Free Lincoln County Series 1-3 by Sarah Jae Foster Page A

something wrong?”
    She held Jake’s eyes with hers. “No, it’s just a cowpoke leaving a whore’s room.” She choked on a shaky sob and hustled back to the kitchen.

Chapter Fifteen

    That evening, as the saloon was finally quieting down for the night, someone ran in and yelled. “Fire! About two miles that way… I think it’s the church!”
    Jake bolted up the stairs to Andrew’s room, knocking relentlessly.
    Andrew opened the door, rubbing his eyes.
    “Get your pants on, Reverend. The church is on fire.”
    Jake exited the hotel and witnessed a dozen outlaws swarming down the hill. He swore, and for what it was worth, ran to get the sheriff. He found Ed locking up the jail. “We got trouble!”
    At the same moment, it seemed the outlaws had made it to town and were pounding through the streets, smashing windows and breaking down doors in a pillaging rampage.
    With urgency and regret, Ed ordered, “Go get Thomas, this is too big for us.”
    *** *** ***
    Cameron and Lacey gasped as an intruder forced his way into the hotel. The man stood in the foyer, gun in hand.
    Lacey whispered, “Go to your room. I’ll deal with this.”
    “You know him ?”
    “Ken Murphy, an enemy of that brother of yours.”
    As much as she wanted to flee at the sight of this grossly intimidating man who looked as though he would devour them, she wouldn’t leave Lacey alone with him.
    “What do we have here?”
    “Leave us alone, we have nothing to do with your business with Thomas.”
    Her words sparked anger. “Everything in this town has to do with my business.” He shoved them into the saloon. “I aim to take back what’s mine!”
    Another man entered and reported to Ken, “There’s a couple of old ladies up there and two little kids. I left Frank to keep watch. They won’t be of any good to us, that’s fer sure.” He laughed heartily.
    How many men were there? Where was Andrew? Cameron could barely think. Why couldn’t she be brave like Lacey?
    Charlotte appeared just then. She seemed oblivious to the fear and danger going on around her as she volunteered the worst information possible. “Have you met Lacey’s minion yet? Her name’s Cameron Engel… as in, Thomas’s sister.”
    Tauntingly, Ken made his way over to her.
    Lacey exploded, “So help me, you lay a hand on her and you’ll be sorry.”
    Cameron thought for sure they were both dead but Ken seemed amused. “Your men will soon be done fighting that fire. I need you two to keep us company until the big fish arrives.”
    *** *** ***
    Andrew fell to his knees in front of what used to be the entrance of his church. He seized raw dirt with his blackened hands and held it up towards the sky. “I don’t understand. What is Your plan in this?”
    His veins bulged at his temples and he pushed his scratchy, hoarse voice to its limits. It hurt to take in a breath. The dirt slipped loosely from his hands before he wept, his shoulders trembled uncontrollably.
    After a while he wiped his eyes and nose clear—to better see the destruction before him. Heavy timber—once the ceiling beams—lay on top of the still burning coals like toothpicks that fell from their box. The once important bell was smeared with soot and nestled in the middle of the rubble, otherwise unscathed. Smoke floated up in strangled threads from the piles of wood, ash, metal and colored glass—leaving a haunting affect in its wake.
    In his grief, Andrew managed to get back to town and saw the destruction of it as well, leaving no doubt that they were under attack. Darting through the shadows and alleys of the town’s buildings, he made his way unnoticed to Jake’s Gun Shop. The place had been ransacked but he grabbed one of the remaining weapons and quickly armed himself.
    Someone had followed. Andrew slid behind a darkened door with his gun cocked and ready to fire, sweat pouring down his face. The slow, booted footsteps were getting closer. He could tell the man was being as cautious as he.