by Lori Wick
"Hand it over," Slater ordered, wasting no time.
Dakota, on the other hand, tipped his hat back and
looked slowly up at Slater as though he had all the time in
flie world.
"Something wrong, deputy?"
Slater put his hand out.
Looking rather amused, Dakota put the pistol in
Slater's hand.
"I would think you'd have other things to do," Slater
muttered and turned away. Dakota rose and stayed right
with him. Slater was well aware of Dakota behind hinvbut
remembering the way the older Rawlings had left things,
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he was suddenly angry. They were half a block down the
street before Slater gave vent to it
"And if you think," Slater suddenly turned and said
with quiet fierceness, "that everything is fine between us
after you left here like a spoiled child, you can think again!"
Dakota was not given time to answer, so he slowly followed
Slater down the street. The deputy headed to the
office and took a seat behind the desk. Dakota came
through the door in time to see him unload the gun, tag it.
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and put it on one corner of the desk. Slater then looked at
him, and as stern as Slater appeared, Dakota took a seat
and spoke.
"I'm sorry, Slate. I did leave here like a child, and I
wasn't ten miles down the trail before I was regretting it"
"Why didn't you return?" Slater asked, his voice
having calmed completely.
"Because I still don't agree. I'd have paid dearly if anything
had happened to you before I returned, but I still
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don't agree."
"Tell me, Dak, Exactly what is it that you find so impossible
to accept?"
Dakota looked at him. "Maybe it's the change. I didn't
think you needed saving from anything, but you are different.
I think I'm all right, and I'm happy with that belief.
I don't feel I need more."
Slater nodded but still said, "Do you remember the
fights Mother used to have with Father? They never ended
without Father saying, 'Your mother and I can agree, just
as long as I don't confuse her with the facts.' We used to
laugh about that, but sometimes I think if s very true. The
facts are staring you in the face, Dak, but you're happy
with what you have." Slater shook his head in wonder. "No
man knows how long he's going to live. I hope you won't
take too long deciding if what you have will take you
through eternity."
"Maybe there is no eternity," Dakota stated. "Preachers
have been spooking people with that line for years."
"I guess you used the operative word, Dak--maybe. I believe with all my 439 heart that we are eternal beings. You're not sure. It sounds to me as though you need to be as prepared
as I am when death knocks on your door."
Dakota would not have said so at the moment, but
Slater had given him something to think about. He was
quiet while he digested all of this, unaware of the way
Slater watched him.
"How long are you in town for?" Slater asked.
Every Little Thing About You 251
"That depends on you."
"Meaning?"
"If you want me to leave, 111 go."
"Don't be ridiculous, Dak. I didn't want you to leave
the first time."
Dakota took the olive branch that Slater offered him.
He would have to head back out on the trail soon--he
hated the thought of doing that, something he'd never
experienced before. He knew it was because of the way
he'd left
"Griffin ever get married?"
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"Indeed," Slater told him and went on to say where he
was living and that Dakota would be welcomed at the
Hathaways'. They talked for a time before Slater headed
out to walk the,streets and keep an eye on things. Dakota
accompanied him, the conversation turning to Cash's visit.
For right now the younger brother knew he had to let the
other subject go. It didn't stop his praying though--something he did fervently--asking God for another chance to share his faith.
%r
"Anybody here?"
The afternoon was slipping away fast, and the temperature
was dropping as Tess stepped into Kate's kitchen and
called to her.
"In the living room, Tess," her mother-in-law answered.
Tess went through the house and found Kate and Liberty
rehanging curtains.
"Hi, Tess," Kate greeted her. "Be prepared to get
dusty."
441
Tess laughed. "That's fine. As long as I don't have to sit
by myself, I can stand a little dust."
Both women were instantly alert
"Bad news?" Liberty asked.
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"If s hard to say. Griffin stopped for an extra gun. Mrs.
Flowers was in again. He and Slater are headed to confront
the Potters. It doesn't sound as though he'll give them any
quarter this time."
"Oh, less," Kate began, but Liberty cut her off.
"I've got to go/' she said softly and moved toward the
door.
Tess watched Kate as she went utterly still. She waited
for the older woman to say something to stop Liberty, but
it didn't happen. Tess felt torn inside. Another gun would
be so helpful, but she also knew that Slater would not find
it worth the risk. Neither woman spoke, and in almost
record time, Liberty was back downstairs, clothes changed,
gun belt in place.
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"Please be careful," her mother finally managed.
"Yes, Libby, do," Tess was able to add.
