A Deal with the Cowboy’s Tangled Heart: A Historical Western Romance Book

by Cassidy Hanton

  Chester searched for movement. Remembering his brother had been there, his heart tightened. He inhaled sharply, gulping. He had taken his brother’s gun. That’s where it had come from. He didn’t even know what his brother was doing there. Nothing made sense. I don’t understand what just happened. It was difficult for him to not panic as he stared at the wreck before them.

  “I...” He tried to think of something to say. But there were no words for any of it.

  They were all gone. The whole gang was buried under the mess. No one could get to him now because no one could escape. He kept watch, waiting for something to happen and for someone to come out. Except no one did. He wasn’t sure if he wanted them to or not. The adrenaline was still rushing through his body as he remembered shooting Elijah.

  He’s dead. I killed him.

  Chester didn’t mean to hurt him, only to stop him. He stared ahead as he tried to come to grips with all that had just happened. It had all been so fast that he hadn’t had time to think. Instead, he had reacted. He had to save Blossom. Elijah would have hurt them. He already had.

  This had been the only way. Though Chester knew this truth, he didn’t appreciate it.

  “Chester?” Blossom’s quivering voice pulled him from his thoughts.

  He turned to look at her. She stared up at him with those big brown eyes of hers all watery and scared. She clung to him as though worried one of them might disappear. He didn’t blame her, having the same fear himself. His heart thudded loudly in his chest as he tried to catch his breath.

  “Yeah?” he managed.

  “Is he really gone?” She whispered.

  Chester leaned forward and kissed her forehead. “Yes,” he breathed. “He’s gone.”

  She let out a shaky breath before shaking her head. “I can’t believe it,” she murmured. “But what about... How can we be certain?” Blossom grasped his arm shakily, turning away from him to look at the mess. “What do we do? I mean, do you think we should...?”

  A knot formed in his stomach as he remembered that nothing could be over this simply. Of course it couldn’t be. He swallowed hard before he nodded. Blossom made a good point. They couldn’t just let the gang suffer if someone was still alive under there.

  Stiffly rising to his feet, Chester hesitated as he glanced around. Trying to decide where to start, he put out a hand to Blossom. “You should stay back here,” he decided.

  “No,” she took his hand when he put it out to keep her back. Her voice was quiet but it was firm. “No, Chester. I’m not leaving your side again. We’re doing this together.”

  He turned to look at her. It was the first time in what felt like forever that Chester had a chance to really look at Blossom. There was no one else there to stop him or rush them, trying to tear them apart or threaten them. He blinked and looked her over.

  Blossom had bruises forming around her throat. That was underneath the trickle of blood from where Elijah’s knife had pierced her. The hands that clung to him were bloody around the wrist. Her dress was torn and she had dark circles under her eyes. She had clearly been through a lot over the last couple of days. Covered in dirt and blood, she appeared exhausted and dirty.

  But there was also a comforting light in her eyes that shined on him with love and adoration.

  It gave him the strength to keep standing. A warm, tingling sensation spread through his body, melting the pain away. She looked like the vision of an angel before him, just like she had the moment he laid eyes on her when they found each other inside that building only a short while ago and she had run into his arms.

  “Together.” Chester cleared his throat as he gave her a nod. “Yes. We’re in this together.”

  Her eyes softened as she gave him a nod. Then her eyes left his for a moment as she glanced over his shoulder, carefully patting it. He couldn’t help but flinch, glancing down to see a stream of blood spread across his shirt. It had already begun to dry and stick to his shirt.

  “Are you all right?” They asked each other at the same time.

  Chester smiled at Blossom as her cheeks turned bright red. But neither of them looked away. Her chest still heaved as she tried to catch her breath. He couldn’t blame her as he attempted to do the same. His head spun as he wondered how they had just survived.

  It had to have been a miracle.

  “Are you?” Chester asked her again. “They didn’t hurt you, did they? Besides the- what I can see?” His free hand cautiously rose up to brush against her bruised wrist. Then his eyes flickered over to her throat. The wounds looked superficial, but they still weren’t pretty. They made him angry, furious at the idea of anyone ever touching Blossom.

  “I’m fine,” Blossom told him before his thoughts could lead him down a dark road. She stepped closer as though she knew just what he was thinking, and put her hand against his chest. “Chester, it’s all right. I’m okay. Now that you’re here, I’m fine. We’re going to be all right. I just know it.”

  Looking down at Blossom, Chester wondered how she could be so confident. Over and over again, she proved her resilience and hope to him. Even though they had met with her crying out for help, she continually impressed him by being the one to help him. His heart heaved with emotion, the adrenaline still coursing through his body.

  They would have to look through the rubble, he knew, and look for the gang.

  It would be the polite thing to do to at least bury their bodies. And he needed to know for himself whether they were alive or not. Especially his brother. Lowry had made a lot of mistakes in his life, but he wasn’t the only one. Everyone made mistakes. Chester didn’t really blame his brother, but wished he had tried harder to help him.

