Setting Things Straight
Page 7
Tom nodded. “I’ll think about it.”
Spencer looked at Summer, pulled out a pad and pencil, and handed it to her. “I have to admit, you are on a story before I can even think about it.”
Chapter 13
Jillian rode beside Theo. She never thought she would be given a chance at a normal life. They were riding to Summer’s house, and from there the guys were taking in her pa and brothers to the sheriff and let him deal with them.
Tom had told her long ago he remembered a different home and how it had been a nice one. She wondered if he too hadn’t been stolen. Of the three, he was the nicest one to her and had often stepped in to protect her.
She hoped the sheriff would be merciful to her and Tom. Although, they’d each done their part in rustling and stealing. She glanced at Theo and wondered how he could love her so. But he did, and it made her heart sing.
If the sheriff allowed her to marry him, she would. Although she wondered how that would be. Theo said he had some money saved up, but she wasn’t all too sure anyone would want an ex-rustler living on their ranch.
Jillian looked at Theo. He was a handsome man. Kind of awkward, but he’d grow into himself. She felt safe in his arms, and really, she couldn’t picture anywhere else she’d rather be.
He caught her looking at him. “Are you all right?”
She nodded. “Theo, do you think we can make it together?”
“I know we can. Together, we’ll have a good life.” A tug on the line behind him made him look back. He jerked the rope. “You three mind your manners. We’ll be at the first stop pretty soon.”
They were almost to Summer’s house when she heard horses running toward them. She squinted in the faint light but couldn’t make out who they were.
Jillian heard Spencer call out to the sheriff, and soon, they were surrounded by six men, and the outlaws were taken from them.
Jillian rode up to the men. “Sheriff, I used to be a part of their gang.”
He looked at her. “Right now, you’re in Theo’s care. Besides, I might have a visitor for you this week.”
“A visitor?”
The sheriff wrapped the rope around his saddle horn. “Yes, Ma’am. I think you’ll be surprised. He’s supposed to arrive Friday. I’ll bring him out to the doc’s house.”
She glanced at Theo. “Who is he talking about? The only people I know are at the end of the rope the sheriff has.”
Theo shrugged. “I guess we’ll find out Friday. About that wedding, I thought if Summer and Spencer don’t mind, we could have it Saturday. The same days as theirs.”
Jillian smiled. “We’ve only known each other a few days, but that’s what I want, too. I don’t see any reason to put it off.”
“I’ll ask Spencer.” And he rode ahead and stopped Spencer. Looking back, Spencer smiled and nodded.
As if riding in a dream, Jillian was soon in the kitchen at Summer’s home. Jillian cornered Summer away from the others. “Theo and I want to get married Saturday if that’s all right.”
With a pleased smile, Summer hugged her. “Spence told me. I think it would be great. Are you sure you’re ready to marry? I mean, you’ve only known Theo a few days.”
“I love him, Summer. Theo is the man of my dreams. I knew it when he held me in his arms. That day, my heart was sealed for him.”
“All right. It’s fine with me.” Summer hugged her. “I like having you around. It’s like having a sister.”
“We sure put my pa and brothers in their place, didn’t we?”
Summer laughed. “Yes, I’m not sure the guys are that happy about it.”
Jillian whispered. “We’ll have to keep it between us. Not tell anyone. Let the boys keep their ego.”
Summer chuckled. “Are you kidding? I’ve been making notes all night. It will be in my next book.”
Jillian rolled her eyes and wondered if Spencer was taking notes, too.
***
Theo came in from feeding the livestock. Summer and Spencer seemed to be really in love, and this time might make it to the altar. They’d had a few quibbles about their writing but seemed to settle them pretty quickly with a kiss.
Jillian. He couldn’t believe tomorrow that he’d be a married man. Dr. Vance said he still wanted Theo and Jillian around and offered them a small house in the back. Summer and Spencer had turned it down because they wanted to live in town and write their books.
