Cowboy on the Run

by Devon McKay

  In a blur of black and rage, Nate barreled into the storeroom, rushing the shocked man. As Alan released his grip on Jessie, Nate knocked him to the ground in a flurried frenzy. He no longer attempted to cage his control. Relentless with his fists, he pounded the man with uncontained fury.

  “Nate.”

  Jessie’s panicked voice drew his attention. His name escaped her lips again in a soft whisper before she collapsed.

  He caught her before her head hit the floor.

  ****

  Everything happened so fast. From the moment she opened her eyes to find Nate holding her and the ambulance’s arrival soon after, every second had shot by in a brisk pace. Even the speed of the gurney seemed accelerated, Jessie thought, as she was whisked by people and hospital rooms. And why had they strapped her in? She spared a confused gaze at Nate, who raced alongside, his hand squeezing hers in a death grip.

  Jessie strained to see his face, the florescent lights above making her head hurt worse. He smiled down at her, but a worried expression furrowed his brow and she felt the need to comfort him. She attempted to raise her hand, but the strap held her arms firm, and a curse slipped out. At least the medics hadn’t strapped shut her mouth.

  Jessie heard Nate’s chuckle, and his lips moved, but she couldn’t decipher his words.

  They turned a sharp corner and the gurney was wheeled into a large room, finally rolling to an abrupt stop. Before she could say another word, she was surrounded by medical personnel, and Nate disappeared into the background.

  Frantic, she searched for his face until she saw him push his way in. The determined expression on his features told her he would not leave her side. Faintly, she heard his voice raise. The medic he spoke to held up his hands, and then shook his head in apparent exasperation. After a minute, the room cleared, granting them a moment of privacy.

  “They said you’re stable,” Nate said, releasing a breath of relief.

  He brought her hand to his mouth and kissed it with a tender brush of his lips. Everything had been such a blur, she hadn’t noticed her arms were now free from the straps.

  “They still have to run some more tests and the doc should be in soon, but you’re stable.”

  His fingers softly grazed her cheek, and she smiled up at him, ignoring the pain the slight movement caused.

  “I’ve got to ask you something.” Nate kneeled beside the bed. “I know the timing is all wrong, but Jessie I can’t risk waiting another minute.” He stood nervously, then went back down on bended knee. “Can you...would you... Oh, hell Jessie, will you marry me?”

  “M-marry you?” Jessie questioned in disbelief, sitting up so quick her head spun. Mere seconds ago, she was being whisked down the sterile hall of the hospital, blinded by lights and affronted by the smell of bleach. And now, the man she loved, her hero, was on one knee asking for her hand in marriage. She had to be dreaming.

  Jessie reached for Nate’s hand, releasing a surprised gasp as his bruised and bloody knuckles. Thrown back to reality, she relived every moment of the horrible ordeal she was trying so hard to forget.

  This night had been a rollercoaster of emotions. She’d never before been so scared, still trying to shake away the lingering, frightening images of Alan. Every time she closed her eyes, she saw his lecherous sneer. She could still feel his hardened grip on her skin.

  Jessie took a quick inventory, searching Nate’s face and his body for more blood. He shook off her concern, reaching for her hand again.

  “Stop it. I’m fine,” he reassured her with a light squeeze. “You’re not making this easy. I asked you to marry me. I want to spend the rest of my life with you. The least you can do is answer me.” An impatient smile spread across his face. The smile she had fallen in love with, the one which never failed to sweep her off her feet.

  When he presented a small, black velvet box, she was rendered speechless. She couldn’t answer him, even if she wanted to. He opened the box and slipped an illuminated diamond on her third finger. Shocked, she stared at the ring.

  “This one’s mine. I think you’ll agree it’s appropriate.” He held up his left hand and showcasing a ropelike band around his finger. She didn’t have the heart to tell him he was supposed to wear his ring after they got married. Instead, she laughed, tracing the engraved lassos adorning the sides of the white gold band.

