16. Chapter 16

Chapter 16

Justin ran his fingers through his hair. He was filled with frustration, and anger, and irritation, and…well, he wasn't sure what, but he had a lot of emotions going through him right now. Was regret in there somewhere? He was sure it was. Perhaps for controlling his temper.

He hadn't been lying when he'd told August that he had too much respect for Charlotte to put her in any sort of uncomfortable position, be it telling her he cared for her or doing anything else that would make her feel awkward. He had also been telling the truth that Charlotte was a friend. However, she was a friend who he wished was more. Deeply wished was much more.

Justin sighed. Best get to work. Take his mind off of the conversation and the fact that tomorrow was that blasted festival. He glanced about on his desk, but didn't see the list of items he needed to pick up Monday. Charlotte had been working on it, but had stopped before she left to take her lunch break and a walk to the store for something her mother had needed.

The list might be in the store room, so he'd just continue to work on it, if that was the case. He wanted to be sure it was completed by the end of the day.

He reached for the knob and pulled open the door. As he glanced about for the list, a small figure on the floor huddled tightly into herself caught his eye.

"Charlotte?" he said, bending toward her.

Her face, red and swollen with tears, looked up at him. He'd been about to reach for her, to ask if she was okay, but one look and he knew she wasn't. He also knew that she'd likely overheard his conversation with August. How much, he didn't know, but definitely enough to upset her.

"Are you…Can I…" He couldn't figure out what to say.

Charlotte struggled to her feet, and he offered a hand to her elbow to support her. She was trembling and pulled away, and he'd never felt so terrible in his life. Somehow, this was all his fault. His and August's. The one person who he hadn't wanted to hurt, he had.

"Charlotte," he whispered. "Did you…" But he couldn't finish his question.

Her stricken eyes stared at him. "I…I have to go. "

"Of course," he said. "Can I—Would you like me to take you home in the wagon?"

She shook her head. "No. No, thank you."

Charlotte pushed past him, and nearly flew out of the office door, barely pausing to grab her shawl and handbag. Justin stood, wondering if he should go after her. If he did, though, what would he say? He threw open the door and raced outside. He looked around for her, but Charlotte was gone. How had she run away so quickly?

His eyes fell on the sheriff's office. That's what he needed. Just who he needed. He could stop by, ask if they'd learned anything about the Harrisons, and then have the perfect excuse to visit Charlotte. To assure himself she was safely home and well.

Physically, anyway. There was no doubt in his mind that her mental or emotional state would be one of difficulty. He felt that way himself.

Justin hurried over to the sheriff's office and walked in. Snow flurries were falling, and he was glad to be inside a warm building.

Sheriff Steele was with the newspaper at his desk and looked up. "Doctor," he greeted.

"Sheriff," Justin answered. "I just wondered if you'd had any more thoughts on the Harrison family."

"Afraid not," the sheriff admitted. "I did some asking around. I know a judge in another town and sent him a telegram. Also checked in with a few other lawmen I know. Unfortunately, there's not a lot that can be done, since Mr. Harrison willingly signed everything over to his partner."

"I see. I was worried about that," Justin said.

"Sit," the sheriff said, pointing to the chair before his desk. Once Justin had, the sheriff continued, "I do have a friend who suggested we send word around and look for a witness. Anyone who might have overheard the partner boasting or threatening or anything else, just for the chance to get the story in front of a judge. It might work, it might not, it's been so long. However, it might restore even a little bit of what's theirs to the Harrisons."

"That would be something," Justin said. "And very good news."

"It's not a promise," the sheriff warned.

"I understand. But at least it's a spot of hope, in what's been an otherwise dark day."

The sheriff gave him a long look, then asked, "You going to the festival?"

"Ah, no. I mean yes. Maybe. I wasn't intending to go, but I promised someone I would. Not that I'm sure she wants me there now," Justin said, fully aware he wasn't making much sense. He sighed. "It's complicated."

"Some things are," the sheriff agreed.

The office door opened, and the woman Justin had seen before entered. He tried to remember her name. Isabelle, was it ?

"Doctor," she said with a smile, then she turned to her husband. "Asher, I've brought you something to eat. Mrs. Donovan insisted you get some of these before they got cold." She set down a small basket then turned to leave.

The sheriff watched her go, then he leaned back in his chair. "You know, I never thought I'd find love. Had run from it for a very long time. Thought I wasn't worthy of it or her. But Isabelle taught me that was far from the truth."

Justin didn't answer. He wasn't sure what to say. Why was the sheriff telling him this?

"Sometimes," the other man continued, "the hardest thing of all is to be brave enough to tell someone when you love them. There's only one thing scarier in life than that feeling of wondering if you'll be rejected."

"What's that? An outlaw coming after you?" Justin asked. He could imagine the sheriff had faced some dangerous times.

"Nope." The sheriff shook his head. "When you realize you're about to lose that person."

Justin stilled. It was true. Wasn't that why he was here? He was looking for an excuse to see Charlotte. Wanting to make sure that she would still talk to him. The difference between him and the sheriff though, well, one of the differences, was that he hadn't lost Charlotte. Not really. He'd never had her. Not in the way he'd wanted.

But they had shared a friendship. That was something he hadn't wanted to lose .

"Sheriff," Justin started.

"Asher," the other man said. "Call me Asher."

He nodded. "Justin, then. I'm wondering, I'm guessing you had that happen. Thought you'd lost the woman you loved?"

"I did," Asher agreed.

"What did you do?" Justin asked.

"I went out and got her," Asher told him.

Was that what Justin needed to do? He planned to stop by her home tonight. But would that be enough to convince Charlotte of both his feelings and of his fear of losing her as a friend or more?

A short time later, as he rode to the Harrison home, Justin wondered when his feelings for Charlotte had become so ineffable.