This Side of Forever (Book Five of the Brides of the West Series)

by Hestand, Rita

  "Si…are we going to go home tomorrow?" Juan asked.

  "That's the plan. If the Sheriff wants to keep Martin here, he can. Right now, we don't have a Sheriff in Cross Corners so it might be best to fill out a complaint and come back when the trail starts to testify. What do you guys thinks?"

  Juan nodded. "Since we don't have a Sheriff yet, it might be best. I sure don't want to try to take him home from here."

  Billy agreed. "Yeah, he's not worth the trouble. We can come back and testify. Of course, Amy will probably be the one that has to testify."

  "That's right, and Becca too, she was there when he kidnapped them and shot Beatrice. I don't know if it would be a good idea to bring Beatrice down here though. She's not in shape to make the trip. You are right, that means Amy and Becca would have to testify if we want him to stay behind bars." Clay nodded. "And we do."

  "Si."

  "Lets' get some shut-eye boys. So we can start early tomorrow." Clay went to the desk and paid for one night and one room.

  "Juan you and Billy can have the bed, I'll take the floor." Clay offered.

  "I don't mind," Juan said.

  "Neither do I." Clay was insistent.

  The next morning they went down stairs. "You boys get you some breakfast; I’m going over to see if I can get Amy out of there."

  Billy and Juan went to the café and ordered steak and eggs. Billy paid for it.

  Clay walked across the way to the church. He went inside and found the Padre.

  After talking to him a long time, telling him who he was and what he wanted, the Padre consented to let her speak with him, as long as he could be in the same room.

  The Padre went to get Amy. She was still asleep but sprang up when he knocked.

  "Senorita, there is a man outside in the chapel who says his name is Clay Reno, and he wants to speak with you. Will you come talk to him?"

  "Clay…he's here?" She shrieked with joy. "Oh yes, Father, I'll be right out."

  "Good." The Padre told Clay she was dressing and she would be right out.

  Amy almost ran to the chapel.

  Clay was standing there, and when she saw him, she ran into his arms. He kissed her tenderly but again, she was hurt and he had to be careful with her.

  "I thought you'd never come…" She cried.

  "It was a long trip. He's behind bars now." Clay informed her. "You don't have to be afraid any longer."

  "Oh Clay….thank God…."

  "Are you ready to go home?" He asked.

  "Oh yes, more than ready." She smiled at him and turned to the Padre to tell him.

  "I am glad your loved ones have come for you. I was very worried about you and the man being in the same town."

  "You don't have to worry any longer, he's locked up, and he's going to stay that way." Clay assured him.

  "Good."

  "Thank you Padre…for everything," Amy tiptoed to kiss his cheek.

  "You are very welcome my child." The Padre smiled at them. "I am glad everything has worked out well."

  "Me too…"

  "Thanks Padre," Clay shook his hand, and handed him a small wad of money.

  "What is this?" the Padre asked.

  However, they were already out the door. The Padre smiled.

  Clay took Amy to the café and they had breakfast. After she ordered, Clay looked at her. "Your mother is being taken care of…"

  Amy dropped her napkin and stared, "She isn't dead?"

  "No…but she's been shot and we got the doc out there." Clay assured her.

  "Oh…" Amy's heart raced. "He told me he killed her."

  "You didn't see him shoot her?" Clay frowned.

  "No…he knocked me out." Amy said, as tears welled in her eyes. "Oh…I'm so glad she's alive…when he told me, I almost gave up. But I remembered our last conversation; she wanted me to be strong. It was her words that kept me that way."

  Clay put his arm around her. "She's a tough gal and she will make it."

  "You don't know how happy that makes me…" Amy couldn't get over the fact that she was alive.

  "There is one thing, we are going to have to come back here and you and Becca, and possibly your mother…will have to testify. Otherwise, he might go free…" Clay stared at her. "Can you do that?"

  She looked at him and smiled. "After what I've been through…yes."

  "What is that smell?" Billy blurted.

