“You said you wanted me here. Now I’m here and I want to know what you’re wanting. I don’t have anything you’d be interested in.” He called out to them, no doubt trying to create the distraction they needed.
“Where’s KodyAnne?” Michael whispered.
Charlotte looked toward the window. “She was right behind me.”
KodyAnne’s boot came out the window and within seconds she slipped to the ground.
Michael motioned to her. She waved something at him. Some sort of tube? No! She held a stick of dynamite. Two sticks. One in each hand. The faint glow on the end of one wick caused his heart to stop then take off in a painful pounding. What was she doing? He moved toward her, but she shook her head.
Charlotte grabbed his arm. “No, leave her alone. They’ll see you, and they won’t come near her. She’s smart and knows what she’s doing. You can protect her from here with your gun.”
Michael’s mind and heart warred with indecision. Andy was purposefully putting herself in harm’s way. If the outlaws didn’t gun her down, the dynamite could blow up in her face. But what could he do? Rush out and draw a bullet to her or wait for a better chance? Lord, help us! Anything beyond that fled his mind, so he kept repeating the same prayer over and over. Lord, help us!
KodyAnne sent a sweet smile to him as if to say she’d be fine. She strode around the corner of the cabin with the grass touching her upper arms in places. She stopped well back from both the cabin and the men and held her lit stick of dynamite high.
“Hey, fellas.”
They jerked toward her.
“See what I found in your cabin when I let Charlotte go.”
Michael’s heart threatened to stop when one of the outlaws pulled his gun and pointed it at KodyAnne. “Throw it away, missy, and do it now, or I’ll blow your head off your shoulders.
Chapter 18
“You’d better throw down your guns before this dynamite blows you up.” KodyAnne resisted the urge to run and hide in the grass. Instead, she waved the stick above her head as if to throw it.
The outlaw took a step back and laughed. “You’re crazy. I’d shoot you before you could.”
“Kody, are you out of your head?” Tyler yelled at her, taking the outlaw’s attention away for a moment. “What are you doing? Get rid of that thing.”
She’d been expecting him to stop her. Michael, too. They always thought they had to protect her, but now it was her turn. If they were smart, they’d stay back. The outlaws, too.
All three of them eased away from her. Two looked ready to bolt at any moment. The third, an older man, held his gun on her, his hand shaking. “I never shot a girl before, but I can. I’m warning ya!”
“Stay right where you are.” KodyAnne yelled. She stomped around, waving her arm and the lit dynamite. “You’ve been messing with my family. You took my sister and now you’re harassing my brother. You tied up an innocent old woman. She could’ve had a heart attack. I’m not gonna stand for it, I tell you. We never did anything to you, but I will now if you don’t throw down those guns.”
While she ranted, she brought the stick down long enough to light the second one then, in one smooth movement, threw the first one up into the air. It arched high over the outlaws before falling directly toward them.
A man let out a yell. The outlaw lifted his gun. KodyAnne dropped to the ground. Her ears rang with the boom, and the whine of a bullet whizzed over her head. She crouched low in the tall grass. Lord, please don’t let that bullet hit anyone. Where’s Charlotte and Mike? Keep them safe.
Men’s voices yelling and the sudden blast of the dynamite filled the air.
KodyAnne straightened so she could peek through the grass. She didn’t know what to expect. The cabin blown to smithereens maybe? A big hole in the ground? The wick was long enough those men should’ve had plenty of time to get out of the way before it blew.
“Get your hands up and keep them there.” The sheriff’s voice drew her attention.
Her breath rushed out. The sheriff and his deputy advanced toward the outlaws who waited with their hands up. Horse hoofs pounded the ground. She sprang up in time to see a horse and rider grow small against the horizon. A gun barked, then all grew silent.
She turned and came face to face with two other men—Tyler and Michael. Both glared at her. She smiled.
Michael grabbed the second stick of dynamite from her hand. He jerked the fuse from it, tossed it on the grass, and ground it out with his boot. Oh my, she’d forgotten she still held it, or she’d have thrown it away.
