by Leah Atwood
Free to Protect
A Texas Wildflowers Novelette
By Leah Atwood
Freedom Brides
A controversial new program. A new hope for six women in need. When others wilt, they will thrive. These are the Texas Wildflowers.
Free to Love
Free to Heal
Free to Protect
Free to Serve
Free to Roam
Free to Forgive
Copyright © 2015 by Leah Atwood
Cover Design © Susette Williams
Cover Photo © Periodimages.com
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Epilogue
CHAPTER ONE
A dreamy smile stretched across Emma Lee Abingdon’s mouth. Memories of last night’s party sent a pleasant shiver down her spine. Luther Seaver had hardly left her side the entire evening. She was positive he’d soon be speaking to Father and asking for her hand in marriage.
By the age of twenty, most women, especially those of a similar stature, were already married, but Father had turned down every marriage proposal that was offered to her. But he wouldn’t turn down Luther, who was Mucksbe newest lawyer. That there was only one other lawyer in town was of no consequence.
Father respected Luther, who came from a long line of wealthy Philadelphia Seavers, with many of whom Father still maintained contact. His lineage and occupation were enough to garner Father’s approval, but Emma Lee had her own reasons.
There wasn’t a single man in Mucksbe who could compare to Luther Seaver. He was dashing, always dressed in the most debonair fashions for a man, and he adored her. Every unmarried female in Mucksbe had vied for his attention, but she’d been the only one to whom it had been granted.
Sitting up in the guest bed at the Grant’s house, she stretched her arms as warm rays of sunlight burst through the window. The glorious day outside perfectly matched her mood. Nothing could take away her joy.
She stood and grabbed her wrapper, draping it over her shoulders. With a bounce in her step, she went through the door and into the adjoining room which belonged to her best friend, Kitty Grant. Last night’s party had been held in her honor to celebrate her nineteenth birthday. Kitty’s parents had allowed Emma Lee to spend the night instead of going home after the party.
“I thought you would never wake up.” Kitty sat at a dressing table while her maid curled her hair. Her smile reflected in the mirror.
Emma Lee crossed her arms over her chest, smiled contentedly, and swayed. “Why would I want to wake when I had such wonderful dreams?”
“Of Luther, no doubt.” Kitty laughed. “You were the envy of every girl at the party?”
“I was, wasn’t I?” Mother always told her it was a sin to crave attention, but Emma Lee did love it so.
Kitty turned to her maid. “Hannie, will you be a dear and help Emma Lee now. Her dress is hanging in the guest room.”
“Yes, ma’am.” Hannie, Kitty’s personal maid, fluffed the final curl then disappeared into the other room.
Grabbing Emma Lee’s hands, Kitty grinned. “Don’t keep me in suspense as you did last night. Did he kiss you?”
Heat crept up Emma Lee’s neck. “Yes.”
They both squealed—Emma Lee because it was expected of her.
Hannie returned and assisted Emma Lee in preparing for the day. Because of the maid’s presence, Emma Lee didn’t recount any details of the kiss. If she thought about it long enough, she’d remember Luther’s pawing hands made her uncomfortable. However, she told herself it was simply because she was unaccustomed to his touch. Luther was a fine man, and she adored him. In time, she would learn to like his kisses as well.
There was a knock on the door. Hannie secured the last buttons on Emma Lee’s dress before going to open the door. Mrs. Grant stood on the other side, a grim expression on her face.
“Emma Lee, we need to talk.” Uncharacteristic compassion filled her words.
Fear grabbed Emma Lee. Something was dreadfully wrong—she could see it in Mrs. Grant’s eyes. “What about?”
Approaching her, Mrs. Grant reached out and put a palm to Emma Lee’s arm. “Perhaps we should sit.”
She allowed her friend’s mother to guide her to the sitting area in the corner of the room. Kitty caught her eye, and they exchanged a worried look. After she had sat, she smoothed the skirt of her dress. So much for nothing stealing her sunshine today.
Mrs. Grant stood near her, wringing her hands. “There’s not an easy way to say this.” She took a deep breath. “Your parents were found dead this morning.”
The world around Emma Lee ceased to exist. She must have heard wrong. Her parents couldn’t be dead—they were healthy, lively adults.
“I’m sorry.” Pushing aside propriety, Mrs. Grant stooped beside her and gave her a hug.
“How?” The news was slowly hitting her and her composure was on the verge of evaporating.
Swallowing hard, Mrs. Grant squeezed tighter. “They were discovered shot to death.”
“My…my parents were murdered?” When the last word came out of her mouth, she broke into sobs.
Mrs. Grant nodded. Kitty came to her side, and while she shook as well, she also embraced Emma Lee.
Her world would never be the same. Nothing mattered anymore. Who would do such a thing? What would happen to her now?
After some time, Mrs. Grant backed away. “Sheriff Daniels is downstairs. He’d like to speak with you.”
Numbly, Emma Lee stood without a word. She wore no shoes or stockings as she went into the hall, then down the stairs. The sound of footsteps behind her barely registered as she found her way to the parlor. Her chin trembled when she saw the sheriff. His presence made the news real, and she wanted it to be a bad dream.