  Amy laughed aloud. "Skunk oil. My new perfume…"

  "Why don't you tell us about it…?" Juan suggested. "Sounds interesting."

  Amy related her escaping Martin and the calamities that befell her. They all laughed.

  "Armadillos and skunks, huh?" Billy laughed.

  "Someone shot the Mama Armadillo though, and when they did, they shot me too…" Amy remarked.

  "You didn't see who it was?" Clay asked.

  "No, I was afraid to breath; much less see who was out there. That cave was so small, now that I think on it; I'm not at all sure how I got in it in the first place." Amy laughed.

  They ate and she told them everything. When she was through Clay was silent.

  She looked at him. He had a serious look on his face and she didn't understand it. "What's wrong?"

  "You came close Amy…if you hadn't been hurt so bad in the first place, he might have taken the advantage." Clay frowned.

  "But he didn't…and I’m fine…" She finished.

  "He hit Becca pretty hard, is she alright?" Amy asked Billy.

  "Yeah, she came to, and she's got a nasty looking bruise on her chin, but she's alright. She's another tough lady." Billy smiled at her.

  "I was so afraid for her. He had considered taking her with us. I was so glad when he didn't." Amy sighed. "She didn't need to have to go through this."

  "No one did." Juan said quietly.

  "I'm so glad you came with them, Juan." Amy put her hand on top of his and smiled into his face.

  Juan looked at them all, "Someone must keep them under control, don't you think."

  "Si." Amy said with a chuckle.

  When they finished eating Clay told her he was going over to the Sheriff's office.

  She stiffened. "Do I have to go too?"

  "No, you can wait in the hotel lobby or here. I just need to tell him we will be back for the trial." Clay told her.

  She nodded, but the smile didn't quite reach her lips.

  Juan and Billy kept her entertained while he was gone.

  When he came back, they were ready to ride. "We'll have to see about getting you a horse." Clay announced.

  They went to the stables and bought one for her.

  "Can you ride alright?" Clay asked her.

  "Sure…I just want to get home…,"She said with tired resignation.

  "It'll be a couple days ride from here." He told her. "If it gets to be too much, we'll see about a wagon or carriage for you."

  "I'll be fine." She was adamant.

  That first night under the stars, they camped out and she made them all some supper, baked potatoes in the fire, and steaks they bought at the meat shop in town before they left.

  After they ate and she went to clean the dishes at the small creek, Clay followed her.

  "You don't have to follow me, I'm alright now." She insisted.

  "I don't like leaving you alone Amy. I've been out of my mind worrying about you." He squatted down with her so he could be close.

  "When I threw that chair through the window…I wasn't sure where I was going. Then I saw the church. I knew I'd be alright once I got there." Amy sighed.

  "Did Martin hurt you?"

  Amy shrugged. "No…not physically at least. Mother told me he wasn't my real father. But she doesn't know that he knew all along. That's what justified it all in his mind. We weren't blood kin. But…he was my father…Clay for all those years…how could he turn on me like that…"

  Clay took her in his arms gently, and rocked her gently. "I don't understand a mind like that. He's so warped. But I will say he did enough da
mage to you and your mother. That's why it's important for us to go back and testify at the trail. You do understand, don't you?"

  "Yes…maybe once we testify and they put him away, mother and I can rest easy again." She said holding on to Clay.

  "Did he…"

  "No…" she blacked out the times he kissed her. Clay didn't need to know that, and she needed desperately to forget it herself. Part of her hated the man. And part of her just didn't understand how he could be the way he was.

  "I was so worried…that he might try to hurt you…I was afraid for you. I don't ever want to feel that kind of fear again…" He whispered.

  He pulled away to stare into her face. "Even if he had touched you…it wouldn't make a difference to me…I will always love you Amy. No matter what. But I knew if he did touch you, that…it would hurt you in so many ways…."

  "I don't want to think about that anymore, Clay. Please. I just want to go back to my normal life. I want to live now and if you don't marry me soon…I may just curl up and die. I need you…I need you so much…"

  His lips touched her temple, her nose, and down to her lips that welcomed him. He groaned and he came up for air.

