by Karen Kirst
Gratefulness flooded him as he returned their hugs.
“We were scared,” Abigail whispered, trembling.
Noah swung her up into his arms. “You were very brave, sweetheart. Your ma and I are proud of you both. Now, how about we go and see her?”
Abigail nodded and buried her face in his chest. “Yes, please.”
Will took Jane’s hand. “Would you like to ride on my horse with me?”
“Yes, sir.”
They made the trip back to town in silence. The girls were exhausted. Noah kept replaying the events of the past few hours, aware he’d come within seconds of dying. God had spared his life. Question was, what was he prepared to do in response?
Chapter Twenty-Six
The knock on Doctor Fletcher’s door had a twofold effect on Grace. Dread mingled with anticipation. What would she find on the other side?
After fetching Tomasina, the doctor had stayed behind to observe the fire’s damage and offer his services to anyone in need. Only Tomasina was there to keep her company. She followed on her heels.
Twisting the knob, Grace pulled the heavy door open inch by inch. The sight of Noah allowed her to breathe again, really breathe as she’d been unable to since he left. Handsome and rumpled, a new bruise on his unscarred jaw, he held a sleepy Abigail in his arms. Will stood to his left and slightly behind him, holding Jane with the ease of a natural born father.
With a small cry, Grace threw her arms around Abigail and Noah, tears of joy and relief flowing unchecked. “You brought them back to me. Thank you.”
He barely had a chance to react before Abigail surged into her arms. “I want to go to bed, Momma.”
Grace held her tight, showering kisses all over her hair and face. Tomasina joined Will. Grinning from ear to ear, she bussed her husband’s cheek and patted a snoozing Jane’s back.
“You did good, Daddy Canfield.” Her wink indicated a private joke between the pair.
Noah’s blue gaze held emotion she couldn’t begin to decipher. “It’s late. Time to get these two tucked into bed.”
“You’re welcome to stay at the hotel. Free of charge, of course,” Will said.
“Thanks for the offer.” Noah didn’t take his eyes off Grace. “I’m going to round up a wagon and take my girls home.”
Tomasina’s eyes widened. Like Grace, she’d noted his phrasing. Did she dare hope there could be a future for them?
The men secured a wagon and, within fifteen minutes’ time, the four of them—Noah, Grace and the girls—had bid the Canfields good-night and were riding through the tranquil prairie night, a canopy of twinkling stars and a fat white moon guiding their way. The air carried the hint of mint, and she knew the ranch was close. A multitude of questions rose up, demanding to be voiced. Where was Frank? Would Noah be staying in the barn or returning to the hotel like before? Had he forgiven her? Could he...did he...love her?
Afraid of the answers, she maintained her silence. Noah appeared lost in thought, as well. He must be as mentally and physically exhausted as she was.
At the cabin, he insisted on carrying the girls inside. Since they were already asleep, Grace decided to let them sleep in their clothing and to clean everything the next day. The thought gave her pause. What would the next day bring? She’d promised to purchase their train tickets and let Noah know the date of their departure. Was he still counting on that?
She closed the bedroom door and found him crouched by the fireplace, stroking Wolf’s thick coat and talking to him as he would a human.
“Remember your job, buddy. You have to keep the girls safe.”
Grace smiled when the big animal closed his golden eyes as if bored with the reminder.
“Are you returning to the hotel?”
He pivoted in her direction. With a final stroke of Wolf’s head, he stood. He had shed his vest, and his gray shirt was open at the throat and bore signs of dirt and soot.
“I’m sleeping in the barn tonight.”
What about after that? she longed to ask. Did he want her gone so he could have his room back?
Her gaze on his bruised cheek, she rounded the table to go closer. “Where’s Frank?”
His lips thinned. “In a jail cell, making nice with Xavier Murdoch.”
She boldly touched her fingertips to his cheek. “He did this to you?”
“It’s nothing.”
