Melpomene curled her hand around Alan's arm, the sudden need to be touching him controlling her movements. Her eyes darted toward her knife on the ground, though, making sure she knew exactly where it was, and that she could get to it before the Sheriff did, should he make a dive for it.
The thought crossed her mind: What if he had a gun, as she knew he often did? Could she put herself between the Sheriff and Alan before the Sheriff aimed and fired? Was she to die in her lovers arms tonight? Her hand tightened on Alan's arm, muscles quivering, waiting, watching.