“I know you have a job to do, Declan. But that isn’t my job. I know you want me to testify, to make sure Jesse hangs, but none of that matters now. No one will care what I have to say.”
He squeezed her lightly. “Of course they will. They kidnapped you. They threatened your life. They left you for dead.”
“And I killed one of them,” she said flatly. It didn’t matter how much he sugarcoated it, it was still the truth. She was a murderer. Why couldn’t he see that?
“In self-defense. He would’ve killed you if you hadn’t taken that shot. I would’ve ran into that grove and found you bloody and dead.” His voice rose with each word. “I would’ve lost you.”
The last four words hurt. They made her want things she couldn’t have. Things that weren’t hers. “You mean you would’ve lost your witness.”
“No.” He pulled her tight against him, and she gasped. “I would’ve lost you. Don’t you know by now how much that would’ve killed me? I couldn’t have dealt with that, Ellie.”
She swallowed hard. He couldn’t be saying what she thought he was saying. “Why not?”
She wasn’t sure he would answer, but he finally said, “I care about you.”
Her shoulders deflated a little. Of course he cared for her. There was nothing to be disappointed about. After all they’d been through together, it was almost impossible not to care. But love was different. Had she actually thought he’d say those words? She was a fool. “I care about you too.”
They stood there in silence—watching, waiting. Neither moved, neither spoke. Could he hear her heartbeat? Could he feel how much she needed his kiss? How she needed a part of him to make sense of everything that had happened around her?
She was strong. She always had been, and she’d never needed another person. Especially not a man. At least, she hadn’t thought so. But in this moment, she needed him. It didn’t make her feel any less. She was still strong, if somewhat shaken. But having him with her made her stronger.
He believed in her. He saw the value in her. And because he did, she wanted to do even more. Be even more.
In the quiet night, his head lowered to hers, slowly, as if giving her a chance to run. She didn’t want to run. Not anymore. All of the fears and doubts and recriminations still burned in her heart, but in his arms, she was just a woman. Just Ellie. And she craved the relief he offered.
She lifted to her toes and met him halfway. Her lips savored his in long, slow, tastes. She sighed, arching in to him as they kissed, as if they had all the time in the world. No one chased them. She needed no guards. All she needed was this man. This amazing man who’d protected her, who made her feel safe. And strong.
Why had she thought running was such a good idea? She could do anything if she was with him.
When he pulled her in tighter, her heart raced. The kiss turned hotter, carnal, as they both gave to the other.
And as she opened herself to him, fully, entirely, the truth beat hard in her chest.
She loved this man.
Loved him more than anything she’d ever thought possible.
Awareness flooded her as she gave even more, loving him in every way she could, as emotion overwhelmed her.
He broke the contact and squeezed her tight enough she couldn’t move. Both sucked in breaths, unable to speak. as realizations crashed through them.
Words formed on her tongue, but she swallowed them, squeezing him even tighter. She couldn’t tell him what was in her heart. Not now. Maybe not ever.
She was bound to another man, and while she had every intention of breaking off her engagement, she owed Ivan an explanation in person.
But until Jesse and his gang was caught, she wasn’t free. She wasn’t free to go to Ivan, and she wasn’t free to give Declan her heart either.
She was trapped. Stuck in a dangerous middle, where life could turn on a dime. She might not make it through this ordeal alive.
She couldn’t live this way, always on the run. Always looking over her shoulder. Not now that she’d acknowledged her feelings for Declan.
She needed to end this. And she knew exactly how to do it.
She leaned back in Declan’s hold, thrilled when he wouldn’t release her. She hoped he never did. “I need to speak with Chief Marshal Marshall. Tonight.”
Chapter 12
The thing Declan hated most about his job was waiting. And that’s all there was left to do now that Ellie had gone over his head and offered to use herself as bait.
When she’d asked to speak with Marshall the previous night, he should’ve known what she was thinking. But he’d been too rattled, too distracted by the desire raging through his veins.
Had he ever really thought he could let go of this woman? Just last week, he’d been convinced he could walk away from her, that he could somehow go back to the way life was before he’d met her.
Idiot.
There’d be no moving on after her. She might be engaged, but when this was all over, he’d make certain she knew how he felt about her. And if she still chose this Ivan guy over him, well, he’d have to follow her to Montana and convince her he was the only man for her.
The idea almost made him smile. Almost.
He eyed the heaps of mashed potatoes, sliced turkey, corn, green beans, and steaming rolls. “I don’t think a Thanksgiving feast is entirely appropriate right now,” Declan said to the one woman his entire future hinged on.
Ellie placed cooked yams on the table, before turning toward him. “Why not?”
“Because we’re trying to catch a gang. We need to stay alert.” Could he sound any more uptight?
She rolled her eyes. “We still need to eat, Declan.” She straightened the pan. “Besides, I think having a Thanksgiving feast is entirely appropriate. What’s better than celebrating and giving thanks for all we have? We’re still alive. We’ve come so far, and we’re getting close to catching Jesse.”
He nodded as he watched her closely. He wasn’t sure if she believed everything she’d said or if she was saying it to convince herself. Either way, he’d agree to anything if it helped her. “This all smells really good. How were you able to cook something like this in the hotel?”
