Everyone nodded agreement. Though Cookie wanted to come, Mack convinced him to stay on the ship and guard all the belongings they did have. Rake, however, managed to climb down into the dingy. When Annie looked at him, he gave a tiny shrug, “I want to be there to see the end of this.”
She nodded, glancing at Mack. He was looking suspiciously at the other man.
The dingy was dangerously full but the water was calm and, with Mack and Tom rowing, they made it to the shore in record time. As they hit the beach, a soldier sat on a wagon, looking in their direction. He climbed off his seat and moved toward them.
“I’m looking for a Collin Mackinnon,” he addressed the group.
“I’m Collin.” Mack stepped up to the front of the group.
“The judge arrived early this morning. He’d like to speak with you.”
Mack nodded. “Let’s get this over with first.”
Rake seemed to pale considerably but climbed into the wagon with the rest of them.
Annie grimaced. What should she do about Rake? He had helped kidnap her but he had the best of intentions. She was anxious to look for the gold and worried about what the judge might rule. As Annie sat herself down next to Mack, she took a deep breath. It would all work out. It had to.
He held her hand and leaned down next to her ear, “We’ll talk to the judge about performing the ceremony too.”
She gave him a heartwarming smile.
***
They arrived at the base in short order and the judge sat behind a table of sorts. Men were lined up to speak with him. Apparently, they wanted a ruling on grievances.
Lieutenant Surrey came forward and ushered them over to the table. “This is the couple I was telling you about.”
“Pleased to meet you,” he said in a brusque tone. “I’ve already spoken to the prisoner. Let’s hear your side with as much brevity as you can.”
Annie proceeded to tell him the story of how she came to San Francisco, what Jasper did and what he confessed to. The others chimed in with what they saw and heard. Rake stepped next to her. “I saw him shoot the reverend and he shot me too.”
“And what were you doing there during the kidnapping?” The judge’s knowing eyes zeroed in on Rake.
“He was trying to save me, sir.” Annie was telling the truth, though she was most assuredly leaving information out. She swallowed when his gaze swung back to her.
“Very well. With multiple eyewitnesses and a confession I can easily rule with a guilty verdict. The hanging will take place tomorrow.”
Annie felt a jolt run through her. She knew Jasper was bad and she would truly sleep better knowing he was gone but knowing a man she had travelled halfway across the country to find would die because of her testimony, made her weak inside.
Mack’s hand came to her back, as if he could sense that she needed him. Rake also patted her forearm. She took a deep breath. “There won’t be a trial or anything?”
“This isn’t a state, it’s a territory. While I have been given jurisdiction, the same laws do not apply here. There are too few judges to warrant a trial for crimes, so my ruling is the law. Good day.” He turned to dismiss them.
“One more thing, Your Honor.” Mack stepped forward. “I’d like to marry Annie and I am hoping you’ll be willing to perform the ceremony.”
“You’re not actually married?” Lieutenant Surrey huffed from the other side of the judge.
“Well, I am only in town for a short time, but a wedding would be a welcome change. I’ll need a few days to process the license but the day after tomorrow will do just fine.”
Mack nodded, looking relieved. “How about the beach, near the docks?” Mack asked.
The judge nodded.
“Hang on,” Tom called from the back of the group. He knelt down in front of Mary Beth and the crowd cleared in front of him. “Mary Beth, will you marry me?”
“It’s about time,” she groused while grinning from ear to ear. “Yes, I’ll marry you.”
Tom popped up. “Can you make that two licenses?” Tom had a grin to match Mary Beth’s.
The judge took all of their information and then the group set out on foot to head back to the cave.
Rake sidled up next to Annie, “I don’t know how to say thank you for what you did. You could have told the judge and…”
“I’m trusting that you made a mistake and that you won’t make it again.” She gave him a hard stare.
“I won’t, Annie. I was wrong about you and I was wrong to do what I did. It isn’t many times a man gets a second chance like you’ve given me and I will make the most of it.”
