A Rancher’s Surrender

by Michelle Beattie

  And everyone knew folks didn’t carry no guns to a wedding.

  Chapter Sixteen

  Though nothing untoward had occurred since Jillian had found her rabbit dead, Scott nevertheless rode into her yard as agreed upon the Sunday morning of Eileen and James’s wedding. The pies and cookies Silver had helped her bake were loaded in the back of the wagon. Scott wouldn’t hear of Jillian hitching Hope. He accomplished the job quickly, all the while talking softly to her horse and reaching out to pat Hope every few minutes. He then tied his mount to the back of the wagon, helped Jillian up and took the reins.

  The day couldn’t have turned out better. The stifling heat had given way to a cooler, more comfortable afternoon. The breeze was enough to brush Jillian’s curls, but not enough to yank them from their pins. She hadn’t been to a wedding in such a long time and not to one where she could honestly say she both liked and respected the couple about to take their vows.

  “Oh, look.” Jillian sighed as they rolled into Wade’s yard.

  Chairs were lined in rows on the grass. A wooden archway decorated with red roses waited at the front where the ceremony would take place. The backdrop of Eileen’s rose garden added color and scent. A perfect place for a wedding.

  “Looks pretty, don’t it?”

  “It suits them.”

  She accepted his hand and carefully, so as not to snag her dress, stepped down.

  “I’ll take care of this.” He gestured to the food she’d packed. “And then I’ll look after this beauty.” His large hand stroked Hope’s neck.

  “All right, if you’re sure.”

  “Eileen, Letty, and Annabelle are inside. Shane will be arriving shortly with Silver. James and Wade are in James’s bunkhouse getting ready. We’re not expecting the other guests for another hour or so. I’ll take care of this then finish getting ready myself. I’ll see you shortly.”

  Jillian hadn’t seen Wade since yesterday. True to his word, when Jillian had awakened in Justin’s barn, he’d been in his own bedroll in the stall across the aisle, yet she’d smelled his scent as though he were still beside her.

  To her surprise, he’d not only ridden her home, he’d kissed her before heading back to the ranch. It hadn’t been the passionate kiss she’d come to crave, but the way he’d gently touched his mouth to hers had felt different somehow. Almost as though it were a promise of more to come.

  She’d thought of nothing since. Had he changed his mind? Had he come to accept her being a doctor? And if he hadn’t, could she really walk away from him? Could she really move to another town and start again? And what if that town didn’t learn to welcome her either? Then what?

  She’d thought long and hard, really examined what made her happy, where she saw her future.

  And she’d come to a decision.

  *

  From the noise behind the door of his ma’s and Annabelle’s bedroom, Wade knew where the bridesmaids were. Though he couldn’t wait to catch a glimpse of Jillian, his mind was on his mother. He knocked on his own bedroom door, having given it to his ma to use for the morning.

  She looked stunning. There were no frills or lace on her simple cream-colored dress, just a red ribbon that cinched her waist, which matched the single rose she’d placed above her ear. Her smile stretched across her face and her skin glowed with happiness.

  His ma was getting married.

  “You look beautiful. James is a very lucky man.”

  Her gaze shimmered. “I don’t know who the lucky one is, but I’m sure glad to have this second chance at love.” She took his hand. “I know you said you were happy for us. That wasn’t a lie, was it?”

  “Of course not,” he said with absolute certainty. “Two of my favorite people are getting married; it’s hard to be unhappy about that.”

  She sniffled, ran a hand down the front of her skirt. Annabelle’s door opened. There were whispers and giggles as the bridesmaids descended the stairs.

  “It’s time.”

  She drew in a breath and exhaled slowly. “Are you ready to give me away?”

  He hated those words. And more than anything he hoped to hell that wasn’t what he was doing.

  “Not giving,” he clarified, “sharing.”

  “Oh, Wade!” She smacked him on the arm as her eyes glistened. “You’re not supposed to make the bride cry.”