She looked up from the smoking wick with wide eyes. “Well, that’s handy. I didn’t know you could do that.”
Tyler shook his head and made a disgusted sound. “You can handle her, Mike. I’m going to go help the sheriff. I’ll be safer dealing with the outlaws than you will be here with her.”
Michael grasped KodyAnne by the upper arms. “Do you have any idea what you just did to me?”
She sucked in air, barely managing to shake her head. The intensity in his eyes unnerved her. Was he angry or frightened? The strength in his hands against her arms somehow both punished and comforted her.
He gave her a little shake. “Don’t ever take chances like that again. Do you hear me?” His voice was just short of yelling.
“Yes, Mike.” Tears threatened.
He clutched her to him, holding her tight. “Aw, Andy, I’d never make it if anything happened to you.”
She clung to him, absorbing his strength.
His breath brushed her cheek before his lips claimed hers.
She held him close, wishing he’d never let go.
He lifted his head and frowned into her eyes. “What am I going to do with you?”
“I only wanted my sister back.” She looked to either side. “Where is Charlotte?”
Michael lifted his gaze over KodyAnne’s head with a sigh. “Right there.”
She swung around as he released her. Her sister stood behind her, a concerned expression on her face. KodyAnne opened her arms, and Charlotte fell against her holding her close. “Oh, Kody, he’s right. You could’ve been shot by that man.”
“Did they hurt you?” KodyAnne pulled back, blinking tears so she could search her sister’s face for bruises. She lifted her hands, but saw nothing indicating rough treatment.
Charlotte gave a quick laugh. “You won’t find anything. I was just scared. They broke into Mrs. Jenkins’s home and tied her to her rocking chair in the kitchen. They didn’t tie me up. Her eyes flashed. “Luke held me on his horse. I can’t stand him. He’s no gentleman, and he isn’t good looking. Not anymore.”
“No, he isn’t. I’m so sorry this happened to you.” KodyAnne tried to read Charlotte’s expression. She didn’t trust men much, anyway. Would this make her even less trusting?
Charlotte looked into the distance. “He got away.”
“Who?”
“Luke. Didn’t you hear the horse? He ran before the sheriff and deputy could get to them.” She huffed. “I suppose that means he’s smarter than those other men. Just not smart enough to be an honest man.”
“Oh, Char, I’m sorry.” KodyAnne gave her sister another quick hug.
“It’s okay. I’ve learned my lesson really good.” Charlotte flashed a smile toward Michael. “If you can talk sense into Kody, you’ll do more than anyone else I’ve ever seen who tried.”
He chuckled. “I think you’re right. You should’ve seen what a little spitfire she was when she was only seven years old facing the bullies in New York’s alleys.”
“Oh, yeah, you’ve known her longer than I have. I forgot that.” Charlotte shuffled her feet in the broken grass.
Michael’s expression softened as he looked at Charlotte. “I knew her before you did. I missed out on a lot of years, so you’ve known her longer.” He turned a grin on KodyAnne. “I don’t think she’s changed all that much, though.”
KodyAnne folded her arms and tossed her head. “I can hear you tal
king about me, and I have too changed. I grew up.”
When Michael and Charlotte both laughed, KodyAnne couldn’t stop her smile from spreading. Something unexpected had happened to Charlotte today. She’d gotten over her dislike of Michael. Maybe she’d taken her first step toward healing.
“Are you ready to go?” Tyler strode toward them and slipped an arm around Charlotte’s shoulders. “Hey, little sis, I’m glad you’re all right. We’ve got all but one of Uncle Mark’s gang ready for a trip to prison.”
“Aren’t they going after the one who got away?” Charlotte pointed behind the cabin. “He went that way.”
Tyler shook his head. “The sheriff knows, but he didn’t have the man power. It’ll take all of us to get the others into town. The sheriff will give them accommodations until the U.S. Marshall can get here. KodyAnne, the sheriff wants to talk to you after he gets the outlaws locked up and we’ve all had a chance to eat something. He said your shenanigans today deeply impressed him.”
