Sadie drove as fast as the truck would manage, and it felt at times like she took some of the curves on two wheels. The truck was old and temperamental, especially now with the radiator leaking after slamming into Malcolm. But she could not afford to let up with the law so close behind.

The truck made it as far as the county line before the engine overheated and seized up. Sadie sat for a moment. “Please, just get me a little farther. Please.”

Out of the truck, she hurried to the engine and, after covering her hand with the edge of her coat, she opened the hot hood. Steam rose up, and there was a strong burning smell.

Given some water for the radiator, she might have been able to coax the truck to life, but she had no time for that. All that was left to do was walk. Her feet leaden and her mind still churning, she huddled under the folds of her coat and started walking. She recognized the rumble of an engine and knew it was Sheriff Boyd’s Dodge.

OLIVIA

Olivia tugged off her gloves and tossed them, along with her hat, onto the table in the foyer. She had planned this day to go so differently, knowing Malcolm was in town. He needed to be taught a lesson about responsibility.

Excitement rumbled in Olivia’s body as she thought about the news she had to share with him. She rushed into Edward’s study, finding him at his desk. He settled the phone’s receiver into the cradle and reached for the half glass of bourbon beside it.

Though her first instinct had been to tell him about the baby, their baby, his furrowed brow whispered caution. Had he somehow found out what Malcolm had done to Sadie? Surely Malcolm would not confess his sins, and if he did share the details, he would no doubt twist them to his advantage.

“Darling,” he said, looking up. His smile was tense. “I was beginning to worry.”

“Why would you worry? It’s still daylight outside.”

“Barely.”

She kissed him. “I’m fine. Has Malcolm arrived yet?”

“So you haven’t heard what happened in town?” he asked.

His ominous tone pushed her good news right out of her mind. “No.”

“Sadie Thompson purposely ran Malcolm down right in the center of Bluestone like a dog. I just got off the phone with the hospital. He’s in bad shape.”

Her heart sank as she thought about the impetuous girl, who had no doubt acted before she had thought. “Is he going to die?”

“The doctors aren’t sure. And if he does live, there’s no telling if he’ll lose his right leg or not.” Edward crossed to the bar and refilled his bourbon. “I just got off the phone with the sheriff, who just left the Thompson house. The girl’s mother swears she has not seen Sadie.”

“Did he believe her?”

“Of course not. The Thompsons have been lying and cheating the law for years. It’s a wonder they all didn’t end up in jail together. I’m just grateful that girl didn’t do more harm to you than she did.”

“She never hurt me.”

“Given more time, she might have! She tried to kill Malcolm!”

“Malcolm raped that girl.” Her voice was measured with a resolve that Dr. Carter was unaccustomed to hearing.

“What?”

“You heard me. The last time he was in town and left us for the dance. He found Sadie there, plied her with booze, and he raped her in the back of his car.”

Edward shook his head as he held up a hand. “Rape is a strong word.”

“It is, and it is very appropriate.”

“What proof do you have of this? Certainly not the girl’s word. I’ve not even seen her in town the last several months.”

“She’s not been to town,” Olivia said tightly.

Edward hesitated, and then a kind of realization hardened his features. “Was the girl pregnant?”

“She had a baby girl on Christmas Eve. Malcolm, at the very least, owes her financial compensation.”

“He owes her no such thing.”

“How can you say that? It’s his daughter!”

“There’s no proof. This all could be a story the girl made up because she knows she’ll need money.”

She could argue with him about the paternity of the baby, but no judge in this county would take Sadie Thompson’s word over a Carter’s.

“The girl is wild; she clearly has seen her share of men, and now she’s violent,” Edward said. “The best place for her is prison, where she can’t hurt anyone else. At the very least, she should never be allowed to have another child.”

“Sadie doesn’t deserve to be locked away. She deserves our help.”

“Are you insane? She tried to kill Malcolm!” He downed the bourbon. “And don’t you dare blame this on their little peccadillo.” He fisted his fingers. “I warned you to not embarrass me in public. Stay away from Sadie Thompson, or I will punish you.”

“Don’t threaten me, Edward.”

“What will you do?”

She raised her chin. “I will leave you.”

“And go where?” he challenged.

Rage roiled inside Olivia, but now was not the time for her to indulge her emotions. Her aim now was to help Sadie. She would deal with Edward later.

Olivia took the glass from Edward. “You’re upset.”

“Damn right, I’m upset. I don’t know why you aren’t.”

She crossed the room and, in the hallway, removed the small bottle of laudanum she still carried with her. The vial gripped in her fist, she returned to the room and, with her back to Edward, refilled his glass with a healthy dose of bourbon and laudanum. Swirling the glass, she faced her husband, smiling. “I liked the girl. I thought I could help her.”

“Some people refuse to recognize the opportunities before them. Sadie is such a person,” Dr. Carter spat.

“Maybe you’re right, dear.”

“I don’t want to hear any more about Sadie Thompson.”

She handed him the glass. “I can see you’re upset.”

“I’m only looking out for you.”

“I understand. Come sit with me by the fire.”

She moved to the seat and patted the empty place beside her. He sat and wrapped one arm around her while holding his drink in the other.

“I thought the world of her brother Johnny, but now that he’s overseas, there’s no keeping her in check.”

“He’s fighting for us.” She snuggled close to him, feeling him relax.

“Damn right.” His breathing slowed, and his speech became more deliberate. “I’m not sure why I’m so tired,” he said.

“You work hard, darling.” Which of course was true. Edward could use a long, deep sleep.

When his head tipped forward, she took his glass and waited several more minutes. Certain he was out for the remainder of the night, she carefully eased him back on the couch.

Olivia covered him with a blanket and then kissed him on the cheek. “I love you, but you’re wrong about Sadie.”

After rushing to the foyer, she grabbed her hat, gloves, and the keys to the car.

SADIE

Sadie’s hands trembled as she thought about Sheriff Boyd doubling back. It would be like him to do something like that. He was good at tracking, but not much else.