A Bounty Hunter and the Bride

by Vickie McDonough

“Understand what?” Dusty looked at Mason.

  “God has been prompting me to ask you over for Thanksgiving dinner, but Rebekah thought I must have gotten into some locoweed.” He grinned and peeked over his shoulder at his wife, who stood nearby talking with several women.

  “Are you sure? I don’t want to cause any trouble.”

  Mason nodded. “I’m sure. I’ve prayed about it for days. It wouldn’t be a concern normally—you know you’re welcome anytime—except that Katie is coming home for a week.”

  Dusty sucked in a gasp, then smiled. Would she notice a difference in him? Would she even want to see him? His joy deflated like a balloon. “I don’t know if that’s a good idea. Maybe she’ll feel awkward with me there.”

  “I thought about that, too.” Mason rubbed the back of his neck. “But I’ve prayed and believe this is what God wants. So you’ll come?”

  Dusty stared across the churchyard for a moment. How could he say no to seeing Katie and Joey again? “Yes, I’ll come. Thank you for inviting me.”

  “There’s just one thing. I hope you won’t press Katie to marry you—now that you’ve made things right with God.” Mason stared into Dusty’s eyes, as if measuring his sincerity.

  “I think you know I won’t. I’m willing to wait until she knows her heart. It’s like you said: If God wants us to be together, He’ll work it out, and spending this time apart won’t hurt things.”

  Mason nodded again and clasped Dusty’s shoulders. “You make me proud to call you a friend. God always works things out. We’ll see you on Thursday around noon.”

  Dusty watched Mason gather his family. He helped Rebekah onto the wagon seat and then lifted Deborah up beside her. Josh waved at him as he mounted his horse, and Dusty waved back. The twins darted toward him, but a sharp yell from their father made them stop and return to the wagon.

  Dusty didn’t realize how much he’d missed Katie’s family until he saw them again. He’d never been part of a large family, but he’d come to love the Danfields.

  Jimmy walked toward him, leading his horse. “You’ve been a stranger lately.”

  Dusty shrugged, not sure what to say.

  “I just wanted to tell you not to give up on Katie. We’ve talked, and I know her feelings for you run deep. She just needs some time to sort things out.”

  “Thanks. I’m trying to be patient, but I miss her more than I could have imagined. And little Joey, too.”

  “Katie’s always been one to rush into things without thinking, but when she does step back and look at the whole picture, most of the time she’ll make the right decision—as long as her stubbornness doesn’t get in the way.”

  Jimmy offered a smile resembling Katie’s so much that Dusty’s insides clenched. He sorely missed her and could only pray she felt the same.

  “Thanks for the encouragement. Will you be home for Thanksgiving? Mason invited me to dinner.”

  Jimmy gazed off into the distance. He had a restlessness about him that Dusty recognized because he’d once felt the same. A bolt of shock zigzagged through him as he realized he no longer had the restless spirit that made him travel from town to town, searching for outlaws for so long. He was ready to settle down again.

  “I reckon I’ll be there. But I’ve been thinking about going up to Tulsa. There’s been several oil strikes there, and I’ve heard tell drilling companies are hurting for workers.”

  “Your family will miss you if you go.”

  Jimmy nodded. “And I’ll miss them, but I can’t explain this tugging I feel. It’s almost as if I’m compelled to go.”

  Dusty wondered if it might somehow be God encouraging Jimmy to go, but he didn’t see how any good could come of it. Katie had told him how restless Jimmy had been since he fought in the war.

  “Have you tried praying about it?”

  Jimmy scowled. “I don’t pray anymore. It didn’t do any good during the war, so I washed my hands of God.”

  Dusty laid his hand on Jimmy’s shoulder. “I felt the same way, but Mason helped me see that I was wrong. God didn’t move away from me; I moved away from Him.”

  Jimmy shrugged off Dusty’s hand. “Yeah, well, that’s fine for you, but I don’t feel the same.”

  Dusty’s heart ached for Jimmy as he watched him ride away. He looked around and realized they were the last two people left in the churchyard. As Dusty made his way toward the diner, he prayed for Jimmy. He knew so much of what Jimmy was feeling, but God had turned Dusty’s life around; He could do the same for Katie’s brother, too.

  fourteen

  Katie pulled the blue flannel gown over Joey’s head and stuck his arms in the sleeves. Her little boy smiled up at her, turning her insides to warm grits. She’d never known such love in her life.

