“His badge? Why?”
“Says he thinks it’s about time to step aside. Seems he’s just discovered he doesn’t hear that well.”
She grinned. “Outlaw to sheriff. That’s rather sudden, isn’t it?”
“I’m getting used to the unexpected.”
“Will you take the job?”
“I can always earn a wage building things, but I would like to build lives—like you and Procky.” He kissed her and then whispered against her lips, “Not all lives can be changed, but if I can change one, then I’ve made a difference.”
“You can handle those hoodlums?”
“I’ve handled you, haven’t I?”
She playfully boxed his chin.
“Well? What about it? Ready to make this permanent?”
“You and me?”
“You and me.”
“Is this a marriage proposal?”
He kissed her again. “If you want, I’ll get down on my knees and beg you to marry me.”
“Oh, dear. And I’ve promised myself I’d never entertain the idea of marriage to a man who has two black eyes and a split lip,” she teased.
He shrugged. “Life’s little problems.”
She nodded solemnly. “In that case, I accept.”
He lifted a skeptical brow. “Just like that? What about your schooling? Your plans?”
“I’ve decided that I don’t want to go to school. I want to write.”
“Write? Books?”
“Novels. I enjoyed doing research for Procky, but I’ve discovered what I really love is the writing part. Putting words on paper, writing what’s in my heart.” She hugged him tightly. “And there’s no reason I can’t do that right here in Barren Flats.”
He smiled, touching his nose to hers. “Barren Flats is my home, isn’t it? And the judge needs looking after. Then there’s the cat to consider.”
Minnie and Estelle pretended unusual interest in a spool of thread, allowing the young folks their privacy.
“Until you came along, I hadn’t let myself think about marriage, family, and home,” he whispered. “All I could think about was killing Bledso. But you—and the Good Lord—changed that. I guess he’s been working on me all along, but until I met you I didn’t know that family and the love of a good woman were better than bitterness and anger. You thought all those nights you read the Bible aloud that I wasn’t listening.”
“But you were.”
“I was. I’d heard it all before, but after I met you, and witnessed your faith, I began to accept that God judges, not me. I can put the problem in his hand.”
She tucked her head beneath his chin. “It’s hard, I know, but it’s the only way we can live with real peace. God will judge evil.”
“I love you, Ragan. I’m sorry it took me so long to admit it.” Lifting her off her feet, he swung her around, laughing. “I love you, woman!”
“My, my,” Estelle mumbled, stuffing another pin in the corner of her mouth. “This is goin’ to be a headache. I suppose now you’ll be wanting your wedding gown yesterday.”
Epilogue
Proctor McMann’s parlor was overflowing late Saturday afternoon, the twenty-eighth day of October.
Ragan had insisted the wedding ceremony be limited to immediate family, but that didn’t keep Minnie and Mazilea from filling the sitting room with baskets of mums and baking for two days straight prior to the service.
All of Barren Flats was invited to share the joyous occasion of Johnny McAllister and Ragan Ramsey’s nuptials with a celebration immediately following the ceremony. A large picnic and street square dance were planned and predicted to go on until the wee hours of the morning.
Fulton Ramsey sat on the bride’s right. Holly, Jo, and Rebecca wore their Sunday best, with flowers in their hair. Mary had graciously offered Ragan her wedding dress. Ragan had always thought the girl a bit spoiled, but when she had protested, Mary had said that a gown that pretty needed to be worn more than once. So, today Ragan had it all. The gown of her dreams and the man of her heart.
The best man, Kitty, sat on her haunches to the right of Johnny, a blue ribbon around her neck. Everett, Carl Rayles, and Rudy Miller served as groomsmen.
Judge McMann beamed on the gathering with a grandfatherly smile.
“Do you, John Franklin McAllister, take Ragan Judith Ramsey to be your lawfully wedded wife? Will you love her, honor her, keeping her only to yourself, as long as you both shall live?”
When Johnny turned to Ragan, she saw his promise clearly written in his eyes. “I do.”
“Do you, Ragan Judith Ramsey, take John Franklin McAllister to be your lawfully wedded husband? Will you love him, honor him, keeping him only to yourself, as long as you both shall live?”
“I do.”