  This was so like her cowboy. So Nate-like...unpredictable...unexpected. And despite her traditional upbringing, she wouldn’t have wanted him to ask her to marry him in any other way.

  Jessie slid off the bed, answering him with an urgent kiss. A loud round of applause filled the air and reawakened the painful throbbing in her head. Dizzy, she pulled her attention away from him long enough to realize the audience of doctors and nurses filling the room.

  Nate guided her chin so she faced him again, whispering so only she could hear. “This wasn’t how I planned to ask you. I wanted the kids to be with me, and your family...our family. After tonight...when I saw...” His voice cracked, the words choked with emotion. “The truth is Jess...I saw red. To think he hurt you...”

  He pulled her so tight to his chest, she struggled for breath. She inhaled deeply, the familiar leather of his scent comforting, making it easy to forget the terrifying nightmare for a moment.

  “If I hadn’t heard you calling my name...I don’t know what would’ve happened. I can’t lose you. Not now.” His confession was interrupted by the same doctor who had treated her father.

  “Unfortunately, you will have to lose your future bride...for now.” Dr. Grayson stepped forward, guiding her back to a sitting position on the bed. “At least until I get her all checked out.” The doctor tossed Nate a challenging look over his shoulder.

  He withdrew a black, medical tool and began his examination with a small light he flashed into her eyes. Satisfied with the result, the doctor put the instrument back into his pocket. He then unwound the stethoscope from around his neck and proceeded to listen to her breathing.

  Jessie endured the interruptions while Nate hovered close. A worried expression altered his handsome face, and she couldn’t keep her gaze off of him.

  The doctor continued with his exam, poking and prodding at the painful cuts on her head, but she kept her focus on the man she loved.

  Finished, Dr. Grayson arched a thin eyebrow. “So, congratulations are in order?”

  “They would be,” Nate growled in the background, “if you let her answer me.”

  The doctor ignored him, directing another question only to her. “Are you sure you want to marry him?” the physician inquired.

  She nodded, unable to imagine marrying anyone other than the ill-tempered, impatient man she’d never stopped loving. The doctor barely had time to step to the side before Nate swept her into his arms.

  “I love you. I’ll always love you,” she whispered into his ear. She was his. Her heart would always belong to him. “I should have had faith you’d come for me. I should’ve never given up hope. I should’ve—”

  The heat of his kiss swallowed the rest of her words.

  Chapter 32

  “Mama, we’re getting married,” Jade announced, rushing into Jessie’s bedroom for the third time this morning. She couldn’t help but smile. If her family demanded she be on bed rest then she was going to make the best of it, at least, for one day, interruptions and all.

  The first time, she had been awoken with a large plateful of pancakes. By the looks of her daughter’s shirt, she’d worn most of the batter. And then there was the glass of orange juice Gage spilled on the bed. Not to mention, the second plate of pancakes Jade had presented her with even though she had barely made a dent in the first one.

  And now, the third interruption. Jade had changed into her Sunday best, a ruffled yellow dress reminding Jessie of a small princess.

  “We’re getting married!” the loud lady of royalty, shouted at the top of her lungs.

  “Today?” Jessie giggled at her precocious daughter.

>   “Not today silly,” the child retorted, pausing in thought. “Yes...today.” And with that, she rushed out of the room in a blur of yellow.

  Not fifteen minutes later, Jade was back with her grandfather and Gage in tow, both gentlemen also dressed in their Sunday best. Jessie shook her head in disbelief the minute she saw her foreman’s tall shadow bringing up the rear. Of course her child would’ve convinced her father and Gage to dress up, but William, too? Would miracles never cease?

  “This is...” Jade paused, pursing her lips. She glanced up at her grandfather. “What is this, grandpa?”

  “The rehearsal...like a practice...remember?” Jessie’s father explained transferring the large bag he held to his other hand so he could extend his arm to Jade. He smiled patiently down at the child, and Jessie couldn’t help but think he’d already explained this once or twice.