He walked inside the house and saw that Jillian and Summer had made lunch. Spencer was sitting at the table writing.
Summer grabbed his notebook. “Let me see what you’re writing.”
Spencer took it back from her. “Uh-uh. We made a deal. Only after we’re finished can we read the other’s work.”
“I know, but I wanted to see if you gave me and Jillian credit for our heroic bravery.” She grinned and winked at Jillian.
“No, that’s not in my story, but I’m sure it’s in yours. You just have to go and embarrass Theo and me in front of the whole world.”
Summer eased closer to Spencer and put a finger on his lips. “Like my bustle that blew up?”
He nodded and then kissed her finger.
Theo laughed. As long as they ended their arguments that way, they’d be all right.
A knock on the door caught his attention. It was the sheriff and another man. He looked at Summer, and she nodded.
Theo opened the door. “Sheriff. I guess you got the Duff gang in jail.”
The sheriff glanced at Jillian. “Most of them.”
“Aw, sheriff. Jillian didn’t know what she was doing—”
Jillian stood and held out her hands, waiting to be handcuffed. “I did know what I was doing. I never hurt anyone, though. Except to steal their cattle and a few horses.”
The man behind the sheriff took a step forward. “Jillian?”
She put her hands down and stared at him. “Did I steal from you? Do I know you?”
He smiled kindly. “You used to know me. I’m your brother, Gordon.”
Jillian took a step back, and Theo grabbed her, so she didn’t fall.
She shook her head. “Gordon. I thought I’d made you up. What happened?”
“Indians killed our parents. When I got back to the ranch, I couldn’t find you. Me and the dog were out hunting. I tried to find you. Our uncle came and took over the ranch. We put out notices but never heard of where you might be. We contacted the army, but they didn’t find you when they looked for white captives.”
Jillian took her brother’s hand. “I remember so little, and it’s all mixed up.” She looked at Summer. “Remember, when I was here, I remembered playing in the sheets on the line, and then I was up in the barn …”
She didn’t finish, but Theo knew the story.
Gordon nodded. “That had to be awful. I’m sorry I wasn’t there to protect you. But I’ve found you now.”
Jillian looked up at him and then pulled Theo beside her. “I’m getting married tomorrow. This is Theo Theopolis. He saved me from the outlaw gang. I’m glad they’re not my real family.” She put a hand to her face and looked at the sheriff.
“Do you have to arrest me?”
The sheriff shook his head. “No, I got with the ranchers, and we all decided you’d been punished enough having to live with the Duffs. I’m checking on Tom’s family. He was kidnapped a few years before you. I’m sure the judge will go easy on him.”
“Thank you.” Tears trickled down her cheeks as she looked at Theo.
Theo pulled her into his arms. “It’s been quite a day for you. Tomorrow, we’ll be together forever.” He kissed the top of her head.
Jillian wiped her eyes. “Gordon, I’ll need someone to give me away. Will you do the honors?”
“I’d be more than happy.” He shook Theo’s hand and hugged Jillian. “I’ve always felt a piece of me was missing. I’ll leave you the directions to the old farm if you ever want to come back for a visit.”
Jillian nodded. “We’d like that
.”
Theo grinned. Tomorrow would be the best day of his life. So far. He had many more good days planned with the woman he loved.
Chapter 14
The preacher stood in front of the church. “Today, we are honored to celebrate the weddings of two pairs of young people. We decided to have the ceremony together since it looks like it’s about to snow up a blizzard.
Theo and Spencer stood by the preacher and waited for their brides. Spencer whispered to Theo. “I hope Summer forgave me when I showed her the check I got from the publisher.”
Theo glanced at him. “It was a good one?”
Spencer nodded. “I think she’s jealous.”
“Well, you’re going to be busy loving her. I doubt she’ll be jealous.” At least, Theo hoped she wouldn’t be.