She flushed. “I didn’t. The cook felt sorry for me. Because I was missing my wedding,” she added, before glancing up at him for a reaction.
“That was kind of her,” he spoke evenly, focusing on not giving anything away. There would be plenty of time to tell her how he felt about her, but now wasn’t the time. Any second, the other marshals would join them. “The men and I don’t get home-cooked meals that often. And I can’t remember the last time I sat down to a spread like this. Thanks for arranging it.”
“It’s my pleasure. I didn’t cook much when I lived on my father’s ranch. Too many other things to do, to my father’s regret. ‘A man wants a wife who cooks,’” she mimicked in a deep voice.
He shrugged. “Not all. Sure, it’d be nice. But I wouldn’t say it’s a requirement.” Her eyes widened and he asked, “Did you and your father ever get along?”
She tried to brush off her astonishment. “Sometimes. When we were out working, it was never a problem. Especially when I was younger. I dealt with the few womanly things he required I do back then so I could become a lady, but I never enjoyed them and made sure he knew it. We really started having problems with one another when I became of an age to marry. He started pushing me more and more to pick someone to settle down with so I would stay indoors and have babies, rather than ride the ranch with him.”
“And that wasn’t working for you.” It wasn’t a question. He could see it plainly. While Ellie was gorgeous and feminine, she was also tough. Independent. Capable. He admired those qualities in her, knowing they made her unique. She met every single requirement he had in a wife. Sure, a hot meal and a clean home was nice, but having a woman by his side, one who would support him and work beside him, was priceless.
Women were scarce in the west, but a woman of Ellie’s c
aliber was even rarer. The need to hold her, to keep her by his side, overwhelmed him. “Ellie—”
The other marshals entered the room, and all the words Declan wanted to say were swallowed.
“Woo! Sure smells good in here, Ellie.” Finn winked at her as he spoke. “No one will go hungry tonight.”
“I don’t think you ever go hungry,” Jack said dryly.
Chief Marshal Marshall hung up his hat and inhaled deeply, then sighed.
Declan eyed the ragtag group as Ellie ushered the men to their seats, doting on each one. All of the marshals were different, but they had a common thread, which kept them together and helped them do their job.
They craved justice.
They believed in what they did so fiercely, that they chose to give up the things others took for granted—a family, home, kids, and stability. Those things were completely foreign to the men in this room.
They sat at the table and Marshal Marshall said grace since he was the leader of the group. They passed food around the table to each other, and all were laughing and having a great time, until silence descended on the room when Ellie cleared her throat.
“I hope you all don’t mind, but on Thanksgiving, it’s customary in my family to go around the table and say something we’re grateful for. It doesn’t have to be personal, if you don’t want it to be, but I’m hoping you’ll indulge me.”
The men were quick to agree, and she knew they all felt sorry for her, but she didn’t care. “I’ll start.”
There was so much she wanted to say, so much she was grateful for. But as she looked out at the group of men, men who had willingly risked their lives to save her own, she could only say one thing, “I’m grateful I’m alive.” She nodded to them. “You’ve all done that. Thank you.”
“No thanks needed, ma’am,” Marshal Marshall said lightly. “But I’m glad you’re alive too. And since I’m already talking, I’m grateful for my job. Putting bad guys away sure is fulfilling.”
Finn mentioned his family back home, and Jack played it jokingly, saying he was grateful for the food. But then again, they never got meals like this, so maybe he was serious.
She turned her attention to Declan. “And you?”
His eyes stared into hers for a moment, before he said, “I’m grateful for the future.”
And in that moment, as his eyes searched hers, she felt he’d said something else entirely… I’m grateful for a future with you.
Her breath stilled. Was there a future for them? It seemed impossible, but right now, sitting around the table with the other marshals, it almost seemed plausible. The men here were like a family. They’d probably never admit to it, but there was a definite brotherhood. They may not want to settle down and put a wife and children in jeopardy, but they’d fight to the death to save one another.
They resumed eating, until Jack asked the Chief Marshal, “Any word yet?”
Finn elbowed him.
“What?”
Finn nodded toward Ellie.
She appreciated Finn’s concern, but she couldn’t run away from the topic, any more than they could. “It’s all right. I would like an update.” Plus, thinking about their plan would take her mind away from impossible thoughts of a future with Declan.
Marshal Marshall wiped his lips with a napkin, before tossing it on the table and leaning back in his chair. “We’ve begun to spread the word that you’ll be on a train heading to your groom on December first. It also happens to be one of the trains carrying the railroad’s payroll. With everything we’ve seen, they’ll already know about the load, and having you onboard will make it even more tempting.”
“But what if they don’t get the message in time? What if they miss it, or they don’t show up?”
Declan’s hand covered hers. “They’ll be there. I know Jesse. He’ll be prepared for a trap, but he’ll still show up. One way or another, he’ll get what he wants.”
Ellie swallowed. Declan had meant to be reassuring, but his words unnerved her. Because Jesse wanted her dead.
“We’ll get him before he even gets near you,” he said quietly. “I promise. He’ll never harm you again.”
