by Faye Sonja
A collection? Knives, no doubt. Joshua hated it when he was right. He fought the urge to open his eyes. B.W.? Perry Lake? It couldn’t be a coincidence. Joshua’s blood started to boil. If B.W. stood for Big Willie, then Joshua didn’t want him anywhere near Perry Lake. His family was there. Faith…
The big one stopped his thoughts. “What’s he doing in Perry Lake? I heard Grim ain’t there anymore.”
Grim? Were they talking about Joshua? If they were, they didn’t know that the former Grim Reaper was sitting right next to them.
“Yeah, but after B.W. searched the Marshal’s house, he found a letter. Seems the Reaper is in love with some woman there. B.W. is going to take her out, send the Marshal a warning to back off.”
The blood in Joshua’s body ran cold. He thanked God for the gift he had just received, but hoped the information wasn’t coming to him too late. He was hours away from Perry Lake. Joshua looked over at the two men. They looked back at him, not recognizing him. Good. Joshua didn’t have time to arrest them. He’d be back for that. Instead, he needed to head to Perry Lake as quickly as possible.
Joshua stood, paid his tab, and walked briskly out the door. He stayed calm, not alerting the two men that anything was out of the ordinary. When he got to his horse and saw no one following him, Joshua knew his plan worked. He needed to rescue Faith and pray she wouldn’t die for his sins, just like his mother, Paula, so many years ago.
* * *
Faith woke up to a noise in the house. A window broke. Sometime the children couldn’t sleep and wandered around, but a broken window was out of the ordinary. She rose from her bed and started for the living room. Peter’s door opened. He was in his sleepwear. His eyes met hers. They both opened their mouths to speak, but were stopped by the sound of a lock jiggling. Someone was breaking into the house.
Faith started to panic. She opened her mouth once more, sure she would scream, but Peter placed a hand over her mouth. He then shook his head back and forth, forbidding Faith to make any noise. He was being so practical, but Faith could see the fear in his eyes as well. He was being smart, but he was still scared.
Peter motioned for Faith to follow him. They walked a few steps, and then ducked into Faith's home office where she kept some of her sewing supplies. Peter went to her desk, used a key, and popped it open. He pulled out her Browning M1900. Faith’s eyes widened. How’d Peter find the key to that drawer? What did he think he was going to do with her gun? Peter saw the question in her eyes and gave her a look that said, ‘Did you really not expect me to know how to open the desk drawer?’ Faith shook her head. She’d have to start keeping the gun in another room and far away from the children. “What are you doing?” she whispered.
The noise from the living room made them both jump again. Faith began to shake. She held her hand out for the gun. Peter shook his head, his eyes set hard on his stubborn face. Faith looked up at him with wide eyes and then held her hand out more firmly, but Peter didn’t budge. Instead, his look softened. He placed a hand on her shoulder and gave her a look that Faith assumed she was supposed to understand, but didn’t. She didn’t want to anyway. No way was Peter going to put his life on the line.
But Faith lost her concentration as she heard footsteps moving down the hall. The only light in the office came from the moon, but Faith saw the figure move by the door. He peered in and Faith could see his face. He looked so mean. She stopped breathing, afraid he’d be able to smell her or see her if she moved. His eyes looked around the room, but he didn’t see them. He moved on, probably believing that the bedrooms would more likely have people in them than an office would in the middle of the night. Faith almost gasped. The others. She couldn’t let him find them in their beds, but Peter had already thought of that. Peter moved past her. He never said anything. He never let the man know that he stood behind him. The bad man held a gun in his hand. That was all that mattered. Peter shot him and Faith screamed.
* * *
7
“You Swear to That?”
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“ … but she couldn’t marry a man.
She would never marry. ”
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When Joshua arrived to Faith’s house, no one was there, but he could tell that the door was broken into. He searched the entire house, but found nothing. Maybe the sheriff had gotten his telegram. Joshua sent one off in the first town he came upon. He tried not to let panic grip his mind as he headed for his horse, but he felt himself moving as if he were in a daze. The entire scene made Joshua feel as though he were having an out of body experience.
