Read Online A Walk in Heaven by Marie Higgins - Free Book Online

in this cell that’s not fit for even rodents, while the real killer is on the loose.” He shook his head. “You’re not a very good deputy if you can’t see you have the wrong person.”
    “Kennedy, just shut up and eat. The longer you talk, the colder your food will get. Then you’ll be belly achin ’ about that as well.”
    Luther couldn’t take another minute of trying to be nice to the man. Glaring at the deputy, he yanked up his bowl and spooned the food into his mouth like a starving man. Breathing in quickly, a piece of food caught in his throat, so he coughed it out.
    An idea sprang to his mind and he stilled. He turned his attention to the deputy who apparently didn’t notice he had started to choke. Now, Luther had an idea. With any luck, it would get him out of here for good.
    Simulating a racking cough, he dropped the bowl. The stew spilled out as the bowl broke into pieces. He landed on his knees and clutched his throat, forcing himself to hold his breath long enough for his face to turn red.
    When that didn’t get a response from the deputy, Luther pounded on his chest and gurgled noisily. Finally, Deputy Carson’s gaze moved to Luther. An irritated expression crossed the lawman’s face. Luther didn’t stop, but continued in his choking fit, playing it to the hilt.
    When he couldn’t take anymore, he collapsed to the ground. Keeping still, he closed his eyes and listened.
    Boots clamored on the floor and jingling of keys let Luther know the deputy was finally coming to provide aide.
    Just as Carson turned Luther over on his back, he grabbed the deputy by the neck and squeezed. The other man struggled for his gun, but Luther forced him on the ground, slamming his head against the wooden floor.
    Not daring to release his tight hold on Carson’s throat in case the other man was pretending like Luther had been, he studied the man whose breath was slowly ceasing. After a few moments, Luther couldn’t detect a pulse, so he released the deputy.
    Quickly, before anyone could discover what he’d done, he grabbed Carson’s gun, the keys, and backed out of the cell. Once the cell was locked, Luther grabbed a rifle off the wall and more bullets.
    Free at last, he rushed out of the jail.
    Virginia City, here I come!
    * * * *
    Joshua and his brother Peter worked side by side in the sun. The calves needed branding today in preparation of the cattle drive in a few short weeks. Joshua knelt on the ground and held the tied feet of the animal while Peter placed the heated-tipped iron mark upon the calves’ hide. Gage knelt at the other end of the animal, expertly keeping it still.
    Beads of sweat dripped down the side of Joshua’s face as the sun beat upon him. Although still early spring, the sun made the nippy air a little warmer during this time of the day, and wearing his coat didn’t help matters.
    Joshua kept busy in hopes of getting his sister-in-law off his mind. It hadn’t worked as he’d expected. Apparently, riding and roping weren’t mind-consuming enough. He couldn’t joke with his brothers like he usually did. They were all still in shock of hearing about Matthew’s death – and seeing the casket that still waited to be buried. In two days, Pa had said, since he didn’t feel right about having the funeral on the Sabbath. Yet the longer Matthew’s body remained in the stable, the more restless Joshua became.
    His mind turned back to Careen. What was she doing? How long would she stay before going back home to Iowa? Matthew had told him the Southern Belle lived with her aunt and cousin. Surely, they would welcome her back after what happened.
    Surprisingly enough, his behavior this morning hadn’t frightened her away. Then again, how could it when his parents treated her like royalty? As if having her there they could reclaim a piece of Matthew. Shoot, even the opinions of his brothers took a drastic turn and they mentioned several times already how delightful and lovely Careen was.