The sheriff wanted to see her? She pressed against her stomach. Oh, that sinking feeling again. Must she always be in trouble with him? She looked up into Michael’s twinkling eyes. “Sure, you’re laughing when I’m probably going to share a cell with that man who tried to shoot me.”
Michael, Tyler, and Charlotte all laughed.
KodyAnne stomped toward her horse.
~*~
KodyAnne left the jail with the sheriff’s voice still ringing in her ears.
Michael pulled the door shut and stepped off the porch after her. “Hold up. I’ll walk you home.”
She swung toward him. “How could you let him talk to me that way?”
He shrugged. “Saved me from saying the same thing. Do you have any idea how I felt when I saw you come out the window with a lit stick of dynamite in your hand? You totally ignored me. What was I to do? If I let the outlaws know I was there, they’d have shot us all down. Then Charlotte tried to convince me you knew what you were doing. Ha! Even she changed her tune after you started waving that thing around. She thought you’d blow yourself up. Or catch a bullet. You had those men scared. They could’ve done anything. Clint had a right to say what he did.”
KodyAnne’s eyes widened. “He threatened to lock me up and throw away the key. Those were his words. Even when he admitted I probably made his job easier.” She pointed a finger at Michael’s chest. “And he also had to admit no one got hurt. Not one injury. The dynamite didn’t even do any damage.”
“Hey, Michael, Kody.” Tyler ran after them. “Wait a minute. I thought you’d want to know I’m free now at least until Sheriff Barnett can contact the U.S. Marshal. He thinks I’ll get off without a problem even then. Sure will be good to have my name cleared.”
He fell into step with them beside KodyAnne. He gave her an amused look. “So are you going to stay away from dynamite now like the sheriff suggested?”
“Demanded’s more like it.” KodyAnne folded her arms and watched her feet move forward with each step. “I’m not a crazy woman. I saw the dynamite and the idea just kind of came to me. No one seems to acknowledge the simple fact that it worked. Should be thanking me instead of telling me I’d better act like a proper lady from now on, or I’ll be looking out through bars. Humph, I never liked that sheriff from the start.”
She didn’t wait for Tyler and Michael but hurried inside the boardinghouse, and ran up the stairs to her room. At least Charlotte should be thankful for what she’d done. None of the men climbed in through that dirty window to rescue her.
Charlotte turned from her position looking out the window when KodyAnne entered the room. She gave her older sister a soft smile. “Did the sheriff arrest you for disturbing his peace?”
KodyAnne laughed and felt much better. She needed her sister. “No, he sort of complimented me with a loud voice. He admitted I probably saved you and everyone else, but if I ever pulled another stunt such as that, he’d arrest me, and the only sunshine I’d enjoy would be in lines from the bars on my window.”
Charlotte covered a smile with her hand. “Oh, Kody, he was only trying to scare you. Don’t let him bother you. He has to do his job. You took that away from him when you stepped in, and all he could do was keep quiet and watch.”
KodyAnne shrugged. “I suppose so.”
Tears sprang to Charlotte’s eyes. “You scared me almost to death. You’re my big sister. What would I do without you?”
KodyAnne crossed the room and gathered her sister close.
Charlotte held her tight as a sob escaped.
“It’s all right, Char. I promise I knew what I was doing—sort of.”
Charlotte drew back with a giggle. She wiped her eyes. “Didn’t you say Tyler’s supposed to be here?”
“Yes, I left him and Mike at the front door. I got tired of hearing what an irresponsible, crazy woman I am.” KodyAnne went to the door and, opening it, leaned out to look toward the stairs. “I’m going to run downstairs and see if they’re still there so we can—well, you’ll see.”
“See what?”
“It’s a surprise.” KodyAnne stepped into the hall.
“Okay, but hurry back.”
KodyAnne waved a hand to let her know she’d heard then ran to the stairs. Halfway, she heard Tyler’s voice. “I’d better get upstairs before the girls come looking for me. Kody said she has something to show me. It’s been good talking to you.”
With one hand on the bannister, KodyAnne waited for her brother.
He paused with a grin when he saw her, then ran up the stairs. “Say, that preacher’s a decent sort. I’ve been noticing the way he keeps watching you.”
