Her One Desire

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fourteen

Golden Lady Saloon two days later

"I hurried back here as quickly as I could," Harriet told Grace as she entered the back having placed an order at the general store to be delivered later that afternoon. Is everyone out front?

"Yes," Grace replied. "Is something wrong?"

"No, I just need to talk with Buck or Sean," Harriet replied and hurried toward the door leading to the front of the saloon where she soon disappeared through. Seeing that Buck was the only closest one to her Harriet went over and whispered in his ear. "I saw that man and the horse we were searching for leaving town just now."

"Let me get Sean and Sam and I'll send them to the back," he told her and Harriet left to await them in the kitchen which wasn't long.

"Buck said you saw the man?" Sean said being the first to enter followed shortly by Sam.

"Yes he was riding out of town heading west," she answered. "I remember him from the day you and the others returned from Moorshead. I was coming out of the general store and he rode right by me but I didn't see where he came from."

"He was on that chestnut horse?" Sam asked her.

"Yes I saw it when he rode out of the livery stables that day," she replied.

"Sean hurry and get our horses saddled from the livery I'll get my rifle just in case and meet you there," Sam told him. "Harriet can you rent that buggy and ride out to Chad's place and let them know were trying to follow the man. Tell Jim and them I'll leave signs for them to follow."

"Yes I'll do that if Grace can handle the lunch crowd we have just about everything ready," Harriet replied.

"I can don't you worry Mrs. Harriet," Grace replied. "I"ll put the order up from the general store if it arrives before you return and you said you wanted a stew made for dinner tonight I can get that started too."

"I'll let them know at the livery you want the buggy ready," Sean said then hurried out the front headed toward the livery stables with Sam close behind him to fetch her rifle before following him.

"Thank you, Grace, I'll return as soon as I can if you have any problems let Mrs. Roberts know and shell come help you," Harriet told the young woman then left to fetch a wrap before following the others.

She was just about to enter the room she shared with Dallas when Sam came out of her room carrying her rifle up against her leg so those down below couldn't see it. I don't know how I'll get out of here without them seeing this," she said in a low voice to Harriet.

"Wait a minute," Harriet said and went into her room and retrieved her wrap, a cape she threw over her shoulders then returned to join Sam. "Let me have it I can hide it under my cape then I'll meet you in just a few minutes."

Sam handed over the rifle then left out the front heading toward the livery as Harriet calmly descended the stairs then went to the back of the saloon and out the back door. Once outside she almost ran to the livery stables as she pressed the rifle to her side still hidden under her cape.

"Here," she said a little breathless as she handed the rifle to Sam once she arrived. "I don't think anyone knew I had it under my cape."

Smiling Sam took it from her and rammed the rifle into the scabbard attached to her saddle then finished tightening up the saddle before she climbed up on her horse. "Which way again?"

"He was headed west on the road out of town just like before," Harriet replied then watched Sam and Sean head west out of town in a hurry while Harriet prayed they would be able to follow the man's tracks.