Who, then, had provided fodder for gossip?
The slim possibilities flipped through Nate’s mind for the thousandth time. Matt interviewed everyone with a connection, the Idaho lawmen, Judge Littleton, Claire and her family, Nate’s brothers, even Evie, Ben’s wife, hadn’t been spared. His cousin had confided their relationship had gone through a rough patch but the marriage was rock solid and enviable now. The couple was expecting a baby soon and, in his opinion, deserved peace.
However, everyone Matt had spoken to denied speaking of Ben’s past even as the rumors spread. His sheriff friend had a gut feeling that discovering who wanted to pin the rustling on his cousin would help solve the crimes plaguing his county. With no witnesses, tracks leading nowhere or promising trails washed away by rain, and no attempts to sell any of the branded cattle despite statewide alerts, there wasn’t much else to go on.
The rattle of wooden wheels heralded an approaching wagon and wordlessly Matt dropped back, riding behind him. They rode on down the far right side of the road in single file, allowing the driver to travel past them. In the bed filled with people, Nate spotted Nancy’s pouting face. He slouched in the saddle and bent his neck so the brim of his hat shadowed his face.
Nate straightened as soon as the wagon turned off the main road, rolling out of sight. He looked around while Matt moved forward, riding next to him once again. The road, visible for a good distance ahead and behind them, had no other travelers. He breathed a sigh of relief. The tension in his shoulders relaxed to some degree until his friend spoke.
“If Randy is guilty then I’m afraid-”
“It’s not Faith.” Nate jumped in. She was a good woman. It wasn’t her fault she couldn’t bear a life on River’s Bend. Few women would be content to live so far from others. “She had no way of knowing about Ben’s past before the rumors started.”
“I know. This isn’t about her.”
His friend’s almost hesitant tone had him slow his mount to a walk again. “Then who?”
“Claire caught Haze eavesdropping on some ranch hands in his store the other day.”
“And you waited until now to mention it?”
“It was a bit crowded at the hanging.”
“What about before?”
“I needed to think it over.”
Matt was an excellent sheriff. His friend carefully considered all the facts in the crimes he investigated. However, in this case, Nate didn’t understand what needed pondering. Haze, the man who always enjoyed amusing himself at other people’s expense, seemed like a great suspect to him.
“If he’s been lurking in shadows, spying, then one careless mention about Ben where he could’ve…” Matt winced, causing Nate to pause. His eyes narrowed, and certain he wouldn’t like the answer, asked, “What haven’t you said?”
“It may have been Claire.”
“What?” The word exploded from him, both a question and a demand.
Although he and Claire were more distantly related, their mothers were cousins themselves rather than the closer blood tie he shared with Ben because their fathers were siblings, Nate had grown up with the woman. Her family lived down the road. Feisty and fiercely independent, she was as loyal as the day was long. He scowled. If his friend didn’t understand her nature, he had no business marrying her.
Matt studied him for a minute before responding. “For a man who prides himself on his calm nature, you’re testy today.”
“For good reason,” Nate bit out. A loner, even now, some miles away from the crowded city, he felt on edge. And this conversation didn’t help. “You knew what to expect when you asked for my help.”
“The skills of one of the best trackers in Oregon?”
“The best,” Nate agreed, a quiet statement of fact without a hint of boast.
“The companionship of a good friend, who will have my back.”
“Always.”
“And a man grumpier than a bear roused from hibernation when forced to be among people.”
“You’re stalling. Stop,” he demanded in a low, impatient rumble. “Explain what you meant about Claire.”
Matt released a breath sounding just short of a sigh. “When we were apart, she and Evie talked a lot.”
“So?”
“Sometimes they came into town for lunch and… Look, she and Evie are close, like sisters. Claire would never deliberately do anything to hurt her or Ben.”
“I know. Do you?” Nate’s tone was unyielding.
“Yes. But if Haze had been lurking around the livery where they’d leave the buggy or…”
A number of possibilities sprang to mind and some of his defensiveness eased. “I can see how it may have happened.”
“Claire feels horrible.”
“She shouldn’t. If it’s true, then the blame is Haze’s and his alone.”
“Remember, this is all speculation,” Matt cautioned.
“You inferred he and Miss Collier are friends.”
“He’s been spending a lot of time at her bakery.”
“A shop she opened right before the rustling started, and despite few customers or goods to sell, the woman lives well.”
“The clever Miss Collier is notably seen in town during each rustling incident.”
“And you suspect her of more than gossip, don’t you?”
“If Haze is the brains behind the gang rustling, and has played me for a fool all these months.” His friend’s serious expression became grim. “I’ve no business being sheriff. The man is dumber than a mud fence.”
“And Miss Collier?”
“Is guilty of more than being offended that you wouldn’t walk her home. Of what exactly, I’ve no proof.”
To his surprise, Nate found he missed his friend’s earlier good humor and offered support. “You’re making progress.”
“Too damn little.”
The truth of those harsh words weighed heavy on the two men. Over the next few miles conversation dwindled until they were barely exchanging a word. Each had been lost in their own thoughts for some time as they reached the anticipated fork in the road. When the friends moved a few feet off the road and pulled up, they focused on the reason for Nate’s side trip.
“You think Alice is ready to come home now?”
The Rolfes’ long-time housekeeper was like a second mother to Nate and his siblings. He gazed off
