Every Little Thing About You

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.

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  "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."

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  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

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  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.

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  "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

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  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

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  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

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  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

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  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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  258 lori wick

  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