As quickly as he could, Parker prepared for another shot, turned, and leveled his gun at the other men. “Top of my class,” he said calmly. “I suggest you leave.” He sensed Jesse bending down to pick up the dropped rifle, making their odds even better.
The next man’s face was nearly impassive, but his eyes flickered before he acted, and Parker shot him square in the chest just as he pulled his trigger. He stumbled back and collapsed just as Parker felt a burning sensation spreading down his arm. He decided not to look—it was probably better that way. “Two of you are down, and that leaves you outnumbered,” he said to the remaining men. “What’s it going to be?”
They glanced at each other, then turned and ran, all but throwing themselves on their horses and riding off. “Good choice,” Parker called after them.
Jesse grabbed some rope from his saddlebag and trussed up the two men who had been shot. “I imagine the colonel will be interested in knowing they accosted a deputy,” he said.
“What about the way they threatened Posy?” Parker asked.
“That won’t matter to him,” she said complacently. “I’m an Indian out of Indian territory. I don’t have any rights. Not in most people’s eyes, anyway.”
Parker shook his head, incensed. “But that’s ridiculous. You deserve the protection of the law. You’re just as much of a person as any of the rest of us, just as valuable a human being.”
She smiled and wrapped her arms around his waist. “Exactly what I’ve been saying all along.”
He held her close and kissed the top of her head. “I really am an idiot,” he told her. “But I’m going to spend the rest of my life protecting you and standing up for you. I can’t help but wonder, though, if you wouldn’t be safer if we got married as soon as we got back to town. I know we said Christmas, but if you have no rights as an Indian, maybe you’d have some as my wife.”
“I think that’s a good idea,” Jesse said. “She hasn’t been in danger in town since Giselle took care of Griffin, but men like him are a dime a dozen.” He nudged one of the injured men with the toe of his boot. “I think you should marry as quickly as possible.”
“Is that all right with you?” Parker looked down into Posy’s worried face. If anything had happened to her . . . the fury he’d felt over losing his horse was nothing compared to how he’d feel losing Posy.
“That’s more than all right. Come on—let’s go home.”
They put the injured men back on their horses and tied their bound wrists to the saddle horns, then continued on their way. Their pace was slowed considerably because of their extra traveling companions, but they reached Topeka by the afternoon, and rode straight to the marshal’s office.
Colonel Gordon listened to the story of how the men had chased them and threatened their lives. Just as Posy had predicted, he didn’t seem to care much that they had spoken against her, but he took down every word of the threats made against Jesse. “I’ll get the doc over here to clean them up so they’ll be healthy enough for jail,” he said. “Good work, Deputy. Any word on those horse thieves?”
Parker glanced over at Posy. “Nothing conclusive, Colonel.”
The man nodded. “Well, I suppose it was worth a shot. Glad you’re back.”
Parker exhaled with relief that the colonel hadn’t pressed for more information. He couldn’t lie to his superior officer—not only would he lose his job, but it was against his personal moral code. However, his morals also dictated that he be loyal to the chief and that he honor his promise, and thankfully, he could do both with a clear conscience.
“Well,” he said as they stepped out of the marshal’s office, leaving the two pieces of riffraff behind, “I think it’s time to plan a wedding.”
Posy slipped her hand into his. “I think so too.”
Chapter Fourteen
Holding a wedding ceremony in the lobby of the hotel between trains wasn’t necessarily the most romantic thing in the world, but Posy wouldn’t have had it any other way. It would have taken too long to arrange for the church, and someone would have had to stay behind to watch over the hotel—this way, she was surrounded by everyone she cared about, and they were starting their lives in the place she loved most apart from the village.
Miranda helped her arrange her veil, then stepped back and looked at her with tears in her eyes. “I’m so glad my brother found you,” she said. “I’ve never seen him so happy—you’re going to have a wonderful life together.”
“Are you sure you’re glad? I feel as though I’ve thrown you out of your house.”
Miranda laughed. “Not at all! I know Parker wanted to build on to the cottage so we could all live together, but to be honest, I’m ready to be more independent, and now that I work here at the Brody, it only makes sense that I live here too. Of course, living with several other girls isn’t complete independence, but it does help me separate a bit from Parker. He’s taken such good care of me over the years, but we’re both adults now, and I think it’s time.”
“He’ll never stop being your big brother, just like Jesse has never stopped being mine.”
“Oh, of course not, but that’s how it should be. We’re blessed to have the brothers we do.”
“Yes, we are.” Posy smiled as she thought about it. She and Parker never would have found their way to each other if Jesse hadn’t stepped in.
Elizabeth stepped into the room and smiled. “Oh, Posy, you look beautiful. I’m so glad the dress fit.”
“Thank you for letting me borrow it. I wouldn’t have had time to make one of my own.”
“It’s my pleasure. And in fact, I’m starting to lose count of just how many Brody brides have used this dress—which is wonderful. It doesn’t make sense for it to hang in the back of my closet for the rest of eternity when it could be adding to the joy of so many other wedding days.”
Posy looked down and smoothed the skirt. “It’s certainly adding to mine.”
