The Preacher's Outlaw Bride

by Mildred Colvin

  Charlotte touched her arm. “He slipped out not long after Ty opened the box. When you all were looking at the papers, I think.”

  “Why?” KodyAnne’s heart sank. She’d been so excited about the money and wanted to share with the one person who would understand what it meant to receive such a gift.

  “Well, what do you say?” Oliver persisted. “Looks like you’ve struck it rich. You have your freedom from the law now. What will you do with your wealth?”

  Tyler shrugged. “Exactly what I’d planned to do without it. The money will make it easier for me to open my furniture store.”

  “Here in Willow Springs?” Oliver looked up from his paper.

  “I don’t know. That’s something I’ll need to discuss with my sisters.” Tyler looked from KodyAnne to Charlotte. “What about you two?”

  KodyAnne glanced toward the door. Michael had walked out as if he didn’t care and taken her excitement with him. Unless he’d changed, he would agree with her idea of helping street kids. He knew how it was to live from day-to-day on what you could find and then barely survive.

  She sighed and met her brother’s question. “I want to make a donation to the Children’s Aid Society in New York City. If there’s enough, I may be making an investment right here in Willow Springs, too.”

  Oliver’s eyes widened. “Oh? Can you elaborate on that statement?”

  She gave him a smile. “No. The details will have to wait for your next edition.”

  He chuckled. “Sounds good to me. My readers like continued stories. I’ll make sure they know to buy next week’s paper if you promise to give us more then.”

  “We’ll see.”

  “I want to give to the children, too.” Charlotte’s soft voice caught everyone’s attention as they turned to look at her. “If not for the society, I’d probably be dead by now.”

  “I’ll add to that.” Tyler slipped an arm around each of his sisters. “Without their help, I wouldn’t have you two. I only need enough to get my business started. There should be plenty for the children.”

  “Sounds like you’re giving away a fortune.” Oliver looked from one to the other, then at the sheriff.

  Sheriff Barnett shrugged. “It’s their money, but I can’t keep it here. We’d better take it across the street to the bank.” His eyebrows lifted when he looked at KodyAnne. “Or did you plan to bury it in the backyard?”

  She laughed. “I might, but this bank seems safe enough until we can get it divided and do what we want with it. Don’t you think so, Ty?”

  He stuffed their papers back in the envelope and closed the box. “Since the real outlaws are out of the way, yes.”

  “All but one.” Charlotte’s soft voice reminded them that Luke had gotten away. She sighed. “But I don’t think he’s going to be much threat by himself. I wonder what he’ll do now.”

  KodyAnne slipped her arm around her sister’s shoulders. “I think you’re right. We don’t need to worry about him.”

  “Let’s get this moved.” Tyler stepped to one side of the box and looked at Oliver. “Would you like to help carry this to your father’s bank?”

  KodyAnne stepped aside as Oliver and Tyler carried the heavy box out the door with the sheriff following them. They attracted some attention as they crossed the street and went into the bank, but KodyAnne only looked for Michael. He wasn’t anywhere in sight. Where could he have gone and why? Did he care so little for her that he would walk out when she longed to share everything with him?

  From the looks of Uncle Mark’s inheritance, she had more money now than she’d ever seen in her life, and all she wanted to do was cry.

  Chapter 21

  KodyAnne looked up when Charlotte stuck her head in the door of the diner.

  “The stage is here.” She called out the news. “Get Melanie now.”

  KodyAnne tossed her cleaning rag on a table and ran to the kitchen. Why Melanie insisted on cleaning today was beyond her. Probably too much nervous energy to keep her sane without doing something. “Melanie, Charlotte said—”

  “I’m coming.” Melanie ripped off her apron and tossed it aside. She patted her hair as she brushed past KodyAnne. “How do I look?”

  “Beautiful.” KodyAnne laughed. “Are you sure he’ll be on this stage.”

  “He’d better.” Melanie almost ran to the door. “His last telegram said he’d be on Monday’s stage.”

  She stopped at the door and swung around, her eyes wide. “What if he isn’t there? Or he doesn’t want me anymore once he sees me? What’ll I do?”

