Chapter 17Three days passed with interminable slowness for Gabriel. In that time, the town had advertised for a new sheriff and Jesse had requested a circuit judge be sent to deal with what had happened. Apparently he was hoping the judge would be there quickly so he’d be able to give his evidence before leaving town.
Just the thought of a life without Jesse in it made Gabriel’s stomach knot, but there was little he could do about it. He could hardly become a ranger. It wasn’t in him. When the time came for Jesse to go, Gabriel would act like a man.
“Hey, everything all right?” Ben’s voice drew Gabriel back to the present, and he smiled at his friend.
“Yep. Thanks, Ben.” As Ben wandered out into the office, Gabriel quickly went back to setting the type for the paper as he’d been shown.
