Jesse stood, his hands clenching into fists as he did. “This is bullshit, marshal. I’m surprised you would pay mind to such nonsense. I thought you had more than air between your ears.”
Marshal held up his hand and shook his head. “I’m only telling you how the law works, Jesse. Think about it. I’ve got the word of four people that the preacher was with them during the attack. Then I’ve got the word of you and your employee. I’m sorry, but even if the validity of your report wasn’t being called into question, I’ve got more witnesses saying he’s innocent than I do saying he’s guilty.”
Jesse’s voice was low and dangerous. “So he gets away with it then. You’re not going to arrest him.”
“My hands are tied. For what it’s worth, I believe that you think you saw the preacher. I don’t doubt that you’re telling the truth as you see it.”
“Well gee, thanks, marshal,” Jesse said sarcastically. “I’m glad you haven’t figured me for a liar in addition to a blind dolt.” He continued in an accusatory tone, “You doubt Maria. You think she’s lying.”
The marshal shrugged noncommittally. “I don’t know her well enough to believe or doubt her, but the fact remains that I can’t move forward in arresting Elijah. I don’t have sufficient evidence.”
Jesse clapped his hat on his head and headed for the door. “I’ll be seeing you, marshal. I’d best leave now before I say or do something to get myself arrested.”
Jesse had the unfortunate task of informing Maria that her attacker would get away with the permanent scar he’d left on her face. She was livid, as was Flo and many of the regulars at the saloon when they got wind of the situation. In a matter of days, the town was divided pretty much evenly between Elijah’s followers and saloon frequenters. A silent feud formed between Jesse and Elijah as well, and it wasn’t just over Elijah’s act of violence. It was over a woman, a woman neither man was willing to give up.
Chapter Five: What Lily Wants
Elijah called on Lily at her family’s cabin and requested a meeting with her and her parents. During the meeting, he explained to the three of them with tears in his eyes that he was innocent of the crime Jesse and the whore accused him of. He gave them the names of four people who would verify his story that he’d been leading a Bible study at the time of the attack.
Lily’s parents were quick to believe him. They found it impossible to imagine the preacher doing something so awful.
Elijah turned his tear-filled eyes to Lily. “Do you believe me?” he asked, looking like a wounded puppy.
She didn’t. She thought about the bruises he’d left on her arms and determined it was decidedly possible that Elijah hurt Maria. She also trusted Jesse and knew he wouldn’t lie to her. She didn’t say anything, only stared down at her hands in her lap, wishing to be anywhere but where she was.
Elijah said softly, “Darling, please come along with me to town. We need to talk about it. I will put the worries I see on your face to rest.”
Lily shook her head then, remembering her promise to Jesse to go nowhere alone with Elijah. “I think I’ll stay here.”
Elijah looked down and shook his head mournfully. “You don’t believe that I’m innocent.”
“Of course she does,” Lily’s ma cut in sharply. “Don’t you, Lily? You’re not foolish enough to believe those taradiddles, are you?”
Lily looked at her pa. Her pa knew Jesse and had always seemed to like him. She wondered if he would believe the saloon owner’s story. Roy seemed to understand his daughter’s inquisitive expression because he said, “Jesse said what he thinks he saw. He was wrong, though, Lily. Elijah here is a good man and you’d do well not to forget how lucky you are to be with him.”
“Please come with me, Lily. Let me take you to supper,” Elijah said a little more forcefully.
Lily’s gaze moved from her pa to Elijah and back again. Roy’s expression softened a bit. “You don’t have to go with him if you don’t want to. No one’s going to force you to carry on if you’re scared or uncomfortable.”
Lily felt relieved. She didn’t want to go to town with the preacher. She wanted only to end the courtship and then wait for Jesse to come back and tell her what good feelings he had for her.
Elijah reached out and took her hand, and she shuddered at his touch. “Lily, give me a chance to talk with you. I will take you to supper and after I’ll take you straight home. You have my word. I don’t think this is too much to ask from you. You know me, after all. We’ve been courting for some time, and we are friends, if nothing else.”