After Peter was sworn in, the judge questioned him directly. “What is it you would like to tell us, young Mr. McKenna?”
“I-I saw how it happened. I was there—”
There was such an uproar among the crowd, the judge had to pound his gavel almost a full minute before everyone quieted down enough for the proceedings to continue.
“What, specifically, did you see?” the judge asked.
“I was waiting in Father’s study that night,” Peter said, speaking quickly, as if he were eager to get it all out before he lost his nerve. “He was always busy all the time, always working, and I hardly got to see him much anymore. So I... I was on the couch in front of the fireplace, waiting for him to get home from his office, and I lay down and I must’ve fallen asleep. Because all of a sudden, I heard people arguing—Father and a lady. It woke me up, but I didn’t know what to do. I thought Father might be mad if I let on I was there, so I just stayed quiet and stayed where I was. Then... then...”
For a moment, he couldn’t continue. “Everything got quiet for a moment, and I thought it might be over, so I looked over the top of the couch.” His voice wavered. “And that was when I saw it. I saw everything.”
“What did you see?”
“She wasn’t aiming the gun at my father, she was pointing it toward herself. I saw Father try to grab it from her and I heard him say, ‘Annie, no, don’t,’ and that was when it went off. It just went off as he was trying to grab it from her. He was trying to stop her from shooting herself. It was an accident. It wasn’t like everyone said later.” Peter shook his head adamantly. “It was an accident.”
A wave of noisy exclamations went through the courtroom.
Lucas glanced from Annie, who regarded him in shock, toward Olivia—who still sat in cool, tight-lipped silence, her spine rigid.
“Your Honor!” Mr. Drayton called out. “The testimony of a thirteen-year-old boy, who may have been coached by his uncle—”
“Let him finish, Mr. Drayton,” the judge interrupted. “How did you come to be in possession of the gun, young man?”
“When Father fell, I... I couldn’t even make a sound. I sunk down on the couch, and then the servants and Mother started pounding on the door, and when I looked again, the lady was gone. I ran over to Father, but he was... he was dead.” Peter’s voice broke. “The gun was on the floor and I-I picked it up and that was when Mother came running in from the garden. She thought I did something wrong. I tried to explain, but she made me run out and hide in the garden before she let everyone in.”
He took a deep breath and continued. “That night, after I told her what I saw, she made me swear not to tell anyone. She said it had to be our secret—”
“And you agreed?” the judge asked.
Peter glanced toward Olivia, his voice becoming quiet. “She’s my mother.”
Lucas swallowed hard, picturing his nephew torn between loyalty to his family and his sense of honor, wrestling with questions of right and wrong all these months.
Olivia still didn’t say a word, kept herself utterly composed in front of her friends and neighbors.
“She said I was the man of the house now, and I had to put the family first,” Peter continued. “She said the woman deserved to be punished, and I shouldn’t say anything to the constables... or to Uncle Lucas. Then she asked what happened to the gun, and I told her I already threw it away. But I... I still had it,” he admitted. “I buried it in the backyard, in that cigar box.”
“Why, young man?” the judge asked gently. “Why did you do that?”
“Because I knew it was important, and I know it’s wrong to lie.” He shook his head, his voice becoming hoarse as he looked at Olivia. “I’m sorry, Mother. But Father always taught me that a man has to do what’s right.”
The judge turned to Olivia, an ominous expression on his face. “Is your son telling the truth, madam?”
“Your Honor,” Drayton said, quickly coming to her defense, “Mrs. McKenna has not been sworn in as a witness.”
Olivia remained coolly silent.
“Mrs. McKenna,” the judge said, glowering at her, “I can swear you in and call you up here, or you can tell us now.”
She closed her eyes.
“Ma’am,” the judge said sharply.
Her head came up and she rose from her seat, gracefully, all brittle dignity even as her plan fell to ruins around her. “My son is telling the truth.”
“Are you admitting, madam,” the judge demanded, “that you purposely withheld information material to this proceeding? That you knew your husband’s death was accidental? That you knew an innocent person might be sentenced to life in prison—perhaps even sent to the gallows?”
“Innocent?” The word seemed to shatter Olivia’s composure like a rock thrown through glass. “She’s not innocent! Why should it matter if it was an accident or not? That little tramp took my husband from me with her wiles and her tricks for three years. It’s because of her that my children no longer have a father. I wanted her to pay.” Her voice shook with fury and spite. “I wanted her to pay!”
“Madam,” the judge said slowly, as if he were struggling with his anger, “you should count yourself fortunate that I find reason to be lenient with you. Because you are a grieving widow, I will not bring charges against you for obstruction of justice—”
“But it isn’t justice if she walks away free,” Olivia cried. “We’ve lost everything and she hasn’t suffered at all! It’s not right—”
“Your Honor, there is still the charge of theft,” Drayton said quickly, “the matter of the missing fifteen thousand dollars—”
“Your Honor!” Tanner stood up. “I have witnesses here who will testify as to the reason why Miss Sutton took that money. And to the fact that she gave it away after her arrival in Colorado, donating it to an orphanage in Denver.” He glanced down at Annie. “And to the fact that this young woman has suffered a great deal.”