  "We'll be married…very soon, Amy. I can't take much more of this…" He said and kissed her again, this time they lay on the ground, kissing, holding, touching.

  He pulled her up suddenly and smiled. "Is the end of the week too soon?"

  "No…not at all." She tiptoed to kiss him again.

  "Honey…you can't keep doing that." He fussed.

  "Doing what?" She demanded.

  "Kissing me like that. Don't you know what it does to a man?" He frowned into her face.

  "No…what?" She smiled impishly.

  "Come on, we better get back to the fire…" He smiled and wrapped his arm around her protectively.

  "Are you gonna tease me like that all week?" He asked.

  "Yes…as much as I can…for making me wait so long." She laughed.

  "God, I love you Amy." He admitted aloud and the others heard him.

  "They are at it again. They better hurry up and get married." Billy laughed.

  Juan chuckled.

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  After two long days and nights, they arrived home on the third day. Becca ran out to greet them; she hugged Billy tightly and then went to see Amy.

  "You've been shot? Dear God…are you alright?" Becca asked.

  "Yeah, I’m fine. How's mother?" She asked with a look of concern.

  Becca stared at her with a smile. "She's doing fine, she's been so anxious about you. You'll be just what she needs. Come on, let's go see her."

  Amy glanced at Clay as he went to put his horse up and Billy followed. Juan was already greeting his men and couldn't wait to tell them all about it.

  Amy walked into the house and her mother was sitting up in the parlor, and Amy ran to her.

  "Oh mother…I’m so glad to see you. He told me he killed you." Amy cried. "I grieved so for you. But I remembered our talk too."

  "Oh darling, I’m going to be fine. Doc says the bullet went through me, and didn't hit any major organs, so I'll be fine in no time at all." Beatrice hugged her.

  "Where were you hit?" She asked.

  "On my side…"

  "And you are feeling better?"

  "Much better since your returned."

  Amy looked her in the eye, "It was your words that got me through it mother. I kept remembering what you said about being strong. I did alright…but it was because of you."

  "I knew you'd be alright, somehow, but I’m so glad you are home. Becca has been spoiling me, bringing me my meals and checking on me so regularly. We've had a lot of good chats. You two are going to be like sisters to each other." Her mother gushed. "And you are both going to give me grandchildren so I can spoil them."

  Becca smiled, happy that they were reunited again.

  When her mother retired after a lengthy talk, Amy turned to Becca. "I hate that he hurt you…but I'm glad he didn't take you with us. So very glad…." She said sadly.

  "I'm just glad they found you and in one piece. I was worried too, but I couldn't let your mother see that." Becca chuckled. "That was hard to do, she sees through most things."

  "I'm glad it's over. Or almost. We will have to testify at the trial, do you mind?" Amy asked her.

  "No, of course not. I think this must be very hard for you. I mean he was your father all those years…"

  She nodded swallowing her tears and fears. "But the man that kidnapped me was not my father at all. He was a stranger."

  Clay and Billy walked in. They were laughing.

  "What's so funny?" Becca asked sassily.

  "Juan is going to get his dancer lady and bring her here for the wedding. If she wants, they'll be married too, in a few days." Billy was saying.

  "That's wonderful," Amy smiled.

  Becca looked around the room at the happy faces. "Juan is like a second father to me. I'm sure you've all noticed. Father knew he wouldn't be coming home again. And I think he's glad. Because one of them will always be here with me. It's kind of nice. But now…with another lady around, this place is going to get interesting, isn't it?"

  Clay laughed, "And then some. Amy and I are getting married at the end of the week. I hope that isn't too soon for you ladies. I know how you like to plan things."

  "Wonderful, but that means you and I are going to be very busy, and we'll have to watch that your mother doesn't try to do too much. I'm sure she will anyway." Becca laughed.

  Amy hugged Clay to her.

  "Are you all hungry?" Becca asked.

  "I been thinking about your food all the way home," Billy laughed.