Liberty called her assurance back to them, and
moments later they heard Morton's hooves. The swiftness
of her actions caused Tess' heart to sink with dread. She
didn't like rushed things. Too often one was left to repent
for a long time to follow.
"Let's pray," Kate suggested.
Tess had no argument with that. She didn't know if she
would see her husband again, but Kate had more on
the line: Half of her children were riding into battle.
No, Tess didn't need to be asked twice. She sat with her
mother-in-law, content to pray for as long as she wanted.
'3* -3he
men were on their horses, their faces grim. Both
had known it would come to this, but neither man looked
forward to it. Maddie Flowers had just come and said that
the Potters had caroused all night. Griffin felt he'd given
them enough time. Slater wished that Dakota hadn't left to
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run an errand, but he hoped he wouldn't be gone long and
would find the note he left.
Every Little Thing About You 253
"What in the world?" Griffin exclaimed. Slater looked
up to follow his gaze. Coming toward them, her face full of
determination, was Liberty. Slater didn't waste any time.
His mouth tight with equal resolve, he turned back to the
sheriff.
"I'll handle this," he told Griffin as soon as their eyes
met, and from the look in his deputy's eyes, Griffin
wouldn't
have argued for the world.
Slater was already off his horse when Liberty arrived,
and just as soon as she slid off Morton's back, ready to ask
about the plan, Slater took her hand. He led her into the
office and spoke with his face just inches from her own.
"I don't want you to do this."
"Slater," Liberty returned, ready to explain, "you don't
know the Potters like I do. You and Griffin need me."
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"I don't want you to do this, Libby, and I mean it."
Liberty began to shake her head, so Slater placed his
hands gently on either side of her face and held it still.
"No, Liberty."
Her look was nothing short of longsuffering.
"I'll ask Griff," she said, and would have moved
toward the door if Slater hadn't caught her hand.
Giving her no time to anticipate his next move, he led
her into one of the cells. Bending once again to catch her
eye, he said, "I can't put you at risk." Slater then exited,
locked the door, and hung the key out of reach.
"Slater," Liberty said on a laugh, sure he could not be
serious. "Stop fooling around."
Slater only shook his head. How could he have let this
go unsettled? Now was not the time to speculate, but that
didn't change his actions. She was not coming to the Potters'.
"I don't want you hurt," he said gently. "I think it
would kill me."
"The Potters will probably do that for you."
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She'd said it with such conviction that Slater sadly
shook his head. "You really are arrogant, Libby. You don't
think anyone else can do this."
She was getting ready to argue with him again, but he
turned away. He glanced back just as he went out the door.
She wasn't happy with him, but neither was she ready to
panic. Something wasn't right, but right now he couldn't
put his finger on it. Slater felt he had no choice but to shut
the door and walk away.
Never before had Liberty Drake been tempted to pinch
herself. She thought she must be in a dream. Had Slater just
locked her in jail? Had he really taken it that far? Liberty
thought the man was amazing.
You'd think I was a criminal and here I am trying to help.
With a shake of her head, she turned away from the
446
bars. Griffin Drake was no fool. Every lawman had heard
stories of getting locked in his own jail. Griffin had never
been one to take chances. Liberty was in front of the bunk
now, getting ready to count the bricks, climb up, and fetch
the hidden key. Whether Slater Rawlings thought so or not.
Liberty knew she was needed.
The opening of the door stopped all movement. With
as casual a shift as she could muster. Liberty turned to see
who had come in.
"Dakota!"
"Hi, Libby." His voice held just the right amount of
amusement and surprise. "I can't say as I expected to find
you in there."
"Would you let me out?" she asked sweetly.
Dakota paused. "Why are you in there?"
Liberty thought fast. "You know Slater. He can be such
a joker."
Dakota watched her.
Every Little Thing About You 255
447
"In fact," she lied again, "you just missed him. If you'll
let me out, I'll take you to him."
Dakota was amused again but not swayed. She looked
awfully cute behind bars, those hazel eyes making their
appeal, but his brother had given him strict orders.
"How have you been?" Dakota asked, causing Liberty
to blink. Her mind raced as she studied his expression and
knew she'd been set up.
"Dakota," she began, all trace of congeniality gone. "I
want out of here."
"Can't do mat. Lib,"
"Why not?"
"Slater's orders were very clear."
"But they need me."
"Slater doesn't seem to think so."
"Did you ask Griffin?"
"I didn't have to. My brother knows what he wants,
and he wants you safe."
