Free Tumbleweed Letters by Vonnie Davis Page B

cold.”
    “Oh, I am.” She rubbed her gloved hands together. “The sky looks heavy with snow to me, so I’ll make my visit short so I can get back to town. Is Sophie up?”
    Sophie Catherine hurried to Dora. “Come in the kitchen where it’s warm. Would you care for some coffee?”
    “Yes, bless you. I can barely feel my feet.” Once Dora settled at the table across from Cam and unwrapped the knitted scarf from her neck, she turned her gaze on him. “Could I please have a few moments of privacy with Sophie?”
    Unease crept up his spine. Would Dora try to convince Sophie Catherine to come back to work for her? He needed her here. He glanced at his wife as she refilled his cup. “I suppose.”
    A small hand clasped his shoulder and gave a gentle squeeze. “Whatever you have to say to me can be said in front of my husband.”
    His hand rose to cover hers. A warmth rushed though him over her gesture and melted a chunk of his frozen heart. He turned an eye on her as she sat across from him.
    Dora’s eyebrows shot up. The corners of her mouth quirked. “Very well. There’s a man in town looking for you.”
    The color drained from his wife’s face. “For…for me?” Her eyes darted around as if she were looking for an escape. The pulse in her neck beat rapidly. “Is he a Pinkerton?”
    “Yes. Or so he claims. Man by the name of Veers. Archie Veers.” Dora turned toward Cam. “Cold eyes. Mean, real mean. Roughed up Trixie last night.”
    Cam covered Sophie Catherine’s hand with his. “Is that the man who hit you?” When she nodded, her green eyes full of fear, hot rage rolled through him like a powerful western wind. He regarded Madam Dora. “Thank you for coming all the way out here to warn us.”
    “Well, he’s in the poky right now. Sheriff Manning arrested him after the beating he gave Trixie. I suspect he’ll release him later today, after Veers sleeps off his snootful of whiskey.”
    Sophie Catherine stood, her fingers twisting her apron. “I’m going to Deadwood with you. I don’t want Veers harming Cam or Eli.” Her gaze swept around the kitchen she’d breathed life into, just as she’d breathed life into him. “Or doing something to this house. Cam’s memories are here.”
    Cam slowly stood, willing his heart to stay in his chest. “Your place is here with us. I promised you no one would ever hurt you again, and I meant it.”
    “No, ’twill be better for me to meet him in town than for him to come out here. We don’t know if he has others with him. I won’t have you or my boy in danger because of me.”
    A sense of panic twisted Cam’s gut. He wrapped his hand around Sophie Catherine’s waist and pulled her to him. “You’re not leaving.”
    His wife’s hand twisted into his shirt. “Cam, you don’t know what that man’s capable of.”
    His eyes bore into hers. “And you don’t know what I’m capable of, Sophie Catherine.” He turned to Dora. “I’m much obliged you came all the way out here to warn us, but my wife stays with me.”

Chapter Twelve
    Sophie fretted as she went about her chores. Would Veers come to the ranch? Would he make trouble? Would Cam and Eli be safe? Would she be taken away from the little boy she adored and the man who treated her so well? An acute ache tore at her soul. Now was not the time to be selfish. Now was the time to protect those to whom her heart belonged.
    Should she try to flee? Where would she go? Back to Deadwood, or to someplace new? After the passion of last night, could she walk away from her husband? Would he miss her if she did? Questions. She grew dizzy with them.
    Eli followed her about, beating on his pot with a spoon, while she busied herself with cleaning the bedroom she and Cam shared. She scrubbed the blood-stained sheets, and Eli chased the cats. She added more wood to the fire under the cauldron beside the house and washed shirts and long johns. Sheets fluttered in the cold wind.
    Cam stayed close by, working in the