Free Would-Be Wilderness Wife by Regina Scott Page A

thinking what would happen to Levi or to him.
    McCormick was watching Drew as if expecting something more, so Drew offered, “It’s good to know Seattle rallies when one of its own might be in danger.”
    The posse nodded. Deputy McCormick leaned closer to Drew.
    â€œThe sheriff wouldn’t have it any other way. He’d have been here himself except he had to investigate a report of harassment to the south of you.”
    â€œHarassment?” Drew frowned. “What kind of harassment?”
    Deputy McCormick straightened. “Stock let loose in the woods, a shed burned, reports of strangers riding past. Your brother Levi wouldn’t know about any of that, would he?”
    Drew stiffened. “Levi’s been helping with Ma. And he knows better than to start a fire out here.”
    McCormick glanced around the clearing. “Where is your brother this morning?”
    â€œWith Simon and the others, out working.” And he wasn’t about to point the direction.
    The deputy scratched his chin. “I suppose that’s witness enough. Besides, the sheriff thought it might be Indian trouble.”
    Drew shook his head. “We’ve never had any trouble with the Duwamish, even during the Indian Wars. They were always helpful, until these new rules ended up pushing them from their land and trying to force them to settle across the Sound.”
    Two of the men bristled, and Drew heard someone mutter about being an Indian lover. He ignored them. His family had always dealt fairly with the natives they’d encountered, and in turn they lived in peace along the lake. But he knew not everyone agreed with that philosophy.
    Knowing it might take Catherine a bit to change—at least, it always took Ma and Beth more time to dress in the morning than it did him and his brothers—Drew invited their unexpected visitors to see to their horses. He was surprised his sister didn’t come hurrying out of the barn to greet them, but she must have taken the goats to the pasture by Simon’s cabin, for he caught no sign of her or the animals.
    â€œYou having any trouble with your neighbors, the Rankins?” McCormick asked as Drew watered Miss O’Rourke’s horse.
    â€œThey leave us alone, we leave them alone,” Drew replied.
    â€œFunny,” the deputy mused. “I heard tell young Levi had words with Scout in town the other day. I thought they were friends.”
    It seemed there was little the deputy failed to hear about. But before Drew could answer, McCormick tipped his hat in the direction of Drew’s cabin.
    Drew turned to see Catherine and her friend coming toward them. Catherine’s hair was once more pinned precisely in place, her blue gown surprisingly crisp after her activities yesterday. Never had he seen such purposeful strides. Dirt kicked up behind her with each step. She hadn’t confessed to his family how she’d arrived at the Landing. Was she about to tell the law in no uncertain terms the full story of her kidnapping?

Chapter Six
    C atherine tried not to shiver in the early-morning chill as she approached the group. She’d thought surely the events of the day or the strange surroundings would have kept her awake last night. But the moment she’d snuggled under Drew’s quilt, which hinted of the scent of fir that seemed to cling to him, she’d fallen asleep, and only Maddie’s knock on the door had roused her.
    â€œSo off you go running away to live in a palace of cedar like David in the Bible,” Maddie had said, twinkle in her brown eyes. “Leaving your friends a-wondering.”
    Catherine had hugged her tight before pulling her inside. “It’s fir, not cedar. And what are you doing here? How did you find me?”
    Maddie had bustled into the room, picking up Catherine’s gown and undergarments where they lay over one of the tall, stiff chairs. “Didn’t you think I would raise the hue