Her stomach lurched. “What kind of card?”
“The four of spades from a deck of cards.”
That confirmed it. The man’s account was true. Her father had a lot to answer for, and if they got out of this mess, she’d make sure he would.
“I’m sorry for what they did, Mister . . .?”
“Never you mind what my name is. And I don’t want your pity. I want justice.”
“Then seek it with Patrick,” Johnny spat. “Leave his daughters out of it.”
“Cain’t do that.” The man put his mouth by Johnny’s ear and said softly, “Patrick set the rules. I’m only following them.”
The man wearing the serape, Pedro, spoke up. “An eye for an eye.”
“You never intended to give Beth back, did you?” she demanded, her stomach twisting with the knowledge.
“After we got rid of her, we were coming back for you. But that’s enough talk.” The man shoved Larissa and Beth toward his partners.
“Let’s put a bullet in them right here,” said the third man, McGee, who’d grabbed a sobbing Beth.
“Johnny Diamond has no part in this. He doesn’t deserve to die.” Larissa fought Pedro’s crushing grip. “He’s innocent.”
“He shouldn’t have decided to work for Patrick,” came the answer from the hairy man. “We let him go and he’ll dog us to the end of the earth. No, he dies right along with you and your sister.”
Suddenly, Johnny swung. Six feet three inches of enraged outlaw filled her sights. He wrenched the gun from the hairy man’s surprised grasp. And in the next instant Johnny fired a shot, hitting the man between the eyes. The force of the bullet sent the man flying backward to the ground.
“Let the Patrick women go,” Johnny ordered, turning the weapon on Pedro and McGee.
Larissa watched the drama praying they’d listen.
But they didn’t heed. Both men raised their pistols. Larissa screamed and shut her eyes. There were two gun blasts. When she opened her eyes, Pedro and McGee lay sprawled in the desert dirt and smoke still curled from Johnny’s firearm.
She ran to Beth. “Are you all right?”
“I’m okay,” Beth answered numbly, staring at droplets of blood on her hands. Larissa gently wiped McGee’s blood from Beth’s bruised cheek, then cleaned the girl’s hands with the hem of her dress.
It was over.
Johnny Diamond had kept his word. He got Beth back and none of them got killed except the ones who’d tracked them down.
“Reckon we need some grub for supper. I’ll see what I can find.” Johnny slid his rifle from the scabbard at the end of a very long, draining day.
After burying the three kidnappers, they’d ridden back to the small stream where he and Larissa had spent the first night on their way to Del Rio. A quick glance found her tenderly checking Arabella’s sprained leg.
Beth was washing her face and arms in the stream. The girl seemed obsessive about the act. Larissa had told him Beth was trying to scrub away all traces of the kidnappers’ touch from her skin. The child didn’t know the main problem was that their filth had imbedded itself in her head. It’d take a while to get that out. He knew a thing or two about that subject.
Larissa’s eyes met his and she gave him a weary smile. “I’ll find some wood for a fire and get coffee made.”
Johnny moved closer. What he had to say was meant for her ears alone. “You do know the way to a man’s heart. I’d just about strap a saddle to a mangy coyote for a cup of brew.”
He lifted a finger and ran it gently across her lips. “I’d give anything to kiss you right now. But once I start I won’t want to stop. Guess it’ll have to wait for a better time.”
The pulse in the hollow of her throat throbbed.
“Yes. It might be best.” Her throaty voice lowered. “We need to talk about some . . . things. Destiny smiled on us when you came to the ranch. I don’t know what I . . . we’d have done without you, Johnny.”
It was a two-way street. Larissa had changed him. She’d taught him that there was more to life than simply existing, going from town to town, not caring where he wound up. A man found joy in sharing the good with the bad. Nothing meant anything unless it was shared. It was time he thought about changing his life permanently.
He wanted Larissa with every fiber of his being.
“You give me too much credit. I only did what anyone with an ounce of decency would’ve done. The real heroes are you and your sister.” He tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.
