by Gail Barrett
Startled, she pulled back and searched his eyes. “But your ranch…”
“I like it there,” he admitted. “But I need you more than I need the land. I’ll go wherever you want, as long as you’ll marry me.”
She couldn’t breathe. “You’d sacrifice your ranch for me?”
“We can go there on vacations, maybe retire there someday. Your father can manage it while we’re gone.”
“My father?” Her world tilted again. “But you fired him. He lied to you about those men.”
Cole let out a heavy sigh. “Yeah, he lied. He made mistakes. He got in over his head, then tried to protect you from those goons. But I haven’t been perfect, either. I’ve already hired him back.”
Stunned, she shook her head. “I don’t want you to leave the ranch. I love it there, too. I want to come back to Montana to be with you. There’s nothing for me in Chicago. I figured that out before you came.”
“You’re sure? Because I don’t mind—”
“I’m sure, Cole. Maybe I had to get away at first. I had to learn that there is no perfect place, that there are good and bad people everywhere. But I’m ready to come home now. To be with you.”
His eyes held hers. He pulled away slightly, then tugged a small velvet box from his pocket and held it out.
Her breath backed up. She met his eyes, more tears swimming in her eyes. “Cole…”
“Take it,” he whispered.
Her hands trembling, she took the box and flipped it open. A brilliant diamond ring winked back.
“You’ll marry me?” he asked, his deep voice cracking.
Her knees wobbled. Emotions crowded inside her—wonder, joy, love. She slid the ring on, then clenched her fingers, hardly able to see him through her tears. “I’ll marry you.”
His lips took hers, and a feeling of absolute rightness flooded her heart. She’d marry Cole. She’d raise their children in Montana, where her roots were, alongside the man she’d always loved.
Where she knew that she belonged.
Epilogue
Senator Hank Kelley stood in the great room at the Bar Lazy K ranch, staring out the windows at the snow-covered fields. The ranch had quieted down over the last few days, but the lull only heightened his nerves. He knew the calm gripping the ranch was deceptive. Those killers were still out there—plotting, watching, biding their time…
And if he didn’t do something fast, Lana would die.
He shuddered hard. Seeing his daughter on that DVD had shaken him badly. Her terrified eyes haunted him day and night. Hell, he was so wound up he couldn’t sleep, couldn’t eat, could barely hold on to a thought.
His cell phone rang, and he jumped, experiencing a sickening spurt of dread. His pulse chaotic, he pulled out his phone and stared at the unknown number. The police? The kidnappers? The secret society?
Feeling light-headed, he clicked it on.
“Senator Hank Kelley?” a woman asked.
“You’re talking to him.”
“Hold the line, please. President Colton would like to speak to you.”
The president. Hank’s heart sank. The FBI must have told him about the assassination plot. Colton would be furious. He’d want Hank’s resignation—or worse.
“Senator Kelley?” President Colton barked out.
“Yes, sir. It’s me. I…” Excuses leaped to his tongue, but he managed to bite them back. “Are you all right?” he asked instead.
“Of course I’m all right. I’ll be damned if I’ll let a bunch of thugs intimidate me. My reforms are going through, no matter what.”
Hank’s breath came out in a rush. “I’m glad, sir. I never had anything to do with that plot. I…I hope you realize that.”
“That’s for the police to decide. In the meantime, I recommend you resign.”
Hank’s stomach nosedived. He’d lost the president’s trust—and rightly so. “Yes, sir. I’ll do that right away.”
“See that you do.” The president hung up.
Hank put away his phone, then stared blankly out the window, his mind numb, a hollow ache filling his gut. It was over. He’d screwed up too many times. His children despised him. His wife was going to divorce him. The career he’d spent his life building had finally come crashing down.
The irony of it struck him hard. President Colton worked for the good of the country. Hank had only worked for the good of himself. And where had it gotten him? Colton was popular and respected; he had an adoring wife—while Hank’s marriage and career had failed.
His half brother, Donald, emerged from the kitchen and joined him at the window. Hank stood silently beside him, unable to think of a thing to say.
“Who called?” Donald finally asked.
Hank exhaled. There was no point hiding the truth. “The president. He asked me to resign.”
Donald didn’t answer. Several long minutes passed. Hank continued looking out the window at the demolished barn, a fitting symbol of his ruined life.
Then Cole and Bethany came into view, leading their horses past the rubble. They stopped near the porch, laughing about something Hank couldn’t hear. Then Cole tugged her close and kissed her. He didn’t stop for a very long time.
A wistful feeling unfolded inside Hank, a sense of loss. He’d had a love like that once, and he’d thrown it away. But at least his son wouldn’t make his mistakes. He’d found the happiness he deserved.
He cleared his throat, then turned to face his brother. “You know…I never thanked you. For stepping in and taking care of Cole when you did. You did a damned good job with him, better than I could have done.”
Donald’s steady gaze met his. After a moment, he dipped his head. “Cole’s a good man.”
His chest thick, Hank turned his gaze back to the window again. Donald had acknowledged his apology. It didn’t solve the problems between them, but it was a start.
Cole leaped on his horse. Bethany did the same. Still laughing, their faces bright with the promise of love, they loped away.
Hank stood beside his brother and watched them go. He’d been a wretched father, no doubt about that. And he’d rightfully paid the price. But he still had a chance to do something right by saving his daughter’s life.
He couldn’t take action yet. The FBI wouldn’t let him leave the ranch. But he would watch and wait. And then act when the time was right.
Even if he had to die.
Special thanks and acknowledgment to Gail Barrett for her
contribution to The Kelley Legacy miniseries.
ISBN: 978-1-4592-1248-0
COWBOY UNDER SIEGE
Copyright © 2011 by Harlequin Books S.A.
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* The Crusaders
Table of Contents
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
&nb
sp; Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Epilogue