  “Trust God.” KodyAnne clasped Melanie’s trembling hand in hers. “It’s what you’ve been doing all this time when you couldn’t find him. Don’t stop now. This is God’s answer to your prayers. He always gives us His best.”

  Melanie squeezed KodyAnne’s hand while her eyes filled with tears. “You’re right. Where is my faith?” She turned to the door and opened it. “Lord, go with me.”

  KodyAnne checked to make sure the closed sign still hung on the door before she followed with Charlotte.

  The stage stood in front of the station a full city block ahead of them. Their shoes tapped against the boardwalk. A wagon rumbled past. Mrs. Clemmons stepped out the front door of the boardinghouse, folded her arms, and nodded. “I’ll wait here to see what happens. If it doesn’t work out, we can always stay just as we are.”

  “Oh, Irene, I know.” Melanie touched her sister’s arm as she passed. “It’ll work out, though. I believe everything will be fine.”

  Mary Sue stepped out of the Emporium across the street and waved. A couple of her customers crowded close to her, their faces bright, their hands lifted. Men, as well as women, watched the three women walk past the sheriff’s office to the intersection and across the street toward the stage where several men were busy unloading luggage.

  KodyAnne stopped in front of the doctor’s clinic. In their walk up the street, she’d looked for Michael, but if he was in town, she didn’t see him. “Charlotte and I’ll wait here for you, Melanie. Go find your husband.”

  Had Melanie even heard her? She walked with a firm tread across the street toward the back of the stagecoach. “Oh, Joseph.”

  Melanie’s voice drifted toward them as a man stepped from behind the stage. At first the two stared at each other. Then both rushed forward and Melanie was swallowed in the man’s embrace.

  “Let’s go back to the diner and finish cleaning.” KodyAnne smiled at her sister through tears of happiness for her friend. “We aren’t needed here.”

  ~*~

  KodyAnne led Pistol out of Michael’s barn, hooked her foot in the stirrup, and swung her trouser-covered leg up and over. As she settled into the saddle, she looked toward the house. Where was Michael? He’d made himself scarce Saturday while they deposited the money in the bank. Forty-five thousand in gold coins. Mr. Grimes sure was glad to see her and Tyler walk into his bank with those coins. He’d tripped himself and almost fell on the floor when he shoved past the regular teller to open the account himself. If Tyler hadn’t caught him, he might’ve fallen flat on his face.

  She clicked her tongue and guided Pistol to the road.

  Michael preached a good sermon yesterday morning, but he never once looked her way. He wasn’t in town when Melanie met the stage and didn’t answer his door, either. Was he hiding inside, or had he already gone somewhere? Fireball was back of the barn, so he wasn’t out riding.

  What’d she done wrong? The events of the last few days played through her mind, but nothing stood out as terrible enough to run Michael off. Except refusing to marry him when he asked. Or maybe she’d gotten a little crazy when the outlaws had Charlotte. Only, he didn’t run off then. In fact, after things settled down, he’d been especially sweet and attentive. He’d even stood up to the sheriff for them.

  Her hand jerked the reins and Pistol shied. “Sorry, boy.” KodyAnne patted his neck. “Just thinking about the good preacher man. What do you think? Did he get upset when
Tyler opened the box and it wasn’t full of rocks?”

  She let Pistol trot down the road while she tried to remember. Charlotte said Mike slipped out after Ty opened the box. The envelope and papers were on top, but they didn’t hide the glint of gold in all those coins. He must have left because of the money. Why? Did he think she didn’t need him if she had lots of money? So his obligation to her ended when the box opened, did it? Fine, if he didn’t want her, she didn’t want—

  She shook her head to dislodge the tears that burned her eyes. She wouldn’t lie to herself. “Come on, Pistol. Take me to the willow tree.”

  She gave her horse the freedom to run, and they raced across the land. The sun warmed her while the wind blowing through her hair and around her clothing brought relief. If she rode forever could she outrun her hurting heart?

