Keeping the Cowboy's Baby novel · Chapter 23 of 24

Chapter 23: Dalton Falls

It took six men to hold Dalton, and Orrin's hand was the one on his collar.

"Let go of me!" Dalton shouted. "It's mine, it's mine, he gave it to me!"

"He gave you a piece of paper," Orrin said, "and your mother ate it."

A deputy stepped in through the barn door with his hat in his hand.

Maxine had called him before supper.

"Mr. Culbertson," he said. "There's a warrant for you from the circuit judge. You never showed for the reckless driving."

"I was busy!"

"I'm sure you were."

They walked Dalton out between two ranch hands and the deputy, down the aisle between the long tables.

Every person in that barn watched him go.

No one jeered.

That was worse for him than if they had.

I walked out behind them, with Boone's hand under my elbow, into the warm dark of the yard.

Dalton stopped at the deputy's truck and wrenched around.

His face was wet, and his beautiful hair had come loose.

"Boone," he said. "Please. I've got nothing. The car, the clothes, that's all. Lend me something. Lend me anything."

"Mother's decision," Boone said.

"Cassie."

He found me.

"Cassie, you know what it's like to have nothing. You know. Please. Just a little."

I looked at him in the porch light.

I had spent fourteen months of my life with that face.

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