Free Sharon Poppen by Hannah Page A

the impact of his decision hit him like a gut punch. Do I have it in me to kill someone?
    He turned his head and looked at Hannah. Could I kill someone? For her? His innate honesty kept him from absolute assurance that he could, but the pangs in his heart assured him that she was worth whatever he needed to do to be by her side, forever. Finally, he slept.
     
    Chapter 14
    A Team is Formed
    Something warm rubbed against Hannah’s nude body. Coming fully awake, she realized she wasn’t alone. She inhaled deeply. After the past few days of sharing a horse and meals, she identified Liam’s scent. She opened her eyes and turned to find him on his back still clad in the clothes he’d worn yesterday. It was his arm that had rubbed against her.
    Hannah took advantage of his sleep to openly enjoy his profile and marvel at the strength of character she detected, even when he was at rest. He’s a good man, like Caleb . Oh, Caleb, she sighed. Why? Oh, why did fate see fit to tear us apart? To… She bit her lip to gain control, to stem the threat of tears.
    No tears. I can’t do that to Liam again! Memories of last night surfaced. Hannah winced remembering her foolishness at Coralee’s, that she’d finally told Liam everything about the murders and rapes and that he had seen her scarred body. She wondered why he was still here, lying beside her. An urge niggled and saved her from further contemplation. When she attempted to crawl over Liam, the bed creaked.
    “Going somewhere?” His eyes remained closed.
    Hannah eased back and covered her nude body. “How do you do that?”
    “Do what?” His eyes opened.
    “Wake up, suddenly, without warning.”
    He smiled. “My internal alarm.”
    “Internal alarm?”
    He sat up. “Actually, it’s more of an urge than an alarm.” He swung his feet to the floor.
    She nodded. “Me, too.”
    “Well, you can’t go to the privy like that.” In his duffle bag, Liam found an extra pair of denims and a shirt. “Here slip into these for now.”
    It took only minutes and they were back in the hotel room. Liam told her his brothers had left and took the baby to their aunt’s place.
    “Why are you still here?” Hannah asked.
    “I’m not too sure, but…” He paused and smiled.
    “Yes?”
    “I’m sure that you need some clothes.”
    An hour later they were having breakfast in an eatery that was in need of a whitewash and smelled of grease. Liam was wearing the clothes Hannah had worn to the privy and Hannah was clad in new denims, flannel shirt and boots from the General Store. Hannah savored the last bite of her pancakes, took a healthy sip of tea and asked again.
    “Why are you here?”
    Liam washed down the last of his second short stack with some heavily creamed coffee. “Like I said, I’m not sure.”
    “Liam, you don’t –
    “Hannah, there are things one has to do. You know that.”
    She looked away for a moment and then faced him again. “It’s different with me. I told you last night. You saw ..., well, you saw things. Surely you understand.”
    “I saw. I’m still not sure I understand or agree that you need to track these men down. But, I can’t let you do it alone.”
    “Liam, ...”
    He touched her hand and pulled back. “You’re not going to change my mind.”
    “Liam, ...”
    He stood up. “Let’s get started.”
    “Liam, ...”
    He smiled and held out his hand. “Let’s see if a night in jail loosened some tongues.”
     
    *****
     
    “Drake who?” Hank asked from his cot.
    “Who?” echoed Charlie from a cot in the next cell.
    The sheriff shrugged. “Been like that all morning. Every question brings a question.”
    “That right?” Liam asked. “Wonder what they’ll ask the judge when he orders their hanging?”
    Hank twitched, but kept his eyes focused on the ceiling.
    The sheriff laughed. “Won’t be much askin’ then. Only minutes from the courtroom to the old oak.”
    “Shame that Drake’ll be roaming free to kill and take his