The Outrider (Redbourne Series #5 - Will's Story) Read Online Free PDF Page A

time her soul needed something good, it was now.
    “I have no husband, Deputy.”
    Grace nodded her encouragement.
    He scrunched his brows together. “I’m not sure I
understand, ma’am.”
    “Raine,” Ethan spoke up, “it’s been a long day
and I am sure Mrs. Jessup is very tired. Do you think we could do this in the
morning instead?”
    “Yes, of course,” he said with a nod toward
Ethan, then he turned back to face her. “But I’m afraid I have to ask you a few
more questions first. I know it’s hard, and I know you’re tired, ma’am, but it
isn’t everyday someone’s home burns to the ground.” He dropped his head a
little to meet her eyes. “Are you up for it?”
    Elizabeth waited a moment, then nodded.
    “I’m so sorry for your loss, ma’am. Do you have
any idea what may have started the fire?”
    “Winston Driscoll and his boys paid her a visit a
few days ago. Threatened her,” Ethan said, stepping midway between her and his
brother.
    “How do you know Mr. Driscoll, Mrs. Jessup?” the
deputy asked, ignoring Ethan and stepping sideways so he once again faced her.
    “I am afraid I do not know the man.” She
shrugged. “He said that Mr. Ferguson had something of his and that if he did not
get it back, he would take what was owed out of the house.”
    What could have possibly have been gained from
the man actually burning down the house?
    “Did he threaten to hurt you in any way?”
    Elizabeth felt the heat rise again in her face,
but didn’t respond immediately.
    “I see,” Raine said.
    “Apparently, she’s pretty handy with a shotgun,”
Ethan said with an encouraging smile and a wink.
    “Understood.” Raine placed his hat back on his
head. “I apologize that we didn’t get here in time to save the place, ma’am.
I’m sure that we’ll be able to round up enough men to help you rebuild whenever
you’re ready.” He tapped the front of his hat and then turned to Ethan. “I’ll
head out to Driscoll’s place tomorrow and see what Winston has to say.” He nodded
at Elizabeth. “Ma’am.”
    “Thank you, Deputy,” she said.
    He nodded briefly, then walked over to where a
group of men stood, holding up their lanterns to look at the scorched remains
of her home.
    Ethan cleared his throat.
    “If it’s all right with you, Mrs. Jessup, Grace
and I would like you to come home with us. Tomorrow we’ll worry about what
needs to be done here, but for now, I think it’ll do you good to get some
sleep.” Ethan extended his hand.
    My books.
    Elizabeth held up one finger and dashed over to
where she’d dropped the few books she’d been able to salvage. She scrunched
down, careful to keep the puppy securely tucked in one arm, and picked up her
books one at a time until all had been collected. Out of all the volumes she’d
brought with her, only five were left for her library. And she longed for her
expansive collection back home.
    At least you have these , she told herself with a
grateful nod.
    Ethan relieved her of the books, setting them on
the floorboards beneath the driver’s seat.
    Unsure of what tomorrow would hold, Elizabeth
climbed into the back of the wagon alongside Grace and a restless Caspar and
the pups. She kept the runt snuggled tightly into her chest and pulled the
blanket up tighter around her shoulders.
    “Grace?” Elizabeth asked.
    “Um-hmmmm,” the woman said softly as she turned
to face her.
    She needed to ask, but was unsure how to do it.
    “If I ask you something, do I have your word you
will not say anything?”
    “Of course.”
    “William Redbourne. Do you know him?”
    Grace turned a surprise look on her. “Handsome?
Tall? Blond? Dimples that won’t quit, but stubborn as all get out?”
    “That’s him.” Elizabeth wasn’t sure whether to be
excited or fearful at the realization they were so close.
    “Will is Ethan’s brother. How do you know him?” Grace
asked with a devious smile.
    Elizabeth held her mother’s charred box close to
her