  The willow tree loomed in the distance and grew larger until she reined Pistol in beside the pond. She slid from his back and patted his neck then stared at the tree’s reflection in the water, letting the image soothe her spirit. She dropped the reins, ground tying him before she walked toward the tree. From outside the concealing branches no one would even know there’d been a hole dug near the trunk.

  KodyAnne sank to the grassy bank near the willow where she’d sat with Uncle Mark so often. He’d fish and she’d listen to his stories. She loved to listen to the old family stories as she called them. He told of twin boys and their escapades. He told of their grandfather who became wealthy, but remained stern and unbending toward anyone who did wrong. Uncle Mark’s father had been a lot like him, he said. Only, his sin was gambling away every penny he got. That’s why great-great-grandfather made his grandsons compete for the right to an inheritance. Grandfather won, but his love for Uncle Mark kept him from touching the fortune he received. He gave it to Uncle Mark on his deathbed, and he, in turn, saved it for them.

  Now, his money had come between her and the only man she would ever love. She hugged her knees against her chest and laid her head against them. “Lord, what can I do? I love him. I’d give it all back for Mike’s love.”

  The cry tore from her heart, and tears followed. “Help me to give him up. He doesn’t want me. He never has. Even as a child, Mike thought he had to take care of me. From the first, that’s all it was. No wonder he never found me. We were placed in homes so close, but he probably figured I didn’t need him once I had a family.”

  KodyAnne made a sound of disgust. She straightened and lifted her chin. “Of course I didn’t need him for a caretaker. I haven’t needed that since Mama and Papa took me in. Doesn’t he know there’re other reasons to need someone? What does he think I am? Still a child?”

  A horse’s whinny brought her hand to her derringer. Pistol lifted his head and answered. A twig behind KodyAnne snapped, and she twirled around, her derringer pointed at—

  “Mike!” She lowered her gun. “What are you doing here? I could’ve shot you.”

  He stared at her as if he didn’t care. No emotion showed on his face.

  Her heart sank. More likely he wondered what she’d been crying about. She wiped her arm across her eyes and lifted her face toward him. “Is that better? No more tears for you to worry about. I’m fine, Mike. I can take care of myself. Why did you follow me?”

  “I saw you leave town.”

  “So?” She crossed her arms. “I’m free now. I don’t need you. What do you plan to do? Follow me everywhere I go for the rest of our lives?”

  An emotion flickered in the depths of his eyes as if she’d hurt his feelings. She loved him so much, but what good would it do to grovel?

  “I heard you gave away half your money.”

  KodyAnne shrugged. “We decided to keep the coins and donate the rest to the Children’s Aid Society in New York. I thought you’d understand. That you’d want us to help other kids who need homes. You know the street’s no place to grow up.”

  He hung his head. “Yeah, you did a good thing. I’m proud of you. I heard you each got fifteen thousand dollars just in the cash.”

  “Yes, we did.” KodyAnne sighed. “Mike, you don’t have to worry about me, anymore. Even if I didn’t keep the money, I’d be fine. Melanie wants to sell the diner. She’s with her husband right now. The diner’s closed, and I don’t expect her to ever open it back up. Her sister’s going back East with them. She has a daughter there and figures it’s time to settle down close to her and Melanie. I’ve agreed to buy both the boardinghouse and the diner.”

  “You what?” Mike’s eyebrows drew together.

  KodyAnne squeezed her eyes tight then met Michael’s frown. “You heard me right. This is something I want to do. I could live on the money for a long time, but what good would I be doing then? Charlotte wants to be a teacher, and I’m going to see that she goes to school. The money isn’t everything. Don’t you understand that? Ty plans to keep the farm so it stays in the family. He may live there part of the time, but he intends to have his store. Maybe more than one, but his first one will be here in Willow Springs. Uncle Mark gave us that money because he loved us. We’ll keep it and use it for a good start in life the way Papa would’ve wanted us to.”

  Michael stared at his boots as if he’d never seen them before. Or maybe he didn’t see them at all. He finally looked up. “I’m going back to town. You coming with me?”