Joshua rode fast and didn’t let the horse come to a full stop when he arrived at the sheriff’s office. He ran into the room and everyone was there; Penny, Charlie, Kate, Samantha, Peter and Faith. Joshua’s eyes roamed over everyone, seeing everything. No one looked hurt, but his nerves wouldn’t allow him to see straight. He saw Faith move towards him right before he fell to his knees. She touched his shoulder. “We’re all right, Joshua. No one is hurt.”
He heard her words, but it was her touch that spoke to him more so than anything else. She was okay. She was really there. Joshua reached out and hugged her to himself, holding her around her knees, baring his face in her skirt. He didn’t say anything. He just allowed Faith’s hands to run over his face and hair. Her words continued to wash over him. She was alright; everyone was alright.
And at the moment, everyone seemed to move in. Joshua felt little hands touching him. He moved back from Faith and met Penny’s big brown eyes, surrounded by her long blond lashes. On his knees, they were almost the same height. Looking at her small round face, Joshua knew he loved her. He loved her so much. Penny must have sensed it, because she threw herself into his arms and Joshua hugged her to himself, not daring to let her go. All the children hugged him; Samantha, Kate and Charlie. They were all so very grateful to have been helped by Samantha. Joshua opened his eyes and looked up at Peter.
Peter’s dark eyes said so many things and Joshua gazed into those eyes, hearing every word. But just to make sure that Joshua understood, Sheriff Graves’ voice broke over the silence. “This criminal said he was after Faith because of you, Marshal.”
Joshua looked at Graves and Graves looked sad. It was as if the men in the room knew what was being said without saying it. Joshua put Faith in danger. Joshua should leave Faith alone. No. No, he didn’t want to. He needed her. He needed this family. But looking into Peter’s eyes again, Joshua knew it couldn’t be. Peter’s eyes were angry and the conversation that Joshua had with the young man only weeks ago came back. Peter would protect his family and anyone who tried to cause them harm would have to go through Peter first. Joshua caused them pain, and put them in harm’s way. Joshua had to go.
A part of Joshua broke as he slowly came to his feet. His eyes moved around the room until they landed on Big Willie’s. The man had a bandage wrapped around his arm and shoulder. A nasty look was on his face. He knew he was finished.
The sheriff spoke again. “Peter here shot Big Willie in the back of his shooting arm. He saved everyone tonight.”
Joshua sighed. Peter had stepped up. Maybe they didn’t need him after all. Moving towards the cell, Joshua looked Big Willie in the eyes.
The deranged man looked back at Joshua. “If the boy hadn’t got the drop on me first,” he began, with a smile on his face, “I would have killed them all. I would’ve skinned the little one alive.”
Joshua’s face slipped into that perfect blankness that he’d mastered long ago. “Open the cell,” he heard himself say aloud.
Graves went to stand by him, but Joshua didn’t turn. His eyes were only for the man locked behind bars, but that didn’t seem to bother the sheriff. “You can’t kill him. You gotta take him in, Marshal,” he said, patting Joshua on the back, reminding him that he worked on the right side of the law.
Joshua turned his head
very slowly to Graves, giving the man the same blank look. A neutral look. A look lacking emotion of any kind. “I won’t kill him,” Joshua said in a very bland voice.
Graves squinted his eyes. “You swear to that?”
Joshua’s expression or voice didn’t alter. “I have the right to apprehend the fugitive. Open the door, Sheriff.” Joshua rarely pulled rank, but he would tonight.
Graves just stood there, looking at the Marshal for a moment. Then he sighed and opened the door.
Joshua stepped into the cell and pulled out his gun almost immediately. Big Willie’s eyes went wide. Joshua held the gun steady, debating whether or not he would pull the trigger. He looked into Big Willie’s angry eyes and for a moment, Joshua thought about Peter. Peter’s angry eyes. Peter who wanted revenge against JJ. Was Joshua no better than Peter? Joshua sighed and put his gun away.