“I can see Mrs. Grant spoke with you.” His thumbs were hooked on his gun belt. “I’m real sorry.”
Again, she couldn’t say anything. She felt trapped in her own mind, afraid to escape and face the truth. An arm grabbed her and led her to a settee. Sheriff Daniels told her everything he knew, and as much as she didn’t want the details, she knew she needed to hear them.
“For your own safety, you’ll need to go into hiding.” Sheriff Daniel’s announcement startled her from her drifting thoughts.
She’d been remembering the first spring her family came to Texas. One Sunday afternoon, they’d gone on a picnic after church. Wildflowers had been out in full bloom, and she and Mother had picked them with abandon. It was still one of her fondest memories, one of the few times she’d seen her parents relaxed and uninhibited.
“Is that necessary?” she asked, breaking free of her fog.
“I believe so. There’s reason to believe your parents were targeted and you may be next.” Sheriff Daniels’ solemn words scared her.
“Then I shall go to Philadelphia. I have family there.” She wouldn’t think about all that must be done before
leaving. One minute at a time—that is all she could manage.
“I’m afraid not.” He rubbed his mustache. “That would be an obvious destination and you would be easily traced.”
“Then what do you suggest?” Mrs. Grant asked.
Emma Lee was relieved to have someone else step in.
Sheriff Daniels walked toward Emma Lee. “Have you heard of the Freedom Bride program?”
“Yes.” In her opinion, it was an absolute scandal, and she wondered how the program pertained to her parents’ deaths.
“I hear in your tone that you do not approve, but hear me out.” He crossed his arms. “I have a man in the jail now, who would make an ideal bodyguard.”
“Sir,” Mrs. Grant cut in. “I surely hope you’re not about to suggest what I think you are.”
“Mrs. Grant, there is a large chance Emma Lee is in grave danger. My mission is to make sure my town stays safe, and if I have to use unusual means to achieve that, then so be it.”
“What exactly are you suggesting?” Emma Lee’s mind swirled. The death of her parents still was fresh and now she needed to go into hiding? It was too much.
“Marry Garrison Gray. He’s a good man once you get past his arrogance.” Sheriff Daniels lowered his voice and looked directly at Emma Lee. “There is a vacant home twenty miles outside of town. You and he will live there, as husband and wife, pretending to be newlyweds starting your lives together by building up a ranch.”
A rancher’s wife? Momentarily forgetting her grief, she scrunched her nose. What a horrid idea. “I think that’s a bit extreme.”
“Not if you value your life,” Sheriff Daniels countered. “Garrison Gray is the best shot around. If anyone discovers you before I can find your parents’ killer, he can protect you better than anyone else.”
“Can’t he just stay with me? Luther will not be happy about this arrangement.” It was the first time she’d thought of Luther since receiving the tragic news.
Sheriff Daniels hesitated. “What I am about to say does not leave this room, do you understand?”
Emma Lee, Kitty and Mrs. Grant nodded. The sheriff could be quite intimidating and had power that trumped their wealth.
“I hoped not to tell you, but there is reason to believe Luther Seaver was involved with the crime.”
“That’s not possible,” Emma Lee screamed, jumping from her seat. “Luther is an upstanding citizen and looked up to my father.”
Kitty restrained her.
“I realize this is difficult to hear, but I need you to trust me.” Sadness flickered across Sheriff Daniels’ eyes. “Your parents were good people, Emma Lee. They held high standards, but they never hesitated to help someone in need.”
Fresh tears welled in her eyes. “What happens after the killer is caught? Will I have to remain married for life?”
“The marriage will be strictly for propriety’s sake. Once the killer is caught and behind bars, the marriage can be annulled.” Sheriff Daniel’s looked at her with a determined stare. “If I thought there was a better way to keep you safe, I’d never ask this of you.”
Feeling lost, she took a deep calming breath. Maybe escaping wouldn’t be so bad. Living in the house would be intolerable. She wasn’t so sure she’d ever enter it again. But living so far from civilization? Marrying a stranger and living alone with him? What if Luther really had been involved?
Decisions were never left to her, and now she faced the biggest one of her life.
CHAPTER TWO
Garrison Gray sat on a bench in his cell, kicking the dusty floor that no one ever bothered to clean. How many weeks had he been in jail? He’d lost count. All because he’d shot the mayor’s hat from his head.
A wry smile curled his lips. The act wasn’t worth the punishment, but he’d never forget the look on Mayor Linden’s face when his hat went flying and exposed the bald head underneath. Everyone in the saloon had laughed at the man’s flustered antics as he frantically covered his bald head with his arms.
Had Garrison been sober, he never would have taken the dare to shoot the hat off the next man who walked through the saloon’s doors. Actually, he probably would have, but how was he to know that man was going to be the mayor? Anyone else would have laughed it off and congratulated him on the feat, but no, the mayor had gone and had him arrested. A week later, the judge had sentenced him to three years of labor on a chain gang.
