“What?” Carly blinked, confused at his question. In truth, he didn’t look anywhere near forty. His shoulders and arms were muscled from lifting crates of cargo for years, and his blond hair wasn’t thinning or turning white. He no longer favored the arm he got shot in or wore the sling. He didn’t look overly old at all. “No. I’ve never thought that.”
She nibbled on her lower lip and stared at the closest vehicle. The black paint of the spring wagon was partly worn off, revealing the grayed wood underneath. Stuffing hung out one corner of the padded front bench. Right now, she felt as worn out as the buggy. “It’s just that … can’t I tell you later? Emmie’s really getting heavy.”
He rubbed his nape, then scratched the back of his head. “I guess so.”
“You’ll let Luke know I’ve got Emmie and to watch out for the other young’uns?”
He nodded, but he didn’t look too pleased. “Luke’s talking with that ranger over there.” He nudged his chin to the right. “Stay here for a minute and let me run and tell him; then I can carry Emmie and escort you back home.”
Carly offered him a weak smile. “Thank you, but that isn’t necessary. The wedding will be starting soon, and you need to be here.”
“Just wait.” He held up his hands, palms out, then backed away. “I’ll be right back.”
Carly watched him jog off, her heart already feeling his loss. She’d dared to dream of marriage and family—of having a permanent home—but she should have known dreams don’t come true for people like her. Folks would always think of her as an outlaw. Hadn’t those women proved that?
Batting her burning eyes, she wove between the haphazardly parked wagons and buggies, down the street toward the boardinghouse. She shifted Emmie to her shoulder to relieve her shaking arm and patted the child’s back.
Maybe it was best for all if she just moved on to another town.
Chapter 29
Jack sat in the church pew for the second time that day, cocooned by her family. Holding Abby, who was nearly asleep, Ma sat on her left, while Alan leaned against Jack’s right side, kicking one leg and pouting at having to come back to church again when he’d rather play with his friends. Luke proudly jiggled Andrew, alternating between staring at his newest son and watching the wedding. Even the ranger who’d come to see Luke had decided to attend the wedding after getting his fill of food and sat on the far end of the pew.
A sense of peace—of belonging—wrapped around Jack. How could she even consider leaving her family?
Noah’s voice rumbled through the room as he read the vows to Christine Morgan and Rand Kessler, who each recited them in turn. Noah stood straight and tall, his voice confident, but she knew he was nervous about marrying his first couple. She closed her eyes and said the vows along with Mrs. Morgan—only she was saying them to Noah.
Somewhere in the past few days, she’d taken a turn. Dallas no longer held her fascination. Being an ace reporter in the big city had lost most of its attraction, although she hoped to continue to work for Jenny. She had written a letter to the Dallas Morning News, declining the job, but she had yet to mail it. Part of her dreaded turning it down. The other part felt at peace with staying in Lookout, but she would continue to pray about it before making a final decision. And how could she possibly think of leaving town until things were settled with Noah?
Was she making a huge mistake? Throwing away her dream just when it was within her reach?
Or had her dream changed? Caring for Noah wasn’t something she’d planned or sought after. It just happened—more quickly than she ever would have believed possible. From the first time her eyes had collided with his, she’d felt that connection. Almost as if he’d come to town just for her.
But that was silly. He simply came for the job and had no former knowledge of her.
“Would you please bow your heads as I ask God’s blessing on this couple?” Noah’s voice pulled her back from her musings. With one hand on Christine Morgan’s shoulder and the other on Rand Kessler’s, he ducked his head and started praying.
Jack caught a glimpse of the thick black hair on the top of Noah’s head, and her fingers moved, aching to touch it. She blew out a heavy sigh. Her ma glanced at her, then closed her eyes again. Jack bowed her head. Why couldn’t she concentrate on the wedding instead of Noah?
Because she had to know if she was just having her first severe case of infatuation or if she was truly falling in love. But how could one know the difference?
Noah was kind, brave, handsome, and made her feel things she’d never wanted a man to make her feel. He reminded her of Luke. Both men were honorable, truthful. Tall. But was she only attracted to Noah because he resembled Luke in so many ways?