Liberty knew very real frustration for the first time. She
knew she would have to keep calm to get out, but that was
448
taking an effort
"Why don't you go," she now tried. "They went to the
Potters', and they're going to need all the help they can
get."
"I can't do that either."
"Why not?" Liberty asked, althougjh she believed she
knew the answer.
"Because Slater thinks you know a way out of here."
Liberty was stunned. How had Slater figured that out?
Surely Griffin wouldn't have told. Liberty's frustration rose
yet again. She was suddenly so angry that tears filled her
eyes.
Dakota had been headed to the desk chair to sit down
but saw Libby's brimming eyes and approached.
"Libby?"
Thinking fast. Liberty played the tears for all they were
worth.
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"I really think they need me, Dak," she managed in a
449
quivery voice.
"Libby." Dakota's voice was most tender. "If you could
just trust that--"
Liberty waited only until he drew close. In a move he
wouldn't have believed if he hadn't seen it, Liberty lifted
his gun from the holster. For a second he was stunned.
Then he smiled.
"What are you going to do with that?"
"Let me out of here, Dakota," she said, her voice level.
"No."
"I'm not going to say it again."
Dakota was in the act of turning away, seeing no point
in arguing, when a shot was fired and his hat flew off. He
whirled back to face Liberty with blazing eyes.
"I don't like to be shot at, Miss Drake!"
Liberty didn't appear to have heard. With the gun still
aimed at him, she spoke in that same measured tone.
"Now the next one is going to hurt. You won't die, but
you'll be in pain and probably bleed all over your clothes."
Dakota was so angry he could have spit. When he'd
450
come upon Slater and Griffin leaving, having just been
joined by Price who drove a huge wagon, he thought his
brother's idea for keeping an eye on Liberty sounded fun.
He hadn't bargained on how badly she wanted out of that
cell. He didn't honestly think she would shoot him, but
knowing how much she wanted her freedom, he could not
deny her.
He went for the key, just barely keeping his temper. He
didn't know what was worse, having to face his brother
when he found that Liberty had gotten around him, or
having to face a woman who was upset enough to take
shots at him to gain her release. None too happy with himself
or anyone else, Dakota fetched the key, wishing he'd
stayed out of town one more day.
(fflvwteen,
the potters were not prepared for a visit from the
sheriff. Indeed, the drinking in the barn had started a little
early this day. It put Rush and Possum in a good mood, but
451
both Ned and Critter were none too happy to see Shotgun's
law enforcement arriving.
"Let me do the talkin'!" the father of the clan snapped
at his boys.
"I think this should do the talkin'/' Critter proclaimed,
a shotgun in his hand.
"Gimme that!" Ned ordered, but Critter was having
none of it. They scuffled around a bit, all four hands on the
weapon, and froze when the gun went off.
Four sets of eyes rounded in fear, just as the first shots
came from without. The Potters hit the dirt. From behind a
small outcropping of rocks, Griffin and Slater let off a
steady stream of bullets as the four inside scrambled for
cover. The barn being ancient, daylight could be seen from
every crack and crevice, with new holes appearing all the
time and wood splintering around them. Ned thought he
would kill Critter himself if he could get close enough.
"Ned!" The firing finally stopped, and that man heard
his name being called. "Do you hear me?"
It was Griffin.
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"Yeah, I--" Ned began, but Critter jumped in.
"We hear ya, Sheriff, and all you're gonna hear is this!'*
Critter fired one shot, and the bullets started up again.
For what seemed like many minutes, the Potters hid in the
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barn and waited yet again for silence, each one wondering
how many guns the law had brought
At last it was quiet, but Griffin did not shout toward the
barn. From next to him, Slater held his peace as well
"Going to let them sweat a little," Griffin said, almost
to himself.
"Something tells me Ned would talk to you,"
"I think you're right. He'll do anything to stay out of
jail, but he hasn't learned to control Critter in all these
years, and now he's going to pay."
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"My guess is Critter won't be able to last much longer."
As though on cue. Critter let off two shots, and both
Slater and Griffin went at it again. This went on for much
longer than either man would have cared for, the youngest
Potter shooting one or two bullets, and the lawmen
answering with a round. Things happened to be quiet
when they heard the voices.
"Knock it off!" one of the Potters thundered.
"Shut up! Get away from me."
Not surprisingly, a few shots came outside, and for the
last time Griffin and Slater went into action, staying well
back since Critter was firing on them as well. It took a little
more time at this point, but at last the guns fell quiet. The
