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to me why I’m being charged with its theft?”
    “Someone had to be held accountable.”
    It really was somewhat impressive how the lady could make everyone aware of her displeasure without speaking a single word. Sparks were literally spewing from her eyes, her lips were pinched, and annoyance radiated from her every pore.
    “I’ll need your gun,” Miss Beckett said as she held out her hand to Theodore.
    “My gun?”
    “Yes, that object you have clenched in your hand.”
    “I don’t think that would be wise, and besides, this isn’t actually my gun. I took it from Sheriff Dawson’s desk.”
    Miss Beckett’s gaze locked on the gun in his hand, and she suddenly released a snort. “That’s my gun, and I’ll have it back, if you please.”
    Sheriff Dawson stepped forward and shook his head. “I’m afraid that won’t be possible, Miss Beckett. You did use that weapon to shoot a man, so I’m going to need to enter it into evidence.”
    “Since the man I shot is nowhere to be found, you have no witness to the shooting,” Miss Beckett snapped.
    “I saw you shoot that man,” Miss James said.
    Miss Beckett turned ever so slowly and cocked a brow at Miss James, who flinched and retreated rapidly back into silence.
    Theodore tucked the gun into the waistband of his trousers, believing it would be the safest place for it, before he extended his arm to Miss Beckett. “I’ll return your gun once we get on a train and once the temptation of shooting Sheriff Dawson is removed.”
    “Thank you for that,” Sheriff Dawson muttered.
    “You’re welcome,” he replied before he looked at his arm and then to Miss Beckett. “Shall we go?”
    She refused the offer of his arm and stuck her nose in the air. “What about my hair?”
    Of course she would turn difficult. He blew out a breath. “While I would adore nothing more than to return your hair to your head, I do believe you are going to have to accept the fact that it’s gone for good.”
    “I don’t want it back. I want the sheriff to apologize.”
    For a split second, Theodore thought Sheriff Dawson was going to refuse, but then the sheriff sent Miss Beckett a glare even as he inclined his head. “My apologies, ma’am.”
    Her nose went further up in the air. “Come, Miss James, it is past time we took our leave of this horrible place.” She grabbed Miss James’s hand and towed her toward the door.
    “I can’t say I’ll be upset to see the last of her, and you for that matter,” Sheriff Dawson mumbled.
    “Who said you’ve seen the last of me?” Theodore asked as he pulled his gaze away from the ladies and settled it on the sheriff.
    “I gave you what you wanted.”
    “Did you?”
    “I’m letting you take Miss Beckett.”
    “Only because she’s annoying and you don’t want to deal with her any longer.”
    The sheriff opened his mouth, and then snapped it shut before a sliver of a grin crossed his face. “Speaking of annoying, she just left the building without you.”
    She was going to be the death of him.
    “Until we meet again,” he said to the sheriff before he turned and strode out of the jail. Temper stole over him when he caught sight of Miss Beckett limping down the road, apparently oblivious to the danger that stalked her every uneven step.
    “Miss Beckett, stop right there, if you please,” he called, somewhat amazed when she actually tottered to a stop and turned.
    “Mr. Wilder, we cannot dawdle in the middle of the street. If you’ve forgotten, there are real criminals on the loose.”
    He broke into a slow run, caught up to them, took a firm grip on her arm, and hustled her back into motion, their rapid pace causing Miss James to begin to whine.
    “I’m perfectly aware of the danger, Miss Beckett, although I cannot say the same for you,” he said, steering her toward the train station while ignoring the overly dramatic breaths Miss James was now expelling.
    He was forced to stop when Miss Beckett ceased moving. He assumed