She needed to talk to someone. Jenny was too jaded. Penny had never been in love. And Tessa—well, she definitely couldn’t ask Tessa. Noah said, “Amen,” and Jack glanced at her ma. Maybe it was time they had a heart-to-heart talk.
“Mr. Kessler, you may kiss your bride.”
Rand’s smile was as wide as all of Texas. A rosy red stained Mrs. Kessler’s cheeks. The groom ducked down, paused to gaze into his wife’s eyes, then kissed her. Masculine cheers resounded throughout the room.
Jack looked at Noah. He was staring directly at her, a gentle smile pulling at one side of his mouth. She’d kissed that mouth. Her pulse leapt. And she hoped to do it again. Was it shameless of her to enjoy kissing him? To feel completely safe and cherished locked within the minister’s strong arms?
No, not the minister—the man.
Noah.
The couple quit kissing, but their fervent smiles remained. Noah held out his hand toward the newly married couple. “Ladies and gentlemen, it’s my pleasure to present to you Mr. and Mrs. Randall Leland Kessler.”
The room filled with cheers and clapping. Abby jerked awake, staring with unfocused eyes. Andrew slept contentedly in his father’s arms. Jack, overwhelmed with emotion, hugged Alan, but the boy pulled away.
“Don’t we get to eat cake now?” he asked.
Carly changed out of her Sunday dress into her cooler calico. She peeked in the girls’ bedroom to check on Emmie. The child slept contentedly, curled on top of her bed. She pulled the door almost shut, in case someone returned with the other children before Emmie woke up; then Carly tiptoed downstairs.
She half-expected Garrett to come knocking on the boarding-house door, but it was probably best he stayed at the wedding. It wouldn’t look right for them to be home alone and nobody else around. Carly opened the front door, unable to hold back a contemptuous snort. People could hardly think much worse of her if they were blaming her for thefts and murder. She laid a hand over her chest. Knowing someone believed that about her cut her to the quick.
She dropped down into a rocker below the girls’ open window, knowing Emmie would cry out for someone once she woke up. Not a soul walked down Main Street, although as usual, several horses were hitched in front of the Wet Your Whistle.
Closing her eyes, she pushed the rocker into motion and prayed about what to do. She longed to race upstairs, pack her bags, and flee the vicious gossip as if she were running from an angry posse. Faced with the chance of possibly losing Garrett, she knew without a doubt that she wanted to stay, to marry him, and raise a family, but how could she if folks continued to spread rumors? Her husband and children would suffer. Her whole body felt as if she were being split apart.
Tears burned her eyes, frustrating her even more. She swatted at them and wiped her cheek on her shoulder. “What should I do, Lord?”
She spent the next few minutes praying, but no answer came. Maybe she was making too big a deal of things. It had only been the two women talking, after all, and once the marshal figured out who was doing the break-ins and solved the murder, surely talk would die down. Until then, she could stick close to the boardinghouse. There. She felt better thinking things through and praying about the situation.
Loud cheers erupted from the direction of church. So the w
edding was over. That meant folks would be walking down the street back to their homes. She opened her eyes, and her heart leapt into her throat.
Two cowboys stood just on the other side of the porch, leering at her. One was leaning on the rail. His mouth lifted in a grin, but his eyes remained cold. “Well, look what we have here, Buck.”
The tall, thin man named Buck scowled at the other. “Why’d you have’ta go and use my name, Laredo? That was a dumb thang t’do.”
Laredo rolled his gray eyes, then glared at Carly again. For the first time since her return to Lookout, she wished she was armed. But she hadn’t carried a gun since her outlaw days.
“If it ain’t our local jailbird.” Buck smirked, sending shivers racing through her.
Laredo stroked his mustache. “We cain’t have her kind in our good town, now can we?”
She pushed up from the rocker and rushed to the front door, nearly tripping as her skirts grabbed her legs. Scuffling sounded behind her, but she didn’t look. She twisted the doorknob, then she was jerked into Laredo’s arms. With one arm around her waist, he hauled her backward off the porch.