Sliding his torn sleeve up to his elbow, Grace discovered tiny cuts up and down his forearm. That he allowed her this examination surprised her. “How did you get these?”
“Couldn’t get into the newspaper office, so I busted out a window.”
He was still and quiet, his gaze watchful, his breathing steady and sure. She couldn’t guess his mood or thoughts, couldn’t determine if he liked having her close or wished she’d bid him good-night. Probably the latter.
Before she did so, though, she had some things to say, and she needed his anchoring touch to give her courage. Clasping his large hand between hers, she squared her shoulders and looked into his eyes.
“Noah, I can never repay you for everything you’ve done. Instead of turning us away as you had every right to do, you opened your home to us. You traded your comfortable bedroom for a barn loft. When I was sick, you took care of me and the girls without a word of complaint. You’ve provided for us, protected us. You saved our lives, Noah.” Her voice wobbled. “And somewhere along the way, I fell in love with you.”
His gaze felt like it was burning into her, searching, weighing, assessing. He waited so long to speak she assumed he was trying to figure out how to let her down gently.
“Actually, you can repay me.”
“Oh.” Her stomach dropped to her toes. “Certainly. Name the amount, and I’ll go to the bank first thing in the—”
His mouth covered hers in an unexpected, hungry kiss. His hands came up to frame her face. The sensation of his fingertips in her hair and the slow slide of his thumbs across her cheeks made her light-headed. Grace steadied herself with her hands flat against his chest. Beneath her palm, his heart thudded as fast as her own. Seconds passed and the kiss gentled. The tenderness he displayed evoked a growing sense of wonder and joy.
Noah held nothing in reserve with this kiss. Before, she’d always sensed he wasn’t fully present, his emotions under lock and key.
When he eased away, he looked deep into her eyes and smiled. That smile was like shafts of spring sunlight after months of winter gloom.
“You can probably guess I don’t want your money,” he murmured, still caressing her skin, running his fingers through her hair. “I want you, Grace.”
The burst of happiness was all too brief. “How can you? After my lies?”
“I knew you weren’t a malicious or devious person.” He tapped his temple. “I knew that in here. But my pride had been blasted to bits. I’d been aware of little discrepancies along the way but hadn’t put the pieces together, and I felt gullible. Not a good trait for a lawman. Here was a woman living beneath my roof that I cared about, deeply cared about, and yet I hadn’t picked up on the fact she was running scared from a life that had threatened to destroy her.”
“I cringed every time you called me Constance,” she admitted.
His smile grew lopsided, lending him a boyish air. “I never thought the name suited you, you know. Grace suits you. A lovely name for a lovely human being.” His thumb skimmed her earlobe, and prickles danced along her nape. How she adored his touch. “I wish I’d let you explain that first night. It would’ve saved us both some heartache. I’m sorry for not being understanding when you needed me to be. I almost lost you and the girls because of it.”
“Of course you were hurt and angry.” She cupped his scarred jaw, and he didn’t flinch like the first time. “I don’t blame you.”
&nbs
p; His expression turned fierce. “Frank’s not going to hurt you ever again.”
Grace trusted Noah. He’d proved his trustworthiness, his willingness to go to any lengths to protect her and her daughters. They were safe with him. She’d known that from the start, despite his bluster and attempts to keep them at bay. “I believe you.”
“I love you, Grace Longstreet. I want you with me. Today. Tomorrow. Forever.”
“Are you sure that’s what you want?’ she asked in a quavering voice. “An instant family?”
“Whether or not you agree to make it official, I already consider you my family. You, Jane and Abigail.”
Sweeter words had never been spoken. Amazed at this gift God had blessed her with, at His mercy and tender care, Grace wrapped her arms around Noah’s neck and burst into tears. His arms settled about her waist, and he nuzzled her hair.
“Hey, city girl, are those happy tears or sad tears?”
“Happy.” It took a few moments to compose herself. He was patient, and apparently unconcerned with the moisture dampening his shirt. Easing her hold on him, she lifted her head and dashed the wetness from her cheeks.
