Free To Know Her by Name by Lori Wick Page B

was glancing around, trying to think of what to say next, when he spotted the cross. Beyond the ropes she hung clothes on and at the base of some thick pines stood a white cross, its paint faded and chipping. Without a word to Pup, McKay walked toward it.
    A scant 20 paces took him to the foot of three graves. Two of them had engraved stones: Davis J. Hackett 1826–1865. Anne M. Hackett 1829–1872 . The third grave was fresh, obviously belonging to Govern.
    McKay found his heart asking why it never occurred to him that Callie herself had been forced to bury this man. Why had it also never occurred to him that this was Govern’s family home? With all the risks Govern had taken, he could have been gunned down anywhere in Colorado, but he died here and was buried with his parents.
    It wasn’t until that moment that McKay realized Pup had come to stand beside him. He turned and looked at her. She was tall, only a few inches shorter than he was, and she held her slim frame very straight as she looked down at the graves. As he expected, her face was unreadable.
    â€œI am sorry that you had to go through all of this, Callie.”
    â€œI know,” she agreed simply, her eyes still on the ground. “But it’s good that he’s buried here with Mama and Papa.”
    She looked at him then, and, not surprisingly, found dozens of questions in his eyes.
    â€œHe was my brother,” she said simply, watching emotions chase across McKay’s face. He opened his mouth, but Pup cut him off.
    â€œTake care of yourself, McKay,” she said simply, and turned and walked away. She moved past her laundry, then the stable, and disappeared into the trees. McKay could have followed her, but it was obvious that she wanted to be alone. There were so many questions he wanted to ask, so many more things he wanted to say, but she’d walked away.
    McKay’s eyes dropped to the graves once again.
    These people are dead and gone, Lord, but Callie and I are still here. We both need Your comfort and strength. Help us through this time and in the days to come.
    McKay turned for his horse. He was back at the porch just a minute later and loading his gear. There was no sign of Callie, and there was nothing else to do but ride away.

9
    Denver
    â€œMr. Crawford is here to see you, Mr. Wallace.”
    â€œSend him in, Paine.”
    â€œDo you want me to stay, sir?”
    Nick Wallace was not put off by the question. His chief aide, Paine Whitter, often stayed to take notes and track down files, but this time Nick shook his head.
    â€œI think we’ll be fine, Paine. Thank you.”
    â€œVery good, sir. I’ll send Mr. Crawford right in.”
    The heavy oak door closed, and Nick had a moment to think. He hoped that Carlyle was here about McKay. They could have sent a man to gather all the information McKay had compiled, but when he’d discussed it with Carlyle, they had decided to wait for McKay’s return. Once they’d heard from Travis Buchanan, they knew it was only a matter of time. Nick now hoped that the time was at hand.
    There was a brief knock and the door opened.
    â€œHave a seat, Carlyle,” Nick spoke as soon as his coworker was in the room, the door closed behind him. “You have news?”
    â€œYes. McKay is back. He should be here in about 15 minutes.”
    â€œGood. You know that I trust you with this operation, Carlyle, but it might be helpful to me if I can hear McKay’s story personally.”
    â€œI think that’s a good idea. I won’t question him on my own. I’ll let you know as soon as he arrives.”
    â€œYou can come in here, or we can meet in your office.”
    â€œI think we’ll have more privacy in here, Nick.”
    â€œGood. I’ll expect you within the half hour.”
    Carlyle left Nick’s office, marveling not for the first time over what an excellent manager Nick was. Nick Wallace was Carlyle’s superior,