Annie nodded.
“You did the right thing,” Mack said, giving her a reassuring smile.
“I thought you hadn’t forgiven him?” Annie looked over at him.
“I haven’t. But I do believe he just made a mistake and he will spend the return trip home paying for it by doing every awful job there is on the boat.”
Annie grimaced. She felt a little a little sorry for Rake. She had been on the receiving end of Mack’s anger and it wasn’t easy.
They reached the mouth of the cave and Fergal bounced on his heels as he entered first. “This is the most fun I’ve had in months.”
“Fun? You’ve got to be kidding me!” Mack barked at his brother.
Fergal punched his brother’s arm. “I forgot how good it felt to be part of a group. To have people look out for each other.”
Mack looked at his brother and then slapped him on the back as he gave him a quick hug.
“Enough hugging,” Tom called. “Annie, where do you think the gold is?” Tom was bouncing too.
“In Garrett’s letter he said, ’It’s in the heart, Annie.’ I thought he was telling me he loved me. But when I came into the cave…” she pointed at the heart-shaped rock. A collective gasp rose from the group. They all rushed to inspect the rock.
Mack carefully peeled the rock away from the others it was leaning on. Sure enough, a hole had been chipped in the back. Mack carefully pulled the first gold bar out and two more fell out with it.”
“I’ll be damned,” Mary Beth whispered, covering her mouth with her hand.
Mack grabbed the basket he had brought. “He put a chisel and a pan at the bottom. Then he carefully set the bars inside. A blanket went next then several odds and ends from the room. “It will look like we are just pilfering goods,” he whispered, though it was unlikely anyone would hear.
Annie looked at the rock. It was the proof she had been looking for that Garrett had loved her all along. That he hadn’t just abandoned her and that she was lovable. “Collin, can we borrow a wagon and take the rock with us?”
“Of course.” She was grateful that he didn’t ask her why.
“What are we going to do with the gold?” Finnigan whispered.
“We can take it with us and exchange it back East but we’d probably get the best exchange here.” Mack grimaced.
“We can exchange it together, right before we leave,” Annie said. “There is an office just off the beach. Everyone will go so we’ll be difficult to rob.”
“That’s brilliant.” Tom slapped his thigh with his hand. “Everyone has trouble getting the gold out but no one thinks to work as a team. They all try to do it themselves.”
“That has always been our strong suit,” Mack said as he hugged Annie. “Now let’s get these goods back to the ship.”
***
Two days later, Mack and Annie and Tom and Mary Beth married on the beach, as a pink sunset lit their vows with a soft glow. The judge was short and to the point with the ceremony, but that suited Annie just fine. She had waited her whole life to find a man like Mack and she didn’t want to wait another second to start her new life with him.
“We are here today to join these two in matrimony. Do you, Collin Mackinnon, take Annie Sullivan to be your wife?”
“I do,” Mack answered, clasping both of her hands in.
“And do you, Annie
Sullivan, take Collin Mackinnon to be your husband?”
“I do.” Annie felt her heart swell with pride to be married to such a man.
When the judge said, “I pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss the bride,” Mack grinned and planted a big kiss on Annie’s lips. Everyone hooted and hollered.
“That’s enough now. Next couple.” The judge waved them out of the way. Annie grinned at Mary Beth. A woman couldn’t ask for a better best friend and now they shared a wedding day.
After the ceremony, they headed back to the boat. Cookie had prepared his finest cuisine that Annie was sure would include baked beans. Then she and Mack would spend the night together. Her heart beat in anticipation. In the morning, they would turn in their gold and set sail.
As they approached the ship, a blanket was hung over the bow. “What’s that?” Annie asked, turning to Mack.
He didn’t respond. Instead, he grinned at her and raised his arm above his head then dropped it down. The blanket billowed into the sea. Freshly painted, the boat now bore the letters, ANNIE.