His forehead furrowed. “You sure you’re okay?”
“I’m ecstatic...and maybe a little overwhelmed.” A little laugh escaped. “Noah, you make me feel protected and loved in a way I haven’t since before my father died. I came out here expecting to have a businesslike marriage. The most I’d hoped for was mutual respect and, if I was fortunate, friendship. I never expected this.” She lightly traced his eyebrows, bold cheekbones, chiseled mouth. “I never expected you.”
Beneath her fingers, his lips curved into an affectionate smile. There were no more reservations, no more shadows in his eyes. “I’m not sure I know how to be a good husband or father, but I vow to love you and the girls and do right by you every day of my life.”
“It’s okay. We’ll learn together.” She kissed him tenderly. “I love you, Noah. I can’t wait to be your wife.”
Epilogue
Four Months Later
“I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride.”
Noah had been waiting months for this exact moment, the moment he’d slide his ring on Grace’s finger and seal their union. The days since he’d proposed had seemed to pass slowly and quickly all at the same time.
Releasing her slender hand, he framed her uplifted face. She was breathtaking, a vision in white, her hair arranged in an elegant sweep and adorned with white and orange blossoms. Her skin had a healthy flush. Her eyes shone with love. Her mouth held promise and secrets meant only for him.
As he lowered his head to kiss her for the first time as her husband, he admitted the wait had been worth it. The morning following his proposal, over a leisurely breakfast with the girls, they’d decided to set the date for October. Though unconventional, Noah had wanted them both to be counseled by Reverend Taggart. They’d spent hours with him, discussing the duties of a husband and wife, what God’s expectations were for a family. For propriety’s sake, Noah had lived in the hotel. He was eager to live under his own roof again. This time as Grace’s husband and the girls’ father.
He reluctantly kept the kiss brief. Beneath his touch, he could feel Grace’s smile. He’d grown quite attached to that smile and intended to do whatever he could to keep it there.
In the distant fields, a cow lowed, and their guests broke into laughter, whistles and applause. Noah lifted his head and laughed, too.
“Still glad you chose our ranch for the ceremony?”
She nodded. “This is where we met and fell in love.”
The twins stood nearby, arrayed like princesses in dainty white dresses with satin ribbons and flower crowns in their dark hair. Abigail giggled. Her dark brown eyes danced. Jane smiled, her dimples showing. They’d been as impatient as Noah and Grace for this day to arrive.
“Mr. and Mrs. Burgess, everyone,” Reverend Taggart announced with a hearty clap.
Noah leaned close to her ear. “Should I make my announcement now or later?”
“Now would be good, before they have cake to lob at you.”
“Right.” Curving his arm about her waist and tugging her against his side, he held up his hand. The noise gradually petered out. “Ladies and gentlemen, we want to thank you for coming out to celebrate our special day.”
His closest friends were seated on the first row of seats on loan from the hotel. In total, there were about forty people in attendance, including Amos and Opal Godwin with their newborn son. The expansive yard between the cabin and the creek had been transformed by Pippa and the hotel employees she’d bossed around. Tables swathed in white were loaded with silver trays piled high with meats, cheeses and fall vegetables. Pumpkins, squash and gourds, as well as cheery fall flowers set about the yard mimicked the trees’ autumn foliage. Wolf remained in the shade of a distant cottonwood, content to observe from afar.
It reminded Noah of the days he’d chosen to be alone, always the outsider. He hadn’t been content. He’d been lonely.
“Not so long ago, my friends thought it would be a good idea to spring a mail-order bride on me.”
Will stood and, facing the crowd, swept an elegant bow. Daniel winked at Grace. Laughter rippled through the air.
Gazing down at his bride, Noah didn’t care if the whole town witnessed how besotted he was with her. “Foolish man that I am, I didn’t at first understand how wise my friends had been in bringing her here. Thank the Lord, I didn’t succeed in running her off.”