Maybe, just maybe she could find room in her heart for an unshaven, worn-out old outlaw. He could hope.
Johnny might’ve asked her about the possibility if Beth hadn’t chosen that moment to interrupt them to announce she was hungry. His glance promised Larissa they’d talk later.
And he meant to say what was on his mind.
Two hours passed before he found his chance. Beth had crawled onto his bedroll and was sound asleep.
Larissa stared into the flames of the fire, deep in thought.
Sensitive to her low spirits, he moved to sit beside her on the rock next to hers. “Penny for your thoughts.”
She turned. Tears in her eyes punched into his chest like a closed fist. “I doubt they’d be worth a plug nickel.”
“Let me be the judge of that. What’s on your mind?”
“My life. We’ll be back at the ranch tomorrow. I refuse to live with my father another day after what he’s done.” Her heavy sigh drifted in the night breeze. “Nor will I subject Beth to his care any longer. But where will we go? What will I do? I don’t have the answers.”
Johnny pulled her against his chest and wrapped his arms around her. “What about your other sister? Can you stay with her until you get your bearings?”
“Charlotte’s small house is bulging at the seams. I won’t add to their problems.”
“Is there anyone in Sonora that you can stay with until you find something of your own? Are there other relatives?”
“None that I know about. Papa kept us isolated. Wouldn’t allow us to have any friends. But maybe I can find a job in town. Don’t exactly know what I’d do, though.”
He kissed the top of her head, relishing the warmth of her body. “I’ve always found that a good night’s sleep helps make things more clear.”
“Your magic solution?”
Larissa leaned back to look up at him. The silvery moonlight bathed her in glorious rays. Johnny hadn’t the will to resist temptation. He took her face in his hands and kissed her eyelids, the impudent tip of her nose, and the alluring curve of her jaw before moving to her mouth.
But he took his time. This was something he wanted to savor. He slowly outlined her rosy lips with tiny feathery kisses before capturing them in earnest.
Drawn to the soft curves now within his grasp, he cupped the gentle swell of her breast and knew he’d found heaven.
It was at that moment that he knew he couldn’t live the rest of his life without her. She’d shown him just how empty and alone he’d been. He couldn’t go back to his old ways as if nothing had happened. He’d changed.
Larissa Patrick gave his life meaning. He was nothing without her.
She returned his kiss with a passion and fire that made him grow weak.
Lifting his mouth from hers, he stared at her with wonder. “I love you, Larissa Patrick. I never believed it possible, but I love you with all my heart and soul. Marry me.”
“Marry you?” She’d barely breathed the words.
“I warned you that the time would come when I’d take what you were willing to give and I wouldn’t be shy about it. The time is here. I’m not shy. I want you. I need you bad. So, what do you say? Do you think you can grow to love a set-in-his-ways outlaw?”
“Yes. I already do. I knew when you kissed me outside that adobe house in Del Rio. I was afraid that I read too much into it, though, and you didn’t feel that way about me.”
Johnny drowned in the depths of her liquid brown
eyes that were rimmed with thick, lush lashes. “To set the record straight and get rid of any doubts you may have, you are my here and now. You are my always and forever. My future is tied with yours, pretty lady.”
Chapter 11
Johnny’s hoarse declaration seemed to squeeze through a narrowed windpipe that left the words bruised. Waves of heat flooded Larissa’s blood. She reached up to caress the stubborn square jaw that was covered with dark stubble.
She loved this man, utterly and wholly.
A deep breath failed to calm the trembles that had left a quickening in her stomach. “That was very poetic, Johnny Diamond. My words are far simpler—I love you back. I’ll be proud to be your wife.”
Johnny kissed the hand that cupped his jaw, setting off another round of delicious tingles. “Now that we have that settled, I think it’s time I came clean about something.”