  A soft knock sounded on her bedroom door, and Uncle Mason leaned against the door frame. “We all missed you while you were gone but understand your need to be independent.”

  “Thanks. It’s so good to be home again, even if it’s only for a visit.” Katie smiled at her uncle as she slid the gown over Joey’s wiggly legs. “I’m done here and should get downstairs and help with dinner.”

  “There’s something I need to tell you.” Her uncle rubbed the back of his neck, and apprehension washed over her at the familiar gesture. “Dusty’s downstairs.”

  “What?” Katie pressed her hand to her chest, startled to the core.

  “I invited him.”

  She sat on the edge of the bed as frustration battled excitement. “Why would you do that after you told me we couldn’t marry?”

  He straightened and shoved his hands in his pockets. “I never said you couldn’t marry—just recommended against it at the time.”

  “But I still don’t understand why you would invite him for dinner, knowing I’d be here.”

  He pressed his lips together. “I can’t say I understand, either, but I felt the Lord wanted me to invite him. Besides, it won’t hurt you and him to talk. You did leave without saying good-bye.”

  Katie studied the dark red-and-blue-floral pattern on the rug. She knew leaving without talking to Dusty had been wrong. She needed to face him and apologize, and it looked like that would happen in the next few minutes.

  Uncle Mason walked over to the bed. “Let me haul this critter downstairs for you.”

  “Why didn’t you tell me sooner, so I had time to prepare?” Katie darted a glance in the oval mirror on the dresser, reattached some loose strands to the bun at her nape, and pinched her cheeks.

  “You just would have worried and stewed over things like you are now.” Joey squirmed and wiggled his arms as Mason tickled the boy’s belly. He picked up her son and walked out into the hall, then turned around. “Don’t be afraid to talk to Dusty. You might discover things have changed.”

  Katie wrinkled her brow. What could have changed in such a short time? Her love for him certainly hadn’t. If anything, it had grown stronger, even though she’d begged God to take it away. With each step she took downstairs, her anxiety rose. Had the separation proven to Dusty that his feelings for her were false? Was that what Uncle Mason had meant?

  The parlor was empty, so she followed her uncle into the kitchen where the family was already seated for dinner. The kitchen buzzed with excitement as the twins hovered around Jimmy and Josh, both talking at the same time. Deborah and Rebekah placed platters of fried chicken and biscuits onto the table. Dusty jumped to his feet and captured her gaze.

  Katie’s heart nearly stopped. For a time, it seemed as if no one else existed. Her heart pounded a ferocious tempo, and she wiped her slick palms on her skirt. Dusty’s ebony eyes bore into hers, but she failed to interpret their message.

  “Look who’s here.” Nate pounded Dusty on the shoulder, then sat next to him. “We ain’t seen ol’ Dusty in a coon’s age.”

  “Stop hitting him, Nathan, and don’t say ain’t.” Rebekah waved a spoon at her son.

  The connection broken, Katie grabbed a bowl of mashed potatoes and
set it on the table, then returned to the stove for green beans and sweet potatoes. When all the food was on the table, she took her seat across from Dusty. She needn’t have pinched her cheeks because she was certain they were flaming after blatantly staring at Dusty like she’d done. It was so good to see him again.

  Still, she couldn’t help glancing up at him as she ate. There was something different about him, but she couldn’t pinpoint it. He seemed to have a glow that wasn’t there before.

  The twins kept chattering, and Mason, Josh, and Jimmy talked about winter coming. Mason struggled to butter his biscuit as he held Joey in one arm. Katie pushed her plate back, having eaten only half her food. She was amazed she ate anything at all with Dusty constantly looking at her. “Pass Joey to me. I’m done.”

  Mason did as she requested, then picked up his fork in one hand and the knife in the other and dove into eating. Katie couldn’t help smiling.

  After enjoying her aunt’s delicious sweet potato pie, she helped clean up the kitchen while Dusty and the men watched Joey. Katie dried a dish as she peered out the window. She longed to get out of the house to cool off from the hot kitchen and have time to think.

