"We have reason to believe that the Sinclair family is the perpetrator of the crimes I mentioned."
"My brothers and father are not hiding in the bottom of that basket," I countered tartly.
When the man searching lifted a black metal box from the bottom of one of the baskets and held it aloft, the leader said, "No, but the stolen money is."
"But...I mean...wait! That's not mine," I sputtered.
The leader dismounted and took hold of my arm. "That's correct. It's not yours. It belongs to the Farthing Stage Company, Mrs. Sinclair."
"I am Miss Sinclair," I countered. With his height, we were at eye level.
He glanced at me for a moment, and then continued. "Very well, Miss Sinclair, you're going to climb down from the wagon so I can search your person for a weapon, then you're going to help us in capturing your family members for not only robbing a long list of stages and trains, but for murder as well."
"Murder!"
"Murder," he repeated, grabbing me about the waist and lifting me down as if I weighed nothing. His hands began roaming over me. "There was an eyewitness to a woman participating in the robbery."
"What?" I asked, startled to feel his big hands touching me. "Well, it was not me! Is this necessary?" I swatted at his hands, as I'd never been touched like this before, ever.
He glanced up at me. "Ma'am, we don't take chances."
He explored my entire body, particularly feeling the shape of my legs through my dress as my bodice was snug enough where it was clear a weapon was not hidden.
"You aren't the sheriff or any lawman I've ever met."
He shook his head slowly. "No, ma'am, I'm a bounty hunter."
I tipped up my chin. "Bounty hunter or not, I don't know anything about those robberies!"
Seemingly satisfied, he stood to his full height, keeping a firm grip on my upper arm.
The men now picked the baskets up, one by one, dumping the contents onto the ground until they were satisfied there was nothing else hidden.
"You said a moment ago that you knew of the train robbery."
I tugged at the man's hold. Up close I could see that his eyes were a deep emerald and his anger was quite visible. Anger aimed solely at me. "Reverend Marks spoke of the robbery in one of his sermons. Does that mean he's guilty as well?" I countered.
"If he has a case of stolen money hidden beneath his robe, then yes. I am not concerned about this Reverend Marks or anyone from Zenith. I am solely interested in you and your criminal family."
"I am not a criminal!"
One of the men brought the small metal box around the wagon and handed it to the leader. "You can use any term you wish, Miss Sinclair. You are under arrest."
***
My horses were unhitched from the wagon and given a nice swat on their flanks to send them off. There was a creek nearby and ample grass for them to enjoy. I, on the other hand, did not have the same liberties or freedom. I spent the better part of an hour in the hot sun telling them about the layout of the house, where the windows were and the direction they faced. I told them the placement of the stable and the other outbuildings. They asked after weapons and where they might be in the home. By the time they'd formulated a plan to approach the house, I was hot and thirsty and cranky.
They were very thorough in their roles and seemed skilled at their task. If I were to ride into potential danger, I'd want to be just as cautious as they. That didn't mean I enjoyed being groped for weapons I did not have.
With their plan in place, I rode directly in front of the leader, my back against his hard chest. The other men approached the ranch from other directions.
"I could have ridden one of my horses instead of riding with you," I said, shifting, uncomfortable being so close to the man. His left arm wrapped around me and held the reins; his right held his rifle, loaded and ready.
"I don't trust you, sweetheart, so if your family wants to take a shot at me, the bullet will have to go through you first."
He was using me as a human shield! The way the animal shifted and swayed, I felt every sinewy muscle from the annoying man's shoulders to his thighs. I'd never shared a saddle with another before and having it be a man who I found incredibly handsome yet loathsome at the same time, was quite ironic.
Why did the first man who'd stirred feelings within me have to be the one arresting me for robbery and murder?