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your weapon, Mr. Wilder? If it has escaped your notice, there are two deputies right behind you, and both of them have guns currently pointed in your direction.”
    He looked over his shoulder, discovered the deputy Sheriff Dawson had called Cunningham, and another deputy standing five feet away from him with their weapons drawn. “I’m afraid I won’t lower my gun until that deputy steps away from Miss James.”
    Miss James suddenly let out a shrill laugh. He blinked when she batted her lashes at him and wiggled the fingers of her free hand through the bars. “Mr. Wilder, there is no need to become distraught because I’m showing Deputy Jud Hansen some attention.” She beamed at the deputy. “He’s just been a dear, holding my hand and soothing away my fears.”
    “Miss James, forgive me, but if he doesn’t let go of your hand soon, I’m afraid I really am going to have to shoot him, and then that lovely gown of yours will sport more than just a smidgen of blood.”
    Miss James withdrew her hand from Deputy Hansen’s grasp so fast that Theodore felt the distinct urge to laugh.
    “You, sir, are despicable,” Deputy Hansen spat as he stepped away from the cell and glared at Theodore. “My mother brought me up to respect ladies and to cater to their delicate sensibilities. Poor Miss James, from what I’ve learned, is completely innocent of all the wrongdoings that transpired today. I was simply trying to reassure her that all will be well in the end.”
    “Oh, that was lovely,” Miss James cooed.
    Theodore resisted the urge to roll his eyes. “Lovely or not, Miss James, I’m afraid you’re going to have to bid Deputy Hansen goodbye now. Sheriff Dawson has agreed to releaseyou and Miss Beckett into my custody, and we really do need to take our leave.”
    Deputy Hansen took a step forward and jerked his head toward Arabella. “But she shot a man.”
    Sheriff Dawson cleared his throat. “That’s enough, Deputy Hansen. Mr. Wilder is now responsible for these ladies, and I say good riddance.” He turned and nodded to the two deputies who were still standing with their pistols at the ready. “All of you may go. I’ll meet up with you in my office momentarily.”
    “But . . . you can’t just let Miss Beckett go,” Deputy Hansen argued. “Justice has not been served.”
    “We’ll discuss it later,” Sheriff Dawson snapped.
    Deputy Hansen spun around and, without speaking another word, stalked down the narrow hallway and disappeared from sight, the other two deputies following him a moment later.
    “Well, that was interesting,” Arabella said before she waved the sheriff forward. “If I’m to assume that we really are going to be freed, don’t you think it might be prudent to unlock this cell?”
    Sheriff Dawson eyed the slimy money Theodore still held in his hand. “I really should demand you give me that for all the aggravation this lady has caused.”
    “But since you and I both know she didn’t do anything to warrant arrest, I think I’ll give it back to her,” Theodore said as he handed Miss Beckett her money through the bars and watched as she stuffed it down her bodice.
    Was she opposed to carrying the always-present female accessory of a reticule, or did she simply find it more convenient to keep her money close at hand at all times?
    “Come, Miss James,” Arabella said as Sheriff Dawson stepped to the cell door, pushed the key into the lock, and pulled the door open. “We must get you home.” She tookhold of Miss James’s arm, but then dropped it a second later when the young lady refused to budge.
    “You didn’t say anything about returning me to Chicago,” Miss James said with a sniff.
    “Chicago is your home,” Miss Beckett pointed out.
    “But . . . what about my husband?” Miss James wailed.
    Miss Beckett muttered something under her breath before she took hold of Miss James’s arm once again and tugged the lady out of the cell and into the hallway. She let out