  “I suppose you were surprised to see Dusty here.” Her aunt glanced out the corner of her eye at her as she washed a mug.

  “I can’t deny it was quite a shock.”

  “He likes you.” Deborah’s youthful smile beamed from ear to ear.

  Katie couldn’t help giving her cousin a nudge with her hip. “You think so?”

  Deborah nodded her head, making her opinion obvious.

  “I tried to dissuade Mason from inviting him, thinking it would make things awkward for you.” Rebekah set a cup in the rinse pan and gave her a sympathetic smile.

  “It’s all right. Honestly, I’m glad to see him again, even if we’re only friends.”

  Rebekah’s brows lifted, and she gave Katie a who-are-you-kidding smirk.

  Katie heard Joey’s frantic wail and could tell whoever was holding her son was coming toward her. Her heart nearly stopped when Dusty walked in, jiggling Joey on his shoulder.

  “Sorry, but he only wants his mama.”

  Katie laid down the towel, walked into the hallway, and took the baby from Dusty, trying not to touch the man she loved for fear he’d sense her affection. Joey suddenly quieted and turned his face toward her chest, mouth open. Katie moved him to her shoulder, sure her cheeks were flaming. She followed Dusty down the short hall and stopped near the stairs.

  “You want me to carry him up for you? Must be hard to manage stairs, a baby, and that long skirt.”

  Katie was moved by his concern. She jiggled Joey to keep him from squawking. “I can manage, but thank you.” She made the mistake of looking into his black eyes and lost herself there.

  “I missed you, Katie.” Dusty’s lips tightened.

  She looked away, then glanced back, knowing he deserved the truth. “I missed you, too, and I’m sorry for leaving without saying good-bye or explaining why I was going.”

  “It’s all right. I understand your need to live somewhere other than here.”

  His compassion was almost her undoing, and tears blurred her vision.

  Joey’s patience evaporated, and the boy started crying. Katie jiggled him faster, but he wouldn’t be soothed. “I need to feed him.”

  “Go ahead. We can talk later.” Dusty lifted his hand and held it to her cheek. The look in his eyes took her breath away.

  Half an hour later, Katie stood at the bedroom window, buttoning her blouse. As she tucked it into her wool skirt, she saw Dusty enter the barn with her uncle. Joey was asleep, and Dusty occupied, so now was her chance to take a walk.

  She donned her cloak, thankful that Deborah had agreed to keep an eye on Joey. He’d eaten so well that he should sleep a good two hours or more, so she wasn’t worried.

  The chilly November breeze teased her cheeks and lifted loose strands of hair. Autumn was a pretty time of year, but she dreaded the upcoming winter. Even though winters were often mild in the Oklahoma Territory, the colder weather made life on a farm more difficult.

  Her thoughts turned to Dusty. He’d looked better to her than Aunt Rebekah’s pie. Even though her love for him hadn’t diminished, there was still nothing to be done about it. She wouldn’t marry a man who didn’t love God as she did. She had nearly made that mistake twice, and it wouldn’t happen again.

  The dried grass crunched beneath her feet as she trod across the field toward the dirt road. It felt freeing to be out of the town, where she could see gently rolling hills clear to the horizon. The past few weeks away from home had given her plenty of time to read her Bible and seek God. She didn’t understand why God hadn’t taken away her love for Dusty, but rather than pine for him, she prayed.

  “Father God.” Katie stared up at the clear blue sky as she walked. “I ask You to take away Dusty’s anger and unforgiving spirit over what Ed Sloane did to him. Bring Dusty back into the fold, so he can know Your love and not have to live alone. He’s such a good man; You know how much I love him, but I give that love to You. If we are meant to be together someday, You’ll have to make it happen.”

  A warmth flowed through her. Giving her love for Dusty to God was the right thing to do. She bent down to pick some burrs from her skirt, but when she looked up, she realized she had walked farther than she thought. She turned around and headed back to the house, which was a good mile away.

  Behind her, she heard the pounding of horses’ hooves and turned to see if a neighbor was coming to visit. She lifted her hand over her eyes and scanned the riders. Her heart nearly plunged to her feet. She sucked in a gasp. No, it can’t be.

