Author's Note: Enjoy!
Chapter Seven: Carter
"Who are you?"
The tall man smiled at Winnie's question, but did not look disturbed by her suspicion. "I'm a friend."
"Of who?"
"Well, the Tucks, of course!" He rolled his eyes. "That is who you're looking for, ain't it? Anyhow, I suppose I should make some introductions." He turned to the woman next to him. "This here is my wife, Maggie."
Winnie had been so focused on the man blocking her way to the door that she had nearly forgotten that he was not alone. Maggie was tall and thin like her husband, but she did not have his features. Her hair was a honey brown and her eyes were a smooth chocolate color. She smiled at Winnie pleasantly, but did not speak.
"And my name is Carter." Winnie's eyes swung back to Maggie's husband and she nodded.
"It is very nice to meet you," she said cautiously.
"And it is very nice to meet you, Miss Foster. I am just so thrilled that we ran into you here in Maple Bend. It's a big town, you know that? Imagine if we hadn't chosen this very minute to decide to head on out of here. Why, we never would have even met each other! It sure is funny the way things turn out sometimes, don't you agree?" Winnie nodded mutely, still unsure if she could believe him.
"Well, I'd imagine you'd like to know where the Tucks are. I'll tell you where, Miss Foster. They are living in a town not far from here called Windy Hollow. Have you heard of Windy Hollow? I didn't think so. It's a real small town about six or seven miles south of here. Why, me and Maggie would just love to take you there ourselves. We was headin' out there right now, weren't we, Maggie?" Maggie nodded again, but still didn't say anything.
By that time, Carter had his hand on her back and was leading her towards the door. Winnie followed, still too confused and overwhelmed to protest. The afternoon sunshine hit her eyes violently as she stepped out from the inn and she used her hand to shade them. Carter led both females over to a wagon led by a tall brown horse and held his hand out to Winnie. She looked at it, but did not take it.
"I…I don't know," she said lamely, stalling for time to think about the situation. "I don't know if I can go with you."
Carter laughed. "Well, of course you can. We don't mind none."
Winnie's heart pounded audibly her chest. "No, I mean…it's just that…" Her eyes searched the town behind her for the answer, but saw nothing. Then, she settled on two figures standing in front of the town hall who appeared to be having a very serious conversation. One was Maple Bend's sheriff and even had the badge and horse that went with the position. The other was Eli Wilson, the deputy sheriff of Treegap.
Winnie turned to Carter and placed her hand in his. "Let's go."