  He already knew he would have to find a way to write to his family. Having never learned to read or write, Chester hadn’t contacted his family since leaving the gang. Though he supposed Lowry might have sent a letter or two during that time, it was hard to suppose what might have been said. Perhaps Blossom would help him write it out in this matter and explain all that had happened.

  But as he did, he would try to let his family know that his brother wasn’t a terrible person. He made bad decisions, but he had done them because he thought they were the right thing to do.

  Then Chester would do whatever he could to better his own life so he didn’t make the same mistakes or any such mistakes for the rest of his life. He didn’t want to be miserable or lonely. He didn’t want to live in a shack where he could leave at a moment’s notice. And now without having to worry about Elijah and the gang coming after him, Chester, realized, he wouldn’t have to live like that anymore.

  As Blossom told him that he didn’t have to worry, Chester realized that she was right.

  He didn’t have to worry. He could make his future. It would be whatever he wanted it to be, whether it was hard or easy, in Livingsfield or far away. There were a lot of opportunities and all he had to do was pick one. Chester had to make a choice and take that direction.

  Looking at Blossom, he knew exactly which one he wanted.

  He reached carefully out to her, gently touching her cheek before cupping her face in both of his hands. She quieted down, going still as she kept her gaze steadily on him.

  The world disappeared as he forgot the aching pain in his shoulders and arm, and the destruction before them. There was nothing but Blossom and him in that moment as Chester leaned forward and pressed his lips against hers. He closed his eyes, letting go of everything but her. Though his lips felt tender from the fight, Blossom was soft and tasted sweet.

  Chester didn’t know a lot about kissing, but he knew he wouldn’t trade anything in the world for that moment with her.

  Epilogue

  Blossom’s Happiness

  When Chester pulled away, Blossom’s lips were still tingling.

  She blinked, staring at him in disbelief. Though she had never wanted anything more to happen in all the world, she wasn’t sure what was supposed to happen next. Her heart thudded loudly and it f
elt like her cheeks were on fire as a hot blush flooded onto her face.

  Her hands were still on his chest and his hands were still wrapped around her face. They were so close. But she had never felt so adored in all her life. Blossom’s heart pounded so hard as a wide grin spread across Chester’s face.

  It made her nervous. “What?” She stammered. “Was it bad?”

  “Bad?” He repeated. Then he shook his head. “No. No, that was perfect. You’re perfect.”

  Blossom couldn’t blush any redder. Shaking her head, she stepped out of his grip in embarrassment. Her hair fell in her face. This made her hope it hid the blush. “No, I’m not.”

  “I mean it,” Chester insisted as he took a step forward. “Blossom, you’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me. You’re brave, you’re beautiful, you’re kind...”

  She hesitated, wondering if she was dreaming. Her head felt so light that she worried she was about to faint. Just in case, she put out an arm and he grasped her hand automatically. Because he was there for her. Just like he had been there for her the first day they met. And just like he had been there to rescue her inside that old church building. A rush of warm feelings grew in her heart as she wondered how her life had changed so quickly.

  Chester paused when he realized she was staring at him. “Is something wrong?” He asked with a frown.

  A short laugh escaped her lips. She covered her mouth with her free hand. The world was such a strange one. Her head was spinning and she knew her voice sounded rough from being choked earlier by Elijah. It was hard to believe that had happened only a short while ago.

  Now there she was, safe beside Chester. She was always safe with him. Even when he was telling her to go away, he was trying to keep her safe. It was almost maddening how wonderful he truly was. Unable to help herself, Blossom took her own turn to step up and kiss Chester.

  She kissed him hard once, then soft a second time, and then a third time just for good luck.

  “Now I’m okay.” Blossom swallowed hard as she gave him a nod and breathless smile. “Let’s go see if we can find anyone.” Grabbing his hand, she turned them toward the fallen structure.

  The old church house was a mess of broken wood and dust that had yet to settle. The closer they grew, the more her nose tickled. She blinked often, trying not to cough. Chester’s grip tightened. But neither of them stopped, knowing they had to make sure that if there were survivors, that they would be saved.

  “Halloo!”

  Chester and Blossom glanced at each other in confusion before turning to find movement coming from the direction of town. She stayed close by his side, holding his hand, as they stepped forward to try and see who that might be.

  A gasp of surprise escaped her lips as she found her father riding alongside Sheriff Johnson. There were three more men from town, including Farmer Hopkins, riding behind them. She glanced up at Chester to see if he was seeing the same thing. Perhaps she was imagining the scene before her.

  “Am I...?” Blossom asked him hesitantly.

  But he shook his head. The two of them stood together in surprise, unable to bring themselves to move or do anything until the riders on horseback pulled up. When they did, her father managed to climb off his horse and only then did she leave Chester’s side to run to her father.