Larissa steeled herself. Was this where he’d tell her he was a wanted man? Maybe wanted for robbery or even murder? Maybe running from a rope? Well, it didn’t matter. She’d fallen head over heels in love with this man, no matter what he’d done.
The night air didn’t help her nerves. “I know everything I need to know about you. Let’s let sleeping dogs lie. Okay?”
“I don’t want anything to ever come between us. You ought to know the facts.”
She sat back, putting some space between them. “If I can’t talk you out of it, then I guess you’d best say what’s on your mind.”
Johnny grinned. “Johnny Diamond is a made-up name. I was born Marion Applebaum. Sam Whiskey gave me the Diamond name, said it was more fitting for an outlaw.”
Marion Applebaum? She worked hard to swallow the giggle. “Are you wanting to go back to your real name? Is that why you’re telling me this?”
“It’s your call. I want you to decide which name you want attached to yours.”
“You’ve spent the better portion of your life being Johnny Diamond. Let’s just stick with it if you don’t mind.”
“Glad you agree, because that was my thinking on the subject.”
“Then you’re not a wanted man?”
“Only by you. If you do, that is.”
Larissa scooted close enough to hear the wild beating of his heart. She pressed her lips to his. “I want you more than you can possibly know. Any other things you want to get off your chest?”
“One other thing before we turn in.” He gave her a leisurely kiss. “From now on, you’ll be the keeper of my heart. I know you’ll guard it well.”
They crossed back onto Four Spades land midmorning the next day. Breakfast sat like a rock on Larissa’s stomach. It would take all her gumption to confront her father. His stern, unyielding demeanor had always intimidated her.
But with Johnny on her side she could face anything. She glanced at him, admiring the way he sat in the saddle, his broad shoulders straight, his eyes constantly scanning the landscape. From the hawk circling high overhead to the scurry of a jackrabbit through the brush, nothing got by him. He cast a long shadow over the land and the people who walked it.
To be the keeper of his heart was a scary thing. Even as excitement spread with thoughts of spending her life with him, she didn’t know if she was up for the huge responsibility.
He’d given her a great treasure.
Beth rode in front of her on the packhorse. The girl was fidgety and on edge.
Larissa put an arm around her. “Are you all right, honey?”
“Papa’s going to be real mad.”
“Don’t worry your head about that. The only reason we’re going to the ranch is to gather our things.” Larissa and Johnny had already told Beth their plans to marry and that she’d live with them. Beth had seemed happy with the arrangement.
“But still . . .”
“You’re not changing your mind about coming with Johnny and me are you?”
“No. I just hate having Papa mad at us.”
“Some things can’t be helped, I’m afraid.”
An hour later, they rode up to the house. Dunston Patrick strode from the front door. His face was heavy and thick with anger. “It’s about time you got back.”
Johnny helped Beth down and reached up for Larissa. She slid into his embrace. Keeping his arm around her, he turned to face her father. “I got the job done. Didn’t know you’d set a time limit on returning.”
“You ought’ve left Larissa with the kidnappers,” Dunston told Johnny. “She’s no longer welcome here. She knew better than to defy me.”
Johnny’s arm tightened around Larissa. “Reckon we won’t have a problem then, because she’s coming with me.”
Larissa’s pounding heart was loud in her ears. “We’re getting married. We only came to get Beth’s and my things. We’ll soon be on our way.”
“Beth isn’t going anywhere,” Patrick barked.
“Just try to stop her. She knows the truth about you. We both know how you sent your men to burn down the houses that happened to sit on the land you wanted and would have by any means. You’re a murderer. You have blood on your hands. We know how your men burned a man’s wife and son alive.” Larissa shook with burning fury.
Her father’s eyes darkened in his mottled face. “They refused to leave. I had every right to do what I did.”
“That’s all you have to say? Nothing is ever the great Dunston Patrick’s fault. It’s always someone else in the wrong. Who knows how many others have died at your hands.”
