Almost an Outlaw Read Online Free

for mercy and forgiveness, for help in their hour of need. His devout father had prayed aloud.
    “‘And I looked, and behold: a pale horse, and his name that sat on him was Death, and Hell followed with him.’” He quoted the scripture that he hoped would serve him well.
    Those were the last words Molly Slater heard.

Chapter Three
    Henry Gibson lived in a ramshackle farmhouse that had been deserted twenty years ago. The weathered lumber was rotten in a few places, the porch sagged and the tin roof was streaked with rust. Chickens scattered and Henry’s beagle started barking as Darcy approached in her buggy.
    Henry strode out of a lopsided barn. An old hat sat low on his forehead and suspenders held up his denim work pants. His sun-baked face had the leathery wrinkled look of an old boot, and his mouth was hidden beneath a thick, white mustache. He smiled broadly when he saw Darcy.
    “Howdy, Miz Branson.” He waved. “This is sure a fine surprise.”
    “Henry.” She acknowledged him with a smile. She had known Henry all her life. Her father had often hired him to do odd jobs when she was a child. “How are you?” she asked as she climbed out of the buggy.
    “Tolerable as can be for an old fella.”
    “I have some ointment for you.” She handed him a small sack, containing a jar of ointment from the apothecary. The salve helped painful joints, and Henry had arthritis in both his knees. Since the loss of her husband, her new mission in life was to take care of others, to do what she could to make someone else’s life a little bit better.
    Henry took the sack with a smile of gratitude. “I sure appreciate your kindness, Miss Darcy. If Doc Howard and your ma was still living, they’d sure be proud of what a fine, good lady you turned out to be.”
    Her eyes misted for a moment. She wanted to believe her parents would be proud of her. That her past mistakes could be overlooked.
    “How is Matt?” she asked. Matt Kirksey was the ten-year-old orphan Henry had taken in a few years ago. Matt had been stricken with polio as a toddler, and when he lost his family, no one wanted to adopt a crippled boy. These days Matt had two people who loved him. She considered him the son she would never have.
    Henry chuckled. “Matt’s sleeping in the barn now. I can’t pry him away from that horse you got him. I can truthfully say she’s the best-groomed mare in all of Missouri.”
    Darcy smiled for a moment then became serious. “Henry, I need to get a message to Jesse this afternoon.”
    “I figure I can take care of that.”
    She handed Henry a sealed note. “Do you remember Captain Austin Cade?”
    “Yep. Ain’t he dead?”
    “No,” Darcy replied. She told Henry about her unexpected visit from the captain and his request.
    “The Boys have always thought highly of the captain.” Henry said. “Why don’t you go visit with Matt and I’ll deliver this for you.”
    “Thank you.” Darcy reached for a bakery box on the buggy seat. There was nothing she loved more than chocolate pie, and it was Matt’s favorite as well. “We’ll save you a piece,” she promised Henry.
    Matt leaned against the split-rail fence that bordered the meadow. He wore a striped shirt she had made for him with his loose overalls. Metal braces bracketed both his legs, and his crutches were propped beside him. Matt was small for his age but Darcy was certain that someday he would catch up, and he was going to be a handsome man as well. He had thick golden brown hair and bright blue eyes with a charming twinkle. An outgoing child, he never met a stranger.
    “Miss Darcy!” His ever-present smile widened when he saw her. Despite the fact that Matt had endured more than his share of bad luck, it had not changed his cheerful disposition. That was what she admired about him. No matter how tough things got for him, he didn’t let life get him down.
    “Hello, sweetness.” She smoothed his hair. “How have you been?”
    “I’ve been having