  “That’s right. C’mon, Gage. We’re getting married.”

  Jade pulled her brother up to the side of the bed, and he presented Jessie with a handful of wilted yellow flowers. She smiled—her son would’ve thought of flowers. Last year when they had attended her neighbor’s small wedding, Gage had been in charge of holding the bouquet.

  Rosita slipped through the door before William came into the room and settled himself at the foot of the bed. He held a handful of papers, which he read quickly to himself before motioning Gage to a spot to stand. The boy promptly responded. Back at the door now, Jade tucked her small hand into her grandfathers and began walking the few steps to the beloved foreman.

  Her daughter paused and glanced at Jessie. “He is going to marry us...all of us,” the child clarified. “Not just me and Gage. You and daddy, too!”

  “We went to the library...got on the net,” Jessie’s son informed her with a matter-of-fact tone.

  She shook her head. It’d been hard enough keeping the child away from the library. And now he had discovered the internet?

  “Yep, it appears anyone can marry you...for a price,” William explained. “I already asked Nate if it was okay. I would like to be the one who marries you both—if you agree. Your dad will be giving you away, but you’ve always been like a daughter to me. I want to say all the words—I now pronounce you man and wife...you can kiss the bride...that kind of stuff. Oh, I almost forgot the best part...” William shuffled through his papers, “Here it is...something about obey.”

  She giggled, feeling tears well in her eyes. Jessie clutched her hand to her chest; she had never been so touched. “I would be honored.”

  Wiping at a runaway tear with the back of her hand, she jumped to her pajama clad feet and hugged the dear man, peppering a tender kiss on his cheek.

  Her father handed her the large bag he’d been holding. “This was...your mother’s.”

  Jessie peeked inside before pulling out a delicate, ivory silk dress. Despite the many years it had been in storage, the garment was flawless. She brought the sheath to her face, allowing the smooth sleekness of the material to caress her skin.

  Several images of a beautiful woman from her past came to life, misting her eyes with more tears. If only her mother could be here. She glanced at her children, remembering she was around the same age when her mother had died. Speechless, she gazed lovingly at her father.

  “Daddy got it out of the attic,” Jade explained.

  As if on cue, Nate appeared in the doorway. An expression of concern furrowed his brow. Jessie hid the gown behind her back, tucking the garment beneath the top bedspread.

  “You should be resting,” he stated with a firm tone. Reading the worry in his stare, she didn’t argue and returned to the bed. If it was up to him, he’d keep her off her feet until the wedding. Although, not for the reasons Jessie desired. Despite several bruises, a slight concussion and a few emotional scars, she was fine.

  “Daddy!” Her daughter squealed in delight and jumped into his arms.

  “I heard there was a wedding,” he said, kissing his child on the nose. “Now, go get married. Show us how it’s done.” Nate smiled, sending Jade back to the makeshift altar as he made his way to her side.

  Jessie handed him the plate of pancakes and scooted over to make room.

  “Hungry?” He inquired with a smile. The large tower of pancakes drowning in a generous helping of syrup tilted, sliding off to the side of the plate.

  “Jade thought so. That’s the second plate.”

  “We are gathered here today to join...” William began.

  “Ah, so this is our daughter’s handiwork. I’m sure Rosita had a say in it, too,” Nate whispered, shoveling a hefty forkful into his mouth and swallowed. “I thought you were trying to tell me something...like you were eating for two,” he said between bites. “Or should I say three?” He chuckled at his own joke.

  A secret grin pulled at the corners of Jessie’s mouth. If only he knew how close his words hit the mark.

  A word about the author...

  Devon McKay lives on a farm in Ohio with her loving husband, teenage son, a small herd of long horn steers, two pygmy goats, two dogs, two cats and a flock of chickens. When not tending the farm, she enjoys curling up to a good book and writing.

  Thank you for purchasing

  this publication of The Wild Rose Press, Inc.