  He leaned in, kissed her cheek. “I love you, Ma.”

  “Oh, well, now you’ve done it.” She sniffled as she pulled her handkerchief from her sleeve.

  *

  The smell of roses perfumed the air. John Daniels had set his chair behind the others and when Wade and his ma took their place at the end of the aisle, he smiled over his violin, then let the bow tiptoe over the strings. The crowd stood. A collective “ah” floated over the gathering.

  A son was entitled to feel a little melancholy when his ma was marrying someone other than his pa. He squeezed the hand that rested on his arm and though she squeezed back, her gaze never shifted. Her attention was all for the man waiting for her. Wade looked up, saw the sheer joy on James’s face, and the melancholy shifted to happiness.

  Despite trying, Wade couldn’t see Jillian or the other bridesmaids for the standing crowd. It wasn’t until he and his ma had nearly reached the end of the aisle that he caught sight of her. He nearly stumbled over his own feet.

  Her hair was a beautiful cascade of curls. She wore the same dress she’d worn the night of the dance but today it looked different somehow. She held a single red rose in one hand. In her other, she held his daughter’s hand. Annabelle waved at him. Seeing his daughter happy and carefree with her hand tucked into Jillian’s made his heart swell. They looked perfect together.

  He and his ma reached the front. Wade looked James in the eye, let show the emotion he felt.

  “She’s lucky to have you. I’m honored to give her to you.”

  James’s grin was a bit on the watery side. “You’ve always been a son to me. I couldn’t love you more if you were mine. I hope I’ll do you proud.”

  Wade shook the hand of the man he adored every bit as much as he’d loved his pa.

  “You already have.”

  *

  He couldn’t have planned it any better. The whole damn town was at the Parker ranch and he didn’t have to worry about slinking about. He let himself into the stable. There was only one horse in the barn but since Harvey had been in often enough to see Justin, the animal recognized his scent and went back to eating.

  Heading straight for the tack room where he knew the kerosene was kept, he took the can from the floor. If this wasn’t enough he’d let himself into the mercantile. Coming outside he took a moment to stop and listen, but nothing had changed. Marietta was silent as a tomb.

  Chuckling, he headed for the feed mill and set to work. When he figured he’d doused it good, he started a flame at the far end of the building. Then, calm as though he were walking to church, he strode out of the feed mill and headed for his horse.

  It wouldn’t take long for the flames to engulf the building, which was why he didn’t bother setting any other fires. He needed to get away before someone saw the smoke, or worse, him. As it was, black smoke was just now beginning to billow from the window he’d opened. Soon it would be seen for miles. No doubt it would create alarm, draw most everyone to town in a panic as they wouldn’t be sure which building was on fire. In the chaos and confusion, it would be near impossible to keep track of everyone. It would be easy for one or two to get “lost” in the stampede.

  Laughing, he headed for the Parker ranch.

  *

  “It was perfect, don’t you think?” Silver asked once the ceremony was over and James had kissed his bride.

  Jillian and Silver had stepped aside to allow the guests room to congratulate the happy couple. Since that left many empty chairs, they’d helped themselves to two.

  “It was. I’m glad I’d thought ahead and put a handkerchief in my pocket,” Jillian answered.

/>   “I noticed the way Wade looked at you.” Silver teased.

  Jillian had as well. His gaze had been fixed on her from the start of the ceremony. Along with what had happened after Justin’s, hope bloomed in Jillian’s heart. Maybe she really could have everything she’d ever wanted.

  “Has he changed his mind?”

  “If he has, he hasn’t said.”

  Silver leaned forward. “But?”

  “But…” Jillian laughed. She should have known Silver would see through her. “But I’ve decided it doesn’t matter. I wouldn’t be happy without him.” She took Silver’s hand. “Without all of you.”

  “Does Wade know about any of this?”

  “I only came to this last night; I haven’t had a chance to tell him.”

  “Oh, I can’t wait until you do!”

  For a moment they watched Eileen and James and Wade and Annabelle receive congratulations and best wishes from the guests.