Big Willie opened his mouth to speak, but before he got a word in, Joshua pulled back his fist and quickly struck the man in the face. Big Willie went down and out like a light. Then Joshua handcuffed him, threw the man over his shoulder, and headed toward the door.
Faith met Joshua there.
Joshua walked out the door and Faith followed, closing the door behind her, making sure no one else followed them. Joshua turned towards her once the door was closed. There was little light outside and the snow falling from the sky blocked the stars.
Faith walked up to Joshua and nervously touched his free arm. In the last few hours, she’d made her decision. Life was short and she wanted whatever it would offer her. God sent her a blessing. Joshua was so much more than any woman could ever hope for in a man. He didn’t mind that she couldn’t have children and the look on his face when he’d hugged Penny said it all. Joshua loved her kids. Faith and her children could be enough for Joshua and Faith wanted to give this cowboy the world.
Her voice was shaky when she spoke. “When things settle down, I want you to come back.”
Joshua’s eyes met hers and there was pain there. A pain that Faith didn’t understand, but he shook it away when he said, “I can’t be with you, Faith.”
Faith moved back as though he’d hit her. “What? I don’t understand.”
Joshua’s hand came up to her face. “Because of who I am, you might always be in danger and I can’t afford to lose you. I can’t afford to be the one to cause you or your family any pain.”
Faith grabbed the hand that stroked her cheek. “But, I want you in my family, Joshua. I love you.”
Joshua’s face looked as though he’d been struck as well. It was as if Faith had said just the opposite. He closed his eyes to her. “Faith, oh how I’ve wanted to hear those words from your lips.” His eyes opened again. The pain still there. “But, I can’t put you or the kids in danger ever again.”
Faith’s voice was pleading now. “But, Joshua.” She tried to search for the right words to make him stay, but nothing good came to mind. So, she said the first thing that did, and with it there was anger. “Don’t you break my heart, Marshal.”
Joshua smiled, his hand still on her face. “I love you, Firefly. I’ll always love you.”
Faith’s hold on his hand tightened. “Then don’t leave us.”
“I have to.”
“No.”
Joshua’s face fell, slipping away from any emotion. “Let me go, Faith.”
Tears began to slip down Faith’s cheeks. Everything he was feeling seemed to be grabbing at her heart. She didn’t want him to leave, but she knew she couldn’t hold onto him all night. She let go of his head, but not of her feelings for him. She wasn’t going to just let Joshua walk out of her life. Not after everything he’d ever said to her and done for her. No. He was hers and she’d see to it.
Joshua’s hand slowly slid away from her face, and Faith felt her heart go with it. She was his and he was hers. That’s just the way it was. She stopped crying and watched as Joshua walked to his horse. She stood there as he tied the man to the back of it and climbed on top. With one final glance, Joshua rode off. Faith watched him go, vowing that she’d find a way to have him.
* * *
Faith’s hands shook as she finished putting the final touches on Hannah’s dress. Katherine and Paula were in the room as well. It was the day that Hannah was to renew her vows with Mark. All the women were dressed and ready to go, but Faith wanted to make sure that Hannah looked amazing.
“Are you done yet?” Hannah asked, anxiously.
Faith sighed. “I’ll let you know when I am,” she said with a touch of agitation in her voice. Hannah had already asked that question a hundred times.
Hannah laughed. “Sorry.”
There was a knock on the door. “Is my daughter ready?” It was Mr. Grace, Hannah’s father.
Faith rolled her eyes, but smiled. The man had been absent for most of Hannah’s life, but now he was back and couldn’t get enough of Hannah.
“Faith,” Katherine said as she fluffed Paula’s blond hair. The little girl was the cutest flower girl Faith had ever seen. “We’ve got to get a move on.”
On that note, Faith was finally finished. She stepped back and looked at her work. Hannah’s long black hair was done in waves, cascading down her back. Her dress was nothing but the finest lace patterns that climbed up her neck and then seemed to form over her small frame.