Grace’s eyes grew moist. If he didn’t want his new wife crying within minutes of their vows, he’d better get to the point.
Turning his attention to the others, he said, “Now that I have a wife and family to care for, I’ve decided to pass the sheriff’s badge on to someone else.”
Gasps and whispers replaced the good humor. Will, Daniel and Gideon weren’t surprised because he’d discussed his decision with them at length.
“Hear me out, please. While I’ve appreciated the chance to be Cowboy Creek’s sheriff, being a lawman is not my true calling. Ranching is in my blood. I can’t give my all to both the town and this ranch. Grace and the girls are my priority now.”
“Who you got in mind, Sheriff?” Old Horace hollered from the back row.
“It sure ain’t gonna be you.” Gus elbowed his friend.
Noah extended his hand to the young man seated on their right, just behind Will and Tomasina. “I suggest you choose Deputy Buck Hanley. He’s got what it takes to make a fine sheriff.”
The deputy’s face registered humble surprise. He gave a deep nod to Noah.
Hanley had been instrumental in helping him sort Xavier and the gang members’ transport to Lawrence. The younger man had also personally escorted Frank Longstreet to a larger jail in Illinois, where he was awaiting trial. Apparently Frank’s influential friends weren’t eager to extend help to a child kidnapper. And now that he was behind bars, a handful of young women had contacted the Chicago authorities with tales of his personal crimes against them. Grace didn’t have to worry about her former brother-in-law bothering her again.
D. B. Burrows was still in their jail and would be there until Prudence arrived. Late last week, they’d received word from a sheriff on the opposite side of the state that they’d located her trying to board a train with a large sum of money. When she arrived, Noah would assist Hanley in the interview. As soon as they had court proceedings scheduled, he’d leave it in Hanley’s capable hands.
Will stood and raised a hand. “While we’re making announcements, I thought you’d like to know that Cowboy Creek has been chosen as the official county seat!”
The guests reacted with hoots and clapping.
“We can commemorate this momentous achievement tomorrow with a parade and town-wide picnic. Ri
ght now, we have a marriage to celebrate. Let’s eat!”
After the guests took turns congratulating them and slowly formed a line for the food, Grace anchored her arm about Noah’s lower back. “That went better than I thought it would.”
“The announcement or the ceremony?”
“The announcement, silly.” She laughed up at him. “I didn’t have any doubts about the ceremony.”
She’d supported his decision. Not surprising, since she was the first one to question his contentment with the job.
“Not a single one?” he teased, tapping her nose.
“Not a one. Well, there were a couple of times I thought you were going to kiss me before the reverend gave you permission.”
“I don’t need permission to kiss my bride,” he mock growled, landing a possessive kiss square on her lips. The heat of her small hand on his chest where she’d slipped it beneath his suit lapel seared through the fine cotton shirt.
Love for this woman pushed out every dark shadow from his past, leaving only hope for the future. He couldn’t wait for his family to meet her. They’d responded quickly to his letter, their relief almost leaping from the page. His father had expressed regret over the way they’d left things and asked if Noah would mind if they visited. He’d answered with a telegram, urging them to come at their earliest convenience. Two of his sisters were married, but the youngest one was still unwed and would be accompanying their parents. They’d be here in a matter of weeks, and he was already planning what all they’d do together.
“Are you hungry?” He caressed Grace’s neck. “Want me to get you a plate?”
“I could eat.” Her gaze assessing the festivities, she said, “And we wouldn’t want to offend Pippa. She’s gone to a lot of trouble.”
The demonstrative actress, arrayed like a harvest queen herself, was herding guests to the tables, answering questions, giving pointers to the servers. Gideon stood talking with Daniel’s father and Valentine Ewing, but his attention never left his new wife’s side. They’d married in August and, much to the locals’ dismay, were leaving in a week’s time. Pippa and Gideon assured them they’d be back within six months’ time. He’d worked a deal with the railroad to spend half of each year traveling and the other half working from their home in Cowboy Creek.