She took one step and then another toward the second floor.
Tyler gave her a searching look. “I thought about asking his intentions, but figured I better talk to you first. Has he asked you to marry him?”
KodyAnne sent a frown toward her brother. “I don’t see why you need to know.”
Tyler shrugged. “Ah. So he hasn’t, and you want him to.”
“Ha, as if you know anything.” She refused to satisfy his curiosity. Michael’s proposal was between her and him and no one else.
“Why’d you turn him down, Kody?” He cocked an eyebrow.
“Because he’s too good— Hey, that isn’t fair. You tricked me.” She spun to face Tyler outside her room, dropping her voice to a near whisper. “All right so he asked me to marry him. He only did it because Papa asked him to. I guess with you on the run, he thought Char and I needed someone to watch out for us. But we don’t.”
“He’s a good man, Kody. You’re in love with him, aren’t you?” Sympathy shone from Tyler’s eyes.
Tears burned KodyAnne’s. If only he would ask her to marry him again, she’d say yes this time. She nodded. “Yes, but this goes no farther. He hasn’t said anything for a while. He’s probably glad I said no.”
Before Tyler could say more, she pushed the door open and stepped inside. “Come on in and see what I found.”
Tyler followed her in and sat on the bed beside Char. “Hey, little sister, I’ve missed you. Sure am glad we’re all together again.”
“Me, too.” Charlotte beamed at her brother as they hugged.
KodyAnne knelt beside them and pulled Uncle Mark’s box out from under the bed. It wasn’t large, less than a foot in length and half that in width. She wrapped her hand around it and handed it to Tyler then sat beside him. “Look at this.”
“What is it?” Tyler hefted the box as if testing its weight. “Must not be much in it.”
“Where’d you get that, Kody?” Charlotte leaned forward.
KodyAnne’s heart picked up speed. Finally, they would know what Uncle Mark had left them. She smiled at her brother and sister’s matching frowns. “I took it from the bank when no one was there. Other than a cat, that is.”
“You what?” Tyler and Charlotte spoke at the same time. Their voices blended into one loud yell.
She shrank from the sound and their deepened f
rowns. “Papa gave me the key to the safety deposit box. He expected me to get it. It’s ours, why shouldn’t we have it? I didn’t steal it.”
“I guess not.” Tyler shook his head. “If you’d been caught, though, you might’ve had a hard time explaining what you were doing in the bank. They wouldn’t have understood.”
“I know.” She clutched her hands in her lap.
“Oh, Kody, you could’ve been hurt.” Charlottle shook her head. “When are you going to stop taking risks?”
Tyler laughed. “When she grows up, which means never. What’s done is done, though. Let’s open this. Who has the key?”
KodyAnne held up the key ring Papa had slipped to her. On it were two keys. She selected the right one. “This should open the box. I haven’t tried it yet. I wanted us to do this together.”
Tyler turned the box toward her. “Go ahead, then. We’ve all been through enough over this thing. Let’s see what’s so important.”
The key slid in and turned without a problem. Tyler lifted the lid and they all stared at the contents. He reached in and pulled out a charm bracelet with several charms dangling from it. “This must belong to one of you.”
KodyAnne grabbed it. “That’s mine. Uncle Mark gave it to me the first time I saw him. I thought it was lost.”
“I bet he took it back.” Charlotte shifted forward a little. “Why would he do that?”
“I don’t know, but there’s a new charm on here.” KodyAnne touched each one. “This is the Delmont family crest. He told me I was a Delmont now and the charm would remind me. Here’s the thimble charm he gave me when I made my first quilt. Every charm on here means something special, except for this one. Why would he put a key on it? It’s small, but it looks like a real key.”
“Oh look!” Charlotte grabbed a coin from the box. “It’s pirate gold. I don’t know how many times Uncle Mark played pirates with me. I still have the twenty-dollar gold piece he helped me find. Remember all the times he took us to the Willow Springs pond for picnics. He’d fish with you, Tyler, and play pirate with me. What did he do with you, Kody?”
The Preacher's Outlaw Bride Page 19