The knock on the door made everyone move. Faith opened the door and let dad and daughter have a moment. Hannah was already married to Mark, but there was still something beautiful about the moment in the air.
Once their moment was over, everyone went into the hall and joined their walking partner.
Hannah and her father took the front. Daniel and Katherine were next. Faith walked in the back of the line and her eyes landed on the only man she loved. Joshua was dressed in a black suit that matched Daniel’s. He looked so powerful in it. His presence never ceased to amaze Faith. Joshua was looking straight ahead, as if not daring to look her way. He closed his eyes and when they opened, the dark orbs were looking at her. The world just seemed to come to a stop around them. This was the first time they were seeing one another since the night Joshua left with Big Willie on the back of his horse.
Joshua let out a shaky breath and took every inch of Faith in, as if to remember this moment forever. She was just as beautiful, if not more beautiful in her pale blue dress. She’d done something to make her green eyes stand out. Their flicker locked Joshua in place. Joshua’s eyes took in the freckles that graced her nose, her small mouth, her long red hair done into wild curls and waves that danced around her head.
Joshua’s heart stopped. Sitting on top of Faith’s head, laying still against her bed of curls, was a jewel the same color as her dress. The jewel was in the shape of a firefly. Joshua’s eyes locked with Faith. He’d gotten the message. He just wanted to be sure what that message was and what he should do with it.
The music started, harnessing his attention. Faith held her hand out and Joshua realized that he was supposed give her his arm. He moved to do so and the moment they touched, Joshua wasn’t sure if he could let her go again.
They walked, arm in arm, down the short aisle of the church. Everyone from Perry Lake was in attendance. It was one of the biggest events the town had seen. Friends of the bride and groom were there to see Mark, the town Casanova, dedicate himself once again, to the beautiful Hannah, who’d quickly stolen the hearts of everyone in town, including the one of her own husband. But Joshua’s eyes were only for Faith.
They finally reached the front, and Faith dropped her hold of him. The music stopped and the pastor began speaking the words that everyone knew were coming. Does the Groom take his Bride to live together under God’s Holy Estate of matrimony? Will he love her? Comfort her, honor and keep her, in sickness and in health, and forsaking all others, will he keep thee unto her as long as they both shall live?
Joshua’s eyes stayed locked with Faith’s and there was only one answer. “Yes.”
Shock registered on Faith’s
face right after Joshua realized he’d spoken aloud. A loud gasp came from the room, but no one else mattered, only Faith. Joshua turned to her and didn’t give her a chance to speak. Once he faced her, he pulled her into his arms, tilted her face to his, and kissed her fully on the mouth.
* * *
Epilogue
A loud ring of cheering caused Joshua to pull back and gaze into the eyes of his new bride. Faith was his now. They were at their own wedding. After Hannah’s wedding, Faith planned her own for the spring and it was everything she’d ever wanted.
Faith looked around and smiled at the friends who came to see her marry the man of her dreams. Mark, the church pastor, cited the holy words to both of them. Her children took vows too. Peter and Daniel both stood behind Joshua as his groomsmen. Katherine and Hannah stood behind Faith. Everything was perfect. Everything was so much more than Faith could have ever hoped her wedding to be.
Joshua’s hands going to her waist drew a surprised gasp from her lips. He threw her into the air and spun her around. Faith laughed, holding on to her bouquet for dear life. When Joshua finally stopped spinning her, he planted her to himself, gazing up into her eyes.
His smile stole her heart once again. “I love you, Firefly.”
Faith kissed him, unable to resist herself. “And I love you, Marshal.”
The applause continued as Joshua put her down, grabbed her hand, and ran out the front door of the church. Together, they ran out into the sun, basking in their love, happiness, and every undeserving gift that God had ever blessed the people of Perry Lake with.
* * *
LOST, ABANDONED & SECURED BY HER ONE-ARM HERO
THREE BRIDES FOR THREE WAR COMRADES