“You named the boat after me?” she gasped.
“I hope you like it. But it is the first official boat in the fleet and I wanted it to be named after the woman who changed my life.”
“I love it, Collin Mackinnon. I love you.”
“I love you too, Annie Mackinnon.”
As the dingy pulled alongside the ship, Annie nearly hopped out to reach the rope ladder.
Mack jumped after her, “That’s not like you.”
“I’m eager to start my life with you,” she answered with a laugh.
Mack climbed a few rungs on the ladder until his feet were one rung below hers and their faces were level. Annie turned to face him, and he raised his hand to caress her cheek. “Me too, Annie. Me too.” He kissed her as they floated above the ocean in the last rays of the sun.
THE GOLDEN RULES OF LOVE
EPILOGUE
Five years later:
Annie woke slowly; the rocking of the ship always lulled her into a deep sleep. Being curled up next to Mack didn’t help either. His body still fit hers like a glove and she never felt safer than when she was in his arms.
“You are such a sleepyhead in the morning. Wake up!” His warm, rich voice filled her ears as his hand tickled down her arm. His touch still ignited her skin.
“I don’t want to. I like it here with you.” She stretched like a cat and she heard his sharp intake of breath.
“Little Collin and Juliette will be in here any minute.” But quick as a snake, he rolled on top of her, pinning her underneath him as he kissed her neck and face.
“What time will we reach the harbor?” She swatted at him playfully, even as she arched into his touch.
“Less than hour,” he muttered as his mouth reached her breast.
“You’d better hurry then. Everyone will be waiting for us.”
Mack sighed, “I suppose we should get you ready instead. Tom and Mary Beth will be waiting at the docks.”
“Probably Rake, Fergal, and Cookie too.”
“Most likely Finnigan will be there with a full report of the business. Being gone a month leaves lots to pile up.” He lay next to her again, snuggling her into his side.
“It was worth it though. I know my parents appreciated seeing the kids and I’m glad I got to make amends with my father.”
“Me too, sweetheart. We’ll have to go back after the baby.” He rubbed her tummy, kissing her ear.
“They said they would come to us. My husband does own a shipping company. A rather successful one at that.” She ran her hand down his bare chest, loving the feel of his skin.
“Not to correct you, but we own it together,” he reminded her, as he slid back on top of her.
“We are so very lucky.”
He kissed her lips, long and slow. “Yes, we are.”
THE END
EXCERPT
TAMING A DUKE’S WILD ROSE
England, Autumn of 1854
Lady Rose Evelyn Wentworth sat by the river that flanked her father’s country estate. She had been coming here for as long as she could remember. Sometimes she would read. Other times, her mind would wander. As a child, she had spent many hours daydreaming in this very spot about the brave soldier who rescued her from some dastardly fiend. If she had a dilemma she couldn’t solve, this was the place she would come.
She bit her lip. It didn’t matter how long she sat on this bank, Rose doubted any solution would come to mind. Her father had seen to that. Turning back, she watched her two guards stare blankly ahead. She knew better than to let their expressions fool her. They were watching her every move. If she tried to run, they would surely catch her.
Lady Rose was the only daughter of Lord Robert Essex, 7th Earl of Essex. As his only child, it was her duty to marry well and increase the family’s standings, both financially and aristocratically. Leastwise, that is what he had told her over and over again.
And so, he had arranged a marriage for her that he found incredibly satisfactory. In one month’s time, she was to marry His Grace, the 11th Duke of Wellington.
Rose shivered despite the summer heat. His Grace was a recluse, who was said to be disfigured. He had a sharp mind for business. Her father said he was wealthy beyond her imagination and the scars were not that bad, her father claimed.
No one knew how he had gotten them. Though everyone liked to speculate. War wounds and bar brawls were popular stories among the ton.