Before he could be sent to a work camp, Sheriff Daniels approached with a harebrained idea he called Freedom Brides. If Garrison married a woman in need and followed a few rules for a few months, he’d be a free man. He thought it was a ridiculous program, but signed up regardless. So far, two of the other men participating in the program had been married. He hadn’t heard anything about Cord but knew Kane seemed happy. His wife, Faith, was friends with the sheriff and occasionally stopped in the jail to speak with Sheriff Daniels. Garrison had no overwhelming urge to marry, but he hoped his turn would come soon, for the sole reason he wanted out of this place.
He was a rambler, drifting from place to place as needed. His reputation with a gun kept him in demand, and he’d earned a nice sum of money providing security for the wealthy or those who ran the blurred line of the law who needed someone to watch their backs. Sometimes they were one and the same. No one who knew him dared to tempt the use of his six-shooter—and most every man in Texas knew him. Once he was married, he’d hire himself out locally until the time came he wasn’t restricted to Mucksbe.
Footsteps sounded outside his cell, and he heard the familiar jingle of the sheriff’s keyring. Sure enough, Sheriff Daniels appeared seconds later.
“Your turn.” Sheriff Daniels unlocked the cell and swung the door open. “Come sit at my desk, and I’ll tell you about your assignment.”
Odd choice of words, Garrison thought. Not marriage, not bride, but assignment. With deliberate motions, he stood and sauntered out of his cell, every step a confident stride.
There were two wooden chairs on the visitor side of the sheriff’s desk. He sat in the closest one and crossed his legs, resting an ankle on the opposite knee. A sneer graced his face. “Who’s the lucky girl?”
Sheriff Daniels shook his head. “One would think your time in jail would have cured your arrogance.”
“Never.” Garrison laughed. It would take a lot more than that to knock him down.
Something like the chain gang. He’d seen men tougher than him succumb to the privation of such a life. It’s not something he’d ever admit, but the very idea of going to one put a chink in his armor. Which is why, outlandish as the prospect seemed, he accepted entrance into the Freedom Brides program.
Sheriff Daniels sat in his chair on the other side of the desk, looking at Garrison with an exasperated gaze, at least that’s how he read the look. “Here’s the deal, Gray. Your situation will be unique.”
Eyebrows raised, he asked, “How so?”
“I’ve wired some of the men you’ve worked for previously. Not a one had a negative thing to say about your performance, and all found you to be trustworthy.”
“What are you getting at?” Garrison pushed his luck with his flippant tone, but the sheriff seemed to have an obliging respect for him, partially, he thought because Sheriff Daniels and the mayor didn’t always get along.
“There was a murder last night, two actually.” Frustration passed over the sheriff’s face. “Henry and Louisa Abingdon were found in their house this morning, shot to death.”
“The owner of the bank and his wife?” He’d met the man on several occasions and liked him well enough. The couple had a daughter—a beautiful thing, but uppity. “What about the daughter?”
“Fortunately, she had stayed the night at a friend’s house, but I have cause to believe she’s in danger.” Leaning forward, Sheriff Daniel’s rested his forearms on his desk. “I need to get her out of town.”
His words from minutes ago began to make sense to Garrison. “And you’re assigning me as her guard?”
“Kind of.” A wrinkle of doubt lined Sheriff Daniels’ forehead. “You’re going to marry her.”
“No.” Anyone but the conceited princess.
“You’d rather go to the chain gang?” Sheriff Daniels cast him a knowing glance.
Garrison swallowed. The sheriff already knew that answer. “Why marriage to her?”
“I’m going to level with you. I like you and don’t think you deserved the punishment doled to you, which is why I’m bending some rules of the program.” Sheriff Daniels stood and crossed his arms. “I need you married to Emma Lee for several reasons. First, I suspect her beau had something to do with her parents’ deaths.”
“Who’s her beau?” He uncrossed his leg and sat up straighter.
“Luther Seaver.”
Somehow he wasn’t surprised. “He fits the part.” Now that the sheriff was treating him as an equal, he put aside the cocky attitude. “But I still don’t follow why you’re asking me to marry her.”
“I need her out of town. There’s a small homestead twenty miles outside town that you’ll live on with her as husband and wife. It’s far enough out of the way, few people if any, will happen by, and if they do, chances are they won’t recognize Emma Lee.” Sheriff Daniels wetted his lips. “The marriage is strictly in name only and for the sake of propriety. Only the Grant’s, my deputy, Pastor Mire, and myself will know Emma Lee’s whereabouts and of the marriage, but we need to preserve her reputation if this were ever to come out.”
“So I’m to be her guard and husband?”
“Yes.” The sheriff pinned him with a glare. “Let me reemphasize, in name only. You are to protect Emma Lee until I can find proof against Luther. Once he’s in jail, you and Emma can return, get a quiet annulment and you’re free to go.”
He had to suppress a laugh at the sheriff’s reminder. Getting involved with a snit like Emma Lee was the last thing he wished to do, yet the scenario was almost perfect. He’d be a free man and not even have the guilt of leaving behind a wife. Emma Lee was pretentious, but he could tolerate her for a few weeks if it meant certain freedom. How bad could she really be? He stood so he was at an even height with the sheriff. “Is there any caveat?”