“That’s none of your concern. I always provided for you and your sisters. You didn’t complain about having plenty to eat and pretty clothes to wear.”
“There’s more to being a father than focusing on material things. We needed love, but you were unable or unwilling to give it. We needed to know that we mattered.” She pulled Beth close. “We might as well have been one of your animals.”
Dunston threw up his hands and whirled to go back inside.
“I’ll have the rest of the money I earned.” Johnny’s voice sliced the air. “I completed my end of the bargain.”
“By stealing my daughters? You’d best think again.”
Larissa watched Johnny’s jaw twitch. Foolish man, her father. He didn’t know Johnny could simply take whatever he wanted, if that was what he had a mind to do.
Johnny’s voice hardened. “I’ll exchange the money for a wagon then, to haul Larissa’s and Beth’s belongings and we’ll call it even.”
Patrick shot them an angry glare. “I’ll pile everything they own out here in front of the house and set fire to it before I let them take even a stitch of clothes. Everything they have I gave them. It all belongs to me.”
Larissa was grateful for Johnny’s strength around her or she would have collapsed.
She’d known her father would be angry. But refusing to let them have even their clothes was beyond understanding.
“Come on, darlin’.” Johnny turned her toward the horses. “I’ll buy you whatever you need. We won’t beg him for a blessed thing.”
Once they were all mounted on their horses, Johnny turned for one last word before they rode out. “Just know that we’ll be stopping in Sonora for a word with the marshal. He’ll be watching you, Patrick. Anything at all that goes wrong in this county he’ll be coming after you.”
Larissa didn’t look back as they rode away. And she didn’t take a deep breath until they were off Patrick land. It saddened her to leave the ranch where she had been born and raised, but excitement bubbled inside. Her place now was by Johnny’s side.
Two weeks later, Johnny flicked the reins of the draft horses that were pulling their wagon. He draped one arm around his new wife and smiled. Larissa and he had said their vows in front of the preacher in Sonora. Right now he was more contented than a man had a right to be.
Larissa nestled against him. “How much farther?”
“Just around the bend, my darling Mrs. Diamond.”
“Can’t you give us a hint where you’re taking us?” pestered Beth, w
ho was perched on top of a trunk in the wagon bed.
Johnny grinned. “You’ll see soon enough.”
“Just one question, dear husband. This house and land is not from ill-gotten gain, is it?”
“I’m wounded.” He placed a hand over his heart mockingly. “The place belongs to me lock, stock, and barrel. And I came by it honest. It belonged to Sam Whiskey, given to him by his parents. Sam passed it on to me when he died, seeing as how he didn’t have any family left. I just never had a reason to live out here until now. Truth to tell, I found it really lonely. I figure you’ll change all that.”
He watched Larissa take in the lush rolling hills and quiet woods of the Texas Hill Country.
“It’s breathtaking,” she murmured.
“Thought you’d like it.”
He urged the team around a crook in the road, turned into a narrow lane, and stopped in front of a two-story frame house. “We’re here.”
Beth barely waited for the wagon to stop before she hopped out and ran for a closer look.
“Oh my goodness!” Larissa exclaimed. “It’s beautiful. I can’t believe it’s ours.”
He jumped down from the wagon box and turned. Placing his hands around her waist, he swung her easily to the ground. Instead of letting her go, he tucked her next to him. He’d never tire of feeling her soft curves or listening to her heartbeat, steady and true.
He lowered his head and captured her mouth. She raised a hand to caress his hair. His breath became ragged with desire.
Finally she pulled away. “We have a lot to do before bedtime, Mr. Diamond.”
“Yes, ma’am. Nighttime can’t come soon enough for me, though,” he drawled.
Her skirts swirled around his pants legs as they strolled toward their future.
He opened the screen door, then scooped her into his arms and carried her across the threshold. “This is a fine place to raise a passel of kids and enough food so we won’t starve.”
“And exactly how many kids is a passel?”
“I reckon ten or so oughta be enough.”
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