Then Theo saw the brides coming. Jillian walked with her brother, and Summer walked with her father. But Theo couldn’t take his eyes off of Jillian. She was beautiful.
Spencer stopped worrying and smiled. Never had he seen Summer so beautiful or feel so overwhelmed with love for her. Who cares who had the most books or made the most money?
Theo took Jillian’s hand while Spencer took Summer’s.
The preacher nodded.
A man opened the church door. “It’s snowing. Better get that wedding over, or you’re going to be stuck in here.”
The preacher looked at the two couples. “Men repeat after me. I promise to love and protect, to provide for and cherish, your bride’s name, all the days of my life.”
Theo and Spencer repeated the words but added their respective wife’s name in the vow.
“Women repeat after me. I promise to honor and respect. To nurture and love, your groom’s name, all the days of my life.
Summer and Jillian repeated the vows.
The preacher raised his hands. “I pronounce you, Mr. and Mrs. Spencer Brannon and Mr. And Mrs. Theo Theopolis. You may now kiss your brides.”
Spencer kissed Summer tenderly. “I love you, Summer. I will never let you go.”
She smiled and leaned against him. “I love you, Spence. Let’s go before we get snowed in.”
Theo kissed Jillian and felt as if his heart would explode with love for this woman. “Jills, I don’t ever want to let you go.”
Jillian smiled. “I’m glad you got us a room in the hotel. I’ve spent my last night outside in the snow.”
Theo laughed, and they ran down the aisle and out the door.
Summer and Spencer were right behind them. Summer looked at Spencer. “So, the publisher offered to publish any books you sent him and gave you an advance.”
“Uh-huh. We don’t have to worry about money.”
“Honey, did you read the note closely?”
He stared at her. “What do you mean?”
She pulled out a letter identical to his. Summer grinned. “It says, We would be delighted to take any books you write with Dale Vance—”
Spencer stopped and pulled the letter from her. “No, it doesn’t.”
She laughed. “No, it doesn’t. I got my own letter.”
Spencer stared at her letter. “They are paying you a hundred dollars more than me. Summer, I—”
Summer stopped his words with a kiss. “We better get to the apartment. Don’t you think?”
With a smile, Spencer threw the letter in the air and ran with her across the street amidst a thick blanket of falling snow.
Theo saw them run across the street. He looked at Jillian. “Let’s go.”
The large flakes muffled the sounds, and he felt as if they were running in their own world. Theo glanced at Jillian, laughing. That is what he’d do. He’d love her, and together they’d make a world of their own.
Jillian couldn’t stop laughing. Never had she been so happy. She was leaving the old behind and going to live in her new life.
Theo stopped at the hotel and picked her up. “I’m carrying you to our suite. Nothing is too good for my wife.”
She kissed him and rested in his arms, the safest place in the world.
And they all lived happily ever after.
Author’s Note:
I hope you enjoyed Setting Things Straight. It’s always my intention to write stories that others will enjoy. Stay tuned for more. I am busy writing with delight more tales for you to enjoy.
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Blessings,
Patricia PacJac Carroll
You will also enjoy Summer’s Love, where you can meet Summer and Spencer.
Summer’s Love
Take a look at the next book in the series ~ Charity’s Promise by Marianne Spitzer
Charity Rossman, widowed with two small children, was happy with life in the small town of Belle. She worked with her brother and sister-in-law at the Belle café, and although friends and family suggested she could marry again, she had no intention of ever marrying. After all, she promised. Jason Shepherd, mayor of Belle, had cared for Charity since they were children. He lunched each day at the café, hoping for a chance to see and speak to Charity. If he could convince her to allow him to court her or perhaps start with a shared supper, he believed he could win her heart. Will love convince Charity to take a chance, or will the promise she made keep her from happiness and a life with Jason? This is a sweet historical romance.
Charity’s Promise on Amazon and Kindle Unlimited
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0849Y6PTQ