Fingering the ribbons on her bonnet, Rose gave a shiver, despite the warm day. She could not care less how he had gotten them. It only mattered that she not marry those scars or the man who bore them.
Her heart was set on another man, Mr. Carl Lundberg, a true war hero who was handsome and dashing. Sighing, she conjured his image. They had tried to run away, but her father had caught her. Now she was trapped with two body guards and an impending wedding.
Her father said she was a rash fool but she paid him no mind. Though it was more difficult to ignore him when he said she had declared herself in love no less than three times. Or when he said that Carl was exactly like the others. “He’s a handsome piece of fluff. You will do better with a man who will ground your wayward tendencies.”
She huffed her breath at the thought of it.
“What troubles you so, my lady?” a voice called from the shade of the trees. While the sun still warmed her skin, the first autumn colors were beginning to emerge.
Turning her head slightly, she attempted to see who spoke. She couldn’t see his face. He stood in the shadows. She could see that he was quite tall and very broad. She sat a little straighter, eyeing her guards. Why were they letting this man address her?
Her two chaperones were equally engaged as they giggled to each other further down the river. Useless pieces of fluff, she thought to herself.
“My troubles are the plight of women and unlikely to be very concerning to you, whoever you are.” Rose sniffed delicately looking back at the water.
She heard him give a small chuckle. “Perhaps you should try me.” His voice was deep and rich. It mattered not to Rose, she was already in love. But somehow she couldn’t help but note it.
“Forgive me sir, but I do not know you.” She stood and her guards took a step forward.
“Of course, my name is Alexander Cross, a pleasure Lady Rose. And may I say, you have far more sense than your father gives you credit for.”
“You must be acquainted with him. He tells everyone he knows that I have no sense.” Rose took another step towards the man. With an intensity she didn’t quite understand, she longed to see his face but it was still shadowed.
“He also spoke of your beauty and your intellect.”
“You are most certainly making that bit up. He hasn’t said a kind word about me since the age of thirteen.”
“What happened when you were thirteen?” His voice was softer than it had been before and it pulled at her like an invisible force.
&nb
sp; She took another step closer. “I met the first boy I thought was handsome and dashing.”
He laughed again. “Well, that would send a father into a tizzy. And why do you think he no longer holds you in his esteem?”
“Hmmm… I am headstrong, fickle, rash, and one mustn’t forget disobedient.”
“Do you get any points for honesty?” His voice rolled over her and his broad shoulder’s shook as he laughed.
“One would think but I seriously doubt it. How do you know my father, Mr. Cross?” Her guard still had not moved and she could only assume that they knew who she was talking to or that they thought she had gone daft. She took another step closer. His chiseled jaw came into focus. Her curiosity intensified.
“We have intimate business relations.” He cleared his throat.
Her eyebrow’s lifted as she perched her gloved hand on one of her hips. It was an elusive answer. “I have been very honest with you, Mr. Cross.”
“You have me there but a woman always prefers a man who is a mystery.” He crossed his arms over his chest.
She took yet another step in his direction and then cocked her head to the side. “Am I supposed to prefer you, Mr. Cross? I find it unlikely as my father has already chosen a husband for me.”
“And how do you feel about your father choosing a husband for you?” Rarely was Rose asked such a question. It both put her at ease with this man but gave her the vague sense she was slowly being drawn into a web. She wanted to get closer but it seemed dangerous to do so. The hair on her arms lifted as a slight chill ran down her back.
“What I want matters not. It is my duty to do as I am told. In case I forget my duty, these two lovely gentlemen are here to remind me.” She gestured toward the guards.
“It seems excessive for such a delicate woman to have such men standing guard.”
“Well, now we are back to the part where I am rash and disobedient.” She took another half step toward him until his piercing eyes and full lips came into view. A little flutter in rose her stomach. He was right, mystery was exciting. Especially when it involved a tall, dark, and handsome man.
The Golden Rules of Love: Western Romance Page 14