  "It's all in the oven. I don’t know why but…me and Beatrice thought you would all be home today…That's why I cooked so much. So wash up everyone, it will be ready soon."

  Amy went to help her.

  The relief that her mother was fine and that she was to be married so soon, made her feel warm and comfortable again. Becca looked at her and sniffed. "Something smells funny around here."

  Clay and Billy broke out in laughter.

  Amy put her hands on her hips. "Sorry, I had a run in with a skunk."

  "Oh my, well, a tomato bath will help. We'll go out back later and take care of that. I thought it was my cooking for a moment." Becca laughed.

  Juan came inside his face was strained, "Uh…One of the boys went to town a day or so ago…and…"

  He stopped and looked at Amy.

  "I do not know how to say this….George Talbot and Dell the deputy are dead." He said.

  "What?" Clay's reaction startled them all. "What happened?"

  "Martin happened. We got an eye witness." Juan said.

  Amy grabbed Clay and hugged him. "I hope there are no more surprises like this."

  "No more Senorita. Just an election for Sheriff next week sometime, that is all. I am sorry to bring you such news…" Juan looked at Amy.

  Clay looked out the window for a long time. Amy came and hugged him. "What are you thinking?"

  "I should have known…I told Martin that George hurt you. I didn't know until I saw it in his eyes how upset he was. I should have warned George or something. I didn't like the man…for the way he treated you, but…I didn't wish him this either…"

  "I know…will you sit with me a while, on the swing on the porch." She asked.

  "Of course…" He took her outside. They cuddled on the porch for a long time, and this time Amy was not trying to seduce him. There had been too much tragedy, and too many hurt.

  "This is one of the reasons I love you so much," she admitted holding him close.

  "What?" he asked.

  "The way you care about people. Not just the people you like, but others too. The day you came back…I thought, why doesn't he just ask me to break it off with George. But you didn't. And the reason, I figured out much later, was because you care about others. I asked you not to kill George and you didn't. I knew you wanted
some satisfaction, but you didn't hurt anyone. It's what I love most about you. You are like my real father…you care about people."

  "That's a real compliment. Thank you. But don't think I didn't want to do something. I did. I simply promised you. That was enough."

  They were quiet a long while, kissing, nibbling on each other and teasing each other, and then Clay held her close and she talked with him for a long while.

  "There were signs long before this happened that father was suffering somehow. I didn't want to tell anyone, I thought at first I imagined it. But he used to pass my room when I was changing clothes and stare at me for the longest. It made me feel so unclean, so dirty, and so guilty. I was afraid to go to mother, afraid to say anything. But it happened many times. And it gave me such a feeling, as though I invited it. One comes to that conclusion in a situation like this. I used to blame myself for his actions. Perhaps I gave him the wrong idea. Perhaps I was too loving with him. But…when he took me away…I realized it wasn't me at all. It was a sick mind, that's all. It wasn't me. It was him. And even though a part of me does feel sorry for him, I want him stopped. I'll testify, for his sake, for mother's sake and for mine. Maybe someone can help him."

  "I never knew all this…"

  "I never told anyone. It's just not something you talk about, even in a family. Mother told me about my real father. I wish I'd known him. He sounded like such a gentle man. She loved him so. But in all the years, she never spoke of him, as though she simply treasured his memory."

  "I think she's going to be very happy here. Especially when we give her a few grandkids to take care of." Clay smiled into her hair as he held her in his arms.

  "Oh Clay, I've waited so long to be your wife…"

  "Can you wait a few more days?"

  "Yes…" she smiled up at him.

  He stared down into her face, "I'm not sure I can."

  She giggled. "I'm glad I’m home."

  "Me too!" He said and kissed her again. "Do you think we should have one kid or twenty?"

  She giggled a nice sound to him, "How about five or six."

  "All boys?" he asked.

  "Five boys and a tomboy girl. How about that?" She laughed.

  "As long as she looks like you and I get to pick out her husband." Clay teased.

  Amy's expression changed. "No…you can't do that to her. No matter who she chooses, we must support her…I don't want her feeling as I did."