Help me, Lord. She couldn’t let him take her and leave Emmie all alone. Her heart fluttered like the wings of a newly caged bird as he dragged her down the steps. She lifted her arm, then brought it down in a swift jab, elbowing him in the side. His breath whooshed past her left ear, but he didn’t let go.
“Git her.” Buck danced in the street, flapping his arms like a chicken with clipped wings.
Laredo lifted her off the ground, and Carly lifted one leg and kicked back. Laredo cried out and dropped her. The fall jarred her whole body, rattling her teeth. The smooth shush of a gun being drawn drew her gaze up. Laredo aimed his pistol at her chest.
Garrett sat in the church, as close to the door as he could. If Rand hadn’t been a good friend, he would have skipped the wedding altogether. Why hadn’t Carly waited on him? Why had she called off their courting when she’d been happy and hanging on his arm earlier?
Had she become upset because he’d been talking with some of the men instead of sitting on the quilt with her after dinner? Well, tough. He was a man, and men liked to see one another and catch up on the latest news about livestock and new inventions. She’d just have to understand that.
Instantly, he regretted his harsh thought and that he wasn’t paying attention. He bowed his head as Noah offered prayer for the couple. Garrett had hoped his wedding would be next. It might have taken him by surprise to realize he had feelings for Carly, but once he did, there was no turning back. He’d just have to figure out how to change her mind.
He winced as he watched Rand kiss his bride. Too bad it wasn’t him and Carly up there. He was tired of living alone.
Noah introduced the newly married couple, and everyone stood and cheered. Garrett dashed out the door. He could visit Carly, straighten things out, and then come back and congratulate the Kesslers.
He wove through the bevy of wagons, sending up a prayer.
Lord, You know I believe in You. I don’t often ask You for help, but I’m asking today. Change Carly’s heart. Let her see I’m serious about this marrying business. I promise we’ll be in church each Sunday—’less we’re sick.
Eager to see her, he quickened his steps. He cleared the wagons, then noticed a commotion in the street in front of the boardinghouse. Two men were attacking a woman. He sucked in a breath. Not Carly!
Garrett broke into a run. Help me to help her, Lord.
He could handle two men—as long as neither pulled a gun. One man had his back to Garrett while the other wrestled with Carly. She elbowed the man, but he didn’t let go. She reached up and grabbed hold of the man’s hair.
Garrett suddenly darted between Polly’s and Dolly’s hideous purple house and the Castlebys’ fancy home, as if pulled by an invisible hand. He slowed his steps, and an idea forged in his mind. He ran around the banker’s home and in the back door of the boardinghouse.
Luke kept a rifle and extra gun in his bedroom. Garrett snatched the gun from its spot on top of the wardrobe where Luke had placed it after he first bought it. He hurried down the hall to the front door and slowly opened it, hating the time he wasted but knowing he needed a weapon if he and Carly were both going to survive.
The men had her almost to the end of the porch. Garrett raced through the parlor and climbed out the open window on the side of the house, then stepped out from behind a bush. Carly sat on the ground, her back to him, staring up at a gun.
“Laredo, look out.” The thin man who’d been watching the other man struggle with Carly reached for his gun.
Garrett aimed and fired, completely missing his target. Thank the good Lord the man was a slow draw. Aiming with a steadier hand, he hit the man in the shoulder, just as his gun left his holster. The man yelled and fell to the ground, dropping his gun and grabbing his arm. Garrett’s eyes swiveled to the other man, and his heart all but stopped. Laredo held his gun to Carly’s head.
“Move, and she’s dead, mister.”
Chapter 30
Carly’s gaze lifted to Garrett’s. His beautiful blue eyes held an apology—and more. He was sincerely concerned for her.
The man he’d shot rolled on the ground and howled like a hunting dog. “He’p me, L’rado. I hurt.”