The wedding party laughed when Kitty batted her paw at the judge’s shin, adding a resounding “Meeeow.”
Judge McMann closed the Bible. “Then it is my great and personal honor to pronounce you man and wife. May God’s love shine on you and your marriage. May your days be long upon this earth and your blessings too numerous to count. And, I will personally add, may you be as happy fifty years from today as you are at this very moment. Now, come here and give this old man a kiss from the prettiest bride Barren Flats ever produced.”
Smiling, Ragan handed her bouquet to Holly, pecked the judge on the cheek, and then turned into the waiting arms of her husband.
Gold-and-brown banners proclaiming the McAllister/Ramsey marriage lined Main Street. The smell of beef roasting over an open pit filled the air. The women were turned out in their Sunday best, and fiddles tuned up near the bandstand.
Beneath a beautiful star-studded night, Johnny McAllister stepped onto the floor of a gaily decorated gazebo and claimed a waltz with his bride.
Shorty Lynch good-naturedly handed Ragan over with a knowing wink. “Take care of her, son.”
Johnny’s eyes locked with his bride’s. “I will, Shorty.” Thank you, Father.
Ragan settled into her new husband’s arms, marveling at life. Not long ago she had believed she would never find true love and that Johnny would drift through life, never knowing love or family ties. Tonight, he was here in her arms, and her joy was immeasurable.
Johnny gazed down at her, his love openly displayed. “Hello, Mrs. McAllister.”
“Hello, Mr. McAllister.”
He chuckled, pulling her closer. “Happy?”
“Very happy.”
Closing his eyes, Johnny drank in the nectar of forgiveness. Of grace, as Grandpa’s words played through his mind. Johnny boy, the Lord will avenge your enemies.
For a while he’d forgotten that bit of wisdom, but no more. He would take care of the blessings God allotted him, and let God be God.
“And now, my dear husband, I have a wedding gift for you.”
“You do?” His face sobered. “Ragan, I didn’t buy you anything—”
“Pffff. Things don’t matter. I have everything I’ve ever wanted. Wait here.”
She felt his gaze follow her as she stepped off the dance platform and reached for a package the judge held out to her. Returning, she smiled. “Happy Wedding Day, Johnny McAllister.”
Johnny took the package and unwrapped it. Inside the box lay his grandfather’s pistol. Wetness stung his eyes, and he quickly blinked it back.
Gently wiping the lone tear that escaped him, Ragan whispered, “I was afraid it wouldn’t get here in time, but it came on the stage yesterday afternoon.”
Johnny’s voice was thick as he pulled her close and held her. “Thank you, sweetheart. Besides the shirts, it’s the best gift I’ve ever had.”
Ragan smiled as her husband held her in his arms. Johnny McAllister wasn’t going to feel unwanted or unloved ever again. She would make sure of that.
About the Author
Lori Copeland is the author of more than ninety titles, both historical and contemporary fiction. With more than 3 million copies of her books in print, she has developed a loya
l following among her rapidly growing fans in the inspirational market. She has been honored with the Romantic Times Reviewers Choice Award, The Holt Medallion, and Walden Books Best Seller award. In 2000, Lori was inducted into the Missouri Writers Hall of Fame.
Lori lives in the beautiful Ozarks with her husband, Lance, their three children, and five grandchildren.
Table of Contents
Title Page
Copyright
Contents
Prologue
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty-One
Chapter Twenty-Two
Chapter Twenty-Three
Chapter Twenty-Four
Chapter Twenty-Five
Chapter Twenty-Six
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Chapter Thirty
Chapter Thirty-One
Chapter Thirty-Two
Chapter Thirty-Three
Chapter Thirty-Four
Chapter Thirty-Five
Chapter Thirty-Six
Chapter Thirty-Seven
Chapter Thirty-Eight
Chapter Thirty-Nine
Chapter Forty
Chapter Forty-One
Chapter Forty-Two
Chapter Forty-Three
Chapter Forty-Four
Chapter Forty-Five
Chapter Forty-Six
Chapter Forty-Seven
Chapter Forty-Eight
Chapter Forty-Nine
Chapter Fifty
Chapter Fifty-One
Chapter Fifty-Two
Epilogue
About the Author
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