  Katie lifted her skirts, turned back toward the farm, and ran for all she was worth. Father, help me!

  The horses quickly closed the space, and Katie found herself surrounded by a pack of unkempt men whose expressions reminded her of ravenous wolves. The horses snorted and stamped their hooves. Katie stopped to catch her breath while her mind raced for a way to escape.

  “Well, well, who would have thought you’d make things so easy?”

  Katie cringed at the grating voice she had never expected to hear again. Gathering her courage, she turned to face Ed Sloane.

  Though trembling so hard she feared her legs would give way, she hiked up her chin. Showing her fear would only please her ex-fiancé. “How did you get out of jail?”

  His mouth, topped with a pencil-thin mustache she had once thought pleasing, turned up in an ugly sneer. “I always get out of jail, darlin’.”

  Katie dashed toward an opening between Ed’s horse and another. Ed charged his mount forward to close the gap. He nodded at two riders behind her. Katie suddenly felt herself being lifted in the air by two of Sloane’s henchmen and tossed in front of him on the horse. He’d slid back so that she now sat in his saddle. His arm slinked around her waist, and he tugged her back against his chest.

  His warm breath touched her ear as he chuckled. “Well, well, you’ve lost some weight since I last saw you. Not bad.”

  Katie pried at his tight grasp with her fingers. “You let me go. I have a baby who needs me.” She jabbed him with her elbow and kicked, making the horse prance sideways.

  His grasp loosened, but when Katie prepared to lunge off the horse, the cold metal of a pistol to her temple froze her in place.

  “You’re coming with me, and there’s no point fighting.” Katie blinked back her tears. Her throat burned. “Please, my baby is dependent on me. I can’t leave him behind.”

  “Too bad. If you want that sniffling baby to stay alive, you’d better cooperate.”

  Katie’s heart thundered at the thought of Joey in Ed Sloane’s evil hands, and she struggled to breathe.

  She settled in for the ride, knowing she couldn’t fight Sloane. For now, Joey would be safe with her family. They’d care for him. And her life would be in God’s hands.

  But how could she live without her son—even for a day? />
  And how could she live without Dusty for the rest of her life?

  Dusty knocked on the kitchen door, and Rebekah looked up from her worktable. “Has Katie come back downstairs? I’d like to talk to her.”

  Rebekah nodded and wiped her hands on a towel. “Yes, she went for a walk close to an hour ago. She headed down the road away from town.”

  “Thanks.” Dusty closed the door, walked to the barn, and saddled Shadow. If Katie had walked a long ways, she’d probably be relieved to have a ride back.

  Excitement churned in his belly. He’d talked in the barn with Mason, and Mason agreed that Dusty should tell Katie how he’d made things right with God. She’d be so happy to learn he’d put his anger behind him and was ready to get on with his life. Mason had even told Dusty if Katie still wanted to marry him, he would give them his blessing as long as Dusty gave her the time she needed to decide.

  He followed her footprints down the dirt road for close to a mile. His heart clenched. Fresh hoofprints surrounded Katie’s prints. Dusty lifted his hat and stared out over the desolate landscape. Far off, he saw what looked to be dust stirred up by riders.

  He swallowed hard and dismounted to examine the hoof marks. His eyes landed on a familiar square-shaped hoofprints made by Sloane’s horse. Chills charged up his spine. The ache in his heart became a fiery gnawing. Sloane had Katie.

  His Katie. The woman he loved with all his heart.

  Dusty pressed his palms against his temples and cried out. “God, how could You let this happen again?”

  He grabbed Shadow’s reins, leaped onto the saddle, and kicked his mount forward. Suddenly, he reined the horse to a stop. He had taken off his holster at dinner and couldn’t chase after Sloane unarmed. Stopped in the middle of the road, he wrestled between following his beloved and returning to the farm. Good sense won out over desperation, and he turned around, racing for the Danfield home.

  fifteen

  Armed with his pistol and a borrowed rifle, Dusty kicked Shadow into a gallop down the road after Katie. Mason and Jimmy followed right behind him. He’d lost valuable time going back, but at least he wouldn’t have to face Sloane and his gang alone and unarmed.