She could feel her captor’s chest rise and fall as his breathing quickened. With Laredo’s arm crushing her just below her breasts, she could barely breathe. He loosened his grip for a second, then hoisted her up, closer to him than before. The gun pressed hard to her temple, forcing it sideways. Hurting. Bruising.
She didn’t want to die.
She wanted the dream.
She wanted to live in Lookout and marry Garrett.
“That wedding’s over. People will be swarming the streets any minute.” Garrett’s gaze and his voice hardened. “You’d best just let her go and take your friend and git.”
Carly could sense the man’s uncertainty. She could almost smell his indecision. She swallowed hard.
“My cousin is the marshal, you know. He won’t take kindly to your harming that woman.”
“She’s nothin’ but an outlaw—a jailbird.”
Garrett winced, and Carly wondered why. But then she knew. He’d thought the same thing not so long ago. Had his feelings truly changed?
Her gaze snagged his, and she found her answer there. She couldn’t explain how it had happened, but he’d come to care for her—and that made her want to live.
She wouldn’t let this man steal her life and her future. She flicked her gaze downward, then back up to Garrett’s, and did it again. He frowned. She wiggled one finger of the arm crushed to her side. His gaze dropped down.
Buck groaned. “I’m dyin’. I need a doctor.”
“Shut up. It’s just a shoulder wound.” Laredo’s unsympathetic words rushed past Carly’s ear. “Get up. And get the horses.”
“If he does, I’ll shoot him in the leg,” Garrett growled.
“Nooo, I cain’t walk if’n you do that.”
“I’ll shoot him myself if he don’t git up.” Laredo moved the gun away from her head and pointed it at his cohort. “Get up, Buck, and hurry.”
With the gun gone, Carly wiggled her finger again. Garrett watched.
She lifted her index finger.
Then the middle one.
And then her ring finger.
Suddenly she went completely limp.
“What the—” Taken off guard, Laredo loosened his hold, and Carly slipped free.
A gun blasted—then another. The stench of gunpowder rent the air, leaving behind a cloud of gray. Laredo yelled and fell back. Carly sat on the ground, head ducked down.
She was afraid to look.
Afraid Garrett would be dead.
Strong, gentle arms lifted her up, and Garrett pressed her against his left side, keeping his gun trained on her attackers. Her arms wrapped around his waist and held tight. He was alive!
“
Shh … you’re safe now.” Garrett patted her back and pressed his cheek against her head.
Tears of joy poured from her eyes like a river, dampening his shirt. She never wanted to move.
“You’re marrying me, and I won’t take no for an answer.” Garrett kissed her head. “What happened back at the church that made you say you didn’t want to court me?”
She shrugged. He gently set her back from him, and shame made her duck her head. “Two women were talkin’. They said the r–robberies and m–murder were my fault.”
Garrett stiffened and lifted her chin with one finger. “You listen to me, Carly. That’s a bald-faced lie. People will always talk, but you don’t have to take to heart what they say, darlin’. Maybe you were a robber a long time ago, but you’ve changed. God changed you and set you free from the past. You served your time, and now you’re a free woman—in more ways than one.”
She studied his face, encouraged by his sincerity. “You’re right. I am a child of God. When I gave my heart to Him, He washed me white as snow. It’s as if I never sinned.”
Pounding footsteps and shouts sounded down the street and drew nearer. Garrett glanced that way, then nodded. “That’s right. You’re no more of an outlaw than I am.”
Buck moaned, but Laredo endured his pain and failure in silence. Carly peeked at them, then saw Luke and a dozen other men running toward them. She hated for this time with Garrett to end.
He pulled her behind the shrub, where they were partially hidden. “It’s true that I used to despise you, Carly. I won’t lie. Your brother kidnapped Rachel, you pretended to be one of the mail-order brides, and for all I knew, you two planned everything just so you could rob the bank. God changed my heart. I don’t know how or when, but He did. I care for you.”
He didn’t say he loved her, but they hadn’t been courting very long. All she knew was that she felt the same. “After I got to know Shannon and Leah, I despised you and your brother for what you’d done to them.” She shook her head. “How could you order your cousin three brides?”
Finally a Bride Page 29