  I’d go anywhere with you, if only you wanted me. But he didn’t. Not the way she wanted him. Still, she shrank from the thought of him going off and leaving her alone with this wall of separation between them almost as if they were strangers. If she could break through to the Mike she knew, she would, but one look into his distant gaze told her she’d lost him.

  “It’s all right, Mike. You go on, and I’ll be along shortly.”

  He hesitated. “Are you sure? I can wait for you if there’s something . . .”

  She laughed at his persistence in taking care of her until her throat closed up against the tears that threatened. Would he ever change? He wanted to protect her, but why couldn’t he need her? “Oh, all right, Mike. Let’s ride in together.”

  ~*~

  Michael let Fireball out into the pasture with Pistol. He pulled the barn door shut and turned to see KodyAnne hurrying out the front door. She stopped and petted Wrangler. Her dog had sure made himself at home. For a moment, Michael couldn’t move as he stared after her.

  KodyAnne pointed. “Stay, Wrangler. I have to go home.”

  How could a woman wearing men’s clothing look so feminine and appealing? Michael shook his head, the mood broken. He shouldn’t be thinking that way. He stepped forward. “Andy, wait.”

  At his call, she froze but didn’t turn around. “What?”

  Her voice floated to him and wrapped around his heart. What was wrong with him? She didn’t need him anymore.

  “I’ll walk you back to town.” He strode across the barn toward her.

  She spun to face him. “Why?”

  One word, but it was a challenge. What did she want? He sighed. At this point, he didn’t know the answers to any of the questions. “It’s the right thing to do.”

  “The right thing?” She spat the words back at him as if they were distasteful. “Don’t bother, Michael. I can find my own way. I’m not a child who needs to be taken care of.” She motioned to the side. “You have your big, empty house. Why don’t you just stay here and enjoy it?”

  Before his mind could process her meaning, she spun on her heel and practically ran from the barn. Had he seen tears in her eyes? He broke into a trot after her but stopped in the doorway. She’d already reached the street in front. From the set of her shoulders and the fast clip she was walking, it looked like she was angry. With him, no doubt, and he didn’t even know what he’d said wrong. She didn’t have far to walk. Might as well keep her in sight until she reached the boardinghouse.

  Michael closed the barn door and headed toward the rambling, two-story he called home while Wrangler ran along by his side. He climbed the steps to the porch then t
urned for one last look toward town. KodyAnne swept through the front door of the boardinghouse and disappeared. He went inside his big, empty house. Why had she said that? Her words echoed against the walls and bounced from the high ceilings. He walked from room to room as loneliness deeper than he’d ever felt crept over his soul.

  “Lord, where are You?” Michael called out in the spacious kitchen, but his voice bounced back almost before leaving his mouth. He was alone. Had God left, too? Never had he felt so empty, so unwanted.

  Chapter 22

  Feeling unwanted was one thing Michael remembered well from his childhood. His eyes burned, and he blinked. The woman who gave birth to him treated him as if she regretted his presence. She was his mother and on some level he loved her still just as he had when he was little and she shoved him aside. If it hadn’t been for some of the other girls in the brothel, he’d have died after he was born. They’d taken turns caring for him because they had good hearts, but none wanted him. Except the madam, and that was only because he was a quick learner. She only wanted the money and treasures he stole for her.

  With his eyes closed, he faced the ceiling. “Lord, I forgive my mother for not loving me or wanting me. I pray for Your help to truly find release from the hard feelings toward her I’ve fought for so long. In Jesus name, amen.”

  Feeling only slightly better, he went upstairs to his bedroom and picked up his Bible. He sat on the bed, holding it but seeing instead the dark haired, dark-eyed girl he’d fallen in love with. She didn’t want him, either. She certainly didn’t need him. She’d made that clear. Fifteen thousand dollars. He shook his head. What would she do with so much money? The diner and boardinghouse together shouldn’t cost more than six thousand, if that much, and both businesses did well so she’d have a good income. He couldn’t stay in Willow Springs without KodyAnne a part of his life. His folks would welcome him home. He’d find a church near them or take over for Pastor Johnson like Mom wanted.