  “Shane looks handsome today.”

  Silver sighed. “I’m sure Melissa thinks so as well. They sat together during the ceremony.”

  “But it was you he brought.”

  She shook her head. “He didn’t bring me. He knew I needed to be here early and he escorted me for protection, in case that Harvey fellow is still around.”

  “Maybe it was more than that.”

  “It’ll never be more than that,” she said sadly.

  “But maybe—”

  “Fire!” someone yelled. “There’s a fire in town!”

  Jillian and Silver jumped to their feet as those gathered looked to where the man pointed. Black smoke puffed in the air, forming a dark grey cloud in the direction of Marietta.

  “My saloon!”

  She wasn’t the only one worried. Everyone scrambled, leaping chairs and running for their horses. Silver grabbed her skirts and raced after them and, despite her dress and petticoats, easily jumped over a fallen chair.

  “Silver, wait!”

  But she couldn’t have heard. Shouts were flying fast and coming from all directions. Jillian’s mind scrambled. Should she stay? Should she go to help battle the flames? Where would she be most needed?

  Suddenly the crack of a gun split the air.

  Boots dug in for purchase and everyone turned to see who’d fired the shot. Shane was standing on a chair, his right arm and pistol pointing skyward.

  “Let’s not panic.”

  “Easy for you to say, that could be my stable!”

  “Or my lumber yard!”

  “Or my jailhouse,” Shane added.

  Hell, depending on how bad it was it could be the whole town. With most businesses made of wood except Grey’s, the whole town could go up.

  “I know we need to hurry, but we can’t all go. Men, saddle up. Except you, Reverend,” he added. “I’d like you to stay back with the women and children.”

  Shane had told Jillian what he knew of Harvey and that the man was missing. He’d warned her to be extra careful. As Shane’s eyes connected with hers, she knew what he was thinking, that this could very well be Harvey’s doing.

  The reverend nodded. “I can do that.”

  But not all the women agreed to stay. Letty, worried about her mercantile, left with John. A few others who didn’t have young children to worry about also went with their men. The rest of the women and children fell back, silent and worried, while men saddled horses or rode bareback if they’d taken the wagons. There wasn’t time to waste hitching horses and dragging around a wagon would only slow them down. With livelihoods at stake, time was of the essence.

  Annabelle came up to her, slid her little hand into Jillian’s. “Will Papa be all right?”

  Jillian couldn’t see Wade for all the scrambling. “I’m sure he will.”

  As though they conjured him, he suddenly wove through the crowd, heading toward them. His gaze was penetrating but Jillian had no idea if that was a good thing or if it meant he blamed her for this as well.

  “Promise me you’ll stay here.” He demanded.

  “I will.”

  “Good.” He held her gaze a moment longer, then turned to his daughter and gave her a fierce hug. “Stay close, all right, Button?”

  “I promise,” Annabelle said then went to join Jacob on the porch.

  Jillian clasped his arm as he turned to leave. Her chest ached with things she wanted to say, but it wasn’t the time to tell him. Instead, she pressed onto her toes and kissed his cheek.

  “Be careful.”

  His eyes flashed. Before she knew it, he grabbed her and his mouth was on hers, hot and hard. The kiss was over quickly but its effects lingered. Her head was still spinning and her lips were still humming when Wade ran to join the others.

  *

  Her horse raced along with the others, its hooves adding to the dust that was already thick as molasses. Dust poured down Silver’s throat, burned her eyes. That better not be my saloon. Not when every dime she owned was tied to that building. Not when it wasn’t only her livelihood, it was her home. Her life. If she lost it…

  Suddenly a hand grabbed her reins and her horse was scrambling to a stop while others were forced to veer to the side to avoid a collision.

  “Where the devil do you think you’re going?” Shane’s eyes were darker than the smoke that marred the otherwise blue sky.

  “I’m going to save my livelihood, same as those men!” she said, though not a soul could be seen through the curtain of dust.

