by Jodi Thomas
“I thank God that He brought you into my life. Here’s a promise I’m making to you. I’ll not only be your strength today but every day for the rest of our lives. I will fight your fight. I’ll dry your tears, my love. And if you think I’ll throw you to the wolves you have another thing coming. We belong together for the rest of eternity.”
Chapter 10
Breaking off her engagement with Theodore occupied all of Rue Ann’s thoughts on the ride into town. This would be the first order of business before she and Logan confronted her father.
Seated beside her in the buggy, Logan drove. He’d tied his horse onto the back so they’d have transportation after she left the buggy at Bent Tree. Doubtless her father would insist on that. She cast him a sideways glance, admiring the firm set of his chin and the broad shoulders that would hold her up when she didn’t have strength.
She loved this man.
Devlin Spencer had a lot to answer for. She and Logan could never get back the time they’d lost.
Pulling to a stop in front of the Ambassador Hotel, Logan took her hand. “Are you sure you don’t want me to go with you?”
Rue Ann shook her head. “This is something I need to do alone.”
“If you’re sure.” He stepped from the buggy and went around to help her down.
When his hands lingered on her waist, she very nearly changed her mind. The heat of his nearness banished the chill of the rain-cooled breeze.
“I’ll wait for you,” he murmured in her ear.
She had almost made it to the hotel door when the Barlow sisters called from across the street. They seemed in a hurry to talk to her. Logan joined her on the sidewalk, his hand resting on the small of her back.
The sisters were quite out of breath by the time they reached them. First one sister then the other related the sordid events that’d taken place between Theodore and Celeste.
“He’s at the train depot now about to leave town,” Miss Emily finished.
“Good riddance, I say,” spouted Miss Charlotte.
Remembering what Logan had told her concerning the Barlow sisters’ cunning, Rue Ann smiled. “I don’t suppose you ladies had anything to do with Theodore getting caught.”
Miss Charlotte blushed. “Well, we might’ve had a little something. But that’s just between you, me, and the fence post.”
“You and that weasel really weren’t suited, dear,” Miss Emily chimed in. “I take it everything worked out with you and Mr. Cutter?”
Rue Ann met Logan’s gray eyes and her heart beat wildly. “It did indeed. The wedding will be on Valentine’s Day only with a different groom. To delay it would waste a perfectly good dress.”
And there was no reason left to talk to Theodore. They really had nothing to say to each other. She felt lighter than air as Logan helped her back into the buggy.
The care he took of her made her feel very cherished.
Devlin seemed to have been expecting them when Rue Ann and Logan reached Bent Tree. Her mother was waiting also. From all appearances, Devlin and Jenny had been arguing.
Rue Ann clutched Logan’s hand tightly as she entered the luxurious sitting room. She wished she weren’t so nervous but she was all the same. Her father always had this effect on her.
When she wanted to sprint for the door, she met Logan’s clear gaze and saw him mouth the words “I’m right here.” That calmed her. No matter what transpired, no matter what anger Devlin heaped on her head, no matter what he threatened, she’d still have Logan’s love.
“You have a lot of explaining, young lady,” Devlin started in. “I take it you spent the night in Cutter’s company. How you can disrespect me—”
“Hold it right there, Father. I won’t have you belittling or intimidating me.” Rue Ann took a deep breath. Her voice was strong when she continued. “I wouldn’t show my face if I’d done what you did. You’re a cruel, spiteful man. I didn’t know how much until yesterday. I know about your lies and manipulation. Yes, I spent the night at Logan’s and I’m proud to say I enjoyed it, but I’m not here to explain. I’m here to give you the conditions under which you’ll abide or—”
“Who are you to lay down the law to me, little girl?”
Logan wouldn’t keep silent any longer. His deep timbre held warning as though he spoke to a snake about to strike. “She’s your daughter and she deserves to be treated with love and respect. I’ll not have you speaking to her as if she’s a bug under your foot waiting to be squashed.”
