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be now that he was sober and sharp-eyed, but her usual sense of self-confidence fled, leaving her with a bundle of nerves and a belly full of butterflies.
    â€œWould you like to inspect the horse?” Jupiter asked the man.
    Taking that as her best chance to escape Wainwright, she turned for the door. “Well, I’ll be going so you can finish your business. Thank you, Jupiter.”
    The bell jangled again as Ray Thorntree entered the building. His gaze passed over Cora coolly and then locked on the men behind her. Grim determination filled his expression. Deputy Hazen followed after the mayor. He eyeballed Cora as he walked by.
    Her hands made fists. If only she could tell Ray what a disgusting creature his lawman was, but her complaining about the night she’d witnessed Hazen accosting a woman in the alley would only cause them both to realize she was the one who’d fired the shot at him—as well as the one who’d killed Sidlow.
    At the door, she paused to listen to what the men had to say.
    â€œChristopher Wainwright?” the mayor asked.
    â€œThat’s me.” His quiet affirmation was cool, unemotional.
    Ray introduced himself. “I’ve been expecting you in my office today.”
    â€œI’ve been busy. I only arrived in town yesterday.”
    Cora turned around. She should say something to defend him.
    Just go. Wainwright told you he was a killer. Let the mayor and deputy give him his due.
    But he’d said he was hanging up his gun.
    Tarnation! She cleared her throat. “Mayor, it’s my fault he’s late. After the thief’s attack last night, I didn’t feel safe coming to town alone.” She returned to the center of the barn, stopping to stand by Wainwright. “Jupiter is fixing up his horse. Then I was going to show him the way to your office.”
    Wainwright’s brows went up again for a brief moment, then he schooled his features.
    â€œI don’t appreciate that, Cora. You knew I was waiting.” Ray planted his hands on his hips, glaring down his nose at her. The mayor had enjoyed the company of the club’s women on occasion, but in public, he put on the face of a self-righteous ass. He gave the gunman a murderous look. “Mr. Wainwright, Fort McNamara may be a smaller settlement than you’re used to, but I assure you, I’m a busy man.”
    The horse nickered, and Jupiter went to check on it.
    â€œIt wasn’t my intention to slight you, Mayor.” Wainwright’s blue eyes brimmed with humor.
    Cora glanced between the three men. The gunslinger had no idea the firestorm he would stoke if he mocked the powerful official. She moved between them and faced Ray. “How about all of us get out here and get to know each other better at the saloon?” Drink usually mellowed Ray, made him more manageable. Deputy Hazen, on the other hand…
    â€œNo, Cora, I’ve wasted enough time today. Jim, won’t you take Miss Reilly outside so she’ll feel… safer ?”
    The deputy wrapped a hand around her upper arm and squeezed. “C’mon.”
    â€œLet go of me.” Cora pulled against his repugnant hold.
    He tightened his grip as he leered at her with his sickening, ferret smile—same as she’d seen on his face in the alley when he’d forced that prostitute onto her knees at gunpoint, right before Velvet Grace had shot a bullet over his shoulder. Yet now she couldn’t draw attention to her hidden pistol. Nor could she alert Jupiter, who would most likely come to her defense. Besides, it was broad daylight outside. What could the deputy do to her in the street in the afternoon with all of town looking on?
    Wainwright spoke up, “You can say your peace in front of the lady. I reckon this has to do with last night when I shot that man in front of the Willows.”
    Was he crazy? Stunned and inspired by the gunman’s casual admission, she ceased her struggles with