“Gentlemen,” the judge said, “the hour is late and I believe we have all heard enough. Mr. Drayton, in light of this young man’s testimony and Mrs. McKenna’s admission, the court will not pursue the lesser charge in this ease.”
Olivia sank back down, and for a moment Lucas almost pitied her, she looked so bitter and dispirited.
Then he looked toward her son, giving him a nod of gratitude and respect. Peter had done the right thing when it counted—and was well on his way to becoming a man his father would’ve been proud of.
The judge’s voice rang out over the growing noise in the courtroom.
“It is my ruling that James McKenna’s death was an accident. The charges against the defendant are dismissed.” He banged his gavel, one quick, sharp strike. “Miss Sutton, you are free to go.”
Chapter 22
The rain that pattered down from the darkening sky couldn’t wash away the smells of smoke and hot iron that filled the St. Charles depot, as the engine a few yards away sent clouds of steam billowing upward. The train’s bell started clanging.
Annie stood beside Rebecca on the platform, beneath the eaves, the two of them huddled close under an umbrella while Daniel took care of their bags. She still felt a little light-headed at the way everything had happened so suddenly. As soon as the judge pronounced her free, her two friends and Lucas and Mr. Tanner had all escorted her out of the courtroom, battling their way through the crowd, past newspaper reporters clamoring for interviews.
On the courthouse steps, her attorney had promised that he would take care of the press. He wanted them to report the full story, so that everyone might know the truth about who Annie Sutton really was—instead of the sordid version the prosecutor had been spewing in the papers.
Lucas’s deputy Mr. Weatherby had been waiting with a carriage, and Lucas had told him and Daniel to get her and Rebecca to the railroad depot. He would follow directly, he’d promised.
“I’m sure he’ll be along any minute.” Rebecca squinted through the rain in the direction of t
he road that led toward town.
“He will,” Annie said. Lucas was always there when she needed him most. Always.
She still felt a bit breathless, her heart pattering as fast as the raindrops sprinkling down around them. She kept thinking that she must be dreaming—but this was all real. Lucas had saved her. Set her free.
And when he had lifted her into the carriage and asked if she was ready to leave St. Charles once and for all, she had said yes, gladly. She didn’t want to stay here one more night. A court of law had declared her not guilty, but there would always be people here who scorned and hated her. Some things would never change.
But she had changed.
She hadn’t even realized how much until she returned to St. Charles. How different she felt from the girl who had once lived here. She wasn’t frightened anymore. Or ashamed of who she was. Or alone.
And she was leaving this place in the company of dear friends, and the man she loved.
She was free.
Free. Annie turned her face up toward the clouds, the rain washing over her, the gentle water making her feel clean and new. Like a blessing from the heavens. Like a baptism.
The whistle sounded again. A few more passengers hurried out of the depot, juggling their umbrellas and baggage and tickets for the 6:15 to Jefferson City.
“Where did that man get to?” Rebecca grumbled worriedly. “Wait... is that... ?”
“Yes.” Annie felt her heart soar as Lucas appeared out of the dusky shadows on horseback, riding at a gallop toward the train depot. Like a hero... her hero.
She left the shelter of the platform, running toward him.
Lucas reined in his horse and jumped to the ground, meeting her halfway, pulling her into his arms.
The rain drenched them both as his mouth covered hers in a warm, soft, lingering kiss.
“Sorry I’m late,” he said when he lifted his head at last. “Didn’t mean to worry you.”
“It’s all right.” Annie knew that he’d stayed behind to talk to his family. She understood why he needed time alone with his sisters, how important they were to him. “Were they willing to speak with you?”
He nodded. “A little. Right now, they’re in shock over what Olivia did, and they don’t know what to think. I have to give them time. Things are still... tense.”
Annie closed her eyes, knowing that his sisters might never be able to accept her as part of his life. She couldn’t blame them for that.
And she couldn’t force him to choose between her and his family. “Lucas, I can’t take you away from them—”
“Annie.” He tilted her head up, his green eyes dark with emotion. “They’re my sisters. You’re the woman I love.”
Tears suddenly brimmed in her eyes. “Lucas,” she whispered. She had thought she would never hear him say those words.
“I love you,” he said gruffly. “And God help you, woman, you’re going to be spending the rest of your life with me.”
She smiled up at him as her tears mixed with the rain on her cheeks. “Have I ever mentioned that you can be a little stubborn?”
“Once or twice.” He kissed her—one of those deep, possessive, fiery kisses that scattered her thoughts and made her knees go weak.
Then he cupped her face in his broad hands, his thumbs whisking the tears from her cheeks. “Annie, your side of the story will be in the papers tomorrow, thanks to the interviews that Tanner and the headmaster from the orphanage are giving right now. I think that’ll help everyone see you in a new light—including my sisters.”
“But you could stay here, with them. They need you—”
“None of them are staying in St. Charles.” He shook his head. “Faith and her beau are planning a summer wedding in St. Louis, and Callie and Eden are headed back to their studies at college.” His voice softened. “I offered all of them train tickets to Colorado, told them they can take me up on it anytime. I said they’ll always be welcome in our home.”