Fire shot from Devlin’s eyes as he addressed Rue Ann. “You’ll give up this ranch and everything you have for him?”
She met Logan’s eyes. “Yes. I figure that’ll be a good trade-off. I’ve found something far better than a piece of land. If you can’t respect our decision, so be it.”
Rue Ann’s mother turned to her husband. Her voice shook with anger. “I told you there would be consequences for what you did. You wouldn’t listen. You never do. You think you can do whatever you wish and no one will say a word to the powerful Devlin Spencer.”
“Mother, did you know?” Rue Ann prayed she’d say no. She needed her mother to be innocent.
Tears filled Jenny’s eyes when she answered. “I didn’t know everything until recently. And your father threatened me; said I’d regret it if I told you. Please forgive me. I’m so sorry. I should’ve stood up to him years ago. If I had, things would’ve been different.”
Rue Ann went to her mother and folded her arms around the woman who’d brought her into the world. “There’s nothing to forgive. You didn’t deliberately set out to ruin my life.”
She swung to face her father. “Logan and I are going to marry day after tomorrow on Valentine’s Day. We’d love to have your blessing, but understand this, we’re tying the knot no matter what you do or say. We’ve wasted far too much time being apart, miserable and alone.”
“And that’s the way it is?” Devlin asked stiffly. “I get no say in the matter?”
“No, sir. None at all.” Logan drew Rue Ann into the circle of his arms and pulled her close. They presented a united front. Nothing could destroy them now. “This is our decision and you’ll have to honor that.”
“I see.”
“Stop being so god-awful stubborn, Devlin,” Jenny admonished. “Tell them you give your blessing.”
“It appears you’ve left me no choice. In that case, Cutter, welcome to the family.” Devlin stretched out a hand to Logan and the men shook.
Rue Ann let out the breath she’d been holding. Everything was going to be all right.
Valentine’s Day dawned fresh and clear. She felt like a newborn babe seeing the world for the first time.
Rue Ann stretched. This was her wedding day. In a matter of hours she’d be Mrs. Logan Cutter.
They had so much in common. After confronting her father, they’d ridden out to her property on Dutchman Creek. As expected, Logan took it all in with awe and reverence. He’d proclaimed it to be a piece of heaven on earth. They’d decided to build a house there in the little valley. But while they erected the house, they’d live on the ranch he’d bought and maintained with his own hands and the sweat of his brow.
How could she ever have thought him capable of taking her father’s bribe to stay away from her?
Logan had more honor and more strength than anyone she’d ever known. Oh, how she loved that man!
The bedroom door opened and her mother entered. “Rise and shine, lazybones.” She pulled back the curtains. “You have some visitors.”
Rue Ann threw back the quilt. “This early?”
Her mother smiled. “The Barlow sisters pay no attention to time. They live by their own special clock.”
After hurriedly dressing, Rue Ann went downstairs to the sitting room and greeted her callers. Shock rippled through her to see Miss Charlotte in a lovely royal blue dress. “Ladies, how nice to see you.”
Miss Charlotte smoothed the skirt of her new frock. “We hope you’ll forgive us for the early morni
ng call, but we wanted to catch you before you headed into town.”
“What a beautiful dress. It’s quite stunning on you.”
“Sister decided to give up her white wardrobe in favor of something with more color,” Miss Emily explained, still outfitted in her funeral garb. “She had her heart set on being a nun, you see. Charlotte wanted to remind herself to stay pure for her calling.”
“But I decided that I was being foolish. I believe the good Lord put all the colors of the rainbow on earth for us to find enjoyment.” The older Barlow sister’s voice lowered to a whisper. “I saw this dress in Mrs. Fitzhugh’s shop and it took my breath away. I wanted it right then and there.”
“Well, it’s quite lovely.”
“You’re probably wondering what we’re doing here.” Miss Emily handed a brightly wrapped gift to her. “A little something old for your wedding.”
Rue Ann opened it and lifted up the most exquisite pearl necklace. “This is ... this is too much.”