Moments later, she held the skirt carefully as she descended the stairs. She had dressed in room two, so she only had one staircase to navigate instead of two, but she was still nervous that she might step on the hem and go end over end. That wouldn’t have gotten things off to a very good start. She made it to the bottom safely, however, and Carrie handed her a bouquet of fall flowers and leaves. “You look beautiful,” Carrie whispered, giving her a kiss on the cheek.
All the waitresses were gathered in the lobby, as were Tom and Harriet, Dr. and Mrs. Wayment, and various other friends Posy had made since coming here. She realized that even though she sometimes felt like an outsider, they truly did care for her, and that her feelings of displacement were likely because she needed to allow them into her life. She could do that—she could learn to be more vulnerable. Parker was helping her realize the value of opening up and letting people in.
Giselle came up to her next, her eyes filled with unshed tears. “Are you ready?”
“Yes, I am. I think I’ve been ready since I first met him.”
Giselle laughed. “Well then, let’s get you married. Your brother has been pacing for the last ten minutes, even though I explained to him that we’re not running late in the slightest.”
When Posy stepped all the way into the lobby, Jesse took her arm, and they walked together toward the front of the room, where Parker was waiting with Pastor Osbourne. A quick glance told her that Olivia was standing nearby as well, holding little Celeste. Then everything else faded into the background as Parker took her hand.
They promised to love each other and cleave unto one another, and then they were pronounced man and wife. Tingles raced up and down Posy’s arms as she looked into Parker’s eyes and knew that she truly belonged to him now, and he belonged to her. They still had their differences—they would always have some differences—but if they made it a priority to share their feelings and be open with each other, she felt they could weather anything.
They kissed at the close of the ceremony, and everyone cheered. Before Parker let her
go, he said in her ear, “Are you happy?”
“Oh, yes. So happy. I do wish my parents could have been here, but I understand that it just wasn’t possible.”
“They couldn’t be here today, but they’ve sent their best wishes.” Parker reached into his pocket and pulled out a rattle carved of bone and crafted into the shape of a running rabbit. “Martha gave this to me before I left. She says it’s a gift for her first grandchild. I take that as a sign that your parents approve.”
Posy’s eyes filled with tears for the millionth time that day. “Yes, a very good sign,” she agreed, and Parker pulled her in for yet another kiss.
About Amelia C. Adams
Amelia C. Adams is a wife, a mother, an eater of tacos, and a taker of naps. She spends her days thinking up stories and her nights writing them down. Her biggest hero is her husband, and you just might see bits and pieces of him as you read her novels.
You can reach her at [email protected].
Please join Amelia on her website to learn more about her, sign up for her newsletter, stay on top of news and upcoming releases, and follow her on Facebook. In fact, you can join her readers’ group by clicking here!
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The Kansas Crossroads Series:
A New Beginning (free!)
A Free Heart
The Dark and the Dawn
A Clean Slate
A Clear Hope
The Whisper of Morning
A Careless Wind
A Narrow Road
The Bitter and the Sweet
The Calm of Night
A Begrudging Bride
A Broken Wing (A Kansas Crossroads novella)
A Twisted Fate
An Unspoken Dream
A Joyful Noise
The Echo of Music (A Kansas Crossroads novella)
The Risk and the Reward (A Kansas Crossroads novella)
The Nurses of New York series:
Sea of Strangers (free!)
Cause of Conflict
Touch of Tenderness
Heart of Hearts
Test of Time
The American Mail-Order Brides series:
Hope: Bride of New Jersey
Tabitha: Bride of Missouri
The Hearts of Nashville series:
Whiskey and Women
Records and Rebels
As part of the Brides of Beckham series by Kirsten Osbourne:
Mail Order Molly
As part of the River’s End Ranch series:
Accidental Agent
Rugged Rockclimber
Welcome Wagon
Santa’s Shopkeeper
Delivering Destiny
Lucky Lifeguard
Poinsettia Promises
Christmas Catch-Up III
Candy Crush
Paislee’s Path
Pet Peeves
Karaoke Kisses
As part of the Grandma’s Wedding Quilts series:
Meredith’s Mistake
As part of the Magnolias and Moonshine series:
Sweet Georgia Peach
As part of the Burnt River series:
Ashley’s Hope
Phoebe’s Fate
As part of the Rocky Mountain Romances series:
Utah Sunrise
As part of the Mail Order Mounties series:
Bride for Joel
Bride for Jonathan
Bride for Samuel
Bride for Calvin
Bride for Peter
Bride for Michael
Bride for Richard
As part of the Seven Sons series:
Benjamin
Daniel
Frank
As part of the Cowboys and Angels series:
Bribing the Blacksmith
Tea for Two
Loving the Landlord
Defying the Darkness
As part of the Main Street Merchants series:
And Something Blue
For Love or Money
Five Golden Rings
Just Desserts
In the Stars
Sugar and Spice
As part of the Brody Hotel series:
Generations
Heartstrings
Connections
Short Fiction:
The Ghost of Dunlow Manor
The Best of Me
A Passing Glance Page 12
