Read Sean Donovan (The Californians, Book 3) for Free Online Page B

stand."
    Sean complied.
    "You're a man, Sean Donovan," the judge began. "No
one forced you to rob that bank. As much as I grieve this
course of action, this court sentences you to death."

    The noise of the court was deafening with protests and
cheers alike. It really is a shame, the judge thought to
himself, that this young man has to be the example. But Witt is
right, it'll continue to happen unless I step in and put a stop to
it. None of the judge's feelings showed on his face as he
held Sean's eyes with his own. He spoke when the room
quieted.
    "The building of the gallows will commence immediately and tomorrow afternoon, at 4:30, Sean Donovan
will be hanged by the neck until dead. This court is
adjourned."
    Duncan caught Sean as his legs began to buckle beneath him. "Steady, son." The softly whispered words
were just enough to keep Sean upright. Knowing that
someone in this room cared for him was all he needed.
The Lord had given him that much, and for that he was
thankful.

    "Thomas is coming for supper," Duncan told his wife
as he came in the kitchen door.
    "Good. I made extra, hoping you would ask him."
Lora paused and studied her husband's face. She didn't
need to ask what the verdict had been for his young
prisoner; it was written all over his face.
    The ladies from the church had been over that day, and
they'd all taken time from their quilting to pray. Most
had prayed for the prisoner and the judge's decision, but
Lora had remembered her husband. She had prayed for
his peace of mind, as well as strength to do his job, even
if the worst happened and Duncan would be called upon
to hang a man.
    "Are you all right?" She asked softly when Duncan sat
at the table.

    "Yeah. It's going to be rough, but I'm trusting the
Lord."
    Lora moved away from the stove and put her arms
around him. Duncan's eyes slid shut at the feel and smell
of her. She was stability when his world felt shattered.
She was logical when his emotional strength was at an
end. Without a doubt, she was God's most precious gift
to him.
    He told her as much, and then they took time to pray
before supper. Duncan asked God to sustain Sean in the
hours to come. Lora asked the same for Duncan, wishing all the while that her husband could be spared from
such a task but never dreaming that it could really happen.

    "You've done it again haven't you, Lucas?"
    The sheriff didn't answer the judge. He took the bowl
of potatoes Lora was passing him and served himself.
The judge was right-he had done it again. He had
grown overly compassionate in his job. It had never
made him err in judgment, but it made the inevitable,
such as Sean's hanging, feel like a knife in his side.
    "I'm staying for the hanging."
    Duncan looked at him in surprise. The implication
was clear, and he resented it.
    "I can handle it."
    "I know you can, but I've decided to stay and spare
you.
    Duncan felt badly for his presumption. Praising God
that Duncan would not have to pull that handle, Lora
swallowed hard against a sudden rush of tears.
    "Thanks, Tom." Duncan said the words aloud; Lora
said them in her heart.

    Nothing more was said on the subject, and when the
meal was finished the men left. Duncan told Lora that he
would be home around midmorning. Judge Harrison
walked with Duncan as far as the hotel where the men
bid each other goodnight.
    Duncan's deputy had been expecting him, and other
than Sean's not eating his supper, he had nothing to
report. Duncan knew how easy it would be to try to coax
Sean into eating, but given the same circumstances, he
knew he himself would not want to be patronized.
    He picked up an extra chair and carried it down to the
front of Sean's cell. After turning it around, he sat astride
it and looked at his prisoner where he sat on the cot.
    "I'm sorry about today, Sean. I prayed it would be
different." These words and the actions of the past two
days told Sean that the man across from him was a fellow