“Nonsense. It belonged to our mother. We want you to have it. We insist.” Miss Charlotte stood as if to signal the end of the discussion. “Come along, Sister.”
Rue Ann put her arm around each of the sweet ladies and kissed their wrinkled cheeks. “I’ll wear it with pride. I wouldn’t be marrying Logan if not for the two of you. Thank you for all your help.”
Three hours later, just as the clock on the town square struck eleven, Logan stood at the front of the church waiting for his bride. His chest swelled. He didn’t think he’d ever been so happy in his life.
Rue Ann would soon be his wife and they’d begin their journey side by side, through thick and thin, rain or shine, hay or grass.
He allowed it wouldn’t be easy. They’d encounter bumps in the road and maybe have to go around some of the wallowed-out parts. But they’d make it. He had no doubt about that.
Another thing he harbored no question about—he’d finally put the ghost of his father to rest.
He’d proven he was a man.
Come to find out, he’d been one all along. It had just taken a while to know it.
Matthew Cutter slapped him on the shoulder. “Are you ready to do this, little brother?”
Logan returned Matthew’s grin. “More than anyone knows. I waited a long time for this moment. Thought it would never happen for a while there.”
“Just shows it pays to never give up.” Matthew’s wife, Lucy, straightened his jacket and brushed off some lint. “You make a fine-looking groom. Remember now, anytime you want some lessons on rearing children, we’ll be glad to loan some of ours out for you to practice on.”
He laughed. “That’s mighty generous, Lucy.”
All of sudden a luxurious carriage with the Bent Tree brand emblazoned on the side pulled to a stop in front of the church. Logan couldn’t think of a more fitting mode of transportation for the most beautiful woman in the world. “Excuse me. My bride is here.” He strode confidently forward to help Rue Ann alight.
The sight of her made it hard to draw in air. She was the reason he’d been born.
He tucked her arm around his. “Darlin’, we’re going to make some good-looking children. They can’t help but be the spitting image of their mother.”
A blush rose to Rue Ann’s face and spread across her cheeks. “Flattery will get you everywhere, my soon-tobe husband.”
Logan’s breath ruffled the silky hair at her temples when he leaned close and whispered, “I can’t wait to get you alone.”
“And what do you have planned, pray tell?” Her teasing grin made his stomach turn somersaults.
“I’m better at showing things than talking about them.”
“You wicked, wicked man. I love you, Logan.”
“All right, that’s enough.” Rue Ann’s father gruffly broke into their private moment. “Make an honest woman of my daughter, Cutter, before you bed her right here on the church steps.”
Rue Ann gasped. “Father!”
“It’s all right, darlin’, I’m a patient man,” Logan assured her.
Several times during the ceremony, Logan’s throat closed with overwhelming emotion. He took his vows very seriously. This was one thing he meant to get right.
He couldn’t take his eyes off his bewitching bride. He was without doubt the luckiest man alive.
When it came time to seal their vows, he swept Rue Ann into his arms. His lips covered hers hungrily.
“Happy Valentine’s Day, darlin’,” he murmured against her mouth. “I’ll love you forever, and then I’ll love you some more.”
Loving Miss Laurel
PHYLISS MIRANDA
Loving Miss Laurel is dedicated to my sisters, Mary Kathleen and Martha Ann, who are very special and mean more to me than they’ll ever know. I love you both.
In memory of:
Our sister, Clara Paulette Pannier Duncan, March 8, 1948 to May 8, 2001.
Rest in peace, precious sister.
Chapter 1
Texas Panhandle
February 1887
Hunter Campbell entered the Sundance Saloon with an attractive darlin’ hanging on his arm, as well as his every word. He looked forward to this afternoon’s meeting about as much as trying to keep a pack of wild dogs away from a newborn calf.
He nodded to one of the two bartenders, who came from behind the bar and headed his way with glasses and a bottle of whiskey.
The cuddly thing on Hunter’s arm leaned into him, pressing her ample, overly exposed breasts against his bicep and spoke only loud enough for him to hear. “Good luck. Not that you ever need it.”
