Jake's first instinct was that of a U.S. Marshal, which meant cowering in the café was not an option. If Cora – or anyone else – asked questions, he would worry about answering them at that time. For now, he was going to stop the bank robbers.

By the time Jake had found a horse to borrow, the two robbers had mounted their steeds and rode hell-bent toward the end of town. Jake jumped on the horse and took off after them. Keeping hold of one pistol for when he would need to use it, he concentrated on getting as close to the bandits as much as possible. Then and only then would he be satisfied to shoot. Until that time, there was no use firing his weapon and wasting bullets when he knew he was too far away.

If the two fools stayed together, he had a chance of catching both. But, if they separated, he didn't know what he would do. Which one had the bag with more money? And would catching one eventually help him catch the other?

Jake leaned lower toward the animal, trying to make the horse run faster. If he had his own steed, Jake knew for certain he would catch up to the two bank robbers. Riding through the middle of town was difficult with so many people out. He prayed that no child would run out into the street. Although Jake would stop, he doubted the bandits had that kind of heart.

Just as Jake feared, the two separated when they reached the fork in the road. Grumbling under his breath, he had to make a fast decision. Should he follow the one riding out of town, or the one who rode down of the side roads, heading toward the residential area. Without another thought, he followed the one heading out of town. Jake prayed that Cora had alerted the sheriff by now, or all Jake's actions would be for naught.

Once they were out of town and away from putting anyone in danger of catching a stray bullet, Jake pushed the horse faster. The bank robber looked over his shoulder toward Jake, then the man aimed his gun and fired. Jake wasn't worried. He was too far away for any harm to come to him or the horse. Obviously, the bank robber didn't know the first thing about guns. Thankfully, that was Jake's expertise.

The road turned slightly, and he continued to follow the man. But soon, the road split, and the bank robber took the main trail. Trusting his gut, Jake took the upper trail. Although the road wasn't traveled as often, it appeared to not have as many bushes or tress as the trail the other man took. Jake pushed the horse faster, gaining the upper hand.

The trail descended slightly. The thief wasn't too far below him, still riding hard. Studying the distance between them, it appeared to be a good ten feet. Now he had two decisions. He could either shoot the bandit or jump off his horse and pray he landed on the other man, knocking his off his horse.

Jake really didn't want to shoot the man. Plowing his first into the bank robber's face a few times and knocking him senseless would be better. Then, Jake could extract information from the man as to where his friend would have gone.

Decision made, Jake slid his revolver back into the holster and waited for the time he could jump. Finally, as if fate were lending a hand, up ahead there was a clearing in the trees between the two trails. Jake adjusted himself on the horse and waited... then leaped. The fly through the air didn't take long before he landed directly onto the man.

A loud groan escaped the man's throat, and although the bank robber tried to struggle, Jake had the upper hand. He fisted his hand and rammed in into the man's face. The movement caused both men to fall from the horse. Thankfully, Jake used the thief's body to lessen the fall, even though it still hurt. At least he hadn't broken any bones... even though he doubted the other man could say that.

On the ground, the thief wrestled with Jake. He noticed the man must have lost his gun, because the thief spent more time searching for it with his hand than trying to block the hits Jake gave him. Then, the thief threw a punch, slamming into Jake's chin. Ignoring the sting vibrating through him, Jake grabbed a handful of dirt and tossed it into the thief's face. The man released several cuss words as he rubbed his eyes. This gave Jake time to get one more hit in as his fist connected with the thief's nose. The crack of breaking bones rent the air, following by the outpouring of blood from the man's nostrils.

Jake pulled out the gun from his holster and pointed it between the man's eyes. "You have lost." He cocked the gun. "So, you can either stop struggling and let me take you back to town and hand you over to the sheriff, or I can shoot you. The choice is yours."

The man covered his bloody nose with his hands, whimpering in defeat. Jake moved off the man and checked for a second gun before tossing it into the trees. Helping the thief up, Jake then cautiously walked the man back to his horse. Thankfully, there was a rope for Jake to tie the thief's hands.

"You shouldn't have done that." The man wheezed through his broken nose.

"No, you shouldn't have robbed the bank." Jake pulled the man to a standing position. "Now, I need you to tell me where your partner rode off to. It's his turn to feel the brunt of my fist."

"I'm not telling you anything."

Jake didn't have time to argue with the man. He'd rather just injure him again to let the thief know who was in charge.

Eyeing the tree close by, Jake knew exactly what to do. He yanked the man around and slammed the thief face first into the tree. The man yelped again.

"Oh, sorry. I didn't see the tree." Jake laughed. "Do you want to try answer that question again or shall I start breaking fingers?"

"I don't know where my partner went."

Jake shook his head. "Wrong answer."

As he grasped one of the man's bound hands, the thief pulled back.

"Fine, I'll tell you."

Jake tried not to grin. "Go ahead. I'm listening."

"The plan was that we would take the money back to the man who hired us. Leroy probably took his bag of money to the old barn out west of town. It used to be a livery."

