“And when they couldn’t get away, they’d send a homing pigeon to talk to each other.”

“Or arrange a meeting date.” The sheriff rubbed his hand over his mouth as he considered it.

“I told Cheyenne I’d be staying inside, waiting for Hawkins to come.”

“You left your woman out in the cold while you’re inside?” John smirked at him as if he liked taunting.

“Yep, she’s a tough woman, and she knows I’m better finding a trail than her, and better hiding one.”

“I’m married to a tough woman, too.” John’s smirk changed to a genuine smile. “She saved my life the first time I met her by knowing her way around in the wilderness. She’d’ve stayed outside, too, if we decided it was best.”

John studied the room. “Not much here, but let’s look under the cots, under everything. If I was gonna stash information about my lawbreaking, where better than a secret hideout?”

Falcon headed for a crate on the floor, shoved under the closest cot. It looked to hold a few clothes and not much else, but he had to start somewhere.

Wyatt didn’t let go of her, and she desperately needed him to.

“I don’t know where to start.” Molly tugged away and faced the trail.

Wyatt rested his hands on her upper arms and pulled her around to face him. When she met his eyes, she felt a chill rush down her spine.

Somehow, right now, being held was like being taken prisoner. It was like the sheriff and his shackles, the prison door swinging shut.

“Please, let go. I-I can’t tell you this if—if we’re touching.” She swallowed hard. “When I’m done, you may not want to touch me ever again, and it will tear me apart to feel your hands leave me in disgust.”

He let go. “What happened, Molly? What could a sweet little woman like you do to—”

“I killed my father.” She shoved the words out. Words she’d never spoken aloud before. Not even to Kevin. She covered her face with both hands, so she couldn’t look at Wyatt, couldn’t see what was in his eyes. A bone-deep trembling that she couldn’t control threatened to break her apart. Her face felt flushed. Her head, her whole body, felt as if a fire burned inside. As if her great, dark secret was consuming her.