Before he could reply, she gave him another press of her breasts, ran her palms up the front of his brocade vest, over his starched shirt, and straightened his tie. She whispered, “I’ll be over at the Coyote Bluff waitin’ on every handsome inch of you.”
“I’ll be there as quick as I can, darlin’.” He returned her kiss on the cheek with a light pat on her rear.
Adjusting the gawd-awful hat perched on her head, she turned and sashayed out the door, as if to say to the other women, “I’ve just marked my territory, so stay away from my man.”
The bartender, a short, seasoned man with curly black hair, set the Black Jack and glasses on the table, before settling in the chair across from Hunter.
“You still going through with your plans to convince the knuckleheads of this one-horse town that we need that confounded railroad, so we can become a big citified railhead?” With bony, weather-worn fingers, Stubby poured drinks, and slid one over to Hunter. “You know our womenfolk are wantin’ a library pretty damn bad. It’ll be a tough sale, Hunter, even if we’re made the county seat.”
“I’m plannin’ on doing everything I can to make sure it happens. It’s been a goal of mine for as far back as I can remember.” Hunter surveyed the room. “We need it. As mayor, it’s my obligation to do everything I can to improve the town. If the railroad bypasses us and goes over to Panhandle City, or that new town Berry platted this side of the Frying Pan Ranch, Farley Springs will dry up and blow away like tumbleweeds on a windy day. We gotta make this town attractive to the merchants who will want to set up shop here.” Hunter took out his gold pocket watch and checked the time.
“And you think paving Main Street will do the job?” Stubby took a sip. “Ever since I’ve known you, Hunter, and that’s comin’ up onto what—nearly thirty years now—you’ve always been a dreamer. Just like your paw, you see everything bigger than life.”
“You know my life’s complicated—”
“Of your own makin’.” Stubby laughed. “But I guess following in your paw’s footsteps as a cowman hasn’t been easy. You know he’d really be proud of what you’ve done to that spread of yours.” Stubby leaned forward and stared straight into Hunter’s eyes. “The Triple C wouldn’t be what it is today if it hadn’t been for you, son—always lookin’ into the future.”
“I may be an idealist, but I promised Paw on his deathbed that I’d see that our family was
never poor again, and I plan on keeping that promise.”
Stubby leaned back in his chair. “Why didn’t you have this shindig over at your saloon across the street anyways?” he asked, then added, “As if I don’t already know the answer.” He let out a low laugh. “Keep the money flowing into the Coyote Bluff. Right?”
“Don’t forget that I’m part owner of the Sundance and guess I can hold a meeting here if I want.”
“You better not let your mama hear you say that. She’ll tell you damn straight that you might be but the mice have more ownership than you.”
They both laughed.
“You know me pretty damn well, Stubby.”
“Yep, I sure do.” Stubby lowered his voice, then continued, “Heard a bit of news that I reckon you’ll be interested in. Laurel Dean Womack’s back in town.”
“Why do you think that’d be of any interest to me? I care about what’s going on with her about as much as I care how many trips to the outhouse you make a day.”
“Humm,” Stubby guffawed. “You sure as hell have a strange way of showing it by the way you look at her. You might be able to fool some of ’um around here, but not me.”
“Her aunt and uncle sent her off to some floozy school back East after her parents died and before Paw passed, and I haven’t heard hide nor hair from her since, not that I care,” he half-lied.
Stubby pushed his chair back and pulled to his full five-foot-height by five-foot-width stature. “Gotta get busy. Got a lot goin’ on this afternoon with this blasted meetin’, plus your mama gave me Cal as a backup and you know how patient he is.” He headed toward the bar, but before he got out of earshot, he spouted, “Maybe with your luck, you’ll run into Miss Laurel.”
“Don’t bet your best redheaded heifer on that.”
Hellfire and brimstone, bring on the matches ... why had Stubby mentioned Laurel Dean Womack? Hunter hadn’t seen her in years.