It never ceased to surprise Jake what a little encouragement would do to help the outlaw start telling the truth. "And who hired you and Leroy to rob the bank?"

"The man's name is Conrad. He said he'd give us a share of the money if we did that for him."

"I know Conrad well, and I can assure you, he wouldn't have given you a penny." Jake scrubbed a hand over his beard, wondering what to do next. "Will I find Conrad at the old barn?"

"I... don't know."

"Wrong answer." Jake pushed the man's face into the tree some more.

Another groan ripped from the man's throat before he gave Jake a glare.

"Fine, I'll tell you, but if Conrad hears that I confessed, I'm as good as dead."

Jake shrugged. "Not if you're in jail, and not if I catch Conrad unawares."

"Conrad needs money because he's leaving town tomorrow night. Leroy and I were to steal enough money for passengers on the riverboat."

"Where's the money?"

"It's on my horse."

Jake turned his head as he heard horses approaching them. From over his shoulder, he noticed two men riding quickly toward them. Both men wore badges.

The older of the two men stopped near Jake.

"I'm Sheriff Fredricks. Thank you for capturing this man. I can take it from here."

* * * *

Whitney couldn't have found a better friend. Connie knew about Whitney's cane and the hidden sword inside, and not long after Jake had ridden off after the bank thieves, her friend brought Whitney a horse and her cane. She didn't know what she would do without Connie's help.

But Whitney had always believed that things happen for a reason, and now as she followed one of the bank robbers toward the west side of town, she knew why it had taken almost fifteen minutes before she rode after Jake. She wouldn't have noticed the second bandit.

Having a clear mind that remembered so much, Whitney knew what each bandit wore, and the colors of their bandanas. She recognized the squashed hat on the rider's head, too. Of course, he had tried to hide the bag of money under his duster, but since the fabric flapped in the breeze as he rode, she witnessed the item that proved he was one of the thieves, even though he had pulled down the bandana from the lower half of his face and acted as if he was just someone in town on his way out west.

As Whitney followed the man, she tried to act as if she was just out for a morning ride. The man was cautious, and watched people closely, so she knew when to turn down a side road. Thankfully, she caught up with him again and he didn't notice. She realized that men usually didn't notice things like women did. Whitney held in a chuckle. Connie could attest to that.

Up ahead, she noticed the thief turn down another road. She slowed her horse and followed at a distance. It didn't take long before the man stopped in front of a barn and dismounted. She couldn't tell if anyone worked in the barn, but she was leery, nonetheless. Were there other thieves in the barn? If so, she would never be able to apprehend them all. She was only one person, with a gimp leg, no less. She would need more help.

Whitney hadn't noticed if Connie followed behind her, but she prayed her friend had. Right now, two people were better than one.

When the man disappeared into the barn, Whitney found a spot to tether her horse and spy on the old structure. She moved into the shadows of the alleyway across from the barn, praying that the thief wouldn't see her watching. A few townsfolk walked up and down the street, but none of them appeared to be alarmed by the bank robber in the barn. Whitney hoped she was the only one privy to that information. Less people would be harmed.

Her thoughts turned to Jake. She prayed he hadn't been hurt. Although she really shouldn't have feelings for the handsome marshal, it was difficult to overlook his kindness. He was a charmer, too, but it was his heart that showed his true character. She'd given up on marriage after her accident. What man would want a woman with a bad leg? So far, she hadn't found one. But then she had been busy with her extracurricular activities, which didn't give her time to meet available men.

Jake's comment to Cora had jumped into Whitney's head. Who says I'm single? His question had been thrown at the mayor's wife, and now Whitney wondered if he was married. Yet, why would a married man flirt with her and tell her how lovely she looked? Unless it was to play with her emotions so that she could confess her misgivings as a thief. He'd have to threaten her with venomous snakes before she'd confess.

Disappointment washed over her, and she frowned. She already had feelings for him, but she couldn't allow them to continue, especially since she didn't want her heart broken.

From the barn, she saw a moment. The bank robber had stepped outside and scanned up and down the road. Sucking in a breath, she flattened herself against the building's outer wall, trying to stay in the shadows the best she could. She didn't want to make him suspicious for any reason. After a few minutes of kicking his boot into the dirt, he returned into the barn.

Sighing, she expelled her breath. Not once had he looked in her direction. Hopefully, that meant that he wasn't aware that she was spying on him. Of course, now she must formulate a plan. If Connie didn't come soon, then Whitney would have to alert the sheriff in some way of the thief's hideout. At the same time, she had to watch the barn and make sure he didn't leave.

The neigh of a horse was heard not far from her, and she wondered why her horse was anxious. Well, the animal would have to wait. She wasn't ready to move yet.

Then, another noise came from the alleyway, sounding like gravel crunching under someone's slow steps. Once again, fear crawled through her, and she tightened her fingers around the handle of her cane. If there was only one person to fight off, she could do it with her secret weapon. If there was more... she was in big trouble.