cotton
pickin’ minute! He hadn’t suggested they go...had he?
    The women ran as fast as they could until
they reached a quiet street near the station and stopped to catch
their breath. Amy recovered first and said, “That was quick
thinking, Lucy, telling Grant that Henderson threatened me.”
    “ Oh God, Amy, what have
you done?” Lucy groaned, clutching her side where a painful stitch
had formed.
    “ I’m glad I shot the
bastard. I just wish he was dead!” Amy declared.
    “ You silly, stupid girl.... if
Henderson dies you’ll hang!!” Lucy cried. Then Millie burst into
tears and Lucy put a distracted arm about her thin shoulders. She
wasn’t sure what to do next. They couldn’t go back home because if
Henderson insisted that Grant Leason lock Amy in the jailhouse, the
Sheriff would be there soon.
    Amy said firmly, “I’ll use the train tickets
and go to Grandma’s. I’m sure she’ll know what to do. Lucy, you
explain to Ethan and he can come on later.”
    Lucy went cold at the thought of her brother
Ethan – he was going to go insane and she wouldn’t put it past him
to larrup her for this mess. If only Ed were here; he would sort it
all out! “Okay, yes, I can see that is a good idea, but I warn you,
Amy: Ethan is going to blister your butt for this and probably
mine, too!”
    “ That’s alright, Lucy, I
know Ethan’ll be madder than a box of frogs but Ed won’t let him
lay a finger on you - you’ll be just fine so don’t you worry none
bout that.”
    Just then Millie piped up with, “I’m going
with Amy. She can’t travel alone anyhow! I want to go to
Grandma’s!”
    Lucy was beyond caring at that point and
just wanted everyone safe so that she could go home to Ed and their
boys. “OK, let’s get on down to the station and see when the next
train is due out.”
    The rail line had just recently opened, and
it would take the girls all the way to Dallas, where Grandmother
Hilda Campbell lived. It seemed the next train was due in the
morning at eight o’clock. Lucy made sure they had booked seats in
the best carriage using their pre-paid tickets from Grandmother.
Lucy then took the girls to her old school friend Rose, who lived
near the station. Her husband worked nights for the railway, so
Lucy planned to beg beds for Amy and Millie to stay overnight.
    Once the girls were settled at Rose’s with
all explanations told to Rose’s satisfaction, Lucy went back into
town. Keeping a very low profile, she bought each girl a store
dress that she put on Ed’s account. Lucy added underwear and
stockings with garters, a nightdress, soap and brush for each and a
travel valise for the goods to be packed in. Lucy also put in the
newly bought ribbon and lace purchased for Amy’s wedding dress.
    Lucy hurried back to her friend Rose’s house
and delivered the valise to Amy. They all hugged a tearful goodbye
and Lucy walked slowly back to where the trap and horses had been
stabled in the livery all day. When she got there, she set off home
with a heavy heart. There was a lot of explaining ahead and Lucy
dreaded the telling of it, and the consequences that would surely
follow.
     

CHAPTER 4
    Ed was surprised that the girls had been
gone so long, but he was not overly concerned because a wedding