  “We can do that! You need to get back to the ranch.”

  She may not have been standing on ground, but she dug in her heels anyway. “Unless you’re planning on taking me back, I’m going. And judging from that smoke, we don’t have time to waste.”

  His nostrils flared. His jaw clenched so hard he could have cracked teeth.

  “I can take care of myself. Now let go! I’m not losing my saloon!”

  “Fine,” he answered grudgingly, “but don’t do anything stupid.”

  Besides falling in love with you?

  Tugging her reins from his grasp Silver charged toward town.

  *

  Jillian’s heart broke for Eileen. It should have been one of the happiest days of her friend’s life and instead she was sitting at her own wedding reception, without her groom, staring out at the cloud of smoke that, if anything, was growing.

  “Are you sure I can’t get you anything?” Jillian asked.

  Eileen shook her head, never taking her eyes off the horizon.

  “I can’t lose him, I can’t lose another one,” she whispered.

  Jillian shifted her chair closer, handed Eileen a handkerchief, but all the bride did was twist it in her hands.

  The waiting was going to be torture. Out of respect, and likely out of fear as well, conversations were kept quiet. The food remained covered, but coffee was being made in the kitchen. Other than Jillian, most left Eileen to her worrying.

  Reverend Donnelly suddenly spoke from the porch. “I think this would be an appropriate time for prayer.”

  He led them in worship, and while Jillian believed in God, she found it difficult to concentrate. Her mind was in town and what was happening there. When the reverend finished, he came to Eileen to offer words of comfort.

  Allowing them privacy, Jillian decided to see if she could be of help in the kitchen.

  Before she could reach the porch a piercing scream rent the air. A hard jolt of fear slammed down Jillian’s throat. She grabbed her skirts and along with everyone else, raced toward the sound, which had come from behind the house.

  Rounding the corner Jillian gasped. Her knees shuddered. Oh, dear Lord!

  Harvey Black held a pale and terrified Jacob around the throat with one hand. And a gun to his head with the other.

  “Jacob!” his mother whimpered.

  Everyone who’d come running stood in stunned silence, their faces as ashen as Jacob’s.

  Jillian had no idea how Harvey had gotten onto the ranch without being seen. But wit
h the madness of the men scrambling for their horses, she supposed it would have been easy enough to slip by. Especially when he wasn’t expected.

  If Harvey was there it could only be for one reason. Culpability settled heavily onto her shoulders. Blowing out a trembling breath Jillian moved forward.

  “No!” Annabelle reached for her.

  Jillian thrust her arm out to block Annabelle at the same time Mrs. Hollingsworth grabbed the back of her granddaughter’s dress. The women locked gazes.

  “Keep her safe,” Jillian said.

  “With my life,” Mrs. Hollingsworth added.

  Then, despite Annabelle’s sobbing protests, Jillian stepped from the group. Standing alone scared the air from her lungs, but she couldn’t let anything happen to Jacob.

  “I thought this would get your attention.” Harvey sneered.

  “What do you want?”

  “What I want is for you to remember your place,” he said as his vicious stare raked over every woman there. “For all of you women to remember your place. It’s to get married and birth babies. To obey your man and to take care of his home, the home he works to provide. It’s not to be gallivanting around doin’ things that ain’t your business.” His eyes narrowed. “And it sure as hell isn’t making noise about the right to vote!”

  Jillian had no idea what he was talking about. Of course she’d heard about the right to vote movement that was happening across some of the states and territories, but it wasn’t in Marietta.

  Yet none of that mattered. What mattered was getting Jacob safely back into his mother’s arms.

  “Jacob, are you all right?”

  She could see the boy was struggling to control his fear.

  “I-I’m scared.”

  “I know you are. Just stand still, all right?”

  “I’ll give the orders around here!” Harvey yelled, causing everyone to flinch.

  “Don’t hurt him.” Mrs. Garvey pleaded.

  “Shut up!” Harvey bellowed.