Page 58 of Heart of Mystic Valley

“Auburn?” Brodie asked.

Rounder nodded. “Yeah, auburn. I was told he had a ranch around these parts.”

Brodie’s jaw twitched. He glanced at Joshua before returning his attention to the prisoner. “And what business do you have with him?”

Rounder’s lips curled into a bitter smile. “That’s between me and him,” he said, a challenge in his voice. “But I aim to find him, one way or another.”

Joshua’s mind whirled with questions. The man had to be talking about his brother. Cody had mentioned he sometimes used a different name when hunting outlaws. Why was Rounder searching for him? And why break into Faith’s house?

“You’re not telling us everything,” Faith interjected. “How does sneaking into my home help you find Cody?”

The man’s eyes narrowed, flickering between Faith and Joshua. “I know you’re the newspaper lady. Thought I might find some information about Burke.”

“Information like what?” Brodie asked.

“Where to find him. No one around here knows him. At least, that’s what they say.”

“Why do you want to find him?” Joshua pressed.

“I already told you. I’ve got important business with him. Personal business.”

Joshua caught Brodie’s eye, motioning for the sheriff to follow him outside. Expressions grim, the two headed out to the boardwalk, Faith right behind them.

“What are you thinking?” Brodie asked.

“I’m going to ride back to the ranch and talk to Cody. If I know my brother, he’s going to want to meet with Rounder.”

“Joshua?” Faith tightened the cinch on the saddle of her horse. When she learned he was riding back to the ranch, she’d insisted on going with him. “What could Cody have done to bring this kind of trouble?”

He shook his head imperceptibly as he helped her up into the saddle. “I don’t know. But I plan to find out.” Mounting up, he reined Jupiter toward the ranch. “Let’s go.”

They rode next to each other in silence for the first mile before Joshua broke the silence. “I can’t figure out what Rounder wants with Cody.”

“Could be a lot of reasons. Revenge for putting him in prison. Or Rounder might have information to share with Cody.”

“Did Rounder act as if he wanted to share anything with my brother?”

Faith chuckled. “I suppose not.”

Joshua looked over at her, not quite believing she’d agreed to be courted. Faith could have any single man she wanted in Mystic. Yet here she was, riding next to him.

“How about we pick up the pace?” Before he could respond, Faith kicked her horse and took off.

Both were still laughing when they crested the hill to look out on the ranch. From their position, they could see the entire homestead. The corrals, barn, large ranch house, bunkhouse, hay storage, and building where they kept tools and extra tack. Though the partial moon didn’t provide much light, it was an impressive sight.

“Do you think you could ever live out here, Faith?”

The question surprised her, and made her stomach twist. “Are you asking if I could give up the newspaper to live on the ranch?”

“Not give up the Gazette. I’d never ask you to walk away from your father’s legacy.”

She waited for him to say more. Instead, he nudged Jupiter and headed down the hill toward home.

“Jim Rounder? Haven’t heard his name in a while.” Cody stared down into a cup of coffee. “Hoped to never hear it again.”

Most of the family was still up when Joshua and Faith walked in the front door. Annalee had made coffee and sliced more of the pie left over from supper.

Joshua exchanged a glance with Faith, reaching out to thread his fingers through hers, before asking the question both wanted answered. “How do you know him?”

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