“Our home in Colorado,” she echoed, the idea making her ache with joy. “But... your work in Indian Territory, what about—”
“Figured I’d see if the territorial governor might put in a good word, get the marshals’ service to assign me to Colorado.” He grinned down at her. “I’ve kind of taken to living in the mountains. Weather’s better.” He pressed his cheek against hers. “And the company is mighty sweet. I love you, Annie,” he whispered. “Marry me.”
“Yes.” She wrapped her arms around him, holding him tight as the rain drenched them both, her heart too full for anything more than that one word.
Epilogue
The warm March day had melted into hazy shades of violet and lavender as the sun drifted downward behind the mountains. A fresh excitement had arrived in Eminence with the first touch of spring, many of the town’s former residents returning to work their claims, everyone filled with hope that a new silver strike might be found this year.
The town council was feeling especially optimistic, now that Eminence had been getting mentioned in newspapers from east to west, under headlines trumpeting HERO OF THE RED RIVER APPOINTED NEW U.S. MARSHAL FOR STATE OF COLORADO. Lucas had chosen Eminence as the headquarters for his new jurisdiction, and asked some of his deputies from Indian Territory to move north and keep working for him. Which had put the town “smack dab back on the map,” as Mr. Hazelgreen put it.
The delighted banker had been talking to several investors about the narrow gauge railroad he wanted. He had also given Rebecca an excellent price on the empty millinery shop next to her store—and she had insisted on making Annie her equal partner. The two of them had been sketching out all sorts of ideas for expanding their business.
But those weren’t the reasons Annie’s heart was beating so fast as she approached Reverend Gottfried’s chapel.
“Last chance to change your mind,” Daniel said lightly as he escorted her along the path that led toward the entrance, wearing his best suit, her hand tucked in the crook of his arm. “I know some nice fellows up in Montana. Be happy to introduce you.”
Annie tried to frown at him, but couldn’t quite manage it on the happiest day of her life, and ended up laughing instead. “You and Lucas are never going to stop antagonizing each other, are you?” She shook her head. “I’m starting to think you two actually enjoy it.”
The doctor grinned down at her as they paused on the front steps of the church. “For you, we’ll try to get along.”
Annie returned his smile. “Open the door, Daniel.”
He pulled open the tall, arched wooden door. As Annie glanced down at the bouquet of meadow flowers in her hand, the wind blew a strand of her unruly hair into her eyes. She brushed it away, looking up with a sigh.
Because that was when she saw him. Watching her. He stood beside the reverend at the far end of the aisle, looking so tall and strong in his dark suit and white shirt, the silver star on his vest catching the light. Travis and Shane Weatherby and another of his deputies, Colton Grant, stood beside him as groomsmen.
Lucas smiled as Annie stepped through the door, an expression of such joy that it crinkled the corners of his eyes and softened the hard angles of his jaw. She had never seen a man more handsome, with his black hair and broad shoulders... and so much love shining in his green eyes.
And he was hers. Today and tonight and forever.
The organist began to play and Valentina and Katja and Mrs. Owens, Annie’s maid and matrons of honor, moved gracefully down the aisle. Everyone in the crowded pews turned to watch as Annie came into the church on Daniel’s arm, wearing a gown her friends had made her of ivory satin, trimmed with pearls and silver embroidery.
Rebecca, who sat at the front, burst into tears as soon as she set eyes on Annie. Her bright green earrings and the yellow and purple flowers on her new spring hat bobbed merrily as she dabbed at her eyes with a lacy handkerchief.
When Annie reached the altar, Lucas stepped forward to take her hands in his, his touch tender, as if she were the most
precious gift he’d ever received.
“Take good care of her, McKenna,” Daniel said as he let her go, stepping aside to take his seat next to Rebecca.
“Forever, Doc,” Lucas murmured, his gaze never leaving Annie’s.
Then a hush fell over the gathering as the service began, and Reverend Gottfried read from the Bible, and the two of them made promises to love and cherish one another for the rest of their days.
The rings they exchanged had been a gift from all their friends, made from silver mined in Eminence.
And as they shared their first kiss as husband and wife, the dazzling evening light shone through the stained glass, painting the church with the vivid colors of sundown in the Colorado mountains.
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Dedication
This book is dedicated with love to the memory of Uncle Dale and Aunt Mary, together in this life for more than 50 years, together now in Heaven forever. Thanks for encouraging me to write a western, Uncle Dale (even though this one still has “all that kissin’ and mushy stuff”).
Acknowledgments
I’d like to express my deepest gratitude to my critique partners LaVerne Coan, Elizabeth Manz, and Linda Pedder for their creative insights and steadfast support while I wrote the original manuscript of After Sundown. Special thanks to LaVerne for her research assistance.
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I hope you enjoyed spending time with Lucas and Annie in the pages of After Sundown. I’d love to keep writing books that touch your heart for many years to come. Readers like you make it possible, and I’m so thankful for your support.
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