Harvest Moon (Jordan-Alexander Family 2)

Judge Emory rapped his gavel on the desk top. “I rule that Miss Tessa Roarke be held over for grand jury indictment.” He rapped the gavel a second time. “The grand jury will convene in one hour.” The judge stood up.

The people in the courtroom all got to their feet.

Judge Emory left the bench and retired to an office across the hall.

“What’s happening?” Tessa whispered.

“Your case is going to trial today,” David whispered back. “The members of the grand jury will be sworn in, and an indictment against you will be handed down.”

Tessa didn’t understand the terminology, but she understood the frustration in David’s voice. It frightened her.

“Don’t worry,” he tried to reassure her. “I hoped it wouldn’t come to this, but I’m prepared for it.” He managed a crooked little smile for Tessa’s benefit. “We’re prepared for the trial. It will be all right.” Even as he said the words, David fervently prayed everything would be all right. He hoped he could convince the jury that Tessa was innocent. He hoped Lee was ready. He hoped… David covered her hand with his larger one, feeling the chill of her fingers through the fabric of her gloves. He squeezed her hand gently, reassuringly. “Trust me.”

She did. What was more, she loved him. Tessa knew David would do his best for her. She smiled for him. “I do.”

“Miss Roarke?”

She turned at the sound of her name and looked up.

Sheriff Bradley stood over her. “If you’ll come with me.”

“Where?” Tessa asked, alarmed. “Why?”

David’s voice was soft, calm, collected. “The sheriff has to take you into custody. It’s procedure. He’ll bring you back as soon as the judge is ready.”

“Can’t I stay with you?” Tessa asked David.

“I’m afraid not.” David didn’t want her to leave. He didn’t want the sheriff to take her. “You must go with the sheriff.” He touched Tessa’s cheek with one finger. “Be brave a little longer.”

Tessa stood up and gathered her courage. She faced the sheriff. “Are you taking me back to jail, Sheriff Bradley?”

The lawman took her by the elbow. “Nope. Jail’s full, Miss Tessa.” He winked at David. “Full of those pesky reporters. I thought I’d take you to my house. The missus should have dinner on the table about now. I’m hungry. How about you?”

“I don’t think I can eat anything, Sheriff Bradley.” Tessa declined the offer of food, but she appreciated the sheriff’s invitation. She knew his jovial manner was meant to put her at ease. She doubted whether many of the county prisoners were invited to the sheriff’s house for dinner. “But a cup of tea would be nice.”

“Then, tea it is.” Sheriff Bradley escorted Tessa into the aisle.

She hated leaving David. Their time together was limited and she wanted to spend as much time with him as possible. Tessa wanted enough memories of David to last a lifetime, if need be.

She looked back at her attorney. “David, will you be okay? I think we have some bacon left and fresh eggs at the apartment if you’re hungry. I baked bread yesterday. You can make a sandwich. And Of course, there’s coffee and—”

“Tea,” David said. “I know.” His dark-eyed gaze roamed over her face. She was beautiful. She grew more beautiful and more precious to him every day. A corner of his mouth turned up in a semblance of a smile. He ached to kiss her. “I’ll be fine, Tessa.” It was just like her to focus all her attention and concern on someone else.

“You didn’t have any breakfast,” she reminded him.

“I’ll grab something at the hotel restaurant,” he promised. “Now go with Sheriff Bradley. I need to make some notes before the trial begins.”

“You won’t forget to eat?”

“I promise.”

Tessa allowed the sheriff to lead her down the aisle. “Will your

wife mind very much if you bring me home with you, Sheriff Bradley?” she asked the lawman. “I’d hate for you to get in trouble with your wife.”

“Well,” the sheriff answered, “shortly after your little dispute at the mercantile, I had a talk with the missus about how looks can be deceivin’.” He grinned at Tessa, a wide, big-toothed grin full of humor and goodwill. “From what I hear, you conducted yourself like a real lady. Not like some we could mention. That’s good enough for me. And the missus never has cared much for Margaret Jeffers and her highfalutin ways.” He opened the courthouse door and allowed Tessa to precede him. “I think the missus will like you just fine.”

David stuffed a stack of papers into his satchel. He waited until the sheriff escorted Tessa out the door. He watched from the window as they crossed the street.