She turned her hand over and squeezed his quickly. It wasn’t a promise he could make, but she appreciated it anyway. Things happened. Things no one expected. She would be ready, and prepared to do whatever was necessary to survive.
She took a deep breath. “Then I’ll be ready December first. Either way, this will end.”
And as they finished their Thanksgiving dinner, she hoped she would be sitting at a table next year, somewhere safe, and have the opportunity to still be grateful for her life.
Chapter 13
Ellie twisted her skirt around her finger as she stared out the train’s window. The scenery passed in a blur of white, her gaze unable to latch onto any one thing. That was exactly how she felt on the inside too.
“Everything’s gonna be just fine, Ellie. Try to relax,” Finn whispered to her from the seat behind her.
She immediately stopped her fiddling, frustrated she’d shown her nervousness. She didn’t answer Finn. It was better if she didn’t, they’d informed her. Finn had taken a risk in speaking to her, but he must’ve thought she needed the reassurance.
She had.
But she needed it from someone else.
She looked around the car again for Declan, but knew she wouldn’t see him. He couldn’t be out in the open, in case someone from Jesse’s gang was on the train.
She forced her gaze out the window.
Why had she agreed to do this? How had she gotten into this mess in the first place? She’d just wanted a different path than what her father had laid out for her. Was that so wrong? She hadn’t meant to embroil herself in a heist, be taken as a hostage, or any other number of things that had happened to her since she’d left Texas.
Would Ivan even still want her?
She shook her head. That wasn’t the right question. It didn’t matter if Ivan still wanted her or not. She couldn’t marry him. He might be able to give her a ranch of her own, but the price was too high. Marriage to the man had seemed insignificant compared to what she was getting in return, but things had changed.
She was in love with Declan.
It didn’t matter if she could never be with him. All that mattered was that he was out there. Alive.
The train’s wheels squeaked, and her gaze jerked forward, while her heart pumped.
They weren’t scheduled for a stop until they hit Promise Creek. And they were nowhere near there. She tried to slow her breathing, knowing she’d faint if she didn’t calm down. She needed to be ready, alert.
Her hands slowly slid into the folds of her skirt, and her right hand slipped into her pocket, clutching her loaded pistol.
She would fire it. She would not be a victim.
They were the prey here.
Gunfire exploded in the car ahead of them, and Finn rushed to the door. “Everyone stay down!”
One of the passengers stood.
Finn glared at the man. “I said stay down.”
The man smirked, and before Finn could angle his weapon at the man, the passenger fired his own gun.
Finn jumped too late. Blood splattered the train’s walls as other passengers screamed, frantic to flee, but there was nowhere to escape to.
Ellie rose quickly and pointed her weapon at the lone shooter. “Put your gun down.” Her voice didn’t shake, but her heart did. Could she really kill another man? “I said drop it!”
A gun cocked behind her, the same time someone tsked. “Now, Ellie, that ain’t nice. I thought you were a good girl.” Icy chills raced down her spine as McCoy wedged his gun between her shoulder blades. “Don’t do anything stupid, now. Put your gun on the floor.”
Her nostrils flared as she looked at Finn’s still legs, the rest of his body obscured from view. She didn’t know if he was dead or alive, but she couldn’t bear to leave him unprotected.
He jammed the gun in
to her back.
“All right,” she said, lowering her weapon to the floor. “I’m putting it down.”
“Kick it down the aisle.”
Her jaw clenched when she did as he’d asked. Now she had no weapon, and Finn was bleeding out, or possibly even dead. She raised her hands slowly. “Let me make sure he stays alive.”
McCoy laughed. “Why would I let you do that?”
“Because he’s a marshal. If he dies, you die.”
“I’ll hang regardless. It won’t be my first time killing someone.” She turned slowly to face him, and his eyes hardened. “And it won’t be my last.”
She saw a flicker in his eyes and jumped a moment before he fired.
White hot pain seared down her arm, but she dove for the gun she’d kicked away, shooting instinctively. McCoy went down with a howl, but his newest recruit jumped on her, slapping the weapon from her hand, before landing a punch to her jaw.
She lost focus from the blow, but she refused to back down, refused to make it easy for the man. Her fist flailed, connecting once, then twice more with her attacker, but her hits didn’t seem to have much effect.
He punched her in the stomach and she wheezed, unable to suck in more air.
This is it. I’m going to die.
“What are you doing?” Ellie barely heard Jesse as he ran into the passenger car. “Shoot her. Declan will be here any second.”
“With pleasure.”
Ellie closed her eyes on a prayer. She’d never told Declan she loved him. She’d wasted too much time, and now it was too late.
Another shot fired from behind her, and her attacker slumped over on top of her.
He’s dead! she thought, trying to muffle her screams of horror.
More shots fired around her as she pushed to be free of the lifeless form.
The second she was released, Jesse yanked her up by her hair into a tight grip. “Hold your fire, Declan, or you’ll hit her.”
He grabbed her arm, tightening his hold on her wound, and she screamed.
Declan stood in the open. “If you hurt another hair on her head, I’ll kill you.”
A Mail-Order Chance (Miners to Millionaires Book 5) Page 9