  “Father!” Blossom cried out.

  “My dear,” he choked the words out as they hugged one another. “Where have you been? What happened? Oh, my child. Never leave my sight again. Tell me everything. Are you well?”

  Jerking her head up, Blossom wiped away the stray tears and hurriedly nodded. She glanced up to see the men staring Chester down skeptically . They crossed their arms and she saw how Chester shuffled back without looking anyone in the eye. Even in his wounded state, even after all that he had just overcome, he wouldn’t fight the town with their ignorance.

  Blossom tugged her father over to Chester’s side. “Yes, Chester. I mean it,” she turned to the other men with a stern look their way. “He saved me. Without him, I would have stayed trapped inside. Chester fought off and attacked the man who led the others who took me hostage. I was stolen away.”

  Sheriff Johnson’s eyes bulged. “Junior Hopkins said he saw Chester with some man headed past the schoolhouse. But we didn’t know what to think when...” He trailed off as he looked at the other men around him. Farmer Hopkins just shrugged as they all looked at Blossom’s father.

  “I should have known,” he said. “Chester is a good man. He’s been helping me search for Blossom when I couldn’t find her.”

  Blossom’s eyes widened in surprise. She turned to Chester in surprise. His soft gaze told her the truth and she marveled over how that must have happened. It wasn’t like her father would have been happy about that. But she was glad it had happened, bringing the two of them together, even if grudgingly.

  “So all the other men are dead?” One of the other men spoke up in a gruff tone. Blossom couldn’t recall his name, but recalled he was their blacksmith. The man had soot all the way up to his elbows as he studied the fallen church house before them. “That’s quite a mess. Not sure if it’s worth sorting through.”

  The sheriff glanced back at him with a look of distaste. “It’s not going to be fun, but we had best get started. We need to confirm whether those men are dead or not.”

  Chester nodded and stepped up. He pointed to the half of the building that was closest to them. “There were four of them right over here. They should all be pretty close together. One of them will already be dead. I had to shoot him. I don’t know about the other three. We should probably start from the far end, I’d say, and work our way slowly in. If we start now, we might be able to collect the men, alive or dead, before nightfall.”

  Glancing around, Sheriff Johnson nodded with a mildly impressed look on his face. He gestured to the three other men. “Let’s get started. As for you, Mr. Lornsen,” he added when Chester went to join them, “You’re to return to town.”

  Blossom felt her heart constrict, worried about the man’s sharp tone. She glanced at her father fearfully, but he said nothing. She kept one hand in his and then reached out to Chester who quietly accepted her hand. Surely the sheriff can’t blame any of this trouble on him. Please, Lord, Chester has been through enough.

  “Yes, sir?” Chester asked the sheriff tersely.

  “Get yourself to the doctor, along with Miss Everett here. You two have been through enough and could use some serious rest. I’ll come check on the two of you myself tomorrow to let you know what happens here. Understood?”

  The tension between them immediately faded. Blossom hadn’t even realized it was there. She let out a breath of relief, squeezing Chester’s hand as she prayed to the Lord in gratitude for His goodness. After thanking the sheriff profusely for all that he was doing, Blossom tugged her father and Chester away from the mess.

  “I want to get out of here,” she told them, “Now, please.”

  Neither of them was opposed to the idea. The sheriff let them take his horse. Chester helped Blossom into the saddle, and then climbed up behind her with his arms around her. Though the saddle wasn’t comfortable, it was satisfying to be in Chester’s arms. She found herself relaxing against his chest as they headed into town.

  On the way, the three of them explained their stories. She had been headed home that morning only to find someone following after her, and woke up on Lowry’s horse where she was taken to the old church house. Her father started searching for her and grudgingly turned to Chester for help. Elijah had finally come to Chester, mocking him and leading him up past the school house where Junior Hopkins had mentioned it to her father, who grew worried about it and went to tell the sheriff.

  Sheriff Johnson had gone off to gather a few men, and then hurried up the hill, only to find that Chester and Blossom had just handled it themselves.

  By that point, they reached the doctor’s home.

  Chester helped Blossom down from the horse, even though t
hey were both injured. Her father joined them at the door as Doctor Brown frowned at the sight of them. But he didn’t turn them away, nor did he ask questions about all that had happened to them.

  Instead, he got right down to work in cleaning up their wounds. Once the superficial wounds were taken care of, Chester was put in another room to take care of his shoulder wound and she tried to rest. Her father didn’t want to leave her side, but decided to return home to bring her a fresh dress and her horse. She closed her eyes, but her thoughts kept spinning.

  The sheriff stopped by just as her father returned. All the men gathered together for a few minutes. Blossom had assumed they would let her join the conversation, but they didn’t let her in the room. So she paced alone for several minutes, wondering what was going on.

  She straightened up in the hallway as the sheriff headed out.